(Untitled)

[red_rosenberg]

Continued from HereI peered out the window, my bat-- my hands curling up in my lap as I watched the whole of the outside setting light up completely for a few seconds before dying back down to thick blackness of heavy nighttime rain. "Weird storm," I said with a slight shiver. Outside, I knew it was almost be electrical, if not... just really wet.

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[watcher_pryce]

"Yes, I suppose they would," I nodded, still glancing out the window. The rain was coming down hard, and the thunder showed no signs of leaving any time soon. There was a very strong pull of wind from time to time, though not a full fledged storm. Wouldn't surprise me if there was one of those lurking around the corner though. The fact was that I could actually feel some of the magic in the air, and I wasn't all that magically inclined. Willow was though.

"Can you feel it too?" I wondered. Turning back to her, I reached for my tea, I think I've some left. My hand brushed against hers and there was a small electric shock passing between us the moment we touched. Swallowing hard, I blinked at that, though not pulling my hand away. Did that just happen or had that been my imagination? Slowly, I picked up my tea and sat back against the sofa.

"That was strange," I muttered, glancing out the window again. I flinched when a particular loud crash of thunder lit up the sky and the room. "I should try calling Cordelia," I said, moving a bit closer to Willow for some reason. I just didn't want her to be scared. Not that she would be, but just in case.

[red_rosenberg]

"Yeah," I agreed without listening to what he had said at all. Isn't that what guys are meant to do? The nod-and-smile thing? With the slight gaze-drop to the boobs? Except I was watching his hands, and it was the way I was watching that made it bad. Like, 'ooooh, hands'. No, wait, guys wouldn't go 'ooooo, boobs', but saying 'look at the pair on him!' felt weird and could lead to wrong ideas.

Bad tangent.

"Wait, huh?" Call Cordelia? No, we didn't need to do that, did we? I'd forgotten all about her, about everyone, Giles, Angel, Buffy, whatever. That was all outside world stuff that didn't matter right now because I could feel him, and he was warm, I could feel that warmth and it was chilly and I wanted him to hold me. Call Cordelia?

"Uh, why? She, um, the phonelines are probably out and will mobile phones get reception?" I asked, voice pitching up an octave as I tried to keep him on the couch with me. I wanted shadowpuppets and firelight and tea and soft/rough hands and awkwardness, damnit.

[watcher_pryce]

Glancing outside again, I could see the storm raging on, and getting stronger. It really was very strange storm and I had to wonder about the nature of it. Was it even natural? Doubt was beginning to set in when it came to that. Though, I'd never seen such a thing before, it would not be unheard off.

"I'm worried about them," I admitted quietly. Reaching for the phone, I held the receiver to my ears and wasn't at all surprised to find the line dead. Then I dug into my pocket and pulled out my cellphone. Flipping it on wasn't a problem, getting a reception of course was. "Dammit," I muttered, glaring at the bloody thing. Useless things when you needed them.

Without noticing it, I slipped an arm around Willow protectively while looking back out the window. I pulled her closer while rubbing my hand over her arm. "Do you get the impression that this isn't a normal storm as well?" I asked, turning back to give her a questioning look. When had she'd gotten so close? Swallowing hard, I looked at her lips and then quickly moved my eyes back up to meet hers.

[red_rosenberg]

He's so warm. I remember that kind of warmth, it's the warmth you get addicted to when you have a boyfriend you love. It's safe and it's kind, forgiving, protective. And I really had to stop thinking these kind of things, because Wesley was not my boyfriend. At all. He was just sweet, I think. It was difficult to resist the temptation to rest my head on his shoulder, like we were some highschool couple. The thunder crashed outside, clouds turning white as lightning rolled inside them.

"It's pretty freaky," I agreed, turning my eyes from the window to meet his hesitant, flickering gaze. I think he realised how close we were, because I felt his body stiffen just a little. I was leaning closer than I thought I was, and my hand had come to rest on his thigh when he had put his arm around me. Eep. I should move it. Really. But I didn't, because I was suddenly fascinated in the way his features lit up when lightning cracked.

"Do-do you think it's, uh, unnatural?" Whatever magical senses I've developed over years of witchcraft-ering were bristling - that could be the amount of natural electricity in the sky, but it was still weird, like steel wool at my nerves. I winced as thunder seemed to shudder the building.

[_wes_pryce_]

Alright, this was awkward. And too close. Much, much to close. I've no idea what's going on here, but my body is obviously having other idea's then I do. We can't have that. This is Willow for gods sake! Not some...twit I met in a pub. She deserves better then this.

