It had taken Jasper all day to painstakingly decorate the Outback for Yeardley's 'take pity on Jas because he was going to miss his girl's official birthday party' party.
Every table had a fishbowl in the center filled with gummi bears of every variety Caedia could find, surrounding that like the ocean sound around a rock, was a myriad of buttons all shapes and sizes. There were literally thousands of buttons scattered among the tables and the bar respectively. Nestled into the button 'sand' were bottles of touchable bubbles, something again he had gotten from Caedia who used those with her children. You could blow a bubble and then literally could hold them in your hand. It wasn't until you squeezed hard enough or if you waited too long the solution became thinner and thinner as it broke down, that it would pop. Perfect for a Rekah who wanted to see the bubbles last for a bit and hug them.

Felt hearts were hanging everywhere he could find a spot and where he couldn't find a spot, he had taken some dead branches from around outside of the Outback and hung them on the wall to use the stretching branches to hang more hearts.

Caedia had caught him buttoning his sleeves still and she took a minute after reaming him out for turning the Outback into some kind of prom looking like place to roll his sleeves up for him to just below his elbow.

"Here's the phone, where's the number you said you had?"

When he handed over the piece of paper with the pink glittery number on it, Caedia nearly facepalmed.

"Jasper, just no. Okay? No. Stay away from pink, you're already a faerie, you don't need a fairy complex atop of that." She shifted as she started to put the number in for him. "Just.. stick with manly colors like black.. brown.. blood red."

Jasper was usually really good with controlling his emotions when he wasn't completely out of his league and the Outback was his home turf, he should be completely in control here but this was Caedia and she got under his skin like there was no tomorrow.

He bristled. "Elessaria gave that color to Yeardley, I didn't pick it out. I don't think I have a manliness problem." He started following her while trying to take a few deep breaths to regain control over any wayward emotions.

Caedia whirled then forcing him to stop and gave him a pointed, hard look. "You have buttefly wings, Jasper. You can't get more unmanly than that."

When you had nothing nice to say, you just don't say anything at all. He had wanted to bluster about the fact that you can't help what your Creator gives you and that everything is special and beautiful in it's own way. He'd wanted to lash back out at her and tell her how ugly she was -without- wings but really he didn't think she was, he was just dealing with sandpapered pride. The 'at least I -have- wings' comment that didn't serve any purpose other than to hurt was swallowed down and he moved off to find solace in his girlfriend's arms a moment.

When Jasper had finally gotten done greeting his woman and helping the Landscaper set up even more sugary treats, Caedia forced Jasper's attention away from his new plant to focus on the reason at hand. She hadn't come here just to give him the phone.

Yeardley had given Jasper a butterfly bush that had pink tips that bled into a rich yellow and then into a warm orange, the sunrise flower captured the fae's attention and he couldn't help but touch and pet it even as Caedia began negotiations.

"You look nice by the way, sorry I was remiss to express that before now." In his world when a woman dressed up it was a grave insult if you didn't show them proper respect. He'd learned around Caedia not to put the compliment in his eyes and instead just said it, but the words were waved off. He hadn't missed the blue butterfly pin she had on one of the corset straps, a little jab at him so to speak.

"Yes, yes, I know all about your laws, I'm not fae so no offense taken, let's get to business."

"Of course." He settled in absently playing with one of the leaves from Yeardley's gift as his shoulders drooped in pre-resignation. "I'd like to extend the contract."

Caedia gave him an annoyed look then and rolled her wrist as if she could flip the conversation faster, with fae you had to do that because they could talk for hours. She was mortal and didn't have time to bandy words with him. A shift was given back against her husband's chest to find some comfort and support there.

"Yes, I figured that out. I don't think it's a good idea as last time you said you wouldn't be here the full year, yet here we are."

