A Bit of Persuasion (Connor)

[Glory]

Glory

Glory arrived back in her mansion. She had Connor taken away to a room she had set up for him. When he finally came around and they settled their arrangement, he could choose to stay in the mansion or she could set up his own place for him. For now, they needed to let him settle down.

Glory wandered into one of the many lounges in the place. She waved off her minions for the moment. She went to the closet, stripping off her wet dress and kicking off her ruined shoes she wrapped herself in a long red silk robe and tied the sash tight around her waist.

She sighed heavily and sat down in the ornate and heavily cushioned chaise lounge. Kicking back and relaxing into the luxurious pillows. She sat reclined back with her ankles crossed, then she shouted out a demand.

"Bring me a drink! and I need a foot massage!"

Almost immediately two of the scabby skinned, robed demons appeared. One had a champagne flute filled with a mimosa, the other dropped to their knees and started to massage Glory's feet.

"Aaaaah.... Much better. Now... Once Connor has calmed down, let him know he can come down and speak with me. As long as he's still fighting, keep him contained."

She snapped her fingers and the minion that had brought her the drink bowed then scampered off out of the room to carry out Glory's wishes as he mumbled.

"Yes, yes... As you wish, Most Magnificent, Malevolent One."

Glory sat back, sipping at her mimosa. Hoping that Connor would come around. She really could use him and would hate to have to keep him locked up in the basement if he refused to cooperate.

[Connor Reilly]

After they’d passed through the portal the two scabby minions had dragged Connor several more yards before he gave in and stopped struggling. All it was doing was messing up his wounded leg and sending pain through his ribcage. He wasn’t sure anymore whether his ribs were bruised or broken. All he knew was they hurt.

“Okay, okay!” he’d shouted. “I kind of want to keep that leg if you don’t mind.”

And so, he’d been allowed to stand and walk. The scabby demon versions of Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum stood on either side of him to offer him support. They were shorter than Connor, so he’d had to walk hunched over in a position his three hurting ribs really didn’t appreciate.

As Connor looked around, he realized they weren’t in L.A. anymore. They were in some isolated area surrounded by trees and hills. How the hell had they gotten here? Well, Glory was a god, right? If she could pull objects out of thin air and rip open a hole in the world, she could probably poof them just about anywhere.

His eyes widened as he realized they were walking toward a huge mansion. He’d expected to be transported to some kind of Hell dimension full of nasty creatures and torture. He’d expected to be shackled up in some kind of prison cell or something, but a mansion in the country? He reminded himself that they hadn’t gone inside the place yet. Just because it looked peaceful on the outside, that didn’t mean it was.

Connor half staggered and was half carried inside and he was immediately struck by how extravagant this place was. He was surrounded by plush carpeting, ornate and detailed furniture, and were those drapes covering the large windows? Even in his pissed off and weakened state, he couldn’t help but look around in awe for a moment before he remembered he’d just been kidnapped.

Glory ordered the demons to get him “settled” in his room. Whatever the hell that meant. As they dragged him down a long hallway they seemed tired and nervous.

“Oh, no, it won’t do to get that blood on the carpet,” the one on the right said.

Connor turned his head to glare at him.

“You gotta be kidding me,” he muttered.

Blood had oozed down his leg, soaking through his jeans from the middle of his right thigh to his ankle. The little bastard got him good.

“Oh, no, we don’t kid, sir,” said the one on the left. “The Tantalizingly Marvelous Glorificus likes to keep her home in perfect condition.”

“Yes. It wouldn’t do at all to stain the carpet.”

Connor gritted his teeth as he bent his knee to lift his leg further off the ground, keeping the bottom of his bloody jeans from scraping the carpet. This had to be a dream. Maybe he’d gotten knocked unconscious back at Wolfam & Hart and he was lying in a heap somewhere.

No, that couldn’t be right. You didn’t feel pain in your dreams.

The demons paused in front of a large wooden door. Connor leaned against the wall as the one on the left let go of him to throw open the door.

“Here we are,” Leftie said.

