Bane and The Stony Shade (Open)

OOC: No prob.

Bane caught the slight body movement at the word discretion; he was questioning her about that. Why wasn’t she surprised? The total lack of discretion in the world today was outstanding. Bane remembered a time when people could keep their mouths shut and never whisper a thing. He mentioned she thought correctly, that was nice. Gentlemen were so few and far between.

“Lord Jamben Urthadar, the Sorcerer. That has a nice ring to it. It explains what happened earlier.”

He asked for her name. Who was she? She could be anyone she wanted to be, but the original far outweighed the effort to keep a cover story together. Anyways, she couldn’t remember the truth anyways, it was always changing.

“I am Jacky Vox De Luca. Youngest of the De Luca family. You’re a lord? I wouldn’t have guessed. You seem so authentic it’s scary. Speaking of authentic, the food here is outstanding. All hand made from organic gardens. Non of that garbage from McDonalds or Wendy’s.

The smell of home cooked food made Jacky walk quicker. She was positively famished!

Jamben smiled slightly as the young lady complimented his name, saying it had a nice ring, and that it also explained what he was doing earlier. She then introduced herself as Jacky Vox De Luca. Jamben smiled; it was a unique name, like his.

She said she was the youngest of her family, and was interested in the fact that he was a Lord, saying his authentic level scared her. She then went back to the topic of the restaurant, saying that the food was completely organic, and not fake, like from McDonald's or Wendy's. She seemed genuinely excited.

Jacky Vox, De Luca, Jamben repeated, smiling. I very much like that name.

As for the status of Lord, it is because I am the Archmage at the Arcane Academy, meaning I am the headmaster. So, I am recognized as the most experienced spellcaster.

He blinked, before smiling apologetically to Jacky.

I apologize. I didn't mean to brag.

He walked her in to the restaurant, and smiled to the person who came to seat them, giving them a thick wad of cash.

I would like the best seats in the entire establishment, ones with a good view. It's cold outside, and I would like some warm seats, along with some candles. I want the best wine in the house, and don't you dare hold back.

The seater blinked, guiding them quickly to a good table and lighting some candles for them, as Jamben pulled out a seat for Jacky with a smile. When she was seated, he helped push her in, and then took his seat, as was proper manners. He waited for them to be, well, waited, and as the seater finished, he called after him, And prompt service, if you please.

He then smiled to Jacky.

Jacky was surprised when he said he was a headmaster. She was thinking more along the lines of spoiled, entitled, hand me down lineage type of stuff. Not, well, hardworking and earned titles. He was apologizing, she wondered why. For bragging?

You’re a headmaster? Are you on vacation right not or something? Don’t apologize. Never apologize. Well, unless you kill someone or something like that. My sister taught me that. And there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging your accomplishments.

Jamben called for the best table, candles and wine. Bane loved wine, being the pure Italian that she was. He was quite serious, a romantic it would seem. After helping her into her seat and he directed the server smoothly and then smiled. He was really cute now that she really looked at him. She smiled back and rattled off a question.

So my dearest Jamben, tell me more about yourself. I was wondering what it took to become the headmaster of such a prestigious school?

Jacky seemed more intrigued by the minute, impressed that he was a headmaster, and asked if he was on vacation. Then she told him never to apologize unless he actually did something horrible, and said there was nothing wrong with acknowledging his accomplishments. He offered a smile.

Am I on vacation...? Yes, I suppose you could say that. And if you prefer me not to apologize for trivial things...so be it.

She then called him "dearest," which made him chuckle slightly, as she asked him to tell her more about himself, and said she was wondering what he had to go through to become the headmaster of the academy. He smiled sadly.

Let's just say many years of practice...and an accident. After a slight pause, Jamben continued. If you wish, I can show you some of the skills I've obtained after our meal. I'd prefer not to show off here, as it may...unsettle the other guests.

And what of you, Jacky? What is it you do?

The waiter appeared and poured a glass of wine. Jacky sipped at while Jamben told her about the process of becoming a headmaster. Practice would make sense, but she wondered about his accident. He paused and Jacky decided not to push it any farther. He then asked what she did.

