Jason immediately tuned out the familiars, and focused his energy on Lance. He wasn't trying to read the older man's mind - that would most likely end in chaos - but Jason wanted to watch his movements, and note the things he said. Jason did not want to be caught unaware because he was too caught up in something else.

Jason eyed the couch, but eventually decided he'd rather sit than annoyed one hella powerful witch. So, Jason perched lightly, ready to move at a moments notice. He gave Lance a look that said he was ready, and muttered an, "I'm listening."

Lance sat on the bed across from the couch, looking directly at the two people in front of him. London, his familiar, hopped up gracefully beside him and almost immediately laid down, her intense gaze on both Kit while Lance gently pet her. Their bond was much closer than any familiar-witch bond Jason had seen yet. Even Jolon's own familiar was just independent and not one with her witch, though they both had the same taint of evil in them. Regardless, the two were obviously close.

"I should start off by saying that I never wanted Lilith, or Addilyn as you call her, as my daughter. Though, with you being of an average intelligence I'm sure you've already understood that." He paused, completely ignoring Kaitlyn for now. "Her mother, Pandora, I did love and I will not deny it. As I'm sure you know by now, I left before Addilyn was born, and to this day, we have never met and I don't want to see her anyways. I did not leave because it my dear Pandora was giving birth to a demon child, though that is what many of the rumors say."
Lance paused, a sudden look of mourning dancing across his face, and unlike Jolon, whose emotions were often false, this was not. He truly, truly regretted leaving Pandora behind, he'd loved her, still did love her, and he missed her dearly. "I left to start a revolution, in secret of course. I told Jolon I'd be leaving to explore the world for awhile and he didn't seem to care, he had Lilith coming, I was no longer of use to him." Lance shrugged, as technically, this was common in the witch world.

"I came back when Pandora's letters finally reached me, explaining that Addilyn was being used by Jolon and she wanted me to save her. Obviously, I couldn't, although I am a high level, I could never go up directly against Jolon, not without help of course. I returned home, in Texas, while Addilyn was away. I made plans with Pandora to break the seal on Addilyn's mind and allow her to explore her memories like most children could." Lance paused yet again, as emotion began to seep into his words and London was gently comforting him again.

"Two months past by and we'd made little progress with Addilyn, instead, Pandora and I became...intimate again. Addilyn was scheduled to come back home the next week, in which I would break the seal. But somehow, word got around to Jolon, and he found me, and threatened to kill Pandora if I continued down the path I was heading. So I left, I didn't want to cause her anymore problems. That, is how we got here in the first place. That's why you even know Lilith." Lance sighed, running a hand through his hair, which had somehow gained a few grey streaks through the conversation.

Kit hadn't spoke a word, and neither had Kaitlyn, but at the use of Lilith, like it was some sort of cursed word, he bristled. A soft, low hiss sliding into the air. London immediately jumped up, crouching low to the couch and baring her fatal fangs in a menacing way. Kit almost stood as well, but Lance pushed his familiar back down. Eyeing her as he spoke to her in his head, telling her that there was no fight here.

Before Lance even opened his mouth, Jason gripped his thighs and pressed his lips lights together. He wouldn't make any remarks, and would try not to irritate this dick. Although Lance may have some good intentions, it never warrants leaving a child behind. No matter who that child has been, in the case of witches, you just don't do it. Jason never had his mother in the picture, and to this day it still hurts. It hurts like hell, and Jason honestly could never find respect for anyone who abandons their children, no matter the reason.

As Lance explained himself, Jason held back a scoff. Well, Jason supposed if Lance's goal was to make Jason dislike him, it worked, by immediately saying he didn't want the love of Jason's life to be in this world.
Then, his reasons... Jesus this man... he rubbed Jason the wrong way. If he loved Pandora so much... it wasn't Jason's place to think of better plans for the past. What is done, is done, and although Jason didn't agree with Lance's choices... It is what happened.

