Jake felt confused by Lan Bao's statement, but remembered from his own experience with the Kuei Jin that they could sometimes change their shapes, and had heard of ones who could become great monsters, or terrible beasts. It seemed Lan Bao was suggesting she held this power. It made Jake feel like she was much more powerful than he originally believed. He liked it.
He felt the strange sensation on his skin, and looked to the ring. No vibration occurred, so she wasn't invading his mind. Still, it was unsettling. There was still so much he didn't know about the Kuei Jin, and their power. He smiled back, unsure of what she was doing, but used her smile to suggest she was pleased with the result.
"I want to be a whole dragon," he disclosed. "I want to protect my people, but feel outmatched by my peers on a personal level. If I was left alone in a room with the others, I'd likely be the first to perish. I know you love and value your people. I do too, but I fear that my youth has made it harder for me to protect them. I have to rely on money, and people, and tools to keep myself afloat. I want to walk into a room, and not have to tell people of my power. I don't want to tell people to fear me. I want them to sense it for themselves. I want the power to make sure that those I love will never be crossed. I desire the power of a real dragon, within me. I'm sure that's impossible to do, but it's what I want. I would part with this sword in a heartbeat if I gained the power of a dragon, permanently of course."
As he spoke, the fear for his people, and his love for them, showed on a thoughtful but anxious expression. Under that sentiment though, was the Ventrue's lust for power. Jake had seen a dragon rule the city, and while he knew dragons were vulnerable to some, he knew they were a great deal less vulnerable than he was currently. He wanted to be strong. He wanted unquestionable power, and becoming a winged beast of legend was the way he wanted to achieve it. He'd never spoken this desire allowed to anyone, not even Lisa-Joe. It felt strangely good to state what his true goal was. He'd never even used the ring to become a dragon, but in his heart he knew that was his destiny. He doubted Lan Bao could help him, but perhaps she knew someone who could do what he asked.
He looked at her with an apologetic smile, like what he suggested was pure fantasy.