MAKE A DEAL WITH GOD / o.

[𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐋]

GABRIEL GRIFFIN TRYIN' TO KEEP MY MIND AT BAY ————

It's a miracle that he's still alive.

The skinny teenager had been wandering on his own for quite some time now. God only knows how he managed to manage his meager resources in order to sustain his energy and health. Perhaps living in a group full of hardened thugs had taught the boy a thing or two about survival and being independent and whatnot. There was no denying that he owed something to those guys for taking him in and giving him a chance. There was also no denying that he felt a certain connection to that place, seeing as his family had former ties there. However, this wasn't about them. This was his life, and he knew that he couldn't stay in that place for much longer. Did he know where his travels would lead him? Not exactly.

Gabriel knew that he couldn't show his face in Flintlock — they probably wouldn't trust a former Badlander, even if his true intentions were good. That was the only group he knew the route towards, and while he knew that there were others, they could be very far off.

It had only taken him months of roaming loner lands and abandoned townsites, but he had eventually made it to the vast prairie (not that he knew what he was walking into). He was wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, blue jeans, and his trusty red sneakers. A backpack full of his belongings was slung over his shoulder. His face was relatively clean, though his brown hair was tussled and had grown a bit longer than normal. It was nearly sunset, and the glow of the horizon cast streaks of gold across the grasses. It was a pretty and serene sight, though Gabe had to squint to avoid hurting his eyes. It didn't look like there was much to see here, but he had no choice but to cross onto the prairie in order to keep moving forward. The boy huffed and resumed his trek, his lips dry and his mouth craving a drink of water. Maybe there was a pond or river nearby to fill his flask.

SIXTEEN YEARS OLD / CLICK FOR BIOGRAPHY

[roman.]

— roman, although he never admitted it, didn’t like being alone. ever since he could remember, he had never truly been alone. hell, the only time he had truly been left to his own devices, alone, was when he had been abandoned by his own family. even then, that loneliness hadn’t lasted for long until kronos had become a part of his life. after that, he had wished that he had been alone… he was just kidding about that part.. mostly. all joking aside, at least, he liked to think that he could be completely independent when in fact he truly wasn’t. sure, he would be able to function just fine on his own, but there was a part of him that almost felt like he needed people around, whether to fill in the empty silence or simply just to know somebody else was there. and he hated it - but at the same time craved such company.

he had been outside of his home, people-watching like he found himself usually doing when he had nothing else better to do. it was then that he saw the kid, wandering closer towards the little ghost town bluestem now found themselves at. pale blue eyes wandered around momentarily before he slowly made his way over towards the kid.

”welcome to bluestem,” he greeted, then, taking the moment to look the boy over. then, “what brings you here?” the kid didn’t look like he was in the best condition. with the sun beginning to set, perhaps the boy was only looking for a place to stay the night before moving on. still, there was a certain feeling he couldn’t shake, thinking about someone as little as this stranger being out traveling on their own.

//wow this post sucked but
Welcome to bp bby boy

[BROCK.]

      Brock did not know what loneliness felt like. Well... Yeah, actually, he sort of did. Everything he had ever done had been on his own accord - at sixteen he left home, age eighteen involved himself in petty crime with Raymond, lead a gang of lowlifes at twenty, lost a gang of lowlifes at forty two. But, he never chose this life; his whole life was chosen for him by circumstance. He couldn't help but become the man he was through the choices he was lead down.

He never felt like he belonged anywhere.

A nomad for his whole life, Brock had never really settled down. Running away from these people and hiding out from those people, travel felt normal for the man. But, he knew what it felt like at the ripe age of sixteen to be wandering alone. Lost. Looking for someone to look to and hope to God they'd let a poor kid in. There were some bad people out there in the world, and so Brock rather it be them welcoming a teenager in than the cruel people in the New World.

