ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪ sᴀᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ ᴛʜɪs ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ, ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀ...

[villainously]

Who: hooker & YOU, & some others (Alistair, River, Freya)
Where: scattered places in the mansion
When: over the next few months idk spread out a little bit!
Rating: could end up with violence possibly but I don't think it'll be too bad
Summary: dark pirate shenanigans and working toward a reveal!
The Story:

ＦＲＥＹＡ.

His map-making is starting to feel like a bit of a lost cause. He's not sure what pushes him to keep on it, when he got a few respectable drafts from longer-staying residents, certainly good enough to give up on the project. He can't quite manage it, though. He needs something to occupy him during all his sleepless nights, and mapmaking is at least relaxing.

Besides, might be he'll get a rare stroke of luck for all his fixation. He's hoping to find the illusive entrance to the mirror side, though everyone else had been quite clear in how impossible that was. Impossible had never bothered him much before, why on earth would it start now? Still, it's hard to say the work was not with an underlying level of hopelessness; he had simply lived hopelessly for most of his life. Might be he was used to it, now.

At least the work had given him opportunity to make new acquaintances about the mansion. Plenty had offered to assist him in his work, and he didn't see a good reason to refuse. It was a good way to keep abreast of the other inhabitants of the mansion. It was why he'd invited Freya to meet him, and he was surprisingly early for their agreed meeting, already in the parlor and with his map at the ready before she even arrived. She did not make much noise as she entered but he heard her anyway, pale eyes dusting up from his work to notice her arrival. "Freya, is it?" He couldn't imagine who else would be looking for him, but that was a good guess.

ＲＩＶＥＲ.

After his talk with Emma, Hook did his best to spend more time in the mansion. He preferred the comfort of his ship, but still, he could see her concern and didn't want to make it worse. If things went south it'd be better if he was near to the people that mattered to him. It wasn't too much work to spend spare time in the mansion, especially on the weekends. No matter how discomfiting he found the idea he was being watched through every mirror.

He's on his way to visit the dining room when he swings a corner and practically runs face-first into someone. Perhaps he ought have, but somehow his reflexes manage to move faster than his thoughts, catching her at arm's length before they can run into each other. He manages to look at least slightly apologetic to have grabbed a stranger with the dangerous steel of his hook, even if he hadn't harmed her at all. The pirate releases her as quickly as he grabbed her, hand and hook aloft as if to prove he had no ill intent.

"Surprisingly sharp corners, these," he says in excuse, apology, and explanation all in one.

ＯＰＥＮ.

After his talk with Emma, the pirate spends more time in the mansion. You can find him at the BAR, because of course you can, though no matter how much he drinks it doesn't seem to do him any favors. He spends a surprising amount of time in the LIBRARY, too. Belle is gone now but he supposes she'd approve of all the reading he's been doing. Last but not least, he can't help it, he does spend a fair amount of time working on THE JOLLY ROGER. Either below deck, drowned by maps, or above, with a small and surprisingly brave cat following at his heels.

Maybe you want to check in on rumors you've heard of his especially hot temper, or maybe there's something else you want to bring to his attention. Either way, he's definitely looked better; the dark circles he's wearing haven't gone away, not in months of being in Wonderland.

ＡＬＩＳＴＡＩＲ.

It's been an uncomfortable few weeks for the pirate, though perhaps — if anything — he looks a little bit better than he had a few weeks ago. There was no magic cure to his insomnia, unfortunately, more nights were sleepless than not. Still, he'd managed to get a little rest for his weary mind thanks to the few nights he got to spend with Emma. He wasn't sure what exactly about her presence managed to finally let him turn his thoughts off, but even a few hours of sleep did him quite a bit of good.

He wasn't perfect, far from it, but at least he was a little less uneven thanks to a few hours of rest. He may have been used to being awake for days at a time. That doesn't mean he enjoys it. A man could go mad left with his thoughts and nothing but time on his hands. He's in a better mood than usual as he sits in the library, surprisingly content with his book. It is called Treasure Island, so maybe that explains it.

