After Anyanka's unfortunate, but promising, outburst in the store, I decided that it was probably best for me to give her some space. Not that I considered myself included in her ordering everyone out of the store, but I think she's on her way to a very vengeance-y place right now, and I think it's better if she finds that place on her own
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Now I could complete my research on the big bad that these self-involved "heroes" had not even yet noticed was lurking about.
...and I was just about to go hole myself away some where and do just that when I saw the woman from the cemetery emerge onto the street.
She fascinated me last night, she fascinated me today, and she fascinates me now.
I could put off research for a bit longer.
I cross the street and jump directly in her path.
"We meet again!"
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"Well, well. So we do?"
There is a short pause. He has the Codex. Normally, I would not be even remotely interested in what some human was planning to do with a moldy old text. Despite that, I find myself incredible curious. After all, he has proven to be very entertaining thus far. I'm sure that with the help of the Codex, he could be even more entertaining.
"So you got your Codex? What exactly are you planning on doing with that, if you don't mind my asking?"
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"So, and excuse me if I'm interfering, what do you plan on doing about it? I mean, you are significantly more...capable than most of these human idiots, but primal forces are not to be trifled with. So if you figure out exactly what is going on, what good will that do you? Believe me when I say that messing with primal powers can only lead to the kind of death that even immortals fear."
I have to admit, despite my melodramatic warning, the prospect of doing something daring, and something with a little more focus than random vengeance spells is appealing.
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I ease back on my heels.
"Though, on the flipside, to stand here and allow the world to get ravaged, especially if one had the prior knowledge seems somewhat obtuse to me. i don't necessairly want to fight evil forces, but it's more so if they are going to do things that will interfere with MY personal plans, I may need to have a contingence plan just in case I need to step in on my own behalf."
I pause, to see if she sees my point.
"...if that makes sense."
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"Of course, it makes sense. It's the only thing that makes sense."
I pause and consider my options. I don't usually get involved in these sort of 'big picture' type things, but I can't help finding the appeal in doing something a little more focused than just vengeance here and there. Besides, this human is interesting.
"Well, if you need help, or, well, something. I may be able to assist you in ways humans can't."
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She was beyond me, and she knew it.
...and I didn't like to not have control of the elements in my plans. I'd have to tread very carefully. She was not a player to be manipulated. She was one that if I took her offer, would be an equal.
A partner.
Could I do that?
Would she want to?
There was only one way to find out, and that was to give her the info flat out. Tell her that which the others didn't know, what the Slayer's friends had so neglected to notice, and get her honest appraisal.
So...
"Alright, I may have to take you up on that. But before we make any deals, tell me...what do you know about..."
Here comes the kicker...
"...The First Evil?"
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A chill runs through my body, though I don't think it was noticeable. What is noticeable is my immediate change in my demeanor. I'm no longer bubbly yet sarcastic and maybe slightly flirtatious. Those words, although, in all honesty, the words themselves are meaningless, can only have one effect. A sombering effect.
"What do I know about the First Evil? The question is what do you know about the First Evil? First Evil is what you humans are choosing to call it, huh? It's about as fitting as you could get, but still far from accurate. Calling it a name like that, 'The First Evil' makes it too... definite. To concrete, to easy to quantify ( ... )
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What was casual conversation became a whole lot regimented, and a whole lot more inquisitive.
This is exactly what I was going for, I needed to feel her out, cause if she was to be an ally, I needed to know.
"Well, to answer your question in the most direct way possible...the reason I am interested in The First Evil is simply this..."
I pause.
"It's here."
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I look around, the next part is one conversation we shouldn't be having on the street near the Magic Box, in case there are wandering Scooby ears. I didn't care if they knew about The First, they were bound to catch wise eventually, but the next little tid-bit was going to be more than I wanted them to know.
I place my hand on her shoulder, cautiously, of course...and lead her down the street. Once we start walking, I take my hand from her and glance over.
"That is technically untrue. There are measures that can be taken to ensure that the First does not manifest itself, and I've already taken one step to make sure that is so."
I breathe in, confession time.
"According to prophesy, a vampire with a soul can be detrimental to the apocalypse, a champion of sorts. So, I figured The First's manifestation would be considered an extinction level event, so I some initiative, and did what I had to do."
I grin.
"You know that blonde vampire that runs with the whole little Slayer group, well...daddy's got a brand new soul."
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"Oh, that is rich." Another laugh trickles out of my throat.
"Oh dear lord. He must be going absolutely insane right now. I mean, he tortured, maimed and murdered so many people. Having a soul and remembering all of that carnage must be making him simply bonkers."
Recalling Spike's flair for the dramatic, something occurs to me.
"Have you seen him since the change? I mean, are you holding him somewhere, keeping an eye on him? Because this kind of self-hatred could lead to a self-inflicted large pile of ashes, if you get my drift."
Another thought occured to me.
"Wait, isn't there already a vampire with a soul. Tall, dark, intensly broody. Forehead slightly more pronounced than usual?"
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I pause, she also mentioned another vampire with a soul. How to respond?
"As for your other question, I was vaguely aware of the vampire with a soul, he works in LA, if I am not mistaken. I am also familiar with his history here, as well as the fact that before he was ensouled he was a merciless killer. There was no transition, just an immediate goodness following ensoulment. I don't trust that. This blonde haired vampire, while cocky and not at all pleasing, but we have to face the facts, he was already helping the side of the good, at least in recent months, without a soul...it only stands to reason then that if a creature without a soul can find the reason to do the side of good, with a soul, he would be the champion we need to stop The First from manifesting."
There. That sounded right enough.
"Of course, I could be wrong. Crazy human logic and all."
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"So, what then? Shall we go look for him? I realize that you are attuned to the magicks, but I can feel this kind of thing easier than you can. We could track him down together."
Perhaps I sound a bit too eager, but seeing 'Spike' suffering is just too appealing at the moment. Besides, if Tucker here is right, then, in addition to satiating my sadistic side, I'll actually be helping myself and the world. Kind of interesting.
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"Well, I wouldn't ask you to help. But if you want to, I just want it to be understood that what happens from this point on, we're in it both mutually, no one forced anyone to do anything they didn't want to. As you said, playing against The First can be dangerous, but if we do this, and do it right, you'll live to exact vengance on another stupid human another day. I, on the other hand will just get to live...which to me, is definitely in my best interests, good and evil aside."
I pause for effect. I may be different than Andrew, but we share the same blood, so occasionally I go for the dramatic moments.
"...that said, let's do this."
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He was a bit over the top with the 'let's do this' line, but I can forgive him that. I smile indulgently.
"Of course." I try to reach out, searching for a conflicted energy. Something dark and light at the same time. On the very edges I could sense something. Dull, because it was far away, yet clearly piercing.
"I can't guarantee that this will be him, but I'm pretty sure I've got an idea of where he is." I pause. I cannot resist mocking him just a little. "Let's do this."
((OOC: Let's move the thread, now that we are looking for Spike... If Spike is still in the game. ))
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