“The slayers are on the front lines of a nightly war!” Andrew said passionately to the assembled watchers and slayers. It was the entire student body of the Brazilian campus of the Academy for Watchers and Slayers. “Each of you will one day be called to join the noble crusade against the forces of darkness, evil, and possibly the Disney Corporation.”
“Andrew, how many times do I have to tell you?” Dawn shouted. “Disney World does not have magically or genetically altered animals! They’re just people in costumes!”
“Then why do they call it the Magic Kingdom?” Andrew countered as if making an exceptional counterpoint.
“They mean magical as in fun, not literal magic!”
“My investigation is still ongoing,” Andrew maintained.
“Can you perhaps tell us why exactly we’re listening to you right now?” Owen asked.
“Ah,” Andrew said. “How nice to hear an Irish accent!”
“It’s Scottish, yah jackass!” Owen shouted as he jumped to his feet.
“Whatever,” Andrew brushed him off. “They’re all the same.”
Dawn grabbed Owen’s arms. “Owen, don’t,” she said as the boy’s blue eyes seemed to flash black.
“As you may or may not know, the other day, in the heat of battle in the glorious and noble struggle between good and evil, darkness and light, the tenets of the Jedi and the greed of the Sith-”
“Just spit it out already, Mon,” shouted Kelly, a Jamaican teen studying to be a watcher.
“Kennedy killed a human,” Dawn said.
“Hey!” Andrew shouted. “This is my conference! Don’t underestimate me!”
“What’s wrong with underestimating you?” Dawn asked.
“Do ya perhaps mean undermine?” Owen offered to Andrew.
“Everyone stop talking but me!” Andrew pulled out note cards on which Giles had written what he wanted Andrew to say. Giles’ instructions were to read the cards verbatim. Andrew, however, hadn’t seen the flaw of adding a little flourish to his comments. Now, however, he felt that he should change tactics and stick to the script.
“In cases of human death or injury at the hands of a slayer or watcher,” Andrew began in a British accent frighteningly close to Giles’s.
“Andrew, cut it out!” Dawn shouted. “Just read it in your own voice.”
“Fine.” Andrew then explained the inquest process, as well as the fact that, in addition to malicious intent, reckless disregard also warranted punishment by the council. He also explained the council’s acceptance of unavoidable death in the case of self-defense or the defense of others, as well as accidents that occurred despite all possible precautions.
Despite his attitude earlier, Owen spent the bulk of the time staring at the floor nervously, wondering what ‘reckless disregard’ might entail. Dawn, having helped create the rules, stared at Andrew’s forehead, hoping he wouldn’t notice she wasn’t actually making eye contact or paying attention.
*
In the forest, Giles and Kennedy and were examining a seal in the depths of a cavern. Bones of both humans and animals were piled around the area, indicating decades of grisly sacrifices to the seal. The local mystics were lying on the cavern floor, asleep. Willow stood over them.
“I don’t know how much longer I can keep them down,” Willow said.
“Kennedy, head back to the school and gather some slayers,” Giles instructed.
“You may need me here to fight if trouble breaks out,” Kennedy said. “Or don’t you trust me?”
“I trust you completely. But of the three of us, you can run the fastest.”
“They’re close enough that I can call them telepathically,” Willow said.
“Can you do that and continue to subdue the mystics?” Kennedy asked.
“I prefer she not try,” Giles said. “Particularly this close to the seal.”
“I’m on my way.” Kennedy paused outside the cave and eavesdropped. She thought Willow and Giles might discuss Kennedy’s situation. Giles sending Kennedy for help could have just been a pretext to get her out of the cave. She wasn’t surprised to hear them discussing the death of the mystic. What did surprise her was Giles’ attitude.
“Kennedy seems to still be beating herself up about the accident.”
“I know,” Willow agreed. “In a way, I’m glad it upsets her so much.”
“It certainly speaks well of her humanity, yes. But that kind of regret could lead to hesitation in the future. The kind that could get her or others hurt.”
