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Bad Night [19 Dec 2004|12:07am] [ mood | groggy ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Restless dreams plagued Joseph. He twisted and turned in his bed, the sheets tangled in his legs but somehow he held onto his gun. The same gun he had taken to bed with him for the last week or so. He knew better than to be caught without a weapon. Ever since he and Bethany had started this game, Joseph had taken personal safety a little more seriously than he had done in the past. His breathing caught in the back of his throat as the face of his mother raced through his mind. His hands in the dream were stained with blood and he couldn't escape the things he had done or said. They haunted him and followed his every step. The sound of a gunshot echoed in his dream and his father's limp body fell towards the ground. As it did, Joseph jerked upwards, the gun raised and his grip on it was tightened again. His finger trembled on the trigger and dark strands of hair fell over his wide brown eyes. He was gasping for air and his skin was practically soaked with sweat. He could barely see beyond the gun and the hair which stuck to his face and lashes obscured his peripheral vision. It took him a moment to realise his hand was shaking and that he was no longer dreaming. His grip hadn't loosened on the gun; in fact it had tightened again. He released a harsh breath as he looked around himself. He took in the fact he was in his apartment and slowly but surely his grip loosened. Eventually the gun hung from his index finger before the rest of Joseph's hand wrapped around it and moved it to rest against his bed. A bed that was totally disorderly due to the dreams that bothered him at night. After another breath, Joseph released his hold on his gun and he moved from the bed. Joseph was only clad in a pair of black boxers that fit him snugly and oddly enough showed off what good shape his legs were in. He left his bedroom and as he walked back into his living room. His hand caught a packet of cigarettes and his lighter. Somewhere between walking and sitting down on his couch, Joseph had lit a cigarette and had already taken three drags. His body sunk down onto his couch before he leaned back into it. His one hand clasped the cigarette and brought it up to his lips for a drag here and there whilst the other hand rested against his stomach. His fingertips lifted to drum lightly against his golden brown skin. He had no idea why he wasn't sleeping and he had no idea why he kept seeing things from his past but it was beginning to piss him off. His legs lifted to rest against the table in front of him. His bare feet crossed over at the ankle. Joseph recovered a nearby ashtray and flicked a few of the grey ashes into the bottom of it. His hand lifted from his stomach to rake through his dark slightly wet hair before that same hand sought out the TV remote. " Cheesy chat shows, here I come." He muttered to himself as the TV flicked on and the light from it fell over his body. Silhouetting it as he simply watched the TV. Maybe he could bore himself to sleep? reply

