Sunday afternoon, Dr. Carter's classroom

[demonbelthazor]

Since his mother and Raynor wanted to meet the people he associated with at the school, Belthazor reluctantly took them to Dr. Carter's classroom, checking to see if there were any JA members lingering after the Meet & Greet from yesterday.

The room was mostly empty, but a few people were there, including Beka, cleaning up in the back of the room.


(Room magically protected from video/audio surveillance.)

Comments

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth looked around, unimpressed. "So you're wasting your time 'meeting and greeting' and having bake sales? Why am I not surprised?"

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka wrapped a paper towel around a half-eaten brownie, rolling her eyes. She wadded the towel up, turned, and pitched the little bundle toward the nearest trash can.

It missed, which made her think of her basketball game with Cam, which made her think of ex-boyfriends, which made her think of all kinds of things she didn't want to be thinking about. So she stopped thinking, crossed the room to pick up the trash, and slammed it into the can.

When she looked up, Bel was on his way into the classroom. She gave him a genuine smile, happy to see someone who could distract her from her brooding. "Hey."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_raynor/]

Raynor was running low on patience. "I told you. It is important to meet Belthazor's associates, see what sort of influence they have on him."

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor nodded in acknowledgement to Beka, but did not return her happy look. He instead appeared decidedly unhappy to be there.

[demonbelthazor]

"Angelus will hopefully be around at some point," Belthazor said, trying to ignore his mother. "Then you can see for yourself he's not a threat to the Source."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka arched an eyebrow at Bel, but didn't approach. The people behind him - if they were people and not demons - did not look happy. Family feud? No thanks.

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

"Your judgment is sorely in question," Elizabeth snapped. She looked over to Raynor. "As is yours for trusting him too much."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_raynor/]

Raynor gave Elizabeth a stern glance. "Do not ever question my judgment."

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor was grateful for Raynor's faith in him, but he tried to change the subject to get his mother to stop bitching. "Maybe there's something else in the school I can show you?" he suggested.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_raynor/]

"Maybe you can explain to me why I read about you and a female companion in the school newspaper," Raynor said curiously. "I believe her name is Phoebe?"

[demonbelthazor]

"School newspaper?" Belthazor repeated. Oh, fuck. "Phoebe? What about her?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_raynor/]

"According to what I read, you and she are close," Raynor said. "I would like to meet her."

[demonbelthazor]

"She's, uhh...." Belthazor looked around, thinking fast. His gaze fell on Beka. "She's right here," he said, walking to the back of the room and grabbing Beka's arm. "Play along," he whispered as he brought her over to Elizabeth and Raynor. "This is Phoebe," he said to them.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Bel's grip on her arm startled her. His words startled her more. She blinked trying to process, then when he said 'This is Phoebe' it clicked into place. Oh, hell. OK, you can do this. Remember how you played damsel in distress for Draco...same thing. Soft. Be soft.

"Uh, hi. You must be Bel's parents." She offered a bright smile, automatically softening her stance so she didn't seem uncomfortable with Bel's touch. "It's really nice to meet you."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka went back to tidying the classroom, straightening a pile of slinkies someone had left for Dr. Carter, among other things.

Abruptly Bel grabbed her by the arm. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhighdorms/227846.html?thread=8571654#t8571654)

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth inspected Beka, walking in a circle around her. "Human, of course," she said disdainfully. "Just making the problem worse."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_raynor/]

"Human?" Raynor said, somewhat disgustedly. "Better than a witch, though not by much."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Oh really? Beka bristled inwardly, while forcing her smile to stay smoothe. "If it's any consolation, I'm from 3500 years in the future, and my time-traveling DNA founds an entire race of genetically enhanced superhumans." Then she shook out her hair and let it ripple from gold, to silvery blonde, to teal, to black, and back.

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor chuckled nervously. "That's my Phoebe," he said, patting her hair. "Feisty, but she amuses me."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka turned a winsome smile on Bel, but her eyes flashed and she willed him to understand just how much he was going to owe her for this. "You make me every bit as happy, Bel."

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

"You expect me to believe you've made this 'feisty' one yours?" Elizabeth scoffed. "Seems to be too much for you to handle."

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Oh, a minute ago I'm dirt. Now I'm too much for him? Make up your mind, bitch.

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

I live to insult my son and make his life miserable because I am ashamed that he came from my loins.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

OMG. How can you be ashamed of that? Have you looked at him lately?

[elishevara.livejournal.com]

Excuse me, but is my name Jocasta? I didn't think so.