JAX REED

Werewolf | 200+ | Currently residing in Chissob Hills.

[narizeung]

Unusual things were happening in the city and this time it wasn’t due to supernatural parties or Artemis’ agenda, this was something else entirely. Nari had been making a visit to check in with a friend in Chissob Hills when he stumbled across the wolf, looking confused and upset. Nari thought he recognised him from enquiries at the shop, but he couldn’t be sure.

“You’re in Chissob Hills…” Nari reassured him as he took a few steps closer to where he stood, noticing the glimmer of tears on his cheeks, “Are you alright? Do you need help getting somewhere?”

[thejax-reed]

Jaxon finally blinked, brought back to reality by the sound of Nari's voice. There was something oddly soothing about it, and what he saw, once he opened his eyes, convinced him that he wasn't in any danger. He was in no position to turn down a helping hand, but... he also had no answers.

"I'm... yeah, I think I'm okay. I was just heading home, and then..." He looked around, the realization sinking in that he was, in fact, in Chissob Hills. He hurriedly dried his eyes, suddenly embarrassed. "I ..don't remember. I'm trying to...but I keep coming up blank. Did you...did you hear someone singing just now? Like, right before you walked up? What time is it..?"

[madmabzaman]

Mab Zaman: I wish you had, would have been a highlight of my evening. Mab Zaman: Any time after 11:30 should be good. See you soon, handsome.

[thejax-reed]

JAXON REED: ..well, I think it's safe to say I won't be making that mistake again. See you later, gorgeous.

[thejax-reed]

location: a street near the water’s edge in Chissob Hills

"No, you don't understand.. I have to -" What? Jaxon tried to come up with an explanation for his being out there, in the middle of the night, but he could not make sense of anything. His body felt cold, probably because he was missing his shoes, and his hair was all frazzled, his phone forgotten in the back seat of his truck.

Yet under the fog of his confusion, an ache remained. It wasn't just the cold. It was an an emptiness in his chest where a melody had been just seconds ago. Jax squeezed his eyes shut, trying to remember. He would give anything to hear it again, just one more time, but empty lyrics were all he got. "Shit." he hissed, feeling a tear begin to trickle down his cheek. "..w-where am I?"

@narizeung

[thejax-reed]

A Strange Encounter...

You jolt awake when someone finds you wandering along a street near the water’s edge in Chissob Hills. You are on your way home as the voice in your mind tells you, but all you can think of is the song you just heard and the same beautiful voice that sang it to you as you put one foot in front of the other.

Oh, what you would give to hear that voice in real life again!

When you are asked by a fellow member of the supernatural community if you are okay you tell them ‘yes, what could possibly be not okay?’ There is nothing out of the ordinary that night, not even that beautiful song that promised to fulfil your deepest desire should you do as it told you to.

As the days pass, the song will be but a distant haunting memory in your mind…

OOC: Your character was just found by another character/an NPC after being affected by this memory-wiping song. What is your deepest desire that they promised you? This is something that has been happening to others in the supernatural community recently… How do you feel knowing that this happened to you? You are highly encouraged to involve one other player’s character in this plot of finding your character! Have fun~

[gildedxink]

"Come on! I've seen you in action, Uncle Jax." She chuckled, the dream of PC was still there bits and piece were gonna but her connection to Will and Jax never did. She was grateful for it more than she could admit to. She leaned into him, if anyone was having as bad of a time bouncing back into things it was him.

"Well now you're just flattering me but I'll take it." She tapped her glass to his and smiled, "Okay so I gotta ask, how do you feel about the neon? It's not a very 'jax' vibe. It's very my dad...who i think might be drunk... or high."

[thejax-reed]

"You have? When?" The question slipped out before Reed could catch himself, bringing a very obvious blush to his cheeks. Nothing too scandalous, but noticeable nonetheless. He hadn't had an official girlfriend in quite some time now. Ever since..Esme left the city, so his mind did wonder what Max was talking about.

Jax had a sip of the booze and squared his shoulders before looking at the witch again. "..neon? It's a weird ass choice, but fitting for a party like this, I guess? I scrambled to get an outfit to match the theme-" he scoffed, "As for Will..I think I saw him earlier. Very happy indeed."

[henrycallahan]

Henry paused for the briefest moment when Jaxon referred to them both as lone wolves, his gaze lifting from the paperwork. He didn't usually think of himself as such, but he supposed that's what he was. Still, he'd been fairly certain the other man belonged to the Lycaon pack, though that was more of passing observation as he put no stock in rumors and paid little attention to pack politics.

