13160/After the chaos

After the chaos
Date of Scene:	30 April 2021
Location:	The Magic Box, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Buffy takes Wil and Angel to a club to celebrate Willow's new job
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Angel

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Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers had returned to Bludhaven early in the morning, which meant she hadn't had a lot of sleep before her long afternoon shift at the Magic Box the next day..Giles has yet to replace the girl who allowed a break in a while ago, which means longer shifts for the staff that remain.

Fortunately today has been a slow day, but that also means Buffy has had to fight to stay awake on the job. Which meant drinking lots of coffee.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow had just given her resignation, and Mr. Italo was proud of her. "Two shifts before you are nothing but a regular customer." And he puffed his chest out as though he was her father. "Tonight you aren't needed, shoo. No worries, your pay will be normal. You go out with your friend. Perhaps a boyfriend?" And when she reminded him, he added, "Or a girlfriend. Perhaps."

"Hey, Buffy? Are you free?" Probably not, but at least she tried.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks, having nearly fallen asleep, and she jerks awake, peering around. "Ohh..Uh.." she blinks slowly, taking another sip of coffee, clearing her throat. "Hi! How can I..." she pauses, peering around as she spies Willow talking to someone. "...Oh, hey Wil's, how's it going?"with a shrug, she peers around at the two wandering customers, but the desk is empty at the moment. "Yeah, I'm free, what's up?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Well, you're not really. But are you tonight? I'm celebrating the new job, thanks to my old job." Willow grins. "I thought we could go out to the Bronze? Or stay in and watch a movie?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers ooohs, "That's right! Congrats on the new job! But..I'll really miss you around here, I mean...You were the premier expert on potions and rituals. I'm not so great at that." of course they have Giles but he's always busy. "I hope you'll still be around as a Scooby though, right? We need you now, more than ever." she smiles and nods, "Either way, I wouldn't mind celebrating at the bronze, just gimme 15 minutes, I'm supposed to finish my shift soon as Jenna comes.."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"D'uh, I'll take weekend shifts, and the occasional weekday evening. Besides, I think my new boss likes me to have a hand in The Magic Box. Remember? He was very pleased when he found out I did Magic. X-Corps is run by people who have mutact abilities." But Willow is glad just the same. "Good. I'll start cleaning up for your end of shift. It'll be quicker. "

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles and nods, "Thanks. Well that's a relief. I dunno what we'd do without you, Wil." she smiles as she ticks away some items into the display case. Still, she is curious about this X-Corps. "Sooo uh, you think having magic will help with dealing with mutants?" she's a bit curious how that works but..

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"My job will mostly be computers." And she thinks, but doesn't say so, figuring where to help them. Really, she'll know better when she trains. "Sure, I'll still be one.. Why? You sound worried."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods slowly, finishing the rest of her coffee. "Ahh right, you mentioned that before and of course you're good with computers.." she shrugs, "Well, I dunno, I guess sometimes I still worry that you dont feel like you're an important part of the team.."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Hrm. What to say..

"It's more complicated than that. Sometimes you are trying *so* *hard*, that you make me think how come you're trying so hard? Just let me do my thing. Have trust? I'm capable, honestly I am. But when you are hovering over me, trying to pat me on the back, instead of trusting me, I often wonder why? Why do you have to? Buffy, I'm your friend. Either I'm good or I'm not. And if I'm not, maybe you *should* be looking for a replacement."

*sigh*

This had gone downhill.

"The Bronze? For a beer?" Heck, she'd even agree to the Blue Lady.. A beer?? Willow??

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns a bit, a little surprised, and very confused. "Really? That's how you feel? I mean..I didn't think I was hovering over you, unless you know, you're doing a ritual and I was just trying to defend you.." she scratches her head, trying to think that one over. "Of course I know you're capable or else I wouldn't defer to you with every magical issue that comes up, you know? And obviously that means I trust you..Do you trust me?"

Right now she's not even sure she wants to go to the Bronze, at least until this issue is dealt with, instead of constantly popping up. "We should clear the air before getting drunk, frankly."

Angel has posed:
"Dingle, dingle". The bell at the entrance to the Magic Box announces another lost soul adventuring into the realm of the mystic arts. Or at least the Magic Box. A dark, shrouded figure moves into the front area of the store, moving in a familiar way. Looking into the gloom of the store was the one, the only. Angel.

"Hello. Anyone home?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Do I trust you?" Of course Willow is interrupted by the bell. Or in this case the door.

Angel.

"Another time?" She says quietly of Buffy. Then, "Angel! Have you a date with Buffy?" Not a 'date' date, of course. "Or would you like to go out to a bar with us?"

Who is this, and what had she done to the real Willow?!

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks slowly, not sure how to take that..But then they are interrupted by a familiar figure. She blinks as she glances towards the door, smiling faintly. "Ohh...Angel, hey, how you been? Dont be a stranger." she smirks and shakes her head, "Actually I wasn't expecting him but a trip to the Bronze or the Blue lady might actually be fun.."

As she speaks, Buffy finishes putting away the rest of the charms in the discount bin and then proceeds to clean the front counter with some spray and wiping it with a cloth. Atthat moment, the bell rings again and Kerry, a young freckle faced teen steps in in a hurry, "Hii sorry I was late..I'm ready for my shift!"

