12851/Just Another Day in... the Woods

Just Another Day in... the Woods
Date of Scene:	16 March 2021
Location:	1407 Greymalkin Lane - Breakstone
Synopsis:	Willow brings Buffy to meet Vitali and ends up meeting Xiang Zhao as well, breakfast and tea is shared and conversation is had
Cast of Characters:	Vitali Svyatoslav, Xiang Zhao, Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers

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Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
It's relatively early in the morning. A fire burns within the small firepit that Vitali has in his camp. Grey threads of smoke rise up from the fire, spreading the acrid smell of the burn to wherever the breeze might take them. A rabbit is skewered on a stick and angled to be over the fire, cooking. The hide from it is rolled up and set aside, for the time being. Vitali will tend to it later. For the moment, he sits cross-legged a short distance away from the fire. His hands rest within his lap, cupped together to hold a large shell of what once was perhaps a snail. A coal from the fire is within the shell, and there's an herbal aroma rising from it as well as crushed herbs smolder. Paler grey smoke rises from the shell. His eyes are closed, at the moment, and his long hair is free of its typical braid, resting over his back. He seems relaxed and at ease, and he's sitting up straight. There are faint murmured syllables of Russian that are semi-spoken but more mumbled under his breath.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
As sensative as Xiang Zhao's nose is, the acrid scent of the camp fire hits it first. Not long after, the other aroma, that herbal scent. That brings a curious light into Xiang's eyes. He comes into the camp in his typical way. Quiet and without much fanfare at all. Held in his right hand is that fan of his, though it is at present closed. His steps are not hurried, but are also not slow. Today he looks a bit different. Robes, still. But today, those robes are a brighter blue with white thread embroidered in a pattern that resembles the wind. "Zaoshang hao," he says. By this point, Vitali would know that that means 'good morning'. "Is that your peoples' version of incense?" There's nothing mocking to the question. Only curiousity. As Xiang pads closer to inspect the snail shell, he flips his left sleeve out and tucks that hand at the small of his back.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
As quiet as Xiang Zhao is, it is perhaps not terribly surprising that Vitali doesn't move when the other man comes into his camp. If he has any wards of his own within the camp, none of them are triggered to cause him any alarm. It's only once the greeting has been spoken that Vitali stirs, opening his eyes and turning his gaze towards Zhao. A smile tugs at the corners of his lips, and he inclines his head towards his friend. "Dobroye utro, Zhao," he offers in greeting. A greeting which Zhao would know by now to mean 'good morning'. His attention is caught by the fact that Zhao is in different robes, which causes him to look his friend over a touch closer. Then to the question, he tilts his head a touch to one side. "Da, of sort. Is herbs for cleansing of spirit," he says in a thoughtful tone, a smile touching at the corners of his lips. "New robes, look good," he says, giving a small nod. Shifting his position, he lifts the snail shell as he leans forward in order to spill the contents into the fire pit, the piece of coal tumbling out last and still smoldering. Perhaps noticing the curiosity about the shell, he lifts it in order to offer it towards Zhao with a smile.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao can't help the answering smile that curves up the corners of his mouth. He notices the closer look, but doesn't comment on it. He looks content to be in different robes. He'd been wearing the same set of robes for some time now. Hand washing them had to have been a pain, especially in the colder weather that there'd been since he arrived in this area. He nods. "We use some types of incense for much the same thing," he says. "And others for honoring our gods and ancestors." His lips curve again at the compliment, and those hands lift to cup, with the fan still held in one. It winds up pointing downward. He half bows. "Xièxiè, wo de péngyou," says Xiang as he straightens, his hands dropping back down to their former positions. The left is, once again, accompanied by a flip of that long sleeve to get it to lay right when it comes to rest at the small of his back. Xiang watches as the contents of that shell are disposed of, and he glances to said shell as it's offered. His left hand comes forward again to accept the shell. He looks it over, and lifts it to his nose to have a sniff of the leftover scent.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
It's a thing that Vitali can understand. He doesn't have many changes of clothing himself, though he does at least have an easier means of washing them since he can create water. "Da, used for many things. Many rituals," Vitali says, giving a small nod. There are lingering scents of wild sage, sweet grass, and cedar within the shell. A simple blend of things that could be found here in the woods. "Da, important for honour and respect gods and elders," he agrees, a thoughtful tone to his voice. There's a glance given towards the fan that Zhao holds, but his attention readily returns to Zhao himself, watching as his friend takes the shell to inspect. Then he lifts his right hand, to gesture slightly. "Can sit at fire, if wish. Tea?" he offers, tilting his head a touch to one side.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
First a cautious sniff. Xiang's nose is pretty sensative. Then a deeper, more appreciative inhale. "Mm. Smells good," he comments. It might be unlike some of the things to be found where he grew up. "Sandalwood is quite nice. ... not the incense you can find here, but real sandalwood. I actually have a comb made from it. It smells quite lovely." Though he doesn't outright offer to show it to Vitali, the unspoken offer seems to be there. As for gods and elders, Xiang nods. "Mm." There's a pause, and another nod. "Filial piety is very important." Xiang glances from the shell over to the Russian, and then steps toward the fire and the ubiqitous pine bows there. With a smooth motion, and a flip of his robes back so he doesn't sit on them, the Chinaman sinks to sit. "Shi de, please," he says at the offer of tea. Tea is one thing Xiang very, very rarely turns down. "How is the morning?" He holds out his left hand, and that shell, offering it back to Vitali. Apparently, he is done with inspecting it.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
As Zhao takes that initial sniff of what remains within the shell, Vitali watches him. His hands have lowered to settle within his lap, one hand upon the other and with his palms facing up. He's wearing a long sleeved dark blue turtleneck and a pair of black jeans, and a pair of black lace-up leather boots. He sits cross-legged near to the small fire where it burns in a firepit that's edged with fist-sized rocks. There's a duffel bag just beyond arm's reach from him, and it has a black leather jacket draped over the mid-section of it as well as having some leather wrapped items strapped to the side of it.

