crowned-public-enemy

[crowned-public-enemy]

Hey, your highness? Fuck you. What you call corwaring, I call self-preservation. It's worked for me so far! Both of my hands are still attached at the wrist. Can't say the same for plenty of others, least of all you.

Gear might benefit from the habit.

so.. was no one gonna tell me that vampires are this fucking fast?

[crowned-public-enemy]

Relax, grandpa. I did do something.

He asked for my advice, I told him to stay away from the situation. He's an adult, can make his own choices. Not my problem if they aren't the ones you'd make.

so.. was no one gonna tell me that vampires are this fucking fast?

[crowned-public-enemy]

I really tried to warn you, kid. No good ever comes outta us trying to fight with them.

so.. was no one gonna tell me that vampires are this fucking fast?

[crowned-public-enemy]

dashafiasco via instagram

[crowned-public-enemy]

Gear, the type of people I deal with on a regular basis are always "pretty bad". If the situation is bad enough that you think I wouldn't want to touch it, then maybe you should have help? If you'd rather handle it yourself though, fine. I get when things are personal. Sure, you can crash. In fact, we've been keeping Kane's place warm while he's away, so there's plenty of room. C'mon by whenever

…

[crowned-public-enemy]

If you need anyone taken care of, let me know. Perks of employment!

…

[crowned-public-enemy]

*Gear it would be then, but he did wonder why the other preferred to be called anything other than his name. One's own name was one thing thing he thought any Midas should be possessive over. God knew he was. Then again, this kid was an odd one. Whatever, a nickname was easier anyway.*

*The Outlaw felt a flash of irritation when his direct question went ignored, but he'd let it slide for now. If only because Gear's reaction to Keisha's mention was far more telling than he expected. Interesting. He'd been right in assuming there was history there, but clearly it ran deeper than the fling he'd assumed. Immediately, it came to mind how easy it would be to poke at this, to imply things that weren't true to get a rise out of the kid. However, he bit it back with a sniff. There'd be no keeping Gear close if he didn't.*

*Maintaining a more earnest sort of grin, he started with an intended lighthearted joke,*

"You're surprised that you'd be tough to get over? Par for the course in the life of a Midas, I'm afraid."

*Forcing his features to fall into something less amused, he went on,*

"If it makes you feel any better, she is just working for me. Never got the impression that she's been interested in anything else. Or I've just ignored signs if there's been any. She reminds me too much of...well, someone I'd rather not think of if I can help it."

*Jules. Or her mother. Both on different occasions, and both enough to put blocks up in his mind in regards to Keisha immediately.*

"I just pay well, and she's good with guns. I wouldn't think too hard about it, kid."

*He said this, though this Midas knew that if roles were reversed, he'd think about it. Likely in a less deprecating way than Gear, it would go straight to his ego to know an ex had gone running to another version of him for company, regardless of the context of such a relationship. To know he'd had that affect on someone's life would be endlessly entertaining.*

*They reached the garage and Midas pinned in the code for the door, not hiding the pad from Gear with an implied, albeit bare minimum, amount of trust. Though really, it's not like he wouldn't know who to go after if anything were to go missing. The bay door only lifted about a quarter of the way up (he didn't like giving any potential passerby's a look at the inside), the Outlaw ducking under while motioning for Gear to do the same before he closed it behind them.*

*The inside of the garage was relatively organized with shelves of tools off to the left underneath a concrete mezzanine. In the first two vehicle bays were four bikes of different types. An older looking chopper, a large touring bike, a rather souped up looking sport, and an ADV that, out of all of them, definitely looked worse for wear. They were all mostly black, with the tell-tale signs of a Golden Cursed touch to their handlebars. In the third bay was obviously some kind of muscle car, though it was covered by a gray tarp.*

*Midas walked to the ADV, stepping over a couple pieces left around it from the last time someone had worked on it.*

"This one here needs the most work, practically needs to be rebuilt at this point. The others run fine, but could probably use a once-over and a tune up anyway. I'll pay you for the work done to her, and then keep you on a monthly retainer in case in case I need ya again."

*He gestured up to the inner-balcony,* "There's a desk up there you can use to order any parts you need. There's also a couch an' a mini fridge I try to keep stocked with drinks, and a TV. You'd be welcome to come and go as you please, but if you're gonna end up staying here for a few days at a time, I'd like to know before hand. This all sounding fine to you, Gear?"

