View source for 775/The Big Bad, Bartender, Buffy, and the Poof

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/04
|Location=Unknown
|Synopsis=Summary needed
|Cast of Characters=103, 335, 328, 219, 290
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> "... turn white? Who keeps their sisters warm at night? We do! We do! Who berates the referees? Who does what the hell they please? We do! We do!" A lone voice echoed out in the evening, singing. It was a male, and he had a nice singing voice, though it was clear that his voice was horse and could use a rest. Still, he continued to sing out loud.<br><br> "Who drinks all your fav'rite beer? Who gets drunker, each year? We do! We do! Who makes your goalkeeper cry? Who thinks divers ought to die? We do! We do!" The son was being sung to the tune of the Stonecutters from an episode of the Simpsons, but had evidentally been adapted to a football, or soccer chant.<br><br> "Who stands up through thick and thin? Who cheers Bludhaven, lose or win? We do! We dooooOOOO!" The man, finally appearing under the sight of a street lamp, was drunk, spun around, arms hoisted in victory. It was Spike. He was unmistakable. He wore his black form fitting jeans and the duster that he took from a previous Vampire slayer, but tonight he had on the home kit of Bludhaven Bloodhounds, and had a scarf hanging open around his shoulders. He had an empty bottle of beer in one hand, and tossed it against a wall, smashing it.<br><br> He should have been on patrol tonight, but he had either been at the match, or had been watching Bludhaven win three goals to one. No matter, he was making quite a scene and drawing attention.<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>It's after 2am, and the Voodoo Lounge is cloesd. Topaz is heading home - she had shifted to her Indian appearance so few would mistake her as the barkeep. It's more comfortable this way after all. She stops in the shadows and studies the drunk man who was rather beligerient. "Perhaps there is some madness to soccer after all, even here," she muses softly as she studies him. Her mind reaches out to pick up surface thoughts and emotions from this man, to see if he's safe to approach.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>Buffy had been having a lot of arguments with her mother of late. Since school had ended, she'd been staying out all night saving innocent lives and protecting Sunnydale from the 'hellmouth' that rests beneath it... but her mother, Joyce, knew nothing about that... she just thought that her teenage daughter was out partying, drinking and god knows what else.<br><br>Buffy couldn't tell her the truth either, she didn't want to, because she didn't think her mother could handle it.<br><br>Having slipped out her bedroom window at around 8:35 (sun down), Buffy had started her patrol....<br><br>Now it was after 2am and she was just about ready to pack it in and head home again... moving down an alleyway with her black hoodie's hood pulled up over her head and a leather bag loaded with weapons slung around her torso, she hears the singing, knows who it is... and sighs.<br><br>Buffy moves to watch from afar, shadow over her face from her hood, she watches to see how Spike interacts with this Indiana woman wh oshould NOT be out at this hour of the night alone.<br><br>Not in Sunnydale.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving through the night was the Vampire With a Soul, Angel. The latest rumours that Fred had sent him on had placed the lackies of Wolfram and Hart in this vicinity, and Angel fully intended to end them. Tonight. His eyes adjust to the gloom easily as he hears the cacophony of sound and terrible singing coming from down the road. Recognizing that voice instantly, Angel shakes his head and sighs. Spike.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sheathing his sword into its sheath on his back, Angel moves into the light from the shadwos, and regards the other Vampire with a frown. Yes, Angel has placed his best "judging" expression as he looks in disgust at the drunken Vampire. One word escapes his lips. One word. "Spike." Sigh.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Noting the presence of another person as well, Angel looks to his left as he moves out of the Shadows, so as to not "spook" the other person. His eyes take in Topaz with an appraising air, maintaining a relaxed defensive posture, but not trying to appear aggressive. After all, he was not there to scare the locals. He was there to help them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sniff. Hmmm. Now that was...interesting. A familiar scent. She was here, somewhere, in the shadows. His smile reveals that Angel was proud of her. She was stealthy, quiet, and has come a long way into being the perfect Slayer.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> Spike picks up on the soft musing, despite his drunken revelling, and perhaps because he's in a good mood. He had some blood earlier tonight, that pig's blood unfortunately, but it was blood all the same, and it was heated, with a bit of weetabix to give it some texture. His team won. So, he didn't even try to scare the Indian woman into giving him money for beer, blood, or fags.