Seishi - Sunday, August 26, 2001, 10:24 PM

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Kate's Apartment

 

Jack offers, cheerfully, "Drinks, anyone?" He looks entirely comfortable in his tux, as if he's spent a good deal of time in such garb. "Thank you, John," he replies, in a good enough mood to be familiar. "And I shan't. What kind is it?" he wonders.

 

Kate laughs and waves to Seishi as she comes in with Holmes. "Hullo, hullo! come in and be comfortable."

 

Buffy is all dressed up. She -likes- looking good, okay? There's nothing wrong with that. A hand smoothes down hair that really doesn't need it, and she grins at Jack "Its the good stuff. And I'll have some. Thing. Anything. But coffee and donuts."

 

Holmes arrives with Seishi, a little more dressed up than usual, but it would have been casual a hundred years ago. He has a bottle of very, very good wine. That grateful client again. He passes it to Kate with a deep bow as he enters.

 

Whisper looks very comfortable herself, despite her shoulders being fadingly seared. She sets the cookies down somewhere convenient and turns to look around the room, smiling in Lara's direction. "Hello, Lara. Thanks for inviting me. Sure." That's in Jack's direction, and she tries to see the selection.

 

Kate looks quite gratified, and bows her head slightly in thanks. "Do come in, mill about, there's places all around...

 

All sorts of stuff, both alcoholic and non. Including the chartreuse liqueur brought by Constantine.

 

Jack pours out a measure of it for Buffy, and offers it to her. "Miss Summers."

 

Seishi declares brightly as she follows Holmes into the apartment, "I come bearing gifts!" And, sure enough, she has a shopping bag in one hand and--of all things--a guitar case in the other.

 

Indiana walks in, saying "Fashionably late, I hope," to nobody in particular. Tugging absently at his collar, he refrains from complaining about the recommendation for Monkey Suits, instead choosing to glance around the apartment.

 

Whisper thinks for a second, then shrugs. What the hey. "Wine'd be great, thanks. Oooh, hello, Seishi." A sympathetic look to Buffy. "Waitressing'll do that. I, personally, will never ever eat at McDonald's again. Ever, and I /nearly/ got turned off lobster in my sordid past. That would've been a horrible tragedy."

 

Jack busies himself with the other drinks, humming cheerfully to himself...it's that old Police song, "Everything she does is magic,"

 

Buffy smiles brilliantly at Jack and takes the offered drink. "Thanks." perhaps its somewhat impressive that she downs it like a shot. She blinks watered eyes and coughs a few times, putting the back of her hands to her lips "...right, I think that'll be good enough for me tonight." she glances towards Whisper with a grin "I'd never eat there anyway. That clown scares me."

 

"Pretty green stuff, of course," Constantine tells Jack dryly. He grins at Buffy. "Actually, not the stuff you got your hands on, love. That's not for parties. Unless they're loud parties. Inside your head. But yeah," he adds for Jack's benefit, "the good stuff." He eyes the selection. A bit too classy for some of his tastes. "Just pour me something," he decides.

 

There's a corresponding hum from the kitchen to Jack's little ditty, though it's not overloud. Lara sticks her head out of the kitchen archway. "Should I keep the Dom Perignon chilled, then?"

 

Jack offers Constantine a shot of whiskey on the rocks. "Will that do?" he wonders.

 

Kate looks over at Lara, nodding. "Yes, please do. There's a bucket and ice on the counter..."

 

Holmes finds himself a comfy chair out of the center of attention. It's a little easier on him when he's at someone else's house. But he does indeed prefer to be watching rather than participating. Much more content.

 

Erik knocks on the door politely. "Hey, I'm here. Sorry I'm late, folks!"

 

Jack teases, without looking up, "We don't want any- go away!"

 

"That'll do," John says amiably, taking the shot. "Ta." He glances at the door, grinning. "Should we let him in?"

 

Kate says "Hush, Jack...Erik, come on in. :)"

 

Whisper takes the glass of wine from Jack, "Thank you. Oh, Sting. Nice taste." The comment's seemingly not sarcastic, "Oh. Erik. When'd he detach himself from my grip of iron?"

 

Indiana stands with a hand in a pants pocket, a hand extended vaguely towards Jack as he passes Constantine his drink. "You got anything like a cocktail back there, Celliers?" he asks, languidly. His eyes meander in the direction of the dining table display.

 

Buffy gets herself a glass of wine, its something you can sip for a very long time and not get entirely knocked off your feet. She perches herself on the edge of a chair and just watches people arrive. She looks relaxed at least. Much better than she was before, and with Erik's arrival her face lights up slightly. I should apologize to the man. But she just sips her wine, and waits quietly for once.

 

Jack says "What sort do you want, Jones?"

 

Holmes has somehow already managed to get himself some wine and lights himself a cigarette. He looks a little like someone holding court. He says gracefully to Buffy, "How are you this evening Miss Summers?" as she leans near where he's sitting.

 

Jack lapses back into the music, though he's singing softly now, rather than humming," Though I've tried before to tell her of the feelings I have for her in my heart..." Suck it up, Constantine.

 

Lara meanders out from the kitchen, for once with both guns and trench coat off. Stop the presses. "Hello, Erik! Come in." She's otherwise moving about, sort of being Kate's secondary hostess so she can enjoy the party. Or perhaps just satisfying her own tendency to be a control freak.

 

Seishi eyes the very populated state of the room, and doesn't try to make it across, instead calling cheerfully to Whisper, "Barbara, c'mere and get your 'it's not the end of the world after all' present."

 

Kate wanders about herself, generally acting as greeting committee and making sure people are finding places to relax. The apartment isn't huge, but there are nooks and seats about so that people aren't too crammed in.

 

Whisper doesn't bounce. That'd spill the wine. She does beam, though, and blink at Seishi. "Oooh? Present? For me? Thank you!" She makes her way through the crowd with some dexterity, careful not to jostle the glass she's holding, and finds herself in front of Seishi. "Didn't think to get you one, but there are cookies if you want."

 

"Gin and tonic," Dr. Jones says to Jack, making a 'glass' with one hand and making as stirring motion with his index finger. He looks after Buffy as she passes with a dull sort of smile. Glancing away as he reminds himself that she's young enough to be one of his students, he says "Uh. Stirred."

 

Seishi presents the guitar case to Whisper. "You said you played. So... happy happy."

 

Finally inside, Erik says, "I had to go take care of a few things back at home." He's slightly out of breath. "I nearly forgot about this thing. How is everyone?" He looks about, smiling cheerfully as he tries to find himself a good and comfortable seat.

 

Indi gets a gin and tonic, as promptly as Jack can brew one up. After which, he simply wanders over to kiss his fiancée on the ear. He still hasn't forgiven her for that catsuit, earlier.

 

Constantine weaves his way through the people to sprawl on the floor against the chair that Buffy's perched on. And because he's apparently in a *really* good mood, he even bothers to take note of the nearest ashtray. Not that he has respect for other people's homes or anything. He just feels like being something remotely like nice for a while. A little while.

 

Whisper takes the guitar case and puts down the glass of wine, and then Seishi, unless she dodges with that famed martial-arts capability, finds herself hugged. Very enthusiastically, making up for Barbara's general lack of muscularity, but carefully avoiding breaking or even contacting the guitar case. "You knew I played?" Her grin is of the ear-to-ear, nearly painful-looking variety.

 

Lara chirps, "Alive, which is the point of the project." Lara seems in a chipper mood, and she wades through the masses to purview the CD collection.

 

Buffy glances up at Holmes, smiling over the rim of her glass. "Very well, thank you. I'm not dead yet, and the world didn't end." and I'm rather happy right now, especially since Constantine's being nice. "How about you? Any good mysteries lately? Find that hat you're missing? And does your pipe blow smoke, or bubbles?" Her free hand slides down briefly to adjust her skirt, and tousle John's hair quickly. Haha.

 

It would appear that Kate came with a number of audio tapes...everything from rock to alternative to...Chinese pop music? Frightening. But she's also been buying CDs to fill out what got left behind, and these include more jazz, classical, some Zydeco and pop.

 

Indiana takes the highball glass in a scooping motion of his hand, smiles vaguely at the others, then walks over towards the dining area. He looks at the stone tablet, photo, and dagger. He tilts his head down to squint at the stone's pictograms, idly lifting the hand cradling the cocktail to take a sip.

 

Holmes laughs gracefully. "I actually don't know /where/ the deerstalker hat trademark came from. I know /I/ never wore any. And yes, my pipe is a tobacco pipe." he says. So long as she keeps him talking about himself, he's on his favorite subject.

 

Kate slips over to Jack and squeezes his arm briefly. Oooh, he looks handsome in that tux, or at least Kate's expression conveys opinion of hers clearly.

 

Seishi gives a surprised little yelp, and grins brightly back at Whisper as she's hugged. "Well, you were doing chord changes in the air the other night. I went shopping and, well, music is a necessity. So you're welcome."

 

Oh, that reminds him. Jack suddenly recalls the various little things he'd purchased for the heroes of the day, and after smiling at his ladylove, vanishes into the bedroom...only to return a moment later with a little pile of wrapped packages. Buffy gets handed one, as does Lara, Constantine, and Holmes.

 

Whisper has a guitar. She is Happy. It's apparent. "Thank you," she says again. "I'll play for you sometime. Any time you want, actually." A giggle as she hears the question about the pipe.

 

Constantine isn't being exactly *nice*. Just...not not-nice. Or something like that. He grins up at Buffy, reaching to catch hold of her hand and missing. Not fast enough. Oh well--he's distracted easily enough by the present. Slightly bemused (and amused as well), he starts to unwrap it.

 

Holmes adds, "And also you can see the twist of your wrist slightly outwards when you lift your hand." to Whisper and Seishi. Of course. He nods to Jack gratefully and takes his package. "Thank you very much." he says.

 

Seishi catches what Jack is up to out of the corner of her eye, and has to bite her lip to keep from giggling. Her dark eyes sparkle with barely-restrained mirth. Ohhh, she knows what's in those.

