Chapter Summary: Giles provides some useful advice. And chemicals.
Chapter Word Count: 5,232
Reminder: Not using the real names of the band members in this version. These are just aliases. If you want to read the version with their real names you'll have to go over to AO3.
Posted: 28-Sep-2020
"We have thirty minutes before we have to go on," Mika said. "Where is Mr. Giles?"
"I don't know," Yuki said, poking her head out of the small waiting area, "but Buffy-san and her gang are sitting at a table."
"Who is with her?" Sita asked.
"Willow, her witch friend, and her boyfriend, the Dingos player we met yesterday. And some guy dressed funny, and a girl almost in his lap," Yuki said. "But no Mr. Giles. Maybe he couldn't make it?"
"He is British," Sita said. "He must be here somewhere."
There was a slight cough, as if someone was trying to get their attention. "Mr. Giles," Yuki said, turning around. "You almost missed our set."
"Quite," he said. "I was unavoidably detained. You are still interested in stopping a vampire with the Gem of Amara, I assume."
"Yes," Sita said. "If a vampire, such as this Spike we encountered last night, is able to procure the gem, we will need a way to stop them so we can retrieve the gem."
"Yes," Giles said. "Unfortunately, if this gem does make a vampire invulnerable, there won't be many useful options."
"But it doesn't make them stronger or faster, correct?" Mika said.
"There is no indication of what it actually does," Giles said. "The original documents referring to it are in Frankish and don't give any details. It is postulated that there is a missing document that describes the creation of the gem and its original purpose."
"Which you don't have," Yanzy said. "If it is a crystal, we may be able to disrupt it so that it doesn't work correctly, but that is just speculation."
"A high pitched sound?" Giles said. "There have been experiments with subduing different creatures using sound but the effect usually affected the experimenters and it did not end well for them."
"We have earplugs to protect our hearing when we play in larger venues that require high volume," Yanzy said. "How high pitched?"
"Painfully high, according to my sources, but I would have to find the exact references," he said.
"Other options?" Sita said. "We don't want to attract the attention of creatures other than our target."
"This is a poison that is known to paralyze certain creatures," Giles said, holding up a small vial. "It works on weak vampires, but its affect on the Gem of Amara is unknown. It is also rare. This is all I was able to procure on such short notice."
"How much?" Sita said. "We can reimburse you for it."
"If it works, you can replace it," he said. "This should be enough to test it, if you can find a willing subject, and a second dose."
"Delivery mechanism?" Mo asked.
"Mix with several drops of water and use a dart gun," he said. "Unfortunately, I do not have the appropriate device in my possession. You might be able to find one in LA."
"We can handle it," Mika said. "I've got just the thing."
"You'll have to get close with your darts," Yuki said. frowning.
"I'll have you three to protect me," Mika said. "Easy."
"I would like to see your device before you use this," Giles said.
"If you can stick around for several hours, I can demonstrate it after we play," Mika said.
"Buffy and her friends are out front," Yuki said. "I'm sure they would welcome your presence."
"I'm sure they would," Giles said, grimacing. "Your music is not something I would normally listen to, no offense. I'll return in two hours?"
"Not offended," Yanzy said. "It can be an acquired taste, though experiencing the full production in a larger venue can be very exciting."
"I'll take your word for it," he said. "Two hours." Nodding to them he slipped away.
"Wonder what British Man listens to?" Yuki said, looking at Yanzy. "Probably something classical."
"I can't say," Yanzy said. "Are we ready?" They all nodded. "Let's blow their minds!"
"She's excitable tonight," Yuki said, in a low whisper as they followed her out.
"She gets to play," Sita said. "She's here for the music, not the other things."
"I'm here for the muffins," Yuki said.
"We know," Mika said. "But right now we have an audience."
"That was great!" Buffy said, after they'd finished for the night, and packed their instruments in the van. "Not sure about the dancing that was happening but there was definitely a beat."
