(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.

Comments

You'll do great at your exams. And Wes/Willow will be here waiting for you! Hi.

[watcher_pryce]

Ready as a beaver? My eyebrow rose at that, but then I chalked it up as one of those American expression I would never understand. I mean, were beavers ready swiftly? I had no idea. I pushed those thoughts away as we made our way down the stairs. We had everything we could possibly need, and then we'd probably still would end up short.

We had no real idea what we were getting into.

When we stepped out onto the street, the cold wind nearly blew me off my feet. My feet were in the water ankle deep and I could feel the cold seep into my bones from there. A shiver went through me as I glanced up into the sky. If we were lucky, the worst that would happen is both of us catching a cold. Which would result in a massive scolding from everyone at Angel Investigations no doubt about healing and infections.

I took a rather unsteady step when I felt Willow's hand on my arm. Quite relieved at the small support, - though I had to wonder who was supporting whom here -, I looked over at the car. "I suppose we should try the car yet," I shouted, trying to get my voice to carry over the wind. "We'll see how far we can get with it." Taking a deep breath, I took hold of her arm as well as we made our way over to the car.

Thanks! I freaked out over Maths, but I did okay for English.

[red_rosenberg]

I nodded under the volumous hood as we walked side by side. It was ridiculous - we were tiny compared to the enormity of the storm. The wind blew and lifted my coat and chilled my legs. The rain would change direction and it was like ice cold ocean spray. My teeth chattered, my fingers felt stiff, seeing was a chore. This was insane. But ya know what? When you fight demons on a regular basis and have been doing so for about five or so years? When you're carrying enough magical equipment to make a car run? When you've faced and averted more than one apocolypse? A little rain never hurt anybody. We'd dry.

But I couldn't help but be relieved when we reached the car. I yanked open Wesley's door and helped him inside whether he wanted that help or not. If he slipped and fell I would feel some crazy guilt, not to mention the wrath of Cordelia. I climbed into my own seat and yanked the car door closed.

Inside, the thunderous sounds of the uber-storm had dulled down, and it felt almost warm inside, in comparison to the ice water flooding my shoes. "I think," I started, teeth chattering a little, "that we should fix ourselves some chicken soup once this is over."

Awwww, *petpet* Math is the sux anyway. YaY! For English!

[watcher_pryce]

It was rather hard to keep standing in this storm. The wind would attack from the left, and then suddenly come from the right. We were both swaying on our feet as we made our way over to the car. Though I had the idea that she was supporting me more then the other way around. Which was only confirmed when I got pushed into the car.

As she jogged around to her side of the car, I scowled, but was secretly very glad to be in the damn thing. I was nearly panting for air. Well, not nearly, I was panting for air. My stomach ached but I wasn’t about to let Willow know that. I could rest once this - whatever this was - was over.

Fumbling for the keys, I smiled at her when she got in as well. We weren’t even out for a few minutes, and already soaked and frozen to the bone. “I’m not a fan of chicken soup myself,” I told her as I started the engine. Driving was going to be hell. Or, if I look at the street, floating. “But if you make it vegetable soup, you’ve got yourself a deal.” Carefully pulling away from the curb, I started toward the center of this storm. We’ll see how far we’ll get. The closer the better.

10 = 2^x ---wtf man? wtf?

[red_rosenberg]

"Vegetable soup I can do," I agreed, and instantly craved for it right then and there. A nice steaming bowl of soup on my hands. Not now, though. I folded my arms and tucked my fingers into my coat, trying to warm them. This was better, dryer and warmer. I flipped the hood off my head and was glad to find that at least the hair at the back of my head was still dry. Wet bits of hair clung to my cheeks and I pushed them my ears.

"So, uh," I started, glancing out the window. The coursing rain made it difficult to see through, but I swear I saw a bag of trash float down the street. The flooding of L.A. Isn't this meant to be the city of summers? Sheesh.

"The warehouse close by?" I asked, worried that the car would end up floating also. Maybe I should have done some sort of weather-calming spell, though, judging by the storm's ferocity, I kinda doubted it would have any affect, like a bug trying to shift a whole haystack.

Eeeeh! Math!

[watcher_pryce]

Perhaps we should’ve gone on foot. Or even just stayed at home. Because it was bloody hard trying to drive through this weather. The rain was obscuring my vision along with the bright flashes. The thunder nearly rattled my bones. And the wind was pulling the car so hard, I could barely keep it on the road. Not to mention that when this was over? I was most certainly going to get a lecture from Cordy about the wound. Which by now ached from over used muscles that weren’t ready.

