"That's not--!" Jake huffs, gesturing in frustration (and spilling some tea in the process). "Anybody with taste would love your paintings, I'm just saying, you don't know what kinda side biz this guy's into. I don't want you getting taken advantage of, or worse!"

Pacing a little between their chairs, Jake felt his own energy key up a little as he thought back. It wasn't often that he got his dander up like this, but maybe the events of the day had a little more effect on him than he had let on.

"I mean, I was there at the house last year, I literally heard him threaten to eat you. So don't tell me I'm bein' crazy!"