(Untitled)

[anya_jenkins]

So the evening wasn't wasted. Hallie and I split up at The Bronze. No doubt she enjoyed an evening of good, care-free vengeance. I envied her. At least for the care-free part

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[lockless_key]

I get up in mid-afternoon since it's Sunday and I don't have school. I do have homework, but that can wait. I have more important research to do.

I sneak around quietly upstairs, showering and getting dressed, normal jeans and a top. Grabbing the amulet that Spike and I 'found' a couple of nights ago, I slip it around my neck, and the chain is so long that it's hidden under my shirt. Then I dash for the door.

"Going out, see you later!"

And slam the door behind me. I think I'm old enough to go out without reporting to everyone where I am. I'd rather not lie, anyway.

Soon, I'm walking into the Magic Box, and see Anya hard at work, making some new posters and there's stuff everywhere. What's gotten into her? I mean, after the non-wedding it was weird for all of us, but she's been beyond strange. I guess I don't really blame her.

"Hey, new project?" I call out, shutting the door behind me.

[anya_jenkins]

I finished hanging a sign near the front door, then went back to the register.

Quarreling with that irksome, no-good boyfriend?
Need to add some spice to that otherwise ho-hum relationship?

Look no further than the Magic Box!

15% off all love spells and ingredients.
Need help?
Just ask for Anya!

Perfect. Something to do, at least. And it should prove helpful. Not only could I find plenty of scorned women this way, but if word gets out, numerous inexperienced spell-casters can cause their own brand of havoc.

I noticed Dawn.

"Oh, hi." I wondered if she was planning on hanging around all day. "Anything I can help you with? I'm rather busy."

[kali_rocha]

Oh, Anyanka had better be in this store and ready to regale me with a fantastic story of her truly stupendous evening of vengeance. It's a nice day and I'm in no hurry so I decide to walk instead of teleport.

I arrive at the Magic Box and enter though the front door. Not something I do very often, but it has a certain quaint charm.

Oh dear. Dawn Summers is here, and it looks as though she just walked in as well. Anyanka's probably not going to be too excited about discussing vengeance spells while Dawn is here. Oh well, hopefully she'll leave or something.

"Hello, Anyanka. Dawn, how've you been? Feeling neglected lately? Anything I can help you with?" I can't help but tease just a little.

[anya_jenkins]

"Oh, good, Halfrek!" I greeted her. Her, I hugged. I wanted to make it clear that I was making my way back into the vengeance fold, leaving that whole human thing. At least, doing my best for now. I smiled at Dawn, then looked back to Hallie.

"Don't mind Dawn, Hallie. She was probably just checking to see if I would turn my back long enough for something else to swipe. Oh, but we left that habit behind, hopefully, didn't we, Dawnie?" I tried not to care about the hurtful look that crossed Dawn's face at that. I almost succeeded.

"Did you have a good night last night, Hallie?" I went right on.

[lockless_key]

I cross my arms and glare at Halfrek, but then my shocked look moves to Anya. It's true, I did steal from the Magic Box, but it was never personal. Although I guess with Anya and money, it's always personal. But I don't know why she's striking out at me now, I wasn't the one who left her at the altar, I don't have a problem with her.

"I actually wanted to talk to you about something, Anya," I say loudly, staring pointedly at Halfrek. I don't know why they're so hellbent on making themselves my enemies, but I'm not leaving here until I get the information I want. "It's kind of really important, so if you have a minute, I promise that you can stare at me the entire time and make sure I don't steal anything, okay?"

Actually, I probably would, even though I wasn't even considering it earlier. Anya shouldn't have said anything, now I would do it simply out of spite.

[kali_rocha]

"Well, aren't you a fiesty little one today? I believe Anyanka and I were having a conversation. Perhaps you should just run along and find some of those other do-good types that you like to hang out with all the time."

That may have been a bit harsh, but she did have some part in forcing me to retract that vengeance spell awhile back. D'Hoffryn really didn't like that.

