"You can't just go right..

.. for the King, you know." ((theme WIP))

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(( i tried ))

cripplingly shy and I can’t keep on a schedule with art, I’ll wait for the RP crew to return

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How do you feel about birds!?

“Even before I got this ability I thought birds were pretty great-yoi. Most can fly just about anywhere so they’re the freest animal out there.”

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(( oh hello where'd you all come from ))

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(( Blog is now a go! ))

“Got a question, yoi?”

(( I’ve never done a drawing-based askblog (or one at all) so this will be an adventure! ;w; ))

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(( oops ))

Well I couldn’t get anything done this week, and next week isn’t looking so good either.

It’ll happen! ...eventually! 8U

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(( So. ))

Considering there hasn’t been a whole lot of activity on my dash, plus the main blog is taking a break, I think it’s safe to say people moved on so it’s time for me to also bow out of AO (for now). I want to try turning this into a temp ask blog until the group comes out of hiatus, and I’m going to keep the URL the same so I’m easy to find if/when that happens because I would like to return. Everything except posts will be still there, just hidden.

If you want to unfollow, that’s fine. I probably won’t be unfollowing anyone just so I can stay on top of any AO news that might pop up.

Stay tuned for some changes! I’d like to get this rolling in a week or so.

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Open Market

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Stolen, no doubt. Thankfully, nothing essential was missing. Avoiding petty thieves was not his strength in the slightest. While he could haul several pounds of groceries or cleaning supplies, he couldn’t stop those who tried to take them. Especially since his hands were usually full. 

“Yes, thank you.” He ended this with a nod. The stranger seemed a bit less intimidating now, especially after the much appreciated help. “That was everything.” It wasn’t, but Genos had to let it go. 

His curiosity got the best of him before he could walk away with his food. “Why the old lady?” Nice filter there. “Crazy old hag doesn’t look all that bad.” She was standing there, selling fish. Not all that bad, unless old ladies now had dark sides.

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“We have some history so she won't sell anything to me.” Marco replied, and left it at that. Hungry kids would try the stupidest things if they thought they could get away with it. Thankfully, he wasn't in a position where he needed to steal food to survive anymore, but Marco didn't think he could explain without suspicion of being the one who swiped the food.

He noticed the boy seemed to be carrying far too much at once. With the way he was juggling those bags someone could still easily swipe something out of the top of one, and the teen might not be able to react in time to stop them, so that didn't sit well with Marco.

“You want any help with those?” The market stayed open for quite a few hours anyway so he could always come back later. “I'm Marco, by the way.”

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(( Mun Post ))

In light of the AO mod hiatus I just want everyone to know that, if others are willing, I’d like to remain RPing in AO’s universe. Worst thing that could happen is that everyone loses interest during the break and the group dies entirely. But I’d understand if people went elsewhere for now, since if there’s not users wanting to keep it going I’ll probably convert this into a standard ask/RP blog in the meantime.

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Losing Pursuit

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Cassandra walked with Marco quietly as they passed through the streets. She kept mostly to the side though ready to have a place to go if things went up. She was glad when they moved back into a more public place. That was safer. Less fights. 

She noticed the soft glance back at her and she shook her head. People often told her that she was too silent. That people could think she wasn’t even there. Some saw it as unnerving the way she could move in plain sight and somehow avoid being seen. She moved forward slightly so that she would be in Marco’s line of sight. 

Cassandra watched carefully as the group of rowdy 20 something men walked past them. She saw that they weren’t a threat clearly just a bunch of drunks trying to find the next place where they could knock back a few. So, Cassandra pulled Marco to the side so he wasn’t in their way and once they passed she motioned for him to keep going. 

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Drunks could be just as much bad news as running into gang members; you accidentally bump into one and they act like you just insulted their mother. That usually catches the attention of nearby drunks also itching for a fight, and a group like this stumbling by was not something Marco wanted to engage at the moment. He watched them from the sidelines with Cassandra before moving on.

He crossed the quiet street and paused; this next part could be a bit tricky. Considering his previous intel ended up suddenly changing on him it was anyone's guess who claimed the block now. They'll have to try skirting around whoever owned this area. Marco seemed to be studying the walls as they went, as if looking for something, before suddenly swinging into yet another alley.

“This path should be clear, though I'd still keep an eye out.” Marco said quietly. It was better not to let one's guard down.

