InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "SPIRIT SWORD!"

Isadora Raleigh (poison_and_fire) wrote in indarkness_logs,
@ 2010-09-07 20:41:00

Entry tags:

!complete, 2032 09, isadora raleigh, spike spiegel

RP: To Trap the Trappers
Characters: Dora, Spike
Time/Date: After dark, September 7
Location: down by the south shore, two miles from the hotel
Warnings/Rating: devious plotting
Summary: Dora makes arrangements
Status: Complete

Isadora was patient, but she also wasn't one to waste a potential opportunity. It was completely possible that nothing would come of it, that they wouldn't be able to develop a plan -- with or without considering people's magics -- but wasting the opportunity wasn't worth considering.

Perhaps they could observe down by the shore. Perhaps they could hear every word ... but perhaps not.

Earlier that day, she and Iridia had taken a stroll along the second floor hallway. Under the pretense of scratching, Iridia had kicked the note Isadora had dropped beneath Spike's door, and they'd moved on along the hall.

The note was simple, giving him directions and an approximate time of a meeting place. If he showed up, he showed up. If he didn't, well ... then he didn't, and she and Iridia enjoyed a quiet evening listening to the waves in the darkness. She hoped he'd figure out how long of a walk it was, and leave early enough ... if he was coming at all.

Drawing the shawl closer around her shoulders, Isadora stood by the shoreline, listening to the waves as she gazed across the water. Iridia was listening for footsteps, though she was a bit herself as well.

Truthfully, she had no idea where to start, but ... perhaps discussing what they knew as facts would be a place to start. They could assess their resources and perceived willingness of people to participate, and go from there. If necessary, she had nothing against the two of them doing something alone together ... whatever they could manage to pull off.

Surely, there was something to be done, one way or the other.

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-15 10:21 pm UTC (link)

She laughed softly, and if she'd thought for a moment he'd been serious, she would have corrected his assumption. However, she was sure enough he was teasing, and she appreciated the lightening of the mood, however small the attempt.

But maybe that was why the line was there to begin with. To keep people from stumbling onto where they were hiding. And why their powers were stripped before the line was taken away -- in case they did manage to find it. She'd explored the shoreline fairly well, but not really the spaces in between where the line had been and the water ... perhaps she'd do that over the next few days, before they put the line back and set all the traps back up.

Shifting slightly, she leaned back against Iridia as she extended one foot to poke at whatever bit of Spike was nearest. "If you fall asleep out here, I'm not waking you up when I head in," she playfully threatened him.

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lunkhead
2010-09-16 09:10 am UTC (link)

Spike tried not to focus on any one thought, instead letting his mind wander. He would love to make connections previously unseen between the events on the island, but no such connections arose. In fact, his thoughts drifted for a moment toward the last time he'd slept under the stars.

It was on Alba City, Mars, back then - not some prison of an island with a fake moon - but the circumstances had been no more desirable. And, thanks to the special programming tossed around, it was likely that several people knew just what had landed him there. Not that anyone could easily gather that he hadn't died.

Somehow, that amused Spike: people thinking he was back from the dead. They might as well, since he usually thought the same. With or without the 'back from' bit, depending on his mood.

When he felt the nudge, he once again peered at Dora through a half-opened eye. If he didn't know any better, he might have considered the possibility that she was flirting. No... Actually, he did consider it; he just chose to ignore the thought beyond a slight smile. "That's your choice," he said, chuckling lightly. "But if the evil fish drag me under, it's on you."

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-16 02:15 pm UTC (link)

"We have evil fish now? Suppose I should take my cat and go then," she quipped. It seemed truth enough though; grand though her plan had been, they were at something of an impasse until they could figure out what everyone could do.

Well, no. Not what everyone could do ... but what the people who were willing to make a stand were able to do. It was a daunting task, but she was patient. She could listen, drop inquiries here and there, and see if she could judge her allies from those who were content enough to remain here.

Rising slowly, she peered down toward Spike. It was getting chilly out here -- perhaps the absence of the giant lightbulb had some effect -- and if they were done talking, she was going to find somewhere more comfortable.

"Shall I wait and walk you in so the fishes don't get you, or do you think you'll want to take your chances?" For all she knew, he wanted to think more -- or fall asleep out here. And who was she to protest that?

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lunkhead
2010-09-17 10:44 am UTC (link)

"Every imaginary world has evil fish," Spike clarified - however false the statement may have been. "There's an old legend about 'em... they eat cats. Or maybe cats eat them. I never could remember it right."

He finally opened both eyes fully, turning his head to get a good look in Iridia's direction. Mostly, he was curious to see the panther's reaction; but he also wondered if Iridia could even understand human speech. He'd generally only seen indifference and boredom aside from that one incident of nearly touching the cat - and even that had nothing to do with anything spoken. Ein had often seemed smart enough to get the gist of what people meant, so it stood to reason that a 'demon' animal could be just as intelligent. Not that reason was a requirement in this place.