<br><br> "Bit late to be wandering these streets alone, luv." Whatever madness she thought she saw seemed to be gone, and he was himself again. "Best skedaddle back to wherever you call home." Then, looking around, he failed to notice Buffy hiding in the shadows, "if you'd like, I'd be happy to walk you home. And it's called football."<br><br> His surface thoughts were probably a bit odd though. He wanted to impress some blonde girl. He wanted to act and behave in a way that she would approve of. Those thoughts turned sour at the presence of Angel. They had a complicated history, and his emotions were a mixture of anger, frustration, sorrow, and jocularity.<br><br> Whispering to her, he said, "you wander the streets of Sunnydale at night, and you're liable to run into a monster." His thoughts suggested he viewed Angel to be the monster. He was remembering all the nasty things Angelus had done.<br><br> Even as a Vampire, sans soul, Spike still viewed Angelus as the monster. Spike was just a guy, out for a good time. Angelus was pure evil. A century or more of brooding wouldn't change that. <br><br> And with a grin on his face, he whispered to the woman, "I'll cover you!" And he turned, running towards Angel in a charge.<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz raises an eyebrow as she studies Spike. "Oh, I can take care of myself," she states. "It's a great day to go for a walk - and I'm glad that our team won at soc.... errr... football." She shrugs. "Never could get into that sport honestly." She glances over at the other man, then back to Spike. "Not a friend of yours?" she asks. She does notice a female presence in the area, but decides not to mention anything. "I often enjoy my late-night walks. I am a healer after all - and sometimes we can't really decide when someone needs our help."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>Buffy wintesses Angel's arrival and it spooks her to say the least, she hadn't know he was back in town. She remains where she is though, observing from the darkness. She can hear whats being said, though its rather quiet.<br><br>When a homeless person steps up through the alley several meters behind her, Buffy looks up and acts quickly. She parkours herway up the side of the laundromat and ends up on the roof, above the facility, now perched on the side of the building looking down at the street below.<br><br>Buffy watches as Spike now charges forward, she stares out from beneath her hood and just... watches.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angel notes the presence of the two other women, and of course, Spike. His eyes scan the area to ensure there were no other surprises, and he stays in the light of the street lamps. In his mind's eye, Angel is the champion of good, the "Powers That Be" and is on the side of light and the "angels".<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that Angel has a soul, the pain of the past is still there, a wound in his soul. That was why he strives to do good, fighting evil and the good fight. In this case, it might be Spike.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Football. Ugh. Topaz's words sink in, and Angel watches her for just a second. Something about her was...different. Angel couldn't place it. "Ma'am be careful." Pointing at Spike, Angel adds, "He can be dangerous when riled. Especially when drinking." A healer she said...they could use a healer. Sensing Buffy moving, Angel just nods with a subtle look in her direction, noting her slight movement. She was good...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking at the "man" in front of him, or more accurately, the Vampire, Angel shakes his head, and says, "Spike. I see you are into the drink again. You'd think after all these decades, you'd go easy on the alcohol and stop being a slobbering drunk...?" Angel is surprised by the charge, but he was already on his guard, so he was only flat footed for a few seconds...but that was probably enough for Spike.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For those with preternatural hearing, there is a flap of large wings in the night. A flash of magic tingles at the senses for those likewise aware. These things fade from the senses with time but with that same passing time comes the clack-tap of high heels on pavement. It's 2am and the bars are letting out so it is, perhaps, not much of a surprise that a woman with striking gold-blonde hair is walking down the street. She strides with a purpose and an ease in heels that suggests she is both graceful and practiced at the endeavor. As she nears a boutique, she pauses and looks into the window at some of the dresses being offered for sale. It could be considered odd to window shop at this time of morning but then anyone with an eye for fashion would know her jeans are designer and her wrap blouse is made of silk.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a scuffle. Voices. She looks behind her towards the alley. She has no purse to clutch but reaches for it just the same. Her eyes blink in confusion and she looks around. Damnit, she must have left it at the bar...