|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:28:19 GMT 10
TEASER
~ENGLAND~
~day~
A sprawling 5 storey, brick building stood in the middle of a lush lawn. It looked more like an 18th century castle than any of the modern buildings surrounding it.
WOMAN (v.o): This is the Watchers’ Council. First built in the 1700s by Sir Drake Richardson, the building houses over 100 hundred Watchers from every continent.
The interior of the building looked very much like a modern office building. The floor is covered with a plush, wine colored carpet and the walls are painted in a cream color. There is a wide lobby area with a reception desk right across from the front door. There were also a few sofas, chairs and tables around the lobby area. On the right was a bank of elevators and on the left was an entrance to a hallway.
Men and women of all ages were milling and walking around in business suits looking very busy. Most of them are expressionless as they rush from one point to another.
WOMAN (v.o): The Council was officially formed in the 1700s after being an underground society for decades.
The hallway on the left was narrow and brightly lit by small chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Portraits of men and women throughout the council’s history hung on the walls.
WOMAN (v.o): However, in 2003, as part of its plan to eradicate all potential Slayers, the Council was destroyed by The First Evil. Most of the occupants perished, only a handful escaped.
At the end of the hallway was a large staircase leading upwards.
WOMAN (v.o): The handful that managed to escape went underground for a few months while they made plans to rebuild the Council. It was only last year when a former Watcher, Rupert Giles, made the initiative to rebuild the Council’s building.
On the second floor of the building there was a similar hallway. Along it was a number of wooden doors
WOMAN (v.o): The new Watcher’s Council was made to be rebuilt just like the previous one. The only difference – there are more facilities to meet the various issues and needs that both the Watcher and a Slayer would face. I’ll show you some of the important places that you need to take note.
One of the doors led into a training room. The room is as big as an auditorium, housing various training equipment.
WOMAN (v.o): We have a training room that is fully furnished with all of the training equipment that you can think of. All new slayers would be trained here at least twice a day by a trained professional.
The second room is slightly smaller than the first one and was stacked with books from the ground to the ceiling. A few chairs and tables are placed around the room. Unlike the previous room, there are a handful of people reading or chatting quietly.
WOMAN (v.o): We also have a library that houses over 5000 books on demonology, occults, the black arts and other topics that are important to all Watchers and Slayers. All the books that were in the old Watchers’ Council were lost, but through the means of magick, at least 90% of the books were recovered. For those who don’t enjoy the topics I’ve mentioned, the comic and fiction sections would be more interesting for you.
WOMAN (v.o): We also have laboratories, an auditorium and various entertainment facilities. A boarding house is situated on the other side of the Council and that is where all the new slayers will be staying until they have finished their training and are assigned – with their Watchers – to which country they would be situated in to do their duty.
The third room was more informal then the rest.
WOMAN (v.o): There is also a gathering area where Watchers and Slayers are able to converse without the stress of demons and apocalypses on their shoulders.
At the end of the hallway, there is another staircase leading back to the first floor. A group of 20 to 30 young girls stood at the bottom of the stairs looking apprehensive, wide-eyed and confused.
WOMAN (v.o): So that was your tour.
Buffy Summers stood before the group of girls with her hands on her hips, a wide smile stretching across her face.
BUFFY/WOMAN: So are you ready to begin?
CUT TO BLACK
OPENING CREDITS ROLL
THEME SONG “Club Foot” by Kasabian
Starring:
Jewel Staite as Asta Dawson
Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris
Tom Lenk as Andrew Wells
Cillian Murphy as Oliver Pike
Ashley Scott as Tabitha Pike
Guest-starring:
Anthony Steward Head as Rupert Giles
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers
Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg
Majandra Delfino as Stacy Gilmore
Tyron Leitso as David Boone
Created by Irene Issac with Rebecca Schwarz
Based on the hit television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
END OF CREDITS
DISCLAIMER: ASTA is created by Irene (shred) and Beck. All original characters belong to us and us alone. All other characters and the slayverse, however, belong to Joss Whedon and we are just borrowing them. If you want to use them, ask and you shall receive.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:29:51 GMT 10
ACT 1
~BOARDING HOUSE~
~morning~
Asta Dawson felt the sunlight hit her face as soon as her roommate yanked opened the curtains in their room. She squeezed her closed eyes tighter, not wanting a single ray of sunlight to hit her eyes. Somewhere she heard the muffled ring of an alarm clock. Then came the blaring sound of her roommate’s voice.
ROOMMATE: Asta! Wake up! Our first training session starts, like, in 20 minutes. You’re going to be late if you don’t get up now.
Asta finally opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling, not moving. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. She dragged herself out of bed a moment later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta and her roommate stood in front of their bathroom mirror getting ready for the morning’s training. Asta brushed her teeth as her roommate chatted non-stop while combing her long blond hair.
ROOMMATE: I really hope we get to meet cute guys here. All I saw during the orientation were girls, girls, and more girls. I tell ya, if I don’t see a cute boy soon, I’ll probably go all gay.
She burst out into a shrill laugh, causing Asta to wince. Asta took out her toothbrush, leaned down towards the sink and spat. She straightened and continued brushing.
ROOMMATE: Oh! Did I tell you? My mom called me yesterday and asked me how I was. Can you believe it? That’s probably the first time she ever asked me how I was. She was, like, all loving and sweet and she went like “Hello Stacy. How are you doing dear? Have you settled in nicely? How’s the food?”
Stacy rolls her eyes in exasperation.
STACY: Can you say gag factor? Geez!
Asta pulled out her brush from her mouth and spat again. She stared long and hard at Stacy. Her roommate blinked at her in confusion.
STACY: What? Do I have something on my face?
Asta looked away, not answering. She rinsed her mouth, set her toothbrush on the sink and left the bathroom.
Stacy stared after her before looking back at the mirror. She shrugged at her reflection before continuing to brush her hair.
##############################################
~AUDITORIUM~
~later~
The room was bustling with activity when Asta and Stacy arrived. Girls of all shapes and sizes and from all over the world were seen milling around nervously as they waited for their introductory session to start. Asta looked around the room, studying each and every girl that walked past her.
Without warning, Stacy grabbed Asta wrists and dragged her towards the front of the auditorium.
STACY: We’ll get great seats in the front.
She spoke as the two of them weaved through the crowd of girls. Stacy stopped at the third row and flopped down onto one of the chairs. Asta did the same.
STACY: So do you have any idea what kind of Watcher you want to get? I’m hoping for a cutie! That way training won’t be a pain in the ass.
Asta cracked a smile, just to be polite.
STACY: You aren’t very talkative, are you?
Stacy draped an arm around Asta’s shoulders and pulled her close.
STACY: Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I’ll get you to open up.
There was movement on the stage and Asta turned her attention to the front. A tall, distinguished, middle aged man, dressed in a suit strode towards the podium and tapped on the microphone. He peered at some papers that he had with him through his glasses before clearing his throat loudly to get everyone’s attention.
MAN: Hello everyone. I’m Rupert Giles, one of the founding members of the new Watchers Council. I welcome you all here and I hope that you had settled in just fine. I’m in charge of assigning you Slayers to your Watchers. I hope everyone had a good night’s sleep last night as you need it. Today is going to be one hectic day.
STACY: (whispered to Asta) Frolicking around with a cute Watcher isn’t hectic.
Stacy giggled.
