#v: so you wanna pretend you're not a manipulative bodysnatcher

[thefatalmarksman]

@litoredeem sent: Whenever Xigbar is being annoying just keep standing in his blindspot.

he doesn't need to see you to know exactly where you are

[thefatalmarksman]

"Y'always think I'm checkin' out your buxom bosoms, don't'cha?" and here, Xigbar rolled his eye with emphasis. "I was just checkin' out your sweet tat again---that snakey-thing, what's-it-called?"

Of course, he had noticed it a long time ago, right when they had first met, and obviously his lifespan had extended on for so long that he had seen it multiple times during his travels---but, for all intents and purposes, he decided it best to simply "jog" his memory.

@thefatalmarksman ↳ liked for a starter!

❝ My eyes are up here. I can tell when I am being tuned out. ❞

[cryptidsncurios]

@soldierunderfire sent: "Xig?" She's holding her hands behind her back, bouncing up on her tiptoes. No trace of sarcasm and no name-calling, she definitely wants something from him. "So...I've been thinking about growing my hair out but it's been so long since it's been long enough for me to style.....Uh....would you let me practice? On...you?"

Xigbar always expects Rossy to come in hot with some sassy behavior during his various visits, but this display honestly caught him a tad off-guard. In pleasing way, to be honest. Sure, he enjoyed their benign bickering---but… well, okay, she was just so damn cute, being all demure like that.

Thus, he would return the favor, his teasing missing his own usual cattiness with his response, “Gotta say, ya look good already with that trendy cut---buuut if you’re wantin’ to grow it on out? I can most assuredly be of service to get ya back into beeeea-utifying those lovely locks.”

Yeah, he was probably laying it on pretty thick---but wasn’t that what he was best at doing?

Reaching behind his head as he sauntered toward the bed and flopped onto it, he freed his hair from its ponytail, black and silver fluttering free down his back---preened momentarily with fingers threading through its length.

“Give it a whirl, girlie. I’ll be nice and still for ya.”

[thefatalmarksman]

anonymous sent: A Dream Eater briefly appeared in Xigbar's dreams to say "Hi Mr. Xigbar! I wish you good fortune!"

In-between the distressing amount of sleepless nights and---when he actually can drift off---the intense, soul-crushing nightmares? Yeah, he'll take it. And hopefully it was one of those cool dinosaur ones.

[thefatalmarksman]

@asteelgarden sent: "Sir please leave any weapons at the door thank you" - a very anxious Reverend Benny who was not alerted of any newcomers today and is kind of frazzled because of it

“Whoops, my bad.”

The disappearance of his arrowguns is immediate and instinctive---no doors needed for their banishment from the current space he was occupying. However, he wasn’t going to allow his brief sentence to linger without peppering in a little explanation for his behavior:

“Just wasn’t sure if the folks outside were up for bein’ too friendly---not with the, uh, looks they were givin’ me.”

Or, what Xigbar supposed could be interpreted as “looks.” It was difficult to actually tell with their rather inhuman-appearing visages, not exactly offering much in the way of overt facial expression---but, ultimately, he was able to sense that they weren’t interested in displaying any hostility. Just… feeling curious, perhaps.

[thefatalmarksman]

It didn’t really matter what he was called anymore---the sting was still the same.

For despite everything that had come to pass, after all these years, the ghost of what could be perceived as a "heart" still lingered somewhere within---and every memory Braig had ever accumulated, passed on to the man that now stood before the irate survivor.

But, rather than rain down defensiveness, all he could do was breathe with a subtle slowness---even as her clenched fists pounded at him, he did not prevent her from doing so. Did not back away---did not stop her from expressing her fury. Her agony. Her despair.

The Darkness did not tend to be kind---Xigbar had learned this firsthand---and no mortal was meant to tread upon such a cursed land. One that would eat even the strongest hearts alive.

So he could understand the madness behind her actions entirely.

However, he could not coddle her.

It would simply have to be… what it was.

When her ministrations had died down, a final breath escaped him---a sigh. Nothing harsh, but not entirely defeated. Simply… resigned. Tired. The sound of one that had experienced this song and dance a thousand times over and merely had to go through the motions until the scene had reached completion.

“…Sure, kid,” and, at last, he reached forward, grappling her arms in the most tentative fashion---hoping she would back away from his touch in response. A manipulation on his part to gain space from her. “But beatin’ me black ‘n’ blue ain’t gonna solve any a’ your problems.”

@thefatalmarksman sent a letter: “I heard you calling, but I couldn’t say anything.”

