001 [Written]

[the_ex_watcher]

Introduction

To the inhabitants of this world stumbling across these pages: My name is Wesley Wyndham-Pryce.

Having arrived here around noon today and spent a number of hours exploring this town, I will dispense with the preliminary exclamations of where I am and why I have suddenly sprouted wings, as much as the latter seemed on waking like some

Comments

[voice, even though the original post was written. she's lazy like that]

[slaying]

Wesley? Seriously? Is that you?

[voice, since Buffy started with that]

[the_ex_watcher]

Hello, Buffy.

Yes, I seem to be. I would return the sentiments had Angel not told me you were here.

[pause] . . . How are you?

[voice]

[slaying]

I'm alright, all things considered. Captivity isn't exactly my favourite thing but at least the view's nice.

You've already spoke to Angel?

[voice will be taken as read from here on in]

[the_ex_watcher]

That's understandable. You're not the type of person who's comfortable with being restrained by forces beyond your control. [and doesn't he know all about that}

Yes, he was the first to reply to my journal entry. We spoke in person yesterday.

[slaying]

[She won't deny that this oddly intuitive Wesley is throwing her for a loop. She still remembers the bumbling Wyndham-Pryce, fresh from London. Her surprise leaks into her voice.]

Well, while I'm sorry you have to end up in this bizarro-world, I'm not sorry that those of us from our world are growing in number. It's weirdly comforting.

[the_ex_watcher]

[Maybe Wes is secretly a little pleased about that. Not that he's at a better place now than he was then, but he's traveled through better places, at least. It's nice not to be judged for once.]

Of course. Nothing relieves a sense of displacement and isolation as much as running into people one knows. Though I can't say I'm surprised: The Powers That Be tend to shuffle us about in packs. I suppose from their point of view there's no sense in playing a Chosen Hero without adding a few support cards just in case. [Maybe a hint of bitterness, but there could have been a lot more.]

[slaying]

You think this has something to do with the powers upstairs? [She sounds skeptical.] Has Angel told you about the scientist-guys?

[the_ex_watcher]

No, I've read all about them. However personally I feel much better imagining that the forces normally guiding the good fight haven't been left behind in our own universe. It changes nothing but one's outlook on life. Or death. [Like that impending one waiting for him back home.]

[slaying]

Then did you also read that death is temporary, here? A week, ten days tops and then you're back in the pink.

[Not that death had been too permanent for her in their own world]

[the_ex_watcher]

Impermanence of death is no reason to take it lightly. [Cool it, Wes, you're starting to sound all knowledgeable again.]

[quickly, to fill the sudden pause] Angel invited me to, ah, move in with all of you. I thought it would be best to ask you, Dawn, and Faith first.

[slaying]

[A stunned pause.] Uhm--uhm. No, that's fine. Yeah, I mean...Angel's probably sick of sharing the house with just girls. And there are a few empty rooms for the picking. And if Angel says it's fine, then I'm on that bandwagon, too.

[the_ex_watcher]

[That was reassuring, oh yes.]

I wouldn't want to cause any discomfort. Nor would I hold it against you if you said no. We weren't on the best of terms, in any sense of the phrase, when I left Sunnydale.

[slaying]

Discomfort? No. Just...in comparison to Angel or Dawn or...or even Faith? I hardly know you. And I'm not going to lie. What I did know of you? I didn't like it. But from what I hear from Angel, you've changed.

[After a pause, she reaches her conclusion:] We all get our second chances.

[the_ex_watcher]

. . . Thank you. That's very kind. [Nasty back-of-his-head voice adds: and I don't deserve it. But he promised Angel, no elephants in the room.]

[Wait, what?] What you hear from Angel? How recently?

[slaying]

Just vague stuff. Like how you're more actiony and less bumbling, now. Not to mention the whole ex-Watcher thing. Big brownie points for that.

[the_ex_watcher]

Ah. I'm not sure how many brownie points I can claim for that, considering they sacked me, as opposed to my leaving voluntarily. I am rather pleased about the reduction in bumbling, though. It's all right to be bandaged and bruised after a demonic fight but downright embarrassing to be so after tripping down one's own stairs.

I've heard you've gone through quite a considerable amount in the last five years, yourself. From Willow, when she came to assist us in retrieving Angel's soul last year.