“We can’t take her off active duty,” Willow countered. “That would only reinforce her self-doubt.”
“I agree. I think we should consider upping her duties. Having her take a lead in this affair with these local mystics. We can keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t hesitate to act.”
Kennedy lowered her head into her hands and fought back the urge to cry. She wasn’t sure she deserved so much trust and consideration. But nothing could stop part of her from being honored that the two most respected watchers in the council held her in such high regard.
*
“Hi Owen,” Juliet said as the watcher-to-be passed her lunch table. The 14 year-old slayer always smiled when she saw the 16 year-old watcher. No one understood the bond between the chipper British girl and the melancholy Scottish boy. Yet whenever Juliet saw him, she made a point of being nice.
Other girls at Juliet’s table giggled and accused the girl of having a crush.
“He’s cute in a pale, skinny, in desperate need of a bath sort of way,” said Megan, an always well-dressed slayer from Connecticut.
“You wouldn’t understand,” Juliet brushed them off. “He’s . . . never mind. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Kennedy interrupted the retorts of the other girls. “Alright girls, lunch time’s over. Any slayer over 15 is to come with me.”
“Sorry, Jules,” Megan said as she stood up. “Looks like we’re leaving you off this field trip.”
“Have fun,” Juliet called. “Kill something ugly for me.”
“I’ll bring you a big ‘n slimy demon heart,” Megan joked. “You can give it to Owen for Valentine’s Day.”
Juliet picked up her tray and headed over to a lunch table with some watchers who’d gathered around Andrew.
“So you really fought the First?” Amanda was saying to Andrew. Dawn had felt bad for undermining Andrew at the meeting. To make up for it, she circulated stories of his exploits among the other WiTs. She’d perhaps overshot her goal as the WiTs were now collecting around him to bask in the glow of his gravitas.
“I helped fight the First,” Andrew said with false modesty. He looked up and noticed a few WiTs still hadn’t congregated around him. “Owen! Perhaps you should come and join your schoolmates.”
“I’m busy.” Owen was eating his lunch while a pencil hovered in midair above a newspaper. “I’ve almost finished the crossword puzzle.”
“Don’t mind him,” Amanda said loud enough for Owen to hear. “He’s such a freak.”
“Want to see something cool?” Andrew whispered.
Owen glanced up when he noticed people whispering. He looked back down at the crossword puzzle.
Dawn grabbed Andrew’s arm in a silent warning not to set a bad example. It was hopeless. Andrew was already being carried away by the other WiTs, desperate to see a real Watcher in action and Owen getting put in his place.
Juliet, sensing there would be trouble, hopped to her feet and headed out to get help.
The WiTs moved to give Andrew a cleat shot at Owen.
“Andrew,” Dawn whispered in a warning tone.
Sensing something was amiss, Owen glanced up to see the WiTs repositioning themselves and Andrew making a threatening move.
In quick succession, Andrew stood and Owen waved his hand defensively in front of his face. A spot on the wall beside Owen splattered with blue, as if hit by a paint ball. Owen flung his arm out. Andrew flew from the lunch table and slammed hard into the ground. Owen jumped to his feet and approached Andrew, the boy’s hand still outstretched. Andrew began screaming and writhing.
“Put me out!” Andrew whimpered. “Put me out!”
“You’re not on fire,” Dawn shouted. “It’s just a spell.” She turned to Owen, whose eyes, instead of their usual bright blue, were now dark and almost black. “Owen cut it out.”
“He tried to hurt me!”
“It was a dumb joke. Now stop.”
“What were you going to do?!” Owen shouted to the screaming, now crying Andrew.
“Please stop!” Andrew cried shrilly.
Dawn shoved Owen, breaking his concentration. Owen quickly turned on Dawn. He was preparing to yell, but Dawn thought another spell was coming. She quickly threw her hands out and a force slammed Owen against the cafeteria wall. Owen jumped to his feet, anger burning in his eyes.