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Bosses and Liars

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Remy was glad that Marco could see it his way. Not many people could see it. It’s why the information was privy only to a few. He nodded quietly, “It does seem to be working. There are some rough patches, the other gangs seem to always have a bit of a problem with me. I’m not old news like a lot of the groups around here. I come in and start taking their money and business and it’s one of the fastest ways to make enemies.” 

“That was the reason I followed you. It was your first real dangerous mission and I had bad blood with the gang you were encountering. I wanted to make sure that you were safe. If you didn’t make it through have a better plan for next time.” 

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Marco chuckled. “I can only imagine how much that pissed them off.”

“I owe you for that. But I gotta wonder what gave me away since was doing pretty decently up until today, didn't think anyone had caught on yet.” Considering that mistake would have cost him his life, he'd need to figure it out. Well, Marco would have plenty of time in the next few weeks to do just that.

“Either way, it's clear I'm going to be laid up for a while--” Not working was something Marco wasn't used to; even when he'd get a new shiner, sprained an ankle, or even broke something he'd drag himself back to work far sooner than his doctors would have liked. Then again, his previous jobs didn't regularly involve him running and fighting for his life, so going back early was out of the question. “--what's the plan?”

Marco had hope he could do something. It was less about the paycheck and more the fact that he hated sitting around for too long. Even now he wanted to try getting out of bed, since while he was pretty bruised at least they hadn't managed to break his legs before the cavalry arrived.

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(( uh oh OP manga spoilers! ))

This can only mean one thing.

[OBNOXIOUS SCREECHING]

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(( how the hell do I keep forgetting to tally my wordcount right ))

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Bosses and Liars

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“Like I told you when you first came I wasn’t an average boss. I have my no cops no children rules for a reason. The house you’re in right now it probably the fanciest thing I own and it’s mostly for show. Considering most other bosses have mansions and private Islands this is rather small for being someone being one of the biggest in this game.” 

“Every city I’ve entered crime, corruption, homelessness has gone down significantly. Especially in the areas I control.” Remy leaned back. “All my money that doesn’t go to my people I’ve been putting back into the community. Crime is one thing I know better than anything so I try to use it to get what I want. Most of my money has been funneled into the foster care system, work programs, and really anything that I think would help drop crime.” 

Remy sighed, “Once the other bosses have been stuck to the wall and crime for the most part prevented I’ll close a lot of my ops. I’ll keep the casinos and drugs because they make good money and it’s personal choice for people to use ‘em.”  

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Marco listened intently, though as always his expression gave the impression of the complete opposite. Calling it ambitious was an understatement, something that cities with all their manpower and funding could still only dream of. It was the last thing he'd expect anyone, especially someone at the top of a crime ring, to say much less be able to pull it off. It helped explain the very specific rules as well; kids were kids and cops were just trying to do what's right.

“That's one hell of a plan you have there, and it even sounds like it's working-yoi.” For one thing, Remy kept Marco off the streets because if he hadn't found some kind of income that's likely where he'd be when rent was due. It was relieving to know some of the money was being put to good use. “Like fighting fire with fire.”

He glanced at the blood-soaked cloth around his shoulder; Marco was admittedly going to miss that shirt. “Although, I can't say I'll be much help for a while. Did you tail me because you had a bad feeling?” Though it was embarrassing to muck up in front of his own boss, at least it ended up saving his skin.

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Bosses and Liars

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Remy shrugged, “Not like most people would have any trouble with you calling me the Gambit, Most believe there’s more than one Gambit around so it’s not impossible. Remy leaned back in his chair. “Probably a good idea to keep it a secret though.” Even his own workers were kept in the dark it was for his own and their protection. If no one knew who the real Gambit was then his men couldn’t be tortured for it and if no one knew who the real Gambit was his men wouldn’t be able to give him up. 

“Trust me the name has a meanin’,” Remy explained. “It’s a move in chess. A pawn is typically given up for the greater good. The name it’s self is it’s own tactic. If someone was to find out who I was I could easily convince anyone that I was nothing more than that a pawn for something else that I wouldn’t be the end goal to the fall of my empire.” 

“Or some of the hire ups who know exactly what’s going on see it as a meaning for the entire operation that I run.” Remy put his legs up crossing them not really minding the laugh. “The Gambit is the crime and the end goal is a better city.” That was the part that was shocking for a lot of people to hear and most when they first found out always thought of it as a lie. “I don’t do what I do with no end goal.” 

