11749/Blood of the Ancients: The Scouting Party

Blood of the Ancients: The Scouting Party
Date of Scene:	09 July 2020
Location:	Abandoned Warehouse, West Side, Burnley
Synopsis:	Willow and Nick defuse a magic barrier while Buffy and a new ally engage ghouls in a thunderstorm,
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Phantasm (Drago), Prudence Halliwell

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Buffy Summers has posed:
It hasn't been long since Angel had scoped out the large abandoned warehouse that the elusive organization known as 'Carpe Noctem' had used as their new headquarters, enticing young college students with promises of power and immortality, painting a colorful picture of making them into godlike beings, rather than the monsters that they truly created.

The only problem was, the old abandoned warehouse was seemingly protected by some sort of magical barrier, something that would take some quick thinking and analytical skills of a couple of magis, plus Willow's intellect and Nick's creativity to find a way to take it down. Buffy had directed them to the place and planned to provide backup should they need it. Even with the barrier, there were bound to be security cameras and a few guards too.

Of course with vamps usually sleeping during the day she had chosen to come early in the morning, on a cloudy day where the sun looked ready to break through at any moment. Dressed in her black leather jacket as tank top, red leather pants and her battle axe -another thoughtful gift of Thomas, she leads the small group around the back of the warehouse through a hole in the chain link fence and stares up at the warehouse -no longer old and battered, it's been painted over and somewhat renovated to look more like a fancy clubhouse of some sort.

"Alright, Nick, Ill scan the perimeter for trouble, maybe you can raven out and get a birds eye view? Willow, see if you can pick up on any unusual magic activity, spells or runes or magical objects that might be creating this barrier. But don't break it down til we've gathered information and formulated an attack plan. No need to alert them til we're ready to break everyone out with a full team."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow nods, and her brow is furrowed. "Right. Look for anything out of the ordinary magically. And probably scan too." Her laptop was back at the rendezvous but she pulled out her cellphone. Between her scans and her own looking, she was pretty sure she could figure it out.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Despite the task at hand, Nick has opted not to wear his costume. Yes. He actually has something that could be termed that. But when the people who are asking you to help are hanging out in street clothes, wearing a mask draws even more attention when you're just talking to them.

"Alright." Nick replies at Buffy's suggestion, glancing around for anything surveillance like in the nearby area. Not spotting anything blatantly obvious, he sighs, tugging the cap down a bit lower, taking a running start before his form shifts into the raven ,flying up into the sky.

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
It all comes back to ouija boards. Prue's been sent here by hers. Admittedly, she's here also because she took a wrong turn...literally, the little Miata she drives is a good block and a bit away, and the eldest Halliwell is hoping she can both get directions, and, yes, figure this out. She too finds the hole in the fence as she joins the let's look at the warehouse party going on. Unlike Buffy, Prue's dressed like she just stepped out of Bucklands.

Which means smart casual clothing. Not really the sort of things to be chasing down magical ouija board messages. Thanks, Grams.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Security cams? Security cams. Of course they would have outfitted this exclusive club ha with such devices. Which means sooner or later they will be alerted to their presence and to the Scoobies. Buffy frowns, pulling out her arm mounted crossbow, aiming at the nearest camera and firing off a bolt. It explodes and she moves around the perimeter to the next.l

There aren't a massive number of them, maybe four in total on the outside of the building, and the Raven is likely to find more on upper levels and on the rooftop, but the main cameras are on the ground floor and that's where Buffy focuses. She doesn't take out the last camera though, pausing and flashing a smile at it. That's right all eyes on her, ignore the other two lurking around, gathering more I port any info on this place..

Meanwhile both Nick and Willow might soon notice odd markings on the corners of the building, about six evenly spaced on the ground floor, four on the upper floor perimeters, a bigger one on the rooftop. It may require getting a bit closer to make out exactly what those odd markings are.

For now, Buffy has not spotted the most recent interloper..

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Ah! Pretty simple as far as these things went. Unless..

