Her Mistake, His Fortune: Divergence

Hoyt is waiting for them when they arrive at Vaas' little slice of the Rook Islands, and Vaas isn't ready to see him right away. He doesn't like the look that crosses Hoyt's face as he takes in the sight of Jason sitting on his lap, because it certainly doesn't bode well for Vaas keeping the American, but he doesn't let it show as they get up and make their way onto the dock. Jason's brothers and friends are brought onto the dock after them, their wrists already bound and gags affixed in their mouths, which will prevent them from spilling things they don't need to.

"And what is this, Vaas?" Hoyt asks with a piercing stare at Jason, who should be bound up like the rest of the product but isn't. He stares at her for a long moment, then shifts his gaze to Vaas' and waits for his response.

"This chica wanted to take a walk on the wild side and I thought I'd oblige her." It's not exactly a lie, but Hoyt still narrows his eyes at Vaas with a scowl. This already isn't going well, at all, and Vaas is starting to worry a little. "Turns out that she really digs me, and I was wondering if I could keep her."

Hoyt stares at him with that scowl for what feels like an eternity, and then he turns away with a harsh sigh as he pinches at the bridge of his nose. "Sure, Vaas. Just don't go breaking this one like you do your usual toys, because I'm done letting product go to waste on you and your whims."

"I understand, boss, and I promise you that I'll take really good care of this one," Vaas promises sincerely, relief surging through him with Hoyt granting his request, and draws Jason to his side with an arm around her waist. It's a weight off of his shoulders, and no doubt Jason's as well.

"What's her name?" Hoyt asks wearily as he lets go of his nose and turns back to look at the both of them.

"My legal name is Jocelyn Brody, sir, but I prefer to be called Jason," Jason answers for Vaas with a faint smile, and Hoyt's expression tightens a fraction with her jumping in to the conversation. Jason defiantly and unflinchingly stares at Hoyt in return, even going so far as to lift her chin a little, which has Vaas growing nervous again. "And if I might suggest one thing in regards to your operation here?"

"What are you doing?!" Vaas hisses low enough so that only Jason can hear him, but she ignores him, keeping her attention on Hoyt, who has quite the dangerous look in his eyes as he focuses only on Jason now.

"And what might that be?" Hoyt asks, his voice low, and Vaas fervently starts praying to whatever might be out there that Hoyt doesn't change his mind and have Jason killed for this.

"You need some better methods of restraining people, just in case someone has military training like my brother Grant," Jason says a little sweetly as she turns and motions towards her older brother, outing him as a potential risk.

Hoyt blinks slightly, as if in surprise, then shifts his gaze to Grant and the rest of the captive Americans. He looks back to Jason after a moment and just stares at her, seeming to not know what to make of her and the fact that she is okay with this situation, and even going so far as to snitching on her brother.

Vaas stares at Jason too, because he's completely blindsided by this and he doesn't really appreciate it—not one little bit—and he can't even react how he wants with Hoyt here! He'd love to freak the fuck out, but no, he has to keep his cool, hard as that might be right now, and act normal. How the fuck is he supposed to do that?

"Miss Brody makes a very good point, Vaas," Hoyt finally says, much to Vaas' relief, with another look at Grant. "See to it that that one is properly restrained, Vaas, and be sure to have him watched closely."

"Sure thing, boss," Vaas answers rather hollowly, his arm tightening around Jason's waist. "I'll get right on that."

"See that you do." Hoyt gives Jason one final look, his expression quite unreadable, then turns and heads down the section of dock to where his yacht is moored.