 

"But it was so--so distinguishable. And...Sherlock Holmesy." Buffy sounds vaguely disappointed, but hasn't much time to dwell on it as she's handed a present. "Oooo prezzies." she balances the wine glass in one hand, placing the package in her lap to unwrap. I love presents.

 

Lara looks with surprise at her package. "Thank you, Seishi." she says, admitting, "I didn't think to bring gifts, my apologies."

 

Holmes says drily, "I really didn't know I had a style to live up to until I appeared here."

 

Indiana turns from the Mexican display and stands with a shoulder cushioned against a wall. He watches the reception of the gifts over the rim of his glass, then sets the drink down on a convenient shelf. "So, you already know what's in the box, right, Sigerson?"

 

Whisper finds somewhere to sit and watch the festivities. Since there's no wrapping on her gift, she takes the opportunity to open the case and looks at the guitar inside. Holmes's comment gets a blink. "I do? Oh. Wow. Mm. I can only hope nobody has ideas about my style. I'm fairly sure I don't live up to them."

 

Kate gets herself a glass of wine, settling down on the couch to watch people come and go, with a pleased smile on her face.

 

Jack is grinning puckishly. "There's no gift suitable for the magnitude of what you all accomplished. So I got the silliest things I could find."

 

"Well, maybe *you* can see it, mate," Constantine points out to Holmes, good-naturedly enough. Or rather, maybe Holmes can associate it with guitar-playing, but everyone can see it and really could make the same associations as Sherlock Holmes, or so the detective himself might claim. "What--" He cracks up as he finishes unwrapping the thing. "It's a fucking action figure!"

 

"Well, well, well." Erik leans over to see what was got for various people, curiously. "I'd have thought of presents. If I had money." It wouldn't be right to use the ring for such things, after all. Then he looks at Constantine and his new 'action figure', eyeing him.

 

Kate bursts out laughing in spite of herself (good thing she sets her drink down first!). Apparently she got to see /that/ gift head of time.

 

Lara blinks, eyeing her action figure. "My," she says delicately, "They seem to ascribe me some rather...interesting proportions."

 

Seishi presses her fingers to her lips, fairly trembling with the effort of /not/ breaking out laughing. She's watching Holmes--she just /has/ to see this.

 

Whisper leans back in her chair and starts laughing as she sees what the gifts are. "Mmm. Not really aerodynamic at all, are they?" she asks Lara, between laughs.

 

Holmes lifts it a little bit. "A stuffed animal of some kind?" he says - not really a /guess/ so much as it is a bit of quizzicalness. He opens the package with a few flicks of his fingers, keeping the paper perfectly intact - but of course he also just throws it carelessly on the floor. When he brings out the Basil of Baker Street doll, he just looks at it for a while, carefully putting his cigarette down so as not to set fire to it. Basil just stares back at him through his little fake magnifying glass with an intent expression. They both just look at each other a long time, then Holmes puts Basil next to him in the armchair and says "Thank you very much."

 

Dr. Jones laughs a short guffaw, reaching up to scratch his forehead.

 

Holmes smiles a little at Seishi's mirth. Clearly he does appreciate the gift. And he looks ridiculous with Basil sitting next to him, but he does have a sense of the absurd, at least.

 

Whisper finds it a very good thing her wine is elsewhere at that one, as her face turns red with laughter, shoulders shaking at Holmes's expression on opening the package. "Awww." she says, when she can talk again.

 

Jack looks faintly disappointed. "What, you don't like it, Sigerson?" It's a perfect parody of Holmes - magnifying glass, deerstalker, Inverness cape, and manic grin, all complete.

 

Lara nods to Whisper. "How can I possibly do the things I do with this kind of figure?" she says, experiencing an odd mix of pleasure and annoyance. Then she watches Holmes as he regards his little alter ego, and fights her grin.

 

Buffy just blinks at hers, holding it up and taking a BIG sip of wine, beaming. An action figure. Of -her-. That's so cool. Xander would be so jealous. "...am I really this angular? And my hair--is my hair really that...yellow?" the Slayer frowns at the figurine. I can't really look like this.

 

And that does it for Seishi--she leans against the nearest chair as she slowly breaks down laughing. "Perfect!"

 

Holmes says gracefully, "I do like him very much, thank you, Jack. Have you actually seen the movie that is associated with it?"

 

Whisper peers down at the figure, quirking an eyebrow upwards. "Nobody's hair is that yellow, and I truly have no idea, Lara. Let's compromise and say it's mystical forces beyond the comprehension of man. Either that or an anti-gravity Wonderbra."

 

Holmes has, of course, seen nearly all of his own fictionalizations. It's a morbid habit in some ways, like reading your own obituaries, which, ironically, he's done too.

 

Kate says "Well, think of it now...as we're strategizing in the future, we can use these figures to map out what each person will do."

 

Jack nods. "Yes. It's a children's story, about a mouse that lived in your walls, and thus learned your techniques. Really quite cute."

 

Holmes nods confirmingly. "Quite entertaining." he says.

 

Constantine stares at Holmes's gift for a few moments. Then (pausing to flick his cigarette end into the ashtray) he cracks up laughing all over again. When he recovers, he says, "My hair is that yellow, apparently. Either that, or whoever makes these things is colorblind." His tone is amused, though.

 

Seishi recovers sufficiently to pronounce, "Oh, I have /got/ to see this."

 

Whisper nods, "Whereas the rest of us will just have to use spare Monopoly pieces. I get to be the race car, though."

 

Jack looks rather bemused, his grin fading. "I'm fictional here, though. Or rather, one of my descendants is, it looks like."

 

Lara looks to Jack. "Oh? Who would that be?"

 

Kate looks over at Jack. "Really? How so?"

 

"I was all disappointed when I found out that Green Lantern didn't exist here until now. It's too bad, really. I could've used the help." Erik mock-sighs, then says, "But, hey. At least the all-powerful-oz shtick is mine. Do not look at the man behind the curtain." He settles down on the floor, leaning back against the arm of the couch.

 

Holmes says "At least you are not the subject of /endless/ ratiocinations and repeated plagiarization to the point of literary incest. And you were not originated by a fatuous spiritualist who believed everything anyone ever told him."

 

Jack nods, picking his way over to Kate again. "Oh, there's a novel about the sojourn of a British soldier named Jack Celliers in a Prisoner of War camp during the second of those great wars," he notes. "And they made a film of it - the actor looks unnervingly like me. I wonder if it's based on a real person here, though." He grins sympathetically at Holmes.

 

Buffy tries to stare down her action figure. "...is my nose really shaped like that?" blink. Blink damn you. She finishes off the wine in her glass and puts it carefully down by her foot. Holmes gets blinked at "A fat spirit created you? I thought it was....Conan. Not the barbarian. Or the talk show host."

 

"Fairies," Constantine says solemnly to Holmes. Even from his point of view, Arthur Conan Doyle was gullible.

 

Indiana seems to be experiencing mixed feelings of jealousy and relief as he watches the others. His smile dims a little at the bandied slander of Sir Arthur, and he returns to his gin.

 

Lara can't help but smile. "What, you don't believe in fairies?"

 

"Clap your hands, John," Erik tells Constantine, solemnly.

 

Whisper notes to Buffy, over the glass of wine that she picks up again, "I'm /still/ waiting for the barbarian to get pulled through. I wonder if the portal takes orders at all."

 

Jack grins over at Whisper. "If only it did. We could have gotten Van Helsing to come through and help us with Angelus. Which reminds me...have any of you ever heard of London Below?"

 

Holmes looks rather exasperatedly at Constantine. "Precisely." he says with a heavy sigh. "At any rate, there are many requests I'd make of the portal if I could."

 

"Conan, the adventurer. Conan, warrior without fear. He's more powerful than any man, he's traveled cross the land and sea. Conan, the adventurer." Erik singsongs, cheerfully.

 

Lara is apparently in enough of a good mood, she meanders over Indy's way. "You're being quiet." she remarks, before looking at Jack. "You know, that sounds familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

 

Constantine laughs again, a little. "Not the ones *he* believed in, Lara." He rolls his eyes at Erik, then says to Jack, "I might've done. Yeah."

 

Kate watches in amusement, listening to the conversation.

 

Jack looks eager. 'Yes, I might a young lady who went by the name 'Hunter', the other evening. Such stories she had to tell."

 

Buffy looks rather remorseful that she finishes her wine if this is where the conversation is going. Her cheeks have color in them already from the wine, its made her quite warm. Nice. "Yeah." she says quietly. "I'd ask the portal for someone too."

 

Holmes nods to Buffy. "At any rate, we must make do with what we have." he says crisply. To Kate: "This is excellent music. Take Five, I believe?" Jazz is not something he knows but he's learning it with a fierce determination.

 

Whisper giggles at Erik. "I watched a bit of that. By the time it got over, I was already sixteen, but it was my favorite part of babysitting." There's a bit of a blush there, and she nods at Buffy. "Oh, we all would. Conan wouldn't be my /first/ request, but this isn't me being serious."

 

"Oh," says Dr. Jones. "Hello Lara." He lowers the glass, then shrugs, gesturing generally towards the gathering. "Just absorbing the atmosphere, you might say."

 

"I think we all would. I'd ask it for another Green Lantern. Or maybe an older Superman." Erik looks thoughtful for a moment. "Or, hell, the entire Justice League. You know, I never knew how they could take themselves seriously with a name like 'The Justice League'." Erik snickers at Whisper, then salutes her. "I watched it every now and then, but it was always on too early in the morning for me."

 

Lara grins. "You sound thrilled to see me, and even more thrilled to be here. Shall I leave you to your observations, then?"

 

Kate nods her head. "Indeed it is. Off of an old tape my father had, actually. I always liked this tune. 'Birdland' was another one of his favorites.

 

Constantine reaches up to put a hand on one of Buffy's, giving her a sympathetic look. Then he blinks at Erik. "Justice League. Justice League. Did they have any members with even funnier names?"

