CH.39

Those two days passed in a blink of an eye, soon enough, they were leaving. After saying their last goodbyes, Ryan opened a portal to Devon's very own coven of witches. When they stepped through, they noticed the change in magical energy immediately.

The coven took to the Tara as she belonged, they had their reservations about Willow and they looked at Ryan as if he was their god. When the girls asked why they looked at him like that they answered. "He is a child of nature at its peak. He embodies all we view as magic and amplifies it. Try watching how he interacts with the various insects and wildlife and even the plants. You'll notice it soon enough, though it's understandable that you haven't before now because of the Hellmouth. It corrupts the nature of things."

Willow and Tara noticed how much calmer he seems now that he's away from Sunnydale. When they went to the Bahamas it was subtle because of the lack of plants and their indoors activity. Before Miss Kitty Fantastico had a tragic end, it also acted at peace near him.

The girls spent most of their time learning about nature and how it connects to themselves, while Ryan spent most of his time outdoors in the fields resting. All around him, the plants and animals seemed to naturally be at peace. One day he sat bellow a tree and out of nowhere it began to bloom.

The field he spent his time in seemed to grow into a forest overnight when he fell asleep their once. They made love in the field a few times and soon the field was covered in fertility plants.

It shocked the coven to no end when they discovered it. He let them channel him once with the girl's permission, the result was hilarious. The entire coven started showing signs of de-aging. They asked several times after but were declined. He told them that anymore and they might get addicted to his aura.

They let it go when one of the coven members asked." How would that be a bad thing."

When the rest saw this, they understood it was too dangerous to try again. Regardless, everyone looked at him with complicated expressions afterword. The spell they used him for was a simple yet potent fertility spell for nature's surrounding area.

For the rest of the month, nearly every animal and bug was in mating season for miles around. The plants spread until it was like a rainforest there, overtaking any of man's constructions where ever they overlapped.

Two months later he kissed Willow and Tara and told them goodbye as he went to pick up their friends and family. He teleported to Sunnydale first, when he arrived he told Buffy to call everyone and tell them to pack for an overnight stay, then he teleported to LA.

He arrived on a slightly slow day for them. Walking inside Angel Investigations he told them." Pack for a night's stay, the wedding is tomorrow at noon. I'll head to Wolfram and Hart now, tell Angel to check his pocket for the ring, and warn him it won't work if he loses his soul. It only works for Angel, not Angelus."

With that, he teleported to Wolfram and Hart through the wards, and right into Lilah Morgan's office. He looked at her."Take me to the senior partners and your white room."

Lilah stood up." It's good to see you again Mr.Titan, I'm sure the senior partners will be happy to see you. May I ask what this is about?"

He ignored her question and walked in silence. When she noticed this, she decided it wouldn't be healthy to push. Leading him inside the elevator, she pressed the button to the white room and off they were.

When they arrived the avatar of the senior partners was already waiting. He walked forward and looked back to Lilah." Leave us."

She looked shocked for a moment then looked at the avatar for a moment before bowing and leaving. When she was gone he turned to the avatar." You will cease all current activities and power plays for the next three days. I am to marry tomorrow and I have a friend your people are playing war with. He will be coming to the wedding so I want you to cease for that time and call your people back till four days from now. I don't care if you do anything in your own house but anything that would involve him at all stops for that time."

The avatar spoke."It will be done. We congratulate you for finally finding a mate. We wish to send a representative as a show of respect and deliver our gifts."

Ryan looked at it for a moment then told them. "You may send Warren Mears, but if he so much as looks at my mates with so much as a glimmer of hate, I'll turn him into a candle I'll light over your corpses. I don't care what you do to him, but the only reason I want him there is to reassure my mate that he still lives. Send your pet human that was just here as well. She can keep him in line I'm sure. Oh, and before I forget, you may want to notify everyone that Tara Maclay and Willow Rosenberg are to be my wives and that any move against them will be met will brutal and swift retaliation. I'll do to the perpetrators what I did to Maloker when he called my name."

The avatar shuddered but didn't change its expression." We will deliver your warnings and would like you to know that no one of ours will ever touch them, if they try, you won't need to need to act, we will destroy them when they think it."

Nodding he turned and left. When he was back in the elevator he teleported to Sunnydale to pick up Buffy and the scoobies.

-In a dimensional realm just outside the great barrier.-

"It seems he has finally chosen to take a mate, we must start warning our people to kill any who have plans against those mortal women." whispered a shadowed being.

Another shadow spoke. "If our people attack or injure them by proxy then we're dead. I just hope he never finds out about our hand in his banishment last time."

