14551/It's best to ask before killing, so they say.

It's best to ask before killing, so they say.
Date of Scene:	28 September 2022
Location:	The Magic Box, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Many meet at the Magic Box, with all sorts of requests
Cast of Characters:	Hellequin, Faith Lehane, Thomas Raith, Willow Rosenberg

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Hellequin has posed:
The sun has set, and the antique store has been closed just in time. This is the time when Henri de Fontainebleau dies, every day. So it is in his ethereal form that he easily travels over to the Magic Box. Of course, the magic store still reeks of magic, but at least, the Hellequin knows that his idea of consulting Willow is the right way. At least, it will show her that he does value her insight.

Doors are irrelevant for the Hellequin, as he can easily just pass them, like the wraith that he is. So if there is anyone in the Magic Box at the time he decided to visit, they would see him slowly materialize in the main store room.

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane doesn't usually hang out with the Scooby Gang or really do anything..Productive as far as teamwork goes. She is however, looking for some herbs or potions or something to get high off of. Because why not? Heck, it might be fun to try the magical route. She's perusing some weird funky smelling potions and herbs when the store is just about closed and patrons have left for the evening, and drilling Willow with useless random questions.

"Sooo, you're saying there will be crazy side effects if I take this stuff? Because I'm totally down with funky side-effects. Heck, it might make things more fun. And as you know, i'm a pretty tough girl so what the hell should I be worried for?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Today was a quiet day, until almost an hour ago, when a group of school girls came and wreaked havoc on the books. Not only did they not buy anything, but not Willow had to put everything back in order.

And then there was Faith.

"You aren't listening. The side effects aren't something to be happy about. Some of them are quite dangerous! What did you want it for anyways?"

Hellequin has posed:
With the faculty of diming his appearance at will, from a vague vapor-like form to a quite detailed one - although visibly a non-solid one - the Hellequin remains at its lighter form for a moment, time to study the women who obviously didn't notice his arrival. It is true that using such discretion is rarely in his habits and, want it or not, blame it on centuries of spooking sinners, the Hellequin cannot remain silent for a long time.

"It would be a shame to contaminate a Slayer's blood by such futile means."

The Hellequin's low voice fills the room, echoing in the room, making it hard to pinpoint it's exact point of origin.

Hopefully, Willow will recognize the voice. And also recognize the non-aggressivity it carries at the moment, contrary to some other times she heard it.

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane rolls her eyes. "Geez, Wils, where's your sense of adventure? I think this could be a great way to use your potions. Why waste them on.." she wrinkles her nose as she holds up the stinky concoction. "..Seeing ghosts..When you can use it to hallucinate?" she grins, "Radical side effects are exactly what I want to get out of it."

Speaking of ghosts..And they shall appear..She hears it before she sees it, eyes narrowed, peering around, "The hell is that? Thought you had wards and shit protecting this place.." she's immediately tensed, ready to fight..

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Eeek! Hellequin!" Really she should have some early warning, like with vampires and ghosts. In fact, she was quite certain the he gets his rocks off with Willow being surprised almost every time it happens!

Of course, it could simply be that he was no real harm to her? Maybe?

"I've only just begun to make potions that work, Faith!" Like d'uh. Besides before now each time she had made a potions the odds were pretty high that you were going to get high, or worse, instead of what it was supposed to do. "Huh? Oh! That's just Hellequin. Sneaking up on me."

She stuck her tongue out in her head.

"Hellequin meet Faith. Faith meet Hellequin. There, all introduced."

Thomas Raith has posed:
From outside music can be heard playing obnoxiously loud considering the hour. You better take it from me / That boy is like a disease / You're runnin' and tryin' and tryin' to hide / And you're wondering why you can't get free / He's like a curse, he's like a drug / You get addicted to his love / You wanna get out, but he's holding ya down / 'Cause you can't live without one more touch / He's a good time cowboy Casanova / Leaning up against the record machine/ He looks like a cool drink of water / But he's candy-coated misery / He's the devil in disguise / A snake with blue eyes And he only comes out at night / Gives you feelings that you don't wanna fight / You better run for your life

One thing about Thomas Raith? he likes to make an entrance. He's dressed differently doday however, wearing a long black canvas duster that looks like it was lifted from the set of El Dorado, or his brother's closet, and a wide brimmed hat that shades his eyes from the non existant sunlight. He opens the door like a normal person at least, though still taps on the glass. "Willow? You still open? It's Thomas.' the devil in disguise / A snake with blue eyes And he only comes out at night / Gives you feelings that you don't wanna fight / You better run for your life

Hellequin has posed:
Well, now is time to become just a bit more visible - would it only be for everyone to witness the increased disdain on his ethereal features. This store has a basic, constant reek of magic, which had just increased with Thomas's entrance.