GILES: Once your Watcher has been assigned to you, your training will start immediately. Some of you will be assigned to go overseas to keep the supernatural population down. However, you will know when and where you’re assigned to only once you have finished your basic slayer training. Your Watchers will submit a report on your progress every month and from there my colleagues and I will decide where to assign you.
STACY: (excitedly) This is so exciting! I wonder whether I’ll be assigned to go to Paris. Or maybe Rome!
GILES: Behind you is a notice board where your names and your Watcher’s names are posted. Do check it out and meet your Watcher as soon as possible. Your Watcher will then go through with you the basics of slayer training. All training are to be held in the training rooms unless you are told otherwise.
Giles paused for a moment as he shifted through the pile of papers he had with him. He looked around the auditorium before continuing.
GILES: You will also have classes to attend.
A collective groan was heard throughout the hall and Giles smiled good naturally in response.
GILES: I know you feel that going to classes are boring but I assure you, unlike the math and history classed you have been attending in your respective high schools, whatever you learn here is important as you will apply what you learn to your slaying.
STACY: That’s what they always say.
GILES: These classes are to help you in your demon knowledge. You will learn about the different demons, creatures that you are likely to encounter during your life as a slayer. You will also learn how to identify different demons and the history of these demons and I assure you that you need this knowledge especially when you’re facing a big crisis like an apocalypse.
STACY: Geez, I hope I don’t face an apocalypse. It would be so depressing.
GILES: A schedule of your classes will be given to you by your Watcher and classes will begin next week.
Giles stopped speaking again and he flipped through his papers.
GILES: Also, you will be taken through some outdoor training. Outdoor training will commence once your Watcher feels that you’re ready. Please remind yourself that the outdoor trainings are important and are a matter of life and death. Take each outdoor training seriously and they are not to be considered as field trips.
He took off his glasses and smiled at the girls seated below him.
GILES: That is all from me. If you have any questions, my colleague, Andrew Wells, will be right here to answer them. If you do not have any questions, you’re considered dismissed.
Silence in the auditorium broke as the girls erupted into excited chatter. Stacy stood up and started gesturing for Asta to follow.
STACY: Come on let’s get to the notice board before anybody else does. I so do not want to ruin my nails while pushing through the crowd.
Asta followed silently behind Stacy as the two of them hurried to the back of the auditorium. Already, there were a small throng of people gathering around the notice board.
STACY: Stay here and keep everyone back while I go in and check out who are our Watchers.
Before Asta could open her mouth and say that that wasn’t something she was keen on doing, the crowd of people in front of Stacy swallowed the blond girl up. Asta sighed and stood her ground, blocking a few girls from going pass her. With a scowl etched on her face, she managed to divert a few of them away from her and Stacy.
A full 5 minutes later, Asta caught sight of Stacy squirming her way out of the horde of girls surrounding the notice board.
STACY: I’ve got good news and bad news. Good news is I got a Watcher named Jacob Wills. Judging from his name, I assume he’s a cutie. (frowned) Or he could be a cutie like 20 years ago. Anyway, the bad news? I can’t find your name.
Asta frowned.
STACY: But not to worry, just ask that Andrew guy and I’m sure he’ll tell you who your Watcher is. Maybe you won’t even be getting a Watcher at all.
Stacy reached out and patted Asta’s cheek.
STACY: Just open that lovely mouth of yours and let the words come out and you’ll get far.
Stacy leaned forward and pulled Asta into a hug, catching the other girl by surprise.
STACY: I’m going to go and find this Mr. Wills. See you later!
Stacy wiggled her fingers in some sort of a wave and got swallowed up by the mob of slayers again. Asta chewed on her lip as she looked around for Andrew. She spotted him all the way in the front of the auditorium, talking to a few girls. Not wanting to lose sight of the Watcher, she kept her eyes on him and pushed her way through the many girls that were gathered around, excitedly discussing about who they got as Watcher.
Asta cleared her throat as soon as she reached Andrew. The two girls he was talking to glance at her for a moment, said a few more words to Andrew and then left Asta alone with him.
Andrew looked at her and smiled.
ANDREW: Can I help you?
ASTA: I’m Asta Dawson. My name isn’t on the list so I don’t know who my Watcher is.
Andrew stroked his chin as he looked at her thoughtfully.
ANDREW: So you’re Asta Dawson. Come with me then.
Asta knew that the Council building was huge but she didn’t know that it was this huge. During her short stay here, she never had gotten the time to explore the place and as she followed Andrew down the hallways of the massive building, Asta realized how much she had missed out on by not exploring the building.
After a few dozen twists and turns, Asta found herself in a secluded part of the building. A long hallway with a glass door at the end lay out before her. The place was quiet and deserted. Andrew walked down the hallway towards the glass door with Asta following closely behind. Andrew pushed the glass door open, revealing a reception area. It looked like Asta had just stepped into an office area.
ANDREW: My office is the third door on the right. Wait for me there.
ASTA: Erm…ok.
Asta turned and followed Andrew’s direction. She found the third door on the right and twisted the doorknob. The door swung open easily and Asta stepped inside cautiously. She wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.
The office was simple with only a desk and three chairs surrounding it, a bookshelf at one end and a couch at the other end. The bookshelf was half filled with books that looked like they were older than she was and the couch looked worn out and well used.
Asta went towards the couch and sat down. The couch sank significantly under her weight and Asta shifted to be more comfortable. Since there wasn’t much she could do, she watched the hands of the clock move slowly as she waited for Andrew to arrive.
Precisely four minutes later, the door to Andrew’s office flew open and a tall man walked in. Asta jumped out from the couch in surprise. The man was holding a few files and the top one was open as if he was reading it before he came in. He was dressed casually and was wearing an eye patch. The two of them stared at each other for a full minute before the man’s face split into a smile.
MAN: Hi!
ASTA: Hi…you’re…a pirate?
The man chuckled and waved her comment off.
MAN: Nah. Though, and I don’t believe anyone has said this before, I could be one. All I need is a wooden peg, a hook and a parrot and I’m a pirate. Maybe that should be my next job.
He came further into the office. He closed the top folder and tossed all of them onto Andrew’s table. He faced her again.
MAN: No, I’m not a pirate. This is a result of working with a slayer.
ASTA: You’re a Watcher then.
MAN: Nah. I can’t be a Watcher. Unless you’re talking about the illegal kind and with naked girls involved.
Asta shifted awkwardly.
ASTA: Oh.
MAN: And I’ve made you uncomfortable. Don’t worry, I’m not a pervert. Just a Xander. I’m Xander Harris.
ASTA: Asta.
XANDER: Asta. You’re one of the new slayers right?
ASTA: Yeah.
XANDER: Where are you from?
ASTA: Cleveland originally but I moved to New York when I was little and have been there ever since.
XANDER: Cleveland you say. Never been there myself.
ASTA: It’s not an interesting place to go to anyway.
XANDER: So is Sunnydale. Hometowns are never interesting.
Asta smiled as she nodded.
XANDER: And you’re in Andrew’s office because…?
ASTA: He asked me to wait here. I don’t know who my Watcher is yet and he said he would tell me.
Xander studied her, his good eye roaming up and down her body. She stuffed her hands in her pocket, suddenly feeling very self conscious.
XANDER: Interesting.
ASTA: W-What is?
XANDER: No, no. Nothing at all. Just thinking out loud. I do that sometimes so ignore me.
ASTA: Erm…ok.
XANDER: I’ll go and see where Andrew is. I don’t think he meant to make you wait this long.
