The Illusionist

Jax Grey . 20 "I'm strong on the surface, not all the way through." When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done. Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed. Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty keep me in your memories -- leave out all the rest.

[vayland]

[thegreyillusion]

eligoldsworhty:

Eli Goldsworthy through the seasons → Season 10B

[marliketteann-blog]

Marli’s sadness and exhaustion seemed to be masked by the situation. She stared at his eyes as she swayed across the floor. She let him lead for a few minutes before she began to help. Dancing was never her forte. She started to sing along with the melody he was humming…

Flame you came to me

Fire meet gasoline Fire meet gasoline I’m burning alive I can barely breathe When you’re here loving me…..” 

[thegreyillusion]

Unable to fight the smile that grew upon his lips as she started singing, the corners of his lips lifted knowing that she remembered the song that, in his mind, described them together perfectly. He remembered when they’d first heard it -- it was in the car on the way to New York when they’d escaped the asylum, rain hitting the car in soft beats, his hand in hers. It was in that moment of dancing with her that he silently vowed to start living for himself -- for the both of them and not to stop simply because of the unfortunate circumstance they were in. The life he saw with her at the apartment was still attainable in Jax’s head; he clutched onto that belief so tightly that he would never admit otherwise. Pulling his body from hers, he grinned as he slowly dipped Marli and brought her back up, meeting her lips with his own once she was on her feet.

[david-burke-blog]

He rolled his shoulders back in a slight stretch, already preparing himself for his inevitable attack, though at present he hadn’t made any moves, aside from closing a small bit of the distance between them. With the advantage he carried, he saw no point to rushing things, having always preferred to drag out his violent episodes for as long as possible – longer, if he could manage it. He’d never been known for killing others quickly, the only such occurrences having been brought about by the threat of starvation, or having neglected his darker urges for too long – this particular instance held none of those variable. Another thing he was well-known for in his attacks was being talkative (overly so), and while he’d never openly admit it, it appeared that he was fond of listening to the sound of his own voice – with all he’d said, it didn’t appear that he’d be making any exceptions with Jax. “Ooh, I love it when they talk dirty,” he purred, his tone obviously mocking in nature – even presuming Jax had the necessary tools to act on his threats, it wouldn’t be nearly enough to kill him. He’d strangle Jax with the intestines he’d spilled, given the chance, and in fact that image wasn’t something he found unappealing, though he’d prefer to do so with his victim’s – now there was an idea. “I do love a good conversation, don’t get me wrong, but you know? You’re absolutely right. Killing you is much more appealing – hope you’re ready for a beating, sweetheart; I don’t believe in holding back.” Without another word, he lunged for his previous attacker, an inhuman growl erupting from his throat, and murderous glee lighting his eyes.

[thegreyillusion]

As David came at him, Jax obeyed his instincts to get out of the way without any hesitation -- though, as he felt a pressure sending him back to his place on his shoulders, it became clear he hadn’t been fast enough. His immediate reaction was deck the demon, but as he made an attempt to clock him in the jaw again, he was met with bone shattering pain. His gaze unable to focus on anything but what was directly close up to his face, he wasn’t sure if he’d actually managed to hit his opposite or if he had dodged his punch and he had wound up hitting the stone wall instead. He hoped for the most beneficial outcome for himself, but all he could currently comprehend in the situation he’d gotten himself into was the sharp gusts of pain shooting up from his hand into his arm. Whatever injury he’d sustained from throwing that punch, he was going to pay for it later. Using his unhurt arm to push against the others throat, the olive eyed met David’s poisonous gaze, unaware that his olive hues had grown in size -- more so upon being hit by heavily delayed concern for his own safety. Surely he could handle whatever his opponent was going to undoubtedly physically put him through, as long as he kept it in his head that he had to return to Marli at the end of all of this. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to give this fight all he had though -- if anything it meant he had to fight back harder to ensure his own survival.

[marliketteann-blog]

Marli laughed at his motion before groaning and pulling herself off of the bed. Times like this were rare. Times where nothing else mattered and the world seemed to stop turning. Spinning once on her way over to him, she stopped extending her hand. “Of course.”

[thegreyillusion]

A light, airy chuckle left Jax as he watched her twirl, before taking her hand in his own. Guiding Marli closer to his body, he slipped his free hand around the small of her back. He’d never been one for dancing, and was known for turning down anyone who had ever tried to get him on the dance floor in the past. Despite his usual reluctance, however, he still knew how to keep his feet moving. As he began to sway their bodies, he found that he didn’t care that there was no music, though he started to softly hum a melody shortly after.

