taxonomites | 023: [ visual ] / [ location: Hyperion Hotel ] Before I come undone

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023: [ visual ] / [ location: Hyperion Hotel ] Before I come undone

No, no, no -

"No!"

Cordelia wakes up with a start, sitting upright on her bed with her hands clutching her blanket like a lifeline. For several moments she looks around her in alarm, wondering where the hell she is and where the others are, wondering if this is another one of those times she unfortunately opened her eyes only to be sliced and diced again and--

Then she rests her head on her hands, and breathes. It's over now. It's over and done with and they're all safe but the images are still burned in her brain, like a vision that's been put on eternal loop.

Slowly - mindful of the pains that plague her - Cordelia gets out of bed. She looks down at herself, sees the numerous bandages that are wrapped around her body, and sighs.

And here she thought she'd be safe in Taxon. Pfft.

She gets up, and walks over to the mirror. Cordelia looks at her reflection, and bites her lip.

God.

"Mummy girl much?" she whispers.

[ ooc: backdated to a day after the horrors. ]

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Cordelia slowly gets up from her bed. She's been staring at the ceiling for some time, willing herself not to sleep, but that has left her with almost nothing to do. She's actually grateful the knock came when it did - at least now she has some form of distraction that will, hopefully, keep the nightmares at bay. At least, for a little while.

She then walks to the door and opens it. "Hey," Cordelia greets Fred with a smile. Her eyes are immediately drawn towards what the other woman is holding, though. "What's that?"

Fred's glad to see Cordelia smiling, that it's even a possibility. She gives her a small smile back and then looks down at the cloth. "Oh- um, yeah. We needed a scrying object and I'm afraid your shirt took the hit..."

She held the shirt up, displaying the unfortunate dirt stain on the front of it. She winces a little, looking at it. "Sorry. I was going to hatch another one, but I thought I'd see if you'd rather have something different first?" Now that they couldn't just hatch anything and everything, of course.

Thank Angel, Wesley, and Levi - even Cordelia thought she couldn't, when she first got out of bed earlier.

"Scrying?" she repeats blankly. Cordelia then shakes her head and takes the shirt. "No, no. It's okay, Fred - I have several of this in different colors, anyway. I got it when things were still free, before."

She does look a bit sad, though - this shirt is - or was - one of her favorites.

"Someone there knew enough magic to pinpoint where you were. They just...well, needed a personal item," she explains, when Cordelia looks confused. She didn't know it at first, either.

When Cordy says it's all right, Fred's not sure what to say at first. What's running through her mind is a number of questions that all equate to 'are you all right?' and she imagines Cordelia's heard that enough today to last a lifetime.

So she stares at the shirt and nods a little, then looks up. "Well, I just have some credits left over this month, you know? It wouldn't be much of a hit. I figured if Angel picked it, it was probably one of your favorites." She gives Cordy a bit of a smile. "Anyway, I thought maybe we could go shopping- when you feel up to it, of course- and you could pick something out, and maybe I could learn a little more about...you know, fashion and how that works. I'm starting to get it- but I still have a ways to go on that, to be honest. I think I've gone from nerd to somewhere approximating 'nerd chic', if such a thing exists." She catches herself rambling and shrugs a little. "I don't know, what do you think?"

What is it with people around her having more leftover credits than she does? Ugh, it's like a conspiracy, or something. Too bad, considering she would love to pamper herself after all this.

It will help very little, but still it'll be a good thing.

"Sure, Fred. I'd love to go shopping with you." They haven't had a chance to, after all. "And yeah. You're the very definition of 'nerd chic' all right. Maybe with my touch, we could even move you from that to 'completely chic' category, even."

For a moment, she wonders if she's doing this for Wesley.

Fred smiles gratefully and nods. "Thanks. If I could get to chic even every once in awhile, I think it'd be nice. I could stand to get my head out of science every once in awhile." It was her safety, her refuge, but maybe now she can start treating it less like and emergency blanket and more like a career. Or at least a hobby.

Unfortunately, she's run out of that to talk about, so she plays with her hair for a moment, before just straight-out asking. "So, um. I know you should get your rest if you can, but I was wondering if you planned on sleeping tonight. 'cause I'm getting ready to suggest a movie-marathon-sleepover sort of thing, if you want some company? We used to do those at college all the time." Back before Pylea, when she was still a relatively normal person...maybe this is a bad idea. But she has to ask. Cordy will have some idea of what she needs at the moment, Fred thinks.

