regency au } { of confrontations and plans in action

[theloophole]

Jason: [the next afternoon, Ben ends up in the sword-fighting ring with Gregor. The battle is fierce, and every minute, Gregor looks up at Claudia and smirks before looking at where Jason is sitting. It doesn't take a moment for Jason to figure out what's going on as he watches where Gregor's attention is, and how hard the knight is going after Ben with each swing of the sword. When Gregor gets a hit on Ben's leg, the sound of the bone breaking in his leg makes the audience gasp. Ben falls down, but Gregor doesn't stop.] Hope! [he yells as he vaults over the fence, picks up Ben's sword and blocks the next blow from hitting his intended's brother.]

Rafael: [he and Jed were lingering close to the ring and the two wolves leap into action to protect their alpha's mate. Jed reaches under the rungs to pull Ben out of the line of fire while Rafael brings his own sword to bear to stop the fight]

Marcel: [also gets to his feet, making his way down from the lord's box] What the hell was that?

Gregor: [glaring at Jason, the promise of pain in his eyes before he backs down, dropping his sword] Just the adrenaline, my lord. My apologies. [he looks away from Jason to face Marcel]

Jason: [inches back, moving to check on Ben] You okay?

Ben: [nods, still in pain but can feel the leg healing] I will be. Thank you, Lord Walters.

Marcel: [even if Marcel wasn't aware of Jason's situation, he doesn't think he would buy the adrenaline made me do it defense. Not for a seasoned knight of Gregor's caliber. Rafael stays in place in front of his lord, blade not as high but still at the ready] If you can't control your adrenaline, perhaps you shouldn't be in the ring at all.

Gregor: It won't happen again, my Lord.

Marcel: See that it doesn't. This is intended to be a celebration, after all. [and he will let that sit for a moment before placing a hand on Rafael's shoulder for him to stand down]

Rafael: [does, but doesn't take his eyes off of Gregor until Marcel is clear]

Gregor: Of course. My apologies. [and there will be one last glare at Jason, then he will leave the ring and rejoin the rest of his knights.]

Jason: [finally lowers the sword, then turns and kneels down next to Ben] We need to get you back to your tents. Everyone heard that bone break.

Ben: [huffs, but he knows better than to act nonhuman in public] I see what you meant about him being brutal.

Jed: Lean on me, that way people don't suspect.

Ben: [which he will do, making sure to look like he's in a lot of pain as they walk]

Jason: [following them] I'm pretty sure this is going to be the catalyst to get him to kill me. I just don't understand why he chose you to attack like that.

Jed: Aren't you spending most of your time making eyes at his sister? [Jed Tien, here to state the obvious]

Jason: I've been doing my best not to while here. [but now he's worried.] I'm going to go check on her just to be safe. You'll be okay?

Ben: Go, I'll be fine. [because big brother is worried too now]

Jed: [nods] I'll get him to his tent and stand watch until Hope arrives to place some wards.

Jason: Thank you. [and he's going to quickly make his way back to check on Claudia, but he won't make it. Instead as he is passing an alley between buildings, a pair of rough hands shoot out and grab him-one around his mouth, the other around his chest to trap his arms. He's dragged back into its depths before being slammed against a wall. The hand from his mouth goes to his throat, cutting off his air supply and he looks down at an angry Gregor. He tries to struggle, but he receives a punch to his gut in return.]

Gregor: Who do you think you are, interrupting my match and humiliating me like that? [another punch to Jason's gut and he squeezes his neck tighter, damaging his vocal cords] You wear the dressings of a noble, but I'm your superior and you're just a pile of horseshit on my boot. [he throws Jason across the alley, hitting his head and breaking an arm as he slumps onto the filthy ground]

Landon: [like the canary in the coal mine he is designed to be, Landon doubles over from the punch to the gut. Hope catches him as he reaches out] Something's wrong. [then his head snaps back, and his arm twists in a nauseating break]

Hope: [eyes widen and turns to Josie] Get him out of here. Claudia - [but when she turns Claudia is gone, instinct warring against sense and chasing Jason's scent through town]

Jason: [he tries to fight back, refusing to just let himself be beaten to death like this, but once his other arm is purposefully broken, he can't do much more than keep from screaming out in pain or refusing to let Gregor see him break.]

Gregor: [he's caught up in a rage now, kicking and punching Jason, trying to break him. He pulls out his belt and starts whipping him, and when that doesn't work, Gregor kicks Jason onto his back, straddling his legs to keep him from kicking as he pulls out a knife] Now that that's done, one finally thing. [he places the knife above Jason's heart and presses it in slowly] The Queen sends her regards. And don't worry about your little whores - I'll take good care of them.

Jason: [it's not a direct cut into his heart, but instead around it so that Gregor can take the heart back to the Queen. It's slow, and painful, and he can only give strangled cries as darkness slips into the edges of his vision]

Claudia: [the smell of blood hits her just as she rounds the corner and the cry is torn from her like a snarl] No! [but since Gregor already knows she's a wolf, she doesn't bother to hide it, eyes glowing gold in the darkness of the alley]

Gregor: [looks up and smirks darkly] You're too late, sweetie, but don't worry, I have plans to help you through your grief.

Claudia: [knows that she needs to let them see this through, but she also needs to sell it. She closes the rest of the distance, and goes to grab him by the throat (10)] Does it involve me tearing your throat out? Because I bet that wouldn't even change the color of my eyes.

