Alistaire's Links
Ali loves to find a grump he can really irritate, but he's surprised when this one ends up tolerating it. And tolerating it. And tolerating it. And Charlie is a pretty laid back guy, once you get past the rooty tooty point and shooty, and they've got a lot in common... damn, guess Alistaire enjoys hanging out with him enough to even slightly scale back the torture!
That's how it starts, anyway. Within a few years the two are inseparable parts of each other's lives. For all his complaints about Alistaire, Charlie never asks him to dial himself back, and that's crucial to Ali. Charlie's dependable, he doesn't take shit from anyone, and by god, can he commit to a bit. He just gets Alistaire like no one else. Their bizarre unique friendship involves regular physical altercations, petty bickering like a divorced couple, and getting into costumes and pretending they hate each other, and neither of them plans to change any part of it anytime soon.
charlie can't quite explain it, but he's...friends with this guy? at first he only tolerates him out of necessity, since alistaire threatens to expose charlie's secret identity to get him to do whatever he wants. after charlie realizes alistaire's not actually going to blackmail him they start to hang out voluntarily; charlie doesn't really know why because he still can't stand the guy most of the time, but alistaire does have his moments... and then charlie reaches a breaking point and punches alistaire in the face. hard. and actually regrets it. there's something to be said about guys who only become friends because they got into a physical fight, and that something is: oh my god, they're actually insane. it doesn't take long before they become ride-or-die best friends who would do anything for each other. charlie feels no need to explain his friendship with alistaire to anyone; you either accept that this guy is part of the deal, or you don't and move on. he appreciates alistaire for his refusal to compromise on who he is, and his determination to live out his life exactly how he wants without letting anyone get in the way of that. charlie's never known someone who doesn't mind his numerous rough edges, but alistaire takes it all in stride and rolls with all the punches - literally, and that means a lot to him.
Thomas makes all Ali's gadgets and he loves doing it! Alistaire is his favorite client hands down! When Alistaire shows up unannounced and disrupts Thomas's projects it makes his day!
Oh, it's him again.
Thomas would have stopped letting Alistaire commission him long ago, but he admits he likes the breaks from building lethal weapons to make the whimsical bizarre devices Alistaire wants. It lets him ignore his ever-present deep moral turmoil and also is a lot like an extension of his day job -- in many ways Ali is another kindergartner. Where are his mentor figures?
Alistaire loves a good adversary who understands the rules of the game and feels the same way he does: that this is their job and it can be separate from their real lives. He's perfectly happy to hang out for smoothies after Tairse foils his plots and finds the hero's easygoing nature refreshing. Also, Tairse makes him food sometimes, and is therefore impossible to dislike.
Tairse likes Alistaire! He finds him endearing and fun to hang out with, and whenever theyre in a battle he *will* try to stop him from committing a crime, but put all the theatrics into it and not actually try to hurt him
Colorful highlights? Appreciation for fashion? Lets him hold snakes? Tolerates him? All friendship boxes checked
Levi would study him under a microscope if he could. That being said, they're friends.
Siobhan is Alistaire's incredibly competent and accomplished and normal older sister. She was the only one to really make an effort to reconnect with him, and he appreciates her for it, though he found it surprising -- didn't normal people like her, busy getting straight A's and gainful employment, try not to waste too much valuable time looking down their noses at freaks like him? He realizes that was a harsh and unfounded expectation to jump to about his own sister who was, credit where credit's due, always there for him growing up, and now they're on good terms.
Alistaire is Shiv's disaster of a younger brother. He disappeared and ignored everyone's texts for months, and there he was on TV frolicking as a supervillain... she tried to tell him he could just come out, but he did... that instead. Whatever, that's his choice, she's just glad he's okay. She's the one to reach out, and it's well-received, and now they text or call somewhat regularly, though she's pretty busy.
