Two Dragons

[Black Philip]

Reserved

A full two months had passed since the end of Lazarus's trial and Jake and Sabrina were just now returning to the subject of the ring. Jake had been busy running for reelection, running his district, and dating Murphy. Any other free time he had was consumed by Sam, and Lisa-Joe, with Luke popping in every so often. If not for a recent dream where he'd been wearing the ring he might've let it slip out of his mind for many more months. But he had dreamed of it, and felt like he needed answers. It was the last piece of Lazarus he had left, and wondered if understanding it would help him understand the man who'd worn it. He'd called Tansy, who he told he wanted to get to know better during their surprisingly long phone call, and set up an appointment to see the South's district leader. He'd debated just stopping by on odd nights to have dinner, or in his case drinks, or a laugh, but they'd both been so busy it hadn't been in the cards. He also felt like he was a mooch on Sabrina, his last two times seeing her being official business.

As his limo dropped him off in front of the Parlor, he made a promise to drop by sometime just for merriment. He thought it might do him and Sabrina some good to relax. However, tonight was a working visit, and he hoped their might be time to discuss district affairs. Sabrina was now his equal in that regard, and while he had formal arrangements with the Sacrament, he hadn't formalized anything with Sabrina. He knocked on the door.

He'd dressed in jean shorts and chucks, with a unicorn shirt on top and had his hair drooping over his right eye. On his shoulder was his katana. Since Zues's visit he'd been carrying it anytime he left the district. Even here, the safest place in the city, he still wondered if a shadow demon, or that monster Brael, lurked inside one of Sabrina's tea cups. He'd wait to be let in, and assumed Tansy would be waiting at the front desk.

[Harlequin]

The doors, as ever, swung open of their own accord at his approach. As he entered, Tansy waved enthusiastically from the front desk. Her ancient pug dog, Beebs, rested in an opulent pink bed on the marble counter. “Hey Jake!” Tansy called. Her riotous curled were pulled into twin buns in either side of her head,and her eyes were wreathed in emerald glitter.

 “Snazzy shirt! Sabs is in the study, big door’s all set up at the top of the stairs.” She eyed the sword dubiously, and seemed about to say something before she shrugged. The wards hadn’t kept him out, so it was probably fine. If Sabrina had an issue, she could tell him herself.

[Black Philip]

Jake smiled at Tansy's greeting, and walked up to her at the desk. He laughed at her compliment, and pointed her to her hair.

"Nice buns," he returned, winking at his silly double entendre, and felt a sense of warmth between them that was new. He didn't catch the look at his sword, and followed her instructions to the study. Upon entering he stacked the blade up against the wall and moved to greet Sabrina. He wasn't sure what he'd find inside the study, the Parlor's changing nature still confusing him after all these years.

[Harlequin]

Smiling prettily, Tansy made of show of primping herself, sweeping imaginary curls off her shoulders before Jake made his way up the stairs.

He would find the study as he had each time he'd been there before: A large, windowless room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a lovely mahogany desk and twin green velvet armchairs. . Sabrina sat in one of these, with her back to the ash-filled fireplace. She rose and broke into a smile as Jake entered and moved to embrace him, "Jake, how lovely to see you." The only new addition was a framed photo on the desk, facing toward the leather seat behind it.

The ring lay on a bed of cotton in a small carved wooden box on the desk, atop the journal pages Ben had sent along a week or so previous.

[Black Philip]

Jake moved  to embrace Sabrina, and felt an immediate warmth at being in her presence.  He made note of the ring's position, but made no direct move to examine it. That would come in time. Jake was in a much better mood than the last time they'd been alone in this room. He was well fed, smiling and seemed like he was less burdened by his life. He noticed it in himself too, and spared a thought for Murphy as it's likely cause. He noticed the addition of the picture frame and wondered who exactly Sabrina felt she needed to see on a daily basis. He decided to ask her when time allowed. Once the embrace was finished, Jake moved to grab a chair.

"Thanks for having me over Sabs," he greeted. "You look like you've recovered from the trial."

It had been a good amount of time, but Jake still feared Lazarus had somehow harmed the witch. He also knew Sabrina was hunting some other magic user, and was happy to see that it hadn't soured her. He finally gave the ring a hard look, and for the briefest of moments he heard the laugh of a certain blonde. He moved his eyes back to Sabrina. 

