Study Hall - Monday, October 17th

[principalconnor.livejournal.com]

Sarah sits on the floor of the study hall, playing with a bunch of black lab puppies.

No, really.

And no, she's not teaching them how to kill. Although she is making them sniff a toaster and then sniff everybody who comes into the room.

Today is obviously not a low-paranoia day for her.

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

"Sure, I'm not stopping you," Belthazor said.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looks like she's been slapped for a moment, before her features clear into a pleasant mask.

"You're angry."

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor shrugged. "What gives you that idea?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked down at the table trying to put her feelings into words without sounding needy.

"You didn't reach for me...and your voice is different."

[demonbelthazor]

He shrugged again. "Maybe because I don't understand you," he muttered.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded and fiddled with her pen.

"We don't understand everything about each other," she muttered back as she went to stand.

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "What, I'm supposed to be happy that you're being completely unreasonable and won't listen to anything I say?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked down at him, her eyes glittering. It was obvious to anyone that knew her well that she was upset and she was frightened.

"Cole," she said softly. "I am listening to everything you're saying. I'm just not sure that you're right." She looked at him seriously. "I know you want to protect me, but you don't even know who's doing this to me. It could be someone trying to punish..." Phoebe stopped talking and looked away.

[demonbelthazor]

"You're not safe in town," he said flatly. "If a demon or a warlock or a darklighter come after you, one guy with a gun isn't going to save you. You don't have an offensive power. Here there's security and lots of people, people who do have powers to protect you. Why won't you listen to reason? Why are you being so stubborn?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked him in the eyes. "I thought one of the reasons you fell in love with me was because I am stubborn and try to do things my own way?" Phoebe sighs and looks away, then turns back. "What if it's someone trying to get to you through me? What if me moving back into the dorms means that they can get you that more easily?"

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor shook his head. "It's no one trying to get to me. Trust me, I know. Anyone trying to get to me would be happy to have you further away."

[sensethevisions]

"Can you be sure of that, Cole?" she asked softly. "I won't put you in danger."

[demonbelthazor]

"If I'm in any danger because of you," he said evenly, "it's not going to change whether you're here or not." He let go of her arm and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "But you already got your mind made up, and nothing I say is gonna change it."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at Cole, trying to keep calm. "Have you ever been so scared that you didn't know what to do? Had to look over your shoulder every second because you were afraid someone was going to attack you or hurt the ones you love?"

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor frowned. He'd felt fear like that as a child when he'd been thrust into the Underworld, then again, more recently, when he'd realized what Phoebe meant to him. "Don't let fear push you into making the wrong choice," he said. "Phoebe, you're safer here. You have to realize that. There's cameras and security and people to protect you. Your sister is here. I'm here. In town you are alone and vulnerable and you're going to get yourself killed! Why can't you see that?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at Cole's hand on her arm and then looked into his face.

"I'm trying not to let fear from either option push me into anything, Cole. I love you, and I'd want to protect you as much as you'd want to protect me."

[demonbelthazor]

"Then why are you being so stubborn?" Cole said, sighing in frustration. "I don't understand you at all. No one can hurt me just because you're in the dorms. But a lot of people can hurt you because you're not in the dorms, don't you understand that?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe moved to where she could squat down next to Cle's chair to look him in the eye.

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

[demonbelthazor]

Cole pulled Phoebe up into his lap. "Of course you can," he said gruffly, wrapping his arms tight around her. "You don't even have to ask. And nothing's going to hurt you while you're with me, I promise."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe held him and lay her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole stroked her hair. "No one's going to hurt you, Phoebe," he said. "Just let me protect you."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe felt tears in her eyes. "I'm just so scared, Cole. Who could hate me enough to do something like this?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Don't cry," Cole said softly, brushing the tears away. "I don't know who is doing this, but I won't let them hurt you, I promise."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded, looking into Cole's face. "Be careful with what you promise, Cole. I don't want you to get into trouble."