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hollyethecurious · 1 year ago

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CS AU: The Law of Surprise (2/3)

Summary: The Law of Surprise: a custom as old as humanity itself. The Law dictates that a man saved by another is expected to offer to his savior a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties. In most cases, the boon takes the form of the saved man's firstborn child, conceived or born without the father's knowledge.

A/N: This is NOT a Witcher AU. The idea for this fic WAS inspired by the show, however. I’m not sure if the Law of Surprise was a show/game creation or if it existed before. Regardless, this fic is my spin on the concept and will be posted in three parts.

Much love and thanks to the @cssns mods for keeping this event going year after year! A HUGE shout out to my artist @eastwesthomeisbest for the AMAZING pieces she made to accompany my fic. Go give her ALL the flails! Finally, all the hot chocolate, rum, and grilled cheese sandwiches for my amazing betas @ultraluckycatnd and @kmomof4. LOVE YOU LADIES TO BITS!

Rated T (for now) / Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me!

Part One

Part Two

Ten years later…

Hook trudged his way through the Neverland jungle, the humidity dampening the ends of his hair - long overdue for a barber’s hand - and collecting along the bones of his collar and the hollow of his throat. He grumbled beneath his breath as he sidestepped booby traps left by the Lost Boys. Most of them had probably been forgotten and left abandoned when the miscreants’ whims had shifted from whatever depraved game they’d been playing to some new nefarious venture.

During his decade of service, Hook had been tasked a dozen times or more to ferry boys from the accursed realm where Pleasure Island existed. An island that lured boys to their doom with promises of wild frivolity, their fate sealed when they found themselves aboard the Jolly Roger, never to be seen or heard from again once they set foot on the new island of hellish delights. Most didn’t seem to mind, giving themselves over to the feral, lawless ways of the island, following in Pan’s deviant footsteps. Others, however… Well, Hook did not make it a habit of spending time thinking of the others, or their nightly woes that were carried to him by the vindictive Neverland winds as he attempted to find some measure of peace on his ship. Besides, after tonight, he would never have to endure those sobs, or the whoops and war cries, or the perils of the island, or the dangers of its master ever again.

After tonight, he’d be leaving the island of nightmares behind him for good. Too bad the same could not be said of the nightmarish reputation his years of service had crafted.

Pirate. Villain. Void of pity or compassion. Callous. Heartless. Merciless. Barbarous. Cruel.

These were the words he’d seen splashed across countless wanted posters, all demanding his capture - dead or alive - with bounties that had increased exponentially over the years. Posters and decrees that hung in every port, every tavern, displayed on every ship he’d waylaid, and carried in the pockets of every officer or crewmen he’d crossed blades with. Even those from a kingdom in which he’d never committed his crimes. A kingdom he had avoided at all costs, hoping that when his time was up he might still find himself a safe harbour upon her shores of refuge; a place he still might belong, despite his dastardly deeds and fearsome reputation.

Misthaven. His adopted homeland. A place to which he had sworn vows of fealty and devotion, not simply to its sovereigns, but the kingdom as a whole. He had done all he could to maintain his oath, even to the point of waging his own war in allyship as he fulfilled Pan’s ruthless commands by targeting King George’s ships and cargos, even if easier pickings had been available to him, protected by the Misthavian coat-of-arms.

The deck of the Jolly Roger had been bathed in the blood of King George’s men numerous times over the course of the war, which had waged on for the better part of these ten years. It was only in these last few months that peace had finally been achieved. Some sort of deal struck with a sorcerer who ruled a far off kingdom, his dark magic laying waste to George’s forces and ending the king’s reign in, what Hook had been told was, a resounding display of brutality that rivaled his own.

Though he shuddered to think of the deal his sovereigns had willingly made with a madman of such dark proclivities, Hook understood the necessity of desperate measures during such desperate times when those you loved and served were on the brink of death and destruction. Who was he to judge them? They had done what they felt they must in order to safeguard their people. A task made more complex by the fact that the entire conflict had begun with the atrocity of robbing Queen Snow of the ability to conceive an heir. Without a progeny to pass the throne to, Misthaven could have found itself under George’s rule had anything happened to Their Majesties. Hook knew they could not risk their subjects’ futures to such a fate, though he did wonder what the future held for a kingdom with no heir.

He supposed he’d find out for himself once he returned. Assuming he was not killed on sight when he made berth, feeling relatively certain, given the bounty King David himself had set upon his head, that neither his sovereigns nor his brother knew of his true identity. He did not relish the idea of revealing that truth, and could only pray he would find pardon once their shock and disgust subsided. That is… if he even found the courage to return at all.

There was no use denying that he’d considered, on many occasions, leaving the island and sailing as far from the realm as he could. Starting anew in some foreign destination where the names Killian Jones and Captain Hook held no meaning. He could not do that to Liam, though. Could not leave his brother to wonder after his fate, or worse, come looking for him on the island of nightmares where last they saw one another. Plus, he’d made a vow to honor his accords so long as they were honored in kind. He owed it to his sovereigns to return. If the king and queen chose to sever the ties that bound them, by both his oath and the unfilled Law of Surprise, then so be it, but he would not break his oath, not when he’d gone to such lengths to preserve it.

Skull Rock held the same oppressive and imposing heaviness it always did as he marched up the damp stone steps, each bootfall echoing the dread that pounded in his chest. Every time he’d presented himself here, Hook wondered how much more of himself he’d lose while implementing Pan’s bidding. This time was different, though. This time there would be no bidding. No demands. No nefarious schemes or dark dealings. This time, he was being summoned because their deal had finally come to an end. Ten long years of torment would be fulfilled this night and by dawn he would once again taste that which had eluded him for most of his life.

Freedom.

The same, however, could not be said for the poor unfortunate sat cowered in the dark corner of the cavern. A new toy for Pan’s amusement, no doubt. With no sign of Pan just yet, Hook casually glanced back at the small figure who appeared to be trapped in one of Pan’s giant hourglass prisons and was startled to realize it was no boy sitting with their knees curled into their chest, tears streaming down their cheeks, but was in fact… a girl.

Curious. Pan only ever wanted boys to join his little tribe of miscreants. What possible reason could he have for bringing a girl to--

“Ah, Captain! I do hope you have not been waiting long.”

“Only ten insufferable years,” Hook muttered under his breath, though he knew Pan heard him. Pan heard everything. “So we can dispense with the pleasantries if it’s all the same to you.”

They were squared off with one another, each taking on the posture that had become habit. Hook’s stance was always casual yet formidable, his thumb tucked behind his belt buckle with his weight shifted to one side, while Pan leaned against the craggy interior of the cave, his arms and ankles crossed as though he had not a care in the world. However, there was something off about Pan’s comportment this time. Hook could only surmise the change in demeanor was due to the ending of their arrangement and the little bastard’s loss of an errand boy.

A summation that proved wrong when Pan narrowed his gaze and hissed, “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

Hook’s brow pulled together and his head cocked to one side. “Find out… what?”

Pushing off from the wall, Pan slithered his way towards Hook, circling him in a way that made the pirate’s skin crawl, inquiring again, “Did you really think you could keep it from me?”

“Pan,” Hook sighed. He was so tired of the brat’s games. “I’ve no clue what you’re on about.”

Coming to a halt right in front of Hook, Pan crossed his arms over his chest, and though his feet were in a wide stance, exaggerating their difference in height, he somehow leveled his eyes with Hook’s.

“Did you think I would not discover the boon you were entitled to by King David himself?” Pan asked in a casual but dangerous tone. “The Law of Surprise you were promised for saving the man’s life?”

It took all of Hook’s composure not to react, though his jaw did betray him when the muscle beneath twitched. How could he possibly know about--

“Did you really think I would not keep tabs on your brother? On those whom you had served before me? It was part of our original arrangement that they would not interfere, and I had to make sure they made good on that promise. Imagine my surprise when my Shadow returned from his most recent reconnaissance with the news. The Law of Surprise bestowed upon you long ago.”

Trepidation filled him as Pan set off circling again, his mind spinning even as it tried to comprehend the words that followed.

“You never did find out what that surprise entailed, did you?” Pan made his way to stand next to the golden haired girl who was still trapped, her cries for help unable to penetrate the glass as he practically crowed, “Surprise! It’s a girl!”

“What?” Hook exhaled on an incredulous breath. “No, that’s… that’s impossible. She’s--”

“Princess Emma of Misthaven,” Pan stated. “Her existence was kept secret all these years for her own safety. Of course, now that Misthaven’s war with George is at an end the truth was finally revealed to its subjects. Although, I’m pretty sure only their Majesties and your brother are aware of her special connection to you. Well… and now me, of course.”

Hook’s gaze had been fixed on the young girl throughout Pan’s crowing. Her hair was a bit lighter than the king’s, her complexion not quite as porcelain as the queen’s, yet there was no denying her parentage. Her nose, her chin, her eyes… all features he could attribute back to King David or Queen Snow. She was theirs. Their child. But how? The Queen was barren. George had seen to it that she be unable to conceive and produce an heir, which made her existence a surprise indeed.

His surprise. His Child of Surprise according to magical law. She was his.

Drawing his sword, Hook advanced on Pan, thundering, “Let her go!”

With a flick of his wrist Pan immobilized Hook, leaving him virtually paralyzed in place and unable to move.

“I think not,” Pan sneered. “She’s my keepsake. A little token to remember you by… unless…”

“Unless what?” Hook spat through clenched teeth.

“Unless,” Pan drawled, “You agree to stay… indefinitely.”

Hook’s eyes cut to the princess - his princess - and the fear he saw shadowing her face tore his heart. Had Pan ripped her from her bed? Had his monstrous spectre dragged her here through the night sky with the potential horror of falling to her death whipping over her as they sliced their way through the air? How long had she been trapped in that corner, encased in a glass prison? What must she think of the scene playing out before her? How desperate must she be to return to her parents? Her parents. The King and Queen must be frantic. Almost as frantic as he was over the prospect of her being trapped here. Forever.

Over his dead body.

“Deal,” Hook agreed, casting his gaze once more on the demon boy. “On one condition.”

“What condition?”

“You let me take her back,” Hook demanded. “You let me ensure she gets home safe, tucked away once more in her bed. You let me reassure Their Majesties and inform my brother of our new deal. Give me that at least.”

Pan gave him a bored look, an almost disgusted sneer pulling at his lips as though he were disappointed by the sentimentality of the request. “Very well,” he said, dismissively. “I’ll have my Shadow ready the sail, but you best be headed back here before dawn,” he warned, pointing a bony finger towards the pirate. “And remind that brother of yours, he’s not to interfere. Him and your… sovereigns.”

Pan vanished before Hook’s eyes and the weight of what he’d just agreed to fell heavy within his stomach. The glitter of magic pulled his attention towards the hourglass, its walls dissipating, allowing freedom to its captive, but the princess shrank back further into the corner. Clearly fearful, but doing her best to put on a brave face, she stiffened her posture and lifted her chin, her eyes fixed on him as he tentatively approached.

“Have you come to ransom me to my parents?” she demanded, a quiver of fear trembling in her voice and manifesting in her bottom lip.

“No, Princess,” he assured her in a calm and soothing tone, dropping the timbre of his voice as he extended his hand towards her. “I’ve already paid your ransom. I’m taking you home.”

“You? You paid the ransom?” she asked incredulously. “Why?”

He tightened his jaw, making the muscles twitch, and contemplated how much to divulge to her. “Because I… I once served your parents, and between us there is a debt owed. It is my duty to see to your safe keeping.”

“You owe my parents a debt?” she said, taking a step forward.

He said nothing, letting her keep her wrong assumptions, and beckoned her forward with a quick gesture of his hand. “Come,” he said, taking her hand once she was clear of the opening within the glass. “We have a rather long journey ahead of us, and your parents must be worried sick.”

The princess followed along beside him, her little hand tucked tightly in his as they made their way to the cove where the Jolly Roger awaited them. The main sail was already darkened by the Shadow, and Hook wasted no time casting off once he and the princess were safe aboard. As soon as they were far enough away from the island Hook felt the ship begin to lift out of the waters and take flight. He curved his hook around a spoke of the wheel, bracing himself for the transition from sea to air as he held firm to Emma’s hand. The turbulent ascent and the way it made his belly fall was expected, but the arms frantically wrapping around his middle, attempting to squeeze the life out of him was not.

Looking down, he chuckled at the way the little princess buried her face in his leather coat, barely able to discern her muffled, “Tell me when it's over,” as she held on for dear life.

