Desert Rose Regulator

Lincoln "Levi" Rose. A Regulator from the Mojave taking jobs while trying to find the remaining family of his young companion, Jake. Jacob "Jake" Locke. A thirteen-year-old orphaned boy from the Mojave hoping to find his family in the Commonwealth.

[saltyspitfire]

1883 (Ep. 06 & 07) Sentence Starters

Feel free to change pronouns/wording as you like!

“I ain’t lookin’ for a gunfight this mornin’.” “I need some privacy.” “I don’t have anyone left who loves me.” “When your love dies, there’s a piece of you that dies with ‘em. That’s why you hurt so bad.” “Don’t let those traders swindle you.” “What is wrong with you?” “You don’t point this at anyone unless you plan on usin’ it.” “Stars for a blanket, ground for a bed. Good horse, open country. That’s all a cowboy needs.” “Y’all have any trouble with bandits?” “I been in my fair share of gunfights, and I tryin’ to get in another one.” “What do I call ya?” “There’s nothin’ to do.” “She’s in mourning like a damn widow.” “You go lookin’ for trouble, you’re gonna find it every time.” “Can I trust you to stay here?” “I think I’m in trouble but I don’t care.” “I’m mad ‘cause he’s right.” “I will never forgive you for this!” “You didn’t see the way he was lookin’ at me.” “That man you shot was already dead.” “You did not kill him.” “The meanest thing you can do to yourself is hate somebody else.” “I know what it feels like to hate the world, you don’t wanna feel it, honey.” “You leave the hatin’ to me.” “There’s stew in the pot if you’re hungry.” “Why would you buy me this?” “If I looked like you, I figure I’d stare at myself every chance I got.” “You’re sad and scared, you have every right to be.” “Don’t bother flirting with me.” “You’re too pretty for me. I prefer to be the pretty one.” “The spring’s back in your step, I see.” “Got one speed that one: bullet fast.” “What the fuck do you think you’re doin’?” “Just so you know, that could’ve gone a lot worse.” “I wouldn’t waste too much time worryin’ about how that watch works, amigo. You ain’t gonna figure it.” “What do I call you?” “God gave you a good face.” “That’s too much.” “I need stars to dream.” “If i knew a way around I’d tell you.” “They’re gonna have to get tough or die.” “I admit, I mighta overestimated my appeal.” “If there’s gonna be a gunfight, I wanna be with you.” “This is the strangest outfit I’ve ever worked for.” “Y’all wanna hunt for grasshoppers?” “You keep runnin’, don’t stop no matter what!” “I think you used up the last of your luck, [NAME].” “When you bite off more than you can chew you sure bite big.” “What the hell are you doin’ out here?”

[downthatroad]

(Matthew) “It ain’t down there. I can tell you that.”

[Prompt]

If looks could kill, Matthew would have been severely wounded. Jake let out a huff and began scrambling his way back up to Matthew, calling up towards him as he did, “Then why’d you let me get all the way down there if you knew the damn thing wasn’t there?!”

[downthatroad]

“ and let me see your hands.”

[Prompt]

Both of them held out their hands for Holly's inspection, the smell of dinner wafting through the room and making their mouths water. Levi flipped his hands palm up for further review, but Jake grew impatient and stomped his foot slightly, a scowl tugging at his mouth.

“They’re clean! Can we eat now?”

[downthatroad]

(Slim) “ hello? is anybody there?”

[Prompt]

Movement could be heard behind the door, a shuffling sound that increased as it got closer, a dim glow coming from the window until a very tired Levi opened the door, lit lantern in hand.

“Hey, what’cha need? Did...” Levi blinked and rubbed at his eyes, realizing who it was that was at the door before he shook his head. “Ugh. I’m late, aren’t I? I’m sorry, I must have overslept. Gimme about... ten minutes? I’ll be ready and there shortly.”

[downthatroad]

(Starling) “You’ve got some nimble fingers.“

[Prompt]

Levi laughed at the observation as he put away the lockpicking set he had scavenged all those years ago. He pushed the door open slowly and took a peek inside, making sure the coast was clear before continuing on.

“My brother and I used to get into all sorts of trouble, and what’s more alluring to a dumb teenage kid than a locked door?”

[downthatroad]

When Levi and Jake return to their cabin, they find a number of things waiting for them. For Jake, there’s a large tool chest, the paint is faded and scratched here and there, but all the drawers open smoothly. Inside is an assortment of tools; screwdrivers of varying size and shape, a couple of hammers, pliers, and a tape measure. In one of the deeper drawers are two robot model kits, a Sentry bot and a Mister Handy, as well as a key for the lock on the front of the toolbox.

