012: [location: sunnydale cemetery] & [visual]

[likeajoan]

Things have been a little on the insane side of eventful recently at Taxon for Buffy, and she's feeling quite adrift. Generally at such times she finds the best solution is to locate the nearest vampire/demon and pummel them for a while to work out the kinks, but as there's a distinct lack of those, she's decided to seek refuge (read: avoid people

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[Location: Sunnydale Cemetery]

[jokesthatmatter]

Gordon is, finally, well healed enough to leave the drab little flat his friend Finch has been calling home. He's been spending the day wandering Taxon, trying to get his bearings. It's a strange place, such a blend of so many different things that it's almost exhausting just looking at it all. He's getting tired now, and looking for a place to rest.

When he first sees Buffy he assumes that she is like all the other people he's met today; almost void of personality or purpose. But that's not an excuse to be rude. "Hullo there. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

[likeajoan]

She looks up from her reverie when she hears Gordon's voice, and shakes her head, mustering a friendly smile from somewhere. "Well I was in the middle of some very engaging staring into space, but I think I'll survive."

After a very brief pause as she scans his face, she adds. "We haven't met, have we? I'm Buffy."

[jokesthatmatter]

"Do you mind if I..." He gestures down at the grass on the other side of the grave, but doesn't wait for an answer before slowly lowering himself down to a sitting position.

"It's a pleasure, Buffy. I'm Gordon. I'm new here." He looks around them. "Wherever here is."

[likeajoan]

She doesn't mind him taking a seat in any case- it's probably better that she isn't left to wallow alone in her thoughts anyway, and Gordon presents a nice distraction. She gestures with one hand in a welcoming sort of way, as he sits down.

"It's nice to meet you too, Gordon." She nods, politely, then casts an echoing glance around. "Well, if we're talking specifics, here is the cemetery from my hometown. As for Taxon, your wild speculation is as good as mine."

[jokesthatmatter]

"Wild speculations not really my thing, not unless there's a joke in it somewhere. This isn't where I was, and that's really enough for me." He smiled at Buffy affably.

"Is there any particular reason you're sitting in a cemetery all alone? I hope you don't mind me saying so but you don't look too terribly happy."

[likeajoan]

"That's probably a good policy." She smiled back, perhaps a little ruefully. The question was a rather difficult one, though Gordon's frankness was charming, in an odd way. She hesitated before answering.

"I don't mind. As for the reason... I don't know. I've been here... a long time now, and I think it's just starting to get to me. I wanted some time to think."

[jokesthatmatter]

"Cemeteries are good places to think. Very peaceful places." Which is why he tends to avoid them, usually. There's only so much reflection on his life he can take before it depresses him, and he hates being depressed.

"Is there something in particular you're missing from home? Or a someone?" He looks at the gravestone between them, and wonders if it's random selection that has her sitting just there, or if it's someone she knew.

[likeajoan]

"Mm. I used to spend a lot of time in this one-- not necessarily with peaceful activities, but still. It's familiar." Buffy's not a fan of being depressed either, but alas sometimes she can't help it. It happens a lot more than it used to, unfortunately.

"Actually, most of the people I know are here with me. I don't know whether that's lucky or not." She casts a sideways glance at the gravestone, then down at the grass again, then up to Gordon. "My mom." She says, quietly, as a simple explanation.

[jokesthatmatter]

He's not even going to try and puzzle out what she means by 'not peaceful activities.' You know British older men - they do repression so well.

"It's not easy, is it? Not at any age." He wonders how young she was when she lost her mother, how close they were, but he doesn't ask. "At least you're not alone here. I'd consider that lucky."

[likeajoan]

Oh yes, well she has more experience than most in the area of British older men and their immense flair for repression, so she can understand that perfectly.

"Nope. Not so much." She sighs, keen to leave that subject behind, as it's not one that can lead to anywhere other than depression. "I guess you're right. Is there anybody you know here? Y'know, from home?"