[Ghouligan]

July 15th. 1:50 PM.

There’s no one around.

No, that’s not it. There aren’t places around either. Technically, yes, there is a river to the East. And if you head North for long enough, you’ll run into a cave littered with creatures you’d rather avoid. And you must have come from ‘somewhere’ which makes ‘here’ distinctly a place.

But it’s not a place in the way a coffee shop is a place. There aren’t idle ears and eyes watching as people flow in and out of the building. There isn’t a cashier taking orders as their soul slowly slips away into the aether. There isn’t a private booth for two people to whisper secrets to one another — a fitting location for what’s to come.

It’s not one of those places. It’s a place left untouched by humans. It’s a place where beasts can live in peace, only bothered by other kinds of monsters. It’s a place where the paths have ended, where there is only brush and bush and dirt. It’s a place where technology is absent. And if you were to bring a phone with you, you’d have a one in ten chance of your call getting through.

It’s the place where he’d meet Gadget. Dion was invited, too, but he’s busy at the moment. He’ll be busy for a while. Something came up and it was something he’d do alone. But his will lives on.

This was his idea after all.

But for now, Ghouligan waits. And for once he’s not transformed. The mask is still on. He’s still carrying the briefcase with his arsenal, should things go wrong. There’s a liquid slug contained in a vial beneath his baggy jacket, but he’s not transformed. It’d be the first time someone in Japan would see him like this.

He sits against the tree.

Waiting.

---

Jaida Connor

[Jaida Connor]

template by Punki of Pixel Perfect

sling shot

On her adventure to get ready for the day...one of the alerts on her phone popped off.

中元 / お中元 ! ! !

For a moment, she had a staring contest with her phone...

...today was the day she promised herself she'd get gifts ready for any new, real friends she made. Moving to Japan was rough and not just because she was a Pro-Hero applicant reject, but it was worse because every real friend she had was in America. All the people who would make time to see one another just because they liked each other's company? Yeah, they were gone, many of them fell out of contact and the time difference didn't do her any favors, either.

Sure, there were folks she was in the process of calling her friends, but she always stuffed that lopsided, one-sided feeling into a box and try not to think about it.

Try not to think about how your sibling will never look up to you.

Try not to think about how your parents are disappointed deep down that you couldn't do better for yourself.

Try not to think about how nothing comes for free and everyone's gonna collect from you.

Try not to think abou--

There were two people she met on her journey here, they were the sorts to get their hands drenched in the blood of others, but they....somehow...weren't terrible people. Both of them had a twisted view on justice and saving people, but the core that made her stomach the tough pill of I'm associated with murderers is because they went after those who wouldn't change. Erasing people who took joy out of harming others to the point of death like a broken record, neither of them liked it...just...treated it like it had to be done to make the world a better place. Sure, of course she had her reservations...but...she saw where they were coming from and found herself helping when push came to shove.

Furrowing her brows at her phone, she figured this was an opportunity to give at least one person a gift today.

Taking up her vigilante phone, she noticed the last message from Ghouligan and offered a half smile...if there was someone who deserved a gift today, she figured he was a good fit and heck, maybe he'd appreciate it? There was enough time to get something together, even if it meant re-purposing a few things! So after she finished tossing on a simple enough outfit and getting her hair red as could be, she'd get to work on putting together a gift for someone she saw as a friend in the works!

There were some other goodie bags she put together juuuust in case she had some time later on, but this one was special!

Getting some snacks most folks actually enjoyed and...well...a picnic sort of lunch since it looked like they were headed off to the boonies or somethin'. Mostly a few sandwiches and hard boiled eggs, but just a bunch of protein bars for herself along with some bottles of water. Once all was said and done, she loaded up her duffel bag with goodies and necessities and got her more civilian looking styled boots on in case she had to get the heck out of dodge in a pinch. Eventually...she'd make those babies fly, but it was a step-by-step process!

---

FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IT'S A GOOD THING SHE SCREEN CAPPED A MAP OF THIS PLACE!

With her GPS crapping out at more points than she cared to admit, she was at least making good time and would be a little bit early...right?!

Chances were, Ghouligan wasn't going to be the one hanging around waiting for her to show up...rrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiight?

Hopefully! Though the walk...or...well...gosh more like hike, felt kinda isolating? As though this place didn't really see a ton of folks...but that wasn't going to stop the techy who preferred the city juuuuuust a lil more! Part of her was tempted to just putta-put along with her boots in hover mode...but that would take waaay too long. Plus, there was something about it that felt less rewarding...or like she'd miss something?