Once the witch appeared to be done, Jason released his tight, white-knuckle, grip on his thighs, and closed his hands together with a loud clap. Jason's smile was strained, and he tilted his head slightly, "Thanks for telling me how bad of a father you were. If your intent of that was to... well, I don't even know your intent, and don't even want to try and guess. You succeeded, though, in making me dislike you," Jason dropped the fake smile, though his joined hands rested on his lap.

We love Jason for standing up to Lance like that.)

~

The air filled with tension at Jason's words, and London stood, about to rip his face off for insulting her witch. Lance immediately tried to calm her, as he knew exactly where Jason was coming from, if someone said something so unkindly about Pandora, he'd probably kill them on the spot. He had known that his story was not what Jason wanted to hear, but it was the truth, and Lance had figured that after the hell Jason had been put through, he deserved that much.

London did not think the same, that much was obvious due to her intense glare and deep growl, aimed directly at Jason. Kit hadn't moved, and hadn't planned on it until he realized that her claws had slid out, and that she was preparing to lunge at any moment despite Lance's calming words. Kit immediately jumped up, startling a shocked Kaitlyn who really hoped nothing went horribly wrong, like Kit dying or something. Within four steps, Kit was on Jason's lap, his ears pinned as a fierce hiss escaped his throat. "Tell her to back the hell off Lance, I will not hesitate to kill her if she takes a single step towards Jason." Kit spoke freely, to both Kaitlyn and Lance, and Jason overheard as well of course, he did this so everyone knew exactly what he planned to do if Jason was harmed. He was declaring here and now that Jason was under Addilyn Stevenson's protection, and anyone who fucked with him, would be dead within the day.

Lance pulled his familiar back, protecting his thoughts as he spoke to her. It took him a few minutes to settle her down, though she still looked relatively pissed, and slowly, Kit hopped off Jason's lap and sat beside him, his tail curled delicately over his paws though, in his head he was ranting about London and her stupid reaction and her just being stupid in general. It was obvious he held no love for Addilyn's father either, the feeling was mutual.

Lance cleared his throat, unlike Jolon, Lance did lose his composure sometimes, Kit supposed that this was a good thing. Despite his rabid familiar, he would probably make a decent enough leader, he wasn't nearly as stuck up as Jolon was, though he definitely was horrible in his own way. "I'm sorry about that, London tends to be very defensive of me, like Kit with Lilith. I come here in the name of peace, I don't plan harm upon you or anyone else here. I know you don't like me, and I didn't expect you to. In your position, I wouldn't like me either. Regardless, I cannot change the past, and I'm here to talk about your future anyways." Lance waved his hand, as if he was clearing away the previous tension in the air. "I do not want Addlilyn in my domain for too long, the witches are already split on who should be the next leader, and Addilyn couldn't do it if she wanted to." Kaitlyn snorted at that, and Lance shot her a wicked glare that made her go quiet pretty quickly.

"I am aware that she is badly injured, and that's the only reason I haven't asked her to leave now. I am also aware, of the fact that every single one of you are wanted criminals, other than Kaitlyn obviously, as she doesn't like getting her own hands dirty." The comment made Kaitlyn look away, her normally open-mind suddenly sealing tight, and automatic reaction due to the pain that spread across her face. She did not like to be reminded of those times. "As such, I've cleared all of your names, you are no longer wanted in any state anywhere. It's all been...erased if you will. On top of that, I have opened both you and Addilyn bank accounts, which will get a generous monthly deposit from me." Lance stuck his hand into the air and snapped two cards into existence, handing them over to Jason quickly, not touching him for long.

"You can do whatever you want with the money, I don't quite care. I do have one request though, about Destan." Kit's jaw dropped, this man had the audacity to request something of them? Jason and Addilyn had literally cleared the path for him to become the ruler of the coven, and he had the audacity to ask them to do something for him?

A vaguely amused look danced across Jason's face as Lance's familiar prepared to try and kill him. If the goal was to have a simple conversation, London did not get the memo. Yikes.

