(no subject)

[wishingsock]

Building up new CR can be hard, especially if you're unsure who's interested, or if you're just a little bit shy. Behold a meme designed specifically to get around that.

THE TAG (THREE) NEW PEOPLE MEME

Step One - Post your character, include a prompt if you want, and note your preferences for the random generator part of the meme. Note this meme is designed for any new CR, so while limiting certain aspects of the meme (no to certain prompts, only certain types for sex/shipping, etc) there should be no "canons/ocs/girls/boys only"!

Step Two - Go back three tags above you. If you've never tagged the character you land on, and they have no existing tags on their thread, roll up a prompt and tag them with it. Continue and do this two more times. If you hit the end of the meme, loop back around. If you get caught in an infinite loop, either wait for a new tag-in, or go by every other comment instead.

Step Three - If you can't find someone who hasn't been tagged and you haven't played with, it's fine to tag someone who has been. If you can and you still want to tag a tagged person, go ahead, just don't count it to your three.

Step Four - If you want to, you don't have to stop at just three. Keep looping (or come back later when others have tagged in) as often as you like!

ALTERNATE CHALLENGES
-Tag three characters whose players you do not know.
-Tag three characters whose canons you do not know.
-Tag three characters who you usually wouldn't tag.

As in a crossover meme, this is for tagging people you haven't before. You don't have to strictly follow the tagging pattern if you see other new people you'd like the excuse to tag, but this time is not for tagging people you've had more than one thread with!

Prompts:

TYPE OF SCENE.
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑥ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!

ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honour → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.

FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hatesex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knifeplay, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?

Comments

Arnold Rothstein | Boardwalk Empire

[bank_shot]

((very new muse, working on finding the voice and would like to see how he interacts with, eh, anyone, really. he might not be the most forthcoming guy, but i'll urge him to be at least moderately social. have a glass of milk with him, or something.))

I have no idea!

[futures_of_ash]

[I have never seen your canon and I have no actual idea for prompts, so, I throw a starter at you and see how it goes?]

Some people, somehow, just seemed lost. They fit in with the world around them poorly. Perhaps it was the way she wore her dress, or the careless way to she utterly ignored everyone walking past her as she leaned on the rails to watch the sea, but Rachel was not as comfortable here as she was elsewhere.

Elsewhen.

Still, this was a beautiful place and it was safe enough to turn her face to the breeze to taste the salt on the air.

Hurrah!

[bank_shot]

The visit appeared to be running smoothly enough. No quarrels among associates--even Lucky had managed to keep a cool head--and Arnold had just come out of a poker game with a more-than-respectable collection of cash. Of course. He hadn't achieved his status by losing his bets. And then the plans formulated prior to the game were sound, the agreements as binding as any could be. By this time tomorrow, McCallister would be no threat, and Atlantic City would have a fresh supply of premium whiskey.

Rothstein had decided to take a stroll and clear his head before discussing further business prospects or joining in another game. Even the most experienced gamblers need to refresh themselves, and thus had he come to pass along the boardwalk, his men trailing a bit behind. While Rothstein didn't tend to prefer his own company, he needed to fill his mind with other sensations, other voices.

Well. And what about her?

He didn't often approach women, or anyone at random. The mood was somehow right for it, though, and something about her drew his attention. Something about her seemed misplaced, inexplicably distant.

Why should he not speak to her? If nothing else, it was a way to remain occupied without dwelling on business. Approaching, he left a courteous distance between himself and the woman, removing his hat and smiling just slightly. "Good afternoon, Miss."


((thank ye for the lovely starter! and must confess i'm not familiar with your canon, either. >.> do have a question pour vous... first, what would you like to go with in terms of time? rothstein's from the 1920s, if you'd like to send rachel there, or i can certainly place rothstein in a more modern scenario; am all good with either.))

And on we go!

[futures_of_ash]

[I'm quite fine with sticking Rach in the 20's, she's a bit lost no matter where she is and canonically easy to shake loose from her own 'place' and time. ^^]

It took her a moment to tear her gaze from the sea; she loved how it changed from moment to moment. So much potential just beyond reach of the shore...and yet she'd been addressed. It was time to turn away from the waters so she could smile at the man who'd approached. "Yes, a good afternoon," she greeted in kind. She was more than happy to gesture to an empty part of the railing, an invitation to join her in leaning. "Not many people seem to be stopping to enjoy the day, but I'm glad you noticed."

Zayyyyyyy!

