12868/Talk of Clowns, Ghosts and Dreams

Talk of Clowns, Ghosts and Dreams
Date of Scene:	20 March 2021
Location:	Apartment, the Blue Lady
Synopsis:	Buffy catches up with Nick over scones and coffee. a Talk of Killer clowns and Fear gods is had.
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Phantasm (Drago)

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Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers had invited Nick over to the apartment in the early afternoon, hoping to catch up and ask him some questions. Of course, it had been a while, and she didn't want him to think she just wanted to milk him for information, so she had prepared coffee and scones too.

Because who can say no to that? Except that she had actually baked the scones herself, with cheese and jam, and we all know how notorious her baking abilities are. But hey, at least she's been practicing. At least, Thomas had actually not spat out the last tray if scones she had baked for him. So that's something, right?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick's been keeping pretty busy. Along with work, the chat he had with Detective Chimp has led to him picking up his practice with dream travel. Being a bit more mindful of the dreamscapes he travels through for any that might hint to the missing child being looked for. No luck so far.

The invite over to Buffy's was accepted and he makes some pretty decent time coming over. Although he's not all that sure on the reasons, he figures there's some new big baddie to deal with and she's just checking on her response options.

The dressed downed musician stands at the door and knocks. Glancing around for any of the others to show up.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Right around the time Nick knocks on the door, the bell on the oven rings and Buffy checks hurriedly on her scones, pulling them out and placing the cooling scones onto a plate next to butter, jam and cheese. She's eager to show off her baking skills Afterall and not taking chances on having them burn this time.

"Coming!" she calls as she hurries to the door, still wearing a cooking apron when she answers the door. "Heey, Nick! Glad you could make it, how have you been?" she steps aside to let him in, motioning towards the closet, "You can hang your jacket up there, I made some coffee and scones, hope you're hungry!" and you know, brave enough to try!

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing Buffy call out to him. Nick's lips pinch together and brows rise. His head tilts down as he slides his hands into his pockets. Shifting on his feet, he turns his head to glance back down the hallway leading up to the door. Is everyone else late? Or is he?

Probably him. He's always late.

The door starts to open, causing for Nick to straighten up. He looks back over to the door but the hands remain in the pockets as he looks to the slayer. He gives a smile, glance shifting to the apron. Dear God she cooked.

"Ah yeah. Was in need of a break and your message came in time." He steps in, walking over to the indicated closet. The jacket slides off, uncovering the scar upon the right forearm. The view of it disppears as he uses that arm to secure a hangar for the jacket. "So when are the others coming over?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles sweetly, clasping her hands behind her back. Oh, she knows that look. Everyone gives her the Look when she attempts to bake something. But hey, at least there is no burning smell coming from the ov -

"Ack! I forgot to turn the oven off! Give me a second, make yourself at home!" hey, there's nothing in the oven at least, but you know, do t want to blow up the oven. Or anything. "Phew.." she wipes her brow in relief, hanging up her apron as she steps towards the sofa, laying the tray of scones on the center table. "Go on, try one! I've been practicing, so I promise they won't give you a stomach ache this time!"

She smiles and shakes her head, moving to close the door behind him. "Nah, no one else. Just you and me. I just wanted to see how you're doing. You seemed pretty tired and stressed the last few times we've met. How's work?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick makes his way over to the area containing the massive sofa, perching to the the end of one side of the 'U' shape. He gives a look to the tray as it's set down, giving an assessing look to the scone. Doesn't look burnt...

He glances back up, looking over to Buffy as she states no one else is coming. Expression betraying a bit of surprise to that. Ah so that's how it is. One taste tester per visit.

He looks back to the scone, wondering where in the order of invites he rests upon before he shrugs, reaching over to hold his hand above the scone. The heat rising from it indicative that they're not cool enough yet. "...Well, I've been traveling. Filming. In talks about doing a joint tour once another group drops their album. And keeping an eye out for a kid who got spooked and ran away from home."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers watches him carefully, watches the scones and smirks. "Yeah, I took em out of the oven only a moment or two ago, but don't think I'll let you escape without at least trying one!" she winks as she says that, glancing over at the kitchen. "Ooh, I think the coffee's ready! Be right back!"

