Red Sapphire

[focusedheart]

Of course he wasn't going to make this easy. She watches as he continued training, wondering suddenly what exactly it was he wasn't telling her. "We need to talk."

[gravitron]

"Alright." He continued training. "Talk."

[focusedheart]

Her eyes flicker as she watched him move. Then she spoke up. "When you train, what's on your mind?"

[gravitron]

"What kind of a question is that?" he spat as he stabbed a practice dummy through the heart.

[focusedheart]

She arches a brow. "A logical question given how you are trying right now. I'm curious to know what drives you and thus drives that blade straight through a practice dummy."

[gravitron]

"Anger. Revenge. Will to live, and to protect our kingdom. Take your pick." He tossed her a dirty glance. "Of course, right now I'm being forced to protect the person with the best chance of destroying our kingdom, so, I'm not sure what I'm fighting for anymore. So thanks for that."

[focusedheart]

Can't make everyone happy. It was becoming her life motto. She rubs her temples and nods. "Yes, but he may not destroy the kingdom if we can show him how good it is to have it the way it is. How many human's are thriving now and how many supernaturals are thriving. How even the hunters and vampires are getting along and have stopped fighting each other but created piece. Alistair's own protection guard is made of hunters and vampires." She shakes her head. "Prove to him this kingdom works. We approached it wrong and you know it. We shouldn't have killed his mother, and should have only gone to talk, not fight. This is a mess and you know it. Alistair could have killed me when he brought me back, he put the bounty on me to prove it. He gave me a chance and I gave him his. We need to give his son a chance. It is what Alistair would want."

[gravitron]

"To Hell with this! I killed his mother out of self-defense, with her fangs at my neck! It was kill or be killed. Explaining only made it worse. And if you think that.... That Rebel.... Will ever understand, ever agree, then you've lost whatever touch you had when Alistair brought you. You're weaker than you used to be, that much is obvious, and you've gone soft. But Sapphire, I promise you.... I won't let you be the death of us all, of everything Alistair worked so hard for. I won't let you destroy his legacy! Rest assured, I will do whatever it takes to uphold what he stood for." At this, he tossed a throwing knife, which flew directly by Sapphire's face before sticking in the wall behind her. "Now, you might as well leave. I'm not in the best mood. And, Sapphire.... I do hope you'll reconsider your options."

[focusedheart]

As the blade went by her, she didn't flinch, didnt blink. Her eyes were locked in him and for a moment her dragon side surfaced but didn't last. Was she soft?

She turns and pulls the blade from the wall, studying it as she spoke. "You think I'm soft. Would you prefer I shift and do as my mate had. Let the darkness cosume me? Go on a blood thirsty rampage simply? A dragon losing a mate is death for most dragons. Usually we go insane before having to be killed or we die on our own. You say I'm soft but yet fail to realize that it's taken all of my control to not kill all of you. I will give him a chance because his father would want that. What Alistair wanted is what matters to me most. His kingdom will survive because it is stronger than all of us." She tosses the dagger without looking. A thud was heard as it struck the head of the dummy then leaves the room.

She touches her head slightly and goes up to the top deck. At the railings she looks to the ocean. The guardian to the ocean soon reveals herself and gives Sapphire a soft cooing sound. "Hello old friend." She murmurs. The ancient dragon lowers her head ,urging Sapphire to join her in the water.

[gravitron]

Matthew walked over and stood next to her, his arms on the railing. He watched the ocean and the dragon.
"Go on," allowed Matthew. "Just getting some fresh air."

[focusedheart]

The ocean dragon cooed softly again and it made Sapphire smile. She glanced to Matthew at his words. It had been a long time since she swam with the ocean guardian.

She nods to Matthew and leaps from the boat to the water. The ocean dragon soon following. They swam together beneath the surface. Sapphire stayed in human form as the ocean dragon allowed her to ride and they leaped a few times together. It got Sapphire to smile again. As they surfaced a final time, Sapphire gently touches the dragon's head. Her ancient friend helped her get back to the ship, gently setting her back on deck. "Thank you, old friend." She murmurs softly.

[gravitron]

Matthew watched them, thinking. Wondering. About her. Her quest. Her friend.
His father.
Father. What a strange word. He had never had a father; just a bastard his mother had always hated and never seen again. One who took the crown, but not to bring their kind to their glory days, but to live with the humans in peace. A fool. A traitor to their kind. And to his mother.
Why had he hated his father? Because he was truly a bad person, a traitor, a human sympathizer? Or because his mother had hated him?
And how good was his mother, anyway? Most of the vampires disagreed with her about their king. Even the other Rebels, whose only goal was to usher in the Golden Age and see Alistair dead, seemed to avoid his mother. Almost as if they were disgusted with her. Why? Why had he never asked?
Who should he believe? The mother who had raised him his entire life, taught him, trained him, fed him? The father who had abandoned them and 'betrayed' their kind, who had passed up the opportunity for the Golden Age? The mysterious dragon who had come under a royal flag to take him to the castle? The Hunters' captain, who killed his mother and disrespected him?
And what did the future have in store for him? For any of them?
"I tried to visit your friend," he admitted finally. "After you talked to him. He didn't seem convinced. He threw a knife at my leg. Lucky I have good reflexes."

[focusedheart]

She looks over at Matthew as she lets the large dragon gently. "I had spoken to him after I saw you...he wasn't it a good mood then either.." She sighs a little." I suppose it is progress though because he didn't aim for your heart." She says.

The large dragon nudges Sapphire gently before moving to Matthew. She sniffed at him curiously, regarding him with her all knowing eyes. The ocean dragon then looks to Sapphire and seemed to chirp and coo at her for a moment.

