9604/A Stormy Night At The Magic Box

A Stormy Night At The Magic Box
Date of Scene:	16 October 2019
Location:	The Magic Box, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Giles and Brian discuss events and get to know one another.
Cast of Characters:	Rupert Giles, Captain Britain, Buffy Summers

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Rupert Giles has posed:
One thing about fall in Sunnydale is the rain. It rains a lot. Eventually the New England rains fade into snow, just like in nearby Bludhaven. For now, though...there is the incessant downpour.

The Magic Box is open, though it is currently very quiet. One wanders how Giles stays open! He meanders about the place, humming softly to himself. A pile of books rest in his arms, and he pauses here and there to properly shelve them.

Captain Britain has posed:
Brian Braddock was well acquainted with rain. Someday, Englishmen may sprout gills. But until that day, they will manage without. Slipping in to the Magic Box, in both an effort to escape the rain, and because he had wanted to meet with the owner.

He wore a navy blue double breasted peacoat. Once inside, he folded up his umbrella, tying it closed so that the water wouldn't go everywhere, and began to use it as if it were a cane. He then undid the buttons on his coat, revealing a charcoal grey jumper, and a light blue collar from the dress shirt he had underneath. Were it to snow, he would be well insulated.

Below all this, he had blue jeans black leather shoes, or at least they looked like leather. They were actually made by Reebok, and waterproof, but made to mimic the appearance of leather.
Although he wanted to speak to the proprietor, he did look around, wanting to purchase something to help business. Perhaps something for Willow, as he had heard she was under the weather.

Rupert Giles has posed:
A small bell rings when the door is opened, and Giles glances over. "Good evening. I will be right with you!," he calls out. He can't see who has entered from whre he is. He turns back and shelves a few more books. The man is dressed in his usual, which currently features loafers, slacks, and a tweed coat.

The man adjusts his glasses as he comes around and into view. "It's quite chilly and wet outside. Would you like a cup of tea while you peruse, perhaps?" He pauses as he spots Brian, looking a bit surprised.

Captain Britain has posed:
Brian was a rather large figure, standing at nearly two metres tall, and weighing over a hundred and fifteen kilograms, much of it muscle. But the man did not have the bearing, and certainly his eyes were not those of a violent person. "Oh ta, I could murder a brew." Even if the phrase bore violence reference, it was said in a warm and welcoming tone. "Anything would be fine, Tetley, Yorkshire, Earl Grey. With milk if you have it."

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles nods to that and turns, making his way to the back room to put the kettle on. As the water begins to heat he makes his way back out. He glances past Brian to the rain pounding against the windows. "Rather coming down today, isn't it?" He moves over to the counter, where he picks up a stack of books left out and tucks them under the counter. "Looking for anything in particular?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers was used to gloomy weather, living in Gotham during her studies. Of course she grew up in Sunnydale, but she didn't let the weather cramp her style. Wearing her stylish red leather pants, a black tanktop and a beige rain jacket over the whole outfit, she steps in quickly, shaking off the water from her slicker and her boots, peering around thoughtfully. "Seriously, I don't miss the rain here in Sunnydale, even if it is generally more cheerful than Gotham.."

She could be talking to herself or those present. Although Buffy hasn't really turned to see who is listenning to her lenghty external monologue. She came here mostly to do some homework, and she struggles with wiping the rain off her backpack, searching through it for her agenda. "Ugggh...I'm soo not in a mood for studying.."

Captain Britain has posed:
"That it is; that it is. Reminds me of home. Maldon for me," since he was English, he just came out and said where. Maldon being out in Essex. "I'm guessing Kensington, perhaps Westminster?" He knew Giles was from London, and an upper class area, but he hadn't heard enough to know for certain. "Ah, yes, a friend of mine is well, a witch, and a little under the weather, so I thought I might get her something as a pick me up." And then she came in, and he listened. He knew it was Buffy, even if he couldn't see her directly from where he stood. With a smile on his lips, he cleared his throat, "perhaps a sparring session?"