“You’ve nothing to fear, Princess,” he assured her, stroking his hand over her hair. “We can go below if it’ll make you feel better.”

Tilting her face upward, she stared at him with concern and apprehension swirling in her bright green gaze, and if there had been any doubt before, Hook knew in that moment there was not a thing in any and all the realms he would not do to ensure her safety and happiness.

“Don’t you have to man the helm?” she asked.

“No,” he told her, already leading the way towards his quarters. “The ship can manage without me.”

He hovered in the corner by the hatch steps as she perused the room, giving her space to grow comfortable with her surroundings..

“I’ve never been on a pirate ship before.”

“I should think not,” he responded to her off-handed comment, unable to keep the appalled tone from underpinning his words.

“Actually,” she said, studying the maps and charts that littered his desk. “I’ve never been on any ship. I’ve never even left the castle until yesterday.”

“Aye. Pan mentioned you’d been kept a secret all these years.”

“Mama and Papa said it was for my protection. They said King George could never know or else…”

She let the statement trail off and busied herself with inspecting his books, obviously uncomfortable with where the conversation was headed.

“Forgive my curiosity,” Hook began tentatively, the need for answers gnawing at him and waging war against the instinct to keep her from having to recount anything unpleasant. “I was under the impression that Queen Snow was barren. How is it… that is. How did you…”

“The waters of Lake Nostos,” she informed him, making her way to his bunk and plopping herself down to sit on its edge with a small bounce.

“The what?” He crossed his arms and ankles, reclining further into the corner, heartened by the way she seemed to be relaxing in his presence and unwilling to make any sudden movement that might put her on edge once more.

“Lake Nostos,” she repeated, fidgeting with something in her hands. A seashell, Hook realized. She must have plundered it from his desk without his notice. She’d make a hell of a pirate someday, he thought wryly.

“My father acquired a barrel of it, hoping its powers might restore what King George’s poison took from my mother,” she went on to explain. “That’s what the legend says it does, anyway.”

Hook’s brows furrowed as a long forgotten piece of knowledge made its way from the recesses of his mind. “Its waters were said to have magical properties that could return something that was once lost.” The princess nodded, but Hook’s skepticism deepend. “I thought those waters had dried up.”

“They had,” she continued, turning the seashell over in her hands, “But Papa found a merchant that had one remaining barrel of its waters, and was able to acquire it. Although, his search for a cure was almost for naught.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because Papa’s ship was ambushed by King George, with the barrel still aboard, and it sank to the bottom of the sea during the battle. Papa himself almost perished.”

Flashes of that battle erupted within Hook's mind. The smell of the gunpowder, the coppery taste of blood in the air, the excruciating pain in his wrist, the frigid bite of the dark waters, and those last moments just beyond death’s cold grip before he…

“Fortunately, a sailor hooked himself to the barrel and used it to keep afloat. Otherwise… I wouldn’t be here.”

All the air whooshed from Hook’s lungs, but he barely had time to process that astonishing twist of fate before the ship lurched and a tell-tale shade of green began to colour the princess’ features.

“There, there, lass,” he cooed softly, managing to get the basin to her in time and rubbing soothing circles over her back as she retched. Leaving the basin in her lap, he crossed the cabin and mixed up a tonic that would help settle her stomach, as well as put her to sleep for the duration of their journey.

“Here,” he offered, giving her a soft, encouraging smile as she brought the cup to her lips. “This will help with the queasiness, but it’ll also make you drowsy.”

Hook was humbled by the trust she showed him, swallowing every last drop of the tonic before handing the empty cup back to him.

“How long will it take before we get back to Misthaven?”

“A few hours,” he replied, grabbing a soft blanket from the chest at the foot of his bunk and encouraging her to lay back.

She yawned as he covered her, seemingly unaware as he removed the seashell from her grasp and placed it in his pocket, then she turned onto her side and tucked her hand beneath her head, her eyes following him as he settled into the chair behind his desk.

“You know… Papa doesn’t care for pirates much.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhmm,” she uttered wearily, the tonic already taking effect. “Make sure to wake me when we get there, so I can ensure your safety when you bring me back to the castle.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Hook’s mouth, and he couldn’t deny the warm feeling seeping through his chest at her insistence that she would protect him. Him. The fearsome Captain Hook.

“Do you believe your father would have me in irons the moment I set foot within the castle walls?”

“Yes,” she yawned. “Unless Uncle Liam gets to you first.”

The warm feeling turned to ice at the mention of his brother’s name. Uncle Liam. She’d been raised to regard his brother as her kin. It should not have surprised him. Of course his brother would have filled the void and stepped into the gap his absence had left behind. The Law of Surprise was dictated by the fates - and if he’d ever held any doubts over just how destiny driven that ancient magic was, the princess had all but wiped them away with her confirmation that her very existence would not have been possible had he not tethered himself to that barrel with the very hook her mother had later gifted him. The one still affixed to the brace on his left arm - it stood to reason that providence would provide a surrogate until such a time that destiny could be fulfilled.

Hook wondered what the fates might have in store for her now that he’d bound himself once more to Pan, this time… indefinitely. Perhaps that was fate's design as well. Who else but his brother could best help prepare her for the path that lay ahead as heir and future queen of Misthaven. Liam was a much better candidate than he, even before they’d sailed to Neverland. Before he’d failed to protect his captain from harm. Before he’d made the deal. Before Pan made him a pirate. Before he’d succumbed to the persona of Hook and, at times, many more times than he’d care to admit, had reveled in it.

Aye. This must have been the fates plan all along. A way to correct the error of the Law of Surprise ever being bestowed upon him in the first place. A way to ensure Emma’s safety and protection, her happiness and contentment. A way to set her on the right course so she could reign and rule her people with love and patience, mercy and justice. Virtues he’d long buried until they’d suffocated under the weight of his vices.

The fates were right. What use was a filthy, murderous, villainous pirate to one such as her? She was better off being looked after by his brother. Better off without him tarnishing her life and legacy, corrupting whatever goodness the fates had in store for her.

Hook left the little princess sleeping contentedly in his bunk, making his way back to the helm with his flask unstoppered in his hand. With each long pull of rum he took his eyes scanned the stars until he saw the two familiar flickering lights that signaled their passage from one realm to the next. The ship steered towards the star on the left and new heavens opened above him, revealing constellations he’d spent many a night in recovery mapping from one of the castle’s towers.

The Jolly Roger set down in the Misthavian waters several leagues from port and Hook moored her in a small cove not far from the castle. Gathering the still slumbering princess in his arms, he secured her to his person then swung down from the deck with the aid of the rigging. The sleeping draught he’d added to the tonic was proving quite effective, and Hook pushed away the guilt he felt over drugging her, knowing it had not been only for her own comfort that he’d added the sedative.

It was an arduous trek to the castle with very little of the waning moon’s beams to help guide him. Its illumination proved enough to alert the tower guards of his approach, however, for no sooner had he stepped onto the path that led to the back gate than a voice cried out a commanding order.

“Halt! Unhand the princess!”

“I have come in peace,” Hook told them, adjusting the princess’ weight in his arms.

“Not likely,” the guard scoffed. “You were spotted the moment your ship, with its unnatural black sail, descended. Since when does Captain Hook ever do anything in the name of peace?”

Hook sighed and leveled his gaze at the young knight, all the while clocking the other guards that were beginning to surround him. “Since he is here, not as Hook, but as the man he once was before becoming a pirate.” Swallowing heavily, he announced himself by the name he’d abandoned long ago. A name that felt more like a moniker than the one he’d earned wielding the weapon that had become his namesake. “Killian Jones.”

A few of the guards balked. “Jones? As in Admiral Liam--”

“I demand an audience with Their Majesties and my brother,” Hook barked. “I will only turn the princess over to their care. No one else.”

“Now see here, pirate! Who do you think you are to make dem-”

“Let him pass!” a familiar voice called out from behind the line of knights and guards. Pushing her way through the assembly, Tink emerged, a stunned and elated expression beaming from her features.

“Lady Bell,” Hook murmured in greeting, a wash of something like shame cascading over him as her eyes took him in and her expression soured into something more like shocked horror than pleasant surprise.

Whatever her final estimations of him, she shook off her stupefaction and rounded on the guards once more. “Did you not hear me? I said let him pass. Captain Jones is a faithful servant to the crown, evident by the fact that he has returned the princess to us. Escort him to the throne room and awaken Their Majesties at once!”

Hook had no idea what power Tink had carved out for herself within the Misthaven court this past decade, but that did not keep him from enjoying the spectacle of knights and guards tripping over themselves to carry out her orders as he was ushered to the throne room.

“Wait here,” his escort instructed, securing the doors behind him as he exited to stand guard until Their Majesties’ arrival. Hook was astonished that the man had left him alone with the princess, though he was grateful for the solitude, knowing he’d need these few moments to collect his thoughts and figure out how he would tell them about the new deal he’d struck… and because he knew these were the final moments he’d have with the princess - his princess - before he’d have to say goodbye to her.

Potentially forever.

He did not wish to linger on that thought.

Hook lowered himself onto the edge of the dais and cradled the princess in his lap while he waited for the king and queen to arrive. It felt strange to be back in this room. Not much had changed, based on the cursory perusal he gave the space upon entering. He wondered how much he would find King David and Queen Snow changed, to say nothing of his brother. They would be older, no doubt. Bits of gray peppering their temples, a few wrinkles beginning to etch themselves around the eyes and across their foreheads, but despite their outward appearance, Hook doubted very much that the years would have altered them as they had him.

No. If anyone was different, if anyone had undergone a drastic change to the point they might find themselves unrecognizable to those who had once known them best, it was him. Glancing down at himself, bedecked in his typical black leather and adorned with all manner of accessories unbecoming an officer, Hook wondered very much if any of them would recognize him at all.

The throne room doors banged open, causing Hook’s head to shoot up. The king and queen rushed in, hand-in-hand, followed closely by his brother. The three of them, darned in their nightclothes with their chests heaving from the exertion of sprinting from their respective bedchambers, stopped short at the sight of him sitting there with the princess wrapped in his arms. Gently, Hook laid Emma down beside him, then moved away, averting his eyes so as to not see their shocked expressions.

“She is well,” he assured them. “I gave her a sleeping draught to help calm her nerves on the journey home. It will wear off in due course.”

Stepping further back when he heard the stampede of footfalls coming towards him, Hook watched with a pained sort of contentment as the king and queen dashed to their daughter’s side. His meticulously honed skills, developed from years of having to navigate past dangers lurking within the Neverland jungle, alerted him to the soft pads making their way, not to the princess, but to him, and Hook braced himself to face his brother.

“Killian?” Liam's tone of pure exhilaration tore right through Hook. “Little brother, is it really you?”

“Aye,” Hook replied, his gaze, growing misty from the emotion welling beneath his lashes, still cast downward as he felt the weight of his brother’s hand upon his shoulder.

“After all this time,” Liam began, a sob choking his words. His hands cupped Hook’s face and he tilted his head upwards so he could look fully at his brother’s features. “You look just the same and yet, I hardly recognize you. Whatever are you wearing?”

Hook could not help the amused huff that left his lungs, matching his brother’s cheeky smile before allowing Liam to pull him into a tight embrace. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes as he desperately clung to his brother, wishing with all his might this didn’t have to be another good-bye.

“Oh, Killian!” Snow wailed, launching herself into his arms after Liam had released him, and he soon found himself in the bear-like grip of the king as his arms wound around both he and the queen.

“You found her? You brought her home? But how?” King David inquired, prompting their assembly back towards the dais so he and Snow could sit with Emma as they waited for answers. “She went missing only yesterday, when her maids found her bed empty. We hadn’t even sent word to other kingdoms yet, so how did you--”

“Charming,” Snow interjected, her eyes scrutinizing Hook with the practiced eye of a caring mother. “The tale can wait until Killian has had a chance to rest.” A warm smile graced her lips as she lovingly admonished, “You look dead on your feet. Allow us to have a room made up for you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am afraid I must decline,” Hook responded heavily. “I only have until dawn before I must return.”

“Return?” Liam exclaimed. “No! Your years of service to Pan expired yesterday! I thought… I thought that’s why you were here. Because you are now free.”

“It’s true, my original agreement with Pan ended yesterday,” Hook said, his eyes cast back down towards the floor once more. “But… I made a new deal with the demon boy, and I must get back before dawn or else it becomes void.”

