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sensethevisions[[OOC: Due to schedule conflicts, this was roleplayed through e-mail and it happened Monday night]]
Phoebe didn't exactly lie to Cole. She had kept her promise and had looked for someone to go with her to see Crowley. However, everyone she asked were either too busy with other things or they were afraid of the demon. Hells, she had even placed a call to Beka's private cellphone to see if she would come back to Fandom. In the end, though, she had no choice but to go alone.
It wasn't that she thought that Crowley would harm her. It was just that he...he could peer so deeply into her and see things that even she didn't understand.
She took a deep breath and entered the hotel. She made her way to the front desk and peered at who was working there.
"Phoebe Halliwell to see Mr. Crowley, please."
Sue Ellen smiled brightly at the young woman, and picked up the phone. "Won't be a minute, honey." Pressing the button, all she managed was, "Phoebe..." when the demon appeared from the office.
"My dear, so very punctual. I adore that in a woman. So, would you like me to romance you first, or shall we just adjourn upstairs and get to it?" His grin is unsettling, conveying his...amusement?...pleasure?...it was unclear.
Extending his hand, he turned his body toward the rear, the elevator or the lounge open for her choice.
Phoebe swallowed and took his hand. "I think the Lounge would probably be a good place to start," Phoebe said softly, trying to figure out Crowley's tone. Everytime she was near him, she felt strange and not so much in the bad way. However, she had her pride and she had herlust courage that she was safe with him.
"I'm glad you wanted to see me, Mr. Crowley."
Her hand warms quickly, but other than that she retains complete control. It's no fun to paralyse the mouse before the cat has even gotten started.
"And I was so pleased you came to your senses, my dear. Let's have a cocktail and you can tell me when exactly you decided you'd like to share your flesh with me, and do keep in mind...I'm not the jealous type. Unlike some men in your life. If you'd like to continue your association with that boy, I could...thoroughly enjoy that."
Holding the chair for her, he motions to Cliff to take her order as he lights a cigarette and slides in beside her.
"You've made a choice, then? That's what you lead me to believe..."
Phoebe orders a shot of tequila, hoping that Crowley wouldn't get cranky about her age. She needed something to steady her nerves. After the waiter walks away, she leans forward, her hands clasped on the table.
"You know very well what your touch did to me on New Year's Eve and you also know that had I not loved Cole so much, you could have done anything you wanted to me that night. What I want to know is why you didn't? You knew that I wanted you...and that you were scaring the hell out of Cole. Damn it, Crowley, you know that even now I keep thinking about the effect your kiss had on me that night...still has." She sighed. "Since I have the suspicion that you were the one that screwed up the phone lines, I also know that you know that the phone message wasn't meant for you."
Phoebe looks at his face, but doesn't try to peer into his eyes. She's aware of his every move and his every breath...but it's not something that has her afraid. She knows that he could have compelled her to come right up to his room, but he hadn't. He had left the choice up to her.
"I also have more questions...which I am very aware may have a price attached to the answers."
"I'm well aware you want me, still." He leans forward, peering at her over his glasses with a wicked gleam in his eye. "And I assure you, my dear, when I wish to claim you...you'll beg me not to stop."
He leans back, wholly relaxed and entirely civil. "Youre quite charming, my dear. Much like your sister. Please...ask away. I'm a fair negotiator on terms for reciprocation." He picks up an empty wine glass and as he brings it to his lips it fills with a deep red wine.
Phoebe notices he said when and not if. She isn't sure what to think about that.
She took a drink from her glass and then studied him.
"Belthazor. Why is he so afraid of you whenever you're near me --- and no, I know it's because of more than you sex appeal."
"Because, my sweet, you are his weak point. Never let it be said I don't know how to pick at such a wound. He's entirely convinced I would harm you...and he may or may not be correct...I havent decided." Extending a finger, he traces the line of her jaw. "Or did you want to know what I told him I'd do to you? It would ruin that surprise, you know."
Phoebe suppresses a tremble when he touches her jaw. "If you break your toys, you can't play with them," she finds herself saying as she looks at him. "He was terrified when you offered to introduce me to your pet duck." She swallows, drawing up her courage. "If...if I were to ask you to try not to torment him as much...and you decided that might be fun, too...what...what would be the price?"
Leaning back, he spins to face her, an enigmatic grin dancing on his lips.
"What you offer up, pet? This had better be something good for such a favor."
"What would you ask, Mr. Crowley? I would do almost anything to protect Cole. This is a new situation for me, so I am unsure where one starts on the scale for bartering of this fashion."
