Master Kat
To say that Kate (local klepto and part-time bartender of Storybrooke) was surprised to see the man with the hook would be an understatement.
Sure the curse was broken and Kate remembered her old life in the Enchanted Forest, but she never expected to run into Captain Hook in this land. She recognized a select few of Storybrooke's citizens as people she had hoodwinked in her previous life -though thankfully her true identity had always been a mystery.
So when Kate found herself amongst someone she considered a friend she hid her shock with a quirk of her lips and mischief lingering in her eyes. "Well, well, well... Look what the cat dragged in..."
"Well you would know -wouldn't you... Master Kat?" Hook allowed himself a smirk of recognition.
"I go by Kate here, actually. Kate Charles."
"Kate Charles, Kat Carabas, Master Kat, The Booted Cat..."
Kate lifted a brow in a challenge, "Puss in Boots?"
Hook's smirk stretched into a smile. "Are you still sore about that? How was I to know the name would catch on?"
Kate rolled her eyes. This was an argument that they would always revisit. "Please -you were just mad you got bested by a girl."
"It wasn't the fact that you were a girl, it was just that you bested me . Besides you're not the only woman to have gotten the better of me -probably the first but... Any way... The nick-name just worked itself out... Besides, from that little tiff a friendship based on mutual respect, thievery, and equal distrust was forged."
Kate smiled unfeelingly at the bittersweet memories. "Yes -it was all fun and games until Cora turned ne into a real cat."
Hook had a look of mild surprise. "Did she? Hmm..."
"It's a long story. I tried to steal from from Regina, got caught, had to steal from Cora, got caught again -got turned into a cat. Still managed to steal the thing, gave it to Regina and she turned me back. Huh... Not that long..."
"That's funny... I tried to kill one of Regina's prisoners, got caught, got contracted to kill Cora -went to kill Cora. Ended up with a promise of vengeance and a heads up about the curse."
"That is one messed up family," Kate lightly shook her head.
Hook's eyes widened dramatically, "You have no idea."
"So... Storybrooke... I think I know why you're here..." Kate smiled knowingly.
Hook gave her a conspirative smirk. "I don't think you'd be wrong... So... Tell me everything you know about a certain little crocodile."