Posts by jace b. ecuador-vires

Jace was present for the meeting, but late for the first time in a while. He had other things to do rather than listen to Elian's ramblings - Even though the two hadn't really clashed or butt heads since. They seemed to be in a state of unspoken tension for the time being. The elder lion sits in the back, listening to Elian's words with a slight disinterest. A lockdown? The elder's eyes narrowed, wondering what Elian was thinking. But nonetheless, Elian was king now; and the king's words were law. Elian had served Jace by that rule, and Jace was obliged to do the same. He gives a slight nod of his head, getting up and leaving when the meeting is dismissed.

"I'll take one." Rumbles the lion as he approaches.

Jace could hear between all the murmurs and awkward stares that Asimov was at the border. He figured Asimov was here on some type of business trip - Selling drugs, alcohol, sex, whatever else the Cartel did. Nonetheless, his heart clutches. He's eager to see Asimov again, he misses Asimov (something he never thought he would be admitting to). He hopes that his gift basket had reached Asimov well, Jace figured a few things like that were helpful for Asimov during his pregnancy.

The lion finally finds his way to the group, a smile forming on his scarred maw when his amber gaze rests on Asimov. How he wanted so dearly to hug Asimov and once again feel the way he felt those nights when Asimov was leaning against him, but he decided against it. He couldn't, not now with all these overbearing eyes. He keeps close to Claret over everyone present, glancing down at his child for a moment. "I hope you aren't offering my kid drugs." He says in a half-joking tone, his gaze looking back up to the pregnant godfather. "You got any whiskey? I'm running low."

Quite the amount of patients. Jace looks around, eyeing as everyone gets to work. He overhears Lola's words, and his ears perk up with interest when his gaze turns to Con. "You fought Ver?" He says with a small smirk forming on his maw. He gives a slight nod of his head - He wasn't sure if he was proud of Con's fighting skills against Ver or rather jealous that he wasn't the one fighting his former deputy. "What a bitch." He mumbles under his breath, looking away from the group. When his gaze returns, he leaves Claret the job of chewing poultice, but he comes forward to Mochi to offer him a stick to bite down on. "Here." He states when he hands him the stick. "I'll get you some water too." The lion adds, walking off before returning with a bowl of cool water. He was going to need it - Stitches weren't friendly.

"You need to learn to separate the smells. There's a lot." He states, glancing over his shoulder at Rai. They were all animals, natural born killers. It was in their nature to find a scent and track it down for food. "There's a boar this way," He says, nodding his head towards the left. The elder lion begins to lead the way, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see if Rai was following. He had rarely taken children out to hunt, or taught them. This little trip with Rai was more of a spur of the moment thing, but perhaps he could learn to care for Rai a little more. Eventually, Jace crouches low to the ground. In the distance is a wild desert boar drinking from an oasis. His ears dart forward, nodding for Rai to come close enough to see. "See it? I'm gonna try and take it down from behind. I want you to come in and attack it from the side when it starts running, like a sneak attack."

Nothing hurt more than betraying those that trusted him. In this situation, that single person was Lola. He frowns as she starts explaining, her sadness coming through her voice. He feels a tight squeeze in his chest, his heart strings pulling. He never wanted it to be like this. He didn't want it to become this. "Lola, I'm sorry." He says, the words falling from his mouth. But what else could he say? Sorry would never be good enough to fix what he'd done, and there was no going back to change it. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Lola. I just, when he spoke about Petra like that, I just lost it. I know that's not an excuse, and I'm not excusing my behavior. I fucked up, I know that I did." He says with a somber tone, looking at his paws. Jace couldn't experience loss again. "I know sorry doesn't mean much - But I never wanted to hurt you Lola. I regret what I did for that reason but I can't take it back. I don't know what else to do other than apologize," The elder says, a pleading look in his amber gaze. He sits down in the warm sands, his ears turning flat towards his head as he looks away from Lola. He can't stand to see her upset, let alone when he was the problem. "I care about very few people in the Ruins that aren't my children. You are one of those. I admit that I made a mistake, and you should hate me for it. I don't blame you." Jace murmurs sorrowfully, turning his gaze back to Lola. She could hit him right then and there, and he'd be okay with it. She could walk away and never speak to him again, and he would just have to live with it. There was nothing he could do to change what he'd done. He'd lost one of the few people he cared about with a few simple words.

Jace clenches his jaw. Eva was right, the ceasefire wasn't in order. In fact, Jace was going to bring the litter as an option for the ceasefire, but Evangeline had gotten to it first. That made it better and worse in some parts. He'd heard about the ceasefire a few days after he and Asimov had slept together. It was unexpected from both Jace and Asimov, but in that moment, they had hope. Jace had hope for a better life for his children. "The Cartel is the best bet we have." Jace mumbles, glancing to Eva. "The Exiles are a more powerful group, and the Apotheosis Alliance served well for the short time it was before the Red God came. But we both know that possibility is out the window. They are a business Clan, but they do have a militia as well. They aren't as helpless as being known for their prostitutes." Jace mumbles with some humor in his tone. "Breakout was too stubborn to see eye to eye with me. Asimov and Elian are both fresh faces, I'm sure they will work something out." Jace says, recalling how the former godfather could only see the Ruins in a negative light. Jace didn't know the turmoil and grudges that Breakout had against the Ruins, but he knew that it had halted both clans from making progress. At least now, the Ruins and Cartel were able to exchange goods. Jace didn't believe a 'business Clan' needed enemies at all if their main point was to sell goods and services.

