#Scorpio Syndicate

[luciacaminoz]

CODEX ENTRY

SOLONA "SOL" CASTILLO Caitiff • Courier • Catalyst

“[…] exists in the liminal between monster and martyr.”

IDENTITY Name: Solona María Alejandra Castillo

Aliases: “Sol” (most common), "Soledad" (courier alias; Camarilla dossiers; later by Nuevo León’s and the greater Gulf's crime syndicates and Kindred circuits), "Soli" (family; childhood nickname), "Lady Selene" (Julian's LiveJournal fanfics) Clan: Caitiff (botched Embrace; presumed Banu Haqim) Generation: 11th -> 9th by 2020 (post-diablerie and 2100X vitae infusion) Sire: Julian Sim (Banu Haqim) Birthdate: November 1st, 1974 (Scorpio sun, Cancer moon, Pisces rising) Embraced: November 2nd, 2000 (age 26, Sierra Vista, AZ) Humanity: 6

PHYSICAL PROFILE Height: 5’7 | Weight: 130 lbs Appearance: Asian/Hispanic female. A study in contrasts—delicate bone structure, thick brows, rounded full lips. Almond eyes, densely lashed and restless. Scar tissue a silver slice from left oral commissure to earlobe (timing belt snap at 17). Build: Hourglass; fleshy curves with coltish limbs—feminine, lithe and capable. Walks with a lazy, hip-first sway. Skin: Medium tan olive skin: deeper/healthier undertones with Blush of Life active; slightly greyer, washed-out complexion otherwise. Hair: Espresso-dark, waist-length waves; often tied back with gold wire, beads, stolen Panda Express chopsticks, in a messy or braided ponytail, baby hairs wild or strategically framing her face. Eyes: Cajeta in crude oil—that final shade of brown before all light’s swallowed by black hole. Voice: Husky contralto. Sandoval-family Spanish-soft lilt, Sonoran cadence. Laugh is rare, disarming, warm.

Distinguishing Marks:

Tattoos: Scorpion (right hand), kingsnake (left ankle), twin hummingbirds (left hip), Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (full back mural). Various smaller tattoos and stick-and-pokes all over.

Moles: Scattered. Concentrated clusters on neck, breast, and shoulder.

Scent & Blood Profile: Burning mesquite, sage, cacao, offset with chamoy and tamarind tang.

Style: Desert punk, apocalypse saint — thrifted slip dresses, mutilated band tees, tiny camisoles and bandeaus, oversized jackets. Baggy or low-rise jeans, cutoff shorts. Last-legs denim and beaten-soft leather. Matte blacks, stark whites, warm earth tones: dried blood red, ochre, rust, sienna. Safety pin mods, bandanas, citrine studs and turquoise beads sewn throughout; rosaries repurposed as anklets. Favors sneakers, lace-up combat boots; strappy sandals and metallic accents on more formal occasions.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE MBTI: INFJ Enneagram: Type 4w5 Fatal Flaw: Loyalty above self-preservation Core Fear: Fundamentally worthless/useless Core Desire: To feel real (to herself, which she often mistakes for feeling needed/wanted/put to use by others) Vice: Self-Sacrifice Virtue: Empathy Concept: The Martyr Who Bites/The Scorpion Saint — bleeding heart wrapped in barbed wire, equal parts ghost and hurricane. The wound (loneliness and longing) as an entity. Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Key Traits:

Empath (derogatory): Reads rooms like a bloodhound, absorbs pain (voluntary or not). Not above using human fragility (wants, fears, darker desires) for gain; can backfire or become overwhelmed when a trigger is present.

Self-Loathing: But resilient; trying not to make a big deal of it.

Haunting Vulnerability: Projects an aura of quiet, tragic beauty behind the stoicism.

Nurturer: Instinctively gentle with children, animals, broken things. Watches out for women at truck-stops, diners, gas stations, clubs; those who are lost; those working long nights alone.

Twisted Sensuality: Sex > or = communication. Will use sex as both weapon and comfort; a way to ground or to escape; deflect or emphasize.

Protective Fury: Will eviscerate anyone and anything (including the Masquerade) threatening her very few loved ones.

Beast Resonance: Inland Taipan (lethal precision) × Solifugae (desert hunger) × Arizona Bark Scorpion (deceptively strong venom).

*Manifests when Protean is in use as slit pupils, lightened irises, extended fangs, unnerving stillness.

Predator Type: Siren (sometimes suppressed)

Preferred Vessels: Construction workers, single fathers, anyone with over-clocked minds, calloused hands, in need of release, etc. Not a strict preference, however.

Method: Seductive predation (“I’ll make it good for you”) followed on occasion by post-feed guilt-vomiting.

Blood Resonance: Melancholic (frequent), Choleric (from Julian), Sanguine (from Ryan).

Mental Health: Depression, depersonalization and chronic dissociation made worse after Aila’s diablerie and Julian’s abandonment. Developed Bulimic derangement due to intense trauma of blood bond breaking down.

SKILLSET & DISCIPLINES

Disciplines:

Blood Sorcery: (butcher-shopped and jury-rigged from Julian’s initial schooling. Cruder than Banu Haqim or Tremere techniques but brutally efficient.)

Dust to Dust: Blood/vitae siphon.

Crimson Lasso: Razor-wire whips of congealed vitae.

Veil of María: Illusions woven from heat-haze and opponent blood loss.

Protean: (self-manifested, self-taught. Lettow imparts some teaching during the events of Night Road.)

Feral Weapons: Claws distend, fangs elongate (4”, curved), able to unhinge jaw like a serpent.

Scorpion’s Touch/Kodoku: Blackened talons that secrete paralytic venom (duration: 10 mins, Sorcery Combo).

Earth Meld: Limited to sinking into sand/loose soil.

Celerity: (Julian’s tutelage in Monterrey, post-Night Road. Utterly rudimentary—nothing flashy. Yet.)

Skills:

Mechanical Prodigy: Hotwires most cars in 8.3 seconds. Anything pre-2020 <15 seconds. Engine whisperer. Favors muscle cars, JDMs, motorcycles.

Courier: Knows every backroad from Tucson to Tijuana.

Getaway Driver: Speeds and drifts like a wraith. Offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Languages: Fluent Spanish, English; rusty Tagalog.

Streetwise: Subtle and lowkey, with high wits and composure. Competently navigates cop checkpoints and hunter cells; gang, cartel and certain Anarch territories.

Weaknesses:

Guilt: Under/Overfeeds, self-flagellates, hesitates mid-fight, leaves survivors.

Mortal Melancholy: Overcompensates with Blush of Life during sex/feeding. Stares at couples and families. Hoards Ryan's pictures of sunsets and his nieces' crayon masterpieces.

Dyslexic: Shies away from text communication and academics, tries to memorize everything including maps and operating systems.

Restlessness: Russian nesting doll of sadness wrapped in horny, wrapped in 'I can fix him', wrapped in 'Fuck it', and prone to paranoid and Fugue states. And wrapped in more horny.

Triggers: Julian’s “Solona”’s, Aila's stirring, children, migrants, girls with a familiar hollowness. Ryan's tenderness, specifically.

BIOGRAPHY Early Life (1974-2000): Born in Soledad, CA, to a Mexican mechanic (Javier Castillo) and Filipina seamstress (Luningning “Lu” Reyes). Older brother Tiago (Los Zetas enforcer) taught her to throw punches, change oil, hide bodies. Moved to Sierra Vista, AZ, at 8. Dropped out of high school at 16. Worked dad’s garage nights, toyed with community college, dated town bad boys, miscarried at 22. Ultimately directionless. Embraced by Julian at 26.

Fledgling Years (2000-2010): Julian’s shadow, best friend, lover, partner-in-crime. Camarilla wetwork: border ops, hits, drops, clean ups. Diablerized Aila (2010). Julian abandoned her a month later.

Wilderness Years (2010-2017): Independent courier gigs, smuggling, trafficking, gun-running. Crying in truck-stop showers; learning to control purging episodes after feeding. Restricted to bagged blood.

Alternate Universe (2018+): Tremere fetter analysis delayed, awaiting further instruction before making return trip to Texas state; granted temporary hospitality in Miami. Subsequently tangled in Chantry bullshit, Gulf drug and gun trade, and the political chess courtesy of a Lasombra rolling in. Also: Ryan Donahue.

Night Road & Beyond (2021+): Reunited with Julian. 2100X catalyst. Infiltrated Viper Club, retrieved Beckoning data, destabilized Second Inquisition’s presence in Southern AZ (for now). Main Mission Objective: Sabbat death cult in Monterrey. Side Mission Objective: Who the fuck took that shot.

Affiliations: Julian Sim & 2100X; Independent (ex-Camarilla-adjacent) courier; Ricardo 'Ric' Lorenz's Miami heist crew (by extension of Ryan Donahue).

[theink-stainedfolk]

New WIP!!!

Crimson Nocturne

---

In the neon-drenched streets of Vael Noctis, a city teetering between towering skyscrapers and cursed ruins, the rogue task force Vireo hunts the darkness others fear. Bound by their own haunted pasts and wielding powers from ancient Relics, this eclectic crew—led by the icy strategist Zeiha Tirimzi and grounded by the commanding Omizan—tackles supernatural threats that threaten to unravel reality.

From the impulsive heart of Raze to the enigmatic Lalea Rigon, each member carries a curse that fuels their strength and threatens their humanity. As whispers of a catastrophic prophecy known as “The First Night” surface, Vireo faces off against the sinister Pale Choir, a syndicate with designs on forbidden power. With every Relic they destroy, the line between hero and monster blurs, forcing the team to confront their own demons to save a city that doesn’t even know they exist.

---

Character Introduction

ZEIHA TIRIMZI

Age: 28

Birthday: November 12

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by a blend of East Asian and Eastern European heritage, adapted to Vael Noctis’s world)

Height: 5’8” (173 cm)

Build: Lean and statuesque, with a dancer’s grace and a swordsman’s strength.

