(no subject)

[victormakesart]

It feels good to suit up. It feels better to get going on doing something constructive.

She straps her mask on over her face-- the one with the gas mask adjustment inside, because she doesn't really know what to expect, and it's better to be safe.

Her pack is on and fueled, and her leg braces aren't on, even though they make her feel better. She doesn't want to risk looking weak in front of potential assailants.

The kids are asleep, all except the baby and Jude. (One is reading a Particle Physics book under his blanket like Vic doesn't know it, and one is fussing like a howler monkey but Cole mutters a sleepy "I got it I got it" as Vic gives him a kiss on the cheek. I'll let you decide which is which.)

She PINs to Lorne's.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"Demons don't scare easily," warned Spike. "And we don't even know if it is technology... or demon powers that they are using."

[victormakesart]

"So, are you thinking diplomatics instead, and if that fails we bring out the big guns?"

[slayers_desire]

"No. I am thinking we listen and learn, before we bring out the big guns. You can't use diplomatics on these guys..." Spike frowns. "Work from the shadows. Use your instincts. We don't even know if it will be them."

[victormakesart]

"I do so enjoy the sneaky-sneaky thing. I'll follow your lead."

[slayers_desire]

April is actually able to become the shadows, using the magical ability to make herself a literal shadow. But her mind is still open, as they follow Spike towards the bad section of town (which is saying A LOT about Los Angeles, since there is so many bad sections, that this one is the worst of them all).

[victormakesart]

Victor slips a TARDIS key around her neck. Which, she thinks, is cheating, but she takes good advantage of that perception filter, and follows.

[slayers_desire]

There is little issues getting to the bar where the biker gang hangs out. No one is going to bother Spike. And no one sees either April and Victor.

The bar itself is a typical biker bar... with loud music, awful smells, and a mess everywhere you looked. The main noticeable difference is that all these bikers are Demons. They are assorted in size and shape and species, but they all one love of driving motorbikes.

Spike sits at a bar stool, playing it cool for the moment.

[victormakesart]

Even though using the perception filter is cheating, she's grateful she has it. Although she's no slouch, there's no way she could keep up with April and Spike. She doesn't have an ounce of their grace. She keeps it cool in the bar, though her costume is far from inconspicuous, and who knows what sorts of extra-sensory powers these demons might have. The perception filter might just boil down to a cheap, powerless necklace around them.

[slayers_desire]

Most of the conversation around them is typical biker talk, it seems that the passions and joys of being on the road has no limitations. They compete for the best scar... the best lover... the best 'I was so drunk' stories.

If any of the demons here do have extra-sensory powers -- they don't seem to have them active at the moment. No one cries fowl over noticing Doc.

[victormakesart]

If this were any other time she'd be fine with plopping down next to them and swapping her own tales. Now's not the time. She wanders carefully around the edge of the bar, listening here and there, waiting for something useful.

[slayers_desire]

In all normal circumstances, they would be upfront with someone they were comfortable around. Someone who shared their stories. Someone who could walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk.

Conversation after conversation seems to lead nowhere. After awhile, Spike gets up and joins in a poker game in the back corner. They are playing for kittens.

[victormakesart]

She keeps an ear on Spike's conversation, an ear on the table across the way, since she trusts Spike to be able to report back.

((The playing for kittens is maybe my favorite thing about the Buffyverse!!))

[slayers_desire]

"Wots new boys," Spike asks after a few rounds of the game.

A demon, by Victor, mumbles in response. Unfortunately, even though she can hear him fine... he is mumbling in an unknown language.

"That's awful Mort... worms you say?" It seems it is not what they are seeking.

[victormakesart]

Bummer, that. It's moments like this where she very much misses the TARDIS's translation circuit. But at least it isn't good information.

[slayers_desire]

There is another pair of Demons, to her left, having a private conversation. But that too, is about something unrelated. They seem to be talking about the stock market, of all things.

A new group of demons enters the bar. There is a small, child-like Demon with them. Doc gets a soft humming in her ears, when she spots the child-Demon.

[victormakesart]

April just might pick up on Vic thinking some very choice words including 'son of a' and at least three different orifices. She's wondering, what makes her different that she can hear it, too?

[slayers_desire]

What bothers you, Doc?

[victormakesart]

One of these things is not like the other. The kid. I'm getting the sound again.

[slayers_desire]

She is a Key... It is something that April can sense, that others can not. She does not look well, either...

The signs are small, and can almost be missed. But the other Demons are aiding the demon-child at times. When she seems to need them the most.

[victormakesart]

Another thought curse. For a person who hardly says much more than 'gosh' she's got quite a little vocabulary when she's on the job. And not saying anything out-loud. They're manipulating the kid?

[slayers_desire]

I do not see anyone manipulating the child. I see them tending to her... perhaps they resorted to something dangerous, in order to protect her?

[victormakesart]

It could be that the three breaking down is an unfortunate side-effect?

[slayers_desire]

I do not know. It is possible they were causing the sickness too, and they are being stopped...

[victormakesart]

We have a starting spot, at least. Going to head closer to them and listen in. And she does just that.

[slayers_desire]

The child is shivering, getting help to eat some questionable soup. The elder Demons around her look concern.

"She should be getting better." One whispers to another, trying not to allow the child to overhear him.

His companion, answers in Demon tongue.

"Well it did not work."