life's full of tough choices, isn't it?

Westley leaned in a bit closer just because he could.  “But of course I did.”  He wasn’t going to point out it was because of the leave-nothing-behind mentality he’d adopted through several phases of his life.  It would likely sound disturbing to know the cleanliness of the kitchen was none of his concern, while saving his own skin had always been. 

“Truth first,” he said.  He spoke slowly, pondering his question, even as he spoke.  “Who is likely your most mortal enemy, and why?  Names may be changed to protect the innocent of course, I just mean whom they are to you.” 

His reply and the way he leaned in beforehand had her laughing softly.  She tilted her head to the side slightly when he decided to give her a truth to answer.  The question he asked had her pausing, her eyes darting to the side as she thought about it.  “Well, I have two answers to this, which can take as you like,” she started, her tongue darting out across her lips.  “The first is my ex, who I hate more than anyone in existence but I’m safely out of his reach for eternity, so he is not actually a threat.  If you would like details on why I hate him, I can provide them, but if not, let’s just say I placed a spell on myself to forget everything about him after he left my life.  That spell broke of course,” she added, pinching her lips together for a moment.

“The second is the man that attacked and robbed me.  He has since turned over a new leaf, but every time I see him, I am reminded of what he is truly capable of.  Luckily, I’ve managed to avoid him for a few years now.  Doesn’t make the threat go away completely, however.”  She took a deep breath and exhaled abruptly.  “We may need to order a few more shots.  But I can wait until you’ve given your dare.”

“That’s a terrific suggestion.  Thank you.”  He frowned thoughtfully, trying to maintain a bland reaction to her question.  “The cliche wasn’t why I asked.  I asked because imagining your powers and a pirate’s skills mixing just… it has potential.  Like huge, huge potential.”  For destruction, catastrophe, evil – he wasn’t stupid enough to say it like that.  And he wasn’t even sure Ursula was quite so evil in this world.  She seemed a bit reformed, through whatever avenue that had happened.  That didn’t change his overall discomfort with the possibilities. 

Originally posted by zacharylevis

“Don’t mention it,” she replied, knowing it could just be taken as a dismissal of his thanks, or as a request.  She’d leave it up to him to decide which way she meant.  “Someone’s clearly forgetful.  I don’t have my powers anymore.  Other than that of persuasion, which, I suppose, could still be paired with Hook’s skills in a way that would make just about anything happen,” she mused, smirking slightly.  After all, they had just discussed starting a new business together.  It would take a while to get it up and running, but between the two of them, she was sure they would create something remarkably sinful.

“Ever seen me turn one down?” No one had because it had never happened. He signaled the bartender for another round to drink to their new partnership, or whatever.

“Not unless you were passed out,” she joked, flashing a smile his way.  She took the glass that was placed before her, then lifted it in a toast.  “To our partnership.”

“Sure. Partners.” He drained his glass and set it down, offering her his good hand to shake on it. “Bring that contract by when you got it. I’ll see about a liquor license in the meantime.” He would also probably look into leasing the spot or seeing whether they needed permits to have a business there if it was public property. It wouldn’t be hard to find out if it belonged to someone. Hook might be a hot mess in his personal life, but he was no-nonsense about business.

She shook his hand firmly, nodding at his request.  “Of course.  It should not take more than a few days,” she assured.  Figuring out the logistics shouldn’t be too difficult, especially since the spot was in a part of town that she was the councilwoman for.  Luckily, she was embarking on this endeavor with someone she knew would take it seriously.  Hook might have been a drunk and a bit of a hot mess, but he didn’t screw around when it came to his work, and she respected him for that.  “Another round?” she suggested, downing the rest of her own drink.

He frowned slightly, lifting his glass but not yet drinking from it. He was familiar with this world’s laws for owning a business, and he was pretty sure it didn’t work like that. But he wasn’t going to argue about it now. In the abstract, Hook didn’t care that much about people dying. Oh, he would probably do something if it was happening right in front of him, and they could take precautions because death was bad for business, but that was all he cared. Gray area, indeed.

He nodded along with her description, finally taking a sip of his drink. It all sounded entirely too fancy for Hook’s blood, but that was why he ran a bar full of miscreants and she was in charge of the decor. He knew where his skills were, and they did not lie in subtlety. “Well, alright then.” It sounded like something the high and mighty of Fableton would enjoy, and she was right that it was a different market than the ones for the town’s current nightlife.

If this was something truly legitimate, she probably would have worried about their clients’ safety.  She would do her best to make sure it was safe, regardless, because if anyone did die trying to access their little hideaway and got hurt, it would be bad for business.  There were plenty of ways to make this run smoothly, a list of steps to be taken already forming in her mind.  At his reply, she quirked a brow and held her hand out.  “Partners then?”