#Grim Gambler

[syntia13treeman]

With love for the early access crowd. May you roll high and gain resistance to emotional damage. 😘

[syntia13treeman]

Also, because I have no chills and no patience to see if you stumble upon it organically (and it's a good primer for tumblr experience):

Is that you, Alex J Newall?

Gosh, no foreplay? We're just cutting straight to the existential stuff

[vivwritesfics]

Cowgirl

He was just there to see Kate, to make sure she was all right after what happened. He didn't expect to run into the pretty cowgirl and her horse.

There was an unfamiliar white truck in the driveway. There was always unfamiliar trucks in the driveway, always some rich asshole trying to purchase the land out from under their feet.

She patted her horse's neck as she looked at the truck. Storm Par. Tye name didn't tell her as much as she wanted it to. "Come on, Gambler." She tensed her leg against the horse's side and walked him towards the barn.

It was late, so late that she knew her mother would be furious with her. Her sister was always the good one, the one with high expectations placed on her shoulders. Expectations that she'd exceeded.

Jumping from Gamblers saddle, she walked him into the barn and did everything she needed to do. Untacked him, fed him, made sure the little makeshift stable was clean and he had enough food and water for the night.

They got a small corner of the barn. The rest of it was full of Kate's stuff. She couldn't be mad about that, not when Kate's stuff was so cool. But it also served as a grim reminded that she wasn't there, and hadn't been for years.

Shutting the barn for the night, she made her way back to the house. Storm Par, she'd seen that truck somewhere before, she just couldn't put her finger on it. She tried to look in the truck, but it was too dark to see anything.

She made her way inside of the house, toed off her dirty boots and dropped her keys in the bowl. Shrugging off her jacket, she hung it over the banister and made her way to the kitchen.

Her stomach made a desperate noise as she looked in the fridge for the leftovers. "I know, I know," she mumbled to herself, setting about heating it up.

Footsteps, on the stairs. "Mom?" She called over her shoulder. "Sorry I'm late, we lost track of time."

The person didn't respond as she stirred the leftovers in the pan to heat it up. When she turned around, her breath caught in her throat.

There stood her sister. Kate, the good one, the smart one, the one that had disappeared to New York. "Holy shit," she breathed as she looked at her. "Holy fuckin' shit."

"Hi," Kate said and swallowed.

She'd imagined this moment several times, what it would be like to be reunited with Kate. Had imagined running into her arms and holding her so tight that she couldn't leave again.

But, now that they were here, she was at a loss. It didn't feel right to embrace Kate in such a dramatic fashion, didn't feel right to do anything but just look at her.

She turned and stirred the leftovers in the pan. "What're you doing back?" She asked as she began to plate it up.

Kate shrugged her shoulders. "I was nearby," she said and sat at the kitchen table, sat in the seat opposite her. "Were you out with Gambler?"

She nodded as she ate.

No, it isn't bad writing, the conversation was stale. The sisters didn't quite know what so say to each other. Where had they left off when Kate disappeared? Why had she left them behind?

She didn't mean to resent her sister for getting out, for leaving her behind. Their mother had been so distraught when Kate left for New York, but she understood why. She still had her other daughter there. Her other daughter who wanted to leave, who wanted to travel across the country and make a life for herself.

Clearing her throat, she stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow," she mumbled and took her food up to her room. Kate wasn't blonde the last time she saw her. But that seemed to be the only difference.

She looked out of her window, looked at the Storm Par truck in the drive. It must have been Kate's truck, she decided and sat at her computer.

It was so easy to find information on Storm Par. To find out who they were, to find out what they did. The what wasn't important, and the who was only kind of important. It was the why that she cared about. And, when she found that out, why the hell would Kate work for a company like this?

A sour feeling settled in her stomach as she went to bed that night.

***

"Someone's feeling fresh," she mumbled as she walked Gambler forward. But Gambler didn't want to walk; he wanted to go.

She turned him in a sharp circle, since holding him back wasn't doing anything to stop him from taking off. "You wanna run, Gamble?" She challenged, walking him to the end of the drive. He was practically galloping on the spot.

When they get to the wide open field in front of them, she let him go. Gambler went. He galloped, snorting as he went. She held the mane and let him run until he got to the other end of the field. At the other end of the field, she got Gambler back under control and began walking him back to the house. Halfway across the field, she pushed him into a nice, controlled canter.

An unfamiliar red truck was parked in the driveway, parked beside the Storm Par truck. She squeezed on the reins, slowed Gambler down as she watched the guy climb out of the red truck. The cowboy hat on his head looked performative as he placed it back in his truck.

"Can I help you?" She asked as she walked Gambler over to him.

He was gorgeous. His charm was written in smile as he looked around at her home. Upon seeing her, his charming smile dropped from his face. "Uh, yeah," he said and turned again. "Is Kate here?" He asked.

She blew out a breath and gestured for him to follow her. He did, walking a good distance behind Gambler. "Are you with Storm Par as well?" She asked as she rode, the reins in one hand and her other hand resting on her thigh.

To Tyler, she looked all the bit the cowgirl. He knew cowgirls, he was an ex rodeo man, after all. This was the kind of girl he would have chased after before he went to study meteorology. "No," he said, that charming smile slowly reappearing on his face. "I do chase, though."

"Ah," she said as she jumped from the saddle and grabbed a hold of the reins. "You're one of those freaks." It was said completely in jest, the tone of her voice suggested. She pushed open the barn doors and led Tyler inside. "Kate," she called across the barn. "Someone here for you."

Tyler watched as she took her horse to the little stable in the back of the barn. And then he turned his attention to Kate.

All the time she was in the barn, Tyler couldn't help but look at her. She had a Stetson hanging off the stable door as she gave her horse a bath. It shouldn't have been distracting but, to Tyler, it was. She was just cleaning her horse, massaging the purple shampoo into his grey coat.