"You can't stand to get your head out of science even if it's turned to a giant demon and tried to chase you out, Fred," she says fondly, reaching out to place a hand on her arm. "Don't worry, though. Giving you a makeover's not gonna be any problem, anyway."

Cordelia then shakes her head. "Oh, no. No sleeping for me. I'm not sure how long I've been knocked out, but... yeah. Very much yes on the movie-marathon-sleepover thing. Should I call Wes?"

There it was, her segue to a very important topic of Fred and Wesley. ...at least, to her, it was.

The part about the giant demon actually makes her giggle. "No, then I'd want to figure out how that worked...okay, so you're right. Thanks, Cordy."

Oh, good, she's taking her up on her offer. Fred's glad to hear it, and starts trying to think of possible movies that'd be good. But then her mind's derailed when Cordy asks about Wes. That's a subject she's been sidestepping around recently. "Wes? Yeah, definitely, if he'd want to. We still get to pick the movies, though, don't you think?" ...and there she goes, sidestepping again.

Oh, all the sidestepping in the world can't derail Cordelia, this time. Plus, it's nice to actually get to talk about other's pain, this time around.

"Uh-huh. Have you two talked yet?"

Edited 2010-05-30 03:29 (UTC)

Yeah, Fred had a feeling that wouldn't work. "About...um, the whole time-difference thing? How I dated him a few years in his future?" She bites her lip and shakes her head. "Nope. Kinda an awkward subject. And I don't want to be all 'oh, we were dating, so we should get back to that' if he isn't even...you know, interested yet. That's a lot of really weird pressure, right? So I thought I'd just see how it went here...let it develop and see if it's the same."

She's pretty sure it's the same for her, already. She finds Wesley good-looking and true both with and without the glasses.

She gets how awkward it can be. After all, she kinda lived it - except with her and Angel, he's the one who knew there were feelings that existed between them, while she had no freakin' clue. But maybe they were a bit luckier, since Cordelia was already feeling stuff, she just... wasn't aware of them until she was forced to confront them.

"I know," she says, sighing a bit. "If he was from around... say, the time we encountered that bastard Billy, this would've been easier." But he isn't.

"Don't worry, though. I'm sure things will work out between the two of you - the way it's supposed to. And you can count on me to keep quiet about the whole 'you two were dating in the future and I wholeheartedly support' thing."

Wesley's timing is rather terrible. Luckily, he has no idea what's being discussed when he knocks and pops his head around the door.

"Cappucino as promised..." He spots Fred and flushes slightly. "Oh. I can come back later. I'm sure you girls want to catch up and do whatever it is you do..."

And it's best if he just stops speaking altogether.

Well, isn't this interesting.

Cordelia winks at Fred, before moving to the door and opening it. "Oh come on, Wes. You know that when it comes to 'us girls', you're automatically included." She grins and takes the cappuccino from him. "Thanks for this, by the way. And, well, your timing's perfect. I was just about to contact you. Fred here has a wonderful idea about a movie and a sleepover, and we'll be thrilled if you come and join us."

Oh, no, she's absolutely not setting her two friends up. No, really, she's not.

Fred hadn't thought about Billy and everything he'd caused for a long while, but- if it had been just before that, maybe it would've been easier. After, of course, they had a hard time talking for awhile, even if it hadn't been his fault. Maybe it was better he was before everything really got crazy.

Fred's about to thank Cordelia for seeing what she's getting at when Wesley himself shows up. Fred smiles wide and tries not to giggle at Cordelia's joke. "Yeah, I figured- we're probably not going to be the biggest group for sleeping anyway, so why not watch some movies and make a night of it? Are you interested?"

And is she imagining that Wesley seems to be especially conscious of her? This is a little more blatant than right before they went to go rescue Cordelia, but- well...she could easily be hoping for it. It's really hard to tell with these things.

Wesley rolls his eyes slightly at Cordelia's teasing remark. He did walk himself right into that one, didn't he? He moves into Cordelia's room a few more steps to hand over the coffee but still hovers by the door.

The invitation to a sleepover movie marathon with Cordelia and Winifred catches him by surprise and he rather looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

Illyria's revelation of what will be, or what has already come to pass, are still plaguing his thoughts.

"I- Well, I don't know if- wouldn't you rather it just be the two of you?"

Cordelia raises a brow at him. "Sure, because when I say 'we'll be thrilled if you come and join us', what I really mean is, 'oh please, please don't.'"

