12803/Leaving Sunnydale

Leaving Sunnydale
Date of Scene:	07 March 2021
Location:	Sunnydale, Avalon
Synopsis:	Willow and Alexander have a discussion about people and relationships, Buffy and Thomas show up as well and share their thoughts.
Cast of Characters:	Phobos, Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers, Thomas Raith

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Phobos has posed:
    This time of the evening, people do tend to filter out of the Bronze, setting foot on the street and facing the chill of the Winter's bite, and sometimes an entirely other form of a bite. Less so these days thanks to the efforts of he Slayers and the Scoobies. But still there is a risk of danger, albeit one that isn't publicized too terribly.
    Which might explain why that particular patron of the local watering hole doesn't seem in too much of a hurry as he sets foot to sidewalk and starts to walk down the street. He holds off for a moment, hand reaching into the leather jacket and a half he's wearing, digging around in one of the pockets and tucking an earbud into his ear.
    He goes through that silent dance that most post-millennial seem to have embraced where they stand upon the street, listening to their phone, thumb swiping over and over at the screen. Until finally...
    He seems to stop and stand there and get his groove on as a smile spreads across his features, shoulders bopping and his head nodding in time with whatever song until finally, likely figuring he's alone, lifts his voice to half-sing and half-say...

'All the girls named Gloria...'
'Sing sweetly out of key...'

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow was actually going the exact way as Alex was..

The long island iced tea had hit her hard (one drink?!?) so when Alex lifts his voice she giggles. Loudly. "You like old songs!" Then she remembers.. "Oh. Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that out loud."

Phobos has posed:
    "Whaaaa." Alexander says as first the titters chase after him, reaching that ear that doesn't have the bud in it, which allows him to hear her decently at least, all while 'Figures on a Beach' continue to play in his ear. So he turns around to face the mildly inebriated redhead who makes her way to him.
    That smile he gives is warm, and he bites his lower lip a little when he sees the state she's in, though it's not really so bad, but still... perhaps a bit noticeable. "Hey, Willow. I got the name right? How do you know I didn't maybe write this song? You don't know that? Maybe I'm a musician?" His eyebrows lift as he affects a manner of feigned indignity.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"You remembered!" Willow ducks her head. "I don't know that song, and I love 80's music." She laughs. "You don't look like a grunge musician. My old boyfriend, he looks like he belongs in a band. I guess I could be wrong?"

Phobos has posed:
    "It is uhh," The young Olympian checks his phone, accidentally showing how much of a poseur he is by not knowing the name of the band off handedly, "Figures on a Beach, Accidentally 4th Street."
    He smiles and shrugs, standing there opposite her, his breath coming out in small puffs of steam as his smile turns wry at her, "I would so be great in a band, though I suppose I should learn how to, like, play an instrument. Or sing."
    That said he rests his hands on his hips and then he bites his lower lip again but this time with a hint of concern as his gaze sweeps left and right, the music still heard faintly from that small earbud that now dangles over the ridge of his ear, settled there on its tiny wire.
    "It's pretty late, let me walk you to where you're going?" Since it is, and it's cold,and well. She is a smidge flushed from that long island iced tea.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow puts that away in her mind, under '80's bands'. "Well, depending what you are doing, you don't even have to sing or play." She was talking about the scandalous boy (and girl) band that lip synced to everything. But they looked great? Come to think of it.. "You probably could do it with your looks."

She looks around. "Should I be afraid?"

Phobos has posed:
    A small ghost of a laugh starts as Alex looks away, but he's able to ease it down into just a wide smile as he shakes his head, holding up a hand as if to stay her from making compliments. Instead he murmurs, "You mean stand up there with a tambourine and look pretty. Thanks."
    Yet his mood seems positive, warm as he starts walking, likely taking the direction she had been heading as the way that would lead to where she was going. He's smart like that. Though he does hesitate as she asks that last question. "Not of me. Now now I suppose."
    He looks thoughtful, "Though is there maybe someone we can call if that'd be better?" Since there is indeed something about Willow that makes one feel as if they have to protect that innocence that even a God of Fear can sense oh so easily.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Silly!" Willow leans in. "I have my ways of keeping safe. Besides.." And she straightened up. "I'm as capable as you are! This is the 21 century after all." Then she quiets. "Everybody thinks I am a prissy girl. I have to be protected.. But I don't. Really."

