Live The Question
Feb. 22nd, 2007 10:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sevendeadlyfunPairing: Various (none this chapter)
Rating: NC-17 overall (PG-13 this chapter)
Warnings: language
A/N: No fun stuff this time, unless you count plot as fun. I swear, I'm trying to get through the plot to the dirty but the plot just won't go away. Sadly, it will be a few more chapters before there's another pairing. Sorry...
Rating: NC-17 overall (PG-13 this chapter)
Warnings: language
A/N: No fun stuff this time, unless you count plot as fun. I swear, I'm trying to get through the plot to the dirty but the plot just won't go away. Sadly, it will be a few more chapters before there's another pairing. Sorry...
“Well,” Xander said, too chipper to be believed, “that was extra-special fun. You know, I’d forgotten just how much doesn’t actually get accomplished with those two around.”
“Xander!” Willow wagged her finger at him, mock scolding him. “They’ve got a hundred plus years of issues. They’re entitled to a few extra wigs.”
“Yeah,” Faith agreed readily. “I mean, their hair alone is worth at least two breakdowns apiece.”
Whistler snorted and laid a hand on Oz’s shoulder. Oz grinned and nodded, throwing an arm around Willow. Whistler shook his head in defeat.
“You know, kid, I didn’t ask for this assignment. After my last few run-ins with this crowd, I’d prefer to stay far away from Angel. He’s a little too temperamental for my taste, “Whistler explained. “Besides, now that Illyria’s in the wind…it’s risky.”
“Oh my god, Illyria!” Willow groaned.
“Got it in one, Witch,” Whistler agreed. “Next time you decide to merge with a higher being, pick one that’s less angst-ridden, okay? Illyria’s a pain in the ass.”
“Plus,” Faith added, “Blue streaks not so much you, Willow.”
“It’s a huge improvement over the black haired, vein-y Willow, “ Xander put in, scrutinizing the witch. “Wait…Illyria? Spike mentioned…”
Xander’s eyes went wide and turned to Whistler. “Spike said Illyria sucked his friend dry, used her up and spat her out. Is that…Is Willow…”
“Nah, “ Whistler waved off his concern. “Not that same thing at all. Illyria’s mostly gone. Red here was the conduit, a sort of all-purpose pipe for godly energy. “
“Wait,” Faith interjected. “You said mostly gone. What do you mean by ‘mostly’?”
“He means there are…echoes. Fragments, “ Willow said in a hollow voice. “Pieces of us abide in the witch.”
“Ooookay,” Xander muttered. “And I thought Sunnydale had the exclusive license on that kind of creepy.”
“Not quite,” Oz said serenely. “Creepy is a world traveler.”
Xander moved closer to Willow, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, bright green eyes glassy. He stroked her cheek and whispered, “Yellow crayon” in her ear. She smiled, coming out of her trance.
“That’s my Xander,” Willow sighed happily. “I have to wonder why the story of my greatest dorkiness always manages to reach me.”
“Utter shame tends to have a soothing effect, “ Oz offered. “Whenever I get all wolfy, I just try to remember the time I peed my pants in the lunch line. It always gets me feeling mellow.’
“Childhood trauma,” Xander nodded wisely.
“Eighth grade,” Oz clarified.
“The fate of the entire world, and this is the chosen team, “ Whistler shuddered dramatically. “Stuff like this? Reminds me about the Power’s quirky sense of humor.”
“Huh,” Faith grunted. “Fate of the entire world? Didn’t we handle that last night?”
“And you thought Tuesday only came once a week, “ Xander joked.
“Oh yeah, “ Willow said quietly. “Tara.”
“Tara,” Oz stated, burrowing his nose into Willow’s hair quickly before shaking his head. “Nope, you’re just Willow now.”
“No. I mean yes, but not what I was talking about. She…I had a dream, in the circle. Tara,” Willow smiled. “She came to me, told me. She said…”
Willow scrunched up her forehead in a concentration.
“I’m sorry,” she finally shrugged. “I don’t remember. It’s all so hazy.”
“Don’t sweat it, Wills,” Xander smiled. “Whatever it was, it’ll be there when you need it.”
“Speaking of that, sounds like the Wonder Twins have finished their tête - à – tête. Any chance we could get them down here again? I’m on the clock,” Whistler mentioned casually.
“Sure,” Faith answered. “Spike! Angel! Get your vamp asses down here now!”
Once more, feet clattered on the stairs and two very ragged looking vampires skidded into the lobby. Spike had numerous bruises on his throat, and blood streamed from his nose and lip. Angel, equally battered, seemed to be moving stiffly.
