23 - video; B is gone, but the &*^%$ is back.

[hungryanhorny]

[A little after Dean's video, Faith appears on screen. She's behind the bar, same as last time, though there's no alcohol in sight. She has a smile on her face, as she twirls a pewter mug on the tip of her finger.] So B left the building, huh? Bet Dean's pretty happy with the little souvenir I ordered up from the Admiral, too. Should have some nice picks of blondie in there. Something for the whole fan club to fawn over.

But hey - guess that's one less nag I've got to worry about for Christmas Not exactly like she would have enjoyed her gifts anyway, right? Nothing's enough for the Slayer

Which is - wait - my title now, huh? I mean, what with miss perfect gone, and I'm the only Slayer left.  Anyone up for a spar? Sunnydale's strongest, right here.

[She tosses the mug up, and catches it. The pewter cracks in her hand, splinters digging.]

Shit.

Comments

action;

[ichoosefight]

It's automatic. It just takes a minute.

[ A few more seconds and the holographs start to form. ]

She' my friend too. [ You can't just start talking shit about people she cares about. ]

action;

[hungryanhorny]

Then maybe you can tell me why she disappeared. [You know how confused her feelings about B are, Steph.]

action; holograph=/=hologram

[ichoosefight]

Because the Admiral is a megalomanic sociopath with absolute control over our lives.

[ She throws a leaping kick at one of the holograms just as it becomes solid. The now John Doe looking man grabs her foot and spins it, and she kicks him in the head as he flips her. He drops her and she cartwheels away. ]

action; So noted.

[hungryanhorny]

Funny. [Faith ducks back from a punch of her own, slamming an elbow into their face.]

'Cause Dick's pretty sure he didn't do it.

action;

[ichoosefight]

She wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. [ She doesn't care what Dick said. Dick's been a little off since Bruce showed up.

With the two of them occupied individually, something larger and stronger programs itself a short ways off. The CTS doesn't like it when people work separately. Steph keeps an eye on it while drop-kicking a guy going for Faith's back. ]

action;

[hungryanhorny]

So who took her?

[Faith has half an eye on it, but she's occupied. More than that, her mind can't stop replaying the scattered conversations she had with Buffy.]

action;

[ichoosefight]

Does it really matter? She's gone. Unless you want to change your deal or go home, there isn't anything you can do about it.

[ Steph takes down another guy, viciously kneeing his stomach so hard she could swear she hears bones break. Do holograms have bones? ]

Making other people feel worse isn't going to make you feel better.

action;

[hungryanhorny]

So someone's snatching off wardens, and you don't wanna know who? [She knees another, slamming him down to the ground.]

Didn't know you cared.

action;

[ichoosefight]

They snatched me once. It only sucked on principle.

[ The goliath moves toward them. Steph turns to face it. ]

Sad fact is, I care about everyone. So why can't we all just get along?

Re: action;

[hungryanhorny]

'Cause last we checked, half the ship hated the other. Unless that changed? [She's not quite looking at Steph. She doesn't really want to be talking about this.]

action;

[ichoosefight]

If you can't be part of the solution don't be part of the problem.

[ Especially not when that problem involves Steph's friends.

She leaps at the Goliath. If Faith isn't with her she'll be swept aside like a gnat. ]

Re: action;

[hungryanhorny]

[Shit. Faith moves in, trying to keep her from harm.] You got a problem with me, BG?

action;

[ichoosefight]

I have a problem with you saying shit that upsets all my other friends without so much as a thought.

[ With Faith taking most of the thing's attention Steph moves around to the back, works on hitting blind spots and weak points. ]

action;

[hungryanhorny]

[She lashes her leg toward its head.]

Then maybe you shouldn't be fighting this thing.

action;

[ichoosefight]

You want me to leave? I'll leave.

[ Steph halts her attack, jumping back a few feet and letting Faith face the Goliath designed for the two of them on her own. ]

I'm trying to be your friend, Faith. You're making it really hard.

action;

[hungryanhorny]

Like B, was? [She lashes at the thing's stomach, pulling back and smashing again - not bothering to hold back on any strength.]


Like GG? [She struck at the creature's head, catching it beneath her knee and dragging it to the ground.]

Or maybe you wanna go back further? Diana?

action;

[ichoosefight]

[ Against only one of them, the thing pumps up in strength and skill. Steph clenches her fist. ]

Do you even know what a friend is?

action;

[hungryanhorny]

[She launches herself at it, trying to take it down to the ground, trying to hit it on the face - not caring how much damage she takes.]

Someone who leaves?

action;

[ichoosefight]

[ Suddenly the thing tumbles under her efforts as Steph slide-kicks it's feet out from under it. ]

Someone who comes back.

action;

[hungryanhorny]

Be the first. [She doesn't look at Steph.]

action;

[ichoosefight]

[ Steph props a foot on the thing's head. The CTS senses that they're done, and the head disappears. ]

I'm here, aren't I?

action;

[hungryanhorny]

[She shrugs, arms crossing self consciously.] Yeah. Noticed that.

action;

[ichoosefight]

So what more do you want from me?

[ The rest of the holograms disappear and Steph wonders if they should leave. But Bruce is waiting outside, and this isn't a conversation she wants to have in front of someone else. ]

action;

[hungryanhorny]

Maybe a bit more support?

You bring me here to talk, or lecture? [Defensive. It's what she does.]

action;

[ichoosefight]

To lecture, actually. Because you can't just say what you said. There are consequences. [ Getting lectured is one of them. ]