Angel has posed:
Moving into the room, and brushing off his dark over coat as though it had non existant dust on it, Angel glides closer to the two ladies within the Magic Box. Blink. "A Date. Um...no? At least I don't think so. Hello Willow." Angel smiles slightly, and then looks over at Buffy next.

"A bar." Back to Willow. "Am I interrupting "girls night"?" Angel almost looks uncomfortable.

"I have been fine Buffy. You ok?" Angel replies with a slight shrug. "You are both heading out I see? I don't know if a bar is a good idea. For me I mean. I'd cramp your style." Was that a joke?

Looking at Kerry, Angel nods and says, "Hi there. I'm Angel."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow *blinks* at Angel. "Really, I'm likely to be a bummer. We can just sit outside if you would prefer. We were just celebrating my new job."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers shakes her head, "Cmon Angel..Quit acting like an old grandpa.lIm sure you still know how to have fun, let loose once in a while right?" she smirks, heading towards the door, grabbing her jacket. "See you later Kerry, keys are in the drawer, don't forget to lock up tonight and set the alarm!" she's still fairly new but shows promise.

"Soo then, maybe the Blue Lady is more mellow for the two of you?" she grins, moving to open the door, holding it for the two of them.

Angel has posed:
"A new job? Congratulations Willow! That is great news." Angel actually does smile, and leans against the closest counter while crossing his arms. "I expect you will be great at it, whatever it is." Looking back at Buffy, Angel says, "I kind of am an "old grampa". I'm old enough to be..."

Angel stops and realises he was sounding like an old grampa. "Touche." A slight chuckle. As Buffy holds the door open, Angel shrugs. "Why not. I can go and try and act like a teenager. You'd think some of you gals would rub off on me by now."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"I'm really excited about it. I'm going to work at X-Corps. Me!" Willow was tickled pink.

She told Buffy, "I really don't care where we go, it'll be fun to be something like the old gang." Really, the old gang would be finding a demon, but this would have to do. "Lead on!"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers waits for the two to step out into the night before following after them, leading the way to the Blue Lady, "Hey as long as you enjoy the work and get paid well, I'm cool with that. " she smirks as she glances around, heading down the street. "Hopefully it'll be a nice peaceful night."

Angel is given a smirk and chuckle, "Come on, it's not so hard. I mean, back in the day you were fun, well...A bit more fun than now. Even if you were all broody. Do vampires even get drunk? Maybe we can get the staff to fix you a drink with blood in it. They're used to an unusual customer base.."

Angel has posed:
As he was walking out the door, Angel looks back at Willow and says, "X Corps? Huh." Angel kept his comments to himself but he got a thoughtful expression on his face. Maneuvering around the door to hold it open for the ladies, Angel remains quiet as they all move into the night.

Holding up his hands, Angel says, "Okay, okay. Fun is a good thing." Angel nods at Buffy. "You think? Blood is a big ask. I am sure they are used to wierd requests. Lead the way!"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow gets a niggle. And because they were away from the Magic Box now..

"What?" She frowns. "I got the job all on my own. And, yes, I'm aware the people are all mutants. And yes, I'm aware Mr. Costas is one too. And.. he is aware I'm a magic user."

At this point her feeling of accomplishment was going down the toilet, so to speak.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers shakes her head, patting Willow on the shoulder. "Relax Wil, I'm sure he was just curious is all..Right Angel?" she smiles as she heads down the road. The Blue Lady isn't too far from the Maguc Box, maybe only three or four blocks away. "Oh yeah, like I said they have a variety of unique customers...You have met Thomas before, right?" she smiles, "Hey, when's the last time you even danced, Angel?"

Angel has posed:
"Right Buffy! Willow. I think that is great. You are needed there, big time. You should be proud that they would trust you enough to give you that opportunity. Well done." Angel says every word as though he meant it because he did.

"I know Thomas yes. I have asked him a few times about stuff going on in Angel Investigations. I am sure he knows I am...different." A pause. "Danced...I used to cut a pretty good rug back a few years ago..." Like the 30s.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Okay.." Willow tries to put on her smile again, and mostly accomplishes it. "I'm still nervous about it. That's all."

She's interested in Angel's story. "You must have been younger then!"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms and nods thoughtfully, "Aell the Blue Lady is a prohibition era nightclub and bar so you'll fit right in..Actually I've never seen you dance seriously aside from when we used to slow dance.." she sighs wistfully, turning a corner and there it is. "Nothing to be nervous about Wil, I know you'll do just fine..So let's have some fun!" she grins, opening the door for them again.

Angel has posed:
"I was a lot younger then Willow..." Angel takes a moment, and adds, "Yes. A long time ago..." Angel smiles sheepishly. "Darla was also a great...dancer...but William, not so much." Angel stops, remembering other Vampires from long ago. "I wasn't a very good...person back then. Anyway."

Angel looks at Buffy and his expression softens. "Those were some great dances Buffy. Slow dancing, with you..." Angel almost reaches out, and then stops, realising what he was doing. "Um. Right! Thanks!" As Buffy holds the door open, Angel escapes inside.