ASTA: That’s ok. I don’t mind waiting. The couch is pretty comfortable.
XANDER: Yeah but it has known to eat long sitters. For your safety, I’ll go and get Andrew.
ASTA: Ok, thanks.
Asta sat back down on the couch. Xander’s gaze lingered on her for a brief moment before he turned on his heels and left the office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xander nearly bumped into Andrew as soon as he stepped out of the office.
ANDREW: Hey Xander. Did you bring me those files I wanted?
XANDER: Yup. And I noticed that you have a slayer in there.
ANDREW: That’s Asta.
XANDER: I heard. Listen, can you do me a favor and take it easy with her?
ANDREW: (laughed nervously) You sound like I’m going to sleep with her or something. (grew serious) I’m not.
XANDER: (rolls his eyes) I know you’re not. I’m just saying whatever you’re going to tell her and however you deal with her situation, just be gentle ok. She looks like she’s about to crack any minute. And I bet you don’t want a cracked slayer in your office.
Andrew’s serious expression was replaced by a scared one.
ANDREW: Should I get Willow in there with me? Or Buffy? Maybe I should get Buffy.
Xander placed his hands on Andrew’s shoulder and shook him gently.
XANDER: Hey, you’ll be fine. Just think gentle.
Andrew took in a deep breath and nodded.
ANDREW: Gentle. I can do that.
XANDER: Good. If I hear crying or screaming, I’ll come and help.
He opened the door of the office and pushed Andrew inside.
XANDER: Gentle thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta stood up once again when the front door opened and Andrew came stumbling in. He gave her an embarrassed smile and adjusted his jacket.
ANDREW: So…Asta Dawson right?
ASTA: I know you’re busy so just tell me the name of my Watcher and I’ll go and find him myself. I don’t want to disturb you.
Andrew went towards his desk and sat behind it. He took the folders that Xander had brought and started flipping through them.
ANDREW: Don’t worry. You don’t need to look hard for your Watcher.
ASTA: Ok, that’s good. I can start training early then. So who is he? Or is he a she?
Andrew gathered all the folders and gently tapped them against the tabletop, making the folders and the contents in it to sit right. Then he placed them neatly at the corner of the table. He leaned back in his chair.
ANDREW: I am your Jedi Master.
Asta stared at Andrew.
ASTA: Jedi what?
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:31:15 GMT 10
ACT 2
~CLEVELAND~
~Hades Valley~
She sat down on a park bench and pulled out a chocolate bar from her thick jacket. The weather tonight was colder than the other nights and so she decided to wear her thickest jacket. It was a good thing too as the temperature dropped a few degrees while she made her way to the park from her house a few blocks away.
A gentle breeze swept through the park, rustling the leaves and the bushes around her. She looped a lock of her short, black hair behind her ear before unwrapping a chocolate bar. She took a big bit off it and started chewing.
She let out a sigh as the caramel coated her tongue. As she chewed, she studied the dark park before her. At this time of the night, there was hardly anyone around. People with a right mind wouldn’t be out in the park this late at night and alone. Hades Valley wasn’t the safest place in all of Cleveland. The last thing anyone wants to do is to sit in a deserted park all alone.
The bushes to her left rustled and she froze, her chocolate bar just hovering at her mouth.
GIRL: Hello? Anyone there? Hello?
More rustling and she climbed to her feet cautiously. She stuck her chocolate bar in front of her as a weapon.
GIRL: Just want to let you know I’m armed. This chocolate is pretty hard and I’ve got a good arm.
The bushes stayed still and she relaxed a little. Suddenly, a large male figure stepped out from the bushes and stood in front of her. The figure stepped forward and let the moonlight bounce off the male’s face. His eyes gleamed golden, his forehead was all bumpy and there was some weird marking etched on this forehead.
MAN: Hey there, pretty girl.
She took a step back and raised her chocolate bar a little higher.
GIRL: Hey there, not so pretty man.
MAN: A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out here all alone at night.
GIRL: (shrugged) I can take care of myself.
MAN: (smiled) We shall see about that.
The man vamped out and with a snarl, he leaped at her. She waved her free hand in front of her and the vampire froze in mid air. His golden eyes widen in surprise.
VAMP: What the hell?!
GIRL: (grinned) See? Told you I could take care of myself.
She pulled out a stake for her back pocket and plunged it into the vampire’s heart. Dust rained down to the ground a second later. She cursed when some of the dust sprinkled on her chocolate.
GIRL: Vampire dust on chocolate? Never good.
MALE VOICE: (o.s) Tabitha! Behind you!
Tabitha whirled around and jumped back as soon as she saw a fist coming fast towards her head. She aimed a sharp kick at the vampire’s chest, knocking it backwards.
TABITHA: All yours Oliver!
A tall, lean man with longish dark hair jumped down to the ground from his hiding place up in the trees. Oliver grabbed the vampire’s shoulder, spun him around and staked it. The vampire screamed as it burst into a cloud of dust.
TABITHA: Nice. Though I would have preferred if you handled that vampire by yourself instead of letting me do most of the work.
Oliver scowled at her as she took another bite of her chocolate.
OLIVER: I thought I told you not to call me Oliver? And you didn’t do most of the work.
TABITHA: I was still reeling from my fight with the first vampire when you asked me to deal with the second. You were in the trees so that you could keep a lookout. Didn’t you see the second vampire before it came up to me?
OLIVER: Hey, just be glad that I saw the vampire in the first place.
TABITHA: Some lookout you were. You didn’t even tell me about the vampire in the bushes. I had to lure him out by acting all scared.
OLIVER: Don’t worry, sis, you did a good job by acting scared. And what’s with the chocolate?
TABITHA: Can’t I have a little snack while I fight?
OLIVER: Sure, if you want to get killed in the process.
TABITHA: Well, I didn’t, did I?
Oliver’s eyes widen the same time Tabitha spotted a female vampire creeping up behind him. Like the other two vampires they took out, this one also had the strange markings on their forehead.
TABITHA & OLIVER: (in unison) Duck!
The two of them fell to the ground and watched as the two vampires clashed overhead. The vampires stumbled back in surprise. With a roar, the two rushed Tabitha and Oliver.
TABITHA: Boost!
Oliver laced his fingers together and presented his hand forward. Tabitha placed her foot securely on his laced hands and Oliver gave her a boost. She flipped over his head and landed gracefully behind the female vampire. Without wasting any time, Tabitha stabbed the vampire’s back as hard as she could. The vampire exploded into dust, revealing Oliver fighting with the second vampire.
TABITHA: Bola de fuego!
A small, round fireball shot out of her hand and headed straight for Oliver and the vampire. Oliver grabbed the vampire by its collar and made him turn, putting him in line with the oncoming fireball. The vampire went up in flames.
TABITHA: (grinned) Don’t you just love me!
Oliver brushed ashes off his clothes and looked around the ground.
OLIVER: This is the fourth time these guys have shown their faces. And they keep on coming. Did you get a closer look at the tribal markings on their forehead?
TABITHA: No. The markings still looked like tilted Nazi signs to me.
Oliver started wandering over to the bush where the first vampire came out from, his eyes trained on the ground.
TABITHA: He’s dust, Ollie. You’re not going to find anything.
OLIVER: He might have dropped something.
TABITHA: Oh right! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? He surely must have dropped an I.D card with his name, address and which gang he’s from on it.
OLIVER: (looked at her) Now, you’re just abusing sarcasm.