He smiles at Zhao, and then he gives a nod. "Da, have good smell. Smell mostly from cedar. Sandalwood nice, da. Not have anymore," Vitali says, his brow furrowing slightly. He'd run out on the long trip to reach the US. "Would like see, sometime, if not mind show," he says, tilting his head a touch to one side. There's a definite and strong Russian accent to his words. Smoothly, Vitali rises to his feet before stepping aside to pick up the pot that he uses for water, and he hangs it in place on the tripod over the fire. He makes a fluid sort of gesture with his right hand, murmuring Russian syllables under his breath and concentrating in order to summon water which swirls briefly in the air before pouring into the pot. The cups that were underneat the pot, stacked atop one another, are unstacked and set upon the ground. With that done, he steps over to Zhao to accept the shell back, giving a nod. "Morning good. Have food, have tea. Make for good morning," he says with a smile. "How is morning for you?" he asks, curious. He carries the shell over to his duffel, opening it in order to tuck it away safely within. A regular paper envelope is taken out, and he carries that over to the fire before crouching near to the metal cups. The pot, and the cups, are a little bit battered but still serviceable.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow threads her way through the wood with Buffy in tow. She got a bag of danishes and three cups. One for each of them.. she thinks. Two coffee and one tea. "Now, be gentle on him, he's from Russia, and sometimes he's not up to date with our customs." Or just plain old everyday things.

It does occur that she seems to have a knack for helping those in need. Like Zachery, the fallen angel.

"Please?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers isn't really sure what to expect when Willow invited her to follow her out into the woods of all places to meet someone. But hey, at least it's a nice day for a walk and so she comes prepared with hiking boots, jeans, a cream sweater and her black leather jacket pulled over that.

"Sooo, what are we doing out in the middle of the woods again? Your friend an avid hiker or he just lives out here?"

She smirks at the whole 'gentle' thing and shrugs. "Come on, it's not like I go around staking all your friends or anything right? Unless they turn out to be a vampire, or demon, werewolf, or fallen angel..Or y'know, a hell god. Or something..."

Oh. Right. That HAS happened in the past. And more. She sighs and nods, a solemn expression crossing her face. "Right right, I'll try to play nice."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao is in his customary type clothing. Robes. But this set is a little different from those he normally wears. A bit nicer. They're not plain. A fairly bright blue, with white embroidery designed to give an impression of wind. One wouldn't think this attire would work in the woods, but somehow Xiang makes it work. At any rate, there aren't any bits of forest stuck to his clothing. He holds a folded up fan in his right and sits cross legged there on pine boughs near the fire. Xiang flips both his sleeves back with a soft sound of snapping cloth. On the heels of that, he rests his forearms on his knees, then looks once more to Vitali.

