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Tweak says, "chilled banana sundae"

Zidane Tribal (foolhardy_thief) wrote in hobbs_end,
@ 2015-08-07 15:14:00

Entry tags:

ffix: zidane tribal, ouat: killian jones, rating: pg

WHO: Zidane & Hook
WHERE: The Scarlet Crown Hotel
WHAT: Zid’s on a bit of a souvenir hunt!
RATING PG.
STATUS: Completed.

Considering that Zidane went through the trouble of, well, exploration, he figured he could bring back a souvenir. What harm could it do, anyway? It wasn’t as though this place was thriving with people, that anything in this town was actually worth being taken. True, the technology here was far different from what he was used to, back on Gaia: if he could bring home a piece of tech, he certainly would! Until that was possible. he would take any substitute he could get his hands on, even if said substitute wasn’t all that impressive.

Zidane’s impromptu expedition took him to the Scarlet Crown Hotel. The name of the place wasn’t odd, and nor was the look of it, but it’s what was inside the building that wasn’t normal. For instance, since when were hotels this fancy? From what he’s seen so far of the interior, it looked more like a palace. A palace that had been through some hard times, here and there. Zidane couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was about the hotel that creeped him out, but there was something. And he was damned if he was going to let the look of a stupid old building keep him away.

Naturally, once inside he went straight for the obvious places: behind the reception desk, behind all the paintings, and… Actually, the paintings were left untouched. They were strange pictures, dark colours, smudged, almost; and he could have sworn that the figures in one painting— moved when Zidane turned his back. Paintings couldn’t move, though, that much he knew, so it had to be a trick.

His search led him through two floors and into ..very few rooms, unfortunately. Most rooms he found were locked, or blocked by something on the other side; no amount of kicking or swearing did any good. A couple hours passed before Zidane decided to give up on the hotel, except for one last treasure hunt. He climbed the stairs again to the second floor, and picked the next room at random; room #2.

Surprisingly, the door unlocked like all normal doors did. Which was kind of a shame, because Zidane didn’t think anyone would notice if he damaged the door. The teenager pushed his way into the room and, upon seeing the two beds, decided to test at least one of ‘em by using it as a springboard for a few minutes.

No real harm done (as far as he could tell), so once he got bored of the test, Zidane abandoned the bed in favour of opening every cupboard, drawer, and closet that he found in room #2. There wasn’t much to be found, sadly, but with one last cupboard to check, Zidane pulled its doors wide open and immediately spotted something odd about the interior.

One part of the back panel was a different colour and grain of wood when compared to the surrounding panels. Almost straight away, Zidane took it to mean there was something valuable hidden behind it, and so without further ado, Zidane stepped into the closet, crouched down, and started feeling for the panel’s hidden mechanism.

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foolhardy_thief
2015-08-11 05:34 am UTC (link)

A look of disappointment flickered across his face when the sword was sheathed, but Zidane didn’t let it get him too down. It was just a sword, he’d seen many others, and it wouldn’t be the last. It appeared that he was no longer a threat, and Zidane couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome. Well, he would have liked it if he was talking to a girl instead of a guy, but this was reality, not a dream. If it were a dream, he’d be swimming in treasure.

“The best one, don’t forget. It’s a title for a reason.” Killian’s introduction as Hook nearly had Zidane laughing out loud; the most he did was snort and bite his tongue in the process. “…Hook, right. Got it. More proof you’re not original.” If it had been left up to him, Zidane would have come up with that nickname in a flash. That shiny metal hook stood out like nothing else; it had to come in handy, though… some times. As if to test that theory, Zidane turned away from the man, and he curled one hand into a hook shape, and made a slashing motion with it. .…Hm.

Turning back to face his guest, Zidane abruptly stopped the mime act. “More than just a bit, but there’s no monsters here, so that’s a good sign. Back home, there would be monsters crawling all over this hotel. “ In a flash, he crossed the short distance between them and took hold of Killian’s hook, lifting it up by Killian’s wrist.

“Your hook hand is the most interesting thing here, actually. Have you killed anyone with it?” Did Zidane know better than to reach for someone’s sword, pistol or knife? Probably. Having that sense didn’t mean he would always use it. In his opinion, the hook wasn’t the right shape for a proper weapon, and its strength probably wouldn’t last very long. But, what did he know? To Killian, Zidane would just look like a stupid teenager who had a problem with personal space and trespassing.