*A worn out taxi came to a sudden creaking halt in front of the Slurp Bar. A well dressed Gear stepped out of it, his jacket ironed out, his hair combed and curled to perfection. He looked far more well together than he felt, the fact he wasn’t the one driving already put him on edge. It was necessary though, he was not going to survive this meeting sober, and the last thing he wanted to do was wreck Jewels too.*

*He tipped the driver and lit up a cigarette. This was a terrible idea. Meeting any version of himself already felt so uncomfortable and uncanny, it was like his own reflection in the mirror came to life and decided to go on its way and do it’s own thing. This one especially was a hard case, he seemed like he had life all figured out already, living on the top, seemingly reaching out to Gear to pull him up as well. Normally he wouldn’t trust it, especially not another Midas, but he was already at rock bottom and it felt like things couldn’t possibly get any worse. That, and he needed something to get his mind off of the things that went down a few weeks ago. Something or someone he couldn’t find at home. Maybe this guy could provide him with the key to it all.*

*He finished his cigarette far faster than he would have liked, and with no other option he took a few uneasy steps into the bar, glancing over the drunken masses to find his guy. When he eventually did he took a deep breath and walked up to the Outlaw, then sat down on the unoccupied high chair next to him.*

“Hey.”

((@golden-gear-guy))

This Midas was halfway through his own cigarette, lost in thoughts of escape routes, contacts, vaults, and a shard when he registered another body walking up behind. Their approach did not ring as a threat, but he nonetheless subconsciously prepared for anything while he took another long drag.

Though when he saw it was Gear who sat next to him, any tension he'd been holding disappeared, and a grin replaced it.

"Hey, yourself." He tapped twice on the bar counter while he turned to face this other version of himself. He already knew this kid was different than the other Midas' he'd heard about, but seeing him in person really drove it home.

Obviously younger to start, Gear carried himself differently. Less apparent bravado in him off rip, less self-assured than any Midas ought to be in his opinion. Though that just might make his plans a little easier.

"Been a couple weekends, I was starting to wonder if you'd actually show." He put out his cigarette when two drinks were placed in front of them, "I hope a Rum and Coke's alright, but if you want something else just yell at my friend here."

Midas tilted his head to the bartender, who offered a silent nod back. There were a fair amount of people in this smaller dive-bar. Several had glanced at Gear as he walked in, but it was unclear if this was because he looked a little "fresh" for this area, because they were aligned with The Outlaw, or both.

"I don't know how much you care for small-talk before business offers, but I like to chat, and I'm a bit curious about you. Rather, curious about what's got you acting so...moody." He said with a light chuckle and a sip to his drink, "Relationship woes?"

[crowned-public-enemy]

Girl You Are In Prison

The food here is terrible. They don't serve any true delicacies in this concrete box.

[crowned-public-enemy]

*The Outlaw laughed again A single, but genuine 'Ha!' This guy was funny, Midas had to give him that.*

"Nothin' like that, don't think Kane and I have similar tastes in people. He's always been a punk. Mad at having to do any hard work, and even angrier at me for excelling over him despite all his desperate clawing up the mountain."

*His beef with the dog was a bit more complex than that, but a topic for another time. Maybe when there was more trust established between them. If, rather. And if trust were to solidify, maybe he'd poke again at the things Gear kept close to his chest. Thinking on that topic...*

*After eyeing the other's body language for a moment, gauging nerves and the affect a single drink had on him, the Outlaw grabbed his own jacket and hat from where they rested on the stool's back. He placed the hat on his head, and got up to slip his arms into the sleeves of ribbed leather. He tapped the bar once again to signify an addition to a tab that the bartender seemed to take begrudgingly, the slightest twitch to their brow. This Midas obviously hadn't paid his tab in a while, but it wasn't as if anyone here were itching to try and collect from him.*

"Love the enthusiasm. Let's roll then, Midas."

*He spoke the name with something in his tone that was hard to decipher, like calling anyone else his own name needed to be forced from his throat, but the tap to Gear's shoulder and the door to the dive-bar held open for him were friendly enough.*

*Outside, the Outlaw led the way down quiet, but vaguely threatening feeling streets underneath the overpass. He carried himself as if completely unaware of the tense vibe to the run-down city. As if no one here could ever be a threat to him. Because they weren't.*

*He spoke as they went, tone friendly if not even a bit peppy,* "I would have driven us, but my garage isn't too far from here, under the pass. You'll be working with my personal little collection."*A pinch of his fingers at 'little',* "I had originally thought to take you to the shop I work out of, but I've already got a girl out there. Keisha."

*He didn't let the name sit before continuing, but watched Gear from the corner of his eye. Reading him,* "I brought you up to her, said she knew you. Didn't seem keen on elaborating, and she's not the type to allow her business to be pried into. I don't care to try anyway, but I ain't completely dense. I figure there's personal business there the two of you can figure out on your own time, good or bad."

"Aside from a few cameras I have, and my checking in when I have the time or need wheels, you'll be working on your own. Any company you want to keep needs to be ran by me, that clear?"

