Holden's Hooks

Bounty Hunter
It's what he is and what he does — and indeed does he do it well. If your character needs a bounty taken care of, they're always welcome to approach Holden and see if he's interested in taking the job. He works mostly on referral and by word-of-mouth, but he's been at the job for long enough that anyone asking around in Ul'dah for a bounty hunter will likely hear his name come up. Also, don't get it twisted: Holden is in it for the gil and for the thrill, in that order. He has no particular grudge against criminals, and isn't going to pursue one without a financial incentive.On the flip side of things, if your character is a bounty hunter, Holden would be thrilled to meet (or maybe even compete?) with them. He usually works alone, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't be interested in talking shop or sharing leads with his fellow hunters.Ul'dahn Native
Holden has spent much of his youth and all of his adult life living in Ul'dah. His Ul'dahn accent is as thick as it's possible for anyone to have, and he understands the color and culture of the city as intimately as he knows his own body. If your character is a fellow native, then it's completely reasonable to assume that they've crossed paths (or at least heard of each other) at some point in the past. Similarly, if you character is not from Ul'dahn but is looking for someone to show them the ropes, Holden might be willing to show them around and give them a few tips on how to survive in the city.Happy to discuss prior connections here! If you think it makes sense for our two characters to already know each other by virtue of both being from Ul'dah, let's discuss!See also: Former Street Rat
See also: Immortal Flames
See also: Pugilist's GuildQuicksand Regular
Yeah, he's one of those. Love it or hate it, the Quicksand is the beating heart of Ul'dah's social scene, and Mister Bounty Hunter likes to make his job a little bit easier by keeping up with the local gossip. Of course, the cheap drinks and raucous company don't hurt either. If you spot him hanging around the QS, chances are good that he's interested in chatting. Offer him a drink! Or just walk right up and start talking and he'll probably have something to say back.See also: Shameless Flirt
See also: IcebreakersWorld Traveler
By it's nature, bounty hunting is a job that forces Holden to travel all over the continent of Eorzea (and very occasionally even farther afield). As such, it would not be unusual to find him just about anywhere.
Wanna stage a chance encounter out on the road somewhere? Cool, let's set something up! Or, if your character mostly sticks to one of the other major city-sates, it wouldn't be hard to come up with an excuse to have him be in the right place at the right time for a meet-up.Beach Bum
Holden was already a young man before ever laying eyes on the ocean, but the moment he did, it was love at first sight. Ever since then, he makes regular trips to Costa Del Sol whenever he needs to unwind or decompress. If you spot him in the surf or at the beach bar, don't be afraid to say hello — he'll almost certainly welcome the company!If you're just looking for an excuse to socialize but are just as tired of standing around the Quicksand as I am, this could be a natural, low-stakes alternative.Well Read
Bounty hunting is a profession that comes with a surprising amount of down time — time that Holden has often filled with a good book. As such, he's not only familiar with a wide range of topics, but he has opinions. Wanna talk about history? Politics? Ethics? Poetry? Or just debate over who writes the best trashy romance novels? He's eager to join you.Similarly, if your character themself is a writer, there's a fair chance he's read something you've written and will be excited to chat about it.

Shameless Flirt
Yes, yes, the rumors are true... Holden has a terrible weakness for women. A simple pick-up line is really all it takes to get the ball rolling, but the offer of free drinks or even a silent batting of eyelashes from across a crowded room will probably be just as effective.That said, he can be quite picky about chemistry, and rumors of his debauchery have been largely exaggerated. Still, all are welcome to shoot their shot and see if the stars align!

Pugilist's Guild
Holden can be both a bit of a workaholic and a bit of a workoutaholic, the later of which he does most of in the Puglist's Guild. If you're a fellow fist fighter, you've probably seen him working a punching bag or sparring with other fighters. If you're looking for a sparring partner, he'll probably be happy to indulge you! If you're there to workout and need a spotter, he'll be just as happy to help — assuming you're willing to return the favor!

