[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: #484848; line-height: 22px;"]catalyst spoke to gabe first, and truth be told, even before the boy answered hayley knew what it would be. something violent, something threatening, something along those lines. that was the way the badlands worked, how they'd worked for as long as she'd heard their name whispered on the lips of travelers. they weren't the mercylands, they weren't the forgivenesslands. truth be told, hayley could say the same for the lodge, or rather, her leadership of the lodge. if someone disobeyed her direct word, there'd need to be punishment, but hayley's idea of punishment was entirely different. it was hard labor, it was cleaning outhouses, it was the kind of work you did in silence, the kind of work you didn't want to do. if it was severe enough, it was exile. but she was above torture and beatings, at least regarding her own people. others? outsiders? badlanders? they were another story.
❝how very machiavellian of you,❞ she said with a wry sort of smile on her fine features, eyes firmly on their features, ❝ruling with fear. but fear can lapse into hatred right under your nose. they might swear fealty to you by day, but who knows what they think behind your back.❞ she lifted the glass again, drew it to her lips, and took only the slightest sip once more. she didn't drink for the flavor, but much like jackson said, the feeling of warmth. as she lowered it, she chuffed a bit. ❝but it's your group, and lovely as you are, no coup of your group will affect mine much.❞
she lowered the glass to the table, and it made a small sound as it did as much, quirking a brow at their words. an invasion? no, she didn't think they were being invaded. that was stupid; catalyst hadn't called a large audience, after all, and the majority of the flintlockers combed the forest still. ❝i don't think you're raiding us. you're smart, i can see in your eyes. distracting a new mother, a boy, and one man wouldn't harm us.❞ she wasn't sure what, exactly, he was up to, but she became entirely aware of the fact that just asking wouldn't give her any answers. ❝but, even if i did, i don't take prisoners. that's not what this is, me imprisoning you.❞ she leaned forward a bit, forearms resting on the table. ❝prisoners can get away. corpses can't. and if i was going to kill you, i'd have done away with it by now.❞ she'd done some horrible things in her life, and she was willing to do plenty more, but what set her aside from the badlanders, at least in her mind, was the fact that hayley took no pleasure in it. in the blood, the pain, the torture. it was all necessary means to an end, means she'd never hesitate to take, but she would never step to a level of pleasure from it.
after a long beat, she drew back a bit, straightened her posture, squared her shoulders. ❝new terms it is. the balls in your court, what is it you want?❞ she promptly, head tilting to the side slightly, brow still quirked, lips now pressed into a firm, emotionless state of neutrality.
[align=center][div style="width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.4;"]Aside from the distractions, such as the bitter cold or the horrible glass of whiskey or the presence of the two other Flintlockers, Gabriel had managed to focus his attention onto the interaction between Catalyst and Hayley. Like a match of ping pong, his gaze darted between the two leaders as they shared their thoughts, and he could not help but pick up on the heightening tensions. Who couldn't? It was as plain as day how intense things were getting. Catalyst had asked about an alliance, let alone a neutrality, which had caught Gabe off-guard. He could have sworn that the Boss had declared Flintlock Lodge "fair game" in one of the recent meetings, but perhaps they had different ideas in mind? Maybe they were planning something? Who knew what was going on in that brain of theirs, honestly, and Gabriel wasn't going to question anything now. That wasn't why he was there. He had given a very faint, awkward smirk of acknowledgement in response to Catalyst's comment about drinking, but Gabriel didn't dwell on it for more than a few seconds. Hayley had taken control of the conversation, and it sounded like she meant business.
She had taken a direct shot at Catalyst's leadership, which hadn't affected Gabe all that much. A lot of people respected them ( or at least pretended to ), but to be fair, a good handful of people were terrified of them ( including him ). Speak of the devil, when Cat had directly addressed him without expecting it, the Officer straightened up quickly. "... Punish them." He had nearly mumbled in response, feeling uncomfortable from being put on the spot as it was. His stomach clenched as he absorbed their question, his cold hands growing clammy, and he subconsciously began to avert his gaze to the floor and away from his superior's. It was likely the feeling of inferiority and general fear that he held for the older individual.