TABITHA: (sighed) Look, it’s late and I want to get some sleep. I’m sure we’ll bump into these guys again tomorrow night. We’ll do the investigating then ok? We’ll do the good cop/bad cop routine that you always wanted to do.
Oliver nodded as he ran a hand through his longish, black hair.
OLIVER: Alright sure. We’ll turn in for the night.
TABITHA: Great!
She polished off her chocolate and crushed the wrapper into a ball.
TABITHA: Hey, how about we grab some pizza before we head home? I’m feeling hungry after all that vigorous fighting.
##############################################
~WATCHER’S COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Andrew’s office~
ANDREW: A Jedi Master. Don’t tell me you have never heard of a Jedi master before.
ASTA: I can’t say I have. I’ve only just started this slaying thing.
ANDREW: Jedi Masters are from Star Wars.
ASTA: Huh. Ok. So are you saying you’re my Watcher?
ANDREW: (sighed) Yes, I’m your Watcher. (muttered) I think I should start putting in Star Wars references into the Slayer handbook.
The door of the office burst open and a young woman Asta recognized came in.
WOMAN: Hey Andrew, have you seen Buffy around?
Andrew stood up in greeting.
ANDREW: Willow! Glad you’re here. Have you met Asta? She’s a slayer, a slayer I’m watching over.
The young woman, Willow, turned her attention towards Asta and gave her a smile.
WILLOW: Hi! I’m Willow.
ASTA: I know. I recognized you from the picture in the slayer handbook.
Willow grinned brightly.
WILLOW: I’m in a book? Cool. (to Andrew) I’m immortalized in a book! I thought that day would never come.
ANDREW: (to Andrew) Was my picture in the book as well?
ASTA: Erm…no. I don’t remember.
A spark of disappointed flashed across Andrew’s face. He started rummaging through his drawers.
WILLOW: So Andrew’s your Watcher huh? Good luck with that.
Asta cracked a smile.
ANDREW: (looked up) Hey! What is that suppose to mean?
WILLOW: (smiled) Nothing. So have you seen Buffy?
Andrew continued looking through his drawers.
ANDREW: No, no, I haven’t. Did you check her office?
WILLOW: I did but she wasn’t there.
ANDREW: What’s this about?
WILLOW: Giles wants to see us. He says he has some leads on a new slayer that the Seers spotted.
ANDREW: I’ll let her know when I see her.
WILLOW: Great. I gotta go and check in with some of the Watchers. See you later.
The redhead turned towards Asta and extended her hand.
WILLOW: It was nice to meet you, Asta.
Asta stood up and took Willow’s outstretched hand.
ASTA: Nice to –
The images slammed into Asta from nowhere. Like a movie on fast forward, the images flashed before Asta’s eyes.
A girl was running down the street with Asta chasing her.
A demon came out of the ground with fire surrounding it.
Asta stood in the middle of a field with many dead bodies with hordes of demons behind her.
The face of the same demon loomed large.
DEMON: You’re not good, you’re evil. Just like me. We’ll rule together.
Asta dropped Willow’s hand abruptly and the images vanished as instantly as it came. Willow looked at her weirdly and Asta wondered whether she experienced the same thing.
ASTA: Nice to meet you too.
WILLOW: What just happened?
ASTA: W-What?
WILLOW: Just now. Don’t tell me you didn’t see it. I saw it too.
ASTA: I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have to go. (to Andrew) I’ll wait outside.
Asta brushed past Willow and made a quick exit before anyone could stop her.
ANDREW: She didn’t just crack did she? Xander warned me about this.
WILLOW: I don’t know what happened.
ANDREW: What did you see?
WILLOW: Things that made me think that she’s… different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as Asta left Andrew’s office, she quickly scanned the area for a bathroom. Not seeing any sign that indicated a bathroom was nearby; she approached the receptionist’s desk.
ASTA: Can you tell me where the bathroom is?
RECEPTIONIST: It is two doors down the way you came.
ASTA: Thanks.
She followed the receptionist’s instructions and made her way towards the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door behind her and went to the sink. She twisted the knob of the tap and let a stream of water come gushing out from the faucet. She cupped her hand underneath the tap and splashed a good amount of water onto her face.
It was then when she noticed that her hands were shaking and she couldn’t make them stop. So she gripped the side of the sink and braced herself against it while she let the cold water run down her face. Her little vision experience certainly spooked her. The images and the voices still lingered in her mind, making her tremble slightly.
DEMON: You’re not good, you’re evil.
Asta squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately to get rid of the voice and the images.
DEMON: Just like me.
Asta splashed another dose of water on her face before turning off the tap. She ripped a piece of paper towel from the dispenser and dried her eyes.
VOICE: Come home, Asta.
Asta froze when she heard the voice ring through the deserted bathroom. She looked around the area to make sure she was alone but there was no one in sight or any indication that someone was around.
VOICE: Asta…
Asta whirled around in surprise but nobody was behind her even though the voice sounded like it was.
VOICE: Asta…come home.
ASTA: Who’s there?
VOICE: Asta…come home…to me.
ASTA: I’m a slayer, you know. Y-You don’t want to mess with me.
VOICE: Asta…come home.
Then came a loud banging.
VOICE: Asta? Asta?
ASTA: Who are you? What do you want?
VOICE: Asta? It’s me Andrew. And I want you to come out so that we can start our training.
Asta went to the door, unlocked it and yanked it open.
ASTA: Andrew?
ANDREW: Are you ready for training?
ASTA: How long were you calling for me?
ANDREW: Not long. I didn’t even need to use my Yoda voice. Why?
ASTA: Never mind. So where are we going to have our training?
##############################################
~TRAINING ROOM~
~later~
ANDREW: We’re going back to the basics during our training. I’ll teach you how to attack, defend, kill the various demons and avert apocalypses – all the basic stuff.
The training room Asta and Andrew were in was different from the training room she was shown before during her orientation with Buffy Summers. For one thing, this room was smaller and had less equipment.
There was a treadmill and a few sets of dumbbells at one end, a case full of weapons at the other end and in the middle of the room a few punching bags and a couple of life size dummies.
After Andrew had come to get her in the bathroom, Asta had gone to her room to change into something more comfortable. Now, decked out in a pair of sweat pants and a tank top, she did her stretches as Andrew started telling her about the different types of weapons that she would be using during her training and during her fight against the forces of darkness.
ANDREW: A stake is the most important weapon that a slayer uses. Without a stake, you are not able to kill a vampire unless you have something sharp to cut its head off or fire to burn it.
Andrew crossed the training room to the weapons case and took out a stake. He tossed it to her.
ANDREW: A stake is a piece of wood, sharpened at one end to form a point. It is one of the many characteristics that have remained with the folklore of vampires throughout the years. The stake is struck into the heart of the vampire in order to kill it. When on patrol, always have a stake with you. If you don’t have any other weapons, you should at least have a stake. Having a stake with you is almost as good as having a sword or a rocket launcher.
Asta gripped the stake in her hand, letting herself to get familiar with the grainy texture against her palm and the heft of it.
ANDREW: I hope you know where the heart it.
He went over to one of the life size dummies and pushed it towards her. Eyeing her target, Asta threw the stake end-over-end at the dummy’s chest. The wooden weapon struck the dummy and stayed there.
Andrew peered around the dummy and looked at her approvingly.
ANDREW: Nice shot. But you’re off the mark by a few inches. Now all you got is a really mad vampire.