“Let it!” Liam shouted. “Whatever reason you made this deal, surely it is not worth another decade of suffering under that vile imp’s rule.”

Hook flicked his gaze up to Liam’s, then over to the still slumbering princess and imparted, “It is, actually.”

Snow gasped and David balked when they both realized the meaning and gravity of Hook’s words, and three sets of horrified and anguish filled eyes turned upon him.

“You mean--”

“It was Pan,” Hook confirmed with a somber nod. “Somehow, he discovered the boon I earned in saving your life all those years ago. The Law of Surprise I was not even aware I had received until it sat caged in Pan’s lair. The price of Princess Emma’s freedom was for me to agree to stay, and it is a deal I would make a thousand times over.”

“For how long?” David demanded. “How long is this new deal for?”

Hook’s jaw tightened and once again he found himself unable to look any of them in the eye as he confessed, “Indefinitely. Likely, until one of our deaths sets me free.”

Shouts of outrage erupted around him, both the king and his brother insisting he stay, assuring him they would be willing to go to war with Pan if need be.

“No!” Hook hollered back, a flash of fury burning in his eyes as he drew himself up to full captain’s height and stepped into the persona he’d fashioned for himself over these many years. “You don’t know Pan as I do. He is a formidable foe, one you can not hope to defeat with conventional means. You’ve only just found peace for your kingdom now the war with George is at an end. I will not see you enter into another. I will not risk any of your lives just to try and save mine.” Each of them flinched under his hardened gaze as it snapped from one to the other until it landed with a softened hint of affection upon the princess. “I will not risk hers,” he murmured gruffly. “She is too important, and I… I am nothing more than a filthy pirate.”

“That’s not true, little broth--”

“It is true!” Hook growled menacingly, raising his namesake. “I am none other than Captain Hook, who you yourself have issued countless bounties for, dead or alive,” he told them as the full realization of his identity hit them. “And that is only for the crimes you know I have committed. You cannot even fathom the atrocities of which I am truly guilty.”

“Killian, none of that mat--”

“That is no longer my name!” Hook roared. His eyes flashed again and David instinctually pulled his wife behind him. The protective action cut Hook to the quick, and he quickly deflated as he swept his hand through his hair while filling his lungs with a calming breath. Running his tongue over his lips, he swallowed past the shame gurgling up from his belly, and set contrite eyes upon his sovereigns. “My apologies,” he said in earnest. “Killian Jones may have been a man worthy of such sacrifice, but I assure you, Captain Hook is not. Regardless,” he paused and set his eyes upon Emma once more. “For better or worse, the fates entrusted her to my keeping, and I would see that duty met. But that won’t be possible once I leave here, which means…” he cast his eyes upon his brother and began to decree, “Into your keeping, brother, I bestow the rights and duty of the Law of-”

“Stop!” Liam commanded, placing his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “Don’t. Don’t you do that. Don't you give up.” Gesturing towards the princess, Liam vowed, “I will look after her in your stead, but she will remain your Child of Surprise. If only to give you some reason to keep on fighting. You said you would do your duty towards her, and we will hold you to that, brother. None of us can know why the fates chose you, all we can do is trust in some greater plan that has yet to come to fruition.”

“Liam is right,” the king added in agreement. “The honor, privilege, and responsibility of my child’s life rests with you, Killian. It always has. Will you continue to safeguard it?”

Eyes once more fixed on the sleeping child resting in her mother’s lap, Hook took in a deep and shuddering breath. “Aye,” he exhaled. “Even to my last breath.”

The force of the king’s slap to his back nearly knocked him over. “Good. Then come and sit with us. You said we only had until dawn, and we have much to catch up on.”

The next few hours were spent in camaraderie and merriment, with only the occasional melancholy or remorse. Hook had forgotten what it felt like: fellowship, the use of his given name, the occasion to laugh, to tease, to bond. All too soon the roosters began to crow from the yard outside the castle walls, announcing the coming of the dawn that would begin creeping over the horizon within the hour.

Hook would never know where he found the fortitude to not break down when the time came to bid a final farewell to Their Majesties - his friends - and brother. David gave him his word that he would have pardon within Misthaven, that the kingdom would be a refuge and sanctuary to him whenever he might have need of it. Liam made his little brother promise to keep fighting, to keep searching for a way to defeat Pan so he could come home once and for all. When the time came to say good-bye to Snow, Hook’s words got caught in his throat. Not because this was a more difficult farewell, but because it meant the one he was truly dreading would be next.

“Would you…” Snow began, hesitantly. Perhaps sensing his turmoil in that intuitive way she had about her. “Would you mind helping me get Emma back to her room?” she asked, glancing over at the cushioned bench where the princess had continued to sleep throughout their reunion. “I had hoped she might wake up so you could tell her good-bye, but perhaps tucking her in and knowing she is safe and sound would be the next best thing?”

“Aye, thank you, Your Majes… I mean. Thank you, Snow,” Hook corrected when she raised her brows at him, reminding him they had agreed to dispense with the honorifics, as good friends were wont to do.

Gathering the princess in his arms, Hook gave David and Liam one last look and resolved nod before following Snow out of the throne room and through the corridors until they reached Emma’s chambers. Snow opened the doors and gestured Hook inside, hovering just beyond the threshold as Hook deposited the princess in bed.

The child groaned and stretched, momentarily opening her eyes and fighting the effects of the draught as she wearily gazed up at the pirate kneeling beside the bed.

“Shhh, princess,” he soothed. “Everything is well now. You’re home.”

“I told you to wake me,” she mumbled. “Papa didn’t arrest you, did he?”

Hook chuckled. “No, lass. Your Papa has been most hospitable, but I have worn out my welcome and must go now.”

“Must you?”

“Aye, princess. I’m afraid so.”

“Will I ever see you again?”

Hook threaded his fingers through her hair, stroking the long, silken strands with a gentle touch before tucking them behind her ear. “I hope so, princess. Most assuredly.”

“Me, too.”

Her eyes fluttered shut and her breathing began to even back out. Hoping she had not fully succumbed to the abyss of sleep once more, Hook pulled the seashell she’d taken from his desk and placed it back in her palm. “Here,” he murmured softly, “A little something to remember me by, and… a promise.” Stroking her hair once more, Hook leaned in and pressed his lips against her forehead, sending up a silent prayer to all the gods and fates that she be kept safe and only know happiness in her life before vowing, “Not a day will go by I won’t think of you.”

He knelt there for a moment more before making his way back towards the door, pausing at the threshold when he heard a quiet, “good” murmured from her bed. Tears stung his eyes, a halting breath escaping from his chest as he tried to maintain his composure in Snow’s presence.

Wrapping her arms around him, Snow gave him sanctuary to pour out his anguish. The despair and injustice. Everything he’d been suppressing since he’d discovered the truth and learned of Emma’s existence. Everything that was boiling over within him now, having to leave behind all he held dear, all that was precious to him.

It wasn’t fair.

Not because he felt he deserved better, he knew he didn’t. No. It wasn’t fair to Emma. Surely she must have felt it? The bond that had been created between them through the Law of Surprise. The feeling of being incomplete, as though he were leaving parts of himself behind, would she feel that loss as well? Would she ache for something she sensed missing as the deep recesses within him were now beginning to ache for her? Would she endeavor to fill the void his absence would create? Would she come looking for him?

“She can’t ever know,” Hook declared desperately.

“What?”

“Emma,” Hook clarified. “She can’t ever know about me. About the Law of Surprise. Please, Snow. Promise me you won’t burden her with that knowledge. Have the fairies help her forget me, if necessary.”

“Killian, what are you saying?” Snow inquired, her brow frightfully furrowed at his frantic demeanor.

“I’m saying, if she doesn’t know about me, then she won’t… she won’t be tempted to come find me. She’ll stay here. She’ll stay safe. Promise me.”

“I… I promise,” Snow agreed, though Hook could tell it was begrudgingly. “I promise that if she is ever to know the truth, it will only come from your lips.”

“Thank you,” he exhaled on a relieved breath, before pulling her into a final embrace. “For everything. I…”

“I know,” she assured him. “You must go,” she insisted, releasing him and taking a step back while wiping away her tears. “Dawn approaches.”

“Aye,” Killian replied, reaching out and giving her hand a squeeze. “Take care of yourself, Your Majesty.”

“Take care of yourself… Captain.”

With only minutes to spare, Hook made it back to the Jolly Roger and set sail back to Neverland. He was halfway back to the island of horrors when a sound from the hold sparked his curiosity. A quick search revealed… a stowaway.

“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing here, Tink?!”

“Shhh,” she admonished. “Keep your voice down or that spectre will hear you.”

“How do you know that spectre doesn’t already know you’re on board?”

“Because it was asleep when I snuck on.”

Hook balked. “It sleeps?”

“Yup,” she replied with a dramatic pop of the p. “Ten years and you never realized Pan’s shadow sleeps? I was right. You do need my help.”

“Your help?” Hook questioned, his head cocked to one side as he looked upon the fairy with confusion. “Help with what?”

“Why… killing Pan, of course. You and I both know that’s the only way out of your new deal with him.”

“How did you-”

“I was eavesdropping from the second floor gallery.”

“You what?!”

Tink held up her hand to stay his indignation. “Do you want to admonish me, or do you want to hear my plan?”

“You have a plan?” he repeated, with a heavy dose of skepticism. “To kill Pan?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Tink rocked back on her heels. “Mhmm. Wanna hear it or not?”

She was serious. She actually had a plan, and from the resolve he could see set within her shoulders and the way her eyes gleamed, Hook could tell it was a good one.

“I’m listening.”

Hook had to give it to the fairy, she was brilliant. Her plan had merit. Real merit. But it would take time, and cunning, and a fair amount of luck, and they’d be putting themselves at great risk if they failed.

“Why?” he demanded. “Why are you doing this? Risking everything. Your very life. Just to help me go free?”

“For one,” she said, taking his hand. “You deserve it.”

He wasn’t too sure about that. “And the other?”

Tink wet her lips and swallowed. “I’m doing it for her. For Emma. She needs you. Her life will never be… complete, never be fulfilled, never be what it's meant to be. Not without you in it.”

“You’re wrong,” he said, pulling his hand away. “She’s far better off without me in her life.”

A smirk lifted the corner of her lips, and they were both jolted by the jarring impact of the ship’s return to the waters of Neverland.

“We’ll see about that.”

Part Three - Coming Soon!

Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)

(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)

@paradiselady19 @aprilqueen84 @kmomof4 @mie779 @donteattheappleshook @stahlop @anmylica @undercaffinatednightmare @zaharadessert @karl0ta @booksteaandtoomuchtv @courtorderedcake @superchocovian @pirateherokillian @ultraluckycatnd @jennjenn615 @the-darkdragonfly @jonesfandomfanatic @wyntereyez @xarandomdreamx @teamhook @winterbaby89 @justanother-unluckysoul @whimsicallyenchantedrose @badwolfreturns @deckerstarblanche @tiganasummertree @jrob64 @resident-of-storybrooke @motherkatereloyshipper @lfh1226-linda @youherotype @kday426 @snowbellewells @alexa-fangirl-forever @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @unworried-corsair @sals86 @natascha-ronin @livykatelin00-blog @jackieorioncat @annep1 @ilovemesomekillianjones @soniccat @youplaylikeagirl @th3capta1n @cocohook38 @zippoluv @bizquake

#csff

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l-lend · 1 month ago

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a/n - This one took its sweet time forming up, but I'm happy with how it turned out. This was after a throw away joke in @photogirl894's Sun & Rain concerning how Kimber and Rina met, so I wanted to take a stab on how they may have met.

Warning(s): depictions of violence, sketchy establishments

Rina's foot continued its bouncing taps as she waited on who else was going to deny her a hit from her mod. Some clone had pocketed it after bringing her into their makeshift brig. A perverse shell game in a sea of identical faces as to who currently held her fix. The durasteel door slid open and the woman tilted her head back. A satisfying pop from her neck sounded before bringing her head forward once more.

“Look I appreciate you being gentlemanly and shit, but you shouldn't keep a lady wait- Huh, well I'll be damned. They get a special one? I'm touched, really.”

The armor clad individual certainly looked the part. The visor offered no tells.

The captor made their approach soon taking the empty seat. The table separating them. The captor's hands slowly going to their helmet.

Rina huffed a laugh as the helmet rested on the table with a muted thunk.

“Well, now I've seen everything.”

The armored woman offered a ghost of a smile, “You're more talkative than with Jesse at least.”