Phobos has posed:
    "Oh, is that so?" Alexander walks three steps, but pauses long enough to rest his foot upon the small stairwell that leads up to one of the brick townhouses that line the street away from the Bronze. He stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jacket and looks back at her, head tilted curiously.
    "I wouldn't say prissy, that isn't the adjective that leaps to mind." Instead he shakes his head and then looks down the street before he looks back.
    "Well did you ever stop and think maybe I was scared and could use the protection of a 21st century tough girl?" His eyebrows lift upwards, "Ever imagine that? Wow, so selfish." But the way he says that, with the small smile just at the corner of his mouth, it's clear he's not being /entirely/ serious.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"I wouldn't assume." Willow is frank. "Maybe if there was a monster or something." Like a vampire.. "Are you afraid? I could walk *you* home if you wanted. But let's be certain, I have a boyfriend. Besides, I think that you probably like girls like Buffy or Faith. Don't worry. My whole dating life they were the girls who boys went crazy about. I'm used to it."

Phobos has posed:
    Curiously, it's hard to lie to Willow, or even prevaricate a little. So he smiles and lowers his eyes then admits, "Noo, I suppose I'm not." Afraid. And sort of can't be, but he doesn't admit to that. Instead he holds up a hand, "It's ok, and to be fair I don't really have a /type/ I guess."
    Then there's a beat as his head tilts to the side thoughtfully, "I mean, that I know of I suppose. I mean Faith and Buffy seem nice, but..."
    There's a curious look of reflection to him as he murmurs, "I don't know, I don't see myself dating much these days." For whatever reason.
    "But." He points at her, "Perhaps the reason why some guys don't ask you out is that most guys are jerks, and you are so nice, they don't want to run the risk of hurting your feelings."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"And girls. I like girls too." Willow thinks about what he said. "Sometimes I want to be someone else. I want to try to be someone else. Sometimes people are too nice, and they don't see my real potential because of it. Like Buffy. Sometimes she protects me and it stifles. I feel dumb.. When we were going after Superman, John let me be me - though I got to say he was afraid for me and because of me. Definitely because of me.."

Willow suddenly is aware of what she has been talking about and to whom.

Phobos has posed:
    Cocking his head one way, then the other, Alexander listens to Willow with that casual aplomb that can only be attained by those truly without an agenda willing to observe what is before them at face value. One eyebrow lifts then he half-smiles and says, "Well, there's no harm in that. A lot of people do a lot of things because they want to be different, or want to explore aspects of themselves."
    And as she seems to let some of that negativity free, he shifts his weight to the other foot and then steps toward her. "And hey, I know what it's like being viewed like..." A hand slides out of the pocket of his jacket, then opens palm up. "In a particular way. Like you have to fit that role forever and ever. And it /suuucks/. But you don't, have to. There's always the chance of becoming the better you."
    Which then has Alexander chuckling a little under his breath as he looks away, surprised to hear himself echoing this sentiment that was given to him not too long ago by another.

Buffy Summers has posed:
It's been quite the night. Buffy had slept in after the epic battle last night and was trying to take it easy over the next few days as she prepares to travel to New England for a BandB voucher courtesy of Nick as a birthday gift to Thomas a few weeks ago.

Shes walking alongside Thomas now as they head down the street towards the Bronze, or general area anyway. "..Just saying I want to make sure there are no more world ending thingies happening in the next several days when we head out of town. I mean, you know how these- things go!"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Sorry? I mean, I am doing the same thing, only with you. Even if I really don't thing I would be someone you would date." But then Willow smiles. "Good thing I am an excellent friend, and I figure I look about your type."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith smiles a very patent smile and looks about 80 percent amused, 5 percent irritated, and... Well we don't discuss that other five percent in public. "and all /I'm saying is there are the Avengers, the Justice league, Harry Dresden... The world won't end if we take a little trip, I promise.