"I said that I wasn't planning on being here the full year, yes." He nodded acquiesing that and leaned forward to rest his arms on the bar instead of crossing them over his chest. "I don't know what's going on at home, we're headed there for a couple of days to see if we can find anything.. but we're pretty sure they have a blocker on her. I'm not a tracker and neither is Alisondre. The seige doesn't look to be easing up any. I don't know how much longer I'll be here."

"Can't you just say you have an accord with someone, Jasper? I'd really like to not be involved in this much longer." Caedia was sipping her wine and staring off as if somewhere in the vast supply of bottles along that back wall was an answer viable enough for both of them.

"You know I can't lie." Now he was insulted as she apparently hadn't been listening to a thing he had told her about his world.

She sighed and shifted forward a bit from Kheldar's arms, absently pulling down the leather corset as she moved and set the glass down. "Jasper, you're not in your world anymore.. just lie. Whatever that Darkess beyond twilight stuff is, isn't going to eat you anymore. This is Rhydin.. not.. Oz."

His hands clenched then as she couldn't even remember what it was that would get him when and suddenly he was reaching to mess with the butterfly bush. "I can't lie cause then I'll risk being exiled, there's a difference."

"You're already exiled, Jasper, you can't get double exiled." A dismissive hand waved at him, she couldn't keep up with all the rules and name of his place.

That hurt and all the anger that had been building up suddenly dissapated as he flinched, she had pulled the ultimate card out and had cut him hard. The court mask was brought up as quick as possible as he tried to recover. "It's voluntary exile.. the permanent is if we can't find my mother." His voice was quiet now.

A grimace there as Caedia watched his face slide to stoic. She had been watching him close enough to know that with that mask in place she wouldn't be able to see a single emotion from him now that he didn't want her to. She sighed, -this- was why she didn't have friends anymore.. she didn't get gifts or warm hugs.. and it was her own fault. Kheldar gave her a comforting hug then had to excuse himself, she nodded and stretched. "I do hope you find her." She didn't know what to say now but Jasper took care of that for her.

"One more year, please. Let me sort things out." He was just going to steer the conversation away from his mother before Caedia could add insult to injury and on to a safer topic. He lifted his gaze to try and locate Rekah in the throng of gathered people between all the balloons and hanging hearts everywhere. The bright yellow dress helped a little.

She shifted back into that hold and looked Jasper over again listening to the cool tone devoid of emotion too, she'd really done it. Silver eyes followed his gaze to Rekah and then she pursed her lips, she was about to be blunt even for a human. "Are you sleeping with her?"

Jasper literally jolted back with that, so much for being safe. "What does that have to do anything? You're not my Queen." Where in Danu's name had that came from and why?

It got the reaction she wanted, he was back to showing a bit of emotion at least. She was good at the shock and awe. "It has a lot to do with everything, Jasper.. you realize who you're with? I mean seriously?" She reached into her pocket to slam down the paper The Gossip GANGstar near him but rattled it off before he could pick it up to read it. "'Jasper has balls of steel.' You're dating only one of the highest profile people. This has -everything- to do with me. I'm responsible for you.. if I fail and you die.. and then -she- dies.. guess who gets blamed? I'm going to have the whole of Rhydin after me because I let their Golden Child die. Stop thinking with your damned dick and think for a second, you're messing with peoples lives. If this is all just so you can get a little comfort time, I'm out."

She gave him a second to gain the full gist of what she was saying and then took a deep breath to mirror his. "I'm not your Queen, I'm your business partner and you need to start treating me like one. I am human, Jasper, I don't have magic to throw about and save myself. if I die, I'm dead. You've already shown me you can roll me with your glamour, imagine what they could do."

He just absorbed everything a moment and struggled to breath a moment. His fingers absently caressing one of the leaves of the butterfly bush that hung over now as if it were a comforting blanket.

"Let me get on my feet please. Six months.. I just need to gain my footing. I know the person I have to be now." He looked back towards Rekah then his face neutral, he might have let some surprise slip but his mask was back in place.

