Thirteen Steps -3- Gravity
by Valyssia
Love Under Will
[reviews]
As promised, Willow went straight for the books, whiling away the early afternoon in the library of the castle. They've managed to collect some interesting volumes, she reflected as she read. It was nothing like Giles' collection, or what she imagined the Watcher's Council library to have been, but it was a respectable start. She sat cross-referencing Dawn's condition at a large table in the center of the room. Thankfully, Buffy had offered food a short time ago. Willow was dead starved. The magick she'd used the night prior had left her a bit shaky and off balance. She needed to work her strength back up.
Buffy entered the room carrying a tray full of food. She placed it on hte table and walked around to sit across from the redhead. "Anything new and exciting to report?"
Clearing away books and papers to make room for a plate, Willow said, "Well, it looks like we do actually need to make an antidote. It's a bit tricky...and there's a demon egg involved...that might be fun to lay our hands on...but I know I can work it if we can get the stuff. I'm actually a bit surprised. I knew about the Thricewise thing only by legend when I started this...it looks like it's venom that needs to be counter-acted to return the victim to their normal size. Pretty nasty actually...if you ask me...and well...I guess you did...ask me, that is." Willow paused to grab a sandwich, chips and a soda off the tray. Continuing, she added, "I'll make a list so we can get started immediately."
Buffy tucked into the food herself, staring at Willow in silence. She had missed the witch so much it was hard to believe that she was there...with me... and everything...and it looked like she would be staying there at least for the time being. Fortune favors the foolish? Is that how that line goes? Well, if so, I'm all kinda hooked up! "Hey, Will, you want me to call the coven after I eat and see if I can get them to DHL a box to you?" she thought out loud.
"Sure, Buff, that'd be great. I'm going to have to go outside to get some of the herbs I need to make this antidote, so I can do that while you make the call." Willow concluded.
"Will, we don't have an herb garden, hon." Buffy looked a bit puzzled.
Willow smiled softly as she spoke, "Oh, I don't need one...I just call the plant I need to me and it grows...takes a bit of concentration but...it's no big."
Buffy sputtered, speaking without really thinking, "No big, Will? And I suppose next you'll tell me you have a cure for cancer?"
Willow looked a bit hurt; she couldn't believe Buffy could say something like that after Joyce. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. She took a deep breath to steady her voice and, speaking firmly, she began, "No, Buffy, you can't heal disease with magick. You know that. Human ailments are still just that. You have to respect the natural order of things in everything you do. Here, let me show you..." Willow focused her mind on a volume sitting on one of the shelves across the room. The book hovered down to her.
"Okay, so that's magick, right?"
Buffy nodded, a bit ashamed for her carelessness, and said softly, "Yes, Willow, that's magick."
Willow then picked up the book and walked across the room to replace it on the shelf. She looked back at Buffy and said firmly, "So is this."
"Huh?" Buffy said, looking utterly bewildered.
Willow returned to her seat and spoke softly, making eye contact with Buffy. "Dear, magick is simply exerting your influence on the world. It is an act of will that precipitates a change. Nothing more... You have to work within the guidelines of natural order, regardless. The laws of physics still count, as do chemistry and all those other wonderful sciencey things...even for those of us that can influence things on a higher level than what you might think normal or natural...it's all natural."
Willow paused, brushing a stray hair out of Buffy's face with her mind and softly rubbing her cheek before she continued, "It's like dancing...if you spin your partner and stop them too quickly you can hurt them. You have to fall into the flow and move with forethought in order to affect things in a positive way."
Buffy sat watching the witch, completely captivated. When she finally spoke, all she managed was a, "Wow." Ever the wordsmith! Good one Summers. Wow... again...and all that...Willow has really changed, Buffy reflected.
"Do you see, Buffy?" Willow tried prodding the Slayer a bit with her words.
"Absolutely, though I suppose after all we went through, I'm still a bit leery about the magicks. Dawn said she saw your fight with Amy and was worried that you might be working the dark mojo again...she said your eyes turned... Are you sure you're okay? I mean, I can totally see that you've changed, but..." Buffy admitted, looking a little worried.
"Yeah... I can see how you would be concerned. I was pretty upset at Amy. She had hurt you and was trying to take care of the rest of us. Offensive spells cast in anger can be pretty hard on the caster too...tends to send you to that bad place if you do intend harm. I only use that sort of magick in defense...hit the person just hard enough to put them out of action... I've learned a ton of self control over the last year," Willow sighed deeply as she continued.
