Don't Kill the Messenger (closed)

[Macbeth]

Macbeth's eyes narrowed. "A raven?" She couldn't very well go soak a girl who'd just had a baby, but she could certainly keep the grudge in mind. She took a step herself, moving between Risk and Tristan and wishing to God they'd come in a window or something.

[tshamien]

"So Rae knew huh?" Tristan said with a nod. He stepped closer to Macbeth and grabbed her arm. "You're fucking twisted ya know that? Telling a guy his kid is dead. You think that's a game!" She screamed into her face.

"Telling someone their own blood is dead, someone that is a part of them!" Tristan shoved her away and glared at her.

"She's my daughter and she deserves to know her father and her family."

[Macbeth]

She glared back at him and answered coldly but quietly, because goddamn it, Jo was terrified. "You're fucking insane if you think this is a game to me. I don't care if she's got your eyes, her mother was nothing to you, and you never even knew she existed. Two years ago you were as much of a mess as Ada, and you really think I'd tell you about her?" She glanced at Jo. "And now you're fucking scaring her, so why don't you let him get her outta here before we take this any further?"

[Risk]

It was then that Risk realized who it was. It was the same guy who threatened him on the rooftop about Wraith. That's why he looked so familiar. He couldn't dwell too much on the subject, however, since Jo was creating a fuss and throwing a tantrum due to Tristan and Macbeth's arguing.

[tshamien]

"Fine, take her upstairs," He said to Risk and then turned back to Macbeth.

"It doesn't matter what the hell Ada was to me! This has nothing to do with Ada and has everything to do with that kid! I take care of my fucking family! I ain't a mess no more in case you haven't noticed." He raked his fingers through his hair. "How would I even know if she had my eyes? You took that away from me. You took her away when you said she was dead you sick piece of shit!"

[Macbeth]

Macbeth pretty much shoved Risk toward the stairs and whirled on Tristan again.

"No, I ain't noticed that you're not a mess. I don't know a goddamn thing about you. First you show up here threatening a friend'a mine..." She glanced at Risk. All right, he wasn't exactly a friend then, and I still don't know what the hell he is, but close enough. "...then I ask around, and everyone tells me you're this scary fucking thug from Brooklyn. You really think I was gonna tell you about Jo? That being her father automatically means you won't hurt her? You wanna soak me for it, fine, but if you really just wanna meet her, you're gonna get the hell outta here and come back another time, 'cause she's had a long fucking day."

[tshamien]

"I would never hurt my own kid or a fucking woman which is why you ain't three feet under right about now!" Tristan stepped up real close to her and glared down at her. "I don't know what everyone told you but I ain't gonna deny any of it, I am scary...you should remember Macbeth. You should also try and remember the other side of that too."

[Macbeth]

She gave him a cold look. "I'm Josephine's aunt, and I might as well be her mother. I was there when she was born, and her real mother died in my arms. I've raised her for two years, I love her like she was mine, and I ain't ever giving her up. And that's what you better remember."

[tshamien]

"I ain't telling you to give her up. I'm telling you to let her know me." He said and meant it. "We're all she's got in the world, it ain't gonna help her if she doesn't know her own father."

[Macbeth]

She leaned wearily against the wall and shrugged at him. "Prove to me you're not a bloody psychopath and you can know her. She'll be right here, for a while at least. With me," she added pointedly, and waited for him to leave. She was so exhausted, her dress still spattered with blood from the birth of someone else's kid, and she just wanted to go upstairs and put her own kid to bed.

[tshamien]

"I shouldn't need to prove anything to you," Tristan glared at her again. God, he hated her. He stood there for a minute and then dug into his pocket.

"It's starting to get cold, buy her a good blanket or something. If she needs anything just send a runner and I'll make sure she's got it." He handed her a five dollar bill.

[Macbeth]

She just stared at him for a moment, hating him right back, then took it and stuck it in her pocket. "I'll do that." She'd sure as hell buy Jo a good blanket, but she wouldn't be sending any runners unless that kid was coughing up blood.

[tshamien]

Tristan nodded. "I'll send more next month," He said and then turned to go, pulling a cigarette from his pocket.

[Macbeth]

She nodded back and eyed him for another moment or two, then headed up the stairs to see how Risk was making out with a traumatized Jo. She was surprised this hadn't come to blows, relieved that he was backing off, confused about the money, and most of all, just plain tired.

[tshamien]

((MUAHAH should I start the central park thread?))