8688/A Spot of Tea

A Spot of Tea
Date of Scene:	07 August 2019
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Spike meets up with an old
Cast of Characters:	Cheetah, Spike, Buffy Summers

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Cheetah has posed:
"Blood? As in," Barbara-Ann raises her (literally on this occasion) blood-stained hand, "this stuff? Bollocks, Billy." She is sitting at a table cluttered with exsanguinated bottles of various spirits. Her red hair is only somewhat out of place. She is wearing a tasteful dress, and a smoldering cigarette (non-filtered) hangs loosely between the fore and index fingers of her right (non-bloody) hand. Oddly, the blood on her left does not appear to be hers. Or yours for that matter.

"Wait, is that why you duffed my wedding? Vampires can't get into churches?" She makes a face, "I was hoping for a proper shag in the nave..." She's probably kidding. I mean, you know her better than I do. Whatever she may have become in the intervening years since you last saw each other, at the moment she's just 'Barbi' -- party girl from Royal Estates. Even her old Estuary accent has crept back into her speech, "Oy...where's the tea?" She peers over to you near the kettle.

Spike has posed:
Spike says, "Wait, is that why you duffed my wedding? Vampires can't get into churches?" She makes a face, "I was hoping for a proper shag in the nave..." She's probably kidding. I mean, you know her better than I do."

Spike has posed:
Spike says, "Wait, is that why you duffed my wedding? Vampires can't get into churches?" She makes a face, "I was hoping for a proper shag in the nave..." She's probably kidding. I mean, you know her better than I do."

Spike has posed:
The blood gets Spike to lift his head from watching Passions. He sniffs the air and glances to the bottles. "Tea? With a sodding bloody hand Barbi?" Spike asks. "Look. I caught up with you later for a good shagging didn't I?" he asks with a wink. Looking ovder her Spike gets up and flips the kettle on. Due to a quirk in the wiring...that shorts out the power to the basement. TV goes off, Kettle....doesn't work. Cold, nasty tea it is. "Bugger it" Spike grunts

He fiddles with the wiring and gets the kettle back on. That's the only thing that works. If he's really unlucky, he's just shorted power to several people. If he's epically unlucky, he's just tripped the entire circuit breaker board. And if he'slucky it's just his sub basement.

Point being. Ketttle's back on. Tea....is a go. Tea, to the British is a drink, a sacred treasure, and a way of life. And Spike, despite being a vampire, likes his drinks. Beer, then tea. Tea currently.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers was trying to study in her room upstairs, but then the power suddenly went out. Which was a pain. She didn't even get a chance to put on some tea! With a muttered curse, she steps out of the room, wandering the darkenned halls with a flashlight that's threatenning to die any moment. It's kinda creepy, walking through darkenned hallways at this time of night, but maybe Spike can fix the circuit breaker..Or at least she can boff off some tea from him or something.

She's not sure she really wants to make the trip, but she wont get much studying done in the dark anyways. With a sigh, she makes it to the sub basement, knocking on the door hastily. "Spike, are you in there? Did you trip the circuit breaker again?"

Cheetah has posed:
Barbara-Ann takes a long drag from her 'dart'. Only "Billy" would have a pack of Amherst Greys. It's a nasty, acrid mix of tobacco only available in the grubbiest bits of Scotland. Which, according to Barbi, is the whole of Scotland.

Blue-grey smoke jets like steam from the right corner of her ruby-red mouth. Sure, it tastes terrible. Sure, unbeknownst to Spike, it's playing havoc with her now super-acute senses but lay off: she's had a tough few months!

Spike has posed:
Spike does, and hearing Buffy knock he opens the door. "C'mon in. I tripped the power making tea. I'm sorry if I disturbed you" he says sounding genuinely upset at it. It's....strange, like Buffy's his best friend or...or...something. "On the other hand, I got that kettle working if you'd like tea while we all figure out the circuit breakers?" he offers then starts heading back to the table.

Spike steps carefully back toward the table, a hand out to Buffy if she wants it, he's clearing a path, then he looks to Cheetah.

