elDuende

My commissions are open!

This is the site with all the info and the form if you'd like to order one! :)

i'll be honest, my reasoning is mostly because i'm very late to the deltarune scene (i still haven't played it yet) and senshi is an incredibly healthy portrayal of a man, as you stated here. amd i simply don't know anything about tenna lol

doodle with @sk3l3tondaddy

“You inherit a magical artifact from a relative you've never met.”

Eastbound and Shootin’

Written by: elDuende

…..

It was high noon, but we weren’t plannin’ on a stand off. We were in the barn sweatin’ and swearin’. My arms covered in hot muck, and my forehead drippin’ while I sit there yellin’ at the old bitch. Granpappy’s Gun laughin’ at me all the way.

“Screamin’ at her ain’t gonna make her calve any faster!” It hemmed an’ hawed, as if he was slappin’ a knee. I payed him no mind and kept my attention on gettin’ this babe born. I went back in ready, a looped rope in my hands. I felt around til my fingers brushed against hoove. After the rope was carefully around the legs, I backed away from the hefty kine. Careful not to let my slick hands drop the rope, swiftly pulled ‘im into the world. 

“Now laughin’ at me ain’t gonna help neither.” My soapy water had run cold, damn near useless now. But I scrubbed anyway.

“Oh, you’re right. Let me handle it next time!” Howling laughter filled the barn, spookin’ the new calf. Bullet may be a fine weapon, but he ain’t got a lick a sense. 

‘You’re just about as useful as prayin’ in the devil’s mouth. At least ‘round here. I just helped bring new life to this here farm, can’t say you ever done that.” 

“Not exactly my specialty, partner!” He kept on laughin’ as I cleaned up the barn and resettled my holster. I was settlin’ my hat back on my head when I heard spurs and bootsteps approaching.

“Mr. Tucker! Boy, am I glad to see you!” Old Reverend Jim’s voice became familiar over my shoulder. “I have a mighty fine job offer for you!”

“Now Jim, I know that you know I ain’t a man to pry. But I don’t want no trouble like last time.” I turned around a bit riled. The man did not seem to falter at my words.

“Now, now Haven. I told you that was a simple misunderstanding! Besides, I can assure you.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. I never did warm to Old Reverend Jim, and I certainly wasn’t inclined to start now. “I will even give you double! Shorter distance! Its a steal! Come on!” 

“Ah, don’t worry about him. We’ll do it!” Bullet giggled from my holster, knowin’ full well what he’s just done.

“Wonderful! Usual time, tomorrow then!” Reverend clapped his hands together in satisfaction. I cursed Granpappy’s Gun in my mind, although I was lookin’ forward to gettin’ behind the wheel of my ol’ rig again.

…..

It was scorching, the sun blisterin’ anything in sight. And I was itching to get on the road. ‘Nother trek across this vast country. Kickin’ at dirt, and waitin’ on Jim’s boys to load my trailer with somethin’. I don’t care much for details as I don’t pride myself on bein’ a nosy man. Though I knew Reverend wasn’t a truly holy man. But Papa told me a long time ago there weren’t many good men left in this country. He always told me that my Granpappy taught him to be one of them good men, and he’d be damned if I wasn’t one too.

“I’ll expect y’all back by tomorrow, now.” Reverend smiled at me one of them fake smiles, didn’t reach his eyes, and thumped on my truck side. I never did understand that, it ain’t a horse. No sense in usherin’ somethin’ that ain’t gonna move. I threw a wave out the window, turned on my blessed radio and sped out into the desert.

Bein’ out here, underneath the stars reminds me of them pirate stories Pa would tell me. This uncharted land was vast, and dangerous. Untamed like a wild dog. And she would turn on you in an instant. The sand eruptin’, the sky turnin’ on you, and then them alien beasts. I could swear there was more wild creatures livin’ in this sand than in the whole sea. And Bullet loved it. In fact, he was the only reason I was able to be out here at all.

“You’re keepin’ an eye out right? Oh man, I’m itchin’!” This was the only time he didn’t commit all his usual tomfoolery, too anxious for a fight I always reckoned.