Well, I’m technically the official medic for the Night Hawks. But I haven’t been doing that for a little while. I was out on family business for almost 6 months and had just returned to the city. I’m a poison specialist so to say. So my abilities are in high demand by my siblings.

Do you have family here?

Jamben smiled as Jacky began drinking some wine, and listened intently as she said she was an official medic for the Night Hawks, whoever they were. She said she had not done that for a while, however, and was out on family business. She also said she was a poison specialist, and as such her abilities were in high demand from her siblings. Interesting.

She asked if he had any family in Jump City. He smiled again.

That was the accident which I referred to. While I was out buying more cattle for my family so we could survive the winter, my father failed a spell and consumed our entire dwelling in an explosion. I got back just in time to see it all go to flames.

He kept his smile, though it was saddened, as he continued.

Ever since that day, I have never been able to warm my body. And ever since that day, I have studied the arcane.

His smile brightened back to its usual carefreeness.

...that's not what you asked for. I'm sorry. Though I suppose you'll ask me not to apologize for that, either...but enough about me. Do you have family here?

Jacky listened intently as he told her about his family. The correct reaction was one of pity and sadness, but Jacky couldn’t bring herself to do either. She had been sad for so long over so much she had almost become immune to its tantalizing effects. Instead, she reached over and placed her hand on top of his.

“I’m sorry to hear that. It seems we share the same affliction about the cold. Except my reason isn’t as sad. You’ll have to explain the arcane to me later, perhaps after dinner. I’d like that.

She was glad once he smiled again. Trying to move out of the darkness was hard for Jacky and she needed to be around happier people than herself, to re-teach her how to have emotions once again.

“Family? No not here. My brother lives in London, and my sister is currently roaming the darkness she herself created. To be exact, she was in a mental institute last time I checked. But she may or may not be there now. My family is certainly quite mad. I may become like her some day.

Jacky removed her hand from Jamben’s and waved it, as if she was getting rid of a problem, then she laughed.

“Enough of that. We need a cheerier topic it would seem. What do you suggest?

She noticed her glass was empty and refilled it.

Jacky gave her condolences, noting they shared the same affliction of the cold. She said she was interested in learning about the arcane arts, and would like to do it after dinner. Jamben smiled, and then Jacky answered his question.

She said her brother was in London, and that her sister was wandering in darkness, which she then explained was a mental institute. Jacky also said that her family was mad, and that she, too, might end up in a mental institution one day, like her sister. Jamben only noticed now that Jacky had placed her hand on his. Smiling lightly, he gently lifted her hand, before gently pecking the back of it with his lips.

It is my opinion that if we aren't at least a bit insane, we aren't acting as ourselves.

She withdrew her hand, and he smiled as she said they should move on to a cheerier topic, asking what he wanted to talk about. He filled his wine glass.

Well, Jacky...a man and a young woman walk into a restaurant, wishing to know more about the other. They find they are fairly similar in both affliction and social status. A meeting like that can only be one set by fate.

He offered his wine glass for a small toast.

Is that itself not worthy of celebration?

Jacky was growing fonder and fonder of Jamben by the moment. Jamben lightly kissed her hand before she could move it, and her faced started to turn a slight shade of pink. He also soothed her fears of becoming like her sister without even realizing it. People were insane, and Jamben was one a few people in the world who seemed to understand that.

Jamben then offered a toast for their meeting, something about fate. She was to entranced by the way he spoke, that she almost didn’t raise her glass. With quick clarity she to, raised her glass.

“If Lord Jamben says it, then it must be true. And I sincerely toast to that!

He chuckled gently as she said it must be true if he said it, clinking his glass on hers ever so slightly before he sipped his wine, watching her the entire time. He had to admit he was taking a liking to her.

Well, now...I wouldn't go as far as to say that. But I do admit I'm enjoying this meeting quite splendidly.

A waiter came, asking for their orders. Jamben almost complained about the unprompt service, but decided to be glad they were being served at all.

I'll have some lobster, with a side of shrimp and some cocktail sauce. I will also have some fries, if you will.

He kept it short, and then looked to Jacky, smiling.

Order however much you want. My treat.