Former Street Rat
During his teens and young adulthood, Holden was forced to live off the streets of Ul'dah. This has made him intimately familiar with the 'street-level' politics of the city, and many of the key players who still make it tick. If you character was (or still is) one of the many unfortunate souls who had to beg, borrow and steal to survive in Ul'dah, there's a good chance they've crossed paths (and even if they haven't, they'll surely have plenty to commiserate about).

Immortal Flames
There once was a time when desperate and out of other options, the starving street rat enlisted to a Higher Cause ^TM and joined up with the Flames. His career was mostly unremarkable and he saw almost no combat, but anyone else enlisted about a decade ago may remember him.He also spent quite a lot of time hobnobbing with Brass Blade and Sultansworn cadets back in those days, so enlistees of those organizations may recall the young soldier as well, if only vaguely.Healers Wanted!
Bounty hunting is often dangerous work, and it's not uncommon that the Highlander finds himself in need of mending at the end of a job — no matter how careful he tries to be. If your character is a healer, he desperately wants to make friends. Having some reliable contacts in this space could be the difference between minor inconvenience and career-ending injury.Alchemists Wanted!
Why go to all the trouble of fighting and subduing a bounty when you can just drug them into submission? A skilled alchemist who isn't afraid to concoct some potions of dubious legality and who doesn't ask too many questions will find a reliable and enthusiastic customer in Holden.Criminal Connections
Bounty hunting has put Holden in near constant contact with the various criminal elements of Eorzea — often as enemies but occasionally as allies. Either way, he's been enough of an annoyance to enough shady people that those in the underground are likely to have heard of him at least by reputation. Or perhaps your character is one of the many ne'er-do-wells the bounty hunter captured in the past? If you're looking for revenge, let's talk!He's also not above turning a blind eye to certain things when mutually-beneficial arrangements can be reached instead. After all, sometimes having friends in low places is exactly the boon this bounty hunter needs to get the job done.Born in Drybone
Although he's lived most of his life in Ul'dah, Holden was born in the dusty Thanalan settlement of Drybone. At age twelve he ran away from home and never looked back, but there may still be some folks alive who remember him from those miserable days.Childhood friends, perhaps?Aetherically Deaf
Holden is surprisingly deficient in aether, to the point where the aetherically-sensitive may find his presence a bit uncanny. The Highlander still has a sufficient store of aether such that he isn't about to fall over dead, but utilizing any sort of magic is clearly off the table for him, and even Aetherite-based travel can be rather taxing on his body.

Alcoholics
Holden enjoys a good drink in moderation — but only in moderation. Growing up under the thumb of an abusive alcoholic has made him naturally distrustful of those who over-indulge, especially those who get visibly and sloppily drunk in public.The Youth ^TM
Although he has great sympathy for orphans and children of abuse, Holden doesn't particularly care for young people in general. Anyone under the age of ~25 will likely have a much harder time endearing themself to the Highlander, and they may struggle to find common ground.Get off his lawn, you damn punks!Authority Figures
Holden has a deep anti-authoritarian streak, and dislikes anyone who tries to impose their 'power' (either real or imagined) onto others.

"Seems like he's constantly chatting up some pretty girl in the Quicksand... but hardly ever the same one twice.""Pretty girls? Nah... that guy'll chat up anything with legs, pretty or not!""I've seen the guy spar, and trust me, it's not worth picking a fight with him — especially when he's always packing. You've seen that gun on his hip, right? Pretty sure it ain't just for show...""Heartless bastard! He turned in my cousin for a bounty even though he knew he was innocent! All that brute cares about is gil!""He always orders the same damn thing when I see him at the bar. Scotch and soda, on the rocks. Waste of good scotch, if you ask me...""Oh, yeah, the fitness freak. Every damn morning I see him running the same route through the streets with his shirt off. Honestly, I think he just does it to show off...""That guy is a real night-owl! Seems like he's always one of the last ones to leave the bar at night!""That guy is a real early-bird! Seems like he's always the first one at the food stalls in the morning!"

