Dear Reader.this is not mine. I'm just borrowing the Buffy characters for
my own personal gain and pleasure. This is one of my favorite dreams that I
had so I decided to turn it into a story. This dream really put time into
perspective and I hope it does the same for you. If you do not believe the
same as I do about time, then feel free to stop reading at any given moment
without any notice. Thank-you for thinking of this story as good enough for
you to read. This story is after Fool for Love so just think along those
lines. Sincerely.NOTSANE
OF NO ADVANTAGE Chapter 1
What is time? Time is but humanity's backbone. It was created to ensure that we truly exist in this world. Without time, we would have no memory of when we were born, how old we are, or any sequence of events. Imagine if time was never created. Hours, minutes, days; none of these words would play a part in our lives. We would live in fleeting fear of no order. God help us all if that ever happens.
********
Buffy groaned as her alarm clock awoke her from dreams of the past. She had dreamt of being Cecily. Buffy shivered at the thought of Spike loving her. 'That could never happen,' she optimistically thought. That in mind, Buffy jumped out of bed and into the shower. When she was dressed and ready, Buffy ran down the steps, determined to be happy so her mother wouldn't see the depression so clear on her and Dawn's personas.
"Morning Mom. Morning Dawn." Buffy entered the dining room, biting her lip, as dreaded what she had to say next. "Morning Mom. Morning Dawn." 'Whoa! Where did that come from?' she thought as unknown fear washed over her. She glanced around the room. Everything was different. Some things were almost too clean, others covered with muck. The strangest thing was that all the clocks and calendars were missing as if they never invented. Dawn and Joyce were huddling in the corner, covered with grime and dust; their hair in knots and bows.
"Morning? What's morning? Who are you? I know you. You're my baby. No you're bigger than that. Honey, you already said that." Joyce and Dawn flashed back to their original spots at the table, while the room had returned to normal. Every thing was equally clean and the clocks and calendars were back in place. Something elusive in Buffy told her to not say anything about the change in her surroundings. Instead, she said what she feared to say.
"Did I? Sorry, I'm out of it today. A-are you ready to go to the hospital?" Buffy sat down next to Dawn and reached for the milk and cereal.
"Yes, I am ready and there is no need for worry. This is a 'just in case' thing. It's nothing, I promise." Joyce smiled and passed Dawn the butter for her toast. "When you're done eating, Dawn, could you please go get the mail?"
"Mom, it's too early for the mail. Look at the time." Dawn glanced at Buffy, worry etched on her face.
"I know. I meant yesterday's mail. I didn't get a chance to retrieve it with all the packing. So, could you get it for me, please?"
"Sure, I'm just glad you're not loosing your mind." Dawn bluntly stated.
"Dawn!" Buffy hissed without thinking. "I mean, it's good that you'll do that for Mom. Can I talk to you in the kitchen? Now, if you don't mind. Grab the dishes." Buffy waited only a moment for Dawn to pick-up the bowls in front of her before she yanked her into the kitchen; nails digging into Dawn's arm.
"Ow! Watch those claws of yours! They hurt like-" Buffy cut her off before she could finish her outburst.
"What do you think you are doing? You're giving her morbid thoughts," Buffy harshly whispered.
"What!? I am not! I'm-"
"I don't care!. Just don't say things like that again. You'll scare her."
"You're the pone afraid!"
"Shut-up and get the mail." Dawn huffed and went out to the mailbox. , while Buffy started on the dishes. A few moments later, Dawn stepped back in, reading a letter out loud.
"To the Summers Sisters,
"We are pleased to invite you to a test of speed, skill and knowledge. There are many other candidates, only a small percentage were chosen to attend. You are among them and will come to a gala in the chosen ones' honor. For directions to the gala and the entertainment post, please call the following number: 666-666. But, be warned, in this game, there are no advantages, not even time. Please RSVP within twelve hours notice. Thank- you and Good Day.
"Sincerely,
The Lock"
Buffy was speechless for a moment. Questions exploded like a thousand fireworks in her head. She finally settled on one. "The gala's in my honor?"
"I don't think so. Look, see? The apostrophe is after the 's'. I think it means all those chosen to go."