Eyes: Piercing amber, glowing faintly when she channels cursed energy.

Hair: Long, silver, tied in a tight braid with a single red ribbon.

Skin Tone: Pale, almost luminescent under neon lights.

Dominant Hand: Right

Style: High-collared black coat with silver filigree, fitted trousers, heeled boots, and a crimson scarf that flows like blood. Her cursed katana is sheathed in a lacquered scabbard with forbidden runes.

Moodboard: Black silk, shattered mirrors, crimson roses, ancient calligraphy, a lone sword in the rain, neon-lit shrines, and a cold, starry night.

Appearance: Zeiha carries an air of untouchable elegance, her sharp features softened only by the faintest hint of weariness in her eyes. Her movements are precise, like a predator stalking prey, and her braid sways like a metronome. A single silver hairpin shaped like a crescent moon keeps stray strands in check.

Past: Once a prodigy in a secretive order of Relic hunters, Zeiha’s life changed when a mission went wrong, costing her mentor’s life and binding her to a cursed blade that erases her memories. She founded Vireo to atone, but her past haunts her in fleeting, forgotten faces.

Personality & Traits

✔ Strategic and calculating, always three steps ahead.

✔ fiercely loyal to her team, though she rarely shows it.

✔ Emotionally guarded, hiding her fears behind a cold facade.

✔ Relentless in pursuit of her goals, even at personal cost.

✔ Dryly witty, delivering sharp one-liners in tense moments.

✔ Secretly sentimental, cherishing small tokens from her team.

✔ Haunted by the gaps in her memory, driving her to journal obsessively.

Hobbies:

Journaling in elegant script.Practicing sword forms at dawn.

Studying ancient Relic lore.

Drinking black tea in silence.

Quirks:

Adjusts her gloves before drawing her blade, a ritualistic tic.

Never re-reads her journals, fearing what she’s lost.

Taps her sword hilt when deep in thought.

Always stands slightly apart from the group, observing.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Quiet moments at dawn.

The scent of rain.

Tactical puzzles and riddles.

Her team’s banter (secretly).

Well-crafted weapons.

Bitter tea with no sugar.

❌ Dislikes:

Chaos without purpose.

Being touched without permission.

Loud, crowded places.

Betrayal or disloyalty.

Forgetting names or faces.

Sweet foods.

Favorite Food:

Black tea with jasmine.

Soba noodles with scallions.

Dark chocolate (rarely indulged).

A Line That Defines Her:

“Memories are a luxury. I gave mine up for power.”

~~~

RAZE

Age: 19

Birthday: June 25

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by a blend of Southeast Asian and urban street culture, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 5’7” (170 cm)

Build: Wiry and athletic, built for speed and agility.

Eyes: Mismatched green and blue, bright and expressive.

Hair: Messy black with a streak of red dye.

Skin Tone: Warm tan, scarred from street fights.

Dominant Hand: Left

Style: Patched-up hoodie over lightweight armor plating, cargo pants with tech gadgets strapped to the thighs, fingerless gloves, and a gear-shaped earring.

Moodboard: Graffiti-covered walls, glowing circuit boards, red sneakers, a busted radio, urban sunsets, and a fist raised in defiance.

Appearance: Raze’s boyish charm hides a scrappy edge. His mismatched eyes sparkle with defiance, and his hoodie is a patchwork of repairs, each stitch a story. He moves like he’s always ready to dodge or strike.

Past: Raised in Vael Noctis’s slums, Raze survived by scavenging tech and dodging Relic Abusers. A chance encounter with Vireo gave him purpose, but his reckless need to prove himself stems from losing his family to a Relic rift.

Personality & Traits

✔ Impulsive and brave, often acting before thinking.

✔ Fiercely protective of his found family.

✔ Quick to laugh, even in danger.

✔ Stubbornly optimistic, refusing to give up.

✔ Easily flustered by praise or affection.

✔ Prone to guilt over past failures.

✔ Street-smart, with a knack for improvisation.

Hobbies:

Tinkering with broken gadgets.

Street racing on modified bikes.

Collecting rare coins.

Sparring with Saeji.

Quirks:

Talks to his gadgets like they’re friends.

Cracks his knuckles before a fight.

Always carries a small wrench in his pocket.

Blushes when Lalea smiles at him.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Fast bikes.

Spicy street food.

Helping others.

Lalea’s quiet encouragement.

Loud music with heavy beats.

Fixing things.

❌ Dislikes:

Being underestimated.

Cold weather.

Zeiha’s lectures.

Losing control of his powers.

Quiet, awkward silences.

Traitors.

Favorite Food:

Spicy ramen with extra chili.

Mango sticky rice.

Energy bars (for missions).

A Line That Defines Him:

“If you’re scared, then I’ll be brave for the both of us.”

~~~

ZAOSE KESHAR

Age: 26

Birthday: February 8

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by South Asian and Mediterranean influences, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 5’10” (178 cm)

Build: Lean and lithe, with a dancer’s poise.

Eyes: Violet, sharp and calculating.

Hair: Long, midnight-blue with violet-pink streaks, tied loosely with a silk cord.

Skin Tone: Olive, smooth and unscarred.

Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous

Style: Fitted waistcoat over a sleeveless black shirt, tailored pants, polished boots, rings on every finger, and a choker with a single gem.

Moodboard: Velvet curtains, flickering neon signs, a silver coin spinning, violet smoke, a sly smirk, and a dimly lit lounge.

Appearance: Zaose is dangerously magnetic, with a predator’s grace and a smile that cuts. His hair flows like liquid night, and his rings glint with every gesture. He moves like he owns every room.

Past: A former black market dealer, Zaose traded in Relic fragments until a deal went south, cursing him with his illusionary voice. Joining Vireo was his way out, but his old ties to the underworld linger.

Personality & Traits

✔ Charismatic and manipulative, always playing an angle.

✔ Sarcastic, with a sharp tongue.

✔ Secretly insecure about his past.

✔ Thrives on chaos but controls it masterfully.

✔ Loyal only when it suits him.

✔ Enjoys pushing others’ buttons.

✔ Surprisingly protective in rare moments.

Hobbies:

Collecting rare gemstones.

Playing high-stakes card games.

Mixing custom perfumes.

Eavesdropping for secrets.

Quirks:

Flips a silver coin before every mission.

Hums softly to test his voice’s power.

Adjusts his rings when nervous.

Winks at inappropriate times.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Outsmarting others.

Expensive liquor.

Flirting (with anyone).

Saeji’s chaos (from a distance).

Rare artifacts.

Velvet textures.

❌ Dislikes:

Being outmaneuvered.

Peran’s judgment.

Cheap imitations.

Predictable people.

Cold food.

Vulnerability.

Favorite Food:

Saffron risotto.

Pomegranate sorbet.

Spiced chai.

A Line That Defines Him:

“Control is an art. I paint with your weaknesses.”

~~~

SAEJI

Age: 22

Birthday: August 3 (he shares my bday yall!!!!)

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by Central Asian and punk influences, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 5’9” (175 cm)

Build: Lean and wiry, with a feral edge.

Eyes: Gold, with a manic glint.

Hair: platinum-blond, slightly singed at the tips.

Skin Tone: Light, covered in faint scars.

Dominant Hand: Right

Style: Torn, asymmetrical robes with chain belts, exposing tattooed arms with glowing spirit seals. Barefoot, with jingling anklets.

Moodboard: Broken chains, lightning storms, glowing tattoos, a cracked mirror, punk graffiti, and a wild laugh in the dark.

Appearance: Saeji looks like he’s one step from exploding into action. His wild hair and scarred arms scream rebellion, and his gold eyes burn with unhinged energy. His barefoot stance adds to his unpredictable aura.

Past: Saeji was raised in a cult that worshipped Relics, but he broke free after his powers awakened, shattering his sanity. Vireo gave him a home, but his fractured mind makes him a loose cannon.

Personality & Traits

✔ Chaotic and unpredictable, thriving in disorder.

✔ Fiercely loyal to Raze, his anchor.

✔ Prone to manic laughter in fights.

✔ Surprisingly poetic when calm.

✔ Distrustful of authority.

✔ Haunted by voices only he hears.

✔ Protective in his own strange way.

Hobbies:

Carving symbols into walls.

Talking to spirits.

Street dancing.

Collecting broken glass.

Quirks:

Twirls a broken chain link like a toy.

Laughs at inappropriate moments.

Whispers to unseen spirits.

Runs barefoot even in snow.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Chaos and destruction.

Raze’s optimism.

Lalea’s riddles.

Loud music.

Breaking things.

Night markets.

❌ Dislikes:

Rules and restrictions.

Zeiha’s control.

Silence.

Being ignored.

Confinement.

Bland food.

Favorite Food:

Fiery curry.

Sour candy.

Grilled street meat.

A Line That Defines Him:

“The afterlife is overrated. Let me show you the preview.”

~~~

PERAN

Age: 24

Birthday: October 31

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by Japanese and gothic influences, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 5’6” (168 cm)

Build: Lean and graceful, with a dancer’s poise.

Eyes: Crimson, glowing faintly through her mask.

Hair: Short raven hair with a single white streak.

Skin Tone: Pale, almost ghostly.

Dominant Hand: Left

Style: Red ceremonial robe over lightweight black armor, cracked porcelain mask covering half her face, white bandages on one hand.

Moodboard: Burning incense, blood-red silk, cracked porcelain, a lone candle, cherry blossoms in the rain, and a silent graveyard.

Appearance: Peran is hauntingly beautiful, her cracked mask and crimson eyes giving her a ghostly presence. Her movements are deliberate, like a ritual, and her bandages hint at a wound that never heals.

Past: Peran was an assassin bound to a Relic that reanimated her after death. She joined Vireo to seek redemption, but her cursed flames burn her lifeforce with every use, tying her to a cycle of vengeance.

Personality & Traits

✔ Quiet and introspective, speaking only when necessary.

