[ humourous or not, buffy summers's mirth was wont to drain away at the merest slight. and so -- bled dry of hers tonight -- her voice evened out. her tone grew distant. ]

Gee, do I ever hate the taste of words being put in my mouth. [ and by a friend -- a young man who ought to be marrying her sister and not the woman who'd sent sparrow to his death. a marriage she's been remarkably helpful with, she thought. but... ]

I'll let you return to your hiring. Sorry to get in the way.