Log:An Eye for an Eye, a Father for a Father

2021/06/02 Night Marshal|Carpenter Grimm 1

After taking a shadow gate from Colonial Bay to Seattle, Gabrielle and Jack rent a car locally to keep up appearances for Gabrielle's family and begin to drive over to her childhood home.

Carpenter is dressed a little differently than normal, having gone with a brown leather bomber jacket instead of his normally omnipresent trench. "Anything I should know in particular about your family? Other than the one who you said had 'the sight'?"

Grimm is happily distracted admiring Jack in the different look. "My grandmother. Oma Grimm. My mom and dad don't know. Oma insisted they not know." Gabrielle cozies up to Jack to soften the news. "My dad is...kind of cold and judgey. He may be a bit...interrogative?"

Carpenter nods. "I don't know anyone like that." He quirks a smile, clearly referring to himself.

Grimm chuckles and leans into him. "Oh god, you're both going to be cross-interrogating each other, aren't you?"

Carpenter laughs, "Unlikely. I don't have a crime I'm investigating, after all."

Grimm grins. "Oh...so I'm not a person of interest? That's good to know," she says with some teasing notes in her tone.

Carpenter smiles. "Well, you ARE a person of interest. But not in regards to a crime.

Grimm laughs and has a smitten look to her at his comment. "Mmmm. Good answer," she smiles. "Just...don't feel bad if my dad is rough around the edges. And...I...haven't gotten a chance to tell them about Gwen yet. Mostly because Gwen hasn't been able to make it to this plane. They'd think I was crazy if I said she was alive."

Carpenter nods. "Well, she'll reveal herself when she can, right? BAsed on what you said?"

Grimm nods. "Yeah. That was the plan. I was hoping for a Christmas reveal, but...it didn't happen. I haven't seen her since...well...I found out she was alive." She takes a deep breath at that. "I'm sure she's fine," she adds quickly to cover her concern.

Carpenter smiles. "I'm sure she is. You helped protect her, from what I recall."

Grimm blushes. "Sort of. But I had a lot of help. And it wasn't easy. It's at least safe for her to be on the material plane."

Teleportation is easy. It's Seattle traffic that is a royal PITA. But, you know, appearances. The two of them suddenly appearing in Jakob's living room -might- cause a bit of surprise... and (more) awkward introductions.

In this case, though, maybe the traffic is less annoying than one or more may have expected? Or hoped? As they turn down yet another narrow, inclined reisdential sidestreet, the slightly-faded red brick tri-level comes into prompt view. While not wholy disimilar from it's neighbors, the moss-gabled structure appears both invitingly cozy and slightly forboding.

Though perhaps the latter is just from nerves?

Carpenter smiles to Grimm, "Go ahead and lead the way."

Gabrielle's nerves are a little frazzled. She's nervous to introduce her boyfriend to her family, especially when she wasn't really ready to do the introductions when the invitation arrived. She takes a breath, looks to Jack, smiles, and takes his hand gently. "Alright. Into the lion's den. I hope...everyone gets along," she chuckles nervously, then starts walking to the front door with him. She looks to the faintly illuminated doorbell and gives it a push.

Carpenter smiles slightly, "The only way I think this could go poorly is if they really dislike cops, or something."

Grimm laughs very nervously. "Well. Not cops per se."

Carpenter nods. "Well, let's see, then. I'll be diplomatic. I promise."

Grimm smiles. "It's not that. I think they'd worry about the danger element. But...they know I've been studying criminal justice. This shouldn't be too weird for them." She leans up and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. "For good luck?" she smiles as she settles back down on her heels and gives his hand a squeeze.

Carpenter gives Grimm's hand a squeeze. "It'll be okay."

Grimm smiles and visibly relaxes. "You're right. And it's not like they'll scare you away from dating me, right?"

Carpenter chuckles quietly at that.

DIN DON

It is an old-school, simple ring, with out the chimes, cheery ditties, or even the full 'g's at the end. After a few moments, the door opens to reveal...

A middle-aged man with short, dark blond hair and ice-blue eyes. The descriptor fits more than just the color of his gaze.

"Gabrielle."

The tone is very much a flat statement of fact more than anything else. "You still have metal in your face, I see..." His eyes then swivel to the man on his stoop beside her, and linger, evalutating. "And you are?"

Carpenter smiles. "I'm Jack Carpenter. Gabrielle's boyfriend. It's nice to meet you, sir."

Grimm tenses as the door opens and the lightness of her mood a moment ago sours some. She wants to make some retort on her piercings, but keeps it buttoned down. "Hi, dad."

Carpenter is evaluated for a moment-and-a-half more. It might be longer, were not for motion behind the man at the door. Mostly nudging of the man with a cane-tip.

"They are out on the street, is vhat they are. Let them inside..."

Jakob steps aside, opening the door wide with him to reveal the small foyer and ... well, the living room would be visible, but a short, stout-yet-also-frail(?) woman with long white hair is in the way. Beckoning with open(ish, due to the cane) arms.

"Gabrielle! Come, come in! Show us this man of yours!"

Grimm chuckles softly and steps up to hug the woman. "Hi, Oma." She steps aside and motions to Carpenter. "This is Jack. Jack Carpenter."

