[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

Feeling the music bolster Roxy's courage, Jess gave her what she hoped was a resolute look. This was just the song for the situation. A reminder that they could both get through this.

Distractions and encouragements, however, could only last so long. As the song ended and an iron gate came into view, Jess' stomach knotted. The mansion ahead, had it belonged to anyone else, would have looked inviting with its elaborate architecture. Instead, all Jess could see was stony, steely artifice. A respectable facade hiding goings-on that were anything but.

The man who emerged gave off a similar air. Jess tensed as she got out of the car with Roxy, and step by wary step, approached him. Even if she weren't an empath, she'd be able to tell his smile was fake. As it was, the lack of affection to back it up made him all the more unsettling. Instead, a cold, calculating feeling hung around him like a chill.

She hesitated, then shook his hand, her own grip as stiff as the nod she gave. [color=teal]"Hi,"[/color] was all she said.