Every time Kate caught him staring, Tyler had the decency to quickly look away. But Kate just grinned at him and told him her name. "She's my sister," she said quietly.

He didn't expected to get invited to dinner. "You should," said Kate as she looked further into the barn. "She's cooking." Tyler looked back at her as she grabbed a black bucket and filled it with horse food.

Her cooking was incredible. She wore her Stetson as she brought the food to the table outside. Kate set the table as she placed an array of food on the middle of the table.

"Thank you, cowgirl," said Tyler as she placed the salad down in front of him.

Her cheeks were so hot as she sat in the seat opposite him. "Don't mention it," she muttered and began plating everything up.

It was easy not to look at her when her mother was asking him so many questions, questions he was happy to answer. But she hadn't stopped looking at him. Feeling like a creep, she tried to stay focused on her dinner. But his voice. Fuck, it was something else.

"What about you?"

She hadn't even realised he was talking to her. With her mouth full, she looked up at him. "What?" She asked around the food in her mouth.

"Do you like storms?"

It probably wouldn't have been such an odd question if she had been paying attention to the conversation. She shook her head. "Don't get me wrong, they're pretty. But you wouldn't catch me dead outside in one."

Tyler's entire focus was on her, as if he'd forgotten her mother and Kate were there. "I bet I could change your mind," he said, voice full of confidence.

She took the challenge, copied his pose as she leaned towards him. "Oh yeah? And how are you gonna do that?" She tried to copy the expression on his face, the charming grin he had so easily mastered.

He sat back in his seat and looked towards his truck. "You'll see, Cowgirl."

[robin-evry]

Can you do aventurine!yuu?

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄!𝐘𝐔𝐔 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐖𝐒𝐓 🎰♠️

A senior manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department and one of the Ten Stonehearts. His Cornerstone is the "Aventurine of Stratagems." He possesses an air of frivolity and doesn't shy away from taking risks. His constant smile makes it difficult for people to discern his true feelings.

The ultimate gambler in NRC. Is very popular due to them winning every single game they bet.

They turn the ramshackle dorm into a gambling room without the teachers knowing. Many students work under them in exchange for money It has become a very popular area for the students. By doing this they manage to get some connections with many powerful students or students who have connections for information.

Everyone is at the bottom gambling while aventurine!yuu stands on top overlooking everything. With grim by their side wearing the same hat as them

Many students have been trying to expose them but every time they try aventurine!yuu will always be two steps ahead of them and manage to get away with it or the teachers and staff simply ignore it.

Azul once tried to black mail them into a contract or tried to expose them but every time aventurine!yuu will always outsmart them. They are his biggest enemy He is always unable to read their motives and is unable to beat them it will drive him insane.

And if a student misbehaves or threatens violence a pile of large gold coins will fall on them and injure them in the process. ( Similar towards aventurine skill in the game )

They are one of the top of the class as well the sugar parents of all the first years and grim anything they ask aventurine!yuu will buy it for them

Even under that mischievous smile, Aventurine!yuu is always on their guard or high alert. They are back from square one similar to their past. They never close to their hearts, they close it afraid of losing these people.

They use make up or foundation to cover up their marks on their neck or by wearing outfits with color or a turtle neck sweater to cover up their marks to not tell people about their past.

Very rich, so rich to not care. By asking a question about an assignment to a student they will be Given jewelry and gold by them like it was nothing. Ruggie will tend to follow them to see if they need any help so they could pay him in jewelry by doing this he manages to sell the stuff they gave him and have his family a better life.

Miraculous luck, for some reason luck seems to follow them wherever they go and even affects people, they always get good grades, once a potted plant falls from the second and aventurine! Yuu was standing underneath it and the potted plant suddenly changed direction and missed them.

The first years will start calling them their lucky charm due to this strange phenomena.

Aventurine usually wear a pair of glasses to cover their unique eye color to make sure no one knows about their true origin. As well they tend to wear high end stuff like they wear a watch that is very expensive and designer clothing as well as their uniform having form modification.

Has a talent for dancing and singing, they are very talented to the point during VDC, vil approach them asking to participate in it but they refused.

Many students are very wary of him and will start bad rumors about them but every time the first years will protect them against this rumors

Has a crowd of students under their order, will get paid handsomely by them and ruggie starts to work for them for a half time and they more than mostro lounge. These students will work as their ears and eyes in NRC.

[small-sinclair]

Whumptober Day 8: Sleep Deprivation

Rogue, Gambit, Kurt x mute human!reader (Plotinic)

Isolation Chamber

Part 2

Gambit kept his eye on the door, blinking becoming a chore now. Rogue had her head resting on his lap, sleeping soundly and breathing slow, and his arm protectively wrapped around Kurt. His blue skin and his fluffy fur were covered in grim and matted, but Gambit still made small circles on his back. Sleeping against his chest was you, their little human they all promised to protect, with his long coat draped over your shoulder. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time when officers took them to a holding cell with no windows.

Their little human...that’s what they called you when they were thrown into this chamber with blinking collars around their necks. He couldn’t use his powers to blast the door down. Rogue couldn’t take strength from the guards to fight. Nightcrawler couldn’t teleport away for help. You didn’t need the collar, but you still weren’t trusted.

One by one, each fell asleep against Gambit’s warmth. With each closing eyes, Gambit stayed alert more and more as time passed. He felt sleep calling for him, but he didn’t give in. The moment they are all asleep, something could happen, or someone will come in and harm them. It’s not fair to you; you’re a human being, not a mutant. But what makes a human being a human? There is no such thing as normal or finding a meme about the mutant world. It’s the hand they’re dealt that changes and determines fates, not by some grace of something higher than him.

