12205/Willow's suprise.

Willow's suprise.
Date of Scene:	19 September 2020
Location:	Noel and MacLeod Antiques, Vancouver
Synopsis:	Willow came for an apology and saw a little glimpse of Duncan's world and managed to get a little help in her current quest.
Cast of Characters:	Duncan MacLeod, Willow Rosenberg

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Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     The shop does have life inside, even though it is late at night. There are at least two people and maybe more. They are moving. Fast. There is the sound of metal on metal as it clashes in the air. He's a lot of things, but dull isn't one of them.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow was once again in the neighborhood, but this time she was prepared to ask "him" her question. The doorbells rang as she entered the store.

So far, so good.

"uhn, Hello?" Except this might be the wrong time! opps?

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     There are three of them and two are pressing against Duncan. Sword flash through the air and there is nothing "training" about the look of this. There is a grim look on Duncan's face as he defends himself from the two younger assailants,"You know two on one is against the rules right?" he comments softly.

     Now, Willow may have seen Buffy, Angel, or Spike with a sword and know that they are very good. That said, Duncan is beyond the three of them combined in the way he moves and counters. They are great, he is a master the likes of which borders on genius. Despite the threat to his life he is...deadly calm.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Uhn, ahem.." On second thought, maybe drawing attention to herself wasn't an ideal situation. They were fighting, weren't they? Meaning, fighting-fighting, not practice?Of course, Willow has no clue what Duncan really is, so she draws up her magic, and starts to give a go. Very simple, they are stuck to the floor!

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     Duncan starts to move again when the two suddenly lose mobility. They raise their weapons to defend themselves, but they can't move at the feet. He pauses when he realizes they aren't mobil at all,"What in the....?" Looking around, he notes the woman in the door,"Miss Rosenberg. To what do I owe the pleasure? Thank you for the timely interference."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow blushes, after all, she doesn't often do magic outside of the Scoobies, or the Justice League. Still she shoos, "There, much better!" She holds on the the men, so that only one at a time.

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     He turns towards to each one, with a movement that is fast and sheerly violent both men are relieved of their swords. He kicks both weapons away from them and he glances towards Willow with a nod,"Much better. Thank you." He turns back towards the two men and levels a gaze,"Two choices. Leave or finish this with a witness. You've broken one rule already. What's another?" He looks happy to see you, but that passes when he scowls at the two men infront of him.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"I could shut my eyes?" Really, she has no clue. But then again, she isn't about to kill a man, and as far she knows, these are just men. "I can put them to sleep if you prefer."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     The sword in his hand whirls in a circle once and then he pauses. Looking at you he nods,"Putting them to sleep might me amusing. At the very least it will get them out of my hair for a while." He does obey the rules unlike some of them. He looks at the pair again and adds,"You two should thank the lady, she just saved your lives."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"This is where you exit quickly and don't come back. After all, I could go out of here after walk around the block. How would I know what he plans on doing?" She thinks it's a joke! Willow smiles pleasantly waiting for them to decide. "Yawn, maybe I should walk.."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     The two look at each other and the idea of the witch holding them as well as the Highlander still holding a sword while they don't have one between them. They have a moment of mental clarity and instantly want that leave option.

     Duncan shakes his head and motions Willow in,"Please, come in Miss Rosenberg. It's been too long." He nods towards the two miscreants, whatever else they might be,"I think maybe they've learned their lesson."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Oops, I forgot!" And with that, they are released. "Do you often find those men.." And then it hits her. "You're not normal, are you? Buffy, and Angel are very good with blades. You're better. Maybe not the things you fight, after all, those some were pretty good. I don't know if you and Buffy would excel at the other people's things. After all, we do vampires and the like. They don't care if the points are on gaurde."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     The two manage to stumble over each other and then race out into the night. Duncan watches the two of them leave and sighs,"Usually only one on one, but sometimes the 'rebels' think they don't have to play by the rules." He sighs softly and walks over to lock the door behind them.

     He looks at you and a soft laugh escapes his throat as he asks,"Is there any chance I can convince you that I am just a natural with a sword and couldn't hit anything with any other sort of weapon?" Of course Buffy and Karrin know better as we few people have learned a little too much about him in recent days. He sighs and motions you to follow him upstairs,"I have a pot of coffee that should be brewing by now. Would you like some?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow tilts her head to one side. "Really!? And you're gonna pretend I'm a wiccan. Are you nuts? My friend, Buffy, is no stranger to the sword. I've watched her billions of times." A little bit of exaggeration. "No. I'm not. But a coffee would be nice. Besides, I have to ask about something, and it will be easier if we are honest."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     He laughs again and there is a sigh after the fact,"Ok Miss Rosenberg, but if you're going to lean any of my secrets then I'm going to have to start calling you Willow." he muses. At the top of the stairs is a very nice studio apartment with pretty much all the ammenities. He motions her towards the couch and heads into the kitchen,"Buffy is very good with a sword I am told. I've had a little more time to practice than she has. A lot."

