The Navajo bridge hadn’t been this quiet in months. The obnoxious music the highwaymen liked to blast through the speakers now reduced to faint static and the wind howling through steel and stone. Every gust and swoosh feeling like the place was finally breathing. And despite the display of bodies laying on the ground — Isabel’s handiwork — the place never felt more alive, more natural. More free.
As Roger scanned the worn map in front of him, Isabel busied herself looking through crates, boxes, cabinets, duffel bags — anything that her eagle eyes could find to take back home.
“Măiculiță, we got super lucky,” the captain concluded. “Extra fuel, ammo, fancy weapons, materials... Merry effin’ Christmas!”
Roger let out an amused hum, eyes still trained onto the map, tracing some invisible route only he could see. “Told you it was worth the trip, chérie. And to think you almost turned me down because it was ‘too dangerous’,” he chuckled.
The air shifted, a cool breeze brushing past him like a warning, making the hairs on his nape stand on end. Like he didn’t just make a lighthearted joke at the captain’s expense, but deliberately poked a soundly sleeping rattlesnake with a stick.
Pleasant chills ran up his back, the anticipation of what Isabel could say or do in retaliation buzzing in his ears like the threat of an incoming lightning strike, making his stomach do little flips and his palms sweat. The thrill of narrowly escaping highwaymen strongholds just wasn’t enough anymore.
He needed something stronger.
“Listen here, garçon” Isabel chided him from her kneeled position among the scattered crates. “Until you silently and successfully take on sixteen highwaymen all by yourself, I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
But Roger took her scolding in stride. In fact, he savored it like dessert, basking in the way her attitude made his whole body tingle. Content to have finally cracked the code, he had no intention of letting up too soon. And if being on the receiving end of Isabel’s ire was the price for being the center of her attention, then he was more than happy to pay.
Peeking over the rim of his aviators, Roger watched as Isabel expertly put together what looked like parts of a weapon, with the excitement of a child playing with their very first LEGO set on Christmas morning.
As the delicious thrum in his bones gradually subsided, he contemplated aggravating her some more. He managed to make the captain show her fangs, but he wondered just what it took for her to finally take out her claws and swipe at him. The thought alone tugged at his lips, and holding back the smirk forming there felt nigh impossible.
Another gust of wind scattered the papers in front of him. A warning. Don’t. But Roger wasn’t exactly the type to heed warnings. Ignoring the weapon gradually taking shape in Isabel’s hands, Roger wet his lips to speak, words ready to fire like a pebble from a slingshot at the tigress already whipping her tail. But before he could open his mouth, the captain spoke again.
“Had I killed the last guy one second later than I did, he would’ve called for backup and this entire scenario would’ve played out a lot more differently. So don’t give me shit.” Isabel finished by giving the weapon’s foregrip a firm tug.
As her words sunk in and the gravity of the situation finally settled in, Roger’s smirk dissolved quicker than cotton candy in a puddle. Scrambling for an apology, he almost didn’t hear the woman when she spoke again. He almost didn’t hear the delicious words he couldn’t understand but craved to hear more of. And as the rest of his body finally caught up with his brain, he felt his heart soar with elation because, once again, he had scored another victory for the day.
“Moaș-ta pe gheață, Roger,” she had told him. And in that moment, he swore that he’d never heard something more beautiful in his life.
Many, many thanks to the amazing and wonderful @minilev for bringing yet another one of my visions to life and putting up with me throughout the whole process 💖 I couldn't think of anything better to get me out of my slump than a gorgeous drawing of my beloved Roger Cadoret. Not only did it work, but it also motivated me to write again for the first time in forever 🥺 If you get the chance to snag a commission from Anna DO IT. She's amazing 👏
also tagging my dear @cassietrn because she expressed clear interest 😘
His hand reached out on its own accord, fingertips carefully brushing the wet curls away as not to touch her throbbing cheek. The sight of deep crimson and faint plum greeted him mockingly, a fresh cut now adorning her face in a bizarre competition with her freckles.
"Osti, Belle," he murmured, eyes intently scanning for signs of infection, "they got you good."
In moments like these, he longed to offer any kind of comfort that he could. To protect her. But this wasn't the old world. Isabel was no damsel in distress, and he was no knight in shining armor.
Still, the urge to wrap his arms around her was strong. Almost stronger than his self-preservation instinct. On any other night, he would've gladly risked losing an arm — or both — to be able to chase away the evening chill from between her shoulder blades, to inhale the scent of her freshly washed hair, to tell her that he was there for her...
But not tonight.
After Isabel's heated argument with Rush earlier that evening, Prosperity fell unusually quiet, unusually early.