"So you come in here, want tea, and smoke my pack? Ah, great. You owe mee a pack of smokes" Spike says glancing to Cheetah, then he pulls outt a chair for Buffy and slides into his own chair looking.....bemused by this. Tea, smokes, and Buffy dropping in. Cheetah, too. Tonight is an odd night.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers sighs, "Seriously, Spike..I told you watch those wiggy circuits in your space...I mean, this isn't even a proper apartment. You're such a loose cannon.." she does take the offered hand though, as her flashlight's just about sputtered out, following him into the kitchen. "I don't smoke, you know that. But you owe me tea, and possibly homework.." she sounds somewhat bemused as she says that. And then she realizes they are not alone and he's talking to somewhat else. With a soft frown, she peers in the darkness towards the other woman there. "Oh. I didn't realize you had company. Who's this?"

Cheetah has posed:
As Buffy's knock echoes in the darkened room Barbara-Ann deftly slides her left hand, still largely covered in (somebody else's) blood, under the table and out of sight. She peers toward the door somewhat surprised to discover how keenly she can see in the dark. Then comes Spike's fumbling greeting to the newcomer. Sorry to have disturbed? An offer of tea? A delicious, devious smile slinks across her mouth. Oh. Oh, this is just too good. Billy, Billy, Billy, what have you been up to?

Barbara-Ann's smoldering cigarette bobs in the dark as she offers a slight wave to Buffy, "I'm Barbi, luv. Just an old friend of ... Spike." She shoots Billy a knowing look. Can Vampires see in the dark? Will have to Google. Wait...did she say her name is 'Barbi'? What kind of a name is -- oh, no. She's a stripper, isn't she? For cripes' sake, Spike!! We've (probably) talked about this!

Spike has posed:
Spike squeezes Buffy's hand gently. "Yeah I gotta get an electrician in here" Spike admits. "It's better than a tomb, you got to admit that" Spike adds a tiny bit defensive of his little bit of the world. He's made a note he owes Buffy and Cheetah team, so tea it is. Homework would work too if Spike was educated. His voice is his usual accent, Cheetah may have her estuary accent, but....Spike's got his own accent therein force.

"Yep she's an old friend of mine" Spike points out with a nod. Stripper? Maybe. Or stripper name, anyhow. Spike though gets back to his feet, somebody's got to make tea. "So how would you like your tea?" Spike asks.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers peers a little more closely towards 'Barbi', not entirely sure what to make of her. "Old friend, huh. Oh. I see..Isn't that...Nice.." she frowns a bit as she waits rather impatiently for her tea. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company. 'Barbi', huh. That's an...Interesting name." she laughs nervously. "My apologies, I had nooo idea you had...Company..Over tonight. I should probably get back soon.." Somehow, Buffy seems a little anxious here now.

Cheetah has posed:
Barbara-Ann outs her cigarette. This was probably done out of courtesy to Buffy though those with a more suspicious nature might note that it had been casting a dull light on Barbi's face. Her green eyes are still dimly visible. "No need to worry, " she purrs warmly "Always room for one more." The purr is probably due to chain smoking. Probably.

Spike has posed:
Spike laughs softly getting Buffy her tea, though he slides her a note under the teacup. It reads: There's nothing to worry about

Once her tea's handed out, Spike speaks. "If you want to get your studying done, come crash here and I'll patrol?" he offers, willing to take the load and patrol tonight so Buffy can study. Then he looks to Baarbi with a raised eyebrow, watching her and setting her tea down. Gotta love quick kettles, as he too gets himself a cup of tea. He's not about to give either woman any reason to drown him with fine English tea, but....but....

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers is grateful for the tea, it helps calm her scatterbrained nerves. Those cheesy Spike notes make her roll her eyes all the more. "Who says I was 'worried'? I just want to get back to my studying..And that's fine, I wouldn't want to interrupt you and your...'old friend'." She does seem a bit tense though.. Although she had taken the summer mostly off from classes, she still had to redo one course that she had withdrawn from the previous semester after nearly failing it. Which means having to cram one last time for summer. Oh well.

She peers intently at 'Barbi' through the sparse cigarette light that only partially lights her face in the darkness. "Well, soon as Spike gets that electricity working again, I really need to finish my homework.." she rises to her feet. "I mean, I have an exam to study for tomorrow, but I should have some spare batteries laying around somewhere, and a really powerful flashlight when it's not eating up all my batteries."

Buffy glances back at Spike thoughtfully, "Just try and get that circuit breaker fixed?" and with that, she darts off, back into the darkness. At least her flashlight seems to be working a bit better now.