Now that that was over, he just only wondered how Catalyst would react to Hayley's suspicions. The last thing he'd expect to see is for the Boss to be cornered and out of options, and the anticipation was building by the moment. Gabriel's head quickly snapped towards Jackson, who had moved to lock the only exit to the shed. His heart starting to uncontrollably quicken in his chest, his lips drawing partly agape, his blue eyes brightening with realization  that they were both in serious trouble. He didn't know what to do; did he rush this guy and break the door open? Did he stand and wait tensely in the corner for the next move in this anxiety-inducing game of chess?
It was not surprising that Catalyst was serene and calm during the whole ordeal, unwavering like a steady flame surrounded by the elements. They were like an anchor in the situation, something reassuring him that everything would be fine. They knew how to handle this. Gabriel made a point to steady his breathing through his nostrils, though he could not help the tight fists his hands made down at his sides.
Hayley had come to an agreement. Not before making a vaguely concerning statement, sure, but it was still an agreement. He just only hoped that Catalyst would smooth things out and get them both the hell away from this place as soon as possible. This shed was tiny, but Gabriel only felt more cramped and claustrophobic by the moment, being surrounded by these intimidating people who apparently wouldn't hesitate to hurt the both of them. He kept his fingers trailing over his pocket, as he was still wary and ready to whip out his blade should something else arise from this near-trainwreck of a meeting.
[align=center] *･ﾟ✦ — close your eyes and taste the sun
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//ooh boy references to death and killing in this one
They weren't sure it was entirely fair to say that the crimes committed by Badlanders could be punished as peacefully as the crimes in Flintlock, a place where violence within the ranks was relatively rare. When Michael attacked those two thirteen-year-olds, community service wasn't going to straighten him out. A couple of broken ribs and one less tooth straightened him out. The consequences were real, not chores he might have had to do at some point anyway. That wasn't to say they reacted with violence to every situation; Sade, a little girl, had been caught stealing food and now had a relatively safe place to stay and consistent meals. She was a Worm and had to do a great deal of chores, but a crueler person might have inflicted a far worse penalty for stealing.
The punishment was proportional to the crime, and they were perfectly content to use nonviolent methods if they were likely to work.
They tipped their cranium to Gabe when he mumbled his reply. "I may be young, but I'm not naive. Fear may be a useful tool, but it's hardly the only one I wield." They may not hold back when it came time to reckon with their people's sins, but they hadn't even condemned Sheogorath before some unofficial, slanted approximation of a trial and a twisted offering of redemption. Theirs might be the hand to strike you down, but if you were good, it was far more likely to help you up. "Perhaps, perhaps not. The one that takes my place may not be the type to discuss neutrality, they may be the type to say burn it all. I daresay it would effect you then."
Catalyst worked their jaw from side to side as Hayley spoke, and as she finished they leaned forward, clasping their hands in front of them. "I'd argue I could have done the same to you. I'd be a fool to attempt it now, of course, with the twitchy boy and mountain man and lord knows who else are inside the Lodge. I'm not so eager for my own demise that I'd attempt a raid or an assassination."
They paused just long enough to draw breath. "But what about when you came to the Badlands? I'm guessing your people found the invitation suspicious and refused to go, but you went in alone. Into the lion's den, with your baby still in your womb, not a shred of backup to save you if the lions were hungry. But they weren't, it was a pleasant evening, and you went home safe and sound." Their gaze finally left Hayley, drifting around the room for a moment while they thought.
She didn't give much indication of whether she bought their reasons, but she decided to proceed so they figured she was at least buying it for the time being. "Correct me if I'm wrong, because I very may well have gotten the wrong story." He had spun what, two or three tales before finally coming out with this one? "Sheogorath came here looking to apologize for what he had done to you, and was injured along the way. You patched him up and then just... left him by the side of the road?"