If he was being honest, though, Jason did not expect lil ol' Kit to come to his rescue. Jason held off on the urge to pet the temperamental cat (he had a feeling it wouldn't do well for his street cred) and instead muttered a quiet "Thanks," once things settled down.

Now, his attention turned back to Lance, who was still an asshole, but maaaybe less of an asshole than Jason originally thought. The fact that Lance could admit that Jason wasn't expected to like him, Jason grew slightly more comfortable and leaned back against the couch in a more casual position.

The casualness quickly left, though, and Jason found himself leaning forward, "Actually?" Ribs will be so glad. Maybe he could pursue that music stuff he's always wanted to do. "That's.. wow. I want to be pissed at you, and believe there is a catch, but the fact that this also benefits you with us leaving, plus no skin off your back makes me think you aren't lying." He'd have to Google his name and see what came up - how far back Lance's magic stuff went. "So, thanks, dude. For our second chances and the money. i cant promise anything about Destan, since I'm not Destan or his sister, but I can pass a message along."

Kit and London were having a fierce glaring match, but said nothing to each other. Lance looked mildly concerned at their hate, but said nothing, he did not meddle in his familiar's affairs. He knew plenty well that she didn't like Kit for the same reasons he did, but there seemed more there that he didn't know about. Although the two had a tight bond, familiars were there own, independent, conscious creatures. From what he could gather, there was probably something else between the two that made the tension between them so thick.

Lance replied to Jason with a shrug, the liveliness of youth slowly returning to his face. He was still grieving for Pandora, that much was certain by both his thoughts and the haunted look to his eyes, but he looked a bit relieved to have told his story, even if Jason hated him for it. There had been more than he'd told them, the little details, like how he'd fallen in love with Pandora. That beautiful June morning when he'd found her in the community garden, murmuring to the plants with those big brown eyes of hers that seemed to swallow him whole whenever she looked at him. Or how hard it had been to leave her, how the two had cried the entire night, and how she'd seen him off with watering eyes. These things were ingraved in his memory, and he doubted he'd ever love anyone as much as he loved Pandora, and that meant a lot for an immortal witch.

"I don't see why not, we both get something out of it and I'm tired of the schemeing and secretive shit I had to deal with with Jolon being in charge. It's time for a change in the witch world, and it cannot be done with Addilyn there, which I'm sure she knows just as well as I do." Lance shrugged, ignoring the fact that he'd used her actual name instead of Lilith, like he'd been doing. "As for Destan, this will sound odd, but I'm asking you, no, begging you to take care of him for me." Lance paused, his voice filling with emotion, real emotion. He was no actor, and the wound in his heart was still fresh. Destan was all he had left of Pandora, and Destan would never want to see him ever, as to him, Lance had abandoned him, and in a way, he had. And Lance knew that he'd never be forgiven by his son, even if he admitted to loving him.

"Destan is my son, and I'd like nothing more to take him into my care and try to make up for those years that I wasn't there, but I know that he will not want me to take him away from his sister, or you." Lance took another break from speaking, a tear slipping down his face that he immediately brushed away. Kaitlyn was staring at him in shock, Lance wasn't an actor, those were real tears that he was keeping at bay. "I know it is my fault he hates me, and I don't blame him for it. But as his father, I want to know that he'll live a good life without me there. So please, can you watch him? All three of you I mean, yes you Kaitlyn. I may not like you, but I know that you have taken care of Lilith all these years as payment, without me even asking. Now, I'm asking you to watch Destan for me. Please." Lance stared at Kaitlyn sadly, and slowly, ever so slowly, she nodded. Destan was a good kid, and he deserved a happy life.

Jason didn't try to hide his surprise. Out of all the things Lance could have said.... he did not expect this. He had been purposefully staying out of Lance's head, even if it would have given him an edge, and the ability to test Lance's sincerity. It did not seem right. Lance appeared to be reliving some painful shit, as well as the fact that Jason didn't like digging through other people's minds. It was a cruel and invasive action.

