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Alli finds the whole concept of Black Friday sale at the magic store deeply, hilariously absurd for reasons she hasn't bothered to pin down. Probably something about black cats? Whatever, she gets to snicker about it. So she puts off shopping for some of her more infrequently used (or expensive) supplies until Black Friday rolls around, and then she heads to the Magic Box.
Tragically, she seems to not be the only person with this idea. It's a stretch and then some to say the Magic Box is ever crowded, but anyone in Sunnydale who wants to try out some random fortune telling trick or learn crystal healing seems to be lolling around inside the store. And the one poor panicked employee who actually showed up today is completely overwhelmed. Alli growls, makes a note of their extended hours, and resolves to come back later.
A few hours later, she's back and digging through potions ingredients. It's a little after sunset but she's resolved not to stress about it too much; Bella scratched crosses all over this place eons ago, she's got the Swans on speed dial and there's a holy water gun in her purse. (Admittedly it's in a plastic bag, because one water leak all over her purse was quite enough thank you, but it's there!)
And really, you can't beat discounts like this. Why pay more for potion supplies than you have to? Witching is, as Alli is discovering, not the cheapest hobby she could have taken up.
witch_perfect
witch_perfect
Alli snorts. "Search me. The only other person I know top of mind who can throw glitter lives with the Slayer, and there's a terrible idea if ever I heard one.
witch_perfect
"I mean. With a title like Vampire Slayer, I assume I do not actually need to review why you two hanging out could be a really shit plan?"
unmarred
"Sorry, private joke. In my family's social class on their home planet the most sacred possible oath is to swear by one's family name; Vorkosigan is mine."
witch_perfect
"Well. We have nothing like that here. But since you are not from here, I appreciate the- sacred oathness." She grins. "I mean. It was definitely overkill, but what else did I expect from an assassin vampire?"
She sticks out her tongue at him for emphasis. Alli is not strong on the 'manners and etiquette' front.
She sticks out her tongue at him for emphasis. Alli is not strong on the 'manners and etiquette' front.
unmarred
"Overkill is rather my style, as you can see," he says, gesturing to the drift of vampire dust.
witch_perfect
"Not dead, not complaining." She waves; rather than appearing in her hands, the glitter rains down on his head. She beams, pleased with the results of her experiment. "Careful reminding me how completely and utterly you saved my life, though. I might graduate from glitter to hugs."
witch_perfect
Alli doesn't actually think through if responding to that particular bait is an especially good plan. She's just baited. Besides, she's taller than him. His shoulders are at such a convenient height for glomping. "Mwahaha! Gratitude hugs!"
witch_perfect
That is delightful. Hugs are so much better when they are returned. "Now my gratitude has been appropriately delivered," she informs him. "The universe is improved!"
unmarred
Mark giggles.
(He is not wholly comfortable - but it's worth it. It is so very worth it. Hugs.)
(He is not wholly comfortable - but it's worth it. It is so very worth it. Hugs.)
witch_perfect
She doesn't actually detach, but she leans back enough to see his face and grins. "Awww, look at you. You're so pleased about your hug!"
She's rather pleased too! After all, gratitude hugs are for gratitude. But she also looks a tiny bit calculating. She is thinking thoughts.
She's rather pleased too! After all, gratitude hugs are for gratitude. But she also looks a tiny bit calculating. She is thinking thoughts.
unmarred
"I'm not startled now. You warned me first. Well, more threatened, but it comes to the same thing."
witch_perfect
"You baited me! A little. Admit it." She sizes him up. "I might almost say you don't get a lot of hugs, as a professional murderpire."
witch_perfect
"You did. Shame." She frees up a hand to flick glitter at him, then grins. "Huh. Wonder if you can still be startled when I'm already in your personal space?"
And she leans over and gives him a peck on the cheek. (Science!...?)
And she leans over and gives him a peck on the cheek. (Science!...?)
witch_perfect
"I feel like I'm teaching you to hug, it's adorable." She un-frees her freed hand and wraps him up properly for a second hug, and then-
GLITTER!
When the cloud clears, Alli may be seen standing next to him, doubled over laughing.
GLITTER!
When the cloud clears, Alli may be seen standing next to him, doubled over laughing.
witch_perfect
It takes Alli a while to recover her breath. When she does, she informs Mark brightly, "You are my favorite murderpire."