#exmafioso-duncan

[starzfield]

Plotted starter for @chiryxushi

Most people didn’t like night shifts, but Duncan actually appreciated them. Less people to interact with, the coworkers were usually calmer, jobs paid more… Since he didn’t have a social life, it didn’t matter he slept during most of the day also. Managers were also less picky about who they employed, or even about work itself as long as the minimum was done.

Though, Duncan was a hard worker - at least, now he was. When he wasn’t annoyed or provoked, he was serious about his jobs, as varied as they may be.

He had been working in this supermarket for nearly a month now, and was used to the night schedule. He was also getting used to co-workers, at this point. They didn’t annoy him at least, which was a very good point.

Tonight, he was teaming-up with Tomoe. Really, the amount of work didn’t require two people, it was a little 24/7 with very few customers at this hour, but there had to be at least two people, in case something happened. Tomoe seemed like a skittish and shy girl, but nice, from the few interactions they had. Duncan always avoided more contact with coworkers than needed, but here he also thought he’d just. Scare her. The man wondered if she wasn’t afraid of him already, but it’s not like he’d ask. And the answer didn’t really matter. At least, since he'd been correct and polite to her - if only a little cold, maybe, but he wasn’t a friendly person - she must not be too scared. Hopefully.

It happened before that he scared people enough that they complained to the manager and got him fired - without him doing anything, mind you.

Duncan was currently at the counter, behind the checkout, and trying to not let boredness get to him too much, when a high scream escaped the stock, where his coworker had been.

The suddenness made him jump, hand on his heart beating like crazy.

“What the fuck…?”

He grumbled, before getting at the entrance of the open door leading to the stockroom, keeping the shop in sight - he couldn’t let it unsupervised, they’d be in big trouble if someone stole stuff.

“Hey ! What are you doing ? Are you okay ?”

Hopefully it was just a spider or something dumb like that. Maybe the night was boring but it’d be better than ruckus happening.

[starzfield]

He listened to her opinion, a curious glint in his eyes. Duncan absolutely didn’t think it was a bad thing at all - he didn’t really know how to handle too nice, too soft, too modest. So this was more than fine in his opinion, if a little funny.

So his reaction was a shrug, and a bit of amusement.

“I guess it is.”

The topic of home attempted to trigger some memories, and the man quickly chased them away.

“I don’t know. Aren’t people supposed to be modest ? It’s some virtue or whatever. Bragging is bad, all that jazz.”

He made a vague gesture of the hand to accompany his words.

“I don’t think I am though. I don’t really care. But I don’t have much to brag about, either.”

And he didn’t care about that, either. Of course a part of him wished he had more… But Duncan was just paying the price of his own actions, wasn’t he ?

It was okay.

He rose an eyebrow, perplexed. “No one said you have to change.” A snort. “...But no one said ‘perfect’, either.”

There was mostly amusement in his expression though.

At the end, a small meal in annoying but nice company would be sweet, Duncan supposed. It was simply hard to accept simple kindness, sometimes.

A lot of time ? Brown eyes threw her a wary glance. Really now, for how long did she plan to stick around…? Seeing how stubborn Nunnally was, it was easy to guess the answer.

“You’re a troublemaker. I can just feel it.”

But he was one too, a worse one even.

The man grumbled as she pushed him. “Yeah, you must be very lucky…”

The idea of food was mouthwatering however. He actually didn’t mind salad, unless they were only lettuce, like she mentioned.

“Really ? No dessert at all ?”

Even he enjoyed some warm, homebaked goods.

“Fruits aren’t bad.”

And fruits were cheap, cheaper than cake.

The next sentence… Kind of hit.

She was right, he could admit. The person you ate with could change the meal by a lot.

Damn, all you can eat sea food ? Duncan tried his best to hide his excitement, but he knew he probably failed. He really liked sea food, but apart from a few basic fishes, it could be expensive.

“Fine, let’s go there.”

No, it wasn’t motivated all of sudden… Or maybe he was, but he didn’t want to admit it.

“It’s okay I’ll eat for two.”

Sure he was used to eating lightly, but Duncan could manage a big meal once in a while.

Now the man was walking willingly, nearly rushing… Which was dumb since he didn’t know where they were going.

“Try to not attract troubles before we’re done eating, at least…”

Nothing will prevent him entirely from being grumpy.