Pulling away, I took a deep breath and glanced out the window. Storm. Good, it'll give me something else to focus on. Because to be quite frank? It didn't look very natural. I'm not all that magically inclined, but even I could feel the pull of magic coming from it. Someone was out there and up to no good.

"I don't think it's very natural," I muttered, slowly getting up. There, that was better. Only not there was no warm Willow in my arms. Quite the contrary isn't it? Sighing, I walked over to the window and stared out into the street. The rain was coming down so hard, I couldn't even see the park across the street, or my car parked right up front.

There was another crack in the air, lightning casting a ghostly glow over the landscape. It made my skin crawl, goosebumps rising up. No, this wasn't natural at all. "Do you suppose we should check it out?" I asked, turning back to look at Willow. "We should be able to track down it's source." Though, I didn't want to endanger Willow. Perhaps it would be best if I went alone.

[red_rosenberg]

He pulled away, definitely a good step. Unfortunately. Being way too obvious. I pulled back to, raising my hands to fix my hair a little and pull it out of my eyes, listening. Wait, what? I gave him a look of semi-disbelief as I stood up as well. The lightning was so frequent now, to the point that we didn't even need the candles. Still, I picked one up and stepped over to the window, peering out through the rain and at the sky. Blackness, then a flash of white and I could see rolls of cloud rumbling away up there.

"You wanna go out? In that?" I said, turning my attention to the street. Water rushed in the gutters and pooled on the sidewalks. Every thinking person had gotten out of the way. "Supernatural storms," I said with a sigh, turning my attention back to Wes. "Only when the witch comes to town, right?"

A crack of thunder made me jump, and wax dripped onto my fingers. "Yowch!" Setting down the candle on the windowsill, I quickly wiped away the wax and closed my other hand over my fingers, easing the burn. "Okay, well," I said, "where do we start with this-" a crack of thunder "-thing."

[watcher_pryce]

Wincing when the wax felt on her hand, I was already reaching out to grab it without really thinking about it. "Oh dear," I whispered, looking at her hand worried. Didn't look to bad, but still, one can never be too careful. Giving her a slight smile, I dragged her over to the kitchen and put her hand under the luke warm tap. Cold would hurt to much.

"I doubt it has anything to do with you coming to town, Willow," I commented dryly. She would think that wouldn't she? The little twit, I thought fondly. "It's just one of those things that happen." And usually while we were around, granted. Then again, they might be occurring on a regular basis. But no one would know if they didn't know where to look. And we did know, both of us were magically inclined.

"It best if I went out and traced the source of this. You don't have to come along, it's not your job after all," I quickly added. "Though, I would appreciate your help." Great, why did I say that? She could've stayed here in the safety of my flat and I wouldn't have to worry about her. But she's not a little girl anymore. She can hold her own, I've no doubt about that. And I really *could* use her help.

"If-if you want that is," I added, frowning when another loud thunder crackled through the air. Hmm, I hope I have something for her to wear when we get back. We're both going to be soaked to the bone. "Maybe I should try calling Angel again." Pulling out my cellphone, I blinked at it. Of course it's not working. Figures.

[red_rosenberg]

"I'm a sidekick," I explained, glancing at Wes and he took out his cell phone. "My job is going with the hero, y'know? I'm right there." Hard to explain that impulse, really, but it was there.

Taking my hand out from the stream of tap water, I dried it on a tea towel - I'd gotten burn marks from candles before, when you've been a Wiccan for as long as I have, it happens, and I'd always ignored it. Nice that Wesley felt the need to be concerned. It was just... yeah, nice. His future girlfriend had better be happy that they'd have someone that'd look after them. I know I would. And stopping that train of thought on it's tracks.

Glancing over, I saw his annoyance at his cellphone - still out, and I doubt that was gonna change until this storm went away. And I wasn't sure it'd be over so quick. "So, got a coat you could lend me?" I said, rain still battering away at the window. I didn't have any extra clothes with me, either. Also? Kinda hard to decide if wearing Wesley-pants that fit would be useful or just plain insulting that I could fit into guy's pants.

[watcher_pryce]

Amused, I looked at her when she said she was a sidekick. Well, what a coincidence. So am I. Makes me wonder what hero we'll be following then. Hell, maybe it was time for the sidekicks to get out on their own. Besides, it was magic. I doubt her 'hero' and mine would be able to handle that. This was more our field and we'd bloody well would take care of it.

"You are you're own hero," I said seriously. "We sidekicks don't need our hero's for this." And that just sounds very odd. Clearing my throat, I turned around and walked over to my closet to see if I had any coat she could wear. I rooted through my closet until I found an old windbreakers. It would probably be much to big for her but it would do the trick.

