South Attic, Thursday Morning

[demonbelthazor]

No, Bel wasn't hiding. He was just...avoiding. Avoiding classes, avoiding people, avoiding everything.

He was also trying to get himself in the right frame of mind to take Veronica on a trip to the Underworld. Not a stellar idea, but if she wanted to go, he could hardly refuse her.


[ooc: open for visitors, please to be helping me avoid work. ;) ]

Comments

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana didn't have any classes till 4th period and she figured she'd studied for Medieval English History about as much as her brain would take, so she decided to go see if Bel might have found his way home. And if so, if he wanted someone to talk to.

She knocked on the door quietly. "Bel?"

[demonbelthazor]

He was quiet for a moment, hoping the person would go away. Finally, he said, "Come in. It's open."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana came in and closed the door behind her. "Hey," she said. "I'm worried about you."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'm fine," he said. "Just a little beat up. Nothing a few days of rest won't fix."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

She hesitated for a moment, then went over and touched his shoulder. She wanted to hug him, but was afraid he wouldn't let her. "Bel... I... I wish I knew the right thing to say, the right way to help you."

[demonbelthazor]

"There's nothing anyone can do," he said with a sad smile. "Not unless you can travel through time and change the past."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"What, you mean with all the odd people we've got here there's no one who can do that?" She spoke as lightly as she could, but knew her words wouldn't be enough to cheer him.

She took a seat near him and curled up one leg underneath. "Can you tell me about it?"

[demonbelthazor]

"You know what happened to Piper, don't you?" he asked slowly.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "Phoebe told me a little bit."

[demonbelthazor]

"She...made me hear it," he said quietly. "Hear everything. The cries of all my victims, everyone I've ever hurt or wronged. I heard them all."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana shut her eyes, imagining the horror of that. "Oh, Bel... I... God, I don't know how you can manage that."

She's quiet for a moment, leaving a hand to rest gently on his arm. "Do you know what I wish?" she says finally.

[demonbelthazor]

"What?" he asked.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I wish there was some way - a spell or something - that would let you hear and feel all the good you've done as well."

[absolutesnark]

Piper headed over to the south attic at around fifth period. She wasn't sure Bel even wanted to see her, but she wanted to make sure he was okay. So she knocked on the door.

[demonbelthazor]

After visiting the underworld with Veronica, Bel returned to hide out in the south attic. He sensed a witch nearby when he heard the knock. It wasn't Phoebe; she would come right in. So it was Kiki or Paige or...Piper.

"Come in," he called hesitantly.

[absolutesnark]

"Hey," Piper said quietly when she walked into the attic. She could tell this was going to be awkward.

[demonbelthazor]

Bel braced himself, but he still flinched a little when he saw her. He still bore the marks of her attack on his face and body. "Hey," he said in reponse to her greeting.

[absolutesnark]

Piper felt even more guilt when she realized the marks on his face were caused by her. "I, um, I stopped by to see how you're doing."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'm okay," he said, dropping his head to avoid her gaze. "This'll all heal in a few days."


[ooc: running out for an hour -- back soon.]

[absolutesnark]

Piper wasn't so sure the mental wounds she caused would heal in a few days. "I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am...for everything."

[demonbelthazor]

"You don't have to apologize," he said. "It wasn't your fault."

[absolutesnark]

"But I still feel responsible," Piper said. "I remember what I did. I hurt people I care about. And...I can remember wanting to kill. It wasn't a good feeling."

[demonbelthazor]

It was, however, a feeling Bel was all too used to. "It was the demon in you doing all those things," he said. "Not you."

[absolutesnark]

That wasn't really helping to alleviate the guilt Piper was feeling. "I guess."

She looked at him. "How are you? Really?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I'm fine, really," he lied, not wanting to give her more to feel guilty about. He forced a smile. "Just a little embarrassed to have been beaten up by a girl."