[david-burke-blog]

He’d admit he’d been expecting Jax to be a tad more surprised than he was, but he appreciated what he was given, and with more plans to gain satisfaction already laid out in his thoughts, he couldn’t find it in himself to be terribly disappointed. “Scare you? Me?” he asked, glancing back over at his previous attacker with a sharp-toothed grin plastered upon his face. “This isn’t supposed to be the terrifying part, Jax… this was just me gaining the advantage.” He advanced another few steps towards the other man, his wounds (bruises, broken bones – everything) having already healed to perfection, save for the thin coating of dried blood that remained on his face. His lips tugged upwards in another foul smirk as the other man spoke, his crooked fangs still poking out under his lip. “You’d have to kill me first, and we both know that’s easier said than done – unless, of course, you’ve been deprived of an education on demons? Almost impossible to kill one if you’re mortal, especially without weapons… which, of course, you have none of. I’d tell you to turn tail and run – still will, I love a good chase! – but that’s quite pointless; I’ll catch you no matter what you decide to do. You thought you could come and kill me? I’ll rip you in half, darling, and I’ll send the pieces to that little girlfriend of yours!”

[thegreyillusion]

As David came toward him, Jax made a point of keeping his feet planted on the floor. He wasn’t afraid, but more so concerned above all else for his personal safety -- which had all but gone out the window by now. It was his mental reminder that he was doing this for Marli -- against her wishes -- that kept him dressed in fool’s confidence as he faced his opponent. He’d be lying if he said David’s words didn’t inflict any kind of reaction. Inside, his felt a chill creep up his spine as his words came off as more of a promise than a threat, and therefore he accepted that he might have gotten himself into a smidge of trouble. Admitting that didn’t mean he was back on default though, far too enraged to let any of this go. However, the facts were the facts; he didn’t bring a weapon with him, and David was a demon. Regardless of the odds being against him, he was going carry out the intention he’d came here with one way or another, and he was going to do it whether this guy was a demon or not -- not that he knew any better when it came to demons. This being his first run in with one, he was expecting David to try and have a little fun with him. “The only thing I’m hearing from you is how much more satisfying it’s going to be to cut you open from groin to sternum knowing what you are and I am not.” He tossed back, olive eyes glued to his black ones. “Are you just going to talk or do you plan to act on your threat?”

[marliketteann-blog]

“Jax, I promise we will go explore more of the castle later, but for right now lets just rest. Im tired.”

[thegreyillusion]

He was eager to get up and running again, but he couldn’t resist some alone time with his girl either. Marli had a way about her that could make Jax weak in the knees, and he loved it every time she did whatever it was she did to him -- even he didn’t know what to call it; all he knew was that he felt compelled to do whatever she wanted when she asked it of him. “Do one thing for me first?” He asked, standing a few feet to the side of their bed. “Dance with me?”

[david-burke-blog]

Even without pulling any admittances from the other man’s lips, he was well aware of the effect his constant taunting had had on him – he anger seemed to form a cloud of emotion around the area, the scent strong enough to the point where he was almost surprised he hadn’t exploded. Then again, he’d taken to slamming his fist into him with increasing intensity, and thus it wouldn’t surprise him if his explosion was approaching quickly. Instead of concern, as any reasonable man might’ve felt, he reveled in how easily he’d charged Jax’s rage, a smirk still planted firmly upon his face, in spite of the damage it’d suffered. “Oh, I’m well aware of what this is about!” He laughed harder as his antagonist shoved him onto the stone floor, already preparing himself for his own attack – the perfect moment was approaching quickly and he wouldn’t squander it. “It’s about revenge,” he choked out (an act, obviously, but a convincing display all the same) as the other man’s hand curled tightly around his throat, and at last he allowed his eyes to flicker pitch black. “But unfortunately for you… I don’t think you’ll be getting the satisfaction you desire.” In an ominous burst of smoke, he vanished, only to appear right behind his original attacker, examining his claws with an air of superiority. “In fact, I think the only winner here will be me.”

