Part 5
On the way to the party
Willow shifted in the seat as she smoothed out her skirt. "Just where did you say this party is again?" She whispered into Kai's ear. I don't know why I'm so nervous, I guess it's because the others are acting so secretive. I haven't even gotten a look at Kai's outfit yet, she has that huge cloak on. > Willow looked her friend over, the black cloak was voluminous and almost hid Kai's face within it.
"At a mansion one of our friends owns." Kai chuckled lightly at her friend as she saw Willow fidget once again in her seat. "Chill out, Fox. Trust us girl, we won't put you into danger. Just… Don't freak out."
"Why? From the way you said that you're implying that there is something to freak out over." Willow asked, narrowing her eyes as an innocent smile crossed Kai's face. Suspicion grew in Willow as she asked again in a low voice, "Why?"
"Please Willow." Kai asked softly, the smile disappearing from her face as she placed a hand on Willow's knee. "Trust us?"
"Of course I trust you Kai." Willow whispered back, squeezing Kai's hand, and smiling brilliantly at her friend. I don't know why the hell I do though. Every thing has happened so fast. I'm just cruising on auto-pilot. >Willow shook her head as she realized she knew next to nothing about Kai. Ok think this through. What do I know of Kaisean Menard? Well she knows how to fight. She's protective of her brother, but is at ease with his relationship with Demon. And just how did Demon get his name? His aura doesn't feel evil. Although there are dark overtones to it. And thinking about aura's, why haven't I looked at Kai's? Or Methos? I know next to nothing about these people, and geez I even babble in my thoughts. > Willow rolled her eyes.
Ok back to the point. What do I know of Silver…. >
**Flashback to first meeting of Silver**
It all started with Willow's question in her online persona…
NightFx: Hey guys does anyone here know anything about dealing with the demon Thalkrash? I mean any texts on it?
SlvrDragon: I do, but it all depends on what you want to know.
Willow had grown excited that she had finally found someone. She was slightly wary though since she had come up against many dead ends for the last week that she had been researching for information on the demon. The newest threat to Sunnydale that had recently come up in a prophecy that Giles had found.
Inviting the other person into a private chat room, Willow began to question SlvrDragon using information she already knew, trying to see if SlvrDragon could be a reliable source. The replies that she received amazed her in how clear and detailed they were. Willow spent the next several hours questioning SlvrDragon. When she finally was done, getting all the information Giles needed she said goodbye to SlvrDragon, printing out everything, Willow then went to sleep.
**End Flashback**
That was the first night, of many that Willow would ask Kai for information. Eventually SlvrDragon asked Willow to shorten her name down to Slvr, Willow did the same, asking her new online friend to call her Fx. They did become friends, though they had never met each other in real life, Willow and Kai could talk to each other easily. They emailed each other regularly and would get worried if the other didn't respond within a couple days.
Willow came to trust Kai with secrets that she hadn't even told her friends in Sunnydale. It was Kai whom Willow had asked to help her get Angel out of Hell when Willow's friend had found the ritual. Kai had risked her life and mind to get the vampire out of Hell. Willow had to trust that Kai knew what she was doing despite the distance that separated them. She remembered racing to the mansion right after Slvr had said that it was done, seeing Angel appear on the floor, curled up in pain. The relief she felt as she fled hearing someone else approach and seeing that it was Buffy.
She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, Willow looked up into Kai's eyes and sighed. Whatever happens… Remember what Kai has done for you. Oh Goddess, the way that Kai is acting though whatever it is it's going to be pretty harsh. > Willow shook here head coming out of her thoughts as she felt a hand carefully brush her shoulder. She looked up into Kai's eyes and smiled weakly.
The car stopped several moments later. Kai ginned at Willow as the doors opened, Richie held open Willow's while Methos opened Kai's. Richie grinned mischievously at Willow and held out his hand to the new Immortal. Willow placed her hand in Richie's, stepping out of the car. Kaisean looked up into Methos' eyes and smiled, slightly sad. Kai knew that tonight would have repercussion for them all. She sighed slightly hugging Methos briefly before standing up straight. Methos smiled reassuringly at Kai, hooking her arm into his with long practiced ease.