"I have to spend time grounding myself afterward but I can do that sort of thing safely now. I hit Amy hard enough to knock a normal person out, but with the mojo she was working, it just bounced off her. It was Dawn that stopped her in the end, because I couldn't make myself hit her hard enough to injure her."
"The most important thing to understand about magick is that it's all about the intent. Things you do that are born in love are naturally beneficial...bad things...well...we went through the badness...hate, anger and grief can really only cause harm...well you know...you do know...right, Buffy?" Willow wiped a tear as she said this.
"I know, Will...and what's more...I forgive you." Buffy looked deeply into Willow's eyes and, trying to comfort the witch, gently took her hand.
Willow smiled weakly; another tear rolled down her cheek as she set out to finish her food. She was still starved.
"Okay..." Willow said, swallowing the last bite of her sandwich, "I need to go down into the forest to gather the herbs. I think the forest will be better than just any old where. I sort of need it, truth-be-told...it'll make me feel..."she said trailing off.
Collecting her thoughts once again, she continued, "You're welcome to come along if you like. Then, I'll need to locate our demon. If we're lucky, there will be one close by. It's a pretty common variety called Lillake. Sometimes they even disguise themselves as owls to avoid detection. They're pretty tough and very old, but we don't need to kill one; just find a nest and liberate an egg or two."
"Though we'll definitely want to avoid much contact...Lillake are succubae. They survive by charming their victims...once under their spell...well...much badness can ensue...taking the full team will be better because if one of us falls victim, the others can make with the rescuing. They're native to cave regions and need a protected fresh water source close by so...caves with underground lakes or streams are pretty rare...should be pretty simple to put those factors together and scry for a location near us. Once we get back with the herbs, I can make with the locating and you can assemble the girls. When you talk to them...be sure they know...no eye contact." Willow concluded, looking a bit apprehensive.
"Willow, would you mind coming up to the room so we can call the ladies of the coven together? Then we'll be free to just go do this. I'd like to take you out on Bernadine. We could use her to commute to the forest rather than having to walk across the moor. Who knows...you might even enjoy it. I know she scares you, so I'll be gentle...very gentle," Buffy trailed off.
Willow lifted an eyebrow and sighed heavily. She had known this was coming. Grounding Buffy would mean she would just have to get to know Bernadine. It's not fair to take that away from her. Willow resolved herself to try, saying, "Okay, Buff. I guess we can do that. The video conference will give me a chance to check and see if Amy is okay. I sort of feel like I dumped her in their laps..."
They made their way back up to Buffy's room and Willow fiddled with the machine, trying to contact Miss Hartness. It was important to her that she actually speak with her old teacher about Amy. She felt she had sort of dropped the ball temporarily and needed to pick it back up before it caused resentment. Buffy had been right to keep prodding about the coven. I guess she must have known it would bring out the guilties and force me to act. She's amazingly perceptive at times. There are others though, when it looks like Buffy hasn't a clue in the world...strange actually.
It took another couple of minutes to ring the main number in Westbury, and soon they had Miss Hartness on the line. Willow said her hellos and broke straight into the subject of the witch, Amy. "I'm really sorry for dumping her in your lap like that last night. I was just really worried that she might find some way out that I hadn't considered and become a major issue for us. I feel like I sent you a ticking bomb with little warning. I mean, she was trying to kill me and all."
Miss Hartness spoke in a plain, even voice, "No...no...don't fret Willow. We have things well in hand here. Amy is happily in a cage, with nice little bell and a wheel to play on. We thought from the message you sent with her that reversing the magick you performed might best be advised after we spoke."
The older woman then paused thoughtfully, considering her words before continuing, "I'd like you to tell me what you know about Amy, please. Only the important details...it's already very obvious that you care for her on some level. So, please, I do not need your history, only her history with magick and the elements that have caused her to become dangerous."
Willow thought for a moment and said, "Well, it was Amy that really started me exploring magick myself. She always had a much harder time controlling the subtleties of the art than I did. She was never going to be as powerful as I was...it was specifically that which caused her to be dangerous. She is jealous of me. I just sorta passed her up in far too short a time...not meaning to be all full of myself or anything, but it hurt her."
Willow noticed that she was nervously rubbing her arm as she spoke and tried to control the impulse as she continued, "Then...well she lived as a rat...as my pet... for several years because I couldn't find a spell to reverse what she had done to herself...that cemented the bitterness. She was the one that actually introduced me to the demon, Rack. So, she's definitely played with the demonic magick thing...she goes for what's the most powerful to amp her natural abilities...powerful and easy. When I fought her last night, there was something new though. It sorta scared me...her magick had the flavor of human technology that was really powerful...way strong! I suspect that if we just let her sit for a while as a rat, all of that and all of the demon magick of the past will simply dissipate," she trailed off after speaking at a dead run; almost as quickly as she thought.