Phobos has posed:
    Down the street some small distance away, Alexander is chatting amiably with Willow. There are smiles and animation and wry comments. And perhaps those last words carry which has her saying something about being someone's type, which has Alexander's smile shifting wry. "I'm sure you're a pretty good friend, Faith and Buffy seemed to think you were the bee's knees."
    Though as he says that he turns his head just a little, a hint of something flickering across his features.
    And of course that's the moment when his gaze falls upon the approaching couple. "Oh hey." He lifts a hand in a wave.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles wryly at him, reaching down to grab Thomas' hand and giving it a squeeze. "I know..You're right of course, guess I'm just paranoid. You know how it is, relax for a moment and all hell breaks loose."

But maybe it's okay, just for a few days. "Wow, now I'm starting to sound like...Willow?" speaking of, there she is..With that guy from the Bronze. She was sure she got a vibe from him before but it was hard to tell in a crowded bar. Now, he may as well have a neon sign above his head saying 'Supernatural alert!'

Only she's not yet sure if he's 'good' or 'bad'. She bites her lip, glancing sidelong at Thomas, voice lowered a bit so only he can hear, hopefully. "Careful, not yet sure who - or what he is.." To Phobos she nods and smiles.

"Hey Wil, Alex..Good to see you again..Fancy running into you out here, how's it going?" she gives him a slightly cautious smile.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly to Buffy as she passes on her quick warnings at the approaching unknown factor as it were. He gives Willow a wicked smile. "You sly devil, and here I set you up with monkey boy, only to find you out on the town with another guy." Still his tone is completely playful, not trying to embaress her too much.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
*blink blink*

"Uh.." Did Buffy hear her? "I was just about to walk Alex home. He knows about Austin. He's my friend." At least Willow was calling him that.

Phobos has posed:
    A lonely earbud dangles from Alexander's ear, some music still heard playing off of it if one were close enough and curious enough to listen. But otherwise he seems at ease with his hands in the pockets of his long Winter coat, his brown work boots scuffing against the concrete as he shifts his weight from one to the other.
    "Hey, going good." Though he does sort of tilt his head in Willow's direction as he makes a small gesture with a shoulder then looks back to Buffy and Thomas, smiling the while. "Just chatting with Willow some about my possible roles in a rock band, and yah she agreed to protect me on my way home."
    Then he steps toward Thomas and offers his hand, "Hey, I'm Alexander. Aaron." Though the proximity, it indeed might be setting off Buffy's weirdness alarms.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers arches a curious brow at Willow. "Ohh, hey, I didn't know..You lived in walking distance. Thought you lived in New York?" she glances between Willow and Alex thoughtfully. "Right, this is my boyfriend Thomas...Ahh. That's where I heard that name before. Aaron..John Aaron.." she chuckles, "Interesting guy, but I'm sure you're not related. Probably just coincidence.." hazel eyes narrow on him for a brief moment, "..Or is it?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith for his part shakes the man's hand, looking mildly amused. The handsome man giving Willow a playful smile. "I'm teasing Wills, I didn't figure it was anything scandalous." he grins a bit and then asks Buffy in the same playful tone, "Has she ever done anything scandalous actually?" as if finding the idea hard to believe.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow had no clue. Alex was Alex.. in fact.. "Before we get any further, please, most of my friends know this, but the rest of people really don't know what I do with my free time. Occasionally I work with the Justice League. Very rarely." Except when she had duty.

She gives a small smile to Buffy and Thomas. "I forgot who I was speaking to and it just slipped."

