Hello Rainbowmittens...
it's my lunch hour... and I have one tiny 5 page scene still up my sleeve... this is the officially official last update till Beth gets back and we do some writing...
WiccansIllusion: could we really in all good conscious have her forget Willow? smile... thanks for reading
Willowfan: *handing tissues* she does remember... it will be okay... hugging back... your welcome... hang in there with us
MadeinNZ: we are actually basing it on the premise that they will always find each other... Willow as many have pointed out is so lost right now... and there is only one person who can truely find her
LeatherQueen: She does... hugs... don't worry I know its sad but we promise a happy ending
willntlover: of course she couldn't... grin... so glad to hear your enjoying... thanks for reading
oneyedchicklet: laugh... we are on a little 'hate Xander less" crusade... and if you go up the stairs to the forward cabin there is a smoking section... smile... thanks for reading
TheRose24: willowhand is unforgetable!! grin
WTsnuggles: thank you... smile
Pixie_gishmock: gentle hug back... mmm very nummy cyber beigh food...
I think i'll give up real beigh and only eat cyber now... so glad you enjoyed
VampNo12: it's been really important to us to try to inject some elements of humour into the angst... so glad it's been effective... and all the points you raise are soo vaild...
Fidds: thank you... glad your still enjoying
pikescoob: very true... but I think in the next little while Madalene is as surprised as everyone else in regards to Tara's recovery
kiaora1: mmmmm sexy... I think the RainbowWriters can do sexy...
witchbitchwillow: first off hope you had a fantastic holiday... secondly glad you were hooked enough to catch up... we got new tara and willow tissues they have cute screengrabs on them... and in case you just want to gaze at those tissues some of the regular ones too
Blue Athame 1: big blush... thank you... I'm glad that you were able to take the plunge and read... we are trying to error on the side of caution with the angst warnings... and hopefully as you get further along you'll like Madalene even more... thank you for your worry, I am feeling still so-so but hanging in
molsongrrl: she does indeed... thanks for reading
smile... hopefully I didnt miss anyone... and without further delay the scene....******
“We’re closed, what kind of magic shop do you think would be open at this time of night… morning.” The vengeance demon corrected when she glanced up at the wall clock, she didn’t look at the figure that entered her shop.
“The kind that would have exactly what I am looking for.” Madalene acknowledged softly as she closed the door behind herself. Anya glanced up slowly, regarding her visitor with curious eyes.
“I don’t sell things to people knowing that I am helping them take over the world or anything.” She warned looking down again.
“What would make you think that would be my goal?” Madalene moved in further eyeing Anya surreptitiously she moved the moneybag she was working through under the counter.
“High magic, it’s all around you.” Anya pointed out proud of her ability to see it.
“But then you will also notice I’m not the taking over the world type.” Madalene moved closer to the counter.
“It’s apparent you haven’t had the urge yet.” Anya admitted with a slight shrug.
“The urge?” Madalene laughed. “I’m looking for Anya, Buffy said she would best be able to assist me. When I saw the light on I was hoping she might be here.” She decided to cut to the point.
“Buffy sent you to my shop after midnight?” Anya positively scowled. “And I’m the one who’s supposed to be not very thoughtful.” She shook her head, her neatly styled blonde hair bobbing around her head lightly.
“I’m sure Buffy didn’t mean to cause any disturbance.” Madalene tried to gauge the woman’s reaction.
“Huh why does everyone always assume Buffy doesn’t mean any harm?” Anya quizzed. “So who are you, Buffy hasn’t mentioned any new witches to me.” She asked pointedly.
“My name is Madalene Slean.” The witch was polite. “We met a few nights ago when I had come to your shop to attempt to buy some products and she suggested you would be the more helpful as you owned the shop.”
“Oh wait.” Anya’s eyes suddenly went a little wider. “Are you the reason?” The former vengeance demon seemed suddenly more interested.
“Reason?” Madalene stopped as she felt Anya’s senses probing at her aura.
“Magical forces, rising in the area. I’ve been avoiding looking into it because I’ve had enough to do with magic for a while.” The demon gave a tight shiver. “But you might just be the thing that’s got everyone talking.”
“I assure you I am not important enough to make anyone talk.” Madalene shook her head.
“Maybe not, but you know don’t you?” Anya continued her scrutiny of the newcomer.
“I assure you I have no idea what you think I know.” She narrowed her eyes at Anya. “Though I do now know something about you.” She cleared her mind and tuned into the vengeance demon’s signature. “And now I am left with questions.”
“Oh you’ve found out the demon thing, should have guessed.” Anya waved her hand in the air. “That’s not important, everyone knows that.”
“I guess it isn’t.” Madalene nodded.
“Unless you have a wish I can help you with?” Momentarily Anya’s eyes lit up.
“Actually I require some crystals.” Madalene shook her head to the wish offer.
“Are you sure?” Anya queried a little desperate. “Isn’t there anyone I can curse for you?”
“Mmmmm no, but I’ll keep the offer in mind.” The witch smiled trying to be polite.