 

Seishi cants her head to one side, listening. "A little outside my range of familiarity," she admits. After a moment she adds brightly, "Kate-chan, Lara, I have something for you both as well."

 

"It doesn't get much funnier than 'The Green Lantern!'" Erik puffs up, saying that in a cliché, 'superheroic' fashion. Like something out of an old fifties TV show. "But there were some dorky ones. Like," he squints, trying to remember. "Booster Gold."

 

Buffy smiles slightly at Holmes. "Yeah." she gives John's hand a slightly squeeze. "And I haven't got it all that bad." sort of. She needs more wine. Someone get the girl another drink. She glances sidelong at Erik "..I had a Scooby Gang. Does that count?"

 

Kate looks over at Seishi. "Oh, you didn't have to!" she says, but she still looks intrigued. She's certain there isn't an action figure of her out there, but she'd still be interested to see what someone got for her.

 

Whisper replies, deadpan, "It's never too early in the morning for iron-thewed barbarian heroes. Booster whatnow? That sounds like a cheerleading championship title."

 

Holmes says to Kate. "I find that jazz is a marvelous musical form. So evocative and unusual, but built off of such simple parts. It's a beautiful art. Music is the meat and bread of my existence, I've been trying to absorb as much of it as I can."

 

Seishi beams, making her way over to Kate's side. "It's something I saw while I was out spending money, and I thought you might be interested." She presents the shopping bag to Kate.

 

"Actually, he's here. He works for Andersen, though. Sold out because 'it works different here'. I had a good chat with him once. I was hoping he might've had some experience with the Green Lanterns in the Justice League, but really, he didn't. He got sucked here from his own dimension before he could join the actual Justice League." He seems somewhat disappointed. "He was a complete and utter sleazeball." Erik shakes his head.

 

Jack watches Seishi offer the gift, curiously.

 

Indiana says "Nah, stick around," in an offhanded sort of fashion. He regards Lara with a musing stare, then says "You did good. Real good. The lot of you." He raises the glass in silent salute to Lady Croft, then gulps down a bit more.

 

Constantine grins at Erik. "Well, there are some pretty bloody stupid 'superhero' names around here, too." He rolls his eyes. "Just 'cos he's a complete and utter sleazeball doesn't mean he has to sell out." John wouldn't sell out, and *he's* a complete and utter sleazeball. But then, his reason for not selling out probably runs something like 'because I'd never give the bastards the satisfaction.' He lights another cigarette and downs the rest of his drink.

 

Lara says serenely, "Thank you. But the others really do deserve far more of the credit. Well above and beyond the call." She looks to Seishi and laughs. "Oh, dear...should I check for another action figure?"

 

Kate opens up her gift, commenting to Holmes, "So much of jazz is improvisation too, and I hear you do a good deal of that, with your violin playing..." She breaks off her comment to lift up what Seishi got her...it's material. But not just any material, a yard or so of brilliant scarlet silk woven in a phoenix pattern, and shot through with gold thread. Kate gasps, holding it up and running through her fingers. "Oh, this is /stunning/! I should have a bolero jacket made of this, to go with a black dress...oh, this is gorgeous!"

 

Jack's eyes widen at that. "Lovely stuff," he comments. "And Chinese Wedding red, if I'm not mistaken."

 

Holmes says to Constantine, "At least nobody uses their name as an exaggerated euphemism for someone too intelligent for their own good."

 

Buffy doesn't have a stupid superhero name! But she's not about to bring up another discussion of whether 'Buffy' is a good name or not. There's nothing wrong with Buffy! But she shakes her head slightly, trying to clear away Bad Thought and smiles at Erik "So about tomorrow night...we're still on right?" please? She looks vaguely hopeful. I didn't hurt your feelings when I yelled before, did I?

 

Kate murmurs, "Perhaps I can make it a part of the going-away outfit from the reception..."

 

Whisper's eyes widen. "Lord in heaven," she mutters, gaping blatantly at the material. "Wow. Just--wow. That is absolutely gorgeous."

 

"I *still* need to apologize to Jinrai for exploding Godzilla on him." Erik muses, shaking his head with a smile. He eyes Seishi. "Whoa." He's promptly wondering just where she got the money for that before he looks back to Constantine, "Yes, yes. I know. You c an be a sleaze ball and not sell out. *He* did. Ah well. I haven't seen him since I got here or I'd find a way to publicly embarrass him." He looks back to Buffy, "Oh! Sure. I wasn't sure about that, but I figured so. I was gonna come by anyways." He waves a hand, dismissively, and offers her a smile.

 

Seishi clasps her hands together behind her back, smiling brilliantly. "I thought you'd be able to find a use for it. I'm inordinately tempted to have something made of it for myself, but I'd never do it justice, and I thought you'd want something extra special."

 

"No shit, Sherlock," Constantine replies to Holmes, solemnly. He can't resist. He blinks at Buffy and Erik. Still on tomorrow night for what? But he can't help but laugh at Erik's words: "You exploded Godzilla on Jinrai? Well, you're creative, at least."

 

Kate very carefully folds up the material and slips off into her bedroom to put it into the closet. Just so nothing accidentally gets spilled upon the fabric, of course.

 

Holmes just looks pained, nods, and sips his wine. Picks his cigarette back up too. He appears to have completely forgotten about Basil sitting next to him, either that or he likes him there.

 

Buffy doesn't want to know. About Godzilla. The action figure rests in her lap and she rubs the back of her neck with one hand. Thank god all the cuts from yesterday have healed up. "Okay. Perfect." she smiles back at Erik. Its a happy, apologetic smile. "...has anyone -seen- Jinrai?" he's the only one she hasn't gotten to talk to yet.

 

Indiana squints, asks "Jinrai?"

 

Whisper notes, offhandedly, "Ew. Jinrai?" She frowns, puzzled. The name doesn't seem familiar to her. "I don't /think/ so, but I wouldn't really know."

 

"Creativity pays, man," Erik tells Constantine. "Well, it was an accident. See, these demons all combined into one massive demon, like one of those really fucking stupid transformers or something you'd seen in a bad horror movie. I think that's what they do in hell. Watch bad horror movies and try to copy them. Anyways, I made Godzilla to fight them, but the demons started to engulf my Godzilla and so I exploded it to break up the demon-mass. They went everywhere. See, I *was* going to put a big old shield around the explosion, but.. I didn't think fast enough to get it up in time and to turn the demons into Ping-Pong balls bouncing around on the inside of it. Jinrai got caught on the outside of the explosion and landed badly. I need to make it up to him. I haven't seen him yet, but I'm sure he's okay. He doesn't come out to play all that often."

 

Constantine makes a note: ask Buffy what's this about Erik later. "I know," he says offhandedly to Erik's first comment. His cons can be very creative, and *they* pay. "Yeah, that's one of the things they do in Hell. The more creative demons, anyway." He takes in the rest of the explanation, and then just laughs.

 

Seishi eyes Constantine. "So hell really /is/ like Mystery Science Theater," she comments, and sets out to find something to drink. There's certainly a wide enough selection.

 

Buffy is totally in love with Erik, isn't it obvious? No, not really. The Slayer laughs, leaning back in her chair and possessed by the giggles for the better part of two minutes. Godzilla. Right. "No one ever thinks of Gammera," she says with a grin, then she looks abashed. "...not that I ever watched any of that stuff. Ever!"

 

Jack settles himself in one of the other armchairs, suddenly tired. He hasn't actually poured himself a drink.

 

Whisper grins at Buffy. "Right. Not Gamera, not Mothra, not the fifty-million other Godzilla movies where he's a good guy. Uh-uh. Not a one, right?"

 

Kate comes back in from putting away her gift, settling onto the arm of Jack's chair. She reaches over and ruffles his hair, then murmurs into his ear.

 

Holmes listens very carefully and smokes, but says nothing. He seems content, though, not sulky.

 

Lara pulls out the package Seishi gave her - another yard of the red fabric. "You know, Kate," Lara says thoughtfully, "Seishi and I could buy more of this and have our dresses for the wedding made of it." She keeps more or less to her conversation with Indy, though allows for distraction when he's studying something on the shelves.

 

Indiana mutters out of the side of his mouth to Lara, "Times like this, I could use an interpreter."

 

Lara looks back to Indiana, grinning. "Whatever for?"

 

Jack leans into the touch, and smiles up at Kate. "Yes, dear," he replies.

 

Kate remarks, "I think my grandmother once referred to that type of silk as 'dowry fabric,' so it's definitely appropriate." She gets up, going over to pour Jack a scotch on the rocks, bringing it back to him before settling onto the padded arm of the chair again.

 

Jack slips an arm around the pilot, and leans himself against her. Happy.

 

"Gammera is really neat. He is full of turtle meat. We are eating Gammera." Erik says cheerfully to Buffy, then shakes his head at her. "Well, Gammera wasn't tall enough for this. They'd of crawled all over him and gotten inside the shell and shit. Would've sucked," Erik informs Buffy. "As it was, they managed to get me to blow up Godzilla anyway. I'm rather proud of that. Not many people can say that they exploded Godzilla." He puffs up.

 

"Who or what is 'Gamera', for one..." Indy mumbles to Lara. He eyes the red silk, then says more audibly "So what're the plans for the Big Event?"

 

Whisper shakes her head, "He's Gamera the /Invincible/, right? That's the title. So he could've spat fire at them."

 

Holmes says gently to the happy couple, "Have you had time to decide on a church?" For some reason his graceful fingers take the gold sovereign attached to his watch-chain out of his pocket just briefly.

 

Buffy knows nothing. -Nothing-. She stands up, action figure slipping to the floor before she can catch it. "Anyone else need a drink?" she asks, and moves over to get more wine without waiting for a reply. I never watched those things! I had a social life!...well no, no I didn't. But she will never admit to it.

Constantine just grins at Erik. "Do you keep count of how many people tell you you're strange?" Hey, it's probably not Buffy's fault she saw those things. Xander probably made her do it.

 

Jack shakes his head. "Not yet. Though we have determined that the ceremony will most likely be Anglican."