DRACULA (1931) | accepting

―    🜛    ―      "  Couldn't?  "        aghast  incredulity,  darkening  gaze  snapping  to  attention  toward  his  form  at  once,  her  fingers  digging  into  the  ground    (    earth  and  blood  and  skin  packed  'neath  the  deepest  nailbeds    )  doubled  over  in  pain,  breathing  haggard  and  voice  shaking.  Hours  upon  hours  passed  by,  reckoning  a  blight  'pon  a  once  stalwart  valkyrie    ―    now  worn  and  utterly  falling  apart  at  the  seams.  In  her  desperation,  she  had  called  out  for  Braig    (    a  man  whom  she  had  long  since  loved,  and  long  since  broken  apart  from    ).  Trapped  within  the  darkness  and  nearly  eaten  alive  by  heartless.

          "  Or  wouldn't.  "        yet  still  she  survives.  A  further  insult  to  the  world  that  must  see  her  fury.  The  defeated  forces  herself  to  stand,  stumbling  to  him  with  clenched  fists.  She  weakly  hit  him  against  the  chest,  leaning  against  him  with  a  shivering  body.          "  Wouldn't  want  to  risk  filling  my  head  with  any  foolish  ideas,  right?  How  long  must  you  continue  to  mock  me,  Xigbar?  It  is  Xigbar,  right?  Right?  "

[thefatalmarksman]

@regnantlight sent: “Oh, there you are,” Zelda glanced up from her book before pointing to the nearby table. “There’s a cake for you. Calista wanted— stop it, you know who Calista is, she is my DAUGHTER— Calista wanted us to celebrate your birthday. There is a cake ready for you. So. Happy birthday, I suppose.”

Time sped on, as it always did.

Initially, Luxu had taught himself how to revile this endless state of existence---but now, as Xigbar, he had taught himself that this was simply how it was: the tolerating of it all, forcing himself to forego any complaints that once might have overcome his tongue. Now, he found that he was just... too exhausted.

But cake was to be involved at the current time, and he supposed he should allow that to perk him up a bit---allow a touch of a smirk to grace his lips in response to the Queen’s everlasting flippancy when he was involved. Traipsing closer to the layered dessert, he tilted his torso to scrutinize each facet with his piercing eye: the evenly-spread ivory icing with a carefully-applied trim of violet, lovely golden stars speckling the sides, all displayed on a shining silver platter, the likes of which could only be stereotypically provided by royalty. Then, satisfied that it was indeed up to his sugary standards, he gazed back toward the lady.

“Gotta say, this looks mighty appetizing---but one thing I gotta ask---” and here, his eye squinted with mischievous accusation, “How’s it she knows about my birthday? Feel like that ain’t exactly info she’d pick up on her own. Maybe some devious lil damsel was chattin’ ‘bout me when I wasn’t around, huh?”

[thefatalmarksman]

@impetuousheart continued from [ X ]

Thankfully, it seemed that Andrey was willing to move on from the more sentimental aspects of the conversation---even seeming to throw in a little innuendo as a bonus, maybe to lighten the mood---to a subject a little more grounded in what Xigbar could handle.

And, of course, Xigbar was all about showing off his guns.

Making sure he didn’t smack Andrey with the bulk of the displayed Arrowgun, Xigbar lifted it fully into view for the man to admire---all of its intricate points and glowing facets, its owner quite proud of its appearance, power, and usefulness.

Sure, it wasn’t exactly a Keyblade, but it got the job done.

“Well, just so ya know, these can’t be handled by just any ol’ Joe,” this said while sliding his finger along the length of what served as the barrel. “These are custom made, just for myself, so I got somethin’ of a---I dunno, guess it could be called a link to ‘em.

“And the part you been pokin’,” Xigbar shifts the Sharpshooter slightly, to reveal the edged protrusions on the underside, “actually counts as the magazine, rather than a trigger. These sharp babies? Bullets, basically.”

[thefatalmarksman]

@litoredeem continued from [ X ]

It’s actually quite interesting to note how the kid doesn’t jump immediately on the sound of panic in the background, being the heroic little tyke he had grown into since those early days serving as Maleficent's lapdog---but then again, maybe some of that stone cold Darkness still existed in his veins.

Of course, being a creature of Darkness himself, Xigbar was not at all phased by what could be framed as a dire situation either.

“No, no, by all means, I’ll give you another chance to pass the test,” Xigbar prodded, hands now resting on his hips, demeanor absolutely brimming with amusement in response to this entire scene. “I’d like to think I’m a benevolent instructor, after all---call it a makeup quiz.”