Carpenter smiles and nods. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am." He's basically keeping things as polite as ever. Sort of a similar tone to what he does professionally, but with more smiles.

Oma embraces Gabrielle with a pat to her side, then turns to Jack. "Ah! Strong, stubborn name. Like my Yakob. Perfect for policeman." She takes a step towards and reaches with her unoccupied hand to take one of Jack's hands. Possibly under the guise of a shake, but she promptly spends more time examining the back of his hand than shaking, and then rolls it over to look at his palm. He eyes then return to the rest of Jack; less cold evaluation and more curious inquiry. She, at least, knows how to smile.

"Come, come... Sit. Speak..." she starts to direct, turning to move excitedly, if slowly, into the room proper, with Jack's hand still held. All the better to drag him along.

Grimm looks to Jack and shrugs helplessly with a faint smile as they're dragged inside. She follows along.

Carpenter doesn't mind at all as Oma looks over his hand. He follows along. He smiles, "Umm...I've definitely been called stubborn before. It seems to come with the job."

Jakob Grimm closes the door once everyone is inside and then follows the mini-parade to the living room. Once the path is clear for him, however, he proceeds further to the dining room to take a seat at the (head of) the table, which is already set with fine dinnerware. He then occupies himself by picking up a book that appears previously set down.

Meanwhile, Oma moves to a worn, faded, and very comfortable favorite overstuffed chair to settle herself in. She releases Carpenter's hand to pat the arm of the nearby loveseat and gestures them both to it. "Sit. Speak," she repeats,"Tell me everything!"

Grimm watches her dad depart, and is just glad to have him do his own thing. She sits down on the far side of the loveseat so her grandmother can ask her questions of Jack. "Uhhh. Well, aahh..." she verbally flails.

Carpenter smiles and lets Gabrielle take a seat before he does. "I'm not sure exactly what you want to know. But...Gabrielle and I met while I was working various cases. I'm a police detective in Colonial Bay." He pauses, realizing he doesn't want to give away that she has powers. "She was helping out as an assistant as part of her degree work at CBSU."

"I have heard of the programs at that university," Jakob notes, without really looking up from his book. "Was she riding in the rear seat during your professional interactions?" His tone is only midly inquisitive, and is otherwise very flat, though the implication remains rather plain.

Oma is attentive to Carpenter's words, though she briefly flashes a warm smile Gabrielle's way after her verbal flailing. A smile that sours at Jakob's comment, though she chooses not to retort; instead, she asks Carpenter. "You are a skilled detective, then, yes?"

Carpenter smiles slightly. "No...she was riding in the passenger seat. I was driving, though. And yes, I like to think that I'm skilled at my job." He thinks about it, and adds, "Gabrielle has brought some...definite insight to some of the cases I've worked on. I dare say that without her, it would have been much more difficult to close some of them."

Grimm winces faintly at Jakob's comment a little, but controls her reaction and doesn't retort. Very unlike her usual self who doesn't take crap from anyone. Jack's compliment brings back her smile. "I can vouch that he is definitely a skilled detective. The best in the city."

That response and/or lack thereof seems to satisfy Jakob. That and possibly the fact that Oma turns to give him a long, pointed glance. Her smile was present when she turned and is there when she turns back. It widens at Carpenter as she nods to him. "My Gabrielle is very insightful. She has an eye for many things. Like a gut man." Oma winks blatantly at Gabrielle.

Carpenter smiles, knowing what Oma is referring to, but he doesn't say anything. "I think she would make a very good detective, if she wanted to continue along that career path."

Grimm smiles a bit at her grandmother's praise. She gets along with her grandmother best. "Well...Jack is definitely a good man, Oma." Her smile only grows at Jack's compliment. "Maybe so. Hopefully I'd be able to get a good partner." She looks around, then back to her Oma. "Where's mom?" She makes a show of not knowing, even as her shadow sight checks around for her.

"She went out for buying things of the last moments," Oma answers Gabrielle. "You know how she is; always everything must be perfect for the gatherings..." Oma then rises slowly, with some effort (and the help of the chair). "But you have travelled far and must be hungry! The appetizers. Come, Jakob, we will fetch them." She turns to make her way, with the aid of her cane, for the kitchen, past the table. She doesn't wait for Jakob, expecting him to catch up.

Carpenter stands up, noting the cane. "Umm...would you like a hand with that?"

Grimm smiles in pleasant surprise at Jack's manners.

Jakob rises at Oma's directive, though both pause at Carpenter's offer. Oma turns back with her smile; first to Jack. "A good man, indeed... Jakob is also a good man... but I only need one to help. The best should stay with my Gabrielle. She deserves only the best!" Her cane is lifted with that, for emphasis, though falls well short of being hoisted overhead.

Her smile then pans to Gabrielle. "Is Gabrielle's choice. Whom should sit with you? Whom should help me?"

"Jack should stay. Dad can help you out," Gabrielle answers. That's an easy question. She doesn't want to be stuck alone in silence with her father.

Carpenter smiles, "Fair enough. I can wait with Gabrielle." He goes ahead and sits back down again next to her.

Oma nods approvingly to Gabrielle. "Sehr gut. Is best. Is right." To Carpenter, she winks, "Take care of my Gabrielle. I will return in a moment." She then turns to shuffle into the kitchen, with Jakob following behind. Admittedly, it may be a few more than one moment, as it takes at least two, maybe three, for her (and thus Jakob) to enter the other room and disappear around the doorway.