Updating her map every now and again, she let out a sigh and slowly came to a stop as those golden optics rest upon the screen. "Well this is it...right?" muttering those words beneath her breath, she drifted around...trying to find the exact spot. By the time she got there, it was about 1:55pm...her gaze glancing around and for a moment, if only because the mask...

...was this actually Ghouls or did someone take his shit like a trophy?

Trying to shake off that awful thought, he didn't fully look like the Ghouligan she knew...it was off. "Ghouls...? That you, buddy?" Adjusting the strap on her bag, she figured he would have a way of assuring her that was him...right? Especially if he was gonna take a different appearance...her selling point was her voice, the very one she spoke in when her changer went on the fritz so he'd at least know that despite looking different, that was his ally in the flesh. WELL...if he remembered what she told him, anywho...then that would be easy enough to pass the verification check. Unlike the other vigilantes so far, only he and Dion knew a casual nickname of her's she'd answer to, one she'd answer to no matter the look.

If it wasn't Ghouligan...well...she'd make sure she gave anyone who hurt her buddies some just desserts!

......................or at least make one hell of an effort to dish out the karma!

Today's look!
Ghouligan

[Ghouligan]

“It’s me,” Unlike Gadget, Ghouligan’s voice wasn’t the same. He didn’t use his voice to augment his vocal chords. When he transformed, he became a husk of umbral force. There weren’t vocal chords to augment. But now, for the first time, Gadget would hear his voice filtered through flesh and bone and the warmth of his humanity. “Stalker can’t make it. He’s on the hunt.”

Antoine pulled out a few notes he had worked on. They were transcripted messages from Dion. More importantly, they weren’t words at all. They were rudimentary symbols, examples to create a secret code. While they aimed for a literal network of communication, they needed ways to check the authenticity of each other. A way to check if you were among peers — even if disagreements were to be had.

Without Ward’s expertise, it’d be more difficult but he already built a solid framework. It was up to Ghouligan and Gadget to take it a step further and create universal, shifting codes for people to latch on to. At the very least, it needed to last them a year.

“I’ve got a few things to show you but,” He tilted his head. “What’s with all the stuff?”

---

Jaida Connor

[Jaida Connor]

template by Punki of Pixel Perfect

sling shot

Although she was still wary since two and two was making fish right now...the next sentence got her to connect the dots that it was definitely Ghouls. A slight frown made its way across her lips as she got closer, "He knows he doesn't have'ta do things by himself all the time...he's got us and we coulda helped..." Setting down her stuff, she reached up to lightly fuss her hair, twirling her fingers along the strands for a moment before bringing her hand out, "...hopefully he'll be alright..." Crouching down next to her stuff, flumping her but down before crossing her legs which didn't bother her none since she wore bike shorts beneath every skirt she'd wear out. After all, she never really knew when or where she'd have to throw hands.

Blinking a few times, she then looked up and offered up a slight smile, "OH! I brought'cha some stuff! Since this place was pretty remote an' I didn't know if ya needed more than a snack...plus it's Chugen!" Getting out the lunch box she packed, plopping it on the ground, gently pushing it towards Ghouligan along with a couple bottles of water. Then she brought out a bag that had a bunch of cow print tissue, picking it up and holding it over her head, she added a little "Ta ta da da daaaaaaaa~!" Before holding it towards Ghouligan, "Happy Chugen, Ghouls~!"

When he'd open it, he would find that it was a little handmade plush of him in full vigilante form, complete with a little pool stick that could be attached to the hands with magnets. With the time she had before coming down here, she at least wanted to add on to the plushy she found, so now it had a little magnetic pool stick. Beneath it was a key chain she welded together with scraps to look like a skull, she almost made it of his mask...but she didn't want to risk someone connecting the dots on that front. Now the skull key chain also had a built in light for the eyes so it could be used like a flash light, a charging port much like a phone and solar panels accenting it beneath the eyes and upon the top. The button below it, concealed under the jaw bone, that was the little on and off switch for the flashlight function.

A little card with a cat emoji could also be found within...

Happy Chugen!

I found the plushy when I was out shopping and made it so your mini-me could hold a pool stick! I made the key chain from scratch, hope it comes in handy! I didn't have time to add a blacklight setting like I wanted, but I can make you another one later if you want (: you can charge it with solar power or like a cellphone, figured it was easier than something you need to change the battery for! Button to turn it on and off is under the jaw, I didn't want it to ruin the look of it, hope you like your gifts!

