WHO: Lilah Morgan, Princess Azula, the Dracu-vamps and Faith Lehane WHAT: Serving mutual goals. WHEN: late at night on the 8th Feb WHERE: Wolfram and Hart, a road not far from the Hyperion, then an undisclosed location. RATING: HIGH FOR MENTIONS OF TORTURE STATUS: COMPLETE
It was safe to say that Lilah was not sitting idle. The CEO of the highest evil power in Los Angeles couldn't afford to. She kept herself well in the loop for gossip of interest. This new character in town concerned her. He was an unknown element and one she wasn't sure if she could control or eliminate should she need to. After writing out a memo to send to the various departments to gather as much information on him as they could, or risk disembowelment, Lilah sat back to consider the other new fun in town. These unkillable vampires. They were creating quite a stir. She sat back in her chair, chewing idly on a pen as she read through the various reports. The body count was piling up and one Slayer had already been put into the hospital after her little storm out. Ms Summers had clearly not been pleased that Petrelli had chosen to trust the ex murderer over her. Lilah made a quick note to make use of that if at all possible before considering the other two Slayers. The new Brat was irritating and having another Slayer presence in Los Angeles was grating to say the least. But, Lilah suspected, removing Faith from the picture might be enough to render her useless. Her attempts to have the little bitch assassinated had failed miserably so far, but it was just possible that the fates were starting to line up in her favor.
The first phone call she made was to Toru. The most vocal of the vampires, he seemed just her type. And well, it wasn't so much a 'phone' call as using the Firm resources to make a mystical call straight to the brain.
"Daring," the vampire smirked as he regarded her astral form calmly. "And interesting. Who are you?"
"A potential ally," Lilah responded, her own tone even. "I am here on behalf of the Senior Partners of Wolfram and Hart who would like to officially offer their assistance in ridding this world of its Slayer infestation."
Toru arched an eyebrow, the interest clear on his face. He'd heard of the law firm, everyone had. And as far as allies went, they were favorable. "And what would you be asking in return?"
"Simply to choose which Slayer dies first."
Toru pretended to consider it for a moment before he laughed. "They're all going to die. It makes no difference to us who takes first, second and third place."
"Good," Lilah smiled brightly, with a poisoned sweetness. "Then I can offer you the full protections and assistance of this Firm." She went on to explain her plan as the smirk across the ancient vampire's face grew wider.
That done she disconnected the call and made her second one of the night. Princess Azula was back in town. It was time to contact her.
Azula had been settling into her old apartment again she had contacted Wolfram and Hart reminding Lilah's people that she was back in town and willing to aid them. Not work for. Aid. A Fire Princess did not work for just anyone.picked up the phone idly, still marveling at technology of this age. It truly was impressive. She was unsurprised to discover it was Lilah Morgan.
"You're not upset about the man that took over the place are you. Only I did quite like the apartment when I had it and he was very reluctant to give it up. And he asked who I thought I was so I showed him
Lilah insisted that she did not and filled Azula in on the plan. It was a good plan. Very good as it happened.
"I'd be happy to help. That Toru, he's an interesting one."
She was given an address to be at. And a time. Azula smirked, set down the phone and continued to brush her hair. This would be fun.
Toru was amused to find out that the Slayers were damn predictable. He had wondered if Raidon had gotten in a lucky hit when he'd taken down the Queen Slayer, but it seemed according to his new ally that the Slayers regularly went out on patrols alone.
Even when there were big and scary things out there.
They were silly, silly girls.
But damn did they taste good.
The Morgan woman had given him the Intell regarding the Rogue Slayer's usual haunts and routes and told him to work with the girl Kumiko described as the pretty firestarter. Toru had wanted to protest that working with another was not necessary or wanted, but upon hearing the name Kumiko had danced and squealed and really, who wanted to argue with an insanely powerful witch when she wanted something? Toru had lived a long time knowing never to anger someone who could vapourize him with a thought.
So Toru agreed to meet her at the time and place, ready to ambush the Rogue Slayer on her nightly patrol. Upon seeing the Princess he bowed, a gesture of respect if not subservience. "My lady," he smirked wickedly. "It is a honor to be working with you this night." Yes, the habits of a nobleman still served him well.
'Oh good', she thought arriving on the scene. It was this one. She'd been most amused with him of them all, the Witch had phenomenal power and the other one...well he reminded her of Zuzu sometimes with that dour attitude. But this one...Toru. He seemed to be in it for the sheer pleasure of the kill.
And he was being all polite too. That was just good breeding.
"And you Sir, Lets not stand on ceremony. You may call me Azula."
She gazed around the area, a single blue flame forming in her hand, lighting a small patch of the street. She would extinguish it when she heard the slayer approach. Or more likely when her vampire ally did. He would hear her first.
