Wolfman of the Gulf

jack_da_frosty @ 2004-02-12T07:46:00

2004-02-12T14:16:54Z

Jack thought it ironic that Jaxx and Lex had missed each other by a single night. He lit his pipe and took a long drag from it watching the place where Jaxx had disappeared into the woods a few seconds before. Cute, funny but nervy. The girl had sat there during their entire conversation and just .. jittered. Her eyes never rested in one place for long, and she seemed awfully uncomfortable with Jacks familiarity with her "family". He'd tried to reassure her, let her know he was a friend, and that seemed to calm her slightly, but Jack got the sense that whatever she wanted to talk to Lex about wasn't entirely pleasant.

Lex. Oy.

He'd seen her the night before, at the fire carrying on 4 conversations at once. Lore, some Nathaniel fellow, Vytos and himself. 3 of them carried strong feelings for ole stoneface, and Jack knew next to nothing of the 4th. Jack chuckled at himself for the pang of jealousy that had pricked at him at the time. On the one hand he felt rediculous for feeling even slightly threatened. On the other he found himself pleased that he felt that way. Envy is a human emotion, one that indicated he had perhaps not lost so much of his humanity as he had feared. He smiles softly in the fire light and glanced at Aislinn. He didn't feel compelled to play their little game tonight. To pretend the awful tension stemming from her postition, and his beliefs had not strained their friendship. Instead he waved politely left the fire heading for Lexi's cave. She'd want to know he had seen Jaxx, and that she'd given him away to contact her.

It was and especially cold ride, the wind cut through his jacket and even his thick fur like a sharp knife. He idly wondered how many "gifted" humans he passed on the road..ones able to break his mask and see him for what he truly looked like. He laughed a bit at how they might rationalize what they saw. A costume, a delusion, a figment of their imagination. It didn't matter which, but it was usually wasn't acceptance. For most.

The Reckoning. Thats what that Reverand kept calling his little movement. The same word those hunters used, who had killed Rune his sire, with little more than their voices. That Smith man was mentioned again. This time he'd been to New York and killed 5. It sent a shiver up his spine thinking how close that monster had been to Lexi. He just hoped she wasn't watching the tube earlier. He didn't think she'd take it well. The thought of her watching, listening to that man name licks who could very well be her friends, made him sick to his stomache. He accelerated and didn't slow until he hit the off ramp.

In minutes he found himself pulling up to Lexi's cave, and to Lexi.. sitting on the hood of her packed jeep.

"Well this can't be good" he thought to himself.

The Good the Bad, and the Not So Well Adjusted.

2004-02-02T04:51:03Z

Jack took a deep breath and settled himself down in the woods outside of Lexi's cave. After she'd taken the stake out.. again, they had talked.. and she had once again given him quite a bit to think on. Jack had kept the other at bay, trapped in the recesses of his mind for nigh a year. For one as violent and impulsive as Jack, that was a bloody long time to keep your beast at bay. He sat with his back against a stout tree trunk and let the tension ease from his body. Setting his hands on his knees he began to breath deeply, slipping into deep meditation.

In his mind Jack sat at the end of a large oak table. Modest in its construction,it was designed for function over fashion. Much akin to Jack himself. All else was dark, and obscured from his minds eye. All except for the *him* of course. The very embodiment of Jacks dark side, his id and his yin sat grinning over his steepled fingers. It wore the guise it had used last night. Long black hair, steel blue eyes, stunning looks. It was vain, overconfident, and a predictable but that made it no less dangerous. No less the montser it was beneath that thin venere. "How's your girlfriend?" it asked in mocking tones. "Still all sugar and spice eh? Or has her little encounter with the real you give her second thoughts?" It almost sounded hopefull.

"Fuck off." It laughed at Jacks simple vehement retort. "You're lucky I don't tear you limb from limb"

"Idle threats Jack. You can't hurt me.. but I CAN hurt you." It smiled. "I showed you that tonight. My hands on her throat.. squeezing. It felt so good Jack." It leanded forward and leered. "I think she liked it too." Jack slammed his hand on the table hard, the sound echoing in his mind like thunder. A long crack appeared down the center of the table spreading towards the Other. It glanced a the crack, brow furrowing for a split second before smoothing its features with a smug smile. "Temper temper Jack.. You wouldn't want to hand the reigns over to me again so soon would you?" It teased. "I might just kill her this time."

"No. You won't" Jacks voice was calm "Your too stupid. She showed YOU that already." he stated flatly. The Other's face contorted in rage, and it lept from it's seat landing on the table in front of Jack snarling.

"I'll not be fooled a second time boy!" it growled leaning close. "You cannot hide from me forever. I'll be loose again, and when I am, I will END you"

Jack reached out and grabbed it by the throat, squeezing hard. "Who's hiding?" He drove the Other throught the table with all his might. It shattered not like wood, but like glass, into a thousand pieces that scattered to the corners of his mind. "You are me. And here.. I can hurt you." It hissed in protest eyes filled with more than a little fear. "I am done hiding from you. I am done keeping you locked away." His claws grew from his finger tips piercing its neck. "We are going to find balance if I have to beat you into it". Jack's voice as cold as his name suggested. As Jack raised his fist to smash its face, it plunged its own clawed hand into his belly, cutting deep. Jack howled and let go of it stumbling backwards. It rolled to its feet, crouching low, licking the blood from its fingers with a smile.

"You don't really want to play this game boy. You won't recover" Jack looked to his stomach. he knew it wasn't real, but it hurt as if it was. More. He looked at the Other and smiled grimly.

"Like hell." Jack slammed his fist into its head crushing bone, knocking it sideways. It countered by tearing a hand full of flesh from his chest with its claws, howling in mad glee. Jack gritted his teeth and fought on, no stranger to pain. They were well aquainted in fact. They rocked each other with powerful blows, sending each realing across the dark landscape of Jacks mind. Shattering bones, rending tissue. Destroying each other. In the end they both stood bleeding, several feet apart, covered in the gore of each other.

"This is pointless Jack" The Other wobbled hardly keeping its feet. "We are the same.. You can't beat me. I am everything you are and more. I am what you should be" It took a step forward "I...we are the true power of the Gulf. Noone can stop us from taking what is OURS" It's voice was almost pleading.