✔ Morally rigid, judging even her allies.

✔ Graceful under pressure.

✔ Secretly fears her own power.

✔ Loyal to the team’s mission.

✔ Haunted by her past kills.

✔ Compassionate in rare, private moments.

Hobbies:

Lighting incense for rituals.

Studying ancient prayers.

Practicing calligraphy.

Watching the stars.

Quirks:

Lights incense before every fight.

Touches her mask when uneasy.

Whispers prayers for her enemies.

Stands perfectly still when thinking.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Silence and solitude.

Zeiha’s leadership.

The smell of incense.

Lalea’s quiet wisdom.

Order and purpose.

Cherry blossoms.

❌ Dislikes:

Zaose’s manipulations.

Unnecessary violence.

Dishonesty.

Crowded places.

Her own reflection.

Bitter foods.

Favorite Food:

Red bean mochi.

Miso soup.

Persimmon slices.

A Line That Defines Her:

“Ashes are honest. They do not pretend to be whole.”

~~~

OMIZAN

Age: 30

Birthday: April 15

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by Pacific Islander and urban military influences, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 6’0” (183 cm)

Build: Lean and muscular, built for endurance.

Eyes: Deep brown, steady and commanding.

Hair: Short, spiky black, no facial hair.

Skin Tone: Warm bronze.

Dominant Hand: Right

Style: Tattered military-style cloak over a sleeveless black shirt, cargo pants, barefoot with ankle wraps, matchstick in his mouth.

Moodboard: Urban battlefields, cracked pavement, glowing embers, a lone matchstick, steel chains, and a stormy horizon.

Appearance: Omizan exudes quiet strength, his lean frame moving with a soldier’s precision. His tattered cloak billows like a war banner, and his barefoot stance is both grounded and defiant.

Past: A former soldier who deserted after a Relic-related massacre, Omizan joined Zeiha to form Vireo. His gravity powers come from a Relic he stole, but its weight haunts his dreams.

Personality & Traits

✔ Calm and grounded, a natural leader.

✔ Protective, treating the team like family.

✔ Laid-back but terrifying when serious.

✔ Quick to defuse tension with humor.

✔ Carries guilt from his past.

✔ Strategic but trusts his instincts.

✔ Respects strength and loyalty.

Hobbies:

Whittling small wooden figures.

Training in martial arts.

Cooking for the team.

Stargazing.

Quirks:

Spins a matchstick between his fingers.

Goes barefoot everywhere.

Calls Raze “kid” affectionately.

Hums old war songs.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Team camaraderie.

Zeiha’s resolve.

Home-cooked meals.

Open skies.

Honest fights.

Raze’s enthusiasm.

❌ Dislikes:

Betrayal.

Zaose’s schemes.

Unnecessary rules.

Cold feet.

Arrogance.

Wasted food.

Favorite Food:

Grilled fish with rice.

Coconut curry.

Fresh bread.

A Line That Defines Him:

“I only kneel to rest. Never to beg.”

~~~

LALEA RIGON

Age: 20

Birthday: January 20

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Ethnicity: Mixed (inspired by Northern European and ethereal influences, adapted to Vael Noctis)

Height: 5’5” (165 cm)

Build: Wiry and delicate, with hidden strength.

Eyes: Shifting colors, like a kaleidoscope.

Hair: Cropped silvery-blue, slightly tousled.

Skin Tone: Pale, almost translucent.

Dominant Hand: Left

Style: Oversized coat with fur trim over a fitted bodysuit, layered with soft scarves, a feather pendant at her neck.

Moodboard: Feathers falling, misty forests, glowing prisms, soft lavender light, a cracked crystal, and a distant, dreamy gaze.

Appearance: Lalea seems fragile but moves with quiet confidence. Her shifting eyes and feather pendant give her an otherworldly aura, and her scarves flutter like wings.

Past: Lalea was found wandering Vael Noctis’s ruins, her memories fragmented by a Relic experiment. Her powers make her a target, but Vireo protects her—though she might know more than she lets on.

Personality & Traits

✔ Dreamy and cryptic, speaking in riddles.

✔ Empathic, sensing others’ emotions.

✔ Fierce when pushed to fight.

✔ Secretly fears her own power.

✔ Gentle but unyielding in her beliefs.

✔ Observant, noticing what others miss.

✔ Haunted by visions of the future.

Hobbies:

Collecting feathers.

Writing poetry in code.

Meditating in quiet places.

Sketching abstract symbols.

Quirks:

Names feathers after emotions.

Hums softly when nervous.

Stares into the distance mid-conversation.

Touches her pendant when scared.

Likes & Dislikes

✅ Likes:

Raze’s kindness.

Saeji’s chaos.

Soft fabrics.

Starry nights.

Riddles and puzzles.

Gentle music.

❌ Dislikes:

Loud noises.

Zaose’s manipulations.

Being underestimated.

Crowded spaces.

Her own visions.

Bitter drinks.

Favorite Food:

Honey-drizzled pastries.

Mint tea.

Fresh berries.

A Line That Defines Her:

“You call it a curse. I call it clarity.”

---

My ♡s: @paeliae-occasionally @willtheweaver @drchenquill @wyked-ao3 @the-inkwell-variable @corinneglass @seastarblue @keeping-writing-frosty @oliolioxenfreewrites @vesanal @orphanheirs @dauntlessdraupadi @oros-ash3s @pheonix358 @ominous-faechild @loveyouloatheyou @write-with-will

[poppiuum]

For my first art post: My ocs! TThese are sorta old art (2 years ago) when I was fresh from college and wanted to finally make my own art that was not my thesis film. I liked the idea of characters who do burlesque dance and syndicate underground stuff, so I made these characters.

The Dancers

-Bonnie- Description: She is the most mature out of the bunch; is very motherly; and is bit of a neat-freak Personality: ISTJ - she is who the other girls rely on for advice Likes: Organizers, practicing her routines, and Thomas Dislikes: Messy rooms, Vicktor's teasing, unruly customers (she will hurt them) Horoscope: Virgo

-Catherine- Description: She is the playful one; she will not hesitate to drag either Bonnie or Thomas out for shopping; can be a little controversial (unintentionally) Personality: ENFP - she is who brings everyone together (literally) Likes: Keychain charms, cute themed cafes, and plushies Dislikes: Unruly customers, seeing any of her friends get hurt, and bugs Horoscope: Leo

-Thomas- Description: He is Catherine's older brother; is the oldest; tries too hard to be relatable Personality: ISFJ - he does his best to be a good leader to the dancers Likes: Bonnie, shopping with his sister and Bonnie, and vintage novels Dislikes: Anyone who poses a nuisance to the dance group, germs, and mold Horoscope: Capricorn

-Vicktor- Description: He is Bonnie's younger brother; is Catherine's lover; and is the type who finds order in chaos Personality: ENTP - he often finds himself arguing with Bonnie Likes: Catherine, going to cafes with Catherine, and collectibles Dislikes: Anyone who hurts Catherine; the smell and taste of truffle; summer heat Horoscope: Aries

The Syndicate

-Juvi- Description: Daughter of a syndicate boss; always looks too serious (but she's not); is skilled in defensive combat Personality: INFP - she is introverted and would do her best to avoid socializing Likes: the Panthera genus, accessories, artistic expression Dislikes: Being belittled, her height, and disorganization Horoscope: Virgo

-Kirai- Description: Bodyguard of Juvi; he has been serving Juvi since she and him were kids; is more skilled in manipulation tactics than offensive Personality: INTJ - he is very articulate except when he's with Juvi Likes: Juvi, metal accessories, and speakeasy bars Dislikes: Feeling inferior (unless he can't help it), loud noises, and close contact (except with Juvi) Horoscope: Scorpio

-Suyue- Description: Bodyguard of Juvi; he is a new recruit to the syndicate; he is the most skilled in offensive combat Personality: INFJ - he has a stony silent personality except when he is with Juvi Likes: Juvi, hearty meals, and Kirai Dislikes: Crowds, useless information, and anything that poses a threat to Juvi Horoscope: Pisces

[thessence]

utami fujiyasu

30 years old. greek & japanese. cancer. june 30th. demi-god daughter of zeus with major daddy issues and a nurturing nature disguised under cigarette smoke, perpetual RBF, and a penchant for violence. she overseas a syndicate that deals in making problems "disappear". she only employs supernatural beings, to rebel against her father as he believes that creatures such as werewolves or vampires are even lower than humans and that she ruins herself associating with them & because they're just much sturdier than humans and usually better at fighting & intimdation. two younger vampires act as her right hand men, that she has affectionately “adopted” as brothers.

khalil jelani

23 years old. black & european. scorpio. october 30th. human turned vampire. twin brother to cicero. khalil is older by one minute and 5 seconds and consistently holds that over cicero’s head. utami saved their lives when they were much younger , when she could have left them for dead on the street. khalil’s goal is to find the vampire that turned he & his younger brother & left them to the dogs. working with utami is not only a way to do that , but to remain by her side for as long as she will have them. khalil is much more prideful & temperamental than his brother , but is also more sensitive & lashes out when he feels threatened or cornered. on a good day , he’s a jokester & likes to be around laughter , to have a good time with good company. utami and cicero are the single most important people in his life.

cicero jehlani

23 years old. black & european. scorpio. october 30th. human turned vampire. twin brother to khalil. cicero is often mistaken as the older twin simply because he’s generally calmer and kinder to most folks on first meeting than khalil. that isn’t to say that cicero can’t bare his fangs and snap his jaw like the predator he was forced to become. cicero’s cruel side is only ever forced to the surface — it is rarely ever acted upon willingly , because cicero is a man who deals with “blackout anger”. bodies have been laid to waste at his feet when he's blinded by rage and it is a part of him that has traumatized him , so cicero always does his best to be a mediator instead of a fighter. let it be known that his joyful kindness is not to be mistaken for weakness.

