Written by VampGirl
Rating: G (Silly fluff)
Pairing: None
Improv: #38 collect-balm-find-touched
Disclaimer: Joss owns all rights to the Buffy & Angel characters; I don't.
Spoilers: Set sometime in early part of Season 6, before Gone.
Summary: Dawn's stuck on how to do an English assignment, Willow and Anya try to help but it's Buffy who eventually gives Dawn a decent response.
Feedback: Please R/R and send it to the email addy above; it would be deeply appreciated.
Status: Finished
Dawn stared down at the blank notebook page, tapping her pencil absently on the table. For a pleasant change, The Magic Box was actually slow and quiet that evening. If she didn't come up with something soon, there'd be no excuse to give when Buffy returned from patrol. Dawn sighed wearily and read the assignment notes yet again.
"Whatcha doin', Dawnie?" Willow asked cheerfully from behind her. She slid into a chair across from her at the research table. "Math gotcha down again, huh? Tonight's your lucky night than, 'cause the algebra wizard is here so let's crank that frown up to a big ol' smile, shall we?"
"Sorry, Willow, exactly done with the math. It's English. Doing a segment on creative writing and totally stumped for ideas."
"Aww, can't be that tough."
"Wanna bet?
"Come on now - spill," commanded Willow lightly.
"Okay, here it is: write a paragraph that reflects any unique aspect of living in Sunnydale. Paragraph must contain the words - collect, balm, find and touched. Like what can I really say - we find living on the Hellmouth has touched the town with evilness. We collect body count statistics instead of school championships and have access to magical balm at the local mall."
"Hey, not a bad start!" praised Willow.
"Oh, right-," chided Dawn.
"Oh!" interjected Anya sharply, looking up from closing out the register. "The natural one-of-a-kind balm, Shale's Ordinal #20, is exculsive to the Magic Box for a mere two dollars and eighty cents, far below market retail at those other stores. It's a mood indicator; the balm changes shades dependent on the wearer's mood. That's a unique aspect, plus free advertisement for me."
"Not exactly what I had in mind," Dawn sneered, rolling her eyes.
"Do you have to use the exact words or can you vary the tense?"
"Not in my notes, but coulda been discussed - wasn't paying much attention after Josh Sanderson came in late. He sits two rows over from me, plays forward on the varsity soccer team - major babe. Too hard to concentrate after that."
"No surprise there," scolded Buffy. Startled, Dawn whipped around in her chair. Buffy leaned back against the counter, arms folded across her chest. Her mouth pursed tightly, eyes narrowed - Dawn recognized the disapproval of the Slayer. "Dawn, when are you going to wake up and take things seriously? If your grades don't improve, Social Services might begin to question my guardianship of you and you could possible end up in foster care. Do you want that to happen?"
"Dunno know - maybe."
Buffy and Dawn exchanged angry glares for a moment, than Buffy ordered, "Dawn, collect your books. Anya, if you see my herbal lip balm around, put it my patrol bag in the training room. Willow, I didn't find anything about a frost demon from Willy. And, when either of you see Xander, pass along we'll meet again tomorrow and hopefully one of us will have touched upon something to report. Okay?" Willow and Anya sounded an affirmative. Dawn grabbed her backpack and trailed behind Buffy as they walked to the front door. Buffy tossed a satisfied smile back to her younger sister, than commented, "mmm, see - English assignment - nothing to it."
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