He could hear Kurt argue with him about it. The minister was good in the faith; even as he slept against Gambit, crawled like a cat, he gripped his wooden prayer beads tight. He fell asleep mid-prayer, his voice fading until the murmurs turned into soft snores. The blue fuzz ball was always right about something, so why can’t he believe him this once? Leave his faith up to any god who’s listening or paying attention to them in this silent cell.

His other hand fell on Rogue, brushing her hair out of her face. Gambit felt his heart clinch and ache. He felt her hand in his earlier, and he nearly dropped to his knees in tears. Her skin is just as he imaged: soft, smooth, and warm. He wanted to feel her hands forever, and he was almost thankful for these collars that turned off their powers. He was able to kiss her goodnight without her feeling fear of hurting him or draining his strength. It would be worth it even if she did. Just to feel her close to him, his hand in hers, holding her cheek, kissing those sweet southern bell lips...all of it would be worth it. It would be worth it for her.

But she’s suffering and scared. That’s what hurts him the most. The moment he gets his hands on a key, he’ll get her out of here.

Then there’s you, the little human sleeping against his chest under his jacket. He didn’t know what to make of you when he first met you, and he still hasn’t made an opinion on you. You’re hard to read, which didn’t worry the gambler all too much, but he needed to know what side you’re on. For the most part of you being in this chamber, you kept to yourself and stayed quiet. He didn’t understand it because he thought you would be asking question after question, but your voice was never heard. To come and think of it, you didn’t make a sound when you were caught with them. You didn’t even tell them your name! Where he’s from, not giving a name or something to call you by meant you’re hiding something and have a lot to lose.

His eye lids grew heavy as they lingered over you, but he shook his head and looked up at the door. He didn’t know what was going to come next. Whatever it was, he’ll make sure to keep everyone safe. Though he’s the black sheep of the X-Men and in this room, he cared about everyone and worried. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was scared. He was terrified! But he kept his cards close to his chest and waited for whatever thought could hurt them. Gambit felt so tired and sleepy, but he forced his blood-shot eyes to stay open. He could feel bags under his eyes grow deeper and deeper as he looked forward.

Don’t sleep now, swamp rat, he heard a voice warn, they need you. They need you. Stay awake a little while longer. They need you to watch over them.

He rested his head against the wall and looked up at the empty ceiling. He'll stay awake until one of them wakes up. He'll do that for them, for you.

He felt you shift and your eyes meeting his. He could see his black and deep red eyes reflecting back at him, reminding him how little he was to you. “Go t’sleep, petit,” his said lowly. “Ya need sleep.” He gave you reassuring smile but he even though he knew he wasn’t fooling you. “I’ll be ‘right. Ain’t nothin’ Gambit can’t handle.”

Your dull eyes didn’t waver from him as if you were trying to say something through your thoughts. You shook your head and pointed at yourself then pointed at him, folding your hands under head and acting like you were sleeping, then pointed at him once more.

He blinked twice and lifted a brow. “What’re ya goin’ on about?” He watched you repeat the motion. “Can’t ya talk?” You shook your head. “Shit, dat makes sense, petit.” Gambit bit his lower lip and shook his head. “I’ll be ‘right. Told you already, mon ami.”

Again, you shook your head. In his eyes, you could see how tired he was. The fight in front of your little store was a rough one, and knowing that he’s forcing himself to stay awake wasn’t healthy for him or for everyone in this chamber. The steel door was haunting, cold, and unforgiving to look at. You looked back at him and nodded, looking at him as if you were saying “everything’s okay now”. He was fighting to stay awake, but your warm hand slipped under his jaw and your thumb made small circles.

Gambit found himself leaning into the touch, closing his eyes as he did. The tension in his body was fading and his head resting in Kurt’s hair. It felt like a pillow—

“No,” he whispers, murmuring his words tired and slurred. Gambit forces his head back up and blinked away the sleepiness. He was fighting it, fighting to stay awake. He’s X-Men; he has to protect you. Your eyes looked at him with a mixture of hurt and disappointment, a look someone gave him when he was a boy. “S’il te plait, petit. I’ll be alright. Dors, s’il te plait.”

Defeated, you nod and laid your head back down on his chest. He watched as you drift back to sleep, envying of your dreams. Gambit shifts his eyes back at the steel door once more and took a deep breath. He'll stay awake as long as his body is willing. Even after that, he’ll burn the other end of the candle to stay awake. He’ll keep you safe along with his friends. It’s the least he can do. It’s all he can do.

[enderham]

"I dreamt that you died." Aventurine says, apropos of nothing.

Veritas lifts his gaze from the book he'd been reading, across the first class cabin they're sharing, and to his colleague. Nothing in his expression betrays any emotion or thought about the statement he let out into the world, as is customary for the gambler. Veritas takes a moment to study him more thoroughly.

Aventurine isn't looking at him. The chip in his hand is dancing faster than usual, he's wearing his tinted glasses despite there being no need for them on the transport, and his other hand is hidden in his coat. Veritas has learned to look for that left hand whenever he suspects something is amiss with Aventurine.

He considers his next words carefully. "In many cultures across the galaxy, dreaming of someone's death is believed to produce the opposite effect. It is considered a good omen that brings longevity and prosperity."

There's a long moment of silence, then the chip suddenly stops. Aventurine had been looking at him from the corner of his eye, an indicator that he was listening as Veritas spoke, but he looks away again now.

"Not in mine," He says lightly, almost sings it.

It sounds like mockery, like Aventurine's typical attempts to get a rise out of him, like contradiction for the sake of it, but Veritas knows him better than that. The gambler may seem frivolous on the surface but he always speaks with purpose. The trick is figuring out what that purpose is.