Gregor: [and since he knows she is a wolf and that this would probably happen, she'll notice a very distinct wolfsbane smell from his skin, burning her hand] You can try. [but he gets a 9 on strength so she does manage to grab him and move him away from Jason]

Jason: [he can't see her through the pain and impending blackness, but he hears her voice and tries to tell her to run, but he can only get out a garbled version of it. His heartbeat is starting to become sporadic as he bleeds out from the cutting already done]

Claudia: [she does recoil from the burn, delicate wolf princess that she is, but it only makes her angrier. So she does the ladylike thing and knees him in the junk instead, with the layers of her dress protecting her skin (20)] Oh, I bet I'll do more than try. [and with a 15, she's picking up another scent on the wind, a familiar one that she just let exists in the periphery for now]

Gregor: [he's a knight and is armored down in that area, but she is a werewolf and it still hurts. He cusses and pulls out his knife out of Jason's chest, going for her instead (19)]

Jason: [and the knife leaving his chest cuts the last part of his heart that was still holding on, and there will be three beats... two beats.. one... and then stillness as he fades away]

Claudia: [she hears it, the sound as it fades, and it's enough to distract her, the knife sinking in somewhere soft and obvious (1). She lets out a small cry of distress, whether it's the death or the stabbing, hard to say. she stumbles backwards, collapsing into the wall of the alley but her hands scramble, claws scratching against his armor to pull him down with her. hope that knife didn't have wolfsbane on it]

Gregor: [nope, just covered in Jason's heart blood, stabbed straight into her own chest. The knights armor of the time is made to withstand most things from slicing into it, so there will be scratches but nothing else. He'll move to stand over her, chuckling as he reaches over to grab her face] How does it feel, knowing you failed to save him? Let me see what it is about you that enticed him so. [and yeah, he's going to try and rip at her dress (11)]

Claudia: [snarls as she tries to shove him off her, but suddenly footsteps sound behind them]

Anastacia: [she's been watching the proceedings all morning, doing her best to stay out of sight. but when Jason dies and Claudia goes down, she knows she can't continue to stay hidden. She reaches forward, grabbing him by the hair and yanking his head back (19)] You know, I've been waiting a long time to do this. [and if she has his head in place, she spins the blade in her hand jamming it straight into his jugular (15).]

Gregor: [oh he had no idea she was coming (1) and she nails him. He starts to gurgle, dropping his knife and trying to grab at Anastacia (7)]

Anastacia: [she slips out of his grip (11), stepping back and holding out a hand to Claudia to help her to her feet. but her eyes remain on Gregor, intending on enjoying watching his very last breath] Are you alright?

Claudia: [pulls out the knife, and takes the hand, helping her to her feet] I'll heal. Thank you.

Gregor: [and since she nailed him, his aorta is severed and he will die pretty quickly compared to Jason's slow death]

Anastacia: [sneers] That was faster than he deserved. [glances over to Claudia as her face flickers with the loss of her friend] Please tell me that was part of the plan.

Claudia: It was. Sort of. [she looks down at the blood covering both of them] Neither of us can go out like this. We need to let Hope know where to find us.

Anastacia: I'm cleaner than you are, and I know how to move without being seen. I'll go find her. Stay with the bodies.

Liam: [not long after she leaves, Liam rushes into the alley] Claudia! Your brother sent me to find you. Are you...? [and then he sees the dead bodies and blinks] What happened?

Claudia: [she's dropped to her knees next to Jason at this point, tears streaking down her cheeks as she looks up at her cousin-in-law] Our plan worked a little too quickly.

Liam: [and he will inspect Gregor a moment, but there's no care for him. He's seen how brutal a knight he can be, and he did just hurt his cousin in the ring. So he'll kneel down near Claudia] You had a plan to kill him? I thought you liked him...

Claudia: [she reaches for Jason's hand, pulling down the glove and showing Liam the phoenix brand on it] We cast a spell. Bound him to a phoenix friend of Hope's. We were trying to help him escape.

Liam: [nods, because that makes a lot of sense to him] Like Lord Parrish. Well, he'll only be like this for a few hours before he burns. We should probably get him somewhere far away from here. Then I can get the town guards to clean up that mess. [indicating Gregor]

Claudia: Wait. Gregor said something about the Queen asking for his heart. [she knows enough to know she didn't mean it metaphorically] His will burn. We'll need a substitute. Anastacia went to get Hope, but I think she'll take care of the rest.

Liam: [thinks] I could check the morgue, but they would notice it missing. [looks at Gregor] Think his would work?

Claudia: [she nods] That's what I was thinking. It would be quite ironic.

Liam: Alright. Give me a moment. [and to save Anastacia the time and ruining her clothes, Liam will use his strength to cut down through the ribs and extract the heart. He looks for a rag on Gregor's person to wrap it in.] Bigger than I expected.

Claudia: I wouldn't have been surprised if you found none at all. [she gently lifts a hand, running it along Jason's temple while she waits]

Liam: [and when the heart is wrapped and left on Gregor's chest, he'll return to Claudia's side] I guess this is why Ben sent me out of everyone. I know what it's like to wait for a phoenix to come back.

Claudia: [blinks away tears] I wasn't supposed to be here. But Landon started showing symptoms and ... I couldn't not.

Liam: He won't remember any of this. Parrish would not remember at least a few hours before he died. The doctors thought it was due to the brain starting to die while it waited for rebirth.

Claudia: I hope that's true. Landon didn't mention anything about memory loss. In fact, he claims to remember where he goes when he's dead.

Liam: Maybe Landon was made differently.

Claudia: Uncle Jordan was made?

Liam: Yeah. The doctors were trying to make creatures that they could control. They had this source... it was a black sludge pit. I watched a lot of humans die before Parrish while they tried. Then they kept killing him, over and over again to see if he would come back. His cage was next to mine, and I'd be the one there to help him when he woke up.

Hope: .... What did you say about a black sludge pit? [that's not the topic at hand, but Hope seems visibly startled by the mention of it. But then Anastacia falls in step next to her, eyeing the heart on Gregor's chest]

Anastacia: Is that for her Majesty?

Claudia: [she wipes her eyes] We thought it would be appropriate.

Anastacia: I love it. Can't wait to see the look on her face.

