026 Summons ❈ Dictated ❈ Backdated to the 11th

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena's voice is tired and filled with concern as she dictates into the journal.]

[Filtered to anyone who knows Spike Spiegel]

Hey, I know we've all been through hell, but I haven't been able to find or reach Spike. Does anyone know where he is?

[PleasePleasePleasePlease don't let it be more bad news.]

[/]

Comments

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena tilts her head in thought.]

Yeah. I know it sounds kinda bad, but that's a good way to put it.

He was stealthy about it.

[heloise]

Stealthy when it comes to kindness?

[rose_of_battle]

Yeah. I mean, people do good things all the time without people knowing about them, right?

[heloise]

No. [ She rests her hand on Spike's for a moment before moving away to retrieve her book. ]

It is the unpleasant that is usually hidden. The bad.

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena watches her a moment before stepping closer to Spike and looking at her.]

I won't argue that's not true, either, but there are people who do good things without letting others know about them.

[Her voice drops.]

They're just pretty rare.

[heloise]

[ She narrows her eyes at the woman slightly. ]

Why do you care for him?

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena looks at her in surprise.]

He's my friend.

[heloise]

[ But friends turn to enemies at the flip of a coin. ]

That is an easy word to claim.

[rose_of_battle]

It can be...

[She looks down at Spike with a sad smile.]

But the feelings behind it aren't.

[heloise]

Feelings are difficult to prove.

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena looks at her and shakes her head gently.]

Actually, I think they're harder to say than prove. For example, I know you're his friend just from your actions alone; you never had to tell me.

[heloise]

You think we are friends?

[rose_of_battle]

Yes, I do.

You're protecting him, you were suspicious of me, and just now when you touched his hair.

That all speaks "friend" to me.

Are you saying you're not?

[heloise]

He saved me. This is the least I can do.

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena shakes her head.]

No. This is something someone who cares about--and is close to--a person would do. There's no "least" about it.

[heloise]

[ She shrugs. ]

Make your assumptions.

[rose_of_battle]

[Don't worry, she will--wrong or not.]

[She looks back to Spike, and her voice is quietly breaking when she speaks.]

Would it be okay if I spend a few minutes alone with him?

[heloise]

[ A good actress, if she isn't genuine. Lucrezia hesitates, before walking away toward the door to, yes, give her the privacy she asks for. ]

The maid will show you out.

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena watches the woman, her thanks in her eyes long before she says it.]

Thank you.

[She then turns to Spike, the tears she had fought finally being allowed to run their course.]

Oh, Spike... [Her voice takes on a mock threatening tone.] You had better come back in two weeks; you owe it to this lady who's been taking care of you.

[heloise]

[ Her own expression is cold. She lingers by the door a moment before closing it quietly to go off and find something else to entertain her. There will be a maid stationed by the door when Sheena decides it's time to go. ]

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena doesn't stay too much longer out of deference for Lucrezia, but she does stay long enough to bow her head, standing still and silent for several minutes before looking up at her friend.]

Come back soon, Spike. Your friends miss you.

[With that, she squeezes his hand once and turns, stopping by the door a moment before stepping through it and nodding to the maid she was ready to leave as she closed the door behind her.]