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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 11:36:44 GMT -5
a roleplay between myself and נσкσмαтσ
"forget the horror here / leave it all down here / it's future rust and it's future dust." - spanish sahara, foals.
set in modern times, crime-focus.
sure, muse a is a criminal. they're a small-time gang leader; they control a small portion of the city, they're rivals with another gang, and so on. it's (not quite) harmless young adult stuff, the type of thing that keeps them out of big-time trouble. the police dislike them, sure, but they're not a murderer. someone, however, has framed them for a murder that they have not committed; and so, in desperate times, they're forced to seek out muse b; the rival gang leader.
there are few reasons muse b has to help muse a. they're not friends (though, in a different time, perhaps they could've been) and they're not allies, but there's something tempting about having muse a be stuck in their debt. with some reluctance, they allow muse a to crash at theirs and promise to help clear their name. of course, the catch is that muse a will owe something at one point or another - it's just a matter of when muse b decides to cash in the favour.
(the case, however, might be bigger than both of them and their gangs; perhaps even dipping into the territory of dangerous criminals; the sorts that keep even them up at night.)
my character:
Cai Price ;; 31 years old ;; faceclaim is jake hold
fairly average height at 5'10'', tousled dark ginger hair and light green eyes, freckles over his nose and cheeks, paler skin that burns rather than tans. originally from south wales, but moved away because he didn't like it there. retains a rhondda valley accent. he has various tattoos over his body and various piercings; both ears are lined with small hoops, he has an industrial bar in the left, his tongue is pierced and the bridge of his nose is pierced, and the lobes of his ears are pierced three times. overall, has the look of a trouble-maker.
jokomato's character:
Jacen Park ;; 26 years old ;; fc - Yoo Youngjae
even at the height of 6'1", he doesn't look to be very threatening with his round cheeks, soft eyes, and skinny build. despite his choices in wardrobe, he's often mistaken for a student, an accusation which he's stopped trying to refute. he has his ears pierced (just once, on the lobes) and a couple tattoos that aren't usually visible to the public eye. generally, it's hard to tell that he's dangerous in any capacity unless you knew him, and he'd like to keep it that way. |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 10, 2017 12:38:43 GMT -5
Sorry for disappearing haha I lost track of time and had to do something real quick
Here goes nothing ~
Jacen Park ;; 26 years old ;; fc - Yoo Youngjae
even at the height of 6'1", he doesn't look to be very threatening with his round cheeks, soft eyes, and skinny build. despite his choices in wardrobe, he's often mistaken for a student, an accusation which he's stopped trying to refute. he has his ears pierced (just once, on the lobes) and a couple tattoos that aren't usually visible to the public eye. generally, it's hard to tell that he's dangerous in any capacity unless you knew him, and he'd like to keep it that way.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 14:05:09 GMT -5
sorry for vanishing!
i had a lot to do.
do you have anything you wanna add/change abt the plot or any suggestions? <: |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 10, 2017 14:11:52 GMT -5
that's alright ^-^
at the moment, no i do not. but i'll let you know if anything comes to mind, certainly c:
i'm just as clueless rn as the characters are, honestly
also this is kind of a dumb question but which one of us is muse a and which is muse b? i don't have a preference, i'd just like to make sure haha
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 14:26:51 GMT -5
aha, ngl, i've never used cai before. he's not a set character; i've had his name & fc & origins for a while, but never his personality or anything.
he's not a gang leader naturally but hey, i can make it work.
huhh it's up to you, by default i was gnna take muse b <: |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 10, 2017 14:32:10 GMT -5
coincidentally, this is my first time with my character as well hahaa
we'll discover them together, i suppose c:
i'm perfectly fine with being muse a ^^
would you like to start or should i?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 14:35:20 GMT -5
ayy <: that's exciting!
i like discovering characters for the first time, it's just as fun as developing older ocs
would you mind? ^^ |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 10, 2017 14:37:18 GMT -5
yeah, same! there's a certain thrill associated with bringing new characters to life
not at all c: give me a couple minutes and i'll type something up
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 14:56:40 GMT -5
tbh! i have nothing at all in mind for him so im hype
okay!! |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 10, 2017 15:16:55 GMT -5
{So that was definitely more than a couple minutes :X my rping is very much rusty
And as for how Jacen was framed, I was thinking that the police found his gang's mark spray painted at the crime scene. A crude version of this }
Sometimes Jacen thinks back on his life thus far and wants to laugh. Most of the time, he keeps it to himself, but on certain occasions, he can’t really help himself. He knows Daehyun spends too much time worrying about him and his mental stability when he gets into those laughing fits, but it’s not as if there’s much he can do about it. It’s just all so funny. So funny and ironic and just plain crazy.