"Pleasure meeting you, Slayer Faith," Hellequin says in his low voice, less echoing around now. And even if Faith and everyone might think that she is not the Slayer, she is one slayer, at least in the Hellequin's mind.

"Willow, I was seeking you for an advice. I dearly hope that my entrance did not spook you, as they say?" Is it a grin on the wraith's face?? It sure looks like it.

As Thomas comes in, Hellequin slightly turns to him. Well, if he is allowed in and is friend with Willow, chances are he should not kill him. Oh the ethereal sigh.

"I have been blamed to wrecking havoc at nights in my time," Hellequin states, "But God be my witness, I never made such a ruckus as your vehicle does."

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane stares at Hellequin. "Hellequin? as in, a harlequin from hell? Are you kidding me? Where do you get these people from.." she rolls her eyes, "Like the front door works just as well you know? And how do you even know I'm a slayer, that's pretty creepy!"

Looking back at Willow, she just shrugs and smirks, "Well, sometimes it's fun just to..Experiment too, y'know? Don't be such a goody good, I'll bet you could make a fortune selling designer drugs." she grins and winks at her before she hears that noise.

"Well well lloook who the cat dragged in.."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow blinks at the door. Who would be knocking.. oh. Thomas. Did he still have to use to rules about needing to come in? With Buffy done with him, maybe he does.

Walking to the door she let him in. "I'm going to lock up before the public thinks we're still upon." With three pseudo customers, it looked like they were open! "Come in Thomas."

Helle was being.. nice? for a change. She reminds him that Thomas was one of those special circumstances. "Thomas used to be with Buffy. It's a wee bit strange now, but so for he's a friend. What did you need from me?"

She rolls her eyes at Faith. "The Magic Box is not where you get your drugs."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith is more human then most monsters... and some humans frankly. So he doesn't /need/ to knock, it's just the polite thing to do. He comes in hesitating as he sees the ghost. "Well that just means you should try harder I suppose mate. It's only set to four, stereo goes all the way up to eleven." He grins at Willow, "If that is bothering you, I here there is a Ghost extermination service up in the city? Operates out of an old firehouse of all thi--," his voice4 trails slightly as he sees Faith and a smirk comes to his lips. "Well well... Look who the cat dragged in.." He says with a grin.

Hellequin has posed:
Oh, there is something akin to a look of pride on Hellequin's face, as he smiles at Faith.

"I have personally met, and helped some slayers since Jeanne d'Arc." Beat. "Joan of Arc, that is. But really, Slayer, you should find your inspiration and fortitude in other sources than in ephemeral, useless herbs."

That said, the wraith moves closer to the bookshelf, browsing the titles for a minute before turning back to look at Thomas, frowning, then at Willow.

"Willow, nothing says that what applies to you, applies to all of your friends," Hellequin states, "I could very well be tempted to just try and see if it also applies to your friend here." And as he speaks in his low voice, a large ethereal halberd materializes in his hand.

"Sadly, I have priorities. I came to see with you if you have heard of this newly so-called witches league. Is it some bored teenagers' new pastime, or is there any real witchy undercurrent to it? I am asking you, before, hrm, crashing their meeting, as you would say."

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane continues to peer warily at Hellequin, as if sizing him up. She's still tensed, looking ready to kick his ass if need be, not really caring if it might upset Willow or anyone else. She could always do with a good fight. When he mentions that particular legendary figure though, Faith frowns a bit. "Wait, you're kidding me, Joan of Arc was a Slayer?"

To Willow, Faith just rolls her eyes and grins, "Tch, such a law abiding citizen. Fiiine. But still, how about you gimme something for, uh, sleep?" yeah, sleep. Maybe she can add some stuff to it to give her a high. Because. Just because.