Willow popped up some references, and compared to what was really there. "Don't touch! I have to make certain.." And she looked over the sigils.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The bird's eyes narrow as the odd marks come in to sight. Making sure to commit this to memory for a sketch later. It probably won't need as much detail as the drawing of the lab did being they don't want a magic user to portal them ONTO the roof. Interesting...

The bird continues flying, passing beyond the building for a few moments before the flight pattern arcs, coming back around towards the building. Albeit a little lower to get more detail on the markings. Just, how much of a field is it?

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
How nice, Buffy's saving Prue work. Prudence for her part has, well,she's got magic at her fingertips and looks to the building once more. Prue looks quietly to the building and just paces for a moment, befure she really, really wishes she'd brought her Book of Shadows. Or had the sense to snap pictures of it. Oh, good thinking Prue, she's seeing if snapping pictures will work, too. Prue is a photographer after all, well, hobbyist one but she knows how to handle a camera or a phone. So if she can snap pictures then....that may help

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, staring up at the camera, grabbing its atfourteention, drawing focus away from the others. She just nods slowly to Willow, still in contact with her through their phones. And Nick too though..Maybe a bit tricky in his bird form but..

And then she realizes they're not alone and she spins around to face Prue, eyes narrowed, crouching into a fighting stance. "And who the heck are you?" she's not sensing evil demon presence but..This woman definitely possesses some pofourteent power..

Meanwhile, should anyone approach too close to those odd markings - intricate runes realky - they will glow an angry red - like a warning light, enough to make one's hair stand on end. How many are there, perhaps fourteen in all, each out the size of a tile, etched into the outer walls of the building. Is there a pattern, rhyme or reason to them? Most definitely, they are evenly spaced, and if they were all lit up it may form a giant 3-D pyramid shape around the building. Might be something important to write down, .

But it doesn't take long for someone to notice Prue and Buffy standing outside and moments later a heavy thud tramples through the ground as a large loping figure, perhaps seven feet tall, quickly makes its way through tall grass towards them, roaring as it charges them.

Overhead, there's a sudden flash of fork lightning followed with a clap of thunder signifying the start of a rainstorm. Lovely.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Noticing a faint glow start to form, the bird's flight goes back up away from the runes. Looks like this innocent bird that was happening to find a perch will look elsewhere. Yep. Nothing to see here. Just a random raven.

The Nokia which was in his pocket is part of a conference call with his microphone turned off. (And now with a screen he can control the ringer. Huzzah. Unfortunately no sense of touch so, he can't tell when it's vibrating either. Boo.) But with him all raveny it's hard to explain the phone still functioning other than to basically go: It's maaaaaaagic. *presto hand wave* Wing wave? Uh. It's magic.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Drat." The thunder rang out. "I bet I can undo one or two, probably might have to one or two more pieces at the perimeter. Have to undo the magical foci. Should be all of them." She hoped. "Maybe if you helped?" She has no clue about Prue, and the big old ugly about to whale on them.

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
Prue is not really looking to fight Buffy. Nah. More she's cautious with the big ugly thing about to come wailing on then. Not if Prue has anything to say about it. See, she's the one with telekinesis and astral protjection and a mean streak when she's angry. "My name is Prudence" she starts then spins on a heel throwing her hand out toward the thing. Ahh, there she goes trying to use telekinesis on that thing. Hey, if nothing else she'll be a distraction. Unlike Nick, Prue's phone is most definitely off in her pocket though.

With the power my spirit holdss, I would much like your legs to fold" Prue chants, narrowing her gaze on the big nasty ugly thing. Hey she might just be useful after all. Trying to use telekinesis and a spell. It's like that thing's a demon. And with her sisters nowhere in sight...great. "You got me into this, Grams" Prue mutters to herself, "I am going to leave you a message on the ouija board when I get home" she adds. Distracted by her annoyance she slips on the wet grass and her hand flies upwards. Hopefully nobody or anyrhing is up there....Prues more wanting to not get hit by the big ugly guard thing. Though she's got grass stains on her clothes now nd just went down on the grass, butt first. Not that she knows what Buffy and company are up to. Far as Prue knows they are fighting this seven foot tall thing. Somebody may have to bring her up to speed....and get her stain remover too given her pants and jacket are stained now

Buffy Summers has posed:
Willow May be able to break at least a few of those magical runes although it will take some time. With any luck Buffy and Prue will be able to buy her and Nick time to at least weaken the magical field. As for the focal point of the barrier, she will sense that it is waaaay up, possibly on the rooftop. Nick may notice that there is in fact a magic rune, about twice as large as the others on the very center of the roof. But how will he get Willow up there?