"No. I have walked away from that. I will have balance. Peace. Even if it means conquering you." Jack stood as straight as he could and turned his back to the Other, walking away. "I will never go back to what I was, And there is nothing you can do about it." The Other's face twisted in hate, rage and madness. Howling it leaped at his back slashing wildly. Jack turned abruptly and slammed his fist into its chest grabbing hold of its heart. The Others eyes grew wide as saucers as it jerked around Jack's arm helplessly.

"You know what your problem is?" Jack asked it quietly, almost pleasantly. "Your too damned predictable" His hand squeezed around its heart, muscles tensing as he prepared to tear the shriveled organ from the beasts chest. "You had you chance, now its time to say Goodbye....."

Jack's eyes flew open at the sound of a sharp ringing from his side. He blinked several times trying to focus on where he was.. and the source of the sound. After a moment he realized his phone was ringing. He groaned inwardly. "Saved by the bell you bastard" he said aloud softly, and answered the bloody noise box.

"Hello?" he ventured.
"Jack! Its Bryan" Jack's attention focused soley one his brothers panicked voice. "Listen.. I need to know whats up with Ft. Walton" Jack paused, waiting for something more specific. When nothing came he asked somewhat annoyed

"What about it Bry?"
"Its the Sabbat.. they are here.. are there any left in Ft. Walton?" Bry sounded less than in control of the situation. There was shouting in the background.

"Bry, *I* live in Ft. Walton.. what do you think" Jack said, now slightly worried. He cleared that city. Scores dead, more fled. No they would never come back there. The survivors called him the "Wendigo". What few there were that is. Yet they had come from somewhere. "Bry.. your capable.. I am sure you can handle it.. but if it gets bad. Call me."

"Jack..what do you think I am doing now?" Jack grumbled.. Bry had a point. He hated it when that happened. His heart sunk at the idea of taking off on Lexi again. How long would she put up with it? After what happened tonight.. probably not much longer. He sighed.

"I'll be there when I can. You know that. Until then, keep you heads low. And stay together". Jack hung up without waiting for a response. Gods, this was the last thing he needed. He put his head in his hands for a moment, and then stood, determined to find Lexi and put a smile on her face. He winced as he stood, his body burning as if he'd been on the business end of a serious ass whooping. It appeared his altercation with himself was a little more real than he had anticipated.

Jack chuckled a bit as he entered the cave. At least he gave the bastard something to think about.

When it rains it pours

2004-01-30T20:05:47Z

Jack looked to Sen and Rizzen who lay there *submisivly*. He frowned. Klaus the toreador, or Ramirez had done this too them. It made little sense though, as one was a toreador, and one a tremere. The only other times Jack had seen this sort of behavior was at the hands of a Malkavian. He shook his head clear of the thoughts, knowing he had larger issues on his mind.

This had been one hell of a night. As Jack and Lexi were discussing just what to do about Aramus and his.. plans, the man himself walked into fireside. Jack spoke with him, bleeding him for every bit of information he could. Aramus gave it freely trusting Jack. Why shouldn't he? Jack had always done what he was told. He had always obeyed orders before. But they had his heart then. Things were different now. Jack wouldn't, COULDN'T let them senslessly murder thousands upon thousands of kine and kindred alike. It was madness he could not abide by. Aramus would have to be stopped, on way or the other. *And I've got just the thing to do it* he thought to himself. That same evening Jack had recieved a call from Martin.

Martin.. he was hell bent on starting a Tower/anarch war. He was the reason that Knobby left the movement. People like him, were the reason Jack left too. Yet he called, sounding terrified and begged for help. Jack could not deny anyone that. Not if he had the power to do something about it. He had many times in the last few weeks abruptly left Lexi's side to run off and play the fuzzy hero. He wondered how that was making her feel. If he was pushing away from her too, like he had with all the others. Jack didn't want to do that. She made him weak with a touch.. he craved her presence.. yet his conscience would not allow him to enjoy her company while another out there may be killed for his selfishness. Jack grimaced and thought on the rest of the night.

Martin was a wreck when he arrived. He could hardly express what was happening to him. His enchantments, the Pavis, had saved him from being summoned.. yet he knew they were coming to him. Martin knew he could not escape them without aid. He begged for sanctuary within Jacks hall, and Jack had grudgingly granted it. Martin had betrayed many people. Instigated many attacks. He seemed addicted to causing unrest. Niether of them were sure who had summoned Martin, or when they would arrive. Jack prepared himself in both body and mind for the worst to come walking through that door. He was almost shocked when he saw the face of Klaus Vonrictenstien, the sheriff of Panama city stride into his home looking. The same man who had attacked, and probably killed another person Jack had offered a safe place to stay.

Jack growled. Klaus would not find another victim within THESE walls tonight. Jack stepped towards him purposfully preparing to send him into the next world. Klaus had by some quirk turned to see Jack approach just in time. He entranced Jack thinking that would be sufficient to keep him at bay. Instead, it simply resulted in Jack turning his attentions towards Klaus's companion. Jack attacked him brutally sending the man reeling. The altercation was brief, ending with Klaus hiding them both under the Cloak of Gathering. Jack pondered on that memory. A toreador, who lacks in speed, and has just a touch of presence.. but can Cloak? Jack shook his head. Klaus was not what he seemed. Not nearly. Jack rushed to Martins side, not knowing what else to do.. He had no way of seeing these assailants. They appeared again, this time Klaus dread gazed Jack into running. Apparently he failed to think that course of action to its obvious conclusion however. As Jack fled, he drug Martin with him, into his haven, surrounded by more than 150 wards. Jack watched from the camera's in his haven. He blinked in rage and surprise as he finally recognized the second man. Dominique Ramirez. This self proclaimed man of honor had come to Jacks home.. had violated its sanctity.. to obtain Martin. Jack was infuriated. He couldn't go and face him though.. he knew he would simply run from Klaus, knowledge that grated at him, and his beast.

Eventually the effects of the gaze wore off, and Jack returned to face his uninvited guests. Instead of fighting, whis Ramirez realized would get him killed quickly and painfully, they agreed to discuss the matter. Failing to come to an agreement, that did not violate one or the others word of honor, Ramirez challanged Jack to an ordeal. Jack nigh fell out of his chair in astonishment. He accepted, and set the terms. To Ramirez's surprise Jack staked Martin in a blink of an eye. "We can't have him running off while you are too busy to watch him yes?" Jack said grimly.

