Chapter Text
The labyrinth was comforting its own twisted ways, the ever-changing tunnels were something that gave Jasper purpose. The way he could navigate the area better then anyone else the Nosferatu brought down made him feel intelligent, powerful even. Like he was important to something bigger then himself, like he was the smartest person in the room, he had something truly unique in his possession.
He always had something to look forward to or ignore his problems with. He could spent nights in here and no-one would bother him, except maybe his old coterie but that was a stretch. He could ignore his malformed face and undead flesh while he studied something important.
The labyrinth was supposed to be private, his haven, even Eva...the guests who explored it with him didn't know the place like he did. So finding someone else in his maze was a shock. Jasper was walking to the mirror chamber—wanting to study a bit more of the lay-lines now that he had better insight—and saw another humanoid.
After a moment of tense, invisible—And a little panicked; if Jasper was honest with himself—observation, Jasper concluded that they were also a kindred. No breath, no warm color to the skin, etc. All things Jasper trained himself to look for.
They wore a loose army green hoodie, washed-out blue ripped jeans, black fingerless gloves and worn white-black boots. Their brown hair was pulled into a samurai-style ponytail, the length stopping just past their shoulders. Their undercut had a no design, but was slightly grown out.
Their frame was lithe, tall—maybe 5'9–and athletic. It was hard to see their face exactly, as they had their back to him while they examined the black clouded mirror, yet made no attempt to touch it.
They mumbled to themselves; "What in the black magic hell is this?" They looked around the mirrors frame, trying to read the inscriptions above it. To what Jasper knew as no avail.
The kindred leaned against the wall beside the dark glass, staring at it. Giving Jasper a better look at their face; pale skin, dark brown eyes, a small head and square jaw. Their cheekbones were angular and pronounced, they had black snake bites piercing their lip and at least one sliver snake earring; Jasper could only see in profile.
They sighed and stuck their hand into the abyss. When they started to lean towards the portal, they yanked their hand away. "Ah, hell no!" They took a few steps back, straightened their hoodie and laughed quietly. "Fuck that." They shuffled away from the mirror and leaned against the wall again.
Jasper had almost found them amusing, if not for the fact that this stranger was invading his home. He slithered closer, just past the end of the stairs and continued to watch. He wanted to know what he was getting into, if they seemed like a Camarilla or Anarch. Perhaps Jasper could tell their clan just by observation. Although, clearly not Nosferatu.
They sat in the quiet for a minute, absentmindedly pulling at their glove. Jasper stepped closer, stepping off the steel stairs at the end of the hallway. The kindred whipped their head around in Jasper direction, squinting. The male was instantly worried that this kindred could see through his trick. They shifted their gaze to the mirror with tense muscles. "Fucking Nosferatu." They sighed and stepped into the dark portal, almost without hesitation.
Jasper lunged forward out of reflex, but stopped himself just as the last of the green hood disappeared. After waiting a moment, he pulled out his book and the shadow key within it, turning the key in the mirror's frame.
Now, he's here, studying the stranger, the circular stone room with a now empty slab in the middle. The bright red lay-lines hover on top. The kindred trips out of the mirror, gripping their chest, holding their hands together and trying to slow their breathing. In their panic, they must have forgotten they don't have to. Jasper had only seen a few kindred directly after going through the void, but they have always hid the effect. This one doesn't care, thinks that they are alone. So it's an interesting display. The anxiety was clear though their actions and Jasper took note for later.
"Why am I even here? I can't believe I found this fuckin' place." They stare up at the red lines, squinting their eyes comically. "Yeah, no. Not touching those, I like my fingers." They lift their hands to their face, as if they were speaking to someone and laugh quietly. Jasper can't hear them, but reading their lips wasn't difficult.
Jasper decides to step into the room, enduring the cold dark for only a moment before appearing visible in the previously empty space. Immediately the kindred sees him, jumping back a step and yelping. "Jesus fucking Christ! I was wondering who was following me."
