chicago ♔ subscribe me not to darkness

[principal]

♬ To Darkness - Mumford and Sons

WHO || Buffy Summers, Sam Winchester, Robin Wood [closed]
WHAT || Buffy accompanies Sam to Chicago, seeking answers about Dean's past... and the fate of the version of Sam from this world
WHERE || Chicago, USA
WHEN || Late-October [back-dated]
HOW || Actionspam

Sam Winchester has not a very easy time of this world.  

Most of the reasons for which, it seems, can be traced back to the fact that there was another Sam Winchester native to this dimension.  One who somehow managed to alienate his brother Dean to the point where he almost murdered Sam on sight, and it's been a very slow, uphill battle ever since to get Dean to say more than two non-hostile words in a row to him.

An uphill battle that's going too slowly for Sam's taste.  

Upon googling his own name and doing some research in hunter circles, he learned more and more disturbing facts - including the fact that he and Dean from this world were held responsible for the deaths of Jo & Ellen Harvelle, and Bobby Singer.  Distraught by what he'd learned, he shared the facts with his new friend, Buffy, who agreed to travel with him to Chicago tracing down one of the only leads they have on finding out more about what happened, since Dean doesn't seem inclined to share.

And so off they go to Chicago - home to some of Buffy's own demons - to check out the Hunter's bar run by Robin Wood.

Comments

[slay]

So.

[ It's a question she hadn't wanted to ask on the plane. ]

Since you're supposed to be dead … [ Buffy glances up at the entrance to the bar from beside Sam, holding off on stepping inside just yet. ] And these guys know Dean … What are the chances we're looking at the same greeting that you got back at the castle?

[ Like. The assault part. Because if she's walking into a fight, she'd like some kind of heads up. ]

[familybusiness]

I'd go in there expecting it, and be pleasantly surprised if we don't get a punch or two thrown in my direction.

[Or knife or bullet but...yeah...

There's a reason beyond being his friend that he brought you, Buffy.]

I don't want to fight back if we don't have to. I don't want to...prove them right if it comes to that.

[He looks at her, eyes serious.]

I don't want you taking hits for me, though.

[slay]

[ When Buffy meets his gaze, there's a flickering moment where she wonders if maybe he brought the wrong person, in that case. Somehow, things always have a way of deteriorating to fights with her. Whether that's due to her own personal demons, or just a really bad career choice, she's not sure.

Reaching out, though, she squeezes his hand and offers a smile. Which is dumb because the last time one of Rafael's girlfriends was PDA-ing with another dude there were assassinations. ]

Okay. No letting them land a hit. I can do that.

[ A beat later, a smile twitches up onto her face. ]

I'm kidding.

[ Releasing his hand, she moves to pull the door open. ]

We're just asking a couple questions. I know.

[familybusiness]

Let's hope they even let me ask them. For all I know they might recognize my face and not tell me a damn thing.

[Or try to kill him on sight. Wouldn't that be fun.]

Dean is apparently a regular here, though, and both of our names were tied to those hunter deaths. Maybe it's blown over by now.

[He's clearly affected by even talking about it, considering he knows those hunters.]

[slay]

Here's hoping they never saw your faces. Ever thought about a pseudonym?

[ Leaning against the door, she holds it for him, folding her arms over her chest as she does. ]

[familybusiness]

I'm not going to hide, Buffy. Not from other hunters.

[He looks pretty resolute in that.]

Whatever I did? I have to own that if I'm going to make up for it, or keep it from happening again. If they find out I'm lying, then they'll definitely never talk to me.

[slay]

But if they don't find out you're lying …

[ Just saying. Her head starts to tilt like haaaayyyyy but then she sighs and lets it go. ]

I see your point. [ They'll find out. It's a matter of when. So she resolves to accept it. ] Sam Winchester it is. But if this ends in a brawl, I'm calling dibs on the pool cue.

[familybusiness]

[His eyebrows just raise. They always find out. They're on the same wavelength there.]

Deal.

[He looks briefly through the door she's holding open (who's the man here?) before he exhales a breath and finally steps through into the bar, trying to shake off his nerves.

As his eyes adjust to the different light, he takes a look around, taking stock of the people inside (spot...6 lol HE'S PREOCCUPIED)]

[slay]

[ Buffy follows just behind his shoulder, hot on his heels, looking a great deal more hawklike as she scans the bar (spot 33). Picks up all Sam's slack. Opening doors, scoping out bars. Lucky he has a big strong man around for him to investigate his feelings. ]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ sam's eyes need a moment to adjust to the dim light. seriously, does this place have any windows??? probably not.

the place has an old feel to it, the building a little worn down, and someone's best efforts to keep it spruced up are obviously a losing battle. there's maybe about twelve patrons in here, in various stages of drinking at the bar, hanging out in dark booths having hushed conversations, or playing pool. at the moment, no one's tending bar, but the door behind it looks ajar, so they might just be getting something.

no one looks up when they enter. ]

[familybusiness]

[Once Sam's dealt with the fact that it's fucking dark in here, he manages a glance around before he looks back at Buffy, gesturing with his head toward the bar before heading toward it and having a seat at one of the stools.