They fought, Ramirez lost miserably. Strangly Jack was troubled by his victory. He knew Ramirez, this honorable man who had faced Jack willingly, knowing he had no real chance.. would die for failing to bring in Martin. Jack cursed Martin for putting him in this position. For breaking his oaths to Ramirez, and placing him on the executioners block. Jack growled at the choice he had to make. On the one hand, Martin was safe as long as he was inside these walls, while Dominique, who lost.. would return in failure, and die at his Regents hands.

Were Martin to be forced to go.. he would be bound or forced to sign a blood contract, to ensure his compliance to stay faithful to the Pyramid. It made Jack sick to his stomache to think of it. He could not brake his oath.. Jack looked to Ramirez who stood there nobly, accepting his fate with a wry smile.

"Ramirez, you know I cannot break my oath. I will not... I am sorry. As long as he is within these walls.. he's under my protection." Ramirez simply nodded at Jacks words. "Within these walls.. " Jack said again.

He strode grimly towards Martins staked body and hefted it in one hand. Looking deep into Martins frozen eyes Jack spoke softly "You reap what you sow Martin. It is harvest time". Jack growled and hurled Martin potenly through the front doors out of the hall. Ramirez simply stared.

"He is no longer within these walls Ramirez" he spokes harshly. "Do what your honor demands." Jack turned on his heel and entered his haven..

"I am done with this."

jack_da_frosty @ 2004-01-24T09:28:00

2004-01-24T16:14:27Z

Jack sat on the porch facing Victoria's expansive back yard, smoking his steel stemmed pipe thoughtfully. In his free hand he rolled a small rock around in the palm of his hand. Joseph had returned in attempt to molest Vic again. He was more than a little surprised to find Jack there, in the bedroom. Truth be told Vic was surprised to. Jack had become pretty adept at hiding. When Joseph saw him he started to mist.

Jack smiled at the memory. He has simply held the rock out in front of Joseph and said: "You and I both know what this is.. If you make me use it on you, I'll kill you. Manifest" Joseph knew a great deal about the tremere, he also knew that jack must have at least one ally in their ranks. He believed Jack would use the stone of true form on him. He believed Jack would kill him too. Joseph manifested. Victoria tried to reason with him. The young grel wasn't all there mentally. Jack suspected she felt sorry for him. But in their conversation Joseph lost it, and attacked her. It was over in seconds, it always was when Jack started hitting someone. He picked up the unconcious body of Joseph and Victoria asked Jack not to kill him. Jack stopped in his tracks.

"I don't kill on Princes whim anymore Vic." His voice was tight. "I came here cause you made it out like you were afraid for your life." Jack's eyes narrowed. "You want to coddle the little rapist you do it without complaining to me." Jack staked the little shit and tossed him back onto the floor. He turned to Victoria.

"You summon me a few nights back Victoria?" Jack asked. No heat in his voice. Just that frightening neutrality that made her shudder. She shook her head no.

"I'd only summon you to save your life..." she started but Jack cut her off.
"No, you won't summon me at all. You don't get to decide whats gonna save my life. Grel really don't like that shit Vic. Me less than most. I'll be around." Jack turned on his heal and walked downstairs, and outside. Jack looked down at the rock and gave a small chuckle. Just a rock. Nothing more. He guessed noone really thought Jack smart enough to bluff. He tossed it off into the night, and rose to his feet.

Jack scanned the horizen debating. Crestview was a few miles to the east. He could fufill his boon and more than likely be free of Andromeada's unnatural love for him. But if he went there right now it would be less than pleasant. Jack was positive now it had been Andromeada who summoned him. That made him angry. He was going to make it clear to her that shit didn't wasn't gonna fly. He took deep breath. "You took her free will jacko.. this is just as much your fault." That thought stole the fire from him. He'd done it to save her.. Yet that didn't free him of his responsibility. Lexi would kill him if she knew what he was about to do.

Jack looked at the email he had recieved from her using his phone. "Jack, you granted me a blood boon for the bond that you have over me. I now call it in. I want a sample of your blood. Bryan can retrieve it. Andromeada". If Bryan came for Jacks blood, in any amount he'd go home horizontal. Jack would bring it to her himself. He was almost sure that she'd use it to free herself from the bond to him. Jack could live with that. She could use it to see if he had eaten anyone. He laughed. Had he become that scary.. that they really thought he'd committed diablerie? Jack shook his head. Truthfully, he didn't care what she planned to use it for. It would be the deciding factor in whether they would remain friends or if Jack would walk away from those poeple, and that city forever. In reality, it was HIS test. Not hers.

Jack looked east and started to walk. He'd better hurry if he wanted have time to get back up north. Andi first though.

Tea for two

2004-01-18T20:34:38Z

*Well this has most certainly been and eventful night or two* Jack thought to himself. His mind wandered to her, and last eve as he sat in the dark of his home, preparing to embrace the earth. He smiled, simply. Genuinly. He hadn't expected...that. Jack sighed and leaned against the cool steel wall of his haven. Its smooth cold surface immediatly brought to mind the feel of her skin. Her touch. He shivered at the memory, and laughed at himself for acting like he was. "You as bad as those idiots at fireside" he chided himself.

Fireside. Aurik really HAD returned. Not only had he escaped death somehow AGAIN, but he carried with him Jacks heart. Jack had left that part of his past behind.. the SPA, the camarilla. The death. Lexi had led him to the road of redemption.. one he now followed with all his heart. Aurik did not understand the change in him. Jack was not even sure the old grel even noticed it, as he was so caught up in his wrath. His thirst for vengeance. Jack shook his head. He didn't have time for that shit. He had his soul to save, and the ones he loved to watch over. Love. A word he didn't use much. Jack wondered briefly if that made it more potent, for its rarity.

Jack thought about his conversation with Lex last night. She had told him her some of her fears. That he would fall from the Road, were she to leave. Damn that girl worried too much. She'd led him to the start, true. This was his journey though. Each step taken his own. He continue.. with or without her. Jacks mind realed with confusion. Having his heart in his possession controlling his feelings was hard. Holding it, he looked on Lexi and was struck with just how deeply he felt for her. This realization filled him with both joy and guilt. And fear. Jack KNEW he was succeeding in his journey. He could feel. He could love, something the Other had long told him he could never do. Never have. *You were wrong bastard* Jack thought vehemently, speaking to HIM, lock away, deep in the recesses of his mind. Guilt came next. Lore.. Vytos.. a number of others felt strongly for Lexi. Nobody knew what she wanted.