Grimm relaxes once her dad's out of the room and looks back to Jack, smiling. "You keep surprising me with your chivalrous streak. I like it."

Carpenter smiles. "Well, if it ever bothers you, let me know."

Grimm snickers. "Oh, I don't think that would ever bother me," she says flirtatiously.

Carpenter chuckles. "You say that NOW. But I know it could be grating sooner or later."

"Mmmm. We'll see. It's something so rare, I don't know that I'll get tired of it," Gabrielle smiles.

The appetizers, or hors d'ouvres, or snacks... whatever one might call them, they were likely already prepared or nearly so. Oma does not keep the guests waiting long. Within a few moments, she returns from the kitchen, bearing gifts.

Rather than a tray of many things, she bears two individual small plates with matching china covers. Not unlike overturned teacups on saucers, but minus the cup handles. Of course, with both hands occupied, she has left her cane behind. This makes her slower and less steady, and she shuffles to the nearby dining table rather than the couple. "Come, come. Sit. Enjoy!" She sets the covered plates before two adjacent seats. Whatever they are, they smell of bacon or other smoked meat, along with the aroma of melted cheese.

Grimm rises up and walks over to the table after Oma brings out the food. She looks back to smile at Jack. "This ought to be good. If mom is still doing shopping, we have a while to wait before dinner's actually ready."

Carpenter nods and gets up to head over to the table, "It certainly smells good."

With her devliery made, Oma waits patiently and attentively for her guests to seat themselves. A hand on the table serves as a helpful support in the interim, at least until they get settled. Once they are, she leans over to put one hand on each cup before them.

"Guten appetit!"

She then lifts the cups with flourish to reveal her handiwork. The smell could easily have gotten the stomach going.

The sight... might also have stomachs going, in some direction.

Before each are two relatively small morsels: this was likely expected. That they are different and the details of them probably were not.

On Carpenter's plate is a single tooth. A canine, in fact. One that appears humanoid, if not human, and quite freshly retrieved judging from the clinging... sauch.

Upon Gabrielle's is an eye, of similar freshness. And not just -any- eye.

Even now, it's cool blue iris seems to stare at her in disapproval. Perhaps at both of them.

Grimm gasps in horror and slides her chair back, covering her mouth. This is definitely not a Grimm family recipe. As her thoughts begin to race, she feels a lurching in her stomach. "Wha...what...what..."

Carpenter abruptly stands. "What the hell is this?" Though he finds himself wondering in the back of his head if his choice of words is ironic.

Oma stands with a smile, the covers still held one in each spread hand. After a moment, her head tilts. "Vhat? You are no longer hungry?" It may be a rhetorical question as her head and smile then pan between them without waiting for an answer. Instead, she offers one of her own. "This is the appetizer. The beginning. The prelude to more."

Grimm is no stranger to grizzly scenes. She's taken plenty of forensic classes and helped on cases with bodies involved. But this is her childhood home. Her family. It's...different. Gabrielle's mind is racing at all the terrible possibilities as her shadow sight does another sweep for her mom in the house. Or the kitchen. Though she feels a sense of vertigo from the shock of the situation. "You...you aren't..."

Carpenter blinks, and looks to Grimm, keying on what she said, "This isn't your grandmother?"

"It...is. But my Oma would never do anything like this!" Gabrielle finds some of her fire and draws up dark energy around her protectively as she bolts up from her seat.

"I'm not?" Oma echoes the question, looking to Grimm. "Were you away so long, Gabrielle?" She lowers her hands to place the cover-cups on the table.

Grimm curls her hands into fists as her teeth clench. "That feels like my grandmother. Though...my...my dad. He's not in the house anymore. I can't sense him."

Carpenter holds up a hand. "We didn't hear any screams. Something like...this..." He points to the tooth and eye, "...would cause screaming. Lots of screaming."

The sudden drawing of dark energy by Grimm doesn't even cause an eyelash to bat. Oma does, however, look between then two of them. Once. Twice. Thrice. Her smile fades with each switch, until her mouth is line.

That is, until Carpenter makes his statement. A long-nailed finger raises to point at him, as if lifting by the force of her suddenly returning smile. "Yes! Detective..." then to Grimm, " and mein insightful Gabrielle... Use that! The answers are before you..."

Grimm glances to Jack as he points out something she's too emotional to see for a moment. She has to try and treat this like a case. Hard as that may be. "Use...that. The lack of screams?" she looks puzzled. She hesitates as her gaze turns back to the pieces on the plates.

Carpenter cautiously heads to the door that Jakob and Oma had headed through previously and pushes it open to look inside. He says to Grimm, "Are you sure what we're seeing is real?"

"I'm not. I can't sense any magic. Or anyone else like that. I didn't feel him vanish. There's no psychic energy at work," Gabrielle says as she tries to make sense of it. Her head turns to watch Jack cautiously while trying to also keep an eye on her grandmother.

Grimm struggles with her nervousness of family finding out about her powers. Her black aura sinks back into her, though she's tense and alert still.