[19 Dec 2004|12:13am] Walking up onto the porch, Gwen sighed slightly and knocked a few times on Gwen and Connor's front door. She didnt tell them she was coming, but come ON... she ALWAYS drops by. Wearing purple sweatpants, a baggy Lamb of God t-shirt, and her long blonde hair tied into a ponytail, she looked fairly comfy... except for the large sheathe strapped to her back. Joyce was pacing, unnerved as the silence of the house closed in on her. She told Darla she would be fine, though Dawn's abrupt leaving and Connor's continued absence didn't help her nerves any. Jumping at the knock on the door, she sighed in relief and darted over, flinging it open. "Is she--oh, hello Gwen." Her shoulders sagged, unable to hide her worry though she stood graciously aside to let Gwen in. Gwen nibbled her bottom lip a little, giving an adorably sweet smile to Joyce. "Hi Mrs. Summers... is Dawnie around?" Joyce shook her head, sinking back onto the couch with a weary expression. "No, though I was hoping Connor had found her by now. Dawn was trying a spell the other night....a spell to see spells, I think she called it. But something went wrong and she just fled out the door, terrified. I haven't seen her since, though Darla said Connor's on the lookout for her. Oh, I'm sorry you came at a bad time but you don't have to leave. Do you need anything to drink?" Joyce didn't want to be alone and despite Gwen's earlier comments, Joyce didn't harbor her any ill will. She perked up at the chance for distraction, hoping Gwen would see her need even if she didn't want to voice it. Joyce wasnt the only one just needing company, so Gwen nodded with a little grin, walking in. "Something warm, maybe... got any coffee or anything?" Gwen sighed, trying her damnedest to hide the sudden worry coursing through her for Dawn. Joyce was obviously upset, and Gwen knew she didnt need to be MORE so. Joyce nodded, raking a hand through her hair as she took a deep breath and stood up again. "Coffee I can handle. In fact, I could use another cup myself. Join me while I get a pot ready?" She headed into the kitchen, rinsing out the remains of the last coffee pot before preparing a new one. "It's so quiet here tonight, but I didn't want to bother Darla. She needed her rest and she's been so considerate of me, so I just want to return the favor." Gwen quietly followed Joyce, for once actually LOOKING like the young girl she was. Well... except for the huge honkin' sword. "Hey.. um... Mrs. S? I wanted to apologize. For the last time we met. Sometimes.... my mouth moves faster than my brain. I felt like hell ALL night over it." Joyce attempted a wry smile and shook her head. "Please, don't worry about it. That happens to the best of us...and apparently I have another daughter who has those tendancies so I should be used to it." "You know..." Gwen sighed, feeling oddly comfortable talking to Joyce, even though she barely knew her. "Dawn... she's a great person. You should be very proud. I've never met a person so.. willing to give her all for others." Joyce actually smiled, a little comforted at that. "I've noticed, she's constantly busy but it's always for some good cause. It's a relief, knowing she grew into who she is now. She.." Pausing, she turned on the coffee maker and leaned against the counter. "That spell she was casting before she left, it was to help Darla and I. But then....oh, I hope Connor finds her." Sighing, she glanced back to Gwen as that nervous restlessness manifested itself again. Gwen placed a comforting hand on Joyce's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "If I know Dawn.. she'll be fine. She's lucky to have someone like you as a mom. Probably more lucky than she knows. I never even knew mine." Joyce blinked and looked away, a saddened expression at Gwen's words. She shook her head softly. "I don't think Dawn takes me for granted, though with my sudden arrival here I don't think she knows quite what to do with me." Gwen's touch allowed for some of her tension to escape though and Joyce glanced back to her. "I'm sorry to hear that, Gwen. Lack of traditional family can be difficult. It doesn't mean you can never have that, though. There's the family you were born into and the family you choose. Those closest to you, who you would do anything for. I remember those feelings..." If not what or who they were attached to. Though ever since Dawn's departure, feelings and fragments of memories had started to return. Joyce was still trying to filter them into something that made sense, however. "I know... and believe me, if it wasnt for Dawn and Connor, I wouldnt be alive right now." Gwen gave that patented nervous nibbling-of-the-lip again, wishing she could help somehow. She spoke softly, trying her best to sound soothing. "Mrs. S... things'll be ok, ya gotta believe that. Sometimes... hope is all we have to hang on to. Trust me... I know. We'll all get through this, then we'll get you and Darla settled in somehow, and I'll help you get re-adjusted any way I can." "Hold on to each other then, that's the best advice I can give any of you." Joyce nodded slowly, a small though saddened smile at that. With a sliver of remembrance came the feeling that this wouldn't last. Darla could try to hide her sadness all she wanted to but Joyce sensed it nonetheless. "I know...even strange as they are now, everything will be as it should soon enough." Gwen was pretty much convinced Joyce and Darla were back for good. Hey, she isnt the sharpest tool in the shed at times. "Hey... I know you cant remember everything, but like I said... I'll help any way I can. I know what it's like to be lonely. Yer a really nice lady, Mrs. S. Kinda makes me wish YOU had been my mom." Joyce smiled softly at that, touched though she shook her head while pouring the coffee. "You might not say that if you knew how badly I first reacted upon finding out that my firstborn was a Slayer. Apparently, I all but told her not to come back. We began to resolve those issues months later when she returned, but I suppose being thrust into a world darker than I thought possible was too much for me." Gwen broke out into a grin there, chuckling. "You know, I think most SANE parents WOULD react that way. My dad freekin LOVED it. He was obsessed with medieval stuff. Even named me Guinevere. The fact that his only daughter was born to be a warrior just.... " She shook her head with a smile. "It was like a normal dad just found out his kid was gonna be the star quarterback." Joyce smiled at that, sipping her coffee as she handed a mug over to Gwen. "Sane or not, it still wasn't the best way to deal with it. It's wonderful your father was so supportive, he was a Watcher?" "Naw. I'm sure he'd have loved it though. He died not too long after I became a Slayer." Gwen shrugged, trying not to look uncomfy, even though she was, at talking about it. "I've been on my own for a coupla years now..." "That must be difficult, though you don't have to be on your own anymore." Joyce reached over and set a comforting hand on Gwen's shoulder before realizing the girl might not want to be touched. Gwen smiled, looking around conspiratorially as though to make sure nobody saw her get mushy. "You know... if I had a mom? I'd want her to be like you, Mrs. S. Dawn's very lucky to have you as a mother." Joyce almost chuckled at Gwen's actions, the young woman helping distract her from her massive worry...almost. "Well, I need to be a better one. She needs me and I don't know what to do this time..." She cut herself off from that dark train of thought, Gwen was trying to help. "Thank you, Gwen. I hope I can stay..." Gwen gave a "pfffft" noise, and grinned mischeviously. "Sure ya can! Cuz dude, I totally dig hanging with you. Yer like, the nicest person I've ever met. I usually kinda scoff at anyone being all 'parenty' to me... but with you... I kinda like it." Joyce wasn't sure what to be more surprised at, being called 'dude' or Gwen's warm attitude. Not that she seriously minded either. If anything, it made her grateful. "I'll take that as a compliment. And you've been very patient with me, I know I'm like a broken record at the moment." "I really feel bad about the first impression I made, ma'am. Now that I know you.... you deserved MUCH better than that." Gwen shook her head, before looking back up at Joyce. "And dont worry, yer worried about her. So am I. I just... dont deal with shit like that too well. So I get by with the sheer force of denial." Joyce chuckled ruefully, nodding in understanding. "That seems to be how I've coped, unfortunately. And please, don't worry further about that first impression. You just being here right now is helping...though I'm thinking putting a movie in might help too instead of just pacing..." Gwen nodded, her smile now constant and sincere, truly enjoying the woman's company. "You should see Kill Bill. Tarantino knows about Slayers, I KNOW it." Joyce quirked an eyebrow at that, pushing herself away from the counter. "I think Dawn has that one lying around, though I couldn't tell you where it is at the moment." More to herself, Gwen mumbled, "So... this is what its like to have a mom. Kinda cool." She then shook her head, looking back to her hostess. "So... yer daughter was like, "THE" Slayer, huh? Wish I could meet her, she sounds awesome, ma'am." Joyce nodded, still not knowing what to think of that though even as Dawn told her much earlier, she sensed it to be true. Would that more of her memories would return but she learned enough from what she had to put together a semi-coherent picture. "According to Dawn, she's still in Europe though I hope I'll get to see her again soon..." She looked wistful for a moment before flashing a smile at Gwen. "If you want to grab a seat in the living room, I'll tell you what I do remember...some of it's come back to me." Gwen smiled and nodded, standing up quickly. "Sounds like a plan to me, ma'am." Gwen walked to the living room, happy in both her success at taking Joyce's mind off of everything, and the warm feeling she got from being almost mothered by this wonderful woman. reply