"Hello." Jasper stays in a tense stance, but makes no move to be aggressive, and the kindred seems to take notice. "How did you get here?" They look around for a moment, then glance all around the Nosferatu's frame, taking in the dark clothing, hood, tight black pants and painted nails. They give a nod of approval, it's clearly supposed to be to just for themself but Jasper shifts uncomfortably, disliking the stare.
They look around the room again. "I, uh...Well, I was wondering around L.A, wanting to get a more efficient travel method. So I went into the sewers, walked for way too fuckin' long. Passed out. And now I'm here." They shrug, like they are unbothered by the normally disturbing labyrinth.
"Really?" Jasper stares, as if he can bore holes into this kindred and find the truth; either this kid was stupid or a good liar, both are equally possible but the former seemed more likely. At least from what Jasper observed...The kindreds fists clench, and their jaw tightens. They seem to zone out for a bit, and Jasper assumes that their beast is having some input on the situation. This doesn't nothing the quell the Nosferatu's suspicion, however.
The internal conversation seems to have ended, as there is a visual relaxation in their undead muscles. "Yup." They pull out a piece of gum from a beaten up packet and pop it into their mouth, chewing quietly as they walk around the room, careful not to touch anything. Jasper can't imagine that tastes any good.
"Your name?" The taller man tilts his head, confused by the kindred before him. They don't seem bothered by his sunken cheeks, sharp teeth, elongated frame and glowing eyes. In fact they seem fascinated with Jasper misshapen form, though they are attempting politeness, not staring for too long, or flashing smiles when Jasper shifts. He still feels like he's being scrutinized.
"Onyx, like the gem. I'm a brujah, since that matters." They roll their eyes, annoyance and resentment on display. "Who are you, handsome?" The comment feels both honest and like an insult. However uncomfortable Jasper finds himself in their presence he doesn't see the Brujah making any outwardly aggressive or suspicious actions. They aren't making any advances to the veins like Jasper expected, quiet the opposite, they stay far away from them, only passing glances or raised brows.
"Jasper." He growls, black nails digging into the torn fabric of his sleeve.
"Cool, cool..." they make a pop with their lips and rock on their boot heals. "How'd you get here?"
"This is my haven." Jasper squints, again trying to get a read on the apathetic brujah. They look barely 17, but that doesn't mean much. Jasper ignores the faint pity he feels for Onyx, they died young. "Oh, Sorry," It sounds like they actually mean it, "Didn't mean to intrude...but to be fair, I have been looking for a way out for a while, so it's not like I wanted to stay." Onyx pauses his rant and raises a brow at Jasper's staring. "See something, pretty boy?"
Jasper growls, both at the pet name and the sicking charm of this Onyx. "You want to leave?"
"Yes, very much so." Onyx flashes another grin. Jasper doesn't know if they mean to or not but he feels condescended to and he doesn't fucking like it.
"Follow me." They nod and follow the lanky Nosferatu, slow to step and eyes on a swivel. Jasper doesn't like that he doesn't have constant eyes on Onyx. That they could do anything and he wouldn't know until it was too late, it's strikes paranoia in his mind. He can handle it, he knows. He's been in more dangerous situations, willingly or not. He has the upper ground here, he can navigate this place. Onyx can't, not to Jaspers knowledge anyway.
It's only a few minutes into the tense walk that Jasper speaks up, much to his own surprise. "Why didn't you want to get close the...red lines?"
"Cause I've meet Tremere, you don't touch shit that isn't yours. Unless you don't appreciate your fucking hands." Jasper doesn't look back, but he can hear the wolffish grin in Onyx's voice. "It's not that I don't find them fascinating, but for different reasons then most I'm sure."
Either this is common information for them or their new to this world because they seem open and opinionated, especially concerning that they're talking to a Nosferatu, they have to assume the information is going to spread. Jasper makes a note of it. That sense of pity faintly plucking at his undead heart stirs, they died young and still are, it doesn't go anywhere. If anything it reminds Jasper that he has other emotions besides angst and suspicion. And is expected behavior for a Brujah, assuming everyone is on their side.