I kept my eyes on the road not daring to look over at Willow as she spoke. “The other side of town,” I spoke again, still having to shout to get over the sound of the rain and thunder. And no doubt the wind as well. “Closer to the center of the storm.”

There were, thank god, no cars on the road. Hopefully people had for once been smart and given up. Staying at places that were saver, or in their cars. I just kept on plowing through the streets, sometimes literally fleeing the car float on the overload of water. At one point water even seeped in through the cracks of the door. I glanced over at Willow at that and we shared a look. This as not good at all. I wish I could’ve reached Angel at the very least.

“We may have to walk for a bit,” I announce, wincing as I point up ahead of us.

Re: Eeeeh! Math!

[red_rosenberg]

I winced and tried to peer out the window, the image ever changing as water poured down it in invisible worms. "Is there high ground?" I asked. "Ya know, besides leaping from roof to roof." There was a crash and I jumped, and looked out the window at the trash can that had collided with the door and was now half rolling and half floating down the street. Wesley parked the car - at least it felt like solid ground here, and the wind and water didn't tug at it as much. Twisting around, I peered out the back of the car - the street behind us was almost flooded, but the street before us wasn't quite that - but the water level wasn't guaranteed to stay the same. I knew Wesley was in pain, which was 80% of my reluctance from leaving the comfort of the mostly dry interior of the car.

Something else floating along bumped heavily into the side of the car, and I winced. If we didn't do something soon, L.A. would be flooded in no time. Trying to relaxed, I gathered myself and focused my thoughts in preparation for the ritual we'd be performing.

"Okay, well, here goes nothing," I said, before opening the door. A sheet of rain soaked me through. This really did suck.

[watcher_pryce]

Parking the car, I leaned on the steering wheel and peered outside. The road behind us was flooding at a rapid speed. The road ahead of us was thankfully going up hill. I suppose it depends on if one is going uphill on foot or downhill when it comes to being thankful. And from the looks of it, we were going to have to move the rest of the way on foot. Bloody lovely.

We both looked up startled when a rather large trashcan slammed into the side of my car. My car. Great, more things to worry about. It had better be in one piece later on when we get back. It’s not as though I can actually afford to get it reappeared and it already looks like some battled down pirate ship.

“Right,” I agreed with her. Opening the door, the wind nearly blew me off my feet the moment I set foot outside the car. I quickly jumped away, saving my fingers from getting crushed by the car door as it slammed shut. Holding onto the car, I made my way to the other side, slinging my backpack on as I neared Willow. I could feel the muscles of my stomach pulling, which hurt like hell, but I ignored it for now.

Taking hold of Willow’s arm, I squinted up the road. “Let’s try to get up there!’ I yelled, trying to get over the sound of the wind blowing around us, nearly wiping us both off our feet. By now we were so soaked, our clothes were hanging around our frames like loose pieces of cloth.

Wet Witches and Watchers, Wes and Willow! (yay alliteration)

[red_rosenberg]

The coat seemed irrelevant, water had soaked me through all over. It was heavy, and try to walk with it was impossible. Shrugging it off, I left it in the care and clung onto the wicca supplies. I knew I could do something about how wet we were - coldness was a little different, unfortunately, and I just knew I'd end up with the sniffles.

"Okay!" I responded, holding onto Wesley for support for both of us as we tried to walk against the blustering wind. I knew he must be utterly in pain by now, and I felt bad, but there wasn't much I could do. Putting an arm around his waist, pressing the supplies against my chest, we headed up the slight hill. He was still kinda warm, which startled me but only encouraged me to stay closer, hoping he got some warmth from me as well as steadiness.

Strange, though, I didn't feel small and insignificent against the massive storm roaring above us. I felt like a hero, or at least, someone who wasn't an inneffectual flea. Maybe it was because Wesley was in the same boat. I really did like this man a lot.

In front of the warehouse, I asked if this was it, and he yelled something back. I could barely hear him, but I think it was a yes. Even if it wasn't, it'd still be nice to have somewhere to regroup. The side door was locked, but I muttered a quick spell, one that didn't always work, and it unlocked smoothly. The amount of magick in the air was quite a help. I stumbled inside, shivering. "That was quite a hike!"

Dork. ;-P

[watcher_pryce]

Bloody hell, going out in this weather might not have been one of my more brilliant plans. But there wasn't much we could've done about it. There was a magical storm raging around Los Angeles which meant that Angel and Gunn couldn't have done much. I on the other hand would’ve been on my own had Willow not been here at the time. I can't even express who glad I am she is.

