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Jake needed a day off, but realized that would never happen at night. It turned out running a district, a business, a campaign and still having time for Sam left little room for anything else. Even his recent socializing had been work related. Jake hated his job. He'd come to realize this as he was running for the seat, and for the first time he hoped Ben actually won. It would make his life so much simpler. There would be embarrassment, probably rage, but after that, nothing. Jake had already decided to return to the south if Ben won. He missed his roof, his luxury apartment building, and the culture of the south district. He even looked forward to Sabrina being his district leader. He would stay out of her way but help when asked, and wondered what he'd do with himself. He'd have more time for Sam, and he already knew as soon as he and Murphy talked that he'd be looking for a new person to embrace. He could be the city's Tony Stark, a playboy millionaire philanthropist. It had a nice ring to it, and worked with his existing image. It all felt so tempting for a moment, he considered just texting Ben that he conceded. He doubted his opposite would ask, "are you sure?"
Jake did no such thing, for despite how much he hated every single thing he had to do, there was really no other alternative. The Anarchs needed him. The Brujah needed him, and all the people who wanted to vote for him needed him as well. Even the people voting for Ben needed him. Jake feared what District Leader Ben would do, and saw a future where someday he was Luminary. The White Rabbit would be shut down, the Anarchs chased out of town, along with anyone else who didn't agree with Emperor Ben. Jake hoped Kerr would prove a calming influence, but Jake had never seen that in action. He also feared people like Zoheret and Zeus, and now Charon; people only concerned with their own power and own agendas. No. Jake couldn't drop out. It wasn't his destiny. Jake no longer called himself the Black Prince but very much felt like it was his place to lead. He tended to wind up in charge wherever he went, and he considered that all of this strife was just Cain testing him.
Jake rarely talked about his religious beliefs. Most vampires in this city didn't even know Jake had a sense of religion, but he held it close to him. Cain had decreed it was the Ventrue who would rule, and while Jake thought most of his clansmen failed he felt it was his duty to correct this fact. He could use his clan's gifts to be a good ruler, a just ruler. Loving being in charge, or hating it, had no bearing on the young leader's decision. He had to stay in the race, and he had to win. To lose was to fail the gods themselves, and Jake couldn't do that. Jake felt like only his family really believed in him, but that was fine. He was determined to make up the difference by believing in himself. If he didn't, then why should anyone else?
He rolled over onto his back, enjoying the feeling of the sun on his skin. It was a new sensation, and one he couldn't get enough of. He'd kept his daytime trips to the south so far, but he'd craved a day at the beach since finding out he could now day walk. He wore tight brief swimwear, with a pronounced pouch, and blue green coloring. The logo was some trashy human clothing line, and Jake had several more pairs in his underwear drawer. Sunglasses obscured his grey eyes, and sneakers lay neatly stacked on the side. The dragon ring, charged with Tansy's blood, kept him alive.
He'd formalized a deal with her, five hundred bucks a week, plus gifts! He'd already sent her the Bachelorette on Blue Ray. It was an earlier season then the one why were both currently watching, but he suspected based on their limited talks it was her favorite show. He figured he could also slip gifts to Sabrina this way too. Because of Tess, Jake felt the need to take better care of his old friend, and if he ever got that witch alone he'd roast her. Now, weekly, he picked up a few small mason jars filled with fresh nymph blood. It was a beautifully fair trade. It had allowed him to soak up all this sun in Zoheret's district. He figured she might show, and how funny would that be? He wasn't in the mood for a fight though, and so he hoped she wouldn't. He didn't have the stamina right now.
Jake wondered if he'd even get a tan. He'd longed to be golden brown for centuries, and thought how mysterious it would make him look with his dark hair. Blondes always looked like porn stars when they tanned. Black hair however, had more possibilities. The beach was still pretty empty, although now more and more people were claiming spots of sand. A kid set up a kite with his dad, and Jake looked on approvingly. He had no plans for the day, just wanted no work. He'd go indoors in another hour or so, as not to push his luck, but for now he merely rested. Maybe there was a spa in the area he could go to. The day was his, and nobody else's, at least for now.
