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[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Slayer inna bar, with coffee and food.

Headphones are in evidence, but no books, this time, Antarian or otherwise.

Conversation welcome.

Comments

[un_fallen]

"...Forever? Wouldn't it-- don't you want to get rid of it?"

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"I don't know if I'd survive getting rid of it," Faith says, with a slight shrug, "and anyway, it comes in handy, sometimes. Makes me hard to kill, which is nice whether I'm Slaying or not."

[un_fallen]

"Mm," he says, thoughtfully.

"Well, if you change your mind... or if it gets out of hand, somehow. Maybe I can help."

Maybe he'd destroy the both of them, too, but let's not jump to conclusions.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind," she says, and means it. "Thanks."

Then, realizing they haven't been introduced, she holds out her hand. "My name's Faith, by the way."

[un_fallen]

He reaches out, only hesitating for a moment before he shakes her hand. It's getting easier, for better or worse.

"Raguel. Pleased to meet you."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

When she hears his name, Faith's face drains of all color, and she jerks her hand back.

She knows that name.

Bernard warned her about the Vengeance.

[un_fallen]

He freezes for a moment, then withdraws his hand slowly and leans back. There's an uncomfortable pause, and he reaches into his pocket for the cigarettes to fill it.

"Reputation precedes me, I guess?"

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"I used," she says, very quietly, "to be Security here."

Beat.

"Crowley is a friend. Aziraphael too."

[un_fallen]

"Ah," he says, and the first cigarette is lit with the flick of a thumb on metal. His lighters click together as he drops one back into his pocket.

"Little more than just reputation, then."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"A little bit more, yes."

Faith is still very pale, watching him carefully.

"I was told that if I ever met you I should run."

[un_fallen]

He blinks, looking up at her and then quickly away.

"Who was it told you that?" he asks, his voice flat.

"Incidentally, it's not very good advice. Running seems to bring it on more quickly."

A long, bracing drag.

"And no one's ever been fast enough."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"Bernard. The head barman."

[un_fallen]

"Oh." He relaxes a little, looks somewhat more composed.

"Well, I guess he wouldn't have known. And Bernard never has liked me much, since."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

"Crowley's like his brother. I guess he just took it personally."

[un_fallen]

"Yeah. I heard they were close, later." He shrugs.

"It wasn't, though. Personal. Just so you know."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith nods, slightly. "Crowley said it was kind of sudden."

[un_fallen]

He laughs weakly and nods, with another pull of smoke.

"Yeah, he surprised me. I can't control it, when it takes over like that. Crowley was very lucky to get away in time."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

It's an odd definition of luck, perhaps, but Faith understands.

Better gone for months than forever.

"I guess he was."