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[greatestdisappointment]

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[bynights]

[ easy prey. from the lips of any other hunter, elsa’s words would have undoubtedly sent a chill shuddering down jack’s spine — but, here and now, he only nods in agreement. in his experience, small towns were all too often a breeding ground for all kinds of darkness, supernatural or otherwise. it doesn’t surprise him in the slightest that this one, innocuous as it appears, may or may not be playing host to a cadre of demons.

at elsa’s behest, he follows her inside, all too content to allow her to take the lead. while she speaks to the hostess, he takes the opportunity to assess the dimly-lit dining room and its occupants. none of the other diners have spared them even a passing glance and, better still, jack doesn’t see anyone eating by themselves. good. that, coupled with the typical din of a busy restaurant in the middle of dinner service, probably means a very low chance of any curious ears picking up their conversation.

it’s not until they’re settled across from each other that jack finally turns his attention from his surroundings to the far more favorable option of his companion for the evening. despite the quick correction, her remark is enough to instantly brighten the smile that’s been playing on his lips, tension unspooling from his shoulders as he allows himself to relax. it’s so rare that he gets the opportunity, especially in such a public place — and, here and now, he certainly has reason enough to let his guard drop for a little while.

strange, to think that this is perhaps the safest he’s been in years, possibly even decades. there aren’t many people that he can trust like this — but he’s all too happy to add elsa to the list, so long as she doesn’t object. ]

So do you.

[ the words drop easily from his lips, earnest and genuine. she does look good, after all — healthy, vibrant, alive. she’s done well for herself in the wake of the acquisition of her birthright, that much is certain. ]

I mean— [ here, he pauses just briefly, mulling over his choice of words before settling on: ] … It really is good to see you again, Elsa. [ in hindsight, he won’t be able to rightly say if he plans for their fingertips to brush when reaching out to slide the offered menu closer to himself. but, in the end, maybe it doesn’t matter so much. what does is the unexpected rush of warmth that practically sings between them as his skin makes contact with hers.

jack does his level best not to draw attention to it — but, it’s more difficult than he’d care to admit, after nearly so many years of being recoiled from by those aware of what he was. by the time he draws his hand back, he’s already committing the sensation to memory. ] Thank you, again. For having me.

[ right, though. down to business. ] Oh, trust me — I’m the last person you need to tell that to. Demons or no, there’s definitely something here. [ sulfer and canine senses and such. there’s probably some dumb joke about dogs being able to sense the paranormal in here somewhere. ] What have you managed to come up with, so far?

[greatestdisappointment]

[ The touching of their hand causes her to jump only slightly. Her fingers curl in to themselves and a smile fleets past her face before she feels...oh god it's embarrassment. Her face is getting hot, eyes darting around with cat-like precision as she is insistent on finding the closest thing to expel this nervous energy onto. ]

They're resting under the church I told you about. Because the congregation is held together with fear of fire and brimstone, our little friends have never had an easier network into the homes of some of the residents.

[ Grabbing onto a cloth napkin, Elsa shakes it out perhaps one too many times before placing it on her lap. ]

I'd say I arrived at a 5% infestation rate. Hiked to about 10% of the people in town in only a couple of days.

[ Part of her wants to entertain the it's so nice to see you familiarities, to fall into casual conversation. But she can't, or perhaps won't let her guard down so soon. ]

You see the value in doing this quickly.

[ And yet she recognizes he's come so far, that he's quite easy to talk to. Perhaps she can be more personable and on topic of the job. She's been accused of being icy to many: Jack isn't one she wants to join that club. ]

I'm also keeping in mind your schedule. So if you do have to move on for your own reasons, I understand.

[ It's odd still, thinking of a werewolf's timetable as something amicable rather than a time to be vigilant. But Jack is her friend not some mindless creature. ]

Or if I can help in any way.

[bynights]

[ elsa jumps and, although it’s a slight and subtle thing, something constricts sharply in the hollow of jack’s chest. his lips part to give voice to the apology that had leapt to his tongue at the first indication of her discomfort but — no, no, unless he’s imagining things, that’s a smile that flickers its way across her features. it may be a quick and fleeting thing but, all the same, it leaves him feeling pleasantly warm in a way that has little to do with the restaurant’s heating system.

he’s tempted to apologize still, just in case. but instead, he allows elsa her privacy, busying himself with glancing over the menu even as that warmth continues to blossom in his chest. jack’s smile fades, however, as he’s presented with his options for the evening. he’ll have to be careful, he thinks. between the traveling and his nerves, he’d neglected to eat very much for a majority of the day. it would be a stupid mistake for a human to make, never mind a werewolf with a metabolism to match — and now, he realizes, he’s going to have to pay for it.