Closing his book, Veritas leans forward, almost into Aventurine's space. The other does not lean away, and finally looks him in the eye, but he can see his shoulders are tense. His left hand is still hidden in his coat. Perhaps, instead of a non-sequitor, his opening statement was a damning admission, Veritas thinks.

"We both know this upcoming mission will be dangerous." He says quietly, he doesn't expect Aventurine to interject, but he pauses anyway. True to expectation, Aventurine stays silent, watching him intently. Veritas continues. "However, we also both know that your role in it is much more perilous than mine. I believe you made sure of that yourself, no?"

The gambler still remains uncharacteristically silent. Gauging Veritas' reaction to his grim statements no doubt. Veritas has passed many a test in his university days with little stress, so it is a new feeling to experience, this uncertainty. He feels like there is a right and a wrong thing to say in this situation, yet he does not know exactly what it is.

"It is my opinion that you should be worrying about yourself, gambler, instead of me, but if it eases your mind, I shall promise to stay alert on Penacony. Not that I wouldn't otherwise be, as you should well know by now."

Perhaps he's revealed too much, shown his hand, as the resident gambler would say, but he's found himself much too invested in said gambler's emotional wellbeing as of late, so he doesn't mind. Especially as that wary glint fades just a little from Aventurine's vibrant eyes, and he wrestles his signature grin back onto his face.

"True to form as usual." He teases. "I can always rely on you to bring rationality to the table, Doctor."

[abardnamedreginald]

im a wolf-demon-salamander-grey treefrog-katydid-cricket-luna moth-klingon-trad vampire-cat-romulan-harry potter wizard-gnome-drow-orc-wood elf-high elf-werewolf-twilight vampire-chihuahua-android-bard-druid-sorcerer-d&d wizard-lotr wizard-mind flayer-kraken-owlbear-genetically modified human-andes mint-harry potter merperson-h20 mermaid-great white shark-raven named nevermore-amontillado-sewer clown-animatronic-ink person-reality bender-ringwraith-chicken-fairy-telescreen-multibear-manic pixie dream girl-d class-horcrux-dragon-unicorn-pegasus-among us crewmate-among us imposter-game master-sharpie king size marker-dwarf-dragonborn-toothbrush-rock-paper-scissors-lizard-vulcan-politician-god-phone guy-icebreakers ice cubes pineapple-a doctor not a miracle worker-troll-ent-poodle-rabbit-Bear.-orange zombie-purple zombie-green zombie-professor plum-col. mustard-in the library-with a knife-hoola dancer-fish-villager-pelecan-defense against the dark arts professer-mafia boss-peep rabbit-peep chicken-gymnast-hairbrush-philosopher-music freak-school teacher-kidnapper-police lieutenant-farmer-trash can-dumpster out back-turtle-tribble-my little pony-kratt brother-high diver-pearl diver, dive, dive, deeper-chef-fire-earth-water-wind-wasp-bee-hornet-yellowjacket-mud dabber-grasshopper-rattlesnake-armadillo-cowboy-flashlight-starfleet science officer-harlet-elephant-gater-muppet-emo-goth-preppy-teabag-loser-sucker-mouse-rat-a puppet-a pauper-a pirate-a poet-a pawn-and a king-father albert-the pope-a nun-pastor jeff-gambler-metalhead-death rocker-the grim reaper-angel-lighthouse-paw patrol dog-hobbit-starfish-sponge-crab-squid-shrimp-jellyfish-chipmunk-hammerhead shark-nurse shark-humpback whale-blue whale-orca-sexual harrassment panda-south park character-jakoffasaurus-scrabble board-ouija board-pillow-toilet paper-period pad-tampon-baby diaper-elderly diaper-martian-touch tone telephone-starfleet operations-starfleet command-kirk-spock-bones-sulu-chekov-uhura-scotty-yeoman rand-KHAN!!!-mudd-the uss enterprise-the uss reliant-botany bay-v'ger-valeris-saavik-sybok-surak-sarek-the abbreviation 'idk'-sheldon-leonard-penny-howard-raj-amy-bernadette-mary cooper-george sr-george jr-missy cooper-meemaw-tam-dr sturgis-dr linkletter-dr jack bright-dr clef-dr gears-dr kondraki-dr mann-dr iceberg-dr crow-dr rights-dr sherman-scp 049-scp 3008-scp 4231-scp 166-scp 682-scp 2521-scp 590-O5 6-bill cipher-stanley pines-stanford pines-dipper-mabel-wendy-soos-schmebulok-gideon-mcgucket-dipper goes to taco bell-sheriff blubs-deputy durland-tad strange-andy taylor-william afton-michael afton-elizabeth afton-crying child-henry emily-charlotte emily-dave miller-jack kennedy-dee kennedy-peter kennedy-steven stevenson-aragorn-sam-frodo-merry-pippin-boromir-legolas-gimli-gandalf-faramir-denethor-sauron-elrond-thranduil-harry-hermione-ron-voldemort-pettigrew.-moony-padfoot-prongs-snape-edward-bella-alice!!-carlisle-charlie-cthulhu-greg heffley-pennywise-bendy-sammy-norman-jack-alice (susie)-allison-henry stien-joey drew-bruenor battlehammer-raskolnikov-heather-heather-heather-veronica-jd-kurt-ram-martha-kurt cobain-david bowie-freddie mercury-hozier-mitski-lemon demon-jack stauber-tally hall-hamilton-burr-jefferson-madison-washington-phillip-angelica-eliza-peggy-king george iii-king henry viii-ben franklin-catherine of aragon-anne boleyn-jane seymour-anne of cleves-katherine howard-catherine parr-dracula-𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂-evan hansen-conner murphey-john adams-raymond barron-fred randall-jane doe-ocean-noel-mischa-constance-ricky-karnak-vergil-alternate-thatcher davis-ruth-dave-cesar-mark-adam-sarah-jonah-evelyn-gabriel-trump-biden-sunny-basil-kel-aubrey-hero-mari-vanessa (the mean girl that kinda likes u)-tux the linux penguin-perry the platypus hybrid princess...dont fw me

[knightotoc]

Songs characters sing in the Alien movies:

1 - "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" - a British music hall song from 1891 which David sings as he cuts his hair in Covenant. David is imitating his hero Lawrence of Arabia, who sang this song in a desert canyon to hear the echoes. This would have been a contemporary song for WWI-era Lawrence, but a leap for the 22nd-century David.

