Philosophy classroom: Monday office hours, 10am-2pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara sits at her desk, ostensibly grading but scarcely able to focus on anything. The footsteps in the hall were driving her insane, so the door is closed, but a note sticky taped to the door reads "Open for Office Hours. Please knock."

Comments

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Reading the note, she wonders what kind of game Tara is playing this week with her students...but she knocks.]

Tara, it's CJ.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Come on in, CJ," Tara calls.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Hey...Beka said I should ask you about Anthony...Crowley.

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Oh, god, CJ... must you?" She sighs. "OK. I can do this. Go ahead."

Re: Separately from CJ...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She smiles gently, her brows furrowed in confusion] I met him last night, and he seemed perfectly nice. Well mannered, maybe a little preoccupied with sin...But Beka says he and Bel got into some kind of fight and that he can...do things. And she said I should ask you.

Re: Separately from CJ...

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"He is perfectly nice, CJ. Really. He's just got a bit of a temper, and some... well, some interesting powers. And he doesn't always control them well. And he doesn't like being called nice. It, um, makes him kind of angry.

But yeah, he can... he can bring things out in people. Emotions. By touching them. Pain, desire... I'm not sure what else."

Re: Separately from CJ...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Really? He touched me last night...twice. I was a little annoyed, but just because he was so presumptuous. But nothing else happened. Who is he? What is he is probably a better question...

Re: Separately from CJ...

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Um, he's a demon. He tempts people. With their own emotions. So I guess either he didn't want to tempt you, or, um, your emotions weren't... the right sort?" She sighs. "I don't know, CJ. I'm sorry."

Re: Separately from CJ...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Like a Heaven and Hell kind of demon? Or some other kind...like what we have running around the school? [She begins to put this together in her head] Mr. Phale and I talk about God a lot...if Crowley is a demon, then is Mr. Phale one too? He seems so kind...

[Shaking her head, to clear her thoughts] If he's a Hell kind of demon, that's easy. I'm already damned. Nothing he can do.

Re: Separately from CJ...

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"No, no, Mr. Phale isn't a demon. He's, um, the other. An angel. Mr. Crowley... well, yeah, he's the Hell kind. But I don't think he wants to be. He said he, um, 'didn't so much fall as saunter vaguely downwards'. He tries hard to be good, but there are rules, and he has to tempt people or, you know, he'd get into trouble. But I don't think he actually wants to succeed."

She cocks her head, concerned. "CJ, why do you say you're damned?"

Re: Separately from CJ...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Because I am, Tara. [She speaks plainly, as if she had just said she had gum in her purse]. Is there anything else I should know?

Re: Separately from CJ...

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara presses her lips together. "Yes. Everyone seems bound and determined to blame him for everything. And... well, people live up, or down, to your expectations. If he hasn't hurt you, or tried to - give him the benefit of the doubt? He needs it."

Re: Separately from CJ...

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Ok...thanks Tara. I need to get on to the library, and Beka's waiting for you.

Re: Separately from CJ...

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Have a good day, CJ," Tara smiles. "And... good luck."