Cheetah has posed:
Nothing to worry about? No, of course not. Why would there be anything to worry about? Just some old friends. Barbi watches Buffy zip out and listens to her footsteps as she departs up the stairs. "Well. She seems...nice." Jealousy is a green-eyed monster. Barbara's eyes are very green. But, then, you knew that. She daintily clasps the cooling tea-cup with both hands.

Spike has posed:
"She is" Spike says and sips his own tea. "So what have you been up to anyway. It's been forever since we crossed paths" he nods and watches her. If jealousy is a green eyed monster, Spike's wondering if both were jealous of each other. Oh no, Spike's so not cut out for this. He's not cut out for.....wait, he knows somebody who would know. Unfortunately...he's no way to get a hold of them. Then he really puts his foot in it.

"You want anything else with your tea?" he asks. It's an innocent questuon, but he's testing where it's leading, if there's anything under the surface. Spike's got this psychology thing down pretty good.

Cheetah has posed:
Oh, how adorable: psychology! Barbara-Ann was catty before and now, well, she's the real thing. And in a league of her own. In the murk of the basement she peers at her hand and pointedly ignores Spike's initial question, "I didn't need your help earlier, you know." A thought occurs and she retrieves her purse from the floor near her chair. Digging through it with her clean hand she pulls out a man's wallet. She flips it open and teases out at a plastic ID card with her thumb. "Ivan Bolos." She reads somewhat mechanically before shooting Spike a pained look, "Mr. Bolos was quite in hand, I assure you." Ah...so THAT's who owns the blood. How...nice? The tea is spendid by the way.

Spike has posed:
Spike watches Buffy leave and he shuts the door. "Well there goes Buffy" he sighs, wondering what got under her skin. He looks to Chetah again with a sigh. "so, what have you been up to, now Buffy's gone back home. I better fix that generator wile we talk, huh? And yes, you got tea" he adds, moving to the wires and carefully fiddling with them. There's a snap, some hard to seee blue smoke, and eerything comes back on. "I....sorta....think I fixed it. Ah heree go. Sorted it" Spike says, looking impressed with himself and sitting back at the table across from om Barbi. She's.....an interesting one. Something something past striding in. Something something.

Cheetah has posed:
Cheetah squints as the room suddenly get's much brighter. "Bloody hell, Billy." She pries open the billfold of Mr. Bolos' wallet. There's nothing substantial: probably less than $200. She plucks out the notes with remarkable precision (she's probably done this before), rolls them between her thumb and forefinger (don't start...) and slips them down the front of her dress. Waste not. Want not. The now empty wallet 'plops' back into the dark recesses of her handbag. Minerva makes no attempt to hide any of this from Spike. Why would she?

"What have *I* been up to?" She smirks, "You don't get out much do you?" Ah...right...daylight; vampire; etc. etc. Barbara shrugs in an off-hand manner, "The usual I suppose." A mischievious gleam loiters near her eyes, "You've been up to something, I see." Something blonde and in her early twenties or so.

Spike has posed:
"I'm fixing the lights" Spike says then huffs. "Fine. I'll kill the power again so Buffy comes back down here complaining again then?" Spike asks, watching her. "Nothing in there, huh. Well then. Somebody's hiding stuf away. What say we go find it?" he adds.

"I get out at night, thanks" Spike smarts. "Makes it look like I'm some dangerous predator type, ya know?" he adds, "Plus I'm being put to work patrolling my bit of Gotham" he adds and sips his tea. Looking at Cheetah over his tea Spike holds up his hands. "I've not being doing anyone. That, that may be the problem" he huffs, "Buffy's all you're a friend, you know. She's....like...vampire, can't do anything with him" Spike says, dunking a biscuit in and chewing on it. "I mean. I'm way older and way smarter. I don't go around stabbing vampires for....didn't used to" he corrects himself and shakes his head.

Cheetah has posed:
Cheetah's giddy laughter fills the room. It's not altogether kind. Is she Cheetah or Hyena? "Eff'ing saints, Billy!" She manages, through giggles, "You've turned into a monk!" A paper napkin from the side of the table - try not to envision Spike attending at the local Kroger's buying napkins - does its ineffectual best at cleaning Minerva's hand. Less red now more dull pink. "And here I thought I was the only one who ever had you wrapped around my little finger." Funny, that's now how we remember things but, then, Barbara has always had a flair for altering reality to suit her.

Spike has posed:
Spike just stares. "She's not" he says with a hint of a growl to his voice. He's getting defensive. Maybe there's still somethhing there, "You had me wrapped around your finger. You know that? You, Dru. Both had me around their fingers. You won out. You're not totally and utterly broken. Dru used me" Spike hisses watching Cheetah.