 

"Peculiar," Buffy corrects Constantine. And yes, it was all Xander's fault. "He's peculiar."

 

Seishi, entirely pleased with the results of her gift-giving, settles down on the floor and tucks her legs up under her, sipping at a cold (and nonalcoholic) drink. This puts her about eye level with Basil of Baker Street, at whom she grins. Too cute.

 

"Hey. It's a classic episode of Mystery Science Theatre Three thousand," Erik says, all mock-defensively. "I'm not peculiar. It's just that, with the ring, it's all only as good as I can *think* of and make, so yeah, weird shit comes out sometimes."

 

Kate nods her head. "I would like to have things arranged in a leisurely manner, so we're not stressed and rushed. It would probably be best for the stables and such to be taken care of, before we start setting dates and fixing the location."

 

Indiana looks curiously at Jack and Kate. "Going the traditional route?" he asks, faintly surprised. He then glances after Buffy, mutters "'scuse me," to Lara, then follows her to help himself to another gin and tonic.

 

Holmes picks Basil up in the non cigarette holding hand and offers him to Seishi. He nods to Jack and Kate. "If there's anything Lady Croft or myself can do to assist in organizing matters, simply ask."

 

Jack eyes Indiana curiously. "What else would we do?" he wonders.

 

Constantine can't quite resist making a comment about that to Erik. "So the ring is the sphincter of your mind?" And now he reveals that his own mind is warped as well. Okay, so he revealed that ages ago.

 

Whisper offers from her perch on the chair, "Oh, and likewise," she adds to Holmes's comment. "I can make myself useful, I'm sure."

 

Lara smirks at Holmes. "Thanks for volunteering me." she says, adding, "If I'm the maid of honor," wince, "It's my job anyway." She seems undecided about Indy meandering off, but opts to settle on the floor near Seishi instead, her knees up, forearms resting across them.

 

Holmes says gracefully to Lara. "You knew the duties when you accepted the honor." With a little bit of a smile at the edges of his lips.

 

Buffy pours herself some more wine. The pink stuff is good, its got this kinda sweetish kick. "Want some?" she offers to Dr. Jones, as he follows her up. "Its not bad. Not that I know wine really, or at all. But its pretty tasty. And no bubbles." that's a plus. She pauses. "...the other day, when you talked to me, I was -really- out of it..." this is the beginning of an apology, Dr. Jones.

 

Indiana makes an overdramatic shrug in reply to Jack, hands splayed out. He then smiles lopsidedly and says "Nothing wrong with it." He picks up bottles. Mixes in his glass. "I just assumed there'd be a bit more...eccentricity..." He then looks at Buffy, lowering his voice. "All in the past. How're you doing, kid?"

 

Kate smiles widely, definitely gratified. "Don't worry, I know we will make use of everyone who's willing, before the knot is tied. But we appreciate the support, believe me."

 

Jack laughs softly at Indiana. "Well we could wed before jumping out of Kate's airplane, or some such. but I think the wedding itself will be relatively quiet."

 

Seishi beams at Holmes as though he were handing her the keys to the toy store. Basil is promptly cuddled.

 

Whisper looks over at Seishi and Basil, finishing her wine leisurely. "Awww."

 

"Better," Buffy smiles slightly at him, putting all of her weight on her right hip, and leaning into the counter to look at Jones. "Although to be fair, I couldn't have been much worse. About that Thing you were talking about," she keeps her own voice low, leaning closer "...I changed my mind. You want a Hero, you got one." there's a beat "...and its Buffy." don't call me kid.

 

Kate shakes her head. "Speaking as a pilot, the only time I plan to actually jump out of a plane is when I'm being forced to bail. I do not want to start a life of wedded bliss with /that/ symbolism."

 

Jack simply reaches up...and scoops Kate into his lap. "Indeed," he agrees.

 

Constantine frowns a little at something, shifting his position uneasily. But it's brief, and then he's brushed it off and is cheerful again. More or less. Buffy and Indy get curious looks. "What's this, then?"

 

Kate murmurs to Jack, "Although I wouldn't be averse to having you ride off with me on a white horse."

 

"Sphincter of my mind." Constantine receives the extended middle finger from Erik, though he's grinning.

 

Jack just beams at Kate. "Well, we could very well do that, my love."

 

"I thought so," Constantine says to Erik. His tone is light and amused, though.

 

"Where would you get the horse?" Whisper, always practical, asks. "And if you find it in this city, it'll probably start talking in your head."

 

"Fair enough," Dr. Henry Jones 'Junior' says, a faintly abashed smile passing by. He gestures vaguely to the wine, glancing over his shoulder at John's question. "Buffy and I were just commenting on this fine beverage of yours, Constantine. Nice to know the convenience stores have such a nice selection." He smiles a slightly mean smile, swirling his drink around in it's glass.

 

Lara inquires, "Make up your mind yet, Holmes?"

 

Buffy tries to hide hers behind her glass. She takes a sip and chokes just a little, eyes sparkling. That was funny. Indiana Jones is amusing. "He got it out of his closet. You'd be surprised what John Constantine keeps in there."

 

Holmes nods gracefully to Lara. "I think I'd prefer you to be my guest, if that would be all right with you." She caught him in as good a mood as he ever gets.

 

Kate says to Whisper, "There's actually something of a plan to open a set of stables on the outskirts of town, so I think the horse will be fairly simple to come by."

 

Whisper nods at Kate, "As for the not-talking part, I suppose you'll just have to take your chances?"

 

"Yeah, there's more than skeletons in my closet," Constantine agrees brightly. But he gives Indy a Meaningful Look. Don't think I'm going to let this go without trying to find something out about it.

 

Kate grins. "Very true. Somehow, I don't find it very romantic to be riding off on Mr. Ed."

 

Seishi laughs, noting to Whisper, "Well, that's a part of daily life around here, isn't it?"

 

Jack says "Mr. Ed?"

 

Folding his hands behind his head, Erik kicks back. He's all relaxed now, of course. Though he does not appear to be drinking at all.

 

Whisper nods at Jack and proceeds to launch into song. Follow the bouncing Aussie, folks.

 "A horse is a horse,

 Of course, of course..."

 

Kate turns to Jack. "A very silly old TV show where they made it look like a horse named Mr. Ed could talk."

 

He already knew that the Americans were crazy. This just confirms it. Jack simply nods. "I see."

 

Seishi joins in, voice bright and clear, "And no one can talk to a horse, of course..."

 

Lara says to Holmes, "And I'll actually make something then...aside from my usual beans on toast."

 

"I used to watch that on Nick at Nite," Erik mutters, amused.

 

Indiana catches the look from the Brit, translates it, files it away for a less celebratory time. He then nudges Buffy with his elbow, mumbling "By the way, what happened to the rest of your dress?" He gives a roguish smile reserved for low-voiced conferences with attractive women.

 

Whisper waves her hand in a conducting motion as people join in. "Unless, of course..."

 

Buffy blushes just slightly. "...I couldn't afford it." she sips again with a grin. "What, you don't like it?"

 

"The horse is the famous Mister Ed?" Erik chimes in himself, uncertainly. He doesn't remember the song too well.

 

Holmes flashes Lara a pretty darn dazzlingly charming little smile, but it only happens for about a second and a half. Blink and it's gone. He just returns to smoking.

 

Constantine gives Whisper a mock-horrified look, which he then turns to Erik. "Jesus Christ, haven't any of you people got lives?" He then eyes Indy warily. I don't care if you look like a younger Harrison Ford. Don't touch her.

 

Whisper folds her arms across her chest. "I have a life. I spent five years of that life babysitting. I can do the Addams Family theme, too."

 

"Don't," is all John says to that.

 

Kate laughs in amusement, laying her head on Jack's shoulder.

 

Seishi grins at Whisper: "I'm going to have to second that. Please don't."

 

Jack turns to kiss her on the head. Damn, they're saccharine.

 

Lara keeps her little fetish for the Monkees close to her chest, though her eyes dart briefly at Holmes. Oh, he'd better not. Then she looks over to Erik and asks, "So tell me...how are Scott and the rest of Claudinah?"

 

Indiana replies "Hey, no complaints," raising a hand slightly in mock protestation. "A little hard not to notice, though." An exaggerated wink is offered after this. Whether its for Buffy's benefit or the greenish tinged Constantine is debatable.

 

Whisper pouts exaggeratedly, "You lot," she says, waving a hand expansively, "Have no appreciation for Great Musical Art."

 

Well, one thing's for certain -- the Walsh-Celliers marriage isn't a formally arranged affair based on gaining the Walsh family fortune.

 

Seishi informs Whisper, "The Addams Family theme song may be many things, but it is /not/ art."

 

Lara, unable to resist, snaps her fingers twice.

 

Shaking his head at Lara, says, "All is quiet on that front. That's another wedding I get to go to. Woo." Erik quirks a smile in Lara's direction. "But I have no idea when they're going to do it or what the deal is, to tell you the truth. They've been, like I said, real quiet."

 

Buffy smiles brilliantly at Indiana. He likes my dress. She tilts her head, ducking her chin just a little to look up at him "Thanks. Its always good to, you know, distract the forces of evil while you're trying to kill them horribly." she takes another drink before her eyes alight on Constantine. Oh right. "I'd better go back that way," she grins at Indiana. "But you know where I work. Whenever you're ready." ...he knows what she means. No, not that!

 

Kate murmurs, "Jack...you have a title, don't you? Like Lara?"

 

Holmes says drily, "They certainly didn't leap right up to save the world when it was needed." to Erik, preening just a little.

 

Lara points out deferentially, "We didn't exactly share the information."

 

Jack notes to Kate, "Not truly, No. I was the second son of a Viscount. so unless Robert dies, I won't have one."

 

"The superheroes are too busy fighting crime to save the world..." Constantine pauses, eyeing Buffy and Indy warily.

 

Lara grins at Jack. "You can have one of mine." she quips. "Duchess of St. Brigid, or Countess of Greystoke, take your pick."

