✿5 [Action]

[redstringed]

*It's night-time, and outside of Building 6 there is a young-looking gothic lolita vampire and a bed of roses.

Rachel, in an attempt to not get dirty while planting a garden, has been attempting to do the entire thing with spatial manipulation - you might see the dirt itself shift around the roses if you looked long enough. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be going well for her, and the rose "garden" is lopsided and mismatched, and the roses don't look healthy. They're wilting a bit.

And because of this, Rachel is looking all the more irritated and frustrated.

Clearly this is the best time to bother her.*

Comments

[redstringed]

From all you've told me, he sounds like he has the mentality of a particularly dim-witted child.

[consultmybooks]

Right up until the point where there's some disgusting havoc to be caused?

That phrase is an insult to dim-witted children.

[redstringed]

*She gives a short little laugh.* Ha! That, I will grant you.

I imagine you cannot possibly fathom what the Slayer sees in him, can you?

[consultmybooks]

[Giles frowns at this, and actually has to take a seat and think about his reply before he writes it out]

There are, unfortunately, a few deeply unfortunate similarities between Spike and her previous romantic interest. Namely, they're both vampires with souls. However, Spike and Angel are about as disparate from one another as it's possible to be.

And that might be the answer to your question.

[redstringed]

Hmm. At least you have a far more thoughtful approach to the matter than your young friend.

A fool, then, who busies herself with something she'll regret to drive away memories?

[consultmybooks]

That's the opinion I have of the situation, yes.

But who knows what's happened since? They both have years on me, and they certainly won't tell me everything.

[redstringed]

Ah, yes, the wrinkles and tears in time. They can be quite frustrating, I imagine.

Romance is such a silly little concept. It makes gibbering idiots of even the most intelligent of mortals.

[consultmybooks]

No argument from me.

Life is certainly a good deal more complicated with it.

But a good deal more pleasant while it lasts. [And a good deal more agonizing when it ends]

[redstringed]

I cannot say I see the need. You willingly invite unbearable pain and complication into your lives, and for what? A few moments of satisfaction? The hope that you might pass something on, or the thought that you might not have to spend your life alone?

[consultmybooks]

[Giles nods]

[redstringed]

...I find it difficult to comprehend such short-sighted idiocy.

[consultmybooks]

[And Giles shrugs]

On that front, as on many others, we'll have to disagree.

In many ways, all we have is short sighted idiocy.

[redstringed]

Indeed, it would seem to accompany your lifespans.

[consultmybooks]

That seems to be the idea.

I've had more than a few romances end very painfully. That doesn't mean I wish they never happened in the first place.

[redstringed]

How nostalgic of you.

As for me, I cannot understand that drive.

[consultmybooks]

Highlighting the distinction, once again, between vampires and humans.

[redstringed]

I suppose it does. *And she's also young by their standards, so there's probably that, too.* Perhaps it is simply incomprehensible.

[consultmybooks]

[He nods. Then a thought seems to strike him, and he writes again]

Do you have a soul?

Or is that something you just don't think about much?

[redstringed]

*A pause.* Is this a question you ask everybody, Mr. Watcher?

Most of us do not consider the soul a tangible object.

[consultmybooks]

No, it's not.

But for vampires, I've been taught to believe that the question is rather more in doubt.

You don't have to answer.

[redstringed]

How exactly do you expect me to answer an inquiry such as that? My kind are not created as your vampires are. I was not turned from being a human.

If you question whether I have a soul or not, you must do the same with every sentient being in my world.

[consultmybooks]

You were born a vampire?

[redstringed]

Given that I had previously compared my age as a vampire to that of my father, I would have thought that obvious.

[consultmybooks]

That's not all that uncommon even with vampires from my world. I knew one that used to celebrate her birthday on the anniversary she was turned.

Still. Vampires occurring naturally? Requires a whole rethinking of the food chain. [And he is, at the moment]

[redstringed]

Hm. Then yes, vampires occur naturally. When I say my father, I mean quite literally.

This is not to say that humans cannot be turned. But not all of us have been.