"Very tribal," Oz said. "If you're still in town this weekend we should jam."
"That would be fun," Yanzy said, looking at Su, "but I'm not sure if we'll be here."
"We have a break this weekend," Sita said. "and then our next stop up the coast is a town called Oxnard for several days."
"Xander has been there, though he won't tell us what he did," Willow said, smirking.
"And you'll never get it out of me. What happens in Oxnard stays in Oxnard," Xander said.
"I think you mean Vegas," Buffy said.
"You've been? Willow said.
"I'm sure it was an interesting trip," Sita said. "Vegas is known for its demon underground."
"I'm not allowed back," Buffy said, grimacing. "They're a little picky about who you stake."
"Do tell," Willow said. "I'm sure nothing happened that we need to discuss, right Giles?"
"We all have things we regret remembering," Giles said. "You were going to show me your skill with darts?" He said, turning to Mika.
"Darts?" Buffy said. "Is that some British euphemism? Isn't she a bit young for you?"
"Look at you with the big words," Willow said, grinning.
"Heard it in one of my classes," Buffy said, shrugging. "So, darts?"
"He's old!" Mika said.
"He was very popular when he was the school librarian," Willow said. "Something about the accent and the tweed."
"No, just no," Xander said, grimacing.
"I've got one name for you," Willow said. "Miss French."
"Thanks for that reminder," Xander said. "I'd managed to suppress that until now."
"Who is Miss French?" The other woman, who was holding tightly onto one of Xander's arms, said. "You're mine! She can't have you."
"Now look what you've done," Xander said, grimacing.
"You do have a type, Xander," Buffy said, waving at the woman. "What were you going to show Giles?" she said. "Mr. Giles wanted to see how we planned to use something to handle our gem problem," Yuki said. "Where do we want to do this?"
"Oh! You have a way to stop an invincible vampire?" Buffy said.
"Possibly," he said. "Unfortunately, my tranq gun was destroyed with the library last spring so we need another method to apply it."
"We should really get a new one," Buffy said. "Road trip? You can get a replacement and I can get some shoes."
"Not this weekend," Giles said.
"You're missing out," Buffy said. "There are some awesome shoe stores in LA."
"I'll have to regretfully miss them," he said. "We'll have to go back to my apartment for this test."
"Of course," Sita said. "We can meet you there."
"To the Giles mobile!" Xander said.
"I'll go with you," Buffy told them. "Wouldn't want you to get lost on the way there."
"So, what's the deal?" Xander said, as they watched Giles set up a target.
"They're looking for something called the Gem of Amara," Buffy said. "They need a way to stop a vampire using it. Giles has a tranquilizer that might stop a vamp. Though, it would have been useful to know about that before."
"And if I had been able to get you a sample last year I would have," Giles said. "But there were other priorities."
"So, what, do you shoot the vampire with this stuff, and then grab this gem thing from them?"
"It's a ring," the woman who'd been introduced as Anya said. "A bit gaudy."
"You've seen it?" Sita said.
"Possibly," Anya said. "I didn't normally deal with those kinds of wishes."
Sita stared at her for a long moment. "You're one of De'Hoffman's creatures."
"Former," Anya said nervously. "I've never done anything the Kitsune needs to fix. Xander? She's giving me a look! I'm not doing that kind of thing anymore!"
"Kitsune?" Xander looked at the four band members.
"Demon hunting band," Buffy said. "Apparently it's a thing."
"Huh," Oz said. "That explains much. How do you feel about werewolves?"
"Behave responsibly, and we have no problem," Mika said.
"Good," Oz said.
"And what are we doing now?" Buffy asked.
"We do not have a tranq gun to use," Giles said. "Mika here will demonstrate her dart weapon."
"This is a dart," Mika said, holding up a small object. "It is normally filled with a standard paralyzing agent. It will knock an ordinary person out in five seconds. I have other substances that are fatal to most demons."
"Unfortunately, nothing Mika has for her darts works against vampires," Sita said. "Also, we are not sure if this gem, this ring, will turn to dust with the vampire using it, but if they are invulnerable, it may not matter."
"Mr. Giles is willing to let us try his paralyzing agent if I can prove that I can hit a target," Mika said. She held out a small tube, and placed the dart in one end. Everyone stepped back. She stepped up to the line Giles had placed on the floor. "This is the maximum distance for this dart to be most effective." Placing the tube to her lips she blew abruptly. The dart appeared in the center of the target.
"How far away can you be and still hit your target?" Buffy asked. "I'm assuming you just have to scratch someone for it to work?"
"It depends on the target and poison," Mika said. "Some just need a scratch, others need a larger amount. We do not know how much of this vampire paralyzing agent we will need against the gem."
"So, are we, you I mean, going to test this against a real vampire?" Willow said. "Before you try it against the one with the gem?"
"We would need a vampire," Sita said.
"I'm sure we can provide one," Buffy said. "Right Willow?"
"We were going to check out Pinewood tonight," Willow said. "There were several possibles buried there this past week."
"Okay, we can do that," Buffy "Who's coming with?"
"Xander and I have plans," Anya said. "He promised me sex if we went to the Bronze tonight."
"Anya!" Xander said, turning red. "What did I say about that?"
"I can't remember," Anya said. "When were you going to tell me about Miss French?"
Xander sighed. "I'll talk with you tomorrow," he said, looking at the others. "You can tell me how it went."
"Go! Have fun you crazy kids," Buffy said, laughing. "Anyone else have other plans for the night? No? Meet us at Pinewood? Northwest corner."
"Okay," Willow said. "Don't start without us."
Shall we ladies?" Buffy said to Su, Mika, Yuki, and Yanzy.
"Your friend Xander has an interesting girlfriend," Yuki said, as they drove to the cemetery.
"She is unique," Buffy said. "There was some long involved story explaining how she lost her powers, but I couldn't follow it. She seems to care about Xander, though I'm not too sure she gets the whole being human thing anymore. But as long as she behaves herself I won't do anything."
"We have found that many demons just want to be left alone," Sita said. "If they don't cause problems we leave them alone."
"The Watchers Council, Giles' old bosses, think anyone with demon blood should be killed, no exceptions," Buffy said. "That doesn't work in a place like Sunnydale, or anywhere actually. Half the town has some demon blood, according to a teacher I once had. Usually not enough to notice but it sets off my spidey sense."
"Spidey sense?" Yanzy asked, as they stopped in front of the cemetery.
"I can sense demons if they get close enough," Buffy said. "Though not what kind, usually. Just a slight tingle in the pit of my stomach."
"That must be useful," Mika said.
"Anywhere else it would be," Buffy said. "But there's so much of it, them, in Sunnydale, and the Hellmouth, that it's just static. So, it doesn't help but it doesn't hurt."
"Mr. Giles and your friends are already here," Mika said, point out the windshield.
"Must've taken a shortcut," Buffy said. "I can walk faster than that old thing."
They all climbed out of the van, and looked around.
"Let's find you a vampire to try this on," Buffy said, walking up to Giles, Willow, and Oz.
"Did you want to bring your scanner?" Sita asked Yanzy, over the comm. "This may be useful information, to see what kind of energy a vampire generates."
"You're doing that not-telepathy thing again," Buffy said "Want to say it out loud for the rest of us?"
"Sita asked Yanzy if she wanted to get one of her toys out of the van," Yuki said.
"Toys? Something sharp and pointy?" Buffy asked, looking at the bow Sita was now carrying, and Yuki's katanas.
"Yanzy is more the watch from a distance type," Yuki said. "Drives the getaway van. She also has several toys to take energy readings that she is experimenting with."
"What kinds of energy readings?" Willow asked excitedly. "I've found some detection spells but nothing that can read different energy levels."
"I didn't design it," Yanzy said. "A friend of the family thought I might find it interesting." She quickly went over to the van and returned with a small handheld device with a screen.