Rina rolled her eyes, “I got a few words for the one who took an elbow to the cod.”

The armored woman sighed, “You were caught nosing around our cruiser.”

“and did you find any tools on me?”

“Could've been a lookout, so what were you doing at the ship bay?”

“Working. I was chasing my mark into the bay. Would've got 'im if your boys didn't pile on me.”

The woman raised a brow, “You're a bounty hunter?”

“Bounties, deliveries, whatever keeps the credits comin'.”

“Maybe we can help each other.”

Rina shrugged, “Don't take offense, but I need more than words.”

The woman produced a small metal box setting it on the center of the table. Rina's gaze fixated.

“Kimber Sallaros.”

Rina gingerly reached out to the contraption bringing it to her lips. Her finger locked on the button firing the device as she inhaled. Her nerves singing as the flavored smoke filled her lungs.

“Rina Caska,” She exhaled with the smoke drifting from her lips, “so what do you need from me?”

Kimber exited the makeshift brig. A clone lieutenant coming to her side.

“She tell you where she hid the parts?”

“No, but she might be able to help us find our thief.”

His hand gently grabbed her wrist, “Kimber, you can't just go offering a meal to every stray you meet.”

“I'm not letting her go out alone, Jesse.”

“and I can't spare any men right now.”

Kimber slipped her arm free of his grasp, “I'll be with her, and we'll be leaving in ten. The sooner we get those parts back, the better.”

She shook her head as soon as she turned down a corridor. Certainly Jakku was different than her home planet, but a person was still a person. Although her trip to the armory allowed her mind to weigh over the decision hoping it would not come back to bite her later.

“Any harm that comes to her will have you shipped off to Coruscant to await trial. Are we clear?”

“I'm reading you, Face. No shady shit. What about shenanigans or tomfoolery?”

Jesse pinched the bridge of his nose. Kimber soon joining the pair towards the main doors. Rina offered the woman a two finger salute.

“Guess you're my sitter for this.”

“Looks like it. Let's get going.”

The women took their leave. Rina not speaking until they neared the border of the ship bay.

“Face still trying to burn a hole in my head?”

Kimber glanced back at the cruiser. The lieutenant nowhere in sight.

“He's gone.”

“Good, you need to ditch your armor for a bit.”

“What?”

Rina chuckled, “No one's gonna give you the time of day when you have 'narc' stamped on your forehead.”

Kimber raised a brow at Rina's bluntness. Her gaze tracing over the plastoid adorning her body.

“I guess it does stand out here.”

The civilian shook her head, “We'll stop by my place and we'll throw some dirt on ya.”

Rina regarded Kimber with a nonchalant side eye, “If it's too much for you, you can plug me with your blaster and run.”

“I'm not going to shoot you.”

Rina took a drag and exhaled a plume of smoke, “Pretty honorable. I'd be sparing with handing that out.”

Rina led her escort through the winding alleyways eventually landing on the threshold of a hut that was a strong gust away from becoming a pile of rubble.

“Ain't much, but it's a place to lay.” Rina excused unlocking the door.

She gestured to her guest and led her inside. Rina made a b line for a stash of clothing folded along a coffee table. Kimber took in the sparse decor. The one room hovel appeared clean, yet it still held the spiderweb cracks of its losing battle with time.

“Heads up.” Rina called as a wad of fabric sailed through the air.

“Put those on. You can keep your pants and braid.”

Catching the clothing, Kimber glanced at the clothing and before looking up to see Rina facing a wall.

“Let me know when you're done, yeah?”

After some time doffing the armor and donning the borrowed shirt and jacket, Kimber adjusted the hem.

“I'm dressed.”

Rina chose to lose her staring contest with the wall, “One last thing.”

The shorter of the two women took a drag from her mod allowing the smoke to coil around her as she pulled open a cabinet door. Her free hand ferreting around until coming away with her prize. The tearing of paper drew Kimber's attention as the woman tore a backing from a square before smoothing the square to adhere to her arm.

“I don't smoke on a job.” Rina explained, tearing open another packet.

The second square was soon slapped near the first. She pulled her sleeve back down to shield the patches from view.

“Alright, let's go to work.”

The pair melded into the crowd as the sun had begun to set. The streets rousing from their slumber. Buildings lighting up with garish neon.

“Next building on your right.” Rina murmured, regarding a two story lit in rosy hues.

The scent of perfumes wrinkled Kimber's nose as Rina approached the counter. An older Twi'lek woman attended the counter.

“Looking for company for the evening?”

Rina clinked some credits on to the counter, “Is Ticia available tonight?”

The older woman eyed up the pair, “for two?”

A few more credits tumbled onto the small stack, “She'll just be watching.”

“I'll get her ready for you.” The attendant smiled, swiping the credits into her hand.

As she disappeared behind a curtain, Rina took in her partner's expression.

“First time at a skin shop?”

“That obvious?”

Rina chuffed a laugh, “Well, brace yourself. Oh, and try not to make eye contact or it'll get weird.”

The elderly Twi'lek woman reappeared gesturing for the pair to follow. Heeding the mercenary's warning, Kimber focused her gaze towards Rina's back. The cacophony of drunken banter and wolf whistles could have passed for the ambiance of 79's, yet the expanses of scantily clad women would probably be more at home in Nar Shaada. The pair was led to an unremarkable looking door among a row of identical doors.

“Enjoy yourselves, ladies.” The elderly woman beckoned them inside shutting the door behind them once Kimber cleared the threshold. A Twi'lek woman sat on the bed. Her sheer garb complimenting her coral complexion.

The mercenary crossed the room folding down into a seat. Signaling her escort to occupy the plush armchair.

“How're you holdin' up?” Rina began, her tone missing its bite.

The Twi'lek ghosted a hand against the side of her face. An angry purple bruise encircled her left eye.

“It 'urts less today.”

She nodded before gesturing to the occupied chair, “Ticia, this is my associate. Kimber, Ticia.”

Ticia brought her gaze to Kimber before her eyes plummeted to the ground.

“Did you find 'im?”

“He gave me the slip when he stirred up the docks, but I'll get him. Has he come back to see you?”

Her free hand clenched a handful of the sheer skirt rubbing the material between her fingers, “Not since I 'ired you, but 'e said work was picking up.”

“You got anything for me? Chop shop he frequents?”

Ticia shook her head, “Nothing about a shop, but 'e works for the rippers.”

Rina's mouth formed a hard line and nodded. A hand wiping across her face to sweep back a few stray locks.

“Think I can work with that.”

She rose from her seat popping a few credits into her client's lap.

“Get some rest and something to eat. If he shows up, give me a ring, yeah?”

The Twi'lek lifted her gaze offering the mercenary a nod. Rina returned the gesture before offering a beckoning hand to her partner. The pair were silent as they took their leave. Kimber spoke up as soon as structures separated them from the pleasure house.

“Was that from him?”

Rina nodded, keeping her gaze ahead, “Hear he's got a bit of a temper. Unfortunately, that's normal.”

“Couldn't you go to the authorities? Even if you only have a description, I'm sure the-”

The other woman's side eye glance cause the words to fade.

“One: you're not my boss, and two: they don't have the time.”

Kimber frowned, “but she has the credits to pay someone like you?”

Rina shrugged her shoulders, “You'd be surprised. People fall through the cracks when a war's going on. That's where people like me come in.”

Kimber followed her shorter companion, “So are we hunting him down?”

“Nah, he's gonna come to us.”

The mercenary jerked her head towards a building with a flat top.

“How good can you climb?”

The sharpshooter smirked, “Not my first tall perch.”

Rina chuckled as they stopped at the building's side wall, “Well then, after you.”

She sized up the wall before glancing at Rina. A huff of amusement blew through her nose before the mercenary braced her back against the wall. Her fingers interlocking.

With a dismissive shake of her head, Kimber scaled the wall. Her blasters secured to her as she pulled herself up. Once on the rooftop, she leaned down with an arm outstretched. However, the sound impact on the wall drew her attention. Her arm jerking back as she could finally see the origin of the noise.

A set of ten fingers clung to the edge before the owner of those fingers pulled herself up to join the sharpshooter.

Rina huffed once she was up and over the ledge. Her head shaking to shoo away a few tendrils of hair that were out of place.

“Not bad.”

Rina shrugged, “I'm better in big cities.”

Her hand buried itself into a pocket as she found a patch of roof to sit on. She produced a small object, offering it out. Upon Kimber declining with a raised hand, Rina uncapped the canister taking a swig.

“So,” Kimber spoke up after a brief stretch of silence passed between them, “Have you...always been on Jakku?”

“Nah,” Rina replied, coming up for air, “Just here long enough to get some credits and keep flying.”

She tapped the canister against her leg, “You always with your boys chasing armor?”

“Excuse me?”

“My bad, preferring the company of clones.”

Kimber scrunched up her nose.

“What, you're just with a ship full of guys for the thrill?” Rina jested.

“I just needed a change.” Kimber dismissed.

Rina hummed, “So who was he?”

“Huh?”

“The guy.”

“There's no guy.”

The mercenary's amused gaze met the sharpshooter's.

“There's always a guy.”

Rina's smirk grew as Kimber's lips set into a line.

“Alright, spill. Which one?”

“...he's not on the ship.”

“Ah, so a fling then?”

The air between them thickened as silence spread.

“It's not important...”

The mercenary nodded. Her eyes drifted to her canister, “Well...whoever he was, he was stupid to let you get away.”

Kimber lifted her widened gaze to the other woman, who only huffed an amused laugh.

“When you do what I do, you learn to read people.” Rina stashed the canister as she narrowed her gaze, “There's our guy.”

On the street below, a Weequay exited the tavern. His gaze darted to and from clusters of passersby before setting off. Rina crept towards the edge of the roof.

“How do you know it's him?”

“Believe me, I know. He'll lead us back to where your parts are, or I get to beat it outta him.”

They tailed their mark while still keeping their distance.They weaved their way through town until they neared a metal structure. Gutted speeders splayed out like corpses around what passed as a yard. The sharpshooter followed her companion's lead, circling towards the rear of the building.

Rina held a hand to catch Kimber's attention. She silently patted her hip where the sharpshooter holstered a blaster.

“This goes sideways. Three rounds in the air.” Rina whispered.

“They scatter from that?”

“Nah, but the GAR comes runnin’.”

They inched closer to the door. Their eyes met. The shorter woman giving a nod. Kimber pulled out her blaster before Rina tried the door. When it refused to budge, the mercenary launched herself at the obstacle. The door giving way as her shoulder slammed into the surface. Rina followed through with the momentum with Kimber hot on her heels.

The group of neerdowells froze mid-task. Eyes locked onto the intruders. Among the cluster of scrappers, a familiar visage made a satisfied smirk curl Rina’s lips.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

“and who the kriff are you, half-pint?”

Rina took a step forward, “Heard you like throwin’ hands. Thought you’d like a girl who’d rough you up for a change.”

The women took cover behind a speeder as the first blasts rang out. Each attempt at gaining a glimpse of the enemy had the women ducking back to safety.

“We need to think of something.”

The mercenary whipped her head to her companion.

“Great observation. Feel free to pull an idea out of your ass, Boss Lady.”

Kimber resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead focused on a glint. A speeder’s mirror lay propped against a pile of scrap. Her fingers curled tighter around her blaster.

*Relax, Sunshine. Breath in, hold, exhale.*

The bolt screamed from her blaster towards the mirror and a second later a scraper’s weapon clattered to the floor.

The resulting blaster fire had patrols on their position shortly after the women claimed their victory. The target’s face marred and maimed from a few rounds with the mercenary. Said mercenary admired her handiwork in the holocam.

“Did she need proof you took him down?”

Rina closed down the device, “Nah, but sometimes it helps seeing him roughed up.”

As their quarry was hauled away, Kimber spoke up.

“You were pretty good. You could make a name for yourself.”

“You weren’t too bad yourself,” Rina chuckled, “but save your pitch. GAR doesn’t pay enough.”

With a nod, the sharpshooter turned to take her leave to the cruiser.

“Hey.”

Kimber turned, a small object tossed in her direction. She snatched it up, a black comm device resting in her palm.

“In case you’re in trouble or need to find some to get into.”

Rina offered a two finger salute before she began to walk away.

“Keep those boys in line, Boss Lady.”