Willow looked over Richie, a bit astonished at his clothing. He wore black pants with a deep blue dress shirt. "Richie! Who knew that you could clean up so well?" She said teasingly looking the other Immortal over. Richie frowned mockingly, looking himself over and then gave her a "I'll get you later!" look. Willow chuckled deeply and curved her arm into his.
"You look beautiful Aspen." Richie commented, running an appreciative glance over the red head. Willow blushed and murmured "Thanks Richie, you look good also." She smoothed down the long red velvet skirt she wore and the white silk blouse that hung loosely across her upper body. Willow felt decadent, luxuriating in the feel of the materials. She heard the car being driven off and looked up with a sense of trepidation. Willow felt the presence of other Immortals as they approached the large mansion. Lights shone from the windows. A veritable palace sitting in San Francisco.
Oh Goddess this place is beautiful… > She saw movement in the trees, someone approached the group of Immortals. It was a tall man, dressed in a clothing that looked like it was off the set of the Musketeers, with long black hair with dark green eyes. He bowed toward them. "Hello Kaisean, Adam. It is good to see the two of you again. I understand that you all have a new student?" He smoothly asked, a hint of a Russian accent appearing in his voice.
Kaisean curtsied gracefully despite the large cloak she work and held out a gloved hand toward the man. Something about the new arrival bugged Willow. The man smiled, flashing fangs Fangs!! > as he kissed Kai's hand then turned it over, brushing his lips against her glowed wrist.
Oh Goddess, are those real? I mean he's have to be in game face if he was doing that… > "Demitri, 'tis good to see you again also cherie." Kai said in rich tone, then turned to face other red-head at her side. "Willow I want you to meet Dmitri Karman… Daishin leader of San Francisco."
"Daishin? Is that another name for vampire?" Willow asked a touch of anger in her voice. Her eyes were slit as she looked at Kaisean. If this is the beginning… I don't know how much of this I can take. Kaisean and Methos seem to be friends with vampires?! How the hell did this happen? When did it happen? >
"Yes another word for a vampires, but a different type that your use to. No demons in them for one." Kai turned her head sharply around to stare at Willow challengingly.
"This is the beginning isn't it? There's even more that is to be revealed isn't there." Willow asked sighing as her anger was abruptly drained from her body. She didn't understand why this was all happening. But Goddess this is all to scary. Another type of vampire? Next she'll tell me they can go out in the daylight of something… >
Did I just think a moment ago that things couldn't get even more weirder? Or something along those lines involving sunlight? This is just to *fucking* creepy for words. > Willow had just been entered the mansion and stood beside Kai nervously looking around at the multitude of people that drifted around. Some seemed to have a purpose while others flitted from person to person, group to group.
She saw Kai unhook the cloak that shrouded her. Black leather pants with a long line of flesh seen on the sides of her legs. A deep red scarf that was wrapped around Kai, tying in the back and the black-red leather gauntlets. A cameo choker decorated Kai's throat. Willow gasped upon seeing the tattoo on Kaisean's lower back. A beautiful design that decorated most of her lower back. Willow moved closer hesitantly, bringing up her hand to touch the tattoo. "It's beautiful…" She murmured.
Kai turned around catching Willow's hand in hers. "Thanks Fox. If you want one ask Demon, he's the one that did the deed." She looked at Methos briefly who was just ahead of them, talking to Cash's familiar form. "Come on Aspen, I want you to meet some friends, they hold great power in San Francisco. Power over the third type of vampires out there."