*A worn out taxi came to a sudden creaking halt in front of the Slurp Bar. A well dressed Gear stepped out of it, his jacket ironed out, his hair combed and curled to perfection. He looked far more well together than he felt, the fact he wasn’t the one driving already put him on edge. It was necessary though, he was not going to survive this meeting sober, and the last thing he wanted to do was wreck Jewels too.*

*He tipped the driver and lit up a cigarette. This was a terrible idea. Meeting any version of himself already felt so uncomfortable and uncanny, it was like his own reflection in the mirror came to life and decided to go on its way and do it’s own thing. This one especially was a hard case, he seemed like he had life all figured out already, living on the top, seemingly reaching out to Gear to pull him up as well. Normally he wouldn’t trust it, especially not another Midas, but he was already at rock bottom and it felt like things couldn’t possibly get any worse. That, and he needed something to get his mind off of the things that went down a few weeks ago. Something or someone he couldn’t find at home. Maybe this guy could provide him with the key to it all.*

*He finished his cigarette far faster than he would have liked, and with no other option he took a few uneasy steps into the bar, glancing over the drunken masses to find his guy. When he eventually did he took a deep breath and walked up to the Outlaw, then sat down on the unoccupied high chair next to him.*

“Hey.”

((@golden-gear-guy))

This Midas was halfway through his own cigarette, lost in thoughts of escape routes, contacts, vaults, and a shard when he registered another body walking up behind. Their approach did not ring as a threat, but he nonetheless subconsciously prepared for anything while he took another long drag.

Though when he saw it was Gear who sat next to him, any tension he'd been holding disappeared, and a grin replaced it.

"Hey, yourself." He tapped twice on the bar counter while he turned to face this other version of himself. He already knew this kid was different than the other Midas' he'd heard about, but seeing him in person really drove it home.

Obviously younger to start, Gear carried himself differently. Less apparent bravado in him off rip, less self-assured than any Midas ought to be in his opinion. Though that just might make his plans a little easier.

"Been a couple weekends, I was starting to wonder if you'd actually show." He put out his cigarette when two drinks were placed in front of them, "I hope a Rum and Coke's alright, but if you want something else just yell at my friend here."

Midas tilted his head to the bartender, who offered a silent nod back. There were a fair amount of people in this smaller dive-bar. Several had glanced at Gear as he walked in, but it was unclear if this was because he looked a little "fresh" for this area, because they were aligned with The Outlaw, or both.

"I don't know how much you care for small-talk before business offers, but I like to chat, and I'm a bit curious about you. Rather, curious about what's got you acting so...moody." He said with a light chuckle and a sip to his drink, "Relationship woes?"

[crowned-public-enemy]

[crowned-public-enemy]

Ah, but I'm afraid you can't cage me. Or leash, muzzle--really any other thing one does to a dog.

Anyway! Have fun being incarcerated. If they allow visitors, maybe I'll come by and give you a scritch behind the ears. If I have the time now that your banks are unprotected. Or, more so than they already were. Haha

They think they can hold me in this pathetic metal grate? I am going to rip them all limb from limb, and keep their teeth as TROPHIES!

[crowned-public-enemy]

Aw, is the puppy in the pound? Poor lil' guy

They think they can hold me in this pathetic metal grate? I am going to rip them all limb from limb, and keep their teeth as TROPHIES!

[crowned-public-enemy]

I don't care to reply to all of you individually, but know that if Kane has ever personally offered you a gift card for trying to kill me, I will give you eight of the fucking things to Leave Me Alone.

The people I pay to do my cleaning have gotten real testy, having to come back every God damn day.

Some of y'all really need to rethink the idea of your life being worth a Durr Burger Gift Card.

[crowned-public-enemy]

*King's yacht had been his once upon a time, but he didn't miss it. This Midas didn't miss anything from his life before the Agency fell. It was stifling, all his focus being poured into an endeavor that hardly anyone understood, just to have it fail at the end of the day. Letting everything tied to it go; his control over a larger, more corporate organization and the specific image he had curated, in favor of running with a very small clutch and acting the way he wanted? It was far more freeing. He did not envy King. Whatever that one did to "change himself" in his pathetic desire for respect? It made him weak. Not to mention boring. Maybe the definitive Midas to others, but The Outlaw disagreed. King had lost the parts of himself worth keeping when death made him soft.*

*There was no real offense taken in what Gear said, but it was funny to hear him talk about the city The Outlaw considered his home with an obvious amount of distaste. He couldn't help but chuckle over another sip to his drink.*

"I'll take that as a compliment."

