MISGUIDED GHOSTS.

𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐲. 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧-𝐡𝐪𝐬. 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐥.

[b1ackovt]

𝐁𝟏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐎𝐕𝐓 ─── written for PANTHEON-HQS. a meditation on what it means to fall from grace and somehow get up again.

ROXANNE STEELE | thirty-two | hitwoman for the cavalry | dancer at crimson velvet | the devil in a new dress.

CRUZ VIDAL | thirty-eight | dealer for the mob | bartender at the regent club | cebrus finally has a human form.

[b1ackovt]

@aslandurmaz

LOCATION: aslan's office, mid-afternoon FOR: aslan durmaz

" have i ever disappointed you before, boss? consider it done. "

ROXANNE IS POISED EVER so elegantly across from the noble boss of the cavalry, glossed lips poised in a gentle smirk as she ever so curiously awaits his response -- the hum of the air conditioning unit their only soundtrack of their weekly pas de deux. of course she knows the answer -- no, never. for some of the most dangerous things come in some of the most glamorous of packages.

she knows that she's the frequent choice to take on more high-profile hits, especially when it came to high-profile men. like a black widow, she would catch them in the magnetism of her web -- with words as sweet as honey on her breath. so much so, that their eventual demise would have come as a complete surprise. clean, quick and with minimal mess. would allow for easy cleanup for all parties who found themselves involved.

adjusting her legs coated in black nylon tights -- a small bubble from her gum breaks the dam created by closed lips. he had always been a difficult one to read -- something that had taken even her by surprise, a tactic roxanne was highly capable of in her expansive career. mysterious, brooding and dark.

" here i was beginning to think you had forgotten about me. i know you're a busy man, aslan -- but a girl can only go so long twiddling her thumbs. " words are spoken with her usual syrup-like drawl, leaning forward as blood red nails come to rest on his desk. " as entertaining as it is watching chief justices get sloshed every night and try their luck in more ways than one... you're a smart man i'm sure you can put the rest of the pieces together. "

[petticoat]

She made the party crackle to life just by standing there with her cherry-stained mouth and fur coat,

If I Had Your Face, Frances Cha

[b1ackovt]

@miraydurmaz

LOCATION: high caliber, late evening FOR: miray durmaz

AH, THERE WAS SOMETHING weirdly peaceful about the range in the evening. so much more room to focus -- with little interruptions and not a single distraction. after all of these years being away from the suffocating clutches of her father ( in fact, roxanne finds the idea of any man having any kind of control over her suffocating ) -- she's replaced his militance in her youth with a calm rhythm, the sound of the firing weapon causing nearly no reaction.

and then, of course -- there were the moments where she got to sneak behind the iorn curtain, and come face to face with her favorite supplier. there was nothing roxanne adored more than a strong woman, but one who didn't command respect; the feeling took to her like static drew one close.

" how long have you been hiding back here? " the woman hums, greeting the familiar face as she sneaks around the corner, having made the attempt to catch her attention before speaking. it's never the smart move to startle a lady with close proximity to a collection of the most powerful weapondry in new york city. " i didn't even see you come in -- i suppose i can forgive you for not saying hello, if you have some new toys to show me. "

[b1ackovt]

@fatalisms

LOCATION: crimson velvet FOR: achillas zubair

JUST LIKE ANY OF the other dancers within the walls of the crimson velvet, roxanne was mentally preparing herself for anything but a quiet night. makeup littering her station in a manner that appears to be a far cry from her polished appearance -- a glass of red positioned ever so casually to the left side. as if her eyes were not aglow already, silver glitter and lacquered eyelashes illuminate them even further as she reaches for her wine red lipstick, the finishing touch -- that is, until a member of the security team calls to her from the doorframe. someone's here t'see ya, roxy.

" patience is a virtue, darlin'. they can wait. " the woman hums, eyes not yet deviating from her reflection as she finishes applying the final piece to her look. she would never give someone the luxury of gazing upon her with a face half done. and then there was the factor that her time ordinarily cost money. " never rush a lady. "

as she emerges from the dressing rooms, however, her face bares a very different look. while little to no folks were gifted with true softness from the femme fatale -- she offered crumbs of it when it came to members of the cavalry. " well well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes. hello, mon cher. " roxanne hums with her signature purr as she takes a seat next to him at the all too familiar bar. " now tell me, what do you have for lil' ol' me? "

[b1ackovt]

i know everybody here wants you i know everybody here thinks they need you i'll be waiting right here just to show you how our love will blow it all away such a thing of wonder in this crowd i'm a stranger in this town, you're free with me and our eyes are locked in downcast love i sit here proud even now, you're undressed in your dreams with me i'm only here for this moment

[b1ackovt]

SPOTTED: CRUZ VIDAL in new york city! heard the THIRTY-EIGHT year old belongs to THE MOB as a DEALER. word on the streets is that they can be CONFIDENT, but they can also be SHORT-TEMPERED.