"Jasper.. look.. I'm sorry, I know I'm being rude, but.. I have four children at home who expect their mother to come home. Certainly -you- of all people can understand that. I'll give you six months. No more. Find your footing.. she'll be safe." She followed his gaze again and then looked back at him. "Your Godess said so and even though I don't believe in her, you have to believe in something."

He didn't take his eyes off of Rekah now but shook his head. "No, the Goddess said 'do not fear for her'. Not that she would be safe. You of all people should know to watch our wording. We phrase things very specifically."

He sighed, his shoulders drooping more then. "To her, Rekah being safe could mean she was with her.. and then I wouldn't see her ever again, but hey.. she's 'safe'." It took him a moment but then he realized she had agreed to something. "Six months?" He was trying not to look or sound hopeful.

"Call it a birthday present to your girlfriend." She shrugged then trying to maintain her air of coldness and then downed the last of the chocolate wine and headed to around the bar.

"Officially?" He didn't move, it was as if she were a snake and he were the prey and until he got clearance..

Caedia frowned as she looked around then and frowned. "Kheldar's not here to witness anymore. You took too long."

He looked through the room now trying to find someone not busy who could do what they needed.. his eyes had bled from golden to black. He hated to interrupt however.. "Yeardley? May I...?" He cleared his throat nervously, he was already indebited to her.

"Think you can get on your feet? Think you -can- protect her?" Curiously as she washed her glass and heard Yeardley accept.

Jasper turned then to look at the assassin then and just let everything flood back into his eyes, his face a stoic mask still other than that black gaze. It wasn't a look for the weak of heart and the assassin flinched. The look was too raw for her and she busied herself with cleaning the glass.

"This really -is- torturing you isn't it?" Her voice had gone almost sorrowful, she was sad she'd brought it up.

"Yeardley is witnessing." Plain and simple. He wouldn't follow that train of thought, wouldn't give her answer to his heart right now, the look had said all he was willing to share, to voice those fears would be giving them even more power and right now he had no wish for that.

She sighed and put the glass up on the shelf again and turned crossing her arms over her chest and tapped the toe of the heeled boot.

"I, Caedia Drasinia, offer you protection for six months. My reach lies over all the Outback, the Inn and all the grounds along the Red Dragon Inn.. should anyone hurt you or even attempt in that fact, I will call...." Ghostbusters? She floundered and looked up to him with a couple of blinks.

"The Wild Hunt." He prompted moving back to caress the butterfly bush, security blankets were very valueable and right now his main one was flouncing around and loading herself up on sugar.

".. the Wild Hunt to exact revenge." She continued trying to not sound like she stumbled nor did her voice give way that she found it all a little silly. Truth be known she was used to customs as an assassin had to be able to blend in and learning rituals and customs was a part of that. Her problem was the names.. the Wild Hunt? The Darkness that Eats All? It all sounded like a fairy tale gone wrong or written by a drunk person. Then again, Caedia wasn't known for her ability to appreciate things for what they were.

"I accept your accord." Jasper intoned and was very pleased as Yeardley popped up from across the room where she was still manhandling G'nort. He was lucky to be surrounded by the people he was, even the harsh and rough edged Caedia in front of him.

"I, Yeardley Owens, witnessed." All official and stuff, which, sadly, gave G her name. Jasper would have to figure out a way to make it up to her.

Something in Jasper released and a tension that had been eating him fell away so he felt like he could breathe again. Six months reprieve was better than nothing and now he could try and get on his feet again.

He was a healer not a fighter. Every war he had been in had been excrutiating with all the killing and death that was not part of the true cycle of life. War was for Gods who felt they had a right to say who lived and who died, Jasper was not a God and never claimed to be one, but wars don't care who or what you are or aren't.

They had brought another war which he had resisted at first but with a glance to Rekah as she floated around in her sugar coated rush something inside him changed. Something died inside him that could never be brought back and some of his softness was lost. He welcomed the hardness and the edge for it would serve him well.

His world would not touch Rekah easily. Sometimes, it was good to be almost King.