Firmer Ground

[st_clare]

She felt much better in the daylight.

Julianna felt much better altogether, really. She'd done the best she could to cleanse her office of the taint of Elfleda's presence. Her desk had been removed and was being replaced. There had been questions about the damage, but she'd deflected them with a set of careful half-truths. The school had asked her to compensate the institution for the expense of a new desk. The cost was an inconvenience, but a small one.

Nathan's calm demeanor had assisted immensely in restoring her equilibrium. When she left his apartment to retrieve her car, he'd given her a hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek. She was certain he must have dozens of questions, but he had yet to ask them. If this was going to go on, she'd have to think of something to tell him.

December weather was crisp, even in Nevada, a cold front having come in. It made her smile with fondness, because it reminded her a tiny bit of home. Wisps of clouds dotted the blue sky. She'd left a note with one of Valerie's professors, asking the Slayer to meet her on the patio of a coffee shop near the campus. There was a mug of tea in front of the Watcher, one she'd been sipping from. The stone was in her messenger bag, wrapped in a scrap of cloth. She was glad she'd be rid of the filthy thing.

The sunlight was comforting. Natural light was best to ward of entities like the Corruptress, at least according to the new information she'd obtained. Julianna was still afraid. Only a fool wouldn't have been. But she was no longer scraped down to the bone by terror as she had been. The fear was manageable, and that was the first step towards being proactive.

Comments

[valerie_vause]

Valerie wanted to ask what kind of arrangement when the woman spoke of spare bedrooms but she didn’t want to sound presumptuous or foolish, so kept her mouth shut. She was entirely equipped for learning and scavenging information from texts but when it came to the whole holiday thing, with decorations and food and gifts, well, she struggled with that. Early in life she had enjoyed the fuss, now it seemed almost fake, to celebrate things she didn’t quite feel a part of. Whatever the Watcher had meant the blonde took it in stride and simply smiled. “Okay.”

However, the mug she picked up almost slipped through her fingers at the, well, truth the elder shared and she found herself blinking with her mouth open. “Uh, well I, yeah, ditto.” She finally managed, realising that she did actually enjoy their conversations more than she worried over them.

Now that she’d at least spoke about Brian it was a weight lifted from her shoulders and since she’d been met with nothing but civility regarding it she could actually breathe a little easier. Things were actually okay. In fact, the conversation had gone a lot easier than she’d imagined it would in her head.

“I think you’re right. Obviously or you know, I wouldn’t…” Shoulders lifted a bit bashfully, “You know, show up to talk or uhm, listen. I mean not that I would ignore the invitation, just that if I thought this would be a waste of time for both of us I’d say so, but I don’t think it is. Which is, okay strange but it’s nice, too. It’ll just take time to get used to it, is all.”

Valerie took the paper and slipped it into her pocket along with the charm Julianna had given her. Laughter escaped the blonde at the mention of the useless secretary and she raised a hand to stifle it as best she could. Then a thought occurred to her and she tilted her head, “Do you get to pick your secretary, because I could look for someone to help? Not that I have anyone in mind, but you never know.”

[st_clare]

"I believe the university uses a temp agency for personnel, but I would like to find someone more compatible. I'm seldom in my office during the day unless I'm preparing notes for class or organizing things before a lecture, so I'm not usually available to take calls. If you think you can find someone competent, I'd be glad to make the suggestion to the hiring department. I'm the campus eccentric, so they might make an allowance for me."

Julianna finished off the last of her tea, which had finally gotten cold. The hour was growing late enough that she'd need dinner soon, and Valerie likely wanted to patrol once it got dark. "Well, if there's nothing else that's pressing, I should let you go about your business. I wish you success if you patrol tonight. Even one girl can make the world a safer place. You should remember that."

That might have been a shade too much, but it was worth mentioning. Self-confidence was important for combatants, and everyone needed shoring up now and then. She knew she certainly needed it sometimes.

[valerie_vause]

“I’ll see what I can do.” Valerie replied with a slight smile. She doubted that Brian would up and quit his own job but she might bump into someone who was looking for work that might be more permanent than what they already had. No loss in keeping it in mind.

The blonde didn’t finish the cocoa but took a liberal sip before sliding it across the table and out of temptation. It shouldn’t have mattered that Julianna wished her success, it shouldn’t matter that she pretty much said she was helping to keep the world safe, but she’d be lying if she said it didn’t touch her a little. Lets face it, nightly patrols were akin to groundhog day, when darkness took over she lived her life on repeat. After a while, you couldn’t help but wonder if a difference was actually being made, or if you were just dancing with the inevitable.

“Mm, yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. Listen if… If you need me, just call or you know, whatever.” Valerie offered a shrug, unwilling to press the issue. If Elfeda appeared to the woman again, the invitation to reach out for support was there. Carefully she stood up and stretched, a slight smile caught her lips and she sighed. “I better let you get back to…” She motioned with her hand, unsure really of what the woman would be up too but polite enough not to shine a spotlight on it. “See you later, Julianna, and thanks again for the charm.” Instinctively, her hand shifted to press against the pocket it currently resided, then she turned and walked through the café with a small smile.

[st_clare]

Julianna smiled and waved as Valerie departed, feeling lighter. The stone was out of her possession, and she would have to trust that the Slayer would do the safe thing and dispose of it. Even if Elfleda could appear at will, it was best not to hold onto whatever trinkets she was passing out.

The Watcher pulled her billfold out of her messenger bag, extracted a couple of singles. She and the blonde had occupied the table for so long that she'd have felt guilty if she didn't put some cash in the jar marked 'Tips', which sat on the counter. She'd never had to work for minimum wage, but she knew that those who did relied on tips to supplement their income. The young man stacking coffee cups in a plastic drying rack smiled at Julianna when she added her contribution.

Behind the wheel, she flipped down the sun visor to keep the glare out of her eyes. She would go home and make some calls regarding how to place wards. Knowing only the basics meant she'd need assistance. She felt optimistic about how things were progressing with Valerie. Only time would tell what would happen next, though.