Spike hadn't really noticed that it was getting chilly, but his choice of attire was likely to blame. He looked up to Dora, offering an expression somewhere between stubbornness and amusement.

"Are you saying I'm no match for evil fish?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "One fish is only equal to one tenth of a Reaver." Never mind that evil fish were (presumably) not real and he'd have been Reaver Chow (or at least would have bled to death) if not for Jayne's assistance. And even if those technicalities didn't exist, the ground was far from comfortable. The man who was used to sleeping on old sofas, in chairs, and anywhere he happened to be was slowly becoming spoiled to the comfort of an actual mattress; but he preferred not to mention something so ridiculous.

"With my luck, there's a few hundred out there," he excused with a laugh. What did the real reason matter? (Did he even know the real reason for wanting to go back indoors? Was Dora's company really that intriguing?) Spike used the weight of his legs to 'kick' himself back into a standing position... and promptly pretended there wasn't still some residual pain in several of the muscles used for the show-off action. He stretched a bit, having learned by now how far was too far, then turned to face Dora.

"Back to the land of spy cameras and gun thieves... It just doesn't get any better than this, does it?"

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-17 04:02 pm UTC (link)

"So now we're living in an imaginary world?" she replied with a soft smile. She glanced to Iridia as he snorted, presumably at the part about cats being eaten by fish.

"Perhaps on land you're a match for them," she said. "But in the water, I'm not so sure." The joke was amusing enough, and she was content to carry it for a bit. It was something to take her mind off the frustrations of not actually being able to work out a suitable trap yet. If they had only themselves to rely on, they might not have a chance of success. It didn't mean she was going to stop trying, of course, but it was a little daunting. Still, if she could suss out what everyone else could do, they could formulate better plans, and see if people would go along with those, if they ever had an opportunity to enact them.

She winced inwardly when he got to his feet like he did. Surely he was a bit too injured still for that to be completely comfortable? No matter how fast he healed? But she wasn't inclined to remark on it if he wasn't going to bring it up ... and it didn't look like he was going to.

"Mmm. My idea of heaven," she replied dryly as she turned away to begin walking back. For a moment she thought they should separate, come back from different directions, but since she had no idea where the cameras actually were, it would likely be a wasted effort. So she didn't voice it, but continued to walk along the barren earth toward the hotel.

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lunkhead
2010-09-18 03:27 pm UTC (link)

"It's possible," he speculated. And, really, what wasn't possible on the island? Once he'd grown familiar with the concept of different realities, worlds, abilities... Well, it was difficult to just draw the line between real and imaginary. Reality was relative. Far too relative.

Spike wasn't certain, but he thought Iridia may have snorted in response to his remark about cat-eating fish. Maybe he was reading too much into the simple gesture; but, then again, maybe he wasn't. If nothing else, he filed the observation away with the rest of the information he'd gathered about 'demons,' perhaps for use in a future discussion. The topic was still one which intrigued him on a philosophical level. But it was a topic to be discussed at another time, in another place; it didn't seem as if either of them were too keen on deeper conversation at the moment.

Instead, the focus seemed to be the long-running joke about fish - a joke which, he had to admit, was a nice distraction from the usual frustrations. He smiled at Dora's observation, shaking his head slightly. "Provided I don't drown..." There was a pause as he pretended to consider his chances of beating the imaginary, evil fish. "You may still have a point. Never did learn how to fight in water." Moving like water was easy. Moving in it, however, was an entirely different matter. He'd never had many good experiences with bodies of water, especially when injury and conflict where involved.

"Pure bliss, huh?" Spike shoved his hands into his pockets and settled just a step or two behind Dora. "Maybe we should ask to stay here forever." The wicked little grin he offered was likely a sign that he was far from serious; but even he wasn't certain whether the sarcasm was for the sake of it or a cover for the surveillance. Maybe it was both.

After only a short while, he glanced over to her with a tired expression - part genuine, part faked. "You had to pick a place so far from the hotel, didn't you?"

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-18 05:20 pm UTC (link)

Dora made a slight sound that may have been dismissal or agreement in regard to their 'imaginary world' situation. It felt real enough to her, and she supposed that was the one bit that mattered. Imaginary or not, what they were doing was real enough.

"Or aren't caught by some water trap," she quipped as they walked along. "Assuming the fish don't eat you first," she amended with a grin. The trap part was ... real enough though, wasn't it? Mr. Collins had worked that one out for them a couple of nights ago. She wasn't surprised. Not really.

She chuckled softly. "Ah yes. Every girl's dream. To be trapped on a barren island where she's the only one with a visible soul," Dora quipped. Her tone was light enough, but the bitterness beneath it was detectable enough.

