thejax-reed

[thejax-reed]

Falling back into a routine had proven more difficult than Jaxon was used to. The clatter of pint glasses and the familiar hum of late-night chatter paired with early mornings the next day had always been the grounding rhythm of his life, but his other priorities had him slacking way more than normal.

Today, he was taking care of one of those priorities, making the effort to drive all the way to the distillery to spend some time with a special someone he had not seen in a hot minute. Well, not outside of his work hours anyway. His hope was that he could convince Faith to grab a bite somewhere else, maybe even discuss her new relationship. With his best friend. Now that was a doozie.

Crossing the main entrance, the beta didn't have to look for the fellow wolf too long before spotting her. "That's unfortunate." he huffed, practically laughing. "I was really lookin' forward to spendin' some time with the very capable owner of this establishment. Should I come back another time?"

Surprise Tasting

Status: Open When: Post Blackouts and Midsummer Where: Strawberry Moon Distillery

Getting the Nevermore rebuilt was taking a lot of time between phone calls and trying to recover files. The files were the hardest part, her brother's handiork was all over them. Her nights were spent for the most part out with Will looking for answers and coming up empty. She absently brushed her thumb over her bottom lip with a bit of a smirk at the thought of Will, she was like a love sick puppy. Shaking herself out of it she set aside the Nevermore paperwork for now. and started unpacking new inventory. There were three different piles now; Nevermore, Strawberry Moon, and Lunar Heights. Boxes of glassware, silverware, booze all the things a bar could need. She needed to make sure that Jax and Nevermore were back up and running, after that she could deal with everything else. Other people depended on her getting this together and she sure as hell wasn't going to let fucking Artemis win. She heard the door, "Sorry we're not open for tastings at the moment." Not even looking up from the manifest, "But you can check the website for bookings. I think I've got an opening next week."

[thejax-reed]

FLORENCE PUGH Makeup by Alex Babsky ahead of the Coach cocktail party to celebrate Stuart Vevers OBE on June 26th 2025

[thejax-reed]

The Restricted Cellar - 3

You turn a corner and come across the restricted wine cellar. You manage to enter and take in the rows and rows of wine in the space.

Scanning the different labels on the bottles, you see the names of familiar species like human, elf and even werewolf. Not surprising since blood volunteers are not uncommon. You come across the magical creature section of the cellar and see bottles of wine that were offered at the party today with bottles labelled dragon, dryad and unicorn.

You scan more rows of bottles and find some different ones labelled Eastern dragon, phoenix and siren. There are plenty more with magical creature names that are both familiar and not. You reach out to the bottle with the label of ‘siren’ and draw it out. As far as you know, sirens are merely creatures of legend and only exist in stories.

A sudden sound from outside alerts you of a guard’s presence. With bottle in hand, you and your accomplice run out of the cellar before a guard can catch you!

It is too risky to try again and you do not return for the rest of the evening, but you managed to steal a bottle of 'siren’ blood wine. What are you going to do with it?

@beckdean

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JAXON REED's Dionysus' Party Look - ZEUS

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Florence Pugh via Instagram (2025)

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JAXON REED's Attire for Midsummer Night's Dream Event

Drank: BLUE - Mischevious

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JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN | phd in daddy

[thejax-reed]

"..thank you." Jaxon frowned but nodded after a moment, appreciating the kind words. He was trying to be hopeful that, at least, the elf might be able to do something with the little evidence he had gathered but..such hope was easily hanging by a thread. "No, actually..but there can't be many herbs that have that kind of effect on us, can there?" Jax exhaled at the reassurance and was about to insist on payment when the other made their suggestion. "Help?" That was vague. "Y-yeah, of course. What kind of help?"

"We're both fine. She had a complicated recovery but..it seems she's on the mend. Thank fucking god."

