Philosophy classroom, Friday afternoon

[brambless.livejournal.com]

After today's somewhat explosive Ethics class, Tara grabs lunch and returns to the classroom, anticipating fallout from various students... and questions from others.

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor walked into the office and took a seat. "Can you give me detention?" he asked.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I can," Tara replies. "I see no reason to. Are you asking me to give you detention, Belthazor?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Yes, my lady," Belthazor said, nodding. "Just once. This weekend."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Explain."

[demonbelthazor]

"Phoebe" -- he corrected himself -- "my Bright One got herself detention for some dumb reason. Given that dentention can be very harrowing, and because her safety is in my hands, I need to be in there to ensure she is well."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara smiles, broadly. "Very well, Belthazor. You may attend detention to protect your Bright One. I will make the arrangements. Please understand that within detention, however, the Ms. Cregg's rules take precedence."

[demonbelthazor]

"Of course," Belthazor said, matching Tara's smile. "Thank you, my lady."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome," Tara replied, inclining her head graciously. Then, laughing, she added, "have you decided what she is to call you, yet?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Beloved lord, actually," Belthazor said. "We haven't sorted out the safeword yet."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Make sure you do before you make any requests of her. Other than that," Tara smiles, "I have no doubt you'll take care of her."

[demonbelthazor]

"Oh, I will," Belthazor said, grinning. "And if nothing else it lets me keep her close until we figure out this stalking business."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Stop right there," Tara says. "Stalking? What's going on?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Someone has been sending my Bright One flowers -- black roses and dead ones -- with threats," Belthazor said, scowling now. "Whoever it is wants her to move back into the dorms. Which is what I want. Which is what she's going to do this weekend. But we don't know who has been doing it or why."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Have you reported the threats to the police?"

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor looked at her as if the concept of informing the police was foreign to him. "No," he said. "I prefer to handle this kind of thing on my own. I'll find out whoever is doing it and deal with them."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure you will, Belthazor. And the police won't do anything about it." She frowned at him, seriously. "But it means that when you do 'deal with them', you've got self defence already in place."

[demonbelthazor]

"If I was back home," Belthazor admitted, "whoever is doing this would be dead. I know things aren't the same here, though. Either way, I'll do what's necessary to protect my Bright One."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"I know you will," Tara nods. "But I hope this can end peacefully. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, okay?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Thank you, my lady, I will," Belthazor said. He started to rise, then stopped himself, looking at Tara expectantly.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara smiled, softly, holding his gaze. Very, very quietly, almost more mouthing the words than speaking, she mouthed "Alibi." Then, louder, "you may go."

[demonbelthazor]

Catching her word, Belthazor nodded. "Thank you again, my lady," he said, standing up and heading for the door.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara watched him go, smiling indulgently. Young people in love...