[thegreyillusion]

As there was suddenly smoke temporarily blinding him, Jax looked from side to side in search of his foe -- he couldn’t have just disappeared into thin air, but more importantly where the hell had the smoke come from? At the sound of the others voice coming from behind him, the younger man spun around to face him, his hand coming up over his nose as he waited for the smoke to clear. He couldn’t be sure that he’d really seen what  he thought he had -- David’s eyes had become something he could only call demonic based on what he’d seen in the movies; the only other comparison he could make was something a little more accurate in his mind, and it was that of a snake’s eyes. As the smoke quickly began to clear out, his gaze immediately snapped to the claws that appeared attached to David; however, when his eyes met the others again, he became certain of what he saw. Black eyes to go with a black soul, he thought. “Do you think that’s going to scare me off?” He asked, though his voice was laced with anything but true curiosity. “Perhaps I’ll sever one of those off and hang it on my wall as a reminder of this day.” He remarked, nodding to his claws.

[david-burke-blog]

Each time Jax’s fist slammed into his face, another vicious bark of laughter slithered up from his throat, David himself seeming totally unconcerned with any damage the other man was causing. Now that his mortality had been partially rescinded, he was fully capable of healing any wounds given to him – perfectly, at that, without any nasty scarring that normal humans might’ve been forced to endure. It was the only reason he tolerated his face being targeted; at any other occurrence, without his supernatural gifts, he would’ve been furious. As his attacker gripped his collar in his hands, his face split into a bloody, far-too-smug grin, his hesitance, only furthering his twisted sense of amusement. “What’s wrong? Don’t have the stomach for violence?” He grunted as the other man’s knee slammed into his gut, though he swallowed any pain he was feeling in favor of (possibly) antagonizing him further. He’d allow him to tire himself with beating him, and once he’d done so, he’d reveal just how idiotic seeking revenge happened to be – when it came to himself, that was. “That the best insult you’ve got? I know you’re angry, Jax, but come on! Try to really make it hurt!” he jeered, though his words were stifled by his facial bones being shattered – still, they’d heal quickly and he had no reason to fear for his image. Jax, on the other hand… his case differed.

[thegreyillusion]

Each and every word reinforced another hit to the face -- the force was enough for Jax to feel like he’d dislocated one of his fingers, but his adrenaline was running too high now. He wasn’t going to give David the satisfaction of admitting it, but his taunts worked like a charm to increase his anger. If only the guy would shut up -- but then that’d defeat half of the purpose of what he was doing. There was no winning for the olive eyed, but for every disadvantage he considered, he compensated with harder, more driven blows to his opposites body. “This isn’t about insulting you, scumbag!” He huffed out through heavy breaths -- before grabbing him by the shirt again to throw him onto the floor. No, this was  about so much more than calling him every name in the book he deserved and more accurately displayed by what he’d done to Marli -- and what Jax could only imagine he’d done to other people. He lunged for David’s throat, his hand already positioned to close his grip like a vice -- he’d dig right through his flesh if he had to.

[thegreyillusion]

david-burke:

Once he recognized rage in Jax’s expression, the worst of his persona had bled into his mannerisms: the horrid smugness and tendency for taunting those he’d wronged, directly or indirectly. This (somewhat troublesome) habit, tied in with his supernatural advantage over the other man, prepared him to send his antagonist back to his traumatized girlfriend in pieces – at the least, he’d ensure he internalized the stupidity of engaging him with hostility. “Is that right?” he asked lightly, somewhat impressed by the control he’d managed in his tone, despite the sharp scent of anger that’d oozed into the surrounding area. He barked with laughter as Jax finally lunged, allowing himself to be thrust up against the wall, his lips curved upwards in a vicious sneer. He’d already assured himself of victory, and thus couldn’t resist the impulse to taunt his attacker further – unlike most times, he doubted it’d hinder him. “Is that the best you can do? I tortured someone you obviously care for, and this is the sort of punishment I get?” he jeered, his eyes alight with a knowing and sinister glint, his otherwordly power hidden just beneath the surface of his skin, ready to release itself at his slightest whim.

Jax answered David’s taunt with a hard punch -- followed by another with his left hand, and again by his right. He had intended to keep himself composed at least for the first five minutes, and he felt angrier because his self control was being stripped away by what had happened, compounded with what the other man was rubbing in his face, he was losing it. Reaching for the collar of David’s shirt, he meant to meant to smash his head into the stone wall he’d thrown him up against, but found himself hesitating as Marli’s words entered his mind. He’d promised not to react; to do nothing in return for her assaulter’s name. That promise was the only thing keeping him somewhat restrained. That, and the fact that he’d failed to bring a weapon with him. He’d wanted to do this with his bare hands, to feel the life drain from David’s body and watch it happen before his own eyes. As though a switch had been flicked inside of him, the promise he had been holding onto had been strained from his brain, and he briefly looked into his opposites silver hues -- before pulling him down to knee him in the gut. “You son a bitch!” He began to throw repeated blows aimed at David’s face, each with more force than the last.

