"He meant every word of it."

I give the only fitting answer. "They always do." Fitting as the answer may be, it does nothing to temper Trevor's mood.

"This was no idle bluster, Isaac." And now the desperation and fear. Trevor has always been predisposed to such eccentrics. I only wish his voice didn't echo in my gymnasium. Of course, there's one other thing...

"Do you plan on nagging me your whole visit?"

More frowning, and if he weren't undead, I know his eyes would be bloodshot now. "Yes, Isaac! I will be nagging as much I like until you-"

"Then take your shoes off in the gym."

"I-I What?" It's enough to make him pause, and even calm down a bit. He takes his overpriced shoes off his feet and I can finally put my gloves on in relative quiet.

"Listen to me, Trevor -" He does, he has to straighten out his suit and glasses, a defensive gesture I'm all too used to. And I? I try not to pay attention to the burns on my wrist. "There are always rivals and fools for a man of success, and even more for a successful man with principals."

"I know, we've spoken of this before." An indignant raise of his chin, a pompous puffing of his chest...damn it, Trevor. You make it very hard to like you some days. "And so, I see no reason why you oughtn't to be more concerned, if not entirely fearful."

"I don't give two shits about Alexey!" Losing my temper, oddly enough, has the effect of just pissing me off even more. And yeah, I pride myself on exercising some self-control. But this time? While I'm supposed to teach Jessie how to fight and keep the assholes in Phoenix from burning it to the ground? We need to move faster.

"I'm not worried about people stupid enough to call me out in public." I stalk up to him, not close enough to be too threatening, but enough to let Laurence know he needs to pay very close fucking attention. "But I am worried about whoever he might be talking to. The people smart enough not to be seen agreeing with him."

"Wait but-" He's about to present yet another idiot grievance. But then, against all odds, understanding dawns on his face. "He can lead us to them."

"There you go." I don't need to be up in his face anymore. So leaving him alone to contemplate what I am about to say, is finally a safe bet. "Have him followed, discreetly. Have some of our more adventurous assets enlist with him even. Then, have them take note of who he's talking to."

"And then, those individuals shall be dealt with accordingly." This realization hits the right cord. He relaxes, at last, while conviction fills his eyes. Trevor lacks imagination and initiative of course, but his focus once on task is uncontested. "I will speak to our friends in the old countries. I won't ask too much about your hold in the U.S."

"Thank you, Trevor." He's about to exit, his task given...but I have to shore up one more thing. "I know I become difficult when you voice your concerns. But I do appreciate, them. I do value your comradery and loyalty more than I may say. Thank you."

He nods politely, though the vigor in his eyes and the energy of his step are easy to spot. Trevor is a born follower, at least by Ventrue standards. But that only makes him pliable to an appreciation for those qualities, whether they are made in deception or truth.

"Madame Jessie, it is good to see you again." He smiles as he passes her through the doorway. My first convert mounting all grace to my latest prodigy. "How goes your training?"

"Better than before." She smiles. I worried she might become grim after our earlier escapades...but she's seeming content now. You can't ask much more of Kindred than that. "Still shit though."

"Your attitude speaks the opposite though!" Awkward as his tone may be, it's an improvement over their first meeting. He finally views her as a colleague, if still a junior one. "I shall leave you to your task then, as I go to mine."

At least he remembered to grab his shoes on the way out. He forgets from time to time.

"What did you talk about?" Jessie already sets to putting on her gloves, she prefers the newer MMA style of course. They are more of an obstacle for us, but that is the point. "Or is this one of those: I will tell you when you are ready moments?"

She's chuckling now, and her fake accent has certainly improved.

"Have you changed your hair? It seems longer. I think you might have added some curl to it as well." I might as well snark back, I have so few opportunities for it these days.

"That's a yes then." I receive a roll of the eyes for my trouble. But she tosses her hair a bit, obviously happy with it. "It's not easy to tie up for days like this though."

She dutifully ties her hair into a ponytail, keeping the strands and sweat out of her eyes, very professional, very grown. Why do I care about that...I suppose, I never expected to be invested in another's growth when I came to Phoenix. I hoped never to feel like a father again. Maybe I can save this one though. Just this one...

"Why do we have to wear gloves again?" Jesse certainly has a way of cutting through my deeper thoughts. "I feel like I'm fighting against them."

"That's the point, my dear." We both get into our fighting stances, sizing each other up as is custom. "You need to be able to either take one of my hits without being flung from your feet or be able to punch through and break those gloves."

"Yeah-yeah, I remember." She flexes and shrugs, preparing herself for another hard day of getting smashed into a wall. It's not meant to be callous, it's the only way for her to tap into her powers. Her footwork has certainly improved though. As has her confidence. "Ready when you are, old man."

Pride, mine and hers. She'll make a good prince yet..."