“Ain’t seen nothin’ yet. You’ll know soon as I do.” My grip tightened ‘round the wheel, I wasn’t too keen on runnin’ into anythin’. I had no intention of makin’ the ol’ Reverend sour with me by roughin’ up the cargo or bein’ late. I prided myself in bein’ a reliable man. Maybe thats why every man in this town has me doin’ his dirty work. But my Papa did the same before me, and I’m a man of my word. And Bullet’s word, I suppose.

Outside the cab, the air was dry and I could see the clouds gettin’ gray. Common to see storms miles off out here. It’d be a surprise to me if we ever saw hide or hair of it. I’ve only ever seen it rain once or twice in my whole life. Pa used to tell me that’s ‘cause it rained when we weren’t lookin’. He told me that just like every man has his secrets so does the desert. She’ll conceal everythin’ from you, keepin’ her darlin’s in the depths and the heavens ‘til she’s ready to crack the whip on an unsuspectin’ back. 

Even though this desert is dry and full of creatures intendin’ you harm, there are some I do quite enjoy comin’ across. Although hangin’ around ‘em too long ain’t a good idea. Them big ones got some sorta sense, they know what's movin’ on the surface. It’s why I prefer to stay on the road. Seem to stay away from sturdier ground, always why I reckoned we didn’t have too many problems in town. 

I check the rearview, expectin’ to see dust and nothin’. But some of them smaller flyin’ creatures, real bug-like but still the size of a cow, were hoverin’ round the back of the cargo. Whatever's back there, they like it. And they’ll follow a scent they like for miles, damn near days. I am quite fond of these buggies, used to catch ‘em as a boy. Or at least try. They don't wanna be caught, and'll fly above way over head, outta reach. Pa taught me how to lasso then, to pull ‘em down from the sky. No matter, they ain’t a good sign right now. Don’t want anything bigger on our trail.

“We got company, but not what you're lookin’ for.” I cocked ‘im ready anyway, and he chittered at that. I stole a glance back in the mirror again, but the buggie was gone.

“What in the hell...?” 

When I turn back ‘round, a gargantuan tentacle looms over the road. I pull hard on the wheel, prayin’ my rig don’t tip. My prayers in vain, as we go ‘round I can feel the ass end turnin’.

“Prepare yourself, we’re in for a ride!” I jammed my boot down hard on the gas. The idea bein’ to stop and straighten the trailer before she tipped. In the rearview, I watched the trailer begin to wobble and twist. “Come on, girl!” I was floorin’ it now, my knuckles white on the wheel. Checkin’ the mirror again, I watched her straighten out. “Atta girl! Okay, Bullet! It’s time!” He was already in my hand and loaded, laughin’ his ass off. “I’ve been waitin’ on you, pardner! It was time yesterday!” I snickered, and kicked the rig into auto-pilot. “Now, let’s get a good look at our ugly friend.”

I stuck Bullet out my side window, throwin’ a quick shot at the tentacle in front of us. As the shot's golden arch reached its target, I clambered my way through the cabin roof hatch. A bellow echoed through the air, and the tentacle lifted just enough for us to pass under. 

“The hell are you waitin’ for! Shoot me!” Grandpappy’s Gun was practically draggin’ me by the hand onto the roof. “I got sand in my eyes! Damn it, you are impatient!” The wind was strong and full of dust, even my weathered eyes had trouble at this speed. But I raised my arm and fired anyhow, Bullet didn’t really need my eyes. Through my troubles, I watched the golden trails arch through the air, aimed at the beast’s giant loomin’ eye. 

The tentacles were racing towards us now, flying through the sand and gettin’ dangerously close. 

“I think you’re losin’ your touch, my friend!” I had to yell over the wind, and I prayed he couldn’t hear the nervousness in my voice. All he did was cackle in response.

“Oh, just wait! Don’t start doubtin’ me now!” While he carried on laughing I watched the tentacles start breaking up the hard ground ‘round the road, sending cracks into the asphalt. 

A terrible screech echoed through the desert, makin’ me clasp my hands to my head. The air went still, and so did the damn tentacles. Dust clouded the air, shrouding the beast, it was sinkin’ back into the desert.

“HAHA! I told you to never doubt me, pardner!” I wrenched my left hand away from my head. 

“Goddamn, I hate when you do that.” My ears rang as he giggled to himself and I clambered back down into the cabin.

…..

i say 'finished' because it's just a vignette of these characters, but i plan to add more!

lemme know what you think, and thanks for reading! :)

wip!

so I've been cooking this in the background for a minute..