[for Klaus]

[fifthbeatle]

Within the first month of school, Viktor encounters complications.

Teaching music theory was different back home. It was a conservatory, full of people who have done nothing but study their entire lives. Here, anyone can take the course -- which means a higher instance of students that don't seem to give a shit.

Attendance was another non-issue. Missing one day in theory can mean a lot of confusion. Kids paying a fortune to attend a prestigious school don't play the game.

Barton kids definitely do.

He doesn't take it personally, simply notes the shift in energy. Apathy will be reflected in grades -- another thing he hasn't really had to deal with.

Classes have been in session for less than a month and this girl -- seemingly perfectly sweet -- has missed about half the sessions. Viktor is concerned. Not two months in and he's already having his first one-on-one with a nearly-failing student. He exercises patience as she explains her plight.

"This class is so hard," she sighs. Viktor nods.

"For a new musician, the concepts can be challenging," he agrees.

"It's not that." She seems full of sorrow. Viktor watches with quiet interest until the silence suggests the girl is done speaking.

"I understand it can be overwhelming. Attendance is an important part--"

"No!" Her irritation is contagious. "I can't focus. There's a ghost haunting this room and it wants to hurt me."

At first, Viktor felt guilty that he didn't believe her. He's sensitive in the face of attempted manipulation, and he fears it's clouding his judgement. Maybe this girl isn't a disinterested liar and she's actually scared.

Luckily, there's a way to know for sure.

They probably could have gone in by the light of day, but Viktor has learned in his time with his brother that paranormal investigations are best done at night. Armed with keys to the classroom and Darrow's best ghost detective, they're about to get some answers.

"We don't have to stay long," Viktor says in almost-apology.

Comments

[terriblymisguided]

"Don't even worry about it, little bro," Klaus says as he follows Viktor into the classroom, looking around the dimly lit hallway curiously as Viktor unlocks the door. "Always happy to talk to the dead for family."

They walk into the classroom and Klaus squints a little when he turns on the lights, letting his eyes adjust as he looks around. Almost immediately, he jumps up onto a desk and throws his hands in the air.

"Oh captain, my captain!" He calls out. It's mostly just to make an ass of himself, yes, but it also declares that he's here, big and loud and unafraid, daring any spirits to make themselves known. He puts his hands on his hips and looks down at Viktor, smiling and speaking in a normal tone of voice. "Always wanted to do that."

[fifthbeatle]

Klaus has come such a long way from the numb-over-terrified person Viktor knew before he arrived in Darrow. He has real confidence and support. Viktor anticipated he might feel sore when Klaus started coming back less and less, but it's hard to feel anything but elation for the upswing in his life. They see each other most days, Klaus never ignores a call and he and Obi-Wan never seem to mind when Viktor shows up to visit and stays for hours. Their family isn't breaking apart, it's growing.

Viktor beams with affection at Klaus' loud display. Obviously no student would ever get away with standing on the furniture, but Klaus can do what he wants. Viktor has always had a way of letting the people he loves get away with anything.

"Top marks," Viktor assesses as he flips on the lights. The lecture hall is large, making Viktor appear somehow even smaller upon its raised platform near the whiteboard and projection screen.

"Thank you for doing this pro bono." He grins and adds, "Did I mention I'm not paying you?"

[terriblymisguided]

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of taking your money," Klaus says as he hops off of the desk, boots landing on the tiled floor with a clatter. "For this, I mean. But you're definitely buying me drinks after this. I will take your money for that."

As time goes on and he experiments more with his powers, Klaus isn't so easily rattled anymore. Still, communing with the dead is rarely a good time, depending on what kind of spirit they are, and he often needs something to settle his nerves afterward. ?Nothing major, nothing that will send him into oblivion, but something warm to chase the cold away.

"So, tell me more about this wee ghostie," Klaus says as he walks along a row of seating, one hand out to the side as he looks around to get a feel for the place. "There's definitely someone here, but they're playing hard to get."

[fifthbeatle]

"Hell yeah," Viktor cosigns. Drinks are always on the table. It's highly problematic, and not just because of Klaus. Compared to murder and hard drugs, it's an acceptable crutch.

"I don't know much, to be honest." Viktor paces the aisles, looking about as though he'd be able to find the answers himself. The room looks different at night, somehow, despite its lack of windows. "She said there's a ghost in here that wants to hurt her."

Viktor hesitates before sharing the uncharitable thought. "I'm not sure I believe her." It's not about whether or not the student is smart, but capable. Willing to put in work. For some reason, Viktor doubts it. Why he's coming down so hard on this girl in his head, he's not sure.

It would be nice if she wasn't. How does a person deal with a girl lying about a ghost to maybe influence her grade?

[terriblymisguided]

When Viktor says he doesn't believe her, Klaus looks over at him curiously. It's a little surprising to hear, and for a moment he isn't really sure why. Maybe it's because his brother usually always tries to see the best in people, even the ones who don't deserve it.

"Hm, well. There is someone here. No doubt about that," Klaus tells him, brow furrowing at the slight chill that runs down his spine. The hair on the back of his neck stands up and he turns just in time to feel a spirit dive through him, making him stumble backwards with a gasp. It feels like someone just dumped a bucket of ice water on him, and he shivers violently as he whirls around to face the ghost. It's a middle-aged man, unremarkable aside from the gaping wound that was once an eye socket, and his mouth opens unnaturally wide as he lets out a bellowing scream right into Klaus's face.

"Okay, so not Casper," he chokes out, wincing at the smell of death and decay. The ghost keeps advancing on him and Klaus stumbles backwards between a row of desks before finally hopping over one to get to the next row down, but the ghost is right on top of him, screaming wordlessly at him and trying to push at him, invisible to Viktor. "Okay, dude, chill!"

[fifthbeatle]

"I'm an asshole," Viktor decides. There is a ghost here. Worst still, it's vengeful and he's thoughtlessly put his brother through this.

It's Klaus' business, but he didn't choose this job. Viktor shoved him into it, all because he couldn't believe a person was suffering the way they said they were. It's a shade of cynical Viktor doesn't like wearing.

"I'm sorry, Klaus. I really thought she was full of shit." He walks closer to his brother, leaving enough space for him to do whatever he needs to do.

[terriblymisguided]

"Well, you know. Believe women and all that," Klaus says distractedly, climbing back over another desk as the ghost advances. It throws him a little, dealing with one so angry. It takes him back to the mausoleum, and the fear that he tried so hard to drown out with drugs and alcohol.

And really, fuck that. He's come too far to let some raggedy phantom set him back, so he grits his teeth and throws his hand out, sending out a bright burst of blue energy that wraps around the spirit like a web, shrinking the spirit down until it vanishes in a sparkling crack.

"Ugh, well. That will hold him for a bit," Klaus says as he takes a breath and runs his fingers through his hair, turning to look at Viktor. They both look like they could use a hug, so Klaus opens his arms in invitation. "Don't feel bad. We'll figure it out, okay?"