“You know, “ Xander mentioned, “ I don’t like to pry, but maybe you two need some family counseling. Wonder if Dr. Phil works with dysfunctional vampires?”
“Shut up, Xander,” Angel shot back. “I really don’t want to hear your voice right now.”
“Ignore the magnificent poof,” Spike advised wearily. “He just remembered he didn’t pack his grooming products, so he’s feeling a mite tetchy. A few hours at a salon, and he’ll be right as rain.”
“Spike,” Angel warned, but gently, softly.
“Yeah, I know,” Spike returned, equally gentle.
“This is really fascinating, Angel. But, if you don’t mind, I gotta speak and split,” Whistler bounced on his toes. “Should I start with the fate of the world bit or can we get right down to it?”
“Oh wait,” Faith drawled lazily. “Let me see if I can do this part. Umm, terrible evil, destruction of mankind, chosen few, short on time, crappy odds, certain death. Did I miss anything?”
“You left out the section on being completely unprepared, “ Xander noted dryly.
“Plus the part about the vague prophecy,” Willow added.
“Don’t forget the always fun blood requirement,” Spike chipped in.
“Man! I knew I shouldn’t have slept through Giles’ last briefing, “ Faith complained.
“Coma,” Oz offered up.
“Oh yeah,” Faith brightened. “I was sick that day. Totally forgot.”
“Wow,” Whistler smiled. “Except for being completely wrong, you got that speech down, kiddo. I’m impressed.”
“She was wrong, “ Angel said flatly.
“Yeah, see this time, it ain’t about evil, Angel. Told you before, good, evil, that’s for the schmucks. It’s about balance,” Whistler smirked. “Of course, you were kinda busy being downtrodden, so you might’ve forgotten that bit.”
“Let me see if I understand you, mate,” Spike smiled nastily. “You want us to be what exactly? The middle of the road team? Didn’t fight through a bunch of ugly for my soul so’s I could throw it away on bollocks like this.”
“Of course you didn’t, Blondie,” Whistler soothed. “You got it to impress a girl. Purest of motives there, huh? Cool your jets.”
“No, I think Spike’s right,” Angel said coolly. “I tried that ‘belly of the beast’ routine once this year. It didn’t work out well, so you can imagine how eager I am to go there again.”
“Jeez, Angel!” Whistler threw up his hands. “This isn’t about helping the forces of darkness. It’s about restoring the balance between the forces.”
“Why should we do that, “ Faith inquired pleasantly. “More good than evil, sounds like a winner to me.”
“Oh,” Spike perked up. “Slayer thinks it’s a bad idea? Count me in.”
Three very confused faces turned to Spike. Angel just shook his head, waving away their questions. Oz stood up, moving towards Angel.
“Angel,” Oz began. “Heard you were short a seer?”
Angel nodded, arms folding around his waist. His face contorted in pain, as he wrestled with his memories. Spike wandered over, placing a comforting hand on Angel’s bicep. Angel clasped that hand quickly and strongly, and he breathed in deeply, attempting to pull himself together.
“Are they…” Willow whispered to Xander. “I think that’s one of the signs of The Apocalypse.”
Xander shook his head regretfully, his gaze sad but knowing. “Nope,” he whispered back. “That’s Giles agreeing with Spike. I looked it up in that maroon book on the third shelf one day when I got bored.”
“Ah,” Willow replied, giving Xander a quick hug.
“So, Wolf,” Spike took up the thread,” Angel here ain’t all connected anymore. Cheerleader upped and took her visions with her. What of it?”
“Did a bit of traveling when I left,” Oz answered. “San Francisco, Montana, Tibet, Egypt…”
“Typical post-Hellmouth itinerary,” Xander teased.
“Something like that, “ Oz agreed. “Spent a lot of nights in Egypt running wild, letting the wolf go. Turns out that supernatural creatures make great targets over there.”
“Oz,” Willow gasped. “Were you…did someone…target?”
“Not like, Will,” Oz assured her. “Ran into the big dog over there.”
“Anubis,” Willow smiled, and then frowned. “He’s…”
“Yeah, not the most friendly,” Oz answered calmly. “Guess he doesn’t like uninvited guests. Still, he was pretty cool in the end. Gave me a gift.”
“The visions, “ Spike said slowly. “You’re Angel’s new seer.”
“Nope,” Oz shook his head. “Two for one special. I’m supposed to help both the Champions.”
“Both,” Spike pulled back slightly.