Let it be said that he was present in the library first when Alistair strolls in. He has the advantage of previous presence! Hook probably could have left him to his own devices, but when has Killian Jones ever done that? "Please tell me you're not here to whisper commentary as you read, I was so enjoying the silence." You know, the silence he's breaking to pick a fight with the man just for walking in the room. That silence.

ooc: if you'd like to be a part of this, I have a plotting post here and you're welcome to add me on plurk at goplayzelda! I started all these in prose in lazy, but I will match whatever style you fancy! also, the timing for these is kinda wibbly-wobbly... I suspect some open things will happen before his argument with Alistair. more or less my starters are in imagined order of the time they occurred, though they will be spread over the ac period and not all right after another! :)

Comments

[fatherlesskind]

Alistair had been in a good mood when he stopped by the library to return some books he'd borrowed. It was a nice day, nothing had tried to kill him yet and he hadn't run into any of Wonderland's less pleasant residents. And then Killian had to open his mouth and ruin it.

Spinning to face the man, whom he hadn't noticed siting there until he spoke and would (maybe) have been content to ignore when he did, he opens his mouth to snap a retort-

And closes it again. Looking over the other man, gaze lingering on his most notable feature, Alistair remembers their first conversation here and the copper drops with an almost audible thunk. Smirking, he walks closer, shifting the couple of books he's carrying from under his arm so he can get at one in particular. "Oh, don't worry about me disturbing you." Like Killian has already gone and done himself. "I'm just bringing these back. I think one of them belongs to you."

And he tosses the copy of Peter Pan - which was not the scary story of a child-kidnapping evil mage he'd been hoping for - in Kill- Hook's lap. He might be wrong here. But he didn't think so. How many books could there be featuring a hook-handed man with flowery eyes?

[villainously]

"So diligent of you," Hook notes, in a tone that doesn't make it sound very diligent at all. He's just skilled at making things sound the way he wants them to. He's back to his book, apparently content with one shot to annoy Alistair and then back to minding his own business, until the other decides to draw his attention back with a book that he is never particularly happy to see.

For once, his annoyance cracks like a canon shot, clear on his features. He takes the book and tosses it on the table next to him, as if even having it in his presence bothers him. "You know, at this point your fixation on me is getting rather alarming. I told you the story wasn't accurate, didn't I?"

It doesn't matter, Alistair is like to decide whatever parts of it he wants are genuine, or even tell others about the nonsense he's read. It will be annoying and humiliating. The pirate doesn't appreciate the idea of strangers making assumptions about his life, especially this one.

[fatherlesskind]

So yes. That is the right one. Good to know.

He can get the problem in truth. No one in the book is portrayed in a particularly flattering light, the villain of the story least of all. But he's enjoying the look of annoyance on Killian's face and at it is pretty funny to make the comparison.

"I wasn't reading it because of you," Alistair scoffs. He is not fixated. Does he need to point out that Killian spoke to him first? As he did the first time? "I just saw the similarities when I started it." Grinning cheerfully he picks the book up again and thumbs through it. "I thought it was a good portrayal. Especially the bit where - hang on - here, the bit where you're fooled by someone imitating your own voice to you." He proffers the open book as he speaks should Hook need a reminder of the scene in question.

At least his good mood has come back. This is as good as the rare times he manages to get under Morrigan's skin back home.

[villainously]

Hook doesn't buy that for a minute. He suspects that Alistair has been hoping to find the book that gave him so much chagrin since they first spoke, and sooner or later he was bound to be successful. He'd probably make another jibe about Alistair's obsession being repressed on top of disconcerting, if he at all had a clear head. Unfortunately, he was about as far from clear as he could possibly get.

He remembers the passage. In fact he remembers a bit too much of the book from memory, though that one in particular bites intensely. Pan had never imitated him, in fact that was a habit of the shadow — and the shadow was far more insidious. It hadn't shown him himself, it'd shown him the woman he'd held in his arms as she died, the brother that had brought him to Neverland the first time. It's just another instance of the book getting a sliver of accuracy, enough to be uncanny, and then drowning it in something ridiculous and insulting.