Righty led Connor into the room with some difficulty as Leftie flipped a light switch somewhere. Connor blinked and was surprised to see that this wasn’t a prison cell, or even a sparse, utilitarian bedroom. This was a large, fully furnished and extravagantly decorated suite. They were standing in what looked like a living room area. A glass coffee table stood in the center of an arrangement of black leather furniture, which included a love seat and two plush armchairs. A flatscreen TV was mounted on the wall across from the furniture. As he staggered further inside to slump into one of the armchairs, he saw there were a few small steps leading up to a slightly higher level of the floor that contained a large bed, and what looked like an armoire. A small alcove led off to at least one other room.

“Holy crap…”

The scabby guys exchanged delighted expressions and Connor rolled his eyes, mentally kicking himself for letting even a hint of a compliment fall out of his mouth.

“You should find your accommodations quite satisfactory,” one of them said.

He couldn’t tell them apart now that they weren’t stationed on either side of him.

“Unfortunately, I’m afraid it’s necessary to keep you… contained here for the time being,” said the other. “For your own safety, you understand.”

“The Spledid Glorificus is not happy with you at the moment, I’m afraid,” said the first guy. “It would be unwise to risk another outburst from you at this point in time.”

They’d begun to steadily back away toward the door as they spoke and, with this final statement, one of them swung the door shut. Connor heard several locks snap into place before their hurried footsteps disappeared. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. He was feeling an overwhelming blend of emotions, among them shock, confusion, anger, and fear. But there was also a hint of curiosity.

Once he’d calmed down and rested for a few minutes, he got up the courage to stand up, putting most of his weight on his left leg. He winced, sucking air through his teeth as he took his first step toward the “bedroom.” Getting up to that elevated section of flooring was a bitch, but he managed to do it. He limped over to the alcove and realized it led to a bathroom. He fumbled around for the light switch and the room brightened when he found it. It was the biggest bathroom he’d ever seen in his life. Granted he wasn’t exactly a bathroom connoisseur, but this one was huge. It was lined with black marble tiles and contained a double sink with a large mirror above it. Connor stopped to lean on the counter between the two sinks and study his reflection.

He didn’t look as bad as he felt, but he sure as hell didn’t look good.

Connor went through the cupboards and drawers beneath the sink. He found a lot of things: soap, shampoo, cologne, mouthwash. But none of it was what he was looking for. He grabbed a red towel from the rack beside the tub and ran it under the faucet. Over the next several minutes he proceeded to try to dress the wound in his leg.

-+-

A few hours passed, at least, giving Connor plenty of time to explore his “prison.” He’d cleaned his wounds as best he could with limited supplies, and dug through the wardrobe and dresser in search of another pair of pants. Every article of clothing he found was high-end. They were all his size, which was creepy, but they weren’t outfits he would’ve ever picked out himself to wear willingly. Out of stubbornness, he’d pulled on the same bloodstained pair of jeans.

There was also a collection of DVDs and books, a desktop computer with no Internet access (he hadn’t expected it to work, but he would’ve been an idiot not to try), and a variety of CD’s.

“What kind of a Hell dimension is this?” he muttered.

He jumped as he heard the door unlocking. He looked around instinctively for anything that could’ve passed for a weapon. There wasn’t really much, unless he wanted to rip one of the shelves off the wall. One of the demons appeared in the doorway as Connor limped into the living room area.

“Ah, you’re looking slightly less pallid, Miracle Child.”

“Uh… Thanks,” Connor muttered. “Is someone gonna tell me what the hell is going on here?”

The demon smiled to reveal hideous teeth.

“That’s precisely what I’ve come to tell you, Precious Demon Spawn. Our Divine Temptress would like to speak with you. That is if you’re feeling… cooperative.”

Connor pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Could you not call me things like ‘precious demon spawn?’”

“My apologies.”

“Whatever. Sure, I guess I’m feeling cooperative. Where’s your boss?”

-+-

The scabby demon led Connor back down the hall, through the house and into a lounge decorated in golds and reds. Glory sat in a plush red chair, now wearing a red silk robe. Connor looked away from her quickly. Why were the evil women so good-looking?

“Your guest, Oh Scrumptious and Tummy-Butterfly-Causing One.”

The minion bowed as if greeting royalty before taking a few steps back so that it was positioned behind Connor.

Connor stood slightly hunched, cradling his ribs but trying to make the stance look casual.