"What makes you say that?" Jasper leads Onyx to the back door. But takes a longer route, his beast wanting to understand this kindred despite his mind reminding him of the dangers.
"I already have an idea of what they are, rumors and such." Onyx pulls their hands out of their pockets as they speak, making small gestures, a sliver ring glints in the darkness. "But who created them...it's not like these are up on the surface." Onyx was now closed lipped, but didn't want it to show so they danced around the truth. Jasper knew the behavior, he's played the game.
They made gestures behind them when speaking about the lay-lines and up when they were talking about the surface. They didn't wave their hands around like X; where you had mild worry that you would be smacked. Yet, they weren't minimal like Victors fidgeting.
Onyx seemed calm before, like nothing effected them. But looking at them close enough; the constant looking around, the nervous fidgeting, the way they looked ready to jump into action at any moment. They weren't enjoying their stay. Though strange, this made Jasper feel less suspicious, they were a good actor, not confident. He was in control of this situation again.
They spoke up, this time with a different tone. No longer light hearted, now pointed and inquisitive, it made Jasper bristle. "How did you find this place, it's clear you know where your going, and you didn't freak when you came outta the mirror. You're familiar with this fucked-up fun house; How?"
Jasper falters for a moment but continues walking, thinking about how to answer the question without giving something away. Avoiding the question would just lead to more, he's sure. But even if Onyx didn't act like it, they're kindred. Selfish creatures by nature, anything said can be used against him.
"Happen-stance." A simple reply, and can be left up to interpretation. This would have to work. "Cool, so a similar situation?" Onyx laughs, "Man, I wonder who else was unfortunate enough to wonder here...sucks for them." The next few minutes are filled with tense air, until Jasper reaches the sewers that connect to the butchers. "Onyx?"
"Yup?" They pop their lips again.
"I need you to step exactly where I do." Onyx raises a brow but agrees, "Yeah, okay." There's a pause and Onyx's curiosity gets the better of them. "Why? I mean I'll do it but..." Jasper sighs, getting low to the ground and placing his hand on one of many pressure plates.
Eight wooden stakes launch from the surrounding walls, split evenly on both sides. It's more then likely that they would impale anything in its strike zone. Before Onyx has the chance to admire the machinery, Jasper lifts his hand and the stakes return into the wall as quick as they came out.
"Did you make that?" Onyx backs away a few steps so Jasper can comfortably get up. "Yes."
"Woah...Uh, show me the way." They clear their throat, if a kindred had the blood to blush Jasper is sure Onyx would be. Accidentally showing a childish interest to a dangerous stranger is not only embarrassing but unwise, more fuel for a fire yet to be lit. It reminds him a bit of Kyoko.
He's tempted to lead Onyx to a plate and take care of them on his own, a new food source, but he decides against it. He wouldn't know how powerful of an enemy he would make, or who else would come looking. Both reach an awkward spot where you need to contort your body to slip down a curve, Jasper doesn't mention it, silently making his way down. Awaiting Onyx's attempt.
The brujah makes it down with surprising flexibility, adjusting their body in ways Jasper is sure hurts, but it seems like second nature to Onyx. Jasper nods, not giving an specific emotion behind it and continues walking.
——
After a bit more of thick silence, Jasper steps out into the redecorated butchers shop, letting Onyx exit as well. They scan the room and glance at Jasper, unsure if there are more stupid deathtraps. "The floors safe right, no random spikes or firebombs?" They smile and wink. Jasper shakes his head, expression cold and cut off.
"Cool...cool. Just makin' sure..." they clear their throat, half-hoping the Nosferatu would say something to help cut the tension. Onyx crosses the door's threshold with slight paranoia, surveying their surroundings.
They catch a man and a few others around him, Onyx recognizes the man's ginger-brown curly hair, rich clothing and strangely attractive side-burns. The brujah yanks themselves back into the shitty building.
"Hey, uh, Jasper?" They mumble, eyes darting from the Nosferatu to the door. "Yes?" Jasper lets some annoyance seep into his voice, why is this unwanted kindred is lingering?
