i'm leaving you my last curse

[bravebartender]

Comments

[attainathons]

Well, I'm sure he got the best parts of both of you.

( In the raising. )

Please let me or anyone know if you need anything before dinner. There are drinks in the dining room. And by the balcony doors. And the living room.

( Because, party! )

[prettyclothes]

[Having libations abound is the proper choice for this party set, so Buffy certainly did well. Scarlett takes that cue and pours herself a healthy glass of whisky before stepping out into the fresh air.]

I have to say, Buffy, this view is simply divine. Probably the prettiest place we've seen in all of Scotland.

[Which coming from Scarlett is high praise, because she is not a great lover of Scotland.]

[attainathons]

Yeah, there's not much that beats it. I mean we have the tower and the turrets, but this really takes the cake and the rest of the dessert. I wish I had more time to just.

( Take it all in.

Rhett approaches the edge of the balcony, peering over.

"Nasty fall, if it comes to that," he says, bringing down the
cheer only slightly. )

[prettyclothes]

[Scarlett gives Rhett a gentle swat before turning her attention back to the Slayer at hand.]

This is quite the operation you're running. But with all the Slayers are your disposal, surely you have more time for rest than you used to.

[Bold of Scarlett to assume that Buffy knows how to slow down the way Scarlett was taught in her southern upbringing.]

[attainathons]

Gee. Rest. It's a quaint idea I faintly remember having, but, like it or not, there's always something slayer-y that needs - well, slaying.

( or her expertise. )

Traveling comes with the slaying territory now. Ooh, I do rest on the plane. That counts, right?

[prettyclothes]

[That absolutely does not count, and Scarlett's ire turns from her partner to Buffy's.]

To me, that says that your beau clearly is not making enough of an effort to provide you opportunities of rest and relaxation.

["I try, Scarlett," Stefan replies dryly. "Last time I tried, a hunter tried to kill me on my way into town, and things spiraled from there."

Scarlett takes another sip of her whisky before shrugging.]

That simply sounds like poor planning.

[unforgivably]

( Damon finds the balcony next, chiming in. )

She's right, Stefan. How could you so poorly plan your surprise assault by a gas station in the middle of the day? Everyone. Buffy.

[prettyclothes]

All I'm saying if supernatural problems are anticipated, plan for supernatural solutions.

[Stefan shakes his head with a smirk. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind for next time."]

Good, see that you do.

[unforgivably]

Scarlett, always coming in with the best solutions.

( Or, the unrealistic ones. Either way. Same thing? Damon settles by Rhett, leaning against the edge, giving his son a wide berth.

Buffy exchanges a glance with Stefan.

"What's our Thanksgiving treats ETA?" )

[somanyadjectives]

Not much longer.

[He moves to check the turkey, before glancing at his watch.]

Turkey needs another twenty to thirty minutes, so we can start putting out the h'orderves?

[attainathons]

I am h'orderves girl.

( And he gets a kiss to the cheek while she retreats back inside and does what she can do! Which is bring put the appetizers and place them on the table.

It's been a long time since she made her own Thanksgiving meal back in Sunnydale. )

[indurare]

[As the food comes out and more of the party gathers in the dining room, Melanie slowly begins to take stock of all of the guests she hasn't met yet. There aren't many, given the intimate nature of the dinner itself, but there is someone she has been meaning to make the acquaintance of, given how Damon tends to speak of her.

It strikes her how much she looks like Emily. That probably isn't what she should open with.]

Now, if I am not mistaken, I believe you are the lovely Miss Bennet.

[She shifts her drink to her other hand before holding her free hand out to her.]

Melanie Hamilton. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.

[moralitypolice]

( If you were to ask Bonnie's favorite character in the film she's seen too many times to count (thank you, Founder's Day), it's Melanie Hamilton. that she would ever meet her or Scarlett or Rhett in person, well, Bonnie has been through it, lost the love of her life, most of her relatives, and still.

this is up there for her.

switching her plate to her other hand, she takes Melanie's hand. )

I am, Bonnie. Damon describes me as lovely?

[indurare]

Damon? No. He's much more reticent with his compliments. But he does speak very fondly of you, which if I know Damon is a compliment in itself.

[She shakes her hand firmly before pulling back with a sly look.]

But it's hard not to apply the term when you've received nothing but glowing reviews from everyone who's mentioned you.

[moralitypolice]

( that, she'll admit. although, their relationship was never the same after he desiccated alone, left her a letter and ditched her for years. but, time heals all wounds and he is still someone she trusts. without him, she probably wouldn't have tapped back into her magic. she wouldn't have been able to stop matt's mom and Vicki. and that tomb vampire. )

I don't know how much I glow, but I don't hate that my reputation proceeds me. It is nice to finally meet you. I had nothing but - well - things about you guys just because of who you are. But no bad. All good.

[indurare]

[She smiles.]

That's saying something, considering I'm sure Scarlett's reputation precedes her as well.

[Scarlett is her best friend in the world but it's okay. You can say she's difficult.]

Her determination only increased once she became a vampire.

[ooglyboogleys]

[Eventually people are shuffled to the table, and Dawn settles on the opposite side of Damon from Melanie. She has no partner to pair off with, but she does intend to be a menace of a younger sibling. It is her purpose in life.]

So. It's Damon, isn't it?

[She knows it's Damon. She also can't resist a bit.]

[unforgivably]

And it's Dawn.

( He has vampire hearing. Buffy stayed at his house. He recognizes her voice. )

Buffy's little sister. I thought you were in Wyoming.

[ooglyboogleys]

Oregon. But close.

[Too large a landmass to be close enough, but she'll take it.]

But every so often I like to pop back in over here. Occasionally make use of the library. Make sure my sister hasn't gotten herself killed again.

[unforgivably]

( he knows. )

I hear that happens. Buffy slays, she dies. She comes back. Your sister's a living legend. Not to mention her entire army. Stefan really hit the jackpot.

( but that's not his place to stay. )

Did you ever live in this castle?

[ooglyboogleys]

I did, on and off. Once I went to college, less so, but again - library. It was great for writing my folklore thesis.

[And she is totally taking some of them back to Portland with her for her doctorate.]

How are you liking Scotland?

[patrols]

[Lindsay wanders over once everyone is in the room and pours herself a glass of whisky, before clinking it gently against Rhett's glass. Unlikely duo or not, she'd like to think their trip through the Scottish countryside after being kidnapped by a crazy witch bonded them at least somewhat.]

I hear Scarlett's already making trouble for Stefan.

[persistingly]

( lindsay, he likes, and not just from their time together in the basement. if he defined people as such, she would fall under the category of friend. )

Oh now, Stefan can get himself in enough trouble. She just likes to test the waters. This is tame for her.

[patrols]

Mmm-hmmm.

[She smirks as she takes a sip of her drink.]

I'm not saying I disagree with her. The boss deserves to take a break. But I do recognize the logistical issues Stefan's struggling with.

[persistingly]

I am sure Buffy has all of her logistics handled. And should she need a sick day or a spa day, she has several someone's to step up in her absence. Why else did she activate every girl in the world.

( But to have others help hold her existential weight. )

Scarlett is a proponent of self-care. And she will call you out if she thinks you're neglecting yourself.

( Also, the wrinkles and the bags under your eyes end up being less attractive. )

Did I hear right, are you and your beau discussing move back to the states?