It was a quiet hour of the day and there was no-one else currently in the shop, so Nari didn’t feel the need to rush Jax into the separate area of the shop just yet. “I’m sorry to hear you and your daughter have been affected by these attacks, first of all.” Nari peered curiously down at the vial in the other mans hands, waiting until he was allowed to take it into his own before holding the glass up to the sunlight. “Hm. You can’t be certain this is even the herb in question, can you?” He asked, “Though if it was found at the scene of where the attack took place, there’s a good chance it could have been left accidentally by the assailant. I can look into it.” Nari nodded. “There’s no need to pay me.” The elf reassured, “Perhaps if I need some help in the park, I could call upon you?” It wasn’t as though Nari really needed the help with heavy lifting, but it was still nice to have. “Have you and your daughter fully regained your ability to heal now?” Nari asked.

[thejax-reed]

Jaxon returned the smile with ease and watched as Max pulled her little notebook out on the table. "Well, clearly..it's in very good hands. What are you writing?" he asked, eyebrow shifting up into a slight frown. He did try not to peek but the beta's curiosity often got the better of him..or so William had told him once or twice. "Does Gwen need any help with her restaurant? She doesn't usually ask for it-but since you're together I figured..maybe you know."

Reed smiled again, not used to compliments, and cleared his throat."Oh, you know..the usual. Takin' care of my dog, exercising," he cut his speech short, delaying his next words a moment or two. "I've also been seeing someone-" It might be too soon to make anything of it, but it was a big deal for him. It made things seem hopeful again..especially after the year he'd had..after Esme, he would have just never thought it possible.

Hearing he would always be there was reassuring, she'd already lost so much when it came to those she loved that she wasn't sure she could handle another loss like that. Jax had been a friend before Phantom Creak, but then he'd become her uncle and the dynamic had shifted. The same way it had with William, and it couldn't have happened at a better time. Now she had Gwen, gods she loved that woman, it was good to know that she had a family still. "Don't worry I'll wrangle Gwenie. I know her schedule by heart and well." She gave a sheepish smile, there were advantages to being the partner. "I am beyond excited, this place means a lot to you and now it gets to mean a lot to me too."

She pulled a small note book from her jacket and started running her mind over the list of things she might need and what they might do for the mural. She looked over to him with a bit of a smirk, "Soooo what have you been up to, huh? You look good. Been staying out of trouble? I know that's kinda hard to do with popsicle,"

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Jaxon's answer was delayed a moment as he gathered his thoughts, eyebrows shaping into a frown as his hands pressed around the edge of the table. "..yes." The wolf cast a glance behind him, relieved that they seemed to be alone and broke his silence. "I'll cut to the chase. I need you to do some research on the type of herb Artemis might have used to slow down supernatural healing. I've had it done to me and more recently, to my daughter. At the very least, I'd like to think that there's got to be somethin' to dull or counteract the effects.." The wolf search inside of his jacket and placed a small vial with a dust-like substance inside. "Friends of mine found this at my establishment and at Nevermore..could you look into it, like I said? I'll..pay."

“Yes, that would be me.” Nari replied with a polite smile, he recognised the man as one of the wolves that had once been part of the Lycaon pack, though from what he understood he was no longer a part of it. He moved from his spot behind the counter and shook the other man’s extended hand “Of course,” Nari nodded, “What is it that you need my help with? I’m guessing this is a supernatural enquiry?” Nari asked. There was a whole separate section of the shop, away from the gaze of humans, that catered specifically to supernatural needs and ailments.

[thejax-reed]

Location: Lunar Heights Pub

The plans to fix the damage done by the fire had taken longer than anybody, including Jaxon, anticipated. Weeks had turned into a month and even then, all evidence pointed to more. Reed had truly given it his all. Hours, money, thought and countless back and forth with the insurance company who had taken care of his case. So yes, when his best friend had volunteered to be there with him and help with the rebuild, he'd found it difficult to say no.

They did talk but after a while, Jaxon had bumped into a few walls. Things William would gloss over, like what he and Faye had been up to in the early days of the attack or..his feelings on it. Usually, the beta didn't like to pry but..he worried and after a while, decided to try his luck - two cold ones in his grip as he approached him.

"Here. Work's almost done. Take a break with me, will you?" he smiled softly, poking him with the beer. "Come on, I won't take no for an answer."

@will-rogers

[thejax-reed]

It was not for a lack of things to do. Quite the contrary, actually. Between the pub still needing a lot of work and his personal life, Jaxon did rarely get a moment to himself these days..but he did realize he was not ready to let what happened to Gwen and Augustine go just yet. He needed answers. More answers, anyway, and a means to be prepared.

