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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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.

If anything, Wesley is thrilled and relieved to see Lorne enter, movies in hand.

"Lorne! You saved me having to help with the movie choosing. My choices tend to clash with Cordelia's except for the City of Angels. And even then I maintain that Wings of Desire was more moving."

Lorne hugs Cordy a bit awkwardly, trying not to crush the DVD cases he's holding. Then he pulls out of the hug and sets the cases on top of the DVD player, and turns to wave at Wes and Fred. "City of Angels? I love that musical. I was there for one of the last - oh, wait, you mean the movie with Nick Cage. I used to love it, until I found out about the ritual sacrifices that guy gets up to. Every time I see him, all I can picture is his chest covered in goat entrails."

He fiddles around a bit with the DVD player until he gets Clueless to play. Then he sits on a chair next to the bed. "Good company and Alicia Silverstone. What more can a demon ask for?"

Fred's extremely pleased to see Lorne, especially bearing appropriate movies- they both had the same idea apparently, although he's far more prepared. She makes a bit of a face at the goat entrails- thanks, W&H, for making them all privy to that information. "Yeah, I think that might throw me off that one, too."

As Lorne sets up the DVD player, Fred pretty much bounces in place. "I'll go get snacks- sodas and whatever you want, but better ask now." Otherwise, risk the possibility that Fred will return with a combination of things that should never exist together.

She has a feeling this night's going to be a lot better for all of them than it was originally.

"...goat entrails." Cordelia's face is a picture of perfect revulsion. "You know what? I don't even want to know."

She goes to sit on her bed. Whereas earlier she's pretty much afraid of crawling back to it? Now she can't wait. Cordelia glances at the door, wishing that Angel was here, too - but then her gaze shifts to Lorne. Silently, she vows to do anything she can to fix things. Outwardly, she smiles at Fred. "Anything that's not low-cal or diet for me, please. I'm thinking tonight's an excuse to get fat."

"Just coffee would be great, Freddles," says Lorne. He's beaming at his three dear friends, all reunited and unbroken. He promises to himself to do whatever it takes to keep things this way.

"Perhaps I should help you with that, Winifred. I'm not sure you'll be able to carry snacks and drinks for four people." Wesley offers, purely out of politeness and because he's very logistically minded, of course.

Fred smiles wide at the offer, purely pleased at the fact that she'll have help carrying the drinks, of course. "Thank you, Wesley," she replies. "Well, we'll be right back, then!" She gives Cordelia a bit of a knowing grin, then heads out into the hall.

Once out of the room and toward the kitchen, Fred gives Wesley a bit of an apologetic smile. "Sorry for pushing that on you, but Cordy's missed you, and she's not the only one. I'm glad we're going to all be together here, even if it is for something like watching a silly movie. Maybe especially for that." They never really did have time for that much, especially once they'd moved to W&H. "Thanks for staying."

"Oh, it's quite alright. It's important that we help Cordelia get past this latest ordeal." He ignores the part where she admits that she missed him. "This situation is a little strange for me because only a few days ago, it was only Angel who was absent, dealing with the death of the slayer."

He walks at a respectful distance, still unsure of how to broach the subject without embarrassing the both of them.

"Different timelines and all. It's been...rather like trying to jump onto a merry-go-round while it's already spinning."

She blinks a bit, hearing about when he's from. It's earlier than she even though, although she knew he was from very soon after meeting her. The timeline thing- maybe it would be good if they talked about it in more detail.

She shakes her head slowly. "I can only imagine- well, no, I know about it a little 'cause Angel and Lorne are both farther along than me, but not the amount that you are. And trying to figure it out with all the Taxon craziness makes it even harder. If-" She hesitates on this word, because she doesn't know if it's fair to offer this, but someone should. She stops walking and turns to him. "If you want to know what happens, at least in my timeline, I'll tell you, you know. It's not fair, having everyone all ahead in the book except for you."

Wesley stops as well, turning to face her. He has so many questions. Some of which he's not so certain he'd want the answer to.

"I...appreciate the offer." He regards her for a moment, the silence stretching out a little over-long. "Where to begin..." Why was it so hard just to ask the bloody question? Perhaps if they kept walking? He starts to head towards the kitchen again, hoping Fred will follow. "I've been speaking to Illyria. She told me some things which I found rather unsettling."

Oh, starting with the hard stuff, aren't they? Fred follows Wesley, keeping up with him as they reach the kitchen. She reminds herself about the coffee pot and decides to just hatch some of the drinks, and that gives her a little time to process what he says about Illyria. "She's really pretty tactless," she mentions, frowning a bit. "I mean, I know I'm not exactly Queen of Eloquence and Total Politeness, but I sure seem like it net to her."

She looks up to Wesley again, a half-apology already written on her face. "What did she tell you? I'll try to explain, the best I can."

Wesley searches for some suitable snacks but finds the cupboard rather bare. He moves over to Fred to wait for her to finish hatching the beverages so that he can take his turn. He stands near her, but there is a reserved quality to his demeanor as he waits for her to comment.

When she finally does, he looks off to the side, trying to decide how to proceed.

"Fragments. Everything is from her narcissistic perspective. She doesn't appear to know how to dissemble the way that we humans do. She actually thought she was giving me a boon by telling me about what was in store for me in the timeline she is from. She talked of the circumstances surrounding your demise." He shifts his gaze to meet hers. "There was also mention of my state of mind afterwards..."

"...oh," is her initial response, as she stares down at the ground. Angel had told her about Wesley, how badly he'd been hurt by what had happened. She honestly felt terrible about it- she knows she would've done everything possible to keep from abandoning them, but it still happened. She finishes getting drinks, taking a moment to think what Illyria's words might mean to this Wesley.

"We'd become close," she tries to explain. "I mean, we all had, we'd been through a lot together. But- you and me, especially. I imagine you'd take what happened, with Illyria, pretty hard." She attempts a reassuring smile, but it doesn't quite reach her face or overtake the frown there. "I'm sorry."

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

[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: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]

[Location: Hyperion]