ah, well. it’s nothing he’s never done before, at the end of the day. and enduring his stomach’s unsatisfied grumbling is far preferable to attracting any unwanted attention or, even worse, forcing elsa to pay for twice the amount of food than expected.

besides — it’s not as if there aren’t far more important matters at hand.

leaning forward, jack tilts his head thoughtfully as he takes in all of the information that elsa has gathered in the time before his arrival. the predicament she describes isn’t an uncommon one. in his experience, most demons tended to feed on the negative emotions of their hosts — and such discord was easily sowed in small towns like this one, especially with religion thrown into the mix. ]

Have you looked into the clergy at all? [ he asks her, deceptively light and conversational as his gaze flickers over the nearby tables. ] I mean — I don’t know. This sort of thing can happen naturally, of course, but it’s a little suspicious, isn’t it? Fear like that, it’s… you know. [ here, he gestures, as if to emphasize his point. ] Easy to create and even easier to take advantage of.

[ and the presence of a demon-worshiping cult looking to make a sacrifice out of the entire town is certainly going to make for more trouble than a simple infestation. but, maybe he’s getting ahead of himself.

as elsa goes on, his features soften. it’s a strange thing, being accommodated, never mind being offered help by someone other than ted. he’s not entirely sure what to do with it, not that it makes him any less grateful. ]

You don’t have to worry about me, Elsa. Even if this takes longer than we expect, it shouldn’t be any trouble to, ah — stay on for a bit, afterwards.

[ the cellar of his current safehouse is strong enough to hold the wolf, should he have to spend the full moon here. and, while it might have been his custom to move on afterwards, lest the hallmarks of a werewolf’s presence attract the attention of a nearby hunter… well. surely, elsa’s protection would be enough to buy him some extra time. provided she’s willing to extend it, of course.

the smile he offers her is faint and perhaps somewhat self-deprecating. ] … I might just be a little out of commission, those three days.

[greatestdisappointment]

[ She's glad someone can understand and pinpoint fear so... clinically. It really is a pain in the ass to fight with, whether it's dealing with the merely ignorant or putting something in harm's way due to the emotion's carelessness. Immediately a weight is lifted from her knowing Jack isn't so naive to think none of this wouldn't be frightening, disgusting and disturbing. Elsa has to squash that all down constantly in order to rectify the situation.

Having a partner who can do the same? She's grateful. Knowing one will be safe because they know how to be smart in the face of fear? Even more grateful. ]

The clergy's a bit of a boy's club, it would seem. I never had the meek sort of demeanor they love for a woman in church. I was hoping you could be an inside man-- just get some general information about what they're looking for in a flock. What normal looks like around here.

[ She looks into his eyes as he mentions the three days. Part of her can see the creature in him, the relentless one who barely recognized her scent and abstained from tearing her limb from limb. Mostly she sees those large, beautiful brown eyes that seem both sad and ecstatic.

Her cheeks feel hot again. There's one aspect of his eyes she can safely call attention to: they're hungry. She looks away at the menu continuing to bite back a smile, one that's relieved to be in Jack's company again. ]

I've heard good things about their family-style dining options. You're welcome to any take-away, my room doesn't have a fridge.

[ Thank god doggie bag isn't a colloquialism she's ever cared for. ]

[bynights]

[ it’s far from surprising, elsa’s description of the church’s clergy. jack may not be particularly inclined towards religion these days — hadn’t been, really, since his eighteen birthday. but, his catholic upbringing had supplied him with more than enough knowledge of the way these things tended to function, information that will likely be a boon in the coming days. ]

Oh, sure, sure. I can do that. [ he offers her a smile, all too pleased with the assurance that he’ll be of help right away. ] I’ll have a look at the church schedule tomorrow morning, see if I can’t attend a few of the services. That should give me a few opportunities to talk to people, see what they’re all like.

[ granted, he’s not so sure that he won’t face some trouble in taking them. it’s always a bit of a gamble, whether or not his accent and unmistakable air of foreignness is going to attract the wrong sort of attention in isolated little american towns like this. had jack still possessed any modicum of shame after a little over two decades of waking up naked in strange places every month, he might have even balked at the idea of playing humble new convert for the clergymen and congregation alike, no matter how vital it was that he do so.

but, as it is, he isn’t so bothered by the idea of swallowing what little remains of his pride, especially if it’s going to keep innocent people from getting hurt.

for a few moments more, jack studies the laminated menu in front of him, attempting to quickly calculate which of the restaurant’s offerings was going to get him the most to eat without being inordinately expensive. at length, however, he finds himself unable to resist sneaking another glance at elsa across the way — and, entirely by either coincidence or accident or both, locking his own gaze with hers.

had he been asked at the time, he’d hardly have been able to say exactly why it was that his heart nearly skips a beat as their eyes meets. just briefly, his mind’s eye conjures hazy, fleeting images of flashing light and bloodied corpses, of fear and pain and frenzied desperation — and the same dark, fathomless eyes that watch him now, filled with equal measures of sheer terror and compassion, gazing up at him amidst it all.

it’s only when elsa looks away that the spell abruptly breaks and before jack has time to contemplate any of it, she’s moved on. ]

Oh, I — ah. [ if his cheeks weren’t burning before, they certainly are now, forcing him to duck his head under the pretense of looking over her suggestion. ay, god — he really must look like a mess, if it’s that obvious that he’s been neglecting himself all day. ] Are you sure? I mean — I wouldn’t want to be a burden on your wallet.

