Jack made his way down the steps, barely getting into the room before Delphine said in a brisk tone. "You made it out alive at least. Did you learn anything useful"? Jack hefted his bag up, removing the last two journals as he answered lightly. "The Thalmor know nothing about the dragons". Delphine crossed her arms, giving him a doubtful look as she skeptically replied. "Really? That seems hard to believe. You're sure about that"? Jack shot her a glare of his own. Why did she send him if she wasn't going to believe him? Dropping the journals heavily onto the table, Jack shot back at her. "Yes, I'm sure. According to these. They suspect Ulfric might be behind it and they're looking for someone called Esbern".

Delphine's attitude suddenly changed into one of excitement and disbelief. Uncrossing her arms, she swiped the journals off the table to find the one with Esbern's name. Quickly flipping through it, she spoke mostly to herself. "Esbern? He's alive?! I thought the Thalmor must have got him years ago. That crazy old man...". Jack glanced at Mark who simply shrugged carelessly. Delphine's eyes were glued to the journal as she muttered out to herself. "Figures the Thalmor would be on his trail, though, if they were trying to figure out what's going on with the dragons". Jack cleared his throat lightly to bring her attention up from the book, before he asked casually. "Who's Esbern and why would the Thalmor want him"?

Delphine rolled her eyes, replying a bit sarcastically. "You mean, aside from wanting to kill every Blade they can lay their hands on"? Mark groaned loudly in frustration from his spot by the wall. Jack had to admit that he was growing tired of her song and dance too...but he was trying to keep himself together. Despite the fact that she was being a bit more unbearable than usual. Delphine closed the journal in her hand with a loud 'bam'. Then told Jack bluntly. "Esbern was one of the Blades archivists, back before the Thalmor smashed us during the Great War. He knew everything about the ancient dragon lore of the Blades. Obsessed with it, really. Nobody paid much attention to it back then. I guess he wasn't as crazy as we all thought".

Mark scoffed loudly, prodding in sharply. "Why am I not surprised to hear that? Seems the Blades failed due to the lack of knowing their own tradition and history. How ironic". Delphine slammed the journal on the table to scold Mark for his remark. "Hold your tongue, Nord, or loose it! You weren't there! It was a different time! We were tasked with more important things than worrying about dead myths and legends". Mark leaned off the wall a bit to sneer out with a smirk. "Well, it looks to me like those myths and legends aren't so dead now, are they"? Delphine's face contorted into a murderous glare, but Mark just casually leaned back to add in carelessly. "You never heard the words; History repeats itself? Then again... I guess not". Delphine started to move around the table, but Jack moved into her way. Quickly trying to defuse the tension as he interjected. "What we know for sure is that the Thalmor think the Blades know about the dragons. Which means, they will be going after this Esbern shortly". Delphine stopped in her tracks to add in more collected. "True, but we don't know where to even start looking for him".

Jack pointed his index finger at her, saying with a small smile. "That is where you are wrong. They seem to think that he is hiding out in Riften". Delphine took a step back, lost in her own thoughts for a moment, before she muttered out softly. "Riften, eh? Then he's probably down in the Ratway. It's where I'd go". Delphine straightened up to her full height, turning to face Jack as she told him seriously. "You better get to Riften. Talk to Brynjolf. He's...well-connected. A good starting point at least". Jack didn't get a chance to say a word, because Mark pushed off the wall then to snap out. "What?! You go get him! Jack just got back! It's christmas and he deserves a day off from all this shit"! Delphine stepped around Jack to shoot back bitterly. "Do you think the Thalmor are going to take a day off, because it's a holiday? You're dumber than you look"!

Mark's arms tensed up and his hands curled into tight fists. Through clenched teeth, Mark growled back at her. "Are you sure YOU didn't get the Blades killed"?! Delphine raised an eyebrow, snapping back in disgust. "What did you say Nord"?! Mark pushed Jack aside to move closer to her, practically yelling out. "You heard me! YOU sent Jack on a suicide mission with no way to help him if things went wrong! HE ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF YOU! You can't protect what is dead! For a Blade that is suppose to protect the Dragonborn. You're doing a piss poor job! And now you're sending him off to Riften alone? Just face it. The Blades are all dead because of YOU, I guarantee it"! Delphine struck Mark across the face with her hand so hard that it made Jack flinch. Although, Mark appeared to barely feel it. Mark turned merciless eyes on her and she stared right back at him, while telling Jack sharply. "Get your Neanderthal of a Nord out of my sight, before I kill him"!

Mark snorted like an angry bull, growling back in a deep threatening voice. "If you had the power to kill me you would have done it already. And the only reason I haven't killed you is because Jack doesn't want me too. For now". Mark slowly turned on his heels and stormed off up the steps. Jack stood trying to take deep breaths. Mark could be scary when he was angry. Delphine took a small breath herself, before she turned to him to say calmly. "When you find Esbern...If you think I'm paranoid...You may have trouble getting him to trust you. Just ask him where he was on the 30th of Frostfall. He'll know what it means". Jack simply nodded, starting to head for the door, only to stop at the steps. Turning back around, Jack gently told her. "Look. I can't imagine the life you have lead up to now. I know what you are trying to do and I understand how important it is. But you don't know anything about us either. You're not the only one who has lost people. Mark lost his father and his older brother in this war with Ulfric. I'm all he has left".