"I do not mind showing," he replies, his accent distinctly Chinese. He looks it, too. He lays the fan in his lap and reaches into the front of his robes. A moment later, he pulls out a comb. It is clearly made of carved wood, mostly a darker tan color with streaks of pale green running through it. The top is carved with a dragon and a phoenix facing each other. A tassel hangs below the phoenix, green with a silver top and strung with beads. He reaches out with his left hand to offer it to the Siberian. The scent on it is quite aromatic, but in a subtle way.

The use of magic doesn't seem to surprise Xiang in the slightest. He might be used to it by now. Or he's familiar with magic in general. "Hao de." He pauses, expression thoughtful. Then continues with, "Good. Tea at the least makes for a good morning. Food only helps that." He gives consideration to the question before answering, a faint smile curving up his lips. "It is good. Meditation went well. I am refreshed. Had a nice walk."

For the moment, he seems to be unaware of the appraoching pair.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
"Is kind, spasibo," Vitali says, a smile easily finding his features. As the comb is offered, he tucks the envelope between the metal cups before rising to his feet and stepping closer to Zhao. Then he reaches out to accept the comb, in order to look it over as had been offered. He handles it carefully, gently, with repect, looking over both sides of it. "Is beautiful, very," he says, a warm note to his voice. Though the aroma is subtle, his nose detects it. "Smell very nice, also. Spasibo," he says softly, then offers the comb back to his friend. "Am glad morning good, also. Meditation important," he adds, giving a small nod. If there was more he had intended to say, it goes unsaid in the moment.

There is, from overhead and beyond the height of the trees, a shrill kli-kli-kli call in a tone of warning. A sound that might be recognized as being from a raptor, though it's one whose range doesn't include this particular area. The Russian man tilts his head a touch to one side as he looks up and in the direction of the sounds, and his brow furrows a touch. He seems to be listening, for a moment. Then he turns his dark gaze to Zhao. "Visitors come. One friend. One Other," Vitali says softly, studying his friend fo a moment. The eagle, Soraya, turns in her flight path, and then she easily angles to dip below the trees, winging her way towards her companion and the camp, though since she's not in a particular hurry, it'll take her a moment to arrive. Vitali's gaze turns in the direction that the people approach from, waiting and watching. He is weaponless, at the moment, or at least there are no obvious weapons upon his person.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow just *stares* at Buffy. "Zach? You thought he was dangerous. Remember?" She shakes her head. "He hasn't a place to live, yet. And he has an eagle.." Again, she seems to find the guys with animals. "I guess I should mention he's magical."

Three strikes you're out?

Wait till Buffy gets the whole story. Like Willow has asked him to move in with her. Well, in Buffy's old room.

"We're almost there!" She can smell the smoke. And coming around a bend in trees, they are there! "Vitali! I brought my friend.. oh."

He has a visitor.. at least Vitali does not look in trouble. "Hello?"

There wouldn't be enough now!

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers arches a brow at Willow. "Uh hello, he was a fallen angel, which is another word for a demon, remember? Oh sure, he was a *forgotten* angel but, details. Besides, I did nothing more than ask him questions and do research."

Still, as they approach the camp, Buffy doesn't seem all that phased that this friend of her's is magical. Really, it's not like she's a paranoid, trigger crazy freak..But you *really* can't blame her for the fact that a lot of Willow's friends have been potentially dangerous.

"A fellow mage? Well that's cool. I dont see why I'd have any issue with that, unless he's into sacrificial, ritual magic, like those creeps who body swapped me and tried to feed me to a demon a while back.." which is pretty much 'just the usual' for Buffy really.

"Ooh, a camp fire? Looks like they're cooking something. Nice.." Buffy peers around, noticing the two campers and smiles, "Hey there, mind if we crash the party?"

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao inclines his head. "Bu keqi," he replies. His eyes linger on that envelope for a moment before settling back on Vitali. "I am hoping to be able to treat you to tea soon. Just as soon as my package from home arrives." His arms settle to rest on his knees again, as he watches the admiration of that comb. "Xiexie. I traded some decorated caligraphy for it. Have never regreted doing so." Xiang lifts his left hand to accept the comb back and it gets tucked away, back into his robes, likely into a pocket or pouch hidden therein.

