x12a(u)

[sixwayheart]

[Action]

[Today, Luceti, there is an unfamiliar boy lurking around town. Technically, he has a place to go but... he's restless a little still so he's aimlessly lurking around the square. Not that he won't jump at the chance to see people he knows or to meet new people if they should wish to talk with him but... yeah. This fellow is just

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[action]

[slaying]

[Apparently, there is nothing quite like a walk through the town to jog the memory; after all, Buffy is cautiously walking past the fountain when she sees a striking shade of red hair. Familiarly red. Her eyes, near-squinting, lock onto the boy and she quite visibly comes to a halt.

The Slayer stares. Outright staring as she tries to remember why the heck this person looks so familiar. Of course, she has known red heads before--Willow, for example. But this wasn't quite the Scoobie-BFF vibe.]

[action]

[extraheart]

[But this ginger over her just smiles and gives a little wave] Fancy seeing you here, Buff.

[action]

[slaying]

Yeah. Fancy that. [Buffy sounds wary as she gives the red-head a casual (yet small) wave in return.

No one else had called her Buff, yet. It was strangely comforting. Like a slice of home. Like...Xander.] Sorry, you're...?

[action]

[extraheart]

You don't remember me? God, I mean, I'm hurt Buff. [He blinks once or twice and even puts a hand over his heart. He assumes she's joking]

I'm your pal Heart, remember?

[action]

[slaying]

[She continues to frown. Then, apologetically:] Heart? I'm not exactly having the best week, memory-wise. There are gaps...and vague kinda shadows and even some things that are downright different in my mind than elsewhere.

[It wasn't the best way to say sorry, I mostly can't remember you. But she is being sincere.] If it helps, I totally recognized the hair. You rock that shade.

[action]

[extraheart]

[...Oh wow she actually doesn't remember. His eyes go wide a little, but then at the second part his eyes return to normal. He still looks vaguely concerned though]

Nah, I get that. People can have that issue, sometimes... and compliments? Always a plus.

[action]

[slaying]

Don't take it personally. [She eyes his concern with no small measure of guilt.] I'm really fuzzy on most people. At first...but, give it time. It'll come to me. Things kinda have a weird habit of floating to the surface. Like--[oh, she snaps her fingers!]--like a dead memory-goldfish, that eventually comes to bob at the top of the tan--[Buffy sighs.]

Okay. Bad metaphor. Can I start over, please?

[action]

[extraheart]

Nope. One failed metaphor earns a penalty unless you want to make a game of it. [He shrugs, smirking a little] I promise to not make it too bad.

[But from his whole tone, it's very clear he's playfully joking]

[action]

[slaying]

[Buffy smiles. Just a small smile. Barely there, really.] So long as there are no actual has-been fish involved in the penalty, I guess I'm game for a game. [After all, memories are being dredged up. There seems to be something intrinsically enjoyable about being around Heart. Like good times are had and the boy's presence brought a slice of social liberty to her life. A friendly kinda feeling. Buffy is unsure about trusting it completely and, so, her guard is still partially up.]

[action]

[extraheart]

I'd say we should make it stripe-philosophy, but apart from, you know, making Plato roll in his grave that might not be the best thing for public. [He smiles- trying to make it clear he's joking. But this is Buffy. It's hard not to be flirty and friendly and playful. He laughs at the end of that and shakes his head]

So I guess I'll have to settle for you treating me.

[action]

[slaying]

Right, lesson number one--and I'm speaking from experience--is that the grave is no place for Play-Doh. Just kinda messy and it has that weird smell and...sure, grave's aren't the tidiest places to begin with but there are certain standards involved.

[And then it hits her like a brick that she is, once again, speaking casually about the grave. But there is less urgency involved. Another gut feeling tells her that Heart--in the past--has rarely been flummoxed by her often dark and inappropriate humour. So she barrels through another smirk and acquiesces.] Give me a hint. Where's good to treat someone to, around here?

[action]

[extraheart]

Experience? I gotta say, Buff, the the cemetery's a hell've a place for a preschool trip. What, you have the Cryptkeeper as your Den Father or something? [He snorts at that.

But then he... isn't sure if Seventh Heaven is open, and Kat's Kradle has been on the fritz a little so... he points at the grocery]

Papa Wing's Do-it-yourselfers. Always a good bet for getting your grub going; they even have blenders and an icebox if you're gunna on smoothies.

[action]

[slaying]

[More like she has the Cryptkeeper as an ex-boyfriend and a stuffy Brit as a den father. But she just smiles and nods and goes through the motions.] I'm pretty sure we're both eons beyond pre-school, Heart.

[Odd. A comfy, bantertastic rhythm has emerged. And so far, no sudden surprises like with McCoy or Sparrow. That is a definite plus.] Oh, and is that a somewhat not-subtle hint that you are, in fact, after smoothies? 'Cause I think I saw a blender in the bar. The bar that I apparently now work at. Go figure.

[action]

[extraheart]

[He snorts at that, waving a hand to concede, okay, she gets that one. For now. But as for the second part-]

Well, might be a bit early for the bar, but hey, who am I to pass up the cutest barmaid this side of Luceti? If you're up for serving up some smoothies and treating? Hey, I'm more than there.

[action]

[slaying]

I guess we should probably hit up the shop for some fruit. And maybe chocolate.

[...Her uncertainty is rapidly being replaced by the prospect of distracting deliciousness.]

[action]

[extraheart]

Hey, you're the one cooking; I'll settle for being the one to carry. [He waves an arm in that direction, smiling and such] Your ingredients await, oh fair chef.