Once Lance was done, Jason didn't hesitate. Not for a single heartbeat, "Of course," and shit, if he sounded over eager by the fast response, fuck it. He never wanted to abandon Destan. It was painful to grow up without a whole family, and the kid hardly had a family anymore to begin with. If Jason had the slightest chance to fill in the big shoes of parental and positive figure, he'd take it. He take every chance, try as hard as possible, and he would not give up.

"I.... I won't pretend to understand your reasons or actions - I bet there is more to the story - but I understand the want to protect your own blood. I'll... I'll try my best, Sir. I can promise you that."

The relief that washed over Lance's face was immediate, and a new wave of tears threatened to overwhelm him. Lance placed his head in his hands for a moment, struggling to regain his composure. Once upon a time, Jolon had told him that crying showed weakness, that it made him human, but that was exactly what Lance was, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Pandora had been the one to remind him of his humanity, and he wanted to do her right and listen to that advice she'd given him so long ago.

Kit watched with interest as Lance lost his composure and London gently comforted him. Although Kit hadn't replied to the witch's request, it was obvious enough that he wouldn't be leaving Destan any time soon.

It took Lance awhile to fully recover, and once he did, he looked up smiling at Kaitlyn and Jason. Smiling. A true smile, one of thankfulness, something that Kaitlyn had not been expecting from Lance, who hated her most of the time. "T-thank you, I really appreciate what you've done, all of it Jason. And you too Kaitlyn, and Kit of course." The cat just bowed his head, while Kaitlyn looked absolutely startled that Lance had thanked her.

"I have nothing else to say, though if any of you have questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Otherwise, it was a pleasure to talk to you and see you again." Kit looked to Kaitlyn, who merely just nodded her head, though said nothing. Then he looked at Jason expectantly, wondering if the only human in the room had a question. "He's giving you the opporunity to ask anything Jason, anything you want, about anything. Granted you could ask Addilyn later, but she might not have the same info Lance has." Kit didn't have any questions that Addilyn couldn't answer, but Jason might.

Although everything turned out okay, tension was still high in the room - at least, it seemed to be that way for Jason. There had been a lot of high charged emotions occurring only moments before, and the fog of those racing thoughts were still clogging the room.

Jason did have a hand to play in them being foggy, as he was the one who put up his own mental shields to prevent any unwanted mind reading, but it was almost as if the words shared and private thoughts were crowding the room, stifling them all.

When the crispness of Kit's voice cut through, Jason paid close attention, although he did not outwardly hint that he was communicating with Kit. Lance probably already knew somehow, with his powerful (and slightly creepy) magic stuff, but that still did not mean Jason had to display his secret.

Jason didn't really have any questions to ask, but the room seemed too charged and tense, and his inner class clown was begging to be released.

So, Jason let a sly smile spread across his face, "I'm really interested in that bank information. Maybe for once in my life I won't have to take out a loan to buy a stick of gum."

Kaitlyn was doing her best to not just jump up and leave. Being here physically hurt her, and she was moderately afraid of the stifling tension in the room, afraid that Lance would just go off and kill them all. Though she knew that he had not had such a temper tantrum in hundreds of years, it still worried her. Plus, she doubted that Addilyn was still asleep, and knowing her, she was probably freaking out and worrying about Kit and Jason even though she definitely knew that Kit was okay.

Lance raised an eyebrow at Jason's question, and you could just, barely see his lips twitch up for a moment. "That would be an improvement huh?" The man released a huff, that almost sounded like laughter. "Each month you and Addilyn will receive a hefty sum of money on the fifth of each month until you die. I don't know whether you have chosen to leave Addilyn, or if she has chosen an immortal life, and frankly, I don't quite care. I only wish to express my gratitude for what you two have done, not to intrude on matters that are of no concern to me. The money is more than enough for rent on the most expensive apartments you can find, as well as buying a house. Building a house would probably require both of you to pool your money together, and then it would be more than enough. Again, I don't care what you do with the money, as long as Addilyn leaves the witch world for this life, I'll be content." Lance wouldn't be happy till Pandora was reborn, and he knew that for a fact.