That fan is taken up, with a soft, but distinct sound, the fan opens. He waves it, the motions slow, languid, almost lazy. Not much to he waving motions, just enough to stir a slight breeze toward his own face. As that sound comes from a raptor, the fan stills, and Xiang sits up straighter, alert to the warning. His dark eyes turn to Vitali and he nods. "Do not let me forget to reset the talisman later." It's as though the inbound people had reminded him to do just that. For now, though, he rises to his feet in a graceful motion. His eyes turn to look where the Siberian is looking. The fan starts to move again, with the same slow, almost lazy motion.

As the pair comes into sight, and there is a greeting... at least, he thinks it's a greeting, that fan closes with a sharper sound. Xiang's hands come up. They cup in front of him, fan still held in his right, but with the body of it down now instead of up. He half bows toward the redhead, hands still cupped before him. "Ni hao," he says. It sounds like it might be a greeting. His eyes shift to the blonde, and the bow turns to her in turn. "I do not mind," he says, straightening up and lowering his hands. The fan slides open with that distinctive sound. "But it is not my camp. I am merely a guest humbly seeking shelter and company."

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
The eagle slips quietly past the trees, and Vitali lifts his left arm at just the right moment for the eagle to land on his forearm. Soraya clicks her beak at him as she ruffles her feathers, settling her wings at her back a moment later. The Siberian man lifts his right hand then to lightly brush his knuckles over the raptor's chest, doing so without even looking towards the bird. "Am looking forward to try tea of your home. Wish had tea of home left. All gone," he says, looking to Zhao for a wistful sort of moment.

Vitali inclines his head towards Willow as she comes into view. "Dobro pozhalovat'," he says with a smile. "Welcome," he adds, perhaps having needed a moment to get hunt out the English words in his head. "Friend of friend welcome, also," he says, his attention turning towards the woman with Willow and giving a nod to her. He looks briefly towards Zhao, then back to Willow. There's a brief glance towards the raptor on his arm who ruffles her feathers and clicks her beak before walking up his arm to stand instead on his shoulder, and then Vitali lowers his arm to his side. "Xiang Zhao, is friend Willow. Willow, is friend Xiang Zhao," he says, offering up at least a basic introduction.

His gaze shifts then to the woman with Willow, and he gives a nod to her. "Not minding. Are welcome. Rabbit big enough for all to share," he offers, lifting a hand to gesture towards some of the other pine boughs that are arranged near to the fire. He lifts his right hand, to touch his fingers to his chest. "Am Vitali," he offers with a smile.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow could have almost pegged Buffy for being cautious. Mind you, she often looked on the bright side of life especially when Buffy looked out for her when she didn't.

Soyara was the first. She was number three.. meaning this man was number two.

A big smile erupts on her face, and she apologizes for not returning his greeting. "I've got breakfast in my hands." Well danishes. "I can share my coffee with you. Oh! I almost forgot. This is my friend Buffy!"

Buffy Summers has posed:
As they draw closer to the camping grounds, Buffy notices the raptor first, tensing slightly at a fellow predator, who is clearly more intelligent than your average bird. Or at least s/he seems to be comfortable around humans as Buffy notices her landing on Vitali's arm.

"Ooh, an eagle? That's so awesome! How did you manage to befriend an eagle?" she is of course careful not to call the eagle a pet, remembering the last time she said that about someone's animal friend.

Buffy glances between the russian bird tamer and the fan weilding, robe waring Chinese man and smiles. "Wow, nice fan, looks a bit heavy to be ornamental. Is that a weapon?" Ahh yes, Buffy, queen of odd questions.

"Nice to meet you all, Willow always has such..Interesting friends."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao shifts his dark eyes toward Vitali. Not when the bird comes home to roost, but when he mentions tea of home. "You should ask your elders if they would be willing to send you some. Then it would not be all gone. This is how I am getting tea from home." At the introduction, his eyes turn to the redhead and he inclines his head. "It is good to meet a friend," he says. And he sounds like he means what he says. At the mention of rabbit, Xiang's lips curve up. Clearly, he approves of Vitali's roasted rabbit.

