"Twilight for Anonymous…"

Disclaimer: Not mine but thine...O, Joss!

Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse, or direct to story at www...

General audience level...

Summary: In a past life of Buffy and William, a certain story- and scene-stealing vampire gets his much-deserved desserts…

Part VI…

Rooms of Ben Jonson…London…

A frowning Anya in gown and muddy…London streets muck muddy…Shoes eyeing her client. Her settled client, vengeance plan in place and underway…Her only remaining duty supposed to be observation until death of the factors involved. Either both victims or the said client…

Not to give weekly updates and take orders…Particularly take orders…

Bad enough I'm seamstress to a company of ego-driven actors with 17th century license to sexually harass…Though it is amazing all-in-all how few really go too far. But I'm not some vengeance serving wench…I'm a professional.

Besides I already did the serving wench quite thoroughly in my human existence as Aud…

"Master Jonson?...Your note said you needed to see me. And please, in future, be very careful about using 'Anyanka'? I do have other clients, some of whom might like to know I'm around. For your sake as well as mine, sir…?"

"Sorry…Thought you'd want to know I didn't require some stitching…"

You will for sure if Mistress Shakespeare ever learns what ye be up to, Benny-boy…

"Right, sir…Just how about letting my cover function next time, ok? I won't mind if it's really just sewing you require…"

In fact I could use the extra coin…

"Fine then…I'll heed you for the next time, if one…So? Are things proceeding?" Jonson asked, eager.

"As well as ever, sir…But you know all will not go into effect till long after your deaths…"

"Never did care much for that, lass…" Jonson, frowning.

"The irony of the curse only works if Master Shakespeare's had time to be immortalized in history, sir. We did go over that…And you agreed to it…"

"Lovely…Some curse, that…And twasn't as if you gave me options…" Jonson, bitterly.

"You'll not be forgotten yourself, sir…" she sighed.

If you get off your ass and go to work on something worthwhile, doofus. Instead of mooning over the "dark lady"…

"Was that all, sir?"

"No…Twas not…In fact, I've some information. Privileged, as it were…From the lady for whom all this is being done. That could influence events, dramatically…"

And I ought to know, being England's greatest dramatist…Whatever a few idiots say about Shakespeare. He fumbled in his pockets, pulled out a scrap of rather fine parchment.

Hmmn…Court stationery if I don't miss my guess…And I know goods…Anya eyed the piece.

Thought the Shakespeares were the frugal type. Unless it's his playwriting parchment…Best not to spare expense there, I imagine.

"It's from Court…She's there, God knows how…" Jonson waved the letter. "Here, read…"

"'Ben, I've learned a few things and must attend Will's special performance tonight at Essex House. DeVere is of the Undead, beware him. I'm preparing to go with a young noblewoman as her maid. Don't be askin', no time…Tell William on no account is he to go to Essex with the company tonight. In fact, he's to head for Strafford at once…Tell him his life…And mine, therefore…Depends on it. Or tell him the children are ill…Whatever works, just get him out…Anne.'"

Hmmn…Remarkable…I didn't know Anne could write at all…

"Sounds like a climax…" Anya noted.

"Sounds like a chance to deal with mine enemy ahead of schedule, lassie." Jonson smiled. "If I were to be delayed in getting to him. And if someone urged him along to Essex House…"

Charming…Anya thought, eyeing Jonson's malicious grin…

"All ye need do is go and tell him Lord Essex is anxious he attend. I know Will Shakespeare, he'll go to learn what's up if he wasn't already planning to, for Anne's sake. Hell, I could probably give him this and he'd be even more anxious to go…But a tad more cautious…"

"Sir…" Anya frowned… "You have a contract with my Lord D'Hoffryn. Specifically stating that your vengeance comes in 1880…not 1599…"

"Lass…Think of the time and trouble saved…" Jonson grinned.

And the loss of a crack at the Slayer's soul…I can just see how Lord D'Hoffryn will like this one…

"…And if he be killed, owing to her slowness…" Jonson, quickly grasping the key argument…

"I know your Lord wants her for his little troupe. Why not help him to her sooner? Ye can put it all on me…I'm the client, am I not?"

"We follow a strict 'no substitutions' policy, Mr. Jonson."

"I think I'd like to take the matter with your Master…" he frowned at her.

"Lord D'Hoffryn doesn't do house calls, Mr. Jonson…" Anya glared.