Liam: We were talking about how Lord Parrish became a Phoenix.

Hope: [considers, then nods once] We shouldn't discuss this here, and we should wait until Landon is awake. I'll call Marcel to deal with Gregor's body, but we should get Jason to the bayou. [she unfurls one cloak over Jason's body, before passing one to Claudia] Hopefully we'll be able to do this quickly.

Liam: [nods to the heart] It's Sir Gregors, but Claudia said you could use it in place of Lord Walters for something?

Anastacia: [she nods] I can tell her Majesty it's Jason's. If Gregor's body disappears for good, I'll just let her wonder. Forever.

Liam: I don't know anyone who will miss him. [he turns to look at Hope] I can carry him, if you wish. Ben asked me to help.

Hope: [nods] Thank you. I'll show you the way.

Landon: [and as they handle that, the two boys wake up standing on the dock of a lake. It's dark, but it's always dark in limbo, and Landon steps away from the wooden slats, scanning the landscape to look for a comfortable place to sit, before trying to get Jason's attention] Jason?

Jason: [his eyes are just blinking, since it's his first time here. He's adjusting to not feeling any pain, the darkness, and the idea that he died. But when Landon calls his name, he looks over] Landon?

Landon: [he smiles] Welcome to Limbo.

Jason: [he looks around, actually taking in where he is as he wanders over to sit next to Landon] Is it always like this?

Landon: [nods] The ferryman isn't always terrifying and imposing, but she finds that people try to take advantage of her less if she looks like a skeleton on fire. [in the distance, through the fog, they can see the lantern of her boat as she rows her way back to shore]

Jason: And I'm not getting on the boat. [nods, then thinks] She won't force us, will she?

Landon: [shakes his head] I don't think she can. Peace is something you have to earn. There are coins you receive once you're ready.

Jason: So does everyone show up here first? I mean... what about people going to Hell? Is there a separate boat for them?

Landon: Hell has a separate master. Lynn says he's a powerful psychic, who intends to punish those who deserve it. But according to her, it seems to be a recent phenomenon. [he points back over his shoulder, and if Jason looks he can see that they are not the only ones on the beach, and just over the ridge, there's what looks a tavern] But some require more coins than others. They must stay until they resolve their unfinished business, and some of it may involve people who aren't here.

Jason: You don't think Gregor would be over there? [because he doesn't need a post-death beating]

Landon: I can't say either way. But from what I've seen of the man, it's highly possible Cade got to him first.

Jason: ... The psychic person?

Landon: [nods] His name is Arcadius. But Lynn calls him Cade.

Jason: You know, I'm actually surprised he didn't take me.

Landon: Well, for one you're not technically fully dead. But for two - there is a difference between people who do things out of desperation and true evil. My father is evil. Gregor, definitely evil. But you? You don't strike me as evil. You just strike me as someone without a lot of good choices. So someone who would need maybe a few more coins, but Peace is still within reach.

Jason: The only peace I want right now is just to be with Claudia, somewhere far from court politics and espionage. Somewhere that I can feel as though I have control.

Landon: When we get back, I'm sure Hope will do whatever it takes to make sure you have it. She's a force of nature that way.

Jason: She has a good heart. She's completely scary, and I don't scare easy, but a good heart.

Landon: Oh, yes. She is terrifying, especially if are trying to hurt those she loves. I hope that Ben loves her as well as she deserves.

Jason: From what I've overheard, he does. He's just afraid of her magic one day consuming her and taking away the girl he loves.

Landon: [he shakes his head] It isn't magic he should worry about. Magic is neutral. What matters is how it's used, and the thing that will inevitably consume Hope is her anger and grief, not her power. [a pause] Honestly, he shouldn't worry, because if she does break, it would be because he's not here to see it.

Jason: Has anyone that is not Hope tried to explain that to him?

Landon: I don't know. I don't know if Hope is even aware he feels this way. She hasn't mentioned it to me.

Jason: I believe the term I've heard is emotionally stunted. He doesn't know how to speak what he feels. And from other sources, he has his own issues with anger.

Landon: [nods] Well, Hope is powerful, but she is not psychic. She won't know how he feels until he says it. I just hope he manages to find the courage before it's too late to take it back.

Jason: Perhaps another witch can give them that psychic ability. Perhaps as a wedding gift as it would come in handy for their marriage.

Landon: [laughs] I think werewolves have something for that, actually. But ideally they should discuss it before they're in each other's heads for the rest of their lives.

Jason: I concur. [thinks] I take it this is something I should expect when I marry Claudia, then. This wolf psychicness?

Landon: It's called a mate bond. I don't know all of the gory details, but once it is complete, you'll be able to feel what she is feeling and vice versa. Sense when she's in trouble, that sort of thing.

Jason: Interesting. [he looks out at the river for a bit] How long does this part take?

Landon: I'm told a few hours but time can move differently here. We could go get a drink if you'd like.

Jason: [blinks, then looks over his shoulder] Seriously?

Landon: Not much else to do while we wait.

Jason: [nods] Seeing as how my day has gone, I could use a drink.

Landon: That's the spirit. [and off they will go to the tavern while back in the real world, Hope has gotten them all to a safe house in the bayou where things are quiet. Claudia has not left Jason's side and likely will not until he wakes]

Parrish: [and after Liam returns to the Hale camp, Parrish volunteers to check on Claudia. Which is why he'll approach the safe house in a long, brown cloak to hide his appearance, and knock on the door]

Hope: [opens the door a crack to check and make sure it's someone safe, before stepping aside] Lord Parrish. Come in.

Parrish: Thank you. [and he'll enter and remove his cloak] How is everyone?

Hope: Holding up as best can be expected. But as far as we can tell, the spell is working. These things just take time. [a beat] Though I suppose I don't have to tell you that.

Parrish: [chuckles] No, you don't though this is a first for me, seeing another Phoenix return to life. I only know what others have told me I do.