“You heard him, Spike,” Whistler stepped in. “You got promoted. Power’s want you too. Two vampires with souls as champions? Gotta say, it seems to be a winning combination. That’s why I brought Oz here. He got all gussied up just in time for the main event.”
“And that would be, “ Angel asked, pulling himself straight.
“The restoration of the Slayer line, “Whistler stated.
“Xander!” Willow wagged her finger at him, mock scolding him. “They’ve got a hundred plus years of issues. They’re entitled to a few extra wigs.”
“Yeah,” Faith agreed readily. “I mean, their hair alone is worth at least two breakdowns apiece.”
Whistler snorted and laid a hand on Oz’s shoulder. Oz grinned and nodded, throwing an arm around Willow. Whistler shook his head in defeat.
“You know, kid, I didn’t ask for this assignment. After my last few run-ins with this crowd, I’d prefer to stay far away from Angel. He’s a little too temperamental for my taste, “Whistler explained. “Besides, now that Illyria’s in the wind…it’s risky.”
“Oh my god, Illyria!” Willow groaned.
“Got it in one, Witch,” Whistler agreed. “Next time you decide to merge with a higher being, pick one that’s less angst-ridden, okay? Illyria’s a pain in the ass.”
“Plus,” Faith added, “Blue streaks not so much you, Willow.”
“It’s a huge improvement over the black haired, vein-y Willow, “ Xander put in, scrutinizing the witch. “Wait…Illyria? Spike mentioned…”
Xander’s eyes went wide and turned to Whistler. “Spike said Illyria sucked his friend dry, used her up and spat her out. Is that…Is Willow…”
“Nah, “ Whistler waved off his concern. “Not that same thing at all. Illyria’s mostly gone. Red here was the conduit, a sort of all-purpose pipe for godly energy. “
“Wait,” Faith interjected. “You said mostly gone. What do you mean by ‘mostly’?”
“He means there are…echoes. Fragments, “ Willow said in a hollow voice. “Pieces of us abide in the witch.”
“Ooookay,” Xander muttered. “And I thought Sunnydale had the exclusive license on that kind of creepy.”
“Not quite,” Oz said serenely. “Creepy is a world traveler.”
Xander moved closer to Willow, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, bright green eyes glassy. He stroked her cheek and whispered, “Yellow crayon” in her ear. She smiled, coming out of her trance.
“That’s my Xander,” Willow sighed happily. “I have to wonder why the story of my greatest dorkiness always manages to reach me.”
“Utter shame tends to have a soothing effect, “ Oz offered. “Whenever I get all wolfy, I just try to remember the time I peed my pants in the lunch line. It always gets me feeling mellow.’
“Childhood trauma,” Xander nodded wisely.
“Eighth grade,” Oz clarified.
“The fate of the entire world, and this is the chosen team, “ Whistler shuddered dramatically. “Stuff like this? Reminds me about the Power’s quirky sense of humor.”
“Huh,” Faith grunted. “Fate of the entire world? Didn’t we handle that last night?”
“And you thought Tuesday only came once a week, “ Xander joked.
“Oh yeah, “ Willow said quietly. “Tara.”
“Tara,” Oz stated, burrowing his nose into Willow’s hair quickly before shaking his head. “Nope, you’re just Willow now.”
“No. I mean yes, but not what I was talking about. She…I had a dream, in the circle. Tara,” Willow smiled. “She came to me, told me. She said…”
Willow scrunched up her forehead in a concentration.
“I’m sorry,” she finally shrugged. “I don’t remember. It’s all so hazy.”
“Don’t sweat it, Wills,” Xander smiled. “Whatever it was, it’ll be there when you need it.”
“Speaking of that, sounds like the Wonder Twins have finished their tête - à – tête. Any chance we could get them down here again? I’m on the clock,” Whistler mentioned casually.
“Sure,” Faith answered. “Spike! Angel! Get your vamp asses down here now!”
Once more, feet clattered on the stairs and two very ragged looking vampires skidded into the lobby. Spike had numerous bruises on his throat, and blood streamed from his nose and lip. Angel, equally battered, seemed to be moving stiffly.
“You know, “ Xander mentioned, “ I don’t like to pry, but maybe you two need some family counseling. Wonder if Dr. Phil works with dysfunctional vampires?”
“Shut up, Xander,” Angel shot back. “I really don’t want to hear your voice right now.”
“Ignore the magnificent poof,” Spike advised wearily. “He just remembered he didn’t pack his grooming products, so he’s feeling a mite tetchy. A few hours at a salon, and he’ll be right as rain.”
“Spike,” Angel warned, but gently, softly.