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arcane
2015-08-11 11:58 am UTC (link)

He did look like a stupid teenager who had a problem with personal space and trespassing - but Hook had come a long way since his earlier, darkened, completely mad days of Neverland. Because of it, he wouldn't gut the boy like a fish here and now - though it wouldn't have been the first time he did something terrible to someone so young. Neverland twisted even the best of people, and he hadn't been very good to begin with.

"Far too many," he responded to the question of whether he'd killed with the hook. "And far too many without using the hook." He'd sliced and diced, he'd thrown men overboard, he'd raided ships and led his crew in battle on the open sea - it was the Captain's job, a job as a pirate in general to plunder and murder. But he was relatively calm about it, since it didn't really bother him - it was what it was.

Rather than let the boy put his hands all over it though, he twisted away because it wasn't a toy. "What sort of monsters? This place looks like breeding grounds for ghosts and ghouls."

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foolhardy_thief
2015-08-14 04:46 am UTC (link)

Though he has just met Hook, and all Zidane knew about the guy was a weird fashion sense, unusual weapons, and he didn’t like thieves. But that was all Zidane needed; strangely, he trusted the guy not to hurt him, but if he assumed poorly? Well, he’d find out soon enough, and if he survived the experience— hopefully he’d learn from it.

“Too many? You sound like someone who had no choice." It wasn’t something to be proud of, and he had to wonder just how many people Hook has killed. Murdered? Could they be the same thing? Zidane shook his head, as if to clear his mind. “I’ve seen people get killed, some of them I even knew, but ..I’ve never killed anyone, myself. Monsters, though, that’s different.”

Zidane retreated a few steps when Hook twisted to reclaim his hook-hand. When monsters was mentioned, he could not miss this opportunity to boast. The teen stood up straight, tail held up high, hands on hips. “You know, monsters! Dragons, snakes, but not the small ones.. Lizard-men. Nymphs. Giant lizard things. I can’t tell you how many I’ve killed, but it’s a lot. I mean, I don’t go looking for things to kill.. if it’s after me, I’ll do what I have to, you know? Theatre acting can be a lot more interesting than hunting monsters. Safer, too. What about you? You know anything about stage plays?”

To be honest, Hook looked like someone who knew all the ways you could use to kill a man, but on that note, Zidane didn't look like someone who knew anything as sophisticated as the theatre. Digging through closets and rooms that weren't his own, yes, but theatre acting?

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arcane
2015-08-14 11:27 pm UTC (link)

No choice? Well, he wouldn't say that, exactly. Killian had been in some shit situations over the years - and he could try to pin in on circumstance, or that finicky mistress known as Fate, but in the end he knew he had no one to blame for his choices but his own miserable, black-hearted self. "I am a pirate, it's a certain way of life," he settled on, not wanting to get into too much detail.

No, he'd just let the boy, Zidane (with the tail!) boast about monster-killing and...theatre? Now that was an interesting combination - two things he wouldn't have thought to put together. Like pickles and ice cream, or something. "I'm afraid I don't know much about life on stage," he admitted. "I'm more accustomed to monster killing, or what have you. But if you've stories to share about your plays, I'd be pleased to hear them. Over a meal, maybe."

It might have been some time since the boy ate, Hook didn't know. And he had...strange guardian instincts, buried deep.

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foolhardy_thief
2015-08-20 02:55 am UTC (link)

In Zidane’s opinion, there was almost always a choice. Life was full of choices, ranging from the mundane to life-changing decisions. Personally, he always had a choice when it came to theft, for instance, but he wasn’t going to be changing in that regard. Hook-guy here looked like he could fit that lifestyle, and as such, Zidane wasn’t surprised to hear that Hook was a pirate.

“I figured you were a pirate. Something like that, anyway. Honour among thieves and all, eh? You do what you can to live.” The Tantalus troupe he belonged to (on occasion) mostly targeted upper class society, because.. it was obvious, wasn’t it? Rich people could afford to lose this-and-that, whereas the lower classes could do with a lot more wealth.

Zidane brushed a hand through his hair, reaching back to toy with the rat’s tail at the back of his neck. “Theatre is amazing, if you ever get a chance to see one, don’t miss out. “ Just like with girls, Zidane could talk about theatre forever, but he wasn’t expecting to be invited to- what, lunch? Dinner? He cast Hook a strange look, and sidestepped away from him. Leave it to Zidane to think of such offers as being restricted to dating.