"There's some Cam outside, it's the dude with the cool side-burns, the one who got kicked." Jasper tenses. "Garrick?" His voice stays low, and his undead blood runs colder.
"Yeah, that guy. The hot one who always talks down to people." Onyx's words are so fast they blend together, but Jasper gets the jest. "Why are they here?" Jasper glares at his new suspect. "Did you do this?" His words are sharp and pointedly angry, he notices Onyx's eyes widen ever-so-slightly.
"What, no. I don't fuck with those assholes. It's probably your crazy-ass house!" They defend, matching Jaspers venom without the anger. They try to ignore their anxiety rising even further from the now angry, dangerous kindred.
"You should go."
"We should go. You have hella traps but I don't think that they'll fall for that. You don't want to be in there when they do their thing." Onyx warns. Jasper's not quite sure why they care, perhaps remnants of the good person they once were. A echo from human days. He doesn't like it either way.
"I won't leave it undefended." Jasper counters, but he knows he should get out of here. He can't handle another Hollywood incident, and it's unlikely that the Cam would let him live that long anyway.
"You won't survive, and trying to stop them will make them pry more. If you act like you have nothing to hide, eventually they will get bored and leave, they wouldn't have any power over you." The brujah rushes, half-tempted to grap Jaspers arm and blink away.
Jasper can't be sure if he's being fed bullshit but death is not really an option—despite what he wants to believe—he still has people—things to live for.
"Fine, but where—" Jasper cut off by a grip on his arm and a heavy pull forward.
Just as suddenly, Jasper is down the street and in the dank alley near by. Onyx's gloved hand loosely holding Jaspers boney wrist. They let go as soon as the two are fully stopped, and Onyx looks back where they came, waiting.
Onyx spoke in a hushed voice, "I didn't take us too far, but we can make it to some place safe from here before sunrise."
"Where?"
"I don't want to say, we are still in earshot of them. Assuming that they are using their abilities." Onyx starts to look antsy, rocking on their heels.
"Okay. Just turn around." Jasper doesn't get the odd look he's expecting, instead Onyx reply's with a "Okay." and he does, taking their eyes off of Jasper.
Jasper notes the strange amount of trust this kindred has. He could just kill them. But again, wouldn't know the enemies he'd make. Onyx seem doesn't have the luxury of invisibility but their boots no longer crunch on the broken ground and his necklace doesn't jingle when he walks. Onyx feels around for Jaspers boney shoulder. Nosferatu flitches and tenses, but allows it. Jasper squints, thinking about the clan Onyx claimed to be, Brujah? That's what they went with in the heat of the moment? Yeah, Cause using obviously Nosferatu abilities is a Brujah things.
Onyx whispers, the only sound that can heard from them. "Is it okay to hold your wrist instead of your shoulder?" Nicks skin was started is crawl, even in his glove. The less contact he can have with this kindred, the better.
Jasper growls in discomfort and hears Onyx apologize again. "Grab my arm." He whispers back, careful not to break his passage. Silently taking note of Onyx's ability to use an oblivion power. Jasper doesn't have it himself but he knows others that do. Strange for a Brujah...he'll have to keep an eye out.
Onyx tenses, apparently aware enough not to harm Jasper. "My apologies." They mumble, though no sound leaves their mouth.
They do not elaborate further, but Jasper gets the message. Taking note of both a possible hunger, and the brujah's strength—though weaker comparatively to the others he's met—Not a very good combination for the one in their grip. They continue walking and now it's Jaspers turn to be on high alert.
He doesn't know where he is going, or why the Cam was searching his home again. Even more questions pop up in his head without answer when he goes over the recent events. Why is this stranger helping him? Where is he being taken to? What would happen in Jasper tried to resist and not go? Why is Onyx being so casual?
If they were truly trapped in the labyrinth, how come their beast hasn't forced them to feed? Would they feed of Jasper, is he in danger? Onyx feels Jasper go ridged under their touch. They whisper, "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Jasper hushed, but immediately spoke himself. "Where are you taking me?"