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> Spike charges towards Angel, but when Angel doesn't respond in kind, Spike is a little disappointed. Still, he moves to protect Topaz, not that he even knows her name, putting himself between the healer and his grandsire. "Slobbering drunk?" He repeats in perfect English, and unlike Angel, Spike has managed to retain his accent. Actually, he adopted a working class English accent as opposed to his natural received pronunciation accent, but it's closer to his natural accent than the American English that the Irishman currently uses.<br><br> "Have you heard yourself, mate? What you sound like?" He uses a hand to aside to Topaz without actually taking his eyes off Angel, "don't know yet. He might have lost his soul again, or just traded it for some more of that hair gel he's so fond of." Hand lowered, he states in a clearer and louder voice, "What's your game here, Angel? I thought you left to avoid temptation. One good bonking and the world goes straight to hell? Ring any bells? Hello?" Straightening his jacket lapels, he stands at his full height, having to still look up to the taller vampire, "Sunnydale's already got a Vampire Protector, one who doesn't have to live his life as a human Ken doll. So," Spike raises a hand, his wrist being limp and pointing down. He flaps the wrist up dismissively, "why don't you just wander back to Empire City or wherever it is you call home."<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz just sighs. "Alright, boys, settle down. I do not approve of needless violence." She tsks and shakes her head. "And yes, I've heard of our vampire protector. But I'm not bothered by vampires. If they behave, I will too. I do hate to get my hands dirty." She doesn't acknowledge the female presence overhead, but is quite sure the vampires would know. "Wait - do you hear something? A powerful presence..." She looks around - only to see another late-night denizen - a woman with golden hair.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>Needless to say the pissing contest that was about to seemingly get underway down on the street, between the two 'men in her life' that neither were really 'in her life' ... wasn't really impressing the Slayer up on the rooftop of the Laundromat.<br><br>Buffy looked up at the dark sky as some of the others did, but a sound in the alleyway she'd parkour'd her way out of took her attention back down there. Crouching over the edge, she peered down at...<br><br>... a second later the hooded Slayer dropped off of the Laundromat's roof and back into the shadowy alleyway!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the oncoming charge, Angel misses the flapping and sounds that signal the arrival of Miranda. His attention is on...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Spike. Angel was fully expecting a clash of bodies as Spike charges. However, that doesn't happen. Angel twists around, and shakes his head. Always with the recriminations and comments. With anger and reproach in his voice, Angel says, "Spike! What the hell are you doing? What do you mean, do I hear myself?" Ah. There it was. "Don't be daft, Spike. I haven't lost my soul." His eyes follow Spike, and notes his protective attitude towards Topaz. Now that was...different.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His eyes narrow as he approaches, caustiously. Angel decides to play this out. "No game, Spike. I am more concerned as to what you would do. That whole "gone to hell" thing is the past now. Came back. Got my soul back. Sufferring the curse." His voice drops almost to a whsiper as the pain of that revelation, the curse's dark kiss, reminds him of what he lost. What he could never have...his eyes move towards Buffy's location, and there is almsot a sign of moisture at the tips of his eyes. A longing. His expression one of love and loss, and pain and recriminations at what he almost did...what he did do. What he said.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shaking his head out of his reverie, Angel clears his throat, and says, "Spike. I would rather die than leave this city in your hands. Vampire Protector. Right!" Angel moves forward, the anger seething in his eyes. "I have a soul. You are just a peasant blue-blood wannabe from the streets thinking he is a poet when in fact he can't even protect himself, let alone anyone else."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angel's hands almost go to his sword again, and it was only the words of Topaz that stops him. He blinks, and nearly smiles. But that would besmirch his brooding after all. "Wise words." A powerful presence. That must be Miranda.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even in a human form, her keen senses can hear the words at play in the alley nearby. The ruse of window shopping would seem to be amiss. Her lips purse as she considers her options. Depart with no answers. Enjoin at risk. But then.. there was curiosity. With a turn of heel in determination, she begins walking with a languid ease in heels towards the alley.