     Pouring two cups he asks,"How do you take your coffee?" He might as well get that out of the way. He adds at the end,"You can ask you question if you want. It will take less time."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"With cream. And some sugar. A lot of sugar. " Willow waits while she is served. "Buffy has some other weapons. Not as much as Hunters do, but they aren't experts at anything. I suppose I could learn, but.. I don't know. Willow will do."

"I actually have to apologize to you. I didn't know you when I sent my friend to break in on your store."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     When he gets the coffees ready he moves to the couch again. The sword rests at the top of the stairs. He doesn't seem too concerned about them returning. He looks intersted in the apology and raises a brow,"You sent someone to break into the shop. What were you looking for? I've had a few break ins recently so..." he manages a shrug now.

     "I recently added to Buffy's arsenal. More than once apparently since Thomas bought something for her in the past as well." He hands her a coffee and settles into a seat.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"It was more than a year ago. Thank-you." She thanks him for the coffee. "You see, we were looking for the parts of a magic book, and the ritual objects with it. We had two left over, and we learned one of them was in your shop. A book.. well, actually an unbound book. Sheaths really. Only, when we got here, it wasn't here. And it's been quiet for the whole time until lately."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     "A year ago. OK. Let's call that water under the bridge because I am not even sure I could notice by now on the records." he replies with a shrug. He does try to reach back and think about the possibility of a book with no sheets,"What sort of magic are you talking about? I have let a few things go to collectors."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"That's the thing. It's very good at keeping hidden if it wants to. Supposedly it will open a gate to hell, or close it. We think, currently, it's evil. But everyone sees it, sees old manuscripts. Besides, it wasn't here. John looked." Willow frowns. "I think someone came and stole it first. I told you, the magic item is powerful. It works on people. Mostly they aren't aware of being manipulated."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     He hmms and takes a drink of the coffee. There is a shrug and he gets very interested in the idea it opens the gate to Hell,"So the book is evil and it manipulates people. That's...unsettling." he admits with a sigh. Strange thing about it, it doesn't seem to surprise him or make him overly concerned either,"Well. Next time, just ask." That is that. No harm no foul.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
*blinks*

"I didn't know you then." D'uh. "I'm sorry, do you tell everyone your secrets? Heck, I'm still not certain about what you are."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     "Now you do." he replies with a shrug,"As for the other. I am a retailer. I sell things. Regardless." He takes a drink of his coffee and he finally tells you,"The reason I am so good with the sword is because I have been using one for over 400 years." Simple...sorta.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Very well. Will you help me?" With John's disappearance, Willow could use someone. Albeit he doesn't use magic, but he knows about ancient things. The 'book' was most definitely old.

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     If only more people would take the answer at its face without asking more. Duncan seems a little relived at not having to go into the whole ordeal again. He nods though to her request,"Of course I'll help you." Another drink of his coffee and considers for a while,"What sort of names might be connected to it if there is any?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
For this, Willow unpacks her laptop, and boots it up. Eventually she scrolls down the wide range of files, pertaining to the books and ritual items. "It's all here. And here--"

Willow pulled up a window and showed it to him. "Right now it's too many hits on the book. However, last month I got nothing."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     Looking at the computer, Duncan sets the cup aside for now. He frowns thoughtfully and nods slowly,"You were right to think those pages were here." he replies thoughtfully,"At least a few of them. They seem familiar." Quiet and reflective Duncan scrolls the pages through, trying to put his finger on something.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"One of the things we found looked like a candy dish, only it was made of copper. It was out in the open at a truck stop." Willow searched her memory. "Like I said it is tricky. Oh! Would it help to say we were sent on this by an angel? A curmudgeonly old thing."

But she was interested when he happened to remember some of it.

Duncan MacLeod has posed:

     He shuffles through some papers and comes out with a map, some more pages, and a picture of the athame. Walking back towards you, he hands the papers over and tells you,"I've had these for a time, but I didn't have anything to connect them until you told me your story and showed me the pictures."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow takes the photographs, and pours overs them. "The book is definitely that. I'm not quite certain about the athame. Perhaps the old lady will look. Thank you!" And she packs her things again. "If you hear about anything, please give me a call."

Duncan MacLeod has posed:
     "I will ask around. Check my circles and see if anyone has something answering to either description. I wish I had more for you." he admits and takes a seat, getting his coffee back in hand he turns towards you a little on the couch,"I'm sure this goes without saying, but please keep the encounter you walked in on to yourself."