Meanwhile, Prue's angry TK bolt sends the monster flying into the air and crashing to the ground. She has bruised the ghoul but it will take more than that one hit to kill it. It grins gleefully, rushing at the witch when she slips and falls, swinging out powerful ape like arms as it tries to pound her into the ground..

Only to be blocked by and angry Buffy who presses it back, slashing and slicing at it with her battle axe. The two are now locked in furious combat, exchanging powerful blows as rain starts to come down rapidly down, thunder flashing the sky again followed by another flash of fork lightning.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow hurries as much as she can, but it really depends. However, the one looking up? Nick *might* be able to, but she has no way to tell him. Even so, he might not be able to. However, one is down, and the rest at ground level, had to be finished. Then she'll work how they'll figure it out. Right?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Well, Phantasm's not exactly known for tearing down magic barriers. In a lot of aspects of magic he's lacking. He's more of a specialist and even in that field he's only halfway there.

So, looks like he might need to take a Willow with him. As the bird comes down for a landing he ends up getting hit by a stray bolt of ... something, feeling a bit of pain as his talons twist up funny. "ARAWK!"

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
Okay that kind of worked...kind of. Prue's waiting, and waiting. She's waiting for lightning and fires off her telekinesis again, aiming for the old fence/lightning combination. Se. Prue's wanting to off the ghoul....thing. She hears the burd butis focused on the ghoul given she's scrabbled to her feet and steps around Buffy to get a clear line of sight to the enemy. Prue isn't pleased with the whole 'ghoul turning up' thing. Sooner the better... and hey, trying to throw the ghoul, telekinetically, should hopefully give Buffy space to breathe and get her fet set so to speak

Buffy Summers has posed:
The ghoul screeches as Buffy let's it go just in time for Prue to hurl it into a fence. Anither flash if lightning fries the ghoul to a crisp and Buffy lunges forward, stabbing it with her axe to finish it off. "Heh, not bad. Who did you say you were again..?

Then there's that shriek and her eyes widen, rushing towards Nick-raven, getting ready to catch him if need be. "Nick, you alright? Willow, what's the status on the barrier? I think we need to take it down now if it's that complex!"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Fu- Fu- Fu-" The bird cuts off his true feelings as he ends up taking a bit longer coming in for a landing due to the landing gear looking like bird yoga gone horribly wrong. He ends up landing next to Buffy, stumbling as his talons are not facing the way they typicially do. "Son of a-" The bird bites down, shaking his head, giving Prue a cross look before looking over to Buffy. "Got a number of rune markings on the upper levels and a really big one on the roof."

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
Prue wasn't expecting to be given an irritated look by a bird though she looks to Buffy. "Prudence. But everyone calls me Prue" she says and lookss from Nick to Buffy, "Runes? I can take a look at them and see if I can help" she nods and looks from the bird to Buffy. "You are.....and are you some sort of falconer or something or?" Prue asks with a look to the building, then she cringes at the talons. Yowch.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow is on the next one. "Coming! Sheesh." This one is simpler after she had practice. Good thing!

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods, peering at Nick's injured talons, "Hey hey, you okay Nick? Take it easy.." she frowns. "Runes, Huh. Not really up my alley." it looks like Willow s already on it and she peers at her curiously, "Alright, 'So how many runes we got left and how many needed to open a hole in their defenses? Did I hear something about a focal point?"

To Prue she arches a curious if not as wary brow. Hey, she did just help em fight a ghoul. That counts for something. "Soo, another witch huh? Maybe between you and Willow, you can break down the barrier by destroying the focal point? Is that how it works?" she glances between the two of them though trusts Willow and her judgement and experience more. Hey, she's smart, really smart!