Hope: [nods, before gesturing to Claudia] She and Jason are over there, if you wish to see her. But ... when all this is said and done, I think Landon and I would both like to speak with you about Malivore.

Parrish: [blinks] How do you know about Malivore?

Hope: Because I'm one if the ones who destroyed him.

Parrish: [he pauses, his shoulders stiffen] You destroyed him?

Hope: I was born to. Literally. And I don't like to disappoint. Though I don't think I did it in the way that was expected. [a beat] You've been told of my nature, yes? Wolf, vampire and witch all in one?

Parrish: Yes, I'm aware. You'd be surprised at how fast word travels when you live in a house of Hales.

Hope: Malivore was created from the blood of a witch, a vampire and a werewolf. My blood is was designed to be the loophole, the thing to destroy it. But in order to do that I would have to die and become a vampire and there was a high chance I was going to have to kill one of my dear friends as a result. [she looks over at Landon] So we found another way. But I do promise you, he is well and truly gone. Landon is all that remains of him and he is not capable of the horrors his father wrought.

Parrish: [deep breath and sighs] You mean our father.

Hope: [eyebrow raise] So you're like Clarke then?

Parrish: No, I'm not. I'm... I don't know, honestly. I only know what Liam told me, and what I discovered about a decade ago when I went back to try and learn more about who I am.

Hope: [nods] Malivore was capable of passing abilities from one person to another. We learned that later on. But it isn't always stable.

Parrish: I don't remember a lot of my early life before the cage. Liam was in the cage next to me, and he could see the pit and what they did to me. It was more than just Malivore during my making.

Hope: I see. He was not without his acolytes either. Do you know if they still live?

Parrish: No, I don't. They had a name, though. Dread Doctors. There were three of them. A Triad.

Hope: Just like the triad that created him. [she's just going to put tack down dread doctors on her to do list] Can I ask where they kept you?

Parrish: It was an island, between Norway and the mainland of Europe.

Hope: Can you show me on a map?

Parrish: I can. Do you want to wait until Landon's awake for that?

Hope: [nods] He'll want to go with me. Likely Ben as well.

Parrish: I'm sure. Oh, Ben wanted me to let you know that he's doing okay, but bored now because he has to fake a broken leg, can't compete, and you're all out here while he's stuck with his worried parents who're using him to substitute for their worries on what's happening with Claudia.

Hope: [laughs with a fond smile] I will make it up to him once they wake.

Jason: [and speaking of that... someone's starting to smoke]

Landon: [so is Landon and Claudia jumps back as both bodies are slowly consumed by flame]

Parrish: [and he'll move into the room, watching carefully and putting an arm on Claudia's shoulder. He doesn't speak, but his eyes glow orange in the light of the flames]

Claudia: [waits as the body burns away and a new one appears but unlike her uncle, the boys seem to be able to keep their clothes.]

Landon: [comes to with a groan and smiles softly when he sees josie's face] That could have been worse.

Josie: [she laughs] That's not very comforting.

Jason: [and he's going to take a moment longer, sitting up and rubbing at his face... which has changed a bit as his nose is back in the position it would have had before the multiple times it was broken. Same with his jaw. And it's not the ash in his hair that is making it a darker, dirty blonde shade. But the bright blue eyes turn to look at Claudia and he smiles] Hey.

Claudia: Hi. How do you feel?

Jason: Confused. Tired. [looks around] Where are we?

Claudia: The bayou. Hope's mother said we could stay here while we waited, and you should be safe here until the tournament passes and everyone moves on.

Jason: [nods, then looks up] Lord Parrish?

Parrish: [crouches down] Lord Walters. Are you doing okay?

Jason: I think so. But I'm not sure you should be calling me that anymore. Lord Walters is dead.

Claudia: There's time to figure things out. Right now you should just rest. There are actual beds upstairs, now that you won't be bursting into flame again.

Jason: [looks down at himself, still sitting in his own ashes] Is there a bath I could take first?

Hope: [nods] There should be a bathroom next to the bedchambers.

Claudia: [nods and goes to help him up and take him upstairs]

Jason: [and he'll follow, his mind still clouded between limbo and the now, struggling to remember what led to him dying] What happened to Gregor?

Claudia: He's dead. Anastacia killed him and she's taking his heart back to the Queen in place of yours.

Jason: I hope she made him suffer. [and he'll rub at his hair] I didn't think ash would itch.

Claudia: Not enough for her taste, but efficiency was important at the time.

Jason: Oh. [blink] Wait, you were there?

Claudia: I was. He had overpowered me. That's why she had to end things quickly.

Jason: Claudia, I asked you to stay away!

Claudia: Yes, you did, but someone needed to be there to make sure he didn't catch on to our ruse and I was the one that was available. [and it had absolutely nothing to do with her feelings]

Jason: [sighs and lowers his head] He could have killed you. Who would have been waiting for me if he did that?

Claudia: He didn't. I'm fine. [she's likely changed into a clean dress so he can't even call her a liar because she's wearing a lot of blood]

Jason: But he could have! [and that's fear in his eyes] He could have.

Claudia: [she reaches for him and cups his face in her hands] But he didn't. And now he is dead instead of realizing that your heart has turned to ash in his hand.

Jason: [and his emotions are all over the place and he just leans into her hands, then into her]

Claudia: [pushes up on her toes and winding her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and letting him stay there as long as he needs]

Jason: [some of the memories are coming back from his death and it's just a lot of trauma to deal with all at once]

Claudia: [she knows. but she'll hold him as long as he needs - she's not going anywhere after she fought so hard to get him free]

Jason: [yeah, that's going to take awhile because he hasn't let himself break and be this vulnerable in a very long time but Claudia is his safe place. But he's also exhausted and still really dirty] Can we just... get to the room?

