Xander's Glory 7: Return to Sunnydale I

Still am not fully awake, so heck, I'll post and hope I didn't send anything too sucky…

Summary: Answer to Djhardim's idea that Xander dress up as a certain medical student, and all that meant
Crossover: Ken Buhlmer's Dray Prescot
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I see nothing! Not even this Ken Buhlmer stuff about Dray Prescot of Kregen under Antares.
Feedback: It would be welcome! Please!

Rome, Italy, October 31st, 1998

The woman in front of them rattled off something in Italian into an intercom telephone as the four beings transited into the portal chamber of the Rome branch of Wolfram and Hart.

To Alexander, the fact that he could for the most part understand what she said seemed remarkable. Alex Hunter had told them what it meant as they went through the Sacred pool of Aphrasoe and the training and conditioning beforehand; mortals would be unaging and with improved healing for a thousand years, and would have the ability to master in a very short time any spoken language to the extent a human could. This after some prodding by Alexander, had led to a further explanation that the brain was boosted in such a way as to work almost telepathically, but rooted in the language centers. If you heard enough, and had any context, you would pick it up. As for reading, if the language were phonetic, then sub-vocalizing it as you read would help, but picture-based writing would have to be learned the hard way.

Glory stepped forward and imperiously in Italian made herself known, the epitome of Warrior Space Princess in her current leather and silk clothes and robes.

"Inform your branch manager that Glorificus is here, mortal, and needs information, account status, things like that…" the demi-goddess directed, "Now."

The woman's fingers raced across the phone and she communicated the perceived situation to the manager's assistant, then responded after a moment as a security detail entered. After consulting the woman, they nod and turn to the new arrivals.

"Signora, would you and your entourage please follow us to the main offices?"

Glorificus nodded and gestured for the man to lead the way. The group arrived up in the penthouse a few minutes later, an attractive dark-haired woman greeting them enthusiastically.

"I am Ilona Costa Bianchi. I'm the CEO of the Roman offices of Wolfram e Hart. And please, we are at your disposal. Whatever it is that you want, we give to you. If you want the world, we give you the world. We give you 2 worlds, in fact, because this is our way."

"Well, thank you, Ilona," Glory told her in Italian with an appreciative smile, "it's so good to have efficient and friendly business relations."

"Signora Glorificus, how may we be of assistance to you today?"

"Well, I need to make sure all of my accounts are activated and available, minions located, suitable clothes in which to shop," she told the woman as she gestured at the Kregish outfit for emphasis, "paperwork including American passports for my consort and companions, today's date, and a summary of events at the Sunnydale Hellmouth since my departure."

Alexander whispered something in her ear, she nodded, then continued, "Oh, right, and the whereabouts of my pet vampire Angelus or Angel or whatever."

"I will have it seen to at once, Signora Glorificus—"

"You may call me Glory, Ilona," the demigoddess allowed graciously, causing the mortal to beam at her potential increase in status, "please continue."

"Thank you, Glory, this is the morning of October 31st, 1998, and if I may have may my staff show you to guest suites we have here in our building, I will arrange everything for you." The woman looked at her watch, "It is now almost eleven, so in an hour I will have a limousine set aside for your use for your stay in Rome. Also, tonight is our annual party for all of our staff and important clients, so you are of course invited. Our costumer is out taking care of some fittings, but we can send a listing of what is available, then send his assistant to take your measurements. Tonight, you can be whoever or whatever you want!"

WRH Halloween

Over lunch the three humans and Annie relaxed prior to going out for some possible shopping. Both Fred and the hyena made it clear they'd simply make use of Wolfram and Hart's hospitality and figure out life on Earth again. Xander jokes that after time off-world getting his manly physique, well, manly, and being good with a sword, he'd either be going as Juan Ramirez or Duncan Macleod.

Glory frowned, "Hmm, that might be fun, and I wonder how Amanda on that show could hide a sword while wearing those cute little outfits."

Alexander smiled at her mischievously, "I guess I better go as Duncan Macleod, then, and see about finding out."

Annie cackled and Fred blushed, a slightly wistful look at the pair and what they shared, the young man considering, "I wonder if these demon lawyer guys could make our swords invisible or changeable?"

Xander turned to her, "That's an excellent idea, Fred, we should look into it; after these last months I think I'd feel naked without it nearby."

"And we all know how much you like naked," Fred deadpanned, then blushed as the group laughed.

Having gotten measurements taken in advance to simplify shopping, the couple having communicated their desires of costume let for shopping. Annie, with a Speak-With-Humans amulet loaned by Ilona Bianchi, walked around the building with Fred.

The hyena mused as they reached the magic area, "This would be so much easier if I could actually go as a human, weird though you all are."

"Really? Who would you go as or look like?

"Hmm, as far as that goes? I have memories of Glo, but for a costume I think I'd choose that grave robber character Xander obsessed over last year. Lara Croft"

"Oh? Why?"

"She's clearly alpha material, and right now I'd really like to find a worthy-enough male since our favorite couple and I have this link…"

"Ah. Ooooooh, wow."

One of the staff in the department spoke up, "We could arrange the transformation for a night, if you truly wish it. Though it would cost … hmmm… five thousand American dollars. For each of you."

Fred showed her surprise, Annie picking up on it in amusement.

"We'll do it!" the hyena told the man. "And charge it to the Glorificus account."

"The same?"

Fred smiled uncertainly, "Well, sure, it should be a good joke, but make the hair color different."

"Come back in an hour, it will be ready."

The costume assistant was a pleasant woman, and when Fred explained the magic they would be using for the night, and so were told they'd use the Glorificus measurements. Annie asked as they left, "now what is it you decided on?"

"Hmm, oh since you're going as an archaeologist, I decided to go as something I'm not, so I told the costumer girl to pick something irresistible out. I'll just be surprised."

Annie laughed as they made their way back to the magic shop, an hour having passed, "It's good to see you're learning to be daring, Fred, even if you have to tell others to make you daring."

Alexander woke up the next morning to find himself naked and almost buried beneath no fewer than three naked women. He considered his situation carefully, then let his mind cautiously make contact with Glory before opening his eyes. His memory was starting to slowly come back as he did.

'Glo? You there?' he projected mentally, then felt the woman behind him move and moan in response, 'Wake up Glo, things got interesting last night.'

As the woman began moving, under protest, the other two occupants of the very large bed also woke up. Alexander was sure of several things as he wriggled himself so his back was against the headboard, one of which was the fact he was now with three versions of his mate, um, fiancée. And the other two were a brunette and a redhead.

"Oh boy…" all four of them muttered, then the redhead started laughing in what could best be described as a borderline cackle.