The crunch of metal and the hooting of car horns cut into Clai’s dream and she opened her eyes slowly, squinting onto the sunlight that streamed through her open window, she rolled over and seemed surprised that she was alone in her bed. Opening her eyes fully, she peered around the room. "Willow must've gone already." she said to the emptiness. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, picking up a towel and heading for the shower. As she opened the shower door she froze, "Who the hell is W-W-Willow?" she asked the shampoo. Putting it down to sleep talking she stepped into the shower and let the water wash away her grogginess.
In her head she made her plan for the day with the first stop being the library, hoping against hope that she would bump into the same woman she had, quite literally bumped into the day before.
As the water cascaded down her back, she remembered what the guy in the magic shop had said and decided that that would be her second stop after the library, giving the psychic more than enough time to get to the store before her.
Willow and Giles were sat in his living room, drinking tea and hoping that, since Willow had reverted to her physical self then all the other Scoobies would be having a similar morning. Even if they were still mentally the people they were in this reality, the changes in their physical forms would at last make them easier to spot.
"I'm sure that woman we bumped into the other day at the library was Tara." Willow said, breaking Giles' gaze. Even though he had seen Willow thousands of times, he had grown used to her physical appearance in this dimension and the sudden change had thrown him. "I suggest that we make that our first stop today then," he offered, "someone as striking as you is easily remembered so even if she hasn't 'changed', she may recognise you now that you have returned to your usual self." Willow smiled at the unintended compliment and she felt her cheeks flush. Giles also blushed and stood quickly, "But first," he said, "A hearty breakfast." as headed to the kitchen.
With their full English breakfasts now slowly digesting, Willow and Giles collected some books and the photos Giles had conjured and headed for the door with Willow taking one last look at herself before closing it firmly behind her.
Across town, Clai had dressed and was also heading for the library. The sun beat down on her and she had the sudden image of a similar day in a park, her and another woman singing and dancing before somehow returning home. Her brow furrowed and she shook the image from her mind, picking up the pace to the large building that was now only two blocks away. "I'm under your spell, lost in ecstasy......." she sang under her breath as she climbed the steps to the library.
The foyer was cool with sunlight reflecting from the grey marble on the floor. Clai smiled at the librarian and found her way to the large reading couch. As she took a seat she suddenly realised that she had no idea what sort of books she would need or even what section to start looking in. Instead, she picked up a newspaper that had be left out and idly flipped through the pages. Behind her the double doors swung open and as she turned to look at the new visitors, her heart leapt in her chest, leaving her shaking and a little nauseous. A stunning redhead entered with the same man she had seen outside the library a couple of days before, and where looking around at the people sitting at desks. Clai’s eyes met the redheads and a huge grinned spread across her face, she said something to the man with her and the pair crossed the room to the couch. "Hi!" said the redhead, "This will sound strange but I think you might be looking for us. I'm......" the words filled Clai with warmth and she finished the sentence for her, "Willow." she whispered, a coy smile slowly teasing the corners of her mouth.
Giles' mouth fell open and he stared at the women and the scene unveiling itself before him. "You were right." he managed as he sat heavily on the sofa.
The woman that Willow had identified as Tara, bore absolutely no resemblance to the woman he knew and was surprised at how quickly Willow had identified her. "We have a lot to talk about." Willow said, "Maybe we should all go and get some coffee and then we can explain." Willow continued, talking Tara’s hand gently in her own. Both Tara and Giles nodded and they all stood up in unison and headed for the door, Willow and Tara grinning manically at each other all the way.
In the magic shop, the owner, Mr. Bohgerty was arranging the table that Yana used, draping a plush, rich red cloth over the polished wood, he smoothed the sides down and smiled. The material always made him smile, it was so soft and despite its years of use, it never lost any of the plushness. He fetched some candles and placed them in the centre of the table before calling it a day and continuing with his more important duties.
The bell rattled its greeting to the first customer of the day and he looked up to see Yana, more dishevelled than usual, bundling through the door. "Morning Yana!" he called cheerfully and received a scowl in return.
"I'm not having a good day, everyone always wants something from me and no one wants to pay for it." she complained. "It's just not right!" Mr. Bohgerty looked confused, Yana had always been more than willing to provide her services for free and often took offence when anyone tried to offer her money.
In an attempt to soften her mood, he said, "I've set up your table.” he said, gesturing towards the neatly laid area he'd prepared for her. "Would you like a cup of coffee?" he asked with a smile.
Yana's face softened a little and she nodded, "Please. I just don't know what is wrong with me today. I feel all odd." She laid out her bag and started removing various items from it, laying them carefully out on the table.
Outside, a loud crash made Yana jump and both she and Mr. Bogherty stopped what they were doing and rushed to the door. The scene before them was one of chaos, a large truck had swerved to avoid a child in the street and had crashed into the back of Yana’s car causing the bumper to fall off and a large dent to appear in its boot. Yana rushed outside where the driver of the truck was slowly getting out of his car. "You idiot!" she yelled at him, as he turned to begin to make his apologies, "I feel compelled to take some vengeance on you!!!" And with that she smacked him firmly across his head and continued her rain of blows until Mr. Bogherty rushed to his aid, dragging Yana roughly back towards the shop............
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