A Slayer's Tale

--

The ballroom was grand. The first thing that struck Faith was its enormity and extravagance.

Almost her entire life, Faith had hated parties or large social gatherings. Even those of the lower class that she, before tonight, had been privy too. She'd not had that many friends over the course of her life, but she had been to a few gatherings along the course of her wanderings. Even those she had been uncomfortable at.

It was not only her shyness but the falsity of such events as well. The looks to be pasted on and the gestures meant to be interpreted. Then there was the conversation. That made her stomach turn even more. She had nothing to say of the slightest interest to the world at large. Of that, she was certain and had been for a long time.

But Elizabeth had persisted, and she had agreed. She, after all, knew for certain the consequences of refusing. Elizabeth would have politely kissed her forehead and gone without her. But then she would have been left alone moping in a stew of self torment, cursing her cowardice and thinking of her Beth's sweet face.

She had not found a way to breech the subject of what had happened between them just the night before. She had the sinking feeling that the memory had been suppressed by the intensity of what they had experienced just after. But then, when those thoughts would seep in, occasionally Beth would look over at her and smile erasing any doubt she may have had.

-

Elizabeth had given Faith basic instructions on behavior and the like. Basically just stick close to her. Noone would expect her to illuminate the room, only to nod and laugh when appropriate. And Elizabeth was at her radiant best, the blue gown accentuating her perfectly as she curtsied to this person and that. This was her element. This was where Elizabeth excelled.

Faith's own gown, not quite as extravagant but still beautiful, hugged tightly to parts of her body in ways that she was not used to. But looking at herself in the full-length mirror before they had left, Faith was stunned at the young woman looking back at her. So, she loved the dress and would get used to wearing it if necessary.

Weaving her way through throngs of people, Elizabeth made her way to the other end of the room. Finally she stopped at a large table, which was adorned with extravagant amounts of different foods. She had led Faith, having told the younger girl not to leave her, to the same area with her. This was where Elizabeth's closest friends, all two of them, usually congregated at the regular gatherings.

Elizabeth wasn't disappointed, readily finding Willow at her regular station she smiled broadly. Looking up, the redheaded serving girl smiled back and waved.

"Hello, Willow." Elizabeth leaned in and pecked her on the cheek. "Have you seen Alexander tonight?"

"Funny you should ask." A voice sounded from behind Elizabeth. She turned, delighted, and threw her arms around Alexander who returned the embrace with equal fervor. Faith just sat silently.

"Who is your lovely friend?" Alexander said.

"Oh my. Where are my manners? Alexander this is Faith, she's a new friend. A good one." She smiled and tried to hide her blush, as to not give too much away about their relationship.

Elizabeth made all the necessary introductions between Faith and her other friends, and they were amazingly cordial to Faith, who decided tentatively that she liked these two. Even through the nausea she was feeling.

"Well, if you wouldn't mind Elizabeth, I'd like to share my first dance of the night with your new friend. That is, if it's alright with you, young lady." Nodding to Faith and extending his hand politely.

Faith smiled and, suprisingly, felt her nausea subside at the manners of the young man who patiently waited for her answer. How polite, she thought. From her lifetime of experience, she knew how to judge people, and right now she looked into Alexander's eyes and saw a gentleman. A man who would never make unwelcome advances or strange requests of her.

"I'd like that." She smiled, extending her own hand to meet his. Perhaps this particular party wasn't so bad.

-

Faith and Alexander danced for two songs.

All the while, Elizabeth stayed at the table and watched. She snacked politely on the breads and cheeses that were provided and talked to her other friend.

"Isn't she lovely?" Elizabeth asked, gazing wistfully at Faith.

Willow cast a glance at her, slightly askew. What was this? Willow looked at her lazy gaze and her sweet demeanor as she watched Alexander and Faith dance. Willow knew that look. It was the same look that she, herself, got when she looked at...Oh goodness.

The redhead stifled her suspicions as their two friends returned from the dance floor.

