Job 005 :: The Q&A Job [Action/Written] {Morning of the 18th}

[shadedsunlight]

Comments

[Action]

[consultmybooks]

[These patrols are getting later and later. It's seriously screwing with Giles' normal habits but, well, ever since hearing the deeply unpleasant news that Grell was the last person to see Buffy...

He's also eating something sticky sweet from the bakery on the walk back home to sleep when he sees Ginia at the bridge. Giles pauses, tilting his head curiously for a second, before shrugging and taking up a spot next to her. Several seconds go by before he speaks.]

It's generally not a good idea to linger on these bridges too long. There are pirates about, I'm afraid.

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia glances over at Giles as he approaches, offering a tired smile and a tiny bow of her head. She's glad to see him and a little nervous. There are apologies owed, that much isn't forgotten.]

/I've heard there are many pirates in the town. Do they have a monopoly on the bridges?/

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

I've only ever come across the one, where bridges are concerned. [He smiles just as tiredly back before taking another bite out of breakfast.]

But he can be quite, um, insistent about it, and Buffy would be very upset if I hexed him again.

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

/Which pirate is it?/

[There's a brief pause before she straightens up a little and gives him another smile, this one slightly warmer. All right, even if there's a lot on her mind, it's good seeing a familiar face. Funny how they always seem to run into each other.]

/It's good to see you, Giles./

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Jack Sparrow. There are a few other pirates in the village, but they seem to keep themselves a little more...discreet.

[He nudges a stray twig into the river before looking back at her, looking almost happy.]

And it's good to see you, Ginia. Nice to have you back.

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[There's a quiet laugh at the mention of the name.] /Captain Sparrow. I'm acquainted with him. I suppose I might move off the bridge due to some of the company I keep, but I'll take my chances. I like this spot./

/It's.../ [She stops and sighs, tilting her head up to look at the sky. It's quite strange to know she was physically out and about for the last eleven days, but without any of the memories.]

/It's good to be back./

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Some of that company being me. [Giles and Jack have cordially, and not so cordially, disliked one another since time immemorial. Or at least since last September a few years ago, give or take.

He watches her with some concern while Ginia collects her thoughts.]

How are you feeling?

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

/I was unaware you two had history. I was more referring to Smoker. Did he ever confiscate Sparrow's boat?/

[The million dollar question. Her forced cheer fades a bit back into tired contemplation as she heaves another sigh, slouching a little more against the railing.]

/Depends on what you'd like to hear./

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

We have a history, yes. He stole my watch.

[Then Buffy complained Jack was harrassing her. Then Giles hexed him. Then Giles was turned into a vampire and mauled him. The fact that Jack was also very close to Ami, who turned out to be Giles' only proper meal, didn't help.

They have a tentative kind of truce now, for Buffy's sake.]

Depends on what you'd like to tell me.

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[A watch. Ginia's a little more inclined to believe there's further history, but the history are stories left in the past and it's none of her business.

It takes awhile for her to answer. The hardest part isn't finding the right words, but rather any words and getting them out. When she finally replies, it's not a direct answer, but it'll get there eventually.]

/How do you stand it?/

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Which bit in particular?

[A sigh - he has a vague idea of what she's talking about, but explaining in full would take...far too much time, and he doesn't have the energy.]

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

/Anything. Knowing you could be kidnapped at any moment. Knowing your friends could be kidnapped at any moment. Knowing--/ [she stops for a second, forcing the words she never wanted to admit to to come out.] /Knowing you can't do a damn thing about it.

How do you stand it, Giles?/

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[...Giles is silent for a long few moments. Eventually, he turns away from Ginia, leaning against the railing to stare down at the water.]

When I hear someone being taken? I try to run to them. I always try and run. I never find them in time, and I couldn't do anything to stop them if I did. But I look.

If someone I know has been taken? I patrol. I patrol anyway - it's something we always did, back home - but I take whatever chance I can to search around the village for them.

That's what I'm just getting back from, actually. Buffy was taken, the day after I got back. Her housemate was taken just a few days ago. Ami just before the experiment ended. I have a great many people to look for.

And if the droids come for me? Well, I'm always armed - for other reasons than that, certainly, but I am. I fight until they're forced to knock me unconscious. I make as much of a nuisance of myself as I can until they're forced to sedate me. [He laughs bitterly.] The last time, I became such a danger to myself and others that they were forced

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia is silent as Giles talks, unable to look at him, but attentively listening. Someone else's blunt honesty is what she needs at the moment as much as it all hurts to hear. When he finishes, she's quiet for a little longer before she gives his shoulder a tiny pat.]

/I'll be okay. Not right now, maybe not for a day or two, but I'll be okay. I don't know what it says considering I've had worse pain inflicted on me before and that now that I have an inkling of what to expect, maybe.../

[There's a wavering in her signs as her eyes flick down, teeth chewing on the inside of her lip.]

/I only remember two days of it. I kicked, I bit, I did everything I could. I lasted for two days before I blanked out and Alice took over. I don't know if I should be thankful for her, mad at myself for being weak, or both./

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

Some people don't remember anything, and that's without a second personality to bear the brunt of things.

Be thankful to Alice, if anything. She was far from happy, when she returned, but she was concerned about you.

[...his tone softens slightly, as does his expression.]

You'll be all right. Everyone is. That's why we're here to help one another.

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

/I'm cursed with an exceptionally good memory and frequent nightmares./

[The comment is made casually, but no lacking in truth. She'll be amazed if she sleeps well for the next few days.]

/I am thankful for Alice. I really am. I know she's difficult, I know how she can be, and I'm really sorry if she gave you a hard time while she was out... but I'm thankful for her./

[A faint smile comes back and she gives a tiny nod of her head. She doesn't doubt it.]

/I know. I think the fact I lost a little over a week is also throwing me off. It's like being in a coma all over again.

I'll be fine. Don't worry about me./