The Library—
Xander entered the library after classes were finished, grateful to get away from all of the backslapping and celebratory handshakes that his male classmates were showering on him. And they kept hitting his sore shoulder too. Geez, one dance at the Bronze with a woman these guys only dreamed about and now he couldn’t get rid of the people who’d barely given him the time of day before.
Buffy and Willow looked up from their conversation as he slumped himself into a chair. “What’s the matter with you?” Buffy asked. “You look as if someone just ran over your puppy.”
“Oh, it’s just this whole male bonding ritual. Every time a guy sees me, whether he was at the Bronze or not, he feels the need to pound on my back until my molars shake loose. And if I hear one more ‘Way to go, Harris’, I swear…” he made a strangling motion with his hands.
“I wouldn’t worry too much. Once the cool points wear off, you’ll be back to being ostracized just like the rest of us,” Willow pointed out, smiling at him.
“Thanks for the thought, but somehow that isn’t very comforting.”
Cordelia flounced in, making a beeline straight for Xander. She leaned over and planted a very deep and satisfying kiss on his lips. “That’s to remind you that you are still *MY* boyfriend.” She waved to Willow and Buffy, leaving as abruptly as she’d entered, on her way to cheerleading practice. Xander put his head in his hands while the two girls shared a smile.
Giles walked in, followed by Leonora. The dhampir looked the same as always: jeans, boots, black t-shirt, black leather jacket, and shades. Giles wore his usual tweed. They seemed to be arguing over the fate of the grimoire.
The argument ended with Leonora’s final words on the matter. “Giles, your point is moot. The book is dust. I know you would have liked to add it to your moldering collection, but there isn’t a whole lot I can do about it. Unless you want me to go back down there, suck up the remnants with a Hoover, and put them in a little jar so you can display it on your coffee table.”
“Ah, no…no, that won’t be necessary.” The librarian wandered into his office.
Leonora joined the three teens at their table. Buffy jerked her head in the general direction of Giles and asked, “What’s all that about?”
“Nothing much. Just Giles finally realized that the grimoire was one of the things that Xander incinerated and he’s crying over spilt milk.”
“Giles and his book fetish,” Buffy said, shaking her head.
Leonora held out her hand. “I just came by to say good-bye before I headed out.” Buffy stood and took the dhampir’s hand, shaking it firmly. “Thanks for all of your help.”
“No problem,” Buffy answered lightly. “We owe you a thank you too.”
Xander stood up, taking his turn to shake Leonora’s hand. “And don’t think it hasn’t been a little slice of heaven, because it hasn’t.” He ducked Willow’s slap to the back of his head and grinned.
“What are you going to do now?” Willow asked as she accepted the dhampir’s firm handshake.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably take a couple of decades to unwind, take it easy—that kind of stuff. Sit on the beach. Maybe get a pet. Who knows? I’ve spent 130 odd years chasing after someone. I’ll need to re-evaluate my priorities now that the jig is up.” She grinned and began walking towards the doors. “Convey my farewells to your prom queen and your werewolf.”
The dhampir paused, pushing one door half-open before turning around. “Oh, and Slayer? Stay sharp. You’ll be seeing me again.” And then she turned and left the library without a backwards glance. Buffy exchanged looks with Xander and Willow. Before returning to the table and her French homework, she stared at the doors swinging with Leonora’s passing.
“Why am I less than enthused by that statement?” the Slayer asked no one in particular before joining her friends back at the table. Dhampirs or demons, she still had French to pass.
Author’s note—I have paid tribute to one of my favorite characters to come out of Japanimation. To those of you who have seen Vampire Hunter D, you may notice that the character of Li seems vaguely familiar. I couldn’t resist—she’s just too funny. If you have no clue as to what I am talking about, ignore this message or rent the film.
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