Suite 518/520, Thursday morning/early afternoon

[demonbelthazor]

The X-Men had returned Bel and Phoebe and the others to Fandom late last night. Bel was still a little freaked out about seeing Kitty, but it was good to be home. His body was stiff and sore and bruised from the fighting at the Statue of Liberty, and he welcomed the chance to sleep in his own bed again. He wasn't, however, particuarly looking forward to the questions and accusations that were probably waiting for him, and he lingered in bed come morning, dreading getting up.

But Marie was safe, and that was what mattered. He'd deal with everything else as it came.


[ooc: open for anyone who's been waiting to accost the ex-demon. ;)]

Comments

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker continued to pace around him, one way, then the other. Possibly calmer, but still angry. "Was this the first thing he had you do? No other little 'tricks', or 'tests' or attacks?" She stared at Bel a moment, then said, "You're really not a demon any more?"

She reached out and poked him in the arm. Like that was a test for demon-ness, or something.

[demonbelthazor]

"He had me do other things," Bel admitted reluctantly. "But nothing where I hurt anyone." Just their trust. "I went along with it or else he would've destroyed my father's soul. I was trying to buy time to figure out how to get it back from him."

When Parker poked him in the arm, Bel said, "Ow! Yeah, I'm human. Marty killed half of me. I don't have any powers anymore."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Did you think of anything? A way to shimmer it out of his grasp, a way to summon it, someone to steal it, a higher court to appeal to? For God's sake, it's a human soul, not a toy. Someone like the Source shouldn't be able to keep it on a shelf like it's a knick-knack!" Parker threw her hands up, looking pissed. "And pardon me if I don't cry for your lack of powers. Welcome to normality. Some of us have learned to compensate, so wah."

[demonbelthazor]

"I tried to steal it once, but I got caught," Bel snapped. "And I wouldn't expect you to give a damn about my powers. Or that Marty might've killed me. Nobody knew how that potion would work."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"The powers, hell no. You? Possibly." Parker took a step closer, cocking her head. "We're not friends. That would be a massive oeverstatement. But I respected what you did, back in February. Switching sides. You aren't like Angel, you weren't alone in the world-- you could have bugged out back to the Source and the Underworld and had people, a life on that side." Parker took a step back. "I'm not going to second-guess Marty on this-- God knows who was going to be the Source's next victim, through you. Phoebe, probably. Maybe he took extreme action, but let's face it. You're lucky you're not being taken to the cops and arrested. Do *not* expect me to be sorry that your life was put at risk when you were a risk to others. Hell, you gave *me* the formula and where to find that potion last February, for just that reason."

[demonbelthazor]

"Who do you think gave Veronica the idea of the power stripping potion?" Bel said wearily. "But don't expect me to thank Marty for doing this to me. You have no idea what it feels like."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Like you're human? Welcome to my world." Parker glared at him a moment, then relented. "I'll grant you it's gotta suck. I'd hate to lose something that made me more powerful, or safer, or stronger. Even if it was, oh, putting my safety and sanity at risk." She walked around him again. "Is it really so bad? Weak mortality?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I'm so cold," Bel said glumly. "And empty inside."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Put on a sweater," Parker said heartlessly. Then, "Empty? What are you talking about?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Half of me is dead, what do you think?" Bel said. "I don't know how else to describe it. There used to be something there, not there's nothing."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker sighed, and studied him a moment. "You're still Belthazor. You've been transformed, not *killed*, idiot. It was against your will and it sucks, but it's better than the alternative. You still think like a demon. You still have a hundred years more knowledge than any other student in this school. You're smart and probably still insanely ruthless and rather selfish." She folded her arms. "I don't know magic, maybe there's psychic nerve endings that got severed there. But you're not dying from it. Question is, what are you going to fill up the empty with? Black magic? Do you want mojo that badly? Or something else?"

[demonbelthazor]

"You think you know everything, don't you?" Bel snarled. "I wasn't transformed. Part of me is dead. I felt it die. You have no fucking idea what it felt like or what it still feels like." He shook his head and took a few steps away from Parker. "I don't expect any sympathy out of you. Not one bit. But don't pretend you know what you're talking about."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"If it's dead, why aren't you dying?" Parker demanded. "If it's dead, why haven't you killed yourself yet? And answer the damn question!" she hissed, getting closer to him. "Are you as much a threat now as you were? I'm not blaming jack on the demon, except the lack of control. If the Source asked you to kill someone to save your father-- me, for example-- would you do it?"

[demonbelthazor]

"You like to think you have all the answers, why don't you answer the question?" Bel snapped back. "Can you explain everything supernatural and magical around you in easy terms? Didn't think so. Nobody knew if the potion would just vanquish the demon half of me or kill me outright, but Marty decided he was the one qualified to take that risk. As for now? My father wouldn't want me to kill anyone to save him. That's why I wasn't going to kill the witch until Raynor forced me to do it."

He smacked his hand against the wall in frustration, and momentarily crazily wondered just how much more pissed off Parker would be if she knew about what had happened with Anders.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"That's what I needed to hear." Parker relaxed, finally, and let out an uneasy breath. "The witch had a name," she said, her voice quiet. "I assume you know it. Use it. She's the reason why this happened." She stepped closer, put her hand on the wall next to his. "You're a victim in this, but not the only one. No, I don't know how-- maimed, this has made you. We can debate Marty's tactics and strategy until the end of the world. It's too late for a different one."

She pushed off the wall. "Now, if you want, we research trips to the Underworld, and soul retrieval. You can deal with the rest of this better once your father's safe. And maybe there's a potion out there to heal you, if you're really that damaged. What magic messed with, magic should fix."

[demonbelthazor]

"I just want his soul to rest in peace," Bel murmured. "I barely remember him, but he was a good man. He didn't deserve my mother. Or...this."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"No. He didn't." Parker sighed. "You're not alone. Try to remember that. Not only because we want to keep people safe. No one should have to worry about a parent like you are. No one."

If it were her mother, she might have done worse. With what she was planning to do, at some point... she really couldn't lecture Bel for long. "I'm sorry if I let you down. I've had other priorities. If you need my help, mortal and unmagical as it is, you've got it."

[demonbelthazor]

"Thanks," Bel said. "As soon as I can figure something out, I'll definitely let you know."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker nodded, then headed for the door, and paused. "And Bel?" She shot him a quick, sharp glance over her shoulder. "If Anders asks me about it, I'm telling what I know. I won't go carrying tales. But if you two are still -- whatever you are... You should tell him."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel nearly flailed. "I'll tell him," he said.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker nodded. "Good plan. Say hi to Phoebe for me," and Parker walked out the door.