It is an ironic song in both cases, as it's about a glamorous gambler surrounded by money and women, while its singers are surrounded by desolation and death. While Lawrence comes across as playful (at that point in his arc), David appears sinister (likening the humans who have fallen for his trap to a windfall at a casino) or deluded (Walter finds flaws in David's knowledge later in the movie).

2 - "You Are My Lucky Star" - a Freed-Brown 30s number whimpered by Ripley as she prepares to airlock the xenomorph in Alien. The song was originally written for something called "Broadway Melody of 1936," but it is far more famous as one of the recycled songs for Singin' in the Rain. For Ripley, it is more of a mantra or prayer than a song, as she can only eek out the one line over and over. In this context, the romantic sentiment is completely lost, but the outer space reference is heightened.

3 - "In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" - a 1969 psychedelic/folk rock song by one-hit-wonder Zager and Evans, which is sung by the prisoner Murph as he cleans an airduct before he is killed by the dog-xenomorph in Alien³.

It's a fun, grim song, and the only one of the three which is appropriate for the occasion, as it's about a science-fictional-turned-religious post-apocalypse, which is exactly what Alien³ is. Murph's lyrics are about the part where God returns to Earth and has to decide if the population is still human enough to warrant a Judgment Day.

I especially like the song as a criticism of the Bishop character, who was introduced in Aliens as an unbelievably benevolent Weyland-Yutani-made robot. The song suggests that even "good" robots could lead to our doom, since we lose ourselves as we lose our needs.

[nataliabdraws]

I wanted to give another excerpt of Larkspur, my RDR2 fanfic following my OC, Ramona. I've currently about 16k words in and am finishing writing chapter 3. I hope to write a few more chapters and then i'll probably post it somewhere

this is unedited and not beta read so please excuse any errors!

alt text under the cut:

Another figure encroached from the corner of her vision and Ramona turned to see Arthur sauntering toward her, saddle bags slung over one shoulder. His gambler's hat was tipped low over his eyes as he muttered what sounded like a gruff "mornin'" before passing her to attend to his own horse - a sturdy palomino mare who blinked at him lazily. 

"You have a boy tied to a tree," Ramona noted, her gaze drifting over to the young man bound against the trunk of a nearby pine, hands lashed behind his back. 

"He ain't no boy," Arthur secured the saddle bags behind his mount's saddle with a few deft movements. "He's an O'Driscoll." 

Ramona's eyes narrowed as she studied the captive again. She had heard of the notorious O'Driscoll gang, their reputation for terrorizing the local population preceding them. Robbing, looting, burning - no destructive act was off limits for these hardened outlaws. But surveying the bound figure, she couldn't quite reconcile his youthful, although rugged, features with those of a battle-hardened criminal. 

"So, you tie him to a tree?"  

Arthur didn't so much as glance over his shoulder as he snapped the cinches into place. "Can't have him running off on us." 

"And what happens when he starts to starve?" 

At that, the outlaw paused, hands stilling against the worn leather of his saddle. When he replied, it was with a grim matter-of-factness that made Ramona's skin prickle. "Hopefully, he'll talk." 

Ramona glanced over her shoulder at the young man again, his face pale and drawn with fear. A wave of pity washed over her as she took in his haggard appearance. "Don't think you'll have to wait very long for that," she muttered. 

[hero-in-high-tops]

Cute things to call your partner

Sweet daydream bullet train

Gunslinging broken messiah

The noble vampire samurai

Elegant grim reaper

Natural-born gambler

The secretary of absolute defense

Hard rock witch

[mellowshipsu]

Hello Mellow!

I was wondering if you could ship my Oc with a TWST Character!

Her name is Cynthia Widow and she is a Female TWST of Oogy Boogy from Nightmare Before Christmas.

She goes by She/Her and is in Ramshackle (She is Yuu).

She seems like the stereotypical good girl: kind, quiet, and fun-loving, but once she is comfortable around her, you see she is actually Cunning, sly, and very outgoing. She loves to play cards and luck/chance games with her friends (she starts an underground casino) and is a good cook. She is very elegant and graceful looking, but she is always listening and has a way of getting people to tell her their deepest, darkest secrets, desires, and truths to the point where she could blackmail anyone she wants too. She has perfected her mom glare and is fiercely loyal to her friends. She dosen't like potatoes and has a strange fondness for spiders and bats. Her live language is physical touch and quality time. She has a fear of snakes and is not the best athlete (though she does dance).

Lmk if you need any more information and thank you!!

One would think he would never take interest of you.

You're quite the opposite of him, it's true.

An outgoing gambling woman full of potential sin.

But that is what draws him in.

You're beautiful, covered in glitz and glam.

You gripped the heart of the righteous---

Rollo Flamm!

(image source: breezewiki)

Cynthia Widow instantly caught the eyes of the Noble Bell College's president, Rollo Flamm. Not only was she not invited to to this event, she was also a woman in a school full of boys. He eyed her closely at her stay with her demon talking cat. To his surprise, Miss. Widow was a kind woman. Politely talking to the citizens, parenting her little monster cat, and playing with the local children and goats.