Finding Dawn, part 1 [19 Dec 2004|12:20am] Far from time lending Dawn coherency, the longer she was left to herself the deeper she sank into her shock. The outside world didn't seem to exist for the young woman in her fugue state, huddled against the wall of the train station. She still clutched the knife, dried blood caking her arms. At least most of it was dried. Some was fresh, as were the tears that finally decided to come, streaking her face. She mumbled to herself, though only someone close by could hear her, let alone decipher the mumbling. December was still out walking. After she'd left the cafe, she'd decided that she just wasn't ready to go stare at her four walls again, so she was out. She'd walked along far enough to have discovered the train station. Interesting place...well except for that girl there...who was....Holy shit.... ( And December's curse actually turns out to be a blessing for once. ) reply

Finding Dawn, part 2 [19 Dec 2004|12:29am] December lay there, twitching for she didn't know how long...moments or minutes, she didn't know, but when it stopped, her eyes shot open and she stared at the world that was now tinged with green and black...like there were filters over her eyes...she blinked, trying to clear the color away but she couldn't, and she pushed herself up, feeling like she was moving under water....too slow, reaction time wasn't correct...and that wasn't all. Everything seemed off...even her ears were registering things too sharply...the wind whistling through the train station hurt her ears so much she had to clap her hands over them and she whimpered. Dawn was blissfully, thankfully unconscious. The knife still firm in her grasp, dried blood caking her lower arms as fresh trickles slid down them. Her breathing was ragged but there was no sign of her returning to consciousness just yet. At least she ceased fading in and out for now though... ( Yeah, I'm too tired to make witty lj cuts. Then again, Dawn's unconscious for most of this scene so look what I have to work with. ) reply

Sands of Time [19 Dec 2004|12:46am] The drive home was quiet that night. Destiny was asleep in the passenger's side seat, ring catching the light of every streetlight. This was crazy. He was crazy. But it felt so right. Carrying a sleeping Destiny over the threshold of her home brought a lump to his throat. He didn't have enough time. So much to say and do. A part of him wanted to shake her awake. He resisted the urge and lay Destiny on her bed, changing her clothes and tucking her under the covers. Taking off his clothing, he went to her desk and sat down, writing two letters and slipping a CD from a store in Vegas. Sealing them in envelopes, he tucked them into her top desk drawer and replaced the pen and paper from where it came. It wasn't enough, but he knew it would never be enough. Whenever Will gave him the signal to help with the spell, he'd be gone. Adam curled up next to Destiny under the covers, arms pulling her sleeping body towards him. Placing a kiss on her head, he whispered softly, "I love you. And always will." With that, he snuggled up to her and fell asleep. How much time they had left he didn't know, but he knew he'd savor the time he had. reply

Purification [19 Dec 2004|01:39am] Charisse's voice was never far from Star's mind as she practiced her craft. "When preparing for an important ritual, you must take great care to cleanse not only your workspace, but also yourself. Particularly if your body will be used as a tool in the rite." Star stood in the center of her bathroom, her feet bare against the cold tile. Her clothes lay in a pile by the sink, and the dim light came from the glow of a candle. She reached back and took hold of her necklace clasp. Her fingers worked to free the catch, and she pulled the gold chain from her skin. The pentagram, which had been a gift from Charisse at her initiation, was set aside. "A smudging stick is a good place to start. The smoke attaches itself to negative energy, pulling it away from your body as the smoke dissipates." Star ran the flame from her candle along the bundle of mugwort and lavender, igniting the ends of her smudging stick. From there, she extended one slender arm and began the process. She watched as the smoke curled around her outstretched limb, and then switched hands to work on her other arm. She continued until the whole of her person had been enveloped by the smoke. Afterwards, Star buried the burning end of the stick in a bowl of sand to extinguish the fire. "If you consecrate the water and salt, it can be used to seal your body from evil forces. Don't go into a spell against a dark force without closing yourself to its influence." One pale leg lifted over the rim of the bathtub, and she stepped into the warm salt water. A second later, her other leg joined the first. Star sank to a sitting position and then laid back. She held her breath as her head dipped beneath the surface. Upon emerging, she whispered, "Be thou sealed against all evil." She pulled herself up by the ledge of the tub, ignoring the water that streamed from her hair. With her body cleansed, she was prepared to offer Matthew her power for his ritual. "Star, listen to me. You must not lose sight of the goal in Nevada. Don't allow yourself distractions, and don't be naive about the intentions of others. If you fall in with other witches, they will pull you from your goal. Do not practice magic with others. Most importantly, do not let them see your intentions. This knowledge is for us alone." Star got to her feet, squeezing the salty liquid from her hair. As she reached for her towel, she silently fumed as she remembered those last words. They were spoken to her as she was forced from her home, and sent to a place where she was least likely to be distracted from her responsibilities. She'd been put out to pasture, away from everything she loved and everyone who loved her. Her eyes fell on the necklace once again, but she continued past it as she left the room. "I never much liked rules." reply