They waited for the answer before continuing. "At which point some bandits picked him up and thought they could ransom him to me without getting killed." They didn't feel it was necessary to point out that they had thought wrong. "Now, I certainly would have appreciated it if you had assured his safe return to the Badlands, perhaps even felt indebted to you. But I don't blame you for not doing so, you weren't obligated to and he had done many awful things. I hope that we can agree, though, that we wouldn't want anything like that to happen again." One member getting abandoned by the road outside of one group's territory, only to get picked up by bandits didn't spell good things for either group, after all.
//idek what this is honestly idk if I like it but it's there
[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 01/29/19]GENERAL welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Top Dog (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues
RECENT EVENTS done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 01/27/39 ⇥ Visited Flintlock Lodge
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Reunited with their mother
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Fought off Paige's attackers
⇥ 01/13/39 ⇥ Punished Michael for breaking the rules
APPEARANCE dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.
PERSONALITY if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.
RELATIONS dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Single ⇥ No crushes or maybe crushes
⇥ Not looking but not not looking ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close
INTERACTION i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Blunt objects like bats
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler] [table] | | | | | | [/table]
I HAD THIS FEELING THAT YOU'D BETRAY ME ——————
IF I GAVE TOO MUCH AND YOU TOOK TOO MUCH ——————
there's blood on the leaves / there's blood on the sands I ——————
FEEL HIS GRACE S L O W L Y RUNNING OUT ——————
GIVE ME TRUTH GIVE ME A WAY OUT (I GOT A BONE TO PICK) ——————
[align=center] SOMEBODY [I]SHOWED YOU ALL OF THE HORRORS YOU WEREN'T BORN WITH IT ——————
[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: #484848; line-height: 22px;"]they may be the type to say burn it all. hayley hadn't been a resident of the lodge when sheogorath had attempted just that, but she'd read enough notes and journals to know plenty about it. people had been disabled, they'd had young children, they'd been preyed on in her eyes. but that wasn't the case anymore. sure, there was hope, and brendan was young, but hope always had a sitter, and brendan was someone even hayley wasn't sure she wanted to piss off, wielding that stick. they had jackson and lucio and jay, mickey and tomorrow, blake and ellie and herself. the adults outweighed the children by far, and though some, ellie in particular, didn't strike her as fighters, she had two working eyes and two working legs.
❝and if they try to burn it all, they'll see how very difficult it is with a bullet between their eyes.❞ she said shortly, shrugging the shotgun off of it's comfortable position slung over her shoulder, setting it beside her, ankle hooked around it to keep it from falling. no one, no one would threaten her home, never again, not as long as it was hope's home. her life had been shit, raising herself, living as a nomad, and it wasn't one she'd let her daughter have. if she wasn't around, then jackson would be, she'd made damn sure of it.
and at the mention of the party she'd attended, she could feel jackson looking at her. she glanced at him, and though his features were guarded, she understood his thoughts, one parent of hope to another. she understood plenty that he thought the action, at least as catalyst described it, had been stupid. and maybe it had. but there'd been rewards to it just the same. ❝that was nothing like this. you're in a shed, halfway up the mountain, in an organized group. i attended a party with a group that had no leader, and more importantly,❞ she leaned forward, a slight little smile daring her lips, ❝i was in the heart of your home. i walked through town, i saw all of those children-❞ she nodded towards gabe without her eyes leaving cat, ❝-you call soldiers, and i might not have a perfect memory, but i'm willing to bet i could find that casino again if i wanted. you, on the other hand, might need to spend another day and a half to find even one of our camps. assuming you don't freeze to death, or get mauled.❞ that was the problem with living in cities, like the badlands and northstar did. if the city burned down, there weren't a whole lot of options. but if anything happened to the lodge, they still had the village, half a days trip away.