“I didn’t.” – that was definitely her honest reply. Nunnally didn’t forget 'modest'. Not at all – “If wanted to add 'modest', I would.” – Nunnally knew he was joking. Nunnally knew it was a hidden (or open) critique of her over-confidence, but did she care? Not really. She suspected Duncan didn’t want to be mean. Rather he was teasing. But yet she was going to give him an honest reply – “I think modesty is overrated. They tend to tell girls they should be nice and quiet, but they hardly ever tell that to boys. That’s unfair.” – she was adamant about it.

“I was never told that at home, though.” – she added to be fair; though she needed not to. Her home was odd, and certain rules were there (the rules she didn't like). And she had learnt them the hard way. But that was nothing she wanted to share with Duncan – “So…” – she laughed – “I am not modest. Why should I?” – a small pause – “And you shouldn’t be, either.”

“Anyway, I am who I am. And I am not going to change…if I don’t have to…” – because she knew there were times in life when one had no choice but to adjust. No matter how strong one hated something. Although she wasn’t to discuss these issues any longer. She and Duncan had just met and there was no reason to dig too deep in their lives – “But you wouldn’t like me to change…” – she laughed – “I am perfect even with that lack of modesty.”

She giggled when he stated his price. Nunnally nodded. She could definitely pay for their food. She didn’t mind. His pride was so…funny. He made such a big deal out of that silly meal. But she wasn’t the one to tell him that either. She understood that pride might have been the only thing one had in life. Despite all the differences between them (as there were many; she wasn’t that naïve not to notice them), sometimes (like him?) she was left with nothing but her pride.

Nunnally nodded: --

“Good.” – she joked – “And since I do enjoy your company, and I am planning to spend a lot of time with you, I will need to feed you well.” – she sighed and shook her head in a pretended exasperation. She liked him; she thought for… Nunnally actually lost count of how many times she thought she enjoyed this meeting.  

“How could a sweet and tiny girl like me bring any trouble into your life?” – she asked innocently, but of course she was teasing – “But no, I don’t plan to. Though sometimes troubles seem to find me. Oh well, you shouldn’t worry about it too much, though. I usually manage to survive. Somehow.” – she took his shoulder and urged him to move.

“Come on! I am starting to get hungry. And salads can be truly filling. Don’t expect I only stick to lettuce… You wouldn’t imagine so, would you?.” – she laughed; she was not tall (but neither was he), and she was a bit underweighted (but nothing serious), so he could imagined she cared more about food and eating habits than Nunnally truly did – “And I don’t like deserts…” – she added to reinforce the picture of her Duncan might be having in his mind – “Watermelon or some other fruit is what works for me.” – she was partially joking, but Nunnally didn't have a sweet tooth.  

She shrugged: --

“You can have all the money, but if you eat alone, it’s not really fun. It’s more important who you eat with than what you eat.”

“All right then. So it’s all you can eat sea food. There’s a place that you might like. I mean I’ve never been there, but it looks cozy and is often full of people. We can as well try it out together…”

“Though all you can eat is such a waste on me…”

[starzfield]

📚 + grandmother + Duncan

Hmmm what else...

His fish and fishing passion come kind of from his grandmother, as well. She lived near a lake, and Duncan as a kid used to swim and catch fishes there. First in jar, then later his grandmother gifted him her deceased husband's fishing stuff with a fishing book, for Duncan's birthday.

He made sure to fish some for her, and she cooked them for the both of them. He didn't have the money to offer her anything, but at least he could do that.

[starzfield]

🎲🎲 for Duncan!!

Yesss, let's do this !

🎲 Despite being in his mafia days a true asshole mafia member, he had this habit of kinda helping, kinda "I'm rude to you but for your own good" attitude towards younger members, particulary the ones who had troubles with their parents. Goind so far as to protect them sometimes, often against their own stupidity. Which would got them a smack and a lecture. It earned him a "big bro" title, though the ones using it did so only when he couldn't hear, because else Duncan would smack the back of their head. Yes, he smacked a lot of heads.

🎲 Duncan dislike the taste of tea and herbal drinks, despite desperatly trying to enjoy it. He however loves the smell of these, and has a tea set in a cupboard, with a bunch of teas and herbs for drinks. Sometimes when he feels down he open it just for the smell. It brings back memories.