“Ok, so crystals.” Anya flipped into business mode when she was sure that she wasn’t going to get any wishes. Ducking down for a moment she came up with a velvet display box.
“Yes, silver ice slivers to be exact.” Madalene approached the counter and rested against it.
“Dampening crystals?” Anya looked at Madalene thoughtfully as she pointed to the crystals. “You do know about whatever is going on don’t you.”
“What do you mean?” Madalene questioned carefully to see what Anya was referring too.
“The main use for those crystals is to mask things or underline control and order.” Anya noted showing off her extensive knowledge. “So you’re either hiding something or controlling it.” She put the facts out clearly.
“Or cleansing if the power is conducted through the spellcaster’s body.” Madalene’s voice was tight.
“Is Buffy a part of what’s going on, because that’s a twist I didn’t think of?” Anya said suddenly figuring things out a bit more.
“She would rather tell you herself to be honest.” Madalene evaded her questions.
“So she is.” Anya frowned. “Oh I see, can’t tell the vengeance demon.” She scoffed angrily.
“It’s not my place.” The witch explained.
“No, no, don’t worry about it. I mean I’m only her friend, I only put my mortal life on the line for her many, many times, it doesn’t t bother me that I’m out of the loop.” Anya shrugged her shoulders several times huffing loudly.
“See will tell you soon I assure you.” Madalene reassured.
“Well you would say that wouldn’t you, you’re in it with them. I bet Xander knows, does Xander know?” Anya’s eyed narrowed.
“Who is Xander?” Madalene questioned confused.
“You don’t know?” Anya’s tone changed to sounding positively elated.
“I assure you that I don’t have a clue.” Madalene nodded. “Can I see the crystals now?”
“Help yourself they’re right there.” Anya pointed them out again but moved her hand away from the lid.
“Thank you.” The witch began checking the selections carefully. At the same time Anya appraised Madalene subtlety tuning in more as she tried to figure out what the witch was hiding. “Please stop that it’s rude.” Madalene warned her without looking up.
“Sorry.” Anya apologised but they were just words as the demon didn’t actually stop her actions.
“Okay, why don’t you just ask me?” Madalene looked up a little irritated. “Cause that just grates in my head when you do that.”
“I... I don’t need to.” Anya had suddenly gone very pale, and quiet. She looked the witch up and down very slowly making sure what she was seeing was true.
“Damn.” Madalene cursed realizing she hadn’t been able to hide enough.
“Oh my God.” Anya stated bluntly as the truth became blindingly clear.
“Look you don’t understand.” The witch tried to cut the demon’s thoughts off.
“There’s not much to understand is there? Tara’s back isn’t she?” Anya put forward what she knew to be fact.
“Well... yes.” Madalene nodded. “But it’s complicated.”
“It’s something from a demon plane.” Anya’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Okay so maybe not complicated for you.” Madalene raised an eyebrow as she tried to figure out how Anya was picking through her defenses so easily to get to the information.
“Basically things separate into four factions; natural, magical, demon or accident.” Anya shrugged. “It’s not hard to see its demon.”
“Good demon.” Madalene pointed out self-consciously.
“According to my clients I’m a good demon.” Anya pointed out with a smile.
“Well good is relative then.” The witch took a sharp breath. “Especially when you disembowel men.” She let her mind go out to further confirm what Anya was.
“Men that deserve it.” Anya pointed out.
“I’m not sure we could settle this conversation.” Madalene picked up a few crystals. “You understand then that I need these to assist Tara.”
“Probably not.” Anya nodded that she did understand now what the witch was doing with them. “So where is she?”
“Safe.” Madalene said simply. “Buffy is with her.”
“And how do I find her?” Anya continued her questioning.
“For the moment you don’t.” Madalene was firm. “Buffy will bring you when she’s ready.”
“Oh okay, but remind Buffy that I’m Tara’s friend too.” Anya said firmly back.
“I will, I assure you it’s more that Tara needs time to recover from her ordeal as you can imagine.” Madalene picked out six crystals. “Do you also have mangraine hip?”
Anya opened her mouth to say something to Madalene’s comment, but visibly softened.
“Certainly.” She said instead turning to get what was required out of one of the large glass jars. “You can leave the money right there on the counter.” She stepped back with a wide smile before without warning the vengeance demon literally shimmered out of existence.
“Anya? ANYA!” Madalene screamed fumbling in her pocket to toss bills down and grabbing her purchase raced for the door.
******
I know horrible cliff hanger but I hope you can give us a few days to update... thanks for reading... kath*
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
by Pixie gishmock » Sun Jun 02, 2002 10:32 am 
Crawling into the cuddlepuddle now. 
at: 6/3/02 1:39:02 am
Kath, yes, cyber-beige food is quite enjoyable and causes no pain or discomfort whatsoever, but you also need to eat the real beige food. *poke* 
such a place to stop.
Sneaky, sneaky Anya. 
reunion soon? Please? Willow needs her honey. 