Ten years ago, Jacen was a model student. He had near perfect grades without trying too hard, a small but good group of friends, and got a decent amount of sleep despite all of high school’s attempts to sap him of his spirits. People thought he was a genius and he never bothered correcting them. He’d had thoughts of going to college, of studying computer science, of going on to find a job and climb the corporate ladder.
Well, he’d still gotten to experience the college life. Kind of. Briefly. Not the way he’d originally hoped.
Because, unfortunately for his sixteen year old self, his life tipped over and went sideways pretty quick. When his mother passed away, Jacen was pretty much finished. He’d never known his father and his sister, who had taken custody over him, was only in her second year of college -- hardly old enough to be expected to take care of both herself and her kid brother. When Jacen started hanging out with the wrong crowd, when he started offering to hack the school’s computer system and change grades for anyone who would pay the right price, when he fell further than that and started participating in illicit activities on street corners and in dark alleyways, no one stopped him. His sister didn’t question where the money was coming from and she was too caught up in her own life to care. As long as her brother was alive, she thought things would be ok.
And she did intervene, eventually. It had just been too late.
Ten years ago, Jacen had the perfect little life with the perfect little future lined up in front of him, just waiting for him to reach out and grasp at it. But, like a cruel trick by the gods, when he tried to reach for it, it was pulled away from him. Now, he would never be able to have it.
And given this new development to his already disastrous life, Jacen would be lucky if he had a future at all.
“There’s an arrest warrant out for you, Jae. Tell me you didn’t do it.”
“Do what? Arrest warrant? Wh--?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
And then Daehyun was ushering him out of the compound and telling him to run, as if he had anywhere to run to.
Murder?
The thought was so utterly ridiculous and perfect, Jacen wanted to laugh and cry and curl up somewhere in a damp alley and die. Ten years ago, he was the perfect student. Now, he’s being accused of murder.
But he didn’t laugh or cry or curl up in an alley. He just walked, numbly, with no direction and no idea what he was supposed to do until he found himself in a very familiar and very distasteful part of the city. He huffed quietly. Where else can I go?
All he could do now was pray that Price would spare him the time of day before chasing him out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 11:50:54 GMT -5
[ sorry for not replying sooner, i ended up going to play games + then sleeping orz ]
Very few people could think of kind things to say about Cai Price. He held more enemies than friends, had very little to do with the workings of the things around him; he controlled his gang, and that was it. Price's Gang didn't have any close allies, though they had the acquaintances that they needed for their businesses.
It wasn't that he was a bad person, it wasn't that he was bad to interact with. He was just unnerving. Perhaps it was something about his quietly blank stare, or perhaps it was the way he seemed to consider every word and every action as carefully as he could. Everyone's actions had consequences, and Cai always took that into consideration. Maybe it was even the way he smiled but didn't seem quite there, as if he were thinking of other things while listening to others; and yet, he managed to retain the information. There were various minor things that Cai did that others didn't seem to like, and he was fine with that. If he cared too much about the opinions of others, he would've been a broken spirit. As it was, he was just eerily calm - and yet, he could flick his switch just like that.
Essentially, Cai was an actor. He knew how to play a part, he knew how to manipulate, he knew how to understand others. If he found something he could twist to his own gain, then he'd use it.
Really, it wasn't surprising that he was like this; but his past was not something to delve into and so he never did, always keeping his home close to his chest. Moving from Wales hadn't been a startling thing; he'd done it years ago and didn't care, really. Though home was not a good place, it was where his history lay and where he wanted it to die.
The work that he did was not pretty but it brought in the money, and with the money he could help his gang and, really, it just came full circle. Theoretically, nowadays, he could stop the wok - but he preferred to have enough money for a few runs than just enough for one. He didn't want those in his care to suffer, didn't want his gang to stumble and fall at such a crucial time in their lives. They were climbing and doing well and for once they weren't struggling and scrapping for every little thing; they were coming together as one and it was good for them.
"Murder." the word was said to break complete silence by his second, and Cai glanced up from what he'd been reading to raise an eyebrow.
"What about it?" he asked, when Tess didn't clarify herself.
"There was one," intelligent observation. Despite her statement, he smiled vaguely and gestured for her to continue. "From these reports," she tapped them lightly, "there's a warrant out for Jacen Park."
Cai squinted thoughtfully. The name was familiar...nope, it was gone. Just a vaguely familiar name in a sea of other names. He'd never been good at placing faces to names, really.
"I don't know why that should bother me." he stood up and Tess followed him outside the warehouse. The duo walked down the street with their heads down for the most part, but considering it was their territory, it didn't really matter. It was worn down and it was poor, but it was...theirs. It wasn't the type of place that most people would hang out, it was such a poor area that it just worked out for controlling. Territory fights were not a common thing in this area, and that made them rather happy.
