canopycalls​:

Jax pattered after him through his house, not even noticing how dim it was. But still, she was glad to be outside once more, where she could see where she was going–even if it was dreadfully cold.

She crossed one bare foot over the other and shivered a little, watching Jack turn on the strange machine. As it roared to life she yelped and jumped several inches into the air, hair poofing outward in surprise–but fascination won over fear, her huge eyes glittering as she watched Jack sit astride it like some beast of burden.

Hesitation. But then she took one small step forward…another…and then hopped forward, carefully climbing up behind Jack and perching on the back of the motorcycle with extreme caution (but equally extreme curiosity). “Move like car? Make beep honk sound car?” She yelled over the idling engine, looping her long arms around Jack’s solid waist.

“That’s right! It can go very fast, but I’ll just take us around the lot a bit,” he shouted back. He revved the engine for effect and changed gears, lifting his feet into the rests. As promised, and very much unlike Charlie’s first ride, he took the motorcycle in a slow circle.

“This is the honk sound.” Jack’s bike blared a loud and painful noise, an aftermarket addition he’d put in. “But I also have this, which I prefer.” He hit something and the honks performed a pleasant tune.

canopycalls​:

“Bike? Yes! Not know word, want learn see!” She huffed and squirmed under the coat, working to stick her arms through the sleeves. It was much too big for her and hung comically on her frame. Luckily her arms were long, and at least the sleeves fit.

“Bike word like car is?”

“Yes!” Jack said, brightening. “I have a motorcycle, specifically. It operates like a car–gasoline, wheels, electricity, all the mysteries of modern engineering. It will be easier to show you.”

He assumed what he’d just spouted off was gibberish to Jax. To make up for it, he made a dramatic spin for the door and hurried down the steps. He took her out a back hallway and into a small lot behind the building. Stuck in the shade, it was damp and freezing.

Parked by its lonesome was the huge black motorcycle. Jack turned it on and let it idle, guiding the beast toward Jax so she could see it in the light through the door.

“I’ve traveled a very long ways on this.” He pat the storage containers behind the double seats. “You can sit on it if you like.”

canopycalls​:

“Throw away cup? Why? Cup good use, keep cup.” She folded it up carefully and slipped it into the waistband of her pants. They were starting to look a little shabby, not least of all because she’d cut a hole in the butt for her tail.

“Christmas lunch…okay! Jax come!” She beamed, happy to be invited, even if she didn’t know what a Christmas lunch was.

Well… recycling was the better option, really.

“I can even drive you there. I have a bike. Do you want to see it?”

canopycalls​:

She had no reference whatsoever; for her, a clear jug that let you see exactly how much water was inside was as fancy as it came. She almost smashed the cup in her hand when she took it, not expecting it to be…well, paper. “Soft cup? Soft cup is? Why?” Jax grumbled, adjusting her grip so that she didn’t squeeze all the water out of it. She sipped politely.

Jack chuckled, unable to help himself. “It’s disposable. You use it once and then throw it away.” He was rapidly running out of proper host things to do. Remembering suddenly, Jack swung one hand up. “Jax! You should come to the Christmas lunch some friends are having. I’ll be sure to bring your gift then.”

canopycalls​:

“Cheese….what cheese is..” she asked slowly, reaching out to take a slice of pizza. She sniffed it and her mouth formed a little ‘o’. “Smell good! Meat is…bread is… Jax bread word learn.”

She took a bite of it and munched in complete contemplative silence.

“….Good is,” she announced finally, and commenced eating the rest of the slice at rapid pace, as if it would vanish if she didn’t.

Jack watched the pizza slice disappear pensively. He decided against trying to explain what cheese is made out of. “Good,” he approved with a nod. “It’s usually served hot. I use a microwave.” He backed up to the table beside the freezer, where there was a portable gas stove among other accessories.

“And… water.” Jack turned, fetching a paper cup from a water cooler that seemed definitely stolen from an office, and made Jax a drink. He hoped she didn’t have the reference to judge him.

canopycalls​:

“Apple! Red is!” She announced happily, taking it with obvious relish. Her sharp teeth chomped into it as if it were as soft as butter. She crunched away at it, peering up at him very seriously.

“What pizza is.”

