#dead-shuffle

[selancastsvalor]

see now that i wrote that scoff + ar story now i’m wondering about their history. they knew each other since ar was at least 18, maybe earlier. so ar knew scoff around when he first ran away from home, before he got into organized crime. how well did they know each other? were they friends ever? plus there’s that nice little bit where ar never got to put scoff behind bars because he died, and scoff died soon after. scoff was going to try to save ar too, before the company ruined the plan. of course it was so they could undermine english, but i’m sure there was sentimentality there too. scoff trying to save an old friend, and then failing.......

[selanpike]

Dead Shuffle pchum interlude

sO HERE’S A FUN STORY. At some point while I was writing Dead Shuffle, Isa and I did a pchum log as Scoff and Inny, taking place during Dead Shuffle, while Scoff was dying of his magic sickness. Then I completely forgot about it. Then today while laughing to myself about angst and shit I remembered it and dug it up and was shocked to find tHIS LOG SETS UP THE PLOT FOR APOCRYTHESIS. Apocrythesis was not planned at this point, it was not even a glimmer in my eye, yet somehow we set up the plot for it and then promptly forgot. I’m freaking out a little wow????

So here it is!! A nice angsty log that foreshadows Apocrythesis really, rEALLY WELL.

[03:01] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS] began pestering perniciousInnovator [PI] at 03:01 -- [03:03] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  has been stuck in bed at the hideout for days. He is 100% fed up with it. He gets up, gets dressed, and then proceeds to get dizzy and collapse, falling into the nightstand and knocking it over in the process. There is no way nobody heard that racket. -- [03:28] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  heard the racket. It interrupted his reading time, god damn it. He warps himself the whopping five feet into Scofflaw's room rather than go knock, because Scofflaw's a stubborn prick, and also he might actually be dead. -- [03:29] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  is feebly trying to pull himself off the floor. -- [03:34] PI: God, Scoff, what are you -doing-? [03:34] PS: 'm gettin' outta here. [03:34] PS: Gimme a hand. [03:35] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  gets him on his feet, in no small part due to magic being able to lift him better than he ever could. -- [03:35] PI: You're not going anywhere, you can't even walk. [03:35] PS: 'm fine. I jus' tripped, 's all. [03:36] PI: Liar. [03:37] PS: 'm fuckin' sick 'f this room, Inny. [03:43] PI: Where did you think you were going to go in your state? [03:44] PS: Th' bar. [03:44] PS: Get a damn drink. [03:46] PI: That'll go over well. [03:46] PS: Maybe 't would 'f you'd help me. [03:46] PI: You'll get halfway through a beer and then vomit so damn much you'll paint the floors black. [03:46] PS: Fuck you. [03:47] PI: You'd collapse from exhaustion. [03:48] PS: 't least I'd get some fresh air. [03:52] PI: No, I meant- nevermind. [03:52] PI: Damn it, fine. [03:52] PI: But you're not going drinking. [03:52] PI: We'll take a walk. [03:52] PS: THANK you. Fuck. [03:53] PI: Put a coat on. [03:54] PS: I was gettin' t' that. [03:54] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  wobbles over to his closet and pulls on his trenchcoat. -- [03:56] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  holds onto Scofflaw's arm, and warps them outside rather than deal with stairs. -- [03:57] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  has to take a few deep breaths. Even when he's not the one doing the magic, teleporting is rough on him. -- [03:59] PI: Feel like going back to bed yet? [03:59] PS: Never. [04:09] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  continues holding onto Scofflaw's arm, then. -- [04:09] PI: Fine. Where do you want to go? [04:09] PS: Anywhere. Surprise me. [04:18] PI: Alright. Let's head north. [04:19] PS: Sounds