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Contrary to popular belief, Jorge was a rather simple man, with simple wants, and simple needs. It was because of that simplicity that he was rather straightforward with people, finding it needless to verbally jump through hoops unless he was trying to wheedle someone into doing something he required. But that was not what he was trying to do with these two. No, when it came to requirement, Jorge was all open and upfront with everyone because that was what he wanted from the people he worked with...honesty.

So he laid it all out on the line. They weren’t stupid. They wanted to know what it was that they were wanted for, and precisely why. He gave them the truth, he needed allies, especially on the other side of the rift and they were the most competent candidates so far. In return, of course, they would have health and safety and resources at their disposal, but Jorge wouldn’t try to make this too grand of a sales pitch. He wasn’t selling them a broken down Yugo and calling it a sports car, after all.

As it would appear, Isabel, the more mistrusting of the two, had questions…

>>"Just how long do you expect us to be stuck on this side of that Rip, Old Man? You know we're trying to get outta here as soon as we can and this doesn't exactly sound like a short term kind of deal. You say we're powerful and you obviously want us on your side, but once someone gets power they're not exactly happy to let it go without a fight. I don't really see how this is gonna work out too well for both sides."

>>“A fair point Isabel, and since any competent businessman...knows that willing employees are more profitable than unwilling I’d wager a guess that the ‘Old Man’ is looking to expand beyond--the current reality of his operations.”

He had to smirk. It really was like watching a comedy duo in actions. Isabel was quick to defend her freedom but to the point that she automatically assumed the worst. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, he was all for self-preservation, but it could make trust a difficulty. Then again, Dio once more proved to be the voice of reason, pointing out the very real fact of what this “Old Man” was looking for.

”You would be correct, Dio,” he said, looking between the two of them. ”Of course I would love your continued services on this side of the rip, but they would be rare. What I really need are allies on the other side, a place to start. Hence why I would like you both to join, to help ensure that my operations can continue to spread.”

>>“Really it should be a win win win scenario and if not I’m sure we can come to terms, though perhaps not tonight. Such talk deserve a clear head and it’s been a long day for all of us.”

Jorge noted how tired Dio looked and, admittedly, Isabel did as well. Of course, as much as he would have liked to swift recruitment, he wasn’t going to press the matter. The both of them were exhausted and if they were going to make a decision this big, they needed to be bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Of course, seeing as there would be too much heat around the rip tonight, they were going to have to bite the bullet and rest here.

He smiled and nodded his head to them both.

”Yes, where are my manners? You both must be exhausted.” He stepped past them, opening another door and stepping into another section of the complex. Stepping aside to allow them entry, if they choose, he gestured towards the hall. ”If you wish to stay the night, which I would considering that SUPER will probably be swarming the city, take this hall all the way down. Sleeping quarters are on the right. Feel free to choose whichever room suits you both.” He smirked. ”I promise, there will be utmost discretion.” He then gestured down the opposite hall. ”Down that way is the P.L.A.T.O. training facility if you need to work out some aggression. I leave it up to the both of you. Unfortunately I have other matters I must attend to.” He stepped away to allow them freedom to wander. ”I shall see you both in the morning. Please, do consider my offer.” He nodded to them both. ”Dio. Isabel. I look forward to your response.”

With that he turned and headed away from head, back into another direction of the facility. River had to update him on progress concerning her most recent discovery about the rip. As for Isabel and Dio, well, he had a feeling that the two of them would make the right call when it came down to it. All they needed was time.

Jorge liked power. Not that big of a leap to make when considering the man’s business (the providing of vices to the populace) as well as his shadier activities. Because of that, the man who silently went by the moniker of Poseidon made it a point to collect power wherever he could. Whether that be inviting like-minded mutants to joining his cause or ensuring that people in new positions of power were quickly pressed under heel. So long as someone could be of use to him, Jorge pulled out all the stops to ensure that they were on his side, one way or the other.

This month, a new CEO for a wildly successful banking firm had been announced, a Mr. Gregory Anton who had been heralded as a kind of saint amongst the people of his organization. For as entertaining as Jorge usually found such people to be, deep down, he knew that there was more than meets the eye. Whether Mr. Anton was a pure and innocent man, or simply a liar who kept his skeletons in the closet, Jorge didn’t know, but he would. All it would take was a little prodding in the right direction. Thankfully, today, he had the perfect bait.

The Atlantis Club was a hotspot in the city. On the outside it was a place where everyone could attend, where they could spend their money for a night that they wouldn’t forget. The music. The alcohol. The ambiance. It screamed a pleasure-driven time and promised people their wildest dreams. It was the kind of place that similar folks in Mr. Anton’s field would usually find themselves, wasting money that wasn’t their own in the casino, or carrying on illicit affairs with some of the more curvaceous beauties who worked the club. Really, there was something for everyone here and, if Mr. Anton had a weak spot, Jorge would find it.

