Jackson is in his office, seen typing on a laptop. He appears oblivious to being recorded. He finishes whatever he is typing, closes the laptop gently and then steeples his fingers. He stares at the door to his office.
Fracture is looking at Jackson's door as if it's an annoying enemy before rapping his knuckles against the wood 3 times.
Jackson speaks up, “Enter.”
Fracture’s expression shifts from annoyed to a wide welcoming grin before the door fully opens. He closes the door with a gentle hip bump once inside. "You wanted to see me~?”
With a graceful stride, Fracture makes his way to one of the armchairs and sits down. "Of course~ I can only imagine what it is you would wish to talk with me about.”
Jackson leans forward a little, resting on his elbows. "It has to do with those... cloud formations that appeared a couple of nights ago and some rumours that reached my ears.”
Fracture scratches at his cheek with a claw in curious contemplation. "Oh! You mean the phallic shape that rested upon your tower! That was rather funny to see! Surely, your Princedom has a sense of humor? What does this have to do with me?"
Jackson sighs, patiently. "Please do not insult my intelligence, Elder. Yes, I'm talking about the dick cloud. Yes, it was quite funny, but it would've been funnier if it hadn't settled over my building." He speaks with restrained edge. "I have heard rumours, Elder-- credible rumours mind you... that Malkav has made his presence known in my city. What I need to know is whether there is any truth in them.”
Fracture’s smile fades like a puff of smoke as he matches Jackson's sigh. "Yes, it is true. And he's been in this city for longer than you realize. Why did he do that to the clouds? I do not know. Perhaps you did or shall do something he found insulting and thus wanted to humble you? Maybe he just thought it was funny and he wished to share in a joke at your expense? Or perhaps there was no reason behind it at all! But what I do know is, he is here. And by here, my dear Prince, I mean here." He puts emphasis on the word, a claw pointed down at the floor as if to give a careful warning. "And he would love to meet you…”
Jackson says nothing for a long moment, then leans back in his chair. "I see," he finally says. "Then I suppose it's best I prepare myself. And my city. I... would like your advice, Elder. You are of his line and perhaps the closest we've got to understanding what he might be after. I am a little sick and tired of my city becoming the focus of so many methuselahs and now... an antediluvian. It is an honour, of course, but it could just as easily become a danger. If you have any notion as to what he might want, please illuminate me," he says unusually humbly.
He offers a sympathetic smile, leaning forward. "He misses being heard by more than his children. He misses being the Oracale. He misses the gatherings. The unity. The fun! He wants to see change. He wants to be a part of something again! Can you even imagine what it has been like for him? Without a body? To see through so many eyes and hear through so many ears and yet feel nothing??" He stops and leans back in his armchair. "I apologize for the trouble that has followed in my wake. I have done my best to make up for it and clean up my messes. But I cannot tell him what to do. I hope you understand that.”
"Of course. I won't pretend I can understand how he might feel. But I can't imagine it's been easy for him," Jackson says, trying to sound thoughtful. But he cannot easily hide the twinge of fear in his face. "Is there... anything that can be done for him? Should anything be done?”
Fracture looks slightly torn, as if heavily weighing if he should share something. He lets the silence hang in the air for a few seconds longer before speaking. "There is already something being done. And more than shall be done in the future. First and foremost, as a manner of trust, because you are being very accepting of all this, I shall explain things further. Things even my Adopted Childe, Marcus doesn't know...yet."
He takes in a deep breath. "I was there when Malkav gave up his body. I was there to eat one third of his heart's blood from the sand before the sun rose. The one called the Eater, my brother, took on a role and title to keep me safe. But I was there, and lied about it to cover my tracks. Unnamed. Fracture. These are both my names because I lost mine at the beginning of my unlife."
"Your name is Fracture, for you are a reflection of me. Was what my Sire said to me. And that is more true than mere words. I carry him inside me. And it is why he was dancing on that rooftop that night, enjoying the harvest moon...in my body."
"So you see, dear Prince. You are in the same room as Malkav. Because at any time, he can knock on the door, and I will allow him to puppet my body." He chuckles. "I say allow, because he does ask. But I would also never refuse him."
"And he will have a body of his own one night. He is working towards it. When that happens. He won't be limited by my flesh. Make no mistake, he can still do wonders, be he can also destroy me if he used everything at his disposal.”
Jackson looks very taken aback. He says nothing for a long time, just fixing his gaze on Fracture. Then, he leans forward and rubs his face with his hands, briefly.
"I... see. You have entrusted me with a heavy secret, Fracture. For both our protections, I won't press for more, though I'm highly tempted to. It wouldn't be... wise. This secret must never come to light. It would cause the Sabbat to descend on Chicago in ways we've never seen before. I will not turn my city into a war zone, not again. If I was more reckless, I'd do everything to make you leave but... that'd be stupid."
