But even on the Hellmouth, where trouble is never in short supply, there's usually a lull between events. Big events, anyway. Not the usual monster of the week and the inevitable (usually right before Summer) big bad's appearance.
This year, though, it's just one thing after the other. Spike and his soul. Something Buffy is still very much trying to wrap her head around. Anya no longer being a vengeance demon (again), after slaughtering a dozen fraternity boys. Willow coming back from England, after nearly destroying the world.
And now, the First and its Harbingers coming after each would-be Slayer. Some of who are now taking up space inside her all too small house, where they're being sheltered and trained against the previously mentioned big bads.
Oh, but the cherry on this disaster of a cake comes in the form of Angelus being back.
"I don't know who or what did it, or why they would do it Buffy, other than the obvious for evil reasons answer, but they did." Willow had come to her, once she knew for certain what had happened. "But I know, without a doubt, it was done with magic. I felt it." An added reply when she'd seen Buffy's expression shift. Being tethered to the magic used to re-ensoul Angel the first time, Willow had felt it while it was happening; like a thread quickly being unraveled. She'd been unsure where exactly the magic led to until it was done and she knew Angel's soul had been removed.
Going to LA to find out what happened is an easy decision to make. Buffy's mind had been made up the moment she was told about Angel. What takes careful planning is getting everything in Sunnydale sorted with the girls and the First, plans set in motion just in case something happens while she's away. And then... a contingency plan for Willow to put Angel's soul back if Buffy can't figure out what's going on. The latter of which needs more time to be worked out. Time those close to Angel back in Los Angeles might not have.
The moment she's out of the car (yes, she drove all the way to Los Angeles on her own and in her own car), she feels it - the itch just under her skin, telling her - no, warning her of a vampire. But that's it. The familiar and adjoining hum that prickles the back of her neck and makes for butterflies in her stomach that is uniquely Angel, isn't there. It's a shift. One she's felt before. And one that leaves her feeling sick. Now, standing here just outside the gates of the hotel, it all comes flooding back to her; everything he ever did, and everyone he's ever killed because of her flashes across her vision. All because she made him feel. Made him know love.
And if history dares repeat itself, and it no doubt will, he'll go for all the newer people in Angel's life who made him as close to human as possible.
The sight that greets her when she cautiously steps into the lobby isn't one she was anticipating. Which is (partially) a relief. No bodies laying around is always a plus. But it's also a dreadful thing because while they're armed, postures tense, they're talking amongst themselves as if they haven't a clue what's happened.
Or maybe they do? It's just that he's not here.
He's not...
She feels a wave of panic hit her at the very real chance Angelus decided to skip town and make an impact elsewhere, first - Sunnydale. For a redo of all he didn't get to do his first time. Buffy's going for her phone in her pocket when she sees it; the video feed of Angelus locked in a cage - somewhere dark and empty, possibly the basement.
After staring for God only knows how long at the video, she finally draws attention on herself. "You planned this." Buffy whispers, astonished. There's quiet for a moment as everyone realizes they aren't alone, and before Wesley specifically acknowledges her presence and starts to explain it's what Angel wanted, doubling down on it being what they had to do in order to get info on the Beast.
An explanation that earns a bitter laugh from Buffy. "You're all idiots." Is all she says, matter-of-fact, despite wanting to scream it at them. Still. There's a pointed look at Wesley, her anger set on him because Cordelia isn't in the room and honestly, she forgets Cordelia is still an integral part of Angel's life (by choice). "I can tell you right now, no amount of reading - no matter how detailed those diaries are, could ever prepare you for what Angelus is truly capable of." She knows it for a fact. Experienced it first hand, "You think you're in control, but you're not." A beat, "Or at least you weren't." She reasons, standing up and heading towards, well... she doesn't know which door leads to him. "Where?" Is all she asks, and eventually they point the way.
She has to steel herself before she descends the stairs because she knows even with all her experience, she isn't prepared to face him. She never is. She never will be.
But she plays it cool; her attention never drifting from Cordelia, not even to acknowledge Angelus.
Not until they're alone.
Which feels like pulling teeth in order to achieve. Cordelia putting up one hell of an argument as to why that's a bad idea.
Once they are, Buffy keeps behind the carefully marked line, arms over her chest as she stares across and through the bars at the monster once again wearing Angel's face. Trying not to let her emotions show. Either in her expression or in her tone.
"At least they were smart enough to put you in a cage." She notes, keeping her voice level, though her heart rate does spike when she turns to look over her shoulder to the camera and sees it's already off.
Well that's disturbing.
"Probably the only smart thing about this whole, idiotic plan of theirs." She shifts the convo back, hoping he didn't take notice of the camera off. And yeah, she's not holding back on what she thinks of Angel or his friends, not right now.
no subject
A sad truth.