"Just keeping you up to date on it, boss," her grin was wolfish and she gave him a little mock salute. "Since we're not killers and I'm pretty sure his gang isn't either? I'm not sure."
"If you're not sure, then don't doubt the police," he smiled absently as he put his hands in his pockets. "Not our business."
Tess seemed to consider this for a few moments, but before she could say something else, something seemed to catch her eye. She paused and squinted, head tilting to the side. She was very much like a dog in the way she was; loyal and determined and damned good at picking up on danger, he was glad that she was on his side. Especially in a fight.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." whatever she was quoting, it didn't really bother him; instead, he flicked his gaze to where she was watching and raised an eyebrow. Someone walking down these streets? At this time? He picked up his pace a little to approach the man with no fear.
"This isn't your turf." Cai's words were blunt and he was not too impressed, though his face and tone remained blank.
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 11, 2017 15:42:14 GMT -5
{ ahaha no worries i feel that
and sorry this is a bit short, i wasn't sure what other filler information i could add to it }
Jacen had been prepared to spend a good hour or so looking for Price's headquarters -- actively avoiding a certain part of the city was a bad way of getting to know your way around it -- but fate must have taken pity on him, for it wasn't even twenty minutes after he crossed the border that he spotted (or rather, was spotted by) Cai Price himself. And his little guard dog. What was her name again?
"Yeah, wow, thanks for stating the obvious." Jacen huffed, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "As if I would ever set up camp in such a..." He trailed off, realizing now why he always brought Daehyun along to negotiate with other gangs (or, sometimes, Daehyun just went by himself, something about it being easier if Jacen wasn't there to "screw things up"). He had to remember what he was here for. Insulting a potential benefactor's poor, run-down territory may not be a great idea.
He cleared his throat. "I mean, whatever. I'm sure you've heard already -- news travels fast -- but someone's trying to frame me for murder and I'd really appreciate it if you could let me hide out here for a while, just until I can get my name cleared. I'm not looking to get put in jail for something I didn't do." As an afterthought, Jacen smiled his bright, innocent smile -- the one he used on baristas when he was short on change and teachers, back in the day, when he knew he was in trouble. He needed to convince Price to help him. Every other gang bordering his own territory was too hostile to try and bother and he'd rather not get shot on sight. He had no choice.
It was in moments like this that Jacen cursed his previous unwillingness to do any favors for other gangs despite Daehyun's advice. Now would have been a great time to cash in on something.
"Please?" Well, he'd be an idiot to think that a simple "please" would change anything. It wasn't as if Cai owed him anything or even liked him that much (Jacen wondered briefly if Cai even knew who he was...that would be embarrassing). He would need to offer something in return. Unfortunately, he had nothing but his word to give and it wasn't as if he's been very good at sticking to his word in the past (maybe that's why the other gangs are so hostile? Well...). God help me. "If you let me crash here, I promise I'll pay you back somehow. I'll give you my word."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2017 15:49:53 GMT -5
[ i've been pretty out of it recently but i'll get a reply up asap ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2017 16:02:22 GMT -5
Cai was many things, but a fool was not one of them. Even as the other man trailed off, he raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. Beside him, he knew that his second was bristling despite her easygoing nature; no-one insulted their territory. He could do it and maybe high-ranking members of his gangs could do it, but someone who probably didn't know he existed until he needed help? No. Definitely not.
The smile was something that put him on edge. He stared blankly in reply, the faintest of frowns present; but otherwise, there was no telling what he was thinking. He glanced to Tess and studied her for a moment before his gaze flicked back to Park.
He had no motivations to help this man. There was nothing he could gain, nothing good could come out of harbouring someone who'd been framed. Even so, he narrowed his eyes as he thought it over. Their gang would be in my debt, he thought idly, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. That could be useful. Although...he wasn't too sure if he'd need to call in the debt. Then again, there were many ways to get someone in-debt on their knees, and frankly? It was tempting to have someone indebted to him. Hell, he already had people like that, but it was always worth adding to the list.
"And where do you plan on crashing, ah?" he angled his head to the side. "There aren't free apartments. This isn't a random no-people place that you can just wander. Did you know that actual people live here?"
Beside him, Tess snickered softly, but said nothing.
"Let me be clear when I state that the homeless folk around here won't help you, either. So...where are you gonna crash?"
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 15, 2017 16:42:18 GMT -5
{ Ah, hope you're doing ok ~
Take your time, I'm always fine with waiting }
It was hard to keep up a pleasant front with that blank, unpromising look on Price's face and the near-hostility coming off of the girl in waves (it was probably his fault, but they didn't have to be so unwelcoming, now, did they?), but Jacen had had a lot of practice playing nice. He could do this. He could do something for himself. He didn't need Daehyun looking out for him all the time. After all, he was the leader of a gang. He's tough.
I hate this.