"Oh. Is 666-666 even a number?"
"No."
"Should we call?"
"I think so. What could be wrong with getting directions?"
Buffy shrugged and picked up the beige telephone on the wall. A gruff voice answered and said, "You calling for the gala?"
"Umm, yes." Buffy glanced at Dawn who was mouthing, 'What?'
"Close you're eyes and hang up."
"Why?"
"Do it! and tell you're sister to do the same." Buffy hung up and relayed the message to Dawn, closing her eyes tightly. Dawn followed suit. A moment later, they opened their eyes and found themselves outside a mansion that looked like it could have fit the entire town on Sunnydale in it's front hall. It had the look of great wealth, as everything was impeccable; all bushes without the hint of being out of shape.
The sisters stood in awe for a few moments, and recovered themselves and stepped to the mammoth front doors. Buffy stole a look to Dawn and rang the golden doorbell. The oak door was immediately answered by an aging man with silver locks of hair gently sweeping across the crown of his head. He had the grandfatherly look of innocence and pleasure to be around. he smiled kindly at the girls and said, "Hello, my dears. I believe you are the Summers ladies. 'Last to arrive, first with priorities,' I've always said. Come this way, if you please. My name is Julian Marquet, and I tend to the needs of the guests. So if there is anything you wish or require, please, just give me a call. Will you do that?"
Dawn spoke up first. "Actually, we would like to know: a) how we got here, b) how is our mother doing and, c) what games are we going to play?"
"And," Buffy added, "Who else is here?" They proceeded down the hall, which was decorated in fine golds and robust purples.
"Those are all very fine questions, but I am only permitted to answer two of them. The last two will be answered at the gala, so I won't give you any advantages on the others. Right now, I am leading you to the wing you and your friends will share, so there are some people that you know here. Your mother, along with the rest of the world, is now frozen in time. Since the moment you closed your eyes, to be precise. You arrived here through magic, of course." They continued on their way in silence; climbing stairways of red velvet and silver rails; passing grand rooms; each of different color content. Buffy had never seen so many combinations and color hues. It seemed like this house was at the end of the rainbow.
After about forty-five minutes of walking, they finally reached a kind of cull-de-sack of doors, each with a gold plate next to it. The threesome headed for the middle door. The plate next to it read, "Buffy and Dawn Summers. Group A"
"What odes 'group a' mean?" Dawn inquired.
"You will find out when the game starts. But, I must say this. You and your friends must be very talented to all be chosen for Group A. Even the normal humans were considered to be strong enough for the best group there is." Julian handed Buffy a silver key and bid them good-day. Buffy shrugged and opened the door at Dawn's pleading. They stepped into the most beautiful room they had ever even dreamt of.
The walls and carpet were a deep midnight blue, with columns etched into them. The columns rose to form arches that melded into a black ceiling, that looked like the night sky. Only one of the arches were real; that lead to a white, silver and purple bathroom that was big enough to accommodate a dozen people. Two beds, fit fir royalty, were perched at opposite sides of the room; a small triangle of space between the head of the bed and the corner. Both beds had silver draperies and a swan with rubies for eyes, and wings that held the cascading draperies. From the tops of the beds, blurry rainbows sprouted upward and touched with the ones of the other bed. Two wide redwood doors sat on the left side of the room; with two on the right.
Dawn opened the ones on the right, while Buffy started on the left. Dawn found a long, black corridor and headed down it without a word to Buffy. Buffy found a walk in closet bigger than Buffy's bedroom at home, filled with every sort of clothing to last a lifetime for the elder of the two. "Hey Dawn!" Buffy called out from the bellows of the closet.. "Check out these outfits.Hello? Where did she go this time?" She found her way out and saw the other door ajar. "Dawn. " she grumbled under her breath and started down the hall. Glowing crystals that hung from the unseen ceiling lit the way. At the end of the hall, a black door stood open; a soft glow illuminating the room behind the door frame. Buffy stepped through the threshold and into a dark room filled with candles. Dawn was sitting on a cushioned chair in one corner; Spike in the one next to it.
