And Again

[its_worthdoing]

[After her encounter with Faith, there is only one place for Willow to go. One place, and once person. But she isn't there. And just like that? She knows.

In the way that she does]

...Buffy's gone.

Comments

[mysticalvender]

...Well, damn.

[its_worthdoing]

[There should be lingering. She wants to linger. Buffy is her best friend. But ---]

And Faith is back.

[mysticalvender]

...Okay, see, this is what happens when I lock myself up. Things go crazy.

[its_worthdoing]

Faith is crazier. And last I checked? Accompanied by sharp and pointy.

You need to be careful.

[leon]

[What? Angel is just like processing this. Cordelia's back to normal, Faith is trying to kill him and probably anyone else she comes across, Lilah's still lurking in the shadows and Angel is starting to wonder what the hell is up with Wesley, and now Buffy's gone. Okay--one thing at a time]

I'm sorry, Willow.

[Only right now he's more worried about what might happen to you and Xander without Buffy around to fend off Faith]

Angel

[its_worthdoing]

[His voice somehow makes it that much more real. Being with you in a moment Angel. Still lost in the real. Then it is back to the task at hand]

At first I thought Faith might have done something to her. But she's just gone.

[Again]

Willow

[leon]

Yeah, about that. I'm gonna need you and Xander to find somewhere safe to stay for the time being.

[Rooms with your names plastered across the door don't make for very good hiding places, you know?]

Don't worry about Faith. I'll handle her.

Faith

[its_worthdoing]

We already had our class reunion, Angel.

[And because she is clearly from after her---]

What don't I know?

room filter

[mr_stealthypnts]

[Xander hears this and the first thing he does is goes to Willow's room. Knocking? What's knocking. Not for Willow and Xander. He just pushes the door open, steps in, and opens his arms]

room filter

[its_worthdoing]

[Oh Xander arms. With all those Willow spaces inside them. She knows right where to go]

room filter forever

[mr_stealthypnts]

[just here, with the hugging. The talking can come later.]

[its_worthdoing]

She might have gotten the better end of the deal. [Looking up at Xander] Faith is back. And she brought the crazy with her.

[consecrat]

[ She is comforted by the idea presented by this--that inhabitants may leave after a time in the castle, though she knows not to express it to the grieving party. ]

I am sorry to hear of your loss, the departure of a companion is most disorienting.

[its_worthdoing]

I am beginning to think she had the right idea.

[And then there is the awkward silence. You know the one. The I-don't-think-I-actually-know-you silence]

[consecrat]

What is this idea?

[ She doesn't respond to the silence, not yet, though she takes note of it. ]

[its_worthdoing]

Going home. Leaving here.

[breakmychest]

...oh.

Well, good for her.

[Spike and Buffy didn't get along well, here, but he'll still miss her. She's Buffy.]

[its_worthdoing]

I just have to remind myself that wherever she is I am there too. And there are mochas. And talk and --

[Right. This is Spike]

Good for her.

[breakmychest]

[Everyone's so down on Spike just cause he's historically wanted to kill everyone.]

I just wish I could go back too. I hate this bloody place.

[its_worthdoing]

[And the kidnappings. And the attempted force love spell. And --]

Are we agreeing right now?

[Not that she actually means it. The hating. But she is still reeling from Buffy loss]