at the mention of the sheogorath... situation, hayley's lips pressed tightly together. she drew another sip from her glass, it nearly empty by this point, and shook her head. ❝sheogorath was a terrorist to our home on multiple occasions in the past. he's killed our people, nearly burned our home to the ground, and most of my people would have happily left him where we found him. if he was my enemy, that's exactly what i would have done. but because of our neutrality, i treated him as such; a neutral party.❞ she explained, and drew the glass to her lips once more, finishing the contents, before setting it on the table. ❝we put him by the road with supplies and sent him on his way. whatever happened to him afterwards, it's not on my conscience. and it's not my responsibility, same as i wouldn't expect it of you. allies would do something like that, bring members home. and we're not allies. your people shouldn't even be trying to trek up my mountain; we're not children in a schoolyard, apologies hold little weight. continue to not try to kill us, and that is what will matter.❞
she understood what he was suggesting, and there was no way in hell she was about to grant them any degree of transport. if, say, one of her allies needed help? she'd certainly ensure their trip home. but the badlanders were not allies. ❝i will agree to treat them, and i will agree to ensure they make it safely to the bottom of the mountain, out of harms way with a few says supplies, but i'm not about to send any of my people off on a field trip to the badlands because someone was lacking the brain cells to march on up a mountain roaming with bears, wolves, and subzero temperatures. i can offer to put them on a horse, but that's the furthest i'll go.❞ horses were fast and capable, and they stood a solid shot off of the mountain, away from predators who saw them as dinner. but, at the end of the day, horses would be shot and rendered useless. still, it was some form of compromise. ❝and i'd expect the same, should one of my residents end up in your territory. treatment, a few days rations, and a horse back.❞
but there was another concern she wanted to discuss. ❝crimes. if someone from the badlands were to, say, come up the mountain and kill one of my people, or try to play pyro again. i'd want them to be handed over, to stand trial here for their crimes. likewise, i'll willingly hand over any of my people, though i'm willing to bet they we generally tend to not be as violent or troublesome as some of yours.❞
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For a moment, their heart rate sped up. It was a detail that the others would likely not be able to notice, but their breathing was forced to stay the same. When Hayley rested the shotgun beside her, they couldn't deny the relief in their exhale. If she decided to shoot, they wouldn't be able to save themself and Gabe. It'd be one or the other, and they weren't interested in choosing today. Or ever. (And that's if they were lucky enough to be able to save one.)
"Even without the bullet, I imagine the snow would put a damper on any attempts at arson. Either way it's a fool's errand." They said casually, wishing their pulse would get the message and slow the fuck down already. They tilted their head to the side. "I call children soldiers now? I hadn't heard." They wanted to do more to refute her claims, point out that the faces in the Badlands were almost nothing like the ones she remembered. Of the people she might recall, three of them were still around; and yes, two of them were children. Two were sitting in this shed. Catalyst, Gabriel and Lake. Oh, Lake; had Hayley spoken to her at all? Did she know that the girl was as wild as their terrain and twice as brutal? Did she realize that Lake was not a soldier, that she was something else entirely?
But Lake was the exception, not the rule. The other kids - Gabriel, Willow, Paige, North - they all had something in them. Gabriel thought the path to manhood lie in being a thug, Willow was like a moth to a flame if moths could use matches, Paige tried to hide the violence thrumming in her veins but it didn't take much to coax it out, and North wanted desperately to learn how to fight. They were children brought up in a bloody world, and the only way they would survive is if they gave out as much as they took. They might enable that, encourage that, teach them, but they wouldn't call those kids soldiers. Mike was a soldier.
Besides, talking about their capacity to hurt the Lodge wouldn't win them any points and, in the event that they did decide to attack, would reveal their strengths. Better that she feel safe, that they were at comparable strengths, or better yet that Flintlock was in the better position. Threatening her wouldn't get them anywhere, even though she seemed to think that threatening them would get her somewhere.
