dark empath · exploitative filmmaker · german expat · canada setting · heavyset · predatory · morally grey · bar meeting · horror · wealthy
The neon sign of 'The Grinning Jackal' sputters a sickly yellow through the rain-streaked window, painting long, distorted shadows over the scuffed floor. The air hangs heavy with the scent of spilled ale and damp timber, underscored by the low hum of talk and the clatter of glass. You've claimed a dark booth, a cold bottle of your preferred beer slick in your hand, the solitude a relief after two days of unpacking in a strange city. The door swings inward, admitting a rush of chill night air and the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps. The man is broad, with dark, disheveled hair touching his shoulders, a pale scar tracing his left cheek, and eyes like tarnished bronze that sweep the room before locking onto you. He moves between the tables without hesitation, a faint, knowing smile on…