Some tiny, individually packaged soy sauce crackers with nori could be found here and there beneath the card. It was a safe enough snack choice to throw in there, especially since she wasn't too sure if he liked sweets or not!

Ghouligan 🎱

[Ghouligan]

“Sometimes circumstances dictate we do things alone,” Antoine said. “It might be over by the time we got there.”

With how proficient Dion was in combat, and his penchant for ambushes, drawing out the battle would have been his downfall. That was, of course, the presumption this was a battle. For all they knew, he could have been gathering intel for them to bring later. Or maybe it was a pregnancy scare and his lover was concerned over their children being more cub than baby. If that were the case, were either of them suited for that conversation?

“Chugen?” Antoine stopped the waters from rolling as he placed them next to the tree. Then, he grabbed the lunch box. If he were to eat this, then he’d have to take off his mask. Was he ready to reveal his identity to a stranger? Then again, were they really a stranger? If this was meant to be an ally, someone he was supposed to trust, then…

Antoine open the gift and…

“Oh,” This was embarrassing. If this was a holiday — a gift-giving one at that — what was he supposed to give her? Especially in a secluded place like this. There weren’t any stores to crash last minute. And even then, he was an awful gift-giver. He wasn’t one for sentiment. So, it made his selection of material possessions too practical and boring. “Looks just like me.”

Well, that wasn’t true. It looked like the Ghouls she knew, not the Ghouls he was right now. Now for the bitter truth.

“Sorry,” He said. “I didn’t know we were getting gifts.”

---

Jaida Connor

[Jaida Connor]

template by Punki of Pixel Perfect

sling shot

Sure, she wouldn't disagree whole heartedly with such a point...but damn, she really wished folks would grasp that they weren't as alone as they felt. That they could actually reach out for help, that there were people who could and would respond...that being some lone ranger wasn't the only option. Hopefully it wasn't something that really was something Dion could tackle by himself...

...though the shadows of her mind leaked into the light of her thoughts for a moment and she simply built another mental wall to cope. Maybe dismissing things and shoving them into a corner would come back to bite her, suffocate her...but that was a problem for future Jaida. The present had to be their best self!

YEAH!

So she simply offered a slight smile, "...y-yeah...heh...you're right, Ghouls..." The concern didn't leave her voice, it lingered about, but she seemed to have taken that tough to swallow pill well enough. Admittedly, she'd keep an eye on her phone when she had better reception again, just make sure that Dion hasn't been trying to reach out in dire need of help.

It wasn't that she saw her allies as incompetent, just...genuinely worried about their well-being, wishing and hoping the best for them. That things could be worse rather than finding their final tale emerge in the obituaries. Another cloudy thought tucked away into the darker depths of the optimist's mind, relieved that at least he accepted the lunch box, rescued the runaway waters and even took the gift! Nodding to assure him that yup, today is definitely Chugen, part of her wondered if he knew what it was, or--!

--OOOOOOR MAYBE HE WAS SURPRISED SOMEONE REMEMBERED HIM ON CHUGEN AND SHE WAS BRIGHTENING SOMEONE'S DAY!

There were times she recalled her gifts for other occasions simply being thrown away and discarded out of spite towards her, but it didn't look like that was gonna happen today! With the pride bubbling within her soul in picking out a good set of gifts, she let out a happy huff and puffed her chest a bit, "Right, right?! I saw em' and had to get em' then give em' the chibi-accurate pool stick! Heh!" Sitting upright as she grabbed her knees, there was a small part of her that thought maybe that's why they were meeting up today, CHUGEN~!

It was such a fun holiday, who wouldn't want to give folks stuff just because?!

Goodness, she almost forgot and HAHA HOW AWKWARD WOULD THAT HAVE BEE--

--oh.

Furrowing her brows slightly, she simply laughed it off on the outside, bringing her hand up and lightly waving it to and fro, "Eeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh it's okay, really, Ghouls! I gotta admit, I almost forgot m'self, but I'm glad ya got something, at least!" Giving him a thumbs up, she carried on her chipper words, "'sides! Ya like em' so that's enough for me, man!" Bringing her hand down, she rhythmically pat her knees in thought, stuffing every shred of negativity plaguing her into a box to deal with later once more...sorry future, Jaida!

