#tayen smith

[rdrthingies]

[soazzar]

Commission for @rdrthingies ! A challenging one :)

Thanks for your patience

[unbrxken]

for: @ofweirdestship

muse: Joe Smith

guest muses: Duke Crocker, anyone Orville

Duke rolled his shoulders, making his way around the ship. Things were going fine. Just fine.

Tayen was finally getting back to normal. She was getting better at putting her memories in order. Nari was doing great; they'd given her an actual birthday party.

Not to even mention that Nari was pregnant. He still couldn't quite believe it.

Wait, what the hell was that?

Duke backed up, back to a window he'd just passed, squinting and...

Yeah. Yeah, that was a ship. A ship that seemed to just be... drifting...

He flipped open his communicator. "Uh... Crocker to bridge... are you guys picking up this ship that's just drifting by? Looks like it doesn't have any power or anything from here."

[rdrthingies]

Tayen Update!

Got a bit of touchups done by lovely @jaegervega to give more variety to her paint color and darken her skin! I also got an expression sheet to show she has exactly two moods: Babey and Feral

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so game canon charles throws that chair in valentine and while it is in character it's definitely an odd occurrence because that's really the one time we see him really let loose and more or less enjoy himself in the main game

HOWEVER with MY charles, who has a little sister, it's so very much in character because he is just constantly enabled by her and in that moment the Spirit of Tayen possessed him

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used artbreeder (I know it sounds Bad but I promise it's not some weird kink site) to create what Tayen looks like irl! She's very pretty and I love her.

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85 for the oc questions

85. Do they believe in ghosts?

Oooo this is a good question! I shall try to answer as simply as possible but it is a rather complicated question.

When it comes to almost all of the Indigenous tribes in North America, they followed the cosmocentric worldview, where basically we as humans are not superior to the raven or wolf or even trees and stones. Everything is equal to each other and everything has a soul (a branch of this belief is animism, which is what the Comanche personally followed).

This worldview also encompasses spirits, as many believed in spirits of all kinds (trickster spirits, healing spirits, etc). Medicine Men would often call on Spirits to help with an ill patient.

So, if we're talking about the ghost of the dead who haunt people and are stuck between our world and the afterlife? No, she does not believe in ghosts.

But if we're talking about ghosts in the context of Spirits, then yes. It is possible for the "Spirit" (or soul) of a person to stay behind, it is often how hereditary Medicine Men acquired such "powerful" tools, as their past ancestors and mentors have put their spirit into the tool.

I know this was way too long of an answer but I figured I should give some background and explanation dklfjalsd Thank you for the question!!!

[rdrthingies]

Yeehawgust Day 1: Midnight Ride

don’t expect me to do one every day or even every week I am dumb and writing is hard <3

that being said I hope you enjoy!

Taima snorted at the sounds of howling, on edge, just like her rider. However, Charles was not worried about wolves or bears or even cougars. He was worried about the men who had run him and Tayen out of town that evening.

Went in to get supplies, find jobs, the usual. Tayen, now eleven, had followed reluctantly and with a bored expression. He tried to keep her focused, asking questions or her opinions on things. Should we get strawberries or pears? Beans or peas? Do you think Taima needs some more feed?

But he could only do so much for the young girl before she took matters into her own hands and began wandering around the town. He was just leaving the general store when he heard the shouting, several angry men shouting at someone, and Charles had a gut feeling he knew who.

Tayen tore around a corner and bolted to him, practically skidding to a halt as she hid behind her brother, trusting him to protect her.

And that he did, he handed the supplies to her and told her to get them on Taima as he dealt with the five angry men, all accusing her of stealing.

“If she did steal something I will have her give it back-”

“Folk swing for theft! She needs ta be taught a lesson!” One had barked out, violence in his eyes. They were bloodthirsty, itching to see a hanging, and they were willing to let the victim be a young girl...

Charles acted without thinking, he saw one make a break for Tayen and he lunged, shoving the man back and kicking him to the ground. He fought off those men tooth and nail, taking hit after hit to ensure they did not get near his baby sister.