I ignored the pain shooting up my stomach and into my arms and back. There was no time to worry about that as we struggled out way up the street. The water from above was rolling down with a little more force at each step we took, making it quite clear to both Willow and myself that we needed to hurry up. I wrapped my arm around Willow as much as I was capable and was glad to note she did the same. I wouldn't do at all if we were separated now. I'd worry myself sick aside from the fact that I couldn't handle this on my own.

When we finally made it to the warehouse, she asked me something. I think it was if this was the warehouse but I couldn’t be certain. I yelled back at her that it was, but then nodded when I realized she could probably hear me as well as I could hear her. Which was not at all. I stood back, panting for air as she opened the door and then quickly followed her inside.

The door slammed shut with the help from the wind and I leaned back against it. I pulled my glasses off, the rain having rendered them utterly useless and stuffed them in my pocket. "Quite," I agreed rather breathless. Pressing my arm to my stomach, I glanced around noticing there was a sickening green light coming from the back. "Do you feel up to some...errr...arse kicking?" I asked nodding toward it.

Nuu, -you're- da dork.

[red_rosenberg]

The energy coming from the back of the warehouse was light heatwaves, and I raised a still dripping hand to block it from my face, which of course was futile. Magic wasn't like heat, and light, it was just there, weak or strong.

"So, uh, I guess we don't have to do much of a locator spell," I said lamely, glancing at Wesley, who face had once been glowing in candle light and now reflected the green energy pulsing at the back of the space. Maybe we should have just stayed put. I think I've been living with Buffy too long.

Nervous, I glanced at Wesley, and even now, I considered how his eyes looked wiuthout glasses obscuring them - really pretty. It was a fleeting thought and my attention zeroed in again on what we were meant to be doing here. Man. I really hope he didn't expect me to be Ms. Power Witch.

"Let's, uh," I started nervously, gesturing towards it, "fine out what it is." Glancing back at him, I reached for his hand, and tugged him gently to walk with me, though he needed no encouragement. We we stepped closer, I squinted to look. "Look's like a portal. Big one." Which would explain a lot - the concentrated magick of breaking through dimensions always had the potential to energise the world it was breaking through. "No wonder it's so stormy."

Muachdorkymuah

[watcher_pryce]

“No, I guess not,” I agreed with her quietly about the locator spell. I was oddly thankful and worried about that at the same time. It may only be a small spell, but we really could use the energy for better things from the looks of it. Which was the part that worried me. Squinting my eyes, I tilted my head and tried to see if we could make out what the hell that was from here. Of course that didn’t work.

“Going over there seem to be our only option.” Sniffling, I wiped the sleeve of my jacket over my face, which only succeeded in getting my face wetter instead of dryer. I glanced behind me and noticed we were both leaving a wet trail behind, though the air coming from the green thing seemed to be hot. I looked over at Willow and blinked when she reached her hand. I took it without hesitation however, the last thing I would want is for us to be separated.

We carefully moved closer to the green light. I made certain to stay in front of Willow at all times, feeling oddly protective. Not that I could do much in my current state but still. When we neared it we both saw what it was. A portal. It wasn’t however, sucking thing in like most portals I’d encountered. “Something came out of it,” I observed, raising my eyebrow. “Or several somethings, good lord.” I held out my free hand, clutching Willow’s tightly. The moment I got closer to the portal, the harder it started to storm outside.

“That’s odd.”

Dorkydork.

[red_rosenberg]

"It's pretty kinda active, innit?" I said, and looked around the space again. Empty, but it didn't look like it had been unoccupied for too much of a long time. I lifted my chin to stare into the portal, wondering what would happen if I flung myself head first into. By the feel of it, it would probably just spit me out again. There was no suction dragging me towards its mouth - in fact, a slight, warm, tingly breeze blew towards us. When I breathed in, I tasted magicks. Outside, lightning cracked.

"It's gonna get stronger," I murmured, trying to remember all the research I've done on portals, trying to classify this one. "Someone's come out of it... maybe they're planning to get it back in."

The force of the wind outside made the whole building shudder, and I clutched Wesley's hand a little tighter. "We should shut it down..." I looked at him. "Or we could call Angel... or wait for whatever opened this thing to come back to it."

[watcher_pryce]

The magic coming from the portal was enormous. Even I could taste it, felt it making my skin crawl. I could only imagine how it would feel to Willow, who was far more magically inclined then I was. Am. I took a step back, not trusting that thing in the slightest. Nothing ever good came from portals. Especially not one like this which was flooding the whole damn town.

