Sing Strange People, Sing

[Demetrio]

Demetrio decided to be polite and ignore the redness creeping up on the young man's cheeks. They could both pretend it was an effect of the cold air. He couldn't resist letting a knowing smile curve a corner of his mouth and hope Jett didn't notice it. To help that aim, he turned his head to look at another passing guard on his - or was it her? - way to joining up with the first. When the guard glanced over to where the two men were sitting, he diverted his gaze to settle on a random object and attempted to make it seem like the most interesting thing in the world.

While he wanted to look up and see if the guards had wandered off to another area of the market, the item his eyes happened to settle on was familiar. If Jett hadn't mentioned earlier in the conversation that he had previous encounters with her, Demetrio wouldn't likely have been able to contain the sudden protective urge he felt at the sight of the bracelet on the man's wrist. He wasn't completely sure it was the same trinket, but it was eerily close to what Bex usually wore. She had made no mention of giving it to anyone, and he wasn't observant enough to remember if it had been gone last time they'd talked. Still, he had to know. His voice was harder than he meant it to be when he spoke.

"Jett, that bracelet. Where did you get it?"

If what he thought was the truth, Demetrio could let the situation go. If not, then who knew what would happen.

[Jett Tsar]

Jett's eyes darted like a lost cur as he followed Demetrio's line of sight. His embarrassment was distancing as more pressing matters closed in. The market place was beginning to feel less friendly. The fields were a better option for places to laze about; the guards hardly patrolled the area for fear of being caught alone, he assumed. Startling his thoughts, Demetrio spoke.

A prickle of fear made Jett lean away and a protective hands slapped itself over the bracelet.

"From the crone." He pointed towards Helen with his head, keeping his eyes on the Dreamer leader. He suddenly looked less friendly and more dangerous. Jett would not like to exchange blows with him, regardless of how skinny he was. "Bex used it to buy strawberries for the Dreamer party. I worked to get it back." He looked down at the charm and fingered the latch, wondering if Demetrio would demand he gave it to him. Jett still didn't know this man.

"I'm going to give it back to her." He told him quietly.

[Demetrio]

Upon Jett's finished words Demetrio took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. With the air he forced the tension out of his body and persuaded himself to relax. So, the bracelet was Bex's. The kid had confirmed it himself. Furthermore, it appeared there was something between the two. That Jett cared to get the bracelet back for her was evidence enough. Whatever the relationship between this boy and Bex, Demetrio hoped it wouldn't turn sour anytime soon.

"Strawberries, eh? Yeah, she would do that."

"I'm going to give it back to her."

Demetrio tore his eyes away from the bracelet to look at the other man more directly. If body language was anything to go by - and in his experience, it was - then the way Jett was now posed reminded him a bit of Gollum cowering in a corner trying to protect his Precious. The scene did little to move him, as he had seen more important things in the role of the bracelet. Like a mother trying to protect her child from an enraged husband. Still, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to give Jett some form of reassurance.

"No need to worry about your health, kid, if what you say is true. Bex is like family to me, understand? The only reason you'd need to fear getting hurt by me is if you hurt her." The older man's thoughts went back to the all too brief time he'd spent among Bex and her family several years ago. Demetrio viewed her like a niece.

A sudden gun shot and a scream of pain came to his ears. More screaming and the sound of running feet came next. His head whirled in the direction of the commotion. The guard he'd seen earlier was standing over a male mutant, with the barrel pointed at the man's head. Another guard poked him hard in the ribs with his own gun, as a red stain quickly spread across the mutant's shirt. According to what the guards were yelling at the man, he'd tried to tell them off for giving him a hard time.

Demetrio gathered his strength and gave a heroic effort to stand under his own power. The one carrot obviously hadn't been enough. The food tents would be his next destination, most likely. Or a bed; he was quite tired at the moment. Either way, it was best to be away from the area for now. The guards were willing to play hard and he didn't have the patience for it.

"I suggest we leave, for the time being," he quietly relayed to those around him.

There wasn't anything they could do for the injured man. He was already dead.

[Jett Tsar]

Jett nodded stupidly, forcing his eyes to flee the scene, yet they always found their way back to the spreading stain on the mutant's chest. He fumbled with his guitar, pushed to his feet, and helped Tune stand without injuring the flute. To Demetrio,

"I'll see you later." How appropriately inappropriate was the comment for the current situation and setting. In times like these, what was a normal man to do but act normal? He probably should have said something more heroic or thrilling. Maybe he'd practice. Another time.

Jett busied himself by helping Helena. Whenever anything dirty went down in the market place she left. Leaving included packing up her belongings and tent.

He'd ninja some food from the hag while he was at it. Demetrio still looked hungry.

[Demetrio]

"I'll see you later."

Such a simple phrase but it held the promise of a future meeting, should everyone make it out of the shop area without trouble. Demetrio stared a moment as Jett helped the woman pack up her things. It was moving along smoothly, but he wandered over to help anyway. Even though he was the Dreamer leader, he could take orders like any good follower.

Demetrio also learned well by watching what others did. Once a person would start putting a particular item in its designated place for transport, he would begin on it as well. He just hoped they didn't mind his help and that he wasn't getting in the way too much. If so, any of them were free to tell him to stand aside. He did not know these people, but he would do what he could.

[Jett Tsar]

Grateful for the help but not addressing it, the crew got all of Helen's belongings packed up in record time. The intelligent woman had gotten a cart made for herself that could be packed in such a way that everything she had fit and she could pull it herself. Of course, a donkey would have been nice.

"Let me take it for you." Jett said hurriedly, trying not to let the rushing mutants around them make him panic. Helena pushed his hand away with a gnarled one of her own.

"I'm not helpless, boy. Get on with you before I become insulted." She cackled, seemingly enjoying herself. Tune smiled, standing there calmly. Jett wanted to shake them both.

But even more so, he wanted to get out of there. He wasn't a fighter. And he was afraid.

"Later then." He said to Helena and Tune though they were already bustling down the street. Jett watched them for a moment, and then turned to Demetrio. He tried to smile but faltered. All he really wanted to do was run.

[Demetrio]

The guards were still standing over the man one of them had shot, almost as if they were enjoying the death and saw it as entertainment. A smile could be seen on at least one face among the group; likely the one that had killed the man was boasting to his comrades in arms. Demetrio hid the disgust he felt as well as he possibly could and focused his attention on the young man in front of him.

Jett appeared afraid, even though Demetrio could tell he was trying to hide it behind the failed smile. He wouldn't blame the kid for running away, but he believed it wouldn't be the correct choice. At least not with some guards only several yards away and within plain view. It would be best, however, for both of them to leave before one or more of the guards caught sight of them. The area emptying quickly, but still had many mutants scrambling to either pack their wares or find a faster route out. Demetrio's first priority was Jett.

"Is there anywhere I can escort you? We need to leave."

Demetrio began to walk in the direction that would lead him toward the west end and Madam Weaver's place. He had business there. Jett and he could always maneuver their way elsewhere once they'd left the market. He waved for Jett to come on.

"Keep up, and stay close. I don't need Bex angry with me if you accidentally get injured."

Nor did he need such a thing on his conscience.