It would seem that, once more, I have been overlooked for an invitation to the Annual Watcher's Retreat.
I wasn't even aware that it was that time of the year until the new Slayer arrived in Sunnydale. Her name is Faith, and she was Called, as one can imagine, after Kendra's death. Diana Dormer was chosen to go forth and become Faith's Watcher. I never had much contact with Diana, as she rather stuck around the more seasoned Watchers, while I was still quite green. From all accounts, however, she was a capable Watcher. She knew her stuff and was devote to the cause. This was evident when Faith admitted that her Watcher had been killed by Kakistos. As if often the case with Watchers, we put our Slayers before ourselves. Though Faith wasn't keen on the details, knowing the sort of caliber of Watcher that Diana was, I've a feeling that she maneuvered herself into a position that allowed Faith to escape Kakistos, though the cost was her own life. As with all Watchers who fall in the line of duty, she shall be remembered and recorded into the histories with the greatest respect and honors.
Kakistos decided to follow Faith here to Sunnydale. He is a vampire known to many, someone I even studied at the Academy. He's ancient. So ancient, he likely lived about the same time the Master did. However, Kakistos' appearance altered differently from the Master's, who was trapped underground. His hands and feet were cloven, and his name itself is Greek which translate to, "worst of the worst." His brutality and savagery were so legendary, that it is said that his visage has permanently taken its demon form. Whatever man he used to be, he lost long, long ago. It was this sort of beast that followed Faith to Sunnydale . . . and so challenged my Buffy as well.
Though Buffy intimated to me that Faith had suffered some obvious emotional trauma over watching her Watcher be slain and tortured before her, it was Faith who struck the killing blow. Kakistos was such an old vampire, that a normal stake hardly pierced deep enough in his chest. Faith, luckily, found a large wooden post that had splintered off and staked him with that. Kakistos turned to ash, and that is another legendary vampire now officially part of the history books instead of the school yearbook.
Faith, herself, is far different from Kendra. Where Kendra was grave and studious, Faith is lively and full of zest. She has embraced her Slayer destiny quite willingly and seems to find genuine enjoyment in fighting evil. It's clear that she doesn't have much of a life outside of it, though she seems open to connecting with Buffy's friends. As for Buffy herself, she made it quite clear that she's edgy about Faith. Apparently, on their patrol preceding Kakistos, Faith was too busy enjoying beating the vampire into mush than watching Buffy's back. I think there's more to it, of course. Buffy, like myself, is an only child. She doesn't know how to share the spotlight or her friends or space. After Faith Slayed Kakistos, Buffy seems to be more receptive towards her, and I can only hope that the two find friendship one another.
They are the Slayers. Since Faith is going to be staying in Sunnydale for the foreseeable future, and I am to be her Stand-in-Watcher until her new one arrives, I hope the two can find some common ground. I've been designing some new training techniques that requires the work of two as one, in the hopes that I can get them working together—complimenting one another's moves and compensating for one another's weaknesses. With these two, there is great potential of creating a small, formidable army. And with Faith's presence, a schedule can be formed, allowing Buffy that social time off she's always so desperately desired.
On the matter of Buffy's recovery from the night of Angel's death, I've finally succeeded in acquiring my answer. I've been struggling to figure out a way to ask Buffy if Angel had received his soul when she had killed him, for I believe that if he had, it is likely the reason that Buffy has been closed off in some ways still. I told her I needed to know detailed information about the fight, as I was making a binding spell to ensure that Acathla remained dormant. It took some time and gentle prodding, but she eventually admitted—really, of her own accord—that Angel had recovered his soul. She said that she had kissed him, expressed her love, and then killed him to close the vortex. I'd been suspicious that this was the case. I'm relieved to add that Buffy claimed that she felt after admitting it. My entire goal in wrenching this secret from her was to help her to heal and move on. I suppose only the coming days will tell me if I was right in this or not.
Willow was hounding me about aiding with the binding spell the entire time, too. I was—and am—slightly put off-guard by her eagerness to learn more. The forces can be extremely dangerous if tampered with incorrectly. I warned her to be mindful, and I hope she heeds my warning. Willow is a bright girl, and there's a goodness in her heart quite unique in the human population. I'd hate for her to unknowingly sacrifice something of herself in the pursuit of knowledge. Also, she claimed that I cluck my tongue when I'm mad. I don't do that. Surely.
Though if I did, I'd be clucking up a mess at the Council right about now. This is the third time—on active duty, that is—that I have been passed over an invitation to the Retreat. I'm the one in the field. If there's any Watcher who deserves a bit of a respite, it's me. They won't get any complaints from me though. I'm sure that's what they want. So, I shall do what I do every year and throw my letter of complaint into the fire as soon as I get home. It's a pity this time. I ended it with a rather cheeky poem. It's just that the Retreat is such a wonderful experience. It's held in The Cotswolds, for one, easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There's a reason so many composers and poets found inspiration for some of their greatest works there.
And the other activities! Horse riding, hiking, punting, kayaking, some wonderful lectures and discussions. And the food! Some of the finest British dining one will ever experience! The history there is wonderful, too. Old manors and churches and castles. One day, perhaps.
If they ever stop being ponces.
-Rupert Giles
1998