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"One on the ground, and the one in the attic." Willow doesn't happen to say the problem is.. but was worried about it. "Nick?" At least she hoped he was taking she up. She really had to learn flight! "There. Only the hard one left."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The bird's head tilts, "Ok. A raven is talking and from that you got 'falconer'?"

Shaking his head he kicks his feet forward, talons popping back into place with each kick. "Ok one second. He struts over to a patch of dirt, pausing to grab a stick to start etching out an overhead view of the building, putting 'x's where he spotted the runes. "Biggest one is on the roof."

Prudence Halliwell has posed:
Prue looks from Willow to Buffy. Alright, Willow's not Piper or Phoebe but she's working on this, so why not help, Prue? She nods to Buffy, "Prue/ Prue Halliwell" she adds and looks to them as her phone rings. "No I'm not home, Phoebe. I'm not home beacause I took off to follow a ouija board message. Did you ask Piper to get groceries?" Prue asks. "Okay, fine, I can drive back with them once I'm done here. I'm doing important thingss. I'll call you when they are done" Prue says and hangs up. Hooray for sibling issues to get in the way of dealing with evil...but that's a clue who Pruedence is. Admittedly Prue's not just a witch, she's hoping Willow has it figured out. Or Buffy, too.

"You want to destroy something? Yes go for the focal point" Prue says and watches Buffy with a look. "What is it you're trying to destroy?" she adds, looking past Buffy to the renovatted warehouse. "I could get in there and check it out?" she adds.

It's a bluff, well, maybe, she's not sure her astral projection will work getting past the barrier but...but....worth a try right?

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods to Willow. "Wow, you got almost all of em? Awesome. Okay..Nick can you get her to the top? I'm guessing g that's where the focal point is. Prue Huh. Nice to meet you. I'm Buffy. If that's the focal point, it's probably tougher than the other runes. Can you get up there and help Willow destroy it?" she sighs, "Well, there's a magic barrier around this building, they're holding unknowing hostages inside and if we don't get there soon, they'll turn em into vamps. Can you help or not? Cuz we're low on time. They're bound to send more ghouls so I'd better stay here and hold fort."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Sure." The raven looks over at Willow, "Ok. Quick tutorial. Touch my shoulder, imagine yourself as a mouse or a a really tiny Willow, climb on, and don't let go until we're up there."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Rat, it had to be a rat. Amy would be laughing over that. Unfortunately Amy is still a rat. Willow did as she was told, and was shrunk down to a wee little grey rat.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Okay...Maybe a rat is a bad idea, Buffy still remembers Amy's spell gone wrong. But hopefully Nick's brand of magic is not so permanent. She grimaces a bit, "Okaaay, you two be careful, I'll watch the perimeter." if need be she'll help Willow-the-rat onto Nick-the-raven's shoulders, then step back. At least the storm is starting to subside a bit. One of those quick hitting flash storms. it is trueing dark though and that's not good. Don't want vamps over this area.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The raven riding rat rapidly reaches the roof where the rune rests. Talons tenderly touching the top, the two travelers take in the sight. Once Willow gets off of the raven, she will turn back into herself quickly. The raven remains in form, ready for a quick retreat should they need it.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Once down, Willow gathers her power to bear. She crackles with unknown electricity, and when she is ready, the whole thing comes down!

Buffy Summers has posed:
The rune is pretty powerful and flares in an angry red light, shimmering and glowing from the thunderstorm earlier. But Willow possesses some pretty immense power, and with a loud CRACK, she disrupts the magic energies that protect the building. For a brief moment the skeletal outline of glimmering blue energy is seen as the magical barrier dissipates.

Buffy is still in contact of the phone. ~Everything okay up there? Better, they're bringing reinforcements! I'll meet you back at the magic box!~ And she clips off, busy with another Ghoul. That's right, all eyes on the Slayer while the sneaky mages do their stuff. Fortunately Buffy has the assistance of Prue this time to help her dispatch the next ghoul..

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The vexing hex vanquished, the raven's head tilts, at the warning. Switching to a more human form, he grabs on to Willow's hand. "Quick exit time. Whatever you do, DON'T let go."

Loaning his ability to her, he tugs her off the roof, the pair vanishing from sight