His temper has sparked like dry grass drenched in gasoline, and it's apparent just looking at him. He looks downright murderous. "The only similarity is the fact we wear a hook. I suggest you don't presume to know me from a book of nonsense and forget that you had the misfortune of reading it." He was not too much like the ridiculous captain presented in the book, though they weren't so different when their ego was tarnished, apparently.

[fatherlesskind]

Oh, Alistair had been hoping to find the book that Killian has such strong feelings about but he'd picked up Peter Pan because Henry had made it sound like something else entirely. He can't say he's not pleased by the outcome though. As if there's any doubt with the way he's smirking at the other man. It's a welcome turnaround from their previous conversations and he plans to savour it as long as possible.

"Just that one thing? Are you sure?" Dropping the whole thing would doubtless be the smart move when Hook - a lack of originality being something else he shares with his counterpart - is glaring like that. But where would be the fun in that?

Killian started it and was the one to bring up the book in the first place. So it should come as no surprise when Alistair just takes the glowering as a sign that he should flip to another section and ask in mock seriousness, "What about the big scaaary crocodile? You're saying you don't have anything like that to leave you shaking in your boots?"

He's certain that the answer to that is a firm 'no' and good thing too or he'd feel guilty for mocking the man over losing a hand. But it's too funny to picture Killian quailing in fear of something smaller and less frightening than even a dragonling. Those can breathe fire, a crocodile just tries to eat you. And they're pretty slow. Not what he'd call scary.

[villainously]

It was the wrong thing to mention, his Crocodile.

Yes, he's aware of the interpretation in the book. It had swallowed a clock and any time he heard the tick tock the Captain Hook of the book classically lost his wits in a panic to escape it. It was nothing like the Crocodile he had lost his hand to, had fought for so long to destroy. He did not hate the Crocodile for the hand he'd taken, either, he hated him for the woman he'd murdered. The book neglected to mention any of those fine details, yet the pirate is beyond explaining. He likely wouldn't want to even if he had a clear head.

His hook claws down on the book with force enough that it'll definitely spill from Alistair's grip, if it isn't wearing a jagged reminder of steel through the cover. That's really the least of Alistair's worries, though, as his good hand swings and intends to land a hook (he's just so fond of those!) to his jaw. Between the strength behind it, rather unnatural strength at that, and the rings on his fingers... it won't be a pleasant sensation. Never one to stop while he's ahead, the pirate lunges forward again, collecting a fistful of shirt or whatever else he can grab, seething far too close to comfort and brandishing his namesake to the man who seemed to think it was a good idea to mock it.

"My crocodile was an immortal, invincible demon, and I nearly killed him with this very hook. I doubt you'd fare so very well." His grin at the implication is a hair too manic to be all talk. He's come quite far in being a better person, but right about now it doesn't seem like it.

[fatherlesskind]

The book is ripped from Alistair's hands in a way that makes it clear that no one else is going to be able to enjoy it without some effort on their part. Before he can think to protest his fun being ruined, Killian's fist is introducing itself to his face and the book is the last thing on his mind.

He staggers back a step, vision blurring and ears ringing from the force of the blow. The man has a punch like a golem and at least one of the rings breaks his skin, a warm trickle of blood making its way down his rapidly swelling jaw.

So. Talking about crocodiles isn't a good idea.

His mouth twists in a snarl (ow) as Kilian hauls him back in to wave the hook in his face. Alistair grabs at the hook-wielding arm before the thing can become embedded in his throat or worse, only half-listening to the man's ranting. The word demon registers, suggesting there's more to the reality than just some big lizard but he's really not interested right then. He knows that dying in Wonderland isn't permanent but it's not a fun experience and definitely not one he wants to repeat under any circumstances.

If he gets killed because of a stupid book he's going to give up reading entirely.

"I'm faring just fine," Alistair spits in return, jabbing at Hook's stupid face to underline the point. He's no pushover himself in the strength department, though unfortunately he's not wearing armour today so it doesn't come with the added bonus of a metal gauntlet. But he can at least make sure he's not the only one walking out of here with his lumps.

[villainously]

That blow should have done a number on his nose. He has a very nice nose, too, so he should be more careful and not continually get decked in the face. Alistair swings just about as hard as Charming, and despite the fact he more or less expected it, he doesn't move out of the way. Taking a hit is a proper excuse to throw another, after all, and he wants the excuse. The blow didn't hurt, didn't even seem to phase him in the slightest, actually. Perhaps it'll register later?