[kellscarborough]

KELLEN 'KELL' JOSIAH SCARBOROUGH

-> 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅

american • scorpio • estj • jeweller • art dealer • forger • thief • syndicate affiliate

[lucaxcortez]

(JENNA ORTEGA, CIS WOMEN, SHE/HER) Oh, is that LUCIA "LUCA" CORTEZ? I heard the TWENTY FOUR-year-old is CHARMING But don’t let that pretty face fool you, they are also COY. Makes sense seeing how they are a HACKER in the SYNDICATE gang. (LEILA) TW topics that are mentioned but not discussed: murder, assassin training, rape

STATS

FULL NAME: Lucia "Luca" Selena Cortez

NICKNAME(S): Luca

AGE: Twenty-Four

GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis Woman, She/Her

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Bisexual

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Brown

HEIGHT: 5′0″

DATE OF BIRTH: November 30th

ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio

OCCUPATION: hacker

HOMETOWN: villahermosa, mexico

INSPIRATION: Yelena Romanoff (black widow)

BACKGROUND

Lucia was not oblivious. She knew what was going on. She heard the whispers when she tried to make friends at school, what they would say about her family. She put the dots together eventually. Assassins. Murderers.

There was pressure, she could tell. Her father wanted her to learn and Elias fought against it. Safe. Or so she thought. She pretended to be ignorant of the things going on around her, but she was smarter than that. Real smart. She taught herself to hack first by getting into her father's computer to learn things but she didn't stop there. By the time she was 15, she could get into the Pentagon if she wanted to.

But also at the age of 15, her world tilted once more. A sweet morning, Elias making breakfast, she ran into her room to get changed for the day only to come back and find him gone. Never to be seen again. "He abandoned us, Mia Sol" "He left our familiar behind. He left us." Her father twisted the lies in deep for a heartbroken teen. The betrayal of her brother abandoning her never healed.

No. Not when his absences were her downfall. "You missed too much training. I should have never listened to that traitor" Because without him around, someone had to become the family killer. Lucia was thrown into training for long days. Months at a time. "we need to make up for lost time." her father would say. They pushed her hard, turning her into the killer she was always meant to be.

They made it so nothing could break her. Forced her to remove her feelings, to be lethal with no regrets, to see everyone as a target, to trust no one. All while she was creating a life of her own on the web.

The measures in which they took to prepare her were gruesome. She was beaten tortured, tested, and raped to ensure she would be a stone-cold killer, the perfect soldier. What her brother never was. Her father continued to fill her head with lies about Elias the the hatred boiled over. He did this to her. He left her behind for this to happen.

By the time she was 18, she was ready to go out on jobs. She would work in the dead of night, many doubted her being as small as she is but she proved to be lethal every time. She was wracking up kills while her father cashed in the money. There was on contract she had been saving, waiting for the time to come. She was going to kill her brother.

As the body count rose, she felt every last shred of humanity start to leave her body and she knew she needed to get out. In her early days, she had made connections to a skilled hacker and she reached out once more. She spent months in contact with him, devising a plan and also hunting down her brother. She knew how to run, cover her tracks and now she knew where to go. New York City. It just so happened her hacker mentor just happened to be there as well. And so she did it. She ran off and made her way to NYC.

She has been in NYC for a few months studying her brother's movements, patterns, and connections. The crimson would make a mean enemy but she was prepared for that. Now it was time to strike.

PERSONALITY & HEADCANONS

she will shoot you if you call her lucia, lu, or luci

she is a charmer for what she wants but is definitely a blunt, passive-aggressive sass queen

she is good at playing a role and keeping people at arm's length

[echoestv]

݁ ⠀ 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥. ⠀🏹

❛ A newly single, twenty-something music executive starting over after a high-profile divorce after marrying young. Kimbella is learning to reclaim her body, desires, and dreams. Caught between her past life of luxury and her new journey of self-rediscovery, she begins a steamy affair with a younger artist who opens her up in ways money never could. ❜

NAV. answered anons. • latest news. • social media posts.

▍▍▍ THE BASICS.

Full Name. ━━━ Kimbella Monet Caldwell.

Nicknames. ━━━ Kim, Kimie, + KC.

Birthday + Age. ━━━ November 15th + Twenty8.

Zodiac Sign. ━━━ Scorpio.

Hometown. ━━━ Houston, Texas.

Occupation. ━━━ Owner of Monet Sound Syndicate.

Sexual Orientation. ━━━ Bisexual.

Romantic Orientation. ━━�� Biromantic.

▍▍▍ PERSONALITY MAKERS.

Kimbella is a woman who moves like a secret—elegant, composed, and always a beat away from something burning. Every gesture is curated, but just beneath the surface is a storm of feeling, memory, and desire. Her power lies not in what she reveals, but in what she withholds—until intimacy dares her to unravel. Her trope shifts from the guarded queen to the woman who reclaims herself through sensual truth and emotional risk.

✮ AESTHETICS.

Boss Chic. : Sleek power suits in muted tones (camel, ivory, slate gray). Statement heels and minimalist gold jewelry. Designer bags with scuffed edges from long nights at the studio. Fresh manicures holding tumblers of top-shelf tequila.

Post-Divorce Glow-Up. : Silk robes worn with nothing underneath. Bare feet on marble floors, candles flickering nearby. Fresh blowouts, glossy lips, and no wedding ring. Tattoos that were once hidden, now shown off.

Sensual Rebirth. : Low lighting, red vinyl, bodies in motion. Slow jams on vinyl, incense smoke curling in the dark. Smudged eyeliner, bitten lips, lingering stares. Velvet couches and late-night confessionals.

Urban Opulence. : Faux fur coats over sweats. Smoke swirling in luxury black SUVs. Rooftop views of the city, champagne on ice. Trap beats in crystal-clear speakers.

Controlled Chaos. : Studio sessions at 3 AM with half-written lyrics and full glasses. Sticky notes with dreams, lyrics, mantras. A penthouse that’s part sanctuary, part battlefield. Unread texts, but a playlist titled “Soft Rage”.

Femme Fatale Softened. : Long stiletto nails tapping on a laptop. Glimpses of vulnerability behind mirrored sunglasses. Perfume that lingers on pillowcases. A voice that’s silk—until she’s crossed.

✮ CHARACTER TROPE.

The Siren in Silk with a Soul Made of Smoke and Steel.

The Siren in Recovery – Alluring, private, and slow-burning, Kimbella seduces without speaking and rules without raising her voice. She’s learning how to be wanted without being used—and how to touch power without being burned.

The Ice Queen in Silk – Composed, polished, and always in control, she mastered the art of emotional distance. But underneath the designer armor is a woman who aches to be touched for who she really is, not just what she presents.

The Self-Made Seductress – From boardroom battles to backroom whispers, she’s carved out a legacy in a man’s world. Every choice is calculated, every look a message. She built her name from heartbreak and reinvention—and doesn’t let anyone forget it.

The Wounded Romantic – Once, she loved loudly. Now she loves like a secret: carefully, slowly, and only when it feels earned. Her heart still beats with belief—but she’s not sure if anyone deserves to hear it.

✮ PERSONALITY TRAITS.

Magnetic — She doesn’t demand attention; she attracts it. Her energy is intoxicating, her silence louder than most people’s shouts. Rooms shift when she enters.

Calculated — Nothing she does is accidental. Kimbella is always reading the room, tracking intentions, and staying three moves ahead. She protects herself through strategy, not submission.

Emotionally Complex — She’s soft where no one sees and sharp where everyone looks. Her moods flow like tides, ruled by memory, mood, and deep emotional undercurrents.

Sensual — Every movement is intentioned—each glance, touch, and breath laced with a quiet heat. Her sensuality isn’t loud; it’s magnetic, immersive, and undeniable.

Guarded — She lets people close enough to want more, but never close enough to wound her again. Vulnerability is rationed, offered in pieces, and only when it feels safe.

Visionary — She sees stories in sound, beauty in risk, and magic in detail. Her taste is curated, her ambition wrapped in velvet. She’s building more than a label—she’s building a legacy.

Loyal, Selective, & Unforgiving — She doesn’t forget who hurt her, and she never repeats mistakes. But if you’re in her circle, you’re protected like treasure—until you’re not.

Charismatic Rule-Breaker — Kimbella bends expectations with grace. She doesn’t ask permission, and she doesn’t explain herself. Her rebellion lives in her elegance, not her volume.

Intuitive — She knows what you’re feeling before you do. Her instincts rarely miss—especially when it comes to desire, deception, or danger.

Haunted (But Controlled) — There’s a sadness she doesn’t speak of, a version of herself she buried. It lingers in her eyes, her silences, and the way she reaches for freedom but always keeps one hand on the doorframe.

▍▍▍ PSYCHOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN.

✮ ASTROLOGY. ( Scorpio • 11/15/96 )

Sun in Scorpio. : Magnetic, emotionally complex, and transformational. Kimbella moves through the world with a quiet intensity that commands attention. She feels deeply, thinks strategically, and is always evolving beneath the surface.

Strengths. : Resilient, passionate, fiercely loyal, self-reinventing.

Shadow Side. : Secretive, controlling, emotionally withholding, vengeful when betrayed.

Venus in Libra. : A refined lover with a taste for beauty, balance, and emotional reciprocity. Kimbella needs both chemistry and elegance—she desires romance that’s aesthetically and spiritually fulfilling.

Love Style. : Charming, flirtatious, gracious, emotionally present yet composed.

Desire + Attraction. : Attracted to refined confidence, emotional intelligence, and power dressed in restraint.

Shadow Side. : May lose herself in romantic ideals, become passive-aggressive, or avoid conflict to maintain the illusion of harmony.

Mars in Leo. : She pursues desire with bold flair. Kimbella enjoys being adored and admired. In moments of passion, she takes center stage���both powerful and performative.

Sexual & Desire Style. : Dramatic, generous, commanding, high-energy. Sex is an act of expression and reclaiming self-worth.

Shadow Side. : Prone to vanity, dominance games, or seeking validation through seduction and performance.

