Colin's posts

Jake raised an eyebrow again, before leaning back in his chair.

"Well, that answers my obvious question." he said.

"And yeah, odds are he's used his mana to teleport close to this place and should be coming through that door any-" he started to say further, before the inside door was swung open by Zeke, who practically barged through.

"Desiree!?" he exclaimed.

"...second, now." Jake finished.

"Maaaaaan, you are some kinda predictable, sometimes." he then said to Zeke, who just looked IMMENSELY confused now.

"Will do, Marcus responded.

Later, as Desiree stepped into the area and spoke to Jake, the guard looked over from his paper and smiled at her.

[b]"Oh, hey." he greeted her.

"Yeah, he's in." he said further. "He know you're coming?" he asked, as his tongue darted out to check her mana, ie: her identity. But as he did so, his tongue hung out of his mouth for a few seconds, before it retracted and darted back out and in once more.

"..." he was silent, before raising an eyebrow and looking at her.

"Are you...?" he started to ask, before stopping and thinking about it.

"I can tell it's you." he assured her. "But... there's another signature within."

"That's understandable." Marcus replied.

"Just take it one day at a time and make sure you keep your friends and loved ones close." he told her.

"I'm going to make some calls about that small Vineyard." he then said. "The guy I know has recently put it up for sale, and he probably still has it available. I can call you if he wants to speak with you about it." he offered.

"Yes, he IS a mage." he then stated.

"So you won't have to worry about hiding anything or whatever." he assured her further.

"He and I are old friends."

Marcus merely nodded in response.

"As long as you are fully aware of what the future holds for you." he told her. "Also, you do raise a good point about medical science and such. I'm sure you'll be in the best of hands." he reasoned.

He was then silent for a moment, before smiling at her.

"I'm proud of you, dear." he said.

"You've overcome such horrendous adversity, and here you are now; owner and CEO of a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, a successful magician, you have someone to share your life with, and now you're expecting." he said further.

"It's amazing."

"Fair enough." Marcus responded.

"I'll see if I can get into contact with them." he told her.

"...also, that IS a good point..." he then said. "You ARE still human. You're a human. Pregnant with a Dhampir child." he commented, leaning forwards a little and looking right at her.

"I assume you know what vampiric birth entails?" he asked.

"And assuming you do, are you prepared for that experience?" he asked further.

"Because to call it traumatic is... an understatement."

Marcus just sighed again.

"...to be fair, she doesn't really TELL anyone her age, so... yeah..." he muttered. "But I understand. It's... it'll be a little weird, but only for people that don't know us, or make snap-judgements." he shrugged.

"Still. It's weird to think about it." he admitted.

"And while I might not have any mana, I DO have ways to quick-transport." he then assured her. "Hell, I have an old medallion that still has some life in it. I can get anywhere in the world. Just a limited amount of times." he chuckled.

"...but I DO wish to be a part of my grandchild's life." he stated, more serious now. "I refuse to be absent, again, from my family's life." he went on.

"Also, do you have a preference for where you want to live?" he asked. "Because, the more I think about it, I miiiiiight know someone that lives on a small Vineyard, that's thinking of leaving Italy and living in New Zealand."

Marcus paused for a moment.

"I..." he stammered, before it hit him. "It... she... yeah. Yeah, she is." he realised. "Granted, not by even a year, I think it's 10 months or so, but... yeah. Yeah, she IS younger than you." he confirmed.

"This child will have a grandmother younger than her actual mother." he said further.

He then cleared his throat, pushed the potential awkwardness away, and sighed.

"And... I... yes. Yes, I DO want to be a part of the child's life." he told her. "I wasn't around for a big part of your own, and the reasons and validity of that can be debated until the cows come home... which my therapist will hopefully help with... but I fully intend to be a part of my grandchild's life." he stated.

"I promise THAT."

"I believe I know of some places in Italy, actually." Marcus told her. "I'll do some research and make some calls and-" he started to say further, before he just paused for a moment, but his expression didn't change.

He was then silent, before clearing his throat a little.

