video.

[capsize]

[ the feed switches on to show a spectacular view of the garden grounds. as in the actual floor of the gardens, mostly dirt and foliage, before it's flipped around to focus on hook's face. his expression is solemn, offering up a respectable display of sincere concern for those he's addressing. ]

This message is intended as a favour— an act of good faith, if you will. I regret to inform my fellow passengers that we've a wolf in our midst. [ the mask of civility slips slightly, giving way to a sharp grin; his voice matches, edged with hostility and amusement. ] Or should I say a crocodile.

There's a man on this ship who calls himself Rumplestiltskin. While I admit he's not much to look at, it's nothing more than the practised ruse of a monster. He's known to my world as The Dark One. Whatever kind words he's spun, any generosities he's offered— I assure you, they've been at your expense.

[ no killing allowed, but nobody said anything about gossip. anyway, after a pause to let that dramatic reveal that absolutely won't remind anyone of stupid picture books settle: ]

I've also heard word of a smithy on board. If anyone could direct me to it or to its owner, I'd be in your debt. [ there's a glint of light off the metal as he raises his hook, idly considering its condition. ] I've something in need of sharpening.

[ that last sentence would absolutely be a private taunt to gold if he knew how to encrypt anything, but he doesn't. blame emma. ]

( ooc: 4th walling on all related fairy tales/stories is welcome! )

Comments

voice;

[civilwarring]

[Not that it matters because HEY BUDDY, WAY TO ARRIVE LATE TO THIS PARTY, but as a point of personal pride--]

Does he go by any other name?

voice;

[capsize]

[ oh right, that. there's a slight pause while hook realizes he's probably dropped the wrong name. ]

Gold. [ and going by fact that he knew to ask— ] That's a name you're familiar with, I take it.

( video )

[nattering]

[ boy do you sound like something out of a made for tv kid's pirate show.

sounding dubious, ]

Why a crocodile and not a wolf?

[ not that joan recalls wolves in the story of rumplestiltskin (that hasn't escaped her notice, but you know, one step at a time) either, but crocodiles don't exactly ring with more relevance, to say the least. ]

( video )

[capsize]

[ hey girl. ]

Because of the scales, of course. [ not that it applies here, given gold's current appearance. he sounds amused, but it's not particularly good natured and very clearly at someone else's expense. ] I suppose it's something of an inside joke.

[boogiewoogiebugleboy]

Is that the metaphor we're really-

[WAIT NO STOP.]

I'm sorry did you just-

[Are we not keeping secrets here?]

What do you mean not much to look at?

[capsize]

It is, and I did. [ and is that a literal question, because he'll happily indulge it. ] A bit on the short side, bearing a striking resemblance to a rat.

video;

[salvatus]

[He officially hates space twitter. Who let you have access to the general populace?]

How about your practised ruse? Someone did explain to you that you're not getting paid up here, right?

[Seriously, there's no space disneyland. ps ur wig is missing]

video;

[capsize]

[ what. there's a moment of genuine confusion, but hook rallies and manages to sound entirely polite — maybe even slightly humble — when he replies. ]

It's been quite some time since I've been paid in any traditional sense. [ more in the business of taking money, thanks. not that he provides the context to make that clear. ]

But I assure you, this is no ruse.

[wolfchild]

There are many wolves aboard.
The master of the forge is named Fili.
He or Gendry would do a fine job.

video;

[capsize]

[ not switching to text, thank you. he's seen the wolves, and it's easy to guess the response simply missed the metaphor— but even if it hasn't, it's an apt statement. ] So there are, some a great deal more dangerous than others. But you have my thanks. I assume they've been assigned numbers, as well?

Voice

[extrabraincells]

[ Peter is just going to focus on the one thing that really gets his attention. Not that the talk about the Dark One and the crocodile a'nt impressive. He's just learned to stay out of people's business unless it's somehow a threat to him. ]

Nice hook.

permavideo!

[capsize]

[ flattery will get you everywhere. even if the comment had been sarcastic, the reply probably would've been just as smug. ]

I'm aware it's something of a bold choice, but I've grown quite fond of it.

video;

[afraidofthe]

[Well that was very

public.]

