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Candlewick || One-Shot

Summary: John meets Candlewick the Donkey Takes Place: Approx. 16 years ago TW/CW: abuse/Animal abuse(implied), kidnapping(implied), black market dealing/trafficking of a cursed creature that’s probably actually a human, body horror (curse), eye horror (wrong kind of eyes on something)

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Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel

John was always good at sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Whether it be for gossip or out of curiosity, he often found himself looking at people a little too long or listening in a little too close.

When he saw the stranger standing at the side of the street, though, it wasn't curiosity or a sense of a story that drew his attention. It was the state of him. A confused look, a backpack, and clothes that seemed a little less like a preferred choice and more something that was easy to get and comfortable enough to wear.

He didn't seem strange to John, he felt achingly familiar. It wasn't Swynlake for John, but some other small town in the middle of nowhere. A backpack with things given to him in the A&E and clothes they'd given him too. And a pure sense of uncertainty as he'd faced a world he'd never seen before.

"Hey, you alright, mate?" John asked, strolling up casually but gripping his cane a little tighter. "These streets can be a little confusing when you first come to town, is there anywhere specific you're trying to get?"

@stiles626

A Strange Stranger | Open

"Right, right," he conceded. If he actually wanted answers, he knew who he'd have to talk to. He really would prefer not to, though. He wouldn't want to risk getting called out or his loyalties or job position put into question.

In that life he had before, with the Marquette family, John had no problem talking back or making a point when he was upset or concerned on their ways of doing things. Because he knew the results would be the same every time--a punishment of varying degrees of severity. They didn't try to hide their cruelness under a layer of sweet, not to him. Not to their other 'pets'.

Bill was different. Because he seemed to actually care. He seemed to want what was best for those in his care. John wouldn't talk back or question him because he didn't know what the results would be. A show of his darker side, or some dulcet disappointment that would somehow strike deeper than a kick or a switch.

He wouldn't question Bill, not any more than he just had to Karen. Never to his face. Because the reaction may prove what he secretly feared. That he'd gone from one gilded cage to another.

"Yeah," John nodded. "That is my job." Make it matter. Twist that one act of cruelty into something that would benefit the masses. He'd done that plenty of times before.

His mood shifted quickly, back into his more jovial and usual self. "Alright, posing questions, boosting engagement. Makin' a fucking splash, yeah? Any types of support from the community that you'd like me to focus on? Solely digital, or encourage public action as well?"

@into-the-voyd

The PR Game || Voydfellow

"Hm, alright, I'll keep that in mind. Don't usually read sad books, but a change of pace is sometimes good," he said, watching her. She had a sadness to her, one that was almost palpable. "If I'm honest, I don't do a whole bunch of reading. Maybe I should change that. Any suggestions?" hopefully not something super depressing? He was trying to steer her away from that but who knew if it would be successful.

@wintersselene

Chapter Three | OPEN

John wasn't built for the sorts of missions that put him in harms way. Not to say he hadn't gotten his hands dirty before on behalf of the group or his own personal vendettas, but he wasn't much of a fighter. He wasn't fast enough at escaping--in person form--and he just did better when his weapon of choice was words.

He'd spun a tale or two, covered many a covert crime, played his part very well. He liked doing it too. So it wasn't a surprise when Karen came around for a meeting.

"Hey, Karen," John greeted with a grin, returning the hug. "Honestly only a matter of time, right? You lot cause the loudest commotions, I'm surprised I didn't get shipped off here sooner." He joked. He spent most of his time in London, some in Amsterdam, he'd been to the America's a few times for one reason or another. Usually cities with much higher populations.

"I take it this is more than just a friendly catch-up though," he inquired, tilting his head. "So what've you got for me?"

@into-the-voyd

The PR Game || Voydfellow

Wonderful, he loved that she was willing to just talking about it.

John did his damn best to keep a straight face but that was a better story than he could've expected. It had everything, drama, relationships, violence.

"I mean, you feel justified in it? I'm just guessing since you called her annoying and say that you should probably say something to her. To be clear, you're right, you probably should, at least to look good for your boyfriend." He thought for a moment. What do you say to someone who you jumped and attacked because they were friends with your boyfriend...

"Did she fight back at all, or did she come away looking completely like a victim?" he asked taking a casual sip of tea. "Because that'll change how you should frame this apology." And he just wanted to know. "And did your boyfriend see any of this? Does he know this happened?"

@pepper-doyle

How To Apologize | Open

Hey Stranger || Fox Hop

Something John had always been good at was listening to conversations that didn't concern him. He loved some gossip, he loved some drama, and as soon as he heard the woman talking to herself trying to work something out, he was hooked and invested and needed the whole story. Because to hear 'in my defense ya're kinda annoyin'' was the best response for an apology he'd ever heard and was immediately obsessed.

And how lucky he was to get offered a seat at her table as he walked nearer. John happily sat with his tea, leaning an elbow on the table. "Thanks for the seat. Couldn't help but hear some of that rambling--sounds like you've got a lot on your mind. Sometimes it's tricky to find the right words to say to someone you don't like," he said, "but, lucky for you, it's my job to make people like other people, so maybe I could help ya out?" He glanced at her page and saw more scratches than words on it--definitely seemed like she could use some help.

"So, what happened, if you don't mind my asking?" It must've been something good if she had to write an apology letter.

@pepper-doyle

How To Apologize | Open

"No, not fully," he said with a wave of his hand. "Campaigns are more for the broader image, or when people know its you. We're just trying to be preemptive and keep the cameras pointing the other way, so to speak, so we don't have to do a full on campaign."

This was about the reaction he expected. John usually got this reaction from people. And this was Angel, and he thought she was great, but definitely a tougher nut to crack.

"That's the spirit," he nudged her arm as she let out the most disinterested groan he'd ever heard. "You wouldn't have to do much. You work somewhere, right? The Lucky Cat, right? I just want you to start by making sure you're always on time, saying please and thank you, greeting customers with your most annoying customer service smile, you know, all the basics." John pulled out his phone, scrolling through to find something he'd saved. That was a downside to Pixie's, it was so dark in here sometimes he felt like he couldn't see a thing. And he didn't want to blast his brightness, that just made things worse in a different way.

"Here, look at this--you only need to focus on the second slide," he showed her the phone. Maybe he was being a little bit of a smart-ass here, but whatever.

He switched his tone back to something a little more genuine. "Things like this matter, Angel. If there's a chance people see you as aloof or too antisocial, they can start connecting dots or making up their own stories. Not necessarily ones that'll direct them back here, but as information grows and spreads, news comes out, people figure things out. Especially in a small town. Especially when you bloody write out MAFIA in the ashes." He didn't think that touch was her specifically, but he's trying to make a point.

"Point is, love, just don't want you getting into trouble, okay?" And he did mean that. "The bad kind of trouble, that is. You can get into all the fun kind of trouble you want, so long as it's done safely and nothing escalates to fire-starting levels."

@angel-milano

Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel