"Huh," was Jonno's intelligent comment as he opened his door and looked at his visitors. He knew why Xander would visit him but Harmony Kendall - that one totally eluded him.
"Out of the way Nerd," Harmony said, pushing past the short man into the house proper; mostly to get off the street so no one saw her.
"Hey!" Xander snapped, "Remember what I said."
Harmony seethed for a moment before subsiding, "Sorry," she mumbled.
Jonno blinked at her and then turned to Xander, "What the hell?" Then he smirked, "New girlfriend Xan?"
"Oh ha, ha," Xander commented as he walked in the open doorway.
"As if," Harmony said in a low tone.
"Okay then, why is she here; not that I'm over joyed to see her, but Jock and Cheerleaders not my favourite people."
Xander smirked, "Nor mine, but it turns out there may be more fallout from Halloween than I thought."
Jonno looked at the beautiful blonde and smirked. "Her? What did she go as, a cheerleader and low and behold " he trailed off his sarcasm clear.
"Why you little "
"Quit it, both of you. The fact of the matter is, Jonno, that she took the last costume at Ethan's and didn't know what it was."
Jonno wiped a hand down his face, "What was it?"
"My guess - Priest."
Jonno snorted a laugh, "Oh God, that's rich. Has the light deserted her already or is it waiting?"
Xander covered a grin, "Best I can tell, she's got a full measure still."
"Scary thought. Shadow abilities?"
"No idea; that's what we need to find out. She obviously has not played the game, so she has no idea what she can do. Best I can tell, what she can do is trial and error stuff, and when she really needs it, like when she was attacked earlier."
Jonno looked at Harmony with some concern, "You okay?"
Harmony blinked back a little surprise and then snapped, "Yes, and hey, I'm right here. Don't talk about me like I'm not."
Jonno shrugged. "Priest huh? Don't know a lot about them, used to have one only got them to about 20 before I deleted it, though."
"Ahh, that's better than nothing at least." Xander said with a smile, "I figure we hit some of the sites and do some research. Figure out how to do the spells in real life. She can heal already though."
"You can?" Jonno said to Harmony in surprise.
Harmony smiled a slightly nasty smile and pulled out her flick knife, "Want a demo?"
"I'll pass." Jonno, said taking a step back, "Best come up to my room. Got the PC in there as you know Xan. Erh - want a coke or something?"
Harmony sniffed and folded her arms over her shapely chest.
"Right, well this way then." Jonno said leading them up the stairs.
~#~
Several hours later Xander tossed down one of Jonno's books and looked at Harmony then at Jonno himself. "So what have we learned?"
"She's got the potential to be very powerful and quite the healer." Jonno said thoughtfully. "That could help with what we were talking about earlier."
"What? What were you talking about earlier?" Harmony said. Her ice had thawed somewhat, and she was being less of a snotty bitch to the two geeks. After all, she realised that they were actually going out of their way to help her. It was what she had hoped. Especially as she had not been very nice to the short person over the years. Then again, she had been worse to Xander.
"I don't know if she'll be interested in that Jonno," Xander said carefully, "So I wouldn't worry about it right now Harm."
"Can you *not* call me that, especially in public?"
Xander smirked at her, but otherwise did not comment.
"Ability wise, you have quite a few to sort through; I'm not sure how we'll teach you though, Harmony."
"I figure she's already got healing abilities, some destructive ones. "Xander trailed off and then suddenly jumped at Harmony. She yelped and threw up her hands, wincing as if expecting a physical attack. Xander bounced off the shield that popped up around her; a shimmering bubble of holy light that deflected him off onto the floor. "Shield too." Jonno commented wryly.
"I figured as much since she didn't have a scratch on her after being attacked earlier," Xander said as he got up. "It's okay Harm, open your eyes."
Harmony did as he asked, and looked with wonder at the bubble that surrounded her. "Wow" she whispered. "This game of yours is sounding more interesting all the time." .
"Sounds like you're coming around to our way of thinking. Beware of the geek side, Harm, because it is a tempting and seductive force." Xander commented wryly.
Harmony flushed and then glared at him. "As if." she drawled in her best Cordelia imitation. Xander smiled slightly.
"That demonstrates that you can do it even if you're not thinking about it. So you need to learn what all the abilities are, and what they do, and then try to do it consciously." Jonno said, his mind whirring along at high speed.
"How?"
"We'll meet up after school tomorrow and try some stuff out. I have somewhere I go to practice." Jonno told her.
"Is it private?"
"Very."
"Good. I don't want to be seen hanging with either of you."
"Charming." Jonno commented with a smirk.
"Count me out for that. I'm meeting with my uncle about one of my tinkering tomorrow."
"Oh?" Jonno asked.
"I meant to talk to you about that actually. We're not limited to two professions now you know."
"Oh." Jonno said, then smiled. "No that's a limit of the game. Hey, does that mean I could tailor now?"
"I expect so. I can leatherwork." Xander said with a wave at his clothing.