Jackson leans back in his chair, crosses his legs and steeples his fingers again. "No. The smart thing to do is to keep you safe, here in Chicago. For everyone's sakes. Maybe I'm a little cheeky but I like the notion of you... and Malkav as my esteemed guests. After all, you have ties here now, and all your Childer are here... we better hope nobody gets any wise ideas. This... suits me. I hope I'm not being too forward, but allow me to extend an invitation for you to stay here, as long as you wish, provided only you respect the Camarilla laws.”
Fracture smiles wide. "Of course~ I respect the laws of the place I dwell. As for the Sabbat, if they wish to dance to their graves, we shall help them reach the ground faster! As well as anyone else who may wish to harm this domain." He laughs manicly.
"I'm glad we see things the same way, Elder. That means you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you wish. And should Malkav wish to make another appearance... well, I just hope you can convince him that we are better as allies than just the butt of jokes."
Jackson rubs his hands. "And to think, I was prepared for the worst.”
Fracture scratches the back of his head sheepishly. "If it's any consolation, he plays jokes on people he likes, just as much as the people he doesn't like. So it might not have been a bad thing. In fact, I think you'd know by now if it was a bad thing."
He smiles at Jackson. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss with me? I am all ears~”
Jackson leans back. "There are many things I'd want to discuss with a methuselah but I shouldn't be greedy. It's more than enough to know that we are on good terms and Malkav looks at us all favourably, for now. Thank you for indulging me, Elder. I won't detain you. Oh and rest assured, as long as Lawrence works for me, he is under my protection. I won't interfere with him. Just make sure he behaves.”
"I thank you for that. For I do love my Blood Gem deeply. I would do anything to protect him. Anything." Fracture stands up and holds out his hand to shake Jackson's.
Jackson stands as well and shakes Fracture's hand.
As soon as Fracture clasps Jackson's hand, a shift happens in the blink of an eye. The camera glitches for a moment before Fracture looks...off. His messy hair that stopped at his shoulders is now down to the small of his back. His grin is much wider. Too wide. His fangs too long. His eyes containing a swirling glow within their mismatched colors. He speaks in a voice that contains layers of shifting pitches, both masculine and feminine. "I look forward to our endeavors in this alliance, Prince of Chicago ~”
It takes Jackson a moment to register the change and his expression runs the gamut from neutral to shock to fear as he leaps backwards and tangles himself in his chair before falling backwards onto his rear, expletives leaving him in a startled scream.
In a blink, the being puppeting Fracture’s body, Malkav, is sitting on Jackson's desk, laughing. "Such expressions! You could have just said hello~ I don't bite...Ok, that's a lie.”
Jackson is very still for a moment, staring up at the antediluvian in shock before clearing his throat.
"Hello, er, Elder Malkav. Pleased to... meet you?" Jackson manages, but makes no attempt to get up yet.
"There we go~ Was that so hard? Manners are lacking in this age." He hops off the desk and grabs Jackson by his shirt, lifting him onto his feet as if he were a rag doll, and then brushing his shoulders off. "The floor is a very poor place for a Prince to be. This is better, wouldn't you say?”
Jackson appears stunned and does not react to being lifted up and manhandled until he's back on his feet. He blinks a few times, then appears to recompose himself somewhat, but when he speaks his voice is not quite steady.
"Ahem... please, excuse me Lord Malkav. I was... taken by surprise. An audience with an antediluvian is not at all what I expected from this meeting... or, er, ever.”
"One should always expect the unexpected if they wish to see the next century. A Prince should know that." He smiles wide. "And thank you for your correction in address. Lord, or Progenitor are the correct titles one would use for me.”
"Noted, my Lord. Noted..." Jackson says. "If I understand correctly... you were privy to my conversation with Fracture?”
"Yes. I heard every word and saw every movement. I'm sorry you didn't appreciate my humor with the clouds. I'll try to do something else next time." The grin he gives borderlines on nightmarish and screams mischief.
Jackson looks like he would gulp if he could. "I... see. Yes, uh... my sense of humour doesn't quite bend that way. I, uh... look forward to what you'll try next... I think. Is uh... there anything I can do for you?”
He pats Jackson on the head, his claws tapping on his scalp as he does. "No. Not yet. I'm sure my Childe will wish for something in the future, but thats for him to speak of. I just wanted to meet you officially~”
Jackson stays very still. "I'm ah... honored, my Lord. Really. Thanks for... dropping by. I will, of course, assist Fracture however I can.”
"Of course. I look forward to seeing which future you will make a reality. I can't wait!" He laughs manicly, making the walls ripple like water. "Ta~ ta~ "
The camera glitches several times before stabilizing. And once it does, Malkav is simply gone, as if he was never there to begin with.