Rollo walked with her and Grim around the city before spotting a group of men playing a shell game. Some men were complaining how they lost their money which made Rollo sneer in disgust. But Cynthia looked intrigued, a smirk creeping on her pretty purple lips. She watched intently as another gambled their money away.

"You're a cheat." She said simply, making everyone, including Rollo stare at her in shock at such a bold statement.

"Ma'am. I do not know what you're talking about." The dealer said nervously.

Cynthia walked up to the table, "You're quite good at acting about being humble. Losing some games to suspend suspicion - smart. But unfortunately for you I'm an avid gambler, who gambles to a various amount of magical students." She grabbed the shells and lifted them up to reveal they were all empty, "Non-magical people fall victim to these games against a magic user." She put the shells down and pointed at the dealer's arms, "You use your magic to slip the marble up your sleeve when you rearrange them."

The man looked baffled. Rollo took this opportunity to check himself. He stepped forward and used his magic to pull the marble out from the man's sleeve. Rollo looked angered, "And on our joyous holiday!"

The dealer shook and was drenched in sweat, while the people who were swindled got the authorities. The dealer was escorted away and Rollo made it his responsibility to distribute the money back to the gamblers, scolding them not to indulge in such dark temptations.

Cynthia and Grim pouted a bit, wishing they had some of that money. Rollo would scold them, but he couldn't stop looking at Cynthia's pouting lips and thinking how cute she was.

"You are quite an interesting person Cynthia Widow... Would you consider staying at Nobel Bell College instead? I would like you by my side. ...! As my captain of the guard of course."

[syntia13treeman]

Case files 09.01

what I think happened in:

Case 09.01, the case of "Dice of Fate" or "Mr. Die and a very bad, horrible, no good roll."

Well well well. If it isn't an honest, good old fashioned statement. Fancy seeing it here. Not much left to puzzle out, we have it all laid out very nicely. The Dice make a comeback. When we've seen them last in nineteenth century, they were sitting pretty in the sack of the Gentleman (the mystery man in the woods, quite preoccupied with luck).

By nineteen-nineties they somehow came to be in possession of a young man named Gary. (Double meaning intended). As is their nature, the dice brought Gary luck when rolled. Good luck with high rolls, bad luck with low rolls.

Gary eventually decided that bouts of good luck were not worth the inevitable dive into misfortunes, which varied from leaky pipes to broken legs. Finding himself incapable of simply NOT rolling, he fell back on time-honoured tradition of making his problem somebody else's problem.

Somebody else, we'll call him SG (short for Statement Giver), has recently been dumped by his boyfriend Carl (CaaAAAaaarl! That hurts people!) and really needed something to cheer him up. So when an old high-school friend called to invite him over for a game night, he made his way to Gary's place in West Didsbury, where he got tricked into taking over as the Dice Bearer. The dice changed hands and SG felt it as the ownership transferred to him.

SG was much smarter about rolling that Gary had been. Just like a certain violinist before him, he figured out that he needn't be the one to pay the price for the fortune his cursed object brought him. And he figured out the system (or so he thought. He should have remembered that the House always wins, in the end). He started passing the bad-luck-rolls to random strangers on the street.

After a time, he started to also let strangers roll high. And then… well, for someone who had the gall to talk shit about D&D, SG turned out to be SUCH a nerd himself. He assembled a whole-ass Grim Dicer costume, grew a goatee, he was even doing the voice! Go you, Mr. Totally-not-a-theatre-kid! Rock that Dice King persona!

He was well on his way to becoming a full blown urban cryptid, when alas, he went too far. By chance (chance?) he run into Gary and made him (made him?) roll one last time. It was the lowest roll yet. Snake eyes. 1+1. You couldn't go lower if you tried.

It seems that the Dice did not appreciate being disposed of, and they disposed of the previous Bearer in return, with extreme prejudice, via runaway truck to the face.

After that, SG lost his nerve and tried to get rid of the Dice which… Buddy. You've just seen how that ends. What did you think would happen?

SG thought he was being smart. He gave the Dice to Magnus Institute, who, as paranormal research facility (or whatever they were known as), were bound to accept them and presumably able to handle them safely.

Too bad he believed that rolling was a matter of choice*. Too bad the Dice were still within reach when the urge hit. Too bad he died right there, at the statement giving table. RIP, statement giver (????-14.10.1998). You could have been great.

So that's that. What more to say? Let's see.

I feel quite confident in saying that SG was actively becoming a supernatural creature. That feeling of increasing disconnect from the world was not just in his head. And the rolls that he took for himself, that kept getting more and more abstract, until he couldn't tell what changed, just that something did? It was you, SG. You were changing. Such a damn shame your rise to power was cut short by your own folly.

I'm equally confident that he was unwittingly creating a brand new urban legend. I bet that at the time there were people in Manchester who'd talk in hushed whisper (or at high volume in a crowded bar) about the Grim Gambler, the Dice Devil, the Lord Luck, the Horrid Hatman. (Coincidentally, for no reason whatsoever I need somebody to draw SG in full Mr. Die costume with Alex J. Newall's face). Some would warn against touching his dice, others would swear up and down that he'd bring luck and prosperity. (Imagine the discourse at cryptid message boards!). I wonder if the legend still lives, even if SG doesn't.

*About rolling the dice, even knowing the odds… It sure as hell wasn't free choice, no sir. What was it then, compulsion, or addiction? Was that need to see the dice clutter over one's future coming from without, or within? Both options are equally appealing to me, to be honest.

The statement and the Dice were given to MI in October 1998. This means two things: a) Arguably, events surrounding death of SG could have been one of the 'weird stuff' that Sam saw with no context as a child, and: b) The Institute burned down little over a year later. Do you think somebody was rolling the Dice bit too much?