"Generally a sacrifice of some kind...somethng personal, is the first thing to be offered up. You ask me to use your body, or take your beauty or voice...something of that nature. Or you offer to do some nasty task for me, such as corrupting someone or creating strife...you really should talk to your sister. SHe's got the right ideas when it comes to me. She wants me to take her to bed. Is that what you would offer too, Phoebe Halliwell?" Something in his tone changes, becomes cool and professional...the bargaining has begun.
Phoebe was very much attached to her voice and her looks because of what she was going to have to as she went through life.
"So...if I were to say I would exchange myself for Belthazor and let you have use of my body, I would be no better than Paige was." Phoebe is feeling torn now. She would do almost anything for Cole...but she didn't want to be like her sister had been...
"No better? Witch, you're worse. At least Paige recognizes and embraces her nature. You struggle against yourself every day. A witch with a demon? Are you mad?" He chuckles and lights another cigarette, leaving the first to burn out in the ashtray.
"As for offering yourself in place of Belthazor, that's quite noble. Sweet, even. But my plans for him are for him alone...you'll have to think of something better...something that leaves you alive and in tact, of course. I don't feel like rending your flesh just yet."
"I at least know that my relationship with Cole is different and will probably get me killed. I've accepted that. I've also accepted that if I have to give Lucifer himself my body and soul to save Cole, I probably would. Relationships and madness seem to run rampant in this neighborhood." Phoebe looks around to order another drink. "You know that I'm not good at strife, I try to ease that and not cause it." She sighs and looks at Crowley. "You also know I say what I think and I don't play games." She is quiet for a moment. "What do you want from me to get you to lay off of Belthazor even a little?"
"Acknowledgement that you belong to me would please me greatly, my dear. Not much more than a promise. really. Will you sign?" His grin grows wider and cold as his wicked, glistening teeth appear. From within his breast pocket, he pulls out a rolled parchment and a slender black pen with a silver nib.
"As always, your choice, my dear. If you have something else to suggest..."
Phoebe is silent and then reaches for the pen. "I'll sign, but I won't stop being who I am," she says softly.
"Certainly, poppet. I wouldn't want anyone else but the genuine Phoebe. Any changes or...lessening of will...would be unthinkable. You simply," he opens both hands, almost as if to hug her, "belong to me."
Phoebe looks at him for a very long moment, and then nods. "For Cole," she says softly almost to herself and signs her name to the paper. She goes to hand the parchment and then pen back to Crowley, not looking away from his face. "I'm yours."
Halliwells are known for their pride...and their foolish bravery.
"Brilliant." He watches her sign, waiting for the look os surprise they always get when the pen stings their fingers and begins to pull the blood from their flesh. As her name glides smoothly onto the parchment, his grin grows.
Phoebe tries not to react to the sting, but her eyes may widen a bit. Reminding herself why she's doing this, she forces herself to finish her signature and then sits back.
"You have the Grace I would expect from a witch. Quite selfless, really. Now...you realize, although I've promised to back off from your boy, I have no say if he pushes the issue. Regardless...you're mine now, poppet. Fear not...it means very little in the scope of the Plan." He cups her face in his palm, a slight tingle emanating from his fingers and smiles at her chillingly. "You'll not despise this arrangement, I promise."
Phoebe nods slowly. "I know better than anyone else that Cole has quite a temper. I will do my best to try to keep him from...pushing, but he is who he is." She looks at him, determined not to be afraid. Then she looks down. "They're going to kill me when they find out. I'd still do it again, though."
"No one will kill you, dearest. You're mine now...that does carry a certain, shall we say...security."
Phoebe can't help a faint smile. "You've never met Prue or Grams," she says softly.
"If they are anything like you and Piper, I would anticipate the fight of my life...and my destruction would only be described as sweet." Flashing a charming smile, he cocks his head. "Can I do anything else for you, my dear? Or did you want to see my bed?"
"I think under the circumstances that visiting your room to see your bed would probably be a bad idea." She downs the rest of her tequila and smiles at him. "But thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation, Mr. Crowley."
"Anytime, my dear. You are welcome here whenever you like. Mi casa es su casa and all that. Fear not, I take care of what's mine, whether I bed them or not." He pushes his glasses back up and leans on his elbow on the bar. "And now, Phoebe...would you care for another drink, or do you have a burning desire to go gloat to Belthazor?"
If it was anyone else, Phoebe would have stuck her tongue out at them, but this is Crowley and that could be a bad thing. "Another drink, please, and what would I gloat to him about?"
He grabs the tequila and pours for her himself, watching her from behind his glasses. "Why, that you're so very clever to come here all alone and face me down...and save him with the power of your love." He sneers as he says it, the word dropping derisively from his lips.
Phoebe laughs and shakes her head. "First, he is probably going to want to kick my ass for going against his very clear order to stay away from you unless I brought someone very powerful with me. It's probably going to cause much strife and bruising which you should enjoy." She drinks from the glass. "Second, I would never gloat about anything like that to anyone, much less the man I very well would die for if it was required."