A third shadow shifted at the mention of the last time they acted."Silence the warlock and send a message to the powers that if they speak of our involvement, we will tell of theirs. So long as both sides stay silent we will be safe. The only one that died last time was the immortal and the simpering power that was directly involved."

-Back in Sunnydale.-

Ryan was standing in Buffy's living room with everyone. They were carrying luggage with them."Is everyone ready? Good, don't worry about accommodations. I've grown some houses that my people used to have. They have everything you'll find here and more."

Xander asked." When you say grown, do you mean you grew a house?"

Ryan smiled." My people were very advanced and we valued nature to the highest degree. It takes time, but we were able to grow houses out of trees. It's more like a tree home, to be accurate. The Devon coven has taken to living in them as well, something about how it increases magical flow for them."

Giles looked excited and Jenny was smiling a genuine smile. Xander looked amazed and Buffy looked shocked. Waving a hand he opened a portal to the small clearing that was left after his stay there.

When they walked through, everyone had a visual shock. It was especially so for Giles and Jenny who had been there just three months ago.

Everything had changed from before. Where there were acres of clear fields and grasslands, there now stood a vast rainforest. It looked like something out of a fantasy movie where elves lived in harmony with nature.

The trees that were grown into houses, were huge. Each tree was as big as a small barn and several hundred feet tall. It would take several hours of walking to go around the densely packed forest grove.

The light posts we're smaller bamboo-like trees with a glowing moss on them that lit up the surrounding areas. The path to walk was actually the large smooth roots of the giant trees. The windows had small honeycomb holes that were covered with a see-through sap produced by the trees.

There was a vast variety of plant foliage around the paths housing many different animals and bugs. Deer and rabbits walked around openly, beside mountain lions and foxes. Both Willow and Tara were waiting for their group with smiles on.

Willow told them. " It's good to see all of you again. We've been wanting to pick you up sooner but Ryan's anti-aggression spell won't last more than a week and we're not sure if it would work more then once on someplace like the Hellmouth. Now that you're here, you can relax and look around."

A coven member walked forward." For those that don't me already my name is Althenea. I am a seer and with the devon coven. I'm here to welcome you and let you all know the new rules we have in place because of the change. The paths are lit and easy to notice so that you may not get lost. Do not harm any creature here and nothing will happen to you. That being said, we are aware of some of your fears. The frogs and toads here keep a wide berth of Willow and so long as she doesn't seek them out, she will never have to see one as a result. Like this, you will find that any of your animal fears will give you a wide birth. You may pet and interact with them and they will do so in a kind and so long as you don't mistreat them there is no danger. Now for the warnings. At night the predators will do their hunting away from the houses, If you decide to go and watch you will be fine so long as you do not interfere. They are wild and dangerous and we can not ask them to be anything but. If you have an insect fear or dislike, you'll find they tend to avoid you. If you have need of something for a spell, the animals will sense it and provide whatever is necessary, do not go around picking plants. If it is an animal or insect part you require, the eldest of it's kind will come to you for its use. All you have to do is be patient. The housing and beds are all-natural and the bathing area is located in the center tree. It is a form of public bath. The houses have small facilities that get rid of waste and clean your bodies if you are uncomfortable in the public bath area. Any questions?"

Giles asked."Where does the coven convene?"

Althenea smiled." We have an open area now that is both comforting and a powerful focus. Mr.Titan was helpful in actually moving some unused lay lines around to form a powerful nexus of natural energy. If you feel the need to meet with the coven, just sense where the natural energy is at its strongest and go there. It is also a place of healing and rejuvenation, so if you are injured you may go there."

Buffy asked." So, which tree am I staying in?"

Willow spoke this time." We'll take it from here Althenea, thank you for helping explain."

Althenea nodded and told her. "You're always welcome Willow, remember the coven is waiting on your answer."

With that Althenea turned and left the Scooby gang to themselves. Willow turned to the group and smiled. " You're staying in the best home here and the biggest as well. For now, let's head to the closest resting area so that we can relax while we wait for Ruan to get back with Angel's group."

They followed both the girls to a nearby, well-lit area that had small trees in the shape of seats. Willow sat down on one and a fox trotted over and climbed into her lap and went to sleep in front of them.

Tara sat beside her and a cute little cat walked over and started pawing at her trying to get her to pet it. The rest of the group sat down now and waited, they half expected something to walk up and demand to be petted from them as well.

Seeing this Tara chuckled." It's not just going to happen automatically like it is with us. You have to take time and get to know them and let them know you. It's a relationship built on trust. It took both of us several days to-"

She stopped talking when a wolf walked over to the mother of the cub she was petting walked over to Buffy and sat down across her lap, purring. Buffy looked something between shocked and happy, she settled on smug saying."You were saying something about trust and relationships?"

