Amesbury Gothic

So to recap: When we last saw our heroes, they'd just been saving the world from an incursion of a 'mythic'/ancient Ireland dimension, led by the Morrigan. It and she were driven off and the heroes returned to Amesbury. Bar Diarmuid, who was now the High King of Ireland, and who refused to shirk his responsibilities to his people. (Hmm. He may also have had a wife there...) That was Bealtaine, May 1st.

Previously I've done IC episode write-ups, from Dino's POV. And they take too long. So we'll see how straight description works...


Abi was not a good person to be around, what with having her lover of one night disappear. She spent a few weeks using magic and rituals both dark and light, trying to get him back, to no avail. So she upped and went off to France to visit some Wiccan friends for a few weeks.

Dieter had aided in some of the rituals and advised against others. But faced with an impending marriage to someone he didn't really know, he thought he'd better make the attempt, and travelled to England for the summer.

Dino did some 'stuff' and has spent the last six weeks with his family in Sicily.

Justin had a great summer. With college out, the labs were free. He spent his time there, experimenting and researching. Sometimes he even remembered to eat. And shower.

It's now early September (2006). Amesbury has been quiet (bar the tourists) since the events of Bealtaine - if anything, the town has a better atmosphere than before.

Arriving back from Italy, Dino checks in on the Alchemist's Head, which has been ably run by Rachel over the summer. Chatting away to Rachel ("Hey, you doin'?" ... "Of course I sent you a postcard - the Italian postal service is really bad..."), he finds that Abi apparently arrived back the previous night, but still hasn't been seen. Dieter eventually arrives in too, and as they talk, Dino's super-hearing reveals Abi has slipped out.

Dino calls Justin, who is rather taken aback to find it's actually September now. But he arrives over in short order, too. They spend most of the day waiting for Abi to get back, catching up on the events of the summer.

Abi, meanwhile, has walked around town, apparently getting the vibe of the place, checking out the graveyards and the like. She also checks out the Old-Abandoned-Warehouse-On-The-Far-Side-Of-Town. Things seem quiet [I think - missed that part], and walking back, meets a new priest, a young curate, who, warned by Fr. Callaghan to stay away from the bad part of town, obviously went and did the exact opposite.

When Abi slips back into her apartment over the shop, the others decide to leave her be for the moment, and head off to, where else, O'Flaherty's. Rachel only stays for one or two and heads off home.


As Dino, Dieter and Justin chat, a Dark and Mysterious stranger enters the bar and approaches their table. The trio knew he was Dark and Mysterious from the way he was dressed and, well - the way he was so obviously trying to be Dark and Mysterious (TM).

Dieter: "Oh god, a Goth..."

Dino: "Can we help you?"
D&MS: "I bring you greetings!"
Dino: "Dude - you've been playing too much Warcraft!"

D&MS: Some pretentious and self-important sentences (with Dark and Mysterious undertones) about being an envoy, a diplomat and an ambassador.
Dino: "Are you an android?"
D&MS: "What? No! Why?"
Dino: "Prove it - use a contraction!"

Dieter does some introductions and asks the D&MS his name.
D&MS: "You may call me - Andrew."

They order some drinks. Three creamy pints. And a coke for Andrew.

Justin, at this stage, is shattered, and heads home, while Dino gets some takeout and he, Dieter and Andrew get a cab to Dieter's place.

Andrew explains he represents Buffy Summers and her army of Slayers, in The Battle Against The Darkness (tm), and that the deeds of Amesbury's own Scooby Gang have come to their attention.
Dino: "What, so, to get your attention, people have to save the world twice? In case, like, the first time is a fluke?"

Dieter asks why they're being contacted now. Andrew says it's to let us know that Buffy knows that we're here, and now we know that she knows... and that this will prevent "misunderstandings". He presents his (ostentatious, pretentious and vulgar gold-leaf-embossed) business card.

Dieter wants to know if this means the Slayer will be taking an interest in Amesbury and its Hellmouth, and the trio discuss Buffy and her army of Slayers:
Dino: "So - it's kinda like the U.N. - intervening in the world's troublespots when required?"
Dieter: "No, I think it's more like Thunderbirds..."
Andrew: (completely forgetting to be pretentious) "WOW, that'd be soooo cool!"

Andrew eventually leaves (the swishing of his leather trenchcoat (being worn in early September in New England, mind) being somewhat marred by having to climb into the back of a cab), as does Dino.

The next morning, Dino, Abi and Justin all find they've got mail - old fashioned paper mail, at that! They all receive an invitation to attend the wedding of Dieter von Schwarzburg, at Schloss Schwarzburg, in a few weeks time...

Abi also receives an invitation for herself and friends to attend an event [opening of new office?] at the offices of Wolfram and Hart...

[End credits]

I have to say this was an extremely enjoyable and, at times, (intentionally) hilarious episode. This was the first time that we've had an appearance from any of the "real" B:tVS cast, and natural20 gave a spot-on interpretation of Andrew. Great fun!