"Don't you mean who?" asked the Other. Jack winced. An unfortunate side effect of having his heart back seemed to be HE was back. A little stronger. Just enough to make his presence known. Jack shook his head clear, and thought of her skin again. It was enough to cause the Other to moan in disgust and retreat to the darkest places of his mind. *Don't like that DO ya, bastard?* Jack smirked. She'd managed to do far more for him than rid him of some hesitancy. He wasn't sure she would realize that. He wasn't sure of anything. Hell if he'd just been a romp in the hay.. he could live with that. God it was.. eye opening. Relaxing. Jack hadn't felt this good in decades. He just wanted to know where he stood.

He sighed. He found himself thinking of the Duckling. The wind, the sea. Its sheer enormity, and power called to him. He was at peace when surounded by its mindless force. Its violence. The thought of the open water invigorated him. He'd have to sail tommorow. Sleep first though.

Slowly he sank into the earth avoiding thoughts of Victoria's anger, and Andromeada's broken heart. Thinking only of just how much he loved the touch of her skin.

The Other made a sound like he was going to be sick.

Closure

2003-12-27T18:56:36Z

Jack took a deep breath and sighed, its sound echoing into the quiet night that covered Lexi's home like a blanket. He looked at his phone for a long time. "Aside from something that seemed slightly amiss my dear Jack. I found nothing of your brother. I am sorry, he must have passed already. -Consuala" Too Late. Jack had waited too long to speak with his brother one last time. He nodded and leanded on the wall as Lexi appeared from the depths of her home, presumably to check on him. She didn't press him for details, she never did. Jack half assumed she didn't really want to know anyway. They viewed family passing in different lights it seemed. Yet, there was an apprehension from her. As if she were expecting something unpleasant from him.

"Hey you." He said and smiled. This apparently wasn't what she expected, though she hid it well. Jack let he know briefly what he had learned, and left it at that, quickly switching to a more pleasant topic. "We need a proper tree if we are going to do this thing right, you know." She appreared to start to respond, but simply nodded. She did that alot. Jack didn't wait, instead he went into her cave and seemed to be searching the floor for something. After several minutes he grunted to himself and began to dig a hole in the rock and dirt of the floor in her home. To her mild protests he simply waved her off promising to fix it when he was done. Jack dug a hole rougly 4 feet deep and 5 feet wide. Smiling in satisfaction to himself, looked up to Lexi, (and Lore if he were present) "Now we get a tree". He beamed a smile. Lexi wordlessly pointed to a stalamite she had decorated for the occassion. Jack simply looked at it and stared.

"Well, thats a right LOVELY tree Lex." He sounded a bit sheepish "But I already done dug this hole.." Jack looked down at the mess he'd made. He pondered for a bit over a reasonable solution to this dilema he had created.

"I know" he began, "How bouts we each of us make one? I mean, no rules saying we can't have more than one tree." he nodded to himself.

"But the hole.. why the hole?" Lex psuedo-complained. Jack apparently didn't hear her as he half walked half ran out the entrance to her cave, seemingly caught up in the holiday spirit. He spent the next half an hour wandering the woods of northern New York state, looking for the perfect pine for the occasion. Once a suitable one was found, Jack carefully unearthed it, saving as many of the roots and its ground soil as possible as he transported it back to Lexi's home.

Jack returned with the tree covered in dirt and grinning like an idiot. Lexi raised an eyebrow at the mound of dirt encompassing the bottom of the tree. Looking to the hole in the ground she nodded in understanding. "No point killing the thing for my holiday jollies" Jack offered up. Lexi looked patient at him. He never did know when he was pleasing her or not. Bloody frustrating it was. After firmly settling the tree in its home away from home Jack looked at it with a pleased expression.

"Now.. how to decorate it?" Jack sat and pondered the tree for a long time. To the exlcusion of anything or anyone else. After what very well could have been an hour, he noddeds slowly and went to retrieve his pack. When he returned his face has lost some of its yule time glee. It was replaced by somber expression, but not one completely without light to it. There was a sort of "acceptance" to it. In his hands he carried two objects. In his left a thick chalise made of gold. In his left, a small statue of thor made from what appeared to be a block of platnum. Jack sat in front of the tree and drew his claws almost reverently.

"Gifts I never had the chance to give." Jack said softly "They will still have a place though." With that Jack took the chalise in his hands and with smooth quick motions peeled it into long thin shavings. Slowly he placed each long string of gold on the tree like tinsle. Grabbing the statue he repeated the process. When finished he simply looked at it a moment, the light glinting off the precious metals, filling the room with a soft glow.

"Merry X-mas guys" Jack said aloud. To who was not readily apparent. He looked weary, Sen and Rizz circled his legs and he lay down with them between the tree and Lexi's stalagmite. Jack yawned, and leaned against the wall. "Presents are in the bag guys. Ya'll let me know when its time to *yawn* open em."

With that Jack sank into a slumber. Weary, worn, but peaceful.

A milestone or a headstone

2003-12-19T07:29:53Z

Jack walked through the doorway to his home, and into the massive open space that was a combination of his guest room, his training dojo, and supply storage. He was greeted by Sen and Rizz warmly. Literally. Since inadvertantly conquering his chilly touch Jack had found his wolf companions to be much more affectionate. He was glad for it. He had not got such a response from Lex.

For some odd reason Jack found himself thinking about Lore. Apparently he had decided to track down the founder. Jack wished him luck in that, be it for better or worse. If the Sabbat were right about what the ancients would do when they woke, there would be much death.. But there was going to be that anyway. Jack could not accept that there would be SOME survivors of Gehenna, or the End Times, whatever words you used it meant the same thing. Lore was old, smart and powerful. Jacks original impression of him had been off the mark. He half suspected now it had been a ruse to test Jack in some way. Jack had a sneaking suspicion he had failed that test. He shrugged. There would be others. There are always other tests.

Thinking of the honorable elder, brought Jack to thoughts of honor itself. Honor had made him do strange things of late. Terribly foolish things to the outside observer. It had him tell Aislinn of the orders on her life, from old rivals, and the involvment he had had with her Sire's death. That information had strained their friendship, and had added to the building load that she bore on her shoulders. Jack regretted that much. "The road to hell, is paved with good intentions" he said aloud. He had many actions to atone for. He had been a monster for a long long time.