"It's basically an alien smart phone," Yuki said, on the comm, "though we can't tell them that, since smart phones don't exist here."
"Like a handheld TV!" Willow said, looking at it. "How does it work?
"Should we just leave them to it?" Buffy said.
"Yanzy, are you coming with us?" Sita said. "Didn't you need to calibrate it? It didn't detect those vampires the other night, but should have."
"It's new," Yanzy said. "It did detect large energy reading in the cemetery, but still needs a little work for lower energy creatures."
"Walking and talking is a thing," Buffy said, nudging them to move. "Which one do we want to look at first Willow?"
Willow pulled a piece of paper out of a pocket. "Johnson, plot 64-B," she said. "Classic signs of a vampire attack."
Buffy quickly led them through the rows of graves to the plot. "You'll want to stay back here," she told them, stopping a dozen yards away. "They tend to be hungry, but a little stupid when they rise. Is this close enough for you?" she asked Mika. "Or do you need to get closer?"
"About half that distance," Mika said.
"We'll protect her," Yuki said, unsheathing her katanas.
"I'll stand over here so it doesn't get away," Buffy said.
"How does it work?" Willow asked, paying more attention to Yanzy than the vampire grave.
"I need to focus it on this spot," Yanzy said. "Right now it scanning the town."
"Oh, it has a realistic map," Willow said. "Where did you get that?"
"There's a satellite that seems to be permanently stationed over Sunnydale," Yanzy said. "We're tapping into that."
"This is more than a simple energy reader," Willow said. "I can tap into that satellite feed but not directly like that."
"I'm still learning how to use it," Yanzy said. "It is very different than our mixing board and other equipment."
"So, that looks like the old high school," Willow said, pointing at a glowing red spot. "Did you pick the colors to use?"
"No," Yanzy said. "Yes, the old school. I'm assuming that's the Hellmouth several of you have mentioned. And this," she pointed at another spot, "is the mausoleum where we met Buffy. We didn't have a chance to go back and explore it."
"That's brighter than the Hellmouth. We'll have to look into it, right Giles?" Willow said, attracting his attention from where he was watching the others.
"We can look at it tomorrow," Giles said, turning to look at them. "It could just be a demon den, with whatever you are detecting building up over time."
"Or it could be something dangerous," Willow said. "What is that on the campus?" Willow said. "Is that one of the frat houses?"
"That's some kind of power source," Yanzy said. "We were warned that there might be some government research station nearby. I assumed that was it."
"Hadn't heard anything," Willow said. "If they're here they're being extra sneaky. Hey Buffy? Do you know about any secret government thingy on campus?" She said loudly.
"Nope," Buffy said, briefly looking their way before going back to watching the grave.
"The rumors could be wrong," Yanzy said. "Or it could be a science lab?"
"I'll have to investigate," Willow said. "Science and magic never mix well in Sunnydale. Even doing science without knowing about magic can lead to bad yucky things happening."
"Califax," Oz said, nodding.
"It was a whole robot demon thing," Willow said, grimacing. "Did not end well for the people who built it."
"This is supposed to be shielded to protect it from magic," Yanzy said. "I did not understand the explanation but Sita was happy with it."
"She's not just your lead singer?" Willow asked.
"She manages the band on our trips, and is our leader," Yanzy said.
"Not very chatty," Willow said.
"No," Yanzy said. "But Yuki will do what she says. They were together for years before I joined them."
"You music is different," Willow said. "I don't think I've heard anything like it before."
"A distinct sound," Oz said. "Has an energetic Japanese idol vibe to it."
"Yes," Yanzy said. "That's how they started out, in an idol group. Then they decided to leave that, and asked me along when they needed a lead guitar."
"It sounds exciting," Willow said.
"You live in a town with a large population of demons," Yanzy said. "I suspect it is more exciting here than out on the road."