Eyes followed Roman as he watched the assured stride of the man. Curious to see what Roman had spotted, Brock followed suit, only to see - moments later - Roman talking to a newcomer. Ah. Strolling forwards, Brock stopped by Roman's side as he smiled toothily down towards the teenager. Something about Brock seemed off as always - maybe it was that wicked smile, or his sharp and intent gaze. ❝ What have we got here, Roman? ❞ He questioned, raising his brows carefully.

Spoiler: tags :: updated 07/18 • show

basics.
♘ brock van den bergh // no known nicknames
♘ male // he/him
♘ forty seven // ages real time // born third january
♘ member of bluestem prairie // formerly traveled with family and confidants
♘ led a gang with his closest confidants and colleagues before his wife died
♘ group unraveled during his grief, so he and his son soon left for BP
♘ joined BP april 2039
♘ promoted to marshal

appearance.
♘ faceclaim - jeffrey dean morgan
♘ voice claim - jeffrey dean morgan [tw. violence]
♘ 6'0ft // strong, well-built frame
♘ dark chocolate brown eyes and salt and pepper hair
♘ physical health - 100% // current injuries: none
♘ mental health - 100% // N/A

personality.
♘ has anarchistic worldview // wants a world free from rules and regulations
♘ very well educated and therefore eloquent in his ways
♘ pro-individualist idealism forms charisma that attracts following of deviants
♘ has a kind, caring and playful disposition // very encouraging
♘ confident and sees himself as a sort of mentor
♘ shows a genuine compassion for allies // full of compliments
♘ his fearlessness often overlaps into recklessness
♘ very driven by vengeance and his own ego
♘ scarily charming and charismatic
♘ behavior has grown more aggressive, violent, and erratic recently
♘ often gaslights people to have things his way
♘ gets under people's skin using his charm to control them
♘ acts like the group's father and mentor // it's merely manipulation
♘ there is no ❝ real ❞ brock // he changes based on who he's with
♘ hypocritical // every ideal he preaches, he ends up breaking in some way
♘ he cares for himself over everyone else // driven by his own ego
♘ distances himself from conflict unless he knows he’s well guarded
♘ every decision of him is for self-preservation first and foremost
♘ terribly selfish // he only genuinely cares when it's convenient
♘ he would martyr anyone for his cause and has no shame in it
♘ takes in those in need of it, but not without his own ulterior motives
♘ only helps people as he knows these people will ❝ owe ❞ him after
♘ carries himself with the vigor of a much better, and mentally stronger, man
♘ picks pretty words and weaves them together, but is shallow all the same
♘ fashioned himself into something of a robin hood-like figure in the past
♘ he still thinks of himself in this manner // a vigilante

relationships.
♘ horatio van den bergh x tanya van den bergh // both deceased
♘ two sisters, one older and one younger
♘ heterosexual, heteromantic
♘ widowed when his wife, alexandra, was shot and killed
♘ father of jamie van den bergh
♘ once owned a dog named baron who has since died
♘ owns a horse named prospector // adores him

interaction.
♘ bio // playlist // pinterest
♘ physically: very hard // mentally: hard
♘ very insensitive and brutal when it comes to harming others
♘ he'd even harm/omit to help his own allies if it does not benefit him

[ANNIE C.]

She had grown up surrounded by people, knew each one of their faces and names. It was a small community, but it was tight-knight, a fondness shared between each and every person. Except for a few. She feared that she had become one of those rare exceptions, a lost girl that got tangled up with the wrong people during a difficult time of her life.

Thanks to circumstance, she found herself a wanderer, alone after yet another bad decision. She wasn't used to having no company besides her own regret. Having others to help watch her back had always been the norm for her, and suddenly, that was no more. Luckily it hadn't taken her long to find the group she found herself in now.

While it felt nice to finally settle down, to not have to be on the move constantly, it was also somewhat hard to adjust to. She hadn't been a nomad for long, a month or two at least, but it had so quickly become a big part of her life. Having a real shelter, a roof over her head, was a long lost relief.