[Glory]

Glory

Glory heard them approaching. She popped a chocolate into her mouth from the tray on the table next to her. Then she took a long drink from her glass, draining the last of her mimosa. Setting the glass down on the table she sat up straighter and smoothed out some imaginary wrinkles in her robe.

As Connor appeared before her she gave him her best smile, her eyes even twinkling. The smiled turned into a frown as she took in his disheveled appearance. She sighed, then turned and addressed her minions.

"Leave us! Get out! All of you. Go buy me some shoes or something!"

Glory waited and watched as the demon groveled and bowed their way out of the room. When they were gone she rolled her eyes and looked at Connor again.

"It's so hard to get good minions these days, ya know?"

The Hell God sat up and scooted to the edge of the lounge chair. Perched on the side she crossed her legs demurely as she went back to studying the young man standing in front of her.

"You look like you're in pain. Now, I don't do this very often but... Since I am trying to persuade you to help me out, I think it's the least I can do."

Glory snapped her fingers and instantly healed all of his injuries. Being an all powerful Hell God had it's perks. Tilting her head she frowned at him thoughtfully.

"You didn't change your clothes. You didn't find anything to your liking in the wardrobe? or is this out of some rebellious, stubborn act of spite? Maybe a little bit of both I think?"

Shaking her head as she thought of how to appeal to him. What did he want. How could she appease him?

"Please, won't you have a seat? I'm not out to hurt you. Quite the opposite, I think you're special. I'd like to have you on my team. What is it that you want? How can I convince you that you would be held in the highest regard. Treated with the utmost respect. Once I'm assured of your loyalty, you would have free reign. As you may have noticed, we're not in Kansas anymore Toto."

[Connor Reilly]

Glory smiled brightly at Connor, then frowned once she looked him up and down. He flinched as she yelled suddenly.

"Leave us! Get out! All of you. Go buy me some shoes or something!"

Connor watched all the robed demons scamper off, like cockroaches scattering. He turned back to Glory once they were gone and the mansion had gone quiet.

"It's so hard to get good minions these days, ya know?"

He didn't reply. She sat up and perched on the edge of the chair, looking him up and down. He looked like death. He was well aware of that. But he didn't really care at the moment. He wasn't out to impress this chick, no matter how powerful she might've been.

"You look like you're in pain. Now, I don't do this very often but... Since I am trying to persuade you to help me out, I think it's the least I can do."

"I'm fine. I don't nee--"

But before Connor had even finished speaking, she'd snapped her fingers and suddenly his pain had dissipated. He sat up a bit straighter, noticing his ribs didn't feel like they were on fire and his leg had stopped throbbing. He put a little weight on it and bent his knee a few times. Had she just healed him?

"You didn't change your clothes."

Connor looked up at her. She didn't sound mad. She sounded more curious than anything.

"You didn't find anything to your liking in the wardrobe? or is this out of some rebellious, stubborn act of spite? Maybe a little bit of both I think?"

Connor swallowed. How did this woman seem to just know everything?

"I don't really do the whole Armani thing," he said. "I'm more of a Calvin Klein kind of guy."

He kept his tone even and dryly sarcastic.

"Please, won't you have a seat? I'm not out to hurt you. Quite the opposite, I think you're special. I'd like to have you on my team. What is it that you want? How can I convince you that you would be held in the highest regard. Treated with the utmost respect. Once I'm assured of your loyalty, you would have free reign. As you may have noticed, we're not in Kansas anymore Toto."

Connor studied her with narrowed eyes as she spoke. She wanted him on her team? Was she for real? Cautiously, he walked over to one of the cushy armchairs across from her.

"Well, uh, last time I checked you and me weren't on the same side," Connor said.

He sat back in the chair, making an effort to look more at ease than he felt.

[Glory]

Glory

Glory studied him, giving him her full attention. He was a feisty one. But, she had already known that. There wasn't much she didn't know, not much she couldn't do. She scoffed at his comment about preferring Calvin Klein over Armani, the sarcasm not escaping her.

"But... that is just so... 1990's. However, taste is not a requirement. When you return to your room there should be a more favorable selection of clothing waiting for you."