Claudia: [she pulls back and nods, before leading him the rest of the way to the bedroom. Unlike the ornate rooms of other lords manors, the rooms here are fairly simple, but the bed is comfortable and the light is nice, despite being in the swamp]

Jason: I need to get this stuff off me. [and he's going to start taking his upper outer layers off]

Claudia: [starts to take them from him] I'll go see if they have some clean clothes.

Jason: [he nods and goes to find a water basin to just towel wash the ash off. As he removes his undershirt, still torn and stained with his blood, he realizes that the skin underneath is soft and smooth without a single scar. He goes to find a looking glass and sees the changes to his face and, when he turns, the unblemished planes of his back]

Claudia: [they had brought spare clothes just in case, so she finds the ones in Jason's size, before knocking lightly on the door when she returns] Jason?

Jason: [he blinks and looks away from his reflection] You can enter - I'm still decent.

Claudia: [she does, closing the door behind her and moving past to place the clothes on the bed, trying not to let her eyes linger on the planes of his skin] Clean clothes. Is there anything else you'd like me to take?

Jason: No. [he's going to grab a soft shirt and shrug it on so she isn't uncomfortable] It shouldn't take me long with finish. You can stay, if you wish. I can go behind a screen or something. [aka please don't leave him alone with his own thoughts]

Claudia: [nods and goes to sit in one of the nearby chairs] Of course.

Jason: [and he'll grab the wet washcloth and the soft sleep pants before going behind the screen to clean and change] I didn't think this process would remove the old damage to my body. It's strange.

Claudia: Oh. No, every time a phoenix dies, their body is reborn with them. It's why my uncle doesn't have any real scars despite his years of jousting.

Jason: It's strange to look at. I had some of those scars for a long time. I don't even remember the last time my hair was this color.

Claudia: [tips her head to look at it] I like it, though.

Jason: [and he has his pants up and comes back around the screen] My mother isn't going to recognize me at first.

Claudia: I think she will. You're still her son.

Jason: [and he's going to sit on the edge of the bed, looking at her] I'm sorry for breaking down in the hallway...

Claudia: You died, Jason. I would have been concerned if you didn't.

Jason: He's beaten me before, but never like that. He said the Queen ordered it.

Claudia: You think she ordered him to get rid of you?

Jason: If she knew I was thinking of leaving, or that my loyalties were divided... I know too much for her to keep me alive.

Claudia: Well, as far as she's aware, you're dead.

Jason: Let's hope it stays that way then. [he's going to hold out a hand for her]

Claudia: [and she will take it, moving to where he wants her] We have lots of options for hiding. We never have to go back to England again.

Jason: [Presses his forehead to her knuckles. He's still a bit warm] I wouldn't mind staying here, at least for awhile.

Claudia: [nods, running her fingers of her free hand through his hair] We can stay as long as you want.

Jason: My mother plans to move to the village outside Hale Manor when she learns of my "death" so she can be near Patience. So it'll be easy to see her again with the rest of your family.

Claudia: Good. I think that will be good for Patience too.

Jason: I do too. [and he'll look up at her] What do you want?

Claudia: I just want you. Everything else we can figure out with time.

Jason: [and his free hand will stroke her cheek] I am perfect with that... as long as it is always with you.

Claudia: Good. Is there anyone else we need to worry about beyond the Queen?

Jason: Probably a dozen lords I've wronged over the years, and the few obsessed with me. But most won't leave England, so just more reason never to return there.

Claudia: We'll need a list of the ones that will. To ensure that they aren't invited to things that could compromise you.

Jason: [nods] I'll do that soon. Right now, I'm just exhausted.

Claudia: Then get some rest. I'll stay with you.

Jason: Thank you. [and he'll carefully push himself up the bed curling up under a blanket]

Claudia: [and she will sit there with him up against the headboard, gently running her fingers through his hair. Eventually she will probably doze off herself]

Hope: [in the meantime, Hope will return to the city to check on her own intended and share the good news. She gives Jed a smile at the head of the tent before speaking into the mouth of it] May I come in?

Ben: [is sitting at his desk, leg hidden under a blanket on his lap, writing something. He'll hear her voice and look up, smiling] Yes, please come in.

Hope: [enters with a smile] Everything worked as intended. [she keeps her statement vague, just in case someone is listening but Ben should know her meaning]

Ben: [and he'll relax into his seat] Good. And how's my sister doing, visiting with your pack?

Hope: She seemed well but it was a long day. Perhaps we could visit tomorrow and you can see for yourself.

Ben: As long as I can find something to help me walk. Sadly, the leg is broken.

Hope: I think we can figure that out. I have a carriage to get us most of the way.

Ben: That should work perfectly.

Hope: Lovely. We have much to discuss, it would be good if we could do it all together.

Ben: It would. I'd also like to give my personal thanks to your men for helping me today in the ring.

Hope: Jed's still outside. But I'll make sure Rafael is there tomorrow as well.

Ben: [he'll reach out to take her hand] I wish you could stay, but it would be very improper.

Hope: It would, quite. But you could come back to the manor with me. Under the guise of comforting your sister after her very long day.

Ben: I should check on her, that's true.

Hope: If we wait a little longer, it'll be dark enough that we could slip away without too much fuss. Or I could make us invisible?

Ben: Invisible would work, for multiple reasons. [looking down at his leg]

Hope: [nods] Just let me know when you're ready to leave. I'll leave Jed here just in case.

Ben: I'm just writing a condolence letter to Lady Walters and my cousin Patience.

Hope: Take your time. [and she will go sit on the edge of the cot, looking around the tent and taking it in]

Ben: [and it won't take him long] My father says that these are skills I need to develop to help support you... being compassionate and giving spouses of soldiers who die in battle some closure and comfort in their grief.

Hope: [she nods] It's an important one. One my family has never been particularly good at. My father usually lent towards promises of vengeance.