@locitapurplepink, @the-rain-on-kamino, @writing-positivelyexisting, @burningfieldof-clover, @padawancat97, @dukeoftheblackstar

#playing with friends ocs #Rina Caska #Kimber Sallaros

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cosmica-galaxy · 1 year ago

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Since the Player could go into any steam game they have on their pc, imagine the main four & maybe doc being brought into Pizza Tower with the player and seeing how they react with the strange transformations. Like Deimos dying again (well more accurately, Deimos getting the ghost transformation by touching the Mushroom Ghost by accident) or Hank getting Mort on his head.

OOOOH, definitely! I can imagine each of them reacting to all of the wackiness that exists within Pizza Tower and all of the sentient food running about. I also envision that each of them would be assigned certain stats to fit their roles or characterization. Hank is simply the brutal member of the group. He specializes in killing enemies and ripping apart opposition. Hell, it's his JOB as a mercenary to take care of things that aren't supposed to be alive. He can hold a combo for a longer time and his speed is on par with his violence. He specializes in going through unusual places (vents mostly) and would probably literally murder a boss if he was allowed inside of their respective rooms. Hank would probably only appear during lap 2 to help get a P Rank on a difficult level. Deimos is easily the fastest of the group. He can reach mach 3 in a shorter time frame than the rest of the group, can climb up walls faster, and can run across water at slower speeds. I imagine that if Deimos had his own levels, he would be partnered up with Sanford to solve puzzles and use team work to get to the goal of each room (aka beat the shit out of a a John Pillar). When he is no longer under control, he sits by his switch sign and smokes a cigarette, similar to how The Noise smokes in the slum. Sanford is easily the strongest out of the group, if you negate Hank and his tendencies. Sanford can carry multiple enemies, boxes, and items than other characters. He can also break stronger blocks and move heavy items around by pushing against them. However, he is unable to reach mach 3 at all. He can only reach mach 2 and can't run any faster than that. Which is why he's usually paired up with Deimos to help cover his short comings while clearing a path or helping Deimos get to areas that he wouldn't normally be able get to. While waiting at his switch sign, Sanford sips on a beer. Doc doesn't perform any active roles like the other characters. Instead, I envision that he would serve a more Gerome role or fill in the role as the Priest in every level. He would be responsible for reviving the crew members that accidentally touch the mushroom ghost, pulling Mort off of their heads, washing them clean of sticky cheese, and various other ailments that exist in Pizza Tower. He's a supporting role and key to solving puzzles while in levels, but he also has an influence outside of the pocket universes. Like opening doors, hacking entry ways, or finding information that can help you and his team along the way. Meanwhile, the Player guides them through and teaches them about the world, or about as much of it as they know, as possible.

-- Whew! I got a little carried away! Sorry about that, Anon!

I just got to envisioning a Pizza Tower mod that is just the madcom bois and went ham.

The fun doesn't even have to stop at Pizza Tower. You can imagine them elsewhere as well! Subnautica, Skyrim, Slime Rancher, ect! We can pick a universe, let's go!! (Yes, I have "Pick a universe" from tryhardninja stuck in my head and it fits, tbh.)

#haxorus imp #hax speaks #cosmica galaxy #madcom tag #anonymous #anon asks #anon ask #self aware m:pn au #madness combat x pizza tower #pizza tower #pizza tower tag

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fiabex · 3 months ago

Text

Dreamwidth Roundup

Nominations are now closed, and our closing posts are up! We have final clarification posts, and we have the post about tag set clean up!

Mods will be going through the tagset, but we also welcome your input! If you see an issue with tags already in the tagset, please comment on the tagset cleanup post, but if you think that a tag you nominated didn't make it into the tag set, please send that comment to clarification post 4!

More details about the fandoms that are parts of the clarification posts below the cut:

Nominations Clarification Post 3

Nominations Clarification Post 4

Tagset Cleanup

Nominations Clarification post 3:

Fandoms with Queries

+Anima (Manga)

Crossover Fandom

DCU (Comics)

Dimension 20 (Web Series)

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Dungeons and Dragons (Cartoon)

Elden Ring (Video Game)

Fairy Tail

Gary and His Demons (Cartoon)

Gundam 00

Imperial Radch Series - Ann Leckie

Magic Kaito

Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling

Original Work

Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Main Video Game Series)

QSMP | Quackity SMP

Red Dwarf (UK TV)

Ride Kamens (Video Game)

Shadow and Bone (TV)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types

Transformers Generation One

Westworld (TV)

Xenoblade Chronicles (Video Game)

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Video Game)

少年白马醉春风 | Dashing Youth (Live Action TV)

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Nominations Clarification post 4:

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Welcome to Night Vale

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total-drama-takes-takes-2 · 1 year ago

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tta episode 9

“Last time, on Total Takes Action: our remaining players competed in an all-out chick flick extravaganza, complete with the infamous makeover scene and a climatic test of intelligence and cunning- in the end, Scary subverted the trope expectations and won immunity, but not without throwing a world-class tantrum first. Sha-Mod ended up voting himself out to protect his identity, leaving only six players behind. Who will be walking the plank today? And who will be taking one step closer to the grand prize of one million dollars? Find out now, on Total! Takes! Island!”

Thunder rumbles overhead Toronto, and this season, it’s not the result of Chris’ scientific tampering. A thick fleet of rain pours down over the film lot, casting everything in a filter of gray.

As per usual, Scruffy is up bright and early (though it’s not very bright today) for their daily pre-challenge training. It’s hardly five in the morning and they’re already dressed, stretching in the boys and such trailer and jogging in place as they brush their teeth in the communal bathrooms.

As they spit out a mouthful of toothpaste, a loud shriek makes them jump.

“Oh, no! The challenge is starting already?” They throw their toothbrush carelessly and run outside. “I didn’t even run my 85 laps around the set yet!”

They throw open the bathroom door and step into the rain to see… a pile of suitcases, clothes, and furnishings on the grass.

A microwave flies out of the girls’ and such trailer and lands on the mountain of things. Peter pokes his head out of the adjacent mobile home and he ducks just in time for a fork to go flying overhead.

“What on earth?” Scruffy scratches their chin.

Their question answers itself, though, as Scary storms out, tugging at their blonde hair with a wild expression on their face. “CHRIS!”

The intercom crackles to life, the feedback making everyone cover their ears for protection as it squeals. “Yeeeees?”

“I KNOW YOU’RE BEHIND THIS!”

Scruffy jogs over to the doorway and hovers in front of Scary. “What’s up?”

“That weasel took my notes- all of the notes I’ve been taking since we got here!” she groans. “This wouldn’t have happened if you were pulling your weight around here!”

“Hey, I’m staying in the game. Isn’t that enough?”

“No!”

“Well, this has been heartwarming,” Chris’ voice blares. “But you’re not so special, Scary- if everyone would please check their belongings...”

Scruffy thinks for a moment, and then pats their pockets. “My whistle!”

Peter digs around his shirt. “My girlfriend!”

A piercing shriek, louder than both Scary and the intercom feedback, makes everyone wince. Fren dashes out of the trailer, dumping an empty drawer on the ground. “My clothes! That sadist took my clothes!” he drops to his knees and cries out to the heavens as the rain pours down. “THAT MONSTER!”

Max stands in the doorway of the trailer, rolling his eyes.

---

MAX: “So, Chris took some stuff. Big deal. This is probably some dumb pirate treasure hunt episode, and at the end of the challenge he’ll reveal he actually burned all of our things and the grand prize is a bag of chips,” he sighs. “Still, it’d be nice if he chose something other than my shoes to take.”

---

The rain continues pouring down on camp, the water pooling on the top of the craft services tent and weighing down on it. O watches the rain indent the fabric and grits his teeth nervously.

No one else seems to notice, though, as they’re all busy dealing with the recoil from their missing necessities. Scary is hurriedly leafing through a physics book, surrounded by other open editions, Fren has had to substitute his usual flair for plain black clothes lended by the interns, and Max is wearing a pair of O’s sneakers.

Only Scruffy still seems chipper, hurriedly weaving something out of grass.

---

SCRUFFY: “In preparation for Total Takes Island, I took a weaving class, a spinning class, a sewing class, and swim aerobics. That last one was free,”

---

They finish their creation, and hold up a tiny horn as a whistle substitute. “Alright, I’m up! If I'm fast, I'll get 30 in before the challenge!” they shout, standing and jogging outside for their laps.

Fren nervously twirls a strand of hair around his finger at one end of the long table. He looks down at his outfit, then back up around the room, then to the camera. “Please tell me the cameras are still capturing my colors?”

The camera man shakes his head. Fren sighs.

Peter walks over and sets his breakfast tray on the table next to Fren. “Everything okay?”

He puts on a smile and looks up. “Great!”

Peter doesn’t look quite convinced, but doesn’t push, anyway. “Hey, wait, didn’t you once design a whole fashion line out of palm leaves and dental floss?”

“This is different!"

Max raises an eyebrow from across the table. The intercom crackles to life and Chris’ voice blares over the sound of the rain.

“Good morning, victims! Get your butts outside the craft services tent, ASAP!”

Scruffy groans from afar.

---

The small group of campers huddles outside the trailers, looking between each other as they’re drenched in rain. Chris, decked out in a raincoat and holding an umbrella, smiles warmly.

“Great weather we’re having, huh?”

“Cut to the chase,” Scary’s eyes narrow.

He chuckles. “Alright, alright. Today’s challenge is simple- or is it? This episode is all about mystery, suspense, and the unknown,”

Max pipes up from the back, eyes wide. “You don’t mean?”

“Oh, I do. Today’s theme is detective noir!”

Scary rolls their eyes and no one else really reacts to the news, though everyone turns around after a high-pitched squeal comes from the back of the group. Max stares back, then clears his throat and straightens his tie.

“Alright then,” Chris chuckles. “I’m sure a few of you have noticed you’re missing a few meaningless souvenirs-”

“MEANINGLESS?!” Fren shrieks. This time, it’s him everyone stares at. He chuckles nervously. “I’m just saying!”

“I hate to admit that he’s right, but…” Scary sighs. “I need my notes back.”

“…And I’m sure you’re all wondering how you’re going to get them back,” Chris smiles. “All these questions and more will be answered… by YOU! Here's the deal: one of you was paid six hundred dollars by moi to swipe from your fellow contestants- who? That’s for everyone else to decide! You'll have the day to hunt for clues, collect evidence, and then when your time is up, you'll all vote on the suspect.”

“Wow!” Peter says. “Kind of like Am-”

“COPYRIGHT!” Chris shouts. “And it’s nothing like that! You have until the end of the day to catch the culprit and recover the missing goods. There’ll be some fun surprises along the way, too.”

“Define fun,” O asks.

Chris chuckles. “Oh, you’ll know. Ciao!”

The host walks off, leaving the last six competitors behind.

---

SCARY: “One of these rats stole the weeks worth of notes I’ve been building my case with. If I can’t get them back, goodbye lawsuit, goodbye Chris McLean lifetime prison sentence!”

---

PETER: “I’m not too worried about the missing goods,” he pulls another picture out of his back pocket. “I always carry a spare! But I am worried about everyone turning on each other. I don't want to pick sides...”

---

SCRUFFY: “Yes! Okay- so not only is this a totally chill, laid-back, relaxed, super fun easy fun challenge, it’s also got something to do with physical harm- based on Chris’ tone! I can ace this!” their eye twitches.

---

Fren wails in the confessional.

---

MAX: “What? Why should I care about this challenge?” he pauses and then grins. “Okay, fine- I love mysteries! Capers, cold cases, riddles, puzzles- I even have a detective alter-ego named Raleigh Dubois-” he pauses and turns red. “I’ve said too much.”

---

O: “I’m just hoping nobody figures out that nothing was stolen from me. I don’t know why, but Chris put a massive target on my back- I don’t even have a fighting chance, and I'm a terrible liar...”

---

The remaining players sit around the table in the craft services tent, looking between each other in silence. The air is thick with electricity- either from the rising tensions, or from the lightning outside.

Finally, Peter breaks. “I can’t stand this! Why can’t we just work together?!”

“That’s not how this works,” Scary snaps. “Now, we just have to wait until the culprit snaps under the pressure, I can get my notes back, and they’ll be sent home- with a broken spine!”

“That’s it!” Max stands, slamming his fists on the table. “If you all want to take the easy way out, that’s fine- but I respect the sanctity of an open case, and I’m going to solve this on my own!”

He storms out. Scary rolls her eyes.

---

MAX: “I came back for Michela. And to get out of that terrible peanut gallery, but mostly for Chel. Now, she’s gone, and until today, I had nothing left to keep going for- but now I have a purpose! I have a motive! I have a case!” he pauses, then pulls a fedora out from under the counter, fixing it on his head. “Raleigh Dubois is on it!”

