CHAPTER 5 - Jolly Roger?

DEAN POV

Feeling like this conversation was getting too far out of reach for not only myself but for Sammy as well, I attempted to form a question that would lead us to where were needed to go. Before I could collect my thoughts she asked another inane question.

"Is it all scary and mean-like?"

"What?" Completely lost I waited.

"The…carving…will it be all 'grrr'... and nasty?" She made a weak attempt at claws.

"Well I guess it'll heal alri-"

"No, It'll heal I'm sure. I meant is it all grisly in design like the Jolly Roger?"

"Wha- oh no it's small…tiny… really." Sammy attempted to sooth her.

"It's an Alchemy symbol about two inches tall and once inch wide." I cut in and answered her truthfully.

"What symbol?" She turned her gaze to me once more.

"Phosphorus." She blinked.

"Phosphorus… Not so bad. Okay, I'll deal."

"You…know what it is?" Sam asked clearly just as confused as myself. What normal girl actually knows alchemy symbols?

"Yup it's a triangle, arrow looking thing, meant as spiritual enlightenment. The ancients had this whole thing about light…"

Sam and I exchanged a look. The plot thickens.

"What?" She abruptly stopped her ramble noticing the exchange.

"Nothing we just thought we might have to explain it to you. Not exactly common knowledge is it?"

She looked struck. "Oh." Not giving her a moment to think about it I pressed on.

"Wanna tell us why you know an inordinate amount of information about alchemy and are a damn good shot, not to mention the fact that you have scars that would rival mine?"

"Eh…would you believe I don't know?"

"No." I answered.

"How about that I'm a chemist that hunts and falls down, a lot."

"No." Sammy joined me on this one.

"Er…how about that-"

"No." Again we answered together.

"Well you didn't let me finish… I fight the forces of Evil." She looked very serious.

"Okay." "I don't think so." We answered together and at my admission both faces turned towards me. Feeling suddenly defensive I blurted out "She did save me and she's got the marks to prove it." I busied myself with finishing and cleaning up to avoid their eyes.

My brother tried to explain her situation without revealing the truth as he rose from the floor to assist me. "You should know that if any of the wrong sort see that mark on your shoulder it may cause you some trouble. Kind of like a gang symbol. Try to keep it hidden and you'll be safe."

"I'm claimed?" She whispered but not low enough.

Both of our heads whipped around at that. She knew. She knew about claiming. Well this might make things a mite easier. "No not exactly. He never finished so It is an unfinished claim. We are trying to find a way to close it, without you actually being claimed." Sammy took up where I left off. "As soon as we know something we'll take care of it."

She looked up then meeting both of our gazes briefly before attempting to stand and asking, "You didn't call the cops - that is really good - but did you kill the warlock? Salt and burn the remains? Do we need to go do that now?" A girl after my own heart I thought before I gently stilled her movements.

"He's taken care of, won't be a problem anymore. You just have to be careful"

"How…did you know?"

"I was marked." She sucked in a sharp breath.

"I was never claimed. We killed the Warlock before he could start the ritual claiming."

Letting her breath out she nodded and quietly said, "Good."

"What mark do you have?"

"Antimony." I sat in the chair by the bed and Sam took the other chair by the table.

"The spirit of man and nature, interesting."

"How did you come by the knowledge of claiming?"

She blushed and asked us if we ever heard of The Watcher Council? Yes, all capital letters. When we told her we knew of them, she explained the "renovation" (her word) of the old council to bring it into the century. We were speaking to an actual member of The Watchers new regime. From what I recall Dad telling us the old one was destroyed along with most of the actual members, it was then reestablished by the longest living Slayer and her Watcher.

After several minutes of silence she muttered, "Figures."

"What does?"

"I took time off away from all of this crap and instead I walk headlong into it again."

Sammy laughed and told her he understood. I just nodded.

"Hey can I see your mark?"

Authors note:

Dean's Mark - alchemical symbol for the metal antimony symbolizes the animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and it was often symbolized by the wolf.

Dawn's Mark - alchemical symbol for the metal phosphorus - Alchemists often used light as a symbol of the spirit, therefore they were especially interested in light that seemed to be trapped in matter such as phosphorus.

(Definitions courtesy of The Visual Elements Periodic Table)