Owner	Pose
Phobos	Outside the Magic Box it was almost raining. Nothing yet, just the feeling of it and a sky grim with grey portent. Yet that feeling was there that lent a certain element of the eerie that seemed to fit Sunnydale so well. It caused wisps of fog in the distance, and steam to drift upwards from the manhole covers along the street and the gutters. It was one of the few times that the young man known as Alexander Aaron had seen the town live up to its reputation.     It made him smile.     However his inability to find one of the slayers had left him with less reason to smile. A trip to the Bronze, a wandering in the park and near the cemetery. Not much was going on, and there hadn't been any hint of the fanged variety. Even when he had wandered to the Magic Box he had found it closed with the sign stating as much very prominent in the window. So the young man in the blue jeans and brown leather bomber jacket quirked an eyebrow, sitting down on the curb out front of the store. He pulled out an actual pad of paper and a pen... and started to write a note.
Angel	It had been a long time since the brooding vampire with a soul had been to Sunnydale, yet something seemed to draw him back. Hair gelled and spiked, tight black dress shirt and slacks, dress shoes perfectly shined, and a calf length black leather duster. He smiles spying the Magic box, oh the memories it held for him. But wait there's a young man he doesn't recognize. "Evening you need help with something?" Angel asks his hands in his pockets as he appraises the Lad.
Phobos	Lifting his head slightly, those pale hazel eyes meet Angel's. Something a bit strange about them, but then he smiles and the smile brightens his features easily enough. He takes a breath, then glances back toward the Magic Box, then back to the fellow. "Hey, sort of."     The young man's head tilts slightly to the side, as if trying to get a better angle on the elder vampire. He straightens a little and murmurs, "Are you acquainted with the folks who are often inside?"     He makes a hand gesture toward the storefront, even as he rises to his feet smoothly, indicating the Magic Box. Though he then looks a touch thoughtful, "Though I suppose they are also often not inside."     His brow rises, "Giles and them." The Scoobs.
Angel	Angel smiles and nods his head. "Yes I've known Giles, Buffy, Willow, Faith and Xander for quite some time. I'm Angel, and who might you be?" He asks. "Though I'm not often here and run my own PI firm, I am still a Scooby, so how can I help you lad?"
Phobos	The young man's head tilts slightly and he blinks a little, mouthing the word 'lad'. His eyes lift upwards, then return to Angel's as he smiles easily enough, perhaps shrugging slightly as he accepts the term. Then he nods and tucks away the small note he had been writing into one of the myriad pockets of his jacket. The pen he lightly pushes down into the jacket as well. He looks toward the Magic Box and says, "I received a strange message from, Ms. Summers."     A few steps carry him over toward the front of the store, a touch out of the way of the general traffic of people. Not that there were too many, just a handful as the hour was lateish, but not abominably late. "She was asking for my advice about something. But she was..." His left eye sort of scrunches up a little, "Sort of vague in her own particular idiom."     Which if he does know Buffy then he'd likely understand that pretty well. Then his lip curls up a little, "So I took time out of my busy schedule and wandered. I met a new witch gal, though."
Angel	Angel raises a brow. "Now you I've never met before, and am curious as to why Buffy would seek you out for aide instead of the rest of us. God knows I've been around long enough to help with just about anything." He says adjusting his leather jacket. "So tell me what is it you do, and what did Buffy come to you for?"
Phobos	"I am just that great," Alexander says with a slightly sardonic glimmer, less boasting and more aiming the barb at himself. He lifts his chin, "Oh and my apologies."     He touches a hand to his chest and murmurs, "My name is Alexander. Alexander Aaron." He gestures with a nod toward the distant island of Manhattan which lies across the river. He looks back to Angel and tilts his head slightly. "Or Alex if you're so inclined."     He offers a hand for a handshake, shifting the sleeve of his jacket upward a little. "Angel though, they mentioned you. In a positive manner." His smile warms a touch and should Angel accept his hand he'll find the young man's handshake is rather firm, business-like and without aggression, just three short pumps and then done.     "Oh me?" He gestures to the side with one hand, "I'm a SHIELD agent." He answers with a hint of solemnity touching his words. Which might be a possible reason why she contacted him.