---

Max sits in a dark room, adjusting a lamp light. He angles it upwards and shines it in someone’s face. They wince.

“Is that really necessary?” Peter asks.

“Very,” Max says. “I find the blinding light to be… calming. Makes a liar nervous and an innocent man blind.”

“How is that fair?”

“It works for me,” he shrugs, then pulls out a notepad. “Run me through your day. Take your time.”

---

“Well…” Scruffy says. “I got up at 5:00 AM sharp, got dressed, brushed my teeth, then I heard this terrible banshee scream…”

---

Scary rolls her eyes. “I went to add the weather for my daily log and my notes were missing. My notes. My notes! For idiots like you, that’d be like waking up and missing a leg!”

---

“Where to start?” Fren thinks. “Well, as per usual, I went to Chef to see if I received any fan mail…”

Max looks up from his notepad, eyebrow raised. “Did you?”

“Ahaha!” he grins. “Of course! Tons!”

---

O quivers. “I-I-I um.. I- I- where’s my lawyer?!”

Max stares back. “I just asked you to state your name,”

---

“It was obviously targeted. So whoever did it must’ve known these notes are important to you,” Max says, clicking his ballpoint pen. “I would ask if you have any enemies, but that’d be a rhetorical question.”

Scary bares her teeth. “How am I supposed to know that you’re not the sellout?”

“I might be. What're you gonna do?”

---

Fren smiles confidently. “After an hour lost on the streets of New Delhi, we found our way to the river-”

“This has nothing to do with the question,”

“It does so! You asked what I was missing, and I’m giving you a detailed account of each item,” he crosses his arms. “You should be thanking me. Anyway, let’s talk about my cashmere scarf. It was winter in the Swiss Alps…”

Max massages his temples and groans.

---

“My whistle,” Scruffy thinks. “An odd choice, considering I have my own notes in the trailer… maybe the thief only cares about Fren and Scary!”

“It’s not necessarily the object, it’s the obstacle it creates,” Max mutters, taking down notes. “Your whistle helps you with your�� “training”, so taking it caused you to miss your two hours this morning.”

“Ah! Right! I knew that!” they nod. "I totally knew that!"

Max rolls his eyes.

---

“What am I missing?!” O chuckles nervously, scratching his arm rapidly. “My, um… my catcher’s mitt! It was my grandpa’s, it’s a family heirloom! I take it everywhere, it’s lucky!”

“Really,” Max raises an eyebrow.

O laughs like an insane person.

---

MAX: “So far, not much. All I’m sure of is that whoever did the swiping obviously knows their way around the cast. They have a lot of observational skills, and they’re brave enough to seriously hurt someone’s feelings- or pride. That cuts out Peter,” he thinks aloud. “Scary wouldn’t take the 600 at the price she’s holding over Chris’ head, plus everyone would suspect her. O… I’m not sure.”

---

Scary sits on the steps to the trailer, munching popcorn and watching Fren and Scruffy argue over who’s missing memento is more important.

“Max said it himself! It’s not the object, it’s the symbolism!” Scruffy shouts.

Max’s voice rings out from inside the trailer. “Not what I said!”

Fren scoffs, offended. “As if my clothes aren’t symbolic! I’m not some cheap whore, I have goals, you know!”

“Outside of clothes?” Scary chuckles. “Please.”

“Oh, you'd be surprised. I mean- I did charity work in the Himalayas!” Fren shrieks. “I am a person of substance and interest!”

Max pokes his head out of the trailer, holding a few plastic bags. “Can you keep it down out here? I’m trying to focus,”

“On what? Role-playing?" Scary rolls her eyes. “Please. We all know you’re the thief, anyway.”

“In your dreams,”

“You are most certainly not a part of my dreams,” she scoffs. “Unless you’re dead or in prison.”

Max rolls his eyes and goes back inside the cabin, Scruffy following as he and Fren disperse. Scary rolls her eyes.

---

SCARY: “What do I think? It was O. Obviously. He’s been avoiding us all day- not exactly a great secret-keeper. But I want to drag this out as long as possible, to teach a certain green-haired traitor a lesson,”

---

"So, we can all agree that it's O, right?" Scary asks, flicking a dust bunny off their lab coat.

Peter and Fren look between each other as they huddle around the table in the craft services tent.

"Why?" Peter finally asks.

"Duh. He's an observant therapy-freak so he knows all our weaknesses, he's been missing all day, and nothing of his was taken," Scary sighs. "While Max has been busy getting that stick out of his ass, I went through O's things, and nothing was out of place! I catalogue everyone's belongings at the beginning of every week, so I would know."

"You what?"

"Irrelevant. He's so obviously the culprit,"

---

SCARY: "I know nothing about detective work, or human drama, but... I feel like I'm aceing this,"

---

Scruffy rocks back and forth on the floor in the trailer, mumbling to themselves as Max digs through suitcases and looks under beds. After the trainee starts biting themselves, Max sighs and turns. “Can I help you?”

“No, no, I’m fine! I’m fine! Totally staying in the competition, I totally know what’s going on all the time! I am super chill!”

“Jesus Christ,” Max mutters under his breath.

---

MAX: “So this is pure, unbridled insanity. I can cross Scruffy off the list, unless they're secretly an A-list actor. No... but that is an interesting thought, isn't it? Someone who acts overwhelming as a cover...”

---

He peers out of the doorway and watches as Fren paces around the grass, throwing his hands up and kicking his legs out and groaning.

---

"It's gotta be five o'clock by now," Scary murmurs, pacing around the craft services tent. "Where is he? Where could he hide?"

No one responds. Peter is busy twirling his thumbs, Fren is picking at the scratchy, unflattering sweater he was given, and Scruffy- recently relocated from the trailer- is scribbling nonsense in the dirt.

"Pete, go check the bathrooms," Scary instructs, pointing outside into the dark, pouring rain.

He winces, but doesn't push back, standing and disappearing into the dark.

Scary puts her hands on her hips and huffs, looking around. "Where's the pipsqueak?"

---

The emerald green equipment tent provides adequate cover from the rain- although the wind blows in a few drops as Max opens one of the flaps and sneaks inside.

He surveys the area for interns, and once the coast is clear, he sets up a PC and enters a few passwords before cracking into the system with “chrisisawesome1”. He pulls up a search engine and takes a deep breath.

---

Peter, holding O's hand, coaxes him back into the craft services tent with the promise that no harm will come to him.

"It'll be fine, there are witnesses!"

"That's not helpful!" O whisper-shouts back.

Sure enough, as soon as he's inside, Scary pounces on him and drags him to the table, handcuffing him to the leg while he shrieks and struggles.

"Can it, limp noodle!" he snaps. "We know you did it- and as soon as the shrimp is back, we're voting you out. Bye-bye!"

"Hey, hey, we haven't reached a consensus yet," Peter says, trying to mediate.

"Can it!"

Scruffy holds up a finger. "No- he's right- we need evidence! We need-"

"You're next, jellybean," Scary narrows her eyes. "In fact, you're my next choice- trying to make everyone's lives harder so you get an easy ride to the finale, huh?"

"I don't even want to go to the finale, I just want to know how this game works!"

Scary drops O and storms over to the corner Scruffy is in. "Here's how this works: you don't abandon your lab partner for a stupid rigged game show just because it hurts your frail little ego! Not everything is about Total Drama!"

"You're wrong!" Scruffy sobs, holding their head in their hands. "Total Drama is life!"

"Oh my God- How am I not the craziest person on this island!"

Fren scratches his arm. "You'll all have your time,"

"What was that?"

"Nothing,"

The tent flap suddenly flies open and Chris walks in, carried in a throne with a roof by four struggling interns. They set his chair down at the end of the table and scamper away.

"Good evening, campers. Have we reached a verdict?”

Everyone falls silent. Scruffy hangs their head. O says a prayer. Finally, Scary speaks: "I think we have,"

The players look between each other.

“Only one of us had nothing stolen- only one of us could be stupidly pressured into taking $600 over a million- only one of us was gone almost all day,” Scary claps her hands for emphasis. “O is the thief!”

O protests. “No! I don’t know why nothing was stolen from me! I’m innocent!”

“Lies!”

The campers break out into argument- as they do, the tent flap opens again and Max walks in, grinning. Scary pauses from yelling at Scruffy to scoff. “What’re you so smug about?”

“You’re wrong,”

“Excuse me, shortstack?”

“You’re wrong. And a shoddy detective,” he stands, pacing the room. “I’ll admit, even I was fooled for a while- O has the motive, the know-how, and a shoddy alibi- he’s a smart guy. But not as smart as a certain someone in this room.”

“No need to pat your own back,” Scary rolls her eyes.

“I wasn’t talking about me,” Max says, pulling a stack of papers from his blazer and slamming them down on the table. The players, and Chris, crowd around them.

The top of the stack is a picture of a familiar face, standing on a stage- the headline reading “Teen Theatre Prodigy Awarded in London”.

“From the start, I was suspicious. We all knew he was lying in one way or another, but... what if he wasn't?" Max says, pacing. "What if Fren really has done all those things... as characters?"

The table goes silent, looking between each other. The silence holds until it’s pierced by a delightful, almost cheerful laugh. Fren chuckles, wiping a tear from his eye.

“Oh, God, it took you all so long!”

“What?” Scary demands, staring at him. “What are you talking about?!”

He sighs and leans forward, balancing his head in his palms. “It was almost too easy! A movie-based season? For an auteur? An artiste? A free exercise in my skills, with a monetary prize?” he grins. “The “Frendom”? My fans from back home. I have a lot, after all. All my elaborate stories, my impeccable personality? ‘Fren’ was a fascinating character to play, almost corny in how over-exaggerated he is. Alas, that kind of swagger is brushed off in this show.”

Max smiles triumphantly as Fren pulls off his baggy sweater, revealing a black shirt underneath with everyone's items strapped to his torso.

“At some point, I just began seeing how far I could push this before someone started suspecting something,” he chuckles, tossing everyone their things. “I salute you, Maxwell.”

“It’s just Max, actually,”

“Whatever,” Fren says. “Congratulations on out-smarting Miss Poser.” he jabs his thumb in Scary’s direction. She growls. “Oh, don’t be like that. You’ll get your due. Most of you will.”

“Well,” Chris grins. “I think it’s safe to say that Max has won immunity today- the rest of you, I’ll see later!”

Chris walks off and Scary growls, storming after him. Fren grins.

---

FREN: "Was it manipulative? Yes. Was it deceptive, scheming, conniving? Absolutely. But I served, and if anything- I wasn't boring. After my character- the beta Fren from Island- failed right off the bat, I realized I was going to have to add some extra spice to my performance. And oh, did it flourish from there! I could've made such an excellent antagonist, if I hadn't gone for the "insecurities revealed" plot... alas, there's always the next season,"

---

Fren leans against the boy's trailer, Peter next to him. The rain has finally cleared up and the late afternoon sun is beaming down on the set. “So it was all a character?” the shorter brunet asks.

“More or less- I like to give all my characters a little sprinkle of myself. Fren is me, I am Fren, but we’re different. Understand?”

Peter rubs his head. “I think. Are we still friends?”

“Mmm… no. But we can be,” Fren holds out his hand for a shake. “My legal name is Alistair.”

“Peter!” he eagerly accepts the gesture.

A loud scream emanates from the communal bathrooms and Scary runs out in a towel, clutching their head- their perfect blonde hair changed to a deep, midnight black.

Peter and Fren watch him run to the trailers to attack Max with a large stick.

“Was that you?” Peter asks.

Fren shrugs. “Hey, the hair dye in the confessionals is free. Now she can be a proper emo, and maybe get some acting lessons- her character last season was so dull!”

---

“Well, players… much to talk about today,” Chris chuckles. “Fren pulled a Scary on us and revealed Fren-ception… mostly thanks to Max’s expert detective skills. Or should I say Raleigh’s?” Max turns red and glares. “Nonetheless, it won him immunity, and put the rest of the cast on the chopping block.”

“Our first Gilded Chris goes to… Scruffy,”

“Peter,”

“Scary,”

“O- you unintentionally mislead everyone by acting weird… by trying not to act weird. And you cost Scary the immunity- great work, dude! And Fren- though your acting skills and secret villainy are admired, you also mislead… everyone!” Chris grins. “And the last Gilded Chris… goes to…”

“…O. Sorry, Fren. Maybe next time!”