Moon in Cancer. : Underneath her composed exterior lies a deeply emotional core. Her inner world is tender, maternal, and tied to memory. She craves emotional security, even if she rarely admits it.

Emotional World. : Nostalgic, intuitive, prone to emotional withdrawal and tidal mood shifts.

Emotional Strengths. : Loyal, nurturing, emotionally intelligent, empathetic.

Emotional Shadows. : Can be self-protective to a fault, cling to emotional wounds, or use silence as a defense.

✮ ENNEAGRAM TYPE.

TYPE 4w5. Emotionally rich and innately creative, Kimbella is a woman of depth. She longs to be understood for who she truly is—not who the world wants her to be.

Core Fear. : Being emotionally insignificant, abandoned, or “ordinary.”

Core Desire. : To be authentic, emotionally known, and to create a life that reflects her inner truth.

Key Traits. : Introspective, artistic, intuitive, moody, self-aware, romantic.

WING 5. Her 5-wing deepens her need for privacy and introspection. She guards her inner world fiercely, often withdrawing to protect her energy. This adds intellectual sharpness to her emotional sensitivity—making her emotionally complex but also hard to read.

✮ CHARACTER ARC.

FROM. A woman defined by her role—wife, executive, tastemaker—yet emotionally invisible in her own life. Wounded by betrayal, yet polished and composed. Guarded, performing, and craving intimacy behind a mask of control.

TO. A fully embodied woman reclaiming her voice, sensuality, and truth. She evolves into someone who no longer hides her wounds but turns them into creative and erotic power. Her strength lies not in perfection, but in raw, sacred self-possession.

▍▍▍ CHARRIE’S APPERANCE.

OVERALL VIBE. : Polished power meets slow-burning sensuality. Kimbella’s wardrobe bridges the gap between her high-profile past and her new, more intimate chapter. She doesn’t just wear fashion—she weaponizes it.

✮ CORE STYLE ELEMENTS.

Signature Looks.

Blouses. : Silk button-downs with the top three undone, sheer organza with visible bralettes, draped cowl-necks in jewel tones that catch candlelight.

Fabrics. : Silk, cashmere, leather, velvet—anything that skims the skin or leaves a lasting impression. She avoids synthetics unless it’s for stretch and shine.

Outerwear. : Oversized camel coats, black leather trenches, vintage faux furs. Pieces that sweep dramatically when she walks away—always intentional.

Shoes. : Patent leather stilettos for the office and appearances, pointed-toe boots for power moves, designer sneakers when she’s behind the glass in the studio.

Silhouettes + Sensual Form. : Body-conscious but never tight-for-attention—cinched waists, elongated lines, and fluid shapes that highlight the sway of her hips and curve of her back. A soft hourglass with edge.

Skirts + Trousers. : High-waisted trousers with crisp pleats, leather pencil skirts, asymmetrical midi skirts with slits that whisper. Often paired with towering heels or statement boots.

Tailoring. : Double-breasted blazers with sharp shoulders, cropped suit jackets that graze the ribcage, impeccably tailored pieces that suggest control but unbutton easily.

Accessories.

Jewelry. : Gold hoops (medium to large), delicate chains layered at the collarbone, a single bold statement ring—usually vintage or custom.

Handbags. : Bottega clutches, Hermès Kelly bags in muted tones, structured YSL totes. Luxury with taste, never loud logos.

Watches : Slim Cartier or Bulgari—minimal face, diamond-accented bezel, worn like armor.

Glasses ( if any ). : Oversized gradient-tint sunglasses—Céline or Tom Ford. Used to hide her thoughts in public spaces.

Beauty + Grooming.

Make-Up. : Bronzed, glowing skin with sculpted cheekbones, soft matte lips in nudes or deep reds, winged or smudged liner depending on mood. False lashes only when the night demands drama.

Hair. : Long, glossy waves with center parts. Occasionally slicked-back buns for control. Every now and then, a blunt cut to mark a turning point.

Nails. : Almond or coffin shape—polished in oxblood, nude, or matte black. Sometimes with a single gold accent or subtle art.

Fragrance. : Smoky oud, sandalwood, and dark rose. A scent that lingers in elevator corners and pillowcases.

Off-Duty.

Weekend Look. : Vintage denim, cropped tees or ribbed tanks, oversized trench or leather jacket. Always paired with designer sneakers or boots. Effortless, but still styled.

At Home. : Silk robe or cashmere lounge sets, no bra, soft playlists echoing in the background. Skin bare, hair loose, eyes still calculating.

Color Palette.

Primary : Black, White, Camel, Mocha, and Wine.

Accents : Gold, Emerald, and Blush Pink.

▍▍▍ ESTABLISHED CONNECTIONS + RELATIONSHIPS.

Imani Vale ( Business Associate ) ━━━ A stylist-turned-creative director and Kimbella’s ride-or-die since college. Imani keeps Kimbella grounded, reminding her that softness isn’t weakness and solitude isn’t safety. She calls her out, checks her ego, and holds space when Kimbella wants to fall apart. Imani is also the first person to clock her feelings for Memphis—and pushes her to choose honesty over habit.

Julien Knox ( Ex-Husband ) ━━━ A high-profile music producer. Charismatic, powerful, and cold when it counts. Julien wasn’t just her partner—he was part of her brand. Their marriage was a merger of influence, ambition, and image. On the outside, they were untouchable; behind closed doors, he used control disguised as protection, love laced with manipulation. Their high-profile divorce was both her public unraveling and private rebirth. Though she left the marriage, his shadow lingers—in her guardedness, her fear of emotional dependency, and the pressure to stay composed. He resurfaces just as she starts to rediscover softness, reminding her of everything she’s survived—and everything she still hasn’t fully let go.

Maureen Caldwell ( Mother ) ━━━ Elegant, poised, and emotionally unavailable. Ree taught Kimbella everything about surviving through presentation—but nothing about emotional safety. Their relationship is strained, distant, and full of unspoken wounds. Ree’s presence in Kimbella’s life serves as a constant reminder of what not to become. Whether they reconcile or rupture completely, their dynamic shapes Kimbella’s view of love, femininity, and control.

Memphis Vaughn ( Paramour ) ━━━ A rising rapper with raw talent and unfiltered emotion. Memphis is everything Kimbella thought she outgrew—young, hungry, unpredictable. But his authenticity cuts through her polished walls. Their affair isn’t just physical—it forces her to feel again, to risk again. He doesn’t want the executive. He wants the woman underneath. With him, she remembers who she was before the world told her to behave.

Rhys Lang ( Protégé ) ━━━ A young, queer R&B singer signed to Kimbella’s label. Rhys reminds her of her younger self—bold, idealistic, vulnerable. She sees in them a chance to protect what she couldn’t protect in herself. Their creative relationship deepens as Rhys becomes a symbol of what Kimbella is fighting for: truth over polish, art over image, connection over performance.

▍▍▍ BACKGROUND + BIOGRAPHY.

Kimbella Monet Caldwell had it all—on paper. A lavish penthouse in the heart of Monroe Crest, front-row seats at every award show, and a wedding ring from one of the industry’s most sought-after producers. But behind the diamond veneer of her high-profile marriage was a woman unraveling. After a tabloid-frenzied divorce that left her reputation scorched and her heart hollow, Kimbella stepped out of the shadows of her ex-husband’s empire and into the wild unknown of herself. At 28, Kimbella is reinventing everything. Once known as the polished woman behind chart-topping deals, she’s now the face of a boutique label that dares to nurture raw, unfiltered talent. With her edge sharpened by betrayal and her spirit reawakened by freedom, she’s learning how to live life uncurated—how to feel, fuck, and create without apology. Haunted by her past but hungry for more, Kimbella finds herself entangled in a magnetic affair with Memphis, a fiercely talented 22-year-old rapper whose hunger burns hotter than his fame. With a gravel-rich voice and lyrics that bare his soul, Memphis is wild where she’s calculated, impulsive where she’s guarded. Their chemistry is combustible—and dangerously healing. With Memphis, Kimbella tastes a kind of liberation that no amount of luxury ever offered. Through midnight studio sessions and sweat-slicked mornings, she begins to reclaim her body as hers alone. But desire, like fame, has a cost. As whispers swirl and loyalties are tested, Kimbella must navigate the thin line between self-reclamation and self-destruction. Is Memphis a muse, a lesson, or something deeper? And can a woman rebuilding her life from ashes trust the fire again?

[bcrninhell]

RAFE LIU ;

❝ ... won't you invite me in again... let me pay for my arrogance

won't you show me your weakness ... ❞

Rafe liu (cismale, he/him) is thirty-seven, and has been in new york for twenty years. He is a surveillance specialist , considered to be a syndicate member and kind of looks a lot like lewis tan People around town would describe her to be +resourceful and +opportunistic, but also -impulsive and -selfish

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒;

Full Name: Rafe Liu Age: 37 Date Of Birth: 24th October 1987 Zodiac: Scorpio Parents: Huan and Dara Liu Siblings: one younger sister Orientation: heterosexual Occupation: Surveilence Specialist and full time POS Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Italian and French Positive: Resourceful, Opportunistic, Adaptable, Charming Negative: Impulsive, Selfish, Manipulative, Indifferent

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘;

Rafe was born to an overbearing father and almost entirely absent mother; absent in the way a wife sometimes can be when their husband doesn't tolerate being told he's wrong - that he shouldn't be beating their son regularly.

While some kids might have fallen beneath the weight of such pressure - get better grades, be more athletic, plan the next fifty years or your life and don't disappoint your father... Rafe did quite the opposite. He pushed the boundaries until they no longer existed - until a father no longer considered him a son.

A troublemaker at heart, he spent his teenage years dodging the cops - being caught by the cops, and swindling his way out of anything too serious with all the charm and manipulation of the truth a young boy could manage. It was never enough for the cuffs to be replaced with a lock and key - but damn if he didn't toe that line with very careful precision.

Forgotten by his father, and ignored by his mother, Rafe ended up in Las Vegas, running rings around the money-hungry elite, conning them left and right until they didn't know where to look. Always watching - ever the chameleon, Rafe was able to blend in with any crowd he faced. Picking apart the unsuspecting and their sky-high credit limits until he was done with them. It wasn't enough

And when he began to notice the workings of something else entirely, his attention moved from the rich and boring - to a group of hackers. For months, he watched from the sidelines, always somehow exactly where he needed to be to see their plans come to fruition and before long - Rafe stepped from the shadows and made himself known. An introduction that he shoved into the hands of the Syndicate - giving them an offer they couldn't refuse.

After picking apart the last six months of their enterprise, he left them little choice but to bring him in. It was a risk - of course, any new recruit was, but for years, Rafe proved his weight in gold. Surveilence was easy enough - it was what he'd been doing his whole life, and with it, he brought each and every connection he'd picked up along the way.

A collector, of sorts. he knew the right person for every job he took on, no matter what it was. Weapons dealer? Muscle? Explosive expert? Weapons-grade vehicle dealer? A knowledgeable guide in every city possible? He had names and numbers for every possibility, and it made him valuable

Valuable enough, that when he was arrested sentenced to six years in prison, refusing to give up even an ounce of information on the Syndicate themselves, he solidified his place among them.

Prison wasn't a deterrent - if anything, it was simply another playground for Rafe to improve on the connections he had. And when he was done - and felt that there was no longer any reason for him to remain a prisoner; he incited a riot.

Thirteen dead and a hell of a beating later, and Rafe tastes freedom again

Returning to the syndicate as if nothing at all had happened, he continued his climb to the top, building connections and loyalty, settling just beneath their leader.

And when that torch was passed to Donovan - his closest friend and confidant, there was only part of him that could humbly accept being looked over. But it certainly didn't stop him.

His loyalty to the Syndicate suited him - he didn't need the limelight, despite the fact that it could have worked in his favor. Rafe was nothing if not adaptable, and since Donovan stepped up; he's remained, always in the shadows - always watching the battleground of NYC for the next opening.

Whether that opening is wide enough for the Syndicate as a whole - or just himself however, remains to be seen.

WC

TBC

[thexkingxofxstrikers]

Yukio Suzuki

"The world doesn’t run on rules—it runs on power. And I hold the key to it all."

Basic Information

Full Name: Yukio Suzuki

Nickname(s): "The King of Shadows"

Age: 33

Birthday: November 5

Gender: Male

Pronouns: He/Him

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

Blood Type: O

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Appearance

Hair Color & Style: Jet black with striking red streaks, neatly styled but with an air of calculated chaos.

Eye Color: Piercing red, exuding intensity and menace.

Skin Tone: Fair.

Build: Lean yet imposing, with a commanding presence.

Distinguishing Features:

Always seen wearing sleek, tailored suits, accented by crimson ties or pocket squares.

Designer glasses with an angular, modern frame that highlight his sharp features.

Personality

MBTI Type: ENTJ – The Commander

Core Traits:

Charismatic yet ruthless.

A visionary with sociopathic tendencies.

Obsessed with control and perfection.

Manipulative and unyielding.

Strengths:

Master strategist, capable of seeing several moves ahead.

Charismatic leader, able to inspire loyalty through fear or awe.

A brilliant mind for business, sports, and human psychology.

Weaknesses:

Utterly devoid of empathy, making him blind to emotional nuances.

Prone to overconfidence and vindictive obsession.

Relies on control to the point of paranoia.

Likes:

Orchestrating elaborate plans and power plays.

Fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and high-end luxuries.

The thrill of manipulating people into doing his bidding.

Dislikes:

Disobedience and betrayal.

Mediocrity or wasted potential.

Nostalgia, which he sees as a weakness.

Quirks/Habits:

Taps his glasses against his knuckles when deep in thought.

Keeps a pristine office adorned with photos of his Syndicate’s rise.

Has a habit of sending players fake news about their loved ones—deaths, illnesses, betrayals—just to watch their emotional collapse. He records every reaction to replay during his leisure.

Keeps some of his most disobedient victims alive by medically paralyzing them and placing them in his office as "decorative art."

Background

Hometown: Shinjuku, Tokyo

Current Residence: A lavish penthouse overlooking the Tokyo Underground and Shadow Gardens Arena​.

Family & Relationships:

Ichiroh Suzuki (Father): Former head of the Syndicate, killed by Yukio in a power grab.

Ryota Suzuki (Son): Illegitimate and unacknowledged, a constant reminder of Yukio’s disregard for personal ties​.

Anryu Akamaeda (Mentor): A Syndicate veteran who helped Yukio seize control​.

Education: Trained in both the Syndicate’s brutal tactics and elite private schools, blending street smarts with classical education​.

Career Highlights:

Usurped control of the Syndicate, spearheading the Tokyo Underground Sub-Terranean Intitiative.

Created the King of Strikers tournament, a blood-soaked competition that blurs the line between sport and survival​.

Revitalized Street Soccer as both a sport and a spectacle​.

Trivia

Favorite Drink: Aged Scotch whiskey, sipped in quiet triumph.

Favorite Music Genre: Classical symphonies, especially Wagner’s operas, which mirror his love for grandiose narratives.

Signature Catchphrase: "Perfection isn’t given—it’s taken."

Random Fun Fact: Yukio owns a custom chess set, each piece carved from the teeth of his enemies. He claims it’s "a reminder of the sacrifices required to win the game."

Design Notes

Color Palette: Deep blacks and crimsons, reflecting his dominance and ruthlessness.

Moodboard/Inspirations:

Chessmasters and Machiavellian leaders.

The duality of elegance and menace.

Key Accessories:

A lapel pin shaped like a spider lily, marking his Syndicate allegiance.

[violetmaddcn]

( MADELAINE PETSCH, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER ) VIOLET MADDEN the TWENTY-EIGHT year old is said to remind people of BOLD RED LIPS CONCEALING A SHARP TONGUE, SIX INCH HIGH HEELS PRESSED AGAINST SOMEONE’S NECK. they are known to be METICULOUS and SLY which makes sense when you think about how they are HEIST OPPS in THE SYNDICATE.

CHARACTER BASICS

FULL NAME: Violet Aurelia Madden

NICKNAME(S): Vi, Red

AGE: Twenty-Eight

GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis Woman, She/Her

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Bisexual

FACE CLAIM: Madelaine Petsch

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Red

HEIGHT: 5′6″

DATE OF BIRTH: October 24th

ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio

HOGWARTS HOUSE: Slytherin

OCCUPATION: Heist Opps for The Syndicate

HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY

FAMILY

Mother: Adelaide Madden nee Rhodes Father: Everett Madden Twin brother: Elliot Madden (He's older by 2 minutes)

CHARACTER HISTORY

Violet and her twin brother spent a lot of time together when they were little, they were inseparable, but with their parents busy schedules they spent more of their time in the company of their nanny.

Her brother was always under more pressure, having the duty of Everett’s first and only son. This left Violet to gain an intense attention to detail, she didn’t want to make the same mistakes.

Everett made sure to train them both, starting them off early on everything they’d need to know to continue the successfulness their family provided for the gang.

As she grew up Violet demanded power, starting with things like Class President. But when it was finally time for her to join in on the fun as her father called it she realized she wanted power without being in the direct line of sight.

Having a liking of technology came in handy, along with her smarts. Violet was able to pick up any computer program she came in contact with after studying how it works.

Violet’s known for a lot of things, one of the major ones being her mouth — it getting her in and out of trouble.

She keeps the missions she runs very straight forward, calculating all the details to ensure everything goes off without a hitch — though this isn’t always the case. Usually she takes the losses pretty hard, mending them with alcohol or whatever else she want sink her nails into.

[velvainee]

┈ ⟡ ( 𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝚑𝑜𝑙𝑡 ) ! JW4

name. augustine holt | age. 24 | 11/15 | scorpio | entp

occupation. piano teachers’ assistant | single

born & raised in nyc, new york, usa.

sexual orientation. straight

┈ ⟡ ( 𝑝𝚑𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎��𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 )

light brunette layered midi cut, with wispy bangs and big brown doe eyes. standing at about 5’6ft tall, augustine has the physique of a model — semi tall and skinny.

her aesthetic/style is downtown girl, containing numerous jeans and sweaters for the winter, and for summer it’s mini jean skirts and camis, overall good fashion sense.

faceclaim: claudia gomez | voice claim: hailee seinfeld

┈ ⟡ ( 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 )

very welcoming and usually quiet, has a small group of friends and enjoys going to cafes. she makes jokes, uses sarcasm frequently even whenever unnecessary due to nervousness.

talents include playing piano, and writing, thanks to the many books she reads in her free time, along with the movies she enjoys watching.

she listens to music frequently, usually oldies.

negative attributes. comedic relief, burnout, maladaptive daydreamer, overthinking, hiding emotions, people pleaser.

positive attributes. very friendly and not shy, loyal, brave, helpful, intelligent, golden retriever energy.

likes : dogs, macarons, walking, autumn, modern architecture, playing the piano, falling in love.

dislikes : degrading, intense violence / gore, isolation, being lonely in general, fear of not being pretty enough.

┈ ⟡ ( 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 )

Augustine Holt grew up in the bustling streets of New York City, surrounded by the sounds of the city and the sights of its towering skyscrapers. From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for music, particularly the piano. Despite her modest upbringing, Augustine’s parents recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue her passion.

After completing her education, Augustine found herself working as a piano teacher’s assistant, sharing her love for music with eager students. It was during this time that she crossed paths with John Wick, who happened to be seeking piano lessons to fill the void left by his late wife, Helen. Augustine was initially taken aback by the mysterious and stoic demeanor of the infamous assassin, but over time, they formed a unique bond built on mutual respect and shared experiences of loss.

