"Or perhaps an additional effect to whatever draws the vampires, ensures they have a population upon which to feed."

"Can't actually rule it out, suspect that's not it though."

"Yes, that'd be too complex for a natural phenomenon, something you'd expect a designed one to have, if it wasn't hostile to vampires... Mmm. Need more data. How does one identify a vampire?"

"It's actually kind of hard unless they're chomping on somebody right then. I've applied unobtrusive cross markings all over town and watch for people who flinch when they go by them, or I stalk anybody who looks a little too happy to be wandering Sunnydale at night and see if their faces go all wrinkly and fangy and they try to bite somebody."

"Crosses? As in the religious symbol?"

"Yeah, holy water works too, I don't know why. It's not like the universe is otherwise bursting at the seams with evidence of omnibenevolence."

"Is it only Christianity or do other symbols have the same effect?"

"Crosses and holy water in particular only. Work in the hands of unbelievers, reciting the Lord's Prayer does nothing, even if you do it in Latin, etcetera."

"...That is inconsistent with every hypothesis I initially had."

"I know, right, it's so weird."

"That's one way of putting it. How much trouble am I likely to get in if I wander around town until morning?"

"Vampire may try to eat you, some kind of demon-in-local-parlance-meaning-catchall-supernatural-thingy may try to eat you. If you can fly you're probably good, honestly."

"Good. If I happen to make a mess, is there any particular manner in which you'd like me to dispose of it?"

"A mess of...?"

"Something that tries to attack me."

"Vampires just turn into dust, demons are often nearly as self-disposing, but if you do find one that leaves a corpse keep it off the sidewalk and people's lawns and out of the middle of the road?"

"Simple enough. It would probably be wise to set up a way for us to contact each other before we part ways."

"Inconveniently I don't have an extra phone on me."

"And even if I had one of my own, it would be unlikely to work here. Perhaps a dead drop? Is this, ah, crypt accessible enough?"

"Yeah, I stash things here and occasionally fail to get magic to work here too, I can check it now and then."

"Very well. Any further immediate questions?"

"How often should I expect notes left here?"

"That depends on how close a tab you wish to keep on me. I expect to be traveling frequently and extensively, but returning on a regular basis to keep you apprised should pose no difficulty."

"I will sort of feel responsible if my magical accident leads to anything unfortunate, so routine check-ins would be a load off my mind."

"Once a week?"