[b]Tremblay - Baton Rouge/Plaza - Jessalyn[/b] As they left he vicinity of the van, Tremblay noted that Kerry decided to storm off, not looking particularly happy about these proceedings. Really, what had he expected to happen? Jon, who had been speaking to Kerry, moved to intercept Tremblay before he and Jess entered the store. "Want me to watch him?" he asked. With a slight roll of his eyes, Tremblay said, "No. I think Magnus will get the message once he returns. What I need you to do is meet Richard's drop-off." That he was saying all of this in front of Jess didn't seem to be an issue. Jon nodded and moved to go, but Tremblay stopped him before he could go, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "He's holding two back that I'll have to pay double for. We don't have enough for that, so when they arrive, you'll need to work it out. Do you understand?" Confirming that he understood, Jon quickly headed off. Tremblay watched as he passed by the van, the men milling around it finally moving it out of the way. He then turned back to Jess, silently gesturing for her to enter the store. It was a book store, though not a particularly luxurious one. There was a section at the back that was once used for relaxation and quiet reading. There was a rocking chair here that Jess moved toward, while Tremblay took the small sofa across from her. A bright pastel carpet sat between them. "One of the more unassuming stores in the plaza," Tremblay said. "It's a nice place for some quiet discussion-- relaxation." Indeed, the sounds of the workers and soldiers outside felt like only a whisper in here. Tremblay then listened as Jess explained her willingness to protect her child. He smiled at this and folded his hands in his lap. "And I don't doubt you would try. You shouldn't have anything to worry about that--" But then, Jess' mood took a turn for the worse. Tremblay watched as tears began to roll down her face. He stared at her, evenly, not saying a word. He waited a moment, letting the silence between them stretch on. "... Normally." he finally said, slowly, his accent becoming more pronounced. "Normally, I would threaten you and tell you to leave Baton Rouge with your tail between your legs. However, I can't possibly do that to a mother and her child. You should understand that Ben is safer here than he would be out there. I already lifted you off Magnus' hands, and leaving you to him would have been an awful thing to do, you see." He turned now, idly running his hand along a shelf of books. "I'd let you go, if I could. I would do a great many things differently, if I could. Baton Rouge has too many people, you see, two many groups vying for the meager supplies left in the city. I have too many deals with groups as it is-- Letting them stick around in exchange for something in return. As a result, new groups that come in have to be uprooted. They either assimilate, or they leave. I can't have you leave, not in good conscience, so you'll have to stay. It's for that reason that I'd like to get to know you, and you can get to know me." After stating this, he looked her in the eyes, clearly examining her intensely. "What's brought you to the city, Jessalyn? Does Ben have a father? I understand that those can be difficult to answer, so I offer you to ask me any question you'd like in exchange." --- [b]Tyler - Motel - Katie/Scarlett/Liam[/b] He opened the blinds, letting the morning sun stream through the windows. He stared down at his daughter as the light stirred her awake. "Time to get up," he said, sternly, though with that soft fatherly vibe. He wasn't mad at her by any means, but things needed to change around here. "I brought a bucket up with some water. Wash your face in the bathroom, then meet me on the balcony." He tapped at the bucket, thankful that the tarp hanging in the pool managed to collect enough water to last them a few days. He stepped outside, turning quickly to knock on Scarlett's door. When she answered, he looked past her, looking for Liam. "Liam's going to join Katie for the practice I have planned. I think it'd be best if you keep out of it for now. I can get George to assist me." --- [b]Jon - The drop-off[/b] He waited silently with two others, his hands gripping tightly at the rifle in his hands. A wind had picked up on his way here, and in the shade of the plaza building, Jon felt uncomfortably cool. The feeling wasn't right-- it was entirely [i]off[/i], frankly. His insides were practically burning up at the thought of meeting with Richard's men. They weren't fun people to deal with, usually, especially not when the deal had to be switched around. Tremblay considered the non-white prisoners a priority, which Richard Tries certainly took advantage of. He probably thought it soft, [i]weak[/i], and considering the situation, Jon figured it probably was both of those things. It was monumental that Tremblay had managed to earn any amount of trust with these guys, considering his apparent desire to 'save' some of their prisoners. But that was the deal. That was the relationship. Jon thought it was fucked up, but it was the only way they could both coexist. The problem was, especially now, Tremblay simply didn't have the resources to take everybody off Richard's hands. With two non-white people to account for, Tremblay would have to turn some of the white prisoners away. That's what Jon dreaded-- having to see the [i]look[/i] on their faces. They were usually always groups who'd been together before being captured. [i]Friends[/i]. It didn't help that Richard's men didn't like it when they were forced to compromise. Jesus, if only they could just put a giant dome around Baton Rouge, it would solve so many problems. Sighing, he exchanged knowing looks with the others while he silently waited for the inevitable.