good. Lead th' way. [04:20] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  proceeds to drag him over several blocks. More than enough for him to get exhausted. -- [04:21] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  leans on Inny more and more as they walk, but like hell is he gonna admit to being worn out. -- [04:22] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  stops, once Scoff's good and tuckered out, and warps them into a different building. An empty penthouse, one which doesn't belong to them and they are undoubtedly in illegally. -- [04:24] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  gently lowers himself onto the floor. He was about ready to keel over and he might as well save his dignity by making is deliberate. -- [04:24] PS: ((*it)) [04:24] PI: Regret the walk yet? [04:25] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  shakes his head, trying to catch his breath. -- [04:28] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  sighs, and scoops him up once more, unloading him onto a rather swanky couch. -- [04:29] PS: Thanks. [04:32] -- perniciousInnovator [PI] ceased pestering pulchritudinousScumbag [PS] at 04:32 -- [10:08] -- perniciousInnovator [PI] began pestering pulchritudinousScumbag [PS] at 22:08 -- [10:08] PI: Still doing okay, Scoff? [10:09] PS: 'bout 's fine 's I can be. [10:12] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  doesn't say 'which isn't much'. -- [10:12] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  does bring him a blanket and some juice. Juice is healthy, right? -- [10:18] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  wraps himself up, snubs his nose at the juice, then takes it anyway. He stares out the window. -- [10:18] PS: 'sa nice view. [10:20] PI: Yeah. You can practically see the whole city. [10:20] PS: Guess I better enjoy my city while I still can, huh. [10:21] PI: ... Yeah. Guess so. [10:21] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  wraps his arms around Scoff's shoulders. -- [10:22] PS: Do ya' think 't was dumb 'f me t' sign on with th' horrorterrors? [10:22] PS: I mean. Was it worth it, y' think? [10:28] PI: Well. [10:28] PI: Without them, we wouldn't own a city right now, but... [10:28] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  gestures weakly. -- [10:28] PI: It was worth it so long as you don't regret it, I suppose. [10:29] PS: That's what I can't figure out. [10:29] PS: I mean. We had some good times. [10:29] PS: 'n I never woulda met Doxy 'f it ain't for it, I guess, 'n I wouldn't trade her f'r th' world, but. [10:30] PS: I dunno. I jus' think back to our early days, when we were jus' a pair 'f goobers livin' together 'n barely gettin' by 'n I. [10:30] PS: I kinda miss it. [10:30] PI: I do too, sometimes. [10:30] PI: But we can't return to the past. [10:31] PS: World'd be a way better place 'f we could. [10:31] PI: Perhaps. [10:32] PI: But, this is what we wanted. This is what we built for ourselves. [10:32] PS: It is. [10:32] PS: 'n I had a good run, didn't I? [10:33] PI: Yeah. [10:33] PI: We had a blast. We had everything we wanted. ... We still do, for the most part. [10:34] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  sighs and leans on Inny. -- [10:34] PS: You'll be okay without me, right? [10:35] PI: Sure. I'll manage fine. [10:35] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  won't. -- [10:35] PS: 'n you'll keep 'n eye on Doxy for me? [10:36] PI: I'll do my absolute best to keep her out of trouble. [10:37] PS: She c'n take over for me. She's got th' skills, I know 't. Y' jus' gotta make sure she stays with it. [10:42] PI: We'll have Bawd and Delly to fall back on, too. [10:43] PS: Yeah. [10:43] PS: Y' don' really need me. [10:45] PI: Of course we do. [10:45] PI: I said we'd manage is all. [10:45] PS: I don' want ya' t' jus' manage. [10:45] PS: I want ya' t' flourish. [10:47] PI: ... We'll do our best. [10:48] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  nuzzles Inny and