Oma's eyes follow Carpenter as he walks into the kitchen, to a point; they never leave Gabrielle fully. She snorts out a small chuckle. "I bring them out... and they are ignored, yet he walks into the kitchen to find more..."

Carpenter comes back out, not wanting to venture too far. "I'm certainly not eating that." He looks at Oma, "I want an explanation. No riddles. What the hell is this about?"

Grimm looks back to her Oma and scowls. "This isn't them! These..." her eyes look to the blue eye, and the tooth. "...these are just pieces."

"Ah! Important pieces!" Oma adds with a waggle of her previously-pointing finger, which then moves to Carpenter. "And the answer to your questions, detective." She even gestures at the mentioned pieces; first Grimm's plate, then Carpenter's. Afterwards, she looks to them expectantly.

Grimm stares for a moment at the plates, looking back and forth. "Oh...shit. No." She swallows thickly. "An eye for an eye...a tooth for a tooth..."

Carpenter's eyes narrow. Everything about this...feels wrong. This is an illusion. Or something magical. It has to be. "That would imply a crime has been committed in some way that required justice."

Oma's face alights at Grimm's epiphany and her waggling finger waggles no more! Instead, that hand is joined by her other to clap. Once. Twice. Thrice. "Sehr gut!" She positively beams at Gabrielle. "I'm so proud that you prove not the dummen Blondine... but! ..."

She leans forward towards the two, hands on the table. "...There is more. An eye for an eye! A tooth for a tooth! ..." Her voice lowers in a conspiratorial stage-whisper,

"A father for a father. Das is fair, eh, mein Gabby?"

A brow arches at Gabrielle, though the eye below it winks.

Grimm pales at the comment, more because Jack is right there to hear that. She eventually grits her teeth to respond. "Your father got what he wanted...Jonathon."

Carpenter furrows his brow. "That's not the quote. It leads into the 'turn the other cheek' line. I know that part of the Bible, at least. Or the Gandhi quote about it." He stops, looking at Grimm. "Wait. Price?"

"Yes," comes the admission to Gabrielle, in a voice far younger and more masculine than the mouth uttering it. "He did. Now I am free to get what -I- want. I could thank you, for that... and many other reasons..." 'Oma' straightens up from the table, standing tall, at least for her. "Though he is still my father."

Carpenter glances to Grimm, "Possession? Or him shapeshifted?"

"I...I...I can't tell!" Gabrielle says in distress, confused on why she can't tell. "I don't sense anything off, but with that voice...I think he's shapeshifted or casting an illusion on himself."

'Oma' tsks, in Jonathon's voice, "Gabby, Gabby, Gabby..." (Maybe it's just an excuse to call her that three times?) "I thought that you were the insightful one, remember?"

Carpenter nods. "Good enough of a guess. I'll hedge a little." And with that, he closes the short distance to 'Oma' Price and grab her-him. (Them?) He tries to bind their arms, grabbing her from behind. He's figuring that this guy might need his hands to actually cast whatever he's capable of. And it'll give Grimm a chance to act.

Grimm looks even paler as Jonathon uses the nickname he gave her. Her stomach twists in knots as old trauma is recalled. Seeing Jack suddenly go to take Jonathon, she gasps and is snapped out of her fearful state. "If that's really you under there, you better stop wearing my grandma's face," she hisses as her fingers twist and curl dark energy around them.

Jomathon (for lack of a better term), is promptly grabbed fast by Carpenter. His/her initial response is to chuckle. "Oh my! Inviting an old woman to dance?" That it is in Jonathon's voice makes it either less or more creepy, depending on one's view.

As the facade flickers with Grimm beginning to (greatly) unravel it, he/she frowns. "It looks like she wants to cut in, so I'll have to firmly decline..." The flickering becomes a drooping as much of Oma suddenly melts away like wax in a furnace. This leaves a young man in black attire who is smiling despite still being held by Carpenter. Perhaps because his idea of a 'firm decline' involve a number of shadowy, oily black tentacles sprouting from him to attempt to slap Carpenter away...

Jonathon attempts to brush Carpenter off, yet the near-miss only serves to, well, brush him off. The back of his jacket that is, now free of any lint, care of the dark, oily tentacles.

Grimm sucks in her breath rapidly. She trusts Carpenter to be able to handle himself on the job, but this is different. He doesn't have even his police-issued side-arm, let alone his vigilante gear, and she's his only backup. Still, she's taken by how he's fearlessly engaged Jonathon. Her wrist twists again as she tries to create more than just an illusion. She molds and warps reality itself. "Let me help you out a bit," she tells Jack as her qliphothic energies weave toward and around him.

As reality twists, Carpenter's clothing darkens and thickens up as it shifts into a protective SWAT uniform with some kevlar and composite armor. It feels as real as any of Gabrielle's illusions, except it has some weight to it. Maybe it's really real?

Thanks to his fairy godmother, now he's a real boy! -er, SWAT guy! "Cute trick," Jonathon comments to Gabrielle. The smile and tone make it difficult to determine whether it's sarcasm or a genuine compliment. He then switches from shoving at Carpenter to, well, statting at him with his additional appendages. I mean, it says so right there on his chest, now...//Attempts to knock Carpenter off of him. Again.

SWAT Detective Carpenter is apparently part ninja as well... that or the oily tentacles are a bit -too- oily. They flail at him once more, but don't connect.