Fren grins and stands, waving goodbye to the cast as he walks the red carpet. “Don’t worry about me, friends! I’ll be on a real red carpet soon!”

The cast watches him disappear into the Lame-o-Sine and drive off.

“Riveting! Is anyone who they say they are? Will Scary stay emo? Find out next time, on Total! Takes! Action!”

#tta #total takes action

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arcadebroke · 16 days ago

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jackvmakes

#jackv_makes #JackvMakes #Game Boy Pocket #modded #design #handheld #retro gaming #video games #nintendo

82 notes · View notes

gamersonthego · 1 year ago

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GOTG Review: Pokemon Emerald Rogue

This is the next game in my Backlog Roulette series, where each month I spin a wheel to randomly select a game on my massive backlog that I must play (though not necessarily to completion). These wheel spins occur on the monthly preview episodes I co-host with my friends on The Casual Hour podcast.

Pokemon is a series that is near and dear to me, but since X & Y, it feels like the direction Game Freak has gradually taken the franchise in a direction that diverges from what I want out these games. The move to 3D was inevitable, but it has also made the games clunkier and less vibrant as a result. And while the transition to more open-world gameplay elements has been intriguing, it’s added an aimless quality to exploring the environments that often leaves me cold.

I know, Pokemon Scarlet. I know...

If you like the new style of Pokemon games, that’s great. I’ve played both Sword and Scarlet and found them to be generally decent times. But I rarely think about them outside of their initial playthroughs, and for the first time in my life, I decided to skip the new mainline content with the release of Scarlet & Violet’s DLC.

Look, you can't say I didn't give the new games a shot.

Instead, I’ve found myself thinking more and more about the Pokemon romhacking community. Pokemon romhacks primarily take place in the third generation of Pokemon games, those found on the Game Boy Advance (there are also quite a few hacks from the Game Boy’s Gens 1 and 2, and a handful from the DS era of Gens 4 and 5, but the GBA games appear to be the sweet spot for hackers). These romhacks experiment in all sorts of ways, from difficulty mods like the “Kaizo” games, to games with brand new stories, regions and Pokemon like Pokemon Vega. There are games that attempt to recreate the Pokemon anime or manga, and others that flip the concept of Pokemon on its head, like in one hack where you play as a member of Team Rocket and steal other people’s Pokemon. Many of these hacks incorporate more contemporary ideas from Game Freak’s work — Mega Evolution, new forms and types, Z-moves, etc. — but keep them within the general framework and design space of the Gen 3 games, which gives them all a strong foundation upon which to build (also, using the GBA games as a base means these romhacks play perfectly on my Analogue Pocket.)

Pokemon Emerald Rogue is probably the most extreme and interesting romhack I’ve played yet, totally upending the formula of Pokemon by converting the game into a roguelike similar to titles like Hades or Rogue Legacy.

Emerald Rogue (I played Pokemon Emerald Rogue EX v1.3 in case any of what I’m about to say changes in future updates) spits you out in an empty hub area save for three buildings — a config house where you can change some settings, a lab where you can choose your first Pokemon and a building to the north where you can start a run.

The three Pokemon you have to choose from are random. My choices were Omanyte, Squirtle and Clampearl. Knowing survivability and flexibility were probably the most important things for a roguelike, Omanayte and its dual typing of rock and water seemed to be the right choice. Then I went on my first run.

A run in Emerald Rogue starts you in a weird-looking overworld. This is essentially a decision tree on where to go next, like in FTL or Slay the Spire. The choices in front of you have names like “average gloomy route” or “mighty wet route.” These names correspond to the challenge of that route and the general preponderance of Pokemon types that you’ll find there — a mighty sharp route for instance will have more trainer battles and feature more steel-type monsters.

Once you choose a route, you’re put into a modified version of a route you’d see in a traditional Pokemon game. There are grass patches, items strewn about and trainers looking for battles. You start with five pokeballs and the catch rates appear to be much higher than usual, making adding new team members relatively painless. Like in a typical Pokemon game, catching a Pokemon adds it to your party, but if you catch more Pokemon than your team of six can hold, you must immediately release one — there’s no PC box with which to hold extra creatures in runs.

You’ll also notice that when you defeat wild Pokemon, you gain levels FAST, and the exp all item makes sure your whole team is leveling speedily as well. There’s very little grinding in Emerald Rogue. Instead, the game introduces level caps for each area, asking you to make quick decisions about your team’s movesets as they learn new abilities rapidly, then challenging you with trainer battles you can’t just overcome by outleveling them. And if in one of those battles, you happen to lose a Pokemon, it doesn’t just faint, it’s automatically removed from your team at the end of battle, losing any items and investment you put into that Pokemon, but leaving you with a slot open to add another ‘mon as you continue.

Once you complete a route by getting to the end, you advance on the overworld tree and pick another route. There are also various other stops along the way, such as healing stations, shops for pokeballs, TMs and battle items, a lab where you can find your previously defeated Pokemon (though picking them back up often leaves you with a burden, like having to pay 10% more on items at shops during that run), tough trainer battles where you can win special items and take one of their Pokemon if you win or dens where a rare Pokemon is available to be captured (either legendaries or Pokemon with hidden abilities, like a Heracross with Moxie — a passive ability that raises its attack after every Pokemon it defeats in a battle).

At the end of an overworld tree is a gym battle, where you can quickly raise all your Pokemon to the level cap if you haven’t done so already, or heal up (free at first, but gets expensive quickly,) before facing off against a random Pokemon Emerald gym leader. These gym leaders keep their type affinities — Wattson still uses electric types, fire for Flannery, etc. — but their teams have been enhanced with competitive movesets and overhauled AI. These are tough battles, and while they’re not Kaizo-level difficult, they are meant to trip you up. Also, the battles are on “set” mode, so you don’t get the advantage of a free switch anytime you defeat an opposing Pokemon, furthering the strategic bend of these battles.

Beating a gym leader permanently nets you an HM, which work a little differently here: You don’t have to teach these moves to a Pokemon to use them outside of battle (and even if you do, they can be deleted freely in favor of other moves, unlike traditional Pokemon games,) and they’re mostly used to access shortcuts or alternate paths in the routes. Then the Pokemon that survived the battle will get fully healed and you’ll be put on a new overworld tree to do it all again. Beating the game requires you to defeat all eight gym leaders, all four Elite Four members and two champions, meaning 14 loops total in a single run, and the difficulty ramps up with each loop.

If and when your team gets wiped out, you’ll be taken back to the hub area, and you’ll lose all the items, money and Pokemon you had on your run (save for the HMs you were able to unlock as well as your starter, though it’ll be back to its original level 5 state without any of the moves you taught it). Then you’re given money and items proportional to how far you got in your run. This is where the roguelike becomes less like a Spelunky and more like a Hades — anything you do with this money and these items in the hub is permanent. Shops that open in the hub will sell you TMs, so I could buy Ice Beam and equip it to Omanyte for use in all future runs (protip: don’t teach your TMs in the hub world. Instead, hold them until you start a run, and then teach it, so you have the option to teach it to something else later). They can also sell pokeballs, potions and battle items so you’re better stocked for any and all future runs.

There’s also a Safari Zone that eventually opens up, allowing you (for a price) to go in and permanently catch Pokemon that you’ve caught on your runs before (though legendaries won’t be added to that pool until you progress much further into a run). While you can only take one Pokemon with you into any one run, you do get a PC in the hub area, so you can keep all the Safari Zone Pokemon you catch and swap them out as you please (for my second run, I benched Omanyte and brought in Houndour instead).

That is essentially what Emerald Rogue is all about. Now, you may have been thinking of a question during all of this, a question I asked myself many times as I played Emerald Rogue — isn’t this just basically a Nuzlocke, where you play a game of Pokemon that incorporates permadeath and other self-imposed rules? In many ways, yeah, that’s exactly what it is, a Nuzlocke where instead of imposing the rules on yourself, the game automatically accounts for and streamlines those rules for you.

But I think there’s something more at play here. Nuzlocking a traditional Pokemon game is often about mastery of that specific title. When playing FireRed, you know you have to come up with a counter to Brock or Misty or the trainer with two Geodude and a Graveler who likes to spam Self Destruct in Rock Tunnel. You know that if you can just get past this next part, you'll get the TM for Psychic. And you know exactly where you can find a Magikarp to evolve into a Gyarados. In Emerald Rogue, you don’t know what the next trainer or gym leader will bring, so the mastery required is of the pure battle mechanics themselves. The items and TMs and Pokemon you have access to are random (or curated by you in the hub), forcing you to make do with what you have or what you can scrounge up. It’s a game about anticipation and reaction, not one of planning and strategy. That’s why I think while they play in similar spaces, each of these ways of playing Pokemon is valid and interesting in their own ways. Emerald Rogue has innovated on the design of Pokemon is a way Game Freak would almost assuredly never do. It goes against the philosophy of contemporary Pokemon games (hell, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company barely acknowledge the existence of Nuzlockes in the first place, and recent games have made design decisions that make that style of play almost impossible.) If you have become disillusioned by modern Pokemon games, if you’re looking for an interesting challenge that isn’t Kaizo-level impossible or if you want to remember just how damn good Pokemon can be, Emerald Rogue is a triumph of the form and well worth your time. Now excuse me, I just caught a Galarian Zapdos in the Safari Zone and I can't wait to try it out on my next run.

#game review #backlog roulette #game boy advance #pokemon #pokemon emerald rogue

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gibberishfangirl · 5 months ago

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WIND BREAKER | when they have a gamer girlfriend

Synopsis ✰ head cannons of how the boys react/feel after learning your love for video games (+ what game you play/are addicted to)

Characters ✰ Haruka Sakura, Hajime Umemiya, Hayato Suo, Akihiko Nirei, Jo Togame, Choji Tomiyama

Contains ✰ sfw! just cute content, the boys being cute boyfriends who support their girlfriends interests

Haruka Sakura ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ MINECRAFT LOVER, you can’t help it you love minecraft you can’t trust anyone who doesn’t it’s insane!

❤︎ your love for minecraft got so bad you literally paid around 1k for a pc set just to play minecraft

❤︎ of course you have all the cutest mods downloaded in your system you just can’t have it any other way

❤︎ sakura doesn’t understand the concept of minecraft so you forced him to spend an all nighter at your place in order to show him the wonders and joys of Minecraft

❤︎ you even let sakura build his own world on your pc

❤︎ he adapted a very emotional relationship with his virtual pet wolf — it died within that same hour after he accidentally pushed it off a cliff (yes he mourns over it forever)

❤︎ his obsession for minecraft grew and even goes to your house just to play minecraft sometimes (not that you mind, you LOVE watching him play and think it’s adorable how much he tries in his world)

❤︎ he downloaded minecraft on his phone and the two of you play on there in your shared world with your cats and dogs

❤︎ yes you two have matching skins, he claims they’re lame but he loves it

Hajime Umemiya ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ sadly you have fallen victim to being an overwatch addict

❤︎ you hate the game but you’re so addicted to it and have simply committed too much time to quit

❤︎ you love team based games and always fall into the curse of being a support main

❤︎ the rage gets so bad sometimes Umemiya is always there to comfort you after you get dragged through the mud by other players

❤︎ Umemiya finds it cute how you play team based games considering he’s a leader

❤︎ loves to watch you play, finds it fascinating to be honest

❤︎ he loves to hear you ramble about the game, the hero’s, the buffs, the nerfs, has no idea what you’re talking about but listens regardless

❤︎ he eventually also falls victim to the overwatch addict syndrome

❤︎ you pocket him in games and get accused of edating

❤︎ he’s a dps/genji main (i said what i said)

❤︎ yes you two get especially flamed whenever playing the mercy/genji duo (LMAOO goodluck)

Hayato Suo ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ you’re an animal crossing lover

❤︎ you work hard in your world trying to make everything cute, literally spend hours perfecting the cuteness

❤︎ YOU GET SO LUCKY ?! actually have the cutest villagers as well

❤︎ you carry your switch EVERYWHERE, you never leave the house without it

❤︎ you even own the pink nintendo switch lite that you use for your travel/daily use

❤︎ suo finds your habits adorable and loves to watch you fiddle away on your switch when you two are killing time

❤︎ you obviously had to give him a tour of the village and show him all your hard work

❤︎ he loves to hear you rank your villagers from least to most favorite

❤︎ even watches some videos on his own time to understand the game more and surprise you with his own knowledge

❤︎ lets you sit on his lap while you play and he watches

❤︎ goes around abusing your villagers with the butterfly net when you let him play

❤︎ whenever he comes over you both catch butterflies and animals in the game trying to see who can find the best one

Akihiko Nirei ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ your a sims player, it can’t be helped

❤︎ when you and nirei started dating you even created a world with the two of you and planned out a sims wedding

❤︎ he wasn’t creeped out at all he actually found it to be very sweet and charming

❤︎ he has no idea what the sims is originally so you HAD to introduce him

❤︎ once he understands the concept he is HOOKED seriously sign him tf up

❤︎ you let him create worlds on your account

❤︎ you helped him create a world that has both of you AND his all his friends

❤︎ you both spend hours torturing the boys virtually on the sims

❤︎ spend all your time laughing and giggling at the game

❤︎ he goes down the deep rabbit hole of all the crazy and unhinged sims challenges that were popular on youtube years ago (if you know you know, the 100 babies challenge, etc.)