Miss Hartness found herself smiling. Willow was a sweet girl and something of a daughter to her, but sometimes she found her exhausting. I wish I had that energy, the older woman reflected before she spoke calmly and carefully, "Would you like for me to begin working with her, Willow? It sounds as though she might not immediately respond well to you."
Willow smiled brightly and said, "Would you? Yes, please! Errr...and thank you."
"Yes, I would. We will give the magicks you spoke of a few days to run their course and then I will have our strongest bring her to her natural state. From there, we'll just have to see how she responds. I have little doubt that she will not find the idea of living as a rat appealing again. Though, if is necessary, I will return her to that form myself, without hesitation. Should she be open to what we can offer her, you will need to come eventually and face her, Willow. She will never work through her own pain if you remain aloof. We can only do so much." Miss Hartness concluded sharply.
Willow smiled warmly again, "Thank you! Thank you, so much! Oh...would you mind having one of the girls please pack a bag for me to be sent here? I'm kinda without...well... without anything. I need to stay, at least for the short term, and well...I didn't have much time to plan before I left."
"Yes, no trouble. I can have it shipped out next day before five. You should see it in the morning. I understand your need to remain where you are. It would appear there are more factors than I might have first thought, though. Blessings to you both," Miss Hartness smiled knowingly at Willow.
What exactly did she mean by that? Willow puzzled at this and stumbled over a clumsy, "Goodbye...'" as a result.
Buffy laughed a little and said frankly, "Wow! I like her. I can appreciate what you see in her." then she snatched the key to Bernadine off the desk and trailed out of the room speaking as she moved, "You coming?"
Willow picked a knife up off of Buffy's desk, took a small shoulder bag off of the coat rack by the door and followed the Slayer reluctantly. She walked with Buffy to the stable trying not to think about the abject terror that awaited her.
"Oh, breathe, Will... You're turning blue. It'll be okay. I have you," the Slayer said soothingly as she threw a leg over Bernadine and motioned for Willow to climb on the back.
Willow went where instructed with some difficulty. She found the small passenger footrests and clipped them down into place with her heels, positioning her feet on them. This is like Yoga...only more with the pain, she thought as she stretched to right herself.
Once she felt that Willow was sort of in place, Buffy said in a soft, calming voice, "Now put your arms around me and hold on. You can place one hand in front of me against the gas tank if it makes you feel less wobbly."
Willow did as she was instructed and felt immediately at ease. It was like hugging Buffy, but different...and this leg thing which was mildly annoying...Who designed this? Must have been a chiropractor...more business for him... She dipped down a little to place her chin on the Slayer's shoulder.
Buffy stood the bike upright, flipped up the kickstand and fired Bernadine to life. She said softly, "Okay, Bernadine... We are going to be gentle with Willow, "she finished the thought with an absent rub to the gas tank of the Ducati and then pulled away. Buffy found herself smiling at the soft pressure she felt Willow placing on her. It was oddly comforting. There'd not been many that had actually been brave enough to go out with her. Xander sure wouldn't, but then she knew he heard her leave at night sometimes.
They moved very slowly and purposefully down the drive and into the forested patch of road below the castle. Willow actually found herself enjoying the wind on her face and the feel of the Slayer as Buffy worked to move the machine forward gracefully. It's almost like dancing... she thought to herself. She could see why it appealed so much to Buffy.
"That's not so bad, is it? Now watch, because we are going to leave the road in a sec...I'll be good." Buffy steered the motorcycle off the road between two massive trees. The forest was very old here and the trees grew very large and far apart. There was a grassy carpet on the forest floor; lush with vines and moss interspersed. It was quite beautiful. She found a spot out of sight from the drive to park Bernadine, rolling the bike so her sidestand could sit on a root. Last thing I want is for you to fall over...
"We're here and not with the pain and the violence even." Buffy announced.
Willow dismounted and made her way into the clearing Buffy had taken her to. I guess she's done this before. It would figure given her state of mind lately. Willow sat down and motioned the Slayer over to her. She then grabbed the other woman's hands and pulled her down in front of her. Reaching out, she gave Buffy a gentle hug and then said, "Thank you, honey. I see what you see in Bernadine. Though she and I are going to have to talk about where her passenger footrests are located. That is much the uncomfortable."
At this, Buffy simply giggled and, smiling warmly at Willow, took her hands.