[Harlequin]

“When you wear rubber dresses, you always bounce back,” Sabrina grinned widely, showing a flash of the sharp teeth at the back of her jaw; teeth meant for gripping and tearing, “I believe your friend Lisa-Joe knows a thing or two about that.”

Not that she was wearing rubber now, nor ever really, these days. But it was good line, nonetheless. Today she was rested in an emerald green jersey dress with draped sleeves, effortless and oddly luxurious. The rune-carved python skull necklace she’d taken to wearing lay just below the hollow of her throat, held by delicate bronze chains.

And, in direct contrast to her words, four distinct lines of bruising were dashed across her throat and chest in shades of sickly black and green. These clearly were not from the conflict the Lazarus, and the hollow-eyed pallor that had been there when he’d last seen her was long gone. Something else had happened to her, in the interim.

“I’m glad to see you’re looking well, as well.” The last time they’d met, he had been walking a path to oblivion. She was genuinely glad he’d reconsidered. She didn’t miss the look at the ring, and her ghost-pale eyes sparkled, “Would you like to get down to business?”

[Black Philip]

Jake heard her line about bouncing back, but saw the marks on her throat. His face turned into an inquisitive pout. What was going on with her lately? He thought of Sabrina as immortal, a being beyond the other big movers and shakers. He thought even Charon was weak compared to Sabrina, but he supposed that was wishful thinking. He wanted an immortal all powerful mother, but Sabrina had limits. It was a sobering fact for him.

"Before we do, I don't mean to overstep, but what happened to you? Do you need any help?"

His tone was concerned, and his eyes bled sincerity. He wouldn't force her to talk about whatever happened, but he wanted her to know she could. He would listen, and if need be get into trouble for her.

[Harlequin]

As if just remembering they were there, Sabrina raised a hand to the bruises at her throat, brushing her fingertips and long nails across them. “Ah,” she said, then huffed a breath through her nose and clicked the fang pierced through her tongue sharply against the back of her teeth.

“Our fellow district Leader, Zeus, summoned something he shouldn’t have at some point, sealed it up and left the mess behind for someone else to clean up.” Annoyance coated the words like motor oil, “I’m a little upset he didn’t tell me it was there, though frankly I’m astounded him and his cadre of sorcerers survived long enough to contain it.” This, perhaps, spoke to the caliber of thing she’d fought, “I killed it, but I’ll need to pay him a visit soon to air these grievances.”

[Black Philip]

Jake frowned prominently when Sabrina brought up Zeus. His own distasteful encounter with the shadow demon was still fresh, and he grew even angrier that the bastard might've hurt Sabrina. It seemed indirect, but nevertheless, it was more collateral damage from the least responsible district leader. He didn't like the idea of Sabrina going to see Zeus. He had power that was truly frightening.

"Force him to come here," he advised, pointing to the parlor's walls. "It's safer. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeves. He recently broke into my home and threatened me. I had no way to counter him expect to agree to everything he wanted of me."

Jake was leaving out quite a bit, but not in a deceitful way. He'd answer any questions about Zeus that Sabrina had. "I know I don't need to tell you, but be careful with him. He's dangerous and arrogant."

Jake didn't see the irony of calling another leader arrogant.

[Harlequin]

Sabrina blinked, taken aback. Break into the Rabbit? That was...what was Tansy’s word? Ballsy. She’d heard Jake had been beefing up his own security; perhaps this was why. She didn’t know that she liked the idea of Zeus being in the Parlor any more than the idea of her going to that horrible compound in the hill, but she’d take Jake’s advice under consideration. She said as much.

“Thank you for your advice, Jake. That concrete monstrosity he’s built over there is nothing to fool around with. I can’t imagine there’s not an army in there, or something like it.”

She canted her head to one side, “What sort of tricks, if I may ask?”

Forewarned, as always, was forearmed.

[Black Philip]

Jake nodded when Sabrina proposed Zeus was likely building up an army. He wasn't too sure on that point, but it matched his general intel. The Nosferatu had reported large numbers of demons entering the west and heading towards the Block. He decided to share his true thoughts.