Taking a stroll through town was a common past-time for her nowadays. When there was nothing else to do, she would roam about their home, walking with no destination. Usually she would find something interesting along her way. It would seem that today was no different.

Annie stops in her steps when she spots Roman and Brock speaking to an unnamed boy, a face she didn't recognize. Curiosity getting the better of her, she wandered over and stood a foot behind the men, silently studying this newcomer. At least he hadn't shown up with a broken nose like she had. Even now her nose still ached from time to time.

YOUR BITES WORSE THAN YOUR BARK
cosmyn

[𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐋]

GABRIEL GRIFFIN TRYIN' TO KEEP MY MIND AT BAY ————

Bluestem.. ? As in Bluestem Prairie? That was what they were called, right? Gabriel could never recall the Badlands interacting with them too much, at least not while he was there. Ah well, perhaps it was for the best that he acted as if he didn't know them, anyways. It was not that he was fearful of them hurting him because of the group he once hailed from, but what if someone found out and relayed the message to Cat? What if they judged him anyways? All Gabe wanted was a fresh start; perhaps he would reveal more of his past when he felt more comfortable around these strangers (that is, if he ended up staying here).

"Uh.." The boy was a bit uneasy, seeing as he was outnumbered three to one. They made no moves to threaten him, but he couldn't assume anything. "I've just been traveling, and looking for somewhere to sleep." He couldn't sleep out in the open plains, surely. It was possible, but it sure got chilly at night. Plus, slumbering out in the open would make him vulnerable to danger. Hopefully, just hopefully, these people could help him out. Maybe they were do-gooders like Flintlock Lodge. They seemed friendly enough... or at least they seemed like it.

SIXTEEN YEARS OLD / CLICK FOR BIOGRAPHY

[BROCK.]

      If fresh start was what the boy had wanted, then fresh start was what he was going to get. Even for the current members of Bluestem Prairie this was unfamiliar territory. They'd only been in the new territory of Graveyard for two weeks; they'd barely become accustomed to life in an actual town. Once semi-nomadic, this would be the first time in a long time they'd actually settle down. Perhaps that was to the relief of the travelling boy - he was likely exhausted from all of the traveling. Brock personally had a strong distaste for staying in one place for too long - his paranoia often tended to get the best of him - but if it meant that people were going to feel safer then he'd oblige.

❝ Well, son- ❞ Brock cracked a toothy smile, as charming as always, ❝ Fortunately for you there are plenty of unoccupied homes here. You see, we've just arrived here, and we could do with some assistance, so to speak. You are more than welcome to sleep here if you could do us the honor of aiding us in fixing this town. ❞ Would he help a teenager for the sake of helping a teenager? There was no way in hell, yet he was cheery enough as he carefully observed the boy for his answer. If he was willing to help, then perhaps Brock would give him a chance. If not... God damn, he'd probably still have to give him a chance; there were too many people around to witness Brock's insensitive ways.

Spoiler: tags :: updated 07/18 • show

basics.
♘ brock van den bergh // no known nicknames
♘ male // he/him
♘ forty seven // ages real time // born third january
♘ member of bluestem prairie // formerly traveled with family and confidants
♘ led a gang with his closest confidants and colleagues before his wife died
♘ group unraveled during his grief, so he and his son soon left for BP
♘ joined BP april 2039
♘ promoted to marshal

appearance.
♘ faceclaim - jeffrey dean morgan
♘ voice claim - jeffrey dean morgan [tw. violence]
♘ 6'0ft // strong, well-built frame
♘ dark chocolate brown eyes and salt and pepper hair
♘ physical health - 100% // current injuries: none
♘ mental health - 100% // N/A