❝ 𝕮𝖆𝖙𝖘 𝖒𝖆𝖞 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖘, 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝕴 𝖒𝖆𝖞 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖉 𝖆 𝖋𝖊𝖜 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖊. ❞

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒.

name: cruz hayden vidal nicknames/alias: none, and don't you fucking dare!

faceclaim: roberta colindrez

age: thirty-eight gender: nonbinary ( they/she ) sexuality: homosexual date/place of birth: april 15th | the bronx, new york currently: brooklyn, new york

occupation: drug dealer, security at la madrugada alliance: the mob ( dealer )

positive traits: adaptable, resilient, self-assured, loyal negative traits: impulsive, machiavellian, overconfident, tactless astrological sign: aries

𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘.

TRIGGER WARNING: homelessness, homophobia, transphobia, religion, child abandonment

you may as well have been born a demon from hell, the way you were screaming when you first came into the world -- made very clear that you are far from the child that your parents ever expected to have. your father, a devout catholic pastor who very well may have been the patron saint of your close-knit neighborhood and your mother, ever the typical pastor's wife -- wanted a godly family. to raise their child in his love ( even if they were quick to close the door of your childhood home in your face the moment your belief system became even somewhat different ).

in your youth, you always wondered if you were the test-child. the decoy, the one they could practice on before they brought their true family into the world. your questions soon found their answers when your sister was brought into the world -- ten fingers and ten toes and every one of your parent's dreams brought to life. and in a way, despite being incredibly protective of her in your youth, you resented her for it.

you've known you liked girls since you were eight years old. and yet, what are you supposed to do when the love you feel is spoken about as an abomination at your dinner table? in between your aunts and uncles asking you when you're going to find a nice man -- you create a group of friends, having accepted that all your ever be in the eyes of your family is trouble.

at sixteen, you get your first girlfriend -- and the time comes when you realize something, you're not ready to spend the rest of your life hiding behind secrets. the closet is cramped after all, dusty and cold. all you want is to see the sun, and speak out loud not just that you've never been happier -- but you've never felt like a girl anyway. but, when you're caught by one of your father's loyal followers merely holding her hand, you come home to your stuff on the street, and your sister -- hiding behind them. wordless.

that was what probably what hurt more than not having a home anymore.

things soon fall apart with the girlfriend -- and you find yourself couch-surfing when you're not filling a vacency in a youth shelter. you finish your ged and get your bartender's license, before packing up the little you have to your name and move to manhattan. a burough that your parents aren't haunting every corner of. you live on ramen and whatever you can get your hands on from the line cooks you work with for a while, and try your fucking best.

that is, until you cross paths with the mob -- and you see your chance. a ticket to protection, a surefire way to keep a roof over your head. perhaps there's just a hint of pride in the thought that you, a former pastor's child -- has found a home in the underbelly of the beast.

[ REDACTED ]

you've since offered the mob fifteen years of undying loyalty. you do whatever the fuck they ask of you, and act like a fool everywhere else. you switch from bartending to security because it offers more money than you've seen at any of your gigs -- and it allows you to sneak away to speak with clients or make deals when the occassion calls for it.

you've found a family now. even if it's the kind where crossing them comes with a cost.

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒.

character inspirations: harvey dent ( batman/dc ), mazikeen ( lucifer ), damon salvatore ( the vampire diaries ), nicky nichols (orange is the new black ), lip gallagher ( shameless )

they swear, there is a brain behind their eyes. and yet, they will always be the first to suggest a crazy night out or some other crap that may have then feeling incredibly shitty in the morning.

most of their wardrobe consists of mens pieces picked up at vintage markets and thrift stores. dresses in more muted tones, and is no stranger to a piece of silver jewelry. their hands are more often than not covered in rings, and they have plenty of visable tattoos.

their sister and maybe the ex-girlfriend will both be wanted connections when i get my shit together. for cruz's sister -- she has also broken away from their family at this point, but cruz has some leftover animosity because after all they did to protect her, she didn't fight for her.

MORE TO COME.

[b1ackovt]

 SPOTTED: ROXANNE STEELE in new york city! heard the THIRTY-TWO year old belongs to THE CAVALRY  as a HITWOMAN. word on the streets is that they can be MAGNETIC, but they can also be SELF-SERVING.

