Journey to a Land without Ambiguity

[suey_generis]

RP locked to Angel and DarlaNormally, it wouldn't have been at all difficult to undo Cyvus Vail's memory spell on Connor's human parents. All the Immortal would have to do is find the wizard and apply methods of persuasion which are, well, persuasive. But Illyria had removed that option pretty handily and, in kiling Vail, activated a failsafe --

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[tm_darla]

"If I get that commitment on you financing the Artemisia exhibition,"

she says, half-serious. Not that it matters - she'd sacrifice her job any day she has to. Aside from wanting to help her son, though, Darla can't deny she's looking forward to spent some time with Angel and the Immortal in close proximity. It's a tantalizing prospect. And thus, telling the museum people she's going to meet their sponsor, she slips away, and rearranges her blouse just a tad so that it looks less staff of museum and more adventuress by the time she drives with the Mercedes Cabrio to the arranged place. The trip with Kara a few days ago has reminded her of the joys of race driving, so she doesn't do it all that discreetly, either.

[not_a_eunuch]

Angel is still fuming over the Alan Shore mix up and the engagement that isn't real. Publicity stunt, thrall, it doesn't matter, really. Darla is his and not Todd's and this will not be a repeat of history. Stupid thrall. He really hates the thrall and can't help but wonder if he bit Todd would he be able to thrall the immortal.

He has no idea which dimension they are heading towards and doesn't really care. There is no place he won't travel to help Connor. Besides, he isn't about to stand back and let Darla and Todd go alone. No way.

When Darla arrives with the car she of course makes a scene. He smirks at her and says casually, "I hope you won the race. I'm thinking the other driver didn't stand a chance."

[tm_darla]

Darla gives him a teasing smile.

"Darling, I always play to win."

Now this is a rescue mission for their son. But who says there couldn't be fun as well? Certainly not Darla. (Besides, contemplating Angel and the Immortal right in front of her is better than contemplating Connor in Los Angeles.)So she decides to demonstrate to both men her affection and trust in her very own way. For the best of motives, of course. She gets out of the car, and gives Angel the keys.

"But you're welcome to drive now. I know how good you are at that."

And she kisses him. It's not casual peck or a very serious kiss; it's a flirtatius quick but thorough exploration. Then she moves on to the Immortal.

"You don't mind, caro, do you? After all, you were always better at navigating from behind."

And Todd gets a kiss as well, only a few seconds shorter than Angel. Then she gets in the passenger seat, smiling like a cat who ate cream.

[suey_generis]

The Immortal can't decide if he's just been insulted, and he's too busy glowering at Angel behind the wheel to care. But he balks at getting in

[tm_darla]

As the three of them start to ride into what Darla hopes is the right direction (it better be, since both Angel and Todd have local knowledge), she replies to the Immortal's question:

"Yes, I've watched it, but really? I'm a Six fan."

Naturally she is. A manipulative blonde excelling at emotional games who usually wins at them but has had the misfortune of actually falling in love with a man whom doesn't think he loves her, versus some overgrown adolescent warrior woman with issues? Really, whom do the boys think Darla would sympathize with here?

"Which reminds me - we need to do some planning. Obviously there has been a change of regime here, so whatever connections the two of you have could be worthless. Todd, where exactly are the artifacts? And Angel, what was that about green skins?"

She gives him a smile. Speaking of skin. It's the first time she has seen him in sunlight, for obvious reasons, and there is an undeniable charm to it.

"That's not the way one tones here without sun screen, is it?"

she jokes.

[not_a_eunuch]

"Green skins are the local demons here. They used to be the ones who had some of the power. Kept humans as cows, their word for slaves."

He wasn't a green skin fan. Well, he was a fan of Lorne, but that was different because it's Lorne. Lorne wasn't even a green skin fan.

"It's a matter of miscommunication. I'm not a green skin fan. If things have changed I'm guessing maybe the co-slaves are free and in command. Cordy will be upset to find out her title isn't what it used to be. Fred will be happy with the change though."

He's missed the sun. It wasn't quite the same through the special tempered glass, but the price of the sun is high no matter how Angel crosses it. He looks over at Todd and almost says impressive gun work, but he can't quite bring himself to do it.

"Yeah, the artifacts, where are we heading for those?"

[suey_generis]

Angel actually does a pretty good job of explaining the situation, which the Immortal himself hasn't bothered to do -- generally speaking, as Alan Shore has summed it up, Todd does not believe in exposition. In this case, though, Darla ought to know every important detail

[tm_darla]

There is a reason why the Immortal charmed Darla through the centuries. He gets a more than affectionate look due to the intelligence displayed by this question. Alluding to the earlier question regarding the beans and cow, she says

"I always suspected you were the original Jack. Caro, I think we should split our forces, just in case we run into another bad surprise. And your librarian might not even be around anymore, either. So it's best if you scout out the castle after letting us in, and we try to find the library. If it's in a former dungeon, that shouldn't be a problem."

Nostalgic, she adds, in Angel's direction

"We always had an affinity for dungeons, didn't we?"

Remembering a tad too late that despite much shared fun in dungeons, there was also the time when Angel and Spike were in one of their own, courtesy of the Immortal.