Jasper and Alistaire meet through their sole mutual friend, Charlie. Alistaire doesn't really feel any strong way about them at present of canon, just finding their obsession with the hero shtick a little eyeroll-inducing. They have friction because of Alistaire's dedication to villainy, but it goes unexpressed Most of the time. For Charlie's sake, perhaps.
Later, working closely together towards a common goal -- against Neo Dominus -- allows them to begin to warm up to each other. What they each go through during the culminating battle, and recovering at the same time in the hospital with no one else to talk to, forces them into vulnerability with each other -- afterwards, Jasper is the only person Alistaire can truly openly talk about his feelings with without abstraction.
Jasper does not like Alistaire in present canon because of their black and white worldview, but after going through a shared trauma as well as a few years of slow character development they become pretty close actually and are very open with one another.
Oh god. Ohhh my god. This guy is a serial killer for SURE oh my god. Every time Charlie drags Alistaire out to Sal's gross gross gross nasty nasty icky icky cabin in the middle of the woods where no one can hear you scream, he's doing something like turn a deer inside out or sharpen a zillion knives and it's SO scary and he's SO gonna die there one day. Also he has DOGS that are HUGE and SLOBBER SO MUCH and eeeeew ew ew ew Alistaire seldom makes it through a visit without crying.
Eventually, though, he'll come to realize Sal is another one of the many weird but good-hearted guys in Silver City. So even though they may not have, like, ANY common interests, Sal can lie on top of him like a weighted blanket, carry him around like an accessory, and let him touch his squishable paw beans.
I hold this guy like a grocery bag.
(this all happens Well in the future, beginning 5 years from canon. nonetheless it's going here)
It feels good to be admired, and it really doesn't happen often for Alistaire... so he maybe encourages the somewhat-parasocial adoration Robbie has for him maaaybe just a liiiiittle too much. Like, taking him under his wing for a few days of recreational crime, too much.
They met when Alistaire... ugh, "saved" him, technically, during Neo Dominus, while Robbie was young and just visiting the city (on a very unlucky day). He's all but forgotten it when Robbie, who will Never forget, moves to Silver City.
So it's no skin off his back to show the kid a fun time, right? A little bit of goofy villainy never hurt anyone.
Alistaire. Is. His. Idol!!! Alistaire is brave, strong, and WEIRD in a GAY WAY and this is everything Robbie wants to be! He has posters of Alistaire on his room at his childhood home (that he made himself) and has a bit of gender envy for him.
When he finally meets Alistaire properly, he does his absolute best to play it cool, but absolutely comes across a little bit too eager, especially if Alistaire asks him for anything / to do anything.
Upon moving to Silver City, Alistaire was in dire need of new haunts, and was drawn to Rock 'n' Roll Rivera's by its fun vibes, committed aesthetic, and largely queer staff. He particularly took to irritating Poppy, whom over the years he's come to see as a sort of sister figure as the diner has become a queer found-family safe space for him.
They bond over their love of pink (though, sure, Alistaire's is hot pink and hers is more of a blush), clubbing, and girl talk, but there's more to Poppy than that -- she knows how to totally kick ass. Alistaire can't NOT admire that. She reminds him of his own sister in a few ways. She's also very touchy just like him, and god, does he want to be touched wait who said that huh hes not touch starved shut up
Poppy used to view Alistaire as a general annoyance. He would come to the diner and make a mess, feet up on the table and everything. But after a while, she realized that he was, for the most part, harmelss. She saw him often, his status changing from a regular customer to a friend. Poppy sees him for someone rambunctious and creative, someone who just wants to have as much fun as possible. She sees a lot of her little brother Dixon in his personality - wild and goofy. As such, she started to act more friendly to him. After a few years, they've formed a sibling-like bond, trusting each-other with their deepest concerns. She even invites him to become her best man when she gets married in the far-off future!
This guy can carry him around like a pretty princess.