Spike watches the napkin and adds more to the pile. A lot more going by how her hand is, though he looks highly pissed at having to get defensive. He's not sure if it's over Buffy or Barbi. Both are people he cares about. Yet......Buffy went back upstairs, and as far as he recalls, Barbi doesn't try to kill him every so often

"I'm banging cats to get some satisfaction?"

There's a pussy joke somewhere that Spike totally whiffs on and misses, as Spike isn't on his feet yet. His voice is flat, like somehow she's still got a bit of a hold on him. Still, he watches her. "Go on. Are you jealous of her?" he asks, meaning Buffy. "For chrisssakes I haven't even done anything with her bar one kiss" Spike huffs, wondering where this is leading. He too has an image of waiting in line when he puts the napkins, more of them, on the table. They came out of, amusingly, a Kroger bag. "You wouldn't believe the hell I went through to get these" Spike says, gesturing to the bag. There's a bag of popcorn poking out of the top of it, too.

Cheetah has posed:
Cats. Minerva's spine straightens as smartly has if she'd just received a jolt from Spike's faulty fusebox. When it rapidly becomes apparent that Spike isn't following any particular line of inquiry she discreetly relaxes. Eagerly, Minerva steers the conversation elsewhere, "Jealous? Me? Of that?" She casts a finger at the door, "Billy, dear, you wound me." She effects an attitude of non-concern and even eyeballs the Kroger bag. She has no idea what Kroger is. She could probably guess but her mind is presently distracted. A measly twenty-some years goes by and Spike is already chasing other women? The cad. These thoughts go unspoken, of course.

Spike has posed:
Spike shakes his head, watching her as his eyes are showing how confused he is. Somehow, he's....not sure where this is going any more. He looks lost, very lost. It's like he's reaching out for Barbi. Or, something like that at least. She has a hold on him. He won't admit it, mind....but he digs out the popcorn and opens it.

"Why would you be jealous?" he asks watching her. "It's not like....never mind" he says sounding just a little confused. He didn't expect to still....well, still...he's not sure. Is it feeling things for her, now...or what once was?

Cheetah has posed:
Sharks smell blood. Minerva can smell weakness. Weakness leads to indecision. Indecision can lead anywhere. With the proper instruction of course. Spike isn't weak, but confused is not a bad place to start. Barbara leans over the table (her dress is low cut for a reason) to take a single, solitary kernel of popcorn from the bag. "It's not like what?" She purrs, "Like your pretty blonde thing would ever give you the time of day?" The lonely kernel vanishes behind her ruby-red lips. "You know how girls like that are, Billy. She'll slum it with you for a time and then move back on to the captain of the football team where she thinks she belongs." Barbara makes a dismissive gesture, "You've seen it all before, right."

Suddenly seized with a wicked thought Minerva leans over the table again, almost spilling her quickly-cooling tea. "Remember Rebecca Holton? She was one of those, too, remember?" Barbara nods her head to the door. "Sent Rebecca packing back then didn't we?" A truely devious expression contorts her features at the recollection of poor Rebecca. It was twenty years ago but the episode has apparently lost none of its sweet venom. "I heard she was in therapy for ages afterward!" A low snicker rattles forth.

Spike has posed:
Spike says, "I remember" Spike says giving her a 'once over'. "I remember how she was screaming and scared, she never fully recovered" he says with a sigh.ooc :whistles innocently ;)"

Spike has posed:
Spike watches Cheetah with a slow nod. "I remember her" he says giving her a 'once over' when she leans. "Careful, love. You'll get tea on your dress" he says with a raised eyebrow. He smiles, leaning over the table to take popcorn. "She /is/ a cheerleader" he grudgingly admits, watching Cheetah's eyes, then down to her....assets, all of them, both the main ones, the dress as Spike smiles.

Yep she knows how to push his buttons. Impulsively,he leans in for a kiss. Just like old times. Except....he's not even thinking about Buffy. Apparently, Barbi has /that/ effect on him. He smiles. "You know it gets lonely in here" he says. Subtlety is out the window...or, door apparently.

Cheetah has posed:
Cheetah doesn't pull away. Somewhere, at this very moment, there is likely an icy chill working its way up Buffy Summers' spine as if something unseen is going terribly wrong somewhere in the universe.