"I suppose I hadn't realized that," he admitted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'm Henry. It's nice to meet you, Jax." He glanced down at the clipboard again, allowing Jaxon a moment to finish filling things out before looking back at him. "Sure, why not? Coffee doesn't sound like a bad idea."

He gave the clipboard a brief glance as Jaxon continued filling in the information, waiting patiently rather than hovering. When the other man mentioned they'd probably seen each other before, Henry tilted his head slightly, considering it. "You own that bar in Chissob Hills, don't you?" he asked, the recognition settling in after a moment. He studied him for another second before adding, "Lunar Heights, was it?"

Henry wasn't exactly a regular at places like that. He'd gone out with colleagues from time to time, usually when someone insisted it was good for him to do something other than work and go home, but crowds and noise had never held much appeal. He preferred places where conversations didn't have to compete with music and where he could actually hear the person across from him. He kept that to himself, though, offering Jaxon only a polite nod of recognition. "I thought I recognized you."

[thejax-reed]

"Nice to officially meet you too, Henry." Jaxon nodded. He would make sure to remember that name, especially since it was looking like they might end up having that coffee after all. "You seemed surprised when I used the term lone wolf. Is that not how you identify?" The man could have come from a pack, after all...plenty of rogues drifted into VC with history attached to them. He knew that because he had been one himself, many years ago. Jax smiled briefly, adding his weight and other smaller details to the form. It was at some point between his question and his writing, that the recognition seemed to finally click in the other man's eyes about who he was. "Yeah. I do. Nice pub, isn't it? I've had it for many years. 2007, I believe it was." Almost 20 years, who would've thought.

The beta handed the completed clipboard and pen back across the table and turned his attention towards the donor chairs. "..should I?"

[carmenlagreve]

“What’s being a part of a pack like? Is it all traditions and duty?” Carmen asked curiously, quietly wondering if vampire clans were similar in terms of tradition.

The vampiress shrugged slender shoulders, “So I’m told. I don’t really live like most vampires do and I don’t have anyone I can feed from all the time—“ Though Mab and Ayumu had been helping to change that. “So I rely on the bags from the hospital and the new synthetic drink, um— what’s it called…” Carmen trailed off. She wanted to be part of a clan, but she doubted her mother and father would trust her to do so. It was too much of a risk to their careers.

“Matcha! Yes.” Carmen laughed, a sweet musical sound, “Don’t be sorry. It’s one of those tastes you love or hate, like liquorice or Marmite! I didn’t know that before tonight. But now I know wolves taste like matcha.” She grinned.

[thejax-reed]

Carmen's question hung in the air, leaving Jaxon silent for a moment. A year ago, he would have had no problem answering it but now...now it felt strange to. His shoulders sagged before he shook his head, "No. It's not all traditions and duty. It feels more like a family who looks after one another. Sure, everyone's got to abide by some rules, but we woudn't be where we are were it not for packs." It was sad to hear Carmen had not had much luck herself and was experiencing vampirisim on her own. From what he knew, vampires were not as inclined to stick together, but there were clans on the island. "You mean severine? A friend of mine's responsible for creating it." Jax added, feeling the faintest of smiles tug at his lips at the thought of Vivian. "Have you ever thought about joinin' a clan? My friend..Vivian, she is part of The Sisters of the Night. They would probably be of great help to someone like you."

Jaxon rolled his eyes, allowing the smile to fully spread across his lips now. "Matcha sounds too hip, especially for someone like me"

[will-rogers]

He loved Jax so much, but sometimes he was so old. The wolf needed to stay hip to the youth demographic, yet often it was Gwen or Max who needed to introduce a new trend to Jax. Will sometimes was amazed that Jaxon streamed movies at the pub rather than wheeling out the old TV cart with the VHS player. But those were thoughts that belonged to sober Will. His buzz was unfortunately starting to wear off in the presence of his responsible friend. "You want me to be the one to talk to Caleb, don't you?" He hated being the adult.

[thejax-reed]

Reed rested a hand on his friend's shoulder, offering a warm, reassuring squeeze. "If it comes up, sure, but I was thinkin' more about using your influence on the pack to make sure it doesn't become a bigger problem." he explained, pretty much aware that Will might already be doing that. "..I'm sure it won't but, just in case."

[corona-hepsburg]

"I wanted to pay visits to old friends, some of whom live in this city." Corona smiled when she caught the blush on Jax's face. It was yet another reaction she enjoyed invoking in others. It made her feel good and she was certain that being on the receiving end of it did not feel bad either.

"Oh? What makes you say that?" she asked curiously. "I'd been hearing about some rather interesting developments regarding an Artemis. Would that be one of them?" And with that mention of the name, Corona was certain they could both be more open about their supernatural natures.