Their first meeting was... not the most amicable, starting with Path punching him hard enough to bruise a couple ribs, but hey, that's just business; Ali's made friendships out of encounters more hostile. Anyway, Path's like, promised not to do it again, now that he's free of the control of Neo Dominus. The big guy's now kind of like a guard dog -- a six foot seven guard dog who'll probably punch a hole through you if you threaten his friends. And Alistaire appreciates that, as someone whose existence invites a lot of vitriol.
Path thinks Alistaire is tiny and frail. Very brightly coloured, too. Path is friends with Alistaire, acting as a a sort of protector if things get hairy. At first, Path was forced to confront Alistaire - he still feels bad about the punch. Path has tried his hardest to make it up to Alistaire by being there to keep him safe and give him as many piggyback rides as he wants.
Alistaire's first impression of Zora was probably "oh, shit, I didn't know the shy one hanging around the back of the diner was strong enough to grab me by the cape and throw me out the door fifteen yards". Since then, he has had the privilege of being unceremoniously removed by Zora dozens more times. Their relationship is really blossoming.
Anyway, he likes her. Anyone good enough for Poppy is good enough for him. And her cooking is to die for.
Zora didn't know how to feel about Alistaire at first. Who is this sassy lost twink trying to sneak into the diner? After a while, though, Poppy and Alistaire started to bond, and Zora started to see Alistaire more. As such, the two started a bond. She and Alistaire are very different personality and hobby-wise, but they get along fine regardless. Having a cat certainly helps. Eventually, she sees Alistaire as a member of her family.
Ms. Rivera runs Alistaire's favorite diner, a place he considers sacred. As such, he genuinely does his best to respect her and not make trouble... his best just sucks ass. Nevertheless, her patience with him seems bottomless: although she's not afraid to kick him out when his antics push her, she always lets him back in eventually. Maybe she suspects he's got a good heart deep down (ew, cringe, baseless lies, blatant slander). Ultimately, she is the most forgiving of him out of the diner crew. And her cooking is to die for, too. Alistaire's pretty much surrounded himself with people who make good food.
Ms Rivera heard about this little guy from Poppy. As it turns out, he's just a little guy! A silly fella! He's hungry, that's all! She's worried he's malnourished because he's so skinny, poor thing. She makes sure to have his order memorized; a milkshake with extra whipped cream and cherries, a side of extra maraschino cherries, and a large side of fries. Eventually, she grows to love Alistaire very much, and makes sure to call him all sorts of affectionate nicknames and pinch his cheek when he comes by to visit.
Alistaire's not sure who he hates more: Apollo Brighton, or Magnum Opal. Thankfully they are both contained in one snooty, snobby, arrogant package, so he can laser-focus his loathing. Apollo is one of the very few people Alistaire genuinely dislikes, which just creates more tension in his already-strained relationship with Jasper. He cannot whatsoever fathom what Jasper sees in the man and why they think he's worth dragging around for years trying to fix. By the time Neo Dominus is creeping up, however, Alistaire has to admit: maybe it's working? Apollo is significantly more bearable, and even- UGH- saved him, that one time, leaving him with a scar interrupting his perfect beautiful hairline instead of, like, death or whatever, which would have been slightly worse. Still, far, far, far from his first choice of company.
If he could help it, Apollo would never have to interact with Alistaire again, both as a villain and as a person. He's loud, bright, tacky, rude, and tactless. Not only that, but he's even a sorry excuse for a villain. The only reason that Apollo even lets himself be in Alistaire's vicinity is because Jasper is friends with Alistaire's friend Charlie. Though he does take plenty of solace in the fact that Jasper's not his biggest fan either. As time passes though and he develops as a character, he does his best to tone down the hostility, though his 'best' is a bit pathetic.
OH NO HE'S HOT.
Ms. Rivera's hot hunky son gives Alistaire yet another reason to hang around the diner. Sightseeing, yknow. Has... has he seriously not figured out Ali's lusting after him yet? It's becoming a game of how unsubtle he can be til Emilio notices.