Then one pulled out a gun and he pulled his, a shot rang out and Charles was left standing. The surprise gave him enough time to leap onto Taima, where Tayen already was, and spur her off out of town, hearing the hooves in hot pursuit.

That was several hours ago, just as the sun was setting, now the chimes of midnight had heard and he was still going. He didn’t dare stop to rest, not until he was confident they wouldn’t be able to find them as he weaved through trees and rivers, covering his tracks.

Tayen was in front of him, fast asleep, leaning against him and mumbling in her sleep. She was getting big, another growth spurt in the works if he were to guess. Soon enough she’d be riding behind him instead of in front.

Soon enough she’ll want her own horse and gun as well. Charles couldn’t help but think, gazing down at the dark silhouette of his sister; not by blood, but damn near everything else. He kissed the top of her head, fixing his arms around her to ensure she didn’t slip, and continued on.

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84 for the OC question thing, for Tayen!

Bishop ily!

84. Which deadly sin do they represent best?

Wrath, all the way. She is angry at everyone and the entire world. It doesn't take much for her to get worked up and she is willing to fight at the drop of a hat. Over the years she does get better with it, but there are still those topics that, if brought up, she will throw hands.

When people tell her that "you can't let those comments get to you. You just need to let them slide off of you and be the bigger person and walk away." Yeah she doesn't understand that, she'd much rather punch the person who made those comments so they understand that they won't get away with that shit with her.

Long story short: she angy

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tayen lore time

despite doing well with just about all animals, goats - no matter the species - fucking HATE her

if a goat sees her it is On Sight in the ramming department. Making her life a living hell around any farm.

In my AU where her and Javier get a ranch, Javier begs her for a goat, and she allows one (1) goat.

Javier is required to take care of it because the damn thing hates her with a passion.

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i will share my oc for @kitsuonyo and you alone TW for r*pe but only mentioned and child abuse

Aight so meet Tayen (Smith)

She’s 20, Comanche and white mix, autistic, and bisexual!

this is a commission from the very good @jaegervega​ !!

she was born because her Comanche mother was r*ped by a white soldier, and so she never felt like she belonged within her tribe despite the Chief and Elders welcoming her as one of their own.

When she was 7 years old the soldiers returned and took all the children to a reform school run by a Catholic Church. She was there for two years and suffered heavy child abuse as was common within the reform schools.

At 9 she stabbed one of the priests in the eye with a stake and stole a horse and ran away. She wandered the wood lost and hungry and came across a lone camper and decided to try to steal from him.

Tada! that was Charles Smith and he was like “uuuhhh there’s A Child here” but even though he thought he should’ve taken her to another tribe to look after her, he decided to let her stay. (He also saw her pick a fight with a coyote over some jerky she dropped and thought it best if she stayed with him).

So now they’re Siblings bc I crave that good sibling relationship and she is just about the exact opposite of Charles in that she is loud and angy and WILL fight you.

“I’ll kick anyone’s ass! I’ll kick your ass, I’ll kick Gods ass, I’ll even kick my own ass!”

She’s also autistic and commonly stims via flapping her hands, playing with her hair, and humming and hooting like an owl. (fun fact! The hooting is what inspired Charles to nickname her “Little Owl”)

Fast forward to 1899: she steals John’s saddle bags bc why not but doesn’t know he’s part of the gang. She’s actually been reaaaalllyyy wanting to join a gang to have Friends.

Later they join the VDL gang and they’re getting the tour, she sees John and John is like “YOU” and she’s like “haha F” it’s okay though they’re Good Friends now.

She also has a major crush on Javier bc who doesn’t and in my little au they end up together.

But she is Very Traumatized of sex bc of something that happened in the reform school and so she doesn’t... really know a lot about that kinda stuff which does make for some pretty fun discoveries

the first time charles mentioned sex around her she was eleven and hissed at him and hid in a tree for two hours

She likes to wear face paints as Comanches will wear face paint for decoration as well as war. She mostly likes to wear it as to draw attention away from her blue eyes (they’re her least favorite thing about her body). The colors she commonly wears is Red for power, green for endurance, and yellow to show that she is not afraid to die (she may also have depression)

So yeah she likes to pick fights with just about anyone and will constantly get hurt. Her least favorite gang members are Micah, Bill, and Reverend Swanson in that order.