 

Whisper sticks her tongue out at Seishi, then turns to the discussion of titles. "Run by me how all that goes again? I know second son doesn't inherit, but..."

 

"Count on it," Indy says to Buffy, smile widening at the edges. Amazingly, he doesn't conjoin this with 'sweetheart', 'honey', or 'sister'. He then scratches the side of his neck, looks blankly at John, and moves apart from Buffy, moving around to a chair to the side.

 

Jack laughs softly. "Make me Earl of Greystoke, eh? " He nods to Whisper. "Right. Under the old laws, all title and land went to the eldest child. Or sometimes, just eldest son. I had an elder brother, Robert."

 

Kate muses, "Just like how Lord Peter Wimsey's brother was Duke of Denver, or something like that."

 

"Fighting crime, saving the world...the only thing that really matters is that you don't wear spandex while doing it." is Buffy's great contribution to the conversation, as she steps over Constantine to get to her chair again, giving John a smile. I'm innocent.

 

Jack nods to Kate, as he twines a finger in her hair. "Precisely. I was only an Honourable."

 

Whisper nods at Jack, "That makes sense. Are you still 'Lord' Jack, though? And is a Viscount more or less important than an Earl?"

 

Erik shoots Buffy a look. "It's -not- spandex," He grumbles. "It's the uniform, okay? *Uniform*. It's actually automatic. Comes with the territory." He sniffs.

 

Holmes sips his wine quietly, listening intently.

 

Kate murmurs, "I always thought you were very honourable. It's part of your charm."

 

"Indiana Jones," Constantine says, calmly. He's not calling for the man's attention. It's just a statement, more of disbelief than anything else. He studies Buffy's smile for a moment, then shakes his wariness off. For now. Erik catches his attention as well. "The ring *makes* you wear a costume?" he asks, grinning. He's not going to call it a uniform, you know.

 

Seishi smiles sweetly at Whisper, and listens to this line of discussion with mild interest, absently patting Basil as she does. "I am reminded of far too much time spent reading historical romances," she comments whimsically.

 

Jack explains, "An Earl takes precedence over a viscount. Thus, if one gets technical, Lady Croft far outranks me. And I might be called Master Percival, by courtesy, that's as high as I get." Another kiss for Kate. "You're too kind, dear. But Honourable in the sense of a peerage."

 

Lara grins at Jack, eyes darting to Indy and Buffy. Her curiosity is only barely containable. Especially with all the flirting, and lack of pseudo-affectionate appellation. She notes, "These days, the structure isn't quite so rigid, though that's mostly to the slow disintegration of the noble structure. In some ways it's rather sad, but that's what one comes to expect of progress."

 

Turning back to Constantine, Erik shakes his head. "Sort of, but not really. The costume is integrated into the ring. I suppose I could change it, but it's traditional. There were supposedly hundreds and hundreds of Green Lanterns out there back where I come from, and I want to keep the uniform so it's recognizable to anyone who's familiar with the Corps or what have you. It's the only link I've got to them now and there's no telling, you know?" Erik gives his shoulders a shrug, smiling.

 

"Indiana Jones doesn't wear spandex," Buffy feels the need to point out, crossing her legs and swinging one heeled foot gently. "he's got that whole dusty, leathery, hat thing going." Mmm. She takes a sip of wine. "...I don't wear a costume." she announces, to those who didn't know. You there, on Mars.

 

Jack notes, a touch regretfully, "Seems I was, as the poet put it, 'suckled in a breed outworn'. Ah well."

 

Whisper grins at Seishi. "Mm. I remember Lord Harrison Stanford McDonald the Third. I read the novel in question when I was twelve, and always thought that was a /long/ name to call out in the heat of passion. Ahh. And if I called you Master Percival, I think I'd get hit."

 

Holmes grins crookedly at Seishi. "A tremendous waste of time." he says. "I could never stomach even the simplest romances." Of course in his day that meant 'novels'.

 

Jack grins sharply at Whisper. "Yes, you would. That's far too medieval for me."

 

Kate looks over at Whisper, and lifts a hand to her mouth before she starts laughing.

 

"*I* don't think it's sad," Constantine tells Lara. "But then, I'm not that fond of the aristocracy anyways." It's a class thing. He's about as low as you get. In that sense and several others. Erik gets a glance. "Yeah, I see what you mean. No, you don't," he adds to Buffy with a smile.

 

Lara says "Frankly, I never understood why you and Holmes insist on calling me Lady Croft. It's completely feudal." she grins at Constantine, "No, I imagine you wouldn't think so."

 

Seishi turns bright eyes toward Holmes, replying with cheerful self-deprecation. "Well, you know me, I'm a junkie of the written word. I'll read most anything. "

 

Whisper nods, "And I don't really fancy wearing one of those pointy hats with the gauze. No, no, you don't. And I don't need one--that sort of thing takes care of itself."

 

Indiana settles into the chair, hands draped loosely over the armrests, posture slouched. He seems distracted by something when he catches up with the conversation. "How the hell did I get into this line of conversation, again...?" he asks, idly. He then looks sidelong at Lara, lips twisting wryly. "What, you don't like 'Your Ladyship' or 'Your Imperial Majesty'? Shoulda said something, Lara..."

 

Holmes grins crookedly. "I try to fill my mind with only what I need." To Lara: "Only for contrast." he says. "I know it is not the custom."

 

Jack grins. "It's polite," he notes, simply.

 

Whisper stretches out her crossed legs so that she's practically lying down in the chair, one arm keeping the guitar safe on her lap. "But how do you know what you're going to need?" she asks Holmes. "I mean, you might pick up some point of trivia from a novel that'd be really useful one day."

 

Lara crooks her finger at Indiana, indicating he should come over so she can tell him something quietly.

 

Seishi retorts easily, "Which would explain why you know every little thing."

 

Indiana leans in Lara's direction, saying "Yeah, what?"

 

Simon has arrived.

 

Holmes laughs easily, "It is true that I have had to expand my intellectual horizons greatly since I have come here. I never had any inkling that set-theoretic mathematics would be useful to my inquiries."

 

Kate looks up, hearing the knock on the door. She's about to get up to answer, when Simon comes in. "Hello there, do come in."

 

Lara murmurs softly to Indiana, then leans back, giving him the most placid of smiles.

 

Buffy rubs a temple, realizing idly, that both the wine and lack of sleep in the past few days are starting to catch up to her. "..Mmm, John, if I start dancing, or doing something worse, stop me, okay?" she tilts her wine glass, making the pretty liquid swirl. Oooo.

 

Erik rubs his face with his hand, idley. His ring is perfectly visible right now, the little lantern insignia engraved into the circle. He eyes it, thoughtfully. The ring glows. A lampshade, it would seem, appears in his hands. "I have this ready for the first drunk," He announces.

 

Indiana blinks, slowly, then looks with faintly wary eyes at Lara as she settles back. He emits a short chuckle, uncertain sounding, then slouches back into his own chair.

 

Whisper grins over at Buffy for a second. She's sitting on a chair, cuddling a guitar in a case and talking. "But dancing's fun! We could all dance. It'd be...really odd. But fun." A nod at Holmes. "Exactly. And I know what iron thews are, which, granted, isn't nearly so useful, but I /know/ it, in case it ever is."

 

Constantine grins up at Buffy. "I will, love. Unless you're good at it." He's joking. Really. He'd stop her anyway. Probably.

 

Jack wraps his arm around Kate. No, she doesn't get to go anywhere. Not right now.

 

Nicolas is a bit taken aback at the large crowd, an uncertain wave and a more certain smile for everyone. "Punctuality is the virtue of the bored. Glad to see everyone's still alive."

 

Buffy is! All those nights at the Bronze? She grins wryly at Whisper, "I already said I wasn't here to seduce Holmes." then to Erik sweetly "If you touch me with that thing, you aren't going to like where I end up putting it," and finally a Look at Constantine "Oh I'm good. I'm -really- good." take that as you may.

 

Seishi looks toward Nicolas, brows lifting slightly. "I could say the same for you," she says with a grin.

 

Holmes raises an eyebrow and does his best not to look...well, a little repulsed. He does a pretty good job.

 

Erik gives Buffy a look, all innocent. He looks between her and Constantine briefly, though, then he sets the lamp shade back down beside him and leans back, looking up briefly towards Nicolas. "Uh. Hi?" He offers, tentatively, not knowing who he is.

 

Lara smiles over as Simon - err, Nicolas enters, giving him a wave from her cozy spot on the floor. She's got her knees almost to her chest, drink in her hand, braid flipped over her shoulder in the front. "I used to club in London, but it got boring after a while. Raves are only so thrilling, I'm afraid."

 

Whisper shrugs, "You don't have to seduce Holmes. You can seduce...someone else. Someone more seduceable." She waves at Nicolas. "Yep. And in one piece, too, which is always an advantage."

 

Holmes now doesn't know whether to look repulsed or offended. He settles for vaguely embarrassed and sips his wine again.

 

Constantine just grins at Buffy. "I'll bet you are." Nicolas gets a brief glance. He isn't recognized, which means he's probably--John's distracted by Whisper's words, and he turns an innocent look on Buffy. "You could test your seducing skills on me."

 

Kate looks at Nicolas, a thoughtful look crossing her face. For a second, he looked like someone she met once, but perhaps she's just imagining it. Must be someone who the others know.

 

Rubbing his jaw, Dr. Jones listens to the other conversations through a faint echo of Lara's words. He then nods up in Nicolas' way, likewise uncertain about his identity. "Most of the time," he notes absently, "I visit a club it usually ends up burning to the ground."

 

Jack just grins impishly at Holmes, before turning to nuzzle at Kate again. So much for being stiff-necked and stuffy.

 

"That wouldn't be a test of her skills, John, and we all know that." Erik says cheerfully to Constantine.

 

Lara remarks to Nicolas, "You know, you might as well just forget it with this bunch, especially if you plan to be around the lot of us more often."

 

Whisper ers toward Holmes. "Er, no offense meant." She leans back and watches the conversation for a while.

