What Could Be Lurking In The Corner

[whole_bloody_business]

Something's killing the students. Again.

Cara didn't ask to be stationed right on top of the Hellmouth. She certainly didn't ask to put her extremely expensive education to use trying to convince a bunch of drooling American teenagers to pay attention to Latin verb conjugations. In fact, she'd strongly prefer to avoid demons, non-Slayer high school students, and other such unsavory creatures altogether. But, well, she's the one who decided to become a Watcher. She made her bed, she has to lie in it.

Of course, when she signed on, she didn't expect a missing Slayer.

The girl seems to have vanished off the face of the earth, which, of course, means demonic activity is skyrocketing. And, of course, Cara's the only one around with even the tiniest chance of keeping it in check. Which is why she's poking around in the boiler room during her lunch break instead of popping another aspirin and taking a nap on her desk.

Whoever this missing Slayer is, she'd better have a damn good explanation.

Comments

[cross_and_bow]

"Good. I don't need more things to worry about right now. Hey, maybe you can answer a question. I've been assuming that the reason vampires and demons and such are not common knowledge despite not being particularly well-hidden is that vampires are motivated to avoid having people organize large-scale, well-informed hunts for them, and everybody who knows vampires exist would like them to continue to have that motivation rather than descending in packs on large groups of Broadway viewers or whatever. Is that about right or is there something more elaborate going on?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"Unless there's something going on that the Council isn't telling me, yes, that's about right."

[cross_and_bow]

"So there isn't any reason to avoid, say, informing people with access to morgues of my Vampire Planned Parenthood deal, if there's a concise way to convince them?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"Not that I'm aware," says Cara. "Personally, I say there's no reason to keep potentially-lifesaving information hidden from people."

[cross_and_bow]

"Well, if there's an equal downside - say, if I could only notify the morgue people by also talking to trigger-happy people with nukes prone to misunderstandings about where vampires are to be found - then that would be something, but I don't see any obvious reason to think that's the case."

[whole_bloody_business]

"Me neither. It seems safe enough to me," she says, smiling. "So, are you ready to learn everything there is to know about demons?"

[cross_and_bow]

"Hit me."

[whole_bloody_business]

She pulls a large, old-looking book from her bag and sets it gently on the desk in front of her. There are several brightly-colored Post-It notes sticking out from between the pages.

"This is the most helpful demon encyclopedia printed in English that I've encountered," she says. "Orange sticky notes mark particularly dangerous demons, green sticky notes mark particularly common demons worldwide, yellow sticky notes mark particularly common demons locally, and purple sticky notes mark neutral demons. Let me know if you can think of any additional sticky note categories you'd like me to add when I mark up the rest of my collection. Also, over the years I've made several helpful notes in the margins. If something I've written has faded to the point where you can't read it and I haven't rewritten it, don't bother trying to decipher it, it's probably not important. I've cross-referenced a number of books in the marginal notes. If you think you'll need one of them sooner rather than later, let me know and I'll prioritize marking it up. Please don't damage this book, it's the closest thing I'll ever have to a spouse. Start reading, I'm here to answer questions as needed."

[cross_and_bow]

"Ooh, color-coding. I like. I'll be gentle with Spouse Book." Bella hauls out a notebook and gets started.

[whole_bloody_business]

"Spouse book appreciates it. I probably don't need to give you my 'information is the best weapon' lecture, do I?"

[cross_and_bow]

"I think I'm thoroughly inculcated with this idea."

[whole_bloody_business]

"I thought you might be. Oh, and I did a little bit of research into what's going on with your brain. It's not unheard of for humans to be born with magic mental defenses. You seem to be one of the lucky few. Congratulations."

[cross_and_bow]

"Lucky me. Would this also explain why I can't get any spells to work?"

[whole_bloody_business]

Cara blinks. "You've tried...who am I kidding, of course you have. Yes, that would do it. A lot of magic relies on calling on powerful entities, and said powerful entities need to be able to find you for it to work."

[cross_and_bow]

"Okay. Bit of a mixed blessing. It's a pity, magic would be much more my style..."

[whole_bloody_business]

"It's probably better to stay away from magic, anyway," says Cara. "I knew a witch once. Magic's fine if you're careful, but has some unfavorable side effects. Notably, addiction. I can do a few spells, but I try not to use them unless it's absolutely necessary. Although I think you'd be careful."

[cross_and_bow]

"Oof. Noted. Can I by any chance get around both problems by just using pre-magicked objects?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"Certainly," says Cara. "I can try to find someone who knows how to do that. Or I can learn, if you'd like, but I'd prefer to avoid that. I have a feeling I'd get addicted fast."

[cross_and_bow]

"This may be a disingenuous question, but what exactly is the drawback of being addicted to magic besides needing to work regular opportunities for the practice of magic into your schedule?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"Off the top of my head, you can die. It can also cause behavioral changes that I'd rather avoid."

[cross_and_bow]

"So it's not just addictive, it's poisonous and mind-altering, noted. Extreme caution warranted. But if somebody is selling enchanted things on eBay I can snap them up?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"Sure. Shouldn't be a problem."

[cross_and_bow]

"Okay. Not that I can tell through the internet whether a magic thing is real or hippie woo of some kind. Does anybody know why it's poisonous and addictive and mind-altering?"

[whole_bloody_business]

"I don't think I can give you a definitive answer."

[cross_and_bow]

"Can you give me testable hypotheses?"