Do danishes count as breakfast, or dessert? One might wonder! For the most part, Xiang doesn't give much attention to the eagle. He's met the eagle. He hasn't met the two women before! Then his fan is mentioned. Xiang's mouth curves up in a smile again. There is a crisp sound as he closes the fan. It is then flipped, without him looking at it, and caught again, so that he is holding the fan end instead of the handle end. The handle end is then extended toward the blonde. "It is," he says, confirming the guess. "It is nice to meet you as well. Both of you." This added to include Willow in that statement.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
There's a smile that easily comes to Vitali's features at Willow's mention of breakfast, and he glances to the bag she carries before lifting his gaze back to her face. "Ah, spasibo. Is very kind. Have mugs, can share coffee, da," he says with a nod. "Come, can sit at fire, if wish. Warmer than stand," he offers. Soraya, settled on his shoulder, uses her beak to preen a bit of his hair, which causes him to glance in her direction. He lifts his right hand, then strokes a fingertip down her beak as he frees his hair of her. "Is Soraya," he adds, giving a small nod to the eagle on his shoulder before looking back to the ladies.

"Da, is eagle. Have link with for many moons. Bring from home," Vitali explains, a smile tugging the corners of his lips. "Is good for meet. Please, be welcome at fire, at camp," he offers. He offers what hospitality he has in this little camp of his, though he won't sit until they have.

Vitali's dark gaze turns to Zhao, and he tilts his head a bit to one side before giving a small shake of his head. "Not have easy way for reach elders. Take long time for ship things. Many moons for come," he says softly. It took him many moons to get here, and his village doesn't have a lot of resources for sending what might be considered such a mundane item as tea.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Interesting friends. Willow doesn't know which way to take that. Of course, she giggles as Buffy guesses (how did she do that!!) Xiang Zhao was holding a weapon. A fan, come to think of it.

Willow found herself a place to sit. "Buffy will talk your ear off about your weapons. Me?" She shakes her head. "I'm mostly wards and scrying."

The bag of danishes was handed over to Vitali, and a cup of tea. "I should have remembered you would have some here. But where I come from you bring treats. And coffee and tea kinda are treats. We can share them!" A pause. "Rabbit? From Soraya?" She turns to the eagle. "Neat!"

It's the sad tale of Vitali that has her thinking. And thinking hard..

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks as Xiang offers her his fan. Naturally she weighs it carefully in her hand, finding that she was right. "It's got a nice weight to it. Pretty and practical too." she grins, handing it back to him. "Nice! Where did you say you were from again? Love the robes. very..Ceremonialish. Wait, is that even a word?"

Her attention is again drawn towards the eagle and she smiles. "Ooh, so pretty, what's her name? Does she have a name?" a curious brow is arched towards Vitali. "Wow, really? Soo are you from Russia? Sounds like you're a long way from home."

The fire is nice and warm and Buffy grins and nods, stepping closer to the fire. What is that, roast rabbit? Smells good. But she wont impose. So she just watches the exchange for now, thoughtfully, perhaps sizing up these two..Interesting people.

Finally, she takes a seat next to Willow and smirks. "Yeah, well weapons make more sense to me. Magic is..Tricky. Complicated. I prefer something more reliable myself." Although, that has her wondering as she peers at Vitali and Xiang. "Sooo. Are you two both magic users like Willow here then?" she had mentioned something about magic earlier..

Xiang Zhao has posed:
"Ahh. Well. I am happy to share any tea my Elders send me with you." Xiang is still standing right where he'd stood up, though turned a bit from bowing. So it is that he doesn't have to move much to sink right back to sitting cross legged on the pine boughs he'd been sitting on prior. "I believe Xiang Shouxi said it would take close to two months for the package he sent to get here, and it did."

Xiang's dark eyes are drawn from the Siberian by Willow's giggles. He glances to Buffy at the mention of her, then back to the redhead. "I can do wards of a sort, but they only work on beings with evil intent. A few other things of that nature. Not quite wards, not quite shields." He can't help another smile. "Where I come from, guests are always treated to tea, at the very least, and often food." His expression goes wistful and he glances to Vitali. "I miss home."

The wistful only lasts for a few moments before Xiang takes a visible hold of himself and resumes the calmer expression prior. Buffy gets his attention again, and it's a welcome diversion. "China. Namcha Barwa in Tibet." He pauses and looks briefly confused. "I do not know what 'ceremonialish' is. But thank you. These are what I wear when I am not in isolated meditation." He accepts the fan back and nods slowly. "I do a combination of magic and weapons. And music, when the situation calls for it." He pauses, and then nods again, this time to the question. "I use magic, yes."