 

Nicolas spreads his arms at Lara, and nearly shrugs. "Force of habit." A glance at Holmes. Hero and enormous threat, all at once. "Ah, the good lady Seishi. I owe her my life, you know."

 

Buffy smiles slightly, eyeing John from the chair before leaning forward. That does one of two things, it allows her to speak very lowly to him and...well just look at the dress. Er, none of you -other- men look at the dress. "But I'm pretty sure I already passed that test. I'll have to think of another one for you. How about...arm wrestling?"

 

Holmes replies, "Quite?" to Whisper. Then, "Quite."

 

Indiana watches Buffy with the languid appreciation of a window shopper.

 

Kate murmurs something into Jack's ear, before kissing his brow.

 

Jack has eyes only for Kate. Well, and Holmes too, but that's another matter.

 

Constantine shrugs at Erik. "Practice, then." His attention switches to Buffy rather fast. "...no?" he finally manages to say once he's torn his attention away from the dress. Or rather, the figure highlighted by the dress.

 

Oh, and Erik's still kind of quiet right now, though his smile is present and he's obviously amused and happy. No angsting here. Just quiet, though. He does not, however, have a drink.

 

Jack nods, before kissing his beloved on the chin.

 

Buffy leans back, diagonally in the chair with a grin, one elbow on the armrest as she takes a sip of her wine. She crosses her legs again, heel swinging "Have to think of something else then." she says with mock thoughtfulness, taking another sip to hide her smile. Men are so easy. "Ideas? And let me just say right out--no to the first one."

 

Seishi tells Nicolas pertly, "I think I owe you another right hook. You /did/ say I could..." She winks at him.

 

Lara grins. "We should all have another go 'round at that gym. It'd do us all good, and keep us sharp."

 

Whisper nods, somewhat soberly, or at least in a good pretense of it, at Holmes. "Quite." A glance at Buffy and the guys. Where does she /get/ those clothes? "Mm. But that could get him in the nose," she tells Seishi, "and that'd be messy, and then Kate would be in a bad mood because he'd bleed on her rug."

 

Jack perks up at Lara. "Oh, yes, boxing,"

 

"And I'd get my ass kicked. Again. 'Cause I can't cheat at the gym." Erik tells Lara.

 

Kate nods her head. "Yes, all demonstrations of martial arts, western or eastern, take place outside. No one in this neighborhood would find it unusual. And the person who bleeds on my carpet gets to pay for the steam-cleaner."

 

"The gym?" Constantine looks vaguely disturbed at that suggestion. He doesn't do exercise. He just doesn't.

 

Holmes says delicately, "I do have a bout against Enrico Gonzalez this week, if any of you would care to attend." (Uh. The former welterweight champion of the world who got kicked off the circuit when he tested positive for drugs.)

Holmes says the name with a perfect Mexican accent, too.

 

Indiana looks askance at Holmes. "Really? Anybody taking bets?"

 

Kate blinks and looks over at Holmes. "Truly? When and where?"

 

Jack gives Holmes a positively beatific grin. "You and I should go a round or two."

 

Lara says, "I'd be glad to come, Holmes." She smirks. She'd offer as well, but she knows by Holmes' and Jack's definitions, she plays dirty.

 

"And you wonder why I hide myself," Nicolas complains to Lara, the voice of the martyr. "The welterweight former champion?" he asks, almost startled. But then Holmes can do anything, as far as he's concerned. He begins searching for a seat.

 

Holmes says amiably, "I hope so." He nods to Jack. "As you wish. The modern fighters use gloves now - in some ways this is a very helpful addition to the sport." Then another nod to Nicolas.

 

Seishi dips her head in good-natured acquiescence. "I'll try and keep my bouts within a proper ring." She looks around the room with a vaguely speculative expression, but absolutely does /not/ say it. Instead she looks with interest toward Holmes. "I'd like to see that."

 

Whisper notes from her perch on the chair, "I could use a few lessons in /something/ myself. Oh, that could be very interesting."

 

Lara laughs to Nicolas. "Nonsense. I'd go a few rounds with one of these gentlemen myself, but I fear they'd find me too disturbing an opponent." Note she didn't say superior, but disturbing.

 

Jack makes a face. Gloves are for pansies. But he nods in return to Holmes.

 

Holmes eyes Lara sidelong. "Naturally I would be happy to oblige you." he says. "I doubt there are /more/ ways you could disturb me, Lara."

 

Buffy runs a hand through her hair, humming something to herself quietly. She should probably go to the gym. But then again, she's been getting beaten around by things training wouldn't help with. And she really needs target practice. And there aren't any vampire around. Briefly, something flickers over her face and she frowns, then shakes it off. "...is it time to save the world again, yet?"

 

"You'd be too used to being handled with kid gloves, Lara," Indy says, joshingly.

 

Lara smiles winningly at Indy and Holmes. "I'll have to go a few rounds with the both of you." she says.

 

"I'm sure she'll find another way eventually," Seishi quips, then grins at Lara. "You could always try me, sometime."

 

"Now that's a fight I wouldn't mind seeing," Erik says to Seishi, curiously. "Or you could all face Green Ninjas."

 

Lara grins to Seishi. "You'd wipe the floor with me. I saw you take on Logan, remember?"

 

Whisper shakes her head at Buffy, "I'm not saving universes for a while. I have a note from the doctor and everything to excuse me."

 

Lara says "Though you're a lot closer to my own fighting style."

 

Holmes says "Perhaps this would be something we could undertake at the manor house, once it is complete."

 

"Don't challenge her," Constantine warns Holmes lightly. He glances back at Buffy. "I don't think so. Just another of those things that happen all the time in this city. Not the end of the world." He overhears Seishi and Lara, and he puts on his innocent face. "Try me" could be taken so many different ways. "Can I watch?"

 

Seishi preens a little at the compliment--then turns a Look on Erik: "/No./ No green ninja!"

 

Lara swivels her head to regard Holmes. "Would you rather not be seen facing off against a woman in a public forum?" she inquires, amused.

 

"No," Buffy picks up quickly, eyeing Constantine "You can't."

 

"Manor house?" Nicolas wonders aloud.

 

Kate turns to Jack and says, "I shan't challenge anyone to a fight, I think. My own strengths are in avoiding.

 

Indiana smiles crookedly at Lara, then speaks to Holmes. "How's that coming along, anyways?"

 

Erik gives Seishi an almost hurt look, though it's about as phony as Constantine. In other words: Very. "Don't *make* me have them pull swords out of their asses on you again."

 

Holmes shakes his head. "Not at all." he says. "It simply seems rude to monopolize a public gymnasium with all of our various bouts between each of us."

Whisper joins Nicolas in looking puzzled at the term. "Manor house? There's a manor house?"

 

"All right, all right," Constantine says, hands going up briefly in mock-defensiveness. "I can't."

 

Holmes says "Not yet. It's an ongoing project."

 

"But you'll try to anyway," Buffy drains the last of her glass and sets it down. There. My head is nice and swimmy because of all this conversation I'm not really following. She straights her skirt out, a bit, flicking off a piece of lint. "Just remember one thing. I know where you sleep. And I have a key."

 

Regarding Buffy and Constantine, Indiana says "Ball's in your court, buddy."

 

Keys are for sissies. Nicolas finds an empty piece of floor next to someone or other, sprawling out and looking very comfortable with one knee bent. "Doctor Jones, when you have a moment, I believe I have few papers for you?"

 

Whisper nods, as if this all makes sense. They have a manor house. It's a project. Oh, what the hey. "A good thing, I'd think. Would this just be boxing-type fighting, or are we including martial arts and fencing and all that?"

 

Kate muses to herself, "We could have a set of benefit fighting bouts. And we could benefit from the admission sold."

 

Jack blinks at Kate. "Wonderful idea."

 

"Benefit fighting bouts? To collect money?" Erik looks towards Kate. "Wouldn't money collected from that be better off going to charity? I work for a few that could sponsor something like that." He points out.

 

Kate perks up, at Whisper's idea too. "Ooh, I'd love to see some fencing. And Dr. Jones could do a whip demonstration."

 

Constantine laughs lightly at Buffy. "Oh, I won't forget that." He eyes the empty glass. "You want to stay much longer, love?" Especially with *flirty people who look like Harrison Ford* around, dammit. "Anyway, you don't seem to much care for that key. Considering what you did to my bloody lock." He's not really being accusatory or mean in his tone, though.

 

Kate says "True, that would be the most philanthropic thing to do."

 

Holmes thinks about that a little bit and smokes his cigarette a moment longer. "I agree, Erik. If we need more money, there are several excellent candidates that I know who could stand to lose a little." He times this statement just /so/, so that it fits right into the conversation.

 

Erik points out as well. "Something like that, equally so, is going to attract attention. Hopefully not from the wrong kind of people."

 

Lara notes blithely, "Well, I can't say that what I do could be called boxing, in the traditional sense." No, more like commando training.

 

Whisper nods at Kate, grinning a little, "Mm. Yeah, that seems like a good idea. And I have absolutely no skills in that area, so I'll stand around and watch or make sandwiches or something."

 

Lara looks to Erik. "What fun comes out of playing it safe?"

 

Buffy shakes her head just a bit, with a slight smile "...I think I'm about ready for some fresh air. I don't want to make you leave early though. And I love the key!...I just...didn't like the door."

 

Holmes smiles quirkily to Whisper. "My take on the bout this week will either be $2,000 or $5,000. The person running the concession stand will easily bring in $30,000."

 

"You have a point," Erik offers another smile towards Lara.

 

Kate nods her head. "Right, Whisper, whenever there are audience venues, there are concessionaires."

 

Jack eyes Holmes thoughtfully. "How does one get into the boxing ring as a pro sport?" he wonders.

 

Seishi notes, "What I do doesn't bear much resemblance to boxing. And, quite frankly, I haven't noticed that we're all that short of money lately." A vaguely amused look slants toward Holmes at that remark.

 

"I'm a better punching bag than anything," Nicolas speaks of himself. But he does a good Michael Buffer impression.