The Other Side [19 Dec 2004|02:33am] "Not going to burn out this time, are you." Hayden's voice echoed through the mine shaft that stretched before him. In his hand was an industrial-stregth flashlight, and in his pants pocket a stock of back-up batteries. He'd be damned if he let the makers of Duracell keep him from finding the source of that damp draft and the sound of rushing water. The trouble was, Hayden no longer heard any water, and the only air that came his way felt stale and dry. The way desert air should. He briefly wondered if he had made a wrong turn, but shook off the thought. Hayden rarely second-guessed himself. It was his nature to trust his instincts and his gods, however recently he'd rediscovered the latter. Here goes nothing. With that thought, Hayden ventured forth. The shaft was narrow, maybe six feet wide. Above him, the ceiling height varied as he walked. Hayden sent a mental thank-you to the moirae for not making him claustrophobic. The silence of the passageway was overwhelming. He could hear his boot soles disturbing the dirt on the rocks, and the steady rhythm of his breath in and out. Hayden ran the flashlight over the rock walls, searching for signs of a leak and finding none. He'd walked for several minutes when he rounded a corner and his scenery changed. The narrow shaft had widened into a cavern of sorts. The ceiling had risen to several yards above his head. Twenty yards across from him, a rock wall created a dead end. "Great," he mumbled, lifting a hand to run through his hair. Almost as an afterthought, Hayden let the flashlight rove the opposite wall. His brow furrowed as his light was reflected back to him by thousands of metallic flecks in the rock. Gold. From the looks of it, there was quite a bit embedded in the rock face. Hayden began to move in that direction, wondering if this was a discovery he should share with his employer. It never hurt to grease the wheels. The crackling sound stopped him. Hayden looked down and backed up, convinced he'd stepped on something with his heavy work boots. But then the noise came again, louder, like the sound of an electrical wire shorting out. The hairs on Hayden's arms stood on end. Inches from his face, a small circle hung in the air, resembling a glass marble suspended by an invisible string. He hadn't noticed its presence until he was almost touching it. In the next instant, that circle exploded outward in a vertical force field. The sheer power of the explosion tossed Hayden like a sack of bones. His shoulderblades collided with the wall behind him, and he let out a choked sound as the air rushed from his body. Sitting crumpled by the wall, it took Hayden a moment to collect his thoughts. A sharp breeze brought him to his senses, blowing over him with such coldness that his muscles felt instantly chilled. All around him, the sound of rushing water echoed off the walls. As hayden looked up, his eyes went wide with amazement. Gone was the solid wall that had stood before him. Instead, a circular portal hung in the air, its ragged edges licking the ceiling and floor. Hayden climbed to his feet, his heart hammering in his chest as he stared into that other world. A river stretched before him, so wide he could barely see the land that rose from the other side. The black water swirled and sloshed in small eddies. Beneath the waves, pale limbs made occasional appearance, slapping wetly against one another as they moved. The wind continued to whip around Hayden's body as he stood there. In the distance, a light winked above the waves. It grew steadily larger, and Hayden had the impression of a lantern swaying back and forth. "Shit," he murmured, not knowing what it was, but feeling certain it wasn't a good thing. He began to slide along the wall, making his way towards the shaft that led him to this place. As he moved, the portal flickered and hummed, not unlike a brownout during a power shortage. Hayden chose that moment to turn his back. His flashlight danced along the walls as he retreated. By the time he reached the end of the shaft, the sound of rushing water was gone, and the portal was nothing more than a marble suspended in the air. reply

Getting Dawn Home [19 Dec 2004|03:50am] [ mood | gloomy ] [ music | Gone Away by The Offspring ] After settling Darla and Joyce down, he headed directly for the bedroom. He didn't want to leave Dawn at all, really, and thankfully, Darla had noted the urgency and had stepped right up to the task of keeping Joyce occupied. Connor had given her a grateful look, and he shut the door behind himself when he got back to the bedroom. He looked at Dawn there in the dim light from the bedside lamp. He was keeping it together so far, he could freak out later...and he would freak out later. But for now... Dawn had mercifully passed out on the way home, lacking the energy to do anything else but. She whimpered when he set her down, not wanting to move away even in her sleep. Absently, she reached up to scratch at those bandages on her arms though not with enough force to pull them off. She shivered, and rolled on her side, facing Connor. Connor reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, and his eyes searched her face for any signs of pain. "Are you awake?" he asked softly, not sure if he wanted her to rest, or if he wanted her awake so he didn't have to be doing this alone. "Mm?" Perhaps Dawn wasn't that deeply asleep, since she stirred at the sound of his voice. She tilted her head into his touch, nodding a little at his question though she didn't want to do more than that; she could feel the migraine coming. Connor couldn't help it. He had resisted pulling her overly close because he didn't know what was happening and he didn't want to harm her in any way, but...she just looked so fragile. The protector in him was running in high gear, and he just wanted all of this to go away, for her to stop hurting...or whatever it was that was happening. So he gently pulled her closer to him, as he settled next to her. He shut his eyes and held her for a moment before speaking again, voice hushed. "Dawn, are ok? Can I get you anything? I...do you need anything?" he asked, feeling helpless again. He was learning to detest the feeling. ( what's happening? ) ( Calling For Help ) reply