Carpenter releases the hold, since it's clear that Jonathan has more limbs than he does. That was making it difficult. He follows it up with a strong right cross, though.

Carpenter releases the hold, and misjudges the distance. His punch ends up short, missing by a few inches.

Grimm gives Jack a hand. Or a tentacle. Her protective field of dark energy wreathes her and several tentacles explode out of it, twisting and grasping for Jonathon. "Where's my family!?" she demands.

Jonathon bats aside many of the tentacles with his own in demonstration of ...Qliphothic Patty-Cake? "I'm sure you miss me, but all the hugs... and right in front of the new guy? That's so cold. Whatever happened to bright, perky Gabby?" As if he didn't know.

"Sorry, but I need some space..." He makes a broad sweeping gesture with his own additional appendages, swinging them at both of the hug-happy guests.

Carpenter brings up his leg in a defensive manner, swinging outward, deflecting the strike away from him with his thigh.

Grimm is awed briefly as Jack manages to deflect the tentacle. Between that and trying to wrestle around Jonathon's tentacles, she gets struck solidly across the midsection and grunts as she's knocked into the drywall of the dining room. She even bounces off of it as she staggers to keep her footing, leaving a grim impression on the wall. She looks hurt as she favors her torso with a hand on her stomach. "What -happened-? You tried to kill her," she growls through the pain.

"And now you've gone after my family. You want to talk an eye for an eye? You're the one that should pay!" Gabrielle's rage begins to build, driven by fear. But she doesn't lash out with claws or monstrous teeth yet. "Now..._tell me where my family is_!" she demands as her tentacles are poised to attack.

The brief mental contact with Jonathon, as successful as it is, gives Grimm a mental impression not unlike his shadow tentacles: dark, oily, squirming. "There's that temper I remember... Your -family- is fine. As for your father... well, let's just say the old men might be having a chat soon." He seems done, then suddenly points a thumb sidelong to Carpenter. "Right. He's not family." Which seems to mean he doesn't need to be 'fine,' as the thumb is followed by a palm, from which Qliphothic force erupts from; in Carpenter's direction.

The energy is -just- wide, and blasts a hole through Oma's favorite chair. And the wall behind it.

Carpenter avoids the incoming attack, sidestepping as he closes and tries to drive his fist into Jonathan's face. "You talk...an awful lot, you know that, right?"

KAPOW! As the Detective Comics might say, as SWAT Detective Ninja Carpenter socks Jonathon in the face. His head snaps to the side, and he definitely felt it... though how much is less certain. It was, unfortunately, not enough to knock the smile from his face.

Jonathon's head turns back from the snapping blow. His smile turns into an uneven smirk at SWAT Ninja Pugilist Detective Carpenter. "Yes. It's called conversation. Which you're constantly interrupting... Jack. Could you please just go lie on the ground and bleed or something? I'll even help." Whether to try and quiet him, or to repay him for the prior punch, he jabs the sharp point of a tentacle or two at Carpenter.

Jonathon is obviously annoyed, as the jab is wide. Again. Which likely only serves to annoy him more.

Grimm's tentacles tangle and try to loop around Jonathon. She's got to get him talking and hopes her mental suggestion is still affecting him. "What do you mean they're going to have a chat? Where's my father?" she growls. She struggles against the temptation of wanting to brandish shadowy spikes to run through him, but someone she cares about always gets hurt when she does.

Grimm's tendril wraps around Jonathon. It coils about him and begins to tigthen and close in against him with immense pressure. "Talk! Where is he!?" she asks, full of fear and fury.

Jonathon grunts loudly as the squeeze from the many tendrils forcibly expels air through suddenly gritted teeth. "On his way... to the outer realms." With more effort, his smirk returns. "Won't he... be surprised?"

Carpenter steps up and takes another swing at Jonathan, now that Grimm has him held. Jack isn't the sort to be worrying about 'honor' in this kind of sense. Not like that boy scout working for Starguard, or the Godflora. It's important to get Jonathan to talk, and a beating might facilitate that. Besides, the guy has it coming. "You might want to start with the explanation before you end up passing out."

Grimm looks shocked. "The outer realms...?" She hesitates for a moment, then narrows her eyes and begins to squeeze again as she cases her shadow sight toward the outer planes to search.

If Jonathon was going to say something further, now he can't. He might still be conscious, but the constantly constricting tenebrous coils now force him to gulp and gasp for breath and his ribs make creaking sounds. All whilst Gabrielle Grimm stares off into The Abyss of realm(s) without light. Ones that seem endless... though not empty. There are any number of unfathomable, untenable, and/or horrific things and/or situations to view. None of which appear to involve Jakob Grimm, that she can recognize.

Carpenter pauses, looking at Jonathan, "Speak up."

In her rage, Grimm is almost tempted to squeeze the life out of Jonathon to make sure he can't hurt her or anyone ever again. But sense wins out for now and she reins in some of her temper to try and think more rationally. "So that means...you know where your father is. And I know where to find mine," she realizes.

Jonathon wheezes as he catches his breath, or tries to, in the new eye of Grimm's crushing storm. And there's the smile again. "Do you? Will you find him? On your own? Before he's. Pulled apart. Slowly?" Of those who could readily, truthfully imagine what possibilities exist there, Grimm is likely one. It also helps that Jonathon attempts to spur her thoughts along.