 

Whisper notes to Buffy, "There's a bench in the City Seat that's evil. I'll point it out sometime. I think it's still got half my knee on it. Exactly. We could, oh, give the money to one of the shelters Erik volunteers at."

 

Holmes says delicately, "It takes quite a bit of work to even achieve the very mild amateur status which I have gained. There are many excellent boxers in the city who are eager to make a name for themselves and move into the pro circuit."

 

"I don't have any money at all. I make pretty much most of what I need and do my volunteer work." Erik doesn't seem bothered by it, though.

 

Seishi tells Nicolas in a bright voice, "You make a very good punching bag, at that."

 

Jack looks serene. "I imagine so. Still, I think I might have a chance..."

 

"And thank you for rushing so readily to my support," Nicolas answers with a rueful smile. "No demonstrations please."

 

Kate murmurs, "Just don't get yourself knocked silly so that it does you permanent damage."

 

Holmes adds, "There is some danger of having your false background examined if you are /too/ successful." he says to Jack. "Professional boxing is a very public sport."

 

Indiana doesn't exactly play by the Marquis of Queensbury's rules either, for that matter. He simply listens to the others, head shaking a little after a moment. He waves a hand. "I'm no prizefighter. And I don't do public performances. Few times I was on a stage are experiences I don't care to repeat."

 

Seishi just examines her fingernails, a bit smugly, and gives the Basil plushie an absent snuggle.

 

Constantine gives Holmes a thoughtful look, then turns his attention back to Buffy. "That's all right, love. I wasn't planning on staying much longer anyway. And I was going to have someone fix the lock today." Locks are important for people like him. "Unless they got blown up." He doesn't explain that comment.

 

Jack nods. "Oh, of course, dear," he replies, with a grin, before giving Holmes a nod, as well. "Certainly. But you could help me out with that bit of it, eh?"

 

Holmes nods. "I will do what I can." he says gallantly, sitting back in his chair and steepling his fingers. He gives Basil a little amused glance as if to say 'having fun, you little plagiaristic mouse?'

 

Whisper chuckles and shakes her head at Kate. "Brain damage is a bad thing in most men. Mm. Well, those of us who don't fight can run the concession, or do the entertainment between sets, or something."

 

Kate looks vaguely amused and shakes her head slightly. Boys will be boys.

 

"I am certainly not fighting. My autobiography will be titled, 'I, wuss.' at this rate." Erik snickers.

 

Indiana levels a finger lazily at Lara. "...but don't let that make you think you're off the hook, sister."

 

Buffy gets to her feet with a slight stretch. Mmmm, sitting for too long. She pleasantly warm though, offering a hand down to help John up with a wry smile "You can't just magic one up?"

 

Constantine takes the offered hand, pulling himself up. "It doesn't work that way. I could magic my way out of having to pay for the repair, though," he adds without any apparent twinge of conscience.

 

"I'd offer to replace it for you, man, but I don't want to leave constructs of mine laying around." Erik tells Constantine.

 

Lara grins at Indiana. "I wouldn't dream of it." she says blithely.

 

"Willow fixed a broken phone so it worked once." Is Buffy's random piece of trivia, as she moves towards the door, carefully stepping over any limbs that may be in the way. "It was good to see everyone under a happy pretense, for once..." and you know, not the end of the world.

 

Jack yawns a little, thought he stifles it behind a hand.

 

Kate murmurs, "You look tired, my dear. Perhaps you need to sleep."

 

Holmes says gracefully, "Miss Summers, Mr. Constantine, Seishi and I would be pleased for you to call upon us at any time. Best of luck to the both of you." Awww. Holmes is even being nice to Constantine! He must be in a good mood.

 

Indiana nods to Buffy, smiling dully. "See you about the...y'know. Later." He shifts in his chair, and looks back to Lara, a tad smug.

 

Jack nods to Kate. "Mmhmm," he agrees.

 

Whisper turns and smiles to Buffy, "It's been cool. You guys have fun, now. Take care of yourselves--oh, and I'll drop by to return the pants sometime."

 

"Later, Buffy. See you Tuesday." Erik gives her a quick wave. Seems she's making dates with everyone!

 

Kate grins secretly to herself. Jack was claiming to be tired earlier, but that was before he saw Kate in the velvet catsuit. He woke up very quickly, after that.

 

"You take care now dahling," Nicolas says in the voice of the other John. And it's directed at Constantine. So maybe he's loosening up a bit.

 

Seishi waves as well, grinning. "Goodnight, both of you."

 

Constantine shrugs at Erik. "I can deal with it. That must've been nice for Willow," he adds to Buffy as he follows her. "Yeah, it was. Hope it's the same next time I see you lot." Not that he thinks it will be. In fact, it may have to be arranged for him to hurt everyone if Buffy keeps making all these dates with them.

 

Kate waves a hand. "Be safe, heading home!"

 

Buffy isn't making dates! But she gives the room a parting warm smile before she leaves.

 

Buffy leaves the apartment, heading back outside.

Buffy has left.

 

"Assuming home hasn't been blown up by the time we get back," Constantine points out with his usual sense of humor. Then he's out the door.

 

Constantine leaves the apartment, heading back outside.

Constantine has left.

 

Jack will no doubt wake up quite a bit, if Kate breaks out the catsuit again. Talk about things they didn't have in his day.

 

Sitting up, Erik looks around. "So now what?" He asks. "We've drank, or at least most of you have, we've sung.." He seems contemplative.

 

Whisper strums her fingers idly over the strings of the guitar, smiling as she hears the tone.

 

Jack mms softly. "Now we sleep, perhaps," he murmurs, dreamily.

 

Kate nods her head. "I confess to being a bit tired."

 

Seishi laughs quietly. "Things seem to be winding down a bit."

 

"It was a good Not The End of the World Party," Erik notes.

 

Kate notes, "I do have couches, if there is anyone who thinks they don't want to have to wander home."

 

Whisper smiles in Erik's direction. "It was. Thank you for the offer, Kate, but I get the feeling Ray'd get worried. Or at least grouchy."

 

"I can be a designated driver if *necessary* as well," Erik offers.

 

Holmes laughs a little, "Perhaps we could let our kind hosts retire, and the rest of us could go elsewhere to continue the evening."

 

"Well," Indy says, planting his hands on his armrests. "It's been fun, guys, but I've got to get ready for a lecture tomorrow morning." He stands, slowly, adjusting his tie absently to loosen it. "Thanks for everything," he says to Kate and Jack with a loose grin. He then nods to the others.

 

Lara smirks at Indy, returning his nod. "That's a good idea, Holmes."

 

Jack does yawn again. "Very kind of you."

 

"Works fine by me. Where should we head?" Erik asks, thoughtfully.

 

Seishi waves goodnight to Indy, with a smile. "I agree... but where?"

 

Lara grins. "We're such good sports. Kate, if you would be so kind as ring me in the morning, I'd appreciate it." she considers. "My flat? Or Blue Notes, if it's open."

 

Indiana exits, the tie being removed with the relief of a man removing handcuffs.

 

Kate nods her head. "You'll hear from me direct, tomorrow."

 

Nicolas rises slowly to his feet, favouring his right side a bit as he stretches. He's certainly not about to let anyone know where he lives. "I have something for you as well Lady Croft."

 

Kate slips out of Jack's lap, offering him a hand.

 

Whisper waves to Indy and gets to her feet, closing the guitar case first. "Either way works for me, sure."

 

Holmes says delicately, "Perhaps we could return to our flat, and Whisper could play for us a little. I could accompany her on the violin."

 

Jack rises to follow her. Apparently they've been sleeping in the same room, if not the same bed.

 

Seishi perks visibly. "I like that idea."

 

Kate grins and waves, as she and Jack disappear. "It's been marvelous having you all over. Take care!"

 

"Later, you two." Erik waves after them with a small smile. Then he stands up, stretches himself out a bit. His spine pops a little.

 

Jack vanishes after her, and closes the door behind him.

 

"I have room for one on the bike," Nicolas offers, starting to head out. "Two if we're talented."

 

Seishi promptly casts a 'heaven-help-me' look at the ceiling.

 

Holmes gets to his feet. "I drove my car here." he says.

 

Whisper chuckles, "I'd take you up on it, but I don't think you've got room for two and a case. And yes, that sounds like a great idea."

 

Lara notes, "I drove as well. I can take a person or a guitar, if one doesn't mind it traveling separately."

 

Holmes breezes out. He assumes travel arrangements will work themselves out by the time he gets to his car, and of course he's right.

 

Holmes' Apartment - Elm Hollow Road(#756RFJ)

This is a relatively small, dingy apartment that is nonetheless blessed with a large living area. The window is small, and barred, despite being on the second floor, and the walls are solid. The furniture is clearly secondhand, acquired piecemeal from thrift stores and discount outlets. A broad threadbare couch and a few creaking, corduroy armchairs with pointless curlicues on the stumpy legs rest before the tiny fireplace. Tossed carelessly on the ground is a pile of cushions and pillows, and the overriding sense of the living area is clutter. Piles of books are stacked on the floor, on tables, under tables, on each other, mostly cheap, second- and third-hand books on gruesome and esoteric subjects. A stack of scrapbooks are jammed in one corner, newspaper clippings protruding out and fluttering slightly in the air from the ventilation duct that sticks into the room in an ungainly fashion. A door leads back to a bedroom that contains a bed and nothing else. Whoever lives here apparently lives in the main room, and is a smoker, the pungent odor of tobacco lingering in the air.

        The kitchenette, visible from the living area, has some kind of chemical apparatus in the sink, but is kept appallingly clean, even when at its most cluttered.

 

Holmes sweeps in with Seishi ahead of the big group. He and she take a few moments to clear off chairs and couches and so on. He naturally goes right to his armchair, though he lets her keep Basil of Baker Street.

 

Lara finds a spot on the couch, curling up on it and toying with her braid absently.

 

Nicolas homes in on the couch, all the better for sprawling upon, my dear. That someone beat him to it does not alter this fact.

