funny like a funeral.

“Oh, I’d expect at least a movie franchise about it.  Or knowing humans, more likely a franchise about the pathetic humans trying to take it down,” Ace said with a snort. 

“It’s more comfortable if your master wants into to be.  The sex is better, though that might be individual.”

Jasper nodded along. He wasn’t quite as jaded as Ace---perhaps because Jasper had been raised a human and still more or less felt like one, or at least as much of one as he ever had---but he didn’t disagree. Not entirely, anyway. 

Margeaux smiled softly at him and nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jasper,” she said.Her blue eyes continued to search him, curious about him now.

“I’m Margeaux,” she said. “One of the professors here.”

Andi could still remember what he had been like in the library the day she had run into him, literally. He had been making jokes, he had been nice but not submissive like a robot like this. He had seem hurt when she ran into him. He had seemed like a real person. Seeing him like this scared her a little, but she knew she had to protect him by keeping him close. 

He relaxed when she asked him to go get her a drink and Andi felt a little better to know that he wasn’t upset, even in this weird state. She smiled back, or at least tried to though it felt a bit fake to her. 

“Thanks, Jasper. That would be great.” 

At his question she shrugged. “Um… a beer. And surprise me. I’m not picky and I’ll be happy with anything you bring back.” 

“A surprise beer,” Jasper repeated to himself with a small nod. “Got it. I’ll be right back, Mistress.”

He smiled a hollow, vacant smile at Andi, then walked off to get her a drink and he returned not long after. He offered her the frosted glass. “It’s a pumpkin ale,” he said. “I thought you might like it, because it’s sort of festive.” 

“Yeah, and really I didn’t mean to drop all of those books on you. I didn’t see you.” The she wolf explained with a small and nervous smile. She didn’t want him to think she had done that on purpose. Who would even do something like that on purpose? 

Andi wasn’t above helping at all, it was her fault after all and she was the one who had not looked and ran into him. It was the least she could do since he was helping her. “Thanks for helping.” Andi threw him a smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear. 

“You’re a biology major? Or, a medical student I mean?” Andi asked with a slightly excited smile growing on her lips. “Hey, maybe you could help me sometime or tutor me or something? That is if my plan to murder you instead of the class doesn’t pan out.” She teased him. 

Jasper gave her a more genuine smile this time. She seemed pretty alright, at least so far. For the most part, people here seemed to be either obviously horrible or basically decent, without a lot of subterfuge. Probably because when you had bound and chained slaves at your disposal there wasn’t a lot of point in pretending not to be a vicious piece of shit. 

But that didn’t mean he was prepared to throw caution to the wind.

“Oh, no problem,” he said. 

Text: I know you have no reason to believe me whatsoever, but I swear on my tarantula that it was just the spell.  I’ve been on the receiving end, the idea that I was the one giving it absolutely horrifies me.  An apology feels so … small, but I truly am sorry.

Unsent: [ ✉ ↠ very scary. avoid at all costs. ] i’m sorry. i understand it wasn’t really you doing those things, but at the same time, it was you. or at least a part of you. and i really don’t feel comfortable with that. or you. so maybe don’t talk to me for a while, okay? i just want to be left alone.

[ ✉ ↠ very scary. avoid at all costs. ] i guess this place is pretty fucked up.

[ ✉ ↠ very scary. avoid at all costs. ] we were both brainwashed. we both said and did some things.

Quinten noticed the shy, weak smile as they first greeted each other before they headed into his office. He just figured that it was a good place to talk to get to know about each other a little.

Quinten took a seat at his desk, smiling softly as Jasper looked around to see what he had on his shelves, what it might reveal about him. He knew that he could come on a little strong. Being at this location, it was hard to trust anyone- and the longer he had been here, the more he realized his kindness could be interpreted as being a trick. He would just have to be patient and show others that he was okay. He figured that if he knew Qhuinn, it wouldn’t take too long for him to realize he was a good person as well.

“I just wanted to get to know you a little better. What kind of experience you were looking for. Is there a field that you are very interested in?”

Jasper perched on the edge of a chair and he rubbed his hands over his thighs while he continued surveying the office. When Quinten started speaking again, Jasper shuffled further back in his seat.

“Ah, well, I don’t have much experience. Practically, anyway. I mean I’ve got my first aid and stuff, but everything else is just theory at this point. I’m pretty good with it, though, I think.”

[ ✉ → Jasper ] Well, I know you do not seem to like the library, but if you need somewhere quiet my door is always open. You do not need to require odd texts for it to be welcoming to you.

[ ✉ → Jasper ] I wanted to talk to you about why I pulled you aside at the Luncheon but if you’d rather we just kept ignoring it, as you wish.

@leugaroul from here

[ ✉ ↠ mr rrroll up the rrrim ] thanks. that’s nice of you.

“At the UN?  If we were secretly running that, it would get a hell of a lot more done,” Ace said with a snort.  “Look for something that works a little too well and we’re probably involved.”  He stopped and considered for a moment.  “Well, maybe some of us might be be making it not work well, but not running it.”

“Can’t argue with that logic.  If I could be lazy and well cared for all day, I would be.  I’m Ace.”

Jasper tilted his head from side to side, then shrugged in agreement. “Yeah, that checks out. I think a secret cabal of poorly organized supernaturals would make for a better story, though. You know, like that’s the kind of weird mocumentary I could really get behind.”

He took a hand out of his pocket and wiped it off on the leg of his jeans, then held it out to Ace. “Nice to meet you.” 

[ ✉ ↠ mr rrroll up the rrrim ] well you seem to be doing alright with this blasted messaging. but if you want, we could try semaphore next time.

[ ✉ ↠ mr rrroll up the rrrim ] i’m fine, man. no need to worry about me.

[ ✉ ↠ mr rrroll up the rrrim ] thanks, though. nice of you to ask.   

“Absolutely. Pretty sure my best friend would stop talking to me if I didn’t make pies” she laughed, shuddering playfully at the thought. Knowing Jason and his love for pies though, it probably wasn’t too far from the truth. 

Qhuinn watched his expressive face carefully as she better explained herself, glad that he seemed much happier now. She knew that she was going to really enjoy having him around, and really just wanted him to be happy and comfortable there. 

Jasper took her hand then and she smiled tenderly, giving his fingers a soft squeeze. “Good..I’m glad. I want this to be a place where you can feel comfortable to learn and grow. So…now does now sound?” Qhuinn grinned. “C’mon, I’ll show you around”

“Well, whoever your best friend is clearly known what they’re about. Apple pie is amazing.”

Jasper laced his fingers through Qhuinn’s and a faint blush dusted his cheeks. He swallowed. “Ah, yeah? I mean, good. Now sounds good.” 

His emotions didn’t seem to match his actions. While Jasper kissed her with an equal hunger and pawed just as desperately at her clothing, there was almost a hesitation to what he seemed to be feeling. And apparently she was with it enough to care. 

Qhuinn moaned at the feel of his hands and lips on her skin, her own finally finished with his jeans, leaving a very enticing opening that was just wide enough for one of her hands to slip in there quite nicely. She hesitate though, because once she got a feel for him, she wasn’t sure that she could stop. And taking advantage of a friend was no on her to-do list.

“Jas…” she gasped, tangling her fingers in his hair, holding his head to her. “Are you sure…?”

Jasper titled his head back just enough to search Qhuinn’s face. Was he sure? Fuck no he wasn’t sure. But he wanted this and so did she and after it all went wrong they could just blame it on this freak island and pretend it had never happened and that would be fine just like everything else was fine.