Methos turned around to grin at Willow as Kai dragged her friend over. "Actually you know that they prefer to call themselves Kindred, Kai." He admonished gently. The man beside him was dressed in a black leather biker jacket and tight black jeans with a blue dress shirt that contrasted slightly with the over all look that he seemed to project. He looked as if he had just been shoved out of bed and told to dress up. Dark brown eyes with hints of gold looked Willow over appraisingly, shaggy blond-brown hair falling into his eyes, as he turned to say something into Methos' ear briefly.
Willow shivered at the intense look, she saw the shift of… something within the man's eyes. Like a demon coming out to the fore, but it wasn't truly evil, but more like it just simply… was. She knew immediately that this was the third type of vampire that Methos and Kai were talking about. The Kindred. Methos laid his hand on Willow's shoulder, she turned to look up at him. "Willow this is Cash, Gangrel Primogen of the Kindred."
Part 6
"Ok guys you will be explaining to me what the hell you mean by all this right?" Willow asked in a sweetly venomous tone, shaking herself out of the shock she felt from all of the sudden information. What is a Gangrel? Or a Primogen for that matter? I'm getting *way* confused… I mean all that I can tell about them is that Gangrel must be a type of Clan, with Primogen being a title… At least from the way he said it. >
"Of course." Methos nodded slowly releasing Willow's shoulder as he glanced amusedly at Kai, before turning back to introduce the new Immortal to the small group that had gathered beside Cash. Damn we have so many people to intro. Add to the fact that most of the Pack is gathered here and we're in deep- >
\ Methos!! \ Kai snarled mentally at the ancient Immortal. \ Now is not the bloody time to be woolgathering old man! \ Her eyes darkened slightly as she looked at him. He nodded almost imperceptibly in response, his eyes lighting up in amusement.
"May we explain all of this later Willow? There is much to explain, simply make a list of all your questions, we will give you the highlights of everyone here however." Methos smoothly went on to say, Kai's mental berate taking place within the blink of an eye.
Willow nodded curtly, wrapping her hands around her chest unconsciously as she shifted to the side of the group. Kaisean withdrew to just behind Methos, a light in her eyes dying down as she took in Willow's defensive movements. She curled up into Methos who slid an arm around her shoulders to tuck her into the curve of his body. Tenshi winced as he watched, closing his eyes both physically and psychically off to the anguish that went through Kai at that movement from Willow. Demon settled his head on Tenshi's shoulder, sliding his arm along his waist, and drawing his lover in close. // I know how it hurts love. //
// She's my twin!! // Tenshi shouted mentally at Demon. // Of course it fucking hurts! We've been bound together for so bloody long I don't know what it's like without her in my mind… Not that I ever did. // Tenshi's anger deflated as suddenly as it had swelled. He tugged on Demon's arms asking without words to be released. // She's comforted though if not by me then by Methos. //
Methos, Kai and Cash walked side by side, leading the small group behind them to follow. Richie looked at Willow with compassion, knowing how harsh it was to learn something so new, understanding the pain and distrust she must be feeling toward her teachers. To them all in fact.
Willow shook her head in disbelief. I'm going to fucking kill Kai and Methos. I can't believe that they didn't mention any of this before! > She looked up almost running into someone, Willow stepped back in shock bumping into Richie. The man before her looked much like the Master without the prominent ridges and ugly teeth. She involuntarily asked. "Uh - uh Kai…? Who is - is this?"
"Daedaleus! Good to see you again." Kaisean smiled in greeting at the Nosferatu who nodded kissing the back of the hand that Kai offered to the Kindred.
"Kaisean, it is a pleasure to see you again. I have some books that might interest you and Adam as well at very informative CD on Elementals." Daedalus said releasing Kai's hand as he looked at her inquisitively.
"Thank you." Kai smiled again and stepped back letting Methos introduce the red head that stood back by Richie, a look of shock on her face still. "Daedalus, this is Willow Rosenberg. Her alias is Aspen Davenport."
"A pleasure to meet you Willow. I assume you wish to be called Aspen however?" His voice was very clear and had a faint accent which Willow couldn't identify as she was urged by the hand on her back forward. She shot Richie dark look of warning as she walked slowly to the tall Kindred.