whines. -- [10:49] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  smooches his forehead. -- [10:49] PI: What is it? [10:49] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  whines again and pauses before answering. -- [10:49] PS: 'm scared. [10:50] PI: ... I-I know. [10:51] PI: I'm sorry. I'm going to be r-right here the whole time, okay? [10:52] PS: I don' wanna die. [10:52] PS: Not like this. [10:53] PI: Would, ah... y-you r-rather go out in a blaze of glory? [10:53] PS: Yeah. [10:53] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  lame attempts at jokes -- [10:53] PI: ... oh. [10:53] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  shit. -- [10:54] PS: Somethin' people would talk about. [10:54] PI: You'll b-be more comfortable i-in bed. [10:54] PS: I'll be drownin' in m' own ink. [10:54] PS: What part 'f that 's comfortable? [10:54] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  sighs. -- [10:55] PI: Well, what would y-you rather do, have me teleport you i-into Scratch's office so you can open fire o-on him a-and everyone else? [10:55] PS: Wouldn't mind it. [10:57] PI: Or you c-could go Sepulchritude all over m-main street. [10:57] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  chuckles. -- [10:57] PS: What I wouldn't give t' do that. [10:58] PS: Burn that English asshole 'n th' divine fires 'f holy Pulchritude. [10:58] PS: That'd show 'im for usin' me. [11:03] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  considers. Mostly, he's considering if the revival kiss thing would still work. -- [11:03] PI: Do you think you still can? [11:03] PS: No. [11:04] PS: Can barely conjure a li'l flame, y'know? [11:22] PI: Yeah. [11:22] PI: Well... worth dreaming about, at least. [11:22] PI: Maybe Ill burn him for you. [11:22] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  I'l* -- [11:22] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  I'll*** gdi -- [11:23] PS: 'f I can't do it, 's up t' you. [11:23] PS: Otherwise he'll come after ya' sooner 'r later anyway. [11:26] PI: No. He wouldn't want to let any of us live after this, would he? [11:26] PI: I suppose we will have to do something. [11:27] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  like he's got a problem burning scratch alive -- [11:27] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  would fuckinG LOVE TO BURN SCRATCH ALIVE -- [11:27] PS: I jus' hope I c'n help ya' do it. [11:27] PS: I'd hate t' leave ya' with my mess. [11:27] PI: It's -our- mess. We're all in this together. [11:28] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  shakes his head. -- [11:28] PS: I didn't even ask y' guys 'fore I got involved with Scratch. [11:33] PI: You're the boss, and you're the one who's sick. It was your call to make. [11:34] PI: ... we wouldn't have said no, anyway. It was a chance, even if it turned out to be nothing. [11:34] PS: I shoulda known he was full 'f shit. [11:34] PS: I mean, 's Scratch. When's he ever been on our side? [11:35] PI: Never. [11:36] PI: Still, it was a glimmer of hope worth grabbing onto. [11:36] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  sighs. -- [11:36] PS: 't was nice, havin' hope. [11:40] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  pulls Scoff over and smooches his face. -- [11:48] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  leans against Inny, not saying anything. -- [11:52] PI: Could always send you in to blow up the Fuzz headquarters or something, I suppose. [11:54] PS: Yeah, maybe. [11:54] PS: Wouldn't take it off th' table. [11:57] PI: I'll look into building a bomb. [11:58] PS: Make 't a good one. [12:02] PI: My gift to you. [12:11] PS: Make it so like. When 't goes off it goes all fireworks-ey. [12:11] PS: 'n th' fireworks're in th' shape 'f a middle finger. [12:29] PI: I'm not sure I can maneuver that. [12:32] PS: Shape 't like m' dick? [12:33] PS: Oh no no wait, I got 't. [12:34] PS: Regular explosion, right, but 's it goes off we get a plane t' fly by, tuggin' a big banner't says "FUCK ALL Y'ALL". [12:35] PI: -That- I can