Emilio likes Alistaire! He's colourful and has cool hair. He's friendly, too. Very friendly. Likes to watch him work, which is surprising, because he's usually really sweaty and gross. Oh well. What a nice guy!
Willie is just another one of those Silver City things that happens to people. Alistaire's ready to accept it, and puts a lot of thought into his outfit for each event because 1) that's fun and 2) otherwise, Willie will pick FOR him, and clearly cannot be trusted with fashion. He DOES resent that the event in question is often sports, which he doesn't like and sucks at, but the atmosphere is very conducive to chaos so it's always worth his time.
Weird fascination with this one. Really likes his outfits -- he always shows up fully committed to the gimmick. Willie hardly has to lift a finger to get him to participate. He does cause some trouble, do some rulebreaking, rouse the spirit of violence in others and cause brawls, but honestly, that's just inevitable with the mix of people Willie chooses to include.
KK's alright, for a HERO... Alistaire really respects her commitment to the bit. One of the heroes he's delighted to do battle with, and secretly doesn't really mind being foiled by because she usually does it in a fun way. They are like pinkie pie and rainbow dash kindating but just friends
Knick-Knack and Alistaire are amicable enemies. That being said, the two are friendly towards one-another, for the most part, and share similar interests. However, Alistaire is one of the few people who Knick-Knack will ever talk sternly around, suddenly dropping her bubbly and exciteable personality for the sake of scolding him. She thinks he's a funny little guy, but she won't hesitate to hit him with her hammer. It's part of the job.
Oh god. Ohhh my god. This guy is a serial killer for SURE oh my god. Every time Charlie drags Alistaire out to Sal's gross gross gross nasty nasty icky icky cabin in the middle of the woods where no one can hear you scream, he's doing something like turn a deer inside out or sharpen a zillion knives and it's SO scary and he's SO gonna die there one day. Also he has DOGS that are HUGE and SLOBBER SO MUCH and eeeeew ew ew ew Alistaire seldom makes it through a visit without crying.
Eventually, though, he'll come to realize Sal is another one of the many weird but good-hearted guys in Silver City. So even though they may not have, like, ANY common interests, Sal can lie on top of him like a weighted blanket, carry him around like an accessory, and let him touch his squishable paw beans.
Sal finds Alistaire amusing, in the way you find a small animal. He doesn't mind Alistaire as a whole and even though they don't share any interests, Alistaire's fun to have around (and make fun of when he gets scared).
Alistaire would die for these cats, obviously. He'd always wanted cats since leaving home, but knew his lifestyle was too irresponsible to accommodate them. After moving in with Charlie, though, he feels a lot more secure that someone can take care of them if he should fail, and lets himself get four- fine, three- fine, TWO cats. And honestly, the two of them wind up being enough.
Emmy's grateful to Alistaire for bringing her in off the street and pampering her to the ends of the earth. He's an attentive and caring owner who knows how to give her her space as long as she puts up with him burying his face in her fur and making noises every once in a while, and he IS a good petter when she's in the mood.
Skeletor thinks Alistaire is soooo fun and gives him plenty of attention and showers him with fancy pretty fashionable collars and shows him off to everyone and has endless energy to play with him. When Alistaire gets home, Skeletor trots up with tail held high and a squeak with every step, and Emmy sashays coolly over to say hello.
At first, Alistaire is NOT happy when Charlie brings home a HUGE... SLOBBERY... DOG to foster. He AGREED not to do that in the same napkin contract where Alistaire graciously allowed himself to be talked down to two cats. But... hnnng... okaaaay, so, she IS pretty cute -- it's a shock no one wanted her from the shelter; people are SO judgemental of pitties -- and she DOES make a great pillow for floor time... and wait, wait, she's been ADOPTED?! W-wait, no! Wait, it's too soon! He's happy for her and all, but, um, uh, just... he just needs a second with her to say goodbye.......
Wait, CHARLIE adopted her?! That fucking asshole!