"Yeah. At least in public from what Kai and Methos tell me." Willow managed to answer without stuttering. This is getting freakier and freakier!! > She was already mentally tallying up all of her questions in her mind.
"And this Willow is Daedalus, Primogen of the Nosferatu Clan." Kai said softly, her eyes on the tall man approaching them. His black hair was slicked back, dark brown eyes gleamed in the light as he nodded at Kai and Methos. He smiled at Tenshi who grinned.
To Willow the newest person looked a bit like all of those Mob Bosses in all the mafia films. She started to chuckle at the thought, A vampire mob boss. Oh Gods that's hilarious. > Little did she know that what she thought was a bit true in a way.
"I am Julian Luna, Prince of San Francisco and the Primogen of the Ventrue." He introduced himself, smiling warmly at Willow.
Ok the amount of questions I have just suddenly shot up very high…. > Willow thought apprehensively as she bowed gracefully. She had debated whether or not to curtsy but didn't want to make a fool of herself if she fell. I can tell this is going to be a looonng night. Ok girl just shove all the negative thoughts regarding Kai and Methos to the back of your head. Save it for later. For now just try not to fall over in shock. Learn whatever you can and get though this…. >
The next hour passed as a blur to Willow. Faces of Kindred, Daishin, witches, mages, and other beings were introduced to her. Finally she was led to through a long hallway to a library where many people were scattered comfortably around the room. Willow knew that she hadn't been introduced to them yet, but she had seen them in the background. Often coming up to Kaisean and Methos pulling them away to speak with them briefly in hushed tones. They had a way about them that Willow couldn't place at the moment, a familiarity with Kai and Methos which her two friends returned. More so than the awareness between them and the other people she had already met that night. It made Willow wonder just what was different about the group gathered in the room.
Willow looked around, the nervous energy that had been with her returned to replace the numbness. It had disappeared in the rush of introductions, her mind filing away faces with names and the brief descriptions tagged onto them by Kai and Methos, with Tenshi, Demon, and Richie adding their own comments. That along with her mental list of questions occupying her mind.
She noticed then that the Cash and Daedalus had left them. The two Kindred had come with them as they walked around meeting everyone. Willow stood beside Kai and Methos, her tense frame matching her shifting eyes as she looked around quickly. Everyone around her seemed to be beautiful and powerful, almost projecting an aura eerily reminiscent of her memories of Angelus. Oh Goddess Angel! I haven't thought about you since earlier this evening. I wish you were here. You would have probably been pissed off about Kai and Methos deception. > Willow grinned at the thought of Angel and Kai meeting. Though there's still a lot more I don't know about her, I have a feeling that she and Methos are slowly letting me learn more about them. > Willow shook her head abruptly and looked at Kai.
"Willow this is the final group of people that we'll be introducing to you tonight. You'll probably meet them a lot more that you'll meet the other people." Kai nervously tucked loose hair behind her ears as she moved to stand on the other side of Willow. Ok I have a really weird feeling about this. If Kai's nervous how will I react to whatever is going to happen next? And what did Kai mean by that? >
"You probably know that there is a lot that we haven't told you. This is one of them. Willow Rosenberg, this is the Clan Falleen." Methos formally said, attempting to hide his grin at the laugh that erupted from both Tenshi and Demon at his solemnity.
"Well most of it at least. We got some more members around the world, three of them are up in Toronto in fact… Meeting with some old friends who will soon be coming here." Kai interjected her eyes glowing slightly as she looked off into the distance. \ That's wicked Kai! I think that the more evil aspects of your past is surfacing. That's something I would do!
\ I know why do you think I did it? \ Kai replied in an arch tone.
"Who will be soon coming here?" Willow asked curiousity getting the better of her as she looked at Kai then at Methos. They seemed to be laughing privately at something. Who the hell is coming here to San Francisco? > She wondered furiously.
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