"I think he'll move on the other districts eventually," he added. "He threatened to kill any Anarchs who were in the west and implied he had the numbers to wipe us out. He was never present as an Oligarch and has only now just returned. He acted like he'd never left and told me he was just an email away."

Jake looked at Sabrina like the claim was ridiculous. When the Oligarchy fell and the districts were created Zeus was nowhere to be seen. It made sense he was off gathering power. Sabrina then asked about Zeus's tricks, and Jake took a moment to think. The whole meeting had felt like an out of body experience, but as he moved the cobwebs away he saw the thing that had startled him the most.

"Other than somehow sneaking past security, cameras, and a full bar of patrons; I'm not sure what power he has. I wish I had something of more value to tell you." Jake thought to mention that the lights went out, but the bulb could've just burst. He had no way of knowing what Zeus was capable off, or what had caused that blackout. He wouldn't mention it.

[Harlequin]

Sabrina shrugged and smiled with half her mouth, “Don’t worry about it,” she said, “I’ll meet him soon enough, one way or the other.” She tapped the side of her nose with on finger, “I’ll smell him out. I am truly sorry that happened to you though. I’m glad you and Maria have taken steps to protect the Rabbit.”

Magic of that caliber didn’t get worked in this city without Sabrina knowing.

“Anything else you think I should know?” Zeus was a problem for later. For now: the ring.

[Black Philip]

Jake thought hard about the whole encounter. There was that other person Zues had brought, who'd so rudely derailed peace talks. Would he do a similar thing to Sabrina? Then again, there was likely nothing special about him, and since they'd never had a real conversation he didn't even know if the guy was important to Zeus in the long run or just an escort. He already felt like he'd over sold his knowledge, a product of enthusiasm and nervousness about his current position. The demon had promised Jake peace, but things were rarely as they seemed. He expected more from the demons, if not from Zues himself. There was nothing else that stood out, the shock of Zeus's transformation further adding to his difficulty remembering anything helpful.

"Not that I can think off," he said defeated, smiling apologetically, but managing to look really cute doing it. His eyes drifted to the ring once more, and his smile became more curious. "Is it strange I've been looking forward to this? I find this stuff so interesting."

[Harlequin]

Sabrina returned Jake's apologetic smile with a pat on the knee. He'd given her plenty.

A laugh escaped her at the question, "If that's strange, I certainly have no interest in being normal."

She picked up one corner of Halen's journal, sliding the box with the ring off of it gently onto the desktop. After opening to the relevant notes, she handed it over to Jake. He'd find checkmarks in red ink beside the section on Resistance magic, Fire protection, and Breath of Fire.

 "I've been able to verify the less dangerous of those things, leading me to believe the rest should be true. Dragon blood is nearly impossible to come by, but Tansy was kind enough to donate a good deal of hers. She's been the one doing most of the experimenting, in fact. My own magic makes it relatively inert, unfortunately."

[Black Philip]

Jake didn't want to be normal either, and was happy to be some kind of strange with Sabrina. He accepted the page from Halen's journal. He read as Sabrina talked, and she'd see his boyish eyes go wide with wonder. This ring was so much more than just something that blocks mental powers. Lazarus never really knew what he had, or how he'd made sure it would never work for him. He was happy he'd ended up sparing the ancient after all. If he'd killed Lazarus, then he'd never be able to use the ring. He stopped himself mid thought, and had to acknowledge that he'd secretly been hoping the ring would have more to it than what Lazarus had shown, and more importantly, that he wanted it. When he got to the part about it possibly stopping sunlight, his face was practically beaming.

He looked up at Sabrina, who would see a kid who was finally tall enough to ride the roller coaster, and gave her an incredulous grin.

"I had no idea there was this much to it," he began. "What I wouldn't give to see the sunrise again." He laughed, and then remembered Sabrina said Tansy had done much of the testing and it made him wonder how close those two were.

"Seems like Tansy is being given more responsibility lately.," Jake observed. "The last time I was here you were fighting her over plastic chairs. Is she like... your apprentice?" 

Jake had always liked Tansy, but had never considered her a witch in her own right. Perhaps Sabrina decided it was time to move her along. He thought of Sam and their training together.

