Colin's posts

"I can handle it." he told her.

"Seriously, I have a lot of practice in ignoring it." he said. "...when I'm feeling the hunger, anyway." he added. "When I'm not hungry for it, it does nothing for me." he said further.

'...unless it smells good, but...' he added mentally, though he WAS noting that Desiree's blood DID smell good.

This was not the time for it, now, though.

"Desiree, if you leave, you may be as good as dead." he reasoned.

"Didn't you say you would fight tooth and nail to stay alive?" he asked.

"I can take care of myself!" Jaden declared.

"Seriously. You need help. I can SMELL it." he told her.

"...yeah, your coat's hiding it from sight, but I can friggin' smell the blood on you." he stated.

"Seriously, come up to my place and I'll help you." he said further.

"...please?"

Jaden did not waste time.

As soon as the line went dead, he used his portals, and appeared in the alley beside his building, not caring if anyone saw him.

And he then proceeded to race towards the front of his building.

"DESIREE!" he called out.

"Please wait!" he yelled.

'...the hell?' Jaden thought.

'Desiree? Is it...?' he wondered, before narrowing his eyes.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"You're later than you said you'd be." he said further.

Depending on how they responded, would influence how he acted.

"....of course." he growled, stomping towards the comm where he could speak to whomever was there. He pressed the button hard, and was about ready to scream at whomever was there... but then stopped.

And composed himself.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Who is it?" he asked further.

'And this BETTER be good.' he then threatened mentally.

Instantly, he was on high alert.

Panic and anger started to course through his being, as he whirled his head around, scanning the area.

"Damn it!" he cursed.

"DESIREE!" he yelled out.

"Hey! You still here!?" he called further, as he speedily began to search the apartment.

Jaden sighed.

There is mana transport, but people need to be individually exempted, which takes a bit. he sent her.

He then sent the address of his place, alongside his buzzer number, and where she could teleport to that was nearby. It was a failed deli that never got business, with a perpetual 'for rent' sign on it. It was kept like that by a few mages to keep a safe spot for mana travel for others.

Just exit out the back door. he added.

He read the texts and thought for a moment.

I'll grind a small amount of beans before we meet so you can taste it. he sent.

As for where... depends on you, I suppose. Where would you be the most comfortable? he then asked her.

I can easily meet you at your place, you can come to mine if you want, or we can meet up at a park or something. he then added.

I have some good stuff that goes bad surprisingly fast. Was wondering if you wanted to take some off my hands. he sent in response.

And when I say surprisingly quickly, I mean in about 3-4 months. But I'll never use all I have in that time. he added in another text.

He then sighed and started to clean up a bit, wondering what to do next.

"If she accepted... meet her there? Have her come here...?" he wondered.

"Go elsewhere...?" he wondered further.

'Why am I fretting over this...?' he then asked himself mentally.

"Yeah." Jaden responded.

"Anyway, I'll talk to you later." he then said.

With that, they said their goodbyes and the call was ended, leaving Jaden to finish his smoothie and stare at his phone for a few seconds... and then mentally slap himself.

'What are you, a TEENAGER!?' he scolded himself mentally, before sending a text to Desiree.

Hey, you drink coffee? was all it asked.

"Best start simple and direct..." he mumbled.

"Hmph." Jaden muttered.

"Wait." he said.

"Didn't you tell me you worked with someone that does that kind of shady stuff?" he asked her, not wanting to name the person for security and safety reasons, but knowing she'd know who he was referring to.

"Maybe THEY'D do it." he suggested.

"Odds are Peter being outta the picture would be motivation enough." he said further.

"Or do you think they won't or can't do it?" he asked.

"...ugh." Jaden muttered.

"He the one that still simultaneously thinks that what I did in Europe was horrible, but at the same time feels like I was doing the non-human world a favour?" he then asked her.

"Yep." Sydney responded.

"I hate him." Jaden growled.

"To this day, I still don't understand HOW he has any power at all." he admitted to her.

Jaden paused, as the gears finally clicked.

"Oh!" he exclaimed.

"Well, I'll let you know what happens." he said.

"And... Australia?" he then asked.

"Wait... are you in the middle of a hunt?" he asked her.

"Or, like, are you there BECAUSE of a hunt, I should say." he clarified.

"Not sure." Jaden admitted.

"Still, I'll give you half." he told her.

"Just lemme know when you're gonna stop by and grab 'em." he said further.

"You know, just so I know to expect you when I'm here, or if you'll drop by while I'm gone." he reasoned.

"I know you have direct access to my apartment."