She could see the lingering skepticism on his face. Her eyes watched him as he moved to take a seat. His gait was smooth, he was putting forth an air of confidence, while staying on guard. Glory already knew he wasn't going to be swayed by clothes and a fancy room. She waved her hand as if to clear away something in front of her, as if his words were a mist clouding her vision.

"Pfffffft.... Sides, schmides. Who decides these things anyway? What sides? The ever popular good vs evil? My side vs your side? Why do we have to be divided by sides? Ya know... I never really did get that whole business."

She shook her head in bemusement. It was true to an extent. Glory didn't really see things in terms of good and bad. Let that battle go on without her. What mattered to her was her own interests. Perhaps though, it was something she could use to her advantage with Connor. Glory gave him a thoughtful look.

"Is that what you want? To win? I could help you with that... Help those you left behind? Ooooh, or maybe I could bring your father here. Yes, Angel. He's another one I've had my eye on. Someone else perhaps? Someone you've lost? Someone you've had your own eye on?"

Glory kept her gaze steady on him. Scrutinizing his face, watching for his reaction. She had to make him see that is wasn't about being evil. It was about something more complicated than that. Shades of grey as it were.

"Nothing is cut and dried Connor. Isn't it really more about what you want out of life? Everyone deserves a little happiness, to be prosperous, successful. It's a natural instinct to want to be in control, to have power. I can do that for you. It doesn't have to mean it's bad. Being bad is such a relative term, don't you think?"

She sighed heavily again. Casting a questioning look over to the young man sitting across from her. Then she pushed herself back on the chair. Taking up a reclining position again. Casually she plucked another chocolate off the tray on the table, slowly she pushed it into her mouth as she continued to speculate about how to win him over.

[Connor Reilly]

Glory seemed disappointed when Connor didn't love the clothing they'd placed in the wardrobe of his room. That was kind of weird. Why did they care whether or not he liked his clothes? This was the weirdest kidnapping ever. And it only got weirder when Glory said she wanted him on her team. He'd sat down in one of the armchairs across from her and informed her that they weren't on the same side. Sure, he might have been the offspring of two of the most evil vampires the world had ever known, and maybe he'd had a few morality hiccups, but he wasn't full on evil. He didn't want to end the world or commit mass murder or anything. Glory waved a hand dismissively.

"Sides schmides," she said. "Who decides these things anyway? What sides? The ever popular good vs evil? My side vs your side? Why do we have to be divided by sides? Ya know... I never really did get that whole business."

Connor looked at her curiously. He couldn't decide whether to believe her or not. If she wasn't evil, or didn't consider herself evil, then what the hell was this all about?
"Is that what you want?" she asked. "To win? I could help you with that... Help those you left behind? Ooooh, or maybe I could bring your father here. Yes, Angel. He's another one I've had my eye on. Someone else perhaps? Someone you've lost? Someone you've had your own eye on?"

He blinked, not able to hide his surprise. First this chick kidnapped him, then locked him in a room filled with top of the line clothes and everything he himself would have picked out to fill his own apartment. Then she'd healed him, and now she was offering to help his loved ones, or bring someone here to help him? She had to be toying with him. There had to be a trap or a catch here somewhere. And then she'd mentioned Angel. His father? That must be it, he thought. She's trying to use me to get to him! He wondered why she couldn't just pull Angel in if that was the case. There must have been some angle here, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was yet, so he stayed quiet and listened as she went on, searching for any kind of clue that could've been hidden in her words.

"Nothing is cut and dried Connor," she said. "Isn't it really more about what you want out of life? Everyone deserves a little happiness, to be prosperous, successful. It's a natural instinct to want to be in control, to have power. I can do that for you. It doesn't have to mean it's bad. Being bad is such a relative term, don't you think?"

She sat back in her chair, popping a chocolate into her mouth. Happiness. She was trying to lure him with happiness. She'd laid out everything she assumed he wanted - a fancy room jam-packed with clothing he could never afford in his life along with an entertainment system and movies and music of his choice; freedom, or the illusion of it; power; people. She wasn't trying to imprison him. She was trying to appeal to him.

"What do you want?" he asked. "I mean, it looks like you have everything you need here, and you can pretty much pull anything you want out of nowhere if you don't have it. Why do you need me?"