Just throwing all of that out in the open, are we?

[Blatantly ignoring the "wolf" bit, by the by.]

video;

[capsize]

[ subtlety's not in his vocabulary, sorry bigby. ]

For the sake of the people, of course. It's hardly safe to let them go on about their lives with a snake in their midst.

video

[woodlander]

So you are no friend of his, then.

[ She doesn't know the man. She also doesn't trust anyone who'd be called anything like the Dark One, but she knows a grudge when it broadcasts itself. Forgive her for a little suspicion. ]

What did he do, to deserve your ire?

video

[capsize]

A keen observation. [ the mockery's gentle, but it's still there. the next comment's not so light, tone steady with resolve. ]

He took something from me; it's a favour I intend to repay.

video.

[faithlessly]

Dude, a hook? Seriously? Next info tidbit you'll share your favorite hobby is sailin' the seven seas, right?

[ 1+ year in this place has taught dean nothing sorry ]

video.

[capsize]

[ wow dean you can't just say that to a pirate. hook doesn't sound particularly amused, but there's no real offense taken, either. ]

Once upon a time, perhaps. Now I'd say it's a close second.

[ these days his favorite hobby is trying to murder rumplestiltskin, obviously. ]

video;

[jondrette]

[Hello, attractive dangerous man. Eponine has a type, could ya tell?

...Probably not, actually.]

A wolf who calls himself a crocodile? That is stranger than this 'video'.

I have heard that name before.

video;

[capsize]

[ oh good, someone who reminds him vaguely of home. but seriously, run away, eponine. ]

Not a title of his choosing, but an apt one. [ it's her last comment that's really got his interest, though, and the curiosity's clear in his voice. ] Aboard this ship?

video;

[uncurse]

... This is why you needed help? Seriously? [ she'd be more exasperated except gold doesn't even go by rumpelstiltskin so like why care. ]

video;

[capsize]

I couldn't have done it without you. [ which is to say yes, thanks for making it happen, except in the way where he's actually being a jerk instead of saying thanks.

also he realized that gold thing like, five seconds after making this post. remind him to ask about do-overs next lesson. ]

video;

[bullshead]

I work at the smithy.

video;

[capsize]

And what are you called?

[ because he's got it on good authority (more like the authority of a text from someone he doesn't know) that fili and gendry are legit. ]

video;

[realigns]

[ this would totally be (somewhat) believable if not for the sharp, predatory grin and the shift in tone. good job, hook, you tried. she's more amused than anything else, and while there's a great deal she could comment on — the dark one (what an foolishly bold moniker), the hook, the reference to a tale she's heard through her numerous decades of existence — she merely settles for: ]

Not exactly a master of subtlety, are you.

[ it's not even a question at this point. the answer is pretty blatantly obvious to her. ]

video;

[capsize]

[ there's no offense taken, though her comment does prompt another grin. still not particularly friendly, but more born of amusement than malice. ]

I've often found subtlety to be the mark of cowards.

[ it'd probably serve him well to be mildly embarrassed— by the fact that he missed out on the minor detail of rumplestiltskin going by gold on the ship, or the fact that more than one person's already called out the act. he isn't. ]

video.

[withlace]

The Dark One? That's certainly creative.

video.

[capsize]

Not as creative as you'd think. But if you mean to say it has a sense of overcompensation, I'd say you're a very perceptive woman.

[lostkings]

Rumplestiltskin. Says the guy with a hook for a hand. [ just grinning. so much. ]

video.

[capsize]

Aye, he does. [ not actually getting the joke, here. you steppin'. ]

permavideo

[askedtobe]

We've got more than a few wolves on board if you want my opinion on it.

[capsize]

[ well he doesn't actually want anyone's opinion on it, but saying so probably wouldn't win him many points. ] Both in the literal and the metaphorical sense of the word, it seems.