[Harlequin]

“I know. It’s truly an amazing piece of work.” She should see if Jake would let Astrid have a go at it before he took it home. She’d have to keep her from fainting again, just at the sight of it. “I’m thankful Lazarus was never able to access its potential. Not that he would have tried.”

She returned his grin with a bright smile of her own, happy to see him so happy. Despite keeping most hours after dark, she couldn’t imagine not being able to see the sun if she chose. “I’d like to be there, if you try it.” Not only to...put him out if need be, but also because she’d never seen a vampire in the sunlight without burning.

She shook her head, “No, my assistant, which is just as vital. She’s the only one I trusted to play guinea pig; everything was closely supervised.” Her smile turned slightly sheepish, “I’ve been working on delegating, though. A whole district is a lot harder to run than a hotel, and I fear the other services I provide have been falling by the wayside. Maybe I should take on an apprentice.” Her thoughts strayed again to Astrid.

[Black Philip]

Jake nodded as Sabrina explained, happy to see that both Tansy was on the rise and that Sabrina was thinking about her district. He decided to offer her help. He wasn't the best at every activity, and while a lot of people mocked the bureaucracy he'd created, he'd done it because he knew his own time and expertise were limited. Delegating was about trust, and Jake trusted his current team without question, expect for Luke.  That was another matter he needed to discuss with Sabrina, but it would have to wait.

"The Central District couldn't run if I didn't have a team of senior advisers, each of which have their own staff. Delegating is why I can be here and not working twenty-four/seven. If you need any help let me know. I'm very glad you're running the south."

Still, there was more to the ring, and he kept reading from the page. It was all centered around dragon magic, and he dreamed of what it would be like to become a dragon. He'd always wanted to fly but telekinesis wasn't a gift he had. Still, this was all a pipe dream. Sabrina wouldn't let him take something home that was so powerful. She had said all he needed to do was ask, but he felt weird about asserting that now. He kept reading instead.

"So according to the notes, it requires daily activation, and it only uses dragon or fae blood. Have you tried other types of blood, like vampire or shifter?"

He hoped it wasn't a silly question, but he was trying to contribute and finding out the full scale of what worked on it could be important.

[Harlequin]

Between running the District, the business with Tess, and keeping up the other services provided, Sabrina had found herself with little room for sleep. “If you have any recommendations for staff, I’d be happy to hear them.” Her smile turned thin, and for moment, her weariness showed.

As to the blood, she shook her head, “Neither seemed to have any effect. I also tried Demonic blood of various stripes, and a drop of angel. I didn’t try my own, as its effects, especially in regard to unknowns are often....unpredictable. Not faithfully replicable, at the very least.”

[Black Philip]

There was much Jake didn't know about Sabrina, including her origins. He wanted that to change at some point. He believed if people had interesting stories they should be told. He'd make a note to ask her at a more social function. The city desperately needed more of them. He thought about potential staff for Sabrina, and had a few ideas that popped out.

"Well, I'll tell you Maria is an excellent person, and witch, and has been like a mother to my Sam. I snatched her up for me, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind collaborating on occasion." He thought some more.

"There is a witch working at the Academy. I signed up for her class, Astrid I think. She also did the court drawings for the article about the trial."

Murphy had told him that last point, and from the little he observed she seemed an even tempered person. He knew nothing of her power though, other than crafting magical items. "Do you have other witches who live here? I often find close friends and family are the easiest to trust, and know what I want before I want it. It's why the Anarchs have sort of a family feeling to us."

He'd think of the other witches in the city he knew, and ask Lisa-Joe what their records said. He'd help Sabrina as much as she wanted, but wouldn't advocate for any one person. It wasn't his district after all. He thought about the blood, and wondered why fae worked for dragons but nothing else. He had an idea.

"I wonder if fae blood works because maybe fae and dragons are related somehow," he pondered. "Do you have any books on dragons that I could borrow? I don't know much more than movies and that Lazarus killed one."

[Harlequin]

“I’m glad you’ve got Maria on your side, she’s an estimable person, and magic user. We met in the conflict with the risen dead at the graveyard; she was the only one that didn’t pull a gun, or the magical equivalent, on me on sight.”

She chuckled as the name at the forefront of her mind was called into being, “I know Astrid well. She’s gifted, hardworking, and whip smart. I’m glad to hear her classes are gaining traction.”