Tonight Jorge made it a point to clear his schedule so that he could hold a “business meeting” with said individual. It just so happened that this new CEO would be heading an organization which Jorge used frequently. Already most of the company was in his pocket, but moves couldn’t be made until he had infiltrated every portion of it -- the last he needed was Mr. Anton safe and snug by the throat.

Walking down the smooth steps of the staircase, Jorge chuckled heartily at the thirty-something man at his side. He seemed a bit timid, but one does not get to be the CEO of such a company without having a bit of a backbone. If anything, he was probably was just a prude, a man inexperienced in pleasure-seeking because he buried himself in his job. That was good, that was something that Jorge could certainly work with. His arm around the man’s shoulder, he patted his back firmly as he led him towards the bar.

”Come along, my good man!” he said. ”As a long time client of your particular firm, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least offer the latest CEO a drink!”

“Oh...I...I don’t know,” the man said with a nervous chuckle. “I don’t ordinarily drink mid-week.”

Jorge would have none of it, instead leading the man towards the bar, in particular to spot where a certain, entertaining colleague of his was already waiting. ”Oh I won’t hear of it! There’s nothing wrong with having single drink, especially if it helps the cultivate the lasting friendship that I’m hoping for!” He grinned, clapped the man on the back again, and led him through the thick, dancing throng of people barring them from the bar. As soon as they broke through, Jorge conveniently made space for Mr. Anton directly next to his associate, a wonderful and teasing Ms. Selestina. ”Tommy!” he said to the bartender. Before he turned away, he gave Selestina a knowing smile, signalling for her to start her magic while he busied himself getting the drinks.

Several squads showed up, greeting Jorge in the foyer. While he could see that they wanted to let their jokes fly, the tragedy was that there were still several people trapped in this room, all of which were laid out on the table in jars, plates, etc., all relieved for rescue, but terrified for the future. What was to be their lives now? They were pastries. Candies. Cakes. What life was left for them other than cartoon parodies on kids’ shows? Even Jorge was now beginning to be pestered by thoughts of him, his life with Gemma, Chase, and Mari. What would they say?

One of the paramedics, a nice looking man dark beard and stylish hair, moved into the room and with his partner. They honestly didn’t seem to know where to start but as they turned to start working on the fallen baker, one of them reached down to take his pulse. Almost instantly Jorge could feel a change sweep over him, a sudden spark -- and he wasn’t the only one. A glance at the table showed all the transformed treats shaking and quivering. The gathered police stepped backed, worried this was going to be an attack of sorts, but instead were shocked by another turn of events.

There was a cacophony of sound as glass shattered and the table snapped. Every single treat, from cookies, to gingerbread men, to pies, and cakes, all were suddenly transformed back to human. Even Jorge himself who, a second ago, was little more than a doughnut, snapped back to his bare, naked human form. Exhaustion immediately swept over him as he, like the others, collapsed onto the ground. Who would have thought that such a sudden transform would be so tiring?

Jorge gulped, his eyes struggling to stay open. He didn’t know who it was that draped a blanket over him, but he was thankful. Slowly he turned his head, watching as other people were treated first, some of them with missing limbs, others just traumatized by their experience. Jorge sighed just remained where he was. The others needed to be treated first, he could wait. Besides, he glanced back to the paramedic who was watching everyone, but still had his hand on the unconscious baker. He had an inkling what happened -- especially since he was the only man in the room that Jorge couldn’t sense any water in.

Jorge ground his teeth, trying to desperately think of any way out of this. He didn’t have his gun, he couldn’t call for help, he couldn’t physically outmatch the other, so what was left for him? He started to back up, his mind racing as he looked for any means to get away from this crazed man who made it a point to say that he was going to eat him. Of all the ways that Jorge imagined that his life would eventually end, this was certainly not high on that list, or frankly had even made it on the list! But what he could he do to prevent it now?

He grumbled as he continued to back away, his mind reeling. However, as the doughnut!man took a second to recollect himself, he paused and released that it was just the baker he knew was coming for him, but he could still sense some of the water surrounding him. It seemed that even though he had been turned into a living doughnut, the man still had some of his mutant powers! Thank god for not being completely genetically rewritten!

“Come on, my tasty pastry…” The baker cackled. “Let’s finish this.”

Jorge smirked his doughnutty smirk and held out his spindly arms. ”Exactly what I was thinking.”

He reached out with his sense, mouth set in a firm scowl as he connected with any nearby sources of water. Bottles, the sink, leaking pipes, Jorge latched onto all of them. It wasn’t as easy as it normally was but, still, the water bent to his will, spilling out from every source he found and pooled collectively in front of him. The baker himself was stunned by this, pausing in his advance, but Jorge wasn’t going to let him off that easily.

Jorge retracted his arms, summoning the pooled water to form a crude shape resembling something humanoid, a vague representation of the man Jorge was. The glitter of his eyes caught the baker’s, stunning him, before a few swift motions from Doughnut!Jorge caused his water doppleganger to lash out, delivering a firm punch to the man’s face. The baker grunted in pain, flipping to the side, stumbling and barely keeping onto his two feet.

It was time for round two…