[thegreyillusion]

theloweryboy:

“Perhaps.” He repeated, knowing full well that the odds of his idea being taken were slim, but it was nothing that was bothersome. Turning to climb back up to where the other sat, he shrugged. “How old are you?” He countered. Everyone always asked his age and he realized he hardly asked in return. “I’m almost twelve.”

Jax’s eyebrows lifted when his own question was returned by the younger. He waited a beat after he’d answered, simply watching him. “Hm,” He brought his arms up to cross, leaning back into the wall his back was against. “I’m twenty.” He doubted he was going to live long enough in the castle to reach thirty. “Surely you’re excited for your birthday. When is it?” He casually turned the subject back to the boy, tilting his head curiously at him. He happened to like kids, but coming across one in this place... it made him almost feel guilty.

[thegreyillusion]

david-burke:

The archdemons’ previous influence upon him might’ve managed to drain even his willingness for conflict, but it hadn’t slipped through his fingers entirely – Jax’s rage, a scent he’d detected easily now that his focus had returned, charged him with excitement. He’d expected this particular argument to occur eventually, regardless of whether Marli had died, and he figured it might’ve been better to get it out of the way. After all, unless Jax had managed to return from Hell recently, he was merely human and David considered himself to be partially above such limitations. It was enough to grant him a serious advantage, especially with the return of one of his most-used abilities: teleportation. He frowned somewhat as Jax continued, the lack of murder used within his phrase tipping him off to the fact that Marli, apparently, had survived the torment he’d set for her – how disappointing. “That I did,” he admitted easily, his half-smirk returning to his features, only to promptly wipe itself from his expression as the other man clocked him. The younger man’s attack had managed to catch him off guard, allowing it to effect him more easily, and he stumbled backwards, a brief flicker of surprise in his expression – it promptly transformed itself into something closer to amusement. “Kill me?” he asked, his brows lifting and his words contorted with his the beginnings of laughter. “You think you can kill me?”

As if David’s proud admission wasn’t enough to put him in a hotheaded state, his evident belief that he was invincible easily brought Jax’s blood to a boil in his veins. His insides shook with the warning that he was on the brink of exploding, chin slightly pointed down as his hard gaze burned into his opposite. “There’s only one way to find out.” He voiced in a steady and controlled tone. With only half of the knowledge of what David was, Jax was fully committed to taking down Marli’s assaulter, which left little doubt in his mind that he’d walk away from this unsatisfied. Still, it was merely his opponents cockiness that sent the olive eyed into attack mode foolishly; he came at him hard, using his shoulder to push into David -- the intention of shoving him into the wall and beating him to a pulp easily readable in his angered expression. He wanted him dead, unrecognisable by his own standards, but first he had to get him to the point of pleading for mercy.

[eclareandbenches-blog]

[thegreyillusion]

evelina--kirk:

Evelina was jealous of him in some way, because she longed for that feeling. She longed for something that could permanently bring her out of her own mind, out of the darkness that she felt taking away her happiness– any happiness that she had ever possessed in life. Being in this castle did not help her either. “Lucky you.” She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply, continuing to chew on her lip as she thought carefully. But when Jax spoke again, her eyes shot up to meet his, her brows pulling together and twitching slightly as she tried her very best to make herself more comfortable with anything surrounding the topic of her death. That was something she couldn’t discuss, because she wanted to forget that it ever happened. She had the scars that she had to look at everyday, and that was enough to remind her that she had failed to leave the world that seemed to taunt her daily. Discussing it with others didn’t need to be piled on top of that. “Oh. Well thanks. But let’s not talk about that,” she said quickly, the desperation clear in her voice. “The whole “new year, new me” bullshit?” She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Sure.”

Evelina’s dismissal of the topic brought a grin to the illusionists face -- though in only a handful of seconds it had quickly receded back to his previous stone faced expression. He’d gone through great lengths to keep everyone else the less suspecting of him, and so far his efforts hadn’t betrayed him; he intended to keep it that way. He allowed the subject to drift to the back of his mind, focusing on her following response instead. It didn’t seem like she believed him, much less the attitude that accompanied the saying -- and truth be told, he wasn’t about to try and convince her. Jax chuckled, his head falling back against the stone wall behind him. “Unamused at the idea, I see.” He remarked, and craned his neck at her. “You don’t think people can change at will?”