Tainted [19 Dec 2004|04:50am] [ mood | guilty ] [ music | Big Empty by Stone Temple Pilots ] December was making her way back from the train station...though it was massively slow going considering how wrong she was feeling. She was sick, that she was positive of, and she had the sneaking suspicion that it was the black in that energy...the taint. She'd expelled as much as she could, but...well, apparently it was contagious. It had gone and tainted all she had, and she couldn't expel it all, or she'd die. She could still see the colors tinting her vision, green and black but at least it was slightly better than before. What was disturbing her the most was alternately the taint making her sick...and the fact that whatever energy this was, it was supercharged. Just the barest bit of expelling it had been at the very least ten times the firepower of her normal blast...the train station yard and part of the building were just demolished. She stumbled, lost her footing, and was down onto her hands and knees for what seemed like the hundredth time already. Her palms and knees were bleeding, and she suspected there was a scrape on her cheek from when she ditched it earlier. Jade scanned the road anxiously. Connor and Dawn had left his motel room, and immediately he'd jumped into the car and headed toward the train station. There. At the side of the road he spotted a hunched-over shape, like a person on her knees. He pulled over, punching the hazard lights. He got out, not bothering to close the car door behind him. "Hey," Jade said, reaching her, bending down to get a closer look at her. "Told you I'd come back to get you. Didn't trust me, did you?" December tried a smirk but she didn't quite have it in her at the moment. "...got tired of waiting." she managed, and tried pushing herself back to her feet yet again. Getting home wasn't going to be easy. (  Time to take her home ) ( Time to wait too long ) ( her dizzy head is conscience laden ) reply

The things we learn.. [19 Dec 2004|08:40am] [ mood | anxious ] I dropped by the bar last night, and managed to catch Jo as she was closing up. We talked for a little while and she filled me in on the spell work Matthew will be doing to try and make the not-dead-but-dead people go back where they belong. ( Voicemail for Matthew ) That's good, useful. I wish Andi would come home though. She literally hasn't been here in a couple weeks. Wonder where she's at, I worry. 1 comment | reply

Closure [19 Dec 2004|12:26pm] ( Goodbye, Daddy ) reply

Illusion [19 Dec 2004|02:33pm] It was the chill in the air that she couldn't stand. It was dry, too, in a way that wasn't at all how she remembered St. Louis. Of course, nothing was as she remembered. Not the automobiles, the buildings, the people on the streets. Certainly not the bright lights that burned her eyes. Green, pink, orange, and purple, flickering everywhere she turned. These were someone else's times. Nora was terrified by that knowledge. She was stuck in a version of the world that wasn't her own, where gentlemen were crude, ladies wore ghastly apparel that revealed far too much, and no one would stop to help her. For the first time in Nora's life, a touch of snobbery wound its way through her. Didn't they see? Couldn't they tell she was the blue blood of society? Her memory was gone, but she knew she wasn't meant to dig through the cast-offs of others. She wasn't meant to be so soiled. But whenever she reached for them, they shook her fingers from their arms and called her awful names. At first, she hadn't remembered anything, really. She wandered the streets searching for some sign of who she was in storefront reflections. "My name is Susan. My name is Carolyn. My name is Elizabeth." But nothing fit. Then he was there, like a nightmare crawling up the back of her spine to nestle in her head. His knife dripped with that poor man's blood, bringing to mind her father's outstretched hand, and the tight knot tied around his upper arm. The blade of the meat cleaver swung down to sever his hand. Father told her the truth about Darian, of course. He was a son of the devil, and he had taken Father's money and his hand in exchange for Nora's life. Her lover was a liar, and her father was a saint. The last thing Nora remembered before this place was Darian's anger. There was a pool of red spreading across the pavement. She had thought rather sluggishly, 'That came from inside me.' Before closing her eyes, Nora had reached out with her fingertips, trying to grab it to her, to keep it from running away from her body. Armed with only her memories, Nora didn't care about her stained dress or the heavy tangle of her hair. She slipped through the shadows, hiding from him, desperate to keep him from hurting her again. She knew she couldn't evade him forever. When she finally heard the sharp click of his shoes, she was neither surprised nor certain she wasn't imagining things. She shrank into a corner and the bricks dug into her skin. Darian reached out and caught her trembling arms in his grasp. He pulled her from the shadows to let his eyes take her in. This was not the Nora he remembered. She'd been soft and sweet-smelling, white as snow. His voice was hard with distaste when he spoke. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" ( What's Real and What's Not ) reply