[starzfield]

~~Starter for @dancinghearts~~

These days, Duncan has landed a job on a construction’s site. It wasn’t his favorite kind of work, but it paid the rent, so he couldn’t exactly complain… He just hoped he didn’t get into a fight with one of his co-worker this time, as it happened before. Several times. It was nothing short of a miracle Duncan still managed to get hired on these. Apparently he easily got on his co-workers's nerves, and the other way around. At least it was good training for his temper, he supposed.

For now it was break time however, and of course he didn’t eat with the rest of the team, taking his lunch with him instead to a bench in a park not far. The only thing he couldn’t complain about was the content of his lunchbox, homemade. By now Duncan had become good at cooking nice stuff with few resources and money, and a pro at aiming for good sales of food - sometimes guilty of having used his scary appearance to get the last pack of meat in sales at the shop.

Either way, he was now eating his rice, eggs and chicken, with a bit of tomatoes, sitting on a bench in a park, alone… Except for the guy he just noticed and was currently staring at him with big eyes, and. Was he. Drooling ? Duncan couldn’t say from a distance. He frowned, and started to glare at the stranger in hope of making him flee. But visibly the guy was focused solely on his lunchbox and didn’t even notice the threat he was trying to convey. Or was ignoring it. “Oy. You want anythin’ weirdo ?” Duncan wasn’t known for politeness nor friendliness. Furthermore when trying to enjoy his break, away from people. And his voice was nearly a growl as he barked at the guy.

[starzfield]

“A run ?”

His eyebrows rose, a mix of surprise and respect in his brown eyes. “Not easy. Congrats’. I don’t do running except for work, but I swim - when I have the time, that is.”

Obviously, this kind of hobby couldn’t be done just anywhere. 

“Why wouldn’t I believe it ?”

He asked with a frown, confused. Sure Duncan was the kind to doubt people just easily as he breathed… But only when the answer could affect his life. That this person was going on a run or not wasn’t a thing worth lying over, in his opinion.

“Beds are convincing.”

The joke was even accompanied with a small smirk.

“That’s dedication, for sure. I can’t really plan anything like that, my life’s too chaotic.”

And he was drained of energy more than once.

“Yeah, climbing these back after work is going to be such a pain… What do you do for work ?”

A snort. “Actually, no. My schedule changes all the goddamn time. So either I’m so used to changes that it’s the norm for me, or. I don’t know. But if I had to stick to a schedule like that, I’d be fucked up. My longest time working at the same job was like… Three months.”

He listened to the answer, then chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, yeah, I was kinda wasting my fucking time when doing that. Both days and nights.”

His voice was…  A mix of bitter and amused.” A glance at his neighbor, confusion showing. “Perks ? What do you mean ?”

He emitted an amused huff at that. "That'd be nice, but that'd also be asking fucking universe too much kindness. With my luck the owner will get shit to pay and raise the loan, and then I won't be able to pay my rent at all."

Yes, Duncan was a pessimist. But he had fair reasons to be, or at least he was thinking so.

"Or some inspector would come check the building, find how much of the rat hole it is, and close it. And we'd be all homeless." The man gestured dramatically, and nearly made himself trip in the stairs, cursing loudly.

"Yeah, always can count on people to complain'. Can bet on that. About anything and everything." For someone so kin on staying away from everyone, Duncan was slowly falling into the conversation. He was not an introvert - the man just fell into the habit of assuming everyone is either annoying, or an asshole, or any other 'good' reason his brain could find to not chat and make friends.

He considered the question. "Actually... Not. 'Used to sleep through half the morning, if not all of it sometimes. A bit of night bird..." His voice had lowered as Duncan was looking through memories.

"Now I can't do that tho'. Either I have a job and I must rise at the crack of dawn, because the job that start early are easier to get hired for, or I run to find a job and I can't lose too many hours of my day being a lazy ass."

An heavy groan. "But fuck if I'm not dreaming of my bed."

He glanced at his neighbour. "What about you ? Waddya doin' ?" It was mumbled, a bit rushed, Duncan wondering if he shoudl really invest himself that much in the guy's life. ...Fuck, did he even know his name ? Was it worth asking...?

[starzfield]

🌻 Duncan

Send 🌻 for my muse to compliment yours.

"...You're. Uh. Pretty great." He's frowning and grumbling, and obviously very bad at complimenting, even blushing a bit. Glaring at the wall as if it personaly offended him.