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As her figure is framed by the brickwork walls, Miranda smiles to the trio. "Gentlemen. Miss." There is a dip of her chin. "I have to say.. in the silence of the dark night even a whisper carries." She looks to each in their turn. "The turn of phrase. The quiver of emotion. You.. leave a woman to wonder." Her words are confident and her presence has an aura about it but she seems to carry both without pretense.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> Spike, ever the mature one of the group says, "he started it." And he did, by turning Drusilla into a Vampire, who later turned Spike into a vampire, and Spike still hasn't forgiven Angel for it. When Topaz says she isn't bothered by vampires, Spike gives her a thumbs up, "right on. I like this bird. Name's Spike, and the one who's obsessed with appearance is Angelus, or Angel for short." At the referene of a presence, he looks up and notes that they are not alone. As the Slayer dropped down, he said, "Buffy?" And his thoughts immediately turned incredibly conflicted.<br><br> To Angel though, he could never resist a dig. "You sure about that mate? You haven't been doing the nasty with anyone now, have you? Good show. Abstinence is a perfectly viable lifestyle choice." As Angel pours his heart out, to Spike no less, Spike actually looks sympathetic. "Bugger that."<br><br> But then Angel has to ruin the moment. Spike is perfectly calm, but Angel's seething right now. "You really ought to get into the 21st century. Record that dialogue and play it back. Trust me, you'll thank me." Of course, Spike had always been comfortable with technological advances. Angel on the other hand, well, Spike wondered if Angel even had a mobile phone.<br><br> But then he hears Miranda's entrance, and he smirks, lighting up a cigarette, "try not to use such flowery words luv, you'll only confuse him."<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz glances back and forth. "My name is Topaz," she finally states, introducing herself. "And... I'm not going to get involved in... family squabbles. Just don't try to kill each other. And..." She trails off. "I'm honestly not sure if my powers would work on a vampire..." She trails off, wryly. "Well, not sure they'd survive it. My healing tends to be holy in nature - I've been reluctant to try it." She glances over at the new arrival, sensing powerful magic.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>The part of the alley that Buffy jumped into was completely black from shadows. But the homeless person who'd spooked her out of it, now appeared and he was screaming, running at Angel, Spike, Topaz and now Miranda!<br><br>But it was very very short-lived as the tip of a wooden stake pierced his chest and caused the homeless man to suddenly stop, look down at himself and then hiss!<br><br>A second later and his entire body burst into a cloud of dust that started to vanish on the wings of the warm breezes.<br><br>Buffy stood there now, looking ouat the group from beneath her hoodie's hood, she had a calm look on her youthful face... though those who knew her well enough would be able to see she was upset, or at least annoyed.<br><br>Buffy twirled the wooden staken around in her hand and then slipped it back into the leather satchel that was draped over her body.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angel shakes his head, and says, "Spike, you aren't wrong." Perhaps he did started it. That was a dark part of his past. So long ago. What sucked was that Angel had a photographic memory. He truly remembers everything he has done...good and bad. Especially the bad. It clung to him, like black on night. It was the reason the curse of having a soul was not a good thing. Depending on your point of view. A good Angel was a lot better than an evil Angelus.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Angel is fine." Angel says to Topaz, replying to Spike's attempt at being civil. "Angelus is gone. Hopefully forever." Angel continues, "I promise, Topaz, we will not kill each other. Old anger and pain takes a long time to heal."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angel then proceeds to ignore Spike's dig at his sex life, and the other comments, denying Spike the satisfaction of goading him on. His only reply is a shake of his head. "You'll never change..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As a matter of fact, Angel does have a mobile phone. Fred had given him one. Now, being able to work it, that was the challenge. Walking forward, Angel nods to Miranda, and says, "Welcome to the party. It is a pleasure to meet you." Angel allows himself a smile and a nod, respectfully towards the new arrival.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His last thoughts are of Buffy, as she dusts the Vamp. Same old Buffy...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> Spike took note of Topaz's name, already having introduced himself to the group, and his grandsire. "Right, yeah, probably for the best. Something tells me you couldn't magic away my chip anyway." He admitted to having the chip, and he pretended to immediately regret mentioning it in front of Angel, but it was actually a subtle hint, trying to volunteer the information accidentally. It just happened to be a purposeful accident this time around.