[ what's with the wolf infestation in the gardens. ]

video;

[cogere]

[ a wolf, no, a crocodile, rumpelstiltskin, the dark one. It's all a bit much, but elijah's curious. it sounds like something supernatural is involved. interesting.

and, well, rebekah's speaking to hook. what kind of brother would he be if he didn't vet her acquaintances (a normal one, probably. ]

[ dryly, though the corners of his twitch upward in amusement. ] You assume most others are sheep, then.

[ hahaha. ]

video; it's okay spelling is overrated

[capsize]

[ the implication's easy enough to catch, and the dry amusement's mirrored in hook's tone. ]

You don't consider yourself one of the flock, I take it.

video;

[gilding]

[Truth is he wasn't going to bother with responding to this, until Hook starting dropped "Gold" alongside the rest. He still looks more amused than concerned (or annoyed) as the video clicks on.]

Are you hoping they'll take up the torches and pitchforks against me now?

video;

[capsize]

[ hook flashes a broad grin, but the amusement in gold's tone is more grating than he's letting on. or attempting to let on, anyway; odds are gold knows him well enough to know better. ]

Torches and pitchforks are a bit outdated. I believe the airlock's more in fashion. [ but the answer's no. he's heard of the brig and security and the strict no-kill policy, and so there's no real bite to the joke. ] I'm simply doing a public service.

[northerner]

A wolf in our midst. A dramatic start to your declarations.

[ so, so skeptical ]

[capsize]

[ why are people having so many issues with the phrasing, isn't this how everyone talks. ]

Yet no less truthful for it. If you've any sense of self preservation, you'll heed my words.

video;

[cargojet]

The wolf is you, isn't it? Playing the innocent act, though; nice try.

video;

[capsize]

[ wow why would you even think that, this post was completely legit. it's becoming clear enough that nobody's going to buy said act, so hook drops it entirely. still, he sounds more amused than aggrieved. ]

Surely a wolf who looks the part is preferable to one in sheep's clothing. I may not be one of your flock, but I assure you, I have not spoken an untrue word.

not here.

[darkart]

[ Oh that's why you can't type. ]

not here.

[capsize]

[ One reason of many. ]

voice »

[mathematically]

You're missing the perm and the mustache.

[ she is trying so hard to laugh, it's just really not even remotely working. ]

voice »

[capsize]

[ and voice in reply, because switching back to video is way too much work. that said, it's easy to tell he's somewhere between offended and confused, just by his tone. ]

I'm afraid I don't quite follow.

voice »

[suit]

[ so many things to say here and yet very few real choices that he should make. ]

I hope you plan on trying to somehow fish with that hook. [ because as bad as gold might be, any potential hurting with the hook is bad as well. ]

voice »

[capsize]

[ ally why are your characters so rude gosh!!!!!! ]

I've been informed that this ship isn't actually at sea. [ said very dryly, given the fact that said informing was mostly done as an insult. but that's a no, no fishing anytime soon. ]

I'M NOT LATE!!!!

[carbonite]

Really. The Dark One. Maybe he doesn't go by it because he's just overly ashamed that someone actually calls him The Dark One.

NO YOU AREN'T it's me i'm late to my own post

[capsize]

He seemed quite keen on it back home. Then again, the people there had a fair bit more respect for the title. [ including him, actually, and he sounds mildly aggrieved by the discrepancy. guess who wasn't expecting people to find the ridiculous titles funny: this guy. ]

video;

[skjalf]

[ welp. ]

That does sound like a tale spun to frighten children who think to wander too far from home.

[ but ms. medieval here, unlike everyone else, is kind of actually alarmed by that title. it just doesn't show. ]

Are you saying that a creature from a faerie tale simply— [ hold up, there are actual faeries here. CHANGE OF TOPIC. ]

That is quite the quality of craftmanship. [ aka: nice hook! ]

video;

[capsize]

[ there's no sign that she's buying it, but the fact that her mannerisms are vaguely familiar is still taken as a win. if she's not from new york, or wherever, maybe she'll be more easily convinced.

the abrupt change of topic earns an amused grin, and as for the compliment— ]

A lass with good taste. [ craftsmanship, not usually the first thing people notice. and it almost seems that he's content to accept the change in subject, but after a beat: ] What tales are these, exactly?