His smile faltered when Price spoke and he did his best not to openly glare at the girl when she let out a quiet laugh at his expense. "Geez, ok." Maybe he should just go back to the compound and let the cops bring him in. "I mean...where do you live? Do you have a couch? Or floor space? Or a roof? If worse comes to worst, I'll sleep in your bathtub. Problem solved." Surely, Price must help him. Who could resist the promise of someone being in their debt? That kind of power doesn't come knocking at your door frequently. Or maybe it does for someone like Price. Jacen wouldn't know. He's never made it his business to be too involved with the lives of anyone outside of his gang.
But surely, Price must help him.
In the off chance (becoming more likely by the second) that he was turned away, Jacen figured that his next best option would be to hightail it out of the city and hope that no one recognizes him as he goes. I'll get caught so fast. But it was better than turning himself in, there was no way he'd be given a fair trial. No one would believe that he's innocent if he didn't have proof.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2017 8:13:29 GMT -5
[ aha, mostly just writer's block, really. thank you, though! ]
From the corner of his eye, he could see Tess' eyebrows rise. My thoughts exactly, he did not voice, slowly flicking his gaze to the other man. It was one thing to invade on his territory, another to insult it, and yet another to decide that he wanted to crash at Cai's place. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, wondered what to do about this whole situation.
"He has some nerve," though her Welsh was a little rough around the edges, it was understandable to Cai, at least. He glanced at Tess and raised an eyebrow. "Coming in here, demanding sh*t from us. Who does he think he is?"
"Someone important, I'd assume." for the first time during that conversation, Cai smiled. It was distant and faint, but it reached his eyes; it was as genuine as could be. "Could be interesting to have someone like this indebted to us."
Though she bristled, he knew that she agreed. He nodded slowly before he looked back to Park and considered him again for a few moments. He had a floor. That would do. He made a little gesture and, after a moment's hesitation, Tess left his side. She glanced back only to make sure he was safe before she turned the corner, and Cai was left alone with the desperate man.
"You can sleep on the floor," he said dryly, the smile no longer present. It was almost as if it were something private, only exchanged with those close to him - and Tess was like his sister, really. He turned on his heel and began to walk, glancing over his shoulder if only to make sure that he wasn't stabbed in the back. "Come on. If you get lost, then it's your own fault."
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 16, 2017 10:12:17 GMT -5
{ oh :0 rip, writer's block is no fun }
Jacen let his smile fade as he observed Price and his guard dog conversing. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he guessed that it wasn't anything good. Maybe he'd come on too strong. Maybe he should've acted more like the helpless college student that everyone took him to be. Too late now.
When Price turned back to face him and gestured for the girl to leave, Jacen couldn't help his brow furrowing, his muscles tensing ever so slightly, not quite sure what he was expecting, but thinking that it could be nothing good. But then the girl disappeared around the corner and all Price did was tell him to keep up.
"Uh..." It took him a few seconds to comprehend that whatever he did had worked. Price was going to help him. "Oh." He jogged a few paces to catch up, then lingered a step or two behind the other man. His nerves were tingling through his skin and his mind was working overtime trying to make sense of what had just happened. He'd been so sure that Price would tell him to f*** off. "Thanks."
Had he done it? Had he actually managed to save himself?
He supposed he had, but at what price? Jacen had made it a point not to be in anyone's debt for as long as he'd been in the business of doing questionable (illegal) activities. In this line of work, it was dangerous to exchange favors when you weren't the one with the power to call on it. For all he knew, he'd just doomed his gang. Oh my god. A frown graced his features and he looked over at the man who had agreed to help him. He wondered if, when the time came, he'd have to go back on his word and if he didwhat that would mean for his future. Would it be worth it, then? All for a bit of protection?
"So...how far is your place?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2017 14:58:56 GMT -5
[ if my replies r 2 short for you or smth lmk ;v; ]
In any other circumstance, Cai wouldn't have liked being alone with a stranger; but as it was, he knew that it would be a stupid thing to do, to attack a potential helper. He wasn't particularly great at socialising while he was alone, but he worked as he needed to and if that meant dealing with a random man in need of help then, sure, whatever. He didn't care.
"Not far," though he wasn't quite sure, that was the answer he settled for.
To his surprise, the walk was a little over fifteen minutes, and that was a little further than 'not far', but he didn't mind. He was someone who walked often and a lot, usually enjoying night-time jogs. He was just...one of those people, he supposed. He walked up the steps running along the side of the building, heading up a couple of sets of rickety metal stairs before he came to his floor, and he unlocked the door and kicked it open. He kicked off his shoes out of habit and turned to see if Park had actually followed, or if he'd gone away.