Her weapons consist of a LeMat revolver (it has that sweet, sweet shotgun option). A sawed off shotgun, a hunting knife, tomahawk, and a bow and arrow.

Her horse is the black brindle Missouri Fox-Trotter named Inola or “Black Fox” and he is a Little Shit they’re perfect for each other.

anyways this is her she’s my Child and I Love Her

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how does tayen celebrate a birthday?

When it was just her and Charles it was always a quiet thing, mostly Charles getting her a box of chocolates and/or a small gift (such as some homemade paints and whatnot)

she's never really big on all the attention and stimuli given on birthdays so a nice quiet one like that is perfect for her.

However, i like to think she had at least one birthday with the gang and charles wanted to make it special. Not a huge party, but everyone got her a little gift and she got to try cake for the first time (Hosea managed to get it in Saint Denis or Blackwater depending and tayen entered heaven for a bit).

Charles gets her a nice leather gun belt that he and Arthur both helped pay for

And finally Javier played music that allowed her to dance under the stars like she did when staying with other tribes.

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I'm back for the oc thing again! 75

75. If given a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and nothing to do, what would happen?

Ooohohohohohohehehehehehe !!!

LISTS!! Tayen loves lists and loves making lists. She would instantly start making lists about the things around her (the plants and herbs she can identity, the animals, anything and everything!)

The organization of it calms her and helps ground her, especially after getting overwhelmed.

[rdrthingies]

Charles and Tayen’s first robbery

this is their first robbery with the gang, featuring Arthur

hope you enjoy!

Tayen and Charles had been with the gang for close to a week now, “members” but haven’t yet been welcomed as one, as they haven’t been taken on a job so someone can see how they work.

While Charles was happy to wait, doing chores around camp as needed, slowly getting acquainted with everyone, Tayen was quite the opposite. Almost every day she would go to Hosea or Dutch, “Found a lead yet?” And every day they would smile and laugh and shake their head, saying her time to shine would come soon.

That time finally came when Arthur came back to camp after first meeting them, telling Dutch about a stage coach of a wealthy oil man making his way West. 

“Good,” Dutch nods with a smile. “Take the two new ones with you: Charles and Tayen.” Arthur gives Dutch a two finger salute and walks off to gather the other two.

He finds them at the campfire, tending to their weapons, idly passing the time. He approaches the two and calls out, “Mr. and Miss Smith! We got a job for you.”

“WOOHOO!” Tayen leaps up with a cheer, quickly putting away her knife and getting her other things ready. “What is it? Where is it? Oh! Do I get to sneak into a house-”

“Easy woman, Jesus.” Arthur holds his hands out like he’s trying to calm a spooked horse, but there’s laughter bubbling in his chest. “Just a stage coach headin’ West. Some rich oil guy.” But Tayen did not seem put off by that, nearly vibrating with excitement as she eagerly awaited her brother who got ready much more leisurely and carefully.

“So we’ll take ‘em at night?” Charles asks as he walks up, holstering his sawed off.

Arthur begins walking to the horses, the other two following. “Yeah, from what I heard he wanna ride through the night, so we’ll take ‘em on the road.”

Arthur strokes Boadicea’s nose, waiting for the two to tack up and get up. Their horses matched their personalities: Taima calm, munching on a carrot Charles had given her. Whereas Inola was nearly prancing in place, head bobbing up and down, Tayen having to work to get the bit in.

He waited for the two to mount up before he mounted Boadicea, “Alrigh’, we’ll stake out on the cliff overlookin’’ New Austin. Wait for ‘em to ride down, then follow.” He turns Boadicea, bringing her into a trot, they had hours to get there after all.

Only Tayen and Inola races past him, cheering and calling out. “Keep up old men!” Arthur could hear Charles’ sigh from his spot, but Arthur only gives him an amused smile.

“She always like this?” Arthur questions, Charles looking to the man for a moment, a small smile forming.

