*Note: Takes place the evening we have yet to do, the same evening Ash arrives in town
“How’d the talk with Brandon go?”
Jett glanced up. He’d just finished strumming out a tune he’d been trying to write, and hadn’t heard or seen her enter.
“Oh…well…” he sighed. “He’s disappointed. Somehow that hurts more than if he’d just raged.”
“Something tells me you care what he thinks.”
“I don’t know….maybe?” he set the headphones off to the side, turned off the amp, and set teh guitar in its stand.
“You barely know him.”
“You barely know Claude.” he retorted.
“Touché.” she uncrossed her legs and looked at him, her expression serious. “As much as I want to say it will, it won’t work.”
“What won’t?”
“You and him?”
“Why not?” he asked defensively.
“Try not to go flying off the handle at this, but remember, you’re mortal. Mortals are playthings, and as such, aren’t meant to last. He doesn’t even have friends that are mortals, as far as I am aware, because your lifespan is so short comparatively. Truthfully, as long as I’ve known him, I’m not even certain he’s ever been in love. Certainly, there are things he loves, and people he cares about – possibly even loves on a platonic level. But on t he romantic?” she shrugged. “If there ever was anyone, it was before my time, and in that event, only Emilio would know, and I doubt we could get him to talk.”
“You know that for sure?” he asked, sounding almost pained.
She shook her head. “Speculation. Based off years of knowing and observing him. The only one who might know him better is Vince, and he’d be blunt about your odds, and not try to give you hope if there is none, like I’m doing.” she smiled a bit sadly.
“Well….let’s talk to him then?”
She shook her finger at him. “No. Not yet at least.”
“Why?”
“Well for one, Vince is not at my beck and call. Certainly, I could call him, and the three of us could talk, or just the two of you, but there is no guarantee he’d answer his phone, let alone agree to a talk. For two, you haven’t told me Brandon’s stipulation with you.”
“How’d you know there was a stipulation?”she simply raised an eyebrow, and gave him a look. “Right. You’ve been around him a long time. I keep forgetting.”
“So what was it?”
“He asked me to seek help. Mentioned a guy at an outreach center by the name of Charles.”
“I know of Charles by sight and by name. He’s not a bad sort, as far as I’ve heard. But Jett….let me make a suggestion, if I may?”
“Hmm?”
“Focus on yourself. Don’t worry about whatever feelings you think you may or may not have for him, at least not now. Work through your addiction. Work through any other problems you may have. Better yourself. Don’t do it to impress anyone, just do it to better yourself.”
“It’s sound advice. Thanks.”
“Besides…if it’s Marcus you’re worried about, I won’t let him take you. I don’t care if he’s older. You’re my friend, and I protect my friends.”
He smiled. “Thanks Petra.”
She smiled, then reached down and grabbed his hand. “Alright. I’m going to take you down to see Charles. Might as well get started, right?”
He chuckled. “Okay. Sure. Whatever you say, boss.”
She swatted at him playfully as they left the room, and headed out to see Charles. She was debating too whether or not to call Vince while they were meeting, but also didn’t want to be a bother. Hmmm….decisions, decisions.