gabriel.

[jjbaptiste]

Open to: All  Location: The Arène 

Late on a Friday night, the place is as packed as it will ever be. Each head-count carries its own value — some in their shy digits, others in hundreds, or thousands. 

As for Jacques? He’s glad for the profit, but eager for the violence. It’s a show, after all — and the host gets all credit. 

At the centre of the crowd now, two men prepare for a fresh round. Jacques works his way around, finding himself a spot with a good enough view. “A hundred on the white guy gettin’ his ass handed to him.” The price could go much higher, but no one’s posed a challenge yet. He cracks a smile, “Humor me, eh?”

[pxndemonium]

Once upon a time, Gabriel wouldn’t have been opposed to being a fighter in the ring, but given his higher position, now, in the gang, he have a lot more to lose if he got his ass handed to him.

Not that he got his ass handed to him very often, but knowing his luck, it’d happen at the worst time.

He eyed up the fighters, trying to gauge who might have the better chance of winning. It wasn’t often he placed bets, but if the winner was obvious or he was being egged on, maybe he’d fall victim to placing one or two. Especially when JJ himself took up residence in the gap beside him.

“Alright. You’re on.” Gabe glanced up at the man beside him, offering a lopsided smirk in greeting. If you couldn’t risk getting into a fight yourself, god, there was nothing like watching other people do so instead. “I’m guessing from that smile on your face that business is good tonight.”

[pxndemonium]

stvargas​:

Santi showed his palms in a mockingly defensive way, of course the smirk on his face was still lingering, not regretting his previous attitude. If he was going to get killed out of it, at least he was doing it going all in, on his own terms. “Yeah, I figured there’s a zero shit taken policy around here, but you’ll really make me disappear without knowing who I am?” A pause. His gaze was fixed on the younger male in front of him, giving himself some thinking time to consider whether to drop the bomb right the or wait a little longer.  “What if we’re related somehow? Murdering even your own blood is how y’all work here, Gabi? Can I call you Gabi? Or you prefer Mr. Melendez?”

-

Santiago may as well have strapped a sign to his chest that said ‘please punch me, Gabriel!’, because that was exactly what his actions were saying right now. Gabe nearly snapped at him again but he bit his tongue as Santiago taunted him, implying that there was something he didn’t know about the man before him. God. He fucking hated that he was curious now, giving Santiago the power of knowledge over him.

“The fuck are you talking about? You ain’t my blood, and you ain’t calling me Gabi. Now shut the fuck up unless you got something useful to contribute.” Talking about them being related? No, Santiago was just playing mind games with him, trying to wind him up for whatever fucking reason. No way was he related in any way, shape or form to this fresh-faced fucker. He was just here apparently trying to start a fight, and Gabriel was this close to giving in to that.

[pxndemonium]

leemalkovich​:

“Why not?” He shrugs. “The kids say it’s very — what’s that again — ‘bad boy chic’.” 

Though far from a habit, Lee knows the rules of the game; the advised anonymity of those cubicles. But he’d never much cared for etiquette, and there’s little fun to be had without danger. Nevertheless, a cheap high isn’t at all what he’s here for. 

“Aye, of course.” Leaning closer then, Lee’s voice drops down a notch. If there was an audience before, now it’s simply between the two of them. “It’s a big order though, mate. For the boss.” No translation necessary. “I was told it’d be ready for us before I got here, so you can imagine what great time I’m having right now.” Surely the delay’s to blame on the dancing fools at the corner of their sight, but what does it matter? A deal is a deal. “I’m wearing my displeased face right now, Gabe — it’s not a face I’m thrilled to have on.” 

“Bad boy chic. Yeah. Just what I was aiming for. Thanks, mate.” Reiterating the stupid terms of endearment (if they could be called that) that Lee used was far too amusing to him. He had to find some form of humour in this, carrying the conversation as his dealers let him the fuck down.

Jesus Christ. Now Lee was leaning closer, again. Any further forward and he’d be in Gabe’s pocket. “Yeah. I fucking gathered that.” Gabe scoffed, knowing full well who else they were dealing to, aside from the obnoxious man seated before him at the bar. “Believe me, it’s not a face I’m thrilled to see, either. If I go chase that shit, can I trust you to behave when I’m not keeping a fucking eye on you?”

Not that Gabriel was here to play babysitter, but he could do without Lee tormenting his dealers tonight. He wasn’t sure they’d be able to handle him in conversation.

[pxndemonium]

noravidal​:

The conversation had been serious, as it should be, since Nora was oh so determined to keep her distance from the Cartel leaders, but Gabriel’s words and grumpy tone completely threw her off. “Florida?” Unexpectedly, a genuine laugh bubbled out of her. “Florida is your idea of a perfect vacation?” Another chuckle as she shook her head, to get back on track. “You could tell them about the heaps of garbage on the streets and warn them about the smell, no one on TV talks about that.” A beat. “If you ever do call them, at least.” Nora glanced in his direction once more, giving him a meaningful look. 