Owen shot a green bolt of energy at Dawn. She dove out of the way and fired a blast of water. It slammed Owen into a wall. Dawn had hoped the water would show she didn’t want to hurt him, but Owen still looked pissed. He raised his arm.
“Vincire!” a voice shouted from the door. Owen’s body immediately went rigid and was lifted in the air. A green energy field seemed to pulse around him.
“What happened?” Giles asked from the door.
“Andrew started it!” insisted Juliet as she stood at Giles’s side.
“It was just a joke,” Amanda insisted.
“I think he was just surprised and angry,” Dawn said. “I don’t think he’s dangerous.”
“Please!” Amanda argued. “Owen downed a seasoned watcher and made him think he was on fire.”
“Seasoned watcher?” Giles asked.
“Andrew,” Dawn explained.
“Ah.” Giles turned back to Owen. “Owen, I’m going to let you out, now. Provided you promise to completely and utterly behave.”
“If no one hurts me, I’ll-”
“If anyone tries anything, I’ll deal with it.”
Owen tried to nod, but couldn’t move his head. “Okay,” he said. The field evaporated and Owen dropped to the ground.
“Go to my office and wait for me there,” Giles said.
“You have an office here?” Dawn asked.
“Go to Willow’s office and wait for me there,” Giles said, as if the previous two comments hadn’t happened.
Owen cast a nasty glance at Andrew, then headed to Willow’s office.
“So there’s going to be an inquest, right?” Amanda said. “I mean, look at what he did to Andrew.”
Andrew was still huddled on the floor whimpering. Giles grit his teeth and looked around the cafeteria. He wanted to look as if he were examining evidence. Really, he was just buying time to figure out how to handle this. “Dawn, take Andrew to Kennedy’s office.”
“Not the infirmary?” Dawn asked as she helped Andrew to his feet.
“Andrew thought he was on fire, but wasn’t?”
“Yes,” Dawn confirmed.
“I know the spell. There’s no actual physical harm. Take Andrew to Kennedy’s office.” Giles looked at the WiTs and remaining slayers. “The rest of you . . . do homework or something.”
*
“We find a Hellmouth less than a mile away and you’re starting crap with the students!” Kennedy shouted. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Hey,” Andrew said. “I’m not the one who killed a human.”
“Keep it up, asshole, and I’ll be adding to my body count.”
“Did you hear that Dawn?” Andrew shouted. “She threatened me!”
“Oh shut up, Andrew,” Dawn said.
Giles slammed the door behind him as he stormed into Kennedy’s office. “We find a Hellmouth less than a-”
“Already covered that,” Kennedy said nonchalantly.
Giles’ face turned red as he tried to hold back his rage. “What the hell is-“
“Covered that, too,” Dawn said.
Giles sat in the chair next to Andrew. “When Dawn requested to be assigned to the school as opposed to active duty, I seriously considered asking you to attend as well.”
Andrew’s eyes grew wide. “But I-”
“She helped stop the First as well. In fact, she’s fought more demons than you have. The only reason I allowed you to become an active watcher is that you promised me, you promised me, you would-”
“I know, I know,” Andrew waved him off.
“Good. I’m glad that you know. Therefore, you won’t be surprised when I tell you that you’ll start classes on Monday.”
“What?!” Andrew yelled.
“Today’s events show that you have no more maturity or skill than most 16 year-old trainees. As such, you’ll be joining them in their studies.”
“Wait a second,” Kennedy said. “If we’re all here, who’s with Owen?” She waved her hand. “Never mind. I know who’s with him. But he better not be flirting with her.”
*
“The truth is, I like you Owen. Stop giggling. I don’t mean romantically. But I think you’re a good guy. And you make me laugh. But this isn’t a joke, Owen. It’s serous.”
Willow’s speech was interrupted by the door opening. Giles, Kennedy, and Dawn entered.
“Willow, can I have a word?” Giles asked. Willow joined Giles in the hallway while Kennedy and Dawn sat with Owen. “What’s your position on holding and inquest into this matter?”
“What? I don’t think it’s that serious.”
