chikaidestroyer | ∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

Entry tags:

∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

[Takes place on the 28th.

Part of him is still surprised he made the suggestion a few days ago. If he tried to look for excuses, he could think of many -- the season, the new arrival of an ocean, the constant talk about holidays and good cheer. But whatever the reason, he had suggested to his housemates that they take their gift exchanging to an admittedly strange location: the mountain hot springs. And they had all agreed to it.

So in the early morning, he can be found in the clothing store looking for ... a pair of slippers. By noon, he will be on the way to the rec center to try out the teleporter and scope out the mountain hot springs for the first time.

And by mid-afternoon, he will be up in the mountains with his brother and Raine. Belatedly celebrating a holiday they don't know. Perhaps even celebrating the plaza fountain returning to normal after being shifted to resemble Bil for four days.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, I'll make you one but I think I'm passing on the booze for a little while. It never very dignified when your doctor has to carry you home.

[ a cheeky smile -- oh look how quickly her thumb-chewing concern is buried. but it lurks there, waiting. ] Good Spirits it is.

There are more than enough people to ensure you don't end up inebriated. [But he heads for the door, opening it slightly and allowing the cold air in.] Shall we go?

Go, we shall! [ she semi-echoes back at him before slipping outside. ] At least nothing's too far apart in this place. Don't have to spend too long walking in the cold.

It's very convenient, especially now that the village has developed this much. [He adjusts his grip on his bag as he heads towards the bar.] When I first arrived in Luceti, I would not have imagined there would be restaurants here, let alone a bar.

What was it like, Albert?

[He glances at her.] The first few months?

[ a small, attentive nod. ]

...Confusing, chaotic. There were no calendars, no guides, no maps, no sources of explanation for newcomers. The village itself was also perhaps a quarter of its current size. [How many were still around from that time? ...Not many.] It was more difficult locating those who were returning from abductions, because of the lack of knowledge of the geography.

Sounds really different. [ crossing her arms as they walk. ] You've seen it change so much.

[He nods slightly.] In spite of that, I prefer knowing first-hand what has happened here. There has to be some gauge for how far we have come, and how our role has changed in this world.

[ how their role has changed. really, it's a sentiment that dovetails nicely with the kind of issues she has on her mind. ]

The argument could probably be made that we're in a stronger position, now. More to bargain with.

Correct. [Even though some would squander their ability to bargain with trivial things.] We still have much to learn about this world and what is truly happening, though.

Edited 2010-12-30 19:29 (UTC)

[ when they reach the door to good spirits, it is buffy's turn to hold the door open. ]

Like about the Third Party -- or maybe even other groups. [ her voice drops: ] He was out there, Albert. I could kick myself for missing him. [ a truth she hasn't spoken aloud to anyone else but one they could easily guess just by knowing her. ]

[He nods broodingly as he enters the bar, waiting for Buffy to enter after him before speaking.] He was out there to slaughter anyone who came upon his path. I would hazard to presume this was a very serious attempt to kill all the Luceti inhabitants, if he was brought in.

Derek said he asked to send me his regards.

[ eye contact. serious, context-heavy eye contact. ]

[He meets Buffy's gaze knowingly.]

An open taunt to make you emotional. He knows that defeating you during your next meeting would be significant blow to our morale.

[ a message through a dead friend. well, it worked. she got emotional. but in the wake of that and giles' letter...? something else has replaced that emotion. a kind of motivation. ]

It sounds like he would've, if I was out there. People've been throwing around the whole unkillable adjective.

Unless they have shifts that render people immortal, I doubt it. There are still the wings to take into consideration, regardless of anything else.

[ she knows he's right -- so what scares her more is the upsurge in the general's strength. not unkillable but simply too, too strong. a hard swallow.

she chooses a booth near the back. ] I wonder if he can be contacted -- not...not in person. I'm not suicidal. I just wonder if he could be talked with in some way that forced the non-violence factor. Long distance.

[He slides into the seat across from Buffy, resting his folded hands lightly on the edge of the table.] There are many obstacles, unfortunately. The lack of a communication device, the Organization's surveillance, the barrier and any interference it may cause.

But yes... Given the opportunity, I would like to speak with him as well.

I've still got his locket, you know.

A tool for emotional bargaining, if you wish to use it that way. More importantly, the only hint to something beyond what we know of the Third Party on the battlefield.

Emotional bargaining. [ a pause for consideration. ] That's assuming he has emotions. Don't get me wrong -- I hope he does. That means we might have a bit of leverage.

Considering you found the trinket on him, it likely has meaning to him -- or someone he took it from. It isn't much, but we certainly are not in the position to trivialize what little we come across. [A small sigh.] It's only a matter of awaiting opportunities, since we cannot really make our own opportunities.

I wonder who she is. Or was. [ quietly. she traces the edge of the table with her fingertip. then, looking up at albert: ] So, Giles left me a letter. [ she reaches into her pocket, pulling out a piece of paper. ]

Would you read it? [ she has offered it to no one else. she simply...understands that to show albert the letter would be easier. he'll get that she is getting anxious in not doing anything better than if she tried to use her own words. she wants to shake the complacency. ]

∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]