fandomassistant | Assistants Lounge -- Friday, February 10

"I hope not," Isabel said with a shiver. "Have you ever read any of the real Grimms fairytales? They're nothing like the Disney version. Which of course would probably make them perfect for this place."

"Oh yeah, I've read them," Bel said. "Some of them are based on real demons."

Isabel blinked, "Really?" She frowned and thought about that for a few seconds. "Well, it does make sense in a way. But why did you read them?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"History lessons," Bel said. "And examples of how mortals explain away the supernatural. They turn them into stories."

"Huh, that must have been one hell of a history class."

She slid down off the arm of the couch and got comfortable on the cushions. "What was it like growing up in the, what did you call it? The Underworld?" she asked. "I'm curious. I never really thought about demons being real before coming here, and now, to hear you talk about history lessons from that perspective. I just want to know more."

"I wasn't in the Underworld until I was three," Bel said. "Before that I had a normal childhood. Then my mother killed my father and took me to her home." His voice was emotionless as he spoke. "My father was human, and my mother was ashamed of what I was. She wanted to kill me but the Source said no. So she gave me to Raynor to raise. After that it was learn to kill. Or be killed."

"That's..." her voice trailed off. She's not sure what she was expecting to hear, but it wasn't that. "I'm sorry."

He shrugged. "You get used to it. First time's the hardest, but you learn to obey."

"Because you didn't have a choice?" she asked quietly. "What am I saying? You said that. And now I don't know what to say."

"It's weird being here and having more freedom," Bel said. "They sent me here to learn to be more human. But still, in the end it's obey the Source or die. That's the only choice you really have."

"That must be weird. But that's a hell of a way to live your life. Isn't what you want important?"

"Not compared to what the Source wants," Bel said. "I mean, I want things, and I get them, but at the same time I'm supposed to obey the Source."

"But what happens if what you want and what this Source wants are different? What do you do then?" And Isabel might be identifying with Bel just a little bit.

"That's when the choice comes. Obey or die," Bel said. "It's not like no demon ever disobeys. But when they do and are caught, they're made an example of."

The identifying? Maybe not so much after all. Because it's not like anyone is going to make an example of her if she doesn't help. Max will shout and bluster, but he'd never hurt her.

"But you're here now. You have a girlfriend, friends. Can't you see there's other options?" she asked seriously. "Maybe someone here at the school could help you."

Brow furrowed, Bel said, "You don't understand the power of the Source. It's not that simple. If it gets out that I've disobeyed, I'm dead."

"What is this source? Source of what?" She drew her leg up and wrapped her arms around it, resting her chin on her knee. "Is it really that powerful?"

"The Source of All Evil," Bel explained. He wasn't sure why he was telling Isabel all this, but he felt like he'd been wanting to be able to talk to someone about it for awhile. "He rules the Underworld. And yeah...he is that powerful."

Isabel felt kind of helpless, sure she had some powers, but this was beyond anything she'd ever imagined. But at least she could listen. "Wow, I never imagined that something like that actually existed. But if you could get away, safely, would you? Is a normal life even something you'd want?"

"I guess," Bel said slowly. "I mean, up until now I didn't even know what a normal life might be. But it would be nice if...."

"If..." she prompted.

He took a deep breath. He hadn't had a conversation like this since before Angelus was changed. And since Angel knew all Angelus did, chances were Angel had told his people anyway. It wasn't like it was a big secret anymore. "If I wasn't worried about one day being told to murder my girlfriend," he said softly.

"What?" Isabel said, shocked. "Why would he want you to murder Phoebe?" She stopped, remembering some of what she'd been told when they were getting ready for study group. "Is it because she's supposed to be a witch?"

"Not supposed to be," Bel corrected. "Is. One of the most powerful witches the world will know. She and her sisters are destined to oppose the Source."

[OOC: We have about 8 inches so far. It's still falling so I'm waiting awhile to shovel. :) ]

"Huh, I didn't realize." Isabel shook her head. "Sometimes I think I'm still trying to process that things like magic, demons and aliens are real. I'm doing better then the first night we talked but still, it's weird to hear that a classmate is going to oppose the Source of all Evil."

She looked off into the distance for minute, thinking. "But my issues aren't what's important here. It seems like you're going to have to make a choice. Hopefully you'll make the right one. And if you do, maybe there's a way to protect you."

Assistants Lounge -- Friday, February 10

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