❤︎ kept this a secret but he also created a sims world on his own with the two of you where your sims got married, had kids, and lived happily ever after

❤︎ is manifesting that same future for the two of you in reality

Jo Togame ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ you’re the biggest fortnite FIEND to exist, a massive sweat and a pro builder

❤︎ you challenge everyone and anyone to a 1v1 just to show off your building skills

❤︎ he was instantly intrigued once he saw how good you were at the game

❤︎ not to mention you literally own every single skin in existence; the cute ones, ugly ones, freaky looking ones, questionable ones, anime ones, ALL OF THEM

❤︎ he purchased a console just to play with you and i kid you not you play with him almost every single day. it’s apart of the daily routine

❤︎ you LOVE to 1v1 him and make him rage just because you’re that much better

❤︎ you get extremely sweaty once he actually starts getting good

❤︎ yes you two have matching skins AND MATCHING GAMER TAGS

❤︎ you had to change your gamer tag just to please your boyfriend

❤︎ his gamer tag: ifistfight , your gamer tag: fight

❤︎ yes you two shit on the entire lobby in duos, sometimes you two dabble in online trolling

❤︎ your matching skins are the shark skins cozy chomps (if you know you know, THEYRE SO CUTE)

❤︎ you always have vbucks on deck

❤︎ you also own every emote to exist

Choji Tomiyama ᡣ𐭩

❤︎ you’re the raging toxic cod player

❤︎ specifically a civilized one who isn’t a complete piece of shit

❤︎ you rage so easily in the game

❤︎ ofc you have a pink load out you wouldn’t have it any other way

❤︎ you straight up purchased the nicki minaj skin not because you like her but because hello?? it’s a pink skin WITH A PINK GUN THAT SHOOTS GLITTER ?? consider yourself sold

❤︎ first saw you play when he went over to your house unexpectedly while you were in the middle of gaming

❤︎ he’s super impressed by how good your aim is

❤︎ he usually sits on the ledge of your bed while being captivated by your movement in the game and your skills

❤︎ ofc you’re a sniper and he finds that even more impressive to see you clip bitches in less than a second

❤︎ sometimes he’ll sit on your gaming chair and you’ll sit on his lap while you play

❤︎ he likes to watch your hands fiddle with the controller while you game

❤︎ he’s tried it out himself but much rather prefers watching you play than playing himself

❤︎ if anyone else ever mentions that they play cod he hypes you up and instantly starts bragging about how his girlfriend could smoke them in a 1v1

a/n <3 : this was so much fun to write. might make a part 2 with different games ? not sure yet lmk if yall want that

#wind breaker #sakura haruka #sakura haruka x reader #hajime umemiya #hajime umemiya x reader #hayato suo #suo hayato x reader #nirei akihiko #nirei akihiko x reader #jo togame #jo togame x reader #choji tomiyama #choji tomiyama x reader #wind breaker x reader

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canislucrum · 1 year ago

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hellu hellu gloss here ( s/h, 21+ ) n happy opening day 2 us all!!! can't wait 2 get plottin n interactin w all ur cool muses ♡ im gna be writing for mr venture capitalist, wolf of ansan street, jin hansol!! he's lived in astra nearly all his life and only recently got his ass booted 2 ansan bc his rich n influential daddi-o pulled some strings to get his ass kicked out so ... awkward ... but yes!! you can find more nonsense info on hansol under the cut, but as alw, pls hit that LIKE button n ill come runnin into ur dms!!! also if u have d*scord pls pls lmk bc i cannot for the life of me keep up w tumblr ims orz edit 10/07: so i've decided hansol is gna take on a fake identity as some not-from-ansan dude named kim wonshik bc the anti-astra sentiment in nightrunners ( aka the place he's tryna infiltrate n gentrify ) is p strong and his family is too much of a household name rn!! he's gna be known as jin hansol in business and clinical settings but other times he's gna be known as wonshik but yep!! so muses from ansan prob only ever know of him as wonshik unless we plot otherwise <3

if ur an astrology h0 like me then ♡ he's a leo sun / scorpio moon / aries rising which explains a lot of his fuckassery behaviours 👅

lil backstory: his family owns cynet cybernetics, a v longstanding company and one of the major providers of androids ( aka ai robots / humanoids that run around doin ur house chores 4 u... yep... )!! they were one of the first in astra 50y ago which means hansol was born in astra!! he's Never been to ansan and honestly kinda looks down on it ( pun not intended ) so we know where this is goin 🥶

anw he's born middle child between big bro n lil sis n was unsurprisingly neglected : )) he was alm exclusively raised by cynet androids yikers so altho his physical needs were tended 2 as a kid ( 2 the point of overindulgence honestly ), his emotional needs is that year 1 science textbook sittin in the deep corner beggin 2 b read

a lot of his experience shaped who he was as a teen!! he was a bit of a black sheep n would alw get into tons of trouble like tw underage drinking and drug use n it was all rlly j his own way of trying to get his father's attention!! it seemed like those were the only times his dad ever acknowledged his existence even tho it was usually j 2 express his disappointment

meanwhile his obnoxiously overachieving older bro is taken under daddi-o's wing when he comes of age, even starts 2 intern @ cynet n this pushes hansol to clean up his act!! ofc given his track record his dad is Not goin 2 award him the same internship @ cynet so he ends up trying to prove himself in other ways aka scoring deals, funding startups w his sizeable pocket money, buying out said startups when it shows promise!! he's also a bit of a gambler n even got the rights to revel mayb ab 1y ago in a moderately high-stakes poker games so uh... revel peeps say hi 2 ur absentee owner ♡ also has a ton of body mods to help him cheat in these poker games aka cyberaudio 2 b able to pick up change in tone aka if the person is lying n cyberoptics which helps him read hidden cards!! i'll update his body mods page someday rip

ofc despite all his efforts, none of these r big enough to impress his dad so he goes higher!!! word spreads ab his 'talent' @ the game n this leads to his invitation to play a v v high-stakes poker game w the big boys aka dad's competitors friends!! it's to the point that they don't dabble in cash anymore so this is rlly The Game that would get him his father's attn if he won so he rlly goes all in!! all of the jin family members get a small share of cynet to ensure that the company stays in the family and ultimately overpowers non-relative shareholders in big decisions, n bc hansol is positive he's gna win ( bc he's cheating lol ) he bets his share of cynet eek

ends up LOSING bc it turns out they were cheating too but !! he only knows they're cheating bc he's cheating so can u imagine how that argument is goin 2 go down : )) so yeah cynet is so super impt 2 his family n his dad was absolutely livid to find out that hansol gambled his share away n chalked it up 2 his 'delinquent activities' being so bad 2 the point where it's not only detrimental 2 himself but 2 his family!!! anw 2 regain that cynet share that hansol lost, his dad reports him to the authorities for cheating ( dad obv found out ab his mods bc whose credit card do u think he's usin to install em ) n pulls some strings to get him kicked tf out of astra

so yeah now he's here!! it's been 3 months since n he's still trying to prove himself, this time 2 prove 2 his dad that he's a better businessman than his dad will ever be n the first step is 2 get himself back on astra!! of interest one of his current ventures is to gentrify the betting ring @ the nightrunners races n j make it more organised / official but understandably the nightrunners want their own representative runnin these bets so yeah this means hansol is tryna officially become a nightrunner

personality wise i'd say he's v cunning, likes to think he's more like his dad than his brother is bc he can be p cutthroat and he knows a good deal when he sees one ( n honestly it's true it's prob why his dad loathes him extra ) n he takes a lot of pride in it!! ( yeah he's got a capital D for daddy issues )

also has a bit of a one-track mind so it's like if it's related 2 wtv business venture he's focused on then he'll care 2 the point of obsession n micromanaging but if it's not a priority then he will literally pretend it doesn't exist!! what this means espc socially is if ur someone who's eg a nightrunner he'll be v present 2 u but if ur eg working @ revel he literally could not give less of a shit u prob won't even recognise him that's how absent he is

he can be really charming when he wants to be but honestly it's j part of the game, v wolf of wall street villain coded, has a predatory instinct @ pursuing wealth n will stop at nothing rlly

this is also bad but in line w bein raised by androids n just not respecting ansan at all it can sometimes feel like he's treating ansan as sorta his playground n by extension he doesn't rlly treat a lot of ppl from ansan like real humans n this may sometimes be sorta alluded to in j how he talks or the things he does......... but yeah this sorta goes back 2 his stuff w the nightrunners, like j not respecting their races n stuff n j seeing it as a business opportunity but idk!! mayb w more time in ansan he'll have a good character arc n learn 2 care for things

err as alw i've rambled on waaay too much so if uve made it this far i wanna personally thank u ♡ also below r some plots 2 get us started w the brainstormin!!

since he's p hyperfocused on the nightrunners rn i feel like @ nightrunners there'd b plenty of opportunities 4 positive n negative interactions!! mayb he's tricked u w his charm n u think he genuinely loves racing n shit teehee or ur sus ab his motivations n ur sleepin w one eye open when he's around idk!! i'd also love a nightrunner who's a friend of his ( who he probably approached when he heard ab the existence of these races ) who queued him in that nightrunners only want their own people runnin these bets, which gives him the bright idea 2 become a nightrunner!!

did i mention he loves a good gamble <333 anyone who's a gambling fiend urself pls step right up!!! he also prob places bets on fighters @ the underground so if ur muse is a fighter mayb he places a bet on u!! or against u!! hansol is also not above cheatin so imagine he approaches u n tells u to lose on purpose or smth n he'll give u money in return....

alternatively anyone working @ revel say hello 2 ur boss 😩 i imagine the prev boss was a little more hands on bc they actually cared a lil more for revel and since the ownership's passed to him it's rlly j been goin downhill... also fun thread where he dines @ revel for the first time n mayb he doesn't pay n they confront him n he's like i own this place n they're like o so ur also delusional

he honestly gets a cybermod for literally anyth ( could also b purely for aesthetic purposes honestly ) so anyone workin @ the circle installation centre and apollo medical see u for the monday am appt

he's currently staying at la mariposa ( yeah he was cut off from his fam but this is j proof of privilege 🤡 aka bein his father's son has helped him start off w a large capital to get his hands into a lot of diff businesses which are all now paying off n funding his time @ ansan )

i can also imagine hansol may not be So forthcoming ab him being from astra espc when he finds out ab some of the anti-astra sentiment so idk it would b cool if he kinda lied ab his identity to u n u bought into it n he's literally not at all the person u became friends w ( or even started dating 👀 )

alternatively if ur a diehard fan of astra he will use his birthright as an advantage : )) or if uve been to / are from astra mayb!!! yall could've known each other somehow!!

someone he's pissed off or wronged n mayb now it's comin back 2 bite him in the ass!!!

catch him at orbital sometimes bc old habits die hard

even someone workin at or used to work at cynet?? like the ansan branch or smth!! i feel like ur muse would know him bc he's part of the jin family n ngl once he finds out he's immediately gna start treatin ur muse as like an assistant or smth......... .. .. .... .... orrr mayb he will ask u for info on how daddi-o's doin idk lots of room 4 brainstormin!!

a bunch of his body mods r to make him a good poker player which is rlly handy in business bc he can usually tell when someone's lying!! maybe ur muse is tryna lie to him ab smth n hes like 🧐

#⸻ ⨳ 𝘖𝘍𝘍𝘌𝘙 𝘔𝘌 𝘔𝘠 𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘏𝘓𝘌𝘚𝘚 𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘏 / out of character.#rmnt:intro

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