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles lights up a bit when he hears that familiar voice. "Ah, Buffy. I just put the kettle on." He blinks when Brian says that, and he furrows his brow before he glances back over to the young woman. "How are your studies?," he asks, rather pointedly. "Well enough to put off studying?" He seems to already know the answer, judging from his tone. The kettle whistles and he turns, vanishing from view to make three cups.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers perks up when she hears some familiar voices that talk rather amicably as if they were old friends or something. Oh wait, they're both British soooo..Maybe they knew each other over the fish pond...? But her braincells are too tired to ponder such things. She hasn't seen Brian in forever and she laughs, leaping at him, hugging him tightly, "Heeey! Where you been? It's been forever!" Okaaay, so she's been a little busy with going back to school and all..

"My studies?" Buffy smirks at Giles, making a face, "Awwe, c'mon, you know I'm a perky student! I was just coming over here to study! Way quieter than my mom's house. And more eyecandy." she winks at Brian as she says that.

"Oooh, got any coffee? I'm soo tired, I need to wake up after all those boring lectures.."

Captain Britain has posed:
Brian wanted to back up Giles on the importance of studying, but Buffy doesn't fight fair as she leaps up at him, hugging him tightly. He returns it in earnest, or at least as earnest as any Englishman can in a public setting. "I don't think you'd believe me if I told you, in point of fact, I'm not quite certain that I believe it." He lived a truly odd life. Gods, prophecies, magic, then again, he stood in a magic shop. "I missed you. You look well. Though, perhaps you should focus on your studies. Education can take you a lot of places." At which point, and after Buffy lets go of him, he'll offer a hand, "the name's Brian Braddock. And forgive me, but I've heard a lot about you sir."

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles steps back into view in time to catch that wink to Brian, and he glances between the two. "Ah. Hm." He connects the pieces and doesn't make a comment on it. Instead, he nods to the young woman and turns to step back out of view to start the coffee pot. He rarely touches the thing, but the heretical other members of the Gang tend to prefer it. The cheek!

"Well, you know I am always happy to see you, Buffy. Just making sure. Your mind does tend to wander sometimes. And your other job can be quite distracting, of course.." He walks over to Brian and reaches out to take the hand, shaking it. "Rupert Giles. And...you have? From our Buffy, I presume? Or from other connections?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers rolls her eyes. "Geez, you Englishmen are soooo boring.." she lets go of him albeit reluctantly, but only after tweaking his nose rather playfully. "Yeah yeah, I guess you got a lot of work to do all the time, and I have studying...I'll forgive you..This time.." She smirks, "But seriously, you'd rather I lock myself in a room reading boring books..Than get into another hot and sweaty sparring session with you?" Yeah, totally not tempting or teasing him.

She smiles at Giles, "Hiya Giles, how have you been? Any more of those cute mini demons ravaging your store?" Buffy does groan, rubbing her eyes. "Well hey, I have all night for studying, Brian's probably in a hurry somewhere, it'd be nice to uh, catch up first?"

She does flash another impish smile at Brian, apparently she's in a perky mood today. "Yeaaaah. we know each other. Quite well.."

Captain Britain has posed:
"Both, actually. Although I fully expect an elbow to the gut, Buffy speaks very highly of you," he says confidently because it was true, "and I've had some dealings with the?" and he does take a cursory look around, before adding, "Council, back home." Before he could say anymore, Buffy both saved, and gave him something altogether different to think about. With a sly smile, and a wink to Buffy, he speaks as if she isn't there, "she does have a way with words, doesn't she?" It was not to belittle her, but more for comedic effect. "Still better than Faith, though."

Faith was a taste that Brian had yet to acquire, and he had no desire to do so. And just to reassure her, Brian says, a hand instinctively going to hers, taking it, expressing his feelings rather than stating them openly, "I only tease because I care."

