The House Always Wins

kacey musgraves : middle of nowhere album ... sentence starters

"Now I believe in ghosts."

"You know that I wouldn't lie."

"Did you ever love me, baby?"

"He's mine, you can't have him."

"It looked like he'd been crying."

"Is love just a form of delusion?"

"I gotta be careful of who I let in."

"It's all whiskey under the bridge."

"I'm getting better at being alone."

"Is it really worth all your dreams?"

"Trying to change you changed me."

"I want you so bad, it ain't even funny."

"Don't tell me you miss me, I don't care."

"Yeah, I'm the loneliest girl in the world."

"All we could ever really do is speculate."

"I've done my fair share of shit talkin' too."

"It's just me and me, and that's all I need."

"I'm tired of keeping my hands to myself."

"I had to call you to see what was all true."

"I don't have to navigate nobody's drama."

"I could go days without seeing someone."

"Did she break your heart like he did mine?"

"A few years ago, you'd have set me on fire."

"Ironic time of the year for you to disappear."

"They walk in the room and you feel the cold."

"You've got your version of how it went down."

"I'm happy to be the loneliest girl in the world."

"We're gonna ride this wave 'til it breaks, yeah."

"So tell me, what's a self-respecting girl to do?"

"But, baby, let me in and at least just let me try."

"I'd ride in on my high horse, you'd still be higher."

"I don't think you really know what you do to me."

"It's kinda hard to say what the trigger really was."

"It's cold as hell, and the work ain't gonna do itself."

"You got me shakin' my ass in my hot-pink shorts."

"Forever and always, yeah, that's what they all say."

"It may be a disaster, but it doesn't matter anyway."

"I tried to be your angel but you made it hell on me."

"I saw you down the bar, looked like you were crying."

"But I saw him last night, he said he's found the light."

"Put me on a poster of somebody who's living the life."

"All of the leaves, they were changing and so were you."

"Hands always getting cut from picking up the pieces."

"But I just got back in town and I'm over by your house."

"He's caused so much pain, but this time he's changed."

"Y'all don't need to worry 'bout what I might be missing."

"You're only gonna hurt yourself, holding out your hand."

"I'm not sure I can stand my heart getting broken, again."

"So much I never knew, now I can see right through you."

"I got too close and now I understand… now I understand."

"I don't have to act like I like all your friends or your mama."

"Hey, I know it's been a minute, hope I didn't wake you up?"

"Same old shit every weekend, everybody's looking the part."

"I wish that you were dead to me. You're better off a memory."

"I can't defend the way I've been or the shadows where I hide."

"Out there on the edge of the world, way past common sense."

"Pretty things that can't be held, can't return the love they felt."

"And if you tried to call, I wouldn't call you back even if I could."

"Are you still haunted by the way you couldn't look me in the eye?"

"You say you've always had to be so tough, but not in front of mе."

"I don't hate you… tried to make you into someone you couldn't be."

"But I still think of you sometimes and the flash of fear in your eyes."

"You'rе gonna have to duct tape it back together when it falls apart."

"Maybe I'm just naive, but I truly believe that he really means it this time."

"Gettin' all dressed up just to get knocked down in front of the whole town."

"You think you really know somebody, then they up and walk right out the door."

"'Cause you didn't even have the balls to tell me goodbye and look me in the eye."

"I saw a coyote running down the highway last night, and it made me think of you."

AC/DC : highway to hell album ... sentence starters

"Come on, touch me."

"I'm a love-hungry man."

"Living easy, loving free!"

"Honey, I ain't that naïve."

"She told me to go to hell."

"We'll set the world on fire."

"Oh, baby, I ain't got much."

"I'm on the highway to Hell."

"Tell me, who can you trust?"

"I'm gonna walk all over you."

"Paradise ain't far from there."

"If you want blood, you got it."

"Baby, I've got my eye on you."

"Asking nothing, leave me be."

"I know what you're looking for."

"'Cause you're much too much."

"Don't say that you love me, too."

"Nobody's gonna slow me down."

