bakerstreet | (no subject)

(no subject)

Ever wanted to tag a character yours has no good reason to know? Ever wanted your character to be forced to interact with someone they're supposed to hate? Now's your chance!

You character has been trapped somewhere-- and they're not alone. Pick the scenario(s) and genre(s) you're open to, and post with your choices and character's information in the subject line. Use the random number generator or your own discretion to reply to others' posts.

SCENARIOS

1. TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR The old standby. You're stuck until someone can rescue you, or until one or both of you can get this box moving again.

2. TRAPPED IN AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER Maybe there's a nuclear winter, or maybe you were just exploring and wandered in here. Either way? Right now, you're stuck.

3. TRAPPED IN A CAR You were driving long-distance when your ride broke down, so now you're stuck in the middle of nowhere until else someone happens by.

4. TRAPPED IN A MALL AFTER HOURS Somehow, you managed to get stuck in the mall after closing. Maybe you fell asleep in the bathroom, or were hiding in the back of the bookstore, but now the doors are locked, and you've got the whole place almostto yourself.

5. TRAPPED IN A MAZE Entering that maze seemed like such a good idea, didn't it? Only now you can't find your way out, and you're pretty sure you're not alone in here...

6. OTHER/COMBO Any other scenarios that tickle your fancy.

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[ The frustration and adrenaline are slowly draining out of her, and now all she has remaining is ... self-doubt and a sore hand. She glances around the room, then sinks to the ground, sitting and leaning back against the wall, folding her arms over her stomach. Her head tilts back and she stares at the ceiling for a moment.

God, why did Spike have to be there? Of all people. Of all the people in the universe, Spike. She couldn't even get a minute to compose herself, because if she looked weak, she looked weak in front of him. ]

[As he watches her, looking so hopeless, he feels a twinge of pity. Poor girl, always working so hard to save the day, finally trapped down here with him to die like rats in a cage.

Then he remembers that he's evil and that he hates her. Her pain and vulnerability is just hilarious to him. He smirks and walks over to her. Time to rub it in and not think about how he almost wanted to comfort her. It was a moment of insanity brought on from confinement. Thank god it's gone.]

I hardly need to point out that these are humans we're dealing with this time, right? Those people whose lives you keep saving time after time again. Grateful lot, aren't they?

You really don't get it, do you? [ She drops her head back down and fixes him with a scrutinizing look. It's not particularly judgy for once, because it's not his fault. ] It's not about gratitude. I don't save them so that they'll ... swoon and thank me. I do it because it's right.

[...no, he really doesn't get it. He's done things for others before. He helped Buffy save the world. He took care of Dru even when it was hard. But he was doing that for the woman he loved, not some stranger. And he knew Dru was grateful. Somewhere deep down, she had feelings for him too. She was just too... Angel dazzled to realise it.

He tilts his head, now more curious than mocking.]

That's really it? You don't even know them.

I don't need to. What, are my friends supposed to have more of a right to live somehow just because they're my friends? That's stupid. Protecting people isn't about -- about what they mean to you, it's not about you at all. Which is why looking for gratitude is stupid. [ She shakes her head. ] It's about them. It's about doing what's right. Even when they don't.

[...still not getting this. It's the evil thing. But he's sort of trying to get it. The idea of helping people for no other reason than that it's right. Seems bloody stupid to him. Useful for him, but stupid. If Buffy had come to him saying she couldn't fight anymore, he wouldn't have tied her up, he'd have snapped her neck.] But you'd probably like it if they thanked you. Right?

Yeah, it would. But it doesn't matter if they don't. [ She shakes her head. He's not going to get it. She just looks away. ] Forget it.

[Spike shrugs.] Got anything better to do?

Ignoring you?

See, that just sounds right boring. Come on, Slayer. [He goes over to her and sits down next to her.] Tell me how the hero thing works. Maybe... [He puts a hand over his heart, just dripping with insincerity.] Just maybe you'll manage to reach me, turn me from my evil ways.

[ She looks at him like he's some kind of diseased leper as he sits beside her, and at first just scoots away, then gets to her feet. ] Funny. [ She wasn't about to waste her breath. Especially when she wasn't sure -- was there ventilation in this place? She looked up, trying to spy a vent. ]

[Breathing just isn't one of those things Spike worries about, so he just follows her gaze, trying to figure out what she's searching for.]

Planning on climbing through the ceiling?

Yes, and then maybe I'll set myself on fire and retire to own a pizzaria in the south of France. [ She narrows her eyes on him. ] Electrical current, remember? I'm looking for a vent. [ She continues to examine the ceiling, then looks around the bottom of the walls along the floor for some kind of ... anything. ] Something that doesn't scream "you're going to suffocate in 20 minutes."

I won't suffocate. But if you do, I guess I get to eat you. [He grins sharply and starts glancing around casually. Breathing might not interest him, but a vent could be a way out. Spot check of 24 means he catches sight of one on the wall opposite him. It blends in well, the white screen over it nearly identical to the ones near it, but vampire eyes are good enough to notice the subtle differences. He points.]

Over there.

[ She lowers her gaze to him, then tracks his to the vent and paces over to it. She removes the screen with some effort, then turns around to glance at him, uncertain. ]

... And, last I checked, you wanted that outcome. So, why with the helpfulness?

[He shrugs.] It's not like hiding it would make it stop working.

Might keep us here long enough for me to starve, though. [ She starts fidgeting with the vent to get the cover off of it. It's not big enough to crawl through, not comfortably. Maybe for her if she squeezed, but she's fun-sized. ]

...good point. [Dammit, he should have thought of that. Still, he's not sure how he'd escape after he ate her. Like it or not, he does need Buffy's help. Now especially. He doesn't think he can fit through the vent, but she might be able to.

He crosses the room and snatches her wrist.]

You'll come back for me, right? Show off some of that doing the right thing you're so keen on?

[ Her hand balls into a fist as he grabs her and she jerks it back quickly, glaring up at him. But, the instinct fades and her stern look lessens into something steadier. ]

You're harmless, Spike. Like it or not, that makes you one of the damsel-y types. [ She raises an eyebrow, popping one shoulder in a shrug. ] And lo, I defend.

[He clenches his jaw, annoyed at the "damsel-y type" crack. He shouldn't be harmless. He should be able to protect himself and kill her. But he can't. He stays quiet and nods.]

You'd better. I don't want more things shoved up my brain.

Brain? You have a brain? You mean that chip's not just rattling around in empty skull? [ She can't resist the jab. ]

[He looks unamused.] Least I'm smart enough to not waste time yammering while I could be escaping.

And I'm smart enough to know that I don't have to come back for you. [ She scowls, then assesses the vent. ] This is gonna be fun.

Hey, you already said you would. Hero thing, remember? Plus, I helped you.

Mortal enemies, Spike. You really trust me? [ The fact of the question sets in and she seems to be surprised by herself, but then she just shakes it off, dismissing it. ] 'Cause, if we're being honest, I'm at the think I might be needing more of that help stage. Of the boost and push variety. Kinda tight quarters, even for me.