Learning the Ropes (3-4/8)
Title: Learning the Ropes
Author: Bruttimabuoni
Rating: PG-13
Character: Giles, Watchers, OCs (and a mystery guest star)
Sections: 3-4 of 8
Word count: ~3300 in total
Mysteries
Placidity was short lived. It hardly took eight years of Watcher training to spot the signs. Jess was injured by a falling tile, dropped inexplicably from a sound and recently-checked roof. One of the school’s patrol dogs was found with a fatal knife wound. Things escalated. A girl from nearby Godalming vanished. Jess, again, barely missed a serious hurt after being sideswiped by a passing car on a visit to the village. Two local men were found dead with ‘suspicious neck wounds’.
“We have a predator in the neighbourhood.” The headmistress was grim. “It happens. We are known to be close to the Council. Some of the more egotistical among the undead like to taunt the Chosen, and their allies. Something out there is working up to a major attack.”
Rupert couldn’t quite believe it. His Jess, not the Chosen One yet still in mortal danger, simply to feed the ego of a monster. He read the chronicles, seeking examples, and found all too many. Some vampires were irresistibly attracted to challenge; one still extant had recently killed his second Slayer, considered it a speciality. Plenty of others had had their day in the … No, not in the sun. Remember the dark tunnels they must inhabit. Like Jacie.
He poured out the anguish of responsibility to Daphne, who tried to bolster his spirits. “We don’t have to sit around waiting for trouble, surely? You, Jess, Mrs Goldman, me, I’m sure a few others would be capable and willing to share in routine patrols.”
“Is that a good idea? I don’t want to put people in danger?”
She smiled quietly. “Rupert, dear Rupert. We’re already in danger. Let us fight it together.” Her hand strayed onto his, fleetingly. He was warmed by the closeness, though she’d become cold sitting with him in the chilly library. Her fingers were icy. He fought the urge to move closer and offer her his heat. Mustn’t rush his fences.
Diary of Rupert Giles 16 October 1984
She’s a brave woman. Strangely fascinating. Might she make a Watcher? It’s foolish to recruit so exclusively from the old families. I do respect the traditions of the Watchers, but it’s hard not to see the prejudice, the entrenched snobbery that keeps us too narrow, makes us vulnerable through reliance on the same old people, the same old places.
I’m thinking like a rebel. Quite like the old me.
But who am I trying to fool? It‘s not as a fellow-Watcher I want Miss Darling. She‘s adorable.
*
Ordeal
Of all his potential rota-mates, Giles least enjoyed patrolling with Colin Watson. The Games teacher had a ghastly bluff way of banging his interlocutors on the shoulder to make points, emphasise jokes and just generally keep their attention. Giles tried to alternate sides, but inevitably ended up with at least one sore clavicle after a session beating the school bounds. He suspected Colin was especially macho with him, seeing him somehow as a rival on his turf: one of the small number of male teachers at the school, and with a Slayer candidate to train, to boot. Rupert tried not to imagine thrashing Colin at crossbow or quarterstaff, since, it had to be faced, Colin could pummel him into the ground with his bare hands and no need for archaic weapons backup.
These nightly ordeals were not purposeless, though. There had been a couple more suspicious incidents, but a notable slackening of the rising tide of injuries in the school neighbourhood. Strength in numbers, and in action. They were winning.
But not tonight. Through the autumn air, a scream shrilled. Giles froze momentarily, then dashed forwards, heart pounding in fear. “Daphne!”
But no, it was Jess. Who should have been his greatest concern, his sacred trust, his constant duty. Who was only seventeen and had no business to be on patrol, but whose sense of responsibility overbore adult objections.
Who had been screaming, but was now silent.
No sign of her now, where she should have been stationed. There was blood on the ground, evidence of struggle. She was a strong girl, and well trained. There must be a chance.
They found her quickly. It wasn’t a mercy.
Diary of Rupert Giles 27 October 1984
Until you see the corpse, you always hope she’s alive. I must learn that lesson.
