#dying was a fair price to pay since he kept him alive. a fair trade

[candyskiez]

God scarian is so insane. What if I was ready to kill you for betraying me, furious and feeling abandoned and hated and then you tell me to kill you. You're *fine* with me killing you. Look at me with tired eyes and say since I've done so much to keep you alive, to help you. I can kill you. And in the face of that complete forgiveness, of you knowing how much you owe me, i can't be as furious as i want to be. I was ready to kill the man that stabbed me in the back. I wasn't ready to kill my friend, or the closest thing I had to one. Like ok first off, holy fuck.

[leviiackrman]

The Encyclopaedia of a Design Students Imagination

Part 5: Jess Carter-Drake (Uncharted)

Part 1: Ophelia | Part 2: Spectre | Part 3: Una | Part 4: Isaac

Notes: there was wayyyy too much to include in her bio, so if anyone is ever interested in a longer writing of her story I can look into it!! anyway this one is long haha (she has been 4 years in the making...)

Words: 1,774

Tags: @chuckhansen​ @simonxriley​ @ciriofcintras​ @noonvvraith​ @ginadotjpg​ @ayrennaranaaldmeri​ @missdictatorme​ @callumtvrner​ @emuzeek​ @tommymillers​

Having been born to a family of adventure, Jess was raised in Britain with the knowledge of treasure hunting; the lifelong profession of her father. With her sister Molly and Brother Aaron, the siblings had an average childhood – but with their fathers interest in history and travel, it soon became apparent where Jess’ attention really was focussed.

Over the coming years, she had followed her mother’s advice of keeping safe as best she could by choosing to study History at university; rather than pursuing her dream career alongside her father. At the age of 19 – while travelling home at night with her father – the two were struck by a truck, resulting in a terrible crash that unfortunately took the life of her father. Out of fear of being his distraction, Jess was terrified to go home, and so fled the UK where she lived on the run for a year or so.

---

Before long, she had made her way to Panama with the little money she had earnt from ‘trading’ goods – a thief’s term for stealing and selling on. Upon finding a decent venue to next smuggle from, Jess planned her approach carefully, but was caught by another shady figure attempting to rob the same Museum. Caught off guard by his presence, she failed to notice his gun before he shot the approaching night guard; fleeing out the window and creating the perfect sabotage for the young girl.

She was arrested shortly after and was thrown into the local prison. Surrounded by crooked smiles and wandering eyes, Jess found herself alone in her prison cell, the only place available being in the male quarters. But after all she was a murderer, so why shouldn’t she be with the worst of the worst – right?

With her new reputation on her belt and the guards not wanting another incident, they kept her separate for a while, until one day she overheard the guards complaining of a broken radio and offered her assistance. It took little persuading to be allowed inside their office – much to her disliking – before showing how the device could be fixed. Deciding she had more use than a treat for the eyes, the guards ordered her to work more around the prison, fixing light switches and other devices.

Within a year she had found herself comfortably wandering around the prison, tool kit in hand onto her next job. A set of lights in B wing had blown during the night, and while fixing one set, the guards ordered a search and sweep of the cell block. Those who refused to move were beaten – horrifically. When the man to her side refused to move, she made her best effort to avoid watching what was about to transpire. Seeing he was clearly in pain rather than being stubborn, she jumped down from her ladder as the guards left to get the man in charge, pulling him to his feet and returning to her station before they returned.

It didn’t take long for this mysterious man to find her, questioning her relentlessly on why she was even there. With the agreement to keep their personal lives and motives to themselves, the pair formed a close bond within the next year, sneaking many moments together without raising the guards suspicions.

---

2 years into her encapsulation, Jess was discovered within the prison and bailed out by none other than Rob; her father’s best friend and professional partner. Concerned for where she had disappeared to, he tracked her down, releasing her from prison and taking her back to the UK. Although relived to be free once more, Jess was adamant she didn’t wish to return home; begging Rob to take her elsewhere so she didn’t have to face the grief of her mourning family.

He agreed to take her somewhere private – somewhere she could be trained to fulfil the career laid out before her. Not knowing where she was going, Jess arrived at Croft Manor where she was introduced to the one and only Lara Croft. With their fathers having been close affiliates in earlier years, Rob was keen to see the 2 work together and learn from one another. Within the next several years – when Jess was now 24 – she had learnt a lot from her new friend (and lover, for a time), but wished to begin travelling again, missing the thrill of causing trouble.

With some solid contacts up her sleeve, Jess was able to make a name for herself within the business, becoming noteworthy to those around her. Aspiring to complete the works her father could not, she was approached by Elena Fisher – and inquisitive reporter keen to learn more of her travels. Over time the two became extremely close, their friendship lasting for years after. Introduced to other notable faces in Elena’s circle, Jess continued to work independently until she was unexpectedly recruited to help discover the location of one Henry Avery’s forgotten treasure.