"Ah, you're the one I've waited for."

"How'd you expect me to believe?"

"Nobody's gonna mess me around."

"It wasn't the first, it wasn't the last."

"I was so satisfied deep down inside."

"I'm on the way to the promised land!"

"Was that a noise outside the window?"

"Don't need reason, don't need rhyme."

"No doubt about it, can't live without it."

"Take a chance with me and give it a try."

"And, there, you thought you'd seen it all."

"Remember those nights we spent alone?"

"My friends are gonna be there, too, yeah."

"Ain't it a shame to be shot down in flames?"

"I'm gonna give you just one more chance…"

"Take off the high heels, let down your hair."

"You're the meanest woman I've ever known."

"This damn woman's gonna drive me insane."

"Too much for my body, too much for my brain."

"So, gimme the stage, I'm gonna steal the show."

"She's like a lethal brand, too much for any man."

"Oh, she had the face of an angel, smiling with sin."

"Done everything I'm gonna do. The rest is up to you."

"You don't feel the steel 'til it's hanging out your back."

"Wish I knew what's on your mind and why you're being so unkind…"

"I've seen a million girls. Ain't one of them got what my lady, she's got."

"Smiling face and loving eyes… But you keep on telling me all those lies."

"Too scared to turn your light out, 'cause there's somethin' on your mind."

"It was one of those nights when you turn off the lights and everything comes into view."

Would Husk be so reckless, so overconfident, that he'd be willing to bet on the things that shouldn't be up for a gamble? His Casino? His Power? His very Soul?

So far, the answer had been a resounding 'No'. As addictive as the high of winning was, the best gambler is the one who knows when it's time to end the game. Husk's casinos were full of souls who couldn't learn that lesson, after all. He saw it all of the time.

But time would tell if clarity would remain above curiosity....

"Now THAT is the way to start talking about yourself."

Husk laughs, amused at this sudden turn around in the TV. Food had sobered him up some and now something more than just hurt feelings and ego was bubbling up to the surface. And like any curious cat, Husk couldn't help pawing at it. Stoking the flames.

"Why play the game when you can control the game?! EVERY game is YOUR game when it comes to YOU! You get final say if there even IS any 'winner'! None of the risk, all of the reward!"

He encourages. Did he actually think Vox could be the 'strongest' in all of Hell someday? He didn't put much stock in the idea. But that wasn't the point of this. What was, was for Vox to get an attitude turn around. And to Husk, it looked like he was finally having one......if maybe not entirely in a healthy manner.

But this was Hell. No one was 'healthy' here.

"Act like you're the prize. And people will see that you are one."

He saw hot chicks do it all of the time. Why couldn't Vox pull it off?

countlessrealities

Under Husk's coaxing, Vox's grin grows so wide that it reaches the edges of his screen, the tips of his lips disappearing from view. Rationally, he is aware that his fellow Overlord is most likely acting for the sake of his own self-interest, to keep him from reverting back to the sad drunk who's clumsy enough to cause damage to his properties and employees.

Yet, he can't deny that it feels good to hear someone openly encouraging him again. He hasn't since...ever, in all honesty. No one has ever genuinely believed in him, not in life nor in death, and, if they had, they have never been open about it.

...Till not too long before, he had believed that Alastor did acknowledge his potential, but their brutal parting has proved him how wrong he was.

"Oh, I can do even better than control the game," he claims in a confident tone, energy buzzing inside him, tensed and charged, materialising as little sparks of electricity dancing around the edges of his display and the tips of his claws. "I won't be just the game master. I'll be the game itself!"

He has done it once before, after all, gathering the masses and having them dancing to his tunes, addicted to every word that came from his mouth, seeing the world only as he deciding to paint it for them. He could do it again. He will do it again.

His left eye starts to pulse, black hypnotic circles swirling against the red sclerae. He's not using his power, it's just another way his excitement manifests. Once his tech and devices will be in every house, in every pocket, in every hand, nothing will stop him from spinning the narrative to his heart's desire. Every printed word and visual and trending post will be his and his alone. So what if he will still have to share the airwaves? No one will listen to those outdated, unoriginal broadcasts when he'll be offering so many different, more captivating alternatives.