[bank_shot]

It was always amusing and a little strange to speech with unknowns on the street. Usually it ended up being a waste of time, but in the beginning, for just a moment, there would flicker the sense that anything was possible. That every [encounter] would yield its riches. It was an illusion, of course, but even Rothstein could appreciate such frivolity from time to time.

Although he refrained from leaning on the rail, Arnold did move closer to the young woman, scanning his eyes over the horizon, the woman, the horizon. The woman was a puzzle, a quantity that didn't fit within his estimation. Something unknown. Something that he had perhaps never encountered.

Curious.

In response to her remark, Rothstein simply maintained his smile. He hadn't really been enjoying the day. He very rarely appreciated the sights or sounds of nature, so far from the world in which he thrived. The air and sea provided a pleasant backdrop against with life in all its force and color played out. Nothing more.

"These days, we keep ourselves occupied. Perhaps at the cost of missing out on life's little enjoyments." Although speaking with steady sincerity, he didn't believe it. At least, not for himself or for any man with a mind toward ascendance. Maybe it was different for some people. Maybe it was different for people who were blind to the power and prospects of wealth.

Re: Zayyyyyyy!

[futures_of_ash]

"Mmmm, liar," she noted easily. "You don't count this as one of them do you?" There wasn't a single hint of reproach in the tone though, just warm, relaxed amusement. People, as a whole, were interesting in what they chose to say as opposed to how they felt.

"Most don't see it the way I do, so I can understand that." Or she could forgive at least; understanding would be quite a bit harder."So what draws a man like you out to see the sun and waves then? Did you need a bit of simplicity?"

[bank_shot]

Clever little lady. It wasn't every man--let alone woman--who could catch Rothstein in a lie, and fewer still who dared to call him on it, even in good humor. This was perhaps a rare specimen, worthy of further observation.

He arched an eyebrow, offering a short nod. "To each his--or her, own. I find what I need from life in its occupations. But even men who thrive on business must from time to time clear their heads.

"What brings you to Atlantic City?"

...I am not getting notifs. I AM SORRY.

[futures_of_ash]

The trick to daring things was to have very little to lose, or very little risk involved. She had both in spades really so why not be honest with people she was near? "Mmm, business," she chuckled softly, "we probably have very different ideas of 'business'." Hers had a lot less money involved and a lot more chasing people really.

"Still, it's nice to pause now and then. I didn't see much when I came into town. Anything you'd suggest?"

HEY NO IS COOL. I mean, I'm apparently just slow, period, so... *facepalm*

[bank_shot]

"Leave town?" That, at least, was an honest suggestion, accompanied by a mildly disdainful flicker of the eyes. "Find a city worthy of your time. Unless, that is, you are attracted to cheap imitations."

Though if she truly did enjoy gazing at the dull horizon, she might have been better off away from the city. She had avoided his question, thereby sparking another flicker of curiosity. Why she had come to this sad excuse for a city, and where from. What her business happened to be.

Not that the answers were likely to be particularly satisfying. What could she possibly have done to be of interest? Still. There was enough nonthreatening uncertainty to hold Rothstein engaged.

Re: Arnold Rothstein | Boardwalk Empire

[thebreaker]

[ got to admit I'm totally not familiar with Broadwalk Empire beyond that it's set during the Prohibition period, but if you'd be interested in CR I could AU this guy up and make him some kind of bar-brawling poetry-quoting Australian ex-soldier that's busy travelling the world after everything that went down in WWI. ]

[bank_shot]

((if the au sounds interesting to you, then i say yes, absolutely. :D i know not about morant, but after glancing at his journal, am much intrigued. rothstein is one of the high rollers, doesn't tend to hang out among the masses... but that isn't always true, and i'm sure we can find a way for them to meet. can always put rothstein somewhere he isn't quite comfortable, waiting to meet with someone or hunting down a reluctant associate. that could put him pretty much anywhere on the street/boardwalk or in a bar/whatnot. anything sound particularly snazzy to you?))

[thebreaker]

[ I don't now much about Rothstein either, but Morant's the kind who sort of- well, canonly enough according to works written on him is totally the bastard son of British aristocrats and was making the rounds in society there for a while, though every single British aristocrat he's claimed to be related to denied that very strongly after his death (might have something to do with being court martialed). He'd probably gravitate towards whatever 'upper class' there is just to see if he can make a name for himself- could be looking for a job or trying to find new contacts, maybe? whatever kind of place rothstein might hang out in. ]

[bank_shot]

((and now am even more intrigued by morant, hmn. sounds like this could work quite well, in any case... rothstein's always got an eye out for fresh or established talent, and could be willing to find an opening or offer a connection to suitable individuals... ambition and loyalty being plus marks for him. if morant were to end up in new york, he'd pretty certainly hear rothstein's name; especially if he keeps any sort of ear to less legal dealings. rothstein--usually in the company of others--can be found around casinos and restaurants ranging from mid-level to fancy-fancy, often keeps office in a particular restaurant/diner, and might be seen walking around the streets with some of his men. the best but not only way to get to him is by invitation or by going through one of his associates... but really, anything could be worked out.

so, yes. if morant doesn't mind getting his hands dirty in some way or another, rothstein's probably got a job or a connection for him.))