*Gear was an interesting case overall. As far as he could tell, this version of Midas was different from both he and King. Different than most versions, he figured. Outlaw didn't care much for whatever the actual definition of a snapshot was, but it didn't feel right to call this kid one. Nothing about him implied "copy." Different upbringing as far as Outlaw could tell by observation. Not a king, not the head of a spy agency, and not a master criminal. Different life, different person, regardless of sharing a name and face.*

*Gear's obvious enthusiasm for the work offered attested to that. He wasn't offering anything glamorous that he'd expect any version of himself to accept so happily. Though, the sass was on brand. Maybe they were a bit more alike than he gave Gear credit for.*

*And anyway, Gear was a version that King had made a couple obvious attempts at "taking in". The outlaw could hardly allow that to happen. Regardless of Gear's own reasoning for never meeting with him (which he had a few guesses for), it would be a tragedy if that guy managed to turn a promising young man into another boring, simpering moron.*

"I'm never not busy being a menace. Especially now with Kane's desperate goons constantly up my ass in some sad attempt at a gift card for a fast food place." *He laughed before finishing his drink with a hiss,* "But, I'm pretty free at the moment. The job was the point of meeting me here, right? I can take you there now. But, I did say I'd pay to feed you."

*He leaned over towards Gear, hiding his lowered words with one hand from the bartender,* "Not exactly five-star here," *He sat back up,* "But they do have burgers and that type of thing. So, if you're hungry, go nuts. I'm not in a hurry."

*A worn out taxi came to a sudden creaking halt in front of the Slurp Bar. A well dressed Gear stepped out of it, his jacket ironed out, his hair combed and curled to perfection. He looked far more well together than he felt, the fact he wasn’t the one driving already put him on edge. It was necessary though, he was not going to survive this meeting sober, and the last thing he wanted to do was wreck Jewels too.*

*He tipped the driver and lit up a cigarette. This was a terrible idea. Meeting any version of himself already felt so uncomfortable and uncanny, it was like his own reflection in the mirror came to life and decided to go on its way and do it’s own thing. This one especially was a hard case, he seemed like he had life all figured out already, living on the top, seemingly reaching out to Gear to pull him up as well. Normally he wouldn’t trust it, especially not another Midas, but he was already at rock bottom and it felt like things couldn’t possibly get any worse. That, and he needed something to get his mind off of the things that went down a few weeks ago. Something or someone he couldn’t find at home. Maybe this guy could provide him with the key to it all.*

*He finished his cigarette far faster than he would have liked, and with no other option he took a few uneasy steps into the bar, glancing over the drunken masses to find his guy. When he eventually did he took a deep breath and walked up to the Outlaw, then sat down on the unoccupied high chair next to him.*

“Hey.”

((@golden-gear-guy))

This Midas was halfway through his own cigarette, lost in thoughts of escape routes, contacts, vaults, and a shard when he registered another body walking up behind. Their approach did not ring as a threat, but he nonetheless subconsciously prepared for anything while he took another long drag.

Though when he saw it was Gear who sat next to him, any tension he'd been holding disappeared, and a grin replaced it.

"Hey, yourself." He tapped twice on the bar counter while he turned to face this other version of himself. He already knew this kid was different than the other Midas' he'd heard about, but seeing him in person really drove it home.

Obviously younger to start, Gear carried himself differently. Less apparent bravado in him off rip, less self-assured than any Midas ought to be in his opinion. Though that just might make his plans a little easier.

"Been a couple weekends, I was starting to wonder if you'd actually show." He put out his cigarette when two drinks were placed in front of them, "I hope a Rum and Coke's alright, but if you want something else just yell at my friend here."

Midas tilted his head to the bartender, who offered a silent nod back. There were a fair amount of people in this smaller dive-bar. Several had glanced at Gear as he walked in, but it was unclear if this was because he looked a little "fresh" for this area, because they were aligned with The Outlaw, or both.

"I don't know how much you care for small-talk before business offers, but I like to chat, and I'm a bit curious about you. Rather, curious about what's got you acting so...moody." He said with a light chuckle and a sip to his drink, "Relationship woes?"

[crowned-public-enemy]

Some of y'all really need to rethink the idea of your life being worth a Durr Burger Gift Card.

[crowned-public-enemy]

You always come up with the most interesting insults.

But anyway. You'd have to catch me first, and I really don't see that happening anytime soon. I also hear tell of another cowboy running around that has caused you some trouble. Two of us against you, along with the entire island. How fun.

🍺 admit,your guards are trash

Also,how much hate you got for midas?

Perhaps they are. They're respectful, though. Very kind people if you got to know them and didn't JUST FUCKING SHOOT THEM!

Oh, I loathe that grotesque golden gunslinger. He is an absolute puck upon my life that I cannot wait to squeeze the life out of.

[crowned-public-enemy]

Kisses, Wolfie!

🍺 admit,your guards are trash

Also,how much hate you got for midas?

Perhaps they are. They're respectful, though. Very kind people if you got to know them and didn't JUST FUCKING SHOOT THEM!

Oh, I loathe that grotesque golden gunslinger. He is an absolute puck upon my life that I cannot wait to squeeze the life out of.