[starzfield]

So, I fiddled around with AI generator to get some ref pic for my muses. They're all AI generated, and most are editted in some way.

Duncan, EX-MAFIOSO - @dancinghearts @lured-into-wonderland

Aby, MERMAID

Gabriel, VAMPIRE @lured-into-wonderland

Seth, SINGER NERD @txnichtgut

[starzfield]

Ex-Mafioso

Name : Duncan Brook 31, Male, 1m67/5'5 Main verse : Modern, possible magic Resume : Ex mafia member, running away from them, struggle with money as he often change job - mostly because of his short temper.

Appearance :

[starzfield]

🎐- items/knick knacks they collected (Duncan)

A knife he got as a 'gift' when entering the gang. It's sentimental, he can't get rid of it like he's trying to get rid of his past.

Lots of aquarium decorations. He can never resist buying new (cheap) ones, even though he has only one small aquarium.

Rocks and shells he found on the beach. Some end being used as aquarium decorations too. He tends to always have one of them in his pockets, as a kind of lucky charm.

Plastic or wooden cutlery he sometimes get from food bought in shops. He'd rather cook (it's cheaper) but sometimes, you know.

Homemade or found flies for fishing.

A bunch of knitted stuff.

A jar of infusion herbs he never intend to use.

[starzfield]

~~ @lured-into-wonderland sent ☂️ for a weather based starter ~~

The rain currently falling, Duncan decided, couldn’t be called ‘rain’. Whole sky’s water bucket, tsunami from up there, gods’s tears at humanity’s stupidity- Anything that implied “water” in a ”way too fucking much” amount.

And since he had always been one lucky fellow, Duncan found himself with no money for bus, no umbrella, not even a damn coat. He was working outside today and the weather this morning had been barely cloudy, how could he have guessed ?

As often in this kind of situation, he considered it as some karma payback for his past actions. The thought that karma may never think it made him pay enough crossed his mind, and the ex-gang member sighed. Whatever. At least he could actually look at himself in a mirror without feeling shame and guilt, now.

He was just leaving work when rain started, and had hoped he could get back home in time, but it was only half way there when gentle rain turned into a downpour. In his misfortune, Duncan at least managed to find a shelter - a small canopy at the side of a building, barely large enough for him to not be splashed by the drops of rain smashing the wet ground. It was longer however, allowing him to pace some if he felt like it, but for now he was just with his back leaning on the wall, waiting for the sky to stop hating him while mentally sending curses at it.

[starzfield]

⚔️ + whistling with the fingers + Duncan

Send me ⚔️ + a skill, hobby, or whatever of the kind, and I'll tell you how good my muse(s) is/are at it !

Badly. He can't do it. He whistles very well the classic way, but with his fingers ? No idea. For his defense, most of the time Duncan didn't really want to put his fingers in his mouth, thanks.

[starzfield]

📚 + romantic relation + Duncan

Duncan never really fell in love, for several reasons. Which logically enough, lead to him never having romantic relationships.

He had relationships, but the kind where both parties knew they'd drop the other in case of danger of business or stuff, and that there were very few feelings involved.

Basically a "I trust you to not stab me in my sleep and I find you hot enough, I guess." kind of relationship.

And it was only during his mafia era. Since he left them, he trust no one enough for having them close enough for such thing.

As for feelings, first he'd fight any feeling akin to 'love' he'd spot. Second, Duncan could recognize love until it poked him in the eye with spear.

It'd take a really obvious, slap-in-the-face event for him to realize.

He'd need to be sure he can trust the other... And trust them to not become an easy target.

[starzfield]

"It's gonna be a stunning day tomorrow. Wanna go with me to the lake? I can make us lunch to have in between swimming!!" // For Duncan

It's gonna be a stunning day tomorrow.

Suddenly Duncan focused on his co-worker, very much shared between ‘why are you talking to me’ and ‘why should I care about tomorrow weather’.

Wanna go with me to the lake ?

Confusion leaned more towards surprise for a moment, then back to confusion but tenfold.

Why the hell was she asking him that ?

I can make us lunch

The confusion increased, mixed with shock. What was happening ?

swimming!!

Ah. Strange how one word managed to swipe all the rest under the rug. The idea of swimming in the lake was so sweet… When was the last time he went ? Usually, Duncan used his days off to rest, or find small jobs to spare more money, with chores in between.