He focuses on shoving Alistair back toward the wall, pressing an arm at his throat. It feels good, far too good, to fall back into old tracks. He has pretensions of being better, being good, or at least trying. All of it is forgotten in the thrill of power and destruction, and possibly he should be more concerned about how tempting the call of darkness is. "If you wanted to meet Captain Hook, here he stands." Just as violent and angry as the book version, too, though he doesn't wear spots of red in his eyes. "Quite happy now, for a proper introduction?"

His laughter seems cruel and a bit out of place. Captain Hook was a creature of madness, thanks to Neverland. When he didn't bother to bite it back, it was evident, the parts of him that were still raw and open and unhinged. Trying to be better for a few months couldn't take away the villain he'd been.

[fatherlesskind]

That was about as effective as punching a wall it seems, if less painful for Alistair himself, and does absolutely nothing to dissuade the other man. He'd almost be worried he's been slacking off too much lately if he weren't a little distracted. As it is - back against the wall, pressure against his neck making him aware of every breath - he's got more important things on his mind.

Like the fact that Hook is crazy. Another thing he has in common with his counterpart. Great. One day Alistair will meet someone in Wonderland who isn't from Thedas but is still normal. One day. That day is not today.

"And here I thought you'd be too busy getting outwitted by children." The retort loses something when he has to force the words out past Hook's arm but he's trying his best, glaring back at the other man as he struggles against the hold before Hook really tries choking him. He's not going to be able to just shove the man off, that much is clear and instead swings at Hook's stomach, hoping the blow will be more effective than before. Because if he'd had any doubts before about whether or not the man would be as willing to spill blood as the character Hook they had been laid to rest somewhere about the time that namesake had started being waved in his face.

[accelerate]

Before Alistair can hit Hook in the stomach, the pirate's gone. In yellow, electrified light, Alistair's windpipe's free from the pressure of his arm, and the library's a lot quieter and less tense than it'd been mere seconds ago.

It'd only taken a quick second — not even a full one — for Barry to speed from the end of the aisle he'd been standing to his room and throw his everyday clothes off himself and slip into the suit of the Flash. It's a habit now to do so, fighting crime and handling disputes such as the one he'd begun to witness in the library while dressed as the superhero Central City has come to believe in.

It's much safer, too. After everything he's been through, pulling his mask off his face to just anyone is a lesson he's slowly begun to learn not to do.

With his arms around Hook's middle, he runs hard and fast through the mansion until he reaches the door hiding the pool. Bursting open, he slides against the tiles to a halt and lets go of Hook.

Standing a good swinging distance away, Barry doesn't worry if Hook will take a swing. He can easily duck and outmanoeuvre him without much of a thought, and his priority is more or less breaking up a fight between two residents. With his face a blur and his vocal chords vibrating, he sounds like he's a presenter in a stadium. "I think you need to cool down."

Though he can stay and talk, Barry knows adrenaline and the anger provoked inside of the man before him still likely thrums throughout him. As much as Barry enjoys a good fight, it's only with meta-humans that he does so. With the dispute settled satisfactorily, The Flash disappears in a bust of golden-yellow light. Wind slaps against Hook as the door bursts open.

Barry runs throughout the corridors he'd come toward the library once more, sliding to a halt in the very spot he'd been only mere seconds ago.

[fatherlesskind]

Alistair catches himself against the wall, wobbling off-balance as the weight holding him in place disappears. Blinking around the suddenly empty corner of the library he cautiously waves a hand in the space where Hook was a second ago, before he vanished in a flash of light and a rush of wind. Nothing. He's definitely gone.

"...What just hap- Ah!" His hand flies to his side, reaching for a sword that's not there as something appears in front of him. Demon is the first thought that crosses his mind. It mostly looks human - which doesn't mean much where demons are concerned - but where its face should be is a featureless blur and it seems to have come from nowhere. So demon seems a good guess.