"Shit, I should get that printed on a mug," he muses out loud, picking up his glass of water as he swallows the last bite of food. "Creator of reality or something. And Progress for your soul...wordplay intended. ...I'll be needing a bigger cupboard."

More ideas pop in his head and he gets distracted, forgetting for a moment that he isn't alone. Later, he will blame it on the alcohol still buzzing in his system, its potency once again empowered by his renewed cockiness.

"Still getting the Fuck Alastor one before any other, though..."

#god I need to buy that mug set lmfao #countlessrealities

It's with entertained satisfaction that Husk sits back and enjoys watching the TV. Vox successfully having been hyped up enough that his mood was now taking an incredible upswing!

What a surprise. The guy seemed to have a streak of megalomania in him too. It was obvious by the end that the 'game' Vox wanted to be the master of wasn't just personal....

And now he was talking about mugs....?

And also-

"....Alastor? Like, The Radio Demon Alastor....?"

Husk questions, tone a mild mix of curious and confused. The gambling overlord knew of the deer guy all decked out in reds and blacks. But only because of seeing him at the meetings.

“How many shots would it take for you to sleep with The Radio Demon?”

Send “How many shots would it take for you to sleep with ___ ?” questions for my muse’s response!

[Depends on who's Radio Demon it is tbh lol]

"A lot less than it would take that guy to be interested, I think. Hah~"

#lmfao #asks #meme #radiohusk

prettythought

Send “How many shots would it take for you to sleep with ___ ?” questions for my muse’s response!

angsty injury things … sentence starters

“Can you walk?”

“That looks broken.“

“That’s a lot of blood.”

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“Why are you bleeding?“

“That’s not just a scratch.”

“I thought you were dead!”

“Don’t you pass out on me!”

“Hey, hey, stay with me, ok?“

“You got hurt, again? Again?”

“Just sit up and breathe, ok?“

“Holy crap, you look like hell.”

“What happened to your leg?“

“Thank god you’re breathing…”

“You should get that looked at.”

“You can barely walk. Sit down.”

“I’m going to carry you, now, ok?”

“Is it bleeding? It’s still bleeding?”

“Where’d you get those bruises?”

“Don’t move, you’ll make it worse!“

“We need to get you to a hospital.“

“You were really hurt. Really hurt…”

“Oh, that’s going to leave a bruise.”

“How many fingers am I holding up?“

“Here, press this against the wound.”

“Here, lean on me. I’ll help you walk.”

“Hold still, I have to bandage this up.”

“Don’t move, I’m getting a first-aid kit.”

“Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?”

“How the hell did you do this to yourself?“

“Shush, just concentrate on staying awake.”

“This is going to hurt, but I need to clean that.”

“Oh, god. Please be alive. Please still be alive!”

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does it hurt?“

“That looks pretty bad. I think you need stitches.”

“What do you mean you’re fine? You are not fine!”

“You should lay down, you hit your head pretty hard.”

“Well… I hope you at least gave as good as you got.”

“That’s a really nasty looking bruise. Need some ice?”

“I got you. It’s gonna be okay, you’re going to be okay.”

“I don’t know how you’re even conscious at this point.”

“Stop being so stubborn and just let me patch you up!”

“You’re going to stay in bed and heal. I’ll handle things.”

“I’m going to find you did this to you, and I’m going to kill them.”

“’Don’t do that’, I said. ‘You’ll get hurt’, I said. And what did you do?”

“So, you tried bandaging this up, and you… well, you did your best.”

“Oh, thank god, you’re finally awake. Thought I lost you for a minute there.”

“I found you laying out there in the cold. Had to fight to keep you breathing.”

“Okay, no, I’m not laughing. Not laughing. Are you okay? That must’ve hurt.”

“Who did this to you? And, no, I’m not going to believe this was an accident.”