Willow sat and looked at the Slayer for a moment. This is quite wonderful, she thought to herself. She released Buffy's hands and removed the bag, pulling the knife from it that she needed to cut the fresh herbs. "This is not a long list, so we should be done in a moment or two," she said trying to relax and reclaimed Buffy's hands for strength. "You don't mind do you? With the two of us, this will be a total breeze."
Buffy shook her head 'no' and started to relax herself...she felt the pull of Willow on her and started to focus; easing into it. She looked up and there was a small wildflower between them that had not been there before. The strange little thing had no leaves and only a few flowering stems...she regarded it as Willow dug it out by the roots.
"It's coltsfoot, Buffy...or bechion...it's a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory...very good if you are sicky with a cough... I think the focus is on the latter property for this potion." Willow said softly as she dug the plant up with the knife.
"Where's it from?" Buffy wondered aloud.
"It's found in north-central regions all over the world, practically. In fact, you can find it in the US in New Jersey and the surrounding areas. It's actually pretty toxic if you just eat it. I will have to stew it into a tea for the potion," Willow trailed off, concentrating on the next herb she sought.
Buffy's eyes fixed on the ground in front of her this time as a small stem pushed up out of the earth. She waited patiently for it to stop, but it just kept growing. She heard Willow's breathing become labored as she coaxed the sapling to come forth. "Will? You meant to make a tree, right?" She narrowed her eyes, looking a bit concerned at the shrub-sized sapling.
"Yeah, Buffy...I need some of the bark and you can't get that from just a sprout," Willow said as she shaved the side of the sapling. "It's yohimbe...native to West Africa. Pretty dangerous stuff...I need to dry the bark and grind it for the potion...I have to measure the amount exactly, or it could hurt Dawnie," Willow sat considering the slivers of bark before tossing them into the bag.
"What does it do?" Buffy asked, looking a bit concerned. She did not like the sound of that last bit.
"It dilates the blood vessels...must be part of the process...it can get pretty difficult to tell what the end result might be as far as chemical compounds go, especially when you start mixing in demon eggs and the like, though, Buff. I can tell you what it will do alone...the rest of the formula you just have to trust to the old, dead guys that worked it out and wrote it down," Willow shrugged as she said this. "You do know that I would never hurt Dawnie, right?" she added as the sapling withdrew back into the earth.
"Oh, I know, Will. I just can't help but worry. I know you will always do what you think is best to take care of 'your people'. You've proven that over and over again. So far, you've not been wrong, so I'm just going to shut up and watch now. I trust you," Buffy said with a supportive grin.
Another small plant, this one with purple flowers, sprouted between the two. Willow dug it up and removed the top of the plant, keeping only the roots. She looked at Buffy and simply said, "Mandrake Root," as she started to work on the next.
The sprout poked its head up through the earth, quickly becoming a stringy little plant with white bell-like flowers. Willow cut the entire plant at ground level and rose to her feet saying, "That last one was Solomon's Seal. Strange ingredient list...you'd have to travel the world over to acquire all of these normally...well, that is, back before the internet," she trailed off, chuckling.
"I need to hang some of these up to dry while we're out playing demon tag...anyway...take me home," she smiled, looking at Bernadine.
Buffy hopped on the Ducati and waited for Will to join her. She was much more graceful about mounting the bike her second time and soon they were pulling onto the road. Buffy flicked the bike back and forth a little, saying, "I need to get the crap off the tires. Just relax...it's safer if I do it in a controlled fashion."
They were entering the cul-de-sac in short order, and Willow seemed quite relaxed in her station, so Buffy took that moment to play just a bit. She said, "Relax and hold onto me. Just feel it." And with this, she leaned Bernadine into a steep turn; feeling her boot contact the pavement. She used this as a gauge, working the Ducati into its lowest possible lean angle running speeds on the small piece of pavement. Passing the drive on her third time around the cul-de-sac, Buffy straightened the bike up and set off down the road again. "Are you still okay?" she asked.
"Yeah...I'm doing just fine, but we should get back and do this if we are going to. Our demon, like most, is nocturnal. I'd like to catch it on the sleepy side if we can," Willow said softly in Buffy's ear, grinning all the while. That was sort of fun. Almost like an amusement park ride, but less with the slinging you around to reluctantly revisit the corndog you had moments before... If Buffy was slow and careful with her, she would go back out on Bernadine.
Buffy turned the bike into the grass and headed back up the drive. She smiled to herself and thanked Bernadine for the fun as they left the stable and shut the door. "I'll go talk to the team; you go play with your twigs and rootsies. I'll come to the room to get you when I'm done," Buffy said, stopping to hug the witch before they split up.