Phobos has posed:
    "Oh, I don't." Alexander answers Buffy easily enough, even as he's shaking hands. "She was going to walk me to the train since I am delicate and she is formidable." There's a nod then given to Thomas as well as a shrug as if the two were sharing a joke of some kind. But then after that handshake, rather polite with three pumps and then done, he steps back to encompass all of them in that social circle of discussion.
    Yet it's when Buffy mentions a John Aaron that those curious pale hazel eyes widen as he says, "Actually hey yeah, he's my father." Then his eyes widen all the more, "Waiiit, you're Buffy? Like..." Then he says something that may well come back to haunt him, "Grumpy Buffy?" And she may imagine the elder Aaron actually using that phrasing considering their first meeting.
    Yet it is enough to cause the young Olympian to laugh, "Oh man, he told me a little about the whole..." He waves a hand as if trying to encompass the entirety of Sunnydale, but failing. "Yah that whole thing."
    Then he passes final judgment on the fact by simply saying, "Neat." Though after that his attention shifts to Willow and again there's that look of surprise. "Oh that's very prestigious." Then he glances at the others, "My last job was mainly taking inventory of a bunch of electronics and putting them in boxes."
    Which, to be fair, was true.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers arches another brow at that. "You?Delicate? Ohh I dunno about that. I mean, if you are who I think you are.." she just gives him a knowing smile. She's not sure exactly what he is but Buff can sense some portent power within..

Annnd there he is. But, Buff was kinda hoping for a better impression than that. "Wait a sec, 'grumpy Buffy?' the heck? Is that really how the God of War sees an old ally of his? Sheesh...I mean, I was kinda hoping for, oh, I dunno, ' Legendary Slayer' or you know, 'That hot badass chick..'

Still, at least he's not lying to her face or anything. "Hah! So you're his son, huh? What is it, you a god too? I guess I'm a bit rusty on my Greek mythology. was it Deimos or Phobos?" oh yeah, this could get interesting.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith raises his eyebrows, looking first at Buffy and then at the guy... then at Willow and finally back to Buffy... "Okay I know allot of the code name group can really streach it out here, but he named himself after one of the moons of Mars? That's scraping the barrel a bit, isn't it?" he asks with that brilliant smile.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"They really wanted John, and he grabbed up me, or else I wouldn't have joined them. I held the portal open from here to Apokolips. Someone held it open from the other side." Willow makes it seem just something you do on an afternoon jaunt. Brushing it aside.

"You know Buffy?!" Boggles. That's new.. then again who *didn't* know Buffy.

And back to Alex.. "Oh? What kind of electronics were they? Computers?" And *boom* Buffy spells it out. "oh"

Phobos has posed:
    A deep breath is taken, a hint of a sigh, but Alexander seems good-natured about it as he looks down at the toe of his boot, then scrunches up one eye as he meets Buffy's gaze and crinkles his nose at Thomas. "I prefer Alexander, sorta trying to get by on my own merits, as it were." Which might explain a few things.
    "I mean, to be fair though," About his appellation for the young Slayer, "You did sorta stab him." Which also is true. "But he said you were a decent fighter?" As if that might help. Decent. "Oh and he gave you a present, so, yeah."
    That said he rocks back on his heels a little lazily and looks toward Thomas and Willow, shrugging a bit with his shoulders before he looks at Willow, "They were computers, lots of electronics. But you've been to Apokolips that's like, huge."
    A look around at the others, "I've never been off planet, like. I took the helicopter ride over Coney Island, that's about it."

Buffy Summers has posed:
To be fair, Buffy has saved the world, or at least Bludhaven many times in the past, but she was never approached by Justice League or SHIELD, or heck, even the local police force (undoubtedly, she'd brushed shoulders with sunnydale police many times - usually getting in trouble one way or the other).

She might be just slightly bitter that she's largely unknown beyond Bludhaven and the supernatural community, but...Whatever, not like it stopped her from doing her job..Even if a steady paycheque would be nice.

She makes no comment when Justice league and Willow's exploits as a bonified super heroine are mentioned. What bugs her more is that Ares described her as only a 'decent' fighter.

