[b]"[i]Diego![/i]"[/b] Julius' voice cracked like a whip, startling everyone in the room with the sudden severity from the mild mannered young man. Air rushed out of the room, winds roiling off the blond passively, in tune with his anger. [b]"She has done nothing to warrant your aggression or insults. I negotiated with the Syndicate so we had a place to go, safely. You, I and Mari would be fine by ourselves out there but you know just as well, if not better than I, that most Empowered are barely coming into their powers. They're confused, stumbling around trying to learn about a part of them they never knew before while the whole world looks down on them for being a monster; we need to be a central place for these people to come to, to learn and to be safe. The Syndicate happen to be a natural ally for us against the government when we're strong enough to win a war against them so it only makes sense not to piss them off."[/b] He spoke in a low and measured tone, conscious that Diego had a quick temper these days and despite their happy reunion he would barely listen to Julius if he was seen to be told off.

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and thinking how best to convince his friend that this was what they both wanted.

[b]"Look, I agree with you now. We can't let things stand as they are and we can only find any form of peace from a strong position. Whether that's as equals with those without powers or as overlords, I don't know which will be easier to achieve right now."[/b] He stood up and limped closer to Diego, meeting his friend's eyes to try and convey his understanding. [b]"We [i]can't[/i] do this on our own, Diego. We'll only get so far by ourselves before they wear us down or find a weak point they can exploit. You remember what happened in the Civil War? That was one battle and both you and I were badly injured from fighting a small portion of the army, with no enemy Empowered. The more people we have on our side, listening to what you and I say and following us, the better our chances of coming out the other side victorious and still alive."[/b]

He watched carefully for Diego's response, hoping desperately he had convince his friend to stop his aggression for now. No longer was it simply aimed at those without powers, Diego's rage seemed to turn on at the drop of a hat and could be directed at anyone. The way his friend regarded those around him worried Julius; it was as if all he could see were pawns or tools for him to strike at those without powers, or enemies. Part of him suspected Diego might well be suffering from PTSD after the House but that was true of all of them, to some extent; no one could get out of that place and be the same person they were when they entered.

[b]"If we're going to win, we have to take the whole government down and crush their armies all at once. Give it some time and we can take them down, together. [i]Please[/i] Diego, just... let me do my thing for a little bit."[/b] He turned to Mari, with his easy smile returning.

[b]"Thank you, Mira. I had a feeling this would be the case. Feel free to find a room to make your own, there should be plenty of space right now."[/b] He glanced at Faust, wondering how strictly the man would stick to his employer's instructions. [b]"It might be an idea for you to go with Diego, Faust. The best way to keep me alive is keeping Diego alive, I won't be in any danger while he's around. Besides, if we can remove a few of the curfew teams out it'll be easier to move about. Don't go crazy though or they'll come in force. Oh, and..."[/b] He reached into his wallet and held out around $100 in notes to Diego.

[b]"Try not to steal anything, although feel free to skip the queue."[/b]