John Wove His Way Through The Crowd At Pixie's, Smiling To Some Familiar Faces Until He Found The One

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

Unfortunately she was charming. Her little smile and blush. He knew he couldn't get too close, but having a beat on what the law knew was good. This could be a benefit in the long run, really. Especially for redirection.

"You made it look easy, though-- I know I'd be dragging myself across the floor if you stuck me in something like that," he replied.

He studied her quickly in return, a bit of a grin on his face. "I know what you mean, this town is certainly unlike any I've been to before," said John. "And I have to admit, as much as I enjoyed knowing that version of you, I think I'd prefer getting to know more about this you."

@officer-judy-moon

Hey Stranger || Fox Hop

She did about what he'd expected and told him she was busy anyway. He just sat and waited, staring at her, being an annoying presence. She was stubborn, but so was he.

"Well," he started, leaning forward when she finally looked up, like she hadn't sounded like the most annoyed person in the world, like she was actually invested in this conversation, "I've been thinking, you know, things are getting a little... heated around town. They've been that way for a while now, if you know what I mean." He paused, waiting for any kind of reaction.

"And because of all that," he continued regardless of her reaction, "I was thinking what better way to take the heat off than by doing something cool." once again, an expectant pause. "And what's cooler than doing something publicly helpful for your community?" A lot of things, actually, and he knew that.

"It can honestly be anything, I won't be picky about that, just something to, you know--just in case anything were to happen--make it so when people hear your name they think 'oh, Angel? we love Angel, she would never be involved in any fiery, murdery crimes.'"

@angel-milano

Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel

"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

JONATHAN BAILEY

Who What Wear (2024)

"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

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

Hey Stranger || Fox Hop

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. 

Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel