Cal (Reflection)

*This article is for the Reflection character. For the Forgotten Indigo character, see Cal (FOG).*

Cal is the resident barkeeper at Darkside, OPIA's in-house bar. He provides an environment for FLOW's operatives to de-stress and talk through private matters. He also operates a second bar called Carte Blanche in Fuse City proper, where Lyst works part-time.

## Appearance and Personality

### Appearance

Cal is a tall man with tan skin, an average build, and short golden-blonde hair. He has a distinct, sigil-like marking of unknown origin on his face, around his right eye. He has black eyes, and has clasp-style earrings on both ears. He wears a high-collared shirt, forearm-length gloves, and boots - all black with gold detailing - as well as grey pants and a short, sleeveless white vest and waist-cape with magenta lining.

### Personality

Cal presents himself with a friendly, easygoing persona, though he is very responsible about his work. He seems to enjoy listening to his customers' troubles and providing advice or consolation where he can. He is also quite witty, frequently bantering with his customers and making dry quips about the bizarre situations and patrons he encounters as a result of working with OPIA. He is hard to intimidate, and maintains a strict no-fighting policy between his guests while tending bar.

## History

### Early Life

Little is known about Cal's early life, other than his participation in some manner of rebellion against an unknown authority. At some point after that, he opened his bar, Carte Blanche.

### Act One

Cal started working at Darkside shortly before FLOW Wave Two gained their Reflections. Following Wave Two's first mission, they went to Darkside to relax; Cal, running late, was surprised to find Ace tending the bar, but welcomed him to do as he pleased. After introducing himself to the new Wave Two agents, he served Basil several drinks, and (alongside Cam) talked to her about her lack of self-preservation instinct. A few days later, after FLOW's rescue of Colt, he welcomed Ace and Lyst to Carte Blanche while serving Lugh. The four of them had a conversation about dealing with Burn. Later that day, he attended Cam's body coronation.

Following Wave Two's first proper expedition into the Coda, Cal was present in Darkside for Arg0s and Ridill's discussion about the vision Arg0s received from Singlehanded Saviour at Fio's behest. When Sonnet walked in to offer Arg0s an invitation to meet with her mistress, Cal offered her a drink, which she accepted. After learning the meeting was to be held as his other bar, he managed to negotiate payment for it. The next night, he let Arg0s into Carte Blanche, which had been rented out for the evening, and offered the streamer his support. While Arg0s was drawn into the meeting, he also let in Treble, who was assisting with mitigating Arg0s' burn. After the meeting's completion, he spent the rest of the night keeping Arg0s company.

In the leadup to OPIA's mission to rescue Basil and Ruth, Cal was evacuated alongside the rest of OPIA's staff, avoiding the chaos of attacks from GEIST and the Court of Death. Months later, once the danger had passed and OPIA was rebuilt, Cal resumed working with the organisation.

### Act Two

Cal was present the day that Wave Three and the Gates were officially established. He noticed something off about Arg0s, but did not realise that it was Fio possessing his body. He also had a conversation with the newly arrived Robin, welcoming her to FLOW and attempting to soothe her nerves. Following Colt being kidnapped by Compulsion, Cal recovered a sealed crate filled with his old military gear. He told Ridill that if OPIA wasn't going to rescue Colt, he was going to do "something stupid". Ridill assured him that they would, but if they needed something stupid, she would remember to come to him.

## Abilities

Cal is of decent physical fitness, and is an excellent bartender, able to keep good track of his patrons' needs and skilled at creating his own mixed drink recipes.
## Trivia

* Cal is privvy to a lot of classified secrets and burn-inducing information due to Ridill (among others) regularly venting to him about the difficulties of OPIA's work while at Darkside.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Neon Sparks
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dear Sweetest Me
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Night Ride
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Crossing Threads
5. ↑ Dying Flame
6. ↑ Chasing Ghosts
7. ↑ Tumbling Down
8. ↑ Uneasy Future