[an: I got Jonathan and Andrew mixed up, so mixed up they shall stay.]
Tara stares at her alarm clock accusingly as it goes off at obscene o'clock in the morning. As it continues to stab at her head with its incessant beeping, clarity returns to her and she clambers out of bed to turn the stupid thing off.
Pulling on a pair of sweat pants and a top, she makes her way downstairs to the back yard, where she can see Dawn and Buffy kneeling opposite each other already. Opening the door, she steps out and winces as the cold air hits her face.
Both of the sisters open their eyes and look at Tara, so Tara stammers, "Um, I was wondering if I could join you. As Buffy said she'd teach me, but that was…"
Buffy's attention is drawn to Dawns face, and she catches a fleeting expression of disappointment before it vanishes. Looking back at Tara, and then down at the ground, Buffy sighs, "Sorry Tara, I know I did. But this is my time with Dawn… Look, Dawn leaves for school at 8:30, so let's try and start a routine where I teach you at that time, ok?"
Tara smiles and nods, "Yeah, I think that works better for me too. Did I tell you I had a response to one of my applications? I-I'll talk to you both about it over breakfast."
Once Tara's gone back inside to get a couple more hours sleep, Buffy looks back at Dawn, "Dawn, Razial's started spending more time at the office again."
Dawn lets out a moan, "Do we have to?"
"Dawn…"
"Buffy, I like being a succubus. I like feeding, I like the extra strength, speed, and senses. I like being able to tell what people at school are feeling. Besides, it's almost Christmas, I've been like this for over a month now. If something was going to happen, I'm sure it would have happened already."
Buffy nods, "And how many of your school mates smell yummy? What about having a boyfriend, or eating? How many times have you told Janice that you've already eaten?"
Dawn looks alarmed, "You know about that?"
Buffy nods, "Her mother called the other day asking if you could go round straight after school one day. As she wants to teach you to cook Mexican food." Dawn looks down at the floor, "Dawn, it's not just that." Buffy takes a shuddering breath as she looks at the floor, her hands shaking on her thighs, "Dawn, I… I'm scared Dawn. I'm scared that if another incubus comes to town, he could take you away before we even know he's a danger. Dawn, I'm confident I could rescue you from any situation. But I can't do that if I don't know where you've been taken."
Half-heartedly, Dawn says, "But Vhesthine likes having a fledgling around too, and she's teaching me so much."
Buffy nods, "I know she does, and has. We do talk in the evenings. And she agreed with my worries. Though she persuaded me to add a caveat."
Dawn looks hopeful, "Really?"
Buffy smiles at Dawn, "Really. If you learn enough magic to transform yourself into a succubus and back into a human, then you can spend as much time as you want as a succubus. Same as if you learn the Void Snare and Guardian Shield techniques from the Vazarin Way. Either way, we think that you'd then know enough to at least escape from an incubus."
Dawn looks down at her hands, "That's something I suppose. Will you both still be able to feed me occasionally?"
Buffy smiles, "Until it starts feeling better than it does now, sure."
Dawn beams at Buffy, "You're the best."
Buffy smiles, "You've still got at least one more night as a succubus anyway, as Mrs Penshaw will be picking you up from school today to teach you how to cook Mexican food, including Tortillas from scratch."
"Buffy_ Do I have to? You know food tastes meh for me."
Buffy nods "Yes Dawn, you have to. Now, on your feet we're going to do the forms once, then we're going to spar with our daggers." Dawn groans, "I hate sparing daggers with you, I always get stabbed."
Buffy nods, "And you're doing well for only having done this since October. Tell you what, one of the papers Tara's been getting had an adverts for a couple of places to learn Martial Arts called Dojo's. Why don't we head to one of those on Saturday and see if you can test yourself against the students there."
Dawn looks down, "But they're just going to beat me, the same way you do."
Buffy lifts Dawns chin, and then twists her hand out of the way of a grab, "Dawn, I said you're doing well. I've got 700 years of practice in all the different ways, don't compare yourself to me. I think you'll be surprised at what you're able to do."
Dawn pouts, but still gets up to move through the Vazarin way.
═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════
While Buffy and Tara are eating breakfast, and Dawn is doing her homework, Vhesthine comes downstairs in a sheer robe that only just provides modesty to those who might be looking through the windows.
As Vhesthine comes through the door, Buffy stands up and takes the couple of steps needed to embrace her and have a passionate exchange of essence.
As the couple are doing that, Dawn leans over and says to Tara, "That. One day I want that."
Tara puts her fingers to her lips, "Uh huh, me too. Oh, um, I wish Willow was here… No Tara, that's not helping."