"Hello." Elizabeth extended her hand to Faith and smiling, even before Alexander. Willow watched intently. Oh yes, she thought. I'm right.

"That was fun." Faith said, her face bright and cheerful. Elizabeth was delighted that Faith was having such a good time after so many of her misgivings about coming this evening.

"I'm glad." Elizabeth said. She scanned the elaborately decorated room for other people that she might know. Then suddenly her face fell.

"What?" Faith asked.

"Oh no."

"What?"

Elizabeth looked to her other friends. "William is here."

Willow and Alexander reacted as if it were a finely practiced drill. Faith just stared in the direction of the blonde man that Beth had glanced.

"Normal distraction, Elizabeth?" Alexander asked.

"Please." She said, grabbing Faith's hand and pulled her toward the rear of the building.

-

As the bungling, blonde William made his way to the table, he had caught glimpse of Elizabeth. Wonderful! This was his chance to regale her with his latest foray into the world of poetry. This would win her heart for sure.

Elizabeth couldn't help but offer a backwards glance as she disappeared into the crowd. William was pursuing her vehemently, then suddenly tripped over Alexander's well-placed boot.

People laughed all around him as he regained his footing.

"You did that on purpose you wanker!" the blonde stammered, regaining his feet finally. He was livid, having lost Elizabeth completely.

"Who me, William? I wouldn't do anything to halt the pursuit of true love." He said sarcastically.

William sighed. "Dammit. I wrote her a poem and everything." Then he trudged off.

"Well, take your horrid poetry and be off with you." Alexander said, watching William the Bungler traipse off sullenly. He shook his head. Damn, he thought. When will this guy ever learn?

-

"I usually don't leave the cotillions this early." Elizabeth said, closing the back exit and spilling herself and Faith out into the alleyway. "But William is a pain. He's totally in love with me."

"I could tell." Faith said to her. "But then, who could blame him?"

After that statement, the younger girl blushed and turned away from Elizabeth. She was obviously embarrassed by her statement. The blonde Slayer looked right, then left. Then she put a hand to Faith's face and gave her a quick but sweet kiss, followed by a beautiful smile.

"I'm only yours." Elizabeth said, reassuring her friend. "All yours in fact."

Look at her sweet smile, Faith said to herself. "Are you really?"

"Yes." Looking at her it was impossible for Faith to even remember anyone lying to her, though many had in her life. She looked into those emerald eyes that held not an ounce of drivel or misunderstanding. Faith leaned in for another kiss, feeling her heart skip a beat as their lips met.

Then they just stood for a while staring at each other, fitfully.

-

The back door that they had escaped through opened. Damn.

"Elizabeth?" A blonde head poked out. Oh god. It's William again. "I wrote you a poem..."

Grabbing her hand, Faith started to run. "C'mon Beth, the poems must be even more horrifying than the demons!"

-


They ran for a block or more, then were stopped in their tracks by a scream. The two stared at each other for a moment, then reversed the run to the source of the noise. Only a few steps and both were witness to the horrifying scene.

It was William.

Their quick exit had made him easy prey for the vampire that lurked in the alley. The two Slayers moved in quickly and dispatched the creature, leaving only a pile of dust where it once stood over William's neck.

He stood primly and straightened himself. "Well then." He started, smiling broadly. Now would be a good time for me to sing your accolades, dear Elizabeth."

He began his poem, then Faith punched him squarely in the jaw line, knocking him out.

Elizabeth just looked at her.

"I didn't hurt him. He'll be fine!" Faith exclaimed.

Her Beth smiled slightly and took her by the hand.

"Let's go home, bully."

--

They sat on Elizabeth's bed again. Once again cross-legged and facing each other.

"Thanks for taking me Beth. I actually had a really good time." Faith finally said.

"Oh it gets better, young lady." Elizabeth said, smiling contently. "Much better indeed."

Then she leaned forward and kissed Faith.


--


TBC