Phoebe didn't exactly lie to Cole. She had kept her promise and had looked for someone to go with her to see Crowley. However, everyone she asked were either too busy with other things or they were afraid of the demon. Hells, she had even placed a call to Beka's private cellphone to see if she would come back to Fandom. In the end, though, she had no choice but to go alone.
It wasn't that she thought that Crowley would harm her. It was just that he...he could peer so deeply into her and see things that even she didn't understand.
She took a deep breath and entered the hotel. She made her way to the front desk and peered at who was working there.
"Phoebe Halliwell to see Mr. Crowley, please."
Sue Ellen smiled brightly at the young woman, and picked up the phone. "Won't be a minute, honey." Pressing the button, all she managed was, "Phoebe..." when the demon appeared from the office.
"My dear, so very punctual. I adore that in a woman. So, would you like me to romance you first, or shall we just adjourn upstairs and get to it?" His grin is unsettling, conveying his...amusement?...pleasure?...it was unclear.
Extending his hand, he turned his body toward the rear, the elevator or the lounge open for her choice.
Phoebe swallowed and took his hand. "I think the Lounge would probably be a good place to start," Phoebe said softly, trying to figure out Crowley's tone. Everytime she was near him, she felt strange and not so much in the bad way. However, she had her pride and she had her
"I'm glad you wanted to see me, Mr. Crowley."
Her hand warms quickly, but other than that she retains complete control. It's no fun to paralyse the mouse before the cat has even gotten started.
"And I was so pleased you came to your senses, my dear. Let's have a cocktail and you can tell me when exactly you decided you'd like to share your flesh with me, and do keep in mind...I'm not the jealous type. Unlike some men in your life. If you'd like to continue your association with that boy, I could...thoroughly enjoy that."
Holding the chair for her, he motions to Cliff to take her order as he lights a cigarette and slides in beside her.
"You've made a choice, then? That's what you lead me to believe..."
Phoebe orders a shot of tequila, hoping that Crowley wouldn't get cranky about her age. She needed something to steady her nerves. After the waiter walks away, she leans forward, her hands clasped on the table.
"You know very well what your touch did to me on New Year's Eve and you also know that had I not loved Cole so much, you could have done anything you wanted to me that night. What I want to know is why you didn't? You knew that I wanted you...and that you were scaring the hell out of Cole. Damn it, Crowley, you know that even now I keep thinking about the effect your kiss had on me that night...still has." She sighed. "Since I have the suspicion that you were the one that screwed up the phone lines, I also know that you know that the phone message wasn't meant for you."
Phoebe looks at his face, but doesn't try to peer into his eyes. She's aware of his every move and his every breath...but it's not something that has her afraid. She knows that he could have compelled her to come right up to his room, but he hadn't. He had left the choice up to her.
"I also have more questions...which I am very aware may have a price attached to the answers."
"I'm well aware you want me, still." He leans forward, peering at her over his glasses with a wicked gleam in his eye. "And I assure you, my dear, when I wish to claim you...you'll beg me not to stop."
He leans back, wholly relaxed and entirely civil. "Youre quite charming, my dear. Much like your sister. Please...ask away. I'm a fair negotiator on terms for reciprocation." He picks up an empty wine glass and as he brings it to his lips it fills with a deep red wine.
Phoebe notices he said when and not if. She isn't sure what to think about that.
She took a drink from her glass and then studied him.
"Belthazor. Why is he so afraid of you whenever you're near me --- and no, I know it's because of more than you sex appeal."
"Because, my sweet, you are his weak point. Never let it be said I don't know how to pick at such a wound. He's entirely convinced I would harm you...and he may or may not be correct...I havent decided." Extending a finger, he traces the line of her jaw. "Or did you want to know what I told him I'd do to you? It would ruin that surprise, you know."
Phoebe suppresses a tremble when he touches her jaw. "If you break your toys, you can't play with them," she finds herself saying as she looks at him. "He was terrified when you offered to introduce me to your pet duck." She swallows, drawing up her courage. "If...if I were to ask you to try not to torment him as much...and you decided that might be fun, too...what...what would be the price?"
Leaning back, he spins to face her, an enigmatic grin dancing on his lips.
"What you offer up, pet? This had better be something good for such a favor."
"What would you ask, Mr. Crowley? I would do almost anything to protect Cole. This is a new situation for me, so I am unsure where one starts on the scale for bartering of this fashion."
"Generally a sacrifice of some kind...somethng personal, is the first thing to be offered up. You ask me to use your body, or take your beauty or voice...something of that nature. Or you offer to do some nasty task for me, such as corrupting someone or creating strife...you really should talk to your sister. SHe's got the right ideas when it comes to me. She wants me to take her to bed. Is that what you would offer too, Phoebe Halliwell?" Something in his tone changes, becomes cool and professional...the bargaining has begun.