Andrew yanked the stake out and tossed it at her.
ANDREW: Let’s try again, Frodo.
ASTA: (frowned) My name’s not –
ANDREW: It’s a Lord of the Rings reference! Maybe for our next training we should watch all the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings movies. (pause) Maybe not Episode 1. I can give you a much more interesting verbal tale about it than Mr. Lucas did.
Asta threw the stake again and this time she hit the target. She was certainly getting the hang of this.
ASTA: I think not. We’ll stick to the traditional training, if you don’t mind.
Andrew gave her a smile.
ANDREW: I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
For the whole week, Andrew went through with her all of the basic fighting techniques that every slayer should know. It wasn’t easy. Asta had a hard time doing every move right and whenever she got something wrong, Andrew would burst into a slew of movie references that Asta didn’t get. And whenever she executed the moves correctly, he would also burst into a slew of movie references and sometimes he did some excited jumps.
Once Asta more or less got most of the fighting skills down, Andrew moved on to the other weapons in the case. He gave a brief description how to use them, when to use them and on which demon to use on. Asta tried her very best to absorb all the information he was bombarding her with but after he went through the fourth weapon, her mind started wandering to the incident in the bathroom and earlier in Andrew’s office.
VOICE: Come home…
ASTA: What?
ANDREW: What?
Asta looked at Andrew and blinked.
ASTA: You didn’t hear that?
ANDREW: Hear what?
Asta stared at her Watcher, watching for any sign that he showed that might indicate that he indeed heard that voice and was lying just to mess with her. She shook her head when she told herself that Andrew was indeed telling the truth.
ASTA: Nothing. It must have been my imagination.
Andrew put back the crossbow he was holding back into the weapons case and clapped his hands.
ANDREW: And thus endeth the training. It’s reading time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:33:16 GMT 10
ACT 3
~HADES VALLEY~
~Oliver & Tabitha’s kitchen~
~morning~
TABITHA: (groaned) I hate reading.
Oliver didn’t even look up from the huge tome he was reading as he answered her.
OLIVER: Don’t read then. No one is forcing you to read.
TABITHA: No, you’re forcing me to read.
OLIVER: I didn’t force you to read.
TABITHA: You asked me to help you research and since I’m your sister and all, I’m needed to help you because I love you and what not. And that’s forcing.
OLIVER: Whatever you say, sis.
Tabitha slammed the book she hardly touched shut and leaned forward.
TABITHA: Did you find anything yet?
OLIVER: Nope.
TABITHA: Are you even close?
OLIVER: Nope.
TABITHA: Do you think you’ll ever find anything?
Oliver looked up and regarded her.
OLIVER: I think I will if a sister of mine shuts up and helps me.
Tabitha stuck out her tongue at him.
TABITHA: I’m hungry. I’m going to make some breakfast.
Oliver went back to his book.
OLIVER: When are you not hungry?
TABITHA: When I’m asleep or going to the toilet.
OLIVER: Good to know. (looked up) What time is it anyway?
Tabitha glanced at the wall clock just beside the refrigerator.
TABITHA: 5 minutes past eight. We’ve been researching for 8 hours now.
OLIVER: No, I’ve been researching for 8 hours. You only researched for 30 minutes while you slept during the first 7 and a half.
Tabitha went over to their refrigerator and took out a carton of milk.
TABITHA: (shrugged) I was tired.
OLIVER: (scoffed) And you think I’m not?
She set the carton down on the dining table and went to the sink to grab a bowl.
TABITHA: It’s not my fault that you don’t want to sleep when I ask you to.
She opened the top cabinet and gazed at the row of cereal boxes.
TABITHA: Cornflakes, Fruit Loops, Captain Crunch – among many others. Hmm…so many choices, so little taste buds.
OLIVER: Pour me a bowl while you’re at it, will ya.
TABITHA: What do you think I should go with?
OLIVER: Corn Flakes.
Tabitha made a face.
TABITHA: Captain Crunch is it.
OLIVER: Get me a cup of coffee too.
Tabitha turned around and regarded her brother.
TABITHA: I’m not going to get you anything. You need sleep.
Oliver rubbed his eyes and shifted in his seat.
OLIVER: I’m fine.
TABITHA: Have you look in the mirror lately?
OLIVER: I’ll be fine once I get that cup of coffee.
Tabitha set the box of cereal down and placed her hand over her brother’s.
TABITHA: Ollie, you can continue this once you gotten some rest. Once you’re refreshed and reenergized, you can have a crack at this again. And I’ll promise you I’ll help.
Oliver gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand affectionately.
OLIVER: Tabby, I’m f –
TABITHA: Say you’re fine and I’ll seriously kick your ass. I mean it!
Oliver chuckled as her raised his hands in surrender.
OLIVER: Alright, alright, I’ll get some sleep.
He closed the book he was reading and stood up.
OLIVER: It’s not like I have anything else important to do.
Tabitha filled the bowl with cereal and poured milk over it.
TABITHA: By the way, how’s that job hunting coming along?
OLIVER: (o.s) Goodnight!
Tabitha shook her head as she ate a spoonful of Captain Crunch.
TABITHA: When will he ever learn?
MALE VOICE: (o.s) I don’t think he ever will and I blame it all on you.
Tabitha jumped, startled, dropping her spoon onto the dining table. She whirled around and gasped when the newcomer grabbed her waist.
MAN: Hey you.
TABITHA: David! Gees, you scared the daylights out of me. Don’t ever do that.
DAVID: And missed that look on your face? No way.
David leaned forward and captured her lips with his. He pulled away a minute later and smiled.
DAVID: (softly) Hey.
Tabitha wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him close.
TABITHA: Hey. How did you get in?
DAVID: Front door was unlocked. (chuckled) When will you ever learn?
TABITHA: It runs in the family I guess.
DAVID: I missed you yesterday.
TABITHA: Sorry, had to work late. The report on the Coleman’s case needed reviewing – again. I promise I’ll make it up to you.
DAVID: Don’t worry about it.
He looked past her shoulders and nodded at something behind her.
DAVID: What are those?
Tabitha glanced over her shoulder and realized that he was talking about the many book scattered across that dining table. She let go of David and started gathering the books.
TABITHA: Nothing. Just Oliver’s stuff. He has this weird hobby.
David reached past her and grabbed one of the books.
DAVID: Chronicles of…Fish?
Tabitha plucked the book out of his hands and set it aside.
TABITHA: It’s Fy’sh. Oliver’s weird that way. And he hates it when people touch his books.
She pulled in him for another kiss, trying to distract him.
TABITHA: So why this sudden surprise visit – not that I’m complaining of course.
DAVID: Just thought I stop by before my girl leaves for work.
TABITHA: Hmm…that’s sweet. You’re getting extra brownie points for this.
DAVID: (grinned) Score!
David dipped his head and gave her another kiss.
DAVID: You think we got some time to…
Tabitha glanced at the wall clock and noted the time.
TABITHA: We have about 30 minutes. That long enough for you?
DAVID: I’ll take whatever I have.
TABITHA: Naughty boy.
DAVID: Just the way you like me.
TABITHA: Damn right, Mr. Boone. Now kiss me.
And kiss her he did.
##############################################
~WATCHER’S COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Buffy’s office~
Willow rapped on the door once before sticking her head in.
WILLOW: Hey Buffy, can I talk to you for a minute?
Buffy grabbed the edge of the table to stop her chair from spinning. She shot Willow a smile.