When Thomas enters, she wriggles her brows at him, relaxing completely and smirks, stepping towards him. "Mm, lookin' sharp. Oh! Was that Splattercon!!! Thing tonight? I mean, I have my costume here in my bag, just..I thought it was a bit later."

Beat. "Witches what now?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow can't help but giggle at Thomas' suggestion. "No, he's a friend too." Not that you would know it at first. Their relationship was rocky to say the least. Something about Hellequin killing witches especially, and, while, Willow /was/ a witch.

Witches League.

Nope that didn't ring a bell. Beside.. "Witches don't form leagues. They form covens. A coven is reminiscent of a family unit. And I haven't heard of a league - unless it was baseball or bowling. The guys at Columbia have been on my back to join."

As for Faith..

"Go to the store and get some melatonin. The drug store."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith raises an eyebrow at Faith, "You didn't know she was a Slayer?" He asks amused. "She was also a lesbian, at least according to Lara, who claims to have... how did she put it, "Made that portion of France surender before it was fashionable?" " At her question about Splattercon!!! he hsakes his head. "Just trying to get used to the weight of the coat. And it doesn't look right without the hat." He blinks a bit and adds towards Hella "Witches what now?" Wonder why he and Faith are oddly in synch. He shakes his head and adds, "Actually Splattercon!!! is why I am here Willow. I was thinking would it be possible to make a Fear decoy? Like a voodoo doll or something that just radiates "I'm terrified, come eat me?"

Hellequin has posed:
"SHE WAS NOT A FOLLOWER OF SAPPHO!" The Hellequin's voice booms, louder than the car's stereo, loud as it usually is, when chasing from the nightly hunt. And after a moment, in a lower voice, adds, "I will adjust my priorities accordingly, to accommodate for a time when I /will/ have you on top of the list. This is not a threat, it is a promise."

And now he is really angry. No one defames the Saint in his presence. It seems that the only thing preventing him from acting on his /promise/ right now is Willow's presence.

At any rate, and since he can't really kill Thomas right here and now, the Hellequin returns to his main point.

"I agree, a league is not a coven, which is why I suspect they are only delusional fools. Not worthy of my attention. At least for now."

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane groaans. "Are you kidding me? The drug store?" she smirks, "Mmm, especially when your magic is soooo much more effective.." she's still eyeing bat guano and lizard eyeballs and what not rather curiously. "Say, Wils, how about you teach me a few spells? I'll bet they could come in handy for....Slaying!" yes, slaying, definitely not for causing any..Slightly Illegal..Trouble. Nope.

To Thomas, she gives him a wicked smile, wriggling her brows playfully at him as she saunters towards him, running a clawed (really just long black painted nails) along his chest. "Well well, dont you make a sexy vampire slayer?" she winks at him one more time before pulling back, barely out of reach. Oh yes, she does love to toy with men, especially sexy white court vampires.

When Helley booms like that, she blinks at him, "Woah, chillax man, he was just making a joke.."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Oh. Inadvertently she made a league be something not to worry about. (And, as usual, covens were still bad in Helle's mind.)

Moreso the Sappho comment really riled him up. "It's just one theory. Many women were drawn to Sappho as a place of learning that they could not get at home. Especially, if they were married."

Do not tell him you're bisexual. Do not tell him..

"Remember, St. Joan did manage to anger many people, including highly placed men. It is probable they made it up to have others look down on her."

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith doesn't seem too impressed by the booming voice or the threat. But once you've run with the wyld hunt your perception is a bit skewed. "Not bad man, that was at least an eight on my car's stereo." He says with a shrug and that devil may care smirk. He doesn't pull away as Faith rakes her nails along his chest, though for a moment his eyes shift from a deep ocean blue to something more like the clear noon sky. Still he shrugs. "All I'm saying is that Lara was there and claimed that she and Joan had had...more then tea and biscuits alone in her tent." He says with a shrug. "My sister isn't prone to bragging about her conquests. " He shakes his head and adds, "so about that fear decoy?"

Hellequin has posed:
Now that his reason for visiting the Magic Box is inexistent - having heard what he wanted - the Hellequin seems highly uninterested in prolonging his presence. Over the years, he has rarely experienced such a need for self-discipline, and finds it quite annoying. As is some conversation he's hearing.