[Glory]

Glory closed her eyes, tilted her head back and let it rest against the plush cushion of the chaise lounge. Letting out a frustrated huff of a breath. Why did they always have to question? It was one of the most annoying traits of humans or semi-human types as the case may be. Glory let her index finger rub the underside of her chin for a moment while she thought. Finally she opened her eyes and peered in a slightly sideways manner at Connor. "You are right. I'm am pretty damn powerful. I can do many things. But what do I want? Interesting question isn't it?" Glory paused for a moment, she needed another drink. She called out for one of her minions and they appeared immediately. "Bring me a drink! And bring our guest whatever he would like." The cowering being nodeded and bowed, asking Connor if he wanted anything and then backed out of the room still bowing and spewing praise upon Glory. Shaking her head she ate another chocolate and waited. It took only a matter of moments before the scabbed demon returned, immediately presenting Glory with another mimosa. She plucked it off the tray and waved the minon away. Taking a drink of the orange liquid in the fine crystal champagne flute she waited until the slithery servant left the room before she turned and spoke to Connor again.

"What I want... What... I... want... It's not that difficult really. As you know, since I plucked you out of the middle of one, some kind of insane fight going on. The good guys in the white hats against the bad guys in the black hats. On and on it goes, it never stops it seems. It's quite tiresome to be honest. And it's beneath me. I don't wish to be involved in it. All I want is to have my little world, which as you can see, I've created. However, much as I'd like to think that I can just hang around, drink mimosas, shop, order my minions around to do my bidding... It not that simple. Sooner or later, someone or SOMETHING is going to come along and FUCK IT ALL UP! This is where you and some select others come in. I need people or beings, whatever. I need a team to help me keep my house in order so to speak. I need to be prepared." Glory stopped. Letting that sink in a bit. Sitting back again she sipped at her drink. Again she found herself getting impatient. Maybe this one was going to be more trouble than he was worth. He was such a unique one though, she didn't want to give him up. But... there were others if it came down to it. Sighing she took another drink and then set the glass down on the table.

[Connor Reilly]

Glory seemed thoughtful and the way she talked it was like she'd never considered the question before. She ordered one of her minions to bring her a mimosa and the thing turned to Connor.

"Would you like a refreshing glass of liquid refreshment, Your Hell-Spawny-ness?"

Connor gave him a look. What was with all the weird nick names? "Uh... No, I'm good."

The minion scampered off. Connor and Glory sat in silence for a moment while she ate another chocolate and waited, still thinking apparently. He shifted in his seat and looked around the room. The massively big room. The minion came back and gave Glory a mimosa, which was orange and fizzy. She stared after the demon and looked back to Connor. She said the war between good and bad was beneath her, so she'd created her own little sanctuary.

"However," she said, "much as I'd like to think that I can just hang around, drink mimosas, shop, order my minions around to do my bidding... It's not that simple. Sooner or later, someone or SOMETHING is going to come along and FUCK IT ALL UP!"

Connor blinked at her, slightly surprised at her outburst. Note to self: Hell-god is also bi-polar, he thought. Apparently she was putting together some kind of a badass entourage in case the war invaded her territory. She sipped her drink.

"So... You're putting together, like, a supernatural Justice League, only without the justice," he said. "Huh. So I guess we'd be more like the Watchmen..."

He scratched his head thoughtfully. How was he going to get out of this? It wasn't exactly smart or easy to escape a dimension. Throw in the fact that your warden was a god and it was suicide to even try it. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay, so what am I supposed to do?"

[Glory]

Glory

Glory smirked as Connor tried to make sense of what she was saying. Putting it into terms more along his lines of thinkings. Comparing her endeavor to amassing a group like the Justice League or the Watchman. Glory sighed.

"Well... Something like that anyway. Though, I think what I'd like to put together would put the Justice League and the Watchmen to shame. Honestly, the man of Steel? I could squash him like a grape and what's with the tights? Or... You don't like tights do you?"

Glory gave him a look and cackled a bit. No, Connor really wasn't the man in tights type. Then she smiled when he finally asked what she wanted him to do.

"For now... What I need is to get a few more people to join our little party. I have a few ideas. Like I said, you're father is on the list. He's proven his tenacity in battle. There are others, but the trick is to find people that are a good fit. You know, a well oiled machine is what I'm looking for."

