[b]Tremblay - Book Store - Jessalyn[/b]

Tremblay listened intently to Jessalyn's story, hands clasped in his lap. At the mention of Haywood, he leaned back slightly, his thoughtful smile turning slightly more toward a grim expression. He played it off as concern for her well being, letting out a deep breath once Jess was finished. "I've not heard of anyone named Floyd coming through these parts," Tremblay said. "So, perhaps you just got here ahead of him. I'll keep the name in mind, anyway."

Jess chose to ask how he'd come into power, and he supposed it was as good a question as any. Readjusting himself on the couch, he took a more relaxed position as he started to explain. "I said the right words," he said, pausing for effect afterward. He smiled at this. "Considering the state of Baton Rouge before I arrived, it's surprising it didn't involve much in the way of bloodshed. I've already mentioned Magnus, and outside I'm sure you heard me mention the name Richard. They both had their own groups here before I arrived, and the relationship I share with them has become a bit complicated as of late. They both wanted people for their various goals-- were willing to capture men and women to see these through. The only issue was that they were at each other's throats, the two groups threatening to tear the other to pieces."

He looked about the room, his eyes eventually settling on the store's front entrance, looking out at the plaza beyond. "But then my group arrived. Magnus would have liked to see us on one of his operating tables, but we put up a good fight. A bit [i]too[/i] good. I started rallying the stragglers and loners to my cause-- after all, I was the lesser of the three evils. The pair of them didn't much like the idea of a third group messing with their plans, so they both sought to strike a deal with me in order to put away the other. As Richard was the more aggressive of the two, I knew I had to give them a little more leeway. I ended up occupying what Magnus owned, our groups largely combining. Magnus has his own men and his own quarters, of course, but I'm afraid he has to answer to me now. Richard, finally having Magnus out of his hair, was happy with trading me the poor unfortunate souls he stills tends to capture."

Seeing that Ben had calmed down immensely during the story, Tremblay gestured to him. "He's very beautiful. I haven't seen a baby in quite some time. You may be worried that I seek to harm him, but what would that get me? I am a pragmatic person, Jessalyn, not a ruthless one. I've been around and seen the kinds of leaders this new society has to offer. I've seen monstrous leaders who achieve their goals through power and intimidation. These ones gain quite the number of enemies-- and usually end up dead because of it. I've seen leaders with hearts too big to lead, their morals disallowing them from turning any away. They try to make everyone happy, only to find that it's impossible. Someone will see their weakness and eventually destroy them from the inside. I think I strike a balance between these, and my people think so too. That's not to say things are perfect around here... I'm sure you can already see the cracks in my leadership."

"But if things go badly, and I'm sure they will eventually, there's always new places to explore. New community's to build. That's how I've lived since this all began, Jessalyn."