BUFFY: Sure. Take two minutes if you want.
Willow came into the office and gestured to Buffy and her spinning leather chair.
WILLOW: I see that you’re testing out the spinning capability of the chair.
BUFFY: Yup, I was. I’ll rate it a perfect 10.
WILLOW: I’ll pass this along to Xander.
BUFFY: So what do you want to talk to me about?
WILLOW: You know about the slayer that Andrew is watching over? I found something interesting about her.
BUFFY: Oh. (pause) And by interesting you mean…
WILLOW: She’s more than meets the eye.
BUFFY: I need more to go on here, Will. I never understood that phrase.
WILLOW: I did a scan of Asta and I found something interesting.
BUFFY: And by scan you mean…
WILLOW: Kinda like a background check. I do that for all the slayers. I touch them and I take a peek into their background – magickally.
BUFFY: Erm…touch them you say?
WILLOW: Not in that way, of course. Hello? Kennedy? Just a pat or a handshake, you know, something subtle.
BUFFY: Ok, so you…touch them and you see into their backgrounds?
WILLOW: Yeah. I just want to make sure that all the slayers here are the good kind and they are not intending to go evil anytime soon. Cause the last time that happened…
BUFFY: (grimly) Much joy wasn’t it?
WILLOW: Much.
BUFFY: So you saw something wrong with this girl? Asta?
WILLOW: Well, that’s the thing. I don’t know what I saw. I shook her hand and I was bombarded with images that were…unexpected, to say the least. And there were voices too but I couldn’t make out what was being said.
BUFFY: So she’s evil?
WILLOW: I don’t know. I mean, she doesn’t look evil and I know that looks can be deceiving and all that but she was clearly surprised at what she saw as well.
BUFFY: You mean she saw whatever it was that you saw?
WILLOW: Yeah and that’s the weird part. When I do a scan, the slayers don’t have a clue that I did that. But Asta knew. I’m starting to think that that wasn’t part of my scan. I think I triggered something.
BUFFY: A demon?
WILLOW: Maybe. That’s why I’m giving you the heads up. We need to research this girl big time. Where she’s from, where her family is from, what her family tree is like, etc. She might be dangerous. (pause) Or I could be wrong. I’m hoping I’m wrong. I don’t want to fight another evil vampire slayer.
BUFFY: Well, we’ll check her background the non-magickal way and make sure you’re wrong. Who knows? Maybe she’s a witch who’s playing a trick on you.
WILLOW: If she’s a witch, she sure is a powerful one. I would so want to learn that trick.
Buffy stood up and walked to the front of her desk.
BUFFY: Ok, so we’ll do a check on her. I’ll tell Andrew to keep an eye on her, see whether if she does anything demon-y or witch-y or anything un-slayer like.
WILLOW: Ok good. Did you notice anything interesting or weird about her when you were going through her files?
BUFFY: No. She seems normal enough. She was born in Cleveland though, Hades Valley.
WILLOW: Isn’t that the town where the other hellmouth is?
BUFFY: Yup. Demon central just like Sunnydale. Only that Hades Valley is much bigger and has more Starbucks than little old Sunny D.
WILLOW: You think with her being born in demon central has something to do with what I saw?
BUFFY: And the questions keep on coming, don’t they? I think we seriously need to check out this girl before we ask anymore questions. Cause I’m all out of answers.
WILLOW: Ok, I’ll get Giles, Andrew and Xander and we’ll get down to some serious researching.
BUFFY: (smiled) Just like old times.
WILLOW: (smiled) Just like old times.
##############################################
~ASTA’S BEDROOM~
Asta found herself standing in the middle of a large field but she had no idea how she got there. There was no one in sight and there wasn’t a single sound to be heard. The place was dark and the only light source was from the full moon above her head. Asta turned around and took in her surroundings.
VOICE: Hello, Asta. Welcome home.
The voice was the same as she had heard in the bathroom and in Andrew’s office. Just like the previous times, she wasn’t able to see where and who the voice was coming from.
ASTA: Who’s there? And where am I?
VOICE: You’re home. Don’t you recognize the place you belong?
ASTA: I don’t belong in a field.
VOICE: No, you belong with me.
ASTA: And you are…?
VOICE: I’ll be seeing you soon, Asta. Don’t stay away from me too long. Come home soon, Asta.
Suddenly, the whole field was flooded with light and Asta had to shield her eyes with her hand.
ASTA: What the hell is going on?
VOICE: Come back to Hades…
Something hit her squarely in the chest and she felt herself being flung backwards. She landed on the ground hard and she stayed down. She couldn’t move to pick herself up. So she lay on the damp grass, gazing up at the dark sky above. It was then when she saw the huge pillar of fire hurtling down towards her.
All Asta could do was watch the pillar of fire come roaring towards her and scream.
Asta jolted awake with cold sweat pouring down her face. Her heart was thundering against her chest and her breath was coming out in short gasps. She looked around, wondering for a moment where she was.
The familiarity of her room came rushing back to her and Asta calmed down a little. She flopped back down onto her bed and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. She suddenly felt extremely exhausted and wished she could go back to sleep but the memories of her nightmare convinced her that it wasn’t such a good idea at the moment.
Asta glanced at the bed beside her and noticed that her roommate was still out. A quick look at her alarm clock told her that it was way past midnight and her roommate was out for over 18 hours.
She threw back her covers and dragged herself out of bed. Though sleep was tugging at her, she didn’t want to go back to dreamland just yet. She wanted to wait until all the remaining memories of her nightmare were gone before closing her eyes again.
She trudged towards the attached bathroom, threw the lights on and went to the sink. She turned on the tap and splashed a good amount of water on her face a coupe of times. She felt better but only slightly.
VOICE: Asta…
Aster’s head snapped up and found herself looking into her reflection in the mirror. Something flashed across behind her, causing her to yelp in surprise.
VOICE: Asta…
ASTA: S-Stacy? Is that you?
VOICE: Come home to Hades…
ASTA: Please, leave me alone.
VOICE: Asta…
ASTA: Do you hear me? I said leave me alone!
VOICE: Come home to Hades…
ASTA: I do not want to go back to Hades! I don’t belong there!
VOICE: Asta…
ASTA: Shut up!
VOICE: Asta…
ASTA: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
Silence except for the sound of running water.
Asta stood still, staring intently at her reflection. She didn’t move in case the voice started speaking again. She stood absolutely still until she was sure that she wasn’t going to hear anymore voices before she moved again.
She turned off the tap and left the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Her room was in darkness as she didn’t bother turning on the lights. Asta glanced around the room and suddenly felt like she needed to get out of it.
Without bothering to change into something more appropriate, she grabbed her jacket from her desk and left her room in her pajamas.
##############################################
~GILES’ OFFICE~
Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander and Andrew were all seated in Giles’ office with a book or a thick cream colored folder on their laps. Giles had a cup of tea in one hand while the rest were either nursing a mug of coffee or a really strong hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Andrew peered into his mug and pouted.
ANDREW: My hot chocolate needs more marshmallows.
XANDER: There are more where that came from – on Giles’ desk.
GILES: Ah! This file says something about Asta’s ancestors. It says here that her ancestors were originated from Persia. They only migrated to Cleveland during the 17 hundreds. (pause) And that’s all it says actually. There’s no history of her ancestors in Persia. Her history starts in Cleveland.
Willow slammed her book shut and sighed in frustration.
WILLOW: This is a bust.
Xander raised an eyebrow.