That and an excuse to make up for all lost time is what brought him out to the Apothecary that day. He knew who the owner was: they'd met a while back when he was Elizabeth's second. Jaxon had always thought they seemed trustworthy, hence his willingness to try his own luck asking for a favor, but only time would tell.

Pushing past the front door, the wolf hesitated a second before speaking up, his eyes flickering up to the meet elf's. "Morning.. Nari, right? I'm Jaxon.." he nodded as he reached out for a handshake. "I'm here to see if you can help me with somethin'.. you got a minute?"

While Nari had a shop manager these days that took care of the day-to-day at Zeung Apothecary, he had been away for almost two years and he wanted to go into the shop and offer his assistance. It was a somewhat tedious stock take, but Nari had witnessed a lot in his long life and sometimes he enjoyed the mundane, like counting multiple boxes of Echinacea tablets. When they were finished, Nari opened up the shop, attentively checking on the planters that were adorned with multiple plants and florals outside the shop, pulling up the blinds, leaving the door ajar and settling himself behind the counter. “Take the day off, Effie. I’m fine here. Thank you for all your help.” Nari smiled at his employee and watched her set off before tapping his fingers on the desk. It seemed odd to be back, he had a lot of catching up to do. Globetrotting and self discovery had left him feeling disconnected from the place he’d once called home. He was sure between working with the other council elders, as head groundskeeper at the city park and here, he’d find his footing again.

When the bell of the door chimed, the elf lifted his head and offered a smile, “Good morning.”

@vievecorcitystarters

[thejax-reed]

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Reed did not notice anything off about his friend. Nothing that he couldn't possibly relate to the aftermath of what they had all seen take place about a week ago anyway. He was exhausted..not to mention he had enough on his plate as it was. "It's all good - life, work..these things just get in the way sometimes, don't they?" he said, shaking it off with ease. Seconds after, Jax was doing the same about the pub situation. Now, that one stang but..he had to keep reminding himself of what was important. Like his reason for being at Remington tower of all places. "..thanks, man. It's been a bitch to clean up, figure out how to rebuild and all but-- yeah, something like that. I was actually hoping to speak to Elijah about somethin' my d-Gwen got hit with. Some..magic. It slowed down her healing.. mine too, a while ago. I just want to get to the bottom of things cause I'm scared..I don't- I can't see this happen again."

There was something therapeutic about working on the repairs of Remington Tower. Roan felt like he was cleaning away the dirt from an open wound with each blemish that he removed, each ward that he recast. Still, the wound was there, and no matter how much work he put into repairs, he felt the responsibility of the damage weigh heavy on him. Jaxon appearing at the tower was like something out of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol, bearing the reminder of how his friends had suffered in the Artemis attack. With his mind heavy with the secret burden he carried, he approached his friend.

"Jax, my eyes didn't deceive me, it is you," he greeted the werewolf with a bittersweet smile and wrapped an arm around his shoulders to return the hug. "You know," he shrugged at the question, "It is my fault, I never invited you back after Thanksgiving." His smile slowly dropped into concern then and he said, "I'm sorry, I heard that the pub was hit. If you need any help with- any help at all, you let me know. Is that why you're here?"

[thejax-reed]

Jaxon's breath wavered but his resolve remained intact. Beck was not unlike many of the other wolves her age, but she'd suffered a lot about something that came natural to so many made all the difference -especially right now. Maybe, he thought, it wasn't such a great idea to question her methods right now. "I'll show you." the beta promised softly.

Removing his hands from her shoulders, Jax took a step back and paused, feeling a smile coming on at the prospect of a chance. "Of course I mean that." Not so long ago, he might have even put it down to some wolf-code kind of deal but his current circumstances made him hesitate. He'd literally turned his back on the pack for his own sake..well, officially, anyway. Some habits died hard. "I don't want to let you down either, Beck, but I promise I'll give it my best shot."