With a hefty price laid out in front of her by her new employer Rafe Adler, she successfully acquired an old St. Dismas Cross, only to later discover it was worth a lot more than he was paying. Determined to earn a fair wage for her efforts, she donated the artifact to the Rossi estate, where she could witness the auction herself. While searching the venue as any good pick pocket would, she ran into Victor Sullivan – another acquaintance of her father’s she had met many years prior. Knowing of his shady business, his appearance piqued her interest and she soon discovered his plan alongside the infamous Drake Brothers.

---

Locking herself in an office to capture the thief who stole her cross, she could hear the commotion in the main hall of all the attendants being escorted out. Thankfully, she wasn’t the only one who chose this hiding place. Appearing from the shadows was a taller gentleman, almost definitely in communication with Sullivan, but didn’t resemble that of Nathan. Not wishing to waste time, she carefully staged the scene – a frightened guest wishing to escape the havoc outside and was graciously saved by the incredibly handsome stranger, blah blah blah.

With his interest now focussed on her, she swiped the cross and began to run; only to end up having a full blown brawl with this stranger to win the cross. The playful flirtation expired and her patience diminishing, she instinctively threw them both through the office doors and out into the hall where the rest of the shooting was taking place. Not wishing to die for nothing, she took her chance to run; leaving the cross behind but carefully watching the exterior so she could follow the boys on their way out.

---

It took a lot of persuasion, but as she explained her situation when approaching them at their hotel, her connection to Elena soon had her welcomed into the group. Sam on the other hand, not so much. Not knowing one another’s names, the years since they had met had faded their memories of one another without them knowing, and in doing so created a tension that lasted a good while into their adventure. Through-out their countless travels and endeavours, the group grew closer, taking each hit in stride and instinctively defending one another. The tension between the eldest Drake and the young explorer soon faded, this forgotten connection arising once more the longer they worked together.

With countless lies revealed along the way, Jess and Sam’s past was soon revealed to them when Rafe held them captive – finding humour in the fact the pair had no clue. Determined to leave Libertalia alive, Jess tried hard to persuade Sam to leave with them, promising more fruitful adventures in the future. Although sustaining a good few new scars along the way, the events of the past few months drove Sam and Jess increasingly closer to one another, keeping in close contact thereafter.

Aware of their past and the position Sam was now in, Jess helped him as much as she could to rebuild his life outside of prison. Over time they spent more time together, soon developing a secret relationship they thought would be fun to keep from the others, until eventually all their close friends knew. Within the first year of being together, a rift surfaced between them in the form of Jess’ ex colleague – Abigail. Successfully snatching Sam away, Jess left sam when she heard of him cheating, feeling empty for months after. Despite this, the two of them were able to work past it, her heart always slightly fragile around him even years into their relationship.

When things became more stable again, the mysterious stranger from Jess’ past in Panama returned, unveiling himself when he kidnapped both of them. Oscar – the man then revealed as the one who murdered her father – wanted to finish his business with the Carter family for good by employing Jess and Sam to find the missing relics of The Fountain of Youth – her father’s most precious job he could never complete. While not wanting to cause more troubles, they followed their orders while held captive, until at the last minute they saw an opening to escape, fighting off their attackers and trying to flee the area. In doing so, Jess was stabbed in the lower abdomen with her own blade, slowly dying in Sam’s arms as he struggled to get her back to a hospital.

---

Recovering from her injuries, they both returned home to live out their lives together, settled in their own apartment together close to Nathan and Elena. Although not certain that marriage was for them, when a sudden job was presented to Sam that he just couldn’t turn down, the 2 committed to marrying, having a small gathering with their closest friends and family.

With many obstacles in their lives, their individual lives work completed and having been successful enough to worry no more, the couple settled further into their lives together when surprisingly Jess became pregnant. Unsure of how to handle the situation and both nervous of what was to come next, they worked to have the birth of their son Tobin not upset the comfortable lifestyle they had built for themselves. As her grew older, they became more comfortable in their new world of parenting, leading to them having another but this time a little girl by the name of Natalie.

Suspense, danger, and tragedy; all ending in a fulfilled and peaceful life spent by the coast as their children grew older, their fears behind them and the comfort of each other guiding them through the final chapters of their lives together.

[mugvvham]

Caffeine and Sugar were good people. Not the most social ones, probably, but people in Isle Three knew well that newly married couple would’ve done anything for anyone. They were nice, kind, so different from those who lived in the big city. They loved helping whoever needed, but most importantly, they loved eachother.