[ yikess....sorry didnt knw how to pad this heck ] |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 16, 2017 22:38:15 GMT -5
{ it's all good :') i've been having some trouble padding my replies as well so as long as you give me something to work with, you're fine }
"Not far" by Price's standards was apparently pretty far. Jacen was certain that he hadn't walked for so long all at once in months,
simply because he never had to. It didn't take long to get from the compound to the nearest grocery store or coffee shop. Sometimes he went out for drinks, but even then, it wasn't as if he had to walk more than two or three blocks. Any further than that and he called a taxi or forced one of his gang members to go run the errand for him. Walking around on his own in the city was just not his thing. He preferred not to be exposed to the elements (and people).
By the time they finally reached Price's apartment complex and the other man started heading up the stairs, Jacen was pretty irritated. It wasn't really that he wasn't physically fit enough to make the journey, he could walk if he wanted to, it was the idea that Price had essentially lied to him, saying that it wasn't that far. And if "not far" for Price was a fifteen (and counting) minute walk, then Jacen really did not want to know what kind of distance seemed "far" to him.
But he said nothing, just followed dutifully. When Price took off his shoes, he followed suit.
"Uh...nice place." For the first time in a long time, Jacen felt uncomfortable in his own skin. Standing in an unfamiliar apartment in front of an unfamiliar (potentially dangerous) man, the thought of that arrest warrant still weighing heavily on his mind, all Jacen wanted to do was go home. Or melt into a puddle and seep through the hardwood floor. Anything. "Where should I set up camp?" If Jacen had a choice, he wouldn't set up camp here at all. Just being here, willingly being on territory that wasn't his own and preparing to stay, was setting off so many alarm bells in his head he could barely hear his own thoughts over the ringing in his ears. But he didn't have a choice. He had nowhere else to go.
{ I think right about now we should start thinking about how the plot should progress?
Given what you said in the plot about this case involving something bigger than the two of them and some actual dangerous criminals, I was wondering how you might feel about this:
The city rn is run by a bunch of small-time gangs like Park's and Price's and they aren't all that dangerous. They don't commit major felonies, just lowkey illicit dealings and such. They do enough to survive, but not enough to get in serious trouble. But say that a long time ago, there was just one gang that ran the city and they were just really really bad. Bad enough to get on the government's radar and bad enough to get put away for life or much worse if they got caught. So at some point, to avoid getting caught, the gang disappeared from the public and were never seen again. In present times, people mostly think of them as myth or legend and most people don't even think that they really ever existed in the first place. But what if they're still around? Like what if they've been passing along their legacy from generation to generation and they've always been kind of just hovering over the city, keeping an eye on everything. They run a couple establishments here and there and they pull strings when they want something to be done. I alluded to Jacen not being able to keep his word in the past, so what if he did something (or rather, failed to do something) by accident and it turned out to be a really big deal and the gang was like "um???" so they decided to get him put away for it by framing him for murder?
Does that make sense? I don't know I just vomited words x-x }
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 11:18:29 GMT -5
[ ahaha, i get the word vomit sometimes nbd
that makes sense! it sounds like a good plan <: ]
Cai had a feeling that the other man wasn't being genuine when he said that - but he ignored it. His apartment was his home; it was small and quiet, the couch was worn down and comfortable, the bookshelves were crammed with books as well as video games, he had a few consoles sat underneath his little television (which currently displayed the news), and it was all one room; his kitchen was separated by a little kitchen island, his bedroom was curtained off. The rent was cheap and he could afford it, though, and that was why he lived here.
He did not take his gang's earnings for himself. He used them to keep them on a payroll, used it to get cops on his payroll; he was more interested in expanding his small-time gang into something more. Maybe, just maybe, one day he could be a threat to the world. Perhaps he could go from 'drug-dealing tiny gang' to a larger, more dangerous gang - a cartel, a mafia, he didn't care, he just wanted something that would keep not only him but those underneath him stable financially.
Perhaps he cared too much about them.
"...I have a spare futon," he said after a few moments, pushing the curtain to his room aside and heading to his wardrobe. It was...right at the back, which wasn't a surprise; he had to shove his clothes aside before he pulled it out and wandered back to the 'main' area, setting it down on the ground. He'd even grabbed a pillow from his own bed, which he threw down on the floor with a blanket. "You can put it wherever."
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 17, 2017 13:26:33 GMT -5
{ ah, glad it makes sense :') }
Jacen never really thought of his own apartment as being particularly big until he stepped foot in Price's. His front door opened up to a half-bath to the right, a kitchen area to the left that was walled off from the living room space occupying most of the apartment. A balcony coming off the living room overlooked a central courtyard and a separate wing ran off the main space leading to two bedrooms and a full bath. One of those bedrooms he claimed for himself, the other he kept as a space for new recruits to stay when they had nowhere else to go and, well, if anyone was falling on hard times or just needed to feel less alone, his doors were always open. His gang was his family, not that he could really say he understood what family was supposed to be.