[tm_darla]

Darla naturally is too bright to talk with the Immortal in a language the guard, whose suspicions are hardly at rest, doesn't know but could recognize as the same one. Besides, since the people here talk English, which they clearly shouldn't, she assumes there might be a kind of universal translator issue going on; undercover time as a high school girl when snacking on geeks sometimes pays off.

So she keeps it simple. And English. Replying to the Immortal directly, just by addressing the guard, whose eyes wander between the three of them while they march towards what are hopefully the dungeons.

Torture sounds like a plan to me, don't you agree, comrade?

She might be getting her revolutions a bit mixed up.

Which of the two of them do you think will hold out longer?

If there is genuine interest and enthusiasm in her voice, it's not just good playacting. The true plan, as much as it exists, is quite simple: get to the dungeons, where the Immortal has said the artifacts are, overpower the guard and whomever else they find there,

[not_a_eunuch]

Angel has never seen the Harry Potter movies so he has no idea what mudblood means. He's pretty sure it's an insult and he makes a note to look it up later. For now, he's a little impressed that Todd has managed to keep up the ruse.

The guard is suspicious and Darla is doing her best to wrap him around her finger. Of course all this talk of torture and dungeons is reminding Angel of the good old days with Darla. He's a little upset they won't have time to relive a few of the memories when they reach the desired destination.

He hears his name called out and looks to see who has recognized him. Groosalug. Of course. Because this trip wouldn't be complete without Cordy's boy toy being around.

Angel of course asks the question that is the most important considering their situation, "When did you come back to Pylea?" Then he pauses and with a slow not quite cruel smile adds, "Your princess is married now. To an actor."

[suey_generis]

Fortunately, the Immortal is used to life without segues, so he puts the pieces of Groosalugg and Angel's acquaintance together pretty quickly. That doesn't mean he's happy about it. The champion-turned-royal-librarian has been part of an informal arrangement regarding the Immortal and his information storage system for some time now, and it annoys him that the guy greeted Angel first.

"Hey!" he yells at Groo. "How about nodding my way. And getting us out of these damn chains. And since when do you know this joker. . .AND Cordelia?" To himself, he mutters, "I always said she looked a princess." Then, remembering that Darla's plan is apparently to get them down to the dungeon with acess to the books and artifacts, he nods at Darla, "I mean, this crazy wench is all set to torture us to death." The Groosalugg knows enough about the Immortal to know this is impossible, so hopefully he will have the sense to play along. "Don't you want to come and watch?"

[tm_darla]

Now, the Groosalug is a kind, sweet-natured man. But he did love Cordelia, and giving her up so she could be happy with Angel had been a real sacrifice. Consequently, Angel’s greeting which seems to throw it away as worthless galls. The Immortal’s casual reference doesn’t help, either

[tm_darla]

Darla is not exactly overflowing with warm emotions after being called worthless in comparison to Cordelia, and this entire "Princess" gig is getting on her nerves.

"Well,"

she says coldly,

I can see there is no fooling you. The artifacts are not truly for us. As you can see your princess has been burdened with unworthy suitors. In fact, they drove her to so much distress that she ended up in a lethal sleep for many months, until her present husband, Sir Legolas, awoke her with a kiss. But then he, too, betrayed her. Her memories of how every one broke her heart have returned, and lest she falls in her sleep again, something has to be done. Which is, noble Groosalug, why we need these artifacts. They will make her existence bearable once more. As the three of us sinned against her, we have made it our mission to bring them to her, this quest being our atonment.

Groo looks sceptical, then enraged, then finally accepting. "Wait here," he says, and rumages in various cupboards and boxes to collect the artifacts. Meanwhile, Darla

[not_a_eunuch]

"Of course, Darla, as long as I can torture Todd," Angel whispers back, but he doesn't care if Todd hears him or not. He still has the bullet in his backside thanks to Todd's earlier mishap with the gun.

He is a little uneasy by how quickly they found the artifacts. Angel figured there would be more of a challenge in gaining the tools they needed to grant Connor's request. He looks around the dungeon, his eyes lighting up a little at the various chains and interesting objects.

"I never thought Pylea would be a good vacation spot until now. They should consider renting this place out as a time share."

He's not kidding.

[suey_generis]

"For someone who prides himself on stealth, you're not very good at whispering," Todd snarls

[tm_darla]

Darla, who has been collecting some fun souvenirs of her own in the dungeon while Groo searched for their artifacts, turns and looks at Angel at this last question. He mouths "sewer" at her.

Now, Darla is not squeamish. And has been in a lot of sewers in her time. But that was when she did not have to worry about washing bills, and/or infections and could always feed on rats for snacks. So she gives him a "you can't be serious" look, though unfortunately, he probably is. And it isn't like they can go out front, after having been brought as prisoners.

The sacrifices demanded from a mother are truly staggering.

"Well,"

she says, glaring at all three men,

then I suppose we shall have to follow their brave example.

Originally, she had planned to cajole the boys, sans Groo, of course, into using the dungeon a bit creatively before they all left, but the prospect of the sewers has rid her of the mood. Now she just wants to leave, turns her back on the lot of them, and marches out, in the direction of what the smell tells even a