Carpenter goes ahead and punches Jonathan again, attempting to put everything he can into it this time. "Go. Down."

Grimm retorts angrily with a rumble in her throat, "Why you--". Her words cut off as her eyes widen a moment. "No...n-no!" she cries out and grabs her head as horrible visions and impressions of agony assail her. She sways a little and her hands drop from her temples one at a time. She looks a bit punch drunk before her knees buckle and she collapses. At the same time, her shadow tentacles release Jonathon and coil on the floor before fading out, along with her protective shadow shield.

THWACK!

Jonathon definitely felt that one. He doesn't fully acquiesce to Carpenter's request, though he does drop to a knee with a bloodied nose. Which is no small task considering what it took to crack a rib or two. Especially from someone that Jonathon would think far beneath himself. On several levels.

Carpenter goes ahead and tries to sock Price again, as hard as he can. He's starting to tire, but if he doesn't drop this guy quickly, he won't have much of a chance.

Jonathon Price is rocked again by SWAT Ninja Sledgehammer Jack Carpenter. Who manages to once again pull more OOMPH out of his pocket. Now Price has a busted lip to go with the bloodied nose. The good news: he probably can't take more of those. He isn't smiling so eerily and/or smugly anymore. The bad news: he managed to weather that one a little better than the last. Maybe Carpenter's OOMPH supply is running low?

"What -are- you?!" Price asks, obviously having underestimated the mere mortal policeman... even after the prior ninja-dodging. He spits out some blood to the floor at Carpenter's feet. "Annoying, is what you are..." He answers his own question, lifting his hand towards the man. "Let's fix that shall w-"

He suddenly pauses at a belatedly realization... and his smile returns, albeit now bloody. "Wait. I don't need to bother with you... Once I have her..." His hand shifts to the prone Gabrielle Grimm and -then- unleashes a fresh bolt of shadowy power.

Carpenter sees the bolt start to emanate from Jonathan's hand...and knows that Grimm can't possibly take it. Not when she's down. So, he makes the...perhaps foolish but heroic...decision, and he dives into the way of the killing beam of energy, and while his body stops the attack, he takes it full force. His lifeless body slams into the far wall, and he collapses to the floor.

Jonathon Price watches as Carpenter is thrown across the floor and crashes through the coffee table and into the wall. "Much better..." He straigthens up and turns to step towards Grimm. "He must've been close to your heart. Let's take a look for ourselves, shall w-"

Not that his actions nor words are received by either of the dinner guests. For them, all is darkness, or nearly so, but then...

Let there be light?

It starts as a pinprick of perception, but rapidly grows it luminosity and size, until it seems to encompass everything. While it becomes blindingly bright, it isn't painful. In fact, it's ...soothing, comforting... Wait... is this what it's like to die??

There seems to be nothing seen, nor sensed in any other fashion, save for the light. And then it is joined yb something else; words. Ones that are not only heard, but -felt- in one's consciousness (even in varying states of semi- or un-). Like the light, they are soothing and soft, yet also... invigorating...

"...Wake up...!"

Grimm is barely hanging on to consciousness. Everything sounds fair away due to the ringing in her ears, and there's dark rings closing in on her vision. She's dimly aware of talking and retorts going on as she tries to rouse herself. All too slow to save herself, or Jack as he risks his life to protect hers. It doesn't seem real. And then that voice rings in her ears with something that cuts through the haze and she gasps as her mind starts to snap back into focus and reality.

Carpenter lies there...not exactly at peace, though. He knows that Gabrielle is still in danger, despite his sacrifice. But he can't will himself to stand up, at least not yet. He can't help but wonder if the sacrifice was in vain.

Where there was fog or seeming obliviated senses, there is suddenly clarity. Where there were aches, pains, or even wounds, there are none. Both of the dinners guests are abruptly alert (albeit still on the floor), as if waking suddenly from a re-energizing nap. How long has passed?

Not long, likely. Many other things are still the same: the broken furniture, Carpenter-dent in the wall, hole in the overstuffed chair. Other things are not quite the same. Carpenter's SWAT-ish armor is gone and his clothing is as it was. Well, aside from the hole through the chest of his shirt and possibly jacket.

Jonathon Price is still present, but he is NOT smiling. In fact, he looks rather frantic as he shakes his hands, looking at them as if they wern't his own, or aren't listening to him. The shadowy tentacles are gone. His clothing, while still houte couture, somehow looks more ... flat and less impressive. His hair is not as black as it appeared, and is more a light brown or dark blond. When he sees Carpenter and Grimm rouse, his look of shock and worry turns to fear and he stumble-bolts, on foot, out the door.

Grimm doesn't realize it at first, but Jonathon's not the only one who's changed. The black of her hair has drained away, leaving her hair in it's natural blonde color.

Carpenter blinks, seeing Price starting to bolt, and he springs to his feet in response to try to chase down the man who just nearly killed him. He then sprints after Jonathon, intending to tackle him.

Carpenter catches the unprepared, fleeing Price in the back and sends him tumbling to the ground with a less-than-ominous yelp. He is slow to start squirming, if less from lack of intent and more due to the *THWACK* of his face into the floor.