"I actually had a lovely night last night, Anyanka." I look pointedly at Dawn as I continue my conversation with Anyanka. "I met a delightful human while I was out looking for you. What I'm really interested in, though, is how you fared the other night at the Bronze?"

I can see that she's back with the vengeance, but I'm not quite sure if she's willing to discuss the specifics in front of Dawn, yet. We shall see.

[lockless_key]

"Hey, Tucker." I'm a little surprised to see him here, after the events of the other day. He didn't really get along with everyone else, but this being the only real magic shop in town, I guess it's hard to avoid coming back. But the fact that he knows so much about magic, strong magic, makes me wary around him. I only hope that Anya doesn't tell him something he should't know. She's good like that.

Well, if he's gonna schmooze Halfrek, there wouldn't be much more I can get out of her. She doesn't seem so eager to talk anymore for some reason, too. Must be the one night stand getting to her. I smirk and cross my arms over my chest.

Now I guess I'll have to go back to quesioning Anya instead.

[demon_dog_prom]

"Thanks, but for some reason your friend here was kind of sketchy on getting me what I needed the last time, but I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I wanted such an old text."

I turn to the shopkeeper, "But she did say she was making me copies...so my dear, do you have those for me, or not?"

I nod at Dawn who acknowledged me when I walked in, then pause. Perhaps I can get some information from her.

"Did I hear you discussing William the Bloody when I entered?"

[lockless_key]

William the Bloody? Another of Spike's nicknames? It looks like Tucker knows something about the past as well. That's really annoying. And typical. Of course everyone in the world knows more about everything that little Dawnie.

"Yeah, we were. Halfrek here was just telling me about the passionate - but brief - affair they'd had some time ago." Emphasis on the brief. Usually I'm not that bitchy, but I figure she well deserves it.

"Why, do you know him too?" Right, they ran into each other that night at the Bronze, but I don't remember if they acted weird cause I was pretty much kinda wasted.

[demon_dog_prom]

"Other than his current state of affairs of hanging out with you lot, not, not really. I know of him, anyone who spends enough time with demon history books is bound to come across his name once or twice, as he was easily the second most sadistic, murderous vampire in history."

Damn, this conversation of the past really tells me nothing of his present. I wanted to know if the spell worked. But she clearly has not run into the peroxide punk since last night.

I have a seat at the table Dawn is sitting at. I wasn't invited to sit, but I don't care.

I motion for the woman from the cemetery last night to join us, and I smile at them both.

[_ripper_giles]

I've been standing in the doorway watching this whole scene unfold. It's quite odd actually, to see things from this vantage point. Usually I'm in there, part of the group. But without Buffy, it just feels wrong. Like I don't belong here. I'm just melting into the background. Anya didn't even seem to notice that I was here

[demon_dog_prom]

"Background check? This is ridiculous? I've come in here on not one but two seperate occasions looking for this. First you say it's money, which I have in abundance, just tell me an amount and I will write you a check right here and now. But a background check? You've had plenty of time in the last few days to do the background check. Last I checked. Across all the realms and dimensions of existence, the Scooby Gang in Sunnydale, California did not have express rights to all magical texts. So I'm going to say it short, and sweet...are we going to do business or not?"

I hate to get snippy, and I hate to betray my cool and show some edge. But it needed done, and I NEEDED this book.

If I was refused again...I was going to have to use magic.

...and I really didn't want to do that.

...and I guarantee when done, they wouldn't want me to either.

[soon_to_be_blue]

I listen the man's tirade across from me. Evidently he wanted a book, and Buffy's posse was makin' it hard for him to get it

[lockless_key]

I look at Giles in surprise when he offers up the Watchers' diaries. There was a time, not too long ago, when he would've slappled me across the wrist if I as much as tried to touch one. Now he's offering me free access to them. Glad at least someone realized that I can help, that keeping me sheltered isn't going to help anyone