Here was hoping she'd stick around, huh? "Alright," the beta exhaled, "The short version of it is - we need to get you to get in tune with that side of yourself. A noisy mind will keep us very affixed to this plane. If there is doubt, fear, hesitation, it'll make it very difficult to attain control. Bear with me but..some wolves find meditation very useful.. it hits all bases and it forces you to take a hard look at yourself. It ain't easy but..I think it could work in your case. Should we..give it a go?"

She folds her arms as the older wolf speaks, trying not to let her usual defensive instincts kick in. "Maybe it's a quick fix. But it's worked so far." She responds, even if she knows that's not exactly true - and that Jaxon was well aware of that fact, also. It was his pub she'd turned up at following her last bout of control loss. She bites her lip, though she does give him a little more of an open glance as she breathes out a sigh. "What's yours then? Your process. You always seem so... calm."

Beck meets Jax's gaze with wide eyes as she feels his hands firmly on her shoulders. There's that distinct urge to shrug him off and run. But, she had asked him here, hadn't she? So, she tries to find calm - at least enough to take in his words. There's something touching about them, even if the years of self isolation meant she wanted to resist them. Instead, she allows a moment of sincerity to show on her face, for once some genuine curiosity showing through the stoicism. "You... you mean that? You barely know me. And I..." She pauses, looking away for a brief moment. "I just don't want to let you down, Jax. But, I would like to try. If you think it might help." She keeps her gaze averted, trying to hide just how much it takes for her to say that.

[thejax-reed]

To say that Jaxon was surprised to see Caleb there might have been an understatement. His mind was already going a mile a minute, his body so tense he couldn't help but flinch at the man's touch..but his features did soften when he saw him. Christ, it felt..it was strangely comforting, in a way, and he was glad to be able to cross over to get a closer view of what was hapening. "..there's stuff in there, Caleb. Old memories, photos...drawin's..I've been assured everyone got out but..I -" Jax bit his lip and frowned, stopping himself from getting carried away the second he processed the alpha's words.

Only then, he allowed his shoulders to drop and stopped in his tracks, shaking his head. "You're right. I-I'm sorry. What the hell is going on? What- do we know what's happenin'?" Jax sitll had to check on Will but right now his focus was on Caleb, using his hand to give the hand holding his arm a squeeze.

Caleb had been dispatched with his squad of firefighter to take care of all the fires that had broken out in various parts of the city. It was despairing to see what was happening to the city, and now that he had time to realise the patterns, to the various supernatural businesses as well. He had to focus on the tasks at hand first though. There were people who needed the firefighter's immediate help and he needed to concentrate all of his efforts on that.

When the squad's fire truck rounded a corner in Chissob Hills and Caleb saw where they were headed and the establishment that was currently on fire, the alpha felt his heart thud violently in his chest.

Lunar Heights. Jax's bar.

As much as they had fallen out in recent months, Caleb did not exactly hate the man. Not when he had know Jax since he was a child.

When the fire truck stopped, Caleb leapt out, his eyes searching for Jax in the crowd as the rest of his squad prepared to fight the fire. He spotted him not long after and made his way over to find the beta.

"He's the owner of this bar. He's with me," Caleb told the police officer who had been trying to hold Jax back from crossing the police line. They crossed the threshold of the line so that Jax could get closer, but Caleb had to pull him back before he got too close. "Let my squad do their job. It will not be easy for them if they have to look out for you too."

[thejax-reed]

IN NEED OF ANSWERS @ Roan and Jax

Spending the majority of his time at the hospital and having the aftermath at the pub to deal with had left Jaxon Reed with very little time to do anything else. He was a goddamn wreck. Even saying that felt like the biggest understatement but as he stepped into the Remington tower, his resolve was clear. The beta sought answers, anything that might explain how Artemis' followers had messed with Gwen's healing. It was something that had already happened a while back and which he'd experienced himself. Reed was certain it involved magic of some sort -hence why he figured Elijah might be of some help.

Getting past security, the werewolf reached the main counter when the sound of a familiar voice caught his attention. "Roan?" His gaze narrowed a bit, not having seen the other man in a while, but, soon enough, he was stepping forward to greet him. "Long time no see, man." he smiled weakly as he squeezed his hand and threw an arm around the witch for a hug. "..you good?"

@roan-wayland