Carpenter sounds like his voice is starting to crack, "You... . You nearly killed me. Nearly killed Gabrielle." He clenches his fists, "I should bounce you around this room until you can't move." He can't bring himself to do that. Probably. But he's clearly fighting with dueling urges.

Grimm watches in shock and awe as Jack is up again so quickly and sprinting after their attacker. He's...amazing! And she is powerless and a lot less spry or tough than she's been used to. Still, she manages to get up to her feet rather quickly now that she's invigorated and runs over, though she's not nearly as fast as Jack. "And if he doesn't, I will," Gabrielle threatens Jonathon. Not that she could, really.

There is a thump-slam-crash from the next room, and then the door slams open. "Not if I do eet first!" A wild Oma has appeared! Well, more frumpled and frazzled, and angry than wild, but... it's a fine distinction. She's also wielding he cane nearly overhead, seeking something (or someone) to smack with it. "Have the closet eat me? You little ..." She devolves into a vigorous spewing of German, most of which isn't appropriate for translation, from what Gabrielle can make out. In fact, some of the words might not even be familiar, but they still don't sound like something for use in polite company.

For his part, Jonathon is silent. One part rights, one part fear, and one part possible concussion.

Carpenter grabs Jonathan's collar, threatening to punch him again. "Where are Gabrielle's parents? I'm going to ask nicely. Once."

"Oma! Are you alright?" Gabrielle asks in panic as she comes out wielding a cane. She's been wanting to ask Jack that, but since he's being a badass currently, she decided to hold it in for now and redirect it to her grandmother. "What happened? Where's mom? Where's dad?" She's hoping Jonathon was bluffing about where her father is.

There is no brilliant light this time, but the familiar (more to some than others) and soothing voice is felt by Carpenter and Gabrielle. Possibly even by Oma, as well, as her tirade cuts off mid-'kopf.'

"Be calm. Try not to wake father. He is resting after his terrible dream. Mother had trouble finding everything she needed, but will be home soon to make dinner."

Carpenter turns to look at Grimm, "Your sister?" He keeps that grip on Jonathon's shirt, though.

Grimm looks about trying to see her sister. "Y-yeah...that's her voice," she explains. Relief washes over her at the news that her family's alright. And Jack's seeming more than alright, though she still feels the pounding in her chest from thinking he was gone.

Carpenter looks up...around...assuming that Grimm's sister is above them. "Thank you."

There are none immediately visible save for the four of you (including Oma and Jonathon), yet Gwen appears to be present in some sense. Perhaps because she responds to Carpenter's statement. "You are both very welcome. I regret that I cannot properly join you, but I felt the need to ... check in on the gathering."

A fortuitous thing, perhaps, given the arrival of an uninvited guest. Speaking of whom, Jonathon seems to finally be gathering his wits and wind.

Grimm is somewhat heartened that her sister and Jack get to meet in some capacity. The feeling is interrupted as Jonathon starts to get his senses and her gaze snaps back to him. "As if all you've done to me and your family did wasn't enough," she growls.

Carpenter nods slowly and looks back down at Jonathon, "Well, your timing was pretty good, all things considered." Though in the back of his mind, he wonders if she was watching during the fight. That would be very much like God, or an agent thereof, to sit back and only aid when absolutely necessary.

Jonathon just meets Grimm's gaze, clearing his throat before commenting, "Apparently, my timing was -too- good." He seems to have enough energy to add a superior smirk, though not enough to realize that Carpenter's comment may not have been directed at him.

Carpenter chuckles and smiles slightly, "Not you, Mr. Price."

"What do we do with him? The cops out here aren't really able to deal with him if his powers come back," Grimm says.

Carpenter thinks about it. "His powers come from another dimension, right? How about the local Starguard base?"

"Some do. But he knew some magic before he unlocked this power," Gabrielle frowns. "Not sure where nearest local Starguard base is. I know the big one on this coast is in San Francisco."

Porter ignores Carpenter's comment, though echoes the chuckle with one of his own. His attention is still on Grimm. "I think the question is 'when,' not 'if,'" he corrects her. Only after does he look to Carpenter, "But she has a point. She's the insightful one, after-"


 * BONK*

"Close ze mouth!" There. Oma got a smack in with her cane, and some firm (but generally familiar-friendly!) words in. If nothing else, it does re-quiet Price for a moment.

Carpenter raises a brow and looks at Price, "Are you trying to imply that we need to kill you to keep you out of our hair?" He wouldn't do that, but Price may not realize that.

"I think he is," Grimm says darkly. She knows Jack enough to play along, knowing he isn't intending that. Or so she thinks.

Jonathon's eyes shift between Grimm and Carpenter and he snorts. "-Now- you are speaking in 'if's. As if." Whether he assumes they won't or are incapable of making good on the implied threat, he doesn't clarify. After a brief pause, he lifts a hand to gesture between the two, as well. "But, please, continue..."

Carpenter smirks. "No. I was asking you a question, Mr. Price." He takes a deep breath, and looks to Grimm, "Starguard in San Fran should work. I'll have paperwork to fill out, but they should be able to hold him. I think."

Grimm nods to Jack and lets him ask his questions.