Sitting beside the toolbox is a basket containing four pairs of black knitted socks (two smaller pairs for Jake, and two larger ones for Levi) and a pair of scarves; one slightly shorter in navy blue, and the second longer, in dark red. Also for Levi is a deck of playing cards with faded, but still pretty, rose artwork on the backs of the cards. Tucked in the basket is a note: “Got Grant to help me lug this toolbox back for you, Jake. Hope it’ll hold all your stuff. Hope the socks fit alright too, if they don’t let me know and I’ll make some new ones. Merry Christmas to you both.

Love, Holly”

…

[downthatroad]

Tiny Cats [Holly, Jake]

saltyspitfire​:

“I guess so. Ain’t sure how long it takes for a mama cat to cook up some kittens. I noticed she was gettin’ real round there for a while, but just figured she was just puttin’ on weight for the winter, y’know?”

Holly watched his face as looked at the kittens, and grinned. Judging by his reaction, he must not have ever seen kittens before, which only made her happier that she’d been able to surprise him. It had been a while since she’d felt this good,

“Far as I can tell, they seem to be doin’ good,” she returned the tabby kitten to the box, and then reached for a peculiar wrinkled one that had little more than black and silver peach fuzz, “Animals can tell if somethin’ ain’t right with their babies…they’ll push ‘em away and let ‘em die. Bea ain’t done that with any of hers, so I reckon that means they’re good ‘n strong.”

The wrinkled kitten let out a hoarse ‘meow’ as Holly held it in her hand, “This one’s kinda funny though…just got fuzz on him, not a full fur coat like the rest.”

“He looks naked,” Jake said with a laugh, and reached out to ever-so-gently touch the wrinkled baby with just the tip of his index finger. It was warm and fuzzy, but not like Bea or any other cat he had ever seen. 

“Why doesn’t he have fur, though? Does it... does it just take a while to grow in? And why are his ears so flat? Can he not hear?” The questions came rapid fire, with Jake’s excitement increasing with each one. Suddenly, he seemed to notice something troubling, as his awed expression fell way to sadness.

“Wait, why ain’t he opening his eyes? Does he not have eyes?”

[downthatroad]

Search Party [Matthew, Jake]

saltyspitfire​:

“Not mad, no,” Matthew assured him, slowing his pace to walk alongside Jake and his wagon. He seemed determined to haul it all back on his own. For the time being he’d let him, but was ready to step in if he changed his mind, “Just…scared. I reckon you’ll still get an earful when we get back up there, but it ain’t gonna be outta anger.”

The thought of guilting Jake into staying close didn’t sit right with him, neither did telling Holly’s whole story. At least, what he knew of it. Matthew studied him quietly for a moment.

“She cares about you, that’s all.”

“I know she cares,” he countered, dragging his feet as he walked. Jake never liked getting an earful - even if he was in the wrong - and it always hurt the most coming from someone he looked up too.

“And I didn’t mean to scare anyone,” he insisted, looking up at Matthew with an earnest expression on his face. “I made sure I could still see Tidings and I made sure it wasn’t anywhere near sun down and I made sure that no one else was in the old building when I went in. I was real quiet, even. I was careful so no one needed to worry.”

[downthatroad]

Good Kid [Levi, Holly]

saltyspitfire​:

“Those’re the best kinda places if you ask me,” she glanced at the coffee pot, but saw no steam coming from the spout just yet, “I’ll take four or five good, honest folks who give a shit over a city fulla strangers.”

It sounded like trying to find a needle in a haystack, though Levi didn’t need to be told that. She couldn’t even imagine trying to find someone without knowing for sure where to start. Still, Matthew had somehow managed to find her, and he hadn’t even really been looking. Surely he could stumble across her after crossing the whole goddamn country, without trying, they could find Jake’s family. 

“Normally I’d offer to help. I’m usually out a lot, so it’s easy enough to ask around. But…” she raised her splinted arm, and made a face, “I’m basically useless til this fuckin’ thing heals. Matty might be able to give you a hand though, I can ask him for you.”

Hearing bubbling behind her, she turned to see that the water was finally boiling. Once again she stood, and reached for the coffee tin up on the shelf. Add scoops of coffee to the filter basket, she looked back at Levi, “You gonna want milk or anything with yours? I think I gotta little sugar somewhere…”

“Oh no, you’ve got enough going on, and it’s honestly good for Jake to have a stable place he can come too when I’m out,” he replied offering her a thankful smile. Although, Levi couldn’t turn rightly turn down ever extension of help that came his way.