Confining [19 Dec 2004|02:42pm] [ mood | awake ] Tristan's eyes fluttered open after his hands and feet were assaulted with a tingling sensation. He could not yet move, but his nerve endings were beginning to wake up. He found himself surrounded in some kind of sticky netting, from head to toe. For the moment, the only thing he could move was his eyes. They twitched from the left to the right, exploring his captive environment. His eyes twitched and opened wider as he noticed the spiders rooting around in the netting that held him bound. A giant web. Dozens of brown spiders the size of his hands were watching him with their eyes, not moving, as if standing guard. He had to think. He closed his eyes and remembered all that had happened. Whatever the beast was, it had poisoned him, thinking him a breathing, living man. Anyone else would have been killed by it's venom, but Tristan was already dead. Eventually his body would heal itself, the poison evaporating from his pores. Until then, he was helpless. Tristan opened his eyes again and peered past his webbed confines. There was the beast that had done this to him. Before Tristan's very eyes it changed from the lumbering giant with a blow hole, to a hideously large spider. A shape changer then. Obviously the spider was it's natural form, and Tristan was being prepared for supper. Tristan was not a patient man, but there wasn't a thing he could do to help himself until he regained his limbs. He just hoped that wouldn't happen too late. reply

Shattered Pieces [19 Dec 2004|03:35pm] [ mood | blah ] ------ Non Journal Entry ------ Kris had done as she said she would. She had swept the town for any sign of Destiny or Jordan and had come up short. As she neared the diner, her head tipped to one side as dark patches against the ground caught her attention. She turned and slowly walked up to where each patch was. As she came up on them, she dropped into a crouch and moved her hands to run across the red surface. The desert wind had done a good job in removing any traces that a battle had occurred here but Kris could still see them. " Interesting." She murmured softly. She lifted her fingers and rubbed the sand between her index finger and her middle finger. It was definitely blood and there had been a lot. She could see spots scattered here and there. Someone had run into trouble here and had tried to make a run for it. But where was the body? If this was an attack, shouldn't a body be close by? That was the common trend with the vampires in this town. Attack, feed and discard. Kris frowned briefly as she rocked back up onto her heels. This didn't make sense. Her arms rested across the top of her knees as the Slayer continued to look around herself. Being out in the night and doing something productive had helped Kris with the incident in the alley. It was never far from her mind but at least when she was patrolling she could forget it. The blood still lingered beneath her fingernails but if she didn't look at it, it didn't bother her. The man's face and his eyes were what haunted her the most. Kris had seen enough dead people in her time but at least then she had something or someone else to blame. But who could she blame now? She had been the only one in that alley and she was the one who had his blood all over her. The possibility of her killing another human being was slim but what if she had done it? Kris shook her head and muttered." Get out of there." Her fingertips were now pressed against her right temple and were rubbing in slow methodical circles. She had enough demons without this adding to them. As she inhaled, the night around her turned silent and that's when she heard something to her right. Her eyes slid in that direction and sure enough something was moving in the shadows. The light from the nearby streetlight didn't do much to reveal her midnight stalker but she knew whatever it was, it was out to get her. She mentally counted down from five to one and on one she moved to attack. The blade was pulled free from its sheath and the silver metal flashed through the dark of night as Kris found her target. A head went flying from shoulders and a body soon exploded into a cloud of dust. Kris heaved in a breath before she sensed another and stepped to one side. As she did, the female vampire who had lunged for her went sailing head first towards the ground. " Out for a lovers stroll?" Kris asked with a bemused expression. The female vampire got back up to her feet and hissed in Kris' direction. Her fangs were sharp and white. Her face was already distorted into her vampiric face. Yellow eyes rested on Kris' brown ones and without much warning. The vampire lunged again. This time, her fist caught Kris across the face and ripped that newly sealed cut on her lip wide open. The blood gushed forth and Kris found herself suddenly caught up in memory. Her body hit a cool brick wall as a fist hit her lip. Her hair was grabbed and a deep voice growled." We'll teach you to meddle." Her body was then slung across the alley only to slam into the opposite wall. A groan was brought forth from her lips but as her head rose, she saw the knife rising... With a sharp gasp, Kris was brought back to the present and unfortunately she had come back to herself, in time to catch a kick to the chest. Kris sailed through the air before she landed with a resounding thud. Coughing slightly, Kris rolled onto her back before she flipped herself back up to her feet. Her shoulders shrugged and she spat some blood out to one side. She vowed to herself that there would be no memories, not right now. She had other things to worry about. She raised the sword above her head and straightened her other arm out in front of her. That same arm turned so the bottom of it was facing upwards and her palm was flattened towards the sky. After a moment, her fingers lifted and twitched back towards her." Come on." She said. Her tone held a challenge. A challenge the female vampire couldn't refuse or resist. She came in with her fists. Kris was able to deflect each blow and she spun suddenly. Bringing the sword around her to remove a limb. The vampire screamed in agony but had little time to bask in the pain as Kris flipped the stake in one hand. She moved in and rammed it straight down into the vampire's chest. The woman's eyes widened before her body burnt away around the stake. As the stake fell to the ground, Kris bent over to recover it. She wiped a hand over her mouth and recalled the memory that had assaulted her a few moments ago. Obviously her mind was trying to tell her something but she didn't know what. With one last look over her shoulder, Kris turned on her heel and wandered back towards William's. reply

Ready [19 Dec 2004|05:04pm] [ mood | busy ] ( Voicemail for Rhiannon ) ( Voicemail for Star ) ( Voicemail for Dominick ) ( Voicemail for William ) Preparations are done. People have been informed. I'm ready as I can be. What else is there to do? I have a few hours left and I plan to enjoy my mother's company for as long as I can. 1 comment | reply

