As Buffy shifted into solidity in the realm of the Powers That Be, she cast out her senses, in an attempt to locate every being within range. Her head swam with the sensation of power that brushed her senses and set every nerve to tingling. “Now I remember why I hate doing this…,” she muttered to herself.

Two people, one male, one female, moved towards her, their faces set in an expression of disinterested curiosity. “Why have you come before us, lower being?” the male asked. “Did you bring me a present?” the female asked.

“You know, you two should really check into who you are talking to before you assume that you know them.” Buffy said with a low growl, causing the twins to pale.

As one they dropped to one knee, “Forgive us Lady, we were not expecting you,” the female twin whispered.

“Now what fun would it be if I were expected,” Buffy said with a smirk as she brushed past them. “I am here for a reason, and that reason involves your bosses and their interfering messenger. Take me to them. Now!” Buffy waited expectantly and impatiently for them to do as she had requested.

“Of course, Lady. Follow us, please,” the male said as he and his sister rose to their feet and motioned for Buffy to follow them. They led her down a long, pale green corridor and stopped before a closed bronze door. “They are within, but I’m afraid with the door closed…” the female started. “… no-one is able to enter their presence,” the male continued.

“Luckily I’m not no-one,” Buffy said with a smile. “Thank you for escorting me, I won’t keep you from your duties any longer.” Then she turned towards the door, having dismissed the twins from the forefront of her perceptions. She placed her hand on the door and gave it a slight push, frowning when it refused to budge. “I am so not in the mood to play their pathetic games,” she muttered to herself. Placing both of her hands on the door, Buffy gave a hard push, focusing her considerable will behind the push, forcing them open.

The gathered group of beings turned towards the door as it slammed open, bouncing off the walls and reverberating with the sound of cracking marble. “Who dares disturb the peace of our sanctuary?” a voice boomed out from the midst of the gathering.

“You have GOT to be kidding me. You send your errand boy to STEAL my prey and then have the nerve to try to lock me out. And tell me I’m not expected?” Buffy snarled in exasperation.

A young-looking creature with pale violet skin and vibrant green eyes stepped forward. “Who are you to accuse us of such actions,” it said with a note of disdain in its voice.

Buffy stalked across the floor separating herself from the gathered beings. Pausing approximately 5 feet from them, she yanked her hood down and gave the assembly a haughty scowl. “Has it been so long since I last walked these halls that you have forgotten who I am, Tannic?”

Tannic frowned and replied, “I had thought you banished from these realms for your misdeeds. How is it that you stand before us once again?”

“Banished? I LEFT this collection of adle-pated fools and their never-ending games. I left it gladly!” Buffy stated, standing before them like a statue shrouded in darkness, her hair shimmering in the diffused light, the ruby gemstone on her brow twinkling like a bloodthirsty eye.

A delicately formed girl edged her way from within the group and asked, “If you left here so willingly, why have you returned?” She raised one silver eyebrow and seemed to be patiently awaiting Buffy’s response.

Buffy sighed in irritation. “Just once Deais, I wish you would pay attention. You might look like a child, but do you have to act like one?” Buffy swept through the crowd and ascended the raised platform behind them.

At once, a murmur of outrage rose from the group at her audacity and rudeness. Deais just sighed and shook her head. “You claim we have stolen something from you? Would you care to enlighten us as to what this something is?”

“How about this, I tell you what you guys give me back who you took, you give it back PLUS the idiot who took him, and I’ll leave you to your parlor games. How does that sound?” Buffy asked in a bored tone of voice.

“Well, who did we take and who is the idiot?” Tannic asked, coming forward to present his question.

Buffy raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “The idiot would be your messenger boy. I believe he goes by the name of “Whistler” or some such nonsense.” Buffy crossed her arms, her cloak parting to allow the assemblage a glimpse of her ebon gown and silver chain mail.

Tannic nodded his head, “He shall be here momentarily.” He came closer and stood beside Deais, “Will you tell us who the other is? The one Whistler supposedly stole?”

“All in good time Tannic, all in good time. I want Whistler to be here for this.” Buffy replied as she examined her nails, spreading her fingers apart and letting the light glint off their razor-sharp edges.

A few moments passed, with everyone trying hard not to stare at Buffy as she calmly paced back and forth across the raised platform.

Whistler popped into the room and sauntered over to Tannic. “You wanted to see me boss?”

Buffy stepped off the platform and grabbed Whistler by the scruff of his neck, her nails pricking into his flesh. “He didn’t, but I sure did,” she said with a snarl. “Now, care to tell me where you took him?”

“T-t-ook who?” Whistler asked, his eyes opened so wide they looked like they were about to pop out.

“You know exactly who I mean, you smelly little bastard. I want to know where he is and why in hell you thought you could interfere in something that wasn’t your damned business in the first place!” Buffy snarled, the scale patterns on the backs of her hands now enveloping her entire hand and arms up to the elbow. “Tell me where you took Angelus and I MIGHT let you live.”