chikaidestroyer | ∞ 87: Rooftops [action]

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∞ 87: Rooftops [action]

[Around mid-morning, Albert can be seen picking up small things in the plaza -- nails, pens, groceries. He doesn't often do this, but it's been a week since he gave Caesar the task of repairing the stable, so he finds himself inspecting and repairing the amateurish work. That requires a few extra building supplies. Might as well take advantage of how calm everything is with the New Feathers coming in, right?

Albert spends the afternoon pulling out half-bent nails and readjusting crooked wooden slats. He can't say that he's disappointed, since Caesar actually tried to rebuild the stable's roof, but he can have the opinion that did a really shabby job. Silverbergs were apparently not very good roof-builders.

In the evening, after dinner, he'll be found up on house 42's roof, having climbed up through the skylight. It's something he's never really taken advantage of, and yet there's something familiar about it. He remains out there for a good while, almost meditating.]

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Ah. The Filial wind spirit, Kipinn. [He makes a gesture that may be lost at that distance.] It's better to listen at a higher elevation.

You have learned about the spirits already, correct?

Not nearly enough. I was actually planning on asking for more information over the journals. The Guide was...helpful, but general.

Some are placated with only the most basic amount of information, which is what the guide caters towards. It's always good when new arrivals have questions; we don't understand enough of this world as it is.

And how long have you been here?

In another month, it will be three years.

[Giles frowns, more than a little horrified] You've been stuck here for three years?

Correct. Unlike some of the others who have been here for a long time, I haven't returned home at all, either.

I have a friend who's apparently been here a year and four months. It doesn't seem as if she's ever returned, either. [Which is a thought that still deeply upsets him] I'm sorry this has had to happen to either of you.

Seeing as you now share our prison, I'm sorry this has happened to you as well.

[A friend who's been around for over a year...] May I ask who your friend is?

Buffy Summers. [Then, slightly resigned] Everyone seems to know her around here.

Buffy. I see. [He nods. He hadn't met any of those from Buffy's world, though she had mentioned Spike and Willow.] She is quite social, so there is that aspect.

But even the Organization is impressed by her. She took down the General, after all.

Buffy is a very impressive person. [You're telling Giles stuff he already knows in that respect]

She mentioned the General. The Third Party. The drafts. The war. [And even listing all of that makes him feel tired] It's been quite the year, or so she tells me.

By "Organization", do you mean the Malnosso?

The Malnosso Organization, yes. ...I tend to refer to them as the Organization because the "Malnosso" seemed like a faceless and malevolent force when I first appeared in the village. The connotation still lingers. [And he knew things were much more complex than they had originally thought.]

So you are familiar with Buffy as the Slayer.

Oh, yes. Very.

Rupert Giles, Watcher. At least, I was when I left Sunnydale. Haven't been able to bring myself to ask if that's changed again.

...Watcher. So you are the one charged with guiding Buffy. [He repeats the title to himself, recalling what he and Buffy had talked about in the past.] She speaks highly of you. I believe I should thank you for giving her reason to seek out guidance.

She's always been quite capable of functioning independently.

Nice to know she's thought of me occasionally, though.

She has had quite a long time to think of home. When experiments are not affecting us, restless residents need something else to concentrate on. [And Buffy definitely fit the restless type.]

How often do these experiments occur? I keep hearing about them. Seems to be a major fixture of the place.

They previously occurred at a much greater frequency during the first year; sometimes experiments were ran as frequently as twice a month. But now months may pass before another village-wide experiment happens.

The scientists frequently abduct individual residents, though. That has not changed.

[And Giles still does not like the sound of that] For how long?

Village-wide experiments tend to last approximately a week. Residents may be abducted for anywhere between a day and a few months.

The most significant way to tell they have been abducted and not sent back to their world is if their personal belongings have been cleared out.

A day to a few months? Doesn't exactly narrow it down, does it?

Buffy mentioned a few of her theories to me - that the whole point of us being here is so the Malnosso can find a way to return to their home. What do you think?

We were told that their main goal is to return home, yes. And that, if their experiments succeeded, we would be the first sent back to our worlds. It's a matter of whether we believe that is their goal or not.

Of course, the Organization has been here for centuries, if that is any sign of their level of progress.

Since I've only been here a week, I'll just go ahead and withhold judgment.

That, and the fact that they've been trying so long, is not at all encouraging.

[Then, after a beat] Sorry. I told Buffy I'd stop complaining quite so much, but I don't think I'm doing very well.

Under the circumstances, your reaction is understandable. You needn't apologize.

There is not much to be encouraged about in regards to the Organization itself. It's the other individuals who have been around who offer some sort of hope that something is different from before.

(no subject)

consultmybooks - 2010-09-08 17:05 (UTC) - Expand

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