eversomuchfun
[In that case, please describe to me any identifying features you can discern about your location, so that I can find you and help you escape whomever has kidnapped you. It will look terrible on my bodyguarding resume otherwise.]
cross_and_bow
['s... got... trees, outside? tall ones.] She reaches a weak, trembly hand for the door handle, which doesn't turn. ['m locked in. lotta dust. small room. stairs. wood floor.]
cross_and_bow
[maybe magnolias, dunno my trees. lots. can't see 'em without getting up, don't think that's a good idea. 's... old? lot of wood?] Pause. [th' rattling's louder -]
eversomuchfun
He checks Giles again.
[Well, I strongly suspect you are not going to like whatever is rattling up there. Perhaps a window? If the building is as old as you say, they shouldn't be too hard to break.]
[Well, I strongly suspect you are not going to like whatever is rattling up there. Perhaps a window? If the building is as old as you say, they shouldn't be too hard to break.]
cross_and_bow
Bella hauls herself to her feet. She pushes experimentally against a window. She draws her hand back in something that is shaped like a punch but taps against the glass with barely a sound.
[window wins.]
[window wins.]
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[mmhm.]
The rattling stops. It is replaced with footsteps.
[stopped rattling. started walking. 'm scared.]
The rattling stops. It is replaced with footsteps.
[stopped rattling. started walking. 'm scared.]
cross_and_bow
"Hello, Rupert," says Arthur. "It's very unfortunate that you opted to behave as you did. Even if she survives her test, now, you can't be allowed to go on as her Watcher. Your judgment is compromised."
Meanwhile, Bella is trying to find a way to simply open the window, and is failing. [thing's painted shut - 'm scared - love you, love you -]
Meanwhile, Bella is trying to find a way to simply open the window, and is failing. [thing's painted shut - 'm scared - love you, love you -]
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She's startled into somewhat better coherence. [Giles! Giles - where am I -] She conferences him into the brainphone call. [Where am I, I don't know and Sherlock doesn't either, I'm locked in - there's something upstairs - I'm weak as a bug, I can barely walk -]
The something descends a step.
[It's coming down the stairs.]
Arthur says, "Perhaps you can explain to me all the magic I found on her person. And on yours. I'd thought you were quite turned off the use of witchcraft? Have you fallen in with bad company again, Rupert? She seemed terribly excited when I agreed that I was there to teach her magic for her birthday. Slayers aren't meant to be witches; why haven't you taught her that?"
The something descends a step.
[It's coming down the stairs.]
Arthur says, "Perhaps you can explain to me all the magic I found on her person. And on yours. I'd thought you were quite turned off the use of witchcraft? Have you fallen in with bad company again, Rupert? She seemed terribly excited when I agreed that I was there to teach her magic for her birthday. Slayers aren't meant to be witches; why haven't you taught her that?"
[The something is a vampire,] he explains. [It's a test, from the Watcher's Council - until a few hours ago I thought it was a particularly nasty myth. The man from the Council knocked me out before I could warn you. He's given you something to suppress your Slayer powers.]
And aloud: "I don't feel the need to explain anything to you at all."
And aloud: "I don't feel the need to explain anything to you at all."
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[How am I supposed to do anything about a vampire without my powers, my wand, my square, my laser pointer - I don't even have a stake or my crossbow - he left my crucifix but that'll just annoy a vampire, not kill one -]
"Rupert," says Arthur sadly. "We understand feeling - parental, towards Slayers. But it will not go well with you if you continue to act as an obstacle even now. Wouldn't you rather tell me what I need to know, wish Bella the best of luck on her test, and retire peacefully, than see what the Council will make of you having bedecked yourself and her in bizarre magic on top of having refused to administer her test?"
"Rupert," says Arthur sadly. "We understand feeling - parental, towards Slayers. But it will not go well with you if you continue to act as an obstacle even now. Wouldn't you rather tell me what I need to know, wish Bella the best of luck on her test, and retire peacefully, than see what the Council will make of you having bedecked yourself and her in bizarre magic on top of having refused to administer her test?"
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Bella cannot talk to him right now.
Bella has summoned all of her scattered brainpower to do the one thing she can still do with this vampire.
"You too, huh?" she says to the vampire, sitting against the wall of the house and trying to look disaffected.
"Rupert, be reasonable," says Arthur.
Bella has summoned all of her scattered brainpower to do the one thing she can still do with this vampire.
"You too, huh?" she says to the vampire, sitting against the wall of the house and trying to look disaffected.
"Rupert, be reasonable," says Arthur.
cross_and_bow
"They locked you up in this house, too?" Bella prompts. "Fucking Watchers. It's bullshit. They probably want you to kill me so they can put you back in your box for next time and get a Slayer who'd rather stake vampires than make friends. I bet my Watcher told all the others about the vampire boyfriend, I just bet, and they're too chicken to do it themselves." (Keep him listening, keep him listening.)
"Rupert, this test has been going on during every Slayer's eighteenth birthday for centuries. Most of them pass. And I have no intention of interfering with her while she makes the attempt, so I don't see what has you worried about me betraying her."
"Rupert, this test has been going on during every Slayer's eighteenth birthday for centuries. Most of them pass. And I have no intention of interfering with her while she makes the attempt, so I don't see what has you worried about me betraying her."