<br><br> Sensing the annoyance on Buffy's youthful visage, Spike leaned over to the side, rather theatrically making a point of talking to Buffy as if Angel weren't even here, "Sorry about that Buffy. I would've got him if it hadn't been for Captain Forehead here." And where does Spike get off calling Angel captain forehead when Spike himself was a vampire too? Some vamps have it, some vamps want it, and guess which category Spike fell into.<br><br> Spike's attention though switched when Angel admitted he was right? He immediately reached for his chest, his pockets, searching, and he pulled out a mobile phone, a Rand Enterprises design, and turned it to the audio record function, "I didn't quite catch that. Can you say that again into the microphone?" He wanted to be able to play Angel saying that Spike was right. He'd give up killing, if he had the choice, for a month to have that recording.<br><br> His own thoughts are of Buffy too, though there's quite a bit of history that goes with him and Angel. "Come now, don't be shy. Hey, we'll record it for posterity. Next time you go evil, we'll play it together and have a nice laugh about it, what'd you say?"<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz frowns. "Yeah... the air is THICK with resentment here. It's... not a pleasant mix for me." She shivers as she steps away from the vampires - closer to Miranda. Perhaps close enough for her magic-boosting aura to encompass Miranda. "I am an empath - and... I really can't turn it off."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miranda seemed oblivious to the homeless vampire. Or even the interplay between the pair. If not oblivious, her expression doesn't betray any sort of alarm. "So that's three vampires in one alley." She observes rather blandly. "Is this a regular problem in this town?" Her eyes are on Topaz even if she is speaking to the group as a whole.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's when she turns to face the slayer. "And you have taken upon the burden." Her eyes look over Buffy from head to toe. "You.. I will remember. Buffy was it? You may call me Miranda." There's a faint smile at that as if, well, maybe it's just a name she uses. Topaz' presence draws a look askance as if.. why are you in my personal space? Further scrutiny is given. "Empath? Then you'll kindly feel my dislike for such intrusions upon my affairs." There's a smile. Apologetic? Warning? Both? At last, she replies to Angel, "I speak as I feel. If others cannot understand me, that is there concern. I would apologize for that but that would imply that I should not be who I am. If you truly do have a soul.. then I'm sure neither of you would deny a person there very being." She winks at Angel then. Pulling his leg? Teasing? She is at least amused.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>Buffy's eyes traveled over each of them. Though Topaz and Miranda, she didn't know them... they didn't appear to be Sunnydale regulars, unless she'd just missed their faces in the crowds. Or they'd come into town WITH Angel.<br><br>When Spike spoke, Buffy's attention went to him. "Its easier when you're not slamming bottles of liquor against walls, and singing about your ballsport team." She said to him then before placing her eyes onto Angel. She knew whatever he was in town for, it wasn't her.<br><br>"Go home." She said then. "All of your. The weather is nice, the streets are full of badguys. If you value your lives, go home."<br><br>And with that, Buffy turned to go back down the alley she'd found the Homeless Vampire in, she started to head back into the darkness.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that was the second time he heard that Spike had a chip. Frowning, Angel nods, and moves towards the group. It was noted that Spike "accidentally" mentiones the chip. Interesting. Spike was all bark and now, ahem, bite. Maybe this was his way of telling him something?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ignoring Spike, his expression one of cold, distant, emotionless, not-caring, Angel shakes his head, and turns to Buffy as she is now visible. "Buffy. Are you okay?" His expression was one of caring concern, with a slight micture of pain and loss.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking over his shoulder, Angel says, "Do you ever turn it off Spike?" And then returns his attention to the other people present. "I understand Topaz. We are an acquired taste and come with a ton of baggage. Especially when he..." Angel thumbs in the direction of Spike, "...has been drinking. He's a bitter taste, even when he is sober."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It seems to be a regular problem, yes Miranda." Angel actually smiles. "We, of course, are not bad guys. Or bad vampires." Angel pauses, "Well actually, I'm not. Feel free to stake him anytime." He waves towards Spike. Angel listens to Miranda's words, noting her comments and inflection. Fascinating.