Ben: My father is actually really good at it. Mom always said he had a way with words and that I get my poetic tendencies from him.

Hope: I get my art from my father too. He's not so good with words, but he can say a lot with a brush. [she smiles] I think it does them a disservice, to think of men as unfeeling walls of stone. It's never been my experience.

Ben: Same. The only one who's even close to that in my family is my great uncle Peter, and that's just a front that comes down around family.

Hope: That's all who needs to see it, I think. [smiles as he finishes] Are you ready?

Ben: [nods and pushes his chair back] Yes, the ink just needs to dry which will take awhile.

Hope: Will it be safe to leave them out while we're gone?

Ben: Yes, there's no graphic detail on what happened so they'd have no value to anyone who'd try and look at them.

Hope: Good. [and she holds out her hand to him] Invisique. [and with one word, they both disappear]

Ben: [and yay he can stand up and not fake a broken leg as they walk back to the manor]

Hope: [and she will let them in and lead up to her art room. the sun is setting, so its less blindingly bright than it would have been in the morning. She runs her fingers over one of the paintbrushes and she knows she shouldn't pry, but she would rather get ahead of it sooner rather than later] You know, Landon told me something interesting. About something Jason told him while they were in limbo together.

Ben: [and he'll find somewhere to sit for when the spell dissolves] Oh, what did he say?

Hope: That you don't like my magic?

Ben: [yeah, can he kill Jason again? He just takes a deep breath, leaning forward and looking at his hands] It's not that I don't like it. I mean, it's a part of you, and I love you for everything you are. But sometimes I worry that you love your magic more than me, and I'm afraid when you use the darker magics that it'll tempt you deeper into it and away from me. And I don't want to lose you like that.

Hope: I don't think you're the only one who has that fear. [there are adults, ones who knew her father who looked at her that way her entire life. Who ingratiated themselves to her, as though if by being closer they might be able to strike first when things inevitably went wrong] Not that I love magic more than them, but that I would become the villain my father was. I suppose I just hoped that you would trust me. [she is hurt, in a way, that she had to hear this through a third party, but Landon's loyalty is to her, and he wanted her to be prepared. but Hope has never been one to let things lie] But I don't love magic more than you. If you asked me to put it away and never touch it again, I would because it's not worth the cost of you. But ... I can't promise I would still be the same without it. And I do love it, so I would miss it.

Ben: [he gets up and walks over to her] I would never ask you to stop, Hope, and you're right, you wouldn't be the same. Just like you can't ask me to hold back my wolf instincts. It's a part of us. And I will never claim to understand magic like you do. I just know how my anger makes me a jerk sometimes and I'm afraid one day I'll snap and say something or do something under its influence that will destroy this between us. And I fear the same with that lure you feel to the dark magic.

Hope: That's the thing. You're putting the blame in the wrong place. [because it's not the magic that's the problem] Magic goes dark because it's fed by our intentions. By anger or grief or pain. And I have plenty of all of that. So I worry that you're putting the blame on this abstract thing called magic, to avoid pointing the finger at me and my choices.

Ben: I don't know... I still don't understand magic like you do. I'm trying to understand and learn still. And I've not had the kind of experience you have that leads to grief or pain, so there's also that. But I also know that a way to overcome fear is to understand the things that cause it, something I bet Jason didn't share. Its one of the reasons that I want to stay here after the tournament ends--so I can learn and see what life is like for you here. So I can understand these parts of you that you try and hide when you're at Hale Manor. I want to know and hear from your pack on what they've seen and experienced in the challenges that come at you when I haven't been around that lead to choices you make. Because while I'm afraid... I'm also not going to give up on us. I'm never going to give up on us.

Hope: [well that is very comforting. she nods with a small smile because being Hope Mikaelson has been a lot. but she wants to make sure he feels secure in how she feels for him] It is quite different being here, versus Hale Manor. Our packs handle things very differently. But we're doing this together. So if there is something that concerns you, I want you to tell me - before we seal our bond. Once we do, I don't want there to be any surprises or regrets. [but that being said] Also, I am glad you're staying because while there is more we will discuss tomorrow with the pack, we may be going on a trip. To the island where your uncle was held.

Ben: I'm trying, but everyone in my family keeps their feelings to themselves, myself included. I just need to be reminded that it's a bad habit. Perhaps we can figure out a method or routine between just us to check in on each other so if we're even unconsciously keeping something back from the other, we can make time to deal with them together? [and he blinks] My uncle Parrish?

Hope: [nods and smiles] I would like that. And yes. We discovered today that Landon's father might have also made Lord Parrish a phoenix as well. He can't say for sure whether or not Malivore's acolytes are still alive, but I would like to be sure.

Ben: Of course. I'm sure my uncle would want to be as well, especially to protect his own children from going through what he did.

Hope: [nods] Landon and Rafael will go as well, I'm sure. We'll decide tomorrow when we all meet, but I didn't want you to be blindsided.

Ben: How long does it take for a human's leg to heal?

Hope: Usually several weeks at least. But I think you'll only have to fake it for the length of the tournament - most of the people here are supernatural.

Ben: Oh, good. And this trip to the island will be after the tournament, I hope.

Hope: [nods] It would be rather rude if I ran out on a tournament celebrating me.

Ben: Yes, it would. Plus leaving your injured betrothed to run off with two men... [grins]

Hope: [laughs] What a scandal. Can't have that at all.

Ben: No, we can't. [and he'll close the distance between them and gently take her hands] I'm sorry for not speaking about my fears to you sooner. Are we okay?

Hope: [she nods] We are better than okay. [leans in to kiss him softly] I love you.

Ben: [and he will kiss her back, wrapping her up in his arms] I love you too.

Hope: I'm glad we're back on the same page.