“You, Kennedy, and I constitute the three senior council members here. Kennedy and I have voted in favor of an inquest.”
“Then why did you even bother asking me?”
“I wanted your unbiased vote.”
“But it doesn’t change anything,” Willow said, annoyed at being out of the loop.
“Kennedy is arranging the terms of the inquest with Owen as we speak.” Giles touched Willow’s arm reassuringly. “I’m sure Owen will be cleared. But it’s important, especially in light of how Kennedy’s recent accident was handled, that your students understand how serous this process is.”
“So we’re throttling Owen to make an example of him for the others! How’s that fair?”
“Willow, Owen used an extremely dark spell on a watcher.”
“Andrew,” Willow clarified. “Who did something really, really-”
“Andrew has been removed from duty and assigned to this school for further instruction. What Owen did was more serious. God only knows what spell he was planning to use on Dawn before I stopped him.”
“Maybe we she should consider what we talked about before. Owen being an understudy to an active watcher. That way he won’t be getting into these scuffles with other kids.”
“Socializing a watcher is important and, as you just noted, Owen is more need of that than anyone. I’m sorry, Willow. As difficult as he can be, the best place for Owen is here in Brazil with you and the other students.”
“That sucks so . . . wait. I thought we were closing shop and moving to England.”
“The presence of a Hellmouth means we need someone here to keep an eye on things. You’ll be receiving an additional watcher and slayer to help with both the training and keeping the Hellmouth under control.”
“If Buffy’s coming, tell her to leave the Immortal in Rome. I hate that guy. Always coming onto me with his Oh, I could have you if I wanted attitude. I’m like, Dude. I’m gay. Get over it. And while you’re at it, get over yourself.”
“Is this rant quite finished or do you need an extra minute or two.”
“No,” Willow said happily. “I’m good.”
“The slayer and watcher are yet to be determined. I’ll have to review the assignments.”
*
Owen sat alone at a table. He was facing a larger table where Giles sat, flanked by Willow and Kennedy. At a table perpendicular to them, Dawn, Amanda, and Juliet sat as witnesses. Andrew’s testimony had been taken earlier.
“I had a right to defend myself,” Owen said angrily.
“Against a glamour?” Kennedy asked. “Andrew was trying to turn your hair blue.”
“Says him.”
“Says the blue splotch on the wall.”
“Owen had no way of knowing the nature of the spell,” Dawn offered. “Andrew didn’t speak aloud.”
“From the circumstances, it was pretty clear Andrew didn’t mean any serious harm,” Kennedy said. “He was sitting with a bunch of Watchers in Training.”
“Tell me,” Owen said. “During your numerous experiences in the field, have enemies been worried about the presence of trainees when they attacked you?”
“Andrew is a watcher, Owen,” Giles said.
“He’s from England!” Owen shouted. “He came with you from England. He could have come to hurt me!”
Kennedy was about to speak, but Giles put a hand on her wrist to quiet her. “Owen,” Giles said. “Andrew is a representative of the-”
“He’s evil,” Owen said viciously.
“That’s enough,” Giles said calmly.
“I know evil when I see it! You know I do.”
“Owen,” Giles said.
“Can you really tell me-”
“That’s enough,” Giles repeated coldly. He didn’t shout. He didn’t have to. His cold stare was enough to quiet even Owen. “You must believe that we’ve vetted our staff carefully. If you can’t, then you should probably not continue to train as a watcher. If you agree to stay at the academy, I’ll assume you will accept the council’s judgment on both our personnel, our students, and which spells are inappropriate for use on humans. If you don’t accept these terms, I will gladly arrange for your transport to the place of your choice.”
Owen glared at the ground for a moment. “Fine,” he said.
*
Andrew kicked the stone. An exotic frog jumped out of the way just before the stone would have hit the spot where it sat.
“So unfair,” Andrew pouted.
“So unfair,” a woman’s voice echoed.
“Hello?” Andrew said, suddenly on his guard.
“Hello Andy,” the woman’s voice answered.
“Mo . . . mom?”
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