So the evening wasn't wasted. Hallie and I split up at The Bronze. No doubt she enjoyed an evening of good, care-free vengeance. I envied her. At least for the care-free part
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Oh, Anyanka had better be in this store and ready to regale me with a fantastic story of her truly stupendous evening of vengeance. It's a nice day and I'm in no hurry so I decide to walk instead of teleport.
I arrive at the Magic Box and enter though the front door. Not something I do very often, but it has a certain quaint charm.
Oh dear. Dawn Summers is here, and it looks as though she just walked in as well. Anyanka's probably not going to be too excited about discussing vengeance spells while Dawn is here. Oh well, hopefully she'll leave or something.
"Hello, Anyanka. Dawn, how've you been? Feeling neglected lately? Anything I can help you with?" I can't help but tease just a little.
"Oh, good, Halfrek!" I greeted her. Her, I hugged. I wanted to make it clear that I was making my way back into the vengeance fold, leaving that whole human thing. At least, doing my best for now. I smiled at Dawn, then looked back to Hallie.
"Don't mind Dawn, Hallie. She was probably just checking to see if I would turn my back long enough for something else to swipe. Oh, but we left that habit behind, hopefully, didn't we, Dawnie?" I tried not to care about the hurtful look that crossed Dawn's face at that. I almost succeeded.
"Did you have a good night last night, Hallie?" I went right on.
I cross my arms and glare at Halfrek, but then my shocked look moves to Anya. It's true, I did steal from the Magic Box, but it was never personal. Although I guess with Anya and money, it's always personal. But I don't know why she's striking out at me now, I wasn't the one who left her at the altar, I don't have a problem with her.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about something, Anya," I say loudly, staring pointedly at Halfrek. I don't know why they're so hellbent on making themselves my enemies, but I'm not leaving here until I get the information I want. "It's kind of really important, so if you have a minute, I promise that you can stare at me the entire time and make sure I don't steal anything, okay?"
Actually, I probably would, even though I wasn't even considering it earlier. Anya shouldn't have said anything, now I would do it simply out of spite.
"Well, aren't you a fiesty little one today? I believe Anyanka and I were having a conversation. Perhaps you should just run along and find some of those other do-good types that you like to hang out with all the time."
That may have been a bit harsh, but she did have some part in forcing me to retract that vengeance spell awhile back. D'Hoffryn really didn't like that.
"I actually had a lovely night last night, Anyanka." I look pointedly at Dawn as I continue my conversation with Anyanka. "I met a delightful human while I was out looking for you. What I'm really interested in, though, is how you fared the other night at the Bronze?"
I can see that she's back with the vengeance, but I'm not quite sure if she's willing to discuss the specifics in front of Dawn, yet. We shall see.
"Hang on, Hallie. Let me take care of Dawn, then we can talk business. Not that it was all that great, or my best ever, because it wasn't, but at least we now know to stay away from the college football players and cheerleaders. STDs, the lot of 'em." I gave a half-hearted shrug. I really needed to get on the ball. In the light of day, looking back, even I could tell how lame that was.
"Right, Dawn, so what did you need?" I looked back at the younger girl, trying to sound nicer. I was losing my patience with the whole human race, but that didn't mean I needed to take it out on Dawn.
Oops, there's that empathy thing again. I really needed to watch that. Empathy and vengeance demon just do not make good bedfellows.
"Thank you so much, Anya." I glance at Halfrek, feeling truimphant and... vengeful. Hanging around these two doesn't make the air very clear.
"I actually need some information, historical stuff. I don't know who else to come to, except you, because you've been around for so long, so you must know what's been going down." Trying to make her sound important, so maybe she'll be nicer and tell me more. I know from experience that flattery will get you somewhere with Anya. Not far, because only really expensive things get you far with Anya, but somewhere.
"Wait. Spike and Angel?" I studied my nails. "What more could you need to know? Darla sired Angel, who drove Drusilla insane, then sired her, and then Dru sired Spike. What more do you need to know?"
"Well, Spike and Angel, they seem to have this problem between them," I said softly, walking closer to Anya. "Seems like it goes back a long way, bad blood or something." Haha, bad blood. "I wanted to know what that was all about."
I pause, look at Anya and try to think of something to say that will encourage her to tell me if she knows anything. "Since, you know, Angel and Drusilla are back in town and I'd like to know why they're on such terrible odds with each other. Aside from the fact that Angel's got a soul... they really seem to have some problems."
I hate just standing around while they are talking. I don't actually want to help Dawn with whatever little problem she's having, but I just can't help butting in when they are talking about something that I actually know about.