XANDER: You don’t say.
BUFFY: There must be something in here that tells us something about Asta. Andrew? Anything?
Andrew looked up from the packet of marshmallows that he was holding.
ANDREW: Nope, nothing interesting from me. Marshmallow?
BUFFY: No thanks.
Giles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
GILES: We’ll do more research in the morning. I assume we are all tired so a fresh pair of eyes may uncover something we’ve missed tomorrow.
XANDER: Man, I wished I had a fresh pair of eyes.
BUFFY: Xander…
XANDER: Sorry, just some light hearted humor to perk you guys up.
WILLOW: We got coffee to perk us up.
XANDER: Yeah, but I don’t taste bitter or stain your teeth yellow.
The five of them stood up and started clearing away all the books and folders that they were going through for the past two hours.
XANDER: So we’ll do this again same time tomorrow?
BUFFY: Looks like, unless Willow or Andrew get more leads.
WILLOW: I’ll see what I can do.
ANDREW: Same here.
Xander tucked a couple of books under his arm and went towards the door.
XANDER: Alright, see you guys tomorrow then. I need to get up early to take a look at the new locks we installed in the vault. Good night.
BUFFY: Good night, Xand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta stuffed her hands deeper into the pockets of her jacket as she walked down the deserted pathway that led towards the main building of the Council. She had been walking for ten minutes now with no particular destination in mind. She just followed the gravel pathway, her mind flooded with many thoughts.
The area was well lit and Asta was grateful. With everything that was going on, she didn’t exactly want to be in a place that could hide things from her. The rubber sole of her boots made no sound and the only sound that could be heard was the usual night sounds – the chirping of a cricket nearby, the hooting of an owl and the occasional sound of police sirens.
After walking a few metres, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She didn’t stop walking. Instead, she picked up her pace, hoping that whoever was behind her would go off in another direction.
The footsteps continued to follow her and Asta’s heart started to beat faster. Inside her pocket, her fingers wrapped around the pocket knife that she always had with her since that night a few years ago. She ducked her head and plowed on, resisting the urge to look behind her.
The person behind her chuckled and Asta shuddered involuntarily.
PERSON: Slow down, love.
The voice had a thick English accent and sounded male. Asta ignored the person and carried on walking. She increased her pace and she was now half running and half walking down the pathway.
MAN: (laughed) You’re such a tease.
Five long, strong fingers wrapped around her upper right arm and dragged her back. She could feel the cold of the fingers seeping through her jacket and her pajama top, numbing her skin below.
Asta felt herself being yanked back. She lost her footing and she went down to the ground, her follower’s hands letting go of her. She looked up and a young handsome man towered over her, a bright smile on his face.
MAN: Sorry. Didn’t mean to hurt you. Are you alright?
Asta climbed to her feet, brushing dirt off herself.
ASTA: I’m fine. I-I have to go.
The man grabbed her hand again.
MAN: Why the hurry?
Asta tried to tug her hand away but he tightened his grip.
ASTA: I need to go.
MAN: You shouldn’t be walking alone at this time of the night. Let me walk you to your destination.
ASTA: I’m fine – really.
Asta struggled against his grip but the man held fast. He gave her a nonchalant smile.
MAN: It’s alright. I’ll walk you.
The man started walking but he was going in a different direction.
ASTA: Let me go or I’ll scream.
MAN: Oh, please don’t do that, love. You’ll wake everyone up and you don’t want to do that.
Asta reached into her pocket and pulled out her pocket knife as discreetly as possible. She flicked the blade out and without warning, stabbed her captor. The man roared in pain that the knife stuck out of his chest. Asta jerked the knife out and tugged herself free.
MAN: Bloody hell! What was that for?
The slayer put the knife between the two of them, making sure that he wasn’t too close to her to grab her again.
ASTA: Stay away from me!
MAN: Now, come on. I was just trying to be polite. But if you wanted to play rough, all you had to do was say so.
The man’s brow thickened, his eyes started to glow a bright yellow and his teeth lengthened, becoming sharper. Asta gasped as the transformation.
MAN: Shall we play then?
Asta took that as her cue as she spun on her heels and ran.
MAN: Aww, don’t do that!
Footsteps pounded behind her and alerting Asta that he had given chase. Using her slayer powers to her advantage, she poured on more speed. She rounded a corner and ducked into some bushes. A few seconds later, the vampire sped past her without sparing a glance at the bushes she was in.
Asta stayed hidden for a few minutes to make sure that the vampire didn’t return to try to search for her here again. Once she was absolutely sure that she had lost the vampire, she cautiously stepped out of hiding. She surveyed the area and didn’t see anyone in sight.
Asta sighed in relief. She was about to pocket her knife when she heard footsteps coming around the corner. Instead of running, she dropped into a fighting stance and gripped the knife above her head, waiting for the vampire to round the corner.
ASTA: (murmured) Just use the basics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xander’s room, along with the rest, was in the west block. All their offices were in the east one so it was a long walk towards his room. But thankfully the area was well lit so he was able to survey his surroundings as he walked down the pathway. That way, he was able to tell if there were any creatures of the night that were lying in wait for him. Though the Watcher’s Council was secure, there was still a chance of vampires and other nasties sneaking in to pry on the young and innocent girls.
But as he rounded the corner he didn’t see the figure leaping at him. He recognized the figure as Asta just as he noticed the knife she had in her hand. The deranged look in her eyes didn’t exactly prevent him from screaming out in terror.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:34:30 GMT 10
ACT 4
XANDER: AHHH!!!
The books fell from Xander’s hand as he stumbled back in fright. His feet tangled up with each other and he felt himself falling towards the pavement. Asta towered over him, the knife gleaming in the night.
ASTA: Xander?
XANDER: I swear I’m not a pervert!
ASTA: Oh geez Xander! I’m so sorry; I thought you were a vampire.
Asta lowered her knife and extended a hand towards him. Xander took it and the slayer pulled him to his feet.
ASTA: Are you ok?
XANDER: Yeah I’m fine. Didn’t lose the other eye thankfully. Just had my heart stop for a second and had my life flashed before my eyes. I got to say that I made quite an improvement.
Asta was on the floor, gathering the books he dropped. She looked up at him, puzzled.
ASTA: What?
XANDER: The last time my life flashed before my eyes, I told myself that I got to get a life. This time…Man, I did so many things. And all of them very traumatizing.
Asta stood up and handed him his books.
ASTA: Well, I’m glad some good came out of this. Again, I’m sorry. I guess I was too alert.
XANDER: Wise choice but you might want to carry a stake instead of a pocket knife. Knife and vampires? Pretty much like toothpicks on humans. Will hurt like hell but won’t kill them and will make them angrier. Not a good thing.
ASTA: I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve been carrying it for a long time so I guess it’s just habit.
XANDER: Why do you carry a knife in the first place?
Asta stuffed her hand into the pockets of her jacket and avoided Xander’s gaze.
ASTA: Long story.
XANDER: Ok. Tell me this then. What are you doing out at this hour? Shouldn’t you be asleep?
ASTA: I couldn’t sleep so I thought I take a walk.
XANDER: Pretty brave of you.
ASTA: I needed to get my mind off things.
Xander gestured for them to start walking and the two of them started down the pathway.
XANDER: Rough day?
ASTA: You can say that.
XANDER: You want to talk about it? I can’t promise you that I’ll make you feel better but I can throw in a few jokes and make whatever it is that you were going through the funniest thing that happened.