Tara smiled lopsidedly. "That one is the mother of this little one. I guess she thinks you're a protector of sorts like herself. She follows this one around everywhere making sure it stays out of trouble. I saved it from almost falling off a ledge one day and she approved of me as well. Must be your personality she senses. Anyway, like I was saying it usually takes time to build trust with them. They'll let you pet them but you usually have to make the first engagement."

A little while later the trees started to creak and groan. When they heard this, Willow and Tara said at the same time. "Ryans' back"

A little while later Ryan showed up with Angel and his group in tow. He smiled when he saw his girls happy and relaxing. Walking over he told them. " Everything is done, the anti-violence spell will hold for a week but it'll constantly take power from my reserves just in case something major almost happens. As it is I could hold it for a year before it drains me dry but there are already some that are testing it. The evil law firm will not act for four days, giving Angel's group time to rest and envoy themselves. I've telepathically told them the rules for here so there's no need. So who wants to have a massage? I've grown something like a spa near here."

Xander asked. "What about all our luggage?"

Ryan waved a hand and all their stuff disappeared. "It's in your rooms when you need it. Now, any takers? I'm offering full spa treatment and luxury, plus I've been practicing my bartending skills so mixed drinks and top-shelf alcohol all around and I even have some special drinks for you, Angel."

Everyone agreed to try it out. Lorne was the first to agree when he heard free luxury treatment. " I'll take a dry vodka martini with a lemon spritzer and your best shiatsu massage. Don't be afraid to put some muscle into it."

They arrived at a tree that had a vine doorway. Ryan told them. "Just walk through it. The vines excrete a muscle-relaxing gel, that will work well as a body oil. Don't worry it's nowhere near strong enough to do any harm, it's just a way to prep your body for the message."

They walked through one by one and they each felt a little lighter and less stressed. When they got inside they saw beautiful and naturally grown, interior, furnished with tables that seat that had light mossy films on them.

He explained that each type of moss had a soft and comfortable feel and would release controlled amounts of spoors that when introduced with a body would create a slick easily whipped of film that would exfoliate and cleanse the pores.

It works on almost all species out there. He pointed to the changing room and got himself ready. He changed into a traditional white monks robe and used his cloning spell to make more than enough of himself. When everyone came back and saw this he laughed at their reactions.

Xander exclaimed."Jesus, there are more of him! Run!"

Everyone burst out laughing. He took his time massaging each of them at the same time. His bartender clones were making drinks all around. Buffy even allowed Dawn one.

Buffy told her." Your only getting one so choose wisely."

Dawn smiled." I choose absinthe."

Ryan asked."Do I look stupid to you? I'm not having you run around the woods barking at the wildlife like an animal."

Everyone turned to him."What? It only happened once!"

Willow snorted. Ryan smiled." Ok twice, but that second time, I was not alone."

Willow blushed and everyone laughed. Ryan turned back to Dawn after the laughter died down." Pick something that isn't a poor mans hallucinogenic and won't get me killed if for however brief by your sister."

Buffy looked a little put out about what almost happened." Dawn if you're going for the hard stuff as your first drink then I'd rather you didn't drink at all."

Lorne spoke up. "Give her a long island ice tea if she wants something strong."

Willow blushed as a vivid memory went through her head and turned away. Dawn told him." I don't want any tea! I already drink enough when Giles comes over, not that it's not good it's just I get enough already."

Lorne spoke up while everyone else chuckled. "No honey, it's a mixed drink that'll knock you on your tuchus before you realize your drunk."

Dawn smiled." Oh, why didn't you say so? I'll take one of those."

Ryan told her." Coming right up. One of my clones will make sure you make it to bed after this. You're not going to be much of a conversationalist afterward anyways."

He took the rest of their orders while continuing the massages, everyone was spending more time moaning and drinking than talking so he through up a filter spell around Lorne and began to sing.

"Day after day I'm more confused

Yet I look for the light in the pouring rain

You know that's a game that I hate to lose

I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame

Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

(Won't you take me away?)

Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time

I don't understand the things I do

The world outside looks so unkind

I'm countin' on you to carry me through

And when my mind is free

You know a melody can move me

And when I'm feelin' blue

The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me

I want you to know I believe in your song

Rhythm and rhyme and harmony

You help me along makin' be strong."

He stopped after he heard a cough, looking over to see a group of mostly women standing in the doorway. "How may I help the Devon coven today?"

One stepped forward and told him." We were expecting Willow and Tara for their classes an hour ago, but seeing as how you're all together we decided to come meet everyone. Is there room for us as well?"

