RJ Martin

RJ
--

RJ is a love interest in the book Hell and High Water.

## About RJ

RJ is a master navigator who meets Lori when she comes to rescue his crew during a bad storm.

RJ was born in a big city called Vanmet. When he was four or five years old, friends of the family took him and his dad out on the water, and RJ loved it. Afterwards he started to study charts, tide tables and whatever he could get his hands on, and went out to the harbor with the Huangs in their little boats whenever he could. RJ began his first apprenticeship on a boat when he was only 12 years old, making it difficult for him to get people twice his age or older to take him seriously.

RJ's mother Sarah was found stranded on a boat as a very young child. She knew some English and Lingit, but hardly spoke at all. Unfortunately, she died from complications during childbirth and RJ never got the chance to know her. His dad Raymond is a machinist and spends most of his days in a big industrial building, being a real landlubber. Father and son are still very close and whenever RJ visits Vanmet, he tells his dad all the stories about what he’s seen and where he’s been, making it their litte tradition. His father gave him a pocket watch and a little notebook when RJ set out on his first voyage.

Life at the sea hasn't been easy for RJ. Several years before the events of the story, one of his crewmates whom RJ considered a good friend was executed by their captain. Although the captain was well within his rights considering the situation, RJ's still sad it had to come to this.

By the age of 22, he already served on five voyages transiting the North Pacific. After learning that some of his mother Sarah's relatives might live in the region near Baird Peak, RJ boarded the supply ship *Aquila* in Vladivostok, determined to find out more about them. While playing poker at a bar in Prince Rupert, he met a woman named Proc who tried to recruit him for a raid. RJ refused politely, getting a bad feeling about the incident but not reporting it because he worried about his reputation. Later, Proc and her gang of raiders sabotage the *Aquila*s steering sytem, causing it to crash during a storm. Lori and her friends rescue RJ and he joins their crew to help getting the important supplies to the intended destination. They meet the raiders again while they are trying to steal the goods, but manage to capture them.

RJ enjoys his work because it allows him opportunities that few experience. He's not the most approachable and comes across as quiet and a bit distant, but he has a lot of adventures and stories to share. He states that he's looking for a like-minded partner, someone who challenges him, and he doesn’t believe in love at first sight - he thinks love is a bond that grows slowly. After getting to know Lori and her friends better, RJ begins to show his funny side and isn't shy when it comes to his interest in Lori. Despite coming across as intense at times, he seems perfectly content to play the role of a gentleman. While not being the jealous type, he's not interested in making enemies among potential crew members: RJ is open to a no-strings-attached relationship with Lori, but he won't be serious with her if she's romancing someone else.

As the story progresses, RJ continues to look for his mother's relatives. After talking to Dan at Baird Peak and Nolee in Homeport, signs point to his mother getting lost during a storm 42 years ago near Sitka. When RJ and the crew sail from Juneau to Anchorage, a boat from Hoonah approches them and a woman called Amanda introduces herself - she turns out to be Sarah's older sister and RJ's aunt. He is overjoyed to finally meet her and her husband Rick. Asked about her family, Amanda tells him that she has a son, Reese, and more family waiting for him.

## Relationships

* Lori Kaplan: A young skipper who rescues him from a storm and invites him to become a part of her crew. They can stay friendly or become more, depending on the player.
* Raymond: His father which whom RJ is pretty close.
* Sarah: His deceased mother.
* Amanda: RJ's aunt who lives in Hoonah. She is Sarah's older sister and married to Rick. RJ has been looking for her.
* Sunny: Fellow crew member.
* Chand: Fellow crew member.
* Phoebe: Fellow crew member.
* Connor: Fellow crew member.
* Chellberg: Captain of the *Aquila*.
* Shae Norr: *Aquila'*s first mate and supercargo.
* David Hines: A sailor in charge of maintenance and security on the *Aquila*.

## Quotes

* *"You are one of a kind."* (S2, Ep1)
* *"My father, he's a kind man, but you can see it in his eyes: he's driven. I do take after him in that regard, and it does feel good - it's validating. It's comforting to look at something and really know it, to feel a sense of achievement..."* (S2, Ep4)
* *"I'm realizing that it doesn't matter how well I know the currents or the tides or the stars. I could be the best navigator on Earth... And that wouln't get me any closer to connecting with any family I find around here."* (S2, Ep4)
* *"You make me want to study poetry. So I can put the way I feel around you into words. The right words."* (S2, Ep5)

## Trivia

* He is 5'9" (175 cm).
* His favorite music genre is retro alt, a mix of Jazz and Classical.
* RJ is not a cat person and doesn't like pickles or beets.
* His favorite place is a calm ocean.
* He finds the idea of everyone in the past carrying tiny functional GPS units around in their pockets highly entertaining.
* Admitting when he messed up at his job is very challenging for RJ.
* RJ owns a coin with Vanmet’s seal and the words „BY SEA AND LAND WE PROSPER.“ on it. He also has a gun with him.
* He writes a diary.
* His grandfather was a second generation refugee. RJ never met him but knows that he was born right at the start of the Collapses and watched the Wall as it went up around Vanmet.

## Romance path

Some options will only be available to you if you have chosen previous romantic scenes with RJ or if your relationship with him is good enough. RJ prefers Lori as an **Inspirational leader** 💡. Relationship choices leading to an intimate scene are marked with a 💖 symbol.

* Season 1
* Season 2

**Season 1**

**Ep 3:**

* If you didn't save the sailor: Sunny, work on getting another anchor down. RJ, let's go to the wheelhouse.
* (Hug him.)
* Don't worry about it. [+1 Inspiration 💡]

**Ep 4:**

* (Compliment RJ.)
* Sounds good.
* (Squeeze his hand.)
* (Wait at a distance.) OR (Eavesdrop on RJ's conversation.)
* (Ask about RJ.)

**Ep 5:**

* (Check on RJ.)
* How are you holding up? [+1 Inspiration 💡]
* I think you're very charming.
* Avoid the logs and debris by listening closely to what RJ says.

**Ep6:**

* (Sit next to RJ.)
* (Stroke RJ's foot.) (💎6)
* (Visit RJ's Room.)
* Would you kiss me?
* 💖 (Kiss him.) (💎27)

**Ep7:**

* So, how do I get you to relax?
* 💖Maybe we should indulge ourselves. (💎11)

**Ep 8:**

* Sure. (if you didn't kiss RJ last episode)
* No, why?
* You can complicate my life any day.
* 💖 Would you walk me to my room? (💎8)

**Ep 9:**

* 💖 Alright, surprise me. (💎56)
* ...rename the boat with a ceremony. (💎100)
* RJ?

**Ep 10:**

* RJ.

**Ep 11:**

* (Help RJ.) (💎12)
* Tell me everything. (💎20)
* Don't blame yourself. [+1 Morale 🕊️] OR I understand why you didn't tell anyone. [+1 Morale 🕊️]
* RJ
* (Talk to RJ.)

**Season 2**

**Ep 1:**

* (Look for RJ.)
* 💖 Close your eyes. (Intimate scene) (💎45)

**Ep 2:**

* Join RJ. (💎34)

**Ep 4:**

* (Encourage the crew.) [🕊️19] [❗Strong Bond: All relationships improve.]
* RJ
	+ (Stay longer with RJ.) (💎19)

**Ep 5:**

* You won't regret it, I promise. (💎102) [+2 Morale 🕊️ later in the episode]
	+ (Invite RJ to the Nest.) (CG unlocked)
	+ 💖 Let's make the most of this. (Intimate scene)

**Ep 6:**

* Fresh Breeze (💎17) OR Gale (💎33) OR Buy all outfits (💎45)
* ...a great idea! (💎67) [+3 Morale 🕊️]
* [❗Trust is Earned: RJ trusts you as much as his own family.]
	+ (Meet RJ's family.) (💎17)

## Poly path

This section will help you if you want to date RJ while being in an open relationship with Chand. Please take into account that you will not see the same romantic choices as someone who's exclusive with RJ - he will regard your relationship as a more casual, no strings attached connection. It is not known yet if you will be able to end up with RJ or both him and Chand in the finale if you take this path.

Relationship choices leading to an intimate scene are marked with a 💖 symbol.

**Season 1**

**Ep 2:**

* No. Honestly, I'm scared. OR I really am fine.
* Are you alright? OR I'm sorry.
* Want to come?
* Do I have a beautiful soul?
* And we could be more than friends.
* (Hug Chand goodnight.) (💎8)

**Ep 3:**

* If you didn't save the sailor: Sunny, work on getting another anchor down. RJ, let's go to the wheelhouse.
* (Hug him.)
* Don't worry about it. [+1 Inspiration 💡]
* I'll come back there.
* Pampering, you say? (💎20)

**Ep 4:**

* (Divert the conversation.)
* (Ask Chand to come.)
* (Ask about RJ.)
* 💖 I'd like that. (💎29)

**Ep 5:**

* Chand, any objections? [+1 Inspiration 💡]
* (Check on RJ.)
* How are you holding up? [+1 Inspiration 💡]
* I think you're very charming.

**Ep 6:**

* We should see if the guys are interested.
* (Sit next to RJ.)
* (Stroke RJ's foot.) (💎6)
* (Visit Chand's Room.)
* I want you.
* 💖 Yes. (💎47)
* 💖 That rope in your bag... (💎47)

**Ep 8:**

* Not tonight.

**Ep 9:**

* I like you both...

After this choice, you are free to spend time with RJ and/or Chand however you like.

## Gallery

* Sprites and items
* CG images
* Additional content
**Sprites and items**

RJ's sprite (S1, Ep3)RJ's handkerchief (S1, Ep4)RJ in swimming trunks (S1, Ep6)RJ's pocket watch, a gift from his father (S1, Ep7)RJ's diary (S1, Ep10)RJ's romantic sprite (S2, Ep1)A picture of RJ's mother (S2, Ep1)RJ on board of *Halcyon* (S2, Ep4)Off Duty and Casual (💎28) (S2, Ep5)Off Duty (💎22) (S2, Ep5)Casual (💎8) (S2, Ep5)**CG images**

CG unlocked in S1, Ep6 (💎27)CG unlocked in S1, Ep6 (💎27)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎56)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎56)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎56)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎56)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎100)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎100)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎100)CG unlocked in S1, Ep9 (💎100)CG unlocked in S2, Ep5 (💎102)CG unlocked in S2, Ep5 (💎102)CG unlocked in S2, Ep5 (💎102)CG unlocked in S2, Ep5 (💎102)CG unlocked in S2, Ep6 (💎67)**Additional content**

RC official art (RC Instagram, September 2022)

## References

1. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceClub/comments/vptny8/i\_am\_yim\_the\_writer\_for\_hell\_and\_high\_water\_ask/