"Are you going to kill her then. Or is there anything to be done first. Why do you need me? Not that I mind."
"And I am Toru," he announced with a grin, already feeling the thrill that came before every hunt. The flame was impressive and he could see why Kumiko was interested in this one. Definite potential there.
"I am going to kill her yes. But this one, oh this one is worth savoring as a kill, relishing it even. She is the Rogue Slayer and I think her blood might be the sweetest I have tasted yet. She has the stench of hell about her and well, that just adds to the flavor."
He held up a hand to hold off any protest. "And I know, I know, how often do the bad guys fall because they linger over killing their prey? That is where Ms Morgan comes in, and where you do as well my dear Azula."
The grin spread across his face, a dark madness in his eyes. "Ms Morgan has promised us a safe refuge where we can take our time with her. And I believe she wishes you to make sure her investment is protected. We want you involved because, well," he gestured at the flames. "Pretty. And chaotic. We approve of both of those."
"Toru" she repeated and couldn't resist increasing the flame, yes it was showing off but if Ty Lee could act that way around men then why not she. And he'd called her dear hadn't he?
She didn't understand his lust for blood beyond what he was, and the stench of hell stuff had gone completely over her head. But to each their own and it was likely he was right. She was there to see that things went well. Not for the girl obviously but she didn't care about that.
"Enough light to blind her while you take her down then. Do you have a problem if she ends up scorched?. My Firebending, while pretty might get a little...out of control. For now."
Stupid Zuko. Stupid little Waterbender. Still she was finding herself again.
"Oh I like this plan," Toru exclaimed, loving the fun of it. "And feel free to scorch her, Slayers are remarkably resilient, and you know, I really do this it will add to that smokey barbecue flavor."
The truth was he was intrigued to see the Firebender in action. Kumiko had been raving about pretty blue flames and she sounded like just the kind of princess they needed in their little gang. He'd even ask this one before he thought about turning her.
Then his nose caught the scent, that unmissable, unmistakable and unrepeatable smell of a Slayer coming close. He turned to Azula with a smile that showed off his white fangs. "Time for some fun."
Faith was somewhere beyond tired as she pushed herself into yet another patrol. Between Alistair and the psycho vampires and Buffy leaving, she felt as though the idea of actually having a break was a long forgotten myth. Oh to be the Chosen One. She smirked mirthlessly.
It had been a reasonable night for kills, giving her the chance to work off some of the stresses of the day before heading home. Home for a long shower and crawling into bed for a couple of hours. Yeah, that sounded like a plan.
She rubbed a hand across the back of her neck, trying to press out some aches before something made her stop in her tracks, her instincts tingling.
"Who's there?" She called out, her voice carrying a confidence she didn't really feel. "Come on, I'm so not in the mood for more ass kicking."
Azula was ready to showcase just what it was to be a firebender. just what she had found people underestimating. From the shadows she thrust out her hands in a controlled stance, moving them from one side to another as a wall of bright blue flame shot up in front of the Slayer. Right in front of the Slayer.
She even shrieked. Didn't falter to her credit but Azula was pleased at the reaction.
Dropping down onto her arms, the Fire Nation Princess twirled her legs out under her. More jets of flame finding their way to the Slayer. She would need to be able to dodge. Toru of course even if they hit him he was unkillable. Probobly a good thing in hindsight. She continued her assault, hands and feet moving with a grace and a control borne from years of training. She didn't watch to see what Toru was doing. She needed to keep her focus on the Slayer.
Toru was watching the dance with a delighted laugh. Such grace, such power. How much would his Lady Kumiko love this.
The Slayer was being forced to move, to keep moving, never stopping, never faltering. It was an elegant dance between the two of them now, the primal force of the Slayer against the elemental power of the Firebender.
It was breathtaking. Well, if one had breath.
Toru frowned slightly as a lick of flame caught him on the arm, burning the leather of his coat. Ah well, he could always kill himself another store clerk and get a new one.
He moved to his position, taking the Slayer by surprise before he slammed a fist directly at her temple, knocking her unconscious in one blow. She crumpled to the ground in a heap and Toru looked down with a smirk.
"They look so young when they're sleeping."
Azula exhaled a breath regaining her clarity outside of her bending as Faith was taken down, The fight was done and so she lept up from her hands, landing on her feet beside the vampire. "Thats a Slayer then is it? She did dodge well. I think I tired her out" she told him and moved to the other side of the girl.
"What now? Drag her back and you all have your fun with the girl. Is your Lady to be there? I really would like to meet her in person."
Toru reached down to pick up the unconscious Slayer, grinning widely at her groan before leaning in to whisper in Azula's ear.
"Then turn around," he looked over her shoulder where the Lady Kumiko had teleported herself.