“…Sure, Captain. The food in this place is weird, but it’s not bad. Do you want to meet at any certain place? I haven’t tried all of the pubs and cafes, but I’m not a big fan of fancy crap. If it’s your style, though, go ahead and pick one, and I’ll be there.” It had been a few hours since he last had food, and he wasn't the sort to leave things until the last minute. Unless, of course, he was pissed off at his 'father'.

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arcane
2015-08-21 12:16 pm UTC (link)

The lad was a little young for him, so no danger of being asked on a date - though granted Hook really didn't discriminate between the sexes. But Swan was here, and she probably wouldn't take too kindly to him gallivanting around with other people anyway - not that he had any interest in doing that. He tended to be a bit laser-focused on his Savior lady. Still, the hesitance on Zidane's end made the Captain chuckle a little.

"Weird how? Meaning it appears at random?" And was prepared in a seemingly empty town - who was running the shops and restaurants and pubs? Where did the food even come from, was it imported? Well. They'd already deduced that 'magic' was the answer, but that was kind of broad and his compatriots couldn't really narrow down the explanation beyond that. "There's one pub called The Fox and the Hounds. That ought to do."

He usually frequented the Black Mare, but that was more when he wanted to get on the drunker side and deliberately not consume food to soak up the booze.

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foolhardy_thief
2015-08-23 03:43 am UTC (link)

Zidane often described himself as a ladies’ man, and rarely missed an opportunity to boast of his, er, experiences. Be that as it may, girls and dating did not top his list of priorities. While he has yet to meet anyone of the opposite sex, Zidane had no reason to worry. Although there was a distinct lack of monsters, that wasn’t necessarily a guarantee this town was safe. He had reasons to believe he’d find something, though what he found today wasn’t quite what he was expecting.

“I don’t know, it’s just.. weird. You’ve felt different in some areas, haven’t you? Like something’s watching you? That kind of weird.” He wouldn’t deny that the absence of staff was troubling, if only because there was always fresh food available. One would think that it wasn’t a good idea to be eating or drinking anything, but that hadn’t stopped Zidane. As far as he knew, no one had gotten sick, or been poisoned.

“The Fox and the Hounds.. sounds like a nice enough place. Alright, so I’ll meet you there… when? In a couple hours? I bet I’ll get there first, Captain. Whoever wins, they gotta pay for the meal.” Zidane grinned, knowing full well that money was useless here; there was no staff around, so that meant everything was fair game for any one to take. He stepped past Hook, heading for the open doorway, but he stopped and turned on the spot, just in front of the door.

"Hey, about the, uh... bed over there? If that one's yours... If it is broken, I'm sure you can move into one of the other rooms."

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arcane
2015-08-23 12:47 pm UTC (link)

"There is a discernible creepy-crawly sensation, aye. Nothing about this place is comforting."

Especially because people apparently just appeared out of nowhere, for some reason. What that reason was, well, Hook did not know. Perhaps discussing it with others would yield some better theories. So in a couple hours, then? "Two hours," he agreed, watching as boy-wonder stepped toward the door. The pirate fully expected to 'pay' regardless, if necessary, but it hadn't been - ergo, no reason to feel concerned about stealing from their kidnappers. They all had to eat to survive, else they'd waste away. Self-inflicted starvation was not how he wanted to go.

"And good to know about the bed. Next time bounce incessantly on your own, hmm?" Because honestly, how else would anyone break a bed? Well. He'd done it before. But likely not in the same way the boy here had.

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foolhardy_thief
2015-08-26 05:22 am UTC (link)

“It can’t really be nothing, since now we both know there are other people here. That’s gotta count for something!” Even though Zidane had hoped he’d find something exciting, something along the lines of a (small) monster, he wasn’t disappointed to find another person.

“If you don’t see me in two hours, I… suppose you’ll just have to wait longer. This town is strange, but that’s all there is, so far. It just feels weird.” ‘Weird’ could not mean life-threatening situations, but then again, Zidane’s history with weird places should have made him cautious. There was no sense in rushing, treating anything like a race, but on that note— taking things slow could turn out to be a real bore.

He looked towards the tested bed and, strangely, wished that he used his time better. By checking its stuffing for treasures, of course! Beds always made good (if sometimes predictable) hiding spots.

“It’s not as much fun, testing your own stuff. If I could go back in time, I’d.. probably wouldn’t change.” Grinning, he spun on the spot with a flourish tail gesture, and left the room.

“Remember, last one there has to pay!”

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