"Ah." he muttered. "Pardon?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I'm getting on in my years, and JAZZ is the one with the Hunter's hearing trait." he commented. "That last part, correct me if I'm wrong, but.... pregnant?" he asked. "Did you say... 'pregnant'?" he asked further.

"You're... carrying a child?" he then asked in another way.

"Did I hear that correctly?"

Marcus sighed in response.

"Well, I know you'll be able to handle it." he said. "It's why Deryck and I made sure it would go to you." he told her. "Just keep it up, and keep your friends close." he went on.

"And... weird at home? Looking to move?" he then asked.

"Hmmmm." he mumbled, thinking about it.

"Scotland's a beautiful place." he suggested. "Then again, I've been to Italy, and it is lovely there as well..." he went on.

"Why are you looking to move, anyway?"

"Ah, yes." Marcus responded.

"As a surviving family member, I was informed of Deryck's passing." he said. "And yes, I do know that he had Mariana's, and that he and I had made it so you would inherit it upon his passing." he went on.

"But the gears finally turned enough to pass it to you, did they." he then said.

"Good." he said further.

"It's about time you had some good fortune in your life. A massive influx of it, anyway." he went on.

"I do hope you use it responsibly."

Marcus thought about it for a moment, before nodding.

"Know what? Sure." he answered her. "I'll give it a shot." he said. "Sounds like she could really help and.. uh... well, 'get into my head', literally." he said further with a chuckle.

"Thanks." he said further.

"Anyway. What's up?" he asked.

"Did you just stop by to chat? Or is there something in specific you wish to speak with me about?" he asked further.

"Either one works for me."

"Oh?" Marcus asked, leaning back in his chair a little.

"A faerie, huh? Is that so?" he asked further. "Well, I've met a number of fae in my lifetime... some good... some bad... a lot of them tricksters." he told her. "That being said, the ones that have been genuinely positive in my life have definitely left their mark." he went on. "Point is, doesn't matter to me WHAT they are." he concluded.

"That being said, if she is willing to help a Mana Hunter like myself, then I shall try." he continued. "I mean, progressiveness is great and all, but I DO know some find it VERY hard to move on from the old ways. Especially when the old ways were as... savage... as they were." he admitted. "So I wouldn't blame her if she had reservations." he went on, but then paused.

"Though she would have to be okay with it. I'm guessing you're on good terms with her, else you wouldn't have brought it up." he assumed. "So forgive the rambling." he chuckled.

"Tell me, how does being a faerie come into play with her effectiveness?" he then inquired.

Marcus just smirked.

"Jazz really does know her stuff." he replied, returning the hug. They held the embrace for a moment or two, before letting go and sitting down. "Seriously, she gets the best stuff, and that special spice blend of hers is what pushes them over the top." he went on.

"And life's been good." he then said. "Business is booming, had no bothers or anything, Jazz and I are still going as strong as ever..." he continued, knowing Desiree would ask about his relationship with the woman at some point. Not because she was nosy, but because she genuinely cared. He was then silent for another moment, before sighing quietly.

"...she's convinced me to seek therapy." he revealed. "I finally see that I have harboured a guilt complex for... far too long." he admitted. "That being said, I know I need professional help with it, so I'm looking for a therapist." he told her further.

"And yes, this WAS a very recent development. Month or so ago?" he went on. "Point is, it's hard to find a good therapist." he lamented. "And seeing the one at the Unit seems... well, I don't want to take him away from the people that he is MEANT to see." he added, referring to Evan. Sebastien was one there too, yes, but he specialised in... demonic aspects and such, and their own strain on the mind.

The man just chuckled.

"That's a secret that only Miss Harper knows." he stated, again, showing he was VERY new.

"Anyway, feel free to take a seat anywhere. Want something to drink as well?" he asked.

"Some water would be lovely." Desiree responded.

With that, she took a seat, and 7 minutes later, she was served a glass of ice water, and a plate with the panini on it, and the complementary side of Caesar salad. She dug in, and by the time she had finished the salad, and had a bite or two left of her panini, she saw her father come into view. They locked eyes and he smiled, making his way over and sitting down across from her.

"Hello again." he greeted her kindly.