"The Dingos go on the road for a stress free vacation," Oz said. "When we have our instruments," he said, shrugging.
Yanzy finished calibrating the scanner. "Okay, it is now focused on this area," she said. "There's a low energy hotspot over there, and several moving around."
"That's where the vampire is buried," Willow said. "Buffy?"
"Yes?" Buffy said, turning towards them, while keeping an eye on everyone else.
"Yanzy's scanner is showing some moving things with us," Willow said. "Do we know what they are?"
"Demons of some kind," Yanzy said. She told the others over the comm, "We may have company shortly."
"Do we know what?" Sita asked.
"Not yet," Yanzy said. "I have it calibrated to detect energy readings from demons now, but I don't have enough data to determine what they are."
"Do we have time for our experiment?" Mika said.
"Can't tell," Yanzy said. "We should be able to see them in a minute."
"Might have more vamps to experiment with than we need, in a minute," Buffy said.
"We just need to test it on one," Sita said. "The rest can die."
"Agreed," Buffy said.
"The energy coming from the grave is getting stronger," Yanzy said nervously.
"So, you focus on the newbie," Buffy said to Mika. "We'll keep everything else away."
"Giles?" Buffy said, "The four of you need to keep an eye out."
"There's a hand coming out," Mika said.
"We have a minute before it gets out. As soon as it's out shoot it," Buffy said.
"Yes, Buffy-san," Mika said, raising her dart gun.
"What are you doing here?" Harmony said, stepping out from behind a mausoleum. "That's one of my minions."
"You have minions?" Willow said, giggling. "What do you use them for?"
"Every hot vampire needs minions," Harmony said. "They do things for me."
"Looks like the twee kiddy set is back," Spike said, sauntering into sight. "And they brought some snacks for us to share."
"Spike," Buffy said. "What brings you out of your hole?"
"Making the world safe for puppies and things, Slayer," Spike said. "Looking for a party?"
"Spiky, they're near one of my new minions with their things. Make them leave," Harmony said.
"Spike, you know better than to create minions in Sunnydale," Buffy said.
"She's threatening me," Harmony said. "Stop her."
"Yeah, stop me," Buffy said. "Follow Harmony's orders."
"The stupid bint doesn't give me orders," Spike said, growling. "We'll be taking the fledge."
"Thought you didn't take orders?" Willow said.
"I'll show you, Red," Spike said, stepping closer to Willow, Yanzy and Oz.
"It's getting closer," Yanzy said in a low voice. "Get ready," she said to Mika over the comm.
"What are you watching?" Spike asked, getting closer, ignoring the stakes pointed in his direction."
"Nothing for you to worry about," Willow said, stepping closer to Yanzy. Oz also moved closer protectively.
"Spike, we need Jeffrey," Harmony said.
"Jeffrey?" Willow said, gaping at Harmony. "You have a minion named Jeffrey."
"No, but he will be," Harmony said. "Spikey killed my last Jeffrey."
"He was dumb," Spike said, blowing smoke in her face. "Too dumb to be a vampire. If I hadn't done it the Slayer would have."
"I'm not pest control," Buffy said. "Clean up after yourself, so I don't have to."
"Time to go, Harmony," Spike said. "You can get another minion."
"But I liked this one," Harmony said. "He had a shovel already."
"We have shovels," Spike said, grabbing her. "And enough minions. I can't believe you have me calling them minions," he said, tossing his cigarette on the ground. "Let's go. There's a fresh batch of snacks due in down at the docks."
"We'll be back for Jeffery," Harmony said. "With the Gem of Amara, and you won't be able to stop me."
"She didn't just say that, did she?" Buffy said.
"Harmony, what did I say about that?" Spike said, pushing her away from them.
"We'll kill them all and it won't matter. Can I have those cute ones?" They could hear her say in the distance.
"Well, we know who is looking for it," Willow said. "And it looks like your test subject is almost out."
"You took your time, Jeffrey," Buffy said, twirling her stake.