"Here you go," I smiled at her, leaning a bit on the sofa. If...when, Cordelia finds out that I've gone out to fight evil? She'll be tearing me several new ones. And Gunn as well. Probably Angel too. But what was I supposed to do? Just sit around waiting for it to go away? I couldn't do that, and neither could Willow.

"Why don't I just go grab some weapons while you go through there and see what we might need." I pointed at my cupboard in the hell where I kept my magical supplies. Funny place? Maybe, but I really didn't want to mix them up with my kitchen supplies. Not that this would happened. On needed to actually have something in the kitchen for that.

[red_rosenberg]

Pulling on the jacket, it felt loose still secure, the sleeves going right up to the tips of my fingers and the back of it ending a couple of inches under my butt. But it would pretty much keep out the rain - in a storm like this, though, water finds it's way to soak you through no matter what. I flipped up the hood and was immiediately more in the dark than I had ever been in the hour.

Pulling it back, I watched Wesley wander off to get some weapons. Made me wonder what we'd be dealing with here, but... I had an inkling that this was my field. Our field. It was magical, that's for darn sure. Buffy knows nada, and Angel isn't the cover boy on Witchly Times either. Time for sidekicks to one over, even if it meant getting drenched.

"Aye aye," I answered Wesley, having seen the flicker of my reflection in the window - I looked like a sailor in this coat jacket thing. Which meant I could face the dreaded storms that washed ashore. Arrrh.

I turned away towards the cupboard he's gestured me towards, and started looking through. I immediately wished I brought my own things - not because his were inadequate, but because it's always better to use stuff you were familiar with. And it kinda sucked that I had no clue what was causing the storm - would we need protection from something that weapons couldn't provide? Some kind of charm to keep us safe?

"What do you think we'll need?" I called back to him as a pawed carefully through things, taking out a weird looking flute thing and inspecting it. Hey, I didn't have that. Maybe I'd ask about it later. I put it down carefully, and found myself pulling a powder in a jar. I shook it a little and looked at the label. Ooh. "Hey, maybe we should do a locator spell before we start swimming aimlessly?"

[watcher_pryce]

From the corner of my eyes, I glanced at her as she slid into my jacket. I paused and then had to fight rather hard not to burst out laughing. Just as I had expected, it was much to big on her. But it looked rather cute. Made me wonder is she had any idea how cute she looked. In my jacket. And really Pryce, let's focus here shall we? Though, I did have to smile at her when she said 'aye' aye'. The only thing missing was the salute.

Quickly rooting through my weapons, I wondered if Willow would like something as well. There was another hard flash, making me look up and frown. Was it my imagination or were things getting worse? It may very well be the latter, considering our luck. Which is pretty much none existent. Law of the universe and all that. Or Murphy, whichever.

Finally deciding to get a gun for myself and a short sword, I grabbed a light crossbow for Willow. Cordelia likes to use it, since it's light and long distance. And at the moment, I'd rather have Willow as far away from whomever is causing this as possible. Closing the trunk, I put the things by the door and then went to retrieve my own coat.

I doubt an umbrella will be of much use around here.

"Hmmm?" I looked up, noticing that I was already getting a bit tired. That's what you get for walking around without the cane, Gunn would say. Or Angel, Cordelia would probably give me a speech and then march me to my bedroom to rest. "Whatever you think is best," I told her. "Your magical abilities are much better then mine." Not to mention that I trusted her to get the right things.

Pausing in front of the window, I frowned when I noticed the thunder was getting worse. The rain was still falling down hard, but at the same pace. Which had indeed more or less flooded the street. Made me wonder why I'd not invested in a rubber boat.

"A locater spell?" I turned back to Willow with a puzzled look. Would that work? Didn't one need something from the who or what one wanted to locate? I thought it did, but Willow might know a better way. "You know of a locater spell which might work here?" I asked hopefully, shrugging into my coat.

[red_rosenberg]

"Well, I figure that something like this storm, if it's magical, would have a source, ya know?" I said, absently toying with the jar of powder in my hands. "And yeah, okay, there's a lot going on in L.A. in terms of magicks and whatever, but right now, they'll be a huge influx of it to generate this kind of power. No idea what's doing this, but it'd need power anyway, and that will show up on your basic demonic energy locator spell." It was nice to rattle off stuff like this to someone who's eyes don't go blank in incomprehension.