Blitz. A name that still brought a foul taste to his mouth whenever he spoke it. That man had revelled in what he was. A supernatural bully. Jack was there to help sent THAT lick along to oblivion as well. At least there was an action he didn't regret. To a point. Last gather Jack had spoken of killing Blitz aloud. Long time ally and psuedo friend Bryan Cantrell had heard him. Bryan attacked with all his might. Jack had staved him off but refrained from doing him any harm until he ran in his frenzy from sight. It wasn't until later that Harpy St. Germaine had informed him as to the reason for the wild reaction. Blitz had been Bryans adopted Sire in the Brujah clan. Bryan never knew the identity of his killers. Now he did.. and he was beside himself with rage and a thirst for vengeance. Jack felt regret now. He felt guilt now as well. Not for the death of that monster, but for the pain that he had caused someone he held in esteem.

Two nights ago Jack had sought to experience the pain he had caused in Bryan. As a way to pay the debt, for he could not, WOULD not take back what he had done. Instead, at fireside Jack professed his sorrow for hurting Bryan to him, and then stepped in the fire and sat. His brief time in the flames seemed like an eternity. His flesh and fur melted together and slopped off his frame as some of those present screamed for him to get out. One.. Cecilia tried to stop him. Thankfully John understood what honor is and held her still. The pain was like nothing he had ever experienced. No blade, no claw and no tremere magic compared to sitting in this fire, accepting the caressing flames as they consumed his body.

He didn't know how long it had been. Time had stopped, and at the same time drug on for what seemed like years all at once. What he DID know is that if he did not get out then he would die. With what little force of will he yet retained he forced himself to stand and walk from the fire towards Bryan. Some ran in instintive fear. Bryan simply stared.

"You can never make this up to me" He told Jack. "None of this will bring him back"

Jack was disappointed. Not that his gesture was refused, but at Bryans poor insight. "If he were back, I would only kill him again Bryan." Jack shook his head and Bryan quivered with rage before storming out. Jack had overestimated Bryan. He was little more than an emotion driven child, in a stalker of the night's body.

Jack spent the rest of the night a burnt husk. Every movement wracked with pain. Every touch more agonizing then the last. He did not complain though, he had done this to himself. He felt strange. Different somehow. It was a thing he could not quite put his finger on, not until someone did it for him. Literally.

Ceci had in some hormonal fit, decided to pounce Jack and manhandle him. After the mind numing pain subsided he noticed she was looking at him quite oddly. "Your not cold anymore" she said.

"I was just on FIRE you twit..of COURSE I am..not.. cold.." He stopped completely feeling the world around him. "I am not cold." He said aloud. Jack looked at the fire for a long time. He had sat as near as he could stand to it, every time he ever went to fireside. He had tried to soak its warmth up and forget how frigid it he was for so long, he had given up all hope of ever "thawing out". Yet in this one, admittedly poorly planned action, he had seeminly snuffed it out. He was so thrilled he forgot all about the burns covering his body. He bounded about making quite the fool of himself, and more than likely making those around him question his sanity more than a little. Two nights later.. after his fur had grown in he saw Lexi again.

Jack had been so exited to see her he tackled her in the form of a wolf playfully. Without his trade mark cold she had not recognized him. Instead of pleasure or delight at his new found warmth, he recieved caution and indecisivness. Jack had been taken aback. He thought it would be best if he found a reason to go, instead of ruining what chance she had for a good evening with his presence. He cracked some joke as he left, in attempt to lighten the mood, but that jovial facade crumbled soon after he left Fireside, leaving him wondering why he suddenly felt so awful about things. Himself included.

When it rains, it pours

2003-12-09T23:26:00Z

"Gideon St. Germain" Jack said the name to the empty room, almost hoping that it would somehow make manifest the honorless cur, so that he might beat some answers out of him. That wasn't going to happen however. Someone had taken Gid, in the woods behind Julians old manor, and the Nos were pissed.

All of them.

Apparently, due to his reputation, Old Yeller had told the entire nosferatu clan that Jack himself had done the deed. A falsity to be sure, but that mattered little the Cammies and Nos alike. They wanted a scape goat. Truth be told Jack had nothing to do with the situation. Truth be told he had been occupied with other business that night. Family business.

Jack stared at his bloodied gloves for many long moments. Regret, chargin, and even a bit of shame filled him as he thought of the circustances that put the blood on those gloves.. on his hands. Jack tossed them aside and put his head in his hands. Redrain, gangrel and anarch had questioned his warrior spirit. A thing you do not do to one who follows the Way. There is no deadlier insult. Jack was above that though. He did not need to do what he did to Redrain.. not nearly. Jack had beaten him so badly his body was unrecognizable. He had beaten him so far into torpor it would be a very long time indeed before he woke. It filled Jack with self loathing. He was to base to deserve redemption. Little more than a monster.

If he were to become the man he wanted to be, to redeem himself, and obtain forgiveness.... Some things had to change. Fast.

Winters Kiss and Learnin' your Elders

2003-11-30T13:28:13Z

Jack tossed his pack to the side of his room, nestled in the bowels of his new Haven. After his conversation with Lexi he wondered how long this would be his home. He had had it named a Anarch free state when he left the Camarilla... not that that counted for squat with the breaking of the Edict. He sighed with resignation. Knobby was NOT going to be happy. Jack moved the massive steel crates covering the patch in the dirt he slept in with and off hand gesture. By no means the greatest of security, it did provide SOME protection. What that didn't, the scores of wards martin had put on ever conceivable entrance would. Jack lay on the surface of that recessed patch of earth, not yet sinking into its depths and pulled the crates over himself.

In the dark, he touched the place she had kissed him on his muzzle. Somehow, maybe his imagination, he could still feel the coolness of her marble lips. He suppressed a wave of frustration as he thought of it. "What the hell does she want" he asked himself. Me resigned himself to the thought that SHE was probably just a clueless as he was. Jack thought back on the night. It had been an eventful one. Just his conversations with Lore, and Lex would have been enough send him reeling.. but there was more. "It will come in three's Jack" Vemka had said to him. He was fond of the old seer. He just wished the bugger would be more specific at times. Three seemed to fit though.. Lexi, Lore, and Aislinn. Each with their own issues.. and somehow Jack was tied into all of them.