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles makes his way back out into the main room, carrying a tray with two cups of tea, and one cup of coffee. This, of course, is just in time to hear the comment from Buffy about hot and sweaty sparring. He's no prude, but this is not the sort of thing you want to hear from someone you personally feel you somewhat raised (At least during her formative years!)

"Uh, no. No mini-demons. Everything has been pretty quiet, overall. I was having visits from an Avenger, but...I believe her interests have moved on." He manages not to sound dissapointed, but Buffy can likely read through the lines. "So, you really have not missed much."

He nods a bit at the 'quite well' bit. "I gathered." Giles turns his attention to Brian, then. "She does, yes." He doesn't comment when Faith's name is mentioned, though he does set the tray down on the table. It also has a small cup of sugar cubes, and a little pourer of cream. "Here we are."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers arches a curious brow, "Ooh, you'd dealt with the counsil as well? Ugh, a bunch of stuffy nosed, proper Englishmen..Don't tell me you were a watcher too? I could totally see that.." she chuckles, then catches herself. "Umm, I mean...What an honour..For two very classy, intelligent Englishmen...To be pursued..By the Counsil.." uh..Yeah..

Buffy does squeeze Brian's hand lightly, but rat her self consciously lets go, glancing at Giles. "Hmmm, that's good, although they were quite cute..Well, maybe i'd best get to studying then. I hope you'll stay around for a bit, Brian?" she glances back at him longingly for a moment or two before hurrying to the back room. She's clearly on a tight schedule.

Captain Britain has posed:
Brian takes his with milk, but creme will do just as well. "Ta," he says in place of thanks, and nods, "sure, and if not, I'll be sure to pop by afterwards, to see how you're doing." With Buffy gone to study in the back, he was left once again with Giles, and his eyes looked a little sheepish at the public displays of affection. "Sorry about that." And then he cleared his throat, as if that would settle the matter. "Mostly I dealt with Dai Thomas, though I did meet with Quentin Travers, Rutherford Sirk, Roger Wyndham-Price, and had a few run-ins with Ethan Rayne."

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles hads a hint of cream and no sugar. He stirs his tea as he offers Buffy a farewell. Once she is gone he turns his attention towards Brian. "No reason to apologise," he says softly, sliding down into a seat at the table. "All names I am familiar with, yes." He adjusts his coat before he glances down into his tea. "And what brings you to Sunnydale?"

Captain Britain has posed:
Taking a seat, Brian does what was wildly considered the Riker manoeuvre on Star Trek: The Next Generation, that is to say he walks up to the chair, and instead of coming around and sitting down, he just sort of swings a leg over the back of it, and sits down. He does it without fanfare or note, suggesting he does it often. Maybe it's just due to his height. Or maybe he saw it once and thought it looked cool. Either way, he takes his seat.

"Such a simple and straightforward question, and yet the answer is far more complicated." He pauses, begins to speak, then stops to ponder. "I know, in these circles, well, even in our line of work, it is extraordinary." Hesitantly, he says, straight faced, without a hint of deception in his voice, eyes, or body language, "I don't know, but Merlin said I would be needed."

Rupert Giles has posed:
The Watcher listens quietly before he finally leaves his cup to his lips for a sip. He considers the tea and takes another sip before lowering it back to the table. "Well, that is the way it tends to work, hmm? Told to do something or go somewhere and told told why. Folks like Merling always handle business that way."

Giles shakes his head a bit, and glances up from his cup of tea. "So, how long have you and Buffy been seeing eachother?"

Captain Britain has posed:
"Yeah, hard to be mad at him for it. He's been doing it for centuries. I suppose it's an honour to be, well, I'm not sure whether mentored or manipulated would be more appropriate, so I shall influenced, by him." He had already decided to trust Giles. Buffy trusted him, and that was good enough for him. He was about to add, but then Giles asked a different question, "Buffy? Oh, well, we met... a year ago, today in fact. Blimey, has it been that long. But we didn't start dating until, or rather, on the 19th, it'll be three months. She's... very American."