ASTA: Thanks but I’ll be ok.
XANDER: You sure? I make a great Andrew impression.
ASTA: Andrew’s not the problem.
XANDER: Training?
ASTA: No.
XANDER: Wow, you really don’t want to talk about it.
ASTA: Nope.
XANDER: That’s alright. My ego is still intact – I think.
ASTA: It’s just that I don’t have a clue as to what’s going on so I don’t know exactly what to tell you.
XANDER: Ahh, one of those things.
ASTA: Yeah.
XANDER: Well, I’m sure whatever that is that you’ve gone through, you’ll figure out how to get past it. You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you’ll do what it’s right.
Asta smiled, grateful for his company.
ASTA: Thanks. I feel a bit better now.
XANDER: Always here to help.
The two of them walked silently for a few minutes.
ASTA: You like what you do?
Xander looked at her, his face registering surprise.
XANDER: Why do you ask?
ASTA: I can’t imagine anyone doing this without much complaint and whining. I never heard you do that. Granted that I only just met you and we had a very short conversation before this one, but you don’t seem like the sort of person that would bitch about this.
Xander chuckled and shook his head in amusement.
XANDER: I knew you were smart.
ASTA: I can read people very well.
XANDER: And I won’t say I don’t believe you.
ASTA: And I know when people are avoiding the subject, like you are doing now. So do you like it?
Xander didn’t reply right away. He looked straight ahead, shifting his books from one hand to the other.
XANDER: I never really thought about it.
ASTA: You must like it if you’re willing to fight for this long. If I were you, I think I might have quit a few years back. Or, seeing how I used a knife to try to stake a vampire, I wouldn’t even be alive.
XANDER: I’m lucky. I had Buffy and Willow and Giles with me every step of the way.
ASTA: You weren’t lucky when that happened.
Xander looked back at her and it took him a moment to realize that she was referring to his damaged eye.
XANDER: This was nothing. It could have been worse. I was lucky.
The two of them fell quiet. The block where Asta room was loomed into view. A few minutes later, the two of them stood at the door of the block. Asta fished out her key and unlocked it.
ASTA: So thanks for everything.
XANDER: Thank you for not killing me.
ASTA: (smiled) My pleasure.
Xander cocked his head at her.
XANDER: You know you should smile often. You look really pretty when you do.
Asta ducked her head in embarrassment.
ASTA: That’s what my dad used to say.
XANDER: I must be right then. Well, goodnight. I hope you’re able to sleep now.
ASTA: Thanks.
XANDER: No problem.
##############################################
~HADES VALLEY~
Tabitha and David strolled along the street hand-in-hand, gazing at the shops and restaurants that they passed by. David turned to Tabitha gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
DAVID: So I had fun tonight.
Tabitha nudged his shoulder with hers.
TABITHA: Told you I’ll make it up to you.
DAVID: So what do you want to do now? You want to head home?
TABITHA: Sounds good. We’ll head back to my place; maybe get some coffee and talk.
DAVID: (smirked) Talk?
TABITHA: Yeah, you know, talk. As in make out.
DAVID: Definitely sounds good.
The shrill ring of her cell phone stopped their conversation from going any further. Tossing an apologetic smile to David, she fished her cell phone of the pocket of her jeans and answered it.
TABITHA: Hello?
VOICE: Hey, it’s me?
TABITHA: (gasped) Luke Perry?
OLIVER: No, your little brother.
TABITHA: Damn. What’s up?
OLIVER: Just want to give you a heads up. I spotted another gang of those vampires in the cemetery.
Tabitha glanced at David who was looking at the shops before turning her head and lowering her voice.
TABITHA: What are you doing patrolling alone? I told you to never patrol alone.
OLIVER: I’m sorry mom but I didn’t have a date today and I was bored.
TABITHA: Look, I don’t want you to go after those vamps without me.
OLIVER: You ditching the dude?
TABITHA: Oliver!
OLIVER: You stop calling me Oliver; I’ll stop calling him dude.
TABITHA: Stay where you are. I’ll be there in ten minutes.
OLIVER: Any later and I’m making my presence known.
TABITHA: Don’t you dare –
The dial tone echoed in her ear as Oliver hung up on her.
TABITHA: Damn it!
DAVID: Everything ok?
TABITHA: Erm…yeah. Listen, I have to take a rain check on that coffee. There’s something I need to do for Oliver.
DAVID: Did he get arrested again?
TABITHA: No, but he is in trouble. How about you come by my place for lunch tomorrow? I have a day off so we can do whatever you want.
DAVID: I can tag along if you want.
TABITHA: I would love for you to come but you know how Oliver is.
DAVID: (nodded) He hates me.
TABITHA: Something like that. Don’t worry, alright? I’ll be fine.
Tabitha came up to him and pecked him on the cheek.
TABITHA: I’ll see you tomorrow. ‘Night.
With a wave, she made her way in the opposite direction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~CEMETERY~
Oliver watched from behind one of the tombstone as the group of five vampires strolled through the cemetery laughing and talking loudly. Some of them had bottles of beer in their hands and the others were puffing on cigarettes.
Oliver glanced at his watch. Ten minutes has past and there was still no sign of his sister. He crept behind another tombstone as the vampires went further into the cemetery. They were all heading towards the direction where a mausoleum stood.
OLIVER: (muttered) Come on, Tabby. Hurry up.
Oliver shifted to get a better view and as he moved, his feet stepped on a branch, snapping it into half. Oliver froze, hoping that the vampires didn’t hear anything.
VAMP #1: Did you hear that?
VAMP #2: Hear what?
VAMP #1: Never mind. Forget I said anything.
A heavy hand landed on Oliver’s shoulder, causing him to turn around in surprise.
VAMP #3: Hey, dude. What’s up?
Oliver didn’t answer as he swept his legs at the vampire, making it fall to the ground.
VAMP #3: Hey!
Oliver took this moment to glance over his shoulder and saw that the vampire’s cry of alarm had attracted the attention of the other vampires.
VAMP #1: Over there!
Oliver turned back to the fallen vampire in front of him and without a moment’s hesitation, he staked it. He stood up and faced the oncoming vampires behind him. He counted five vampires and none of them were armed.
OLIVER: Alright, boys, let’s party.
Oliver ducked a punch from the next vampire and gave a roundhouse in reply. Oliver turned to his right and punched the vampire that was coming at him from that direction. Without waiting for the vampire to come back to attack him again, Oliver threw his stake end over end at the vampire’s chest. The vampire burst into dust a second later, his stake clattering to the ground.
Someone jumped him from behind and Oliver grabbed the new attacker and flipped the vampire over his head. Without warning, another vampire jumped him and this time the vampire managed to take Oliver down. The creature held Oliver by his throat and bared its teeth.
VAMP: You and your sister shouldn’t be messing with the forces of darkness. It’s the slayer’s job.
OLIVER: Well, since there’s no slayer here…
Oliver didn’t bother finishing his sentence as he head butted the demon. The vampire howled in pain and stumbled backwards. The vampire picked up the stake on the ground rushed Oliver with it. Before Oliver could react or defend himself, the vampire grabbed Oliver by the collar of his shirt and stabbed him with his own stake.
VAMP: Moron!
CUT TO BLACK
END CREDITS
Written by
Irene Issac
Story Editor
Rebecca Schwarz
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 23, 2006 15:35:03 GMT 10
Feedback is appreciated and it will be passed on to the writer, any questions, go for it  |
|
