"............." Jake was silent as he heard that.

"Uhhh... right." he said.

"I'll... I'll remember that." he told her.

He then looked around once more, and smiled to himself.

"This really IS a nice place." he reiterated.

"Seriously. I think I could get REAL comfy here." he added.

"Heh." Jake chuckled.

"Sydney, you've always been able to help me when we've met." he said.

"And I thank you for that." he told her.

"You've saved my bacon once more." he continued.

"So how have things been going for you?" he then asked.

"Been a while since we last saw each other, to understate it."

Jake was silent for a moment, thinking about it.

"Ah, well..." he stammered.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"Some meat would be good." he told her.

"Meat and fish. I'm pretty damn hungry." he admitted.

"Other than that, I should be all right." he finished with a small shrug.

Jake opened his mouth to answer, but stopped.

"...depends." he said.

"Where are you getting the meat and fish, and how?" he asked her.

"Because if it's a case of a simple trip to the market, then I'll stay here." he told her. "However, if you intend to go... 'straight to the source', so to speak, then I'm coming with." he continued.

"After all, it's been such a long time..." he went on, trailing off at the end and smirking slightly.

"We could go out on a hunt together for old time's sake."

Jake shook his head.

"Nope." he said.

"Let's do this." he told her, a hint of excitement and nostalgia in his tone, as he cracked his knuckles.

The years then passed, and they seemed to pass by quickly. Jake had ended up entering a renting deal with Sydney over the place. He paid her rent to live there, and whenever she needed to use the place, he either gave her her space, or put himself up in a motel for the time being.

It was a good arrangement, and it worked well for them... especially with Jake and Sydney having it that the rent was directly paid to her via their bank accounts.

He had been made head of security at The Unit, and was proving to be an invaluable asset, considering his sense of smell was now heightened to smell mana, as well as non-human attributes. He had an excellent job for an excellent company, he had a good place to live, it seemed like everything was going well for him.

But he found himself feeling very lonely at night at times.

So much so, he'd taken to frequenting secret mana-affiliated chat rooms online to see if anyone caught his interest. He had chosen the username 'ConspiracyCentre' in a light-hearted jab at how conspiracy theorists seemed to link his kind to any and all bad things that happened in the world, or things that didn't make sense. It made him laugh.

One morning, in particular, he was returning from a night shift at The Unit, but wasn't feeling all that tired. He looked into the livingroom and saw his computer on the desk in it, before sighing to himself.

"Wonder if anyone's active..." he muttered, making his way to the machine and powering it on, logging into one of the more eccentric chat rooms.

"......" Jake was silent as he read the messages, checked some of the history, and then checked which room he was in... before sighing and typing.

The hell's everyone's problem? he sent.

This is one of the rooms where everything goes, as long as nothing illegal is implied to or stated. And judging from these comments, NightmareFuel hasn't been breaking that rule he typed further.

Seriously, one of the admins is online right now, and they have actively posted recently, plus the indicators show they've seen these messages. So if they don't think this is worth a stink over, then clean up your acts. he finished typing.

He then paused for a moment, before opening a private channel with the user in question.

Sorry, some people on here tend to be little sensitive snowflakes. he sent to them.

Jake paused for a moment when he read all that.

Well, odds are they're calling me a 'White Knight' and other such unflattering terms, but they're mostly annoying assholes that frequent the chat at this time. he sent back.

But you're quite welcome.' he sent further.

As for what brings me to the chat, same thing as usual. Trying to find companionship. he told them bluntly.

Also, 'tonight'? Where you at in the world? he then asked them, pausing to give them time to respond now.

California. It's morning here. Jake responded.

And Anapa? As in Russia? That's pretty cool. he said further.

As for what variety... I'll be honest, I'm not picky. he then typed. I admit, I suppose I'm on the lookout for something a bit more serious and committed, but I've all but resigned myself to the fact that that will probably never happen. he added before hitting the 'send' button.

But I'm not opposed to flings or one-night-stands or casual shit. he then quickly sent further, so as not to bring the entire atmosphere down, and make sure she had the right idea of him.

He wanted love, but he'd settle for friendly lust.

Well, sorry to say, but if you're a guy, then I'm not interested. Jake sent.

I am a man, in search of a woman. he clarified further.

And your offer is very tempting. he then told them.

You mention 'average persons nightmares', and that intrigues me greatly. he went on.

So if you are a female, then we have a date!

An hour? Sure, that works. Jake responded.

As for a place to show up, I know this great little diner that's super friendly towards mages and non-humans. They even have a teleport entrance in the back area for them. he sent.

He then proceeded to give her the address, and smirked when she confirmed she had it.

Show up in an hour, and breakfast is on me. he then typed.

I'll be the one in the corner booth, wearing a plaid flannel shirt. he then added.