Dawns giggles break Buffy and Vhesthine apart, and they both take their now customary seats. To try and divert Dawn's attention, Buffy looks over at Tara, "You mentioned getting a reply to one of your applications."
Tara looks down at the table, "I did. It was from your mum's old art gallery. They thanked me for the application, and suggested I reapply once I finish my degree."
Buffy smiles at Tara, "Hey, I get that you want to help with the bills, and the run away crockery. I think one of them turned into a cat earlier and ran off while Dawn and I were coming in. But you don't need to, I'd rather you get a handle on your void energy without needing to worry about more than just doing your college degree and…"
Vhesthine puts her hand on Buffy's, "Honey, I know you mean well. However, what would your reaction be if I suggested I have enough money to support both of us and this house?"
Buffy huffs, "That's different, I don't want to go into debt for anyone. And it wouldn't be fair on you either, after all, you have your own bills to pay."
Vhesthine laughs, "Buffy, you'd be amazed at how little you spend when you don't have to buy food. I've got a small apartment on the outskirts of Sunnydale where I keep some clothes and a few keepsakes. I've even got a perpetual lease on it, as I helped finance the build. The only appliances that ever see use are the washing machine and tumble dryer. Why do you think I've been so willing to pay for things?"
While Buffy is processing that news, Tara opens her mouth to speak only to have Dawn touch her and shake her head. When Tara looks at her questioningly, Dawn writes, 'Don't, this is interesting, and how often do you hear Buff talking about any of this stuff?'
Buffy opens and closes her mouth a couple of times, before saying, "You know you don't have to, I can handle it."
Vhesthine takes Buffy's chin and points it at her, "Buffy, I'm doing it because I want to. I know I started staying here to ensure that Dawn was fed. But I like it here, it's like being part of a commune again. The only thing that could possibly make it better is if you were willing to hunt for essence too, not just relying on your own." Vhesthine lifts up her tail and grabs the end with one hand, "I could never live with other succubae, as the matriarch I challenged too my spade. So they'd never treat me as more than an adolescent. Even Dawn has a tiny spade developing already."
Buffy pulls Vhesthine onto her lap, "How could someone do that to you?"
Vhesthine gives a self-deprecating laugh, "It's the price of being almost good enough. By tradition, she should have just banished me from the family, and maybe also the commune if she could get enough Matriarchs to agree. But she was the weakest of the Matriarchs, and knew I could challenge her again. So she disgraced me instead. I got her though, I challenged her in front of the Matriarchs, and won. Then I took her tail. I might have been expelled as a disgrace, but she was shamed."
Buffy pulls her tight against her chest, "Unless something really bad happens between us, you'll always have a home here. Do you want to move in?"
Vhesthine turns around with a soft giggle and gives Buffy a quick exchange, "I already have silly."
Buffy blinks, "You have?"
"I sleep in your bed. We exchange at every chance we have, and I am helping you rear your fledgling. Hopefully one day, we will have fledglings of our own."
Buffy looks poleaxed at Vhesthine's declaration, "But what about dating, marriage, and all the things that Anya is worried about?"
Vhesthine gives Buffy a quick exchange, "Does any of that matter to you?"
"Um, no?"
"Why would you think it matters to me?"
Buffy shakes her head, "I don't know, it seemed like you were part of this society."
"Honey, I belong to this society about as much as you do."
Looking abashed, Buffy looks over at the other two, "So, um, jobs?"
Tara looks at Dawn, "You were right. None of the books even mentioned any of that."
Vhesthine scoffs, and wiggles herself into a more comfortable position on Buffy's lap, "Don't trust any of the books when it comes to demonic society. They are written by humans after all. You would not believe the stories that demons tell of humans. Most of which are false about individuals, while true of humanity as a whole."
Buffy strokes Vhesthine's side softly, causing her to giggle, "Vhesti, you're not helping. Dawn needs to finish her homework before school."
Vhesthine slips off of Buffy's lap, and whispers in her ear, "I was serious about the hunting thing."
Buffy looks alarmed, and whispers back, "But I've never felt like that about anyone. I know what's involved in hunting remember."
Vhesthine whispers back, "Ewww, icky thoughts. Hunting is only superficially like that, and I don't think you could hunt properly as you're nose blind. But you have a perfect prey that keeps stalking you. Even better, if you go too far. As long as he can still talk, you can feed him a little blood, and he'll be ready to go again the next night."
"I don't feel comfortable with it, but I'll keep it in mind. But remember, I want to share some of my culture with you too, starting with the Quantum Phase Projector."
It's Vhesthine's turn to look uncomfortable, "I can barely use the computer at work, and you want me to understand human technology that's thousands of years advanced of that?"