do. [12:35] PI: I'll just have to instruct the pilot to fly a safe distance away from the explosion [12:36] PS: Good. [12:36] PS: I feel a li'l better, knowin' that's 'n option. [12:37] PI: I'm so glad I could cheer you up with tales of destruction and vulgarity. [12:40] PS: Y'know that's always th' thing that lights m' day right up. [12:41] PI: ... [12:41] PI: You want to go blow something up now? [12:41] PI: Preemptive explosions? [12:41] PS: Mmn, yes. [12:41] PS: Yes, I do. [12:41] PI: I'll go look for some shaving cream and a lighter. [12:53] PS: Yesss, omigod. [12:54] PS: You're th' best friend a guy could ask for. [12:54] PI: Yes. Yes I am. [12:54] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  smooches him again and then unravels himself to go scour the bathroom. -- [01:01] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  just leans back and rests his eyes while Inny searches. He totally doesn't accidentally doze off, nope. -- [01:02] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  comes back with barbasol and a lighter and... finds Scoff asleep. He leaves the things on the counter and lets the guy rest. They can blow shit up later. -- [01:12] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  sleeps for a few minutes, before he wakes himself up coughing. -- [01:15] PI: Hey. [01:15] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  goes and refills his glass before he chokes. -- [01:18] PS: Ghhhhfuck-- [01:18] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  coughcoughcough -- [01:20] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  pats his back. Don't die yet Scoff -- [01:23] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  grabs his glass and drinks. He sputters a bit, coughs a few more times, then stops. He tries to catch his breath. -- [01:24] PS: I. Fuckin'. Hate. Dyin'. [01:36] PI: I'm certain most people would. [01:38] PS: 's fuckin' miserable. [01:46] PI: You need all the rest you can get. You should just lie down. [01:48] PS: Ain't like I feel any better lyin' down. [01:49] PI: Standing up tends to make it worse. [01:59] PS: Your naggin' makes 't worse. [02:01] PI: Oh, fine. [02:01] PI: Go explode shit. [02:01] PI: Run free. [02:01] PI: Like the wild squids up in space. [02:03] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  sighs harshly, then lies down, putting his head in Inny's lap. -- [02:22] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  starts stroking Scoff's hair. -- [02:26] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  closes his eyes. -- [02:51] PS: What do y' think'll happen t' me? [03:13] PI: I don't know. I bet it's just like going to sleep. [03:13] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  doesn't bet that at all -- [03:14] PS: I sold m' soul t' th' horrorterrors. [03:14] PS: That means they're gonna take me, don't it? [03:21] -- perniciousInnovator [PI]  sighs. -- [03:21] PI: I can't imagine what they have in mind. [03:22] PS: Maybe I'll b'come one 'f them. [03:25] PI: Then you can look out for me from up there. [03:26] PS: Would I even be able to, though? [03:26] PS: Horrorterrors're all fuckin'. [03:26] PS: Crazy. [03:26] PI: You're Peccant Scofflaw. You can do anything. [03:26] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  smiles. -- [03:26] PS: Yeah. Y' raise a valid point. [03:27] PI: You'll end up bossing the other horrorterrors around, I'm sure. [03:27] PS: Obviously. [03:27] PS: I'll be th' mos' charismatic tentacle monster y' ever did see. [03:34] PI: I wonder if tentacle monsters can use sepulchritude. [03:34] PS: Oh man. [03:35] PS: I'll tear a fuckin' hole right through Paradox Space 'n right back t' th' land 'f th' livin'. [03:35] PI: Just try not to destroy us all in the process. [03:36] PS: I make no promises. [03:40] PI: That's the Scoff we all know and love. [03:42] PS: Damn right. [03:42] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS]  yawns. -- [04:10] -- pulchritudinousScumbag [PS] ceased pestering perniciousInnovator [PI] at 04:10 --