“Of course I’m worried about you. You keep getting hurt, and keep not letting people look after you.”

“I bandaged you up while you were out and… this isn’t the first time you’ve been hurt this bad, is it? I saw the scars.”

allastoredeer

RadioTrio Week 2026 - Day 1: Overworked Staff/I Quit!

This is soooo late, RadioTrio was all the way back in March, but better late than never. Im doing all the prompts with the RadioDealer AU.

#YESSSSSS

Yeah. Vox wasn't beating the 'picked the easy rebound and hasn't healed yet' allegations one bit. Every single move and word at being called out was only supporting Husk's thoughts.

Who the Hell had fucked this guy up this badly?

Must've been a demon in the sack.....

It's not even like everything the TV demon was saying was wrong either. They were all practical fears to have. Logical assumptions and conclusions to make about what could and would happen in Hell. Husk had seen it for himself countless times....

And yet. It was obvious that Vox was saying it all from a place of hurt. From a betrayal. From the want to NEVER be "fooled" again....he needed to prove something.

"Look. I'm not gonna argue that you're wrong. Because you're not. People down here can be fuckin' selfish. Backstabbing. And keepin' distance is the "smarter" way to play....usually."

Husk replies, calmly meeting Vox's sharp gaze with his own. The media mogul could try and pick apart the cat all he wanted. But what he saw was what he was going to get; a calm collected cat with a smiling poker face.

" But. I do, in fact, have friends. Not many, but a few. Because I was willing to take the gamble on them. And that's the name of the game."

He takes a sip from his glass, eyes remaining on Vox as he did.

"Acquaintances. Employees. Allies. Friends. Lovers. They're all gambles. Bets against the odds that your contact with this person won't fuck you over in the future. Sometimes your right. Sometimes, you're just not! No matter how "smart" or "strategic" ya try ta be."

He makes air quotes with a claw to emphasize his words.

"My point is, ya don't hit jackpot by playing safe all the time. You do it by gambling! Fighting odds! And if you lose? Fuck man, you dust yerself off and get up to play again!"

His eyes and grin widen just that bit, genuine excitement and confidence at the very idea of testing fate and luck for his own benefit. He quickly reigns himself in then, hand coming up to smooth back his already styled hair.

"But hey, you do you...."

countlessrealities

Under Husk's calm demeanour and scrutiny, Vox finds himself struggling to keep the composure he has slowly regained as their talk progressed. It annoys him to no end and he instinctively starts chewing on his snack more aggressively to keep himself from snapping or beginning to sound passive-aggressive, if not openly hostile.

Deep down he knows that he has no one but himself to blame for it, since he has been the one to slip and bring up a subject that's, for him, at least sensitive. And isn't calling it that a fucking understatement. So, taking his frustrations out on the gambling Overlord, someone who has been nothing but patient and friendly towards him, would be beyond unfair.

Not that he cares about fairness since, as they have been saying, this is Hell, but he reminds himself that he would be ruining a potential alliance over a petty personal affair he himself has declared of no import. He was lying about it, of course, but those are details. What matters are the official claims and he has to act according to them.

Digital eyes move towards the two glasses set before him. The one that held his liquor is empty now, but he strongly doubts that he can survive that conversation without at least another half-dozen drinks. Especially now that his stomach is full and he has started to sober up.

"Always playing safe might not pay, but taking too many gambles lands in trouble," he argues, well aware that he's arguing with an addict about the latter's favourite drug. "Being bold and taking risks is worth it only if it eventually pays off. You can't just rely on chance, because sooner or later you'll lose it all, if you do."

The spark of almost manic excitement that has flashed in the tom cat's eyes makes him wonder if the other Overlord has ever seriously considered what he might lose, if he keeps chasing this sort of highs. It's not just about money, it's about power and, maybe, even his very soul.

Would Husk be so reckless to gamble that too? The part of him who has taken a liking to his fellow demon wants to say "no", but Vox's rational side knows better.