In any case, Price's place was undoubtedly less than what he was used to, but he would make do. He wasn't in any position to be critical, after all.
"Ah...thanks." The blanket and pillow were already more than what he'd expected. The futon just left him shell-shocked. He'd been under the impression that he'd be sleeping on the floor, but apparently Price hadn't meant that. "Really, thank you. I...yeah," Jacen muttered as he crouched to collect the blanket and pillow in his arms. There were a few moments of silence as he maneuvered the futon around a bit and settled on sticking in against a wall, making it as unobtrusive as possible. He hoped that he'd be out of here within a few weeks at most.
With the futon situation dealt with, Jacen reached into his pocket and pulled out a flip phone, a burner phone. He'd left his iPhone with Daehyun, trusted his second-in-command to take care of it if he could tamper with it enough to make it untraceable, destroy it if he couldn't. He'd also given orders to halt any activity for the time being. No more commissions, no more jobs until Jacen could figure out what had happened.
To: Dae
I'm safe for now. Be careful.
From: Dae
Jacen frowned, then played around with the back of the phone, extracting the SD card and battery. He wouldn't be contacting his gang for a while.
"Hey, Price?" He didn't take his eyes off of the phone, flipping the now blank phone open and closed, open and closed...
"Do you have like a laptop or something that I can use? Just for a little bit. I promise they won't be able to trace me."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 14:44:27 GMT -5
[ it sounds very interesting (': i like when ppl add on to plots tbh ]
He had to toy with the television to get it to flicker onto the news; it was a second-hand television, but..hey, everything here was second-hand. He didn't mind it that way, really - he'd grown up with it. Just be grateful you got it at all.
Cai picked up the newspaper that had been shoved through his door and flicked through until it was at the advertisement section, settling cross-legged on the couch and reading through. It was often used by his clients to contact him in various ways; codes littered in newspapers that he'd actually read. His clients were rich enough to afford that, and they knew it was one of the few ways to call him. He was hard to access, elusive in many ways. The police never bothered with his gang because there was no proof that he did deals here and there, no proof that he was doing real crime.
Really, it was better this way.
When he was asked if he had a laptop, he flicked his gaze up (still squinting; he wasn't sure where his glasses were, unfortunately), and raised an eyebrow. "No," he said after a few moments. "I don't have one. I've only got my phone, but it's..."
Outdated. Not cool. Bad. Cai shrugged and didn't complete the sentence, instead folding the newspaper (now with a piece torn out and setting it aside. He spent whatever extra money he had on games or saved up; a fancy phone wasn't needed. Just a cheap contract, just something easy to use. Yeah it was a smartphone, but it wasn't like the more expensive ones on the market. Just a cheap one, one that did what it needed to do and very little else. Mostly, he used it for music, he supposed. And getting hold of Tess.
"Why do you need one?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 17, 2017 15:18:01 GMT -5
{ oh that's a relief :') i was like thinking about it and i was like "this is a mess" but i wanted to contribute something to the plot so i let it happen... i'm really glad you like it lol }
When Price affirmed that he did not have a laptop, Jacen let himself fall onto the futon in despair. Well, not quite despair, just some strange mix of surprise and annoyance. The burner phone fell out of his hand, hitting the floor. He let his eyes drift towards the other man, gaze blank, almost clouded over as his mind worked to find a solution to his newfound problem. He noted the newspaper in Price's hands and his eyes flickered over to take in the worn down television. The news was on. Some well-dressed woman with heavy eyeliner was going on about something that Jacen couldn't bring himself to be interested in. He wondered if he's been on the news yet.
"Well," he hesitated for a moment, fingers twitching against his abdomen as he contemplated how much he was willing to tell. It shouldn't matter much, should it? Not as if he would turn me in for anything. And he's supposed to be helping me...I think. "Ok. Well. I -- my gang -- we do a lot of our work online. I'm guessing that we," he made a vague gesture towards Price,"do basically the same kind of stuff. I just do my dealings on the...web, I guess, and then my second takes care of the physical products. I also pick up hacking jobs. Nothing too big, nothing too volatile. Just...yeah." There was a pause and Jacen pursed his lips. The hesitation was back and he wondered if he should've kept all of that to himself after all. Price wouldn't be able to get any hard proof that what he was saying was all true, but it's not as if proof didn't exist out there. After all, the reason why he wanted to get his hands on a computer was so that he could access that proof.