But this job at the shop was going steady, had been for a moment now. Maybe he could afford a real leisure day, for once. With free food, on top of it. And he couldn’t say Tomoe’s company was unpleasant.

The man refused to feel like he was getting charity, though.

“Tell me what food or drink I can bring, and you got yourself a deal, pipsqueak.”

Yes she was taller than him, no he didn’t care.

Sure Duncan could have just went swimming alone but. Maybe swimming with someone would be fun ? He never tried before. One try couldn’t hurt.

[starzfield]

"Duncan!!" With cheer in her step and a bright smile Tomoe approached her coworker, in her hands a container full of inari sushi. She'd made extra with him in mind. "This is for you."

If any of their other coworkers would have been present, they’d have looked at the scenery like it was the landing of an UFO, or something of the kind, unexpected and right down bizarre.

Or a bomb about to explode. Duncan definitely didn’t have the reputation of being anything even remotely close to friendly, and that was putting it lightly.

But of course no one knew about the stock room incident.

His face expressing all the tiredness and blasé of the world, Duncan slooooowly looked at her face and wide smile, his eyes screaming ‘seriously ?’ then slowly shifted down to the container.

He should have just not answered, or dismissed her and the food, but-

Sushis. Homemade sushis.

They weren’t fish sushis, which were his favorite, but he liked sushis in general. And he wasn’t so full of money that he could ignore free food. Though if Tomoe had given them out of pity, his pride would have refused them, but here it didn’t seem the case, so…

“...Thanks.”

Duncan grumbled, the picture of grumpiness itself, as he took the container with a gentleness that was counterbalancing his tone.

[starzfield]

🔗 (Mikah and Duncan)

Send 🔗 for our muse to break the law together.

“How the fuck did you convince me of this again ???”

Duncan hissed quietly, unable to fully silence his annoyance despite the need for them to be stealthy. Grumbled words kept passing his lips no matter what.

But in truth, the man perfectly knew how, and why, and his annoyance was more aimed at himself than at the other person in the room.

It had been a job like many others, on a construction site. Nothing out of the ordinary, tiring days but at least the paycheck wasn’t too bad.

The only problem was the manager.

That guy wasn’t the one who did the recruitment - or else Duncan may have got the fuck out after maybe five seconds of them talking - and he met him day three on the job, meaning he would have been too annoyed to have worked those days for nothing, and so had to clench his jaw and endure.

And he managed it, fucking congratulations and pat in the back to him, someone find him a medal… Until that asshole, who apparently decided Duncan was offending him by existing, somehow, took his phone. On his last day of work.

Duncan was just looking at the time. And that paunchy idiot took his phone as if he was some kid in a class. It was a miracle the manager didn’t get punched in the face, honestly. Actually, the ex-mafioso had just been so shocked by the sheer ridiculousness and audacity of the action that that dumbass was already walking away before his brain kicked back into track.

And of course. Of fucking course. Duncan didn’t try to get it back right away - too angry, and he had a job to finish, and no hope that asshole would give it back anyway - and when he went to look for the manager… 

The guy had vanished. Already gone.

Fuming - he needed his phone, Duncan didn’t even have a computer ! - he had waited a bit, for everyone to leave the site. The manager had this kind of office in a block, in one corner of the site, where he ‘worked’ when not on his worker’s back. Or where he napped, rather, Duncan assumed.

Out of old habits, he had noticed and retained the door code, having seen that asshole punch it. So it was a piece of cake to enter there.

Considering his phone was some old junk, there was little chance the manager had kept it, so the thing was probably somewhere in the office…

That’s where Mikah, his damn neighbor, found him snooping around with a torchlight.  

Hearing the door - which he had closed behind him - open, Duncan turned around and froze, expecting to be caught.

And could hear his brain make some blue screen noise as he recognized who was entering the office.

“What the fuck are you doing here ?”

He angrily mumbled, though more surprised and relieved than anything.

Apparently the manager had some fishy business going on, and Mikah were interested in… Whatever he was hiding, Duncan didn’t follow and didn’t pay much attention.

The situation ended in him monitoring the surroundings while Mikah did the snooping, with the added mission of finding his phone while they were at it.

Yup, that’s how the ex-mafioso ended like this. He sighed, glancing at the other quickly before focusing on the surroundings again, trying to do the math of what his karma would be after that night.