So now Winona accompanies Alistaire on walks that turn into runs, lies around on the floor with him, and beautifully models the hundreds of pretty collars he gets her.
WINONA LOVES ALISTAIRE!!!!!!!!!! not as much as charlie but SHE STILL LOVES HIM!!!!! he likes to do Floor Time and use her as a pillow and winona does not mind as long as she gets SOOOO much attention All The Time
Alistaire thinks Mav is a BLAST!! Someone who can match his weirdness (or even... maybe... MAYBE... ALMOST even outdo it... a LITTLE...) is rare, and rarer still to not feel like they're fighting over the spotlight: for all Mav's energy, as well as being in the LITERAL spotlight a lot of the time, they've got a laid back sort of flavor that keeps the vibe positive. If he's all out of ideas for weird shit to do, they've got one. Plus, while Alistaire isn't a metalhead, getting into those theatrical shows for free is always a good time, and Rosehead's audience is a very queer scene where he can flirt with tough guys too. That's just a nice little bonus.
Mav thinks Alistaire is fun as hell! They love his style, the drama of it all, his whole vibe. When he walks into the room with his loud and overdramatic chaos, it's both easy and fun for Maverick to match his energy. Mav also just doesn't have a lot of friends outside the band, so it's just nice.
Little shit. God help anyone who tries to genuinely hurt him, though. He's a regular at the diner and close with Poppy, so Mason ends up seeing a lot of him. They're not super close, but Mason would vouch or cover for him if ever needed.
Omgggg, it's Haleeeey! As much as Alistaire likes them, some of his other friends just... well, let's be honest, they're not good at conversation. So, it's refreshing to shoot the breeze with Haley on a regular basis. Alistaire doesn't even actually like boba that much -- he just shows up to hang out and be a distraction. He's been able to deviously sneak out of paying his tab over and over because he's very good at being evil and clever and pulling the wool over Haley's unsuspecting eyes.
In costume? Trailblazer can't stand this little shit. He's reckless, feckless, and obnoxious. She doesn't have the patience for his scheming, she has better things to do.
Haley herself? Loves the guy. Fully aware he's a supervillain, AlistaIre's not quiet about it, but she knows he's harmless. She's glad that her costume includes a full-face helmet because it sometimes gets hard to keep up the Trailblazer façade of frustration and not just crack up at his nonsense.
He's one of her favorite customers at the cafe and the two of them can trade gossip for hours. She doesn't even mind the excessive unpaid tab he's racked up on account of he already gets free drinks for life. Hasn't told him that, though.
Hal's a delight to throw down with. The banter's not the wittiest with him, but the understanding not to really hurt each other is mutual, which is good because Hal is SCARY competent. Alistaire would never mess with him if he weren't such a gosh darn sweetie pie. But he is, so he makes an amicable enemy great for a cartoonish romp to let off some steam, even if Alistaire loses every singe time. Alistaire's not afraid to admit he genuinely likes the guy (out of costume, anyway).
Hal thinks Alistaire is delightful! Despite being a self-proclaimed villain, he doesn't think Alistaire really does much harm. Everyone needs a little trickster to keep them on their toes, he guesses! He really admires how much Alistaire is unapologetically and genuinely himself, maybe even quietly envies it to some degree...Either way! He's a funny little guy and Hal likes having him around.
Alistaire first knows Damon just peripherally as Charlie's gaming buddy. They become more properly acquainted when Alistaire starts poking his nose into the Neo Dominus investigation, which Damon is helping with. He takes to the guy right away -- Damon's disregard for authority, ambivalent moral alignment, and proclivity for mischief make him a kindred spirit. He pranks good.
Alistaire's not privy to his true nature -- at least not yet.
Damon originally knows Alistaire through Charlie, since they're basically attached at the hip. He thinks Alistaire's a riot, loves the schemes, the unhinged energy, the anarchy of it all. They get along great, and Damon'd be willing to help with just about anything Alistaire needed if he asked.