And next time, neither do I…

"My role here is strictly to observe and ensure that the Slayer and her husband do not learn of our plans for their futures. Good evening, Mr. Jonson…"

"Lass…" he stared at empty air…

Damned impudent little…

Well…Now what…He eyed the note.

Hmmn…Nothing says I still can't encounter a bit of unfortunate delay. And see where events lead…

Then again…Ben Jonson makes no use of such deviousness…Himself…

His underworld allies…Their business…

And no note and Will might think alls well and stay at home. No, I see honesty as the best policy here…

With perhaps a bit of stress on the danger to poor Anne, facing God knows what as well as what she already knows…

After all, wouldn't be proper to have Will sittin' safe at home whilst his missus was fighting Essex, his men, and whatever unholy fiends are looking to exploit the current turmoil in the state. Even if she does do it all the time…

"I don't think I like this…" Lord of all things Vengeance, D'Hoffryn frowned at his minion, Anya…In to report the latest turn of events in her assignment…

Just the messenger, boss…And I coulda kept it under my rather nice hat…My little sideline to go with the seamstress gig…And not doing too badly, either, if you've noticed what the females of the audience at the Globe are wearing…

"This Jonson is becoming more trouble than he's worth…Are you sure he's not up to something?"

"Actually…I'd guess he is, D-H…"

"And you leave him unsupervised?"

"He's only human, boss…Besides, I'm keeping him monitored."

"I don't want him interfering with this project, Aud…I mean it."

"Yes sir…Anya, sir."

"It's Aud and much worse if you fail. The Shakespeares must live to see William's efforts crowned in glory. It's essential…"

To my theater-going, he did not say…

I mean who knows what might be lost if DeVere has his way. Besides my best shot at bringing the Slayer into our fold…A shot far too carefully planned out to be thrown away on a client's sudden whim…

"But what about that vampire…The would-be thief? Do I?"

"Not at this moment…But stand-by…It's unfortunate he had to get involved. He has powerful friends in Hell. Well, if he seems likely to defeat the Slayer and steal William's thunder, we may have to act…Or re-evaluate. However…" D'Hoffryn smiled. "I've faith in our Lady Slayer…"

"But I shouldn't act to make him back off? Surely the very mention of your name…?"

Is she being sarcastic? D'Hoffryn eyed Anya carefully…

Always hard to tell with this one…She does eager earnestness so well…

"There are people in Hell I don't wish to get involved with over this business. Just observe and report, Anya. No direct action unless personally ordered by me."

"Yes, sir…"

"Of course, if you were to find a way to pass a bit of useful info to the Slayer at the right moment without indulging in the use of power not readily available to any mortal…In a normal human way sure not to arouse the suspicion or wrath of any major Immortal…"

"Right, boss…" she beamed…

License to blab…Within reason…That's what makes my boss so beloved…

"And let me know if the Slayer moves to confront DeVere openly…"

"Boss…?"

"I couldn't resist a chance to see that twerp cringing in fear…" D'Hoffryn grinned.

…..

Shakespeare scanning the parchment good ole "Honest Ben" had brought faithfully to him as he and Jonson sat in his main chamber. The full write-up of "Richard II" with revisions beside them on a small writing table…

"You're sure? She can't honestly mean to confront DeVere and Essex at Essex House. Without telling me…?"

"She seemed convinced you were in danger…" Ben, solemnly. "And loving lass that she is…" he sighed…

"Right…" Shakespeare rose. Taking hat off shelf and pulling it on firmly…My that spot is growin' something awful, Ben noted, eyeing bald spot.

"They wanted their revision as soon as possible. They'll get it as soon as possible…"

Here now…No need to get silly and cut into your brethren's pockets. Jonson thought in slight alarm…

At least hold back until tomorrow…Then after a day's wages are paid show 'em you're a miracle worker…

"I'll be off. Tell Anne…If she comes in…Oh, I'll probably see her before you do…"

Uh-oh…Jonson pondered. Always the chance Anne won't appreciate my utter failure to carry out the spirit of her communication. I should at least make a show of support…

And who knows what opportunities may arise in the heat of battle…

"Valiantly, England's greatest dramatist labored to save his friend, the somewhat promising Will Shakespeare…In dread combat with the forces of darkness…But in vain…Alas…However his deeply grateful widow…"

Yes, that's why I am England's greatest dramatist…

Though no slouch for comedy or romance, mind you me…

"Hold on there, Will…" he hurried after…