"I hoped Elian would let me keep some. I love all my children. I'll love these ones too." He says quietly, closing his eyes. He could just imagine them - The kitsune-lion hybrids. They'd be beautiful and strong, he could already see it now. He wasn't sure what would come of those raised by Asimov compared to those raised by him, but Jace would love them all. His children were his greatest achievement in life, each one of them.

When she mentions Lola, his head instantly shoots up and his ears perk. "What? No!" He says with some absurdity in his voice. "No, no, no. We slept together once, a long time ago. Before Elian and Lola even had their first litter. It was over a year ago when Elian was still a raging dickhead and Lola was going back and forth between wanting to fix a broken man." Jace says as he calms down, relaxing his head on his paws once again. "That is all I regret. I broke my promise with Lola. We were never supposed to speak of that day because we knew Elian would be upset. I'm upset that I hurt her." He says quietly, a somber tone filling in.

There's something strangely comforting about the way that Zach talks. It isn't malicious, and it isn't from anger or disappointment. Rather, he seems to be an outsider finding some amusement in the turmoil. His gaze flickers, looking towards the ground. Did Jace have anything to preserve? Maybe Zach was right in that aspect - But he felt like he'd lived so many lives that it was becoming repetitive. When Zach begins giving a rather cryptic speech, he turns his gaze back to him and lets a sigh. "Yeah. I never meant to throw it out in public like that. I never meant to say it either. I made a promise to Lola that we'd never talk about it. The only thing I regret is hurting her in this situation." He mumbles begrudgingly. When he asks for a drink, Jace feels a faint smirk on his maw that fades rather quickly. He grabs the bottle, offering it to Zach. "What are your internal struggles? Or are you just looking for a buzz?" He says with a nod of his head.

When Jace overhears a familiar voice, he wastes no time in approaching. He's surprised to find the little blood angel, Junko, peering over at the border. A faint smile makes its way onto his maw as he recognizes the girl, nodding his head towards her. "Junko? Is that you?" He says with an amused purr in his tone. He'd always liked Junko, despite her thirst for blood that never seemed to be quenched. She fit in here. "Where have you been?" He says as he approaches her, lashing his tail, curious about the girl's whereabouts.

"The Cartel doesn't fear the Kingdom. They fear us." Jace mumbles, shrugging his shoulders. He knew that Asimov had been banking on some sort of neutrality with the Ruins for a long time. He'd been barking Breakout's ear off about it, though Breakout never listened. However when it came down to it, Evangeline was probably right about the Phoenix Alliance. "They'd probably stay out of both sides." He says, "It's conflict of interest." He adds, puffing out his lips.

As they continue talking about Lola, he sighs deeply and rolls his shoulders back. "I didn't mean to." He states in a grumble, "It was absent minded. In that moment, I wanted to hurt Elian. I didn't think of the consequences." He adds, opening his half-lidded eyes to glance at Evangeline. Perhaps she would know what to do better than he did. "It didn't mean anything. It never did. Me and Lola were just both sad that night."

Jace smiles faintly, chuckling a little at Asimov's joke. Despite the bad rep that the Cartel got, he never thought they were a bunch of bad parents. If he thought that, maybe he would have thought twice about Asimov. He smirks, nodding his head, "'Course not. What's the price?" He says with a rumble in his tone.

When he asks about the baby shower, Jace goes a little wide-eyed. Ah, so Jace was finally going to be able to meet Asimov's boyfriend. That was good, he needed to know who was going to be helping Asimov raise their kids. His kids. "Oh, yeah," The lion says with a softer smile. He glances to Elian, watching the King walk away. Well, Elian had heard it there first. If he had nothing to say, then perhaps it'd be okay. "I'll be there. I promise." He says with his award-winning smile. To be around Asimov? Jace wouldn't miss it for the world.

Since he was invited, Jace had been restless about the event. He was nervous to be in the Cartel alone, knowing that some of them might recognize him or dislike him. They all knew what he did, what he and Asimov had done together. And at this baby shower, he'd be the only Ruiner present as the father of Asimov's children. As much as Jace didn't want to believe that's all he was to Asimov, he held no title here. Besides, Dee was the one hosting it - Jace was grateful to know that Asimov was dating someone supportive.

The golden lion arrives to the baby shower looking well-groomed. He wore a little black bowtie as Asimov had lightly suggested, even though the event wasn't supposed to be formal. Hanging from his neck was his usual silver chain that was gifted to him from Cory. He walks in at the entrance, looking a bit distressed. Truth be told, there was only one person he came here for and one that he wanted to see. When he spots Asimov, he's quick to slip by those faces he didn't recognize to greet the godfather with a charmed smile. "Asimov," He says, a soft purr rumbling from his chest. Do you know how much you mean to me?