[selanpike]

SCOFFLAW TELLS. THE VERY AMAZING AND GORGEOUS MAYOR. THAT THEIR FORBIDDEN YAOI LOVE. CAN NEVER BE. BECAUSE HE IS DYING. LIKE THE WEAK AND PATHETIC ASSHOLE. THAT HE IS.

What could have been.

... no, but in all seriousness, you have no idea how much i wished something like this actually existed when I wrote Dead Shuffle. I spent so long trying to come up with my design for LE, and I spent even longer agonizing over whether people would even like it. Having someplace to start from would have been such a help.

[selanpike]

Bad Decision Time with Peccant Scofflaw

dead shuffle timeline. backstory bullshit.

Scoff came up with the name. He could have done worse, Innovator supposed, but he could have done better, too. Scofflaw wasn't known for his good decisions.

A book had been missing from Innovator’s shelf for a while. Inny assumed that Scoff had just used it as a doorstop, until Scoff barged into his room holding the book. Innovator realized, upon closer scrutiny, that Scoff had dogeared the pages without asking. Rude.

“‘s real int’resting reading material y’ got, Inny,” Scofflaw said, plopping down onto the bed next to Inny. He opened the book and started flipping through, before Inny snatched it out of his hands.

“What have I told you about touching my books?” Innovator asked.

“I’m educatin’ myself,” Scofflaw said. “‘s whatcha want, right?”

Innovator narrowed his eyes, pointing to the book with an accusing look on his face. “Educating yourself on--on eldritch gods?”

“‘s interestin’ stuff,” Scoff said.

Innovator opened the book, flipping to each of the pages Scofflaw had dogeared. It was worrying, to say the least. This was a dangerous book. Dangerous to read, dangerous to touch, dangerous even to own. Inny wasn’t sure where he got it. He felt like he’d owned it for his whole life, but he knew that couldn’t be true. He probably should have gotten rid of it a long time ago, but he just couldn’t throw away a good book.

Even though that book was dangerous, and alive, and was a literal how-to guide for bringing about the end of all existence.

Here Scoff had read it, and dogeared it, and fucking highlighted it with neon green ink.

“I don’t like this,” Inny said.

“I got a plan,” Scofflaw said.

“No.” Inny snapped the book shut, and tried to ignore the eldritch whispers telling him to open it again. “I make the plans.”

“‘sa good one,” Scoff insisted.

Inny looked down at the cover. He was sure the book was staring at him. “It’s been speaking to you, hasn’t it.”

“Just a li’l,” Scoff said. “Obviously I dominated th’ conversation.”

“Nothing it’s suggested can be any good,” Inny said.

“It ain’t suggested nothin,” Scoff said. “I made plans ‘n it agreed they was a good idea.”

Innovator continued to glare at the book. Scoff kept talking. “Th’ plan’s this,” he said. “We’re gonna hook ourselves up with some ‘f these shadow powers.”

“You don’t know what you’re s-saying.”

“I know damn well what I’m sayin’,” Scoff said, standing up. “I know wars’ve been fought ‘n won with shadow magic. I know history’s fulla’ tyrants rulin’ not with ‘n iron fist, but ‘n inky, shadowy one.” Scoff grinned. “I know I wanna be a war-winnin’ tyrant.”

“They aren’t going to give you anything without asking for something in return.”

“Let ‘em ask!” Scofflaw held up his hands, shrugging. “I’m Peccant fucking Scofflaw. They wanna write a contract with me? Good fuckin’ luck to ‘em.”

“This isn’t some deadbeat trying to cut a deal on his gambling debts,” Inny said. “These are dark gods.”

“I don’ care if they’re th’ gods of breakdancin’ in the subway,” Scoff said. “Writin’ contracts is what I do. I always come out ahead.”

“You can’t cheat the Horrorterrors!”

“Anybody can be cheated!” Scoff shouted. “‘n I’m damn well gonna do it!”

Innovator rubbed his face, sighing harshly. The book whispered to him in its forgotten tongues, urging him to do it, go on, your friend’s got the right idea.

“Why are you talking to me about this?” he asked. Scofflaw was never one to ask permission. It seemed much more his style to make the deal himself, then barge in with grey skin and purple flame saying Hey Inny look what I can do.

“They won’ take me on my lonesome,” Scoff said.

“You already tried.”

Scoff nodded. “‘s gotta be you ‘n me together, they said.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“They jus’ know we’re a package deal, is all,” Scoff said. He sat back down, throwing an arm around Inny’s shoulders. “And I’m thinkin’, y’know, why stop with th’ two of us? Why not get powers for Delly, ‘n Doxy, ‘n Bawd? Between th’ five ‘f us, we’d take Kingpin down easy. Th’ whole city’d be ours for th’ takin’.”

“What makes you think any of them would agree to it?”

“Please.” Scofflaw scoffed. “Doxy ‘n Delly’ll be pleased ‘s punch t’ do it, ‘n you know Bawd’d join in if you were doin’ it.”

