gamblecity

[gamblecity]

What is something about my portrayal[s] that sticks out?

Example being; my muses ticks they have, the way they talk, etcetera.

#and what did my hands say? — meme

[gamblecity]

*         send   META   +   a   word   ,   a   name   ,   or   phrase   and   i   will   write   a   head  canon   based   off   of   this   !!!  

#and what did my hands say? — meme

[gamblecity]

canon questionare.

questions best asked for those who portray canon characters, and for those who’d like to get to know the author behind said canons better.

What made you pick up this character?

How did you get into this franchise/fandom?

What’s the best thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

What’s the worst thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

What’s the best thing about the fandom?

What’s the worst thing about the fandom?

What’s the best thing about the canon you are writing?

What’s the worst thing about the canon you are writing?

Have you tweaked the character from canon? If so, what did you tweak?

Would you say that your portrayal is canon divergent or not? 

Are there some things you dislike about how the show/series/etc. portray the character you have picked up? If so, what?

What would you say is the most unique trait about your character?

Are there any other characters from the franchise you’d like to play?

Are there some characters from the franchise you can’t stand? 

What are your thoughts on the canon ships for the character, if any?

What is your personal ship bias for your canon character?

Are there any ships you can’t stand, why?

How long have you been writing the character?

Should people get into the franchise your writing from, yes or no?

If you could sum up your character with one sentence, what would it be?

Which song do you feel describes your character the most and why?

#and what did my hands say? — meme

[gamblecity]

@cannotfly asked where are my clothes?

THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. HE DOESN’T KNOW THE ANSWER. HE DOESN’T KNOW WHERE HIS CLOTHES ARE, either. He doesn’t know how they lost them. They’re on the beach. It should be easy enough to find their clothes. Slowly, he pushes himself up onto his forearms and looks around. “Over there.” There’s Johanna’s shirt and pants and his pile of jeans and shirt and sweatshirt and jacket. “Not too far.” He doesn’t feel like getting them at the moment. “We can get them later.”

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

@cannotfly asked are you okay?

HE BLINKS AT HER. HIS HEAD FEELS LIKE IT’S BEEN SHOVED UNDERWATER. “WHAT?” HE SITS UP, TRYING not to move his head too much. He thinks he’s either drunk or sick. He hopes he’s not drunk. He knows Johanna doesn’t like alcohol. He’d feel terrible if he’s drunk. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Slowly, he gets to his feet and leans in their doorway. “Are you okay?” He feels warm. He doesn’t like it very much. “I think I’m sick.”

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

@cannotfly said i’m going to go to the beach.

“OK.” HE GLANCES UP FROM WHERE HE’S PLAYING WITH PAM ON THE RUG. “DO YOU WANT SOME company?” He’s always happy to accompany her to the beach. It’s their safe space. At least, Arthur’s come to consider it their safe space after everything they’ve been through. If she doesn’t want the company, though, he can stay and play with Pam. He doesn’t mind either way.

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

HE RUNS A CLOTH OVER HER ARM. HE’D POURED COOL WATER ON IT BEFOREHAND AND HE HOPES IT’S DOING something to help. He doesn’t know much about treating burns, but he knows that you’re supposed to run them under cool water. He thinks he also heard somewhere that pickle juice helps, but they don’t have any pickles. When Johanna had come out of the shower, he’d been horrified. Her skin was redder than he’d ever seen it and there was a burn on her shoulder that had him getting to his feet in an instant.

“Good thing I noticed, then.” He sets the cloth down and rummages around in the medicine cabinet for some burn spray. Once he finds it, he sprays it onto another cloth and gently dabs at Johanna’s shoulder. “Sorry if that stings.” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it.” He’s always going to take care of her. He fucked up taking care of her once and he doesn’t plan on doing it again. He smiles a little as he takes the cloth away from her shoulder. “Does that feel okay?”

@gamblecity sent: now, you know we love one another.

the intimacy of him addressing her burn can be summed up in that single sentence, she supposes. why should she ask when they said it themselves only a few months ago in a dark hospital room? they've yet to share a bed or touch like they would have when they were married, but they love each other still. it's difficult not to when johanna can see the sweetness and light charisma of the man underneath. she tries to take care of him as best as she can. arthur takes care of paloma. he takes care of her.

why? shouldn't even be a question. it shouldn't have even crossed her mind as she came out of the bathroom with red marks all over her skin. she hadn't realized the water was too hot.

❝ well, if you hadn't noticed . . . i never would have. or i wouldn't for an embarrassingly long time. ❞ a light chuckle. johanna doesn't tell him about the other bruises and burns she found all over herself before he came back. she dreads laying down in bed tonight. shoulders are more easily burned than her forearm. however, that happened, she doesn't know anyway. ❝ thank you for taking care of me. ❞ gaze flickers up to arthur. ❝ even if you didn't, i know you would take care of me anyway. ❞ but she doesn't want to think about that.

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

HE NODS. HE’LL BRING JOHANNA WHEREVER SHE WANTS TO GO. IF SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO GO TO THE moon, Arthur would find a way to do it. “Course I will.” He glances over at Pam, chuckling as their daughter dumps even more glitter on the card she’s making. He’s tempted to say that’s enough, but she can have her fun. She’s six. She won’t like making Valentine’s Day cards for much longer, so Arthur turns his attention back to Johanna. He can’t help his smile. “Good. I was worried you didn’t like books anymore.”

