the bronze } { and in the end when darkness falls

[imnot_likeyou]

[So Willow had invited him out to the Bronze. He isn't sure that this is the greatest idea, given Buffy's reaction to him when she found out that he just happened to use the same library, but Willow swore up and down that she was just having a moment and she's better once you get to know her, but still Sam is hesitant

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[slayerisms]

You girls are so barking up the wrong tree. Didn't anyone ever tell you that I'm the only vampire groupie in this town?

[ Buffy can be heard before she's seen. She drops down from the roof onto a dumpster nearby and swings out her leg in a sweeping kick, knocking the vampires out of the way. She rolls off the dumpster and drops down in front of Sam. ]

New kid, right? [ She reaches out to pat his arm reassuringly as she pulls the stake out of her boot. ] Here's a tip they didn't include in the welcome brochure. Run. [ She whips her head around to look at the vampires who are picking themselves up off the ground. ]

Seriously. I'm beginning to think the undead need some kind of newsletter. No wonder no one made it to the "Welcome Back, Slayer" party. Clearly, you guys didn't get the memo. [ They come at her and she delivers a strong kick to one of their stomachs, knocking her back a few feet

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam also doesn't run. He takes a step back and lets her do her thing, but he's got an equally bewildered look on his face because those things reacted to holy water like a demon. but on the other hand ... ]

Did that demon just turn to dust?

[then there's a beat]

Wait, did you say vampire?

[slayerisms]

Did your listening comprehension just approach zero, or are your legs broken? Of all the things to retain. [ She rolls her eyes, dropping the stake to her side. ] Yes. Vampire. Surprise, and welcome to the mouth of Hell, we hope you enjoy your stay. So, about that running?

[ The vampire comes back, ready to get the drop on Buffy. Except that she only thinks she's getting the drop on Buffy. As she approaches, the blonde rolls her eyes and she spins quickly to roundhouse her. When she recovers, she gets another punch. And another. And another. Buffy looks over her shoulder at Sam with a certain urgency, eyebrows raised, expectant.

God, you'd think the guy didn't want to save himself. This was really going to end well. ]

[imnot_likeyou]

[No, Sam doesn't run. Not from something like this. As much as he hates hunting, this is what he does and he's not going to let Buffy go it alone, even though ... she seems to be handling things pretty well on her own.

At the same time, though ... it's a vampire. Dad had never even MENTIONED them, so he figured that they were one of the few things that were actually fake, but apparently not.

Sam, also to his credit, is a quick study.]

I knew it was a Hellmouth.

[while they were sharing, anyway. But he's also, at the same time, breaking a broken shiv of wood off one of the crates in the dumpster, and when Buffy turned the vampire's back to Sam, he shoves the stake up into where the heart should be. he watches as she turns to dust and frowns, weighing the stake in his hand]

I can't believe that actually works.

[slayerisms]

I can't believe you actually got the heart. [ She looks a little disheartened. Seriously, Sam, making her look bad for not getting it her first time out. She reaches a hand up and waves away the cloud of dust, coughing a little and then bending to tuck her stake back into her boot. ]

And, I gathered that. What, with you coming all holy water prepared. [ She straightens up and grabs the container from him. ] Where'd you get this?

[imnot_likeyou]

Course I got the heart. You know how many things other than vampires die by getting stabbed in the heart?

[or shot. Sam hasn't missed the heart since he was kid. and there's a bit of a disgruntled look as she pulls the flask away from him. He wants to be defensive, but at the same time she seems to know just as much about the supernatural as he does -- minus the vampire knowledge]

You know how when I said my dad was an exterminator?

[slayerisms]

Great. Not only has the Winchester invited itself to my friends, but now your dad's stealing my job. [ Oops. That wasn't supposed to come out ... out loud. She snaps her mouth shut and shakes her head, shoving the holy water container back into his hands. ] Forget it. You're saved. I'm outie. I've got recently mended bridges just waiting for some extra stucko. [ She tries to move past him into the Bronze. ]

[imnot_likeyou]

[ ... and hands, Buffy. Sam is making all the hands.]

What is your problem?

[slayerdom]

Me? [ it's said with a scoff. ] I'm problem-free. You're the one who seems to be magnetizing the undead. Maybe if you're so hip to the mouth of Hell thing, maybe you could prolong your life a little by avoiding dark alleys. Seriously.

[imnot_likeyou]

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about you thinking that I'm out to steal your friends from you. Hate to break it to you? But people can be friends with more than one person, and from what I can see? There's plenty of things to hunt to go around.

[slayerisms]

[ She looks incredulous. ] Hunt? Hunt? That's what this is to you? Like some nice, fun sport? Hey, bring your kids, suit up in tacky camo print, because why not? No.

[imnot_likeyou]

Fun? You honestly think I think this is fun?

[Sam ... doesn't even know what to do with you right now, Buffy]

We're hunters. We hunt. That's what we do. And no, I don't think this is a sport. I've been stuck in this life since I was six months old. I don't think this is fun. Actually, I hate it, but my dad and brother are hell bent on doing it, so I'm along for the ride until I'm old enough to get away.

[slayerisms]

[ She stops, frowning suddenly at that. ]

... They're making you do this?

[imnot_likeyou]

[huffs, but he nods]

Most of the time it's just research, but sometimes they need the extra body.

[slayerisms]

[ She goes quiet for a moment, shifting her weight awkwardly. After a moment, she finally figures out what she wants to say. ]

My mom didn't -- I mean, she didn't know. For a while. When she figured it out, she ... [ She laughed a little wryly, wringing her hands some. ] Well, she kinda flipped. Tried to make me stop. [ That was the part she'd probably lose him on, she knew. Anyone who did this for -- Out of their own free will. They'd never understand what it was like to not be able to stop. ]

[imnot_likeyou]

[a bit of a smirk]

I would have taken your mom over my dad any day of the week. With her I might have stood a chance of staying in a school for more than a week.

[a beat]

But I get it.