"Sooooo, so so so! What'cha wanna talk about, Ghouls?" Though the rhythmic knee taps came to a pause and she sloooowly lifted her hand, pointing up towards the sky, "...aaaand does that include why ya look different than usual?" Tilting her head ever so slightly to the side like a confused puppy, she distracted herself with the reminder that he definitely looked and sounded more like a person today. Not that she didn't see him as a person at his core when he was looking like a mutant of some sort...but...he looked like he could easily blend into a crowd this way.

Granted, she'd keep this hush hush, last thing she wanted to do was compromise someone she saw as a friend in the works, an ally. You know, especially after seeing how the news had it out for him with their propaganda bullshittery. They couldn't fool her, they were just trying to paint him in a bad light as a distraction from some other issues going on in society! JERKS!

Ghouligan 🎱

[Ghouligan]

“There’s more to our network than just the technology behind it,” Ghouligan pushed through the awkward tension. Even if he had the knowledge to reciprocate, even if he reciprocated, the act of giving gifts was strange to him. Cognitively, it made sense. But his heart didn’t understand. Gifts were, as well-meaning as they are, temporary.

“We need a way to identify one another. We’re going to independently expand the network. And some people will infiltrate. The more barriers to entry there are, the safer we are.” Antoine passed over some sketched-out references, courtesy of Dion.

“These are some symbols we can use in the wild to identify whether an area is safe or compromised. You’re going to see different symbols all the way from hostile heroes to friendly criminals.” Ghouligan said. “He’s done some of the work but the rest is up to us. Right now, we need to come up with seasonal phrases to verify one another. You up for that?”

Right, he almost forgot.

“Side effect of using my quirk. I turn into the Ghouligan you’re familiar with. But I don’t think you’re going to hurt me, are you?” A genuine question. He didn’t need to transform to kill her, but this was an act of trust. If, for whatever reason, she sought to betray him, then he’d follow through on his promise.

He’d protect the rest of the network.

---

Jaida Connor

[Jaida Connor]

template by Punki of Pixel Perfect

sling shot

Tucking away the negative feelings into a nice box nestled into a dark ol' corner, she bobbled her head into a nod of agreement, all these points were...well...on point! They needed to have more cryptic ways of communicating since tech could get hacked and cause everything to fall apart at the seams. After all, if she was capable of nosing her way into systems and building them, there's a good chance that someone else out there in the world was gonna do it better. Although she was relatively skilled, she wasn't cocky enough to view herself as the best...she could admit there was a ways to go and this was one of em'...

Carefully reaching up to grasp upon the sketches, she looked them over with a smile...albeit a little sad.

That big lug better be okay out there...

Flipping through, she looked at each and every sketch as though she was analyzing it with the utmost care...it was definitely a good start. Solid for the foundation of building a network and something that could easily support so much more...turning them at different angles and painting pictures in her mind of options, choices, creative liberties that could aid in emphasis for getting more specific with a single symbol. "It'll keep everyone safe for sure, I'm definitely not gonna tell ya no..."

For a moment...

...her smile brightened with a sense of sincerity that she was in this to help as many people as she could...Ghouligan included. Though the moment he uttered the words, I don't think you're going to hurt me, are you? all those negative thoughts clawed away at her. Gently clutching at the drawings...she...she didn't know what to say. However, the look gracing her features hinted off towards an air of disappointment while trying to hold on to hope that it...didn't sound as bad as it did. "...Ghouls...what the fuck...no...I..I wouldn't hurt you or anyone in the Undertow..."

...what could she do to prove that she wouldn't do such a horrible thing?

Of course, obviously, if someone was backstabbing others...then of course she wouldn't sit idly by and do nothing...but she had more respect for the guy than that. "I-I'll...I'll go work on this for ya...take care, Ghouls and happy Chugen..." Putting the sketches away, she bowed her head slightly with a smile...try to be strong, try to be the pillar people can look up to...

...but this pillar was starting to crack at the seams as she walked away. Leaving the snacks for someone she hoped would be her friend one day.

At least...

...in a way, it's like there was a gift today from Ghouligan...though he was more like the delivery boy of Dion in this case. This was a gift that would help everyone in the Undertow, she'd make sure of it...or at least try.

Ghouligan 🎱

[coffee]

I'M COMMANDER SHEPARD, AND I APPROVE THIS THREAD

Dang, this was cute :sob: gj y'all!

Ghoul: capped for SE threads

Jaida: 0 Tokens + 75 Tokens = 75 Tokens

tag: Ghouligan Jaida Connor