She glances at Fred, as if silently asking her, 'what's his problem?'

Okay, so this time Fred does laugh, just a little. She shrugs at Cordelia, then looks up at Wesley, giving him a big smile. "Yeah, I really sort of feel like we should take some time to just...relax, while we can. Have some time to not be so serious. I know it's rare, but- since we're probably all going to be up anyway..."

She shrugs again, this time a little self-conscious. She really does want to keep everyone close after this scare, maybe a little too much. But that's not really a bad thing, is it? "If you'd rather not, we'd understand but I think it'd be fun. There could be snacks."

Miss Burkle does have a very nice smile. Warm. Open. She's so very different from what he remembers of her. And she's smiling at him. "Relaxing, yes, that's a good idea, of course we ought to. While we can."

He can feel himself wanting to accept the invitation. After all, there will be snacks. And Cordelia will be there. It's just a friendly gathering... No, he mustn't allow himself be manipulated. For all he knows this is Illyria's ploy, to set a chain of events in motion which would lead to her rebirth.

Wesley shakes his head and offers an apologetic smile.

"I would but there are some matters back at the flat that I'd like to attend to, now that things have quietened down somewhat. I'm still settling in, you see."

Edited 2010-05-31 00:02 (UTC)

"Settling in? Jeez, like that will take forever."

Cordelia walks closer to him and attaches herself to his arm, giving him a winning smile. "Come on, Wes. It's just for tonight. I promise you I'll help you settle in tomorrow, okay?" She waves her hand at Fred's direction. "Fred will, too. Right, Fred?"

Oh, she's really not budging until you agree, Wes.

Fred's a little confused by the 'matters at the flat'- he seemed ready to accept just a moment before, looking forward to something like that. It was hard to read him now, tell what was going on, and maybe that's just because he'd changed so much. They all had, really.

She would've let him go if Cordelia hadn't been so insistent. Her expression is somewhat apologetic toward Wesley, as she knows they're ganging up on him. But she does nod and agree with Cordy. "Yeah, definitely. Oh- I've actually got a few books of yours from...er, later on that you might want, here in the hotel. I can bring them over while we're straightening things up tomorrow, if you want to do it that way."

Wesley's being besieged at all sides. If he refuses now, he'll appear rude and Cordelia will turn it into the bloody spanish inquisition as to why he's acting the way he is.

So he smiles weakly, "It would appear that you have all the contingencies covered. How can I refuse the offer of snacks and such lovely company."

He has a feeling that he's the subject of some private joke that only he doesn't know the punchline of. He turns to address Winifred.

"You do? Well, I...yes, I suppose I should like to get them back at some stage, Miss Burkle. If you no longer have need of them, of course."

Edited 2010-05-31 02:37 (UTC)

"Finally. For a second there I thought I would have to play the 'look at how sad and pathetic I am right now, Wes, how can you even think about refusing something I want' card." Because, of course, she definitely could - and would.

"Great! So, what movie are we watching?"

Wes asks about his books and Fred looks down, a little embarrassed. "No, they're mostly in dead languages, and I never really got the hang of those, at least beyond Latin. I just figured I'd hold onto 'em in case you showed up." She barely keeps from adding 'again' to that sentence. "Guess I guessed right, there."

Cordelia says she was planning on playing the sympathy card, and Fred certainly wouldn't put that past her. She falters a little when asked about the movie, though. "I think that's more your decision than anything else, Cordelia. But probably something pretty light? This is when I'd generally suggest muppets, but-" She lets out a giggle and shakes her head. "Maybe a comedy'd be best. Wesley, do you have a preference?"

Lorne tiptoes into the room, having snuck into the hotel as stealthily as possible. Not that stealth means anything to vampire hearing, but he didn't run into Angel. He's dressed more casually than usual: just khakis, a purple shirt, and an unbuttoned white blazer.

He closes the door behind him carefully, then breaks out into a smile. "Hey there, gang! I brought Clueless and Chicago for tonight's entertainment." He holds up one DVD in each hand. "Unless you've already got something lined up."

"Lorne!"

She goes to the demon, her arms open wide and ready to hug him, now. "You came just in time - I was about to think of something to watch, but now I don't have to. You saved me from thinking!"

...that really isn't as bad as that sounded, honest.

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

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[Location: Cordelia's Room]

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[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]

[Location: Cordelia's Room]