[ no sooner have the words left his mouth than he realizes exactly how absurd they sound being spoken to a woman who was now in possession of what was no doubt an ungodly amount of money. but, even that knowledge doesn’t make him feel much better about taking advantage of her, especially considering that she was, in all likelihood, more than familiar with a werewolf’s physiology.

… then again, he does have to remind himself that this is the same woman who had been insistent upon his getting a decent night’s rest the night before. it’s probably just that same practicality driving her now. ]

[greatestdisappointment]

[ The earnest look he gives, the scrambling for words of not to be a burden...it's sweet. She's not used to this sort of presentation, someone considerate to a fault. Somehow the world has not chewed up and spit out this man yet and she finds this to be a relief.

She laughs with fondness realizing only too late that her mind, in fact, doesn't present all the information she's thinking aloud like a broadcast. It's something she's always struggled with, training and general tendency to just keep things in.

Now she's scrambling, wide-eyed and tense. ]

I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you. That would be... incredibly rude.

[ She's mortified at herself. What can she do here to refocus the conversation? Slam a fist down on the table to cement. Jack is a man but his instinct does err towards animal. Too much force and she'll scare him off. Taking a deep breath and fanning herself with the menu for a second (is it incredibly hot in here suddenly?), she collects herself before speaking again. ]

Just... let's not worry about cost. You're doing me a favor now in a very thankless job. The least I can do is buy you a substantial meal. You won't find a Bloodstone in the entire line willing to pay for anything, I'd venture to say. Best not say no to a very rare opportunity.

[ Who are they kidding? She's fond of him. Why laugh at him and put him at a distance.

Elsa averts her eyes to the menu as she starts to curl a loose strand of hair around her finger. ]

Not saying I'm some sort of pushover. Perhaps I'm...quite fond of you.

[ There's a clenching in her stomach. At this rate Jack will be eating the entire dinner by himself anyway. ]

[bynights]

[ elsa may be mortified by the sound of her own laughter but from the moment its first notes ring out in the din of the crowded restaurant, jack’s heart leaps, all at once, in his chest. a more prideful man might have found himself flustered by it, might have imagined more than a hint of mockery in its tone and drawn an instantaneous conclusion. to jack, however, it’s nothing short of music, an oft-imagined cadence drawn into reality — and by him, no less! he thinks. maybe.

for an instant, every thought of their impending meal vanishes and, despite a mild sense of bemusement, jack finds himself smiling tentatively (besottedly) alongside her, utterly enchanted. which is, really, what makes her reaction even more bewildering — at least, until he realizes how exactly this situation must appear to her. ]

Oh — no, no, don’t worry. [ briefly, he finds himself fighting the urge to reach out, to rest a soothing hand on her arm or some other such gesture. but — no, best not. he’s quite fond of his fingers, after all, and for all that elsa has been kind to him thus far, he’s much rather not breach that boundary without express permission. ] Really, I—

[ he cuts himself off, snapping his jaw shut before he can finish that sentence. i’d like to hear it again. ] … I don’t mind, I promise.

[ because he is being a little ridiculous, honestly. and who is he to turn down this kindness that elsa is offering him, now that he’s certain that he won’t wear out his welcome accepting it? he chuckles quietly as she goes on and, nearly without his notice, finds himself leaning forward slightly. ] Well — there’s a first time for everything, no? [ he quips, doing his level best to set her back at ease. it’s the least he can do, after all of this. and, offering her a soft, genuine smile: ] I’m honored.

[ and maybe that’s what makes her next remark hit him all the harder. for a moment, he finds himself distracted by the movement of her fingers, the soft shine of her hair as it catches the light from overhead. somewhere in the recesses of his mind, jack can’t help but wonder just what it might feel like beneath his own touch. like silk, maybe. softer, even.

her words don’t register at first — but when they do, jack blinks rapidly, lifting his head a touch as his lips part in muted surprise. perhaps it shouldn’t come as such a shock. after all, she’d invited him here, taken up his offer when she could have just as easily turned him away. god knows she had — has reason enough to hate him. his lies by omission had nearly cost her everything, and yet…

it’s a near-herculean effort to swallow the part of himself that fears nearly everything she offers, that begs in ragged howls for him to turn, run, flee from the prospect of letting someone in. too often has jack found himself drawn to people, desperate in his loneliness, only for his condition to force a rift between them or, worse still, actively place the other party in danger. he does his level best, of course, to keep the wolf in check but sometimes… sometimes that isn’t enough.

but elsa had survived the wolf. elsa is different — she has to be. ]

Only perhaps? [ comes jack’s teasing reply as another smile tugs gently at his lips. ] You wound me, Elsa. Should I consider this an opportunity to prove myself, then?