personality.
♘ has anarchistic worldview // wants a world free from rules and regulations
♘ very well educated and therefore eloquent in his ways
♘ pro-individualist idealism forms charisma that attracts following of deviants
♘ has a kind, caring and playful disposition // very encouraging
♘ confident and sees himself as a sort of mentor
♘ shows a genuine compassion for allies // full of compliments
♘ his fearlessness often overlaps into recklessness
♘ very driven by vengeance and his own ego
♘ scarily charming and charismatic
♘ behavior has grown more aggressive, violent, and erratic recently
♘ often gaslights people to have things his way
♘ gets under people's skin using his charm to control them
♘ acts like the group's father and mentor // it's merely manipulation
♘ there is no ❝ real ❞ brock // he changes based on who he's with
♘ hypocritical // every ideal he preaches, he ends up breaking in some way
♘ he cares for himself over everyone else // driven by his own ego
♘ distances himself from conflict unless he knows he’s well guarded
♘ every decision of him is for self-preservation first and foremost
♘ terribly selfish // he only genuinely cares when it's convenient
♘ he would martyr anyone for his cause and has no shame in it
♘ takes in those in need of it, but not without his own ulterior motives
♘ only helps people as he knows these people will ❝ owe ❞ him after
♘ carries himself with the vigor of a much better, and mentally stronger, man
♘ picks pretty words and weaves them together, but is shallow all the same
♘ fashioned himself into something of a robin hood-like figure in the past
♘ he still thinks of himself in this manner // a vigilante

relationships.
♘ horatio van den bergh x tanya van den bergh // both deceased
♘ two sisters, one older and one younger
♘ heterosexual, heteromantic
♘ widowed when his wife, alexandra, was shot and killed
♘ father of jamie van den bergh
♘ once owned a dog named baron who has since died
♘ owns a horse named prospector // adores him

interaction.
♘ bio // playlist // pinterest
♘ physically: very hard // mentally: hard
♘ very insensitive and brutal when it comes to harming others
♘ he'd even harm/omit to help his own allies if it does not benefit him

[roman.]

— when brock showed up with that big smile of his looking like such a kind guy - roman almost wanted to mouth the word “run” to the poor kid. however, brock gave the kid little to no reason to truly run for the hills. sometimes roman felt like he was the bad guy for constantly feeling like brock was the person who was bad around here. something about the man irked him. however, he never truly cared to make it obvious how he felt about the man. most of it all remained painfully neutral and indifferent as ever, just like with everyone else at the prairie. there was no reason to invite others into his own thoughts on the guy; might as well leave the kid alone.

brock’s cheery demeanor almost made him sick. “you could come along with me. i know a few things we could do.” might as well try and take the kid under his wing. it wasn’t very like him to make the offer; however, that being said, whenever it came to those a lot younger than him.. maybe roman was a little bit softer around the edges. the other man wanted the teen to work; roman would at least help him find honest work, perhaps not the hardest of the lot, but something.

"i'm roman." brock had already said his name before, though he might as well introduce himself.

[𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐋]

( about 2 months late LMAO but gonna act like this took place 1-2 weeks ago )

Something about this guy was... off. It made Gabriel uneasy. Was he openly rude or threatening? No, not exactly. There was a certain vibe that the older gentleman gave off, though, and the boy's fight-or-flight meter was flickering back and forth like a game of tug-of-war. It wasn't like Gabe would do or say anything about his discomfort; he was far too nice to do so. So, he simply responded, "Thanks, sounds good. And uh... sure. I'll help out if you guys need me to," Was he a handyman? Not even close, but with guidance and instruction, Gabriel could probably complete any task he was assigned to do. It wasn't as if he was a child anymore, nor was he weak and incompetent. "Manly stuff" was never his strong suit, but as he lingered upon the age of seventeen, he figured that now was a better time than ever to start doing something productive.

The other man present, who was far more of a comfort than Brock was, had offered to help him find something to do. Well, it was better him than the other guy, he supposed. "... Sure." Gabriel took up the offer, stepping forward and hoping that they could head off as soon as possible. His feet were tired and he needed to set his things down somewhere. "I'm Gabe, by the way." The teenager introduced himself, seeing as he hadn't previously.