Angel	Angel takes the hand and gives a rather firm and business like handshake in return placing his hand back in his pocket once released. "An agent of SHIELD, and what could Buffy possibly be into that she needs the aide of Shield?" He leans back. "If thats the case, than she needs me more than I thought. Damn it, see it seems like whenever she's in trouble I find myself drawn back to Sunnydale." Angel laughs rolling his eyes. "Though I'm glad you've heard the good about me."
Phobos	"Well," Alex's smile remains there easily enough, "Wasn't particularly about SHIELD. Just, you know, my thing." His head tilts the other way now as he looks thoughtful, casually chewing on his lower lip for a moment. He gives a nod, "But indeed. I'd imagine you being around would be a positive."     His eyebrows rise, "Last time I was here there was some sort of sewage creature. That was not a pleasant experience." He steps to the side, a little more out of the front and center of the shop, as he mentioned the words 'sewage creature' got him a glance from an older woman who had been walking past with her small toy dog on a little lead.     He leans against the wall, hands now in his pockets. "But she said this was about something more out there." He casually slides his cell out of his pocket and checks it, swiping his thumb across its surface. He quirks an eyebrow, then looks back at him. "And there was her last boyfriend that was a lil wonky."
Buffy Summers	If such things were true, Buffy's ears would be burning right about now. Since she was the topic of conversation. But alas, that was not one of the powers of a Slayer and thus, she had no idea what she was about to walk into. She rounded the corner just a door down from the shop and froze like a deer in headlights as she spied the two men there talking. One she had been hoping to see. The other was more a surprise though not an unpleasant one. Considering that she hadn't seen Angel for some time. At least that was someone she did remember. Alexander she had a new friendship with, despite him being an old friend. Confusing mess, that's what her life was. "About time you showed up!" came the cheerful teasing. Which might be a surprise that her focus is on Alexander and not Angel when she said it. "I have a little problem and I think it has something to do with you. Or maybe your family." Then she turned to focus on Angel, a curious glance. "Good to see you, Angel. And not that I'm not happy to see you but you usually show up when things are going to go sideways. Did Lorne tell you something?" Since that was his demon buddy who could read people's futures--as long as they were singing. She really did need to see that in action someday.
Angel	Angel shakes his head back and forth. "If that's the worst you've seen and dealt with here consider yourself lucky." He says rubbing the back of his neck though her elation to this guy he doesn't know and not to him initially does cause him to raise a brow. But when she finally addresses him he smiles and offers his hand. "It's good to see you Buf, it's been to long." He says looking her over. "You look as beautiful as ever. Though....no not quite what you think it has nothing to do with Lorne, just a feeling I should come back, and turns out I'm right." Eyes back to Alex. "Interesting you mention her old boyfriend, which one as I'm al old boyfriend, are you referring to that Thomas ass, he dated Faith too, not one I trust that guy."
Phobos	As the Slayer rounds the corner, Alexander's grin becomes a little more prominent. He checks around again and thankfully there aren't other people passing by, though one person down the street is crossing it, who might wander by in a minute or two. He glances sidelong at Angel and gives him a nod as if to say, 'there she is' before he turns and takes a few steps in the direction of the elder Summers girl.     "You need to check your cellphone messages." He points at her, his tone shifting to a stern condemning one as he bites his lower lip and furrows his brow. "But I got yours."     He digs into his pocket and produces the slip of paper he was at first going to leave on the Magic Box's front door, at second he was planning on giving to Angel, but finally he leans forwards and tapes it to the shoulder of her jacket. It reads... 'Dear Buffy Anne. I could not find you nor your pals. Your text message was sort of obscure. I have no idea what you mean or if you were just indulging in metaphor. Do you actually need help with something of the Greek variety? Or are you making fun of me? Either seem just as likely since you are a butt. In closing, I made a token effort to find you. Had a drink at the Bronze. Met a new witch girl. Then I went back to the city. Goodbye Forever, Alex.'     Then he gestures sideways with his thumb toward the vampire. "I met Angel. He seems nice." He turns to smile at the aforementioned Angel. Then the mention of the boyfriend and he waggles a hand a bit, scrunching up one eye as it's clear he thinks something weird was there, but doesn't say as much. "Yah, think that's the one, queer duck that."
