Chase had been surprised by Jack's sudden return, though pleased. At least, he had been at first. But when Jack started to pace about the study and ramble on the story he'd found, how it was in his mistress's personal collection, and his ill-fated theories, the prince felt a seed of unease collecting in his chest. He took a deep breath, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder to still the young man and draw his attention.
Jack stopped mid-sentence, his attention snapping to his friend. The gentle smile helped to ease the tension in him, in spite of the obvious fangs. He sighed, relaxing under the touch.
"Sorry, I was just…"
"It's alright, Jack, but we shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. You mentioned you found a story?"
"Yes, it sounded like what may have happened to you…" He looked up at him, ruby eyes meeting Chase's gold. "You… drank a Lao Mang Lone potion, didn't you?"
Chase was good at hiding his emotions, but that sentence had taken him by a bit of a surprise. "How did you…?"
"I found a passage in one of the older potion books, and the story mentioned a prince that drank the potion. You have the same powers the potion grants." Jack ran a hand through his hair. "The curse you're under, it isn't the potion."
Chase let out a grunt, his expression clearly unamused. "That damned Dojo…"
"How come you can't break the magician's curse?"
"Dojo wasn't a magician. He was a dragon."
"What?"
After a deep sigh, Chase gestured for Jack to sit. The red head settled in one of the less rickety armchairs as a tray of tea was delicately brought in and placed before him by one of the jaguars. Jack had no idea how these cats could make food and drink, but thought it rude to question it. He thanked the feline, looking up at Chase once he had a cup in hand.
The immortal man watched him, gathering his thoughts and himself to tell the story of how he came to be locked up here.