*
Parts five and six are here
Author: Bruttimabuoni
Rating: PG-13
Character: Giles, Watchers, OCs (and a mystery guest star)
Sections: 3-4 of 8
Word count: ~3300 in total
Mysteries
Placidity was short lived. It hardly took eight years of Watcher training to spot the signs. Jess was injured by a falling tile, dropped inexplicably from a sound and recently-checked roof. One of the school’s patrol dogs was found with a fatal knife wound. Things escalated. A girl from nearby Godalming vanished. Jess, again, barely missed a serious hurt after being sideswiped by a passing car on a visit to the village. Two local men were found dead with ‘suspicious neck wounds’.
“We have a predator in the neighbourhood.” The headmistress was grim. “It happens. We are known to be close to the Council. Some of the more egotistical among the undead like to taunt the Chosen, and their allies. Something out there is working up to a major attack.”
Rupert couldn’t quite believe it. His Jess, not the Chosen One yet still in mortal danger, simply to feed the ego of a monster. He read the chronicles, seeking examples, and found all too many. Some vampires were irresistibly attracted to challenge; one still extant had recently killed his second Slayer, considered it a speciality. Plenty of others had had their day in the … No, not in the sun. Remember the dark tunnels they must inhabit. Like Jacie.
He poured out the anguish of responsibility to Daphne, who tried to bolster his spirits. “We don’t have to sit around waiting for trouble, surely? You, Jess, Mrs Goldman, me, I’m sure a few others would be capable and willing to share in routine patrols.”
“Is that a good idea? I don’t want to put people in danger?”
She smiled quietly. “Rupert, dear Rupert. We’re already in danger. Let us fight it together.” Her hand strayed onto his, fleetingly. He was warmed by the closeness, though she’d become cold sitting with him in the chilly library. Her fingers were icy. He fought the urge to move closer and offer her his heat. Mustn’t rush his fences.
Diary of Rupert Giles 16 October 1984
She’s a brave woman. Strangely fascinating. Might she make a Watcher? It’s foolish to recruit so exclusively from the old families. I do respect the traditions of the Watchers, but it’s hard not to see the prejudice, the entrenched snobbery that keeps us too narrow, makes us vulnerable through reliance on the same old people, the same old places.
I’m thinking like a rebel. Quite like the old me.
But who am I trying to fool? It‘s not as a fellow-Watcher I want Miss Darling. She‘s adorable.
*
Ordeal
Of all his potential rota-mates, Giles least enjoyed patrolling with Colin Watson. The Games teacher had a ghastly bluff way of banging his interlocutors on the shoulder to make points, emphasise jokes and just generally keep their attention. Giles tried to alternate sides, but inevitably ended up with at least one sore clavicle after a session beating the school bounds. He suspected Colin was especially macho with him, seeing him somehow as a rival on his turf: one of the small number of male teachers at the school, and with a Slayer candidate to train, to boot. Rupert tried not to imagine thrashing Colin at crossbow or quarterstaff, since, it had to be faced, Colin could pummel him into the ground with his bare hands and no need for archaic weapons backup.
These nightly ordeals were not purposeless, though. There had been a couple more suspicious incidents, but a notable slackening of the rising tide of injuries in the school neighbourhood. Strength in numbers, and in action. They were winning.
But not tonight. Through the autumn air, a scream shrilled. Giles froze momentarily, then dashed forwards, heart pounding in fear. “Daphne!”
But no, it was Jess. Who should have been his greatest concern, his sacred trust, his constant duty. Who was only seventeen and had no business to be on patrol, but whose sense of responsibility overbore adult objections.
Who had been screaming, but was now silent.
No sign of her now, where she should have been stationed. There was blood on the ground, evidence of struggle. She was a strong girl, and well trained. There must be a chance.
They found her quickly. It wasn’t a mercy.
Diary of Rupert Giles 27 October 1984
Until you see the corpse, you always hope she’s alive. I must learn that lesson.
*
Parts five and six are here