[thebreaker]

[ Yeah, it wouldn't be too hard to pull Morant in as a disgruntled veteran who has no love for the Glorious Empire and its Dominions- new opportunities in the New World would appeal, since there's not much left for him elsewhere. And since most of his backstory is usually based around being very okay with murder, revenge, and lying to keep his men alive (it was war, that's what happens) he's not about to go all saintly on anyone. Also if Rothstein's got any female associates, Morant would be absolutely okay with getting to know them (biblically, of course) for an in. If that all works, I could get something up as a starter! ]

[bank_shot]

((sounds lovely! i'd say that rothstein doesn't tend to deal much with women, but that doesn't rule out the possibility, and could be interesting. just as a note, though, rothstein will likely be less inclined to trust a man who got in with said biblical knowledge. honestly, though, i say thumbs up, and if you're up for writing a starter, shall look forward to reading. i do feel i ought to apologize in advance, because i tend to be slow with tagging. if it's problematic, i'm sorry--probably ought to've mentioned in my initial post--but the tags will come, and will try to be as quick as i can. ALL RIGHT. done blathering, and am excited to see morant in action!))

[thebreaker]

[ That's no problem at all! I'm not all that fast myself, so slow tags are entirely ok. There's really no need to rush. And hopefully this works? If there's anything I should change, just drop me a note and I will. ]

The weather outside's lovely, today. Shame he's not there to appreciate it, Harry thinks, but it's no big loss, not when there'll be other fair days to come, he's sure. For now, however, he leans back into the corner he's picked, scanning the casino's main hall and all of the people in it, both coming and going.

From all he's seen thus far, America doesn't feel too far off from England, for all it pretends to be. Oh, the country itself certainly is, but the people... a little more brash, perhaps, and a little more loud, but it'd been stranger for him when he'd stepped from the ships at the war's end down into Sydney Harbour than it had been to pull into New York Bay. And he'd seen his fair share of the world in his thirty-seven years, most of it from behind a gun- it hadn't taken too long to acquaint himself with this part of it.

So from there, he'd talked and gambled and drunk and slept his way through enough people to figure out just where he needed to go to be what he wanted to be, which, when all was said and done, had brought him right down here to the boardwalks of Atlantic City, New Jersey. It reminds him of Perth, when he'd stayed there- and everyone knew, back then, if you were looking to go somewhere or be something, then Perth was where you went. And it feels much the same here, now.

All the more for him, then, he supposes, as he spots the one person he's been looking for- or told to look for, but it's all the same, really. Pushing himself off after adjusting the lapels of his suit, looking for all the world like the moderately well-to-do Englishman he's been appearing as (to whom which far more doors were opened than they would have been to the itinerant Australian he happens to be), he makes his way over.

"Mr. Rothstein," he says, holding out a hand. "Good day to you. The name's Harry Morant, and I hear you're the one to talk to 'round here, if a man's looking to make of a new start at his life."

[bank_shot]

A little under an hour remaining before the final meeting of the trip. Then Rothstein can leave this charming but rather sad excuse for a city behind and get back to the real work. The worthwhile games. A gambling man can only go so far in a city of this size, particularly when intending to remain on civil terms with the city's boss. Nucky Thompson has been a useful if sanctimonious ally, and much as it would please Rothstein to put a sharp drain on Lolly's Casino, he's taking it easy. Go in for enough to keep himself moderately interested, but not enough to ruffle Thompson's feathers. It's a bore, but sometimes that's business.

In any case, he's finished for the day. His money is on the way, and he has time to stretch his legs, make a couple of phone calls, and perhaps take in a bit of air. Time to send a couple of his boys off in search of information.

Rothstein has just released Lawson (the man is off to ask a few perfectly innocuous questions pertaining to the sheriff) when a stranger approaches. Confidant (almost audaciously so), reasonably presentable. A impression of hardness, the imprint of clashes with the world, that Rothstein perceives in many of his associates.

Has Arnold seen this man before? Not so far as he can recall. A flickering glance toward his associates suggests that they've landed on no recognition. Who is this man, and where or who has he come from? It isn't entirely unusual for such men to approach in New York, but here? And an Englishman in a predominantly Irish town, no less.