Yea...Somehow she can manage to burn coffee too..Is that even possible!? She disappears into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with two cups of coffee, along with a few packets of sugar and creamers, all on a second tray. She sets these down too, and nods.

"Right, I guess that can get pretty exhausting. I've seen some of your stuff on tv, it's pretty good! Loved your New Years performance so much, I even taped it!" she sighs, blowing on her cup. "After all that travelling and performing, I'm surprised you even have time to help out the Scoobies so...Thank you, for that. I really appreciate it. Guess I don't always remember to say that."

She does arch a brow at the 'spooked' bit. "Spooked? By what?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, it's not like I'm here on a daily basis. You only call when it's really important usually. And if I'm reasonably close enough- Well. " He shrugs, "Might as well. What's another two or three hours?"

He reaches over to grab his coffee. He ignores the sugar and creamer as he brings it over, taking a sip. His eyes widen. The cup lowers as he blinks, leaning forward to set the cup down.

"Fucking bullies." Nick clarifies, "Seems they were going around threatening to call the FoH on any classmates they didn't like and telling them they're a mutant. Seems one of the classmates they tried that on actually was a mutant and understandably did not take the threat well."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers eyes the coffee. "Ooh, too hot? Sorry about that." she pours some milk and adds some sugar cubes to her own cup, blowing on it a bit before taking a slow sip. Hey, not as bad as the last time she made coffee.

"Oh, mutant stuff, huh? Gee that sucks. I heard about the whole 'cure' thing. I should really visit my cousin soon, he's a mutant too. I'm sure he's fine, but I worry.." she draws a deep breath.

"Things have been hectic here, only just getting back to normal after the whole body swap craziness, gonna head out to that New England BandB in a couple of days, although there is now a new potential threat in town which has me nervous.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Yeah. So there are some people looking for him to try and explain that going home won't endanger his family or anything. I don't know if the kids making the threat got in trouble or not. Key thing is getting the boy home." Nick looks to the cup for a few moments, "The BandB is still reasonably close. You can get away with going without worrying about not being able to get back in time in case of an emergency."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods slowly, "Right, it's probably safer at home for him, assuming his parents are accepting of his mutation? If not, I know a place.." she shrugs, trying a scone with butter spread on it. "Soo where was this kid last seen? Got a photo? I can keep an eye out, check with some contacts.."

She nods thoughtfully, "Yeah, guess I shouldn't worry too much. But..Even so, there's this new threat you should know about. Heck maybe you can help.." Buffy takes a moment to chew on the scone, drinking it down with a sip of coffee before continuing.

"So there's this guy, some sort of ghostly horseman, he's going around calling himself Hellequin, seems to be a vengeful spirit after any supernatural being he considers evil, including vampires, werewolves, witches...He tried to kill Willow and I managed to talk him down for now, but who knows what happens next time we meet? Worse, he can't be harmed. He has some incorporeal form which passes through you. So even though he fights with weapons, even fire, we can't fight back..I wonder if it's an astral form or dream form?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"They apparently are." Nick replies, "Seems he left because of the bullies, not them." He brings out his phone, tabbing through it and pressing a few buttons. Buffy's phone soon alerts to a message. "Picture's there. Looks like crap on mine for obvious reasons."

He pauses, listening to the description of this new problem. "Evil ghostly horseman vengeful spirit...That's a lot of descriptive terms for one person. ... Did he do any projective attacks where they physically broke contact with him? Or was the fire thing kind of an unbroken stream?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods, peering at the picture on her phone when it arrives. "Alright, does he have a name? Where was he last seen?" she smirks, "Never got your phone fixed, did you?" that makes her amused..But back to business.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye out..As for Hellequin..Not sure exactly how he works but he seemed to wield swords, knives and a spear. Just summoned em out of nowhere. Could light the weapons on fire too but no projectile abilities I could see. And even though his weapons were solid, his body was not somehow. So he'll be hard to fight. And he may go after some of our friends..Willow and Angel at the very least."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Oh the phone and screen works," Nick replies, "It's just picture quality's shit. Uh, no name on the kid. Just give Detective Chimp a call when he's spotted. You got his number?" Chances are, she probably does. But best to check.

