#syndictober

[amurderousduet]

It’s Syndictober time again on our server <3

Join here! 

[phoenixday]

Syndictober: Pressed Flowers

[almawardy]

The Art of Loving While Being Criminals

Syndictober’s drabbles and one-shots are now collected in the anthology:

The Art of Loving While Being Criminals on AO3

Enjoy!

[writtenjewels]

Syndictober: Diary

Entry 1

Jacob received a letter from Maxwell Roth, leader of the Blighter gang. According to its contents, Mr. Roth is interested in dining with Jacob at his hideout in the Alhambra theater. This is clearly some ploy by the gang leader to get Jacob alone and hurt him. I urged Jacob to refuse the invitation and he assured me he would... in that dismissive way of his that leads me to believe he isn't taking this seriously.

It's a foolish risk to go into enemy territory alone, which is why I have no doubt that it is exactly what Jacob plans to do. This time I'm not going to clean up his mess. He'll just have to live with the consequences.

He'd better come back from that dinner alive.

--

Entry 2

Jacob won't tell me what happened at his meeting with Mr. Roth; he won't even admit he was there, though I am certain he went to the Alhambra against my advice. The meeting was clearly not a ruse to harm him as I feared, but what was Mr. Roth's actual goal? Why did he send that letter? What did they discuss during their dinner?

--

Entry 3

Jacob has been acting very strange lately. He's always been the sort to smile and joke, but recently this tendency has grown. I don't think I've ever seen him quite this happy before.

The Rooks report that there was a series of explosions at a train station the other day. Weapons bound for Starrick were destroyed and the train meant to transport them hijacked. I have no doubt Jacob is responsible for this. His blatant disregard for our tenant of hiding in plain sight is really getting out of hand. When I try talking to him about it, he just laughs and calls it an “amusement”.

--

Entry 4

Nobody has seen Jacob all day. I've asked our Rooks, Robert, Ned, Agnes, even our conductor and Bob. No one has seen him since yesterday evening. He and I are often passing each other on our way to a mission but I haven't even seen signs that he came back to the hideout to sleep.

It is possible that Mr. Dickens allowed Jacob to stay with him for the night, or perhaps Mr. Bell offered his lodgings. Still, I wish Jacob would check in. Not knowing his whereabouts makes me uneasy. I just need to know he's okay.

Addendum: I can't believe he made me worry like that. Apparently he lost track of time. Honestly! Though I couldn't help noticing that despite “losing track”, he found the time to wash up a bit before making his way back to the hideout.

--

Entry 5

I think Jacob has a sweetheart. I can't prove this but he is showing all the signs: he's sneaking out, he often stares off into nothing with a smile on his face, when he comes back from wherever he goes he's always glowing and happier than when he left.

I want to confront him about this. With the way he's been teasing me about my supposed attraction toward Henry, it would be nice to turn the tables.

--

Entry 6

This is difficult to put into words. Jacob has a new pair of brass knuckles with engraved letters spelling out the word “love”. That was such a clear sign I had to question him. He admitted they came from someone special to him but wouldn't tell me their name. He claims I wouldn't approve. Which, I admit, is a fair assumption. Personal attachments will only compromise our mission.

He did tell me one thing about his sweetheart that I won't repeat here. It's something our society highly disapproves of and would put him in danger should it ever come out. Jacob never did have much regard for the rules. Though in this case, it's a rule of our society rather than of the Brotherhood.

I don't even believe Father would have a problem with it in theory; rather, he would disapprove of any relationship due to its threat to the mission. But even knowing this, I can't bring myself to discourage him.

The one who gave him those knuckles understands him. Jacob deserves that.

[lostinthebabylon]

Welcome, October! And welcome to Syndictober as well!

What better way to spend the Inktober month than a list of 31 Syndicate prompts brought to you by our amazing RothFrye Discord community? Get your pencils ready and share your entries with the #syndictober hashtag!

Have fun! 🎩❤️

[phoenixday]

Syndictober: Train

[almawardy]

So, this is happening.

Definitely not sure I’ll be able to keep up with it, but I’ll try.

One drabble a day, that’s the goal.

Today is train.

*

Jacob was standing on the freight train about to stop, licking his split lip while waiting for one man to appear, in particular: a mercenary for whom which side to take was often less important than how much fun he could have. They were not exactly the same, the two of them, and yet… the last mission was fun, he had to admit; perhaps he would get some wine as compensation for his lip. The train stopped and Jacob saw him there, with a black suit and his hands behind his back: he was waiting for him.

“Welcome back, darling.”

Maxwell said, stretching his hand out. He was home. 

[writtenjewels]

Syndictober: Corgi

Jacob wondered what sort of “exciting news” Mrs. Disraeli had to share with the twins. The letter was a bit vague. Still, he and Evie answered the summons. One of the Disraelis' servants answered the door and admitted them into the drawing room. There was an awful lot of barking going on.

“Is Desmond having a play-date?” Jacob asked. Evie could only shrug her shoulders.

It turned out not to be a play-date, exactly. Mrs. Disraeli was sitting in one of the chairs watching a litter of puppies grapple with each other as an older dog tried to herd them into some sort of order. The similarities between the older dog and the puppies made the relationship quite obvious. Mrs. Disraeli turned from her canine charges to greet the Frye twins.

“Isn't this wonderful?” she gushed. “Desmond is a father!”

“Congratulations,” Evie said with an indulging smile. Desmond turned at his name and wagged his stubby tail. The puppies stopped barking to investigate the two new humans. The twins both got down and held out their hands so the puppies could sniff and lick.

“The mother's owner and I have been talking of what to do with the puppies,” Mrs. Disraeli informed them. “She has a few people who are interested, but I insisted on letting you get first pick.”

“Us?” Jacob echoed with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course! You saved my dear Desmond and my husband. It's the least I can do to repay you.”

“That's very generous of you, Mrs. Disraeli,” Evie began, “but--”

“Oh, come on, Evie,” Jacob interrupted. “You and Greenie should take one with you to India. It'll be like having a piece of London. See, that one likes you already.” He pointed to a puppy currently licking Evie's hand.

“And what about you, Mr. Frye?” Mrs. Disraeli urged.

“I've got a cat. I'm not sure how they'd get on. I suppose I can try it.”

“I do so hope it works out,” Mrs. Disraeli smiled. “I love the idea of the two of you taking care of Desmond's children.”

A carriage rolled by that sent all the dogs barking like mad. Yes, Jacob thought. These are definitely Desmond's children.