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Buffy rebukes Spike, Angel barely conceals his amusement behind a hand, and a clearing of his throat. Priceless! "You might want to record that Spike. So we can go over that again later." Watching as Buffy takes her leave, ANgel sighs, and nods. So it wasn't to be a good reunion. Perhaps next time, after time healed those wounds it was supposed to.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br>\ <br> "Kind of," Spike answers Miranda's question. "It's what do you call it, oh yeah," he snaps his fingers, "a hellmouth. Big, bad, extradimensional source of evil, brings out the creepy crawlers like werewolves, zombies, mummies, vampires, and all kinds of nasty folks, like Angel here." He's actually quite proud to be a Big Bad himself, even if that damn chip in his head won't allow him to be it. But he loves to torment Angel.<br><br> "Vampires come with the territory. Some, like me, try to help out." He laughed at himself, "I know, even I find it funny." Turning serious, he says, "but, yeah, it's... something I'm trying out." His thoughts again turned to Buffy. Between the chip in his head and the Slayer, he was having a hard time of this. He had motivation, but it was definitely against convention.<br><br> At Buffy's chiding, he says, "I can promise not to toss the empty bottle of beer, but I draw the line at supporting the team. The boys needs us to sing out loud and proud. To carry the team on to victory and... and community spirit... I was showing pride in my adopted hometown."<br><br> He wasn't about to leave though. "If the streets are full of bad guys, then somebody should put a stop to them, by gum! And I know you don't need help, but it's nice all the same. You don't want to develop Slayers elbow or something?" When he addressed Buffy, his tone of voice went to a softer, more soothing tone.<br><br> Spike ignored Angel. And for the record, no, he didn't turn it off. He was all Spike, all the time, and he tasted spectacular. And as Angel was talking about what Spike should record, the 'Vampire with a Soul' found that Spike had already snuck off, following Buffy. He even had a stake in hand, "so, where should we start our patrol?" Yeah, he was trying to invite himself into her patrol. He was there to help the helpless... or something.<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz glances at Miranda. "My apologies. It's not easy being an empath. I don't want to invade your privacy. It's... hard to avoid. Believe me, I wish I could go a while without knowing how everyone around me is feeling. The only solace I have is sleep." She sighs softly. "But total isolation is its own kind of hell and that's not a way to live either."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:'''<br>"I'm fine, Angel." Buffy said back over her shoulder. "Thanks for caring!" She said it in a way that sounded sarcastic or disinterested, likely both... she was mad at him for leaving, she understood why he had to leave... but she was young, and as much as she might think she knows how the world works, she still had trouble accepting it and coming to terms with it. He told her why he had to go, she was 'aware of it' but it still somehow felt like an excuse to just dump her and leave.<br><br>"Its nice to meet both of your new friends too!" She said in regard to Miranda and Topaz. "Go home!" She added further.<br><br>When Spike joined her at her side like a faithful puppy, hopping around with his little wooden stake, Buffy glanced over at him. "I'm going home too. I'm tired, and I want to sleep... like, for a week."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Miranda listens to Spike's exposition on Hell Mouths. There's an ahh as if his explanation makes perfect sense and then she's taking in her surrounds. "Well that has to be rough on the property value around here." There's a moment of extra scrutiny to the sky and she eventually comes full circle and back to Spike. "Lions and tigers and.. vampires. Oh my." Her tone is.. dryly amused? Certainly not alarmed as one might expect one to be after just being told there's vampires everywhere and just seeing one destroyed for that matter.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Topaz on the other hand draws a more.. studious eye. "And you say your magic is divine in nature? Mostly healing?" There's the edge of skepticism there. "Killed anything with it?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now when Buffy tells her to go home a second time, Miranda turns an exhasperated gaze and a sigh in the direction of the Slayer. "Young lady, I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles here in your delightful hell hole. Thank you for your concern." Or not. There's honestly not much concern. Maybe irritation. A dash of disdain even.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ouch. That hurt. Angel's expression reacts to that blow, as Buffy strikes through her words. After all, he deserves that. It still makes it hard to take. So, what does he do? Fire away at his comedic foil once more.