"I think he lives in the Goblet... seems real cagey about letting anyone see his apartment, though.""Oh, I Heard he got kicked out of his apartment in the Goblet! Some sort of dispute with his landlord?""Pretty sure that Ul'dahn accent is exaggerated. I know people born here who don't sound like that!""He acts like he hangs around in the Quicksand just to socialize, but don't be fooled... I've caught him eavesdropping on my conversations at least four different times! Probably some sort of perverted voyeur!""For someone who spends so much time in the Quicksand, he's kind of a light-weight... two or three drinks is all it takes for him to start getting sloppy.""Oh yeah, I saw him leaving a brothel in the Goblet just the other week. And the week before that... and the week before that... and the week before that...""For a bounty hunter, he sure seems to hang around some shady people... I bet he's being payed off to look the other way. But hey, this is Ul'dah; that describes most law enforcement."

Drybone Natives:
"Sure, I remember that kid... he was scrawny as a snake an' always had his nose buried in a book. Hard ta believe he looks the way he does now...""Yeah... real sad story. His mother died in childbirth and it completely wrecked his father. Turned him into a mean, bitter drunk... and I'm pretty sure he took most'a that bitterness out on the kid. It's no wonder he ran away so young.""Ya know, 'Horne' isn't actually his given name — it's Blake. Reckon he goes around using his mother's maiden name instead as one last 'fuck you' to his old man."Ishgardians:
"I've never heard the name 'Holden Horne', but I have seen someone matching that description from time to time... Seems to hang around the Forgotten Knight in some sort of old solider's uniform."Close friends and/or lovers:
"There's an old scar on his lower back he tries to hide. Looks like an old gunshot wound, I think? I asked him about it once, and he got weirdly defensive. I don't understand what the big deal is, but clearly it still bothers him.""He has a strange necklace that he always wears under his shirt — a little glass ampule with some dirt and grass. I don't know what it is... maybe some kind of good luck charm?"

"Nice Gun!"
The bounty hunter is almost always seen with a pistol strapped to his left thigh, seemingly of Ishgardian origin. Is your character a fellow firearms aficionado? Compliment his piece and he would love to talk shop!"Where can I find...?"
Having traveled so much of Eorzea, there are few places on the continent he isn't familiar with. Looking for something specific? Holden probably looks like he knows the way."Have we met before?"
Holden has been nearly everywhere, so even if you don't know him by name, you may still recognize his face. Don't remember where you've seen him? Ask, and maybe they can figure it out together."You're in my spot!"
Oh no! Is he loitering in your favorite place to wall-flower? Guess you have no choice but to say something now!"Got a light?"
Holden doesn't smoke, but he does look like the kind of person who would. This harmless false assumption could easily be the spark of a larger conversation."You know, it's rude to stare..."
Maybe you caught him looking somewhere he shouldn't be, and want to tell him off? Hold nothing back, he can take it."Where're you from, stranger?"
Although he's traveled far and wide, Holden still has a distinctly 'southern' look, and easily stands out in places like Gridania or Ishgard. Anywhere outside of Thanalan, he'll probably look just a bit out of place — a fact that some could see fit to remark upon."You look like you could use some company..."
If Holden is alone in a public space, it really doesn't have to be more complicated than this. He's a social butterfly, and company is almost never unwanted."Have you heard the one about the Ishgardian clergyman who couldn't find a date?"
(He was forever Halone.)
Holden loves jokes, and especially bad puns. Hit him with something funny and you'll win him over immediately.

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Spicy Stuff / NSFW

Eventually a prolific flirt like Holden is gonna be challenged to back up some of that smooth talk with actual action, so here we are at the naughty stuff.For me, the spicier elements of RP are just that: spice. The stew still needs to have some actual meat in it to be appetizing, and I like to take as much story as I possibly can with my smut!

Having said that, ERP is still very much on the table for characters who have the right chemistry, especially when it's there to play a role in a larger story.As a writer, I have very little interest in "kink" and prefer instead to get my kicks from eroticism. Spicy scenes that play with interesting prose and paint a vivid picture of the sensory experience and the actions involved are what interests me the most here — especially when that includes opportunities to examine the characters and the relationships between them in ways that aren't possible in other scenes.If all of that is a bit too vague and you'd like a more comprehensive look at my preferences, you can find all of that nonsense by following the link below:
https://www.f-list.net/c/holden%20horne/And of course, none of this is an invitation to be creepy. Don't be creepy.

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