"Who's Jeffrey?" The vampire said, staring at them in confusion. There was a soft thunk, and the vampire fell over and didn't move.
Buffy cautiously kicked the vampire. "Look like it's not moving," she said. "Was it supposed to happen that fast?"
"Very little information is known about its effectiveness," Giles said.
"Is it really paralyzed?" Or did the poison knock it out?" Yuki said, not getting any closer.
"Not dead," Willow said. "It didn't dust."
"But will it work on Spike?" Buffy said. "We know if they find a gem that makes a vampire invulnerable, he isn't going to let Harmony keep it."
"If she did, it'd be easier to take it away from her," Willow said. "What does your scanner say now?"
"There was an energy spark when the vampire came out of the ground but it's gone down. The energy readings from that Spike vampire was three times as strong as any other demon within range," Yanzy said.
"He is young for a Master vampire," Giles said. "Unusually young."
"He's never been a normal vampire," Buffy said. "There was that whole creepy stalker thing a couple years ago. And he helped stop Angelous from ending the world."
"So, we don't want him to have the Gem of Amara," Sita said. "We'll need to find out where they are searching for it."
"He has a lair somewhere in Sunnydale but it isn't going to be wherever the Gem is," Willow said. "Harmony might do that but Spike is smarter."
"A wooden post is smarter than Harmony," Buffy said. "Do we have any way of finding them quickly?"
"I can do a find-me spell," Willow said. "Just need to get the ingredients."
"I can find him anywhere in Sunnydale," Yanzy said. "I recorded his energy signature."
"Clever," Buffy said. "What about the other vampires? This one?"
"You don't plan on keeping that one?" Giles said. "You should stake it."
"Keep Jeffrey? Not sure what we would do with it, there's a lot of work that goes into keeping a vampire as a pet." Buffy said.
"Who's Jeffrey?" The vampire could be heard muttering.
"Is that what we're calling Angel now?" Willow said. "A pet?"
"If you look sideways at him," Buffy said. "Though he was never the cute and cuddly kind of pet."
"Especially when he got off his lease and went on a killing spree," Willow said.
"We don't talk about that," Buffy said, grimacing. "He was a bad puppy."
"A murderous puppy," Giles said, glaring at her.
"It's wearing off," Oz said. "He twitched."
"Indeed, it appears to wear off," Giles said. "There was no indication that there was a time limit on how long it would last."
"Ten minutes," Sita said. "At least with a vampire with this one's power level."
"So, less than a minute with Spike or Drusilla," Buffy said, groaning. "Not going to be very helpful. You'll have to be quick to get the Gem of Amara away from whichever one is holding it."
"Will we have enough for a second shot?" Yuki said.
Mika nodded. "Just enough."
"So you can't miss," Willow said. "Do we know if a second shot is effective?"
"No," Giles said, leaning down and staking the frozen vampire. "There is no information on effectiveness of multiple uses on the same creature."
"So, no one has been experimenting," Buffy said.
"Or not admitting to it," Willow said. "This is expensive stuff."
"How expensive?" Buffy asked. "Can we get more?"
"More than 2 pairs of Prada heels," Willow said.
"That much?" Buffy said with a surprised squeak. "I can't even get Mom to buy me one pair. That much money to capture a vampire? Not going to happen."
"We have funds, if necessary," Sita said. "If we need more vampire tranquilizer it can be arranged."
"Well, now that Jeffrey has been dealt with, I have several other locations to check out before I head home," Buffy said. "Who's coming with?"
"It's getting late," Willow said. "We have some books we need to look at," she said, grabbing Oz's arm. "Giles, can you give us a ride back to campus?"
Not waiting for an answer, she winked at Buffy and headed towards Giles' car.
"We can give you a ride back to campus later," Yuki said. "If you don't mind stopping for coffee first."
"I can do coffee," Buffy said. "Were all of you joining me for the rest of my evening patrol before that?"