“Yeah, I know,” Spike returned, equally gentle.
“This is really fascinating, Angel. But, if you don’t mind, I gotta speak and split,” Whistler bounced on his toes. “Should I start with the fate of the world bit or can we get right down to it?”
“Oh wait,” Faith drawled lazily. “Let me see if I can do this part. Umm, terrible evil, destruction of mankind, chosen few, short on time, crappy odds, certain death. Did I miss anything?”
“You left out the section on being completely unprepared, “ Xander noted dryly.
“Plus the part about the vague prophecy,” Willow added.
“Don’t forget the always fun blood requirement,” Spike chipped in.
“Man! I knew I shouldn’t have slept through Giles’ last briefing, “ Faith complained.
“Coma,” Oz offered up.
“Oh yeah,” Faith brightened. “I was sick that day. Totally forgot.”
“Wow,” Whistler smiled. “Except for being completely wrong, you got that speech down, kiddo. I’m impressed.”
“She was wrong, “ Angel said flatly.
“Yeah, see this time, it ain’t about evil, Angel. Told you before, good, evil, that’s for the schmucks. It’s about balance,” Whistler smirked. “Of course, you were kinda busy being downtrodden, so you might’ve forgotten that bit.”
“Let me see if I understand you, mate,” Spike smiled nastily. “You want us to be what exactly? The middle of the road team? Didn’t fight through a bunch of ugly for my soul so’s I could throw it away on bollocks like this.”
“Of course you didn’t, Blondie,” Whistler soothed. “You got it to impress a girl. Purest of motives there, huh? Cool your jets.”
“No, I think Spike’s right,” Angel said coolly. “I tried that ‘belly of the beast’ routine once this year. It didn’t work out well, so you can imagine how eager I am to go there again.”
“Jeez, Angel!” Whistler threw up his hands. “This isn’t about helping the forces of darkness. It’s about restoring the balance between the forces.”
“Why should we do that, “ Faith inquired pleasantly. “More good than evil, sounds like a winner to me.”
“Oh,” Spike perked up. “Slayer thinks it’s a bad idea? Count me in.”
Three very confused faces turned to Spike. Angel just shook his head, waving away their questions. Oz stood up, moving towards Angel.
“Angel,” Oz began. “Heard you were short a seer?”
Angel nodded, arms folding around his waist. His face contorted in pain, as he wrestled with his memories. Spike wandered over, placing a comforting hand on Angel’s bicep. Angel clasped that hand quickly and strongly, and he breathed in deeply, attempting to pull himself together.
“Are they…” Willow whispered to Xander. “I think that’s one of the signs of The Apocalypse.”
Xander shook his head regretfully, his gaze sad but knowing. “Nope,” he whispered back. “That’s Giles agreeing with Spike. I looked it up in that maroon book on the third shelf one day when I got bored.”
“Ah,” Willow replied, giving Xander a quick hug.
“So, Wolf,” Spike took up the thread,” Angel here ain’t all connected anymore. Cheerleader upped and took her visions with her. What of it?”
“Did a bit of traveling when I left,” Oz answered. “San Francisco, Montana, Tibet, Egypt…”
“Typical post-Hellmouth itinerary,” Xander teased.
“Something like that, “ Oz agreed. “Spent a lot of nights in Egypt running wild, letting the wolf go. Turns out that supernatural creatures make great targets over there.”
“Oz,” Willow gasped. “Were you…did someone…target?”
“Not like, Will,” Oz assured her. “Ran into the big dog over there.”
“Anubis,” Willow smiled, and then frowned. “He’s…”
“Yeah, not the most friendly,” Oz answered calmly. “Guess he doesn’t like uninvited guests. Still, he was pretty cool in the end. Gave me a gift.”
“The visions, “ Spike said slowly. “You’re Angel’s new seer.”
“Nope,” Oz shook his head. “Two for one special. I’m supposed to help both the Champions.”
“Both,” Spike pulled back slightly.
“You heard him, Spike,” Whistler stepped in. “You got promoted. Power’s want you too. Two vampires with souls as champions? Gotta say, it seems to be a winning combination. That’s why I brought Oz here. He got all gussied up just in time for the main event.”
“And that would be, “ Angel asked, pulling himself straight.
“The restoration of the Slayer line, “Whistler stated.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
on 2007-03-20 03:06 am (UTC)“Not quite,” Oz said serenely. “Creepy is a world traveler.”
Oh Oz. You quippy, man of few words you. Loved this chapter. The dialogue was excellent. So witty.
no subject
on 2007-03-20 06:11 am (UTC)