Rupert Giles has posed:
"She is very American, indeed." He actually chuckles softly at that, and he takes another sip of his tea before he glances about the shop. "Well, I trust you won't pull her too far from her needed studies and purpose. If you know folks like Merlin, then you understand what is at stake." He seems to end the conversation topic with that, turning his full attention back to the man.

Captain Britain has posed:
Brian gives a curt nod, not furthering that line of conversation. He takes a sip of his tea, then brings up, "so, how's business? You certainly chose the right location. I do actually want to get something for Willow. I imagine you know her, being roommates with Buffy. I'm rather surprised we haven't crossed paths before. Though I wonder if Buffy were trying to ensure that worlds didn't collide, so to speak."

Rupert Giles has posed:
"Well enough. Enough to keep the doors open, at least. Mostly civilians, which works excellently, and I quite enjoy. But sometimes people In The Know come through, and I am able to provide for them, as well." He nods at the mention of Willow. "Ah, Willow. Of course. She is a brilliant young woman. Very skilled, as well. Especially for a beginner."

Captain Britain has posed:
"That's good. The thought does amuse me that people may be using objects of incredible power as a paper weight or doorstop, so long as they could not accidentally unleash it." And then, as he finishes off his tea, he smiles, "perhaps I can benefit two people today. What, from your wares, or what you can procure, do you think that Willow would most like to have, yet never be able to afford, and that you would trust her to have?"

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles nods with a soft smile, idly sipping his tea as they chat. "If there was something here she would truly want that she could not afford, she could still have it. She's a friend." He pauses. "However, I see what you are asking for. One moment." He rises from his feet and moves into the back room. He is gone for several moments before he returns with an old looking book. It is bound by an old, oddly shaped lock, and Giles is carrying an odd key with it. "She's been eyeing this for some time now."

Captain Britain has posed:
He wanted to do something for Willow, and if there is a reasonable profit for Giles, then all the better. "I'll take it, do you gift wrap?" If not, he would do so. "Though, no rush." And then, looking to see that Buffy was still in the back room, presumably studying, he asks, "would it be impolite for me to inquire as to why certain... beings, are not to be," and then he mimed putting a streak through his own heart.

Rupert Giles has posed:
"I do not gift wrap, no. I can put it in a little bag, though." He sets the book aside and spends a moment refilling his tea cup. He blinks at the miming, and then nods. "Ah. Of course. Are you speaking about Spike and Angel and their lot? Well, I hardly enjoy the company of Spike, but..." He sinks down into his chair. "His situation is a complicated one. He has done evil, surely, but there are many who did wicked things once, but do good now. Also, he is...from my understanding...unable to do the things to innocents that he once did. It has caused him to...rethink some things. He is -not- someone to let sleep beside you, in my opinion, but...we can use his aid. And we do not kill him."

Captain Britain has posed:
"That's all right; I'll pick up some wrapping paper afterwards." He nodded his head about Spike and Angel. "He's, Spike that is, different from any vampire I have ever met. Not that I make a habit of meeting vampires, or starting up conversations with them. That's more Buffy's style. She said something about a government agency inserted a chip into his head, while Angel had his soul restored through magic? but who am I to judge. I was presented with a choice, the amulet of right, or the sword of might by Merlin himself." It was still weird to think that Merlin was real.

Rupert Giles has posed:
The older man nods a bit to that, bringing his newly refilled cup to his lips. The rain begins to thin outside, and Giles glances towards the window. "The 31st is coming soon. We have a bit of a habit of something entirely bizarre and dangerous happening each year. Will you be around for it?"

Captain Britain has posed:
"Bizarre and dangerous? I was planning on it. As far as I know, it's Halloween, an excuse for fancy dress. I was thinking I might go as Flynn Rider from Tangled. Should I change my plans?"

Rupert Giles has posed:
"Not at all. Please, do have fun. Things just tend to...happen on Halloween. It's like a lightning rod for occult forces, that is all." The reference to one of Disney's best doesn't seem to land with Giles, though.