"Of course there are a few requirements. Mainly, they have to understand what I'm trying to accomplish here. There are some people that just wouldn't quite fit in, if you know what I mean."

"Now... what about you? Any thoughts on the matter? If you're going to be my champion, I need you to be happy. Build a team that you can work with. That would be a good starting point I think."

Glory had her own thoughts on building her own army of guardians. But, it was important that Connor felt that she was trusting him to make some decisions. It would also be a bit of a test. What would he do? Would he try to find some way to escape? It was a tricky game they were playing and it had only just begun.

[Connor Reilly]

Connor was surprised Glory got his comic book references. He wouldn't have guessed a Hell-god read comic books. Note to self: Bipolar Hell-god gets pop culture. She explained that she needed more people. His jaw tightened when she mentioned Angel, but he didn't say anything. She wanted certain kinds of people, people who were a good fit. What did that mean? Good people? Bad people? Angel had been evil once, but now he was one of the good guys. And Connor... Well, he was complicated.

"Now... what about you?" she asked. "Any thoughts on the matter? If you're going to be my champion, I need you to be happy. Build a team that you can work with. that would be a good starting point I think."

Woah. Champion? She wanted him to be her champion? Connor thought for a moment. What would it mean to be the champion for a Hell-god in her sanctuary? Would he be running around getting her mimosas? Killing people? And this was the second time she'd mentioned his father. He didn't like where this was going. There had to be some way he could get out of this. If she took Angel out of L.A. while this war was going on, it would tip the scales wouldn't it? Besides, Angel wouldn't be able to take down a Hell-god anymore than Connor would. The only one to take her down had been Buffy, and she'd died doing it.

"So, you're looking for shades of gray..." he said as the realization clicked. He and Angel were both morally gray like she'd talked about a minute ago. Not totally good or totally evil. "People who don't have a definite side in the whole good versus evil thing."

[Glory]

Glory clapped her hands in mock applause when Connor made the connection about the type of people she was looking for. "Bingo! Give the man a prize." Now she needed to decided how much more she wanted to tell him. This was going to be the most difficult one. If she got Connor to cooperate it would be easier with the next one, so she hoped. To hook him he needed to think she was telling him everything. She could always kill him if he turned her down, though that would be a pity. If he didn't want to play ball, holding him captive would just be a waste of time, she'd never be able to depend on him after that. Now was her one and only shot at this.

"Let me explain... Being a Hell God, you know sometimes has it's pitfalls. Not many, but a few. One of them being, people that are 'of the good' lets say... People like that Slayer Buffy Summers, they would never understand... they would never even consider working with me. All they see is evil. On the other hand, someone who is completely evil... Someone like that crazy little vampire Drusilla, I could never rely on them. They have no moral compass at all. While they may work for soldiers in the army, I can't depend on them to be my generals. Do you see where I'm going with this? Shades of grey... That is the key. You have some sense of morality, loyalty, but... you also know that sometimes the rules may have to be bent or broken in order to get the job done. People like you understand that." At least she hoped he understood that. Glory sat up again, leaning her elbows on her thighs, interlocking her fingers together and resting her chin on her hands. "So... what do you say? Pick someone... Who would you like to have on your team?"

[Connor Reilly]

Connor was slightly relieved when Glory clapped, seemingly satisfied. Apparently he'd gotten something right.

"Bingo! Give the man a prize."

He leaned forward as she began to explain, listening carefully.

"Being a Hell God, you know sometimes has its pitfalls," she said. "Not many, but a few. One of them being, people that are 'of the good' let's say... People like that Slayer Buffy Summers, they would never understand..."

Okay, so she wanted Angel for some reason, and she didn't want Buffy. That made sense. Buffy had been the last one to take her down.

"...Someone like that crazy little vampire Drusilla, I could never rely on them," she continued. "They have no moral compass at all. While they may work for soldiers in the army, I can't depend on them to be my generals. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Okay, so she didn't want Drusilla either. As Glory continued to talk Connor made a mental list of all the people who fit into the 'too good' or 'too evil' category. Buffy, Willow, Giles, Wesley. Drusilla, Illyria. Where would Spike fall? He used to be evil, but now he was good. He'd be gray, wouldn't he?