The vampire witch looked thrilled as she skipped towards the trio, clapping her hands. "Yay!" Her voice was breathy, almost childlike, as she stared at them with an almost innocent glee. "She's so pretty, is she for me Toru, is she? And you!" She turned to Azula with a huge smile before flinging her arms around the princess in a hug. "We're going to be the very best of friends."
She let go and started skipping around them, singing to herself.
"Kumiko," Toru chided, gently. "We need to get her back to the holding place before she wakes up."
"Oh yeah," Kumiko paused and pursed her lips in concentration, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "Time to go."
There was a swirl of energy before all four were teleported to the location Lilah Morgan had provided. Shielded from telepathy, locator spells. GPS. Just in case. Toru threw the Slayer onto the ground, leaving her to the minions with a commanding "Tie her up."
That done he looked back to his Lady and the Princess with a smirk. "Will you stay for the entertainment?"
Hugging. She'd been hugged. That had spooked her somewhat but the woman was nice. Well. Barking mad obviously, but she'd been nice about her bending. So that was something.
When it happened the teleporting had confused the Princess momentarily, she'd seen nothing like it in her life and looked around her new surroundings eyes wide. But Azula being the woman she was recovered quickly and turned to her new friends.
"I would be flattered yes. Happy to stay for the festivities"
Kumiko clapped and cheered, skipping up to chair where the Slayer was tied down and crouching beside it. "Bring me toys!" She called out, holding her hands out as one of their generals brought forward the Scythe. And the crystal, which Kumiko took and firmly placed in the sleeping Slayer's hands, wrapping her fingers around the glowing red gem carefully. Then she stood, twirling the Scythe in her hand as she focused her power, eyes closed as she muttered under her breath.
Toru stared at her, a faint hint of fear and wonder as he looked at her. He'd seen her do this many times in the short while that they'd had the Scythe in their possession and he would never get tired of seeing her weild so much energy and power. His Lady. His Goddess. Let Raidon develop his obsession with the blonde Slayer Queen, for him there would be the breaking of the Rogue. The Scythe began to glow, as did the crystal, as the power was raised. And then Kumiko ripped it from the Slayer. Now just a human. Just weak.
The vampire witch laughed with glee before she wrenched the crystal back, toying with it around her fingers.
"Careful with that," Toru commented, unnecessarily. Kumiko stopped and looked directly at Azula with a smile, holding the crystal up until it reflected in her dark eyes.
"Lives in here now. Her reason for being, her power, her strength."
"And if you drop it and break it, we'll be back to square one with her," Toru added, taking the crystal and placing it carefully on the side before he turned back to Azula. "Don't look like much do they. Slayers when they're all human and breakable."
Azula watched the whole thing. Magic. Pure magic. It glowed, pulsated and the Princess was sutibly respectful of it. Her eyes followed the crystal. Breaking it, shattering it would restore the girls power. The one they called the Rogue. It was good to know. She filed the information away for if she ever needed it and turned back to the girl sending a shock of Lightning toward her, It hit her in the leg making the girl jolt involuntarily.
Should have done worse. And it frustrated her to no end. Still it would return in time. Once she moved past what Zuko and Katara had done to her. Though that was taking a frustratingly long time.
"So she's nothing now? A mere human of no power or strength? Its that simple, that weapon and crystal. Facinating"
Lilah would have found that interesting, probobly fun as well, from what Azula knew this particular Slayer was the one that Lilah had had most issue with in the past
Well that was all done now.
"Nothing but a fragile little human," Toru confirmed, his focus on the captive girl in front of him, the jolt from Azula starting to wake her up. He knelt down in front of her, brushing a hand through her hair with an almost gentle touch. "Wake up sleepy head," he murmured softly, smiling as her eyes gradually opened, confused at first and then furious as her first presumption about her situation sunk in. She began to pull at the ropes, ropes she could have easily snapped as a Slayer. The fury began to change to panic as her struggles started.
"What... did you do?"
Toru merely smiled and pulled out a knife, sliding it down her cheek and letting the blood slide down the blade before bringing it to his mouth with a hungry groan. "See, a great smoky barbeque flavor." He smirked at the ex Slayer, who really had done her best not to flinch. "Struggle all you want, scream if you think it'll help. You're not leaving." A chuckle broke out. "Not in the state you're in."
Human. Faith was human. Her breathing started to come faster as she fought off a panic attack, trying not to listen to the vampire in front of her as she kept trying to pull at the ropes, tugging at them until they burned onto her wrists.
She was human, she was weak. She couldn't keep the fear from her face as she looked up at Toru, who was staring at her almost contemplatively.
"I think I'll keep you alive for a few days," he commented lightly. "A Slayer of your standing, sorry, ex Slayer, deserves a long death."
As he moved in to start on the second cut, along her arm, Faith gave in and screamed.