 

Seishi is quite happy with this. Once places for everyone to sit have been cleared, she and Basil curl up in another armchair. "Would anybody like some tea?" Sei inquires. "Or I can make coffee?"

 

Whisper goes for another section of the couch, slipping off her sandals and curling her feet under her, guitar carefully leaned against the side. "Tea, please."

 

Holmes picks up his violin and plucks at the strings experimentally. "Some coffee would be very nice, thank you." he says to Seishi, accepting her offer more or less as his due.

 

"Coffee is fine by me." Erik sets his butt down on the arm of the couch again, though on Lara's side of it rather than Nicolas', more because it's closer than anything else.

 

Nicolas sits up to make room for Whisper, his sprawling space quickly being occupied. "Tea as well," he says quietly. Something about this place makes it seem suited for quietness. Or wild heroic tales.

 

Seishi uncurls from the chair, leaving Basil to keep her seat for her while she heads into the kitchenette to start a pot of coffee in the coffeemaker and a pot of tea on the stove.

 

Lara says serenely, "I'm fine. But do play, Whisper, Holmes."

 

Whisper takes her guitar out of the case, sitting forward so it doesn't thwack Nicolas, and tries out a few chord changes, looking over at Holmes. "Got anything in mind?"

 

Nicolas stands up slowly, fully intending to be out of the room when music starts, for an unreasonable fear of singing. "I'll help with that," he offers, trying not to look like he's fleeing. Bets someone takes his seat too. Bunch of thieves.

 

Holmes says amiably, "I fear my knowledge of the music of this world is incomplete. I will follow your lead."

 

Lara says dryly, "Imagine, Holmes not being an expert on everything." she can't help but snicker. "The mind boggles."

 

Holmes sniffs a little archly at Lara's comment. "I have never claimed to be infallible." he says. No, not out /loud/.

 

Seishi is in the kitchenette making coffee, and is thus saved from having to cover any amusement.

 

Nicolas is helping, or just as likely getting in the way, not knowing where anything is. "Don't suppose carrying a few cups counts as a boon," he tries.

 

Seishi replies easily, "No. You'll just have to have an outstanding debt until I think of something appropriate." Somewhere she finds a tray, and arranges the mismatched cups on that, along with cream and sugar and a tiny little box of Godiva chocolates that were apparently another product of her shopping trip.

 

Whisper chuckles and plays a few more chords. "I'll start with what I /know/ has violin accompaniment. Then I'll take requests." The chords get more regular and meld into the beginning of a slow, mellow song. Those who've heard anything by the Indigo Girls might recognize the style.

 

Lara perks, eyeing the Godiva. She looks inquiringly to Seishi. "May I please?"

"In that case I'll get the coffee," Nicolas says dryly. The young guy out there wanted some, and of course the great one, if he recalls correctly. Which he does. Nicolas pours two mugs when it's ready, carrying one out in each hand.

 

"Insert your gratuitous Homer Simpson style 'mmmn coffee' thing here." Erik notes.

 

Seishi, meanwhile, brings the tray, with the tea, the cream and sugar, and the chocolate. "Help yourself," she invites Lara, setting the tray down on the table. She seems to recognize what Whisper is playing, and she smiles, slightly wistful, as she settles back into the armchair and cuddles Basil once more.

 

Holmes clearly doesn't know the Indigo Girls, but as far as the actual key, rhythm, style and tune, he catches it almost instantly. He tries at first to follow Whisper's own style - even if she makes a mistake or fumbles. But soon he's improvising backbeats, sliding the bow up, angling it back down. The kind of virtuosity he displays certainly puts him among the great violin players of any century. Sometimes it's just not fair.

 

Lara places a chocolate in her mouth, closes her eyes with a satisfied smile, and listens with a beatific expression on her face.

 

Erik listens too, naturally, looking pretty damn impressed. Now he brings *his* knees up on the arm of the couch, balanced somewhat precariously. No, he's not going tip over on to Lara.

 

"For the young man with the interesting jewelry," Nicolas says, unable to avoid noticing the ring at the party earlier. "And for talented Mr. Holmes," he says, bringing the second mug to him. If he had less dignity he'd be doing the fanboy routine.

 

Holmes nods smoothly to the table near his armchair, so that he doesn't interrupt the song. "Thank you." he murmurs.

 

Whisper tilts her head and grins at Holmes's showing off. She sticks to the music for her part, occasionally fudging when she misremembers a sequence, but doing well for the most part. The chords are pleasant, easy. When she gets to the natural point, she starts to sing quietly along with the music. "There's a letter on the desktop

 That I dug out of a drawer

 The last truce we ever came to

 In our adolescent war

 And I start to feel a fever

 From the warm air through the screen

 You come regular like seasons

 Shadowing my dreams." Her voice isn't extraordinary, but it's on pitch and mildly pleasant.

 

Lara smiles in appreciation of the song, her eyes opening as she sits up to pay attention.

 

Erik takes a mug from Nicolas, saying, "Thanks, man." He looks down at his ring, then adds, "It's interesting jewelry, yeah. It was a gift." He says, amused.

 

Nicolas deposits the mug gently as indicated, and picks his way carefully back to his ever diminishing seat. He opts for the floor between couch and chair.

 

Whisper extends the last word just a little, the chord lingering before she starts the next verse.

 "Well, the Mississippi's mighty

 But it starts in Minnesota

 At a place that you could walk across with five steps down

 And I guess that's how you started

 Like a pinprick to my heart

 But at this point you rush right through me and I start to drown." The chords blend a little faster at this point.

 

Lara grins, and opens her mouth just as Whisper swings into the chorus, adding a very soft, mellow harmony - 'cause well, that's how the song goes.

 

Erik doesn't sing. This is probably because he can't.

 

Nicolas can sing as long as he's impersonating someone else. And is being forced to do it under penalty of death. He stands up and starts to pace, growing restless.

 

Lara arches a brow at Nicolas. This isn't a sing-a-long. She's singing because she wants too, not because some invisible campfire Nazi is ordering them all to pipe up.

 

Whisper looks down at the guitar as she goes into the chorus, the strain on every third syllable now and her voice is a little more intense. "And there's not enough room in this world for my pain

 Signals cross and love gets lost

And time passed makes it plain

Of all my demon spirits I need you the most," And the intensity lifts a bit until the next line's just a plaintive statement.

 "I'm in love with your ghost."

 

Nicolas is restless for less tangible reasons than stage fright, but at least grows still under the gaze.

 

Lara just shakes her head, pointedly ignoring Nicolas as she ceases the harmony, leaning back and enjoying the sound.

 

Whisper plays a brief fugue before she heads into the next verse. When she's not singing, she catches her lower lip in her teeth, perhaps in concentration. "Dark and dangerous like a secret," she begins the next verse, "That gets whispered in a hush."

 

Seishi listens quietly, eyes dark and still faintly wistful... and when the third verse begins, she adds another voice, pitched softly under the melody and a deliberate step behind. "Don't tell a soul..."

 

"I feel like I'm trapped in a music video." Erik mutters.

 

Nicolas feels a lot more trapped than that. "I'll be right back," he promises to whomever's listening, searching out a bathroom to splash some water on his face.

 

Lara gestures vaguely at the door with her fingers. If the boys don't like it...well.

 

Whisper flicks a grin to Seishi and lifts an eyebrow at Erik. And he's /displeased/ by this? Ah well. She goes on. "When I wake the things I dreamt about you last night make me blush

 When you kiss me like a lover," The chord blends with her voice,

 Then you sting me like a viper

 I go follow to the river

 Play your memory like the piper," and the song rises again toward the chorus.

 

Giving Lara a grin, Erik settles back. His weight goes on his hands on the arm of the couch. He's content to listen.

 

Seishi's voice wanders its way through the harmony, and rises as the song does:

"And I feel it like a sickness, how this love is killing me

But I'd walk into the fingers of your fire willingly

And come dance the edge of sanity, I've never been this close..."

 

Whisper blinks at Nicolas as he heads toward the bathroom, but keeps singing, her voice mingling with Seishi's in the chorus. "I'm in love with your ghost. Ooooooh...."

 

Nicolas peels off the false facial hair, staring into the mirror as he does so, and tucking it into a back pocket. Wig is removed too, and put away. Simon heads out at a quick pace for the front door, looking around and actually nervous. "I'll, ah, I'll be right back." An imploring look is cast Lara's way, there's unfinished business. Not brave enough to wait, he ducks out.

 

Nicolas leaves the apartment, heading back towards the street.

Nicolas has left.

 

Erik peers after Nicholas at that. "You know, I just have one question," he begins. "Who the hell is that?"

 

Lara looks after him. "Oh, dear." she looks to Erik. "Don't you know? The patron saint of thieves." She looks to the other women, singing, and gives an apologetic glance.

 

Whisper directs a worried 'I hope he's all right' look out the door, but goes on. The show, after all, must. "Ooooh."

 "Unknowing captor,"

 She picks out a different sequence on the strings,

 "You'll never know how much you

 Pierce my spirit

 But I can't touch you." The chords drift back to normal,

 "Can't you hear it

 A cry to be free

 But I'm forever under lock and key

 As you pass through me..."

 

Erik looks over at Lara, shaking his head in a slightly confused fashion. Obviously, he's never met the man until, well, just now.

 

Whisper says "Now I see your face before me

 I would launch a thousand ships

 To bring your heart back to my island

As the sand beneath me slips."

 

Lara rises, casting Whisper and Seishi an apologetic look - she wants to go make sure Simon is alright.

 

Seishi joins in once more, winding her voice around Whisper's.

"As I burn up in your presence

And I know now how it feels

To be weakened like Achilles

Will you always at my heels..."

 

Whisper nods understandingly to Lara as she plays along, the song winding down to "In love with your...shadowing my dreams...in love with your ghost..."

 

Lara leaves the apartment, heading back towards the street.

Lara has left.

 

Whisper starts putting her guitar back in the case, clicking latches closed and everything. "And now, I've got to head back to my apartment before I pass out here. I've had a great time, guys." She gets to her feet and smiles at the room. "G'night."