Aug 24 - Negotiations
Title: Day 24 - Negotiations
Author: acswatwst
Rating: FR-13
Crossover: BtVS / Ghost Busters (1975)/ Secrets of Isis / Stargate
Word Count: 1,090
Disclaimer: This is a derivative work. All BtVS characters and concepts belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox Television, and others. Funimation/NBCUniversal owns the original (1975) Ghost Busters and Secrets of Isis. Stargate is owned by some media conglomerate, which is not me.
Notes: The alien person Isis and Joyce are planning to visit is an OC. But she is a Tok'ra. How Isis knows her and the connection between Isis and the Goa'uld may be explained in a future story, though canon may take a beating in the process. (For those who've forgotten/didn't know, this series of stories is part of my 'Teen Joyce' series, which is set in a mega-crossover AU that is primarily Dr Who/Buffy/Stargate centric.)
Summary: A meeting in the solarium.
"Who are we going to see?" Joyce asked, grabbing the last piece of toasted bread out of the toaster.
"An acquaintance," Andrea said, writing in a small booklet. "Someone you are not to see on your own."
"One of those false gods?" Joyce. "No, you said you've never actually encountered one of them."
"Correct. But there are others. Those who keep an eye out for them," Andrea said.
"One of those secret societies?" Joyce said. "Which one?"
"Not exactly," Andrea said. "They aren't from around here. They don't like attracting attention, so in that sense they are secretive, but not in the way you are thinking."
"So, they're from some other country? Like England?" Joyce said.
"If England was another planet, yes," Andrea said.
"We're going to see an alien? A real one?" Joyce said. "Best trip to California ever!"
"Have you been to California before?" Andrea said.
"Not that I know of," Joyce said. "Still the best. So, you know an alien, who watches out for these false gods? Why do they do that? And who do they tell?"
"They tell other aliens," Andrea said. "And why? I suspect it's a reason that wouldn't make sense to us, other than their politics."
"Politics are boring," Joyce said, finishing her toast. "It's all about who can do who a favor and who is the best at it. Boring stuff."
"Politics make the world go round," Andrea said. "To use an old trite phrase. But we aren't concerned with that today."
"What do you expect to find out by talking with this alien person?" Joyce said. "We know something odd is going on, and the guys at Spectral Investigations are still missing, along with their apartment. Do you think aliens took them?"
"They should be able to confirm my suspicions about the energy readings from yesterday," Andrea said. "And hopefully give us a place to start looking for your detectives."
"Are you going as you or Isis?" Joyce asked. "Do they know about the whole secret identity?"
"If they do, it isn't spoken of," Andrea said. "We don't need to make a flashy entrance. We'll take my car. I'll just need to change before we get there."
"You're going to allow me to see your whole 'becoming Isis' thing?" Joyce said.
"It's nothing special," Andrea said, shrugging. "I hold the amulet, say some words, and it's done."
"It may not be a big deal for you," Joyce said. "But I've never seen that."
Andrea shook her head. "We should get going. I still have lab hours this morning."
"Rennie would get a kick out of this, you know," Joyce said. "But I suppose she can't find out about Isis?"
"No, she can't," Andrea said. "If you hadn't guessed you wouldn't either. It's a secret for a reason."
----
"Isis is from Egypt," Joyce said, looking at her cousin, now transformed into Isis. "How are you not cold dressed like that? It's a cute outfit but there isn't much to it."
"Magic," Isis said, smirking at Joyce's expression. "Though Rick would claim it's just science he doesn't understand."
"I prefer that explanation," Joyce said. "If it's science, someday I might understand how it works, though probably not. Magic is just a big pile of 'You'll never understand it, so don't even try' stuff that just happens."
"If there are scientific principles governing those beings like Isis and the other elder gods, they haven't shared them with me," Isis said. "It's a matter of faith, really. If I didn't believe in the gifts Isis gave me through the amulet, they wouldn't work. But science doesn't like that answer."
"I'm with science," Joyce said. "But I'm not going to be an actual scientist, so as long as it all works I won't complain."
"That's sensible," Isis said, getting out of the car. She'd told Joyce that no one would notice, because they wouldn't expect her to be in a car, and she'd been right, to Joyce's amazement.
"So, your contact lives here?" Joyce said, looking up at the mansion they'd visited the day before.
"You could say that," Isis said. "Remember, don't say anything. Leave all of the talking to me."
"Wasn't planning to," Joyce said. "I'm just here to observe."
"Good," Isis said. She walked into the lobby, Joyce following close behind. Instead of heading for the elevator, as Joyce expected, Isis made for the reception desk and the little old man who was once more behind it.
"I'm here to see your Mistress," Isis said, giving the old man a firm look. "Now."
"Yes, Lady Isis," the old man said, cringing. "She is in the solarium. I will let her know you and your pet will be joining her."
"Of course," Isis said. "Come along," she said to Joyce.
"Pet?" Joyce said, in an offended whisper. "I'm not anyone's pet."
"We'll discuss it later," Isis said. "Now is not the time."
"I'm not a pet," Joyce said once more in a low voice, before miming zipping her lips shut, in response to a frown from Isis.
The solarium was a large room with a glass wall facing the morning sun, filled with plants in imitation of a jungle, and wicker furniture. Isis took a path through the negation, without pause, heading deep into the room.
"Isis, what brings you here, so early in the morning," a husky voice said.
Isis and Joyce came to a stop in a clearing. An elegantly dressed woman sat in a cushion filled chair, overlooking the river. Joyce was barely able to keep her expression blank upon seeing the woman's glowing eyes.
"We have things to discuss," Isis said, sitting in the only other chair in sight, in front of the woman. Frowning, Joyce surreptitiously looked around for another chair.
"Your interesting pet can go play elsewhere," the woman said. "I'm sure it won't be interested in what we discuss."
"I would prefer she stay here," Isis said. "Joyce? Sit." She pointed at a spot next to her chair. Sighing, Joyce made herself as comfortable as possible on the floor, leaning against the wicker chair.
"Amazing," the woman said. "I wouldn't have expected one such as her to be so biddable. You must tell me your secrets for keeping your pet Furling so obedient."
Joyce started, at hearing the alien woman referring to her as a Furling, but Isis's grip on her shoulder kept her silent. "Some things must remain silent," Isis said.
"Of course," the woman said, sighing in disappointment. "So, what did you wish to discuss?"