Harmony looked at him in shock. "You MADE that?"
"Yep." Xander replied.
"Can you make me a top like that, only female?" Harmony asked after a moments thought. "I'd look totally hot in leather."
"Definitely." Jonno said, blushing.
Harmony smirked at him, and then turned to Xander with a smile, "Please?"
"Fine, but you realise priests only wear cloth?"
"And?" Jonno asked, motioning to his belt. "I'm wearing leather right now. I don't think it matters anymore."
"Huh," Xander said thoughtfully. "Interesting."
"Talking of limitations," Jonno said slowly, grinning widely. "Thought about talent trees?"
"What of them?"
"Well, you can only have two and that's with duel spec, but we're not limited to that anymore. In truth we should be able to do anything."
"I don't see any trainers around, Jonno." Xander said.
"So? Why not try one of the other forms from the other trees. I bet you can do it. After all, your character was balance for a while and Restoration."
"Shit, that'd be seriously cool. It would also mean you could do serious damage with any of your spell types."
Jonno nodded, "I'll try it out tomorrow. Since Harmony doesn't have the preconceptions we do, she should try stuff from shadow as well as holy; maybe some discipline too."
"What?"
"The trees you were just reading about Harm." Xander said rolling his eyes.
"Like I was taking notice." She commented with an airy wave of her hand.
"I know it's geeky," said Jonno "but you need to know your own limitations and just what you can do now. That way you're safer in using it, and can make the best use of it all."
"I'm not sure I want to yet." Harmony admitted. "I mean, it's not going to help in the fashion business."
"I think we're beyond that now, Harm," Xander said carefully.
Harmony pouted thoughtfully. "Then what do I do?"
Jonno and Xander shared a look, but it was Xander who spoke. "Don't worry about it too much right now, Harm. For now, just learn control and how to use what you have. If things work out, then maybe we can come up with something."
Harmony nodded, looking uncharacteristically bashful. "Thank you." she said after a long moment. "For everything."
Xander and Jonno smiled at her. "No problem," they said almost at the same time.
~#~
The newly christened RDC had been CRD before they had moved premises after some legal problems with their name and permits. That was all sorted now and they were one of the leading small businesses in the area. Their Research and Development business plan was among the best in the country; their talent matching many of the larger companies in America. What they lacked, though, was a killer product.
Rory Harris, uncle to Xander, turned the small device in his hand repeatedly looking at it from every angle. Essentially, it was almost sci fi; a field projector that could sustain a solid holographic field for a set amount of time. It had some kinks to work out, but if he was right, then he was looking at the future of the company. Despite his eccentricities, he was one of the company leaders, and his entire future was invested in making sure that it succeeded. That said, he was not sure if he should follow through with the device, and in particular how they should proceed. It had military applications for sure. It stood up to small arms fire so far, and even some of the larger calibre fire they had managed to shoot at it. It could be used in other areas as well, perhaps even medically if they could make the power source smaller.
The thing of it was he still was not sure *why* it worked. Only his nephew really understood that, and had explained it to his uncle freely as well. This made Rory wonder what had happened to his charming but not too bright nephew to turn him into a brilliant inventor. The field generator was not the only thing he had come up with either. Most of it was quite mundane and not to the standard of the field generator, but the young man now seemed to have a knack for engineering that made no sense to Rory.
From his research Rory was now certain that it was uniquely Xander's design and was not stolen, as best Rory could tell. Xander had gladly signed documentation to make sure of that fact. The other projects in the area were light years behind what Xander had designed. Their power sources huge, and projectors equally massive. What Rory had in his hand was the size of a matchbox at most.
He put it down on his desk with a sigh. There was nothing for it, the Board had voted and it was decided. They were going to buy the rights from Xander and, to that end, his nephew was due to arrive at Rory's office in a few minutes. If it were up to him, he would spend more time talking it over with Xander.
He had a responsibility there after all and advice he should give, but then, as the Board had reminded him, he had one to them as well. That said, he had brokered a damn good deal for the lad with continued royalties should they end up mass-producing the generator. Rory was almost certain they would if they got a military contract, even though they currently did not have the resources to make anything other than test runs of designs.
The Board had a somewhat dangerous plan for expansion, and it all hinged on the little generator now on his desk. He tapped a finger against it, and marveled at the design and construction of the thing. He wondered how Xander had learned to made such good quality work, without him knowing. He obviously kept an eye on the young man; after all, his own parents did not seem to care. He read his school report cards and a host of other duties that were not really his to undertake. Shop class, while good, was not Xander's strong point until the last month or so.
It was quite possible that Xander was a prodigy who had not realised his potential before, and that worried Rory a little because how had he missed it?
A buzz from his intercom broke through his thoughts and caused him to start slightly and then reach out and key it into action, "Yes, Faye?"
"Your nephew is here." Faye said, her melodious voice holding a tinge of amusement. Likely caused by Xander, who always flirted shamelessly with the 25-year-old blond secretary.
