12251/Before the Dawn

Before the Dawn
Date of Scene:	27 September 2020
Location:	Summers House, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Buffy and Thomas enjoy a quiet picnic in the aftermath of a crazy evening.
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Thomas Raith

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Buffy Summers has posed:
A couple of hours after the whole Pandora's Box mayhem had passed, and most of Buffy's friends had called it a night, it was just her rather..Shaken family that remains behind. The rest of the barbecue had been tense, her mom attempting to make awkward small talk, Dawn sullenly, quietly eating her dinner but not saying much to anyone. She had eventually slipped off and shut herself in her room for the rest of the night. Oh and then there was Buffy's dad who was suddenly overwhelmed at the idea of his little girl being the Slayer, while his other daughter was a kleptomaniac and a potentially talented witch.

Good thing Joyce was such a fast talker, able to keep him preoccupied the rest of the night. Better yet that none of her parents had a clue about the other..'talents' that the rest of her friends possessed.

But Buffy was pretty exhausted, mentally more than physically and she had retreated to her room with a couple cans of beer. Of course she couldn't sleep a wink, so she just stood by the window, staring at the dark starry sky, waiting for dawn to break.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith left a few hours before, trying to make things easier for his lover and her family. Still around the small hours his motorcycle, a sleek white street bike purrs up in front of her house. He smiles a bit as he sees her framed in her bedroom window and waves towards her, holding out the second motorcycle helmet...

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles as she spots the bike. Hmmm, tempting. She was supposed to do a family night tonight, but she'd much rather spend the night with her lover, blow off some steam running around town with the wind in her hair. She grins and nods to him, not even bothering it go down through the front door. Her parents are downstairs, they will likely stop her.

She decides to open her window and climb out that way..How long has it been since she sneaked out like this? Highschool? It's still easy peats, leaping effortlessly from the rooftop to the ground below, and then jumping on the back of his bike, grabbing the helmet. "Hey handsome, didn't think I'd see you again after that disaster."

After fastening the helmet, she leans forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks a little bit, taking the moment to steal a quick sweet kiss before she can put on the helmet. "You looked like you could use a bit of an escape, and what sort of Prince Charming would I be if I left my Princess trapped up in her tower." He grins a bit and hits the acceleration. There is a Bluetooth connection between the helmets and his voice is clear in her ear. "So what's going on with Dawn?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers sighs, resting against him as he starts up the engine. Ooh blue tooth, cool. She'd driven around in his car before but this is the first time via bike. "Oh you know, she blames me for everything as usual. Doesnt matter than I'm always trying to protect her. She thinks I stifle her and that's why she felt the need to steal things. Oh and she's mad that I nearly beat her up, and it's my fault that Spike left.."

She pauses a moment, glancing at her phone and sighs, "Apparently left for Gotham, says he's not coming back. Probably for the best." there is perhaps the slightest hint of regret on her voice, but she's sooo ready to move on and forget him.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith grunts slightly, which is about all he cares to say on the subject of William the Bloody at that particular moment. "To play the Devil's Advocate, you do cast a pretty long shadow." He says amused. "Smart, funny, sexy as hell, and there is that whole super powered bane of all that is supernaturally evil thing you do when you're not too busy holding down two jobs and going to collage full time." The amusement in his voice obvious. "Not that that is a good reason for stealing and acting out, but I can get the cry for attention.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers sighs, closing her eyes. "She refuses to talk to me, says I scared her. But I think..." Buffy hesitates, not wanting to bring up Spike's name again. He's skipped town, it's fir the best. "I think she'll get over the...Changes eventually. I always thought you were a better role model for her anyway. Although with this magical affinoty, perhaps Willow can steer her straight."

She draws a deep breath. "How are you doing? That night was hard on all of us. I'm..Sorry things didn't turn out well.."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith raises an eyebrow, "Well aside from getting sucker punched, it wasn't so bad. Great potato salad." He smiles a little bit under his helmet, moving at a speed that for them might seem sedate, and for a normal human would be suicidal. "I'm not sure that I am exactly role model material Buffy." He says amused. "Introduce her to Harry, she can graduate from shoplifting to Arson."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers sighs and shakes her head, only briefly distracted by her phone, although she quickly snaps it shut, focusing totally on Thomas now. "Come on, how could you be a bad role model for her? It's not like you're the same person I first met. I think you've changed for the better. Really."

