TITLE: The Eight Day
AUTHOR: Rainie
EMAIL: [email protected]
DISCLAIMER: Joss, not I.
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask first
CATEGORY: B/S/other
RATING: PG
PART: 1/8
The Eighth Day
1st day
Scene 1.1
Against noon.
The library, Giles is breeding over diverse books. Every single spot is covered with notices, newspaper clippings and chronicles. He looks up shortly, when he perceives the voices of Buffy, Willow and Xander in the corridor, who are busy discussing futilities while approaching the library.
Willow:
Yes, actually why not (she hesitates, looking for an adequate example) I guess, Xander could just as well...
Xander (all irritated at first, then however flattered):
See - little holy water, couple of crosses... it shouldn't be all that difficult?
(with every word he seems to gain several centimeters in high)
Willow (lost in thought):
For centuries there hasn't been a male slayer, isn't that somehow discriminating...
(Xander impassively continues his enumeration):
...battle cry, stake in the heart, maybe an oath - did I missed anything?
(he gave a questioning look at Buffy)
Buffy (stilted):
No, just the contusions, bruises, as well as broken bones and fingernails!
Xander:
Oh, c'mon, Buf, don't be that sensitive, just because. .. (John Wayne is falling apart)
Willow (peaceably):
...well, because of these slayermatter...
Giles (frowning):
May I interrupt your discussion for a moment! (waves them over)
Xander:
Blast it, I was so close (he firmly presses thumb against index fingers) to convince them!
Buffy:
What is it Giles?
Giles:
W-w-well, I wouldn't like to trouble you, but. .. (smiles uncertainly)
Buffy:
Too late, done it already!
Giles:
Eh, Buffy, if y-y-you happen to see Angel, c-c-could you, I mean if you see him...
Buffy:
Could I do what?
Giles:
The Messenger - ask him about the Messenger.
Buffy:
Yes, sure. (shrugs her shoulders)
Xander:
What's a Messenger?
Giles:
I-I-I'm not quite sure. He is said to be a mediator.
Willow:
Oh no, not the Hell Mouth!
Giles:
Eh, well that's the eh the problem. According to the documentation the Messenger is eh - good...?
Xander:
Sounds like a profiled personality.
Giles:
Well yes, up to 187 years ago he definitive was good.
Buffy:
And after that?
Giles:
Well, after that there aren't any further notes, that why I thought Angel might be...
Xander:
Sounds like he's having a sicky, what's a 1 or 2 century time out to a demonic lackey.
Willow:
No, Messengers are said to be extremely seriously about their duty.
Giles (frankly surprised):
You heard of...?
Willow:
Well eh strictly speaking I read it in a flyer... (she pulls a face) ...the online Occultism Circles I joined - you know...
Giles:
Then you will assist me.
Xander:
Nice paraphrase, slavedri... (three pair of angry eyes drill into him, he falls silent)
Giles:
Buffy, I'd appreciate you to...
Buffy:
...Angel, no worries!
Scene 1.2
After sunset.
A graceful brown-haired girls in middle a pug of dangerously looking vampires. A figure, who's completely wrapped in black approaches her. But like the others, he too keeps a respectfully distance.
Black figure:
It's her, she's the Messenger, I can feel it.
Vampire 1:
What shall we do?
Vampire 2:
She must die!
Black figure:
Yes, the Messenger must die!
Vampire 2:
Let me kill her.
Black figure:
No, this only destroyed her mortal body - her spirit would remained untouched.
Vampire 3:
But how...???
Black figure:
Not how, but who! - The traditions say, the one, who does not know about her identity, shall be immune to her powers. The key is the purity of the spirit.
Vampire 1:
A vampire who's true at heart! (the pack is roaring)
(the girl pursues their every movement through half closed eyes)
Vampire 3:
Well, it might be diffi... (he hesitates) well, it might be not...
Scene 1.3
Short before midnight.
Buffy and Angel in Angel's apartment. He sits on the sofa, feet up, back against the armrest. Buffy leans against his chest. Lost in thought he is twirling a strand of hair. Her head rests at his shoulder. Their eyes are closed. In this moment there is only Buffy and Angel.
(from somewhere the penetrating ringing of a church bell can be heard - ten, eleven, twelve)
Angel (kisses her on the forehead):
It is late, you should...
Buffy:
Hm. .. (she stretches, snuggling up ever closer) you sound like my mother (she grimaces, thinking of Joyce) or Giles???
(she looks up, right into Angel's lovingly ironic eyes)
Angel (leans his chin on her forehead):
Maybe you should listen to them, they love you.
Buffy:
And I love you. (she folds her fingers with his, then suddenly remembers something) Apropos Giles - he asked me to ask you, whether you have ever heard of some Messenger guy, he kinda disappeared about 187 years ago and Giles gradually considers to call triple nine...
(Angel stiffens)
Buffy:
Angel? (she looks for his eyes)
(she shudders, when she meets his petrified features)
Buffy:
Angel? (she kisses his cheek) talk to me, don't lock me off.
Angel:
It is late, Buffy, you should go now. (he softly pushes her away)
Buffy:
What's this Messengerthing all about? (Buffy isn't that easily being pushed off)
Angel:
It is nothing, an old myth (he yields from her) I shall take you home.
(Buffy feels, that there is no point in further questions and jumps to her feet)
Buffy:
I know my way round! (she is hurt, runs into the dark)
Angel (runs after her):
Buffy!!! (she is away - Angel to himself) I love you...
(he returns, drops to the sofa and buries his face in his hands)