[thegreyillusion]

theloweryboy:

Austin was ready now. Elbows tucked into his sides and knees bent, he was set up to leap. That response was far from what he expected though, keeping his feet grounded before he could take off. The boy had been lucky to not be placed in an orphanage; however, the alternative was Michaelson’s. Neither options seemed good, but it didn’t matter. He was already stuck. “Have you tried bait? Leave a couple pieces of cheese on the floor and eventually the mouse will follow the trail right to you.” With that, he resumed his position and jumped the rest of the way down.

When it was put like that, it sounded simple – but of course most things were easier said than done. He didn’t know his intended victim well enough to know what would work to lure him into his trap. Of course, he wasn’t about to tell the boy that. He kept quiet as the boy made his jump -- the enthusiasm of which made Jax chuckle. “That isn’t bad advice. Perhaps I’ll take it. How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”

[thegreyillusion]

david-burke:

“That’s right,” he replied, his tone as stiff as the remainder of his appearance, his expression settled comfortably into something nearing a glare. He’d recognized the other man immediately, the reasoning behind his apparent rage already planted within his thoughts: he’d unfortunately neglected to hold his end of their deal. The consequences of going against the agreement he’d made with Jax hadn’t crossed his mind in the weeks proceeding the archdemons’ latest challenge, his focus having rested on individuals he considered infinitely more valuable. “Oh, I remember you. As for that little deal we made, well, nobody’s perfect, right?” The irritation at being dragged back into an unwanted conflict quickly twisted itself into a desire to antagonize his supposed antagonist, his lips curving upwards in a nasty smirk. “Why don’t you remind me?” he suggested, internally preparing himself for whatever vengeance-driven attack might’ve been attempted – either way, the merehuman before him was certainly doomed to fail.

David’s words proved to infuriate Jax further, his anger pulsing from the core of his body; he wanted to rip out his vocal chords and the smug undertone of his words with them -- but then that would leave the other unable to beg for mercy, as far as he saw it. The self created visuals of what David had done to Marli played back time and time again in his head. If it had been a tape, it surely would have been ruined after the thousandth watch, but he couldn’t stop. He was like a person possessed, obsessed with hunting down the one standing before him now. “You raped her.” He said, his voice remaining oddly calm, despite the green fire burning behind his olive hues. “I want to hear you admit it.” Coming up hard in an uppercut to his opposites stomach, he proceeded to push him back once the punch was landed. “Before I kill you.”

[thegreyillusion]

evelina--kirk:

Evelina nodded, offering a smile to Jax. So, he wasn’t in such a bad mood as she had thought, which made her disappointed, but at the same time she thought that maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. At least, it wasn’t a bad thing for him. For her, she wanted to see him be in the bad mood that she had thought he was in when she first approached, but if she wasn’t going to get that out of him, she knew she could very easily find that somewhere else. For now she would hang around and try not to be so snarky with the dark-haired boy. “Hm… I guess that’s good then. Motivated is good.” She nodded, her head tilting in curiosity. “Disappeared? Um…” She looked down, biting on her bottom lip. “Y-you mean when I… Yeah. Well, surprise,” she mumbled unenthusiastically.

“It is. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.” Jax remarked rather innocently in contrast to his dark intentions. He was merely biding his time, waiting for his target. That didn’t mean he wasn’t open to the company for now though. He could use conversation to pass the time. Turning his back to the wall, he leaned against it and allowed his gaze to drift to Evelina’s face. If he recalled correctly, the last time they’d had a run in things didn’t go so smoothly. It was interesting to see her in what he perceived by her words, to be a discomforted state now. “I hope you didn’t take that the wrong way. I’m relieved to see you.” He offered his usual crooked smile. “I’m very much in the spirit of the new year, new start this year.”

[thegreyillusion]

theloweryboy:

The dark haired male had been in the way and though he started to somewhat nod to the question, he felt awkward for admitting it. “Thanks.” He continued down until standing on the stair the other had taken to. There wasn’t much room for the both of them, but he wavered there playfully at the edge. It looked like he’d jump the last few to the bottom, but Austin remained. “In my experience it’s easier to find someone you aren’t looking for.“ A bully. An adult. Anyone, really. But if it was a person he needed to talk to, suddenly every which way became a maze and it took forever.

A brow lifted as he watched the boy from where he sat, lips pulling into a crooked smile. “The workers at the orphanage I grew up in used to say the same thing.” He mused aloud, his eyes slightly glazing over. They’d fed him that line when he had fallen deep into a phase of wanting to find his birth parents, and in the end he was unsuccessful. Refocusing his eyes on the boy, he nodded to him. “Then, what would you suggest I do?”