She smiles, even though he can't see it. "But it was strange, those feelings that came over me. I never felt so..,So angry before. And I hated that I seriously wanted to hurt Dawn. I could feel myself changing, literally changing into a monster..A vampire. I hated that. I dont know if I'll ever win over Dawn's trust after that. I feel like I failed her. Failed everyone."

Thomas Raith has posed:
"You put too much on yourself Buffy." He says simply, "Think about all the hats you wear. Slayer. Bouncer. Student. Friend. Daughter. Sister. Lover. You get to fail sometimes. It's part of being human. You got whammyed by some magic doo-hickey. It happens, especially in our line of work." He turns the bike into the park, slowing considerably and finally stopping in front of a blanket that has been laid out in what is unmistakable a moon light picnic. "I figured it was this or the cemetery, and we've done the cemetery date /sooooo/ many times, and we always get interrupted.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods slowly, "Yeaah, I guess you're right, just, this is my job, protecting people more than anything. Aren't I supposed to be able to overcome these kinds of things? Shouldn't I be able to? Maybe I just feel like I haven't trained hard enough, worked hard enough, tried hard enough.." ahh Buffy, the perfectionist.

And then they arrive at the picnic and she smiles in pleasant surprise. "Oh wow...You did all of this for me?" she laughs, climbing off the bike, pulling off her helmet, "This is so sweet of you.."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith rolls his eyes playfully and smirks. "Nah, I did all this for Wonder Woman, but she canceled on me and it seemed a shame to let it go to waste." He says with a grin. He sighs and dismounts as well grinning as he walks her over to the blanket. "I just thought it was a shame we didn't get to properly enjoy the barbecue, so I wanted something for the two of us."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, glancing up at the starry sky, the full moon beautifully shining some light on the peaceful picnic sight. "Well you're just full of surprises, aren't you...But I didn't bring any food.."she pouts a bit, following him to the blanket.

But of course he brought food. Buffy laughs, shaking her head as she wraps her arms around his neck, "Dammit, you thought of everything, didn't you?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks just a little bit, slipping his arms around her waist and holding her close. "I can't help it that I'm perfect." He says playfully and leans down giving her a soft sweet kiss. "Though to be fair, allot of it is left overs that Joyce sent me home with." He adds playfully.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers laughs, pressing her lips eagerly against his for a moment before tugging him down with her own the picnic blanket. "Well that's okay, it's not like we had much time to eat anyway, and there were plenty of leftovers. I'm glad my mom and sister so readily accepted you into the family..Guess I'm still working on my dad. He sure was shocked after the whole Pandora's box fiasco, then learning that I'm the slayer on top of all that? I suppose now would be a bad time to tel, them that you're an Incubus." she smirks. Oh yes, that would go down well, especially with her dad.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks a little bit, "Since I got the impression that he still thinks you are a virgin and will be until the day you immaculately conceive any grandchildren,...yeah telling his that you are dating a sex vampire might have blown a circuit or two." He says amused as he begins opening tupperwear dishes and then asking "Beer or wine, I brought both."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers laughs, "I guess the last time he saw me, I probably was...You know, I don't get to see him often, so it's not like he even realizes that I'm a grown up now." she shrugs and sighs, "It's a bit sad I guess, I mean he's so busy with his own life that he barely notices mine or my family's. But he'll come round. Maybe next time nothing too weird will happen."

She smirks, "But hey, I guess my crazy family's got nothing on yours, right? I could really go with some wine though. It's been a while since I let myself get drunk.." well, the last time didn't end too well but at least this time she's with someone she doesn't mind getting drunk with.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks and pulls a pair of wine glasses (no doubt nicked from the Blue lady), out of the basket as well as a bottle of red wine (ditto). He shrugs a bit, "Just because my family makes the Manso Family look sane doesn't mean you don't get to bitch about your's love." He says with a smile, as he pulls the cork out with his bare hands. "Though if I admitted I was a little bit jealous, I hope you'd forgive me."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, taking the glass as she waits for him to pour the wine. "No need to be jealous, Afterall, my family is now your family..That is, if you don't think we're too crazy for you? I mean, I hope I didn't already scare you away, although both my sis and mom love you to death. Heck, give my dad some time and he'll come around too!"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks a little bit, pouring his own glass and touching his to her's. "Oh I know that," he says with a shrug, "But it's more... the stuff I missed, you know. Would have liked the chance to have a brother when I was a kid. Someone to pick on. To cover for. Play Rock 'em sock 'em robots with." He shrugs a bit. "Lara tried to be a mother, but she is so much older that it's hard to think of her as something like a sisters. Same for all my older sister's in fact. Inari? I was already in highschool when she was born."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hams, "Well I guess you can't change the past..But at least you have a brother now? How are things going between you and Harry lately, anyway? No time like the present to make up fir the past right?"