Carpenter thinsk about it and says to Grimm, "Let's give them a call.. You wouldn't be able to transport him safely, right? Let's let them deal with pickup. You're still an active SGG person, right? They'll listen to you."

Back to Carpenter. "Oh. You were serious?" A dark brow lifts up at Carpenter. "I wasn't implying anything." The other brow then lifts up at mention of transport and Jonathon asks, sardonically, "Are we going somewhere?"

Grimm's dark roots are begins to slowly show.

Carpenter looks to Grimm, "Your color in your hair is coming back. That means his powers are returning too. And since I don't want a repeat of the last time..." He punches Jonathan, but tries to keep from hurting the man TOO badly.

Grimm gets out her phone to start dialing Starguard. She doesn't even wince at the punch. Jonathon deserves it. "Yeah, I'm still active, but they haven't really needed much of a magical consult from me anymore. I'll make the call."

Grimm glares at Jonathon. If her powers are returning, maybe she can assault his mind to keep him knocked out. Though...she won't know until she tries.

And so the punching begins anew! *WHAM!*

Price is struck, and his head turns with the blow. Sadly, it does not remove his smug look. He doesn't even seem surprised. Admittedly, he now has a far better idea (from recent painful experience) of what to expect from Detective Carpenter. His head snaps back to look at Carpenter.

"Well, it seems I've been patient long enough... And you're wrong, Detective. Not returning." His smile broadens. "So this is where we say goodbye. for now" Dark, shadowy energy promptly emerges from him, though only enough to engulf his form.

Carpenter realizes he wasn't fast enough. A hit like that would have rocked his own world. He tries to take another swing, and trying to be careful to not hit the floor should his fist go through where Jonathon was/is.

Grimm gasps as energy starts to surround Price. "No!" She tries to summon her own dark powers to stop him, but she's still not near her fullest.

It seems Gabrielle Grimm isn't the only insightful one, as Carpenter's fist does, indeed, pass through the Shadowy Price to nearly impact the floor.

Grimm tries to gather enough strength to draw up shadows from her feet. They surge up and gather at her hands before she aims a hand at Jonathon and tries to lash out at him before he can escape.

Gabrielle Grimm's Tenebrous talents fare better against the Shadow Price. Unfortunately, her talents haven't yet recovered to their full force. Price is hit, though his protections hold firm. Neither does it help that some of her shadiness is absorbed into his shadiness.

"Auf wiedersehen!" comes a smug, slightly warbled farewell as he 'falls' through the floor. A moment later, Grimm can feel him transit space, if not dimension, though the sense is more vague and unclear than her usual perceptions.

Carpenter drops to one knee, "Sorry I let him get away."

Grimm watches as Jonathon escapes, needing a moment to confirm he's gone. She lowers her hand and steps to Jack's side. After a moment, she sinks to her knees beside him as she wraps her arm around his shoulders while leaning into him. She rests her forehead against his temple. "Don't apologize. That doesn't matter. Are you okay?" she asks with a tremor in her caring voice, more concerned with him and the remaining evidence of his injury. Mainly the large holes in his clothing.

Carpenter takes a deep breath and smiles. "Physically? Yes. Emotionally?" He pauses for a long moment, "I think I'm going to need to talk to that therapist I saw after the coffee shop incident. But I'll know for sure tomorrow."

Grimm smiles sadly at Jack. "I'm sorry," she says softly and wraps her other arm around him to just hold him. "You were incredible. And you saved me. Again," she whispers in gratitude and awe. "Thank you."

Oma Grimm decides to step back to survey the damage in the other room and give them some privacy for the moment.

Carpenter puts his hands on Grimm's arm reaching around him, remaining silent for a moment. He then says, "This'll take some time to process. In the meantime, we're going to still have to meet your parents. Are you up to that?"

"I...don't know." Gabrielle holds on to him still and looks around. She suggests softly, "You don't have to. That's too much to expect after that. Maybe...I can hide the damage. We can...choose another day? Maybe once I can get my family somewhere safe."

Carpenter says to her, "Given the damage here, you're going to have to come clean about your powers. You know that, right?"

Grimm chews on her lower lip as she looks back at him. "I...shick. I hoped to hide the damage, but...I can't hide that they're in danger." She looks even more scared than she already did. "You're right. I guess I have to. This...this isn't protecting them."

Carpenter nods. "We should meet them. And we need to get it all into the open."

Grimm nods softly. "Okay. If you're ready for that." She still hasn't let go. "I'm sorry. None of this is fair for you to have to go through." She's traumatized, too, but not able to admit it at the moment.

Carpenter pats Grimm's arm. "There will be time for us to process this later. We need to give your parents everything they need to know, given what happened here. Once we do that...we can take some time for ourselves. Okay?"

Grimm nods softly and gives Jack a loving squeeze. "Okay," she says after taking a deep, calming breath. "You're right. As usual." She gives him a soft smile and leans in to give him a soft kiss. "For what it matters, you're my hero."

Carpenter smiles and kisses her arm. "And you're my hero."

Grimm blushes at that and has a soft, smitten smile on her face after that. She finds herself without an immediate retort before finally saying, "Well, you kicked the most ass today." She gives him another squeeze. "I'm not sure I'm ready to get up yet, but I think I can do it. Are you ready?"

Carpenter nods. "I'm ready."