Buffy Summers	As Angel offers that hand, it is taken by Buffy and given a gentle squeeze but then released after a couple of seconds. Just that moment of obvious caring for the man, since they do have a history. Sadly, that history was--complicated. Hell, everything in her life was complicated, come to think of it. "I see. Always there to look out for me. I do appreciate it but hopefully this is something minor. I just don't know." Then when Alexander taped that note to her jacket, she frowned and pulled it off to look at it. "You just carry tape around wherever you go? That's weird. Even for you," she says to him as she reads the message. Which gets a roll of the eyes and a shake of the head as she tucks the note into her pocket. Then out of the same pocket come a set of keys and she moves to unlock the front door of the shop. "I'll let you both decide if it's something of the Greek variety. I figure it's likely your cousin." And the bell tinkles as she opens the door, glancing to invite them both to follow her in but not saying the words. "I will need to run downstairs. Be right back and I'll show you what I'm talking about."
Angel	Angel shakes his head as he returns that squeeze. "Buff I'll always be there to help you, and take care of you, always have always will." He smiles softly before looking to Alexander. "Yea well that guy really should keep clear even hearing about him well...it makes me
Angel	Angel says, "Well I don't know, on edge I guess." He shrugs following Buffy in. "Yes of course if my 300 years of knowledge can help I'm happy to lend it.""
Phobos	"I never used to," Alex says, "Though my SO showed me how damn useful having paper and tape on you can be in certain situations, as opposed to text messages. Especially when people don't read 'em." Which has him nodding solemnly, likely a story behind that sentiment.     He steps to the side of the door and smiles to Angel, offering to let the man precede him. Then once that's settled he walks into the Magic Box with a casual step. Past the door and near the coat rack he slips off his leather jacket, setting it on the hook, revealing a black RAMONES t-shirt that fits him nicely. He strolls on ahead and then takes up a place leaning near the register.     "Take your time, I'm not on shift for another few days." He tells Buffy as she runs off downstairs. Then he looks toward Angel as the man mentions the weirdness that was the situation with the demon fellow. "Yeah, I've met him. Seemed... very focused. Not talkative. The whole thing seemed a bit iffy, but hey." He gives a small shrug, likely seemingly not staggeringly invested one way or another.
Buffy Summers	Buffy cut to the right past the shelves to the door that led to the basement. They would hear the thud-thud-thud of her footsteps going down the staircase. Less than a minute later, she was coming back up the and appeared carrying a steamer style chest. Which for a normal woman her size probably would be quite the load. It didn't seem a challenge for her outside having to shift her hold to get it through the doorway then she carried it over to set on the floor near the checkout counter. She kicked it with her foot and it was obvious something was moving around inside. Then she moved to lock the front door behind them. "Don't want them getting out," she explained. "Though probably easier if you can see into the box? I put airholes in it!" For which she was very proud of herself as she pointed to the holes in the top of the trunk. And if one looked into one of those holes, they might see what seemed very humanoid eyes peeking back out at them. "But if we need to open it. I mean, it might be your cousin or something. Or..." She glanced to Alexander then back to Angel, not sure how much she should tell. While he is an honorary Scooby, Alexander had his own secrets and she didn't just want to blab them all over the place.
Angel	Angel shrugs his shoulders looking thoughtful though his expression broody again as he leans against a wall. "There definitely something off about him, I don't like him so I started clear of him." His eyes dart between them as Buffy carries that trunk and sets it down. "Look come on now Buff the shit we've been through together, there's nothing that's ever going to surprise me, so what's with all this secrecy stuff?" He asks a tone of mild amusement. "Besides I've been around centuries I've seen my fair share of stuff, so whats the deal?"
Phobos	The presentation of the steamer trunk has Alexander's eyebrows rising with clear curiousity. He steps back and to the side, giving Buffy room to set it down with her rather considerable strength. He tilts his head to the side again, a casual affectation though instinctive when he's trying to see another angle of a situation. One hand resting on the counter near the register, he looks at Angel briefly, then back to Buffy. "Oh, she just means because I'm meta-human. Of a sort."     The young man smiles and shrugs a little, "She's being kind, not outing me as it were." Then his attention returns back toward the trunk.     "You think so?" That it could be a relative of some kind, "What... is it in there actually? Can it talk?" He leans forward and then decides to just ask, "Hey you in the trunk, can you talk?"     He lightly thumps the side of the trunk with his sneaker.