❝ 𝕸𝖞 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖆 𝖑𝖚𝖝𝖚𝖗𝖞 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖋𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖉. ❞

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒.

name: roxanne delphine steele nicknames/alias: roxy ( stage name at the club ), rox, annie.

faceclaim: vanessa morgan

age: thirty-two gender: cisfemale ( she/her ) sexuality: bisexual date/place of birth: august 2nd | chicago, illinois currently: manhattan, new york

occupation: dancer at crimson velvet alliance: the cavalry ( hitwoman )

positive traits: magnetic, observant, charming, intelligent negative traits: self-serving, manipulative, cocky ( but she'll call it confidence ), rebellious astrological sign: leo

𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘.

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of guns, arranged marriage, blood, violence

very little is known about your childhood, and you intend to keep it that way. in fact, you keep most of your cards close to your chest like an expert dealer. and last time you checked, you've never lost.

but what you do remember is your father teaching you how to shoot a handgun with precision that sharpshooters only dream of by the age of eleven. by the age of thirteen, you're able to take down men double your size. from the pieces you allow yourself to remember, he always told you that you were born to be superior. thus, who are you to deny your father, [ 𝚁𝙴𝙳𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙴𝙳 ] the weapon he always wanted?

another memory? financially, you're home never knew struggle. if you even were a family, considering your mother vanished from the picture by the time you were two years old and your father spent more time nurturing his business partners than you. and yet, as you grew older -- you didn't mind. it taught you that in this world, even if you're richer than god, the only one that you can truly depend on is yourself.

shortly after school becomes a distant memory -- your father begins to discuss marrying you off like you're a member of nobility in the eighteenth century. the son of another family in his circle -- who's just as hesitant at first, but he promises all the right things. a stable life. power. and yet, he should have known better thinking he could ever tame you.

[ REDACTED ]

isn't everything in life always too good to be true?

you ditch the man, like dead weight.

you're a new woman when the lights of new york city first caress your face, beckoning you forward. calling your name. you start dancing at twenty-three believing it's easy money ( when lord have mercy -- is there so much more that goes into it than that ), soon blossoming from desperate rookie to a fucking star -- incredibly sought after and adored in the way one can be in a place like crimson velvet.

and then comes the time when her past catches up to her.

violence is never too far away, and the cavalry? they seem to see it in your eyes that you're no stranger to getting blood on your hands. even if they're right, you push them away at first. is it because you intended to close that chapter of your life? perhaps, but there's always been that dangerous part of your ego that lives for the chance. the back and forth. and yet, the knowledge that you could have one of the most powerful legions in new york city at your back was far too delicious to pass up.

you've made quite the name for yourself now, despite having wanted to fly under the radar since you arrived in the city nearly ten years ago. you're established at the club, and there's practically a line out the door just for you. just how you like it. you live in an apartment that is just slightly below what you can afford just in case the feds are watching. besides, you really don't need much to come home to when you're busy entertaining the hungry eyes of new york's eligible bachelors every night.

you may have new york salivating over you. but will that ever feel like enough?

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒.

character inspirations: maddy perez ( euphoria ), barbara kane ( gotham ), maxine minx ( the x trilogy ), olivia pope ( scandal ).

a lover of luxury goods, especially purses, fragrances and shoes. each are very well displayed in the walk-in closet of her apartment. some things are far too important to cheap out on!

as non-committal as they come. rarely ever does an individual who graces her expensive sheets find themselves getting an invitation back.

roxanne is used as a tool to dispose of more higher-profile hits. people in the spotlight, those who are more than happy to toss their money at a beautiful woman -- with no idea that it's soon to be their downfall. not only does she conduct hits, but she also feeds intel to leadership when her clients are feeling particularly loose-lipped.

she keeps her circle incredibly small, and incredibly close. and yet, if you find a friend in her -- you have a friend for life. she'll be there for you in a heartbeat.

MORE TO COME.

[devilsbrokerank]

But, see, you didn’t think things all the way through.

[linkinmoon]

Franz Kafka, The Diaries of Franz Kafka

[pinkskyy11-deactivated20250906]

[forsapphics]

ROBERTA COLINDREZ

photographed by Camille Lepen

[disgustinggf]

[mournfulroses]

Virginia Woolf, from a letter to Clive Bell written c. April 1908 featured in The Letters of Virginia Woolf

[sophsun1]

Batman Returns (1992) dir. Tim Burton

[jugheadjones]

VANESSA MORGAN as TONI TOPAZ Chapter One Hundred and Five: Folk Heroes