Angel doesn't have any mirrors. Cordelia used to complain bitterly about that fact. She complained so hard, that she eventually came to the conclusion Angel liked to hear her complain. Her belief was that it was some sort of semi-masochistic Angelus thing caused by his inability to get any. Well she was wrong. Angel told her, repeatedly, he doesn't see the point in having a mirror if he can't see himself in it. To which Cordy rolled her eyes and told him she needed one and if she had to put her makeup on in the window one more time, there would be trouble.
Doyle, bless his little alcoholic heart, laughed. "What, you'll be giving him the silent treatment, Princess? I think he'll probably enjoy it." Cordelia narrowed her eyes and focused her ire in Doyle's direction. Doyle swallowed hard. "Heh. Um ... Y'know, it might not be a bad idea, this mirror. It'll give our Cordy the chance to look her best, and, uh, get the part." He grinned sheepishly. Cordelia declared she had to go to her audition and strode out of the office regally. Doyle hurried after her offering what he insisted was moral support. In reality, he was just taking the opportunity to admire her ass. Truthfully, Cordy wouldn't have minded either.
Angel watched them walk out of the office and into the cheery L.A. sunshine with a wistful smile. After they were out of sight, he headed down into his apartment and pulled out a wrapped package. He looked at the card. It read: To Cordelia. From Angel. Knock em dead.
Angel pulled off the wrappings and revealed the smooth reflective surface underneath. The vampire held the mirror at arms length. As he stared, Angel remembered reading, years ago in Giles' library, a description about a sect called the Unforgiven. It told how the sect worshipped the goddess Despair, and of how they proclaimed all empty rooms were to be her sacred places. Looking into this mirror and seeing only his apartment, Angel could believe it.
-
Angel was created and owned by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt. Despair was created by Neil Gaiman and is owned by DC comics.