As Augustine’s friendship with John grew, she found herself drawn into his world of danger and intrigue, encountering other key players such as Winston and Charon along the way. Despite her initial reluctance to involve herself in the violent underworld of assassins and criminal syndicates, Augustine’s loyalty to John compelled her to stand by his side, offering support and assistance whenever needed.

┈ ⟡ ( 𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑤 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑠 )

Though she has had many relationships in the past, she is yet to bloom, or in simpler words, she’s a virgin. she’s a total party girl, but deep down she just wants to be cared for and loved, and yes, she is very submissive.

kinks: praise, large age-gap, bdsm, dirty talk, toys, filming, use of daddy, being bratty, foreplay, fingering, oral (giving & receiving) but of public play, clothed sex, slight humiliation, innocence play, aftercare.

[buckycap]

jacob frye is too sexy and bisexual for y’all to keep paying him dust 😩

[honestlyitsjustsam]

[kellscarborough]

[kiefer sutherland— 56 — he/him]  Introducing KELLEN SCARBOROUGH. Word on the street is they are a JEWELLER & ART DEALER, having been around for 38 YEARS. Despite an otherwise clear record, sometimes they are known to engage with THE SYNDICATE's affairs. Though they are TEMPERAMENTAL and DISHONEST, they can also be CHARMING and INTELLIGENT. In the chaos of New York City, they’re sure to fit right in. 

basics

• full name: kellan josiah scarborough (né white ; formerly faulkner)

• nicknames: kell (by friends/people he likes & respects); kells (if you want to be in his bad books) ; kj (by the people closest to him)

• gender: cis male

• pronouns: he/him

• age: 56

• date of birth: 9th november 1969

• zodiac sign: scorpio

• sexuality: heterosexual (maybe a little bi)

• relationship status: single

• place of birth: portland, oregon, usa

• nationality: american

• languages spoken: english (fluent) ; german (fluent) ; french (fluent) ; russian (fluent)

• occupation: jeweller ; art dealer ; forger and thief (syndicate affiliate)

• residence: a penthouse apartment in manhattan

• aesthetics: old leather books, whisky in crystal glasses, grand pianos, crisp white shirts, the cool night air, vintage records, navy pinstripe suits, black coffee, fountain pens, sparkling jewels, the smell of paint

• character inspirations: frasier crane (frasier), pierre desperaux (psych), john weir (rabbit hole), michael corleone (the godfather trilogy)

appearance

• faceclaim: kiefer sutherland

• height: 5’ 9”

• build: average

• eyes: blue-green

• hair: brown

• piercings: none

• tattoos: this tattoo on his left arm

• style:

personality

• positive traits: charming, ambitious, resourceful, eccentric, articulate, confident, hardworking, punctual, persistent

• negative traits: reserved, temperamental, stubborn, dishonest, cunning, manipulative, cut-throat

• mbti: estj - the executive

• likes: art, literature, sweet foods, music, history, social events, putting people in their place

• dislikes: extreme temperatures, heavy metal music, poor standards, sports, being underestimated

• phobias: entomophobia

• hobbies: reading, listening to music, playing the piano, watching films, collecting memorabilia and old books, playing chess

• skills: ambidextrous (but favours his right hand), can do close up magic, pianist, lock picking

• pet peeves: tardiness, prejudice, being interrupted, cutting corners

family & relationships

• mother: helen elizabeth faulkner (née white)

• father: unknown

• siblings: none

• stepfather: keith adam faulkner

• spouse: none

• children: none

• business associate: audra smythe-priestley @audrasmythe

• others to be added

favourites

• food: any kind of italian food

• drink: black coffee ; scotch whisky

• time of the day: evening

• weather: dry and cool

• colours: blue, red

• film: insomnia (2002)

• music genres: classical ; jazz

headcanons

• even though he likes to be chauffeured around the city, kell prefers the independence of driving himself and owns a black bentley continental gt.

• kell has never told anyone the truth about his upbringing. he always fabricates the story, changing details here and there to make sure no one had the exact same recollection of his 'childhood'. usually he tells people his father was a high-ranking government official who had died heroically for his country and that his mother was a humble teacher or nurse. sometimes he might say he has an estranged brother who lives on the other side of the world.

• kell is a connoisseur of both coffee and wine and is very particular about what he drinks. he would never entertain anything cheap and always reads up about the brand's history before he buys anything. his favourite coffee is hawaiian and his favourite win is red italian. he is also very partial to scotch whisky, which he personally imports from scotland twice a year.

• he doesn't come across this way, but kell isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. he takes 'killing the competition' literally if the competition is too big for its boots, too close to finding out all the dirty secrets that kell keeps, or just because a business rival pushes his buttons one too many times. amongst his criminal connections, he's known to shoot, stab, and poison to get what he wants.

• whilst he focuses mainly on dealing art, kell also creates it. he likes to use graphite most of all, but dabbles in acrylic and watercolour. he's happy to roll up his sleeves and create forgeries of specific pieces of art. and although his business is more focused on forgery, a lot of art and jewellery is actually genuinely. kell is also incredibly meticulous and passionate about the real deal and spends hours perfecting designs of jewellery and making sure the details in paintings and sculptures are perfect. he will only sell these particular items to people he deems worthy of them.

• kell has never been in what he considers to be a serious relationship. he's had flings here and there and still continues to have them, but not with anyone he thinks is worth keeping. the longest relationship he has ever had was with a woman named sofia, who was a socialite and heiress to a tech company. she was beautiful, funny, and smart, but unfortunately for kell a genuinely charitable person. he couldn't have been less interested in philanthropy and she tried to get him involved with her projects, but his refusal was a dealbreaker for sofia and she ended their relationship after five years. although it was thanks to her that kell got to know many wealthy and respected people, both in new york city and elsewhere in the states, which led to more business contacts and clients for him.

• kell is very strict and meticulous when it comes to his routines. he wakes up at the same time every day and goes to sleep at the same time every night, unless something important in his schedule states otherwise.

bio

— kellan was born at 4:19pm on 9th november 1969 to helen elizabeth white and an unknown father in portland, oregon. he is an only child.

— kell and his mother lived in a tiny apartment that she could just about afford by working at a local restaurant. she worked long hours, taking on any shift she could just to make a little extra money whilst kell usually stayed with a neighbour who had children of her own. he also repeatedly asked about his birth father, but helen never answered any questions and always got uptight when his father was mentioned. after his mother screamed at him once to never bring the subject up again, kell never did and all desire to know and find answers about his father disappeared forever.

— helen was distant from kell, as if his existence was inconvenient. she rarely showed him any affection and would feed him very basic food, leaving some of the nicer things for herself. kell never understood why she would even bother having or keeping him if she wasn't going to love or take care of him properly. throughout his childhood, he wanted nothing more than to run away, but he would have nowhere to safe and warm and had no other family to turn to. he would get angry, upset, and jealous when he saw other children enjoying themselves and being adored by their parents.

— when kell was five years old, his mother married keith faulkner, a truck driver, and they both had their names legally changed. helen was madly in love with him even though he was hardly around because of work and believed that her life would be different with him in it, but keith turned out to be aggressive, callous, and he hated children so pretended that kell didn’t even exist. when he was around, however, kell would stay out of his way and withdraw to his room to read books he had borrowed from the library. this turned out to be his gateway into the world of art.

— at elementary school, kell showed an untapped talent for music. he learned to read it very quickly and would spend an hour or two after school being coached by the music teacher, mr taylor, who saw great potential in the young boy and knew that his mother would be unable to pay for a proper music education. since then, kell has had a deep passion for music, especially classical, and plays the piano in his living room to unwind and even shows off at parties.

— kell wasn’t popular at school, but nor was he an outcast. he was a top student and spent his free time alone in the library or with a small, but close group of friends outside on school grounds. he was good at baseball and running, too, but much preferred english, music, and history. it was also during high school that he began to steal things: other students’ equipment, snacks from teachers’ bags, wallets from unsuspecting customers at the store, and so on. he was only caught once, when he was seventeen, but managed to run fast enough before anyone could catch him.

— at eighteen, kell legally changed his name from faulkner to scarborough to distance himself from his mother and stepfather and to reinvent himself as his own person. following that, he moved across the country to new york city where he found a job at an art gallery, which he fought tooth and nail for, showing off his incredible knowledge of art history to bypass his lack of professional experience. his employers decided to give him a chance and didn’t regret it. it was through this job that kell was able to master interpersonal skills and how to do an exemplary job of selling art: two things that would set him up for life.

— through his work at the gallery, kell became acquainted with an older woman named lisa who worked exclusively with jewellery. it was something he always found trivial and boring, but through conversing with lisa he became fascinated and asked her to become something of an apprentice to her. she was reluctant to take him on, but saw the determination in his eyes and agreed to a trial. very soon, kell became an exemplary employee and an expert in his field. he was young, ambitious, and could outshine everyone else involved in the business.

— through teaching himself, usually through trial and error and what he could find in books and the news, kell learned how to be a master thief. he took to it like a duck to water, starting off with small things like watches and money, using sleight of hand tactics, and eventually becoming successful at stealing jewellery off of displays, from people’s homes, and even safes.

— when lisa passed away in 2000, she bequeathed her jewellers- ‘dynasty’ located in manhattan- and the majority of her fortune to kell. this angered her business partner eric, who threatened to contest the will and soon threatened kell himself. kell’s volatile temper was provoked by eric on a number of occasions and one night eric found himself the victim of a bloody, violent murder in his own home. despite a thorough investigation, no evidence pointed to kell and it was ruled as a home invasion- as a number of items had been stolen- and suspicions were dropped. that’s not to say kell didn’t do it, but he categorically denies any involvement or knowledge if asked about the subject.

— after ensuring the jewellery business was stable and was gaining more traction than ever, kell moved to paris for four years (between 2004-2010) and then in monaco for three years (between 2010-2013). the trip was mainly to gain more business worldwide, so he mingled with society’s elite and became a multimillionaire through selling jewellery and art to them. little did they know that what they were buying was either stolen or forged- diamond bracelets valued at thousands were only worth less than $20 at best and their rare million dollar painting was worth no more than something a high school student could produce.