"Yeah," the captain sighed, hanging her head in shame. "But at least I still have a face."
Tagging some people if they don't mind 👉🏻👈🏻 (opt-in/out):
Just gonna share a lil' something from where I left off in last week's tag. Rush's gut-punching discovery 🙃
As panic set in, heavy like the ocean on his shoulders, cold like knives in his stomach, constricting like a snake around his throat, all Thomas could do is stare at the redhead before him, mouth agape with words unsaid and breath abated, eyes scanning her disheveled form — a product of Isabel's subduing methods — in an attempt to convince himself that he was imagining this, that this person before him was not who he thought she was, that this was just some random highwayman his captain managed to capture to gain intel, that this very ruffled woman was not his ex lover that had somehow found her way in Montana, and that this was most definitely not the mother of his daughter Mila.
In turn, I tag (opt-in/out): @inafieldofdaisies @noodlecupcakes @josephseedismyfather @yokobai @whatwouldvalerydo
Isabel did not dare look up at the crowd. Not yet. The loud cheering alone gave her a rough idea of just how many people came to witness the latest human sacrifice.
Lowering into a split as deep as her flexibility allowed her, she embraced the subtle burn in her hips and thighs, welcoming it like an old friend. The vibrations of the arena traveled through and up her arms. An amalgamation of obnoxious music, stomping feet, indistinctive shouting and lust for blood. A strange roar that matched the disquiet in her veins.
Her blood boiled with something she could not exactly name. Something wild, like a beast lurking under murky waters, waiting for the right moment to strike. Patient like a house cat waiting for its prey to re-emerge from its hidey-hole. Certain like a pot of pasta threatening to boil over. Though Isabel did not wish to lower the heat. Oh no. She merely wanted to keep the lid on for as long as possible.
"And remember what I told you, slick," shouted Irwin over the booming crowd. "I won't be able to save your ass everytime you fuck up so... at least try not to land on your neck in there, okay?"
Glancing up at the mountain of a man that was Irwin "Lil' Fucker" Smalls, Isabel suppressed a grin. Chest puffed up and hands planted firmly on his hips in an attempt to seem bigger, more intimidating — not that he needed to —, the highwayman glared with the power of a thousand lasers. But Izzie knew his ire was not directed towards her, but towards his greatest enemy. Towards "fucking Frank" that stood across the ring with infuriating confidence. But Isabel could not see the appeal. Sure, the guy looked tough, but even Barnes could punch his ass flat with one well-placed fist. Why Irwin got so worked up over him all the time was beyond her.
Right behind the warden stood a woman who couldn't have been older than Isabel herself. Her opponent, who always went out of her way to show her that she still had both her middle fingers. But that was something Isabel intended to change very soon.
"Did you hear me, slick? Now don't die in there."
Izzie couldn't wait to finally take the lid off the boiling pot.
"Yeah, okay."
I was supposed to draw their opponents as well, but I am excited, and I am not patient when I am excited 😂 Did you guys catch on the telltale signs of Eden's Gift? 👀 yeaaahhh Frank and his sidekick are so cooked.
I wanted to draw Isabel and Irwin together as a tag team, MK style. They're posing like Jade and Sub-Zero. And I wanted to draw Isabel's gear again because I feel like the last time I didn't do it justice. Also, I wanted Irwin to get his revenge. Poor guy's always mumbling to himself and punching the air. Let him end Frank so he can finally sleep at night 😂
I saw @raresvtm do this for her OC Rareș, and if my memory serves me right I think @g0dspeeed did this for River too 😊 and it seemed really fun and I wanted to give it a try.
✦ Oh heck yeah, count me in!
✦ Finally, I thought you forgot all about me.
✦ Let's make some problems, baby.
✦ Okey dokey.
✦ Be right there.
✦ Thought you'd never ask.
✦ Perfect timing, I need to test out my new toy. My sniper rifle, you perv!
✦ Don't sit on the ground. Ma always said your ovaries get cold and you can't make babies anymore.
✦ [sniffs the air] ... something died here.
✦ I miss my music player. I'm gonna get whoever stole it from me.
✦ We should drop by at Nana's later, I'm freakin' starvin'.
✦ Sometimes I wish I could be everywhere and help everyone at once.
✦ It's gonna rain soon... I can tell because my shoulder hurts.
✦ Think happy thoughts.
✦ If I hear that 'cheer up sleepy Jean' song one more time I swear to god-
✦ [sees New Eden's cougars] Pspspspspsps.
✦ I'd kill for a slice of pizza.
✦ I'm in my luteal phase and I've been itching for a fight.
✦ Do you ever look at the night sky and just... Start crying? No? Just me?
✦ [hums random songs]
✦ I need to train harder.