Phoebe was very much attached to her voice and her looks because of what she was going to have to as she went through life.
"So...if I were to say I would exchange myself for Belthazor and let you have use of my body, I would be no better than Paige was." Phoebe is feeling torn now. She would do almost anything for Cole...but she didn't want to be like her sister had been...
"No better? Witch, you're worse. At least Paige recognizes and embraces her nature. You struggle against yourself every day. A witch with a demon? Are you mad?" He chuckles and lights another cigarette, leaving the first to burn out in the ashtray.
"As for offering yourself in place of Belthazor, that's quite noble. Sweet, even. But my plans for him are for him alone...you'll have to think of something better...something that leaves you alive and in tact, of course. I don't feel like rending your flesh just yet."
"I at least know that my relationship with Cole is different and will probably get me killed. I've accepted that. I've also accepted that if I have to give Lucifer himself my body and soul to save Cole, I probably would. Relationships and madness seem to run rampant in this neighborhood." Phoebe looks around to order another drink. "You know that I'm not good at strife, I try to ease that and not cause it." She sighs and looks at Crowley. "You also know I say what I think and I don't play games." She is quiet for a moment. "What do you want from me to get you to lay off of Belthazor even a little?"
"Acknowledgement that you belong to me would please me greatly, my dear. Not much more than a promise. really. Will you sign?" His grin grows wider and cold as his wicked, glistening teeth appear. From within his breast pocket, he pulls out a rolled parchment and a slender black pen with a silver nib.
"As always, your choice, my dear. If you have something else to suggest..."
Phoebe is silent and then reaches for the pen. "I'll sign, but I won't stop being who I am," she says softly.
"Certainly, poppet. I wouldn't want anyone else but the genuine Phoebe. Any changes or...lessening of will...would be unthinkable. You simply," he opens both hands, almost as if to hug her, "belong to me."
Phoebe looks at him for a very long moment, and then nods. "For Cole," she says softly almost to herself and signs her name to the paper. She goes to hand the parchment and then pen back to Crowley, not looking away from his face. "I'm yours."
Halliwells are known for their pride...and their foolish bravery.
"Brilliant." He watches her sign, waiting for the look os surprise they always get when the pen stings their fingers and begins to pull the blood from their flesh. As her name glides smoothly onto the parchment, his grin grows.
Phoebe tries not to react to the sting, but her eyes may widen a bit. Reminding herself why she's doing this, she forces herself to finish her signature and then sits back.
"You have the Grace I would expect from a witch. Quite selfless, really. Now...you realize, although I've promised to back off from your boy, I have no say if he pushes the issue. Regardless...you're mine now, poppet. Fear not...it means very little in the scope of the Plan." He cups her face in his palm, a slight tingle emanating from his fingers and smiles at her chillingly. "You'll not despise this arrangement, I promise."
Phoebe nods slowly. "I know better than anyone else that Cole has quite a temper. I will do my best to try to keep him from...pushing, but he is who he is." She looks at him, determined not to be afraid. Then she looks down. "They're going to kill me when they find out. I'd still do it again, though."
"No one will kill you, dearest. You're mine now...that does carry a certain, shall we say...security."
Phoebe can't help a faint smile. "You've never met Prue or Grams," she says softly.
"If they are anything like you and Piper, I would anticipate the fight of my life...and my destruction would only be described as sweet." Flashing a charming smile, he cocks his head. "Can I do anything else for you, my dear? Or did you want to see my bed?"
"I think under the circumstances that visiting your room to see your bed would probably be a bad idea." She downs the rest of her tequila and smiles at him. "But thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation, Mr. Crowley."
"Anytime, my dear. You are welcome here whenever you like. Mi casa es su casa and all that. Fear not, I take care of what's mine, whether I bed them or not." He pushes his glasses back up and leans on his elbow on the bar. "And now, Phoebe...would you care for another drink, or do you have a burning desire to go gloat to Belthazor?"
If it was anyone else, Phoebe would have stuck her tongue out at them, but this is Crowley and that could be a bad thing. "Another drink, please, and what would I gloat to him about?"
He grabs the tequila and pours for her himself, watching her from behind his glasses. "Why, that you're so very clever to come here all alone and face me down...and save him with the power of your love." He sneers as he says it, the word dropping derisively from his lips.
Phoebe laughs and shakes her head. "First, he is probably going to want to kick my ass for going against his very clear order to stay away from you unless I brought someone very powerful with me. It's probably going to cause much strife and bruising which you should enjoy." She drinks from the glass. "Second, I would never gloat about anything like that to anyone, much less the man I very well would die for if it was required."
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