Buffy Summers	"Exactly." Buffy points to Angel then to Alexander and back. "I learned my lesson. Don't tell other people's secrets. Let them tell what they want to tell. So if Alexander wants to tell you his thing, that's on him. And if you want to tell him all your things, that's on you. He knows your name and what you are and that's it." All secrets preserved! Willow would be proud of her. "I don't know what else to think of it." Buffy answered to the question about if it could or could not be a relative of Alexander's. When he thudded his boot on the trunk, there was a loud bang back in return that was hard enough the chest jumped about an inch in the direction toward the boot. "Yeah, I can hear talk! Get me outta here! And keep that crazy chick away from me!" The voice was very deep and spoke with some kind of thick accent that might've been heard in Chicago many decades ago. "Girl tried to put a stake through me!" Which Alexander might be able to relate to. Buffy had the decency to look slightly embarassed. "You started it!" So much for being embarassed. "You drew weapons first!" "I was doing my job, ya crazy dame!"
Phobos	"Alright," Alexander seems to take Buffy at her word about the nature of the trunk. He leeeeans over it to try and get a good eyeball of the thing, then listens to the voice and what it says. He crinkles his nose a little, tilting his head toward the two of them one after the other. His eyebrows rise as he stuffs his hands into his pockets.     "Hey, yeah she can totally be like that." He smirks sidelong at Angel conspiratorially though he can imagine Buffy's face in that moment he takes whatever it is inside the trunk's side. "So if we let you out you'll be chill? I might be connected to you in some way. I'm curious why she might think that, and whether I should be insulted or complimented."     He leans down and touches a hand to the lock on the trunk and starts to turn it. Sparing a glance toward the other two in case there's any hesitation or if they give him the high sign to go ahead and open it. "You ready?"
Buffy Summers	"One second." And Buffy ducked behind the main counter only to pop back up almost instantly. And in her hands was a crossbow. With a bolt loaded and a speed loader device attached that would allow a new bolt to drop into place once the first was fired. She'd still have to pull back the string to the sticking place but at least it would be ready to go. "He's fast," she offers as an explanation as she lined up the crossbow with the trunk. Then she gave a terse nod of permission.
Phobos	Alexander gave the crossbow the old side-eye as he rests a hand on the lock of that trunk. One eyebrow quirked in lieu of another comment given, he just sort of nods once then with a twist of his hand undoes the lock.     There's a click, a clunk, and then he pulls back and to the side, lifting the lid of the trunk with one hand, the other held a little to the side and open. His profile is at ease for the most part, but there's a subtle hint of tension or readiness to him.     When he espies the figure inside the trunk, however, his body language changes. Due to the fact that he does sort of recognize the figure inside the container.     "Oh hey."
Buffy Summers	Inside the chest was a toddler. Perhaps about two years old. Or that was how he loooked. Just old enough to have started walking and wearing a diaper and nothing else. Little feathered wings were sticking out of his back as he stood up in that interior space. But the voice coming out was definitely not that of a child. "About friggin time. She's tryin' ta kill me! Suffocate me!" And his wings started to flutter as he prepared to take to the air. "Don't even think about it," came the warning from Buffy as she kept that crossbow trained on the cherub. "I know holy water, silver and religious symbols didn't work but I'm betting a bolt to the heart will." "Ya see?!" Came the grumble from the cherub as he looked at Alexander but he didn't move from that standing position in the chest. His wings stilled and folded at his back again. "So...is he one of yours?" Buffy asked.
Phobos	"Yeah," Alexander says as he holds a hand out toward Buffy, as if staying that crossbow. For now at least. He smiles a little crookedly then looks back at the little winged fellow. "Have we met met?" The young Olympian asks as he steps back to give the little fellow so breathing room. A glance to the side is given then he walks over and grabs a small water bottle that had been left on the counter.     Hopefully it wasn't some form of mystic holy demon-banishing water.     He offers it to the fellow and then says, "Calm down, man. She won't kill you unless... were you doing something that might make her think you were all evil?" He glances back at Buffy and half-smile, "Or you saw him packing a bow and arrow and immediately thought 'This baby means trouble!'"
Buffy Summers	As Alexander motions to the crossbow without touching, she raises it so it isn't aimed directly at the cherub any longer. But she keeps it balanced in one hand. The other hand she brings up, two fingers extended. She points at her eyes then at the cherub. And for her trouble, she is flipped off as the cherub sneers her direction. Then he looks back to Phobos. "Don't think we've met. I'm Henry." And the cherub offered a little hand out for a handshake. "But you got the glow though...." He tilted his head. "More a half glow. So I know you're part of the family. Nicetomeetcha." Then he glared over at Buffy again before focusing his full attention on Alexander. "I was doing my job! Had my love arrow all ready, aimed for a couple in the corner. Had my invisibility on but she somehow saw me anyway!"