Caffeine Rubiaceae was a good man indeed. He would’ve done anything to bring joy in his wife, the young Sugar Kettle from Isle One, a kind and reserved woman so different from the way more outspoken husband - even leaving his own family when they tried to make him consider marrying someone else.  There are two kind of people, they kept saying. Those who can live happily, in their high class apartments, partying and having fun whenever they wanted - and then there’s anyone else. But Caffeine didn’t care. She was the only one who could really make him laugh, who could bring genuine happiness in an otherwise rich, yet terribly dull life. She didn’t care about his social status, she accepted him for who he was, not for a stupid surname. They loved eachother, more than anything else.

However, their life wasn’t always happy. They made eachother company, and they had plenty of support from Sugar’s family, but they felt like something was missing. All they could ask for to make their little family even better were children, but no matter how much they tried, nothing seemed to work. Maybe it was bad luck. With time, Caffeine almost started thinking his family cursed them. By the time they lost their second child, Sugar accepted the idea of having to wait, but her husband couldn’t ignore the hint of sadness in her smile.  They loved eachother, but he wasn’t ready to give up on her.

One more week passed before they recieved an invitation. They knew about the Casino, and while Sugar wasn’t sure about the situation, Caffeine seemed quite into the idea of getting a little distracted. Changing a little the usual routine, just for a day - he assured her that money weren’t goign to be a problem, that he had quite some luck when it cames to gambling. After all, what could’ve possibly gone wrong? It took a while, but eventually Caffeine had to accept the idea of going alone. They both knew that he was the one who would’ve had fun with those things anyway - and admidetly, they needed some time alone, maybe. The night was indeed a blast for most of the time, the man managed to win enough times to get approached by one of the empolyees - a fancy man with a Die-shaped head. They started to have a little chat, and between the friendliness of the man and various shorts of acohol Caffeine actually started to vent. About his family, about his concern for the wife’s mental health, to how he could’ve give anything to finally let her have a child. “Anything, you say?”  King Dice’s smile widened, and before Caffeine could understand what was going on he was brought to the owner of the Casino and lend a pen and a contract.  “A life in exchange of another. You’re going to have as many children as you want, but in return I get a Soul for each one of them. It’s a fair trade, isn’t it?” In another moment, maybe, the man would’ve refused that offer. That was insane, isn’t it? But Caffeine wasn’t sober enough to think about the consequences. He loved his wife, and giving up his own Soul, if necessary, would’ve been indeed a fair trade if that meant making her happy.

And so, nine months later, Cuphead was born. An energetic kid, always ready to make himself heard by as many people as he could. A loud kid who completely changed the couple’s life, and who managed to bring back happiness in Sugar’s heart. Caffeine did all he could to make their days as full as possible, growing more and more worried on the Deal. He was quick to remember about his choice, occasionally reminded that his days were numbered by the Casino employees. Every moment could’ve been his last, as far as he knew, but he wanted to be sure Sugar and Cuphead had anything they needed before he was gone. He loved his family, and if dying was going to be the price he had to pay for having a son, so be it.

An year and a half passed since the Deal when Sugar approaced his husband with a big smile, announcing that she was pregnant again. Caffeine’s first reaction was pure joy, before he could realize how bad the situation could’ve been. Was this still part of the Devil’s plan...? With only Cuphead, he could’ve been suree he had to give up only his Soul, but with yet another child... did it mean Sugar was doomed as well? A life for a life. That was genuinely terrifying, now that he was thinking about it.  He started asking if, pheraphs, they needed a bigger house for the ever-growing family, or maybe straight-up leave Inkwell, starting from zero somewhere else, but without the necessary money where could they hide? By the time he thought about actually telling Sugar the truth, it was too late. He didn’t have the guts to break his wife’s heart, not now that finally she was getting the children she always wanted. Mugman was born in a sunny, warm day, just like his brother, and the house was once again filled with joy. They loved their family, but Caffeine couldn’t but ask himself when that happiness would’ve faded away forever.

Caffeine would’ve loved to see the kids grow.  He had Cuphead in his life for only eighteen months, and Mugman barely saw the beginning of his third one when the Devil reclaimed his debt. Those who saw the tragedy from outside could swear they saw a shadow surrounding the happy family’s apartment before a fire suddenly sparkled, starting from the children’s room. No other apartment got even slightly touched by the flames that, instead, took Sugar’s life. The last time Caffeine saw her was when she jumped in the flames, reaching for the kids and shoving them in his arms, offering a smile despite being caught by the fire. He could get out of that alive, but knowing well that was his fault.

She loved her family, enough to give up her life in order to make them survive. He loved her family, enough to bring the children to Sugar’s family before personally walking back to the Casino filled with nothing but guilt and sadness.