His amber eyes glimmer, politely nodding his head. "I told you I'd come. I brought you a little gift," He says, pulling out a small box from his satchel. "A baby shower gift. That's what they do at baby showers, right?" He says with a raised eyebrow as he pushes the small box forward. It was wrapped with a purple bow. Inside would be a gold scarab beetle necklace. He didn't know if that was necessarily Asimov's style, but Jace didn't want to come empty-handed. It wasn't like he could bring booze to the same Clan that sold him the booze. He looks around for a moment, taking a gander at the room. "It's really nice in here - Whoever decorated did a great job. The food smells amazing too." He comments pleasantly, a toothy grin spreading across his scarred maw.

Ah, there he was. The esteemed Dee. Jace's eyes turn to him when he's spoken to, glancing at Dee up and down. It was no wonder that Asimov picked this guy to be his boyfriend. He smiles faintly at Dee, clicking his tongue, "Really? Well, you did a great job." He says, his gaze looking around the room again briefly. He'd make a mental note to thank whoever made the food - A pink feline. They shouldn't be too hard to find. He nods his head, realizing he looked rather dumb offering Asimov the gift upfront.

"Oh, right. Yeah, I'm Jace - He's mentioned you before." Jace says with a warmer, toothy grin. "It's nice to finally meet you." He says with a nod of his head. At least this way, Jace wouldn't have to worry about the kids that stayed here in the Cartel. They'd have Asimov and Dee to take care of them. In the Ruins, Jace was just going to be a lonely, single father.

Looking towards Asimov, the lion lets out lighthearted laughter. "Actually, I've never had or been to a babyshower before. Me and my partners never did it." He says, shrugging his shoulders. It never came as a thought to them. Maybe it was just that all his previous lovers didn't want to be the center of attention when they were pregnant. "I've always heard Cartelians have the best parties." The golden lion says with a cheeky grin. As someone who liked to drink and smoke, he was glad to finally be here. Jace can't help but laugh at Asimov's following statements, "You'll be fine!" He says, but in all honesty, Jace had never been pregnant or given birth. He didn't know what any of that was like - Could it be worse than the scar he'd given across Asimov's face? "Trust me, Asi. I've seen my fair share of labors - You're strong enough." He says a little more warmly, flicking his ears. He was sure that Asimov could handle it.

"I'm not apologizing to Elian." The lion states coldly, his voice stern. Elian didn't deserve his apology, and Jace wasn't sorry for hurting Elian's feelings either. "Not after he slandered Petra. He can eat shit." Mumbles the elder under his breath, closing his eyes as he rests. "I will apologize to Lola, though. She deserves an apology." Elian doesn't, the former king thinks, puffing a heavy breath from his nostrils. For now, he was content with he and Elian existing with tension. Though, he wasn't comfortable knowing that Lola resented him. He was going to figure out a way to pay her back.

The lion scoffs at Lola's accusations, flaring up angrily. "I didn't cheat on Petra. She's gone, Lola. She isn't fucking coming back. Am I supposed to get a divorce with someone that doesn't exist?" The elder says, his voice filled with anger and hurt. "She isn't coming back! Don't you understand that? It's the same shit that happened with Toni." Jace says, sitting down with a heavy thud of defeat. "Neither of them are coming back. I gave up. I'm done with the same fucking routine of falling in love, having kids, getting married, and losing them." He objects, lashing his tail. He didn't care if Lola didn't approve of her and Asimov. "It doesn't matter anyway. Asimov has a boyfriend. I'm not in love with Asimov. I'm not subjecting myself to this torture anymore."

Jace joins the meeting, sitting by Lysias. He was surprised to hear Lysias was being promoted, looking towards his son with a smile. Of course - His children were the best. They were all stars in their own way. "Congratulations," Jace says, attempting to gently nudge Lysias with his nose.

"I'll take one." Jace says, trotting up.

Jace never had a grudge against the Exiles. Perhaps he did as a child, but as a king, he saw the Exiles objectively as the only Clan that could truly match the Ruins's power. For that reason, all he ever wanted was an alliance with them. With his nephew leading it, it had been possible. By now, those times were gone and the trust that Jace and Cory had built between their clans had faded to nothing. It was a poor thing, but he was glad that Cory wasn't around anymore to see what had become.

The lion silently slips up to the scene as he happens to be passing by. He stops near Canoris, looking towards Angel. It seemed that Angel was getting better at his kills, less emotional, less regretful. He was growing up. Jace was sure that Elian would come by any moment to pat his son on the back.

Jace slips up beside his son, unable to turn away from the delicious smells coming his way. His mouth was nearly watering. "Did you make this all yourself? This is really impressive," The elder lion compliments as he settles beside Lysias. He grabs a meat kabob for himself, devouring it quickly and letting out a satisfied rumble of a purr. Now, if only someone could cook for him like this every day!