Phobos	"Ahhh," Alexander nods once and then looks at Buffy. "I can see where the misunderstanding comes into it, but yeah. He's..." A small handshake is given, then Alex continues. "Mostly harmless."     Which might or might not offend. "Except," the young deity lifts his chin a little. "Were you using actual love love arrows to like make people who normally wouldn't fall in love fall in love, or were you doing the whole thing of pew-pewing people with your bow to make people who were in love realize they were in love?" Apparently having some insight into this situation, Alexander does ask a somewhat pointed question.     "Because if it's the former that's not entirely cool."
Buffy Summers	"You what?" Buffy asked in surprise as he mentioned love arrow. She hadn't exactly gotten that far in the conversation. She just knew when she googled winged babies the idea of Cupid came up and that had led her to texting Alexander. "I was doing my job!" he snappeed at Buffy. The mostly harmless did not offend him. The question Did. "How dare you...I take my job seriously. Been doing this for six thousand years. You think I'd be out there toying around like a new cherub who just got his nappy?!" He sniffed in disdain. "They were already in love. But he's got cold feet on the whole popping the question. So I was given the name from my boss and told to nudge them along."
Phobos	"Aww," Alexander, God of Fear, moved by the cuteness of the idea.     He takes a deep breath, "Ok, so you can get back to work and run along, stay invisible and all that. She won't shoot you again but best to be extra careful in this town. Lots of shoot first ask questions later types. If you get my drift."     The young deity half-grins, giving the cupid a 'wink' though not subtly enough that Buffy won't notice it. He rests his hands on his hips and then turns back toward the Slayer and tilts his head, "I think we're mostly cool here. If he does do a thing that causes problems then you can tell me and I'll tell his boss."     Another glance is given to the cupid critter and a quirk of an eyebrow, as if silently asking him if there would be more trouble or not.
Buffy Summers	The cherub gave a nod of agreement then eyed Buffy, waiting to be sure the trigger-happy blonde wasn't going to use him for target practice after all. Buffy took a moment then finally gave her own nod. "Sorry. I mean pointing sharp things at people, of course I'm going to think you're going to hurt them." And she realized she was still holding that crossbow and had the decency to look apologetic. "Uhm. Sorry?" She quickly lowered it and sort of put it behind her back as though that would help, without it actually being very well hidden though. But she was trying! Henry's wings began to flutter. Soon they were moving at a speed that was more like a hummingbird's, allowing them to grant him the speed necessary to float into the air. "May I have my stuff back?" "Oh! Yeah! One sec." And Buffy was off into the back room of the shop. She came back without her crossbow but instead a little bow and a quiver of arrows that were cherub sized. They were offered to Henry who quickly slung the band crosswise over his torso and held the bow in his left hand. "Thanks!" And suddenly he just disappeared in a poof of pinkish smoke that then took on the shape of hearts and floated into the air for a moment before exploding into little fireworks. Though no actual sparks or heat, no chance of fire.
Phobos	Once the little cupid had disappeared, Alexander smiled a little. "Well that was interesting, didn't know they were still doing like... relationship stuff." For some reason that had him pondering, then he shook his head after a moment. He looked at Buffy and tilted his head to the side. "Though he'll probably go back to Olympus..."     Alex's smile turned wry as he walks around the magick shop, grinning and running a finger along the countertop and crinkling his nose a little. "Tell all the folks there about how Sunnydale is still very unfriendly to our kind. So very mean to us Greeks. Really quite rude."     He folds his arms over his chest and looks at her with a smirk.
Buffy Summers	"We are not rude to you specifically!" Buffy automatically protested as he verbally attacked Sunnydale. Okay, really it was attacking her. Because she was that one that had sort of set these precedents. "We're rude to everyone. I mean. Not rude. Cautious! Trying to keep people safe. Y'know, as Henry said, doing my job." She frowned a little and moved behind the counter, taking up her spot on the stool there and shaking her head a little. "Thank you. Glad it wasn't some crisis. And please tell the Olympians I really don't hate them. I don't want them coming down here cause they get mad or something."