Some nights things just went better than expected, and for the Black Prince tonight was one of those nights. He'd gone to Venture to sniff out a meeting with a vampire who's power far outclassed his own. He'd been afraid Charon wouldn't meet him, that Ben would've slipped in and poisoned his mind like the little roach he was. Instead he'd walked away with a kiss, a promise of an alliance and a new pet. What Charon had meant by "sound alliance" wasn't clear, but details could always be worked out later. Charon was always told to be a man of his word, and so Jake was allowed to feel secure in the diplomatic victory, with the weeping willow on the floor of the elevator as his bonus prize. The doors pinged open and Jake dismissed his clerks to the base, and started leading Ben towards the residences. Ben would live with them now, and Jake wondered how best to use Charon's little gift.
The Ventrue was also curious how Lazarus would react, and figured his journey out to gather information must've ended by now. Hopefully he had something to report. His last tip had borne fruit. Ben fell, and Jake simply let him, looking bored as he dry heaved and clutched his stomach like a sick human. Jake didn't kick him while he was down but he let Ben get himself back up. He didn't owe him any favors, and he didn't feel bad for Ben in the slightest. Jake had been in Ben's place once, a young upstart vampire assigned to the tutelage of someone you hate. He thought of Mithras. The old bastard was dead now, and he'd never be as horrible to Ben as Mithras was to him, but he considered the ancient from his past as his best teacher for this situation. Once Ben pulled himself up and muttered his pitiful apology, Jake kept leading him through the tunnels, whistling an old folk song.
Eventually they reached Jake's flat, and he unlocked the door with a heavy key, bringing Ben inside the main living room. Sam was out. He could tell by her light being off and door being shut. Scott was rarely home these days and Lazarus would not be given a key. Jake wanted some separation from his Harpy. Ben would see the same things Lazarus had. Old world wood furniture, bookshelves, art, weapons, maps and other expensive and European tastes made up the main room, with passageways leading off to other rooms in the flat. He'd point Ben to a couch and bark, "Sit down." Jake then plopped on the couch next to him. It wasn't intimate range, but it was suggestive of a certain closeness, and he took off his jacket, leaving only the white t-shirt with holes in it on. He looked to Ben.
"You'll have a room here with me and my children," he informed. "Do you have a problem with that?" He really hoped Ben did have a problem.