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He shifted as Remy spoke to get more comfortable, trying to keep his body from getting too stiff. Marco was only vaguely familiar with the game but he knew of the term anyway, since it was a tactic not just useful in chess. 

“A better city through crime… you don't hear that every day.” Most gangs and mobs had predictable goals; make lots of money, control areas and businesses, crush the competition, become untouchable. They aimed to bring a city to its knees through crime, not improve it. That usually meant bringing down crime rates, helping the homeless, that sort of thing. But Marco was quickly learning that the man known as Gambit wasn't predictable in the least bit, so there had to be a reason.

“I feel like it might spoil the surprise if I ask what the goal is.” He said with a smirk. Marco figured Remy was baiting him on purpose, but after a statement like that he couldn't say he wasn't curious. Whether he'd get an answer was another thing entirely.

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(( finally played with the theme a lil, it’s nothing special ))

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Bosses and Liars

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Remy sat down and he leaned back in the chair. “Well the powers don’t come with an easy explanation. It’s this whole tear in the universe thing. Given lots of people superpowers. I got stuck with red eyes and energy powers.” Remy had switched back to his more Cajun accent not finding any reason to hide from Marco any longer he had found him useful and loyal.

“Now Assassin’s training is easier, grew up with a thieves guild back in the states they were suppose to join with the assassins guild and I was pose to be the person who did that. Had to train as an assassin for a little while. That gig never really worked out.” 

“Now for who I really am? Honesty doesn’t come easy. You might not even believe me cause there are a lot of layers to the work we do.” Remy smirked a little and tilted his head to the side. “I’m the Gambit.” 

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The sudden shift in accent caught Marco off-guard for a few moments. “I've heard about these 'tears', I figured people were hitting the drugs a little too hard.” Easy way to explain one person talking about it, but he'd heard it anywhere from buses to bars. A citywide mass hallucination like that was much harder to wave away, unless there was something in the water as some actually believed. He had yet to witness one, so he remained skeptical.

Marco opened his mouth to let loose another 'bullshit' at Remy's last statement of who he was, but he stopped before saying it to think about the facts for a few moments. The accent, red eyes, exploding coin, thieves' training.. Everything he had heard lined up; either this guy was one hell of an impersonator or was the real deal. For one, superpowers weren't an easy thing to fake.

Then it dawned on him that after all this time, the 'bartender' Marco first met? The boss himself. Guess he really did get that one-on-one interview after all. About the only response Marco had was to laugh, then clutch his sides and grimace because of the pain that action brought.

He regained his composure. “Sorry, sorry, I'm not laughing at you. Everything just kinda fell into place is all. Had me fooled this entire time, but then again you would have to be good at that.”

“Gambit, eh? Should I keep calling you Remy so your secret's safe?” After all, it wouldn't be good if his boss's identity got out.

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Losing Pursuit

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Cassandra moved and grabbed the grey scarf handing on the door. She wrapped it around her mouth and neck just for the sake of anonymity. She nodded in agreement that he would take point. He knew the way and she could stay back in the shadows. 

She kept her foot steps soft and silent as she climbed her way up the stair case and out into the ally. She hoped it didn’t freak Marco out how silent she could be. 

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The coast was clear, the orange-lit alleyway silent except for the constant, distant drone of the city's nightlife. Marco hung a left, continuing the path he would have taken before he had been jumped. He hadn't run blindly through the streets looking for safe haven as some might have; doing so would have likely caused him to go further and further into dangerous territory. Following the path Marco had planned would have eventually brought him back into the main roads and he could have ducked into any number of late night shops or dives. An audience is usually the last thing thugs want to deal with.

For a second Marco thought she wasn't following, but a quick glance behind him told him otherwise; she was comparable to a shadow. He tried to keep his footsteps quiet, but on the hard ground he couldn't help the sound they still made and the alleyways seemed to make any sound louder than intended. He thought with amusement that sandals were terrible for stealth.

Marco stopped for a moment at the corner to check the street signs before moving on, when he noticed there were suddenly voices up ahead and coming this way. Hiding was a bad idea; a good way to get asked just what the hell you were doing was to get caught ducked behind something. Marco straightened out his shoulders, since a slouch or sign of nerves was considered an easy target and likely to gain attention. Out of the corner of his eye they didn't look like thugs to him, maybe just a couple of barhoppers since there were quite a few around here, but Marco kept the charade up until they passed by. Hopefully they weren't looking for him.