"Send him in please Faye." Rory said, straightening his jacket and pulling a file from his drawer. A few moments later Xander walked into his office to the sound of Faye laughing, causing Rory himself to smile.
"Hey Unc." Xander said jovially walking to the visitors, chair and sitting down.
Rory waited for the door to swing to a close and then looked at his nephew. He had changed a little since he last saw him. He seemed taller and was wearing tailored leather. Rory knew his job at Rory's garage would not pay for this. He brushed that aside though and instead got to business. "Hey Xander. Looking good. I talked to the Board last week and they decided they want the plans to your device."
"Cool. What's in it for me, if you don't mind me asking."
"I got you a good deal. A lump sum up front with more if we go into production and start selling units."
"Sounds good, but how much are we talking here?"
Rory smiled; this was good news at least. "A lot Xan. We're talking three million up front with a 1% royalty on the unit itself."
Xander blinked several times in quick succession. "What?"
"You're my nephew; you thought I would let them skin you alive? There is a wrinkle though."
"What?"
"You're not quite eighteen yet Xander so anything we pay you would go through your parents "
"Shit."
"Quiet, unless -" Rory trailed off, battling with himself and then pulled out another file. "I had my lawyer draw this up."
Xander took the offered file and flicked it open. After a moment his eyes widened. "That's a big step."
"You could support yourself easily, and you know I'll help you get set up."
"I know, but they're my parents."
Rory frowned, "If only they acted like it this wouldn't be a problem. You know as well as I do that your father would spend it all on whores, and your mother would puke it down a sink. You would never see a dime. I managed to set things up so we can file this today, see a judge tomorrow and pass the money through to you the day after."
Xander sat back looking pale. What his uncle had said was true, but he would be emancipating himself. He would be alone in a sense, but then hadn't he always been, even around his parents. Rory had been more of a father to him than his own, and he was already saying he would help. If he did not do this, though, he would not see a dime, and Rory had the right of it there. Three Million US would disappear in a blink of an eye if he were not careful, and this made sure his parents did not steal it from him. It hit him then. He had to do this otherwise he would make his parents into thieves. They would do it in a heartbeat, and that hurt Xander more than he cared to think. "Shit, he summed up.
"I know Xan, but what are you going to do?" Rory said with a shrug.
"I'll do it. Where do I sign?"
Rory smiled and pointed to several places on the papers, "There, there and there. I'll take this for you and it'll all be other before the weeks' end."
"Phew." Xander said, "I feel kinda weird."
"I know Xan, I know. This is for the best, though, maybe it will force them to realise what they're doing to themselves?"
"That'd be good. Should I tell them?"
Rory shook his head. "I'll deal with them tonight, and get them to Court tomorrow. Take these," he said reaching into a draw and tossing a set of keys to Xander. "They are the keys to my apartment. Stay there tonight. I'm going to stick with Tony and Jessica and make sure they don't do something stupid."
"Thanks, Uncle Rory."
~#~
Sunnydale was coming up on one hundred years since it was hewn from the desert just outside of the then booming town of Los Angeles. Since that time, it had been built to accommodate people of all races, and that means all races. It was a haven for demonic kind as well as a nice place to bring up children, and the town Mayor was proud of that fact. He was sitting in his office even at that late hour, working through some paper work for the school board and smiled in contentment. He was over 100 years old already and had been working with a single-minded purpose. Tailoring the town to be the perfect home, and offering for the various demon lords that owned his now blackened soul. Not that you could tell that from looking at the man. Mayor Richard Wilkins had a pleasant face and a ready smile, and it was not until you looked deeply into the man's eyes that you realised anything was wrong. When you did though, you could see something inhuman looking back out at you. By then it was already too late, and you were lost forever.
For Richard Wilkins was not only dangerous, he was powerful and knowledgeable as well. He had sensed that a change was coming; ever since Halloween just over a month ago he had been on edge, or as on edge as he ever got. It was as if the town had shifted slightly away from the evil lair it truly was towards a more hopeful and light place. He could not pin down the feeling, though, and that bothered him more than he cared to admit.
Even with the Slayer in town, he had been hopeful that nothing would bother his upcoming ascension. That he would be able to ascend to his true form without any resistance after the Slayer had so handily dealt with the Master for him. Now he was not quite as certain.
He put down his documents, walked to his private cupboard, and opened it carefully. He knew he was not going to be disturbed at that time of night by anyone; even his faithful secretary had gone home for the night. Therefore he was able to pull out several heavy tomes from a secret compartment inside the cupboard of tricks.
He walked back to his desk and placed the tomes down with a soft thump and a waft of dust. He frowned, pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, and swept away the dust. He did so abhor germs and dirt. Then he settled down and started to revise his plans slightly. At this point, he was still able to make some changes in his ascension, and perhaps he should. He was after all a cautious man and something was in the air and making him very cautious indeed.
To that end, he turned to the section on forms to ascend to and started to research what form would give him the best chance of success. Each form had its own requirements and he would need to start working on getting these sorted before the towns' centennial.