Lore first he thought. Here was and elder of our clan. Here was a man who had seen more centuries than most modern countries. Yet here was a man who was, for lack of a better way to put it, an emotional child. Jack was awed at Lore's little understanding of Lexi, Life, and the Road they both claimed to be on. Jack worried that if Lore did not begin to look to himself for the answers instead of what he believes others want.. he would die. Lore has found himself wanting.. with all his power, all his age, and all his gifts, he did not have the one thing he THINKS he's lacking. Love. Jack chuckled to himself. We are not so far from our origins after all, no matter how long dead. Lore had offered Lexi something. A gift she rejected. He could not understand that it was his MOTIVE, a self serving one that had lost that battle for him. To give the appearance of a thing, is not to HAVE the thing. Only to look as though one does. Jack shook his head in the darkness. If Lore ever hoped to find the companionship he wishes, be it with Lexi or not.. he needs to find his own answers.. not just the ones others have found for themselves.

Fenris gift. Something Jack had searched for with his brother for years. A tool they sought, so that they may protect the ones they love, and Lore was using it in an attempt to earn a girls approval. The irony in this was so thick it was tangible. He would help Lore any way he could. He seemed an honorable sort when you got down to the meat of it. Yet.. Jack is less than a century old. He did not think that Lore would truely be receptive. The hardest thing in the world to change is someones mind. He would try though.

Aislinn, Jack grimaced when he thought of her. There was for more the the self named Valkerie than she let on. More trouble beneath the thin vanere of control that she wore. Someone had killed Ragnar, and Jack had more than a little reason to think he knew how and why. While under Mari's influence he had been asked to have Ragnar killed. He didn't ask why. This woman held his heart somewhere.. She literally held his life in her hands. He placed a few key words in a few recpetive ears.. Aislinns included. Within a month Ragnar met with Creed and was killed. Noone knew. Not even Aislinn. It was a shame, and a secret he did not know if he had the courage to share. There was no honor in what he had done. He had contributed to the death of the man John called Father. He couldn't forgive himself let alone ask THEM to. Jack shook his head again. He would make it right somehow. He had to or he was lost. She was blamed for it, and other crimes.. other deaths. Perhaps she too was guilty, but that did not wipe his soul clean of its stains. "I have been a FOOL" he clenched his fists and slammed one against the steel wall to his resting place. The sound reverberated and echoed through the crates above like a cavern.

A Cavern. Lexi's Cavern.

Jack's thoughts moved on to his friend and confidant Lexi-stoneface-Mckeane. He calmed, going from his self directed disgust, to thougtful concern. She was changing. There was much going on with her. Friends dying, faith fading. She too sought for that companionship that Lore did. Jack did not know if she realized it though. Jack half suspected she desired more than his company tonight.. but if that was so.. for what reason? Jack was very fond of her to be sure. Even infatuated at one point, but he was not big on intimacy. That is not something he felt he would be able to give her.. or even if it were truely HE that she wanted it from. She was confused. Loney. Hurting from some wound he could not see and she would not share. Yet Jack sat powerless to do anything about it. Jack was surprised at how deeply he could still feel things.. seeing that he heart was kinda...SOMEwhere out there.. The emotional hesitation aside, Jack had thouroughly enjoyed his time with Lex tonight. They sat, talked, joked and played. She seemed to truelly appriciate the gift he had given her as well. The sincerity of her thanks brought a grin to his face. It made him feel good to bring some small joy in another. Lexi had taught him how to do that, a thing he would appriciate until his last day. Jack hoped that she would be strong enough to help Lore, and others out how she had for him. She took a violent murdering monster and him into a monster still.. but one who could live with himself. Jack would never forget that, and in turn give the same to every last soul he could. He just wish she knew it.
Me rolled over and prepared to greet the earth.

Tommorow was going to be busy. He had yet another Sect to renounce, a Path to follow, Friends to aid, and one to kill. He grimaced at the last thought.

"My friend, I wish you had not made this the only way." were Jacks last words as he embraced the earth.

Illusions destroyed, and the Shadows Rising

2003-10-29T04:55:44Z

Jack sat alone in the woods for quite a while after Lexi walked off. The sheer enormity of everything that had happened weighed down on his shoulders almost physically keeping him in place. He tugged at on of the thicker braids absently as he thought. Xavier is dead. He was already tired of hearing it. It made him cringe. He walked for a long while, a slow pace to counter the racing of his mind. There was a lot to absorb.

Jack was leaving the Camarilla. No he'd left already, in his heart. He could no longer lie to himelf and feel he was doing the honorable thing. It made him sick to think of all the blood he'd shed, all the lives he had taken, in the name of an ideal that didn't really exist. Jack reared back to punch a tree in frustration and stopped. He blinked a few times and lowered his fist. It wans't the tree Jack wanted to hit. No, it was Quasimodo. That stupid fuck had no idea what he ws doing. Age it seems didn't make you any smarter than thick blood did. Anarchs will be in an uproar, The Banu will take action.. and the gangrel..well they would do what they do best.

Bitch and moan.

Creed. That piece of shit had to die. His idiot bloodlust has gone to far. In the school that was the Camarilla, Creed was the snotty nosed little yesman of the playground bully. An annoying shit who over estimated his worth, and ability. He claimed to have killed Xavier. Himself. "Creed couldn't kill ME" Jack thought. There is no way he did the deed. Jack spit on the ground derisivly. He paused a moment to wonder why he hated Creed so much. "Because that is what YOU were becoming" came a the mocking voice from the back of his mind.
"Shut the fuck up" was all Jack would say to it.

Lexi. God he hoped she would be ok. She had saved him, but would never know it. She had shown him another side to the night. One without so much blood and violence. In her conversations with him she had relit the fires of his imagination, his desire for life. In recent months Jack had taken up sailing, painting, learned languages, just for the sake of learning. It had been the most rewarding and fufilling time in his unlife. She had challanged him to be different, to think. Called him out when he behaved foolishly (which turned out to be often he realized). Lexi was the kind of friend you really wanted. And he was glad to have her to be sure. Yet the happier Jack got, the sadder she seemed to. If the two were inversly proportionate, he would gladly suffer misery to insure that she remained happy. Jack wished fervently that there were something he could do for her. He owed her that. And a great deal more.
Jack looked up, removing himself from his thoughts, and found himself at Victorias house. He wasn't really surprised. He needed to find a way to tell her that the Nos of her city planned her demise soon.. without breaking his promise to Knobby.

