Boys and Bars

Part 5

“Something I should know ‘bout Sunnydale, Buck?” Vin asked, noticing the rogue’s uneasy expression.

“Sunnydale, California.” began Buck, pausing to down half the whiskey sitting in front of him. “Home of the highest death rate per capita in the US, more cemeteries and abandoned churches than you can shake a stick at, and the strangest damn demon community I’ve ever seen. And let’s not forget, home to one of two Hellmouths in the continental US.”

“Ah, shit!” cursed Vin, already mentally doubling the number of weapons he was planning on ‘packing’ for this little trip. He’d come across a Hellmouth in South America once, while he’d been travelling with a tribe of Koresh demons. The vibes that thing had put out had warped every type of energy within a fifty-mile radius. The bounty hunter wasn’t looking forward to being around another one.

“What’s a Hellmouth?” asked JD, not quite sure if he really wanted to know.

“It’s a doorway. Literally the ‘Mouth of Hell’.” Nathan explained, speaking up for the first time. While the healer had never been near one, he’d heard enough about them from the patients he saw. Running the only ‘demon-friendly’ clinic in the city guaranteed him patients and information, even though most of that came from his receptionist, Sally Ann.

“It is a decidedly unpleasant locale to visit, Mr. Dunne.” added Ezra, sharing a look with Vin. Both had been to an area with a Hellmouth, and had none-too-pleasant experiences to show for it.

Seeing that the young man still didn’t understand the dangers, Josiah expanded on the healer’s explanation.

“A Hellmouth is a metaphysical doorway into Hell.” he explained. “The dark energies and pure evil found there leak through the doorway, sending out a call - like a bright, shining beacon in a dark room. As a result, all energies - including magical - are distorted.”

“He means nothing works like it should.” clarified Buck, still staring at the last of the amber liquid in his glass before downing it as well. “You can’t trust the simplest spell to go the way it should.”

“Though vampires seem to be the predominant species, various demons also seek out the Hellmouth to attempt to either open the doorway or harness the raw mystical energy that constantly seeps through.” added Ezra.

“Doesn’t anyone stop them?” JD asked, eyes wide with amazement. “I mean, someone had to have stopped them, or we wouldn’t be here, right?”

“Correctly so, Mr Dunne.” Ezra replied. “I believe the Hellmouth in Sunnydale boasts a Slayer as guardian, while the one in Cleveland has a clan of Qui’ria’K demons preventing any ill use.”

“How the hell did a Qui’ria’K demon - let alone a clan of them - become guardians of the Cleveland Hellmouth?” exclaimed Nathan, more than shocked and bewildered by what the Southerner had said. “They don’t do anything without a good reason, and usually it’s for their own personal gain! Just like you, Ezra!”

“I believe a life debt was called in, after a particularly dangerous attempt to open the Hellmouth.” He answered, ignoring Nathan’s backhanded insult. “Or so the rumours say.”

“So why is Chris going to Sunnydale, if a Hellmouth is so bad?” asked JD, trying to delay the inevitable argument between Ezra and Nathan. He wanted answers before those two went at each other, despite the complete lack of malice between them. While the two had started off on the wrong foot, they were now as close as the rest of the groups; though both would rather die than admit it.

“What else is in Sunnydale?” he persisted, unwilling to take silence as an answer, especially if two of his friends were heading into potential trouble. “Does it have anything to do with that wave of dark magic we felt earlier?”

“JD! Let it rest, boy!” Buck snapped, irritated that he was worried, and worried about what his oldest friend might find in Sunnydale.

Silence fell around the table at Buck’s harsh words to the now-red faced young man.

“Still, I would like to know what has two of our Brothers headed for Sunnydale.” commented Josiah in a conversational tone, eyes completely focussed on Buck, a reprimand clear in his gaze.

Sighing in defeat, Buck looked at JD as he gave the only answer he was willing to. “The only thing that kept Chris sane and in one piece after Sarah and Adam died.”

Looking up at the newest arrival through the street entrance, what could only be described as a ‘panicked’ look crossed Buck’s face as he hastily added, “And that’s all I’m willing to tell you.”

“Night, fellas!” he called over his shoulder as he hotfooted it out of the bar through the back entrance.

Calling after Buck did JD no good, the door was already swinging shut behind him. Turning to see what had made the tall man flee, JD suddenly felt a very similar desire to leave as quickly as possible.

Noting JD’s panicked look, the other men followed his gaze and suddenly found more pressing errands to run.

“Gotta get packin’.” said Vin, hastily following Buck out the back entrance.

“Edwards needs to be informed of this evening’s upcoming flight.” added Ezra, pushing away from the table while reaching for his phone. “Good evening, gentlemen.”

“Now hold up, Ezra!” called Nathan after the Southerner, determine to get some answers from the slippery man. “What did you do in Cleveland?”

“I’m sure I do not know to what you are referring, Mr. Jackson.” Ezra replied, with all the smarm of a used car salesman.

“You deal in fact, Ez - not rumour.” the healer replied as he followed the other man out of the bar.

“Please desist in that obnoxious appellation! My name is E-z-r-a, use it correctly!” came the beginning of a long-suffering argument in the wake of their exit.

Seeing that the reason for the mass exodus was almost upon him, JD shook off his frozen status and simply bolted for the door, stammering a lame excuse as he went.

“Well, I certainly can clear a room, can’t I, Josiah?” asked Mary Travis of the only man left.

“Indeed.” He replied, wishing he’d been quicker and joined the others.

“Well, that just gives us more time to talk.” The blonde pseudo-reporter/store owner smiled sweetly as she sat down. “You wouldn’t happen to know what had the customers of my store heading for higher ground, would you?”

Another round of dodging questions and giving half-answers to the woman who didn’t know it was better to leave well enough alone.

Ezra was always better at this than he was, Josiah mused. The con man was the only one known to leave Mary Travis more confused than when she started. It was truly a sight to see.

“Josiah? Are you listening to me?”

He reached for the leftover bottle of whiskey, and tried to decide whether he needed a glass or to drink straight from the bottle.

“Pay attention and tell me what’s going on!”

No glass!

End

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