Innovator shook his head. “This is a bad idea.”

“Look,” Scoff said. “We gotta do somethin’. Kingpin’s comin’ down on us hard. He’s already taken out all our contacts, ‘s only a matter’f time ‘fore he shows up at our doorstep.”

“I know,” Innovator said.

“He ain’t gonna let us live, you know that.”

“We don’t know what this will do to us,” Innovator said.

“Whatever it is, ‘s sure ‘s hell better’n dyin’,” Scofflaw said.

Innovator flopped backwards on the bed. The book lay to his side, and it continued to whisper at him. It occurred to him that he never had to learn the broodfester tongues. He just always knew them, could always understand what the book whispered to him late at night. He dreamed of them sometimes. Of the Horrorterrors, and the Furthest Ring, of the vast unfathomable space full of tentacles and teeth and cold.

He’d been dreaming of it more lately. Maybe there was no avoiding this. Maybe it was always meant to be.

Scofflaw lay down beside him and started straightening out Inny’s hair. Innovator sighed, leaning into Scoff’s hand.

“I don’t like it,” he said, slowly. “But you are our leader. If--If this is what you want, I’ll do it.”

“Y’ won’t regret it,” Scofflaw said.

Innovator didn’t comment on that. He was sure he would. Scofflaw smiled at him.

“No more bein’ afraid,” Scoff said. “No more hidin’. We’re gonna bust out guns blazin’, ‘n this time we’ll stand a fightin’ chance.”

“If you say so.”

Scoff sat up. “I’ll call th’ others. We can set this up t’night. Maybe th’ Terrors’ll give us a bonus for bein’ so timely.”

“A limited time offer,” Innovator said.

Scoff laughed. “Maybe!” He ruffled Inny’s hair, undoing the work he’d just put into it. “Don’ fret none, darlin’. Like I said, I can cheat anyone. Dark gods ain’t gonna get shit from me.”

Innovator sat up, taking the book into his hands. He could feel its glee, and he knew that the Terrors being happy couldn’t mean anything good. Still, he flipped through the pages, finding Scoff’s highlights over the instructions for contacting the Noble Circle. It was easy enough. The Terrors certainly wouldn’t make it difficult for their meals to offer themselves.

Scofflaw sauntered out of the room. Innovator heard him pick up the phone and dial a number. Innovator stared at the book, trying to ignore the way the shadows around him seemed to shift. He told himself not to worry about it. He’d be able to control the shadows soon enough. 

He worried nonetheless.

[selanpike]

let's call it a warm-up doodle.

i was thinking about scout and deadeye's history, in the dead shuffle timeline. i think that for a long while, deadeye was with the police, and over time he just grew more and more annoyed with the rampant corruption within the fuzz. then one day snooping scout gets arrested, and it's so obviously a set up he can't help but scream at his coworkers because aRE YOU SERIOUS THIS WAS PECCANT SCOFFLAW COME THE FUCK ON

he posts bail for scout and helps him clear his name just to spite that motherfucker, clover

after that, scout offered him a job and he never looked back.

(he does, sometimes, miss being able to beat the shit out of perps with no consequences)

[selanpike]

Daffodils

i wrote a thing.

spoilers for dead shuffle. takes place a few months after the ending.

Since the fire and the subsequent investigation, nobody’s been around to clean up the remains of English’s mansion. It doesn’t belong to anyone, nobody wants it, and nobody lives close enough to care about what an eyesore it is. The property has stood, untouched, for months.

Your name is Snooping Scout, and you are standing in the burned-out ruin where Peccant Scofflaw died. It still stinks of ink. You’re careful not to disturb the scene, walking over pre-existing footprints, following the path the Scoundrels took when they pulled Scofflaw’s scorched body from the ashes and dragged him who-knows-where. This isn’t your first time coming here, and it probably won’t be the last.