She chinks her glass against his before taking a sip. "I suppose I shouldn't take my crazy family for granted..Sorry if that struck a chord."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shakes his head, smiling. "It didn't. just wanted to hold up the mirror as it were and make you think about it." He sighs a bit, shrugging. "Harry and I...were still trying to work things out I guess. I've had allot longer to come to terms with the idea of having a brother. I think he still mostly sees me as a potentially dangerous ally most of the time." He serves out some of the food, handing her a plate, "Still he's agreed to go to Splattercon!!! with us."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods, "Heh, aren't you sneaky?" she grins and winks, opening another tub and grabbing a burger and bun, loading it with condiments.

"I guess it just takes time. At least he's not threatening and yelling at you anymore, right? and if he's agreed to come to Splattercon!!! with us, at least it gives you two some bonding time."

She smiles, "I think we could all use a fun break from all the craziness lately." Afterall, what could possibly go wrong at a horror convention?

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods and smirks a bit. "Who knows, between speinging Mad's little trap and surviving maybe we can even have some time to have a little fun." He grins a bit adding "The venders at these things usually have some great junk."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles and nods, "You sure have strange relatives." she sighs, snuggling up to him, leaning her head against his shoulder as she peers up at the sky. "Soo...Should we be dressing up at this convention?" she grins, "I mean it's kinda ironic, I'm used to beating up all sorts of horrors in real life, now we're gonna watch all that crazy stuff on the big sceeen? Too funny!"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith laughs a little bit and considers with a smirk. "Well we could send you in as Van Helsing." He says with a big grin, smirking just a bit. I'm sure we could get you a big hat and you can borrow Harry's back up duster."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers laughs, "Are you kidding me? I'd totally drawn in his duster." she smirks, "Hmmm maybe I'll dress up as a white court vamp." she winks, "Or we could dress up as some cheesy villainous couple or something!" she laughs, "Heck, we could go as the Addams Family!"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks a little bit, "I can't imagine getting KArrin in either Morticia or Wednesday's outfits.." He says with a smirk, "And Harry as Uncle Fester... Think we can get him to shave his head?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers laughs, "Heey, that would be incredibly funny! We should totally dress them up.." she peers intently at Thomas, "Now, what would we dress you up as? Something totally ironic.." she grins wickedly as she thinks.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith snorts with mild amusement. "Well the last time I dressed up in a costume it was for a masquerade ball and I went as a pixie." He says with a bit of a smirk on his lips. "Harry went as Bela Lugosi's Dracula." He leans back considering, "I could go as Van Helsing? You as a vampire?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, "Really? You as a cute little pixie?" she can't help but burst out laughing , "Come on, I can't believe that..lToo funny! But I guess I can't talk, I dressed up as a lady of the court..A real girly girl, and the funny thing is, since we all bought cursed costumes, I literally became a helpless girly girl." she sighs, " enter not tempt fate and get turned into a real vampire.." she shivers at the thought. "I wouldn't mind going as a cute lil' bat though." she grins.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smirks a bit, "You just said ironic, I was thinking what would be more ironic then going as a Slayer and their vampire lover." He says with bit of a smirk. Tilting his head a bit and saying "Well you would make a potato sack look cute so, if you wanna do the bat thing I'm sure it will work." e smiles pointing up at the sky as a shooting star flys by. "Make a wish."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, "As long as I dint become a real vampire, I'm good. At least bats are cute, plus I'd get to fly!" she grins, "But you'd make a sexy Van Helsing, so go for it! Heck, you'd make a rock look sexy." glancing up at the star she sighs, hugging her legs, "You know, I think I have everything I ever wanted..Even if things were dicey for a moment there, it all worked out I. the end." still, she closes her eyes and makes a wish.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smiles softly and kisses her lightly on the lips when she closes her eyes, a small smile in his own deep saphire blue eyes. "You know, for all I said earlier? I wouldn't change a single step on the road that leads me to you."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, "Heh, we sure took the long road though, didn't we? But it worked out okay in the end, I think. Things can only get better from here on out, right? Even if our lives are hardly normal." she smiles softly, "Even so, I wouldn't change a thing either." she gives his hands a squeeze, still watching the beautiful stars in the skies, leaning back on the blanket.