"Really? Just..Decent? Not good, or even great, just decent?" she groans, "Wow, tough critic. Just because I kinda stabbed him once he's still holding a grudge or something..?" she smirks and shrugs, "And to be fair, his arrival in Bludhaven is kinda what sparked a whole portal opening and monsters breaking through. Can you really blame me? I mean.. After we got past all that, he seemed like a decent guy afterall. Heck, I was honoured to fight alongside him."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Of course she found the computers *really* fascinating. "It's one of my majors in school. I'm fascinated by them." Really Willow is. "And you've been a helicopter? Neat! I haven't. And we really didn't have time to look around. There was too much happening to check out the scenic cruise."

She laughed - was that a joke?

Phobos has posed:
    "Well, I mean," Alexander tilts his head to the side, "From him that's kinda a big deal. I think the best praise I've ever gotten from him was, 'Not entirely terrible.' So yeah, you should take it as a total compliment." As the blond youth with that devil's own smile lets it broaden, he does at least try to take some of the sting off his father's words.
    Then he looks to Willow and draws her into the conversation, even as his grin slips with a hint of laughter at her joke about the scenery in Apokolips. "Looks like we all have had some crazy things going on in our lives so far."
    A tilt of his head the other way, "But ok don't worry, I promise no portal monsters. Willow and I are going that way, you guys wanna come?" He asks as he takes a step to the side, walking a few more backwards even as he gestures for the redheaded gal to come along with him.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles, "Oh yeah, Willow's pretty much a genius with computers, and with..Other things too." obviously there's a reason she's in the Justice League although Buff lets Willow explain the witch part herself.

She just shrugs at talk of Apokolips. Really, she was caught up with..Other crises at the time. "Well, guess I should consider myself lucky then. I mean, he could have said 'Not terrible' or something.."

Another shrug, watching Alex thoughtfully, "Sooo just Alex, huh.Okaay, but I'm betting that as Ares' son, you probably have some superpowers too.." really, she'll have to research Phobos and Deimos if he won't elaborate. Best to be over prepared. And Buff doesn't yet trust him fully, even if he seems friendly. But we'll see..

"Actually, we're heading for the Bronze but I'm sure you two will be fine.." she knows Willow hates when she worries about her, and she always seems eager to prove herself. Besides Buff is sure she can protect herself and she always has Buffy's number if not.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"You sure Buffy?" Then again Buffy's got Thomas. In fact, Willow really should stop thinking of her as a roommate, and referring to her ex-roommate. "I'll be fine once I get on the train. It's almost a straight ride there. Really."

Phobos has posed:
    Another crinkle of his nose as Alexander tells Buffy, "Mmm, you like to jump to the end of the mystery novel don't you? For shame." As he says that though he nods to Willow with a smile, "Okay, now we can take that walk and you can tell me all about the Justice League and alien planets."
    Though once they're all underway he'll lift a hand to Buffy and Thomas, "You kids have fun."
    That said the small group breaks apart with two heading one way, and two heading the other.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods to Willow, "I'm sure it'll be fine. His dad was a bit...Overdramatic, but in the end he had my back." she does pull her aside for a moment, lowering her voice, "All the same, I know you can protect yourself if anything goes wrong but..You have my number."

She just smirks at the kid comment. "Suuure we will..You 'kids' stay safe too, hmm?" Buffy winks and waves at them both before taking Thomas' arm and continuing in the opposite direction towards the Bronze.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Always Buffy prefers to know what she is expecting. Then she prepares what to look for and be alert for. That's just the kind of person she is. But it helps when she is ready for anything they can throw out at her. Trust me, she's much easier to watch an old movie than a new movie." Willow nods.

"As for Apokolips. I really can't remember much there. We were attacked. It really surprises me how little time it took. They were going to bring back an old god."