A last conversation. This happens the night before the spell. [19 Dec 2004|06:02pm] Slowly, Dawn began to drift back to consciousness. She wasn't certain how long she was out, though everything past her horrible revelation in the living room was a blur. Focusing her gaze, she found herself in her bedroom though movement didn't return quickly. Her limbs seemed leadened and the pounding in her head signaled a migraine but Dawn tried to move anyway. Wincing, she sagged back down as a restraining hand gently guided her down. "Mom?" "Don't try to get up, honey. You're stll so pale..." Dawn closed her eyes for a moment, even the dim light in the room seemed harsh. "I'll...I'll be alright. I didn't mean to scare you like that, Mom. I'm so sorry..." Pressing a soothing caress to her daughter's forehead, Joyce sighed. "Don't be. I was so worried for you but I knew something was wrong...and that you couldn't help it. I wish there was more I could do." Dawn shook her head, wincing at the very movement. She opened her eyes again a sliver, reaching out for her mother. "You're here, that's enough..." Joyce looked down, silent for a moment. "Dawn...I know. Darla didn't have to tell me, but I know I might not be around for long. But I want you to know that I'm remembering us. Our time together." Ordinarily Dawn would be thrilled about the return of her mother's memories, but given her weakened state and that sudden reminder of what was wrong with her, Dawn just whimped. "I wish I could remember them too...." Joyce frowned in concern, wondering if Dawn was delerious. Once again she began to question the wisdom of not bringing her to a hospital though given what she knew of Dawn's world, it might not help. "Just rest, sweetie. You're exhausted. We can talk more when you've awakened." Dawn was almost ready to sink back into oblivion again though urgency prevented her. Time was running out for her, what if it was for Joyce and Darla as well? She didn't want to think about her mother disappearing from her life again but she had her suspicions from the start that this couldn't be lasting. Nothing was ever free, there was always a price even for something that appeared to be a gift. "No...I don't know if you'll be here when I do. Or if I'll be here...Mom, it's all coming apart. And before it does completely, I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I wish we could have saved you..." Joyce shook her head, blinking back tears. "There was nothing you could do, Dawn. Deaths like mine just...happen. Even if you had been there, I would have died anyway. If anything, I'm glad I spared my youngest daughter witnessing that." Dawn turned her head away and almost choked on her words. "I'm not really your--" Reaching out to take hold of Dawn's chin gently, Joyce kept her voice soft but no less intense. "Yes you are. It doesn't matter how you came about, you're still my daughter. Remembering what I know of you doesn't change that and it never will. You're still a Summers. Whatever is happening to you, don't forget that. And if...if I can't be here to see you through this, don't forget your sister. There's a reason why you were placed in our family, you need each other." Dawn nodded and it made Joyce's heart ache to see her so fragile. "I know...I should have told her. I just wanted to be sure..." "To be sure it was really me and that I'd be staying. I know, I understand." Joyce smiled sadly, smoothing Dawn's hair back. "You were trying to protect her. Though for now just rest, Dawn. You'll need your strength. I love you, now go to sleep." Dawn, too tired to protest, simply closed her eyes and fell away from the waking world. Joyce stared on sadly, staying on the edge of the bed for a long moment as she watched her daughter. I wish I could stay.... She knew beyond words that it just wasn't possible...wherever she can Darla were called from, it would claim them back somehow. Glancing to the stationary on the desk, Joyce stood slowly so as not to jossle Dawn. If there wasn't time to say everything that she wanted to in person, perhaps there would at least be some for a letter... reply

Decisions [19 Dec 2004|06:24pm] [ mood | peaceful ] I've had some time to think and I think that it may be time Mister Tropiano and I settled our differences. This feud has been going on for too long. Both sides have suffered losses. Both losses were rather personal ones. And every good businesswoman knows when to let things go. When the time to draw up a deal has come. And I think now is that time. The only question is, will Mister Tropiano feel the same way? I suppose I will have to find out. It is time that the human Gregory proves his worth to me. If he wishes to ensure his eternal life, he will do as I say. No more and certainly no less. This will be an interesting experiment, one I hope will not come back to haunt me. Tristan's father continues to annoy me. And since when did I become his father's keeper? I agreed to giving Tristan's father a place to stay, that is all. I would expect Tristan to have returned for him by now. Makes me wonder what is going on with him. Perhaps the townfolk have finally caught up with him? You can't kill a Slayer without causing a fuss amongst the white hat community. Then again, he could simply be enjoying himself at someone else's expense. One can never tell with vampires. reply