Knobby. What a character. Sensing Jacks disatsfaction with the Tower he had begun surruptitiously trying to recruit him to the Anarchs. Jack liked Knobby, he was a an incredible lick. Smart, honorable, and unpredictable. 3 things Jack really liked in an individual. Yet he would not trade one puppeteer for another. But he had to admit.. Knobby sure did make a good case. Something to think on, to be sure.

Jack entered Vics house, steeling himself for the leers and badly hidden invitations into her bed. "I hope you appriciate this Julius" he thought to himself. I will do for her what I could not for you. He stepped through her doorway and shut it behind him. As he turned towards the stairs that led to her room he caught somthing on the air. Blood

Her Blood.

Lexi, and the death of a Monster

2003-10-27T09:11:55Z

Jack stared for a long moment at the email message he had just recieved from Victoria. His former Prince and Ward, maintained steady communication with him for some reason. The information was good so he chose not to complain. The content of her message tonight, coupled with his trip to see Lexi, sent his mind realing with shear amount very bad things all this could mean.

Vic had been at Conclave, so had Lexi. Apparently a lot had happened. Jack read the message from Vic again: "I am sure you have heard that Xavier Greyson is dead. Bronson is dead. His Grace Quasimodo killed the tratiorus bastard himself. Our Clanhead may well step down, Cyrus Fox was killed, and Sheldon Price cannot be far behind." Jack tried to wrap his mind around the first sentance. X the boogy man of the wanderers, Assamite Loyalist, and more than just a friend to Lex, was said to be dead. *Holy fuck* he thought to himself. Jack figured thats why she didn't wanna talk, and he respected it, not responding when she said "bye jack" as he departed. Jack was an ass, but he DID know when enough was enough.

Bronson's dead. Good. He was a cowardly backstabber. Jack dismissed the elder brujahs death and read on: "A warlord was named by the Justicars...of the Gangrel. These are ill times indeed, when a Warlord is nessessary."

"What the fuck is a Warlord" Jack asked aloud to the empty room. He grimaces slightly at the "..of the gangrel". Vics propensity to dislike any grel that wasn't Jack was bloody annoying. He shook his head and tried to drag up some memory of this Warlord thing... "So many holes in my past..so many damn blank spots. I can't remember shit." Jack growled slighlty with frustration. His thoughts quickly returned to Lex.

"She must be going through hell right now..." Jack paused and looked down at his hand. He was holding his pack. Without realizing it he had stood picked it up and was headed for the door. "Where the hell was I going?" He asked himself. Jack shook his head. He was going to see Lex. To comfort her. "Jesus fuckwad, she is a big girl, if she WANTED to see you she would have said so." Jack nodded to himself. He made sense sometimes.. Then he blinked. He was starting to hold converstations with himself again. "Oh no, we ain't starting with THAT shit again motherfucker" Jack said with heat. "I got RID of you"

Jack smiled menacingly. "Did you?" He barked a laugh "Acknowlegding I'm here puts the lie to that paco. Face it your stuck with me." Jack wimpered and hit his knees clawing at the floorboards of Briannas home.
"I will kill you" Jack said hollowly. He wasn't sure which Jack was talking to which. "I will fucking kill you"

The reluctant prince.

2003-10-13T21:25:21Z

Jack lay on the floor of the empty Hall, hands tucked behind his head, staring at the ceiling. It had been an eventful night, and he was fairly certain he wasn't happy with the result so far.

As he had suspected Bryanna had stepped down. As he feared she had told him to take it. A small surge of frustration filled him as he thought of Bryanna, and his sanguinary bond with her. What had once been done to assure thier mutual safety, now had been used to make him do something he always said he wouldn't. Now he was stuck with it.

He issued a small sigh in the empty room that echoed off the walls softy filling the room with a sense of grim resignation. That is how the night had begun, and that would have been enough. Yet there was more. There would always be more.

Jack rose, and walked over to the throne. He snickered to himself that Bryanna, one who claimed to hate being praxis holder, had put a throne in the meeting hall. It seemed horribly out of place. He ran is fur covered fingers over is hard wood surface, leaving a trail of freezing moisture. He would never sit in it, but he could not bring himself to remove it. It was hers. He retrieved his no-daichi which had been left behind the opulant chair, and removed it from its sheath. Beautifully crafted, and perfectly balanced, it had been a gift from a nearby brujah who seemed to have a thing for him.

It would have been wrong to deny such a marlvelous blade, but at the same time, accepting it had sent the wrong message to her. Jack sighed again. Long gone was the morbid eagerness he had felt weilding such a blade, one crafted to withstand great strength. It was a tool for death, now only made more potent by an offer of a visiting prince. Jacks brow wrinkled. What WAS he up to?

"Prince Jack-" Prince Valentine had begun, but Jack cut him off.
"My recent ...appointment, has not changed my preference to be called by my first name." Jack said, slightly annoyed. Frankly he wasn't ready to be called that just yet.

"Jack then.." he replied slightly taken aback "I wish to discuss something with you." Valentine leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I have an offer for you that you will find most agreeable." Jack listened silently, astonished at what was said next.

"I have in my ability to make your weapons more ...potent against our kind. I wish to enchant you blade in this manner." Valentine said bluntly. Jack paused before speaking.

"That is a rather large thing to offer Christopher" Jack replied and Valentine winced at being referred to by his first name. He did not comment on it though, it was clear on his face he knew Jack not only could tear him to peices, but also held more standing than he did. Clearing his face he listened to Jack continue. "What is it you would wish in return?"

"Nothing." Valentine answered flattly.

"Bullshit" Jack scoffed a little louder than he had intended, drawing a great many eyes and more than likely more than one set of supernaturally attuned ears. "An offer like that, could get you killed, and you want me to believe that you want nothing?" Jacks eyes narrowed. "Do not mistake me for a fool." Valentine held his hands up either apologetically, or to ward off an anticpated attack, Jack was not sure which.