Smirking slightly, she shrugged. "I wanted to increase our chances of having a conversation without being overheard," she replied. "Next time, I'll choose somewhere closer," she replied. She knew it was a way out, really, but she'd rather be overly cautious than overheard. Not that distance was any sort of guarantee, but she hoped it was.

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lunkhead
2010-09-20 08:41 am UTC (link)

Water traps. Right. Spike had forgotten about those, but he'd seen the network post and Faye's less-than-considerate interaction with the trapped boy. Chase, wasn't it? He stifled a laugh and shook his head, obviously only pretending to be worried. "Forgot about those," he said. "That changes everything."

Or maybe it didn't, but for the purposes of the running joke, the statement worked well enough.

When Dora jested about loving the island, he noticed the hint of bitterness in her tone. But what could he say about it, without risking letting the Heads hear the revelation? Nothing worth saying, really. Nothing that would make much sense. So he just reached over and, assuming she didn't move away or protest, placed a hand on her back.

"Hey," Spike said, careful to keep his tone joking for the sake of appearances, "at least you know you have a soul. I'm still debating that one for myself." He moved his hand shortly after finishing the sentence, but it was a significant gesture nonetheless... more than he'd usually feel comfortable doing. And, though he'd passed the statement off as a joke, it was truer than he'd ever admit under surveillance.

Dora's reasoning for dragging him out so far made sense, and - in all honesty - Spike didn't mind. He just felt a little tired, was all. "Don't worry about it," he said with a slight smile. "I think I'll survive. This time."

He didn't really know what else to say, though. It was difficult to go from a discreet conversation to one that was undoubtedly being spied upon, so he hoped Dora would have something to say. Or, at least, that the silence wouldn't be of the awkward sort. Spike just wasn't the sort to fill in the gaps when there was a natural lull in conversation.

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-20 02:10 pm UTC (link)

She doubted Spike would have noticed since the panther was on the other side of her, hidden by her body and her skirts, but Iridia lifted his lip slightly at the touch to Isadora's back. Dora soothed her dæmon with a gentle stroke to his head. It was easy enough to understand his reaction. Spike had no dæmon, and therefore Iridia had no one to nuzzle in response. This, she supposed, was the half-life they'd have to learn to accept.

"I'm quite sure you do," she replied to his statement about his soul. "I've heard of those without and while an argument could be made for your case, I think you're safe." She nudged him lightly with one elbow as they walked in.

It wasn't much further, though the closer they got, the less inclined she was to talk for fear of letting something slip inadvertently. She hoped he'd understand the silence and the approaching parting of ways. No sense in discussing their conversation where they'd be observed once more.

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lunkhead
2010-09-23 10:01 am UTC (link)

"But you can't be sure," Spike jokingly protested, pretending not to notice the little elbow-nudge. "Until it grows fur and decides to show itself, there's no proof I have a soul."

Honestly, he didn't so much doubt whether he had a soul. He doubted... that it made a difference. He wasn't exactly Mister Morality or anything of that sort, so he was no stranger to being accused of soulless existence. And he wasn't completely certain he was alive enough to have a soul that mattered; but that uncertainty had been a problem for three years, now. It had nothing to do with the island. At least not exclusively. None of that would be mentioned away from the relative privacy of the shore, though. So maybe it didn't matter at all.

When they were finally at the hotel, Spike offered a simple glance and a small smile toward Dora. There wasn't much to be said, considering 'I really enjoyed our secret plotting and hope we can do something similar again soon' wasn't appropriate (or, for that matter, something he would say even without being watched by the Heads). Instead, he settled for a simple procession into the parting of ways.

"Take care of yourself," he said, moving away from Dora as he did. "You should try that 'sleeping' thing. I hear it's good for you... or something."

He, however, was heading for the kitchen instead of his room. (After that little stunt he'd pulled to get off the ground, he was a little too residually sore to be interested in laying down.) Hopefully there were some of those weird fruit pie things in the pantry; even if they didn't quite taste like real pie, they were slightly addictive.

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poison_and_fire
2010-09-23 02:03 pm UTC (link)

"Or feathers, or a carapace, or scales," she murmured with a little smile. She wondered what his would be, honestly, and wouldn't have been surprised if he was some sort of serpent.

Once they were inside, she lifted her brows in slight amusement when he veered toward the kitchen rather than the elevators or the stairs. She did briefly think about pointing out some hypocrisy -- telling her to sleep while he did not -- but decided it wasn't worth the joke.

"You, too," she replied instead and started with Iridia toward the stairs. She felt vaguely disappointed, but only because she'd (unrealistically) had grand plans of ... well, concocting some sort of revenge they could start carrying out tonight.

Clearly, this plotting a trap thing was going to require a bit more work. But that was fine, wasn't it? All they had was time; it wasn't like either of them was going anywhere.

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