✦ I swear, for every highwayman I kill, at least three more pop out. It's crazy!
✦ Oh, I thought we were going in silen- no no, it's fine, it's okay, guns blazing is... [grits teeth] fine.
✦ Girl bye!
✦ Who the fuck do you think you are, you piece of shit?
✦ I'm gonna fold you like a towel!
✦ Wow, my aim has gone to SHIT.
✦ Eat my foot, bitch.
✦ You wanna brawl, let's brawl!
✦ [throws pipe bomb] Hot potato!
✦ Marș la coteț! (Go back to your coop!)
✦ Niiice and quiet.
✦ [whisper screams] I feel like Sam Fisher up in this bitch.
✦ Fuckin' smoke 'em!
✦ Bitch said "I'm gonna kill you", I said "bitch, where??"
✦ [shoots the guy going for the alarm] Mhm, the fuck you are.
✦ You go dis way, I go dis way.
✦ Dacă mă ridic de-aici.... Ai căcat bățu'. (If I get back up, you're so screwed.)
✦ They ffffffucking got me!
✦ If I die, you're on your own. Just saying...
✦ Oh, ok, WOW this hurts.
✦ I'm bleeding out but... Take your time!
✦ Fi-ți-ar cățeaua....
✦ I'm fading, partner!
✦ Uau, mamă!
✦ He should... get a CAT scan.
✦ Fatality!
✦ Cold compress and some ibuprofen and you're good.
✦ You're a natural!
✦ [scoffs] Show off.
✦ That was fucking disgusting.
✦ Okay, but leave some for the rest of us.
✦ Aw, but I was having so much fun.
✦ ... Why? What did I say??
✦ Take care of yourself out there.
✦ Let me know when there's more to do.
✦ Let's do this again sometime.
✦ If you need me, I'm one radio call away.
Thomas fought the urge to flee as he spotted the buffed up vehicle slowly and silently approaching the radar station.
The cheeky smile on Isabel’s face only grew wider as she stopped the car and made her way to the back to open the trunk.
“Most of the highwaymen scattered like cockroaches at the first sign of trouble, but this one,” she grunted as she dragged a very disheveled masked woman to her wobbly feet, “this one didn’t make it very far”.
Snatching the signature red bandana off the woman’s face, the captain presented her to Rush like a stray cat that she found in a ditch and just decided to bring home.
“She’s a bit ruffled, but I figured you could ask her some questions and... I could make her talk if she refuses to-”
“Jesus Christ...” Rush gasped out as if he got punched in the stomach. “Oh my God... Alana!?”
I got tagged by the lovelies @cassietrn, @raresvtm, @cloudofbutterflies92 and @carlosoliveiraa to share something from ✨ the thing I'm trying to write ✨, thank you for tagging me and thinking of me 🥰
In turn, I tag (opt-in/out): @inafieldofdaisies @noodlecupcakes @josephseedismyfather @yokobai @whatwouldvalerydo
Rules: Share 15 lines (or less) of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC.
I'm gonna go with Isabel because she's my only OC.
1. "So you’re telling me that while I’m busting my ass, trying to get us the ethanol we need, you’re out here just drinkin’ it? Yeah no offense but you totally deserve that erectile dysfunction."
2. "Roger, why do you only flirt with me when I stink?"
3. "Rush is gonna kill me."
4. "You know, my mom taught me that it’s very rude to use bad words, but honestly, if I had a dick I’d make you suck it."
5. *throws molotov at highwaymen* "Your mom’s bald!"
6. "Let me shut my stupid ass up."
7. "So... Exactly how many bullets can your helicopter take before we drop from the sky like rocks? Yeah, that’s what I thought."
8. "My boy Timber was kind enough to lend me some of his fleas. You want some? They keep you nice and warm at night."
9. *watches in horror as an ethanol truck explodes* "Please remind me, why did I think it was a good idea to bring Hurk with us?"
10. "I know he’s my superior but sometimes.... God, sometimes I wish I could grab him by that jacket and shake him until his head snaps off."
11. "That bitch."
12. "Ugh, I don’t know what Selene gave me, but I don’t think it’s ibuprofen."
13. "What, you think I’m captain of security because I’m good at folding towels?"
14. "Please, it’s bad enough that I struggle with English sometimes. They can’t know I suck at math too."
15. "Roger, did anybody ever tell you you’re crazy as shit?"