— in 2014, kell bought out the gallery that he once worked in and set it up for his own forged art to be put on display and sold to the public. whilst not his main business focus, he spends ample time there and shows his face at all events and to oversee transactions. he considers his sales and negotiation tactics to be outstanding, enjoying being able to manipulate and defraud people whilst he gets rich from it.

— kell was recruited by the syndicate in 2016. kell believed his knowledge and skills to be of use to them and found himself amongst likeminded individuals. since then he’s been happy in his affiliation and is willing to do almost anything for them. ultimately, kell only looks out for himself, but there are very few he trusts and even fewer that he genuinely cares about.

[allsoundsasscreed]

Evie: Whatever it is she's after, it's in that chest.

Jacob: There are gunmen on the rooftops.

Evie: Can you dispose of them before I reach the cart?

Jacob: I was hoping for a challenge.

Happy birthday to the Unstoppable Frye Twins, Steven Piovesan, Azaïzia Aymar, and me!

[ericbarkman]

Tales of WID 72 #6 The Jaguar Strikes

     The Jaguar threw a knockout dart at one of the guards, while rushing at another, and getting him into a chokehold.  The dart hit, but it was going to take a bit before it actually took effect, and in the meantime, he drew his gun.  The Jaguar kept the guard she was holding in between her and the other one, and luckily he seemed to not want to risk shooting his partner.      “Put him down,” the guard said.      “How about you go down first?” the Jaguar asked as the guard collapsed, the poison taking effect.  She continued choking the guard she was holding until he passed out, and then dropped him to the ground too.      She went over to the door they were guarding, and opened up the keypad.  She plugged a USB device in, and waited for half a minute, while it hacked the system and unlocked the door, which she went in.      Why do bad guy bases always have so many hallways, the Jaguar wondered as she wandered down yet another one in this building.  Like, based on the size it did not need so much space taken up by hallways.      She was checking doors as she went along, but so far most were offices or labs.  Some of the labs had scientists in them, but she was only ever cracking the doors open, and they never noticed her.  It was late enough that the offices were empty though.      There were guards patrolling, but it was easy enough to avoid them, so clearly no one had noticed that the guards she had taken out were missing yet.  That would only be a matter of time though, so she was trying to be quick.      There was one more door before she turned a corner.  She opened it, and found yet another office.  This one was not empty though, there was a woman sitting at the desk, working on a computer.  She looked up at the intrusion.      “What the hell?” the woman asked as the Jaguar jumped across the desk, and grabbed her by the neck, and pushed her back against the wall.      “Tell you what,” the Jaguar said.  “How about I ask the questions.”  She held the woman up against he wall with her right hand, and on her left hand, she activated the claws on her glove.      “Sure, sure, whatever you want,” the woman said.      “What’s your name?”      “Monica.”      “Okay, Monica, first question.  What are you doing here.”      “Umm, I’m an accountant, I’m just…”      “No, not you individually, what is the Scorpio Syndicate doing here?”      “I, umm, I don’t know.”      “What do you know?”  The Jaguar moved her left hand closer to Monica’s face.      “I, umm, I know they are running some kind of science experiments.”      Under her mask, the Jaguar rolled her eyes.  “The Scorpio Syndicate running science experiments.  Really?  You’ve gotta give me something more than that.”      “I know it has something to do with animals.  They have a bunch in cages downstairs.”      “Have you been downstairs?”      “No, but I’ve seen the invoices for the cages, and I’ve seen animals being brought down there.”      “How many?”      “That I’ve seen?” Monica asked.  “Maybe hundreds.”      “What kind of animals?”      “Mostly stuff from the Amazon, but a few other random things too.”      “Any Human prisoners?”      “Not that I know of.”      “Hmm, okay, thanks,” the Jaguar said.  “I’m going to have to knock you out now.”      It took her a while, but eventually the Jaguar found stairs down to the basement.  She made her way down there, and came out in a massive cavern, filled with cages.  Monica’s estimate was a bit low.  There looked to be over a thousand animals down here.  No Human prisoners that she could see though.      There were some guards patrolling down here though, but only a few, and it was easy enough to avoid them.  They were probably mostly just in case any animals got loose, and were not expecting someone to have snuck down here.      There were also a few scientists down here, still at work despite the late hours.  One of them was having some guards put an unconscious jaguar onto a pushcart, that was then being pushed towards an elevator.      The Jaguar followed after this scientist and jaguar, curious about what the scientist was up to.  After the elevator doors shut and it started moving, she pried the doors opened, and looked in.  The elevator was going up, so she started climbing after it.      The Jaguar waited a bit before exiting the elevator shaft, and came out just as the scientist was wheeling the jaguar into a lab.  Unfortunately there were two guards outside the door, who saw her coming out.  They both aimed their guns at her.      The Jaguar threw daggers at each of them, from inside her sleeves.  She hit one in the hand, throwing off his aim as he started shooting at her, while the other managed to move out of the way.   She had meanwhile started running at the one that had avoided the dagger, and got up to him before he started shooting.      She grabbed his gun by the side, and pushed it in the direction of the other guard, who was not firing at the moment, probably worried about hitting his fellow guard.  With her free hand she clawed the guy in the arm, causing his grip on the gun to loosen enough to pull it away from him.  She then elbowed him in the chest, before pointing the gun at the other guard.      “Drop your gun,” the Jaguar said.  “Or I’ll drop you.”      “You shoot me, and I’ll shoot you, and we’re both going down.”      “I’m covered head to toe in a costume that’s mostly bulletproof.  You have a bulletproof vest on, leaving plenty that’s not protected.  Who do you think’s going to survive longer if we both start firing?”      The guard seemed to consider it for a moment, before putting his gun down.      “Good call,” the Jaguar said.  “Now both of you sit back to back.”  The guards complied, and she took out a piece of rope and tied them together.      That done, she went over to the lab door and opened it just a crack.  Looking in she saw the scientist having some guards help move the jaguar into some strange device.  There were these two large capsules connected by some sort of piping.  The jaguar was being put in one, while there was a man in the other, the person that the Jaguar was here to find, Chuck Johnson.      Chuck was awake, put very restrained.  He was in what looked similar to a straitjacket, but a full body one, almost like he was a mummy.  Only his head and hands were visible.  There were a dozen guards in the room, but with the exception of the three assisting the scientist, every one of them had their full attention on Chuck.      The Jaguar took a small device out of her pocket, and turned it on.  She set the timer for half a minute, then put it on the floor while she readied herself for what was about to happen.      Chuck had noticed that the door was cracked open, but no one else in the room had seemed to.  He had caught a glimpse of someone looking in, and he was pretty sure it was that costumed vigilante that was active around this area.  The Jaguar was what she was called.      He smirked at that, considering an actual jaguar had been brought into this room just before she had arrived.  He was curious at the timing, her being here at the same time as he was.  He was also curious as to what this machine he was in was supposed to do.  He knew the Scorpio Syndicate was doing some sort of strange experiments here, but he did not know what the purpose of them was.  His orders had simply been to get in, and shut them down.      He had a razor blade held between two of his toes, and was slowly working on cutting his foot free.  Chuck was not sure what the Jaguar had planned, but presumably she had one, so he wanted to be ready for it.      As soon as the Jaguar’s EMP device activated, the lights all went out, and she jumped into the room, going for the closest of the guards.  She had night-vision goggles in her mask, so she could see them easily, as they fumbled around trying to figure out what happened.      She struck quickly and quietly, as she went around attacking the guards.  She had taken down five of them, before emergency power kicked in, and the lights came back on.  She grabbed one, and had her claws to his throat and her back to the wall, as the other six pointed their guns at her.      The Jaguar was unsure if they might decide to risk hitting the guard she was holding to get at her, when Chuck broke out of his restraints, and came at them from behind.  Between him and her, they made short work of the guards.  The scientist had already fled.      “Thanks for the assist,” Chuck said.  “What are you doing here though?”      “Looking for you,” the Jaguar said.      “Oh?”      The Jaguar took a photo out of her pocket and showed it to Chuck.  It showed him with another person.  “That person you’re with.  I need to know who he is.”      “What for?” Chuck asked.      “Look, I know who you are.  I’ve heard all about you and the things you do, and I think you seem like you’re a good person.”      “Okay?”      “That guy with you in the picture, he killed my uncle.”      “Ah,” Chuck said.  “So then, I’m going to guess you are Adriana Rocha?”      “Maybe…”      “The person who killed your uncle works for the CIA.”      “Yeah, that doesn’t exactly surprise me.”      “Do you know what your uncle did for a living?”      “I’m not naive, I know he was a criminal, and I was working to bring him down, but not by killing him.”      “But you have killed before.”      “Only when I have to,” the Jaguar said.  “I don’t assassinate people.”      “I’m not going to try to justify what he did, but I’m also not going to tell you how to find him.”      “I just saved you.  You owe me.”      “Then let me give you some advice.  Revenge is a bad idea.  I have seen good people go bad in its pursuit.  And it doesn’t solve things.”      “I don’t want revenge, I want justice.”      “So what?” Chuck asked.  “You’re going to arrest a CIA operative and hand him over to the police?  Even if they believe you and don’t just immediately let him go, he’s too valuable of an operative for the CIA to let rot in a Brazilian jail.  They’ll have him out within a couple hours.  Especially since he was only following orders.”      “Isn’t that always the way it works.  The people in power can do whatever they want, and there are no consequences.”      “We all pay for our sins eventually,” Chuck said.  “And trust me when I say that he has paid for plenty.”      “No offense, but I don’t exactly trust you.”      “I understand.  We should probably make our way out of here though.  The charges I set around the base are set to go off in a few minutes.”      “Charges?”      “To cripple their operation here.  That’s my mission.”      “Right, okay, but this isn’t over.”      “Nothing ever is.”