“Let me show you!” Jack pulled out a pizza box, a day old, and opened it with some personal curiosity. He’d forgotten how much he ate of it. It was a meat lover’s pizza, though he’d forgotten to ask for blood. “It’s like a… flat, round bread with toppings. Usually cheese and tomato sauce, and then whatever it is your heart desires. Want to try?”

canopycalls​:

Jax beamed to see how he handled the doll, pleased that he liked her gift. She followed him around the room while he rummaged and produced the quilt, making a little cooing sound of interest at how colorful and soft it looked. Jack would find her constantly attentive and curious about anything he did or held, clearly not self conscious in her desire to know about him and his living space.

“Hmm. Yes! Hungry is. Jack not human not vampire…what Jack eat drink?” Jax asked, tilting her head.

“I am similar to a vampire enough,” he said thoughtfully. “I do drink blood. But I eat human food from time to time as well, it’s a, ah… pasttime of mine.”

He lead her to a freezer in the far corner. Tucked toward the back of the building, there was the low rumbling of a generator coming from somewhere. “I have… hm… day-old pizza, I have… fruit! An apple.” He held it up proudly.

canopycalls​:

Jax pattered over to the armory to solemnly inspect it, still clutching Jack’s oversized coat around her shoulders like a cape. “Oooh. Much metal is, shiny metal use. Jack important is, Jack big hunter,” she said, reaching out a long finger to tap the flat of a blade. She’d never seen so many metal weapons in one place.

“Jack home dark is! Home dark should be,” she said primly, and took a seat on one of the loveseats.

“Be careful with…” Jack turned quickly, voice raised, but trailed off seeing Jax not meddling much with the blades. He was big hunter.

“Aha… at least you approve,” he replied. He fished in another box and finally yanked out a big quilt. It was clammy from being stored for so long. Jax deserved better. He took it to his sad corner mattress and stuffed his electric blanket inside.

“You will have some toasty covers soon,” Jack announced. While he was there, he set the doll by his pillow.

“Ahh… let’s see. You aren’t hungry, are you?”

canopycalls​:

Jax’s anxious expression turned into a happy beam at his response. “Happy Jack like! Happy is.” She hopped forward to give him one of her characteristic gentle long-armed hugs; this seemed a more casual and socially acceptable gesture for her than for the humans in Maroa.

“Ummm…” she added hesitantly, pulling back and clutching the coat around herself. “Jax know day soon come, sun come up soon. Jax stay sleep here Jack house? Not walk home in bright sun?” She looked hopefully up at him. She’d come closer to morning, since Jack said he wasn’t a human OR a vampire, and she didn’t know when he slept…a compromise. “Jax also want Jack house home see!”

Taken by surprise, he leant slightly back in the hug and chuckled, for wont of knowing what else to do. “Ah… erm… yes, you can stay. I will have to figure out your bedding…” he said, fidgeting with the doll. “But like I’ve said, there is not much to see. The living space is upstairs.”

Jack turned with a ‘follow me’ gesture. He lead Jax to a narrow stairwell and pushed open a metal door to the second floor. Here was modestly cozier than the first: a clearly arranged seating area of a couple old loveseats, a police scanner perched on the table between them. A workspace was set up against a wall alongside a small armory (mostly blades, a mace, a pistol hanging in its holster), with chests and ancient bookshelves stuffed with books, papers, and trinkets. All of the windows were covered by thick blankets and Jack clicked on a lamp to give them a little light.

There was a single mattress in a corner, paired with a rolling clothes hanger and stacks of unopened cardboard boxes. Looking around at the mess of his home, Jack seemed briefly at a loss before beelining for the boxes. “There should be a quilt in here, I think…”

To Jack, Valsur has sent the world’s largest package, though it it not that heavy. He does know where Jack lives and he leaves it annoyingly in front of the door so that Jack struggles to get outside to get it. Inside is a full set of perfectly tailored armor, made in the Arturian fashion, with a nice winter cloak. There is also a fat blue candle in there somewhere.

And a note!:

“MY OLD FRIEND,

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE WERE TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GIFT YOU SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL. YOU’VE PUT ON A COUPLE INCHES BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS YOUR SIZE – TRY IT ON, LET ME KNOW HOW IT FEELS. SHOULD BE LIKE WEARING PAPER. 

ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND,

VALSUR

PS. LIGHT THE CANDLE AT DUSK, BURN IT UNTIL IT IS GONE.”

Wrapped in: Nothing.  Way too large.

For Jack, it’s a table…BUT there is a heating component under it with a blanket attached to the sides.  It’s a kotatsu, the table portion carved by Charlie at a local woodworking class. 

Hey Jack.  You’ve helped me more than I can say.  More than I deserved when we met, that’s for sure.  The knowledge I’ve gained from our training sessions is immeasurable.

