After Ethics Class

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor paced anxiously outside of Ethics class, waiting for Phoebe to finish talking to Tara. He wanted to find out what was going on with this flower business now. Beka had told him that Phoebe got flowers that upset her yesterday afternoon, but when he'd gone to talk to her he'd found her asleep and didn't want to wake her. When he returned home after the poker game, there had been a weird message in his voice mail telling him not worry, that "what belongs to the JA stays with the JA," and that Phoebe was coming back to the dorms. Then the rose this morning assuring him of the same.

And now Phoebe was upset in Ethics class because of getting more flowers. He might appreciate the assistance if it wasn't scaring her so much.

He was going to get to the bottom of this.

Comments

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe finally left the class and came up to Cole. She sighed and leaned against the wall, waiting for him to say what he was thinking about all of this.

[demonbelthazor]

Cole drew her into his arms. "What the hell's going on?" he growled. "Who's sending you flowers? What do they say?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe held him tightly, tears in her eyes again. "I keep getting these black roses with threats about what will happen if I don't move back into the dorms."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole put his hand on her cheek and brushed away her tears with his thumb. "What? What do they say? Someone's threatening you?"

[sensethevisions]

"The latest one asked if I was at all concerned for my safety."

[demonbelthazor]

His grip on her tightened. "I'm going to find out whoever's doing this," he said angrily. "Nobody threatens you and gets away with it." He looked down at her. "All the more reason you should move back to the dorms, though."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is near tears. "They're leaving them every place I go, Cole. Someone is stalking me and I don't even know why."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole looked around, then drew Phoebe into an empty classroom. He sat her down on top of a desk, then crouched in front of her, holding her hands. "No one is going to hurt you, I promise," he said.

[sensethevisions]

She looked down at him.

"Why would someone do this? What kind of person who get happiness from inciting fear?"

[demonbelthazor]

"The Demon of Fear. Nightmares. Most demons actually. Vampires." Cole stopped as he realized that wasn't helping. "I'll find out who did this, okay? They're not going to get away with it. What exactly did the notes say? Can you show them to me? It might help."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is so not feeling better. There are many demons and vampires on the campus.

"I can get them for you after school," she says softly.

[demonbelthazor]

He stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "No one can hurt you here. There's cameras everywhere. Rover's around somewhere. I'm here. You're safe here. I don't know why the person sending you these wants you back in the dorms, but they can't hurt you here."

An idea occurred to him. "You're a stubborn girl, Phoebe. Maybe this person is trying to scare you so that you do stay in town. That could be their plan -- make sure you stay someone where you're vulnerable instead of here."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe sighs, closing her eyes. "I wish they'd just go away and leave me alone. They are leaving the flowers everywhere."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole took her face in his hands and tilted her head up to look at him. "I'll find out who did this and deal with it, okay? You trust me?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nods. "Of course I trust you, just be careful. What if they're after you?"

[demonbelthazor]

"After me?" He looked at her, confused. "They threatened me?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looks at him. "They keep talking about a 'Him'."

[demonbelthazor]

"They can't hurt me," he assured her, tangling his fingers in her hair. "You know how strong I am. But if you want to come back to the dorms and keep an eye on me, I won't complain."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looks up. "Cole...I have to ask this, and don't you for a moment think you have anything to do with this. I don't. And you wouldn't condone it. But, do you think one of your friends may be trying to scare me back into the dorms because you want me near you?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I've asked people to help convince you you belong here," he said, a little offended, "but I don't think Piper, Beka, Rogue, or Maia are the type to pull something like this."

Then he remembered the specific mention of the JA in the message that had been left for him. And that he'd told Angelus that he was unhappy with Phoebe living off campus.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe shook her head. "I'm not trying to upset you, Cole. I know you wouldn't let anyone do this. I was just wondering."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'll talk to a few people," he said slowly, "but I don't know who is doing it. I wouldn't let anybody scare you like that." He gave her a gentle kiss, then added, "I still think you should move back to the dorms, though. So does your sister."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

(OOC: If you want a Beka interruption, as she'd have been in Ethics, let me know. Otherwise, screen or delete. ;))

[demonbelthazor]

[OOC: Beka could've very easily seen them talking in the hall then and then duck into the empty classroom, so feel free if she would've poked her nose in. ;) PhoebeMun is about to be away from the computer, however, so we may be frozen in time for a bit. Unless she's just quietly watching Belthazor and Beka talk. ;)]

Standing guard

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Drawing the cigarettes out of her vest pocket, Beka taps the pack on the back of her hand, draws out the cigarette and pockets the box. Almost entirely focused on the smoke, she thumbs the switch on the lighter, takes a slow drag. The lighter disappears into her pocket, and she exhales in a tidy stream, then leans back against the wall, one foot up.

Her expression is casual, almost disinterested. A delinquent, hungover Student Council member with nothing much to do.