Arnold stares directly into the man's eyes, lips quirked in a tight, inscrutable smile. He makes no motion to reach for the man's hand, remaining almost eerily still.

"You have me confused with Nucky Thompson."

Close at hand, the boys wait for the slightest sign of trouble or for a signal from Rothstein.

i hope this works alright!

[cost]

[ Ask her how it all went down and Pearl would tell you she isn't quite sure. It wouldn't be a lie, either, though those come easy in a profession like hers (or, they did come easy until the incident, things are different these days). Now everything's lead on her tongue, no matter how much singsong or spin she puts on it. Only the juice, those little glasses of sunshine topped off with something not-so-sweet, reminds Pearl what it's like to glide and so down it goes, glass after shining glass. A wink and a smile, both enough to make her face ache, and—

Down the hatch.

Must've been a lot of sunshine in her system because, honest to god, she's not quite sure how she managed to make the trek from New York to Chicago without noticing. Did she leave, or did they take her? (More important: did it matter?) Sure, her body's alright but with her face gone, there isn't much going for a girl like her. It's an awful long drive just to laugh a girl, fellas, she vaguely remembers telling them when they first drop her off. Only nobody laughs at her, nobody says anything; just gives her a small closet of a room to sleep in and a pretty new dress.

She wears the dress a few days later, after the worst of the sweats and the shits have gone through her system, leaving her hot-cold and flushed cleaner than she was. Here in New York, there's nobody to look after her, nobody to gut oranges with a dangerous looking knife and nobody to keep her company in her little worn-down bed. She wears the dress and then they come for her, putting her in the back of a shiny cab and driving her to a shiny building near the water. They tell her, it's time to meet Mr. Rothstein and (more importantly) they tell her to behave. Pearl just smiles at them in response, smiles as easy as sugar and silk, even though she can feel them staring at the wrong side of her face, the side that's long gone.

Once inside, she's brought to a fancy room in a suite of fancy rooms and is placed in a chair — one of two, both of which are angled to look out onto the Hudson. ]

Does this work pour vous? If not, can cerrrrtainly change. BUT EJBKES PEARL FJHEKBC yes.

[bank_shot]

[Every once in a while, Arnold Rothstein desires something different. A shift in pace, a change of flavor, a novel play to add interest to the game. It is thus that from time to time, he indulges in the company and attentions of uncommon women.

There is pleasure in what is perfect (and his usual preference seeks traditionally beautiful blondes), but Arnold also finds an edgier pleasure in those who are flawed, marked by circumstance, set plummeting in the world. There is satisfaction in gripping one these women--just from time to time--out of the death fall, of setting forth the gift of life. And there is a certain thrill in finding gold where others see only garbage, in unearthing the invaluable treasure that all others have overlooked. Rothstein can attract and pay for the best, but he can also afford to try what other men will not. And whatever Rothstein should choose, no man can or dare mock him.

This exploration has been happening for years. Most of the women don't remain long in his keeping, though there have been one or two notable exceptions. Women with the right marks, women clever enough to hold some interest. And Rothstein has for some time been due to undertake another of these encounters.

Thus was it that when De Campo claimed to have found a likely candidate, Rothstein had instructed him to bring the girl at once. There was some clean-up to be done--the girl had been hitting heavy doses of opium--but soon enough, Rothstein received word that the girl would be waiting whenever he wanted her. And soon enough, he was ready.

Now he walks toward the room in which she has been installed, prepared to evaluate the girl and deem her worthy or send her back to the street. He knows little about her, save that De Campo found her in a Chicago whorehouse, recently wounded and about to be kicked to the curb. An assailant had taken a knife to her face (the why of this was uncertain, and perhaps irrelevant; it isn't uncommon for men to release their rage on the girls they've paid for), and the once-pricey whore became an undesirable and an outcast. If Rothstein wishes or needs to know anything further, he will be able to find out for himself.

And here stands his destination. Rothstein nods at the man standing guard and enters as the man opens the door. A few steps forward, and Arnold is in the room, hearing the door is pulled shut behind him.

The girl is seated in a chair, her back to him. He eyes her poise, her hair--not blonde, but luxurious--the shape of her shoulders. And then he speaks, proposing a soft-spoken half-question.] You are Pearl?

[He waits for the girl to turn, waits to see what he has found and whether she may prove adequate.]

Time traveler okay? He promises not to flirt.