"Yanzy needs to do some more adjusting of her toys, and Mika and I need to do some other things," Yuki said. "But Sita can go with you."
"If you want?" Buffy said, looking at her. "It's not going to be exciting. Just walking around and doing pest control."
"If I would not be in the way, I would be honored to accompany you," Sita said.
"Where do you want us to drop you off?" Yanzy said, once they were all in the van.
"Downtown will be fine," Buffy said. "Meet at the Espresso Pump in two hours?"
"Yes," Yanzy said, stopping for them to get out.
"Can your bow be made less conspicuous?" Buffy asked. "I can hide my stake and my knives have something Willow calls a 'notice me not' spell on them. But that bow sticks out."
"Yes," Sita said. "It can be made unobtrusive." She tapped it on the ground and muttered a phrase. The bow seemed to fade away.
"If I didn't know it was there, I don't think I would notice it," Buffy said. "That's a neat trick. A lot faster than Willow's 'notice me not'. It took her hours to apply it to my things."
"Some things are easier than others," Sita said. "If Willow had been trying it on her own things it likely would have been much faster."
"Huh," Buffy said. "I'll have to ask her to try that some time. Where do you want to start? I have a regular patrol that will take us back to the Espresso Pump or we can do something a little more random."
"What you normally do is fine," Sita said.
"Okay, the Bronze, for a quick look inside, then down to the docks, through Ridge Cemetery, by the high school and end at the Pump."
"You look like you had an exciting time," Mika said, joining them at their table, waving at Su's disheveled appearance.
"We ran into Spike down at the docks," Buffy said. "Stopped him from munching on some smugglers."
"We reduced his minions," Sita said. "If he does find the Gem we won't have to deal with as many minions."
"Some of those forms work really well with vampires," Buffy said. "Sita was very impressive."
"I was just following your lead," Sita said. "You make very efficient use of your environment."
"So we should take her parkour'ing?" Yuki said, putting a tray with several muffins and a cup down on the table.
"Parkour'ing?" Buffy said.
"A form of obstacle course racing," Mika said. "Using your environment."
"It's fun," Yuki said. "You should be a natural, with being a magical girl warrior."
"Still not sure I believe the whole magical girl thing," Buffy said. "I'm just me, an ordinary, every day Buffy."
"With amazing abilities," Yuki said. "But you don't have to acknowledge it. You just are. Like a monster hunting Sailor Moon."
"Sailor Moon hunted monsters," Mika said.
"Not professionally," Yuki said. "She was hunting evil overlords, not monsters. They just happened to have monster minions."
"Are they always like this?" Buffy asked.
"As long as I have known them," Sita said. "Yanzy is a calming influence."
"Where is she?" Buffy asked.
"Back at our motel," Mika said. "She wanted some quiet to calibrate her scanner, so we walked here."
"In Sunnydale in the dark? Why not drive?" Buffy said.
"Only Sita and Yanzy have licenses," Yuki said, pouting.
"We haven't had time to get you one," Sita said.
"And no one would get in the van with you driving," Mika said.
"I have that problem," Buffy said, grimacing. "Traffic just moves too slow."
"I can see that," Yuki said. "Cars aren't designed for magical girls with super fast reflexes."
"But that isn't why Yuki has problems driving," Mika said. "She just gets distracted too easily. The next thing you know and she's driving on the sidewalk."
"Once," Yuki said, pouting. "It happened once. And no one was hurt."
"Once is more than enough," Mika said, grabbing a piece of one of Yuki's muffins.
"Hey! Get your own muffin!" Yuki said.
"Why? Mika said. "You didn't need to eat two of them this late at night."
"I'm hungry," Yuki said, grumbling.
"You're always hungry," Mika said. "No idea where it goes."
"It's my magic power," Yuki said, quickly finishing her last muffin.
"I have to get back to campus," Buffy said, reluctantly standing. "I enjoyed patrolling with you," she said to Sita. "We'll have to do that again."
"It would be my pleasure," Sita said, also standing.