"And I appreciate your actions, I brought up Sheogorath because his visit was recent, we both recall it and there were regrettable aspects as well as laudable ones. If you'd rather we leave it as simply we don't kill each other, that suits me just fine. If you'd like to collaborate so that people like that one," again they angled their head towards Brendan, "might see us as neutral, not enemies, then my reference to Sheogorath will have double relevancy. But if not, of course we would do the same for your people."
Cat drummed their fingers on their leg for a moment while they considered her demand. "If you'd like me to bring you, in your words, violent and troublesome people that tried to commit crimes against you, then I will. I'd hope once they served out whatever punishment you decided, they'd be returned home." They didn't like it, no, but it wasn't especially difficult to agree to.
[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 02/04/19]GENERAL welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Top Dog (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues
RECENT EVENTS done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 01/27/39 ⇥ Visited Flintlock Lodge
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Reunited with their mother
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Fought off Paige's attackers
APPEARANCE dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.
PERSONALITY if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.
RELATIONS dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Single ⇥ No crushes or maybe crushes
⇥ Not looking but not not looking ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close
INTERACTION i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Blunt objects like bats
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler] [table] | | | | | | [/table]
I HAD THIS FEELING THAT YOU'D BETRAY ME ——————
IF I GAVE TOO MUCH AND YOU TOOK TOO MUCH ——————
there's blood on the leaves / there's blood on the sands I ——————
FEEL HIS GRACE S L O W L Y RUNNING OUT ——————
GIVE ME TRUTH GIVE ME A WAY OUT (I GOT A BONE TO PICK) ——————
[align=center] SOMEBODY [I]SHOWED YOU ALL OF THE HORRORS YOU WEREN'T BORN WITH IT ——————
[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: black; line-height: 22px;"] ☁ he feigned innocence to it, and she, after a moment's consideration, decided not to press it any further. but her eyes called bullshit on it, on his acting like children existed in a proximity to the badlands as only children and nothing more. he acted as though he hadn't brought a boy who couldn't be older than fourteen into the line of danger. even if he'd assumed the best, that she wouldn't regard them as enemies, the trek wasn't one for the young. the few children who made it up, in generally, didn't go back down. it was below freezing, there was an uncontrolled wildlife with a taste for blood, and getting lost and dying out there was more likely than not.
all she'd respond was a simple shrug of a shoulder. ❝if they're not your soldiers, then i suppose that would mean you've got a hell of a childcare system. i hope you're ensuring they get a good education.❞ she remarked, tone not quite offending, but more so not caring, whilst insinuating that they did. and they did, to varying degrees; classes were being worked on, but they only had two youths of learning age, and getting brendan and eloise in one place wasn't easy. she spoke of the child soldiers as though she herself didn't have a fourteen year old boy as her highest adviser, but brendan had proven himself on than one account. she wouldn't trust a child to watch hope, and she wouldn't let a child be there. brendan had no desire to prove himself as some sort of man, he'd proven as much to hayley already. there was a reason why he was an advisor, while grown men like jackson and mickey weren't; with no offense to them, she trusted brendan for some unspoken reason that she never bothered to question.
he brought up the sheogorath situation once more, and once more, a brow was quirked. she pushed herself out from her seat and rested her palms on the table, leaning over and peering down at cat. ❝the only regrettable part of the situation is that one of your men bothered coming where he was not wanted or welcome. i have no regrets about anything that happened.❞ perhaps one day she might regret even bothering to help him in the first place, but she didn't in that moment. instead, she straightened, grabbing her glass and walking over to the bottle to pour another third of a glass. she seemed entirely unfazed by the liquid, and anyone who noticed her still steely resolve might realize that her tolerance was high, and that it was powerful. she had, after all, been drinking since younger than either gabe or brendan were at that moment.
❝of course.❞ she said in reference to returning them, entirely meaning it. she was a woman who believed in justice; they'd be imprisoned for a time, and once they'd served their sentence, returned home, at least in most cases. but there were some things that imprisonment couldn't justify. murder, sexual assault, or, god forbid, kidnapping; those would all result in capital punishment. but sure, she'd return the body.