Ben: Me too. [and he will just nuzzle against her cheek]

Hope: [and they will enjoy their evening together as Hope catches him up on the rest of the day]

Landon: [and in the meantime, back at the bayou Landon will just awkwardly make his way over, rubbing his hands against his legs] I had hoped that our meeting would have been under more ... normal circumstances. Not following Hope interrogating you about my father.

Parrish: I've come to the understanding that nothing in my life ever goes the way I would have hoped. [motioning for Landon to have a seat next to him] I've actually been looking forward to finally meeting you. Hope speaks highly of you.

Landon: Hope is too kind to the people he likes. But it's much better than being out of her favor, so I'll take it. [he sits] She's very much enjoyed her time at the Hale Manor.

Parrish: We try to keep a manor that is also a home where people can be comfortable to be themselves. You're welcome to come and visit any time you wish.

Landon: I would like that. I'm sure Hope intends to bring knights to your next tournament.

Parrish: I would hope so. [he takes a deep breath, because he doesn't want to dance around the black mudpit metaphorically in the room] I'm sure you've been told I don't remember a lot of my time on the island.

Landon: [nods] I was unaware of your connection to my father previously. But if you do not wish to speak of him, we don't have to. All he has ever brought me is pain, and I am quite content leaving him in the past.

Parrish: I understand. However, there's one thing you should know. One of the things I remember was the doctors. There were three of them, and they were trying to make their own monstrosities that could be the host body for Malivore. They called them chimeras--taking one creature and grafting an organ of another onto them so that they would be a hybrid. One would always be a witch, wolf, or vampire as they hoped to get around that loophole of who Malivore couldn't hurt.

Landon: [he nods] We tracked down the original bloodlines of the Triad in order to defeat him. Or the person, in the case of the vampire. I don't know if any of them were one of your doctors, but they helped us destroy him, for the most part willingly.

Parrish: Good. Just knowing he's gone is enough. [he thinks on how to say this next part] I was a chimera failure. I don't remember what I was, but Liam remembered that day enough where he watched me start to have this metallic goo start running from my eyes and mouth. I broke away from them, lost my balance, and fell into the pit.

Landon: [frowns] And Liam remembered you when you returned?

Parrish: [nods] He'd grown up on the island. He was bitten by a werewolf as a baby, and they were observing him as he aged. Our cages were next to each other. He said I walked out of the pit, my eyes glowing orange and flames rose from my skin. I tried to attack the doctors, but one of them snapped my neck. They watched my body, and three hours later I started the rebirth process.

Landon: But he remembers knowing you before - Malivore didn't erase his memories?

Parrish: No, he didn't. The doctors didn't either, and they thought perhaps it was because Malivore was making me into his vessel. I was never pushed back in, but since I went in dying and came out something else, they determined that Malivore remade me. Not like how his previous children were made from clay, but from his own body instead.

Landon: [nods. ah, okay, now he understands] I was more ... naturally created? My mother was thrown into Malivore, and when she emerged she was pregnant with me.

Parrish: Seeing the age difference between us, I think it's safe to say that he must have learned something from making me that he perfected in time to make you.

Landon: How comforting. [only not]

Parrish: It does, however, lead me to believe that we are brothers because of this.

Landon: You would certainly be an improvement over my last one.

Parrish: I assume you mean Clarke. I thought he had died.

Landon: Actually, he found a witch to turn him human.

Parrish: Huh. Has it made him less of a horse's ass?

Landon: Marginally. His wife is quite lovely.

Parrish: the last I saw him was after the birth of my second child. Said he was coming to check on Father's army. I told him even if my children were not werewolves, they would never serve him.

Landon: He really didn't have a choice. It was either follow orders or be consumed. But that didn't make him less irritating.

Parrish: [just nods] do you have anyone? Wife or child?

Landon: Not yet but hopefully one day. [and there's a glance towards Josie updating the wards on the other side of the room]

Parrish: [follows his line of sight and smiles] She seems lovely.

Landon: She is. Worth every insult her sister throws my way to try and test my mettle.

Parrish: I remember those days. It doesn't stop after marriage.

Landon: Oh I do not expect it to. The day Elizabeth Parker actually pays me a genuine compliment is the day we know she's been replaced with an imposter.

Parrish: [laughs] Well, I will leave it to you if you do want to officially be brothers. It would be nice to have family that is not a Hale, but more like me.

Landon: I would like that as well.

Parrish: Good. You'll also have an opportunity to meet your nephew and niece as well.

Landon: Which I would love to, but we probably shouldn't call them that to their face. At least until they get to know me better. [it's a little weird having a nephew and niece your own age]

Parrish: Fair point. [because Cora becomes Landon's sister in law and THAT is going to get awkward]

Landon: [exactly.] I also have been told I might be able to teach you a few things. Granted, I'm not ahead of you by much but I am currently figuring out how to properly fly.

Parrish: Flying? That's something I've never done. I'd also love to know how you get to keep your clothes. Mine always burn away.

Landon: That I can't tell you. I've never really had to think about it, that's just how it happens.

Parrish: Consider yourself lucky then.

Landon: It was certainly very merciful.

Parrish: [and they can continue to swap Phoenix antic stories]

Josie: [indeed. at least until Josie walks over, offering them a smile] The wards are secure. Lizzie will be by in a few hours to check on them, but I need to get back.

Landon: [nods] Let me escort you. I can go relieve Jed as well. I have a feeling he's been stuck watching Ben's tent for far too long. [turns back to Parrish] It was a pleasure to finally meet you.

Parrish: Same here. Let us share a meal before I need to return home.

Landon: I'll see what we can arrange. [and with that, he and Josie will head off, leaving Parrish with Claudia and Jason]

Parrish: [and once he's seen Claudia and let's her know that her parents were worried, he will slip back out and head home]

Jason: [a few hours into his sleep, he'll slip into a nightmare. A whine escapes from him as his hands fist and its as if he's trying to cower to whatever he was facing]

Claudia: [startles at the sound and reaches over to shake his shoulder gently] Jason. Jason wake up.