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Somebody is stopping them Spike. Angel Investigations." Looking at Miranda and Topaz, Angel adds, "If you ever want to chat, we have a group of supernatural investigators that help those in need. Our theme is "Helping the Helpless". You are both welcome to join us in our fight if you like. Just drop by the Hyperion Hotel, anytime, and we can chat further." Angel takes two cards out of his jacket, and hands one to Topaz. "We always need empathic skills to help us in our fight against the encroaching darkness. Call me." Angel then turns to Miranda. "Your skills would be invaluable to the team. Think about how much good you could do helping us help others!" Angel hands her the card. The cards had been printed off by Fred just the other day. "If you need our help, we are there as well. Speak to anyone, anytime, and we will be there."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As everyone seems to be heading off, Buffy her way, Spike his way, probably chasing after something he could never have, Angel stops, places his hands on his hips, and says, "Well. That was interesting." Shaking his head, he nods towards Miranda and Topaz one last time, says, "Good night!" and moves into the night, another shadow.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''<br> "Not all it's chalked up to be, is it?" Spike offers to Topaz as he catches her thought about being an empathy. He'll have to watch out for that. What has he been thinking this whole time? What has she picked up? But any brief moment of concern is quickly washed away and replaced with acceptance. Spike knows who he is, and he's comfortable in his own skin. He's a vampire with a chip in his head who lives his un-life to the fullest. Right now, that means helping out the Scooby Gang and Buffy in particular. Tomorrow, if he gets that chip out of his head, he might get to be his bad self, but either way, he's going to be the vamp he was reborn to be.<br><br> Sounding unusually sincere and very much the faithful puppy, he asks softly, "M-may I walk you home?" He even stammered a bit. Damn, he had it bad. Spike didn't register the slight when he doesn't get invited into the precious Angel Investigations. Not that he would have accepted. But it would have been nice to be asked.<br> <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz glances back at Miranda. "Yes - it's possible that one of my parents is an angel. It's very uncertain. I was in a very bad situation and I suddenly found myself back in my bed - and... there was an angel's wingfeather laying on my chest. It's one of my most prized possessios." She smiles faintly. "I want human contact just like anyone else - I would love to have a family again. Someone I can look to in good times and bad. I always feel a bit lonely..." She then finally asks, "What kind of chip did you mean a while ago, by the way?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An invitation? Miranda arched a brow when Angel began rambling on about her skills. The man knew nothing about her and yet was inviting her into his fold. Clearly, she.. was skeptical. "We will see, Angel." It wasn't a no? She watches Buffy and Spike disappear into the night then with a more bemused expression. "There is family and there is family. Some linger. Some do not. In either case, I doubt I am the one you seek." There's only Topaz left to speak to so the words are clearly meant for her. Miranda even turns her attention back to the woman and her expression is.. compassionate? Is that possible? "But I would have a care in this place. You have a potent aura. I know many dark wizards who would find you.. useful." There's a dry snort at that as if to suggest she finds the suggestion ironic and unpalatable.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz shrugs. "I am aware of that," she muses as the vampires cleared out along with the Slayer. "Many have tried. Let's just say there's one demon lord that one day I'll have to have a reckonong with." She shrugs. "And you have some interesting tlanets yourself. I'd love to compare notes osmeday." She smiles faintly. "I don't think I caught your name?" she asks Miranda.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:290|Miranda Madsen (290)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nor I yours." Miranda replies cryptically. "You'll forgive me if I'm not keen on sharing secrets. Doing so rarely ends well for me so I've learned to keep them to myself over the years." She smiles wanly. "That's what makes them secrets after all." There's a tipping of her chin to Topaz. "But perhaps we will meet again in a more conversational environment." That seems to be Miranda's cue because she turns and departs the alley, determined clacking of heels once again marking her gait into the night.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:335|Topaz (335)}} has posed:'''<br>Topaz nods slowly, sighing as everyone leaves again. Maybe one day, she'll find a family. Muttering, she's tired of her walk, and with a flare of white light disappears, going home.<br> <br>
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