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| Resolutions |
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Spike stopped in the doorway as the smell of the place assailed him and his senses revolted. He tried to shake off the distaste that had come over him, but to no avail. He just couldn't go in there. He turned and found himself back on the street corner with nowhere to go. He'd have to face it. He'd drunk just about as much alcohol, in as many different establishments, as any one vampire could do. A difficult record to achieve, but one to which Spike had always believed himself equal. He couldn't have said for certain if it was the stale smell of beer on floors that had gone too long unmopped, or if it was the undertones of desolation and despair that had at last proven too much for him. But tonight, he just didn't feel like getting pissed. His weeks-long celebratory bender, since the day he was zapped back to a solid being and beat Angel to a pulp (and vice-versa), was officially at an end. Happy New Year! he thought ruefully. Maybe that was it...generally, the other tavern patrons didn't have much of an effect on him, but on the eve of 2004, well, those looking forward to the future were at parties with friends, or at home with their families. The dives played host to the rest, and their depression must be contagious. He began walking aimlessly. If he wasn't going to get hammered, what exactly was he going to do? He could go kill something...but he just didn't seem to have the passion for hunting just now, either. Spike ambled towards the center of the city, with no particular goal, but determined to find something entertaining to do in the waning hours of the year. He let his thoughts drift as his feet went their own way, and in the midst of pondering where his old buddy Clem might have landed, he looked up to find himself across the street from Union Station. With nothing better to do, he went inside. Spike had always enjoyed the randomness of mass transit ~ get on a train and bask in the ever-changing kaleidoscope of humanity passing before one's eyes. Ultimately, it became new again with every stop and start. The enjoyment of this pastime hadn't been entirely dependent upon predation, though it certainly had been a great smorgasbord on rails. Recollection of his final fight with Nikki Wood gave him a pang, as competing waves of nostalgic fondness and revulsion buffeted him. Bloody conscience!! Mostly, he'd accommodated the shame and regret that the soul had conferred upon the past century's actions. But occasionally, the conflict between his natures still took him by surprise. But he shook it off and boarded the nearest train car. Bugger all! Within a short space of time, Spike was second-guessing the whim that had him swaying along the metro tracks. Can' nothin' be easy nor accordin' t'plan.... It seemed that plenty of people were getting on the train, but almost none getting off, and the car was growing crowded. The already-ensconced passengers were jostled closer together as each new wave of travelers entered the sliding doors, and Spike rolled his eyes as he heard himself giving up his seat to a pregnant woman who was clinging to an overhead rail nearby. Never live't down if anyone 'at knows me caught me bein' mannerly. After giving it a bit of consideration, he decided that they were traveling roughly north. Where'n hell's everyone goin'? He observed that many people were carrying blankets and folding chairs, and as the doors opened and the mass of humanity began to de-train, he realized what he'd done. He couldn't help but laugh, and let himself be swept out with the tide onto the station platform in Pasadena. Noting that his reputation was sinking fast, he nonetheless let curiosity carry him in the direction where the crowd was gathering to claim spots along the Rose Parade route. However, when he reached the streets where the folding chairs were being set up, and individuals and family groups were making themselves comfortable, opening their backpacks and sharing coolers and bags of snacks, the aimless wandering that had brought him to the metro resumed. It was not like he had a destination here. Back at the crappy bar in LA, he'd felt quit superior to the denizens, for no apparent reason, as he clearly didn't have anything much about which to brag. Except, perhaps, the small degree of pride that had made him leave. But here, with people laughing and chatting, he felt very alone in the world, and his spirits plummeted. He was seriously contemplating turning back around, finding the VERY worst drinking establishment possible, and getting two or three times as drunk as he'd ever done before, when a hand lightly touched the elbow of his duster, and he turned to find himself being regarded by a short, round-ish lady, probably in her mid-40's. "Are you looking for your friends? It gets a little crazy out here..." |
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| This story nominated at: |
| Rating: PG-13 Award-Winner: Setting/Spoilers: Post- Destiny (AtS 5.8) Summary: Holiday songfic ~ Spike ruminates on the new year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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