"To a back up haven. It's the safest place I can think of." Onyx waits for Jasper to walk, but that doesn't come. "What's wrong?"
"Why haven't you fed, yet?" The younger pauses, blinking to himself. "What?"
"According to you, you'd been traveling for a while. Even before you got stuck in the labyrinth. If your story has true; you must be starving."
"I am." Jasper steps a foot back, getting into a fighting position, wrist still held. "..."
"I've got practice in controlling my beast. My thirst is no concern of yours. I promise." Onyx slowly releases Jaspers hand.
"I don't give my word lightly…Look, where we're going isn't very far, it's an abandoned building, used to be a house." Jasper walks towards them and the Nosferatu reluctantly grabs their shoulder and waits.
——
The duo make it to the run down residence, it's small, only two stories. Weather and time took its toll on it, but it doesn't have the threat of collapse. Jasper could see why Onyx would pick this; it's low-key, people wouldn't really look at this twice.
"I will warn you, there may be other kindred in here. But they aren't a threat to you." Onyx steps into the porch, the screen door missing. Jasper follows, caution lacing his every move. He knows this is a bad idea, walking into an inclosed space with an unknown amount of kindred with unknown abilities is possibly the dumbest thing he's done. But his beast needs to know more, it needs to understand who this person is. What secrets they're hiding.
Onyx's presence becomes audible as they open the door. Walking in first, and closing the door behind him. Jasper has to drop his abilities to go inside. Onyx is waiting on the other side, making sure that when the stranger walks inside he doesn't get the opportunity to go unseen.
Jasper does walk inside, his form seen once again. He hears a call from deeper inside the home, "Onyx, that you?" The voice is calm, if not a little curious.
"Ayuh! I've brought in a stray." Brown eyes don't leave Jasper. Another voice calls, this one British, clearly male. "Fun. Friend or food?" He sounds unimpressed and bored.
That makes Jasper shift uncomfortably, he didn't consider that they may have had the same diet of himself. "Tense ally. Nosferatu. He's pretty cool, and he won't do anything funny." The shorter shoots him a look. Jasper nods, and speaks quietly, "How many kindred live here?"
They mumble to themselves, counting. "4, but I don't know how many are here, now." Suddenly they raise they're voice, calling out to the house. "Ay, yo! Roll call, who's here?"
"Me, obviously." The first voice belongs to a shorter, thicker person that walks out from a door way in-front of the duo. They notice Jasper and smile, "I'm Ash. They/them."
"Boo." The British accent pipes, stepping out of the shadows. "Sapphire. He/She." Saph looks at Nick, "Cam's with Ossa, they're out."
"So," Onyx turns to Jasper again, "Now that you've met the crew, Ash can take you to the guest room."Jasper follows this Ash, as they lead him upstairs. They reach a door and open it. Showing off a bare room with a plain bed, grey painted walls and a black mini-fridge.
"That's yours." Ash says simple, "Explore if you want. You'll know the places you shouldn't go when you see them." Then they walk away, a little distrustful. They're a worse actor then their friend.
Jasper waits a while before stepping inside, waiting for pain or traps. Nothing. So he walks to the small fridge, opening the door. It's empty, aside from a few water bottles. He picks one up, opening the cap and pouring some it on the floor. It doesn't hiss or corrode the wood so he puts it to his nose, it's a strong sent. Not one he was expecting, but one he recognizes none-the-less, vodka. Strange to have any liquid at all, as he assumes, they're all kindred. Jasper puts it back and leaves the room. Activating unseen presence and slinking down the stairs.
The lights are on in the house now, and he can see much more of it. The balcony that he didn't catch before is right above the front door, with chairs and a table decorating the space. Someone could have jumped on him on the way in. A walkway runs along the right wall into an open loft space that as been turned into a party space. The stairs he's on lead to a hallway and rooms. He can see where that space is taken up on the loft. Saphire must have been in the kitchen, as it's directly in-front of the entrance. Open yet small, the counters work as the separation between the entrance and it.