He considers the description, "...I don't believe he's dream based. Projectiles is not something phantasms do. The fire arguablly is not part of the body so it's kind of like a projectile in a sense. He reaches for a scone, inspecting it. "But...We're not the only things that traverse through dreams."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms and nods, "I remember Detective Chimp..Yeah, grabbed his business card, figured he might be helpful in the future. I'll catch up with him.." she nods and frowns, chewing her scone thoughtfully, "Hmm...Could he be a ghost with some sort of magic? Except he seemed to think magic was evil and claimed to be acting on behalf of god..Some sort of divine..'blessing?'" she shivers at the thought, "But to look at him, you'd think him a creature of hell, even the name suggests clown from hell.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick considers, "Buffy, you're talking to a guy who has spells that call upon saints. You've seen some of them in action. But you've ALSO seen me fight in other ways. Trust me. There's no dresscode. He could be dressed in a tutu doing the macarena and there could still be validity to what he's saying."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, "Maybe..But for someone so hellbent on a witch-hunt and anything even remotely 'evil', you'd think he'd choose a more appropriate name at least..Like Divine assassin or I dunno, Angel-Quinn..But I guess it doesn't have the same ring to it.."

She grimaces. "All the same, you may be one of the few who can maybe affect him or protect the others. Just be careful. Keep your eyes open. Oh yeah, and I guess there's another god in town now, the god of 'fear', apparently."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Oh?" Nick brings the scone up to his mouth, "What you got on that one? He hostile?" He takes a bite, pauses and looks to the scone.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms. "Not sure yet, I talked to Princess Diana about it, she seems to think he can go either way..A few years back, his father, Areas, god of war. Yeah, *that* Ares. Well, he came to Bludhaven, said he just wants to live a peaceful normal life posing as a mortal..But it seems that the Hellmouth reacted with his innate abilities and..Well, a war was brought gonSunnydale in a way.." she shrugs.

"Although Phobos - or I guess he's going by Alex..Well, he seems nice enough, walking in the footsteps of his dad, but..Even so, his innate ability might trigger so,etching else, who knows?"

As she speaks, she peers intently at him as he takes a bite of scone and smiles. "Sooo? How did I do?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"You're right." Nick comments, looking to the baked good. "I don't think I'm going to get sick from this." He doesn't take another bite. But instead brings the black coffee back over. "I think you may have overpoured a bit on the extract step though." He sips.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers makes a face, "Come on, when has my food ever..." Okaay fine, so she made Thomas sick for a week once but..She grimaces, "Hey, but it's better this time, right? Ishiuld become a professional cook!" she laughs, shaking her head.

"Sooo anyway, yeah, just be cautious. There are some new potential threats in town, and I know you'd probably have a unique set of abilities to protect and or defend the others against them. I feel anxious leaving town with those two hanging around but..." yeah, Buff needs a vacation. So does Thomas.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick gives Buffy a look. Not for the evil horseman vigilante of God. Not for the God of death. But the mention of professional cook. "Tell me how Thomas reacts to your new career choice."

He sighs, leaning back in his seat, "I'll keep that in mind. Others already in the know?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, "He eats everything I give him, mostly because I'd beat him up if he didn't..But I don't think he thinks I should cook full time.." she sighs a bit at that, almost forlornly.

"Oh well...One of these days, hey, I'm improving at least, right?" Well, a bit anyway. A bit too much baking Sosa, a bit under cooked but hey, she's improving!
r"I haven't seen Angel or Spike in a while, but they should know..If you see them, please let them know their lives may be in a danger."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
At the request Nick nods. "You'll probably see them before I do being you live in the same area but, if I do see them I'll be sure to let them know."

He sips some more coffee, trying to get the vanilla taste out of his mouth.