A Relaxed Situation

[st_clare]

It was amazing what a little physicality could do.

Julianna moved out of the hotel and into her apartment, which she'd leased furnished, and slept in a bed that actually belonged to her. She'd woken up the next morning with a bounce in her step. And a bite mark on the side of her neck, which she covered up with a scarf so she could pay a visit to the campus. She'd been on the phone with London the night before, looking for information on Rhiannon. The girl could not be allowed to outrun her forever.

She'd been surprised to discover that there was another Slayer in the area, to say nothing of the fact that she was a student at UNLV. She'd checked out her transcript and class schedule and found that the person in question wasn't trying to stay off the radar, which was encouraging. Perhaps this Slayer would be less of an incorrigible brat.

The Watcher posted herself outside of a classroom, giving half of her attention to some papers she was carrying. Her office was in this building, and they could retreat to the smaller space if the girl proved amenable. This was business to be dealt with behind closed doors, anyway. And at least this time she wouldn't be caught flat-footed only to be dismissed.

It would go easier this time. It certainly couldn't go any harder.

Comments

[valerie_vause]

Valerie sipped at her water as Julianna went straight on to discuss things. Professional, she decided, and resisted the urge to tap her fingers against the glass. Optimistic as the blonde was, her posture changed when the topic turned out to be the girl she’d found half dragged behind the bushes. The shower hadn’t helped that night, she’d gone to bed feeling like a failure, wondering about the girl and what her family must be going through. She knew it didn’t do any good to obsess, but she always took it hard when it was fresh kill.

“I called it in.” Even to her own ears her voice sounded small. Valerie cleared her throat, teeth caught and chewed the inside of her lower lip before she continued, “Vampire attack. I tracked him to a party on campus, staked him when I got him alone outside. He was a new one, maybe a few days. I think alone, he’d tried to hide her where he’d…” She bit her lip again for a second. “He wasn’t very clever, not well hidden at all, right near the path. I don’t think he belonged to a group or nest.”

Another sip of water was taken as Valerie heard the next question. The ice cubes clinked and danced within the glass and she watched them for a few seconds before she looked back at Julianna. “I patrol every night.” The answer was completely honest. “Coming here I knew there would be some on campus, students are easy targets and with so many a few going missing wouldn’t look suspicious but… There are more than I expected. I mean I can handle that, it just makes me wonder why.”

[st_clare]

Julianna was making notes, because she'd written down Valerie's name and was adding things as she listened. When the Slayer posed the question of why there had been so many attacks, she stopped writing and looked up, her expression briefly less guarded. A tight, rueful smile crossed her face.

"They hide in plain sight," she offered, gesturing at the window where the blinds shielded the room from the glare of the afternoon sun. "In large cities, in crowds, in public places where you'd expect the least danger. It's how they hunt, not unlike lions chasing gazelles." It was an analogy that Mother had used, and it made her a bit nostalgic.

"How long has it been since you were called? There's a chance that you'll become acclimated with experience. Battle changes everyone."

[valerie_vause]

Valerie didn’t take it personally when Julianna explained things the way she did. She’d been trying to offer an explanation but the blonde had been aware of that fact, even if her gaze went to the window due to the gesture. Which was why her lips quirked into a slight smile. Though the blonde had to admit, it was a fitting picture. Much better than sheep to slaughter. “You’re right” She agreed.

“Almost seven years.” The blonde shrugged lightly and added, “Few weeks before I turned fifteen.” Finger tips smoothed down the sides of the glass as Valerie glanced up at Julianna. She had to make sure the woman didn’t think she was inexperienced, especially with how many years she’d been active.

“I’m used to how they hunt and how many to expect, where and why, but here...” Left hand lifted to push a few strands of hair behind her ear, eyes glanced towards the ceiling as she searched for the right words. “It’s…” She sought out the elders gaze and continued, “As if there’s more here than natural. Demons they… Flock, to areas that attract them. There must be a reason, there always is, I just haven’t found it yet.”

[st_clare]

"Seven years? Well. I had no idea."

And Rhiannon had claimed nearly the same amount of experience, but Julianna had been exasperated by the brunette Slayer's attitude and had ignored it. Then again, Valerie was being cooperative and letting her gather information. The marked difference in the two girls' reactions was worth noting.

"And yes, vampires do congregate in some areas more than others," the Watcher agreed. "Usually where there's a Hellmouth, which as I'm sure you know acts like a beacon for the supernatural. According to the Council's records, there's nothing like that in Nevada, which leads me to wonder why there are two of you in such close proximity. That's unusual."