[thefatalmarksman]

A younger Xigbar would have expressed sympathy---perhaps, even, empathy---at the plight of this sorry sap. Would have gladly drawn forth his weaponry for the sake of a complete stranger, battle against all odds, no matter the strength of his opponent, simply because they had pleaded for help.

Yes, if he had been Luxu---a far more youthful and naïve version of himself---he would have fought until the bitter end to save someone else's life.

But Xigbar---this Xigbar, changed as he had been by the passage of time---could not allow himself to afford such a heartfelt luxury. For whatever existed within the cavity of his chest no longer had reason to feel such pity---nor remorse for what he was about to do.

At least, this is what he had convinced himself to be the truth.

“Sorry, bucko,” and a stern shaking of his foot to remove the poor soul from grasping onto him any longer. “But this particular trip? Only has room for one.”

Then, in the blink of an eye, the sniper had vanished into thin air, the next moment repositioning himself atop a branch overlooking the scene. Like an audience to a ghastly one-sided coliseum brawl, Xigbar knew he was about to witness something utterly and totally brutal.

Good thing he was used to that sort of thing by now.

A chance meeting of heartless gunslingers… the hunt is underway. @thefatalmarksman​

The crunch of autumn leaves and heavy panting was the only sound that accompanied the man as he ran through the night. Tattered red-green clothing clung to a bloodied frame, frightened eyes wide as saucers. Demon. He continued to run, catching air desperately like a fish on dry land. His lungs were burning. Demon. There was howling in the distance.

Their squad had been tasked with dispatching the high value target, but he had proven far too much to handle. Was that… thing even a man to begin with? There was no way anything short of a monster possessed such vile magic.

The soldier burst through the woods, tripping on a jutting root. A yelp and a rocky tumble down a small hill, coming to a halt when an already battered frame met a large stone. There was a hiss of pain, and he slowly rose to wobbly feet.

Who was.. that person? There was someone else here. One of theirs? Reinforcements..?

“H-help..!” The only word that made it past the soldier’s lips. He raised a hand, waving it frantically, practically begging for attention. “Help..!”

A blue streak lit up in the woods. Oh, by the Earl -

The Gaudian froze in place, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. He must have lost it somewhere along the way, haunted by the screams of his comrades.

The streak grew closer, and then it appeared.

It looked like a wolf, if a twisted machine could be likened to an animal. Darksteel plating covered a barrel-like chest, long bladed tail swishing lazily as it gave off a cold, moonlit glow. A growl like grinding gears seeped from between vibrant teeth, a promise of bloody violence.

It was one of them..! The dark mage’s metal demons.

The soldier, too weak to even run, could only throw himself at the foreigner’s feet, clinging to him as incomprehensible pleas poured from his lips.

The rhythm of mechanical paws shifted, and the beast lunged for the kill.

[thefatalmarksman]

nonverbal starters | not accepting atm

@jedipadawan4589 sent: stare stare them down.  (From 11’th Sister, glaring through her helmet… she knows the coat for sure but not the face! Probably can’t see the face anyway-)

Xigbar had seen countless worlds over countless years---thus, when a new World popped up on his radar, he wasted no time in engaging in its exploration. And there was something, he recognized---not even moments after stepping over the threshold of the Portal from Darkness and back into the Realm of Reality---quite unique about this particular World.

Something in the way the fibres weaved such an intricate image before his vision---complexities his senses had to take a few moments to adjust to as his pacing took him further from the darkened, junk-strewn alleyway into which he had been deposited, and out into what appeared to be a far more populated area: a city of some sort, he easily perceived, from the bustling pedestrians of a myriad of appearances and variety of vehicular machines, all whizzing at impressive speeds and heights from ground level, buzzing around architecture of incredible stature.

Yet, once he acclimated---realized after thoughtful study that he was, thankfully, certainly not the strangest-appearing amongst the bushel of beings cascading about him in attention to their own business---he found this World was not necessarily the strangest place he had ever been. However, he would remain mindful---vigilant, as he made his observations---

And thankfully, that vigilance always came in handy, for he could sense, amidst the casual glances, a far more purposeful gaze. From what direction, he could not readily tell---yet, instead of lingering---a bid that might simply draw more attention to himself---he set about instead to lose himself amongst the crowd.

Dive in deeper---perhaps seek the Heart of this World, and unravel the reason behind its sudden Emergence from who-knows-where.

[thefatalmarksman]

AGGRESSION   //   SEXUAL  TENSION . | Accepting!