[19 Dec 2004|07:55pm] She drew her legs out from beneath the satin covering letting them swing lightly over the edge of the Europa platform bed which allowed her to sit up. Her feet instinctively found home within the fur lined slippers that were in their usual place at the side of the bed. Once her feet were settled in the slippers Raine rose slowly from the bed, the legs of her heather gray pants slipping to her ankles. Walking to the foot of the bed where her jacket had been tossed over a chest that run the length of the bed. Taking it up Raine slipped the heather gray jacket on over the matching camisole trimmed with soft fuchsia lace, completing the three piece lounging set. Turning to the door her gaze met that of Rogue, the wolf always seemed to take up residence in the arched doorway leading to her bedroom sometime during the night as if taking on the part of guardian while she slept. "I suppose you will be wanting something to eat now," the wolf lifting its head from the floor when Raine spoke. Rising to all fours then, moving slowly, almost leisurely toward Raine. Rogue turned in a semi circle as Raine continued onward to the door, following happily now at a brisk walk, his tail swaying back and forth. Once Rogue had been given his customary morning meal of raw meat Raine fixed her usual morning drink to start her day off, a Russian Bloody Mary, replacing the normally used tomato juice with a crimson fluid, the type that can normally be found flowing through the veins of humans. The rim of the glass touched her lips as she left the kitchen, having decided to return to her bedroom upstairs, a sip taken while starting her ascent of the staircase. It was when she curled her legs under her having settled down on the bed that the phone chimed. "This better be bloody important," grumbling, her glass set down on the table by the bed before she reached for the phone. The cordless lifted from its cradle, her thumb clicking the talk button as it was lifted up, hearing a voice from the other end before the headset neared her ear. ( Phone call from Markham ) Hearing the click from the other end, Raine clicked the talk button once more on the headset before it was returned to its cradle. Her mind working now on the details of what needed to be done before departing England as she slowly sipped her drink. reply

Arrival [19 Dec 2004|09:17pm] [ mood | relaxed ] So here it is. Searchlight. Sort of reminds me of the old days... Sun, dirt and a whole lot of people on just this side of 'tetchy' to stop them blowing each other's brains out for fun. Been a lot of talk in the dark about this place lately. Bit of an influx, one might say - and if that only applies to my kind, then maybe I'll have to go on a little culling spree of my own... Can't have the herd thinned out too much, can we now? Then again, there's a few rumours about Slayers here too. Nice to know there might be some entertainment anyway. Rented out a motel room; something low-key and unsuspecting. Parked the truck not too far away, just in case and moved most of my trinkets inside. So far, looks like the typical sort of town you wouldn't be caught dead in. Allow me to oblige a few of them in that wish, do please... reply

Delicious [19 Dec 2004|09:19pm] [ mood | satisfied ] Now there's an introduction I didn't quite plan on having yet... The Key can wait a while to bleed for me again - this living feeder of souls is a lot more fun. And so very hungry, too... I could feel her purring to drink me in ways she didn't even know. And when I got there... Oh, when I got there... The way she absorbed me in, let me fill her up and slake her thirst... It was beautiful. Like a rotting corpse in the snow on a moonlit Winter's eve. She's more perfect for this than I had perhaps realised. reply

Resurrection Reversed [19 Dec 2004|10:21pm] ( Gather the Players ) ( A Spell to End Spells ) ( Turbulence ) ( Old Not-So-Friends ) ( A Common Thread... And Pants-Changing ) reply

Loss [19 Dec 2004|10:29pm] [ mood | anguish ] ((takes place earlier, right before/durring spell)) Connor sat on the couch in the living room, staring at the floor. He was letting Joyce have some time with Dawn, even if she was sleeping. His mind was still reeling, trying to come to terms with everything. He really didn't know if he could deal with all of this. He'd dealt with a lot in his time, sometimes all at once, but this was the worst that he could remember it. He rubbed at his sore eyes and tried to get his thoughts to just stop for a minute. Darla walked in from the kitchen. She'd just written Connor a letter and had left it for him...some things were just easier to say when you didn't have to look the person in the eyes. That and she wanted him to have something physical to remember her by...if she was just going to dissapear. She looked her son over worridly. He was stressed. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, and he probably hadn't. She walked up to him and put a soothing hand on his back. "Connor, honey, you look terrible." she said, giving him a light smile. He glanced up at her and she was rewarded with the hint of that little half smile he did. "Thanks, mom." he said drily. She moved around him to sit next to him. "Are you ok?" she asked, then immediately added, "I know you aren't. So that was a stupid question. I guess what I'm really asking is if you're going to be ok, and if you'd like to talk about it." Connor sighed, and leaned back on the couch, glancing at his mom. "I'm kind of feeling like my heart and mind have been stuck in a blender for the past month or so." he admitted. "This thing with Dawn...I can't help with that. I can't do anything besides...watch." "And that's hard for you." she assessed, and reached out to give his hand a squeeze. "She'll be ok, Connor. Something will work out and she'll be ok." "How can you be sure? What happens if I wake up tomorrow, and everyone's gone? Her, you, Joyce..." he winced after saying it. "I'm sorry." "No, don't be. You know it's coming." "Maybe you won't--" "It's coming." she said firmly. "It's like I can feel it. I don't know when, but it'll happen." she looked sadly at Connor. "...Connor, I'm sorry. I don't really want to leave here." she gave a weak smile and blinked at forming tears, though she managed to keep them held back. "I like you. I still don't have my memories...though maybe some vague feelings have started coming back. But I don't need them to know that I love you, and I really wish I could...be part of your life. I didn't get to do that, from what you said, and...well, know that I'd have liked to." She reached up to brush his hair from his eyes. "Be strong, Connor...you'll need it. But I'll always be with you, alright?" Connor felt his eyes burning, but didn't want to cry. Instead he felt himself being pulled into a hug, as Darla drew him to her. He let himself be pulled, and clung to her for a moment, taking the comfort she offered. "Mom..." he started, then suddenly dropped down to the couch...he looked up and around wildly...but, Darla was gone. "Mom..." reply

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