"Maybe you're right, maybe agreeing to hazards from time to time is...necessary, if you want to end up victorious," he goes on in a pensive tone, addressing himself as much as he is talking to Husk. "After all, there can be no progress, no new discoveries if you aren't ready to dive into the unknown. And progress is my specialty."

That said, he is much bolder when it comes to his business than to his personal life. After all, risks have always paid off when the former was involved, while in his experience they have lef to disasters in the latter.

"But...maybe I don't want to hit jackpot. Maybe I've already aimed for it and it went...poorly." And what a fucking understatement that was. "And that made me realise that I don't want to win the biggest prize. Not when there's a better option."

A spark of electricity flashes between his antennae as his eyes narrow, a sharp, dangerous smirk opening on his face. There was something manic in his expression, much darker and twisted than any shade the TV demon had showed so far. Something ugly and hungry and ruthless.

"Why chasing after a jackpot when you can become it? The most influential soul in Hell. The strongest of all sinners. If I am that, then there will be no needs for gambles, no losses to take account of. Others will risk to get to me, right? Now that is a gamble I can get behind."

Would Husk be so reckless, so overconfident, that he'd be willing to bet on the things that shouldn't be up for a gamble? His Casino? His Power? His very Soul?

But time would tell if clarity would remain above curiosity....

"Now THAT is the way to start talking about yourself."

"Why play the game when you can control the game?! EVERY game is YOUR game when it comes to YOU! You get final say if there even IS any 'winner'! None of the risk, all of the reward!"

But this was Hell. No one was 'healthy' here.

"Act like you're the prize. And people will see that you are one."

He saw hot chicks do it all of the time. Why couldn't Vox pull it off?

#countlessrealities

"Hey, hey.~"

He says with a playfully offended tone, ear flicking lightly. He just shakes his head a little.

"Great. With that I can start building a nice little menu of specialty drinks. I know more than just demons from the other rings will want in on them once I got 'em.~"

"I'll pay you a bit extra than the standard, a nice tip for helping with an unorthodox product.~"

Comes the patient reply from the gambler, just grinning at her.

"Hey, hey.~"

He says with a playfully offended tone, ear flicking lightly. He just shakes his head a little.

"Great. With that I can start building a nice little menu of specialty drinks. I know more than just demons from the other rings will want in on them once I got 'em.~"

"I'll make sure you have the most unique toxic cocktails in all of Hell" She giggled at his mock offense.

" Mhmm though some might be more fitting as a snack.. or slightly toxic cigarettes~"

"No poison cigs, not trying to poison the air in here. Or poison food."

He negates immediately, with a laugh in voice. Pulling the breaks before the Belladonna thought train could get off the rails.

"Just toxic cocktails, Bella. Alright? We're leaving it there."

A psh and a hand wave. "Pfft that's not how toxic cigarettes work, they affect the smoker, I don't really use airborn poisons.. "but it was his casino so his rules. "But ofcourse, I'll stick to the cocktails dear~ I'll bring you some of my best~"

It was Hell. Even if that wasn't how the cigarettes were supposed to work, the unexpected always tended to happen. So he simply harrumphs softly, satisfied.

"I know you will.~"

send me ‘ kisses ‘ and i’ll generate a number for how / where my muse kisses yours

add ‘reverse’ to the ask for the positions to be reversed

1. a kiss to the palm

2. a peck on the lips

3. a sad kiss goodbye

4. a peck on the cheek

5. a kiss on an old scar

6. a kiss to the knuckles

7. a kiss to the forehead

8. a kiss on a healing bruise

9. an excited kiss as a reunion

10. a kiss to the top of the head

11. a kiss on a bandaged wound

12. a stolen kiss somewhere public

13. a sleepy kiss in the early morning

14. a deep, passionate kiss on the lips

15. a kiss goodnight after a date gone well

16. a desperate kiss to your wounded muse

17. and awkward kiss after a date gone wrong

18. a lot of laughing, little kisses across the face

19. a kiss on the shoulder while hugging from behind

20. a gentle kiss while slow-dancing together in the dark

"Hey, hey.~"

He says with a playfully offended tone, ear flicking lightly. He just shakes his head a little.