"Um, hello, excuse me? I also have been around for a long time and, unlike Anyanka here, I actually knew William back in the old days. That is who you are talking about, correct? William the Bloody, or 'Spike' as you like to call him? I can't tell you much about Angel, but I could tell you about William. Oh, I could tell you about William."
Those were the days. Despite my natural inclination to stay away from 'good' and 'evil,' William was such and exceptional specimen of the 'evil' side of things. Pity he's gone all gray on us.
Surprised, I turn to Halfrek and raise my eyebrows. I expected them to have information, but I didn't expect either of them to actually know Spike or Angel in the old days. And since Anya isn't offering up anything at the moment...
"Yeah, Spike. Was William his real name? You know, before...?" I make a hand gesture near my neck, she knows what I'm talking about. "Gosh, Halfrek, it would be so much help if you could tell me what you knew." I clasp my hands together and look at her steadily.
"Well, I never knew him before he was a vampire, but I presume that was his name, since that was what he was going by. He was a rather young vampire when I met him. Must have been only a few years after the change. He was going by William the Bloody then
( ... )
I think back to the story that Spike told me, more than a year ago, about a girl whose family he'd killed. Buffy had come in right at the end so he told me that he'd given the girl to a nice family, but somehow I don't think that was how the story ended. It makes me wonder how many survivors were left behind after the vampires' scourge.
Halfrek drifts off, vengeance vengeance blah blah blah. I stare at her for a while, then open my mouth.
"And the monster was Spike - William." I state to snap her out. William the Bloody. I kind of wonder how he came by that name, and then I kind of think that I don't want to know.
"And the monster was Spike - William."Oh, she's still here. Right. I wasn't just reminiscing for fun. I was telling a story. Well, you'd think she could be a little more polite about it
( ... )
While listening, my hand drifts to my mouth and I bite down on the knuckle, watching Halfrek reminesce. Violence and destruction... yeah, we knew that already. But Halfrek seems to be saying that he was more evil than most vampires, with a bigger taste for pain
( ... )
The bell over the door jangles as I walk in. I'm still a little hazy after the spell last night in the cemetery, but Andrew took care of me. Good old brother.
At least he's good for something.
I really hadn't anticipated returning to the Magic Box so soon after my last visit, but I had a few reasons. The Slayer's cronies were still denying me access to the Themagara Codex, and I really needed it for my research...and the second being I wanted to see if I could over-hear any information on the vampire. If any of them had contact with him yet, it might indicate to me whether the spell was a success or not.
...and it was crucial to me to find out.
As I move forward into the store I notice the Slayer's sister and give her a nod.
"Hey Dawn."
...and then after a bried glimpse around, I take note of the demon shopkeeper and...
...well, this is a pleasant surprise. The woman from the cemetery.
"...and you, to what do I owe such a repeat pleasure?"
The man from the graveyard walks in the door just as I'm about to answer Dawn's question.
I'm glad I have an excuse to stop reminiscing about Spike. As much fun as it is to watch Dawn squirm, it's actually quite painful to recall him simply disappearing like that. I knew that he ran around with a gang, and assumed that he had some vampire wench around, but he really seemed enthralled with me. Ah well.
The man's eyes rest on me.
"...and you, to what do I owe such a repeat pleasure?"
I feel a small smile creep onto my face. I'm pleased to see him again. We did have such an interesting chat.
"Well, as I said, I was looking for my dear friend Anyanka, and now I have found her. I'm sure she can help you with whatever you were looking for."
This is true, but it's also another way of seeing how Anyanka is adjusting. Before, I thin kshe wouldn't have liked this young man. He's no black hat, but he does have a twinge of questionable morality to him. That shouldn't be a problem if she's truly returned to form.
I arrive at the Magic Box and enter though the front door. Not something I do very often, but it has a certain quaint charm.
Oh dear. Dawn Summers is here, and it looks as though she just walked in as well. Anyanka's probably not going to be too excited about discussing vengeance spells while Dawn is here. Oh well, hopefully she'll leave or something.
"Hello, Anyanka. Dawn, how've you been? Feeling neglected lately? Anything I can help you with?" I can't help but tease just a little.
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"Don't mind Dawn, Hallie. She was probably just checking to see if I would turn my back long enough for something else to swipe. Oh, but we left that habit behind, hopefully, didn't we, Dawnie?" I tried not to care about the hurtful look that crossed Dawn's face at that. I almost succeeded.
"Did you have a good night last night, Hallie?" I went right on.
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"I actually wanted to talk to you about something, Anya," I say loudly, staring pointedly at Halfrek. I don't know why they're so hellbent on making themselves my enemies, but I'm not leaving here until I get the information I want. "It's kind of really important, so if you have a minute, I promise that you can stare at me the entire time and make sure I don't steal anything, okay?"