Well, if Gabriel Melendez talked about someone in such manner, they had to be bad, right? Or did Gabriel not approving of someone actually make them… Good? Nora was confused, more so than before, but she couldn’t leave it at that. “What do you mean? What did he do?” Her brow furrowed and Beast seemed to have noticed, nibbling on her finger and urging her to acknowledge him. “Beast, no,” she scolded him before scratching the pup under his chin and returning her attention to Gabe. “I met him, he told me his name.” Truth. “At the headquarters.” A lie. “He told me he was supposed to meet you? About a job?” Two truths and a lie, pretty decent for a coward, Nora. 

-

Gabriel looked mildly offended at her laughter, but he wasn’t that annoyed. So what if Florida was the first place that came to mind? He couldn’t dream up anywhere else in the world where he’d rather be. The highest aspirations he had were gang-related, not leisure. “Don’t look at me like you’re disappointed in me. You’re frowning at me like my m-” He cut himself off instinctively but came to terms with the fact he was definitely allowed to acknowledge his mother’s existence in front of someone as gentle as Nora. “-my mom.” He rolled his eyes slightly at the pointed glance she gave him, choosing to ignore the words that preceded it.

“What did he do? Simple. He existed, and I learnt of his existence, and I wish I hadn’t.” Gabe’s tone became more bitter again as he shook his head once more, glancing down at Beast who was constantly vying for more attention. “Yeah. Apparently him being an asshole isn’t reason enough for me to send him packing.” There was more to it than that but he didn’t even want to think about it, let alone say it. “Stay away from him, yeah? He’s a slimy little fucker. Don’t trust him.”

[pxndemonium]

✍ !!

‘why isn’t Rey a Kenobi’

[pxndemonium]

🌟

for a secret wish or desire of his

to be in the same room as his mom and all of his siblings again, without putting them at risk.

[pxndemonium]

✍✍

‘what happened at the gargoyle gagosian gallery’

[pxndemonium]

🌜

a ‘weird’ tic or habit that nobody knows about

it’s more annoying than it is weird, but he’s the type of fucker who drinks straight from the juice or milk carton. nobody knows because he hardly has visitors.

[pxndemonium]

🍏

something he secretly wishes didn’t exist

the Minions from the Despicable Me movies. creepy little fuckers.

[pxndemonium]

✍

‘how to stop this fucking dog chewing my shoes to pieces’

[pxndemonium]

🍏- For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

@stvargas

[pxndemonium]

🙃

a lighter, slightly embarrassing secret

he uses the “baby” voice on Bella when they’re at home, cooing at her and treating her better than he treats literally anybody or anything else.

[rp-meme-glaceon]

Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets

🌧- For a heavy, emotional secret

🙃- For a lighter, slightly embarrassing secret

🌟- For a secret wish or desire of theirs

🍏- For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

🍎- For something they secretly wish did exist

❤️- For a secret crush

📲- Talk about someone/something you dislike, but only pretend to like

👁‍🗨- Talk about someone/something you like, but pretend to dislike

🍻- For something bad/mischievous you did as a child or teen that your parents don’t know about

🌜- For a ‘weird’ habit or tic that no one knows about

💃- For a talent that they like to keep hidden from others

🏹- For a talent they wish they had

👻- For something that scares or disturbs them, but they refuse to tell anyone

☢️- For a controversy or scandal they have been able to keep mostly under wraps

🐇- For a secret item they keep (stuffed animal, comfort object, etc)

📒- For a secret journal/diary they keep (Bonus: Share an entry from it!)

📔- For a secret sketchbook they keep (Bonus: Share a sketch or doodle within it!)

🖤- For something they secretly wish they could do with your muse

❓- Free Space! Ask them about a specific secret!

[starlitmemes]

For every ‘✍’ I receive I’ll tell you one item off of my muse’s search history.

If sent to a multi-muse be sure to specify which muse it’s intended for.

[pxndemonium]

noravidal​:

They live far away from here, and I hope to god it stays that way. “The further from here, the better– if you ask me.” Nora offered with a weak smile. The rule didn’t apply to his siblings alone, Nora herself would travel to the most remote part of the world and spend the rest of her days there. If she had a choice. The sense of not belonging felt awfully familiar to her too, especially regarding New York City– her hometown. The only home she’d ever known, yet it had somehow turned into a place of her worst nightmares. “How often do you call them?” Gabriel’s bitterness didn’t faze her– maybe she would’ve found it scary, had there not been two precious puppies around, and maybe, just maybe she was starting to get used to it. “Mm, that’s why we’re both all alone.” Nora said, more matter-of-factly, as if it wasn’t a sad realization. Conveniently, Beast ran off and Nora rushed to after him.

