Wonderful, He Loved That She Was Willing To Just Talking About It.

"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

(x)

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

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

"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

"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

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

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

He took the beer. He listened to the rant with a furrowed brow. This poor kid. All of these things he felt responsible for, that he'd put himself through. Yes, he deserved to be seen and recognized for all he did, but was it worth it? Was giving up half himself worth it?

John had to hope so.

"At least they're not brand new recruits," John offered. "It's good to know your teams strengths and weaknesses, and it sounds like you do. They'll fall in line because you'll get them to."

John let out a sigh, leaning to clasp Banzai on the shoulder. "You need to relax, though, kid. What is this, day one of your promotion and you're already feeling vindictive about it?" He wouldn't point out that Banzai is just as much a kid as the others. Even if it was true.

"I've seen you go through shit to get here, I've seen the light fade from your eyes and turn to smoke. You know that? That you don't look the same as that kid all those years ago. If that's a good thing and what you were after, then great. But just--" John shook his head. He wasn't going to get into this with Banzai. Not now. "I'm glad you got what you were after."

The laptop was protected by a PIN and after a few attempted at what could be significant dates for the old owner, he was in.

"Other than the crew, how was it leading a mission? Karen said it was a big one," John asked as he started going through files on the computer, scanning for names and dates that may stand out.

@banzai-bungu

in the details // Honest Jackal