Aside from that, you’ve become one of the most important people in my life and I’m glad you put up with my ribbing because I don’t know what I’d do without your support at this point.  Don’t you dare quote me on this though. 

- Charlie

Additionally, Charlie gives him Emmett’s peace offering: A tin of toffee and Christmas cookies. 

canopycalls​:

“Bahije make for truefriends,” she explained, wringing her long hands anxiously. “If safe keep, then safe self is. Fruit give sometime, happy make. Then Jack self happy is. Jax want Jack happy safe!” 

Jack was looking at himself. Eyes softening, heart succumbing to a tender ache, his fingers gently bent the air-light limbs in wonder. There were many places he could store the doll safely and still keep it in sight. He’d never wanted to treat himself so kindly before.

“Thank you, Jax,” he said, looking at her now. “I’ll be sure to keep it safe.”

canopycalls​:

Jax followed his gaze around the house. She thought it seemed a little cluttered, like he didn’t stay here very much, but that was about it. Jax had no idea what human or vampire houses were meant to look like, beyond what she’d seen of Noemi’s.

“Okay is! Want thank Jack, help Jax head better feel, help Jax see find Cora.” She thrust the package towards him; it was tied with a string of dried grass.

Jack took it carefully, taking note of its weight. “I don’t often receive gifts. Thank you. Your head has been healing fine, yes?” he spoke, unwrapping the package.

canopycalls​:

Jax beamed as the coat settled on her shoulders, hunching them up so that she could catch the comfortable familiar Jack smell lingering in it. “Warm is! Thank Jack. Host word means?” She asked, tilting her head to one side. “Happy see Jack. House cold okay is.”

“Host means, mmm… The person who owns the house should be accommodating. Entertaining. At least… cleaned the place up a bit before a guest comes over.” Jack scanned the depressing abandoned lobby again to put himself on blast. It looked used and lived in, in a way; like a warehouse may look used. “But I’m happy to see you as well. Though, I apologize, I don’t have your gift ready.”

canopycalls​:

“Jack cold is?” She asked with a deep frown as she hopped over the threshold. As soon as the door closed behind her she dropped her glamour with a little shiver. Blech.

“Could blanket bring if Jack need. Sam Noemi Emmett Logan blankets give.” She turned and peered up at him in the dark, examining the parts of his face she hadn’t been able to see before, as if looking for indications of distress.

“A bit cold, but, don’t worry. I just need to make some repairs to the building. Maybe invest in a heater… Hold on.” Jack swiftly went to a side of the room that seemed dedicated to storage. He picked a dark downy jacket off a crate and returned to settle it around Jax’s shoulders. “…I am not much of a host, but I hope that will do.”

canopycalls​:

Jax jumped at the sound of a heavy bolt being slid out of place, and had take a half-step back before the door was opened. However, her look of trepidation swiftly turned into one of joy and curiosity to see Jack really was here.

“Hello Jack, hello! Look, glamour have! No tail.” She pouted and turned in a circle so that he could see the tragedy himself. “Bad. Bad! But, means Jax can come see meet Jack house!” She turned back around and beamed at him. “‘Presents’ have, for ‘Christmas’ is.” The little package crinkled.

“Oh- yes.” She certainly did have a glamour. Maybe Hoax did her job after all? The furtive posture and her bright smile was still Jax, though.

His eyes dropped to the package. He hadn’t even prepared his things for Charlie. “Ah… haha. Well, for what it’s worth, I think your glamour is just fine. And, thank you, I’m very humbled. You can come if you like, although… it’s not much warmer.”

sendusablade​:

She wondered how much the regulator’s presence on Earth changed things.  Even she could admit that it was possible they had a positive impact in this regard, but well, at what cost?  She didn’t really want to analyze about it much now.  

“Hunting partners?  So you weren’t always a lone wolf?” She asked, parroting back Demeter’s comment from before.  

“On and off partners. Hunters don’t tend to pair up for a long. But… yes.” It had been a long time since the mere mention of partners brought his mind to Sebastian. He disliked how easily his mood could sour these days.

So, a change of topic was necessary. “Well, shall we proceed to the next stop?”

canopycalls​:

Advent

Jax scurried down the dark sidewalk, eyes wide and flicking to and fro cautiously. She didn’t know enough about humans or cities to be able to tell a ‘good’ part of town from a ‘bad’ one; all she knew was that there were fewer lights and cars here, which was fine in her book. Her glamour made her look especially furtive, leaning forward to compensate for the lack of a tail. She had a little package wrapped in a cloth held to her chest.

Her phone beeped helpfully and she stopped to look at it, bathed in the dim orange glow of an ancient streetlamp. Jax looked up and blinked. This was where Jack was supposed to live. This building didn’t have shiny windows, and wasn’t as straight as the one where Noemi lived. But it didn’t seem to have a tree as its backbone either. Humans were so strange!

The little alien scurried to the door and slapped on it with her hand, since that’s what worked before. A dog barked somewhere, and her hackles raised, glancing behind her.

Jack had never had someone knock on his door before.

The horrible sound froze him in his tracks. Some possibilities: It was an animal. It wasn’t actually his door. It was something hitting one of the boarded windows.

He turned to face it, standing in the back of the cold and vacant lobby, waiting–daring for whatever was on the other side to do it again. He’d never bothered to come up with a plan if someone tried to get in, but his knives were…

JAX!

The realization had him flying across the room and unlatching the heavy lock. Standing now before her was a down-dressed Jack, wearing his partial mask, looking reasonably surprised. “Oh, dear, by soon you really meant soon.”

sendusablade​:

“All the rage, huh?” She repeated, letting out a little laugh at the phrasing.  “I guess that makes sense.  I never pegged you as the type to just hang around some place long.” She could relate with the discomfort of it. 

“What do you hunt frequently?” 

“Well, I don’t mean to cast aspersions on any one kind of being.” He puts his hands on his lap, steadying the bike with his feet on the ground. “I would say, different locales may have different… pandemics. It was honestly worse hundreds of years ago, when it was much easier to get away with things. Some beings that could be spoken to, reasoned with. Some not. I did not always learn how they came to Earth, even if I tried.

“But,” he added, voice picking up a bit, “back then I also had more hunting partners. It was safer that way. Medicine was certainly not as helpful as it is now. Even I dislike fighting off an infection.”

If only you had invited me, Charlie.

As if I don’t and more?

I see, Val was invited and I was not? What could you possibly bring to a party?

No need. The loss is not mine. The loss is everyone else’s!

This does not surprise me. But I am a delight.

What!? Was there a party I was not invited to? I’m wounded.

canopycalls​:

“Oh. Sorry is. But mask good look! Big scary make.” She stood up and puffed her chest demonstratively, her little layer of fur sticking out. “Jack strong look. Keep Jack safe.” She deflated again with a whoosh of air and then smiled at him again, looking tired.

“Thank Jack. Thank you Jax help. Find way thank Jack, promise.”

Jack looked at her for a moment and let out a breathy laugh. He was glad his mask made him big scary.

“Yes… don’t worry about it. I come to this forest frequently, so if you should need any help or company, you can ask.” He turned his head toward a decently sized tree off the shoreline. “Now… will you go rest?”

canopycalls​:

“Okay. Jax secret Jack house keep, quiet keep.” She paused, giving him a long and thoughtful stare. “Why Jack face hide? Hurt is? Scared is?” That didn’t seem likely; Jack looked very big and strong.

The question caught him off guard. Mentally, he was prepared to leave the conversation and Jax, and in the following complicated moments concluded he should have seen this coming. He was not the most regular or welcoming person to meet first on planet Earth.

“Er… yes. It’s hurt. Though I mostly wear this one to not be identified.” And to intimidate people, but he wasn’t sure he should tell Jax that.

sendusablade​:

Charlie resumed her position behind him and considered his words.  She was still very tense when it came to the bike but at least there was some experience there now. 

“Why’d you ‘settle’ in Maroa then?  Seems like a lot of trouble to go to if you had things figured out elsewhere.” 

He chuckled. “They were hardly ‘figured out’. I’ve spent my entire life traveling. Maroa is just one stop in many. Vampires are all the rage now, and this city seemed one of my best bets to understand how they lived,” he explained. “Not that I hunt vampires frequently. But it’s good to know.”

canopycalls​:

“Okay…Jack yes helpful. Help Jax.” She offered him a small smile, clutching the blanket around her shoulders.

“Where Jack house is? Not come now, later wait. If need come.”

“It’s… hmmm. I can send you an address, and a photo.” Jack realized she would see the building, if she ever visited. At least that simplified things. “But I live there in secret. I do not usually let people come over.”

Jax was so earnest and friendly, even after crash-landing and being stalked. He hoped she would be okay on her own.

Like most children, I assume.