"Vile creatures spew vile words, the words of the Malin. But what else could you expect."

Nodding at Faith, as if to say that he will indeed /chill/, the Hellequin then turns to Willow, "Yes, you are right, Satan's spawns did it then, and obviously, still repeat the same abominations," he says, before adding, "Very well, then. I should be on my way. I do not feel welcome here, which is nothing new, mind you. Drop by some time, for coffee and croissants."

And already, the ethereal features start to dim, turning into the vapor-like which announced his arrival.

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane arches a brow at Hellequin, "Say, how about you tell me more about those Slayers sometime? You sound like a walking, talking encyclopedia.." still, he's already fading away and she shrugs and rolls her eyes. "So rude.."

Turning back to Thomas, she smirks, and did her voice grow just a bit huskier as she eyes him with a weird kind of lust? Not that that's new really, for Faith. "Mmm, so, how old exactly *is* your sister anyway? How old are *you*? You sure don't look old. Or at least you age sinfully well.." She practically purrs that last bit at him.

To Willow, she just shrugs offhandedly. "You sure have weird friends. What's his deal anyway? Is he a ghost? A zombie? Something even more messed up?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow Rosenberg says, "I'll see what I can do, Thomas. Give me a week." Willow tells Thomas. And notices that Hellequin is gone abruptly.

She sighs. "He's sent on a mission from God. And he thinks his girlfriend that we rescued is dead. That's all. He's grieving. I think I'll have to ask you guys to go, as well, while I finish up everything.""

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith nods slightly to Willow, "Quicker would be better if possible Wills. Splattercon is in a few days and I'm trying to factor in as many ideas for how my cousin will attack as I can." He hesitates and adds, "Hey Willow, do /you/ like scary movies?" Ant thier dismissial though her nods and smirks to Faith, "Well I can tell you all about if if you like. ~Can I drive you somewhere?~"

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane arches a brow. "Wait, that..That undead wraith ghost, whatever the heck he is, has a girlfriend? Tch, who'd have thought.." she smirks some more, still utterly bemused by all of this. "Well geez, maybe he should take anger management classes or something, not take it out on us poor innocent folks." Innocent? Feh. Noth her, anyways.

To willow, she groans and nods. "Well geez, guess that's a no, huh? And here I was, trying to give you some business. Tch. Fine, whatever, I've got plenty of other places to..Uh..Get 'sleeping pills'."

She nods and grins to Thomas, heading for the door but pausing to wait for him, "Sure, I could use a drink, how 'bout the Bronze?" she smirks.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Me?" Willow blinks at Thomas. "Some I do. Mostly they're a laugh, considering what we do on a regular basis. Like all the girls going to the basement. Like who does that??" She rolls her eyes. "Why?"

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith shrugs slightly, "Because there is a horror movie convention in town, and my cousion who feeds on fear the way I feed on lust will be a featured speaker and guest. Faith and I are planning to go to keep an eye on him, but we can't be everywhere at once. I can get you VIP passes if you like. Two if there is a special lady you'd like to bring." He grins wickedly and nods to Faith, "The Bronze sounds good. Always good to check out the competition." He pauses, blinking and touching his forehaed as the image of a sultry read head with a cupid's bow smirk touches his mind, then vanishes a moment later. Like a flash back or someone elses memmory. "Yeah the Bronze sounds great."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Great!" Willow perqs up. "And you never know, it might be a guy. I am an equal opportunity date." And considering she has gone out with demons, vampires, and werewolves she means it!

Faith Lehane has posed:
Faith Lehane nods and taps her foot impatiently as she waits by the door. "Hey that's a great idea! Wils, you should deffo dress up and come join us! It'll be fun.." she's not sure if she wants Buffy to come along and outshine her though, "Yeah, I'm going as a vamp, Thomas here is going as..What was it again, Harry Dresden?" she rolls her eyes.

Thomas Raith has posed:
Thomas Raith eye rolls. "Van Helsing. Harry is the guy I borrowed the coat from." Though going as his brother /would/ make a statement. Probibly the wrong sort of one." He smirks a nit and leads Faith out. Music playing a few moments later, a different son this time. I wanna kiss you, but I want it too muc / I wanna taste you but your lips are venomious POISON