"Great. With that I can start building a nice little menu of specialty drinks. I know more than just demons from the other rings will want in on them once I got 'em.~"

"I'll make sure you have the most unique toxic cocktails in all of Hell" She giggled at his mock offense.

" Mhmm though some might be more fitting as a snack.. or slightly toxic cigarettes~"

"No poison cigs, not trying to poison the air in here. Or poison food."

He negates immediately, with a laugh in voice. Pulling the breaks before the Belladonna thought train could get off the rails.

"Just toxic cocktails, Bella. Alright? We're leaving it there."

"Simply devious, more like."

He continues with a laugh.

"Nonsense~ A LADY is never devious~ That is for scoundrels and slit throats" She huffed.

"You. Could definitely slit a throat.~"

He shoots back easily

"...Well yes~" Bella wouldn't lie about that~ She was very capable of doing so. "Speaking of which, did you need any assistance~?"

"Not in slitting any throats. But......"

"Any suggestions on the best type of poisons to compliment liquors? I'm starting to get more greed demon patrons and those crazy bastards keep asking for cocktails that have hemlock and shit in 'em."

"... Ooh" She shifted forward and rested her chin on tented hands.

" That entirely depends on the cocktails~ Mhmm Hemlock is delicious in a drink and Lead can be sweet~ Ooh a little bit of Holly berries for crunch~?"

Oh now she was thinking... " Mhmm a little bit of cyanide for that bitter almond flavor..."

The gambler laughs brightly at her demeanor change, grin widening.

"I knew you'd be the perfect gal to go to for this.~"

"But ofcourse~ Anything for my favorite kitty" She chuckled, reaching a hand out and gently scritched the other's ear, before retreating the hand to not overstay. "I'll bring some of my freshest plants and berries for you~ I know there's a few nuts that are not only incredibly toxic but addictive as well, a perfect addition to a beverage~"

"Hey, hey.~"

He says with a playfully offended tone, ear flicking lightly. He just shakes his head a little.

"Great. With that I can start building a nice little menu of specialty drinks. I know more than just demons from the other rings will want in on them once I got 'em.~"

"Simply devious, more like."

He continues with a laugh.

"Nonsense~ A LADY is never devious~ That is for scoundrels and slit throats" She huffed.

"You. Could definitely slit a throat.~"

He shoots back easily

"...Well yes~" Bella wouldn't lie about that~ She was very capable of doing so. "Speaking of which, did you need any assistance~?"

"Not in slitting any throats. But......"

"Any suggestions on the best type of poisons to compliment liquors? I'm starting to get more greed demon patrons and those crazy bastards keep asking for cocktails that have hemlock and shit in 'em."

"... Ooh" She shifted forward and rested her chin on tented hands.

" That entirely depends on the cocktails~ Mhmm Hemlock is delicious in a drink and Lead can be sweet~ Ooh a little bit of Holly berries for crunch~?"

Oh now she was thinking... " Mhmm a little bit of cyanide for that bitter almond flavor..."

The gambler laughs brightly at her demeanor change, grin widening.

"I knew you'd be the perfect gal to go to for this.~"

#lol #remnantsouls

"Simply devious, more like."

He continues with a laugh.

"Nonsense~ A LADY is never devious~ That is for scoundrels and slit throats" She huffed.

"You. Could definitely slit a throat.~"

He shoots back easily

"...Well yes~" Bella wouldn't lie about that~ She was very capable of doing so. "Speaking of which, did you need any assistance~?"

"Not in slitting any throats. But......"

"Any suggestions on the best type of poisons to compliment liquors? I'm starting to get more greed demon patrons and those crazy bastards keep asking for cocktails that have hemlock and shit in 'em."

#remnantsouls #lol

"Simply devious, more like."

He continues with a laugh.

"Nonsense~ A LADY is never devious~ That is for scoundrels and slit throats" She huffed.