A moment later she returned to the Underboss’ side– to Belle, to be more exact. “Hey Gabriel,” she cleared her throat, eager to change the topic. “This new guy, Santiago something. What do we know about him? You think he’s a good guy? … Trustworthy?” Surely Nora’s definition of a good guy differed from Gabriel’s, yet she hoped to get some insight on the new recruit. Get some reassurance he wasn’t a complete maniac. 

-

“Mm. I hope to god they never get swept up by all that Big Apple imagery and shit. Hopefully they... I don’t know, choose to vacation somewhere warmer. Like Florida.” Gabriel shrugged slightly, shaking his head firmly as she asked how often he called them. “I don’t call them. It’s better that way. I give them what they need from a safe distance.” Before he could offer any more explanation - or any other excuses - Nora disappeared off after Beast, and Gabriel let out a deep sigh, allowing his tense shoulders to relax for just a moment. “Look at you, huh? Not a single fuckin’ worry in your little head.” He murmured as he pet Belle, who was watching Beast’s escapades from afar, much more preoccupied with gaining and keeping Gabriel’s attention on her.

As soon as Nora uttered the words new guy, the tension immediately returned to his shoulders. “Trustworthy? You gotta be kiddin’ me.” Gabe didn’t like the look of the guy at all. Didn’t want to talk about him, quite frankly, but here they were. “We don’t need to talk about him unless he’s done something awful and I need to hear about it.” He narrowed his eyes then for a brief moment, brow furrowing. “How do you know his name, anyway?”

[pxndemonium]

leemalkovich​:

—

“By your tone of voice, I’m sensing you want to not look like it,” Lee observes, eyes squinted. “May I suggest a neck tattoo?” Another slurp, and the only comment suitable for such a reveal: “Okay, boomer.” 

Does Lee Malkovich care about turtles? Bluntly speaking, not at all — but in a world where beasts like humans exist, those wrinkly bastards still score higher.

“Oh, yeah,” he nods. “What would be of me, if I made half of my dating pool extinct? That’s just silly, mate.” Shrug. “’Worried’ is a bit of strong word, innit? But yes, one may care about the ocean,” — the only catch is that he doesn’t — “and not give a flying fuckwack what sort of fight their bloodcells get into.” With all flair, he drapes a forearm over the counter. “Now shoot me up, Scotty.”

-

“Neck tattoo?” Couldn’t say he hadn’t considered one before. He already had plenty of tattoos littered across his arms, and a few on his chest, so a neck tattoo didn’t seem so far-fetched. Practically wincing at the next overly-exaggerated slurp, his brow furrowed at the word boomer, assuming it was meant as an insult, but not daring to query it further.

Gabriel allowed himself another scoff at Lee’s dramatic behaviour, watching his bartender-slash-dealer in the corner of his vision, waiting to see if they produced any heroin in order to shut Lee up as he proclaimed something about halving his dating pool. “Calm down, Thanos.” What, he couldn’t make pop-culture references too? “You’re not shooting up on my fucking bar, Captain Kirk.” Maybe Lee wasn’t being serious about doing it right here, right now - or maybe he was, because this was Lee fucking Malkovich he was talking to. “At least have the decency to shut yourself in a bathroom cubicle to do your drugs like everybody else does when they think I’m not looking.”

[pxndemonium]

leemalkovich​:

“Does the Cartel pay you to get people to not do heroin?” Lee’s chin comes to rest upon his palm; curious, nonchalant, daring. “Maybe send a gram to Kylie’s house, she’ll promote it. She’ll promote anything.” And do a far better job, still. “Who cares if you don’t shoot it up some? Lie to me Speedy, you fucking amateur.” 

If anything, Lee should get rewarded overtime — for granting their enemies advice. But with such delay, any credit seems like too good an illusion to ever come true.

“C’mon, mate. It’s a bring your own spoon and straw kind of party.” He leans in an inch closer then, drawing the straw away from his drink if only to show it under the light. “It’s metal, too, see? Always important to be environmentally conscious.”  

“Do I look like a trustworthy voice of reason to you?” Gabriel quipped back. He wished he didn’t know who Lee meant when he referenced some Kylie girl, but unfortunately, the bartenders talked and occasionally, she was the topic of conversation. “I ain’t no fuckin’ social media guru, man, fuck that. No amount of money could get me to have an active Insta-whatever account.”

Ain’t that the truth, he thought to himself, subtly pouring himself another drink, knowing he’d need it if he were to make it through the rest of this conversation. Didn’t need to post photos of himself with hashtag live laugh love to be successful at what he was doing.

Again, he had to put all his concentration into not budging and backing away as Lee wound up moving closer again. “Metal, huh? You all about saving the sea turtles and that shit?” Lazily arching his brow, he glanced down at the straw, using it as an excuse to not stare into Lee’s eyes the closer the man got. “You more worried about the environment than what else could be in your heroin?”