“I’d appreciate you asking Matthew. Even if he can just keep his eyes and ears open for me,” he said, watching Holly as she stood to get the coffee. “Oh, no milk, but if I could have a bit of sugar if you can spare it, that would be great.”

While Holly was busy, Levi took a moment to really take in Holly’s cabin. It was no grand mansion, of course, but it was warm and inviting. Exactly the sort of thing Jake needed.

“I should really have you help me decorate the cabin Jake and I have,” he said with a smile, shaking his head. “Other than the Rose family home, I never had a place to settle and call my own so... I don’t have a lot. Neither does Jake. But... I think it would be good for him, you know? Somewhere he can really say is his own thing. I just want to help make his life better than it was.”

[downthatroad]

saltyspitfire​:

the bearer of bad news [ grant - jake]

Grant hesitated.

How much should he tell him? He was already shaken up, did he really did all the gruesome details? Jake wasn’t a child though. He was young, but old enough to know how cruel the world could be. 

“We was out scavvin’, and split up for a few minutes. We were scoutin’ out some old buildin’s. We ain’t real sure how it all played out but, she was alone, and a couple assholes jumped her,” he paused, watching Jake’s face carefully, “They beat her up real bad. Doc said she probably took a couple hard hits to the head. Me ‘n Matthew found her before…”

He stopped himself, unable to bring himself to tell Jake about the strangling. He’d find out eventually, of course, but it was hardly anything he needed to dwell upon in the meantime. 

Grant cleared his throat, “She put up a helluva fight though. Bloodied up one of the shitheads pretty good. Anyhow, I’ll be headin’ back tomorrow mornin’ with Starling and Slim. We’ll stay down there til she’s strong enough, then we’ll bring her on home.”

The tension didn’t leave him, and his expression was mostly full of concern, until Grant began to explain what had happened. Jake knew that not everyone was good - some people were bad, or worse, they just didn’t care. He knew Holly was rough sometimes, with how she talked to people, but that didn’t make her a bad person - that didn’t make her deserving of someone trying to hurt her, let alone more than one someones.

His concern quickly gave way to anger. His hands, which had tightened into fists as soon as Grant had broke the news, now shook.

“Are they dead?” Jake asked, looking Grant firm in the eyes. “The people that hurt Holly - are they dead?”

[downthatroad]

“Damn rain is soakin’ right through my clothes.”

[Prompt]

“Practically came out of nowhere, huh?” Levi commented, ducking under an overhang in the city. He let out a short sigh as he looked up at the rain pouring from the darkened sky.

“Looks like this is gonna last a while.”

[downthatroad]

(Starling) “Drink. Some. Water.”

[Prompt]

“But why can’t I have coffee?” Jake countered, hands firmly placed on his hips. “It’s got water in it!”

[downthatroad]

(Starling) “You shoulda let me whack him.”

[Prompt]

“Trust me, if he didn’t have us outnumbered, I would have whacked him myself,” Levi replied, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. He kept on towards the exit to the building, making sure to keep a close eye on the rest of the man’s associates.

“Let’s just cut our losses and whack him another time.”

[downthatroad]

❝ Where did you get this? ❞

[Prompt]

“Baptiste gave it to me,” Jake answered, looking up from his current project only long enough to try and gauge if Holly looked upset or not at his owning the item. He reached out and gently smacked the side of the mini nuke.

“He said it’s disarmed, it just looks cool.”

[downthatroad]

(Slim) ❝ Ya scared the bejeezus out of us. ❞

[Prompt]

The only response Slim got to his comment was louder laughter from Jake, who was currently splayed out on the ground, a makeshift mask in hand, gasping for breath as tears streamed down his face.

[downthatroad]

(Matthew) ❝ I’ve had worse. ❞

[Prompt]

“Doesn’t make this time any less serious,” Levi chided, taking a peek at the injury. It likely wasn’t life-threatening by any means, but it still looked pretty nasty. “Let’s get this cleaned up before we start movin’ on. Last thing we need is for you to show up bloody and Holly see we didn’t even wipe you down.”

[downthatroad]

(Slim) “What’s with the sunglasses?“

[Prompt]

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Jake asked, staring down Slim sternly over the top of his bright red aviator sunglasses. “I look rad as fuck.”