[Aficionado Arms Hotel, after the JA meeting - Locked to Belthazor and Angelus, NFB]

[demonbelthazor]

After the JA officers meeting was done, Belthazor prowled through the halls of the hotel. He found a quiet corner with several unoccupied rooms, picked one at random, and shimmered inside, making sure the curtains were drawn and turning on only a small light. Then he waited.

Comments

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Vampire senses came in handy for so very many reasons. Tonight it was the ability to listen for anyone following him, while at the same time tracking Bel's scent.

Upon finding the room, Angelus lightly rapped their personal knock, then let himself in.

[demonbelthazor]

"How's life on the run treating you?" Belthazor asked, locking the door behind Angelus. He could always shimmer them both out if someone tried to force their way in.

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Sunny California is fine as always, thanks for asking," Angelus grinned at him, clapping him on the shoulder. He looked around. "No Draco?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Figured we should just be one on one this time," Bel said, reaching into his jacket for his cigarettes and holding out the pack to Angelus. "So somebody tip you off that they were going to come after you?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus accepted one, holding it out for the light. "Yeah. Got the warning last night. Best not to say from who. Near as I can figure it came just as one Veronica Mars was deciding to buck to be this year's winner of Fandom Town's Miss Slayer pagent."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel pulled out a cigarette of his own and conjured a fireball to light them both. "Got your message about her. Your boy Logan apparently thinks it was her, too." He pulled the flyer Beka had given him out of his pocket and handed it to Angelus.

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus read the flyer and smirked. "That's our Logan. He sent me a message too. Apparently Veronica claims she has evidence against me. She's going to give him a copy of it. I need you to keep an eye on our boy to find out if that happens."

[demonbelthazor]

"So you don't know what it is they think they've got?" Bel asked. "That's on the list of things to do -- find out what it is. Destroy it, discredit it. As well as hammering holes in Veronica's reputation, and the sheriff's as well."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"No clue what they think they have," Angelus flicked ashes into a trashcan. "Whatever it is is bound to be fascinating because I certainly don't know of anything that can prove I killed Kitty. That's why I want you to keep your eye on Logan. Get best buddies with him while I'm gone if you can. No way Mars is going to share that info with anyone in JA, but she'll share it with Logan. Whether he believes it or not is irrelevant to me."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel nodded. "Faith already had a talk with him, and he was more than happy to share how Veronica has a tendency to accuse innocent men of murder. I wanted to talk to him more about that, and I'll pry what evidence Veronica thinks she has out of him, too. I think Veronica is close to Phoebe's sister, too, so maybe I can get info that way as well."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Knew I could count on you," Angelus gave him a pleased smile. "Now then, sing me a song about how Mars is going to suffer for trying to be a fly in my ointment."

[demonbelthazor]

"She's already scared of me," Bel said, grinning. "She freaked out in detention a few weeks ago when I threw a couple fireballs. Not sure what her problem is but I'll definitely work that. Give her something to really be scared about."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus sighed happily, putting a hand over his heart. "This is the kind of thing that makes a vamp all warm inside, it really is. Not that I enjoy showing my cards before I have to, but the need to smack down do-gooders does outweigh the desire for poetic timing. All I ask is that you and the rest of the kiddies save me some."

As though reminded, he looked at Bel curiously, "How are the rest of the kiddies taking it?"

[demonbelthazor]

"We'll save a big piece for the guest of honor," Bel said. "'Course, she may be a whimpering idiot by the time I'm done, but I'm sure you can still get some amusement out of her.

"Draco was pretty quiet at the meeting, and Faith wanted to jump right in to take care of this. Jonathan was pretty freaked out, and Lindsey didn't show," he went on. "Outside the JA officers, there's a lot of confusion and disbelief. Phoebe thinks you're being framed, and Beka wants to prove you innocent quickly."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"I can always get my amusements," Angelus said, with a feral look in his eyes. "Long as they're breathing, I can have my fun. Heck, sometimes they don't even need to breathe."

He took a thoughtful drag of his cigarette. "Johnny, Faith, Drac... knew I could count on them. Are they giving you any trouble? No challenges to the throne or anything?"

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Crowley is aware of your presence in the hotel. He does nothing and says nothing to anyone.]

[demonbelthazor]

Bel shook his head. "No, nothing like that. Helps that we're all on the same page. I opened the meeting by flat out telling them that if it mattered whether you'd killed Kitty or not, they should leave."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Anybody put off by that?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Nobody even batted an eye."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

The grin was back. "My kids. Shame I wasn't there to tell them how proud I was. Anybody know I'm in town?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Told 'em you were safely out of town," Bel said. "I've been trying to maintain the California story." He took a long drag on his cigarette and flicked the ashes into the trashcan. "Jonathan was freaking out about the idea they might try to stuff a soul back in you."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

All traces of humor left Angelus's face at that. "Anybody seem likely to try? Last I heard, Rosenberg was nowhere to be seen."

[demonbelthazor]

"No idea if that's in the plans," Bel said, shrugging. "I think the only witches around here powerful enough to pull something like that off are Phoebe, Piper, and Tara. Phoebe won't do it -- I can make sure of that. Don't know if Linds can keep Piper out of it. Think Tara might give it a try?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Might and able to are two different things," Angelus said. "It's not an easy spell. It needs a powerful witch and some not so easy to find ingredients. Put a call in to Lilah. She's supposed to be monitoring any Orbs coming in to Fandom Town. Find out if any of her webs got a wiggle."

[demonbelthazor]

"Don't know for sure about Tara, but Phoebe and Piper? Yeah, they could pull it off," Bel said. "Being the Charmed Ones and all. Paige isn't an issue -- she's too much of a flake to harness the power. And fortunately Phoebe and Piper are still new to their powers and don't have confidence in them. Non-issue if we keep the ingredients they need out of their hands."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"It's a specific spell too," Angelus said. "Gypsies. Anything Romanian coming into town is not going to be good. I recommend setting it on fire, especially if it screams."

[demonbelthazor]

"Easy enough," Bel said, idly conjuring a fireball, then closing his hand to extinguish it. "So what are your plans? Lie low for awhile?"

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"For a little bit," Angelus confirmed. He crushed his cigarette out on a table. "I've got plans that I'm not eager to interrupt. After those... well, just have to see all the lovely aftermath now, won't I?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Looking forward to it," Bel said. "And anything you need, let me know and I'll make arrangements to get it to you."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"That's my boy," Angelus reached out to slap Bel on the back since there wasn't enough time to make out properly. "Keep me posted. That's the big thing. Logan finds that evidence, I want to know. Mars is bleeding in a ditch, I want to know. Also if anybody's coming after me with torches and pitchforks, but I figured that went without saying."

[demonbelthazor]

"You'll be the first person to know anything I find out," Bel said. "With directions to the ditch."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus laughed. "After all this is done, we should go on vacation. Hey - I hear Vegas is nice this time of year."

[demonbelthazor]

"That's right," Bel said, grinning. "We can't go there without you. Bunch of kids lose in the City of Sin? We need someone to guide us and make sure we don't fall into a life of corruption."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angelus folded his hands in front of him piously. "I'll do my humble best."

He checked his watch. "Okay, I should boogie. I'm not staying here tonight. Even in this town somebody's bound to have a brain cell enough to think to look for me in the same place Darla is. But I'll be around. If you need me just put your lips together and blow you know how to whistle."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'll be in touch," Bel said. "And I've got your back."

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"That's why you're the only one I trust," Angelus replied.