"So... what do you say?" Glory asked. Connor looked up at her. "Pick someone... Who would you like to have on your team?"

Connor blinked for a second before he actually processed what was happening. She was asking him to bring somebody in?

"Anyone?" he asked. "I can bring in anyone as long as they're... gray?" He thought carefully. It seemed like he wasn't getting out of there anytime soon, but he was being allowed to bring somebody in as long as Glory approved of whoever it was. Maybe someone could help him get back home, or take Glory down if that was even possible. Angel was the first person he thought of, but Glory seemed to have some kind of plan for him, which couldn't be good. Illyria was his next choice, but there was no way Glory was going to let something possibly as old and powerful as her into her dimension. Gunn was pretty gray, but he wasn't really very powerful and would probably be pissed off Connor dragged him into this dimension in the first place. Spike was on equal par with Angel, but Glory had kicked his ass once before. No doubt she could do it again. Lorne wouldn't have been much help at all unless reading auras and singing show tunes was the key to getting the hell out of this dimension. He tried to think quickly. He didn't want Glory to get suspicious but he didn't want to make a hasty decision either. Come on, there's gotta be someone who can help you out here. Buffy took her down once. It's not impossible...

And then he thought of another name, and as soon as it popped into his head he said it out loud.

"Faith." He blinked, surprised that the word had fallen out of his mouth. "Uh... It's a little risky. She's a Slayer and everything, but she's as gray as you can get. She had this whole thing where she was beating the crap out of Buffy all the time, then she was like a murderer or something for a while? I'm not really sure on the details. You probably know more than me." He shrugged, realizing he was rambling a little bit. "She might be a good fit. She's pretty badass, but I'm sure you could kick her ass if you wanted to. Plus, I've always kind of had a thing for her..." He sat back in the armchair, kicking himself for rambling and being nervous. This was a wild card and he wasn't sure how Glory would react to it. Maybe she'd think it was a good idea, but maybe she'd sense he had an ulterior motive and zap him in the ass with a lightning bolt. Who knew?

[Glory]

Glory kept her eyes on him as he took it all in. She could practically see the wheels spinning in his head. This was going to be interesting. What was going through his mind right now? Thinking of possible candidates and then discarding them for one reason or another? Several moments went by, Glory's eyes still glued to his face. Then a name was spoken and the sound lingered in the air. Glory's eyes sparkled and practically danced with excitement. She let Connor go on with his explaination, but she really didn't need to hear it. Faith... the once rouge Slayer. Of course she was on her list, in fact, if Connor hadn't worked out, Faith may have been the next one in line.

Grinning a wicked grin Glory stood up suddenly. "Oooooh... Faith. She's PERFECT! Excellent choice. Kudo's to you." Glory paced back and forth a bit, a thrill of excitement thrumming through her body. Then she stopped and turned back to Connor. The devilish smile still on her lips. "This is fabulous! Now... All you have to do is go and greet her. I think you best go change your clothes first. You wouldn't want to make a bad first impression would you? You're all... disheveled."

Glory snapped her fingers and some minions came running into the room. "Please show Connor back to his room so he can change his clothes. He's got a little mission to perform."

[Connor Reilly]

Glory stood abruptly and Connor got to his feet reflexively.

"Oooooh... Faith. She's PERFECT!"

Connor relaxed slightly, though he was still alert. Having a conversation with Glory was a lot like walking through a mine field. One wrong step and BAM! He could be dismembered or something worse. He'd stepped wrong once and gotten stabbed and ripped through a portal. And apparently after that he'd smartened up and taken the right steps.

"Now... All you have to do is go and greet her," Glory said.

Greet her? he thought. Did that mean he'd get out of this dimension to do it? That could be his ticket out right there.

"I think you best go change your clothes first. You wouldn't want to make a bad first impression would you? You're all... disheveled."

Connor looked down at himself. The right side of his jeans was covered in dark, drying blood and his shirt was all dirty and ripped in some places. He shrugged and smirked a little.

"Well, you did just rip me out of an apocalypse right before you dragged me through a hole in the universe. Disheveled's kind of unavoidable."

He looked around as a group of scab-demons flooded the room around him. They nodded eagerly at her instructions and he was swept off to his room.