His second thought is that it's standing in the exact spot that Hook just disappeared from and that's a bit too much to be coincidence. Alistair's not fond of the man by any stretch and isn't sure he should be allowed to roam around freely but that doesn't mean he deserves to be whisked off by a demon for some unpleasant purpose. And more importantly, Alistair himself doesn't particularly like the idea of being whisked off either.

Stepping forward he glowers at the creature, attempting to look threatening. It's not very successful, unarmed with a spectacular bruise blooming on his jaw and still bleeding sluggishly but he does his best. And if that doesn't work he still has his templar training to fall back on. "What did you do? If you're running around kidnapping people you should know you're too late. We've already been kidnapped, you can't kidnap us again. So just... Bring him back. Not possessed. Or eaten.... Well. You can chew on him a little if you want."

Look, he doesn't want anyone becoming an abomination, that doesn't mean he's not still sore about being jumped alright?

[accelerate]

Throwing his hands up in a gesture of coming in peace, Barry ensures his face is still a blur. Some people can be pretty cluey, and he's seen all the films on superheroes available on his Earth. The better he hides his identity, the better chance he has of not being identified as the man in red.

It's a little weird to be confronted with someone who doesn't recognise him, but Barry's dealt with this briefly in Kara's world. No one knows the Flash here, and that's all the more motivation for him to make a good name for himself in yet another world. The one Alistair's formed for him is a little off base, and so Barry feels compelled to redirect him into seeing the Flash as less of a Hannibal Lector reincarnated and more of a friend looking out for someone with slower reflexes.

With his vocal cords vibrating, his voice echoes when he says, "I'm not in the business of kidnapping, and I'm not really a one-eyed purple people-eater, but thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind for next time."

Personally, he hopes there isn't a next time. Whatever had driven these two to have a kerfuffle in the library is hopefully going to be shelved. Permanently.

"I'm the Flash," he says, and though he smiles, Alistair can't see it. He can hear the pride in his voice, though, and see it in the way he shrugs sheepishly. Hands still up to show he has no intentions of harming him, Barry stays where he is. "And I took your friend to the pool to cool off. Just thought I'd swing by and make sure you're okay before I go again."

[fatherlesskind]

It sounds weird too, as well as being able to appear out of nowhere and make people disappear. Hurrah. He needed more weird in his days in the crazy magic mansion. Although, the longer he stares at it, the more he can see that it does definitely have a human face, it's just blurry somehow. But it - or he, as becomes clear when he speaks - doesn't seem to want any trouble and, more importantly, has a sense of humour which is always a good sign. Demons aren't know for making jokes. Besides, based on how quickly Hook vanished, if he wanted to whisk Alistair off as well he'd already be gone.

"The-" OK. Not the first person he's met with a strange name. Mystique is a strange name and she admittedly looks like a demon and has abilities that aren't anything Alistair is familiar with and he trusts her. And the stranger has seemingly good intentions. So long as his 'friend' isn't getting possessed or eaten then he's not complaining about the man's absence.

Relaxing, Alistair smiles, winces (ow again) and nods. "Sure. I mean, I'm fine. Thanks. For checking, uh-" Flash? The Flash? "Flash. And for stepping in. I appreciate it." Though he would have preferred to get some payback for his face first. But he's not going to complain about someone wanting to prevent trouble.

With another smile Alistair dips his head in farewell before turning his attention to tidying up the dropped books and planning where he's going to hide the one Hook had been reading. With half an eye on the Flash's departure just to see if it's a swift as his appearance. That's going to take some getting used to.

[accelerate]

The Flash lifts his hand to his temple to give him a salute — no mocking intended with the gesture — and finds all seems to be fine. His friend here doesn't have any intention of chasing after the man he thinks to be Captain Hook (of Peter Pan! He's going to need to tell Iris about this as soon as he gets out of here) and if he does, Barry's sure he'll be able to find them quickly before anything gets too bloody between them.

Content the dust seems to have settled, he says, "Anytime." He juts his thumb toward the shelves. "Except, maybe you should consider fighting in front of the history books instead. Children books, dude …" He shakes his head.

But he's gone within a flash. A burst of yellow electricity and a gust of wind that threatens to tip half the books off the shelf.