❝now, in light of the holiday party i was invited to,❞ she said, returning to her seat and drawing another sip, ❝do you propose we continue inviting one another to peaceful-❞ she'd make a face as she said the next work ❝-soirees on occasion? or would you rather we minimize communication between our people?❞ the ball was entirely in cat's court on this one, as it was clear hayley didn't care much either way. it wasn't as though the lodge really held events, aside from perhaps intimate little birthday parties, that really more or less meant some cake with dinner and throughout the day giving gifts. and that was, of course, assuming the birthday-haver even chose to make their birthdate known. they didn't really have parties; she'd rung in the new year in her bedroom, rocking hope to sleep, and any sort of christmas festivities had been disrupted by her unexpected early delivery of her daughter. there was... valentines day? but that, too, was of very little significance, though she suspected some of the older members might end up drunk in someone elses bed, or perhaps she could talk eloise into making valentines with her.
in short, the lodge wasn't exactly a happening place for parties. but, if they had one, this response would decide if they'd continue celebrating amongst themselves, or perhaps invite the badlanders, and so on. ❝and, of course, are there any other demands you have?❞ she'd ask, motioning to cat with one hand while she drew the glass to her lips with the other.
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Okay, to say that the teenagers in the Badlands were like teenagers of the old world, worrying about their social drama and school and college and families and jobs... No, of course they weren't like that. They didn't even possess that sort of naivete or innocence. But would you argue that the Flintlock kids are any different? They have to learn to fight, otherwise they'll just end up getting killed. She wouldn't leave Brendan to be defenseless, would she? "The only education that matters." She could take that however she wanted; Cat was a fighter, not a scholar, and there weren't many academic skills or knowledge that they could pass on. Unless the kids wanted to learn Latin... but who the fug cared about learning Latin these days?
Catalyst crossed their arms. "I'd argue that a group of bandits that close to your border and feeling confident enough to demand ransom from me isn't ideal for either one of our groups, but fair enough." Did they want the chance to assert themself and the Badlands over anyone that might have the gall to challenge them? Of course they did, and if they could turn it into some sort of co-operative venture with Flintlock, they could stand to benefit too. A reputation boost, safer borders, and more reason to trust the Badlands.
They nodded in acknowledgement that any Badlanders sent to Flintlock for punishment would be sent home after. Cat tilted their head from side to side as they considered her next question. Having bonds with Flintlock might mean their people were less likely to take it upon themselves to attack, and it could do a lot to keep things amicable. Even if the idea of coming back to Flintlock or putting on a big party was exhausting. "I'd be open to it." They thought for a moment, then shook their head. "No, I don't think so. Do you?"
//ew this sucks but it's up
[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 02/04/19]GENERAL welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Top Dog (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues
RECENT EVENTS done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 01/27/39 ⇥ Visited Flintlock Lodge
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Reunited with their mother
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Fought off Paige's attackers
APPEARANCE dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.
PERSONALITY if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.
RELATIONS dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Single ⇥ No crushes or maybe crushes
⇥ Not looking but not not looking ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close
INTERACTION i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Blunt objects like bats
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler] [table] | | | | | | [/table]
I HAD THIS FEELING THAT YOU'D BETRAY ME ——————
IF I GAVE TOO MUCH AND YOU TOOK TOO MUCH ——————
there's blood on the leaves / there's blood on the sands I ——————
FEEL HIS GRACE S L O W L Y RUNNING OUT ——————
GIVE ME TRUTH GIVE ME A WAY OUT (I GOT A BONE TO PICK) ——————
[align=center] SOMEBODY [I]SHOWED YOU ALL OF THE HORRORS YOU WEREN'T BORN WITH IT ——————
[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: calibri; font-size: 8pt; color: black; line-height: 22px;"] ☁ it seemed that the conversation was dying down to a close, and frankly, hayley was glad for it. she had things to do, animals to tend to, a child that her heart was pulling to see after a conversation like this. and god, she needed some caffeine, the mental hoops she had to dance through in these types of interactions were exhausting.