'Recommend referral to Catalytics for Enrichment Applicability Assessment'. To me it sounds like: "hey, Catalytics, check if we can use this thing for enrichment." And I'm having a bad thought. They were studying kids, Sam among them, for some purpose, almost certainly related to supernatural stuff. Did they give the kids cursed artefacts to play with, to boost development of their otherworldly skills/trait/whatever? Because if so, so help me… 🔪🔪🔪🔥🔥🔥

Lastly, for completion's sake: viability as subject (none), agent (low), catalyst (medium). I've no idea nor theories what these are about, I'm just leaving them here for future reference.

[deusexlachina]

Wannabe Warden Part 19: The personal is political (and therefore top secret Grey Warden missions)

In which people won't stop trying to kill my family for more than an hour at a time.

The political is personal, because Kirkwall is a very small city. Well. It's not. It's massive and very crowded. But you keep bumping into the same few people, so I've learned by now that the best way to discover city-threatening problems is to casually do errands for friends and family.

I pay a social visit to Uncle Gamlen, and look for problems to solve by reading his mail, which I'm pretty sure is a crime, but I'm immune to crime because my family friend is a corrupt cop. An anonymous note from someone who claims to know Gamlen gives him cryptic clues to finding the Gem of Keroshek. What's the Gem of Keroshek? It makes you lucky. Not like critical hits lucky or anything like that. It just very slightly increases your income and minutely increases your chance to hit things.

Ironically, Gamlen spent the family fortune chasing this gem. Somehow. I'm thinking something like he invested all our cash in "Kerocoin." This currency I just made up gives you a stake in the ownership of the Gem of Keroshek. Not like, you have the gem. But. Hypothetically. Anyway, he spent the family fortune chasing the gem because he really wanted it for reasons he never specifies, and now he doesn't want it because he spent all his money chasing it. Say what you like about Uncle Gamlen, he certainly doesn't fall prey to the Gambler's Fallacy. Even though he does literally gamble. And lose all our money. But his logic is airtight.

What does this have to do with keeping Kirkwall safe? Quite a bit. It turns out the Gem of Keroshek does have a power - it makes people want it to irrational extremes, just like the red lyrium. Well. I assume it must, because dozens and dozens of people throw themselves at me trying to get it even though I don't even have it.

This is one of the largest human armies I have ever faced, all lining up to fight the woman who single-handedly killed the Arishok, and also killed his army, though that one wasn't single-handed, it was with my companions. Who are also here. They're fighting the doom squad. All for a gem whose effect is to slightly improve accuracy and coin drops. I've sold more than a dozen more powerful magical artifacts.

Honestly, I'd just walk away from all this, except the search for the gem has endangered my cousin Charade, who I didn't mention before because I just met her. Charade sought it out because her father neglected his wife in favour of the Macguffin, which is the tragic subtext of Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail. Except that was over the cup of Jesus which could grant immortality, whereas this makes you more accurate and rich to a degree you wouldn't even notice if it didn't say so on the label. Unfortunately for Charade, Gamlen doesn't want the magical trinket. He only cares about...uh...his family?

I explain to my dear cousin where she might have gone awry with this plan, which not only didn't involve talking to Gamlen but also entailed actively obscuring her own identity as his daughter, who he didn't know he had, which paints a grim picture of the state of sexual education in the Free Marches.

With this crisis averted and a hole in my family mended, I can rest easy knowing my family is safe for literal minutes before another crisis threatens Kirkwall and my family again. Orsino, the First Enchanter of Kirkwall, wants to deal with a problem among the mages without alerting the lobotomy-happy templars. What's the problem? Uh. There's. Meetings.

Not considering the possibility that his mages might be having secret meetings to resist Meredith, like he is doing right now, Orsino sends the most famous woman in Kirkwall to spy on the meeting, but somehow I'm recognized and they fight me to the death, cryptically saying they know I'm working for Orsino. Are these mages his enemies? Even curiouser, this is a mix of mages and templars, despite them having been bitter enemies.

It turns out that mage-sympathizer Ser Thrask has organized a resistance of mages and templars working together to take down Knight Commander Meredith. A stunning display of peace and solidarity. When they're not trying to murder me.

I would just leave this extremely stupid situation before more good-intentioned people basically run into my axe, but I have to dig deeper, because they kidnapped Bethany!

...from the Grey Wardens?

Ser Thrask is there, and explains they needed leverage against me, correctly guessing that I care more about my accidental Grey Warden sister than anyone else. What I'm stuck on is why they couldn't have picked an easier hostage, like...anybody? Fenris and Merrill live alone. Bethany not only has gravity powers but travels with the Wardens, who wouldn't interfere with their plans (since they're Politics) except if they threatened the order, e.g. by kidnapping a Grey Warden, especially one who is like a daughter to the terrifying unkillable moustachioed menace that is Warden Stroud.

On that note, how did they even pull this off? Bethany explains that "last thing she remembers, she was in her quarters." Her...Grey Warden quarters? Like, she was in a Grey Warden base? How did they get in and out of there? How did they steal a whole lady from the Grey Wardens? And, if they have such illicit skills, why didn't they cut out a lot of unnecessary and frankly stupid steps to their plan and just steal Meredith? She can't have been any harder to attack than the Grey Wardens, especially not Secret Grey Warden Aveline Hawke. What are they afraid of, an army of templars? They are an army of templars!

Thrask tries to explain: they all thought I was their enemy, because they oppose Meredith and I publicly opposed Meredith. Hang on, that doesn't make sense. Well, they know I'm working for Orsino, and he's their enemy, because he...was also publicly opposing Meredith? Even Thrask himself is confused, wondering why I'd side with Meredith even though they know I'm working for Orsino, her enemy. This is your brain on lyrium and/or blood magic.

