Downtown L.A. - Wolfram, Hart & Brucker 9:00 AM - Conference Room
"You're not serious?" Said an imperious voice with heavy skepticism.
"I don't joke about witches or apocalypses," Said a tall oddly pale woman with a vaguely menacing voice.
"So, let's recap... Mr. Gunn has two slayers, a couple of witches... one of whom is nearly immortal, the other almost ended the world-" Said the tall thin woman with long slender fingers, a long pale face, and shoulders with points almost too sharp to be human, she glided back and forth in front of a translucent screen manipulating the images of humans and all manner of different players active in L.A.
"The home office really liked that bit-"
"Sure... Sure, but in this business it's 'what have you done for me lately'. And an en-souled vampire on his team? Just two days ago you said he was a speck on the windshield. Now he's a potato in our tail pipe?" The voice said incredulously.
"With no permanent slayer in L.A. the demon world has been a little, shall we say restless. Mr. Gunn and his business look to be trying to pick up where Angel left off. Our most recent prophecy readings indicate he could-"
"Could what?" The dark voice behind the highest chair at the end of the table growled. It's voice was distinctly not human.
"Him or one of his compatriots seem to be a central figure in
stopping or
starting an all out war for this dimension. This 'Isabella' seems to be a completely transitory element, Faith, with her background and abilities as a Slayer, is truly a terror to our plans. This is Cho Ahn, a new player, but not to be taken lightly. You're familiar with Spike of course."
The demon-man growled.
"Finally we've reports that a reconstituted Cordelia Chase is somehow back on this plane. She's Mostly harmless to our plans and L.A.'s a big place, I doubt she'll be reconnecting with Gunn anytime soon." The woman finished, her presentation seemingly complete. The magical board behind her vanished with a puff of oddly colored smoke.
"Let's just stake him and be done with-" The large beastly voice said decisively. The words drew several cries of protest.
"Sir... he's not-"
"You can't just-"
"What? Speak up! Damn humans and your mumbling."
"He's not a vampire sir. That was Angel..." Said a woman with red hair.
"and Spike... don't forget he-"
"Well that complicates matters. Laws are laws...
a human death for a human life." The deep voice said almost rhythmically in a chant.
"
and so the chain is forged." the room of executives repeated back to him in cult like fashion.
The man/beast turned his chair around to reveal a hideous face, planted squarely on heavy beastly shoulders, wearing an expensive black executive suit.
"Lilith?, what do you suggest we do?"
"The usual methods won't work on Gunn, of this I'm sure. If he is carrying on the legacy of Angel, he may become... difficult. I recommend we use patience. We have several agents in play, lets' give them a chance to work the problem."
"What of Mr. Fantoma?"
"He... failed sir. Our mystics say he was thrown into pocket dimension by one of Gunn's friends. He may be a while..."
"Good... I never liked that guy",The beastly headed man with a menacing scowl.
"So, we'll continue observing for a while. Meanwhile let us hope one of our agents get lucky."
----
Angel Investigations - Gunn's Office
Gunn watched Willow carefully exit the room, leaving himself and Faith alone in the bright light of day. He wondered how the news of all that death was hitting her. He wished he'd been able to break it more gently to the redheaded wonder.
"She seem OK to you?" Gunn asked with light concern. He still felt the warmth from Willows hug. She was sweet woman, deeply spiritual, he could feel that. Yet, there was more to her that seemed buried, something Gunn hadn't put his finger on.
"She also smelled like some sort of spicy herb, but I'm less concerned about that." Gunn said plainly. He entered the small basic Kitchenette attached through a side door that doubled as a tiny den, with a small table and tiny window.
"I mean, I don't know her all that well, and death can have a strange effect on people. Maybe I should have waited..." Gunn said as he collected the glass she left behind. Several pieces of toast were thrown into a toaster oven, and other things were gathered by Gunn to create breakfast.
"I mean didn't you two sort of grow up together, along with the famous Buffy that Angel was always 'Gatsbying' about?" Gunn asked as he continued to prepare breakfast. The small fridge offered up it's bounty, eggs were cracked and scrambled, bacon was cooked on the small cook top in the corner.