“Yes,” I agreed. “I’m fairly certain something came out of this thing. And since it’s not trying to suck us in, my guess it that whatever came out of it is the only thing to go in as well.” And whatever came out of it, can’t be good. Why else would it hide a portal like this? But what it was would be anyone’s guess. I didn’t like guessing, I wanted to be prepared. And as I looked at this portal, I think we were woefully unprepared. There wasn’t much we could do though.

“If we go and get Angel whatever went through this thing might come back in the mean time. I don’t think getting sepperated is a good idea and the bloody phone’s don’t work.” I wasn’t about to either send her off on her own or heaven forbid, leave her here. Tightening my hold in her hand when she did, I took us back a few paces.

“I suggest we wait here for whom- or whatever came out of there and hope we have at least a few moments to prepare.”

[red_rosenberg]

Okay, so, terrifying prospect? Check. Nerve wracking experience? Check. Feeling way out fo my league and wanting to go and hide under the covers for a while? Check. So much for proving I was a hero. I watched the portal pulsate and gape at us in all it's green lit glory. At least it was warm. I squeezed Wesley's hand a little, and wished Buffy was here. Or Angel. Someone with a little more manpower.

"We should get out of the way, huh?" I suggested, but Wesley was already walking out of the path of the portal, and I was lead along willingly.

Okay. This couldn't be so hard. I faced apocolypses on a daily basis. I ate them for breakfast. A teensy little inter-dimensional monster portal wouldn't be so bad. Looking at Wesley, I tried to order my thoughts. "So, any big baddies at the moment that might have wanted a one-way ticket to some googly world? Maybe some visitng relatives?" I asked, keeping an eye out for any movement around the place. In the grand scheme of things? I felt utterly ineffectual. But damnit, I was gonna fake it really good. Taking out the wicca supplies I had carried from the car, I knelt and laid them down on the floor.

[watcher_pryce]

“We should get out of the way,” I agree, pulling her behind me as I move even further away from the portal. Swirly thingy, Charles would call it, and then deny knowing anything about ‘swirly thingies’ because ‘sci fi is for whimps’. Only then he’d use much more masculine words as though just watching those movies would somehow dent his confidence in his own masculinity. He and Angel are such odd creatures sometimes.

I kept my eye on the portal, as well as the door and our surroundings. Though, the thought that whom or whatever had come through this might very well just hop in via another portal didn’t really do anything to make me less nervous. I know that Willow is capable of taking care of herself and…such. What with being from Sunnydale and fighting along side Buffy day in day out. I couldn’t help but feel oddly protective of her. So when she grouched down to take out our supplies, I moved closer to her, ready to jump at anyone or anything that might be out to harm her.

I wish I’d brought my stick now, I could use it to beat things with. I knew that thing might be useful for something. But then it would only accent my wound and how vulnerable I might be - which I wasn’t, not really - at the moment. “I can’t think of anything that might have come through here. I’d have to do some research. See what the planets are like. I don’t think there’s a full moon tonight, so that’s at least something. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.” And maybe we should go back and research this. Though getting back might be a tad difficult, with the flooded streets and all.

A small shiver went through me when there was a draft whispering over my soaked self. As I looked up to see where it had gotten from I noticed the door was ajar and something was struggling to get inside. Quickly crouching down next to her, in front of her, in the shadows, I put my fingers on her lips to warn her.

“Something is coming,” I whispered.

[red_rosenberg]

I breathed in sharply at both the feel of his fingers against my mouth and the door suddenly swinging open, as if it took a cue from Wesley's swift whisper. We were both frozen, and hidden, watching two dark figures stagger into the space, shutting the door with a huge crash that made me jump a little. Slowly, I reached out to hold the athame, just another Wicca supply - save for that unlike the others, it was a pointy knife. The cold handle felt secure in my grasp and I held it firmly, shivering as I kept my eyes on the two... demons? Men?

They stepped into the glowing green light of the portal, rain jackets sleek. Tossing back their hoods, I saw then that they were demons, scowling at the portal and then at each other. I doubted they had come out of the portal. "Welcoming commitee?" I murmured very quietly to Wesley.

"'Ere," said one, gesturing to the portal. "It didn't work, did it? I told you it wouldn't work. All we've got is a big load of rain now, don't we?"

...English demons? Okay. I've seen weirder.

"It don't work 'cause we don't got the right ingredients," said the second one, slightly taller than the first. "Never fear, though. He'll come, he's not due for a little while yet. The portal's only just grown, after all."

"But what 'bout the missing ingredients?"

"He can get himself food, this is Los Angeles after all, it's not lacking in humans. We don't have to do everything, do we?"

"Guess not."

Swallowing dryly, I tried to duck a little more in that shadows.