Buffy smiles and pulls Vhesthine round into a kiss, "Don't worry, I'll start with the basics. QPP's are ancient technology that predate void based technologies by thousands of years."
"You don't expect me to understand those too, do you?"
Buffy shakes her head, "I barely understand the concepts behind them, as they make what they call quantum dynamics here, look like Dawn's homework."
Vhesthine grimaces, "Don't, her homework makes my head hurt."
Dawn's giggling makes the two of them aware of the fact they probably weren't as quiet as they thought, so they separate completely and take their seats. With a smirk, Dawns asks, "So, is hunting basically the same as having sex?"
Vhesthine shakes her head, "No, not at all. It's just the simplest method of doing it. I'm sure you've noticed that lust isn't the only emotion that smells nice. You just need to bring the prey to a climax, it doesn't matter what sort. That's when their hold on their own essence is at its weakest. The incubus used the ecstasy caused by channelling a large amount of tainted magic. You could probably feed quite well at an arcade, if you find someone that's obsessed with a game, and they're about to beat it. Athletes, sports players, and the like are equally good if you catch them at just the right time. However, lust is easy to direct and control."
Tara furrows her brow, "So, why don't more succubus prey on those sorts of people?"
Vhesthine laughs, "Who says they don't? Don't forget, cheerleaders are a thing in this country. How many of them will crowd around a player that's just scored a touchdown in football?"
"Oh…"
Vhesthine leans over and pats Tara's hand, "Don't worry, you're part of the commune. Now, what other jobs are you looking at?"
Tara groans, "Are you sure I can't get a job at Mikes?"
Vhesthine shakes her head, "Not on the night shift until Buffy graduates from being an apprentice."
Tara's head sags, "I've been trying to avoid it, but I think I need to apply to Doublemeat Burgers. However, I've heard really bad things about factory farming, and I've always tried to eat organic since I had the choice."
Vhesthine shakes her head comfortingly, "Don't worry, the burgers aren't meat. You can check with Aglomal or Surkos if you want. They've both tried their burgers when Andrew or John were buying, but they can't process. Oh, what's that stuff that they keep advertising to humans, and comes with some cereals?"
Tara frowns, "Sugar, starch, vitamins, fibre?"
"Fibre, that's it. The others just pass straight through them."
Buffy frowns, "Why would they even try them?"
Vhesthine laughs, "Cost, they're cheaper than kittens. I think most demons try human burgers at one point or another. Those that can stomach human food, will usually end up eating about the same amount as Buffy."
Tara looks somewhat relieved, "Ok, I'll do it."
It doesn't take long after that for Dawn to finish her homework and get ready for school, with only one reminder about not going as a succubus. Once she's safely on the bus, Buffy starts to lead Tara through the meditation and meaning behind the Vazarin Way.
═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════
Jonathan watches as Warren is bent over his workbench, sparks coming from the thing he's currently working on. Every time he has a moment to think, his thoughts turn to that moment when one of Them claimed Willow as their apprentice. The fact that Buffy was arguing with it without any fear whatsoever also keeps swirling around his mind.
Hesitantly, Jonathan calls, "Warren, what are we making again?"
"Cerebral dampener. Now, I'm just about done. Do you have the musk gland?"
"Uh, yes?"
"Well give it to Andrew so that he can charge it."
Jonathan fumbles the plastic bag, almost dropping it, but manages to give it to Andrew. The three of them put on sunglasses as Andrew uses his magic bone to pull the essence out of the gland and into the sphere on the workbench.
Once they've all finished blinking, Warren picks up the sphere, "With this baby, we can make any woman we desire our willing sex slave. And I know just where to start."
Jonathan looks at the sphere in trepidation, "Um, guys. I'm not sure about the whole slave bit."
Warren spins around, "Are you telling me that you're afraid of that two bit Slayer with delusions of mediocracy? Do you really think she could have made something like this? No, she will be like every other woman before us."
Jonathan can see Andrew nodding along, and he also starts to nod along too, "No! I'm going to the arcade. You two can do what you want, but yes, I'm scared. I'll see you in the morning."
Andrew calls after him, "Jonathan!"
But Warren snaps, "Let him go. It just means less of us to share this with."
═══════ ೋღ ღೋ ═══════
Buffy frowns as her new cell phone pings while she's carefully positioning the synthetic Corundum in between two small clamps. Cursing slightly, she checks the phone to see that it's a text message from Tara to say that she's not going to be home till late, as Doublemeat Burgers want her to start now.
Buffy's halfway to the door when she remembers that Dawn's visiting the Penshaw's tonight. Much more calmly, she makes her way up to the reception.
"Hey Millie."
The receptionist looks up from her paperwork, "Buffy! I didn't expect you to be here."
