Dawn is back and this is a very good thing. At least I think it's a good thing. I am also aware I should feel guilty but I don't so....

John--Pyro is gone though.

I think it's a conspiracy. To make me gain twenty pounds. I just--the theory that the City feeds on us being miserable makes more and more sense all the time.

[When Buffy speaks, she sounds tired. Her voice is stretched thin, quiet and sad. There's not enough ice cream in the world to make this better.]

Living here is exhausting. It's not the curses or the freaky things that happen. It's never knowing who's coming or going. Trying to keep track is just...way more than Sunnydale ever prepared me for and that was pretty hard core preparation.

[locked to Tony Stark]

Dawn's...not in the City right now. I hope she'll come back but I don't know whether she will or not.

[Locked to Aya and Peter]

Dawn didn't say anything to you guys about disappearing for a mini vacay, did she?

[Locked to Derek]

Is it okay if I take some time off?

[ooc: slightly forward dated to just after midnight. Souvenirs you never lose curse.]

[Buffy's device is on the coffee table. It flickers on to reveal her curled up on the couch. The room is lit only by the Kung Fu movie playing on the TV. She's got a blanket draped over her legs and a bag of microwave popcorn on her lap.]

Oh yeah. Like the bad guys ever attack one at a time.

[She pops a handful of popcorn in her mouth and her brow furrows. Her hand goes to her neck and when she pulls it away, it's covered in blood. Her eyes go wide as she presses that same hand to her torso. The blanket sticks, wet with blood. She starts to stand up, pulling the blanket away from the wound and tossing it over the device by accident more than anything. Everything goes black.]

[Buffy is taking advantage of the beautiful day. She's out in the park sporting a pair of shorts, a tank top and a pair of sunglasses. She's mostly going to do the sun bathing thing for a little while, go get some ice cream later, that sort of thing.]

So today we're all smelly, right? I've got chocolate and chili pepper. That part, I'd like to bottle. I could do without the blood and graveyard dirt though. Seriously, that is not all I do and it's not the only place I go!

[Lies.]

Hey, uh-- well, I don't think I got your name. But we talked about getting you a staff before the water world thing happened, and I guess the ones I found got spared, so.

Yeah, if anyone knows a guy looking for a staff, send him to see Faith at the Youth Center, I guess.

[ Awkward pause. Yep. ]

And uh, anyone know about why-- if someone died, I mean. Aren't you supposed to technically stay dead here?


[ ooc: i meant to get this up earlier today, but technical difficulties made it impossible, uhhh i'll hopefully hit replies later tonight/tmrw in the am ]

One, I already get The slayers: Greatest Hits edition. I do not need Thief: The Stooges Edition.

Second, I'm pretty sure the Powers that Be are trying to ruin candy for me. First chocolate bars and now those weird heart things which have always been weird, but are now super weird.

Text to Harry

Please tell me you got out of the whole thief thing 'cause you sucked at it.

[ooc: Backdated to yesterday please]

[Someone is at the beach but all that can be seen at first are her toes. After a moment, she moves the camera around so that the entire City can see her swimming attire.]

No self defense classes today. I'm feeling beach-y today.

[Buffy is sitting next to the window at Cafe Juliet, looking out to the crowds. It's probably pretty clear she's looking for someone(s) in particular. She smiles at the device]

Welcome to the City. Stay out of the Underground, don't feed the deities and have a nice probably temporary stay.

Any Sunnydale residents that want to say hi?

[Buffy is in at home beating on the punching bag. Her skin is dripping sweat so it's obvious she's been at this a while. She's got ear buds in her ears and the tinny sound of pop music can be heard even from where the device is sitting on a stool a few feet away. She turns on the punching bag with a flying roundhouse kick that snaps the chain it's hanging from and sends it sailing across the room to knock the device off the table. She stands with her hands at the small of her back for a moment before walking over to retrieve the device, noticing it's recording when she does.]

So that's how I'm dealing with the ticking. How's everyone else doing?