Just act casual, right? Like they belong here.]

[slay]

[ Luckily, Buffy is a CREATURE OF THE NIGHT who automatically adjusts. She spots the open door, scans some of the disinterested patrons, then seats herself beside Sam. She looks like a toddler at the bar because of her relative size to 90% of hunters, but here she is. Arms folded on the bar top.

She turns her head towards the door, trying to listen in on the conversations of the scattered patrons, catch even the slightest hint. ]

I count twelve. [ Said in the voice of "I could take them if I had to." ] What do you think: divide and conquer?

[familybusiness]

Sounds good to me. You take the right side of the room, I'll take the left?

[As glad as he is for her confidence, he's still not looking for anything even kind of resembling a fight.]

[familybusiness]

[Sam breaks away to do just what Buffy's thinking. He heads toward the pool table, acting casual while he waits for the bartender to show.]

Can I get in on the next game? Winner buys the next round?

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the grizzled bearded guy getting ready to break looks over, just as the curvy blonde with one sassy hand on her hip across the table looks at him with clear recognition in her eyes and says: ] Holy shit.

[familybusiness]

[Well, good thing they didn't even attempt the whole alias thing. That definitely wasn't going to work.]

...Or not.

[Wisdom...3]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ her lip curves up but she looks more astonished than angry. the guy stands up as well, staring up at sam with a squint. ] What?

[ she's quick to blow his lack of cover, at least. ] That's Sam Winchester. The late Sam Winchester.

Should've known you boys never seem to know when to stay dead.

[familybusiness]

[His hand awkward goes to rub the back of his neck.]

I guess not.

[At least they're not...trying to kill him. Promising?]

So what are they saying happened to me, huh? Rumors do like to fly, after all.

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the blonde works her way around the table slowly, eyes never leaving sam, even as she keeps that grimace on her face. ] Ohhh, they say plenty. [ she glances for a half a second at the other hunter as she passes him, going around to sam's other side, and he casually looks over his shoulder, watching buffy head out the door, and taking note of the bartender's continued absence, before nodding back slightly. ] About you and Dean.

'Bout the mess you caused.

[ she stops right behind him, so that he's got one on either side. ] 'Bout Jo and Ellen and Bobby Singer.

[familybusiness]

[Now here's a situation he's all too familiar with (wisdom 19).

Looks like he might be taking the pool cue after all. Sorry Buffy.

The mention of his friends, especially Bobby, hits him again, and he's barely able to keep from wincing, the corners of his eyes still bearing the emotions (will save 14).]

Look, guys, I'm not looking for trouble here. I just need some information.

[Diplomacy 20 total.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ her tone turns more distinctly unfriendly, expression darkening as he follows her with his eyes. ] Well see, now that's too bad. Because I think you've found some trouble.

[ sam hears

nothing. nothing at all. ]

[familybusiness]

[At least he has the fucking sense to try and keep....tabs on both of the people surrounding him (wisdom 15).]

Seriously, let's just talk about this. There has to be some kind of misunderstanding.

[He turns his head to look at the other hunter, who is presumably in his blind spot.]

[astrayed]

[ ♬ problem - natalia kills

maybe sam's crit fail had to do with someone dropping a quarter in the jukebox over there, and starting up some seriously loud tunes. could be.

either way, he turns around in time to see the knife coming towards his mid-section (atk... 9 lmao), and move out of the way in time. there's still that blonde lady behind him though, which could be a serious issue ... except that there's a sudden cracking noise, as her head is slammed against a table, her own knife clattering to the floor. the woman who was just at the jukebox is holding her head down, and tosses up a seriously provocative smile sam's way (charm... 54 ahahah), as she keeps her held in place. she's dressed mostly in leather, from the pants, to the jacket, and her heels look almost impossible to walk around in, but that doesn't seem to have slowed her down any. ] Well, hi there.

[familybusiness]

[Well that happened, awfully fast.

He sees the flash of the knife and sidesteps it like it's his job, turning just in time to see a really......wow did that ridiculously hot woman just save his ass?

Also why is it canon for Sam to get dazzled by attractive brunettes (sorry Buffy). His will save versus her charm isn't doing him any favors either (....7).]

.....h-hey.

[What the actual fuck is happening, right now?]

[astrayed]

[ her grin widens a bit at his reaction, and she lets her eyes trail over him openly for a minute while the blonde woman squirms under her clearly supremely effective grasp. she shifts her reply to the woman, leaning down next to her ear, and saying sweetly: ] Now why don't you and your friend run along home before it gets any darker? You wouldn't want to get caught on the streets when anything really big and bad comes out to play. [ the woman grimaces, but nods and the older hunter steps backwards away from them, holding up both hands, the knife still clasped in one, as a gesture of acceptance. she seems satisfied, but before she lets her go, nods to sam to pick up the woman's dagger. ] Why don't you hold onto that for her until she learns some manners?