Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel

"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

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

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

"Haven't been there in a while," John returned the grin. Karen was always a good time to hang out with. Maybe it was their way of buttering people up to like them more, but hey, if it was, John wouldn't say no to the benefits of that.

John took the phone, squinting slightly to read the words. Big article, big names. A Magick activist attacked, and the anti-magick public figure that was blamed for it all.

"I have now," he replied, skimming through the article. He processed. So they were doing this now--attacking activists? Isn't that friendly fire? John wasn't going to question it, he was smarter than that. And that was his job, right? They all got to be as messy as they wanted and he got to do his best to smooth out the wrinkles? Well, this was certainly going to be an interesting one.

"So what're you looking for from me--are we looking to boost support for the activist, maybe send some anonymous gift baskets or donation to their next fundraiser, or are we out to smear this fucker for this and even more shit?" He handed Karen their phone back.

"That was a bold move, I will say. Could've backfired on us big time--I'd say it still could, but I'm good at my fuckin' job. So I'm just glad it went off without a hitch." He looked at them again. "It did go off without a hitch, right? Please tell me no one tagged the scene again."

From the articles it looked like it did go smoothly, but who knew what people were keeping under wraps. However, usually people jumped to throw MAFIA's name into the ring if there was a reason to. Right now, it was all on Michael Anaclet, which was good for them. Until Michael started talking and throwing out his own thoughts and theories...

"No wonder you invited me for a drink in Queens," he said with a playful grin and a glare as he took out his own phone, ready to start writing down notes and ideas to make sure this mole hill didn't become a mountain.

@into-the-voyd

The PR Game || Voydfellow

"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

"He should," John agreed. What he should say, John wasn't going to get into that. Especially only knowing this girl's side of the story. "And he probably will. That's what a good relationship is built on, right? Good communication?" Or not. Or maybe this was a rocky one. He didn't know.

"I think it'll go better than a letter that says 'Sorry you're so annoying'," he grinned. "There's no telling what she'll say or do, really. Hopefully she takes time to process and consider your words. She might not get over it right away, and she might not even tell your boyfriend. But looking like the bigger person is gonna benefit you more in the long run. Because if you keep trying to be the bigger person and all she does is continue to be shady and annoying, who's going to look worse to your boyfriend, right?"

@pepper-doyle

How To Apologize | Open

"Yeah, words can be difficult," he nodded along, already coming up with a few ways she could start her letter.

His eyebrows rose and he did his best to stifle his excitement. Oh, this was a good story, this was a fun time. "What a bitch, that's crazy!" John said like they'd been friends for years. He didn't even know her name yet. "Of course he did, what is it with guys doing that?" he shook his head.

"You're apologizing to her, yes? Because don't apologize to him--he needs to apologize to you," he said.

"For her, I would definitely start with something like, 'I need to address my actions the other day.' Don't start it with sorry because she won't listen to anything you have to say after that. Go over what you did, like, 'as you know, I got carried away and let my emotions get the better of me', because that sounds nicer than saying 'you pissed me off.' Follow it up with something like, 'that was immature and uncouth of me.' Then offer your 'sincerest apologies' and say that it was wrong of you to lash out and you'll do better in the future." he shrugged. "It's annoying but you're not technically admitting you were in the wrong or anything, and she gets to hear you say sorry. It's a win-win. And an extra win if your boyfriend hears about how kind and mature you were for writing an apology letter."

@pepper-doyle

How To Apologize | Open

NAME: “Honest” John Worthington HOMETOWN: Unknown OCCUPATION: Advisor YOUR WISH:  to have a higher station in life WHAT YOU GAVE UP: Childhood Memories YOUR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE: Can No Longer Lie LOYALIST/REBEL/OTHER: Spy 

BIOGRAPHY: John doesn’t know much about growing up because he gave those memories away. What he does remember is growing up poor and alone, the people that watched him treated him poorly, and he always felt like he deserved more than the hand he was dealt.

When it was time for his wish, he wished to be above it all, to have an ear in all the meetings, to be at the right hand of the nobles. Which he got with the lovely consequence of losing his ability to lie. It was a good thing that John knew how to twist his words.

Now an advisor for a noblewoman in Rosas, John spends most of his days around the castle and the other nobility that comes through the city, which gives him all the information he could need to sell off to the highest bidder. The annoying thing is, though, that Amelia somehow never seems to listen to his advice or intel. Sure, he’s passing along faulty information but she shouldn’t know that. But being what his position is, he’s often closer to combat and trouble than he’d like. After being saved by a knight during a small and random attack, John felt indebted to her. And learning she couldn’t defend herself due to the consequences of her own wish, John decided to make a deal—she could be his guard, that way she always had a specific person inside the castle that she was defending. He’d protect her back in whatever ways he could, but John wasn’t much for fighting.

Between his deal with Judy and his position with Amelia, John finds himself in a predicament of having developed genuine care for both of them. He doesn’t tell the other how close he is with one, and he doesn’t mean to lead them on, but it’s hard to choose. So for now, he hasn’t. We’ll see how that goes for him. 

Banzai was lead? Good for him. John felt a strange amount of pride for the young man--who he met when Banzai was still a teenager--and worry. Did Banzai know his team would be attacking an activist? Did he care? Or was he in on the scheming of it all together?

It shouldn't surprise him that Banzai could have that sort of ruthless streak--they all did given the right circumstance--but especially not with Mantu as a father. Banzai worked hard to prove himself despite his name, his family. Often so requiring blood and sacrifice.

Perhaps that's why John is better suited for desk work. He thought too much about sacrificing the one for the many, focused in too heavily rather than seeing the bigger picture.

He also knew why it had been kept under wraps and that's what he would focus on the most--making sure this does not connect back to them.

"I'll check in with him," John confirmed. Then, he refocused on work, pushing aside those sort of deeper feelings for the time being. "Alright, bury him, sure. I'm sure we could scour his socials, find some old posts alluding to violence, perhaps any even directly referencing Magick Influencers. Maybe not Walter specifically, but hey maybe we'll hit the jackpot. None of it should be hard to find, but I'll do what I can to get those resurfaced and circulating again."

Monitor forums. Look for recruits. "I'll keep an eye on those as well, filter through the users' profiles, see if they're consistently active and outspoken, pass along any that seem worth following up with. Do you want me boosting their engagement as well? Bolstering them, getting a rise, seeing just how far they're willing to go? Or just monitor?" Sometimes he'd do that, raise questions and comments in responses in order to fan the flames. "All anonymously, of course."

John looked over the list he had made himself, drumming his fingertips on the table. "Is this going to become a regular thing, though? Attacking activists in order to frame bigots? I mean, I am all for those pieces of shit getting what's coming to them, but if this were to get out--if people were to know--that will only give everyone more ammo against us. So many already like to call us terrorists, do we really wish to give them more of a reason to? Because if we start attacking Magicks, where do we draw the line."

@into-the-voyd

The PR Game || Voydfellow

The only reason he was in Chapter Three was to listen. Hear chatter, listen for gossip. Belle owned it, right? Or something? He couldn't be bothered to recall. Just knew she had ties here, and she was one people were keeping an eye on. Not to mention, with her being married to the mayor, it was always a good idea to be looking for dirt on them.

Of course, he didn't see her around today, which was annoying, but he figured why waste a trip, so he just kept his ears open anyway. John leaned on a shelf, flipping through a book that he had no interest in like it was the most interesting thing in the world when he saw someone who was definitely interesting.

She looked like the bookish type, but also like she'd never been here before which led him to believe she was new in town. And those were always the most intriguing sorts of people.

"Hey," he called over to her, holding up the book in his hand so she could see the cover. "Have you read this one? Know if its any good?"

@wintersselene

Chapter Three | OPEN