Something John Had Always Been Good At Was Listening To Conversations That Didn't Concern Him. He Loved

"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 had put that magical event out of his head. Mostly. Every now and again he'd think about it. It was strange--he knew about strange magic in Swynlake but hadn't experienced it himself. It was good to be back to the town proper, though. This place already had enough magic flowing through it that sometimes the sensations could get overwhelming. He was glad to be gone from that world made of magic.

He wasn't thinking about it at all while waiting for his drink at Hatter's, until he saw a familiar face. It didn't register as familiar at first because he'd never met her here, but at a second glance he knew exactly who he was seeing. When her gaze turned to him, he gave her a small wave.

"Oh, hey," he said with a grin, sidling closer to her. "As good of a look as the armor was, you do look a lot more comfortable without it."

@officer-judy-moon

Hey Stranger || Fox Hop

"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

JONATHAN BAILEY

Who What Wear (2024)

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

"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

John jumped a little as the items were slammed down in front of him. He'd been zoned out, listening to some conversation across the lounge. Some couple gossiping about one of their exes and that ex's new girlfriend and that girlfriend's secret instagram page... usual gossip.

This new surprise had all the makings to be far more interesting. Beer, a laptop, and Banzai.

"Never too tired for you," he grinned. "And you've got gifts? This gets better and better."

John was already interested when he heard it was a target's laptop. There was so much on here. So much potential.

He slid one of the beers to Banzai to open for him as John opened the laptop. "Ooh, you know I do--love some dirty little secrets," he scanned the lock screen, trying to see what he could gather from here alone. Calendar reminders, missed emails and messages. She just liked to see everything while her device was still locked, huh?

John paused and looked across the table though as more of Banzai's words sunk in. "You got promoted?" he grinned. "Look at you. Congratulations, Banz." When John first joined with MAFIA, he'd met Banzai's father. Mr. Bungu was an intimidating man for sure. But he also remembered a teenaged Banzai. It made his chest ache for a moment as he thought about the passage of time, seeing someone grow up into an adult. He needed to get into this laptop to stop thinking about this.

"Of course I want to," John laughed. "And you can tell me all about your promotion while I look for her Twitter drafts and DMs. There is always all sorts of stuff in there." He looked over the screen at the younger man, "You wouldn't happen to know if they found her little black book of passwords, would you?" he could figure out how to get in without it, it would just be more annoying and take more time.

@banzai-bungu

in the details // Honest Jackal

John wove his way through the crowd at Pixie's, smiling to some familiar faces until he found the one he was looking for. She was seated by herself for now, which was good. Gave him time to slide in and have a quick chat with her. He knew most people here were just relaxing, but hey, he had a job to do, it's not his fault people often don't love it when you tell them their public image is terrible and that needs to be fixed.

"Heeyy, Angel," he greeted her with a grin as he took a seat nearby. "Wanted to have a quick chat with you and then you're free to enjoy your night, yeah?" it was a long time coming, in his opinion. "You're not busy, are you?" John wasn't asking that to be polite, but rather because she very clearly wasn't busy.

@angel-milano

Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel

Jonathan Bailey putting his Dr. Henry Loomis's glasses on for Jurassic World Rebirth Promotion [x]

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