After a wildly unnecessary fight, Cullen comes just out of time to arrest the conspirators so the mages can be executed and the templars can have their pay docked. I tell him not to make the situation worse by unnecessary executions, especially not Alain, who saved my sister.

While his fellow templars are exhibiting templar sexual dimorphism, Cullen, who is working for the evil Meredith and will be until she later snaps and tries to kill apparently everyone, sneers at Alain for a convenient last-minute change of heart.

[demifiendrsa]

GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Season Pass 3 Playable Character #1 [Johnny] Trailer

Japanese version

Season Pass 3 DLC character Johnny will launch on August 24, 2023 alongside the Season 3 update.

Latest details

Johnny ($6.99 / 880 yen)

Ease of Use: ★★★✩✩

Severs all with an unseen strike. Natural-born gambler.

Leader of the Jellyfish Pirates. He is a master of the Hirofumi Style of swordsmanship. He’s a world-class outlaw but lives by the mantra, “Help the weak and sprain the strong,” which has made him popular among the masses.

Johnny is an easy-going guy who’s always ready to kick back, but when the going gets tough, he’s undoubtedly the man for the job. No matter how grim the situation, he never loses his cool and is often there to break the tension with a clever joke. He rescues children orphaned from war (women only) and brings them aboard his ship. He loves the members of the Jellyfish Pirates like his own family and has often told them he puts their safety before his own life.

Season Pass 3 ($24.99 / 2,750 yen)

Includes the following content:

Playable Character: Johnny (August 24)

Playable Character: ??? (2023)

Playable Character: ??? (2024)

Playable Character: ??? (2024)

Additional Battle Stage #1

Additional Battle Stage #2

Season 3 Characters Additional Colors

Season 3 Characters Extra Colors #13 to #15

Season 3 Update (free)

New Special Moves – Added to six of 15 initial roster characters. More characters to come in later updates.

New Offensive Mechanic – Wild Assault: Perform a lunging attack to the front. Available to all characters. Properties vary depending on the character.

New Defensive Mechanic – Deflect Shield: Can block any attack. Including overheads, lows, and projectiles. Available to all characters.

[grimsley-official]

“Dude, slow down.” (*Grimsley has a strong grip on Marshal’s wrist as he’s neatly navigating the bustling streets of Castelia City. He doesn’t seem to hear Marshal’s comment*)

“Grim, seriously slow down.” (*Marshal’s concerned voice again goes ignored*)

“Grimsley.” (*The sound of the strict tone paired with his full name, and not just a nickname, causes the gambler to come to a halting stop. He whirls around to face his friend*)

“What?” (*He snarls, his posture defensive. He looks similar to a Liepard with it’s fur bristled.*)

“Slow the fuck down. You’re causing a bit of scene like this.” (*Grimsley looks around at Marshals words, realizing there’s a few passerby’s looking at them strangely. He feels his cheeks burn with embarrassment and frustration.*) “It also might not be the best idea to burst into Burgh’s Gym like all hell’s let loose.”

(*Grimsley’s eyes burn holes into the ground, clenching and unclenching his teeth. He feels incredibly vulnerable like this. He’s frustrated at himself for feeling so frantic and feels like he’ll be on the verge of a pretty bad panic attack if he doesn’t get to his destination soon. The last thing he wants is to break down in the middle of the city*) “Just come on, Marshal. Please.”

(*He’s once again tugging at the Fighting trainer’s wrist so they can get going again. The desperation in Grimsley’s voice leaves Marshal a bit too stunned to fight back. They don’t say another word to each other until they’re arriving at the Gym Doors. The gambler’s pushing them open without hesitation. He shudders a little at the sight of the webs adorning the interior, then opens his mouth to call out.*)

“Uhm…hello??”

[satoshi-mochida]

Guilty Gear: Strive DLC character Johnny and Season 3 update announced

Gematsu Source

Arc System Works has announced Guilty Gear: Strive Season 3 downloadable content character Johnny and the Season 3 update. Both will launch on August 24 and act as the official start to the game’s third season.

Get the latest details below.

Johnny ($6.99 / 880 yen)

Ease of Use: ★★★✩✩

Severs all with an unseen strike. Natural-born gambler.

Leader of the Jellyfish Pirates. He is a master of the Hirofumi Style of swordsmanship. He’s a world-class outlaw but lives by the mantra, “Help the weak and sprain the strong,” which has made him popular among the masses.

Johnny is an easy-going guy who’s always ready to kick back, but when the going gets tough, he’s undoubtedly the man for the job. No matter how grim the situation, he never loses his cool and is often there to break the tension with a clever joke. He rescues children orphaned from war (women only) and brings them aboard his ship. He loves the members of the Jellyfish Pirates like his own family and has often told them he puts their safety before his own life.

Season Pass 3 ($24.99 / 2,750 yen)

Includes the following content:

Playable Character: Johnny (August 24)

Playable Character: ??? (2023)

Playable Character: ??? (2024)

Playable Character: ??? (2024)

Additional Battle Stage #1

Additional Battle Stage #2

Season 3 Characters Additional Colors

Season 3 Characters Extra Colors #13 to #15

Season 3 Update (free)

New Special Moves – Added to six of 15 initial roster characters. More characters to come in later updates.

New Offensive Mechanic – Wild Assault: Perform a lunging attack to the front. Available to all characters. Properties vary depending on the character.

New Defensive Mechanic – Deflect Shield: Can block any attack. Including overheads, lows, and projectiles. Available to all characters.

Guilty Gear: Strive is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, as well as via Xbox Game Pass.

Watch a new trailer below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.

Season Pass 3 Playable Character #1: Johnny 

English

Japanese