the duties of a daughter ((tag clark))

[slayers_desire]

It was a quiet day, and April was getting a quick nap while Jonathan was down for his daily nap. A hand rested on her pregnant belly, showing a little now that she was in her second month.

The nausea seemed to be the worst thing for her, and so she was resting just to feel back to 'normal' before going out for grocery shopping.

The sound of her PINpoint ringing brought her out of her mid-morning slumber. "Hello?" She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"April, it is Shasta here, have you seen Spike?" The worried voice of the woman on the other end of the line made April awaken even further.

"No. Was he supposed to be here today?" Her father hadn't mentioned he would be visiting.

"Well no... but he just... left. It was really weird. Wes hasn't seen him either. And I am just... worried."

April reached out with her voices, frowning with the sense of chaos and frustration when she tried to contact her father. "Okay Shasta. Don't worry. We will find him."

After hanging up the phone, April reached out to her husband, to see if he was at the Daily Planet, or busy responding to a situation as Superman.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

This time, April takes him into the shadows with her, so they can move down the tunnels undetected. They move down to tunnels, and soon move by a few vampires. But soon, the numbers of the vampires get higher. There are more of them.

There are so many here... they feel the same as Tansy... clones

[kalel_ofkrypton]

And just as disoriented, I'll bet.

[slayers_desire]

They are no longer getting memories from their true selves, and feel lost.

But there are some real vampires in the mix. Guiding the confused clones into cells, away from harm.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Some of them are real... do any of them feel like we might be able to question them? He trusts her judgment.

[slayers_desire]

They would just try to take us prisoner... we are better off in the shadows for now

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He nods mentally. Then let's keep going.

[slayers_desire]

They continue down the tunnels. There are more and more real vampires, and less clones. Soon they come to an underground throne-room. There is a very old, ancient looking vampire sitting upon a skeleton throne.

He is talking with a few vampires in hushed tones.

He is so ancient. I have never felt one as old as him

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark listens in on what the ancient vampire is saying, in case it's something they need to know.

[slayers_desire]

Unfortunately, they are just talking about their next night's hunt. Making plans for where to find vulnerable prey.

Things are quite uneventful, until there is a commotion at the door, when Spike himself enters. Father... April jolts slightly.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

They found him... but something doesn't feel right. Even though Clark doesn't get the feeling that this is a clone of him, something feels wrong.

[slayers_desire]

Spike heads up to the Mexican Master, sitting with a cocky smile on the throne arm beside him. April senses something right away...

His soul is gone...

[kalel_ofkrypton]

That isn't good. How could they take his soul away?

[slayers_desire]

They must have it trapped somewhere. It is impossible for a soul to be completely removed

[kalel_ofkrypton]

How do you want to handle this? They could split up, and have one of them find Spike's soul and the other take the rest of him out of here. But on the other hand, Clark doesn't like the idea of either of them being alone here.

[slayers_desire]

We are definitely not splitting up. We need to stick together

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He's definitely not going to argue with that. Let's see if we can find where they're keeping his soul. Now that they've got a fix on Spike, it should be easier to find him again later.

[slayers_desire]

Just wait... I think we should listen into their conversation The other vampires leave the Master's side, so that Spike can lean in and speak with him.

"Someone took down your factory in Rome." Spike chuckled. Still cocky, no matter the situation.

"You wouldn't know who, would you?"

"How would I?" Spike looked innocent as he could.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Even without his soul, working with them, he doesn't want to give you up.

[slayers_desire]

He still is protective of those he considers important. Even without a soul, he had a deep passion for both Drusilla and Buffy

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Hopefully they believe him when he says he doesn't know...

[slayers_desire]

The Master doesn't... but he is not pushing the issue

"Our little pets won't serve their initial purpose, but we can find some other way to utilize them. The Anointed One will be stronger... if he drinks vampire blood." There is a wicked smile on the Master's face. Spike rolls his eyes, lighting a cigarette casually.

"Have you found the right vessel for the job yet?"

"We are still seeking the perfect vessel. But we are close... so close..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It might just be their previous experience with vampire cults, but Clark is worried they want to use their unborn child for whatever they need. Or April herself, of course.

[slayers_desire]

She can sense his fear, and sends a mental hand-squeeze in his direction. There is something sinister happening here, and she knows that there is so much more hidden to them.

And she feels helpless right now, because all she can do is watch and listen.

"You have been close for decades..." Spike points out, very amused. The Master glares at him, but makes no motion to attack the other vampire.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

For decades... so that means it probably isn't April, and definitely not their children. What should we do?

[slayers_desire]

My voices are telling me... to leave him here. For some reason, Spike needs to be involved with this Master