{That was only chapter one. I have a feeling that I got you thinking it will be one thing, but it may not be what you're thinking. Tell me what you think will happen, and I might use some of your ideas. Thank-you for reading this chapter to the end. Have a nice day. -Sincerely, NOTSANE}
OF NO ADVANTAGE Chapter 1
What is time? Time is but humanity's backbone. It was created to ensure that we truly exist in this world. Without time, we would have no memory of when we were born, how old we are, or any sequence of events. Imagine if time was never created. Hours, minutes, days; none of these words would play a part in our lives. We would live in fleeting fear of no order. God help us all if that ever happens.
********
Buffy groaned as her alarm clock awoke her from dreams of the past. She had dreamt of being Cecily. Buffy shivered at the thought of Spike loving her. 'That could never happen,' she optimistically thought. That in mind, Buffy jumped out of bed and into the shower. When she was dressed and ready, Buffy ran down the steps, determined to be happy so her mother wouldn't see the depression so clear on her and Dawn's personas.
"Morning Mom. Morning Dawn." Buffy entered the dining room, biting her lip, as dreaded what she had to say next. "Morning Mom. Morning Dawn." 'Whoa! Where did that come from?' she thought as unknown fear washed over her. She glanced around the room. Everything was different. Some things were almost too clean, others covered with muck. The strangest thing was that all the clocks and calendars were missing as if they never invented. Dawn and Joyce were huddling in the corner, covered with grime and dust; their hair in knots and bows.
"Morning? What's morning? Who are you? I know you. You're my baby. No you're bigger than that. Honey, you already said that." Joyce and Dawn flashed back to their original spots at the table, while the room had returned to normal. Every thing was equally clean and the clocks and calendars were back in place. Something elusive in Buffy told her to not say anything about the change in her surroundings. Instead, she said what she feared to say.
"Did I? Sorry, I'm out of it today. A-are you ready to go to the hospital?" Buffy sat down next to Dawn and reached for the milk and cereal.
"Yes, I am ready and there is no need for worry. This is a 'just in case' thing. It's nothing, I promise." Joyce smiled and passed Dawn the butter for her toast. "When you're done eating, Dawn, could you please go get the mail?"
"Mom, it's too early for the mail. Look at the time." Dawn glanced at Buffy, worry etched on her face.
"I know. I meant yesterday's mail. I didn't get a chance to retrieve it with all the packing. So, could you get it for me, please?"
"Sure, I'm just glad you're not loosing your mind." Dawn bluntly stated.
"Dawn!" Buffy hissed without thinking. "I mean, it's good that you'll do that for Mom. Can I talk to you in the kitchen? Now, if you don't mind. Grab the dishes." Buffy waited only a moment for Dawn to pick-up the bowls in front of her before she yanked her into the kitchen; nails digging into Dawn's arm.
"Ow! Watch those claws of yours! They hurt like-" Buffy cut her off before she could finish her outburst.
"What do you think you are doing? You're giving her morbid thoughts," Buffy harshly whispered.
"What!? I am not! I'm-"
"I don't care!. Just don't say things like that again. You'll scare her."
"You're the pone afraid!"
"Shut-up and get the mail." Dawn huffed and went out to the mailbox. , while Buffy started on the dishes. A few moments later, Dawn stepped back in, reading a letter out loud.
"To the Summers Sisters,
"We are pleased to invite you to a test of speed, skill and knowledge. There are many other candidates, only a small percentage were chosen to attend. You are among them and will come to a gala in the chosen ones' honor. For directions to the gala and the entertainment post, please call the following number: 666-666. But, be warned, in this game, there are no advantages, not even time. Please RSVP within twelve hours notice. Thank- you and Good Day.
"Sincerely,
The Lock"
Buffy was speechless for a moment. Questions exploded like a thousand fireworks in her head. She finally settled on one. "The gala's in my honor?"
"I don't think so. Look, see? The apostrophe is after the 's'. I think it means all those chosen to go."
"Oh. Is 666-666 even a number?"
"No."
"Should we call?"
"I think so. What could be wrong with getting directions?"
Buffy shrugged and picked up the beige telephone on the wall. A gruff voice answered and said, "You calling for the gala?"
