Unexpected Visit. ((Jason))

[sassy]

The house was still empty since her parents were off gallivanting without her and her grandparents had gone into town to some meeting that they refused to tell her about. Really, her grandparents thought she was a child but she was far from that, she was a better manipulator than any of them put together, because had brokered herself the best deal in history. She walked up the stairs to her room to change, she was going swimming after spending the morning with her lawyer discussing the terms of the deal she’d made and answering the question of had her partner had contacted her about signing the papers and make everything legally binding. He hadn’t so far, but it had only been two days, though she was more used to people jumping at her beckon-call. She was sure she would get an owl telling her where to mail the document and that would be that, very soon, but until then she had other things to do.

Her room was large, with big windows that opened up onto the vast Stark grounds and had the best view in the entire house. When you entered, you found a stylish sitting room, with a bookshelf and coffee table and paintings of Saski through the years hung about the place. The floor was a deep soft carpeting in her favourite colour, green and to the right were two large doors that led to her bedroom. There was a large King sized four-poster bed in the next room, an antique dressing table and armoire and silk sheets on the bed. Everything about her room reeked of money and class, and everything had been designed to Saski’s specific instructions.

She walked into her bedroom and began searching the drawers of her dresser for her bathing suit. It was a cool day, excellent for a swim and since she did have the house to herself she might as well enjoy it. She pulled out a black string bikini and then disappeared into the bathroom for quick shower and a change. When she emerged she was dressed in the suit, her bare feet sinking into the lush carpeting, her red painted toenails disappearing into the sea of green. She grabbed a robe and a pair of white slippers and headed out of the room and to the pool deck behind the house. On the way she stopped to give Blinkin a few orders. “Blinkin? Blinkin? Where are you?” she bellowed. Why was it you could never find those infernal house elves when you wanted them? Suddenly the timid elf appeared in front of her in a cloud of smoke. “Blinkin is here miss,” he said cowering. “I want lunch out by the pool. I’ll have shrimp scampy, penne with pesto sauce, garlic bread, a Caesar salad and lemonade,” she said and walked away. “Oh…don’t mess it up.”

The sun shone down on her fair skin as she stepped out onto the deck. She looked up, her bedroom window some three flights up. She dropped her robe and slippers on one of the six lounge chairs nearby and unpinned her hair, allowing her black tresses to fall down her back. She had contemplated cutting her hair just the other day, but then sense returned to her brain and she quickly found something else to preoccupy her mind. She walked to the edge of the pool and dived in without hesitation. She swam a few laps before she was interrupted by the sound of Blinkin calling her name. She treaded water while she spoke, “What?” the response she got was timid and almost frightened. “I’m sorry miss Saski, but miss has a visitor.” “A what?” she asked in shock. She didn’t usually get visitors unless it was one of the girls and they always let her knew in advance they were coming just in case she was busy.

She got out of the pool and toweled off quickly and put back on her robe, her hair sticking to it and her face. “Where?” she asked the elf as she began walking back into the house. “I told them wait in the hall miss. Did Blinkin do right?” Saski didn’t even answer she was more preoccupied with who was there to see her. She walked through the house to the hall and when she got there she was more than a little surprised. “You? What are you doing here?” she asked coolly.

[Jason Blade]

Approaching the door, Jason collected his thoughts and then knocked using the large, fancy door-knocker. Almost instantly, a terrified looking houself answered. "I'm here to see Miss Saski Stark." Jason said, wondering if the elf would even let him in. "This way," the elf replied, leading Jason to a hall where he told him to stay as he went to fetch Saski.

Jason looked around at the house. It reminded him much of his grandparents' house, but much more modern. The size was about the same though. He stood waiting for a few minutes, before he heard Saski's cold voice from behind him. Turning, he smiled. "Hello to you too," he said with a sarcastic grin. "I brought you this." He said shortly, holding out a black, velvet lined box. It was opened, just so that Saski could see what was inside. As the light bounced off the gem, he watched her eyes, thinking that they would light up even brighter than when she simply heard he had the Emerald Dragon.

Quickly, he shut the box, only after allowing Saski a few seconds of admiring it. "The deal has changed though," he said sharply. Jason wasn't letting Saski get the upper hand this time. He came prepared. If she wanted the Dragon, he wasn't backing down. Silent, he just starred at Saski, waiting for a response. Although he knew exactly how she would respond, he wanted her to get her anger out before he began.

((Sorry for the delay. And sorry it just cuts off so abruptly. I have to go like right now, so I figured I would just end it and let Saski respond.))