[captain_flyboy]

[Jack loves Atlantic City in this time period, there is so much to do and so many people to watch that he's actually glad he's reliving it. Not only that but his clothing finally blends in. He walks along humming a Cole Porter tune under his breath."

Can Jack actually exist apart from flirtation? ;) ((Also, 'pologies for the lateness.))

[bank_shot]

Places Arnold Rothstein would rather be: his office in New York; his home in New York; almost anywhere in New York; Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, you name it. He's spent altogether too much time in Atlantic City recently. Yes, he's got a good (or at least reasonable) deal going with Thompson, but it'd be better if he didn't need to keep straightening unanticipated tangles. Usually on Nucky's end.

On the other hand, the more often Thompson missteps, the more favors Rothstein gains, and the more money he's liable to collect. That much is worth the too-frequent visits. It is always advantageous to be the man who stands on firmest footing and therefore holds the most bargaining power.

After being greeted by Thompson's people, Rothstein and his own men had s a pent few minutes outlining the afternoon's strategy, then taken to the Boardwalk. They're a bit ahead of time, and the boy's have opted to fill the time by placing bets on whatever or whomever happens to catch their eyes. Never a man to turn down a reasonable (or even semi-reasonable) bet, Rothstein has been playing along, winning some, losing some, but mostly winning.

Now Ossie points toward a whistling man who appears entirely at ease and is walking in their direction. "A hundred bucks says that guy's married, but he's hopin' to catch some free cooze, so he ditched the ring."

Rothstein raises his eyebrows, giving the unknown man a quick look-over. Almost brazenly confidant, as if he thinks himself free of all control. As if he stands somehow in the know. He certainly could be one of the many married men seeking abandon, but Rothstein wouldn't say it's one hundred percent. There's something else about this man, something seeking more than a quick lay, something that perhaps sees further.

"One hundred." Rothstein nods, and in an instant, Ossie's rushing forward to the man. Perhaps not the wisest decision, but while the boy's a decent hand at running a card game, he's got a long way to go in terms of developing a reasonable sensibility.

"He's gonna get himself a black eye, one-a these times," De Campo smirks as they slow their walk, watching but not watching Ossie and the man.

Tipping his hat, Ossie tugs at the man's jacket. "Excuse me, pal, you lookin' for somethin'? I got a girl'll make you forget you ever laid eyes on your wife, let alone anything else."

I don't think so and no worries!

[captain_flyboy]

Jack looks at the man and gives him his most charming smile. It isn't the first time today he's been propositioned, but it's the first time he was offered someone for himself.

"I'm not married," he says with a wink, "but if you threw yourself in with the bargain I might take you up on it."

[bank_shot]

Ossie doesn't have anything to say to that. He simply stands stock still for several moments, sputtering a few incomprehensible syllables, face reddening. Finally, he takes a step forward, lip curled. "What're you, some kinda creep? You wanna try that again, see how funny it is when--"

"Leave the man alone, Ossie." Rothstein and the other men have nearly caught up with their compatriot, and while the scene between Ossie and the unknown man borders on amusing, they don't need to attract any undue attention. Never leave a mess that could have been avoided; especially not in someone else's city. Rothstein fixes Ossie with a stare, an unspoken order to drop the foolishness.

[captain_flyboy]

Jack puts one hand up as the other one flicks his coat aside letting the men see the gun strapped to his hip. He isn't any shrinking violet and he wants them to know that.

"Easy fellas," he says pouring on the charm, "I'm just a guy on leave looking for a little fun. I didn't mean anything by what I said. Name's Captain Jack Harkness I'm with the RAF."

5:5 feel free to ignore!

[hummingly]

[Occasional stage performances can only pay so much, when her under-the-pillow stash of dollar bills have run dry, and there isn't anyone to offer help with her financial troubles, not after she and Nucky have gotten into an argument last week over who is or isn't phone-calling her in the middle of their coitus. It's humiliating, having to explain to her landlord that she can't pay rent this week, or next week, possibly even for the month.

She asks him to wait until her next stage debut, even though she doesn't have anything scheduled for at least two months, aside from a handful of unsuccessful auditions. When that deal falls through, how can she pay for rent? To go to Nucky and risk meeting his wife again? There has to be another option. What he suggests to her, a different form of payment, makes her hesitate. It's only because she's desperate that she agrees, and doesn't flinch when he closes the door to his room behind her.

Maybe it's revenge against Nucky.

She had always thought he was a decent landlord. Even if she bothered him on a couple occasions to paint the walls or fix the heater, it was all in friendly jest. This, however, places him firmly at the bottom of her list. Not that she can say it, not after she agreed. She's an actress, it's time to act.]