@impetuousheart​ sent:  🔙 // push my muse against a wall

Xigbar could have won.

If he had chosen to push himself just the slightest bit harder, actually wanted to dig his heels in and embraced mercilessness over leniency, he most definitely could have won.

Easily.

But then again, if he had, he wouldn’t be in this rather cozy position right now, up against a wall, trading smug stare for smug stare with his latest sparring partner. Definitely no complaints in that department.

Admittedly though, despite his confidence, he will at the very least offer a breathless sigh with a heave of his bared chest---as a prelude to his next line of questioning. A delectable little treat for a job well done.

“You wanna keep goin’? Or do ya wanna settle down and call it a day? Cuz if you’re still rarin’ to go, I can’t guarantee I’ll continue takin’ it so easy on ya,” and his eyebrow quirks mischievously with the implied challenge. “Your choice, amigo.”

[thefatalmarksman]

𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑻 𝑺𝑨𝑰𝑫 𝑰𝑵 𝑴𝒀 𝑫𝑰𝑺𝑪𝑶𝑹𝑫 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑹 . | Accepting!

@impetuousheart​ sent:  ❛ i’m pretending you don’t exist . ❜

“I mean, you’re kiiinda doin’ a horrible job at it right now.”

Of course, Xigbar was not just in the mood to be just a typical nuisance this evening, for whatever reason that decided to tickle his feral fancy. Donning this position upside down, following his host about as he tended to the business of closing down his bar for the night---he knew from experience there was something particularly annoying about orienting himself in such a way.

“I mean, ya told me ya didn’t need any help, so here I am---” hands in his pockets, taking a moment to idle from heel-to-toe on thin air, his hair dangling back and forth as he did so, “just a-waitin’ patiently for ya to close up shop.”

[thefatalmarksman]

𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴. | accepting!

@impetuousheart​ sent:  “you’re a good person.”

Xigbar always does his best not to let idle conversations turn sentimental, but for some reason, Andrey seems to prefer it that way. For underneath it all---under all that scarring and scowling and that stand-offish, tough guy exterior, Andrey has truly come to show that his center is just a gooey mess of loneliness and frustration.

It takes one to know one, doesn’t it?

“Look, dude---” a raspberry pffft, “I seriously dunno where you’re gettin’ that idea,” and the counter is oozing exaggerated dismissal. Shifting his legs criss-cross upon his current seating on the mattress, in order to better bear the weight of his arrowguns he’d aimlessly begun tinkering with---not that there is actually any tinkering to be done, but---he goes on: “Trust me, you’re prob’ly mistakin’ me for some other dude.”

[thefatalmarksman]

𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑻 𝑺𝑨𝑰𝑫 𝑰𝑵 𝑴𝒀 𝑫𝑰𝑺𝑪𝑶𝑹𝑫 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑹 . | Accepting!

@musicalities​​ sent:  ❛ i am strangely into this . ❜ [ from that discord server meme oop ]

“Stay focused, kiddo,” and he yet again readjusted the angle of her posture, raising her arms and tilting her “blade” to strengthen the force behind her swing. “This is gonna happen constantly if you’re gonna be my mentee, got it? So don’t make it weird.”

He questioned, during these moments of minor setbacks in skill, how he’d gotten roped into something so trivial as adopting a protégé. Maybe it had something to do with the oddity of her past experiences---tales of traveling distant universes with a mere thought, which had since remained un-replicated---or, perhaps, it was high time Luxu the Apprentice became Xigbar the Master.

...Or, it could be that he just kinda felt sorry for her.

Either way, here he was in the Radiant Garden Square, struggling to get her to just stand the right way.

“Sure, one of the main things about wieldin’ Keyblades comes from strength of heart---but ya also gotta have the physical ability to wield it. Takes a lotta energy---” an amused snort. “Y’know, from what I hear, at least.”

[thefatalmarksman]

@impetuousheart​

continued from [ X ]

Wiping a fake tear away from his eye while clutching his abdomen, Xigbar sighed as he came down from his fit of laughter, managing, “It’s just---you’re so damn jumpy for such a rough-n-tumble bloke, y’know? Had no idea your eyes could just---“ hands raising, fingers flaring out, “bulge on out like that.”

Then, slapping his cheeks a couple times with a hard exhale, mimicking one straightening himself after up after distraction, he sauntered to where his companion had so unceremoniously collapsed, extending his gloved hand for him to take---

“Oh, and by the way?” retracting his hand a fraction to point in Andrey’s direction, “Don’t even think a’ tryin’ to pull me in, bub.”