“Normally not this... excited. Think she’s just antsy to show off what she can do.”

“Well, ‘m sure you two’ll be fine.” And Arthur meant it: they were clearly competent at nearly everything they do, working very well together despite their clear differences. But that’s how family is, Arthur thinks, briefly reminiscing on him and John’s jobs, back when they were close Brothers.

Arthur and Charles ride in relative silence, not awkward silence, but silence of two companions simply taking a ride.

They reach the cliff just as the sun begins to set, catching Inola off to the side grazing, but his rider nowhere to be seen. Arthur looks around, not freaking out... yet, but certainly a little on edge.

“Tayen? Where are ya?” He calls out, noticing Charles leisurely riding up to the cliff without a care.

“Up here!” Her face suddenly appears beneath the foliage of the tree, upside down with her braids dangling. “Nearly fell asleep waitin’ on you old ladies!”

“Simply not wanting to push our horses,” Charles answers back as he dismounts. ��Now come be helpful.” Tayen groans and Arthur swears he can hear Tayen give a little mocked copy of Charles’ order before flipping off down the tree.

Being “helpful” included taking care of the horses and handing Arthur some salted meats and water, which Arthur took generously, giving his thanks.

The three waited as the sun set and the stars began coming out, a waning crescent moon slowly making its way in the sky. They didn’t talk much, but Arthur still seemed to learn more about the two.

Charles was always doing something productive, whether that was fletching arrows or cleaning his gun or even sharpening his knife and axe. Hands always busy.

Tayen seemed to always do things as well, but in a different way. She’d touch up the paints on her face, putting the paint on confidently without a mirror. She’d sometimes flap her hands or pull her braids, but seemed to stop herself after a while, sitting on them. She’d even call out different animal calls, saying what the animal was and maybe even a fact about them. Arthur caught her a couple times softly hooting like an owl, a very convincing owl, he thought one had perched up at the tree before realizing it was her.

By the time they heard the coach, Arthur had finished sketching the two around the fire, Charles hunched over an arrow and Tayen smiling with a hand on her braid.

“Alrigh’, bet that’s them.” He called out, and just like that it was like they were brought back to life. Tayen leaping up and jumping up onto Inola, and even Charles hurried a little to Taima. The three rode to the cliff edge, watching the stage coach make its way down the cliff edge. A single lantern illuminates the front of the coach where they see the driver and a shotgun driver.

Arthur takes out his binoculars, conveying the rest of the information. “Shotgun driver with two riders in the back. Think the Rich Man’s got a wife wit’ ‘em as well.” He puts away the binoculars, sniffing, thinking.

“Alright,” He looks to the other two. “Charles, yer gonna ride ahead an’ stop the coach. Do your best not to shoot anyone but the shotgun does look experienced, so might need a bullet in the arm.” He nods, face stone. “Tayen, you an’ I are gonna take out the guns, like I said I wanna try to avoid killin anyone, but we might have to take out the guard.”

“Not a problem for me!” She grins crookedly.

Arthur laughs, pulling up his bandanna. “Didn’t think it would be.” He looks as the two pulls their own bandanna up: Charles a simple black like his own, but longer, covering his entire neck. While Tayen had a black bandanna that was also painted: a grinning animal with sharp teeth, wolf maybe.

“Alright, let’s go.” He turns his horse, trotting off with Tayen as Charles is the one this time to ride ahead.

The two follow behind him, not the silence like from earlier that day, but one of seriousness, of two people preparing for a job. They stay behind Charles but not too far behind, watching him easily catch up to the coach from a distance, keeping away from the coach to catch them off guard.

The driver was just beginning a turn when Charles cuts in, pulling Taima right to the front of the wagon with his sawed off aimed, the driver pulling on the reins hard, the horses snorting as they skid to a stop.

“Drop it.” Charles orders the shotgun driver, and even from the distance, Arthur could hear the pure intimidation in his voice, and the lack of a shot ringing out proves that he is good at that sort of thing.