Jason: [her sudden touch makes him jump, moving out of the bed and into a defensive position before his brain awakens to register where he is]

Claudia: [keeps her distance, holding up her hands] It's just me. You were having a nightmare.

Jason: [he gulps, looking around, then at himself and how he's standing. He closes his eyes, then presses his palms into his forehead] I'm sorry.

Claudia: It's not your fault. [she pats the bed next to her, gesturing for him to come back] Come, sit with me.

Jason: [he'll come back, sitting on the bed's edge] It really was just a nightmare?

Claudia: [nods, reaching for his hand] Tell me what you saw.

Jason: [he'll put his hand out to her, settling it in the space between them] My last job. Before I came here.

Claudia: Can you tell me about it?

Jason: [he purses his lips, eyes closed] I've told you about the assassination side of my... previous job. But I don't think I told you about the other side.

Claudia: [shakes her head] No, I suppose not.

Jason: [and he looks up at the ceiling, because he already hates doing this. His hand comes back to wrap around himself] The Queen knew that some Lords couldn't be intimidated, and she didn't want them killed. So instead of being the devils, Anastacia and I were also sirens. Sometimes to get close to find secrets, and sometimes as a gift to those loyal to her who had particular perversions.

Claudia: [it takes her a second to realize all of the implications of that, and in the end all she can say is] .... Oh.

Jason: Before I arrived here for the tournament, I was a gift for a particular Lord who had brought the Queen a piece of art she had desired from Spain. [he stood up and walked toward the fireplace, rubbing his hand along his arms] It wasn't the first time, but he was obsessed with me and causing pain.

Claudia: [a protective flare of anger surges up inside her, but she swallows it down] He will never touch you again. I swear it.

Jason: He wasn't the only one. Far from it. [he turns back to face her, tense] That's why I can't ever return to England.

Claudia: [her face softens, not with pity necessarily] I don't care. [a beat because those are the wrong words] I mean, I care. But it doesn't change how I feel about you.

Jason: [nods, his eyes going to the floor now] It's why I can't... I don't... I've never... It's why I'm uncomfortable being touched by most people.

Claudia: Well, they shouldn't be touching you without permission in the first place.

Jason: [chuckles softly] True. It's also why, well, when we're together, I go from wanting to please you to not wanting to touch or be touched. I've been doing this part since I was twelve, and I don't know how... [yeah, it's getting awkward for him]

Claudia: [her face softens again] If you don't want to, we don't have to. I never want to make you feel that way. [a pause] And I am not skilled in these things that I know the answers anymore than you do. So perhaps this is something we learn together.

Jason: [he'll walk back over to kneel in front of her] Perhaps. I've got a lot of demons to purge from my soul. This is just one of many, and I'm not sure how you can look at me and not be repulsed right now.

Claudia: There's nothing wrong with you. [she doesn't care what he did before her. she only cares that he's loyal to her now] Would you be repulsed if the same had happened to me?

Jason: No, because I know what it's like to feel like this.

Claudia: Then why do you think so uncharitably of me? You didn't choose this.

Jason: No, but I think sometimes I enjoyed it.

Claudia: Well, under normal circumstances it's supposed to be pleasurable. I don't think that goes away.

Jason: I guess not. [and he'll lean forward, relaxing enough to rest his forehead on her knees] You know, you're much too good to me.

Claudia: [smiles softly, running her fingers through his hair] Says who?

Jason: Me. [sad chuckle as he inches closer, pushing into her touch] But I also don't know any better outside of my mother.

Claudia: I've always known the pack. I don't know what it's like to be alone, not truly. But I want you with me, as long as you want that too.

Jason: We don't have to be alone. In fact, as much as I like the idea of just the two of us forever... seeing how Hope's friends were willing to help me made me realize that beyond Anastacia, I've never actually had a friend.

Claudia: Would you like to stay in Orleans?

Jason: [looks up at her, then nods] Only if you'll be here too.

Claudia: I wouldn't mind staying here either. I think Ben likely could use someone to escape to as he adjusts to the rest of the pack.

Jason: Do you believe I may have earned some trust saving him from Gregor?

Claudia: I think so. I can't promise he won't still be Ben about things, but I don't think he's had nearly as much animosity to you as he had before.

Jason: It would be awkward if he loved me as a brother suddenly, that's for sure. [he takes her hands, kissing her fingers] I'm sorry though.

Claudia: For what?

Jason: [licks his lips, then offers a half smile] For not knowing how to be anything but dramatic. [he's trying to make a joke, but there are tears leaking from his eyes]

Claudia: [she laughs, but leans forward to kiss him] I like to make a statement. Can't have you questioning how I feel, now can we?

Jason: I've never questions your feelings towards me. Your sanity in having them though... [he wipes his tears away, truly smiling now]

Claudia: Wolves know what they want. It makes things easy. [not always, but sometimes] And even if I didn't love you the way I did, I would still want you to be free, Jason. No one should have to live like that.

Jason: Thank you. I'll spend the rest of our lives making sure you know how grateful I am to have found you, Claudia Stilinski.

Claudia: Hopefully it will be a very long one.

Jason: That is what I hope for. [he moves to get up and sit next to her in the bed, and reaches out to cup her cheek, his thumb stroking her cheek] I love you.

Claudia: [smiles as she leans into his hand] I love you too.

Jason: [and he will kiss her gently] We should get some more sleep.

Claudia: [nods] Do you still want me to stay?

Jason: [nods] If you don't mind. Perhaps in your arms, the nightmares will stay away?

Claudia: I will do my best.

Jason: [and they can slide up back into bed, and Jason has no problem being the one held as they go back to sleep]

Claudia: [and she will curl up with him and close her eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep again]