Xiang goes quiet here, eyes staring into the fire. He remains thus for a few moments before he rises to his feet. "My pardon. I must step away for awhile." He sounds, and looks, almost apologetic. He does that folded hands half bow he does to both Willow and Buffy, and then a slightly deeper one to Vitali. "I will return later." To the two women, "It was a pleasure to meet the both of you." With that, he turns in a swirl of robes, and walks into the forest. Despite the brighter blue color of his robes, he soon disappears amongst the trees. The white swirled wind pattern actually seems to do a lot to break up his shape.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Interesting isn't a bad term to have applied to one's self, and Vitali doesn't seem to mind it or be offended by it. "Is okay. Not mind. Weapons useful, da?" he suggests, a smile easily coming to his features. "Sometimes, use magic more than weapons. Sometimes, magic is weapon," he adds, a thoughtful tone to his words. In his case, it perhaps applies a bit more directly given that he can create weapons out of ice, but this information isn't offered up just yet.

"Wards important. Scrying, also," Vitali agrees, giving a nod to Willow. The bag of danishes and the cup of tea are accepted from her, and there's a bit of colour that comes to his cheeks. "Spasibo, very much," he says softly. There's a glance towards the roasting rabbit, which looks like it's probably near to being done, and he gives a nod. "Da, rabbit. Not from Soraya, today. Today, from snare," he says, a smile coming to his features.

Vitali steps over to the fire in order to settle once more, tucking his legs beneath him in cross-legged fashion. As he does, Soraya half spreads her wings for balance and clicks her beak near his ear. She ruffles her feathers and settles her wings to her back once he's settled again, seeming to be familiar with such things. "Eagle is Soraya. Am from Siberia," he says, giving a nod to Buffy. "Home is far, da," he affirms, his brow furrowing briefly before his expression clears. He shifts his weight, leaning forward to wiggle one of the legs of the rabbit with his fingers -- testing it, for how done it is. "Can help self, to rabbit. Is ready for eat," he offers, looking between the two woman for a moment.

"Sometimes, da... magic tricky. Know magic for many years. Make water, make ice. Other things, also," he says.

The Siberian man turns his attention to Zhao then, perhaps a bit sheepish as he inclines his head towards his friend. "Is very kind to do, Zhao. Am very much grateful. Will try for repay kindness," he says softly. Though he misses his home as well, he doesn't give voice to such -- his choices are limited, and saying it wouldn't help. He tilts his head a touch to one side as he watches Zhao, and he gives a nod to his friend. "Will find later, Zhao. Be well and safe," he says, a warm note to his voice. He watches Zhao for a moment beyond that as his friend vanishes amongst the trees, and then his attention turns back to the ladies. The bag with the danishes is set on the pine boughs near to him, and only then does he take a sip of the tea from Willow.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Now, Willow *might* have a solution. If she had an idea where Vitali came from. Xiang would be easier. The Justice League had transporters in a number of big cities, she just had to pick the one closest, and get it delivered, and she would do the rest!

She picked up her cellphone and for a minute it was weird. She shook it around (d'uh like that does anything!) and just when she was going to give up, it worked. Quickly she made a note, and put it away.

Willow crunches up her brows. "I never thought of using a conjured weapon. Maybe? But I can use magic as a weapon." She frowns and hides her face by looking into the fire. She knows that Xander didn't approve of her using force lighting. And she switches the topic. "Why don't we have some rabbit stew and I can tell you Buffy of the wonderful idea I have! I was thinking, why don't I invite Vitali to take up your room?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods and waves to Xiang as he heads out. Oh, she had so many more questions for him but seems he's in a hurry. "See you later then.."

Turning back to Vitali, she nods thoughtfully, "Oh, Siberia, huh? Soo is it as cold as they say it is? Is that where you met Soraya? What a pretty name.." she smiles as she watches the noble eagle, but doesn't venture to pet her. Those talons and beak look pretty sharp.

"Rabbit, tea and danishes for dessert huh? Can't say no to that.."

And with that, Buffy does treat herself to some food, quite surprised at how tasty it is. It's not like she's ever eaten bunny before. "Yeaah, sounds like you're pretty well-rounded. You have lots of options. I mean..Are you some sorta soldier or something? Sounds like you're loaded for bear.."