Phobos has posed:
    "That's bad news," As Alexander walks along with her, hands deep in the pockets of his jacket. He does, however, take a moment to grab his ear bud and stuff it back into its small pouch near his lapel before he returns his hands to the warmth of the pockets.
    "Most gods are jerks." He offers in his way of informed opinion. His stroll is an even thing, casual and at leisure. "To be fair I traveled a lot as a child, but most of it was a blur, though never somewhere as far afield as another planet. Sort of a weird thing to think about, gods for aliens."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"I prefer to think of them as visitors from another planet. Sure they might think they are stronger, or more intelligent.. but they aren't really. With mutants.. and magic users.." Willow shakes her head, then has to stop before she gets dizzy. "Do you know why I love computers?"

Phobos has posed:
    She asks that question as they walk, and it's curious but when she does so he tilts his head to meet her gaze evenly... and then his eyes distance past her as he seems to give a good amount of thought to her words. His eyebrows lift a little, then he murmurs, "Perhaps it's because of the logical flow of it? The rules and understanding, and once you have an understanding of the rules you have the building blocks of a larger world?"
    Which curiously seems to come easily to him, but then his smile returns as he says lightly, "I mean, that could be a reason, maybe. Not like I know." Though perhaps there's a bit of himself in that answer given.
    Though at that point they reach the corner of the street and he smirks to himself as he says, "Speaking of rules." He then casually pushes the street-crossing button on the light pole, and even though this time of night there's not much traffic... he waits til the little green man appears to tell them they can go.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Partly." Willow seems pleased that he's on the right idea. "It's the logistics.. Everything has to make sense. Even fractals - mathematics is my number two choice - even them. But once you put into place everything opens up. It.. literally magic."

Her face is lit up from within.

"I can do magic. *Real* magic. And every time a look at a computer my fingers twitch at the excitement of it." She turns to him. "I can use my computer for my magic. I don't tell many people that."

Phobos has posed:
    "That's impressive," Alexander says as he considers the ramifications of that. "I've not heard of magical people being able to influence or utilize technology like that." His footsteps echo faintly on the stone walls of those nearby townhomes once they make it through that intersection.
    "I've been told I should study various enchantments, but I don't seem to have an aptitude for it." Then there's a beat, "Much like how I don't get along too well with computers. Video games, sure. Computers, not so much."
    He smiles a little, "So Buffy and that one fellow are dating?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Buffy?" Willow confirms it. "At first I didn't believe that she would stick with him. She doesn't have a pretty picture of romances. Probably because of her job. But she's been with him long enough he's met her parents and she's moving with him. I'm sad, and happy. Both."

She laughs. "Well, some people say there could be a whole kind of magic user based on the principle of anti-magic. Maybe you're that?" She joking about him, not the anti-magic.

Phobos has posed:
    A nod is given thoughtfully, then he looks back at her, "Well, just between you and me, I think it would be more likely you and I would date, than Buffy and I would." A scritch of his chin is given as he considers a thought then shakes his head. "Faith seems nice, but... I think she needs like someone that can endure her particular brand of weirdness. I don't think I'd have the patience."
    As he talks they reach that turn of the corner that leads to the subway, the train station sign apparent along the curved metal shed that serves to protect the entrance from rain, sleet, and snow.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Really?" Willow blushes and looks pleased. "Faith is constantly pushing people away. That way when they do leave it's not a surprise. It's something I just figured out. And here is my train. Well in fifteen minutes." She grins. "Another day?"

Phobos has posed:
    "Yeah," Alexander gives a nod at Willow's first words, and then he adds, "Yeah." Though sounding a little sadder as they consider what's up with Faith. He smiles a little and shakes his head. "I've always had this... soft spot for people who, I dunno. Need fixing. I guess you could say."
    Alexander's eyes lift to look past Willow, distantly off towards the Bronze, as he considers Faith's fate, then he looks back to the redhead there with him. "And the instinct at times is to try and embrace them, kiss them, try and help get them past whatever the dark is that's preying on them. But yeah, eventually I learned that you can't fix every situation or person by sleeping with them."
    At that his lip twists amused, perhaps he's not being entirely serious, or worse, perhaps he is. That's the moment when he turns and waves over his shoulder. "Take care, Willow. I'll see you around."