Now it was their turn, the two riders readying themselves to take Charles out, but they aim their own guns and Arthur grunts out this time. “Don’t even think ‘bout it, partner.” The two guards look over their shoulder, catching the two guns to them, and they sigh heavily as they raise their hands in surrender.

“Drop the guns, all of ‘em.” Tayen orders and Arthur doesn’t miss the blink in surprise from them as they realize one of their assailants is a woman. But they do comply, dropping their repeaters and taking off their gun belt slowly.

By this time Charles was by the side of the coach, the gun the shotgun had was tossed to the side.

“Watch these two,” Arthur orders Tayen, pointing to the two guards as he dismounts and meets up with Charles. He goes to the door and knocks harshly, “C’mon. Money, valuables, all out ‘ere. Sooner you do it the sooner you can be on yer way.” There was hushed talking on the other side, and Arthur was worried they were up to something.

But then the door opened and a stack of money, a coin purse, and several jewelry hit the dirt at his feet.

“Thank ya kindly,” Arthur charms as he picks it up, trusting Charles to watch his back. He counted the money: a good three hundred dollars plus the jewelry. Not a bad take. He pocketed their take and was ready to head back when suddenly Tayen called out.

“Hold up,” Tayen dismounts, ignoring the guards as she approaches the coach, eyeing it. “This is a personally owned coach.”

Arthur shrugged, “So?”

“So personal coaches tend to have secret stashes. In case something like this were to happen.” Tayen informs, her smile growing. “I bet they’ve got somethin’ hidin’ in there. Arthur scratches his chin, it was a good observation, but he wasn’t sure if it was true.

“That true?” Charles now calls out. “You got more hiding away?” 

There was silence on the other side, so Arthur banged his hand on the door again. “Hey! Answer the damn question!”

“Yes!” A shrill cry of a woman came from inside. “T-there’s a hidden compartment beneath the dashboard.” Charles went to the front of the wagon, watching the driver and shotgun carefully as he felt around, finding a latch and breaking it open with the hilt of his sawed off.

Arthur is watching Charles work, making sure he didn’t run into any trouble, and Tayen was bouncing on her toes, excited that her hunch worked out.

But that meant none were watching the two guards behind them: where one was slowly dismounting, reaching for his handgun.

But Inola saw, and Inola was already skittish. He stomped his hooves, giving a high-pitched cry. Tayen turned to see what was wrong, only to see the man cocking his gun.

“SHIT!” She shouted and instinct took over before Arthur could even draw his gun. But even his instincts were too slow for the woman: with her left hand she took her tomahawk at her side and threw it sideways, a dull thunk sounding as it split into the man's forehead. Arthur shot the other guard who was now trying to reach his gun now, a bullet to his chest and he quickly dropped dead.

“Damn fools,” Arthur sighed and holstered his gun, turning to Charles. “Got it?”

Charles nodded, tossing the extra take to him: five hundred dollars.

Arthur shoves the money into his satchel and marches up to the driver, eyes hard as he ordered. “Now you two are gonna close yer eyes and count to sixty. When you do you, you can open ‘em an’ be on yer way. Got it?” The two men nodded, gulping, very much not wanting to be shot.

The three mounted their horses and quickly rode off, kicking up dust as they raced through the silvery moonlight.

Arthur finally slowed them down once they were back up the cliff and well into West Elizabeth, putting down his bandanna. “Think we’re good.”

The two slowed and followed suit, and Tayen was quick to speak. “Sorry for not watching those guards... didn’t think they’d try shit.” Arthur turned, seeing genuine guilt in her eyes, it caused Arthur to smile.

“Naw yer good, Tayen.” He chuckled. “No one got hurt an’ you’ve got some good reflexes on ya. Just stay focus next time.”

“Will do!” She straightens, guilt suddenly gone in favor of a broad smile.

“You both did good,” Arthur compliments, looking to Charles and nodding to him. “You work well together an’ are good with orders. More than I can say for most in the gang,” he can’t help but add at the end. “Once I fence the jewelry I’ll split the cut. ‘Member, half goes to camp, the rest is split between us. ‘Cause this is your Welcome Robbery as Dutch likes to put it: you get more of the cut.”