[ he’ll infiltrate that church So Good, just watch him. ]

[greatestdisappointment]

[ Her heart swells automatically when she realizes any image of that sweet face contorting with hurt are all in her head. Instead she sees... a smile. It's not the nervous sort either, it's... composed. He's even a little suave there.

Well, cheeky. She doesn't think the other man could be suave if his life depended on it: it's part of the charm.

She smiles herself and a short chuckle leaves her. ]

I'd rather you be done with any heroics and play my plan as safely as possible. I was in the hopes that we might spend a little more time together after all this is done.

[ As she goes to reach for his hand the server returns. Before they get a word in the menus are thrust in the direction of the server like a dagger that doesn't quite leave her hand.]

Family style. Option A.

[ The employee seems to know they just dodged some unknown but dangerous activity and skitter away with no further questions.

Elsa just wants to be left alone with Jack for the moment, to let them have this small thing in a world of idiots and misery. Hell, she even needs to be free of her own thoughts at times.

So she reaches out like she intended to before, ignoring any bad manners on her part to the staff, any reservations from herself and places her hand on Jack's arm.

Truly difficult. ]

I'm... happy to see you.

[bynights]

[ ah, but she does have his number, doesn’t she? it’s true that jack may not be one for dramatics — prefers, in fact, to employ a silver tongue against any trouble he might find himself in because he’s much, much better at that than anything involving physical altercation. but, at the same time, he’s not the sort to stand back and do nothing while the people he cares for are in danger. and, despite the rather tumultuous start to their friendship, elsa has become just that: someone he cares for.

he doesn’t doubt that he may have to throw caution to the wind, should things get more dangerous than they expected. but, until then: ] I defer entirely to you. [ he puncutates his reassurance with a brief dip of his head and, when he inevitably looks up again, he’s still smiling, if a touch bemusedly. ] And — I’d like that. Once we’re through with all of this and the moon.

[ it’ll be nice, he thinks, to have something to look forward to, something softer and kinder than another lonely drive to whichever safehouse he’d be holing up in, once the third night of the full moon had passed. frankly, he’s grateful for the simple pleasure of elsa even considering spending more time with him, given how much she must have on her plate, these days. jack is, in fact, so taken with the thought that he barely notices elsa’s hand reaching for his own until it’s much too late.

for all that jack does feel bad for the server - enough so that he gives the poor girl an apologetic smile as she slinks off with their menus and makes a mental note to ensure that she’s left a healthy tip - it’s difficult not to feel some measure of fondness as elsa soundly dismisses her. let it never be said, he supposes, that elsa bloodstone is a woman who does not know exactly what she wants, whether it be a mystical artifact turned family heirloom or a few more moments alone with the werewolf she’s dining with, and how best to get it.

but, then she reaches out again to clasp his arm — and, in that moment, the world around them falls silent.

it’s not often that jack is touched. people that know what he is tend to recoil from him, as though a brush of his fingers might pass on the curse that he bears and people that don’t… well. usually, he’d prefer for them to stay away, for both their safety and his peace of mind. and yet, here is elsa — elsa who wields her abrasive nature like a dagger to keep an uncaring world at bay, who has been taught since birth that people like him are not people at all, but heartless, ravening beasts with no thought in their minds besides violence, who had faced the wolf and had every reason to fear him — reaching out and resting a hand on his arm as if it’s nothing at all.

just briefly, jack feels something catch in his throat and, for a moment, it’s all he can do to meet her gaze, caught almost entirely off-guard. there’s a beat of hesitation, a flash of uncertainty behind his eyes — but, ultimately, he can’t stop himself from allowing his free hand to rest (softly, tentatively) atop elsa’s, his touch more than light enough to grant her the ability to pull back, should she so desire. ]

So am I. [ he tells her, fingers curling slightly over her hand as he relishes the warmth of it through the sleeve of his threadbare jacket. ] I mean, I know we’ve been — talking, since that night but… I don’t know. I wouldn’t have blamed you, if you didn’t want anything to do with me, after everything.

[ in fact, jack had been more than prepared to accept the fact that he’d never see elsa again. such was the way with most of the people he met — but, then again, perhaps he ought to have known that fate had something else in store for them. ]