Willow is given a curious arch of her brow then, as she mentions a wonderful idea..There's a beat and then Buffy smiles. "Hmm. Like a room mate you mean?" another curious glance is given Vitali, "Oh, you don't live out in the wilderness, do you? I mean..I guess a nice warm apartment would be more..Comfortable, although I dont think they'd allow an eagle into the apartment, but..I mean, I've pretty much moved out of there, just have a few things to pack but."

She shrugs and smiles, "Hey, why not? It'd be good for you to get a new room mate. I mean, help share the rent and all, give you company and what not." Buffy still feels a bit bad about bailing on her, but at least she had chipped in with her share of the rent to the end of the month and into the next.

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
Siberia is a bit of a big place, but it's at least a bit more specific than just Russia. A step in the right direction, perhaps. Vitali watches as Willow brings out her cell phone, which he had been briefly 'introduced' to yesterday. He watches, though it's more out of curiosity than that he's trying to see what she's doing with it, specifically.

"Will show," Vitali says, giving a small nod to her. "Can only do with ice," he adds, a smile touching at the corners of his lips. He concentrates, murmuring in his native tongue under his breath. His right hand is held before him, and there's a slight gesture of his fingers in the split second before the hilt of a knife made of ice simply appears there. He closes his fingers around the weapon's hilt, and it appears (and is) sharp enough to act as the weapon it is an example of. Then a smile quirks at the corners of his lips, and he deftly flicks the weapon in the air to catch it by the blade in order to offer it, hilt first, towards Willow. "Sometimes, is all in use," he says softly. He can create water, which is useful! But it can be used as a weapon in that people can't breathe it and he could technically create a bubble of it around someone's head to prevent them from breathing. Usage and intent matter.

His attention turns to Buffy, and he raises an eyebrow slightly before giving a soft chuckle and then a nod. "Da, is very cold, in winter. Much more than here," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Then he tilts his head a bit to one side. "Soraya was gift. Is way of people, da? Have magic, make link to eagle," he explains. "Can pet. Will not hurt. Touch chest," he offers. He won't take any of the rabbit until they've each taken some of it, for such are the rules of hospitality as he knows them.

His brow furrows then for a moment before he shakes his head. "Not soldier. Am Shaman," he says. His right hand strays towards the beads worn at his neck, and he frowns just a touch. "Ah... am not knowing 'loaded for bear'. Can be bear, but...not understanding. Am sorry," he says, a bit sheepishly. His English isn't the greatest, but he's trying. Then he gives a nod. "Da, live here. Leave city after come by boat, find here, make camp," he expains, a smile easily finding his features.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Quickly, Willow helps herself with the rabbit. Unlike Buffy, she had it before. "Loaded for bear.. It means you got everything that one might want to hold up in a fight. I think it's better that you're a shaman!"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers ooohs, watching with wonder as he creates an icy knife. "Wow, that's a cool trick. I mean, no pun intended." she smirks, "Sooo where'd you learn a spell like that?" As for Soraya, Buffy nods thoughtfully watching the eagle. "Wow, that's a really thoughtful gift.." She does in fact reach out to try and touch the big bird's chest feathers cautiously.

"Ooh Shaman huh. I guess that's like..What, kinda like a priest crossed with a druid? Very cool."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow blushes for missing the offer, and reaches for it. Only to have it trickle, and then wash away in her hand. "Huh?" She *blinks*. "It's.. gone?"

There is magic, and then there is MAGIC! Willow is certain she has witnessed the latter one!

Vitali Svyatoslav has posed:
The Siberian man tilts his head a touch to one side, and then he gives a nod to Willow, a smile coming to his features. "Is best, da. Can fight, if need. Prefer not," he says, his dark eyes showing a sparkle to them. And he watches, a touch amused, as she picks up the ice knife only for it to revert back to water once it is no longer in contact with his hand. He chuckles softly, looking to Buffy, and he inclines his head towards her. "Was taught. Parents. Parents of parents. Can make many weapons. Last little while before go back to water. Only self can use," he says, giving a small nod to her.

With the ladies each having some of the rabbit, only then does he reach out to take some of it as well. He's quiet a moment whilst he eats some of the meat, though there's a glance given towards the eagle on his shoulder when Buffy reaches to pet it. Soraya sits up a touch straighter, and she gives a quiet click of her beak, turning her head to look this way and that at Buffy.