John Had Put That Magical Event Out Of His Head. Mostly. Every Now And Again He'd Think About It. It

Putting Your Best Paw Forward || Johngel

Hey Stranger || Fox Hop

JONATHAN BAILEY

Who What Wear (2024)

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]

"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

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

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

"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

"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