[sassy]

Saski stood looking at Jason, her face cool and collected. His unexpected visit wasn’t about to make her nervous or uncomfortable. Jason was on her ground, away from the protection of Hogwarts. She raised her eyebrow, “Forget the pleasantries, what are you doing here?” she asked again, his sarcastic grin failing to miss her notice and only proving to make her a little annoyed.

She said nothing when he mentioned he had brought something, and when he pulled out a black velvet-lined box and showed its contents to her, she again failed to react, but her eyes said it all. The light reflecting off of the gem paled compared to the gleam in her eye at the sight of it. It was more beautiful than she’d imagined, and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on it. She just had to survive one night with Jason in a public place and it would be hers. Suddenly Jason shut the box quickly in her face, something Saski did not appreciate, and then had the audacity to say the deal had changed.

“What!?” Saski said angered. Blinkin disappeared instantly at the sound of his mistress’ voice rising. She glared at Jason as she approached him, her face cool except for the anger in her eyes. “Say that again, because I think I heard you wrong. I thought you said the deal had changed, but that can’t possibly be. We made a deal, I drew up the papers, it’s final except for your signature, and I will have it. ” Her words were final. “Who the hell do you think you are coming in here and acting like you own the place and telling me our deal has changed? Nothing changes,” she said defiantly. “Take it or leave it means just that, or do you not understand English?” Her words were cold, biting and her temper was rising rapidly. Jason had entered her lair of his own free will, and now he was about to meet the Bengal herself.

“The deal is done. We go to this thing and you give me the gem and it’s all over. Don’t move,” she commanded, raising her index finger at Jason before disappearing through a nearby door. Moments later she walked back into the hall with parchment in her hand. “Sign it and get out!” she said as she held the contract to Jason.

[Jason Blade]

Saski was livid! She was not happy with what Jason had to say. He expected nothing less however. Jason knew very well Saski's character. Thus, he was prepared for the worst. He simply stood there, taking in every word as he waited for her to finish. She didn't stop though until she left and then returned with the documents she had drawn up, attempting to force him to sign them.

Slowly, he reached for the parchment, ever careful to watch Saski and be sure that she didn't try anything. He knew it was dangerous and that she might kill him there, but with a swift motion, he took the parchment and tore it into two pieces, and then four. "We don't need this. You will get your gem, don't worry about that. I'm not going to back down on my word, but there was just a slight alteration to the plans." He stopped and watched Saski. He was emotionless and still. He had bought more time with Saski, but she still seemed cold toward him. Maybe it didn't matter what he did or said, Saski would be Saski. Jason should have known that she wouldn't just 'change her stripes,' but it was fun to try. Plus, there was still the date. He could hope, couldn't he?

"I've got someone else to go to the banquet with me. Which means I really don't even need you anymore. But that doesn't mean I am taking away the offer. It was originally a date for the gem, and it remains the same. Only now, you can name the time and place. When the date ends, you get the gem. No contracts though. If you don't want to trust me, then I guess you don't want the Dragon bad enough. Simple as that. If you really want I will let your appraiser take a look, just to verify that I have the actually Dragon, but I'm not signing anything." Still, Jason maintained his calm aura. Saski didn't scare him, although he could tell she tried. "So what do you say Saski? Is the Dragon worth the misery I'm sure you imagine a date with me to be?"

[sassy]

Saski stood with her hand outstretched waiting for Jason to take the contract from her. Who did he think he was dealing with, a child? For a moment a glimmer of satisfaction filled her being as Jason took the parchment from her hand, but that was short-lived as he dared to rip up her carefully drawn up document into pieces. If she could have turned red with fury in that one instant she would have. She clenched her fists at her sides as he told her she didn’t need the contract. “Please am I supposed to trust you?” she scoffed. “I don’t think so,” she said through gritted teeth. “You really think that I’m going to trust you to give me the Dragon, especially after this stunt! You have to be kidding me,” she was fuming. “Look Mr. We-have-a-deal-and-then-breaks-it, get out of my house before I make you!”

His cool manner was doing nothing but increasing Saski’s rage. If she had her way she’d remove that cool exterior along with his face. She turned her back and began to walk away, her knuckles white from the blood draining from them. She had been so close to getting what she wanted, and now she was going to have to settle for being without it, unless she could pay him for it. She doubted he would sell it to her now, so she would have to devise some other way of purchasing it where he wouldn’t know who he was selling it to. These thoughts filled her enraged mind, along with the idea of putting a hex on him as she stalked away back to the pool to cool off, that is until he made his next statement. This boy was really pushing it with her.