"Umm, yes." Buffy glanced at Dawn who was mouthing, 'What?'
"Close you're eyes and hang up."
"Why?"
"Do it! and tell you're sister to do the same." Buffy hung up and relayed the message to Dawn, closing her eyes tightly. Dawn followed suit. A moment later, they opened their eyes and found themselves outside a mansion that looked like it could have fit the entire town on Sunnydale in it's front hall. It had the look of great wealth, as everything was impeccable; all bushes without the hint of being out of shape.
The sisters stood in awe for a few moments, and recovered themselves and stepped to the mammoth front doors. Buffy stole a look to Dawn and rang the golden doorbell. The oak door was immediately answered by an aging man with silver locks of hair gently sweeping across the crown of his head. He had the grandfatherly look of innocence and pleasure to be around. he smiled kindly at the girls and said, "Hello, my dears. I believe you are the Summers ladies. 'Last to arrive, first with priorities,' I've always said. Come this way, if you please. My name is Julian Marquet, and I tend to the needs of the guests. So if there is anything you wish or require, please, just give me a call. Will you do that?"
Dawn spoke up first. "Actually, we would like to know: a) how we got here, b) how is our mother doing and, c) what games are we going to play?"
"And," Buffy added, "Who else is here?" They proceeded down the hall, which was decorated in fine golds and robust purples.
"Those are all very fine questions, but I am only permitted to answer two of them. The last two will be answered at the gala, so I won't give you any advantages on the others. Right now, I am leading you to the wing you and your friends will share, so there are some people that you know here. Your mother, along with the rest of the world, is now frozen in time. Since the moment you closed your eyes, to be precise. You arrived here through magic, of course." They continued on their way in silence; climbing stairways of red velvet and silver rails; passing grand rooms; each of different color content. Buffy had never seen so many combinations and color hues. It seemed like this house was at the end of the rainbow.
After about forty-five minutes of walking, they finally reached a kind of cull-de-sack of doors, each with a gold plate next to it. The threesome headed for the middle door. The plate next to it read, "Buffy and Dawn Summers. Group A"
"What odes 'group a' mean?" Dawn inquired.
"You will find out when the game starts. But, I must say this. You and your friends must be very talented to all be chosen for Group A. Even the normal humans were considered to be strong enough for the best group there is." Julian handed Buffy a silver key and bid them good-day. Buffy shrugged and opened the door at Dawn's pleading. They stepped into the most beautiful room they had ever even dreamt of.
The walls and carpet were a deep midnight blue, with columns etched into them. The columns rose to form arches that melded into a black ceiling, that looked like the night sky. Only one of the arches were real; that lead to a white, silver and purple bathroom that was big enough to accommodate a dozen people. Two beds, fit fir royalty, were perched at opposite sides of the room; a small triangle of space between the head of the bed and the corner. Both beds had silver draperies and a swan with rubies for eyes, and wings that held the cascading draperies. From the tops of the beds, blurry rainbows sprouted upward and touched with the ones of the other bed. Two wide redwood doors sat on the left side of the room; with two on the right.
Dawn opened the ones on the right, while Buffy started on the left. Dawn found a long, black corridor and headed down it without a word to Buffy. Buffy found a walk in closet bigger than Buffy's bedroom at home, filled with every sort of clothing to last a lifetime for the elder of the two. "Hey Dawn!" Buffy called out from the bellows of the closet.. "Check out these outfits.Hello? Where did she go this time?" She found her way out and saw the other door ajar. "Dawn. " she grumbled under her breath and started down the hall. Glowing crystals that hung from the unseen ceiling lit the way. At the end of the hall, a black door stood open; a soft glow illuminating the room behind the door frame. Buffy stepped through the threshold and into a dark room filled with candles. Dawn was sitting on a cushioned chair in one corner; Spike in the one next to it.
{That was only chapter one. I have a feeling that I got you thinking it will be one thing, but it may not be what you're thinking. Tell me what you think will happen, and I might use some of your ideas. Thank-you for reading this chapter to the end. Have a nice day. -Sincerely, NOTSANE}