Tagging but no pressure ofc and apologies for doubles @whatwouldvalerydo @yokobai @cassietrn @noodlecupcakes @socially-awkward-skeleton @carlosoliveiraa @strangefable @josephseedismyfather @inafieldofdaisies @simplegenius042 @ anyone who wants to participate <3
Summary: After one successful expedition, Roger and Isabel land in a safe spot to asses the damage, refuel and admire... the... sunset ☀
Wordcount: 875
If Isabel had any more coherent thoughts left in her brain, they died on that damned aircraft carrier. Either squashed under dozens of pairs of motocross boots and beefed up cars, or pulverized by highwaymen bullets and rockets. And despite the tranquility of their hidden safe spot, the constant sizzling of her abused eardrums only seemed to get worse
With one shaky hand placed atop her still racing heart, she was glad to see that Timber was in much better shape than her.
“A few bullet holes here and there,” Roger’s voice echoed from behind her, where he knelt next to his beloved helicopter, “but nothing La Grosse Patate can’t handle.”
It was good news, right? Sure, she could walk away with permanent hearing loss, but they all made it through. Timber was alright, Roger was alright, La Grosse Patate... Had new ventilation holes, but by the grace of God, they were all fine.
Right?
A light chuckle escaped her throat, though it carried no amusement.
Rush would scold her, give her the ‘I told you so’ speech. Tell her that the risk wasn’t worth the reward. And even though the last few minutes of her mission were a blur, fragments of what had transpired at the lighthouse during her and Timber’s frantic escape were slowly starting to come back to her.
The captain didn’t expect shit to go south so quickly. One minute she was sneaking around, playing deadly ninja, the next she was running for her life with that stupid fucking package. And waiting for Roger to come pick her up felt like the longest two minutes of her life.
Maybe Rush was right, after all.
Still in flight mode, still high on adrenaline, she felt as wild as the sky looked.
Hues of pink and orange graced her tired eyes, and she felt the corners of her lips turn upwards. Happy to see that mother nature still did her thing. It was like she knew just what Isabel needed in that moment.
But as she stood there, admiring the show of colors, stars and clouds, she failed to notice Roger slowly making his way towards her.
“Enjoying the view, captain?”
Her dumb smile dropped from her face faster than Nana’s victims.
Come on, girl.
Scrambling to find two brain cells to rub together, “Yeah, it’s... nice,” was all she could muster before bowing her head in shame and defeat.
As the pilot came to stand in front of her, she felt her neck getting warmer. How he managed to turn her brain to mush in a matter of seconds was beyond her. She was pathetic.
“You did great back there, chérie.”
Suddenly, the sand beneath her feet became absolutely enthralling.
“You should have seen Timber,” she deflected, trying her damned hardest not to let the blush creep higher than the scarf around her neck. “He tore their asses to shreds. Shreds, I’m telling you.”
Proud of herself for finally forming a somewhat proper sentence, she lifted her gaze to look for her canine companion. For a distraction.
But instead of keeping her mouth shut, she opened it again to ramble some more.
“It was a total massacre. Timber went for their faces everytime,” she beamed like a proud mother. “Couple guys even threw themselves into the water to run from him, but I’m pretty sure they met an even worse fate,” she nodded to herself, staring at the ground. “Sharks, y’know?” she elaborated, meeting the man’s eyes to make sure he understood what she meant. “There- there are sharks in the water there and...”
When the puzzled look on his face turned to mirth, and his boisterous laugh filled her still buzzing ears, she felt as if the weight of a thousand aircraft carriers lifted from her chest.
“Besides,” she ventured with renewed confidence, “you did all the hard work. Flying us all the way here, I mean... that’s a lot of unslept hours, and stress, and...”
Roger shook his head, and she shut right up.
“Seeing you kick ass gives me all the strength I need, Isabelle,” he assured her. A gentle smile still tugged at his lips. “And when that truck exploded, it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Fuzzy memories replayed in her mind, rewinding to the exact moment she discovered those crates of fireworks and rigged the highwaymen truck that carried them. That was, in fact, a genius move on her part. Funny how she totally forgot she did that.
“En fait, the second most beautiful thing,” he corrected.
Isabel made a face. How dare he downplay her work, her craft and her tactics, when she’d just infiltrated the enemy stronghold, outsmarted the most dominant faction in the region and stole their most precious resources gosh dang it he was smiling, he was smiling at her, why was he smiling at her?
Once her face started flushing, there was no stopping it. And when she felt her ears burn, she prayed with every fiber of her being that the deeper orange shades in the sky did a great job at concealing the color in her cheeks.
Come on girl.
“You know what, I agree. This... sunset,” she scoffed, gesturing towards the view in front of them. “You don’t see this everyday. God really said ‘bless this day in particular’.”
Decided to draw the most simple thing ever to try and get myself back into shape. I haven't touched my graphic tablet in a very long time and my skills have gotten a bit rusty. As for my writing, well... English is not my first language.
