Preparations
The end of my quest may soon be at hand, thanks to a fortunate turn of luck.
When Damon e-mailed me a list of materials and procedures to complete the curse, I was at a loss as to how to go about gathering what I needed. The most obvious resource would have been the Magic Box, a shop here in Sunnydale that specializes in all things magical. However, my motives would likely be questioned, as one of Buffy Summers' allies manages the store. Thus, that avenue was closed.
Rumors that she has some sort of...relationship...with the monster, as distasteful as such a thing might be, would have also complicated matters. A moot point, nonetheless, but still distasteful.
However, I finally caught a break of sorts.
Following the recent battle on the Hellmouth, I took it upon myself to track down the criminal's hideout. Somehow, he'd managed to acquire enough power to almost open the Hellmouth. Whatever my feelings toward the Slayer and her friends were for harboring the monster, opening the Hellmouth was far too dangerous to go unchecked just because of some personal vendetta of mine.
What I found, however...
He had holed up in some kind of abandoned military complex, or what was left of one. Once I saw what I had stumbled onto, I left to contact Damon immediately, to see if he knew what this was.
He replied that it was the remains of something called "the Initiative," some government-sponsored effort to keep tabs on the Hellmouth that had ultimately failed horribly. He also noted that the person he'd told me to contact, Riley Finn, had been a member of that group.
I suppose now I'll have to speak with the man.
In any case, I found what I needed fairly quickly. This Engle person had collected quite an impressive amount of magical ingredients...some of which, I admit, I have no idea what they were. Nor would I want to know. But most of what I needed was there, save one thing.
I need something of the monster's. Anything, I suppose, Damon's notes weren't specific. But that will require me to get close to it, and manage to take what I need without stirring suspicion.
Fortunately, I have a little time. The spell Damon provided was very specific. The spell must be performed within three days of the passing of the full moon, or else it won't have any effect. Next Tuesday is the full moon, which means I have until next Friday to cast the spell.
I don't want to wait another month, to have to spend more time in this city with it lurking about freely. I want it over now.
I need to contact this Riley Finn. Perhaps he can help me get what I need, even if he has to forego the direct approach for something a little more covert. Military boys like that are always good with the covert.
Until then, I'm sure there's something down in those caves that might prove useful. After all, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for the unexpected...
When Damon e-mailed me a list of materials and procedures to complete the curse, I was at a loss as to how to go about gathering what I needed. The most obvious resource would have been the Magic Box, a shop here in Sunnydale that specializes in all things magical. However, my motives would likely be questioned, as one of Buffy Summers' allies manages the store. Thus, that avenue was closed.
Rumors that she has some sort of...relationship...with the monster, as distasteful as such a thing might be, would have also complicated matters. A moot point, nonetheless, but still distasteful.
However, I finally caught a break of sorts.
Following the recent battle on the Hellmouth, I took it upon myself to track down the criminal's hideout. Somehow, he'd managed to acquire enough power to almost open the Hellmouth. Whatever my feelings toward the Slayer and her friends were for harboring the monster, opening the Hellmouth was far too dangerous to go unchecked just because of some personal vendetta of mine.
What I found, however...
He had holed up in some kind of abandoned military complex, or what was left of one. Once I saw what I had stumbled onto, I left to contact Damon immediately, to see if he knew what this was.
He replied that it was the remains of something called "the Initiative," some government-sponsored effort to keep tabs on the Hellmouth that had ultimately failed horribly. He also noted that the person he'd told me to contact, Riley Finn, had been a member of that group.
I suppose now I'll have to speak with the man.
In any case, I found what I needed fairly quickly. This Engle person had collected quite an impressive amount of magical ingredients...some of which, I admit, I have no idea what they were. Nor would I want to know. But most of what I needed was there, save one thing.
I need something of the monster's. Anything, I suppose, Damon's notes weren't specific. But that will require me to get close to it, and manage to take what I need without stirring suspicion.
Fortunately, I have a little time. The spell Damon provided was very specific. The spell must be performed within three days of the passing of the full moon, or else it won't have any effect. Next Tuesday is the full moon, which means I have until next Friday to cast the spell.
I don't want to wait another month, to have to spend more time in this city with it lurking about freely. I want it over now.
I need to contact this Riley Finn. Perhaps he can help me get what I need, even if he has to forego the direct approach for something a little more covert. Military boys like that are always good with the covert.
Until then, I'm sure there's something down in those caves that might prove useful. After all, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for the unexpected...