The Dark Man

for @amaninblack​ from f.reyda verse: t/rue b/lood

Age had never been an indicator of one’s power and influence. Though barely two centuries old, she was already a vampire queen, ruling over Oklahoma and establishing a strong power base. Part of her success, or so she believed, was her awareness and occasional willingness to work with other supernatural races. Her visitor was said to smell different, and curiosity had her leave the privacy of her boudoir to see him herself. While the other vampires in her retinue were enjoying the Christmas festivities, she gestured at the stranger to follow her into her study, the large oak door shutting out the rest of the noise. “I was told you wish to see me, Mr Flagg. To what do I owe this unexpected visit? I doubt it’s to participate in the exchange gifts.”

Oh how how smile was plastered upon the face of The Walkin’ Dude as he made stride within the quarters of the others. Hands within pockets of black jacket, as warm eyes took in the room, host, (YOU’VE SEEN HER FACE BEFORE LONG AGO), and mood.

Yes, yes! He had wished to meet her. How could he not have? Such a young being, and already she had acquired some power to call own. Not much power, but some. Perhaps if she lived long enough, she could learn how to gain so much more, but chances of that were slim in his eyes. He had seen many rise, only to fall. It happened to him even, yet still he stood tall and just as powerful as ever no matter where in the universe he traveled. Still, she could be of help to him.

“Oh, I may not be exchanging gifts in the sense your other guests are, but I do come with a different kind of gift.“ Booted feet to be heard as he made way towards her. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you, and see you’ve build yourself quite an empire. Done that before a few times myself and it never get’s old.“ Footsteps to come to a halt. “Ever thought about expanding?“

“Put it down, before someone get’s hurt“

He could sense it. The oh so familiar feeling of gun being lifted in the air. It had a distinct sound of course that he was able to recognize. You come to be familiar with this sound when you’ve had a gun pointed at you many times in your life, and when you were a powerful being who could do extraordinary things helped with that as well.

He could tell the owner of this weapon was quite confident. Their hand did not quiver, it was steady. Aim was perfect too, right for the head! Oh boy, this wasn’t their first time! How many has the other killed before? 10, 20, 100s even??? How high can one person’s body count get? Why, even he was still finding out that answer, and his answer was ever GROWING.

“I must say, you have the confidence of a Gunslinger..but you certainly aren’t one.“ A pause. “Were you hired, or just feel like doing some target practice?“

“Yeah–––”

People had to be more…BACK-BONED if they planned on surviving in Night City. It was something his sister had taught him very early on when he had found his place here. Whether that was via the usage of helpful tool tips or point blank saying people would try to fuck him six ways to Sunday before they were done playing games. But this guy–––this guy was BAD in a different kind of way. Every time he opened his mouth Vance swore his spine BRISTLED a little at the very sound of it. He keeps it to himself of course. He was hardly one to judge, especially considering the fact that Night City was full of WEIRDOS to say the very least, but the sound of that GUTTURAL laugh made Vance’s body tense up everywhere.

“–––well people in this city ain’t exactly throwing money when they don’t have to. Tall orders mean TALL DEMANDS. Circle a life and all that.”

He figures that whatever this guy was after, it certainly wasn’t going to end well for him. FUCKING WITH THE GANGS was always a bad idea, but there’s a sinking suspicion Vance has that if this guy was placing such a high bounty, then he’s most likely tied to a corps, and Corpos were as BACK-STABBY as they came. So really he’s not especially concerned all things considered, but even still, THERE’S SOMETHING NOT QUITE RIGHT ABOUT THIS GUY.

“Dunno what your beef is with the gang, but uh, you might wanna think about leavin’ town. Killin’ the boss is only gonna piss the gang off more and believe me when I say they’ll be chasin’ after you with everythin’ they got. No part a town will be safe. No pressure, just food for thought.”

”Yes, yes, the circle of life. I’ve witnessed it many times over.” Now this was amusing to The Man in Black. The other was concerned for his safety. Why did he find this amusing? Mainly because he did not see the kid as the type to be concerned for the safety of those who hire him TO KILL. Truly, why should he care? As long as he got his money, what care did he have about the outcome for those who purchased his services. However, he did bring up a good point..

A chuckle to begin with “Now what makes you think I have beef with this gang, hm? Making assumptions? They are reasonable, but incorrect. I just need their leader GONE.“

Because where were sheep without a shepherd? Just wandering animals. Without cause, without reason. Doing whatever they fancy. But with a leader, a tall dark leader, they had purpose, even if such purpose was chaos and destruction. “But you know they won’t be after me, unless you tell them who put the hit out on him..Which is what you are going to do. I’ll even have you tell them where to find me.“ A pause. “This will of course I assume raise the price which I can do. What will it be, Mr. V? Double? Trippel? Give a number, and ol’ Riggs Flynn will give you what I owe.“

@amaninblack​ / sc.

“Yeah––that’ll cost extra.”

He usually took jobs keenly considering the fact that it meant he could get one step closer to his next car ( or cyberware upgrade ), but he had learned in his time as a merc that HE HAD to have limits & boundaries otherwise he’d be robbed of potential eddies blind without so much as a second thought. Leaning back with arms behind his back, HE’S IN HIS ELEMENT. Kabuki was so easy to be comfortable in for him, hence why meeting prospective clients here was preferably. HOME TURF ADVANTAGE as he’d put it.

“Dunno what this looks like to ya, but if it means that much to have it done, it’s gonna cost ya extra or you can just kiss that whole thing sayonara pal. Take it or leave it.”

Oh how The Dark Man’s lips did part to reveal shiny white teeth to the young man. Eyes gleaming in delight, laughter to echo in throat. The Dark Man liked this one, oh yes he did! Reminded him of a certain man he once found in a jail cell on another world. A man who was once his right hand man. That was long ago though. Long back in the days when that world was falling to its knees and-

no need to remember the past any longer. That world was long gone as far as he knew. This world however was THRIVING, and oh how it was ripe for the BURNING.

Laughter to end has he replied. “My, my, someone knows what he’s worth! Gotta hand it to you, most would accept my an offer such as this as is, but you know your stuff.“

It was a suicide mission after all. Killing such a well known gang leader, you’d have to be crazy to accept the job. But the other knew what such a job was worth, and the man was willing to pay whatever needed to get the job done. It was just one part in such a bigger, brighter, more fire-yplan! Oh, the cries of bloody terror will indeed be worth it! It was always worth it!!

“This world..is the same as many others“ Yes, yes! Oh he knew this to be a fact. For as long as The Dark Man has lived, he has seen it over and over again in all his travels to the many lands he has visited. No matter what, this fact he was to give never changed. It always remained true, and would never alter or fade away.

“Death always wins.“

2. Anything taking place in my verse for The Stand, or certain things related to it will be tagged with TW Pandemic. I am really highly looking forward to the new Stand mini-series, but I understand we are still in a pandemic and it may trigger folks. Heck, I’m still nervous as frag. People are coming here to write on tumblr to escape that stuff for a period of time, and I don’t want to make folks upset.

3. As of right now, I don’t intend to change my FC. I still really like Tom as my Flagg FC and wanna keep him. But heck, I may also add Alexander as a FC in time. I’m also unsure how I will incorporate stuff from the new series to my version of Flagg, but I’ll pull what I want from the series, or maybe just ignore everything like I did with the original series. :))))