She turned on her heels a cascade of water droplets flying from her wet hair as she did so. “Fine! I’m happy for you, and the poor girl forced to spend the evening on your arm,” Saski replied snidely. It must have been the first time in her life anyone had ever said they didn’t need her; it was true she had felt that emotion on more than one occasion, mostly from her parents, but she’d never actually heard the words. “Then if you don’t need me, then why don’t you just…get…out?” she continued to fume. She was completely flabbergasted when he said the deal still stood, a date for the gem but without contracts, without her protection. She clenched her teeth as he remarked on her wanting the Dragon bad enough. The silly git really was making such a statement in her home. She glared at him, the image of him lying in a twitching heap on the floor making her smile a little. Suddenly she was very calm.

She walked back up to him again, a dangerous smirk on her face, “I don’t trust you, not even as far as a slug can crawl in a second. You came here with a deal in place and then change it, have the audacity to give me an ultimatum and expect me to trust you. I have no reason to.” Saski’s words were cold and deathly even. She laughed, a low cold laugh that would have sent a shiver up the spine of her house elf. “You really do think you’re brave don’t you? You really think you’re proving something with all this. Let me inform you of something Mr. Munroe, the only misery to be had in all this is yours. I was trying to be nice with the first deal, but you couldn’t let me could you? Your mistake is underestimating how much I want the Dragon. I want it enough that I’ll even endure the stomach churning, bile inducing task of going out with you.”

She stared Jason down, her eyes refusing to even blink, when Blinkin returned. The elf slowly approached, his voice small and timid, “Miss your lunch is ready,” he said shakily. Saski stepped back from Jason, “Now tell me what you think you have in mind,” she said coldly and walked away towards the pool. If he got the hint to follow her, that was his own business, if he didn’t then so be it. There was more than one way to get what you want, whether this way or another Saski was going to get that Dragon, she hadn’t gotten her hopes up to have them dashed by Jason Munroe.

[Jason Blade]

Jason just stood there and shook his head in amazement. At first he couldn't even begin to put words to his thoughts. Saski was going on and on, the whole time, her voice and actions full of spite and greed. Finally, after much complaint, she seemed to agree to their date followed by her storming off to the pool. His mouth agape, Jason was hesitant to follow. But he couldn't just leave. Something inside made him pursue Saski once more. Even if she had revealed that a date with him would be 'bile inducing,' he somehow needed to keep trying

"You know Saski, I thought you were an intelligent girl," he said calmly, tracing her wet footprints back to the pool. "Have you even sat and thought about what I'm doing here? I mean seriously. Could you just for one second look past your greed and think about this? I have one of the most valuable pieces of jewelery in all of Britain. I could go and sell it and probably gain enough money to suffice five whole families. Or, I could keep it for its sentimental value. I mean, after all, it did belong to my mother- my dead mother. But no. I've offered it to you Saski. For what, a couple hours of your time. And yet you have the nerve to act like I am asking the world from you Saski." He stopped in his tracks and waited for her to turn around. His face resembled that of someone who just took a punch to the stomach.

"Maybe I was foolish to think that this would all work," he said as he reached in his pocket and pulled out the Dragon. He placed the black box at his feet and then stood back up. "There's your Dragon Saski, just like I promised. But I'm done pushing. I'm done pursuing. If you decide to fulfill your end of the deal, then so be it. If you don't, then it doesn't matter either." Jason turned without saying another word and walked back toward the hall.

[sassy]

Saski marched back towards the pool; she was completely livid and wondering why. There had been some people who had dared to defy her before, but never in her life had anyone gotten to her like this. She had a steely demeanour, one that had proven very useful growing up on her house, or was it the fact that you needed one to survive the Stark home. It wasn’t easy growing up in her home and no one even had a clue. They thought she had money, she had a notable name and everything she could ask for, but what they didn’t know is the same way Saski used people as her toys she was just the same to her parents, if not worse. If she hadn’t learned how to make herself strong and aloof she might not have made it this far.

Blinkin ran after her, his steps quick on her heels as he ran and looked back to see if the Jason was following. She stopped dead in her tracks, as Jason seemed to insult her intelligence. The vein in the middle of her forehead began to pop; as did those in her neck as well as she forced herself not to hex him right then and there. His words were calm but continued to provoke a reaction from her, this was not how things were supposed to happen and she hated when her plans failed. What was she thinking? This wasn’t going to fail! She stood in silence listening to him. His words were of someone who didn’t have to live as she did, who didn’t have an entire family history to uphold and a carefully crafted reputation to protect them. She could have slapped him for his arrogance.

She turned to face him and the look on his face was somewhat surprising under the circumstances. She still refused to speak. He had no idea what he was saying, because his request was asking the world of her. She watched Jason as he left the box on the floor and walked away. He didn’t expect to say all that and just walk away did he? Did he forget whose home he was in? If so, then she was about to remind him. She walked after Jason, another thing she had never done in her life, on the way she stooped and picked up the velvet box and then continued. “Mr. Munroe, I think you dropped something,” she said holding the box out to him.

“I don’t know what you precisely thought was going to happen here, but obviously you were very mistaken. Haven’t heard of my reputation? I’m a mean uncaring and unfeeling witch, or did those rumours fail to reach your ears. However one thing that has never been said about me is I get something for nothing. This was supposed to be my repayment for going to that thing with you. Since you’re taking someone else then I can’t accept this. And another thing, don’t you dare presume you know me, and don’t you dare insult my intelligence. I was protecting both of us with my contract, cause I could just have taken the Dragon and not held up my end of the bargain, but I was making sure that everything was above board. I don’t trust you and you shouldn’t trust me, so take your Dragon and when the deal is complete I will then accept it.”

Blinkin peeked out from behind Saski, he had been listening to everything and was surprised the boy still had a face after everything he’d said. “Miss, will the young man be joining you for lunch?” he asked timidly. Saski never looked at Blinkin, “Well? Are you?” she asked the question, though not outwardly inviting him. She still held the box in her hand.

[Jason Blade]

At first, Jason didn't think Saski would pursue him. He figured she would walk back to the pool and come later to realize he really had left the Dragon for her. Why wouldn't she? She wanted the Dragon, and she was going to get it. But Saski didn't seem to like this idea. Jason turned when she started walking back after him, holding out the Dragon for him to take back. He just looked at her for a moment. Saski kept surprising Jason in so many different ways. Just when he thought he could predict her next move, she either sprang something on him that was better or worse than what he thought. This was one of the times that it was a good surprise. Even if she did have the most appalled look on her face.

"I didn't drop it," Jason replied casually, before listening to Saski give a long reply. He could tell she was furious with him, but he didn't mind. In a way, he almost thought he sensed a bit of sadness in her voice as well, but this could have maybe just been because things were not going the way Saski wanted.

"Saski," Jason said, pausing to gather his thoughts so that he made sure what he said came out the right way. "Yes. Yes I've heard all about the beautiful yet cold Saski Stark- the girl who has no heart or care for anyone. I've heard that you are a spoiled brat that gets anything she wants. But I've only heard. I like to form my own beliefs Saski. I'm not the type of person who just listens to what everyone else says. When I first got to talk to you at Madame Risings' that day, I'll admit, you interested me. I was happy that I found a reason to get to spend more time with you. But then I just felt like you only viewed me as your source for the Dragon- which I guess I don't blame you for, since it is one of the most valued pieces of jewelery on the market. The points is Sask, I do know what your reputation is. I do now have a good idea of what you are like. And I do trust you- I have no reason not to. But what I don't know is if I should still be here. I mean, I don't think you've given me the chance to show who I am, and maybe you don't even care. I'm fine if you just want the Dragon and never to see me again. I said I would give it to you, and I will- even if you no longer want a date." Jason finished his long-winded reply. Saski probably thought he was nuts, but he was just being honest. If Saski didn't actually want to meet who Jason really was, he had no problem just leaving her with the Dragon.

"As for lunch, I hate to stay if I'm not welcome. I did just show up somewhat out of the blue, so I don't expect you to serve me anything." He simply stared as Saski. If he could only figure out what she really was thinking. He had a feeling that there was so much more to her than what the surface showed, but maybe she was just too adamant about letting others see past her solid exterior. Maybe Jason was just wasting his time trying to chip into it.

((Sorry I was slow with the reply. ))

[sassy]

She looked at Jason with an expressionless face as she waited for a response, or at least for him to take the box from her. She was going to have her way whether he liked it or not, it was as simple as that. He could either take the box and go about the deal as planned, or he could leave the Dragon and she would have it owled back to him immediately. His response was a calm statement that he hadn’t dropped anything. “I know that,” she replied coldly. “Just take this thing,” she continued, her arm now bent and her elbow resting against her hip as she limply held it out to him.