she didn't react to the bandit's comment, not entirely giving a shit. what happened off of the mountain really wasn't her issue; her concern was limited to the snowy slopes and the valley below, which had remained largely untouched. ❝alright then,❞ she said, standing up and readjusting her coat, nodding towards cat and, subsequently, gabe, ❝if that's all then you two had better be going before it gets much later. this weather is warm compared to nightfall, and really, i'd hate to have to cut off any frozen toes.❞ she said, and her eyes shifted towards gabe. big man as he tried to seem, visiting a dangerous group with someone like cat, drinking whisky, he was a kid. and the alcohol, while it might make him feel warm, would really only make his body temperature colder.
so she shrugged off her coat, which was in fact visibly unisex, one of the many she'd simply plucked from the coat closet, and walked over to gabe, holding it out. ❝you won't make it halfway to the bottom without it, that drink's lowering your core temperature as we speak.❞ she told him firmly, making it clear that taking the coat wasn't an option. they did, after all, have an abundance of them, and even without the parka, she wore several layers.
her eyes shifted to jackson, who looked a hell of a lot less tired than she did, and she nodded to him. ❝make sure they find the bottom?❞ she asked, and glanced at the pair of badlanders after a moment. ❝brendan's the least of your issues out here; you're far more likely to get a limb gnawed off by a bear or a wolf.❞ she explained, handing the gun to jackson. he didn't speak as he took it, pressing his lips against the top of her head, and she didn't react to the kiss. frankly, she was just too tired to care, and instead welcomed the idea of him holding her beside the fire when they returned to the top of the lodge. difficult as she could be, particularly in regard to jackson, there was a reason he was there and not new orleans.
❝alright then,❞ jackson said, turning to the pair, ❝let's get going.❞
They wouldn't lie, they'd be glad to see the wind down of the conversation too. The sooner this was over the sooner they could go back to warmer temperatures.
It seemed that Hayley had no interest in what they were trying to hint at, even now that it was a little bit clearer what they were trying to imply. Fine, that would have been a lot of work anyway. "I'd hate to have my toes cut off." They said, flashing what they hoped was a sort of charming smile. "Thanks," they added as she shrugged off her coat for Gabe. As cold as they were, they didn't want Gabe freezing. They didn't bring him up here to get him killed. Cat stood up and winked at Hayley. "I might not have a whole arse shotgun, but I didn't come without fire power." Not that they had any intention of using it - they hated guns, but they knew that sometimes resolving things with fists wasn't an option, and they didn't want to get themself or their companion killed by not bringing anything that could quickly kill from a distance. "Lead the way, mountain man."
//this sucks bleh
[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 02/08/19]GENERAL welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Boss (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues
RECENT EVENTS done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 02/07/39 ⇥ Reunited with Susie
⇥ 02/05/38 ⇥ Started their revenge on Jeremy
⇥ 02/04/39 ⇥ Kissed Gavril
⇥ 02/04/39 ⇥ Returned from Flintlock
⇥ 01/27/39 ⇥ Visited Flintlock Lodge
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Reunited with their mother
⇥ 01/21/39 ⇥ Fought off Paige's attackers
APPEARANCE dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.
PERSONALITY if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.
RELATIONS dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Single ⇥ No crushes or maybe crushes
⇥ Not looking but not not looking ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close
INTERACTION i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Blunt objects like bats
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler]
I HAD THIS FEELING THAT YOU'D BETRAY ME ——————
IF I GAVE TOO MUCH AND YOU TOOK TOO MUCH ——————
there's blood on the leaves / there's blood on the sands I ——————
FEEL HIS GRACE S L O W L Y RUNNING OUT ——————
GIVE ME TRUTH GIVE ME A WAY OUT (I GOT A BONE TO PICK) ——————
[align=center] SOMEBODY [I]SHOWED YOU ALL OF THE HORRORS YOU WEREN'T BORN WITH IT ——————
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