His recommendation had her frowning thoughtfully. Would Wren work for her? Not likely. She got the impression that he couldn’t wait to get out from under her roof. Maybe she could try wrangling Digital.

She shook her head, then, as if clearing the cobwebs. “That’s a good thought, Jake. The realms of Avalon and Tir-Na-Nog and their ilk are poorly understood, at best. I’d be happy to send you home with some reading.” She glance at the locked glass bookcases behind the desk.

[Black Philip]

"Thank you," Jake replied for both the compliment and the offer of books to take home. He knew nothing of what she spoke off, but wanted that to change by the next time they spoke. He wanted to try another experiment with the ring and decided to ask Sabrina if they could.

"My sword is a magic item too, and while I don't really know much about it, the blade feels really powerful. Should we check for like... magic/magic interactions?"

He really just wanted to put the ring on, but had wondered how holding two powerful items would mix. In all the book listed Jake didn't know where his sword fit. He decided he needed to learn it's origins just as much as the ring.

[Harlequin]

“It certainly can’t hurt.” Sabrina pursed her lips, gaze moving to the item mentioned, “What do you know about it?”

It concerned her that he was using a magic weapon he knew little about.

[Black Philip]

He couldn't suppress his enthusiasm about getting to try this out. Jake thought about all he knew, and it was only what Mithras had told him and what he'd learned himself. He complied all of that into a few sentences. He went over and drew the blade from it's stalk, the black metal almost humming.

"It belonged to my old mentor before me," he began, saying mentor with a decent amount of disgust. "I know he got it in Japan while he was fighting a war over there. He told me it was a gift for his service. It doesn't get dirty or dull. I know that it has a poison that hurts supernaturals and prevents full healing."

Slowly, he lifted up his shirt and showed her the black scar across his chest. "He did that to me when I spoke out of turn," Jake informed, not saying it with any real emotional weight. He continued. "I know it makes me a better swordsman, and I always get hungrier after using it."

He scratched his head as he thought what else he knew about it. "Oh, I know Mithras called it Venom, but I don't know if that was a nickname or the sword's actual name." He offered it to be held. Jake seemed to respect the sword, handling it with caution and carefulness.

[Harlequin]

She nodded as he showed her his scar, brows knit briefly in sympathy.

Sabrina accepted the blade when it was offered. She felt it pull away, protesting to leaving its master’s hand by sending an unpleasant tingle over her skin and up her arm. The blade looked small in her large hands as she brought it close to her a face, inspecting the hair-thin edge. It smelled sharp and deeply bitter.  “Does it ask anything of you?”

[Black Philip]

Jake nodded slowly. He was about to disclose something few knew about his precious sword. Conner had known, his own magic attuned to those methods which cost life.

"It drains me of blood. The more I use it, the more I need to feed."

To a vampire, needing blood to fuel power wasn't an odd concept, but he wondered if the witch before him would find it a terrible price. He eyed the ring while Sabrina held the sword.

[Harlequin]

Apparently unphased by the knowledge, Sabrina simply nodded without taking her eyes off the blade, indicating she'd heard and understood him. Still holding it close to her face, she ran her thumb along the flat of the blade and closed her eyes.

"This is dragon magic as well," she said after a long moment, "Blood magic. Similar to the ring in its needs and origins." Items like these were quite rare, but if there was a place where two of them would come into the same hands, it would be this city. "They'll work together quite nicely, I think."

She handed the sword back reverently, balanced flat in her broad palms.

[Black Philip]

Jake slowly accepted back the blade, his face wide and full of wonder. He would've never guessed that his blade was made of dragons. Or, was it made by a dragon? The details weren't clear, but Sabrina telling him the magic would work well together delighted him. He let out a little laugh and it was obvious he was very pleased. He put away the sword, and returned to the witch. He felt a sense of daring, and looked at Sabrina with a new energy.

"You know I have a property here in the south that has an amazing view of the city, and the horizon. When I lived there I would go up to the top and look at all the stars. I've always wanted to see the sunrise there. Do you want to bring a bottle of wine and a fire extinguisher and do a test? Bring Tansy if you like."