Saski listened to what Jason had to say, her face still expressionless, but when he stopped she had the strangest look. “Are you nuts?” she asked him, her face showing her bewilderment. “You’ve heard all that about me and still wanted to speak to me…correction go on a date with me?” this was mind-boggling. She let her arm fall to her side as she looked at the space surrounding Jason and not at him as her mind tried to get around the fact that he knew she was the most unfeeling little brat at Hogwarts and he didn’t only want a date with her, he trusted her. “Of course you felt I was using you to get the Dragon…I was!” she admitted. “I’m not a nice person,” she said in a sarcastic tone while trying to make her voice sound all bubbly. “I’m not one of those sweet as pie Hufflepuff twits,” she continued, her voice returning to normal.

“I don’t know why you spoke to me at Madame Rosings, especially knowing what you do about me, but let me make things clear to you. I am all those things and worse,” she said a slight sadness in her voice. “I’m your worst nightmare and you don’t even know it.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “I don’t understand…” she began but stopped. He wanted to spend time with her, he wanted to understand what went on in her head, and he even trusted her. What was Jason thinking? He claimed she hadn’t given him a chance to show who he truly was, and that might have been true. Once Saski had set her designs on the Dragon she had pretty much blanked out everything else out about him, she just wanted the gem. She crossed her arms over her stomach. “Look Jason, I don’t do ‘nice’ things, but I am going to give you some advice,” she said her eyes slowly rising to his. “You don’t want a date with me. Find some nice Gryffindor girl or maybe a Ravenclaw to go with you, but for crying out loud leave the Hufflepuffs alone…and me.” She was being honest. “I’m not the type of girl nice boys date.”

Jason continued to shock her at every turn and completely leave her confused. Why was he so interested in her? What did he want? As far as she could tell, nothing more than a date, but there had to be more. She couldn’t contemplate someone just wanting to date her, there had only been one she had ever thought actually liked her and wasn’t just after the boost in reputation, and that had been Zane. Why was Jason doing this? It didn’t make sense.

She rolled her eyes slightly, “I’m not going to be serving you anything, Blinkin will be,” she retorted. “Look…come if you want or don’t, it’s up to you. I made the offer…sort of, and now you can either have lunch with me or go about your way.” Her tone was even and lacking sarcasm. “Come on,” she said turning towards the pool again. She wasn’t going to look back; he could either follow her or leave. As she walked towards the pool she still couldn’t get what he’d said out of her head. Why did he want a date with her of all people? She stepped back into the sun and took a seat at the white table, with its white chairs and white umbrella. The food was laid out pristinely and Saski took her seat, Blinking pulling out her chair and pushing it back in again. She placed the velvet box on the table and looked at the pool, her legs crossed as she bit her nail. Jason Munroe wanted a date with her?

[Jason Blade]

As Saski spoke, Jason just listened, taking in her every word. He sensed a change of tone in her voice. It almost sounded as if she was utterly confused, not knowing how to respond. Her words though were sharp. She made her point very clear, but Jason wasn't going to let it stop him. No matter what Saski said or warned him about, none of it seemed to matter when he thought about it. The way he saw it, Saski was just trying to keep him out. She was using her reputation as a shield to keep Jason from seeing anything but what she was willing to show everyone else- the cold, ruthless Saski. But he just knew that there was more inside. Maybe not a sweet, warm girl like the Hufflepuffs that Saski mentioned, but there was a girl in there that Jason felt drawn to. That was enough to push him farther and not walk away.

"I'm not nuts Saski," he said finally. She still held the Dragon out for him to take, but he didn't move for it. After she finished talking, she once more offered him the chance to join her for lunch, and then she walked off with the Dragon. He stood there for a moment, contemplating his options. He could turn and leave, letting Saski alone to think for a while. But then she would probably just forget it all and move on, never bothering to talk to Jason again. Or, he could join her. He could follow her and keep pushing. Sooner or later, he was bound to crack her. Right?

Closing his eyes to clear his mind for a second, Jason made his decision and began walking. He followed the sound of chairs being shuffled against the ground. He turned at the end of the hall and walked into the sunlight where he saw Blinkin settling Saski at the table where lunch was waiting. Quietly, he walked over and took a seat across from Saski. "I'm not asking you for an involved relationship," he said suddenly. "I'm just asking for a chance you know. How hard is it to just give me a chance to be your friend? Yes Saski, I know what your reputation is, but I don't care. I can see beyond what others see in you, and that's the Saski I want to know. That's the Saski that caught my interest in Madame Rosings. That's the Saski that I just wish you would see for yourself and quit hiding from it." He stopped and took a breath, looking down at the plate in front of him. He wasn't hungry, but he took a small bite, not to be rude. Then, he looked up and waited for Saski to say something.