[ visual ] | [ location: castle summers ] i used to live alone before i knew you

[tothelibrary]

Since they started dating in Taxon, their rooms have become community property of a sort. So when Dawn bursts into Xander's room without knocking or announcing herself, it's not unusual

Comments

[visual]

[faderbroderson]

"Dawn? Are you alright?" She's clearly not, though in contrast, Godric is looking much better than he had. His physical wounds are long gone and he no longer looks overly tired and worn. Now, he looks relatively normal -- though still human -- but concerned about Dawn.

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

"If I lie, are you going to call me on it?" That joke fell so flat it's actually pathetic, but Dawn's trying. "Because if you aren't, I'm totally fine."

[ visual ]

[faderbroderson]

"No you're not." Which Dawn can take as a 'yes, I'm going to call you on it.'

"What's happened?" The question contains another, silent question, which can be safely interpreted as asking if Dawn needs help. The recent happenings in Taxon have left Godric somewhat on edge, and he looks as if he's ready to leap to her aid, if she needs him to, despite his current...condition.

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

"No, I'm really not." She looks up at the tablet, shrugging helplessly. "I came in to see if Xander wanted to watch a movie, and..." she's just going to let the sentence trail off and cover her face with her hands for a moment, Godric. She trusts you can put the pieces together well enough without her having to say it out loud again.

[ visual ]

[couldbeavillain]

It's only been a few days since Andrew arrived here, but he's settled into his room in the castle quite easily, the one Buffy told him was his before it even came to Taxon. So really, he's not that far from Dawn, but he wouldn't have heard her lovely song if it didn't broadcast to the tablet he's still getting used to utilizing.

Pretty song, he notes. But sad, very obviously sad. He doesn't know what this is all about and he feels a little intrusive sitting here watching like this, but Dawn's crying. They're friends--well, in his mind they're friends, and he's assumed that Dawn views him in a much more positive light than he last remembers. That all gives him the courage to transmit to her when the song ends.

"...Dawnie? Are--are you okay?"

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

"We're singing this month. It happens sometimes, we all have to do things or people change or whatever. Somebody starting calling them glitches, I don't know who. So, glitches. This one is singing." Her voice is strained, quiet. Explaining the minutia of Taxon to Andrew gives her thirty seconds where the only thought she can process involves the words 'Xander' and 'gone'. "Also, not so much."

[ visual ]

[couldbeavillain]

Spike had mentioned the bursting into song business, so Andrew wasn't so confused by that as he was confused--and bothered--by her crying. He tentatively continues, still not sure how Dawn feels about him delving into her personal life. "W--well... what happened?"

[ voice ]

[glowingseer]

...Dawn?

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

Raising her head, Dawn looks at the tablet for a moment before dropping her forehead back to her knees and drawing in a long, shuddering breath. "Xander went home."

Not left, not is gone, went home. She's repeating it over and over in her head, because it helps the knot in her throat loosen just a little.

[ voice ]

[glowingseer]

[ there's an audible gasp from the tablet. no. no, not again, not xander. ]

...When? Are you sure? Because he might just be playing a trick on all of us and, and--

[ pause ] Not again.

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

There's a sarcastic answer to that hovering on the tip of Dawn's tongue, but she can't make the words come. So she just nods. "Pretty sure, Cordelia."

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

On the list of people Dawn did not need to see her right now (or like this, ever again) Angel is closing in on the top spot. But it's not his fault, and she's going to be an adult about it until he does something stupid and she can justify being a brat again.

"Angel."

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

Dawn is pretty sure that's a joke. First of all: a car? Second, Angel. Third: a car?

She sighs and looks up from serious contemplation of her knees. "What, were they out of ponies?" Even Angel can't make her dredge up any serious snark, but by God she's going to try.

[Visual]

[breakmychest]

Between the sweatshirt, Dawn crying, and the song, Spike can guess this has to do with Xander. And he had told Xander what would happen if he hurts Dawn.

"I'll kill him," he says.

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary]

Dawn shakes her head at that, laughing in a way that has pretty much nothing to do with actual humor.

"As much as I appreciate the casual threats of violence against my boyfriend, Spike, you can't kill people who aren't here." Her face crumples more at saying it out loud, and she raises a shaky hand to wipe at her eyes. "It's not his fault."

[ visual ]

[breakmychest]

"Oh," he says softly. He's quiet for a moment. He hasn't ruled out killing Xander if he ever shows up again, though. "I'm sorry, love."