Sapphire blinks at the dragon and nods slightly. " She says that only you can ease what troubles you and get answers to the questions you have." Sapphire arches a brow and looks to Matthew. "She doesn't usually give advice like that."

The large dragon snorts slightly and bows her head before disappearing back into the water.

[gravitron]

"I guess I'm just really likable," he smirked. "Or really troubled." His smile faded. "I never realized how beautiful the ocean is before. I've never left England. What's that about water dragons, anyway? I never heard about those. My mother only ever told me about your kind."

[focusedheart]

She smiles softly. "You'll figure it out." She looks to the ocean. "She is older than even me. She is the guardian to the ocean and all its depths. She decides who passes on these waters." She tilts her head. "There are several kinds of us. Earth, fire, water. Not many of us left though. We can live for centuries but we are dying out slowly and it's not because of anyone hunting us though." She shrugs. Then looks to him. "There is much to this world. Many creatures that have been thriving."

[gravitron]

"Perhaps," he spoke quietly. He was silent for a moment before continuing: I'm not sure what to believe. My mother had.... Very strong feelings about things. I was raised believing them, hearing no other side. I'm not sure how much of what I know is true, and how much is just her opinions."

[focusedheart]

She looks to him. "Then look with your own eyes, make your own opinions." She suggested softly.

[gravitron]

He looked over at her and started to speak. Then he changed his mind and started heading back to his quarters.
"I need some time to think. Please give me some peace until we arrive."

[focusedheart]

She nods at his words."alright." She watches him go then looks to the ocean again as she rests her arms on the railing.

[gravitron]

Eventually, Hunter stood behind her.
"Land." Indeed, that very thing was on the horizon. "You can go ahead and tell your bloodsucker, New York is dead ahead."

[focusedheart]

At Hunters voice she turned and looked at him. Regarding him quietly a moment. She thought of saying something about his comment then decided it best to leave it alone for now. " alright." Was all she said and headed to Matthew's quarters to let him know they are about to dock soon.

[gravitron]

Matthew joined them on the deck as they reached the dock. "How far?"
"We've got a three hour train ride ahead of us," Hunter said without even looking at him. "Once we've reached the White House, hopefully we can get some information on Alistair's last will and testament."

[focusedheart]

Sapphire looks around , it felt good to be on land again. Her eyes glance to the two men. Well they weren't fighting each other so that was good.

She found herself looking forward to the train ride. She liked the first train ride.

"So not much longer now."

[gravitron]

"Finally," agreed Hunter.

A few hours later, they were indeed back at the House and were very quickly approached by General McIntyre, who looked very unhappy. "I tried to stop them, but they said Alistair wanted them for the will, and we found the will, they were right...."
"Who?" asked Hunter. "Who.... Oh, crap." He noticed a small group of robed people talking amongst themselves. "The mages. What are they doing here?"
"Well, according to the will.... They're supposed to take Matthew to the afterlife so he can talk to his father in person."
"And you trust them?"
"Of course not! They'll kill him!"
"I'll do it," decided Matthew. "My father certainly has some explaining to do."

[focusedheart]

She hid her own displeasure at the sight of the mages. She didn't like them not trust them. When Matthew spoke up though about being willing to do it, she was hesitant. Her eyes glance to Hunter then she nods. "If that is what you wish to do Matthew but understand the risks here." Though the last time the mages had messed up, one had gotten eaten. She was tempted to put that threat in place but another safe guard would be needed as well.

[gravitron]

Hunter examined Sapphire's expression. "The mages rarely make mistakes- Especially these. This is the Inner Circle. There is very little they can't achieve, to the point that they've all been alive longer than anyone can remember. I'd be more worried about them purposefully killing him. Witches can never be trusted. What did Alistair promise them in return?"
"That's the worst part," admitted McIntyre. "They insisted that the Circle have an ambassador in the White House. They're a tricky bunch. I don't know what they're planning by gaining access to the House, but it's not good. Matthew, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Positive."
McIntyre went to go talk to the Circle.

[focusedheart]

Her eyes look to Hunter. "If they kill him on purpose it will be a mistake on their part and I will eat them." She says then sighs and shakes her head. It made her wonder and hope that when Matthew spoke with his father it would clear things up.

[gravitron]

"You can shift again?" questioned Matthew. "That's just on and off all the time."
One of the mages approached with McIntyre. "Hello, I am James Lockhart, High Mage. I lead my people. And you must be.... Hunter, the legacy and captain. Sapphire, the dragon Guardian. And.... Of course. Young Matthew Jacobs."
A shock seemed to go through Matthew's body. "It's not Jacobs, actaully."
"Oh, of course. Not on good terms with your father. But you are a Jacobs, like it or not. That's why you're.... Prince. Now, I assume you're ready? I warn you, the afterlife of Supernaturals is like nowhere you have ever been before."
"I'm ready."

[focusedheart]

She glances to Matthew. "Most times it's never a problem but poison from a demon can cause it. I'll be fine in a few more hours. "

She looks to the others as they approach. She still didn't like this, something about it made her uneasy. She nods slightly. Then to Matthew, he said he was ready but were any of them really?

[gravitron]

"I sense that you speak thevtruth," agreed Lockhart. "Close your eyes."
They both closed their eyes and Lockhart began to concentrate. Soon, Matthew fell to the ground and Lockhart opened his eyes.
"He is on the Other Side, and I will pull him back once they're done. In case you get any ideas, you should know that if Ibdie, he's stuck there, never to return. He can't be resurrected because he's still alive, but he can't return to our world without me anchoring him. So, you see, you need me."