The two nodded in agreement and they rode back in relative silence: Tayen popping up every now and then to share a story or to simply make her owl noises.

Yeah, Arthur thought. These two will be a good fit. 

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Yeehawgust Day 14: Howling at the Moon

This is the one I was most excited for this week (and of course it’s the last one)

Javier and Tayen had been together for almost a month now, the two settling into their new relationship comfortably... well as comfortable as outlaws can.

They’d often eat dinner together at the fire, leaning against each other as they swapped stories or heard someone else regale them with a tale. Dates would consist of robbing stagecoaches or going hunting, and when they could manage to get a little privacy they would steal kisses in the woods: Tayen giggling and nervous while Javier patiently guided her through everything.

Tonight was a similar kind of night, dinner had been served (if you could call it that), and the two sat close next to the fire, leaching off warmth from the fire and each other. However, Javier also had his guitar in his hand, idly picking the strings, letting the music guide him into a little tune.

“Anything you want to hear me play, amor?” Jaiver asked, kissing her cheek which caused her to blush (as it did everytime). She moved away, shrugging and smiling.

“Nah... What about that one... El Coytito?” She spoke the name unsure, unable to remember if that was the name of the song or not, but judging by Javier’s smile she guessed she got it right.

“Ah si that’s a good one!” Javier laughed and situated himself at the fire, then he began strumming with earnestness and was soon filling the night with song. Tayen for the most part understood the song, her Spanish was getting better, but sometimes the music would go too fast and she would not be able to keep up. But she did not really care about knowing the lyrics, only listening to the beat and to her boyfriend’s voice serenading her underneath the stars. For a moment, despite being in the middle of camp, she could pretend they were alone, out in the middle of the Heartlands with no one around, just her and her amor, dancing and singing in the night.

The song reached its end, and she knew what was coming next. At the last strung of his guitar Javier let out a howl, like the coyote he was just singing about. Tayen joined him, her voice able to almost perfectly mimic the howl of such a coyote.

“Orale Tayen!” Javier cheered. “Do that again!” He strung the last couple of notes, leading her in. Tayen blushed, becoming aware of the others, but she shoved that aside as she let loose another perfect howl into the night. Javier’s laughter soon joined, “You sound perfect carina! How’d you manage to mimic a coyote so well?”

Tayen shrugged, picking at the dirt beneath her with a stray twig. “Spent a lot of time on my own... or riding... heard a lot of noises and I’d try to copy ‘em. It’s how I got so good at my owl noises too.” She looked back to Javier, expecting... well she didn’t really know what she was expecting. But him smiling like some lovestruck school boy was not it.

“You impress me every day, mi alma. You can do so many amazing things.” He kisses her cheek again, turning his head to the sky and releasing another howl, loud and uncaring.

Laughter bubbled in Tayen’s chest, just expecting him to do it once and then stop, but he kept going. And the howl was infectious, she tilted her head to the sky and howled along with him.

Some others decided to join in, despite not knowing what was going on. Mainly Sean and Lenny, who were just happy to cause noises in camp and get the older members grumpy. But those like Charles watched on with a smile, knowing the importance of Tayen being comfortable enough to make such noises, to have such vulnerability. He quietly let loose a howl as well, though no one was around to hear it.

[rdrthingies]

81. How do you think Tayen would react on meeting Eagle Flies in Chapter I think 5? And seeing the condition that the Wapiti Tribe is in?

oooh that's a good question!

so yeah if her and Charles visited the Wapiti tribe during chapter 5 while the others are having a No Good Very Bad Time then I see her and Eagle Flies becoming fast friends.

they're both young and passionate about their culture and protecting their people, willing to do anything for them. She would of course be appalled by the conditions of the tribe and would help them in whatever way she could (her and Charles ofc).

But it would be her and Eagle Flies going out and doing the more "shady" stuff like stealing army supplies and whatnot. Of course Charles would not be pleased about this, if they were caught they'll be killed or worse and he couldn't bear anything bad happening to her.

Basically her and Eagle Flies become Buds who Fuck Shit Up