"It's just...I was thinking...I wanted to access my reports. Whoever framed me must be someone I've 'worked' with in the past, otherwise why would they frame me? As far as the general public knows, I'm just some random, non-threatening college student. I thought if I could take a look at my clients for the past, I don't know, two months or something, and weeded out all the regulars that I trust, I might be able to get a hold of some suspects." He shrugged. He supposed that he'd just have to risk going back to the compound or something to get his hands on some workable technology. He had no other ideas for leads.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 15:42:58 GMT -5
[ ahaha, i dont mind tho ^^ even if its just like throwing stuff at me h m u bc i love hearing others thoughts ]
Dramatic man. More childish than he'd expected - then again, what had he expected? Cai tilted his head to the side and flicked is gaze away to the news, legs still crossed and elbows resting on his thighs. The news wasn't interesting, but it let him know what was going on in the world. Let him know the dangers, let him know what to look out for. People often mistook him for some all-knowing being, but really, he just...paid attention to the news, even if he did other things. It was a little amusing to know that the people he hung out with did not often do that.
"I can ask Tess to bring her laptop over. When do you need it by?" he wasn't even sure if she'd be happy with that, but her laptop was well-protected and he used it from time to time, so maybe it would be useful for Park, too.
Hearing that the other did his work online was strange. Traceable, he supposed. Then again, precautions could be taken and Cai knew that; but he wasn't the most trusting when it came to working with the internet. There were also the what ifs and the risks, even with the right precautions taken.
[ aahh short post bc i gotta do smth and i wanted to get it up before i do things aHAA woops ill be back in half an hour to an hour, depending ] |
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 17, 2017 16:16:52 GMT -5
{ ahaa well in that case i guess i'll throw all my stupid ideas your way :') }
{ okie dokie have fun }
At the mention of a possible laptop, Jacen managed to straighten himself out on the futon, coming to sit expectantly at the edge of his seat, much like a child being told they were going to get a reward for good behavior. "Really?" There was a twinkling in his eyes, though it was hard to tell why. "The sooner the better, I guess. But I don't really have a deadline. I don't think the cops will find me anytime soon." He wondered if he'd just jinxed himself.
For as long as computers had existed in his life, Jacen had been fascinated by them. They had been his guide to a bright, bright future, but had also quickly become a gateway to his demise. He'd gotten cocky, arrogant, started taking things farther than he had to and his growing greed had led him down a dark, spiraling path that he didn't get off of until it was much too late.
Jacen didn't like thinking of his life now as being one of the worst possible outcomes, but it was hard to believe otherwise whenever he allowed his mind to drift. Don't get him wrong, he loved his gang members. Ever last one of them. They were loyal and smart and family and he wouldn't trade them for anything. If he had to turn out this way, then he was glad he had them. And in the beginning, Jacen had been pretty happy about the way things turned out. After all, he had an entire portion of the city under his control and work was easy and well-paying. What was there not to like?
But ever since he'd received news of his sister's death two years ago, it's become more and more difficult to ignore the fact that the gang wasn't his first family and that once upon a time, he was supposed to become much more than just a small-time gang leader. In some ways, he's failed and acknowledging that failure did nothing good for his mental stability.
At this point, though, there wasn't much he could do about it except continue on, all the while hoping that his dead mother wouldn't be too restless in her grave.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 18:06:14 GMT -5
[ u gotta it's for science, obvs ]
Seeing Park move from the corner of his eye, Cai turned his head to watch him cautiously. Right. Not dangerous for now. He wrinkled his nose a little before he nodded slowly and reached into his pocket, idly pulling out his phone and dialling Tess' number. She took a little longer than he would've liked to pick up, but the point was that she did pick up, and that was something in itself.
"The next time you come to mine, would you mind bringing over your laptop?" a pause, as she answered. He hummed softly and glanced to Park again before he switched languages. "Yes, for him. He wants to look something up, his gang do business online. No, I know, it doesn't sound safe...alright. Thank you. Yes. I know. Thank you, Tess."
He hung up and threw his phone idly onto the little side-table, before he settled back down with his elbows on his legs.
"She'll bring it down in a few days. What are you going to do until then?" he raised an eyebrow. "Sit here and mope?"
Admittedly, if he were in that situation, he didn't know what he'd do. Perhaps that difference that he wasn't hated enough to get framed; he got targeted if he pushed a little too far, yes, but framed? It was just...not something he'd considered before. He wasn't sure who'd be petty enough to frame someone, but he had no doubt in his mind that Park was likely someone who could push someone that far. Ah, well. Cai didn't have to choose sides, he just had to deal with someone in his personal space. It was uncomfortable as hell, but he could deal with it.
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 17, 2017 20:11:24 GMT -5
{ ah yes, science, of course! how could i not have realized }
Jacen couldn't understand what Price was saying and he couldn't seem to figure out what language they were speaking, either, but he didn't much care. He was buzzing from anticipation or nervousness, his fingers drumming against his thighs. He knew that those client reports would give him some kind of a lead. He knew it. It had to have been an unsatisfied client. It wasn't as if he went around the city p*ssing off random people on the streets (and it wasn't as if a random person on the street would have the guts to 1) commit murder and 2) frame Jacen Park).