"I'd love if you could enlighten me. It's not been the easiest trying to get up to date on everything on my own," Corona sighed and reached a hand out to touch Jax's arm. She could have plucked everything she needed from the man's arm, but even she was not that intrusive. Part of the appeal of mingling with the beings on Earth was to let them reveal themselves to her.

[thejax-reed]

"..I see." Jax wished Corona would have volunteered some names, but he wasn't going to pry. At least not just yet. "Well, I hope you get to reunite with those friends of yours soon enough, if you haven't already." Chances were she was only saying that to be polite, but the sudden pivot in her attention caught him off guard. A flicker of surprise crossed his features, first at her sudden interest in the changes, but far more so by the way she'd just name-dropped Artemis so...casually? "Word travels fast." Yes, that did change things. "Yeah. Some negotiations took place a month ago between them and our community." The beta offered. Her touch was definitely noticed.

Reed looked back up to meet her eyes, a faint, guarded smirk tugging at his lips as he gestured to the path they were on. "It's a bit of a long story. Shall we?"

[thejax-reed]

[caleb-lycaon]

"Assuming he has kids..." Caleb replied with a droop of his shoulders. That was an idea. Handpick his successor out of one of his future nieces or nephews, even if it did not look like there were going to be any in the near or distant future.

"And I know about Naz. That's one of the many things I love about her," he sighed. "And I know that it isn't fair either to ask her to wait while I sort myself out..." It was frustrating and talking about it so openly to Jax made it even more so, even if he did appreciate it. He did not think they would be able to have this conversation had Jax still been his second.

"I appreciate what you're telling me, Jax, I really am..."

[thejax-reed]

"...knowing your brother, I'll admit it's a bit of a stretch, but it's not impossible." Jax sincerely hoped for the best in this situation but he wouldn't blame Caleb for not finding the idea of Jack being their answer reassuring.

"Just give her the choice if you haven't already. Maybe she wants to wait." Would the alpha accept her decision then? Jax kept the question to himself, not wanting to add more confusion to the whole situation, and turned to his drink for a moment. At least until Caleb spoke up again, pulling his attention back. The beta frowned, nodding.

"..sure."

[naz-ulusoy]

"I do, my partner Elliot Atwood and I are the owners," she confirmed, a small confident smile appearing on her face. "It's my baby, just like I'm sure that pub is yours," she assumed. It would do her some good to be seen around more werewolves so she should make the effort to make friends. "I will make sure I do," she promised. "But you'll have to have a drink with me."

Naz had never really dated interspecies before. She never thought it would be an issue but dating the Lycaon alpha was proving differently. There was likely no answer that would have been easy to hear so she appreciated his gentle delivery. "I can tell it weighs heavily on him. I want to help him but I know it's not my place to." Caleb had grown as a leader in the years together on the council but she could tell it wasn't what he wanted to do.

The spirit was used to hollow sounds of laughter and her expression fell. She had known that Jax had been asked to step down but she hadn't known what position he held. Something must have happened and the ever curious rabbit wanted to ask but she held her tongue. "Rules kinda suck anyway," the rabbit huffed. "I think spirit's are always kind of against the rules. We should be passed on but we're stubbornly holding on."

[thejax-reed]

"Do you have a business card I can keep?" Jaxon hoped that he might never need a lawyer but it would not be unwise to have one in his back pocket, just in case. Naz's pride in her work was definitely something he respected. "And sure. It's a deal." It would be a lot less crowded than this, so Jax figured they could have a more relaxed conversation then. Offering a slow nod at what was said about Caleb, he turned his gaze to the shelf in front of them, even if it was only for a moment. He did find it made it a little easier to say what was on his mind. "I'm not as present in his life as I used to, so there's not much I can do myself, but you're helping him, Naz. I know that." he said, his voice quiet and sincere. "You, Naz, offer him a chance to be himself whenever he's with you, without the pressure of being what others expect of him." Maybe he had gone soft, Jax thought. Caleb's mother would certainly accuse him of it, but someone had to look after the kids, right?

The conversation shifted toward his own past and the rules he'd broken, and he couldn't help but notice the faint flicker in her eyes. Curiosity, perhaps, but he was relieved to see that she didn't ask any questions. "You'll have to teach me, then. I'm not so sure what to do with myself these days without 'em."

[thejax-reed]

Lunch Date at the Hotel @ Mab and Jax

The lobby of the great Nakshatra hotel was unlike anywhere Jaxon Reed had ever been to. He had heard the rumors about the Zaman family, of course, which had been reason enough to keep his eyes on his rearview mirror while driving into Hedon, but standing inside that luxurious building was an experience in itself.

