Caine was gonna be a vampire, but since you brought up him being a puppeteer, I accidently read it as puppet and instantly liked it XD. Bc I don't want it to be him controlling the crew. This AU is less dark and more spooky. So I can imagine Caine being a puppet unaware of him being one. Like if OG Caine was unaware that he's an AI. And he can do silly movements and shake his whole body when mad. He would be attached to strings that lead to who knows where. Besides, what if something or someone was controlling Caine? That could be cool 👀

I do like the eyes part. Maybe the haunted mansion could have a lot of fake eyes in paintings 'n such that, when you're not looking, will stare at you. And eyes in bottles. Anyways the money part is covered in my notes, but it's too long and I don't think I should share it yet.