I turned back around to the cupboard and pulled out more candles, thick and white and scented with rosemary, perfect for all purpose circles. "You up for it? It's not too hard, but with the energy this storm's producing, anything can go wrong," I said over my shoulder, pulling out a bundle of herbs as I went, powdered incence, a holder, until my arms were burdened with Wicca-ry items.

"Unless you feel like snorkeling without a map and all," I said, turning back to him with a half shrug.

[watcher_pryce]

Frowning in concentration, I listened to her as she explained the spell she'd use. That could work. It was going to be difficult, but since there'd be two of us there risks were considerably less. There were always risks when doing magic, but it felt very good to have an experienced someone by my side for a change.

"That could work," I nodded, dropping the weapons at the door for now. We'd need them once we were going outside. I doubt anything would barge in here and attack us. Though, one never knew. Past experience told me that much. And fairly recently at that. The hole from the shotgun had only just been fixed by Gunn and Angel. My landlord had been anything but pleased, even if I did manage to talk my way out of it.

"Do you want to do it here? Or out there?" I glanced out the window, noticing there were a bunch of dark clouds circling above a certain part of the town. Well, several parts. "We can go to one of the empty warehouses near one of those could patches," I said, pointing them out to her. "And then take it from there."

I paused when the last part of her words finally filtered through. Amused, I looked at her and blinked, before looking at a flooding Los Angeles again. "Maybe getting a snorkel isn't such a bad idea." Chuckling I shook my head while I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Let me take some of that," I said, pointing at the load of magical items in her arms.

[red_rosenberg]

"Thanks," I said, letting him take the felt bag of circle-stones and candles. I glanced outside at the swirling clouds, lightning snaking it's way through, frequent and deadly. I wondered if the feel of magic would get more potent if we go near the swirls. I stopped to consider the options, biting my lip in the silence as I mentally toyed with the ideas. Warehouses, closer, would help an awful lot more than doing it from somewhere frther away... but the magics in the are could make the spell more dangerous. Still... "Warehouses it is!" I said cheerily, even as thunder continually thrummed above us.

I walked over to the weapons, and with the magic items I had on one hand, I picked up the crossbow carefully with the other. I liked these things, and I could probably whip up something magical if the nasty turned for the worse. It was almost exhilerating, to be in this position - I wasn't sidekick girl right now, and Wes was here, and he trusted me to do my thing like I trusted him to do his. It was... kinda awesome, actually. It was fun to play 'hero'.

"You ready?" I asked, turning back to him, windcheater making a shuffling sound with every motion I made. "Lead the way."

[watcher_pryce]

Taking over some of her load, I shifted it in my arms. I could almost hear the radars working as she tried to figure out the best location for this. I had my opinion, but I wasn't as good when it came to magic as she was. Even if Mister Giles keeps cautioning her. What she needs is guidance, not a warning finger. I've no idea why Giles isn't doing that instead.

I'd offer it, since I do know a lot about meditation, magic and how to keep it in check. But I'm sure Willow isn't waiting for me to offer as such. Giles showing her more trust and confidence in her ability might actually do her a lot of good also.

And the warehouse it is.

"I'm ready when you are," I stated, shifting the things in my arm a bit. I turned around toward the door and blinked at Willow standing there crossbow at the ready, stating for me to lead the way. "Errr...obviously you are. Ready...I mean." Clearing my throat, I bent down carefully to pick up my own weapons, I elbowed the door open and then closed again after she went through.

"Er,if you could lock the door please?"

Should I have taken my cane? Naw, it would only get in the way. Besides. There's no Cordy or Gunn or Angel to scold me for not using it.

I miss RPing with you. I hate exams. I also suck. Hi.

[red_rosenberg]

I grinned. "Ready as a beaver," I said, following him out the door and locking it behind me as instructed. The coat had deep pockets, and safely dry inside them was a bag of herbs and a few other things, like crystals and anything I could find that would make a decent circle that would actually work in this environment.

A slight thrill went through me, and it may have been the energy electrifying the air, but I felt anticipation for the spell. I liked that power, power I could only touch every so often, power that let me be more than reliable Willow Rosenberg.

Outside, rain water was flooding the gutters and puddles became mini-pools. Stepping outside, I could instantly feel my feet become cold and wet as it seeped into my trainers. I flung the hood of the jacket over my head so that I could retain a little more dryness than I was, and glanced at Wesley, who I only just noticed hadn't took his cane. I reached out to grab his arm as if to steady myself, but I was actually making sure he didn't slip in the rain and puddles.

"Taking the car?" I said, having to raise my voice a little over the drumroll of thunder above us. "Or we can swim, whatever, ya know."