Actually, I probably would, even though I wasn't even considering it earlier. Anya shouldn't have said anything, now I would do it simply out of spite.
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That may have been a bit harsh, but she did have some part in forcing me to retract that vengeance spell awhile back. D'Hoffryn really didn't like that.
"I actually had a lovely night last night, Anyanka." I look pointedly at Dawn as I continue my conversation with Anyanka. "I met a delightful human while I was out looking for you. What I'm really interested in, though, is how you fared the other night at the Bronze?"
I can see that she's back with the vengeance, but I'm not quite sure if she's willing to discuss the specifics in front of Dawn, yet. We shall see.
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"Hang on, Hallie. Let me take care of Dawn, then we can talk business. Not that it was all that great, or my best ever, because it wasn't, but at least we now know to stay away from the college football players and cheerleaders. STDs, the lot of 'em." I gave a half-hearted shrug. I really needed to get on the ball. In the light of day, looking back, even I could tell how lame that was.
"Right, Dawn, so what did you need?" I looked back at the younger girl, trying to sound nicer. I was losing my patience with the whole human race, but that didn't mean I needed to take it out on Dawn.
Oops, there's that empathy thing again. I really needed to watch that. Empathy and vengeance demon just do not make good bedfellows.
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"I actually need some information, historical stuff. I don't know who else to come to, except you, because you've been around for so long, so you must know what's been going down." Trying to make her sound important, so maybe she'll be nicer and tell me more. I know from experience that flattery will get you somewhere with Anya. Not far, because only really expensive things get you far with Anya, but somewhere.
"I need to know about... Spike and Angel."
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"Wait. Spike and Angel?" I studied my nails. "What more could you need to know? Darla sired Angel, who drove Drusilla insane, then sired her, and then Dru sired Spike. What more do you need to know?"
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I pause, look at Anya and try to think of something to say that will encourage her to tell me if she knows anything. "Since, you know, Angel and Drusilla are back in town and I'd like to know why they're on such terrible odds with each other. Aside from the fact that Angel's got a soul... they really seem to have some problems."
Reply
"Um, hello, excuse me? I also have been around for a long time and, unlike Anyanka here, I actually knew William back in the old days. That is who you are talking about, correct? William the Bloody, or 'Spike' as you like to call him? I can't tell you much about Angel, but I could tell you about William. Oh, I could tell you about William."
Those were the days. Despite my natural inclination to stay away from 'good' and 'evil,' William was such and exceptional specimen of the 'evil' side of things. Pity he's gone all gray on us.
Reply
"Yeah, Spike. Was William his real name? You know, before...?" I make a hand gesture near my neck, she knows what I'm talking about. "Gosh, Halfrek, it would be so much help if you could tell me what you knew." I clasp my hands together and look at her steadily.
I would love to know about William.
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Halfrek drifts off, vengeance vengeance blah blah blah. I stare at her for a while, then open my mouth.
"And the monster was Spike - William." I state to snap her out. William the Bloody. I kind of wonder how he came by that name, and then I kind of think that I don't want to know.
Reply
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At least he's good for something.
I really hadn't anticipated returning to the Magic Box so soon after my last visit, but I had a few reasons. The Slayer's cronies were still denying me access to the Themagara Codex, and I really needed it for my research...and the second being I wanted to see if I could over-hear any information on the vampire. If any of them had contact with him yet, it might indicate to me whether the spell was a success or not.
...and it was crucial to me to find out.
As I move forward into the store I notice the Slayer's sister and give her a nod.
"Hey Dawn."
...and then after a bried glimpse around, I take note of the demon shopkeeper and...
...well, this is a pleasant surprise. The woman from the cemetery.
"...and you, to what do I owe such a repeat pleasure?"
Reply
I'm glad I have an excuse to stop reminiscing about Spike. As much fun as it is to watch Dawn squirm, it's actually quite painful to recall him simply disappearing like that. I knew that he ran around with a gang, and assumed that he had some vampire wench around, but he really seemed enthralled with me. Ah well.
The man's eyes rest on me.
"...and you, to what do I owe such a repeat pleasure?"
I feel a small smile creep onto my face. I'm pleased to see him again. We did have such an interesting chat.
"Well, as I said, I was looking for my dear friend Anyanka, and now I have found her. I'm sure she can help you with whatever you were looking for."
This is true, but it's also another way of seeing how Anyanka is adjusting. Before, I thin kshe wouldn't have liked this young man. He's no black hat, but he does have a twinge of questionable morality to him. That shouldn't be a problem if she's truly returned to form.
Reply
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