1st shot ( video ) open to both courts

[paidto]

[ The first thing seen is a face peering down into the locket. It's not so much a curious one, as it is annoyed, considering Jake's intolerance for new technology and having to figure it out, and the fact that he's quickly come to miss the old one that he'd retrieved from the facility in China. These lockets, this new tech, this new world... It would take some getting used to, and Jake had to wonder how long that would take him.

Sure, he's pretty good at assimilating to new conditions, considering all the movement he would have to do during his time as a mercenary, and then being on the run from the Ustanak and its crazy controllers, but there's a difference between getting used to a new place in a familiar world, and getting used to a new place and a new world at the same time. Good as he may be at fitting in to these new places, there are limits for everyone, and it seems that Jake has found his in the form of imps, worlds and a war he didn't ask to be a part of. ]

My name's Jake, if any of you have to know that. I'm here to kick some ass and then head back home—

[ Or get his own ass kicked, which he doubts will happen, considering his own confidence. Whichever one happens first. Jake scowls into the camera, unimpressed by his own thoughts. ]

I'm not interested in the semantics of this war, or who killed who and why retribution is necessary or whatever. So long as I get to fight, get paid and get out of here, then that's all that matters to me. The rest of it, everything else — I really don't give a shit.

[ Let it not be said that he's not to the point. It's not as though he's going to hold his thoughts back or act delicately in the fear of insulting some new people. It's all about being as brusque as usual, keeping his head mid-level and fighting his way out of here, if that's what it takes to go back to his semi-normal life. It shouldn't be too hard, he considers. Most of his life has been spent fighting, so what's a few more how ever longs going to do to interfere with the usual run? (A lot, but he tries not to think about that. It'll just cause more anger over this stupid situation he's found himself in.) ]

Just, y'know, don't be a dick, and I'm sure we'll be able to get along just fine.

Comments

video.

[uneulogized]

Are you considering being brought here a job? Or are you out for one right now?

[He's genuinely curious about which one it happens to be.]

video.

[paidto]

I'm a mercenary; I get paid to fight in wars. It actually is my job.

[ He's not exactly shy or regretful about it either. ]

video.

[uneulogized]

I've dealt with mercenaries before. [He's also killed his fair share, when it's come to that. He's trained under others, too.]

So I get the whole ... comfort you feel. Don't really blame you.

I'm just surprised you aren't looking for a contract. Something with harder details.

video.

[paidto]

Hired one, or worked with or against them? [ there's always a huge distance, especially in the character of the person. ]

Gee, someone understands me. I can stop being an asshole now.

[ he shrugs, screen moving with him. ] I've just arrived. I'll look when I actually get some info about this place. [ though if someone could point him in the right direction, that would definitely help matters. ]

video.

[uneulogized]

Two out of three of those. [He's purposely being evasive about which one he hasn't done.

Though he figures that he had a chance of ending up at three out of three if he hadn't ended up here.

Things change.]

And you should look for Saber. She's blonde, warrior like. Hard to miss.

video;

[playmakings]

You're not worried about why you're here or who you have to fight?

Like, at all?

video.

[paidto]

Nope. There's only one person I'll be worried about fighting, and as far as I'm aware so far, she's not here.

I'll fight if I have to. That's my job.

video.

[playmakings]

[ Wow, uh. He's super intense. Kelsi blinks. ] It doesn't bother you you're hurting people?

video.

[paidto]

[ it comes with the job. ]

If I don't hurt them first, then I'll be the one who ends up getting killed.

video;

[desperate_times]

A man who knows what he's after. I like that.

video.

[paidto]

It's kind of a requirement in my line of work. If I don't know, then I'm left hanging out to dry by whoever wanted to hire me. I make the business, they just pay me to do things.

[ And that's not something he'll stand for. Jake likes money, enjoys having it - it's power. He likes having power, too. It's lucky they go hand in hand. ]

[desperate_times]

So does that mean you'd fight for the Seelie if they paid you enough?

[paidto]

Depends on what they're willing to offer me. I have prices, but in this place.. well, I figure things are a little different.

voice. private

[orcsurfing]

I fear you may find yourself deceived, then, for a way to return home... I do not think it exists.

[ The magics at work here are far beyond any understanding, bending and changing realities, capable of severing even bonds created by the gods of their worlds. ]

Neither will your work ever end.

voice. private

[paidto]

That's the whole point of this thing though, right? You fight, you win, you leave. I thought that was the deal of it.

[ If he's been pulled here with no way of actually getting back, there's going to be hell to pay. ]

.. This is bullshit.

[orcsurfing]

Would you come at all had you known the full truth?

[ Many would not have, himself and his father likely included. ]

This war, I do not think it can be won at all, or that it should be. There is a little known now, information scattered amongst those you will inevitably speak to, but it is not so simple matter at all.

This war is unlike any you have likely known in your life.

[paidto]

I didn't have a choice. I was dragged here by some creepy little weirdoes.

[ He'd prefer to have the option of staying home, actually. ]

So, what, they really dragged us here for some crappy little war they couldn't figure out themselves because it can't be won? This is just-- this is getting more and more ridiculous the more I hear about it.

video »

[herotypical]

Aren't you a charmer.

video.

[paidto]

I like to think so, yeah.

video.

[herotypical]

See -- what I've never been able to puzzle out is why you mercenary types are so abrasive. I mean, sure: you bruise for bucks. A bit of edginess and James Dean 'tude is to be expected. But hell-for-hire guys? You're businessmen. You gotta brush-up on your sweet talk. Y'know.

[ because mercenaries should be like used car salesmen yep. ]

video.

[paidto]

It comes with the job. If you're not brusque, if you act like a goddamn sweetheart, then people are gonna think they can use you, fuck you over and not pay you. Businessmen are screwed over all the time. We can't let that happen.

That, and all the mercs I've met have had a lot of shit happen to them to develop an attitude like that. Obviously, considering the job.

[ To him, it's obvious. Though he supposes that he can see why their similar attitudes get a bit repetitive. ]

audio.

[lusiphur]

Those words sound like mine when I first got dragged here.

[from one mercenary to another] There's plenty of work out there if you know where to look. Whether or not I'll point you in the right direction depends on whether we're going to be allies or rivals.

audio.

[paidto]

And, what, have you had your mind changed?

[ Well, at least he isn't alone here. ] I'll keep an eye out, then. And that depends on how you're gonna act around me, and what you're willing to do.

audio.

[lusiphur]

Not really. I just quit talking about it in public. Who knows who's watching these things? And I'm not being paranoid. It's just the truth.

[Nah, there's probably more than one mercenary out there looking for work. None other that Lusiphur's met yet, but he knows quite a few people who are in the market.]

What I'm willing to do? Look, for the right coin, I'll stab your mother in the eye while she sleeps... and if she pays me twice that, I'll stab you instead. But I've got nothing against you personally for the moment.

[ever the friendly guy]

audio.

[paidto]

I'd have to say everyone, considering people need to know everybody's business. Tricky times, we're living in.

[ jake appreciates that he isn't the only one around here, and that there are others like him. not that it makes him feel like less of an outsider, but it means that maybe people are willing to hire, rather than throw to the curb, if they're not dead yet. ]

Considering my mother is dead, looks like I'm in a lucky position. What does being an ally of yours entail, then? If we're going to be thinking along these damn lines.

[ the friendliness is coming off of him in waves. ]