Buffy smiles and shrugs, "I'm working on a project downstairs. I hope it's useful for work, but I don't want to waste anyone's time by working it on the job. Especially if it doesn't work. Anyway, do you think I could use the phone to call home quickly?"
"Uh, sure, but Vhesthine's probably on her way here already. We usually have a handover before I head home."
Buffy looks at her dumbly for a moment, before saying, "Oh, right, I should have guessed that. Given that she leaves at the same time I do when I'm picking up Dawn."
Millie smiles, "Don't worry, I'll let her know you want to talk to her when she gets here."
Buffy smiles, "Thank you."
Buffy returns downstairs and starts her measurements again. She's just finished setting up the gem, and has tested that the emitter that she's made lines up perfectly when Vhesthine walks towards her, drawing the eye of all the day workers.
Once Buffy appears to not be touching anything, Vhesthine says, "Hey Buffy, what are you doing?"
Buffy looks up sharply, and blinks a couple of times before she registers who spoke. Then a broad smile spreads across her face as she walks around her bench to embrace Vhesthine and have a quick exchange, "I missed you."
Ignoring the whoops and hollers from the rest of the workshop, Vhesthine smiles, "I missed you too. Now what are you doing?"
Buffy's smile becomes radiant, "I've just finished positioning the new emitter I made based on Warrens design, and improved based on my history lessons. If I'm right, Warren's emitter and crystal setup would never have worked without this particular diamond, because he's using magic to compensate for his lack of understanding. On the other hand, I'm going to use this koridumi crystal as a refraction medium, however it needs to be completely bonded with the emitter. Once everyone's finished cleaning up, I should have my guides and the original gun setup on clamps so that I can mate the two items."
Vhesthine shakes her head, "Honestly, I don't think I understood a word you said. I know enough about metal and blacksmithing to get along, but this isn't that."
From a safe distance behind them, Mike, the human owner of the company, says, "I followed most of it. Girl, let me understand this. You are about to weld a delicate electronic component with a gem using purely science?"
Vhesthine holds Buffy in place while she overcomes her instincts. Once she's recovered, Buffy nods, "I am. Once I've done that, the second one should be easier to make. With two, the hardest part is going to be making the emitters."
Mike nods, "So, what would you use this for?"
The corner of Buffy's mouth twitches down, "Historically, these were used everywhere from hospitals to labs and manufacturing. Bare in mind that this is only the second time I've ever made one of these, and last time the teachers provided both the emitters and the gem."
Mike urgently waves the small crowd, that's forming, into silence, "Go on."
Buffy carefully moves a free standing clamp that's got Warren's gun attached to it, "In hospitals they used carefully calibrated versions to make the skin both invisible and porous enough to reach through. If they needed to remove something, they could use a version that had a micro-meter aperture, and change the targets phase so that it will dissipate without disturbing any of the surrounding stuff. In manufacturing, which is what I want to experiment with, they were apparently used in pairs to make two things permeable to each other, but still solid enough to manipulate."
In an impressed voice, Mike asks, "And they run on electricity?"
Buffy nods as she sets up a laser liner to brush across the rear surface of the gem, "These ones will. That will limit their aperture to around one inch, but that should be plenty given that they will have very tight tolerances. If I was willing to cut corners on safety, I could make the aperture as large as you want, like the original does. But then most of the utility disappears, unless you want a very dangerous invisibility gun. Ok if you can see the front of the gun, move towards the door until you can't anymore. Firing in 5…4…3…2…1…"
Buffy pulls and releases the trigger on the gun as quickly as she can. When only the gem and the clamps holding it disappear, she lets out a sigh of relief. Moving to the clamp that she's hot glued the emitter to, she carefully closes the clamp until the front of the emitter is illuminated by the laser light. Moving back to the gun, she changes the dials and, just as quickly, pulls and releases the trigger.
After unclamping the gem, she then pulls the emitter off the glue and connects it to a transformer using crocodile clips. A defuse beam of yellowish light coming from the gem causes Buffy to cheer and place a piece of paper in front of it, and bring it closer to the gem until it's almost touching. At that point the paper turns invisible where the light is touching. After disconnecting the emitter, she hands both the emitter and paper to Vhesthine. "There you go. Would you mind putting the emitter in the office safe so that nobody can play with it until I have the magnetic lenses and housing finished. As it's more dangerous than the original gun at the moment."
Before Vhesthine can respond, Buffy leans down and captures her lips into a soul searing exchange. As she comes up for air, she breathes, "Sure, I'll leave a note for Millie."
It will be half an hour after her shift starts, before Buffy remembers the text message, and is able to arrange for Vhesthine to pick Dawn up from the Penshaw's after work.