He couldn't help but grin when Price told him that the laptop would be in his hands in a few days. His grin barely faltered when the other asked what he planned on doing while he waited, though there was a tightening in his cheeks and his fingers stopped drumming in favor of digging his nails into his legs. "Good question. But also I'm a little bit offended."
There wasn't much else he could be doing, but really? Moping? Jacen Park did not mope. Maybe he cried when his mother passed and maybe he locked himself in a room for twenty four hours when some hospital called to let him know his sister was dead, but he doesn't mope or sulk or indulge himself in that kind of emotion. It would be dangerous and foolish to do so.
"No, I'm not going to 'sit here and mope.' What I'm going to do is--" He paused, mind not quite caught up to his mouth. There wer a few beats of silence before he seemed to make up his mind. "What I'm going to do is take a look at those pictures of the crime scene they've been putting up on the news, in the papers, see if anything there can tell me what's going on. I'm also going to take some notes on what they're saying about the victim, but I can do most of my research on her when your guard dog brings the laptop."
"And in my spare time, I can help you! With stuff."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 22:07:55 GMT -5
[ d u h. plot things are for science! naturally!
so howve you been my dude? anything interesting happening in ur life?
a l so im sorry beforehand abt cai shifting and changing a lot im still not sure how i want him to act ;v; ]
Despite the situation, Cai smiled. It was something genuine and rare, that reached his eyes and crinkled up at the corners; he wasn't sure why, but Park was amusing to him. He focused his gaze on the news even as he smiled, shifting his weight a little until he was sure that his face was hidden. It took him a couple of moments to flick his features back to a neutral expression, but once he did, he looked back at the other man.
"Well, then. My apologies," the words were not quite genuine, but they were enough, he supposed. "Good luck with that. She has a name, though; her name is Tessa. I don't think she'd be happy if you referred to her as a 'guard dog'." if he knew Tess, she'd probably knock him out. Tempting to see, but not something that would be good for any of them.
I can help you! With stuff. Really, he wasn't sure what he could be helped with. Unsure of what to say, Cai squinted thoughtfully and uncrossed his legs, pushing himself up to stand and walking over to the kitchenette area. He was hungry. Needed sustenance.
"What are you going to help me with?" he asked as he rummaged through his cupboards. "I'm not sure if there's much I can be helped with."
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Post by נσкσмαтσ on Dec 18, 2017 8:47:29 GMT -5
{ i've been ok, things have been pretty normal
applying to college and stuff
what about you? }
{ and that's ok haha, jae might experience some awkward shifts in personality as well idrk who he is yet }
"Tessa. Ok." If he was to be honest with himself, Jacen didn't care much whether or not the girl would be happy. But given the situation he was in, he would care whether or not he came at odds with her and somehow managed to get himself kicked out. He would remember her name.
Seeing Price stand to go dig through the cupboards made Jacen wonder when the last time he'd eaten was. Before Daehyun came to him with the news that he was wanted for murder, he'd been finishing up some work for a client, making sure that his tracks were covered one last time before pushing past the firewall and extracting the documents he needed, being sure to leave nothing suspicious. It was just a regular job, messing with one company because another paid him well to do it. It was the kind of job where, if neither party told, no one would ever know.
Now, he wondered if maybe one time he hadn't been as thorough as he should have been, if one of his targets had somehow figured him out, wanted him gone.
"I don't know. But I'm sure you can come up with something. I'm pretty useful." He pressed his lips together, gaze following the other man's movements. "What do you normally do? Any plans for tomorrow? Treat me like one of your lackeys if you must."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 9:54:11 GMT -5
[ naisu
ive been decent, got some merch from a game that i dote on so im chill
broke as hell
but chill ]
Bare cupboards were not a rare thing, but at least he had, uh. Instant noodles? Alright, he'd take it. He grabbed a pack and a pot before he turned his head to look at Park from over his shoulder, an eyebrow raising. Lackey was such an ugly word, but he decided not to correct him. Instead, he shrugged as he put water to boil, and rested his elbows on the kitchen island.
"I do a lot of things," he rested his chin on his hand and watched the television without much interest. "Tomorrow, I'm just going to the warehouse to sort through stock. You can come, but it's not very interesting work."
It was, perhaps, some of the blandest work; but in the end, he was a pretty good arms supplier. That's what his clients liked - they were the big, bad guys. He was just their enabler, or something like that. If he didn't make sure his stock was good, then he'd be wiped out. Simple as that. Then again, he was good at avoiding things; he'd avoided worse.
Maybe he was being inconsiderate. He glanced back at the water on the stove, before he turned to look back at Park again. "Do you want food? I've only got instant noodles, but..." he shrugged, "it works."
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