Delphine just stared at him in silence. He could see on her face that she was listening though. So, he added in sweetly. "I'll go to Riften, but please think about what I said. We are on the same side. We don't have to like each other. We just have to work together. Otherwise... What are we fighting to save"? Delphine lowered her gaze to the floor and Jack started up the steps. Walking up only one or two, he turned back to add in with a smile. "Merry Christmas, Delphine". She looked up a little surprised. He imagined that she hadn't heard someone say that to her in a long time. She gave him a small smile of her own, very softly answering. "Merry Christmas to you too, Jack. To both of you". Nodding, Jack turned to walk up the steps and out of the crowded Inn.

Jack glanced around outside, hearing the loud 'clang' of metal. Walking out onto the snow covered street, Jack listened to the soft crunch of snow under his feet. He had a feeling that he knew what Mark was doing. Mark had been really angry. He didn't get like that often, but when he did. It was hard for him to wind down. Stepping up onto the porch of the house, Jack crossed over to the forge. Mark was holding a black armor breastplate to the anvil and was striking it hard with a hammer. Jack leaned against the corner of the house, watching Mark work for a moment.

He wanted Mark to vent a bit, before he approached him. Otherwise, Mark would probably say something he didn't mean. After a few more strikes, Mark paused to run his hand over the metal. Inspecting it with a calm look. Jack smirked, telling him in a playfully soft voice. "Did I miss my chance for angry sex"? A reluctant smile spread across Mark's face and a soft chuckle escaped him. Jack slowly moved away from the wall to slowly approach Mark. If he got a chuckle out of him, than it should be safe. Reaching out, Jack slid his hand up Mark's arm to his shoulder. Standing behind him, Jack whispered sweetly. "What are you working on"?

Mark leaned back into him a little, answering in a low tone of voice. "An ebony breastplate. It's much stronger than steel... So, it takes a lot of my strength to form it. I figured that I was angry enough to try". Jack smirked, kissing Mark's shoulder. Then took a peek at the armor. It was jet black like the darkest night and looked just as heavy. Mark set it and his hammer aside, turning around to wrap his strong arms around Jack's waist. Jack nestled into his arms as Mark told him softly. "Jack...We can't go back to Riften... The Jarl is looking for us. We left it in shambles. Remember"? Jack nodded, but answered in a low whisper. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Right now...I want to give you my gift". Mark tried to suppress his smirk. Jack lifted his head to give him a brief kiss, adding in a devilish tone. "Should I unwrap it... Or you"?

A bright wicked smile spread over Mark's face and he hefted Jack over his shoulder with a playful growl. Carrying him into the house and kicking the door closed as he laid Jack back over the soft fur covered bed.  Jack took a deep breath, staying still as Mark crawled up over him.  His heart was starting to race as Mark lowered over him to claim his lips.  Jack's hands reached up to cup Mark's jaw for a moment.  He wanted to be sure that Mark was in the right mood for this.  That he wanted this just as badly as he did.  It was clear that he was and that he did.  Even if he was being a bit rough.  Jack let his hands slide down to Mark's shoulders, giving him just a subtle push.  He wanted Mark on his back and Mark understood him without a word.  Rolling on top of him, Jack straddled Mark's hips and sat back to say sweetly.  "Do you remember our first time"? 

Mark chuckled, propping himself up a bit to breathlessly mutter out as he drew closer to Jack's throat.  "I'm sure I could if I thought about it... But I'm a bit distracted. Why do ask"?  Goosebumps shot down Jack's arms, when Mark's teeth lightly grazed over his neck.  Jack smirked to himself, tilting his head to expose his neck for Mark.  Whether Mark knew it or not... This was how it started before.  Jack wrapped his arms around Mark's neck to keep him close.  Mark gently bit neck and Jack gasped softly.  Mark's hands were snaking their way up under the back of his shirt.  Jack pressed his lips against Mark's ear, letting him hear him pant softly.  Mark's hands rubbed his cold back, warming him up before wrapping his arms tight around him.  Against his neck, Mark told him in a deep breathless purr.  "I think it's coming back to me".  Jack held his breath as one of Mark's hands trailed fingers down his spine.  Mark did remember. 

Jack bit his lip, feeling Mark's fingers follow his spine down to his pants.  Jack lowered his hand quickly down between them to loosen the strings of his pants.  He could feel himself blushing just as badly as he had back then.  Only now, Mark didn't tell him to do it and he knew what Mark was going to do.  Mark's hand waited at the base of his spine, before slipping in to grab his ass firmly.  Jack rose up onto his knees, letting Mark push down his pants.  While he began to pull Mark's tunic off.  This time would be different.  This time he planned to make Mark feel good.  He just hoped that Mark had gotten the package that he had sent him a while back.  To Be Continued...