"I apologize, and yes, you are right.." Valentine paused. "I do need something." He hesitated before continuing. "I am a Tremere Prince. This is frowned upon by my ...Family. I suspect they will come to make me relinquish it, and I would hope that you and Prince Vespasian would stand with me." Jacks eyebrows raised.

"What did Victora say?" Jack asked cautiously
"Oh she agreed readily. She accepted a similar offer from me." Valentine said happily. Jack inwardly groaned. She's a dead woman he thought to himself.

"I will consider your offer" Jack said slowly. "That is all I can do at this point." Valentine nodded contentedly seemingly assured that Jack would go along with it. Bloody fool.

Jack shook his head and removed his thoughts from Valentine. That hadn't been the only notable event that evening. Half of the Mobile court.. all brujah swore to assist him, in all things. He wondered if they might be seeking refuge from the storm they sense coming. He accepted their honorable offer, made it known to them that they were welcome in his home whenever they wished. They seemed relieved. Something to ponder, to be sure. They got to put thier loyalty to the test, when one of thier clan, but not of thier city, began an altercation with a visiting Elder Toreador. Jack had never really been one for standing but this pup was taking it to far. Morgan, the speaker for her clan who had made the offer to him, looked to him and Jack simply nodded.

Jack had to give the Brujah from Mobile credit. They were efficient. And fast. The situation was handled in seconds, leaving the offender unconcious. "What do you want me to do with him?" she asked him still held by her bloodlust. Jack looked at her for a long moment, vaguely disturbed. Have I ever looked like that? he wondered.
"He is yours. Teach him or ash him. I leave it to you." Jack said quietly and walked off. He spent the rest of the night avoiding as many of his "guests" as he could. That turned out to be difficult as there were more than 30. Most of the remainder of the evening went without incident. Aside from one confused call from Victoria, asking why he had abandoned her as her warder, it wasn't entirely unpleasant. Well, Jack thought.. there was one more thing.

Mrs. Sumner, yes the wife to be, of Quasimodo's grandchilder (least thats what he claims), caught him in one of the few moments he had managed to get alone.

"Why Jack, may I trouble you for a moment of your time?" Her deep south accent was thicker today than usual. Jack wondered why the facade. Suddenly he stopped and snickered at himself. Why not? after all he had one. Why couldn't she?
"Did ah do somethin' funny Jack?" She asked somewhat offended. He didn't care.

"No, Acelin you did not." She winced at her name. And looked at him a long moment. "What is it I can do for you Harpy Sumner?" He finally asked, just wanting some time alone.
"Ah, I want to ask for residence in your city" she said dropping all hint of an accent. Jack smirked. Did she realize the trouble that Pensacola was in? Did she see that death probably laid in wait for all of them? Jack smoothed his features.

"I would be honored to have one such as you in my Domain" Jack replied, and made note of her shoulders slumping in relief. "Consider your self Acknowledged here." I don't trust you one bit, he thought to himself. Your friends close, as they say..

Eventually, the assembled kindred all went about there way, FINALLY leaving Jack alone. And for the first time that night... he smiled sincerely. Jack looked down realizing he was still holding his sword. Grimacing he sheathed it and put it back behind the throne. This prince thing was not his cup of tea, yet he would make the best of it.. and perhaps even learn something. He wished Lexi were here. Or Billy. Hell, he'd take JOHN at this point... just someone who would let him be himself, and cut out all the bullshit. He sighed once more, and glanced about the room as if looking for hidden figures in the shadows. Seemingly satisfied he reached behind the daiz and pulled out, of all things, an easle and canvas.

Smiling softly to himself and tapping his chin thoughtfully, he tried to draw up some inspiration. He grinned
"Hmmm" he mumbled "How bout something 'earthy'" and cracked open the small glass jar containing "Marble Grey".

Out to Sea

2003-10-09T19:18:57Z

Jack looked out over the bow at the oncomming storm and grinned. "The Ugly Duckling" as he decided to name her, handled better than he could have hoped for. Billy had been right about a great many things. Not everything though.

Billy had noticed the change in Jack and questioned him endlessly as to its source. His answer to most of the inquisition had been a smile and a shrug.. but Billy had survived more than 7 centuries for a reason.

"You talk about this Lexi like she walks on water Jack." He looked stern. "You lost you witt over a girl havn't you?" It didn't SOUND like a question.

"Not lost it William.. it just took a vacation. I got a crush ok?" me shook his head at his old friend. "I feel better than I ever have, ever thought I could and only the smallest most infintesimal part has anypart to do with her. I like talking to her." Billy regarded him for a while,then nodded

"You should tell her"
Jack blinked in surprise, "why the hell would I do that?! she has suitors left and right, one of which I remind you is the only guy I am more scared of than YOU." Jack shook his head again. "Besides, there is no reason too. Not like I want to get with her. I just like her more than I thought I could."

"Jack, tell her, or I will" Billy looked at him levely. Jack sighed. This was the last thing he needed. He liked Lexi to be sure, but it was a passing infatuation. Jack COULD feel that way though which meant more than anything to him. It meant that even with his heart god knows where, he could still feel. THAT meant he was on the right path, to Balance.

Jack pulled himself from his musing long enough to correct his path.. strong winds from the east, pushing the storm inland. He did not want to miss this chance to put The Duckling to the test. He grinned with boyish anticipation.

He HAD told her, he could see the reaction on her face. He didn't let on though. Better to play dumb and cool it. Keep her as a friend. She didn't understand he told her for HIM. Not her. Jack found that new things came to him when he did things he never would... and admitting something like that, well he would never have done that before. Lex could SEE him. A fact that scared the hell out of him. Still, she made him think, and knew a damn bit about everything. Fun to talk to, and he didn't have to worry about keeping up a facade. Jack grimaced at the thought that perhaps Billy's advice could cost him the comfortable friendship he shared with Lex. Still, it was something he learned from.

And that was good.

The winds were fierce now, blowing his braids horizontal behind him. A sense of elation filled him as the storm grew closer. Any time now. The surf battered the small shallow hulled craft and rocked it violently. All the while Jacks idiot smile growing bigger and bigger. He put Lex and that situation in the back of his mind. It wasn't that big a deal after all. She's a smart girl. She'd figure it out.

Jack howled as he entered the storm bow first, A flat wall of hard rain slamming against his fur covered body with the force of a hammer. "Show me what you got, All Mother." He said through gritted teeth, still grinning.