22 // Action

[amazingasa1ways]

[Mitsuru is at the bar, having a glass of champagne. It's rare enough that she indulges in a break, let alone just...doing nothing the entire night, at a bar, of all places. But here she is by herself, her glass still nearly full. After the chaos of yesterday -- finding Souji in her living room bruised and injured from his kidnapping, she's

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[slaying]

[Buffy may work in the bar, but sometimes she's not there to work at all. Sometimes, like today, she just hangs out after a shift and avoids leaving so quickly. After all, so much socializing can get done in this place.

So when she sees Mitsuru, she walks over and boldly grabs a stool next to the young woman.] Hey. [She offers gently as she leans over her elbow, peering at her.]

[slaying]

[Buffy grabs a straw from over the counter, twisting it in her hands.] I knew this really sweet guy. Hunky, smart, athletic. [She sighs.] Turns out he didn't really see me taking the whole thing seriously enough. He left on a helicopter.

[She looks directly at Mitsuru, now.] If you are serious about this guy? Don't let him get the wrong idea about your intentions.

[amazingasa1ways]

[Frown.] It seems like it's his fault for misinterpreting you.

[slaying]

[Of course, what she's not sharing is that Riley was entirely in the right. Buffy had been terribly distracted by everything other than loving him.]

The point isn't about whose fault it was--the point is sometimes kick-butt ladies like you and me have to take a good long look at our priority list.

[amazingasa1ways]

Well, I refuse to lower myself to anyone who can't accept that there are some matters I prioritize more than him.

[slaying]

It's not about rearranging the list. [She shakes her head; after all, Jim and her had managed just fine in that regard. But by then, she had learned from her mistake with Riley.] It's about remembering those other over-looked priorities. Like visiting someone you care about when they're having trouble and doing right by them.

[amazingasa1ways]

[Mitsuru doesn't mention that Souji spent an (innocent) night in her apartment. Mostly because the thread is still ongoing.]

I'm still not certain this is the wisest course of action.

[slaying]

Actions don't always have to be wise, you know. Sometimes they just have to be what you want.

[Buffy pauses to lean back on her barstool.] So what do you want?

[amazingasa1ways]

[She takes a sip from her glass to stall.]

I want to visit him, but...

[slaying]

But, what? C'mon, what's actually stopping you?

[amazingasa1ways]

...I'm afraid. [THERE, SHE SAID IT. And Buffy can't tell anyone else.]

[slaying]

Of what?

[Though Buffy suspects she already knew some possible fears.]

[amazingasa1ways]

We've already talked about this before.

[slaying]

Then--fine--you already know my stance. [She reaches far over the bar, kicking her feet off the ground to grab a can of coke and set it quietly in front of Mitsuru.]

Face your fear.

[amazingasa1ways]

[She stares at the coke.] Perhaps you're right.

[slaying]

I routinely lead a couple thousand teenage girls through death, disaster, and tricky social situations. Of course I'm right.

[But this time? Her tone is warm.]