He should've feared the risk more, but as normal the thrill of the adventure - and the power - had clouded his judgement. He wouldn't have tried it without someone like Sabrina or Maria being there to make sure he didn't die if things went wrong. Even if she could help him live through the sun he'd at least be horribly scarred, and those wounds took a long time to heal, even for a vampire. He looked ready to run for the rooftops. He hadn't yet grabbed the ring. He wanted her to give it to him. After all, he'd let her take it. He would also let her give it back. It was better that way.

[Harlequin]

A slow, warm smile lit the witch’s face, “I’d love that.”

Leaning forward slightly, she replaced the lid on the ring’s little box, and handed it over to her friend; borrower to owner, given freely as its magic required.

As he reached to take it, she hesitated, “This is a powerful thing, Jake. Be careful not to lose yourself to it.”

[Black Philip]

Jake's excited face was stunted a bit by the warning. The edges of his mouth formed the tiniest of frowns. He recognized that the words were in his best interest. He was too excited to get something that had caused so many strife. Lazarus had been stunted by the ring in so many ways. He'd been it's prisoner, and Halen before hadn't been strong enough to keep it safe. On the whole, Jake had less than both men, and was just as impulsive as his former blonde boyfriend.

"Promise me if you think I have gotten lost, or if you feel the ring has become a problem for me that you'll tell me. I promise to listen."

He probably should've stopped there, but his nerves made him add, "I hope you don't think of me the way a lot in this city do, the way Ben does. I promise to be responsible with this, and thank you for trusting me enough to wield it. I won't disappoint you."

His smile returned and his hand was now on the box, the tips of his fingers touched Sabrina's, and he couldn't help but notice how much smaller his hand was. All Sabrina needed to do was let go and Jake would hold the ring, freely given.

[Harlequin]

Sabrina ran her thumb lovingly over his knuckles before handing over the box and folding her hands in her lap. "I will," she said. Her tone said she took his trust seriously. She would be watching.

As he went on, she shook her head, "I don't," she assured him, with a smile, "I know what you're capable of."

[Black Philip]

Jake smiled warmly when she voiced her confidence in him, and looked happier than she'd seen him in years. He always had a brooding quality, even on his most chipper days, but for a brief moment all of that was gone. Sabrina just brought that out in him. He held onto the box, deciding to wait until he was at the Dante's Inferno to put it on.

"So, want to see the sunrise today or another morning," he asked her. He would wait to try it until she could supervise. He was daring but also wouldn't ignore offered safety. If she needed to do another night there were plenty of other things he could try with the ring. He had a new concern to answer. He needed to find a steady fae blood donor. Jake thought of Ben's ap and laughed to himself. He'd have to explain to Murphy it was just for work, but it seemed a good way to find a fae.

[Harlequin]

"No time like the present," Sabrina said, and rose from her chair. She liked seeing Jake like this; enjoying life, free of the burdens the world had placed on him (and those he'd placed on himself).

"I freed up my schedule for the night; Tansy can handle things here." As she spoke, she moved around the side of the great mahogany desk, then knelt behind it. The distinct sounds of a drawer opening and being rummaged through could be heard before she appeared agin, bottle of red wine in hand.

[Black Philip]

"Fangtastic," Jake joked, his excitement like electricity in the room. He smiled at the pulled bottle of wine, trying to remember what it tasted like. He couldn't though. Still, Sabrina would never know the pleasure of a fresh neck. Life was about trade offs. He figured the best way to get home was to call a car service, but he wasn't sure what kind of car would best accommodate Sabrina. They'd better walk.

"The property isn't far from here. We can walk if you wouldn't mind a bit of a stroll, or, can you, magic us there?"

He didn't know much about magic, and even less about Sabrina's. He figured he could at least ask.

[Harlequin]

"Lets walk," Sabrina said. Now that she could, she liked getting the city under her feet -- especially her slice of it. She tucked the bottle under her arm, and gestured for Jake to lead them out of the study.

They chatted idly as they went, Sabrina bidding Tansy goodnight. The young woman, wrapped up in a gossip mag, waved vaguely as they passed. Her dog snored beside her.

Shortly after starting out, Sabrina shortening her steps to keep pace with Jake, they lapsed into a comfortable silence until their destination was reached.