Deadeye says you’re in denial, and that you can’t accept the death of your longtime rival. Maybe that’s part of it, but you have your reasons for coming here. You’ve heard stories about people coming back from the dead. You’ve heard about people playing a game with Death and coming back, healthy and whole like nothing ever happened. In fact, word on the street is that Innovator’s done this at least once. You’re sure Scofflaw would have challenged Death, and you’re especially sure Scofflaw would cheat.

If he comes back, he’ll come back here.

You hear footsteps behind you, tentative and light. You turn to see Nefarious Bawd carrying a bouquet of daffodils. She doesn’t look surprised to see you, but she pauses before approaching. She stops a few steps away, keeping a safe distance. You’re not sure if she’s doing it for her sake, or for yours.

“I was just, uh.” You trail off, trying to think of excuses. You settle on your usual. “A case. ‘m on a case.”

“I’m sure,” she says.

You shoot her a glare, which she doesn’t react to. Then you ask, “What about you?”

She looks away, then looks at the flowers. “It’s his birthday.”

You don’t say anything. You didn’t know that. You don’t know much about him at all, really, besides the things he wanted you to know. You know he was a malicious asshole, that he had terrible taste in ties, and that he liked to sing Johnny Cash at inappropriate times. You didn’t know his birthday, or where he was from, or even how old he was.

You take a few steps back, and she nods in thanks and steps forward. She kneels, puts the flowers on the ground and bows her head for a  respectful amount of time. Then she stands and looks at you.

“You don’t actually believe he’s dead,” she says.

You shake your head. “I believe it all right.” You were there. You saw him burn. “It’s the stayin’ dead thing I got problems with.”

She hums and brushes ash off of her dress.

“It’s too late,” she says. Her voice is just as quiet and level as it always is, but it sounds sadder now. “If he were going to come back, he would have by now. He’s gone.”

“You say that like he does anythin’ by the books,” you say.

“Some laws can’t be broken,” she says.

“He always finds a way.”

She hesitates, then walks up to you. She takes your hat and pets your hair.

“You need to move on,” she says.

You growl at her. As gentle as she’s being, she is a dangerous criminal and one of your worst enemies. You don’t need her sympathy, and you don’t need her advice.

“You ain’t moved on,” you hiss.

She puts your hat back on your head and gives you a polite smile.

“It should be easier for you,” she says, picking lint from the brim.

You smack her hand away. Fuck her. Maybe you don’t know anything about Scofflaw, but Bawd sure as hell doesn’t know anything about you. You’ve been chasing Scofflaw for years. Your entire career has been dedicated to putting him behind bars, from the day Scofflaw framed you for some dumbass petty crime and you met Deadeye on his way out of the police. Scofflaw took your eye, and you dedicated your life to taking his power from him.

You couldn’t do it. You didn’t have the time. You never got your revenge, because the dumbass got sick and burned himself to death. Now you’re here and he’s gone and you have never felt so deprived, so divested, so helpless.

So you keep coming here, staring at the ash and dust on the ground, praying that one day you’ll find new footprints, or eldritch runes, or a crater or something.

Something to tell you he’s back. Something to tell you that you can finally get back what he took from you.

“Speak for yourself,” you spit before stomping away.

You nearly step on the flowers. You glare down at them before walking around, storming out of the ruins.

She stays behind, watching you leave. The wind blows through the old mansion, kicking up ash and dust. Eventually she sighs and disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving behind only a bouquet of daffodils on the closest thing that Scofflaw has to a grave.

[selancastsvalor]

I FINISHED IT

time to hide under my desk for the rest of forever oh god

[selanpike]

ok remember how i said i had an animatic for a scrapped ending flash for dead shuffle?

weelllll we've covered all the material in the story that was in the animatic, so here you can see it. As you can see, it has problems. Ace of Trump is a slow song and so the pacing is very slow. I originally meant for the flash to only cover the ending scene, but the song's so long I had to start much earlier... and cut portions from the middle of the song... and i still didn't have enough material to fill it.

you can also see that the fights played out a little differently from originally planned.

but ehhhh it's interesting to watch i guess. sorry for the lack of load screens.