Was it possible that the blonde had seen Rhiannon, had contact with her? If the more difficult of the two was as stand-offish with her fellow combatants as she was with Watchers, it was unlikely. Still, the circumstance of two Slayers in one place at one time was unusual, and perhaps worth asking about.

"When was your most recent activity on patrol?"

[valerie_vause]

That was bit disconcerting. The woman asking her questions hadn’t been aware of how long she’d been called. That didn’t mean anything bad though, other than information hadn’t been passed along and that wasn’t Julianna’s fault. Valerie knew from experience how that felt but said only, “Yes.” to the question. With no Hellmouth around the blonde frowned. Something was going on, she’d felt it the first day she’d arrived and it had lingered ever since. The Council had trained her to trust her instincts, which had never let her down.

“Two of us?” The frown she wore stayed in place, in her moment of contemplation she’d forgotten about Rhiannon. Although, right then that was probably for the best as her expression was genuine. She shook her head, reality flooded back in and she realised what Julianna had meant. The brunette had asked her not to say anything and she sipped her drink, happy to let the topic slide.

“Last night I staked a girl outside of a club not far from the campus, the night before there was a vampire inside a bathroom at the MGM. I’d heard rumors about the place, from what the bartender said vampire activity is rife though he just thinks it’s murderers getting kicks, and the place actually is haunted so I’ll definitely be going back to check it out again.”

[st_clare]

MGM. Haunted? Vampire activity definite.

Julianna wondered if her notes would be legible to anyone other than herself, took off her glasses to check the lenses. "It's good that you're so active," she remarked. "Not only on the campus but elsewhere. This city isn't quite a metropolis, but there are shadows and places to hide for unsavory things."

The ice in her glass were melting despite the air conditioning, and she got a sliver of a cube between her teeth and crunched it up with a thoughtful expression on her face. Valerie was one of the cooperative ones, and she was experienced enough to know that the check-in was a necessary evil. If she asked this next question, would she tell the truth? Would she be able to decipher it if she didn't?

"You haven't seen her? The other girl. She's about your age, bit taller than you, brown hair. If you're right, and it stands to reason that you could be, perhaps she feels the same pull." Julianna's expression was still benign. That shag really had done wonders for her.

[valerie_vause]

“I believe in what I do.” Valerie nodded slowly, a few strands of blonde hair fell across her cheek, dislodged from behind her ear. “I go out every night because of that, with so many things out there, I wouldn’t be able to rest if I didn’t.” In a way it was like training, a way to work on skills and learn something new, even if it was just about herself.

When Julianna paused to chew ice the blonde’s stomach twisted. She knew, even before the words left the elders lips what she was about to ask. Which was why she took a sip of water, let it chill her mouth before she swallowed, and took in a slow breath. Valerie didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t break her word either, her words would have to be casual, truthful but careful.

“I could have.” Valerie’s right hand lifted as she shrugged to push the hair back behind her ear. “I mean I’ve seen a lot of girls with brown hair and nearly all of them are taller than me. I don’t exactly socialise, I mean I go places but always alone and my main focus is on what’s out there looking for a meal. I never thought to look for anyone like me.” All true, and she smiled in a way that said she was used to being shorter than average. At five foot two she didn’t have an intimidating aura the way others did.

[st_clare]

Julianna was not a mind reader, which was fortunate because she would have identified the compartmentalization. To lie and tell the truth at the same time was a skill she'd acquired over the years, and a necessary one. In the current moment, she folded her hands together on the desk blotter and smiled at Valerie kindly.

"I'm sure if you did, she exaggerated things terribly, said that I'm some dreadful ogre. However, Las Vegas is not a small community, despite the surroundings. It's not as if you'd just run into her on the street."

One eyebrow went up at that, settled back into place. Polite lies, perhaps on both their parts. She would have to investigate the location the blonde had mentioned, MGM, on her own. If it was a regular haunt for the undead, Rhiannon might go there. She wouldn't be able to resist it.

"I admire your dedication," Julianna said, her tone warming. "I've been with the Council for a long time, and it takes courage and strength for someone to go out there nightly, even with your abilities. But you're fighting the good fight, and that's commendable."

She was reminded again of her lost charge, who would have been about Valerie's age if she had survived. "Has there been anything of note worth reporting other than a large amount of vampire activity?"