It had almost taken the wolf a whole ten minutes to get used to the overlap of conversations, and the constant buzz of activity that must've kept a place like that running, but he did eventually make it to the large reception desk. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to make himself look a tad more put together (if his choice for attire wasn't doing that already), and cleared his throat, trying to get the staff's attention. "Jaxon Reed," he said, offering the receptionst lady a nod. "I'm here to see Mabile Zaman?"

The receptionist's fingers paused over her keyboard, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face at the casual mention of the hotel owner's name, and cleared her screen in a swift motion before looking up at Jax. 'Miss Zaman is expecting you, Mr. Reed. She is currently finishing up a meeting, but she asked that you wait for her in the lounge area. May I offer you a drink while you wait?' Reed shook his head, politely declining the offer for now, and was taken to lounge.

He chose one of the low leather armchairs positioned with a clear view of the grand staircase and the private elevators. Settling back into the deep cushion, he crossed one ankle over his knee and let his gaze drift back up to the gold-leaf ceiling, waiting for his date. Wow, was he nervous

@madmabzaman

[will-rogers]

"I had the blue one. It tasted very blue." Somewhere between a blue raspberry and whatever the blue ice sports drink was: that was what the cocktail had tasted like. What was more dangerous than the neon color was the fact that it hadn't tasted of alcohol at all. It was sweet. Sweet enough to easily drink three or more without realizing the effects.

Will gave a nonchalant shrug. It did suck that the news came from the mouth of their alpha rather than the woman he lived with, but it wasn't the worst betrayal. Everyone had their secrets he reasoned. And as Jax said, it wasn't as if she wouldn't have told him eventually. "I don't know. The relationship is still new. I don't think the pack will do more than whisper until there is a ring on her finger."

[thejax-reed]

Jaxon offered Will a blank stare, clueless as to what 'very blue' could possibly mean. Knowing his friend, though, he was pretty sure it made perfect sense to him..and that was probably enough. "Come on, don't give me that look. Makes me think you're not okay." A nudge should do the trick, Jax reasoned. Anything to help him shake it off and focus on the present, on what was in their hands to do. In Will's case: to be supportive. "..as for Caleb, it's already uncommon for a Lycaon alpha to be dating a spirit. Maybe one of us should actually watch out for him, before the pack starts doing more than just running their mouths."

[corona-hepsburg]

"Oh, aren't you the picture perfect gentleman," Corona smiled and took the offered hand to stand from where she'd barely done anything to help with Jax's papers. "You're most welcome," she replied and held the pen out for him to take as she was already, naturally, finding out from his mind what work was (a bar named Lunar Heights) and what this Will (a wolf from the Lycaon pack) looked like.

"Corona. How lovely it is to meet you," the deity squeezed Jax's hand delightedly. "I just got into the city and I must say that things have changed a lot since I was last here..." On Earth. "Are you from Vievecor City, Jax?"

[thejax-reed]

"Thanks..and likewise." Jesus, was he blushing? It wasn't like Jaxon Reed had never received a compliment before, but this one landed different. With the handshake out of the way, the wolf nodded, pretty certain of one thing: he wouldn't forget that name, or that radiant aura clinging to her. His best guess? Deity. Which also meant treading carefully.

"Resident for many years now," Jax said, clipping the pen on the folder. He wouldn't bother with the math of it, though he somehow got the feeling that she might be able to pluck that information from his mind. "Vievecor changes fast, I'll admit. In a good or bad way it's a lot harder to tell these days." he shrugged, "Can I ask..what made you come back?"

[detectivejdarling]

Jo released a dry chuckle as Jaxon appeared at her side. "You can buy me the next one." Only then did she shift to face him, her gaze briefly dipping to take him in before it lifted again. It had been a while since they'd last seen each other. "I am. But you still don't seem convinced. You're not backing out, are you?"

[thejax-reed]

"..deal." It seemed like a fairly easy thing to promise, considering he had already agreed to feature her film choice as part of the pub's movie nights. He didn't regret the decision, but it had cost them their usual crowd. No kids, at the very least. "Still? Ouch." Reed chuckled, giving the detective a look. "No. I am not backing out. What about me gives off 'unconvinced'? I know we haven't worked together in a long time but I'm still the same guy, Jo. Trusthworthy. Mostly."

[madmabzaman]

Mab Zaman: I was but I'm afraid I was a bit tied up with work and didn't get to mingle as much as I would have liked.

Mab Zaman: Come to the hotel, I'll feed and entertain you myself.

[thejax-reed]

JAXON REED: Of course. I get that. I was sorry to miss you, though. I had been thinking about asking if you wanted to see each other there.

JAXON REED: (...typing) What an honor. ;) What time?