Awkward Meetings

[stoic_angel_]

((Continued from here))

Wes and Lilah stood in my office, Wes looking just as uncomfortable as I was, if not more, and Lilah looking casual, even if not perfectly at ease. Meanwhile, the tension in the air could possibly be cut with a knife. Assuming we wanted to test that theory, that is.

"How are you?""I'm... fine," I said slowly, answering

Comments

[_wes_pryce_]

He's fine, odd how he doesn't look fine. Makes me wonder what the hell I've all been missing while I was hauled up in my little sanctuary. How long was I even in there? I'm not sure I want to know. How much time did I loose, what did I loose...who...did I loose. Fred.

I glance around his office as he talks...stammers is more what he's doing. At least that hasn't changed. Still the same Angel who's uncomfortable around me. Though at least this time I know why he's uncomfortable, unlike the time he had our memories altered. And they've been altered again, and look how well that turned out this time.

Can I handle it? What am I? Five? No, You're just an insane British fool who's scaring the crap out of everyone. Even Lilah. Even Angel, aren't you Pryce? "Shut up," I whisper to myself. Stupid little voice just...bugger off. That's the last thing I need right now

[da_lilah]

"Yeah, I... we could use that. Do you think you can handle that, Wes?"

Oh way to go, champ, instill doubt in Wes's capacity to function on the job from the get go. That will really help him get over this funk. Angel threw me an awkward glance, it was obvious that my presence was also unsettling him. I arched an eyebrow at him and gave a tiny shrug as my answer.

"Shut up," Wesley muttered to himself, so quietly that I’d barely caught it, but I had no doubt Angel would’ve heard it. I laid my hand gently on Wes’s arm, trying to get him to focus on Angel. To not let the voices win. "Yes, Of course I can handle...things."“So, how about you fill us in on the situation, Angel. What’s at stake here?” I pressed on, trying to gloss over Wesley’s lapse. “And in case you’re wondering, Lindsey has seen fit to appoint me as the official Wolfram and Hart liaison, apparently the last one couldn't take the heat." Lindsey hadn't filled me in on all the details yet, but it sounded like Eve's performance as liaison had been found lacking. Couldn't say

[stoic_angel_]

I looked at Wesley, concerned. Catching Lilah's look, though, I refrain from asking him. I didn't want him (or her) to think I was treating him like a child, and I didn't know anything else to say.

I picked up a file from my desk, holding it out to the other two. "Here's the whole file on the demon clan..." I paused. "There's a new clan moving in on territory already taken by different clans... we need this settled before people are killed."

I continued, "We're all going to the meeting... you two, Lindsey, and I," I clarified.

I rolled my eyes at Lilah, and said casually, "Liaisons don't seem to have the best of luck around here." I glanced back at Wesley, and inwardly sighed. I hoped that Lilah was okay in thie job, that nothing happened to her. I wasn't sure how much more Wesley could take without permanently losing it. I knew I should have checked on him when we had first... come back, but I couldn't. I'd had other things to take care of.

[_wes_pryce_]

Keep your focus here, Pryce. Lilah had to cover for your sorry arse already. That's more then one you owe her. Though I've no doubt Angel noticed it. Him and his stupid vampire hearing. Why did he never come to see me? I know for certain now that he never did. He just left me there to...rot away in that room. Devoured by memories that are or are not real. Some friend