Where everyone has convened is to the left of the door, a single couch, tv and some mismatched chairs take up the space. Jasper walks closer, so he has everyone in his view. Onyx and Ash are sitting on the couch, leaning on eachother as Nick drinks from a blood bag.
That catches Jasper by surprise, they're drinking from a hospital bag. Not a poor human or a kindred, but a—he assumes—humanly gained, blood bag. Jasper didn't consider that possibility for his own feeding, but he's learned to like the taste of kindred.
Plus, the disgusting smell that's wafting through the air is more then enough to dissuade any thought of trying it. He's surprised that Onyx can keep it down.
Sapphire is leaning against the back of the couch, his long black hair in a loose braid. "Don't hog." Sapphire holds his unusually pale hand out. It vaguely reminds Jasper of Aurora and Rodrigo. The dots connect and it makes Jasper freeze, could Sapphire be a Lasombra? He doesn't really know any of the kindred or their clans. Being here is dumb, coming here was dumb. His old coterie's recklessness must have rubbed off on him. Eva would kill him if she was still around...
Nick huffs, pulling the bag closer to them. "Go get your own, I haven't eaten in nights." Sapphire rolls his eyes, starting to walk away before rushing back to Nick and sinking teeth into his throat.
Jasper jumps, torn between rushing forward and getting involved or letting this stranger die. No one else seems to care, they're laughing even. What sick house did Jasper just walk into?
Sapphire drinks for a few seconds before being swatted off by Ash. "That's enough asshole!" Surprisingly, he does let go, licking the wound and swiping Onyx's bag as they recover.
"Fuck you, dude." Nick flicks their hand and from what Jasper can tell, skin starts to mold and stretch over Sapphires blue eyes. "Stop it." He hisses, eyes completely obscured from Jaspers vision despite having a good look at Sapphires profile.
"What, you afraid? I thought you liked the dark?"Nick laughs, as the room went silent. Ash let out a tense sigh, interlacing their tanned fingers with Onyx's long ones. Jasper doesn't understand, he's never seen this before. The combination of disciplines makes it hard to pin Onyx's clan. It's definitely not Brujah; Jaspers decided.
"No." Shadows start to extend from the Brit's fingertips, growing into long whips. Jasper takes an instinctual step back. Lasombra, definitely Lasombra. Jasper thought there were only two?! How could—did Aurora sire someone?
"Then you're fine." Nick says with smug as he takes back his bag and sips on it. "Don't steal." He places his thumbs on the Lasombra's eyes and push away the flesh, presumably giving them their sight back. The Brit hisses in pain, trying to pull away. Onyx whispers something Jasper's ears can't catch. "Fuck you, and you're stupid Tzimisce shit." Sapph mumbles, rubbing at his irritated eyes, Nick only raises the bird. Plopping back down of the torn couch, finishing his drink.
Jasper can feel the sun rising, and by looks of it. So do the others, and they all scatter. Saph and Ossa leaving one way and Onyx and Ash walking to Jasper. Jasper bolts to the room and waits, nothing. He pulls a knife and slides it underneath his pillow, making sure that it's within reach as the sun forces sleep. It's so stupid he's sleeping here. This coterie could have ghouls or wards or one could be thin blood and can walk in the day. The sun doesn't give Jasper much a choice, unfortunately. It brings a bone deep lethargy that no kindred can ignore.
He wakes and finds everything how he left it. He didn't think about it last night but he forgot to lock his door, a sense of paranoia floods his empty veins when he sees a note on his door. Someone was in his room while he slept, but there was only so much time they would have had to do anything.
When he crashed the sun was rising, and he's sure he's up very early. He picks up the note anyway, it says;
Here; my number.
Call me if you need me to save your stubborn ass again. Also, nice house, I'll make sure to come back sometime.
—Onyx
A small heart was drawn next to their name. Jasper didn't think much of it. He didn't like the threat of them coming back, though he's sure it was just to unsettle him. He'd set up extra precautions later, though he didn't know if he would fit anymore.
He swiped it and his stuff, and leaped out of the curtain covered window. Immediately remembering he's on the second story. "Son of a..."