But even on the Hellmouth, where trouble is never in short supply, there's usually a lull between events. Big events, anyway. Not the usual monster of the week and the inevitable (usually right before Summer) big bad's appearance.
This year, though, it's just one thing after the other. Spike and his soul. Something Buffy is still very much trying to wrap her head around. Anya no longer being a vengeance demon (again), after slaughtering a dozen fraternity boys. Willow coming back from England, after nearly destroying the world.
And now, the First and its Harbingers coming after each would-be Slayer. Some of who are now taking up space inside her all too small house, where they're being sheltered and trained against the previously mentioned big bads.
Oh, but the cherry on this disaster of a cake comes in the form of Angelus being back.
"I don't know who or what did it, or why they would do it Buffy, other than the obvious for evil reasons answer, but they did." Willow had come to her, once she knew for certain what had happened. "But I know, without a doubt, it was done with magic. I felt it." An added reply when she'd seen Buffy's expression shift. Being tethered to the magic used to re-ensoul Angel the first time, Willow had felt it while it was happening; like a thread quickly being unraveled. She'd been unsure where exactly the magic led to until it was done and she knew Angel's soul had been removed.
Going to LA to find out what happened is an easy decision to make. Buffy's mind had been made up the moment she was told about Angel. What takes careful planning is getting everything in Sunnydale sorted with the girls and the First, plans set in motion just in case something happens while she's away. And then... a contingency plan for Willow to put Angel's soul back if Buffy can't figure out what's going on. The latter of which needs more time to be worked out. Time those close to Angel back in Los Angeles might not have.
The moment she's out of the car (yes, she drove all the way to Los Angeles on her own and in her own car), she feels it - the itch just under her skin, telling her - no, warning her of a vampire. But that's it. The familiar and adjoining hum that prickles the back of her neck and makes for butterflies in her stomach that is uniquely Angel, isn't there. It's a shift. One she's felt before. And one that leaves her feeling sick. Now, standing here just outside the gates of the hotel, it all comes flooding back to her; everything he ever did, and everyone he's ever killed because of her flashes across her vision. All because she made him feel. Made him know love.
And if history dares repeat itself, and it no doubt will, he'll go for all the newer people in Angel's life who made him as close to human as possible.
The sight that greets her when she cautiously steps into the lobby isn't one she was anticipating. Which is (partially) a relief. No bodies laying around is always a plus. But it's also a dreadful thing because while they're armed, postures tense, they're talking amongst themselves as if they haven't a clue what's happened.
Or maybe they do? It's just that he's not here.
He's not...
She feels a wave of panic hit her at the very real chance Angelus decided to skip town and make an impact elsewhere, first - Sunnydale. For a redo of all he didn't get to do his first time. Buffy's going for her phone in her pocket when she sees it; the video feed of Angelus locked in a cage - somewhere dark and empty, possibly the basement.
After staring for God only knows how long at the video, she finally draws attention on herself. "You planned this." Buffy whispers, astonished. There's quiet for a moment as everyone realizes they aren't alone, and before Wesley specifically acknowledges her presence and starts to explain it's what Angel wanted, doubling down on it being what they had to do in order to get info on the Beast.
An explanation that earns a bitter laugh from Buffy. "You're all idiots." Is all she says, matter-of-fact, despite wanting to scream it at them. Still. There's a pointed look at Wesley, her anger set on him because Cordelia isn't in the room and honestly, she forgets Cordelia is still an integral part of Angel's life (by choice). "I can tell you right now, no amount of reading - no matter how detailed those diaries are, could ever prepare you for what Angelus is truly capable of." She knows it for a fact. Experienced it first hand, "You think you're in control, but you're not." A beat, "Or at least you weren't." She reasons, standing up and heading towards, well... she doesn't know which door leads to him. "Where?" Is all she asks, and eventually they point the way.
She has to steel herself before she descends the stairs because she knows even with all her experience, she isn't prepared to face him. She never is. She never will be.
But she plays it cool; her attention never drifting from Cordelia, not even to acknowledge Angelus.
Not until they're alone.
Which feels like pulling teeth in order to achieve. Cordelia putting up one hell of an argument as to why that's a bad idea.
Once they are, Buffy keeps behind the carefully marked line, arms over her chest as she stares across and through the bars at the monster once again wearing Angel's face. Trying not to let her emotions show. Either in her expression or in her tone.
"At least they were smart enough to put you in a cage." She notes, keeping her voice level, though her heart rate does spike when she turns to look over her shoulder to the camera and sees it's already off.
Well that's disturbing.
"Probably the only smart thing about this whole, idiotic plan of theirs." She shifts the convo back, hoping he didn't take notice of the camera off. And yeah, she's not holding back on what she thinks of Angel or his friends, not right now.