Ryan nodded." I don't see why not Agatha, you and Althenea may join but I'll have to insist that there be no coven conversations here. Your business is your own and I want no part of it unless they agree."

Both mentioned women nod and head to the changing room, the rest coven split up heading to different areas of the facility. One of them introduced himself. "My name is Markus, it's a pleasure to meet you all."

Markus sat at the bar and ordered a drink. "Its been three days since my last elderberry spring, can I have another?"

The clone at the bar nodded. Xander asked. "I was a decent bartender at one point and I've never heard of that drink. What is it?"

Markus told him." It's a wine like drink that Ryan introduced us to. All I can say about it is it makes all other alcohol taste like flavorless crap afterward."

Ryan laughed and explained." I distill pure nature energy into a berry that went extinct a long time ago and I brought back. After it's ripe I squeeze the juice out into a purified spring water I made from the connecting of the lay lines. It makes a delicious and slightly dangerous magic drink that helps witches and warlocks purify and focus their energies. It's dangerous because more than one for any regular witch will cause them to be highly addicted to the magical high from the purification process. So I limited it to one every three days for safety."

Markus spoke up."Yeah, and it's so good you'd almost sell your soul for one. Hence the aforementioned flavorless crap reference. It really does put you off of other liquor when you have something like that to compare it to."

Xander commented. "Oh come on, it can't be that good."

Willow told them. " It's like the difference between masturbation and an orgy."

Giles coughed and Jenny spoke up." I'll take one!"

Ryan laughed." Which one an orgy or an elderberry spring?"

Jenny laughed." Well if your offering."

Ryan coughed." Careful now we don't want Giles to have a heart attack."

Jenny smiled mischievously." Oh, Rupert can handle it."

Tara snorted. "Try it and I'll make Willow's bad side look like a kitten."

Everyone shivered. Ryan eventually said. "Promises, Promises. If I knew you would have a thing for leather and whips we'd never leave the bedroom."

Tara blushed and Willow pouted." I don't have a fetish for leather and whips."

Ryan snorted this time."Woman, every evil version of your wears leather and uses whip-like objects! I have half a mind to build you a dungeon."

Willow blushed deeper. Tara smiles teasing. "It's ok my Willow, we can tie him up later. I'll even let you tie me up so long as you use feathers. I prefer a gentler touch, you can use the bullwhip on him."

The Ryan that was singing before covered his heart. "Be still my heart, how generous you offer me up like that."

Tara reaches over and patted his head. "There, there, the sacrifices I make for love. Enjoy your whipping and I'll join her in kissing the boo-boos better."

Ryan smiled lopsidedly." In that case, why are we here again?"

Willow spoke up. "We're hanging with our friends we haven't seen in the two months you've been ravaging us."

Ryan looked thoughtful. "Ah, we have guests! I forgot there for a bit. Well hello everyone!"

Faith turned to Lyndsey saying." If you build me a dungeon, I'll ride you till your knees buckle and you pop like warm champagne."

Lyndsey smiles excitedly and told her." It's a done deal. I'll install it in the motel when we get back."

Faith turned to Ryan and asked." So we know red and T's kinks so what's yours?"

Ryan smiled and looked at Willow and Tara. " Anything involving Willow and Tara. So long as it's them, everything else doesn't matter to me. It's why I drank so much when I couldn't feel what I do now. I kept feeling it and my mind would stop me and it created a loop of agony."

Everyone went silent at that until Lorne said. "Why do you all think I took him in for two months. Pain like that bled off him like a storm, it was painful to see and not help. He ended up drinking his way through all of mine and his stock of booze. If he didn't stop the day he came back here, I would've gone broke and been on the streets myself. He drank enough to kill half the state every day."

They shivered even more at this. Xander smiled." That right there is the reason I approve of their relationship. You can't feel that kind of pain without having felt love just as strong."

Anya spoke up." I thought it was because you wanted the life a life of constant threesomes vicariously through him!"

Everyone burst out laughing. Buffy told them. "I think it's why I was attracted to him when he couldn't remember. It was the same pain if not way stronger than I felt. Comfort in our shared pain."

Ryan sighed. "If you survive the coming battle Angel, I'll look into fixing your curse to at least exclude Buffy. It's all I can promise, while I know of a few ways to turn you human, I can tell you do to and chose to fight instead. So it's all I can do. Keep the ring and for the love of all that's holy, don't lose it. Remember what I had you do with the last ring and follow that."

Everyone was stunned at the new. Buffy asked." What does he mean by you knowing how to turn human?"

Angel told them about the Mohra demon encounter and his time wrinkle incident. Buffy was less than pleased but understood.