He doesn’t know when they’ll leave. Pam still needs to eat lunch, but he thinks if they’re lucky, they’ll be able to leave soon after that. Or maybe they can go out to lunch. He has money to spend from work and he’s been itching to spend it on something good.

@gamblecity sent: ARTHUR ISN’T REALLY SURE WHAT TO DO FOR VALENTINE’S DAY. IT’S NOT LIKE HE’S BEEN HERE FOR them. He doesn’t know what Pam and Johanna do. He doesn’t know what traditions they have. But he knows his wife. Or at least he thinks he does. He hopes he does. “Hey,” he says quietly, watching Pam pour an excessive amount of glitter onto a construction paper heart. “Would you want to go to a bookstore together later?” He’s not much of a reader, but he knows (hopes) that Johanna still is. “I’ll pay for whatever you want to get.” He doesn’t know when they’ll be able to go, but he wants to do something for her Valentine’s Day. He’ll feel like a failure if he does nothing. “Or we can do something else. I don’t mind.”

the valentine paloma is making is a complete mystery. all of her pre-made valentine cards were passed out yesterday at school. who else does she know who deserves something handmade and special? ( her suspicions are that there's another six-year-old that's captured her attention . . . johanna hopes she's wrong. ) she's perfectly content with providing the occasional guidance, even if this is how they spend their entire day. she's not much of a fancy dinner person anyway.

but bookstore? well . . .

she finds herself staring back at arthur before blinking it away. a breathless laugh as she looks down at the table. he knows her too well. ❝ you'll bring me? ❞ part of johanna wants to ask how he'll pay for it, a reflex she hasn't quite gotten rid of yet. she looks back at her husband, smile wide. ❝ i'd like that. a lot. it's better than . . . ❞ chocolate strawberries, flowers, commercialized cards. all the silly things that represent today. why should they subscribe to it when they have something even better? ❝ everything. ❞

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue don’t know me #listen i wouldn’t mind a bookstore date for valentine’s day either

[gamblecity]

@cannotfly said yesterday, the holiday has consisted of paloma spilling the treats she received from her classmates all over the table and slowly eating away at the cherry suckers. tomorrow, she might complain about the powder from the fun dips ( fun dips? ) spilling all over the sofa, but today she laughs and wipes it away. for the first time in years, her husband was there for valentine's day. as her husband. that's all that matters, even if it's the fifteenth now and no longer the day itself. they couldn't exactly ask julianna to watch their daughter on a school night. hands carelessly drift into the sand. johanna doesn't mind the sharp wind. her limbs are entangled with arthur's while a blanket lays over them. how could she be cold? ❝ do you like this? our valentine's day? ❞ she asks. their beach the day after and their lack of tradition that would cause more stress than romance. she's fairly certain she knows the answer, but it doesn't stop her from wanting to hear it herself. ❝ i think it's better than anything else possible. even if i had a million dollars, i would choose to do just this instead. this is all i want and need. ❞

ARTHUR DOESN’T THINK HE’D CARE IF THEY CELEBRATED VALENTINE’S DAY A MONTH LATE. HE’S just happy to have time with Johanna. He laces his hands at the small of her back and grins up at her, adjusting so that they’re laying more comfortably. “I do.” He kisses the tip of her nose. “Of course I do. You’re here, of course I like this.” He laughs softly, running a hand up and down her back. “I think you’re absolutely right.”

If he had absolutely nothing in the world but Johanna and a beach, he’d be incredibly happy. “We should get a house out here. Homeschool Pam and just live on the beach forever.” He’ll have to start saving for it.

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

THE ATLANTIC CITY STORY SENTENCE STARTERS

quotes taken from the atlantic city story

what time is it?

your hands reveal your character

why’d you buy me shoes?

did my hands tell you that i am a thief?

i’m not a good person. i’m not.

i am not me when i’m here.

you shouldn’t trust me.

where are my clothes?

i don’t think that she’s his mother.

and what did my hands say?

the only place i have is this place.

i stole everything i could get my hands on.

get up, get dressed.

i got you shoes.

you didn’t have to.

it’s okay.

i already did it, so it’s too late.

go get dressed.

get up!

are you okay?

come on.

let me help you.

i’m going to take you inside.

where are you taking me?

i’m going to take you to the hotel and you’re going to go to sleep, okay?

i’m going to get some fresh towels.

i’m sorry about yesterday.

i should’ve said that before.

no one’s ever bought you shoes before?

people have bought me shoes before. my family has bought me shoes before.

why are you helping me?

i don’t know.

no more bets?

as you wish.

alright, now what?

thank you.

yeah, you had the twenty six.

i guess i’m lucky.

well what’re you thinking now?

what else?

anything else?

hello.

hi.

good luck.

okay, thank you.

hi, how are you?

have a nice day.

what’s your name?

what’s yours?

so where are you off to now?

i’m going to go to the beach.

the beach? no, you can’t go to the beach.

well, you’ll get bored in, like, ten minutes.

yeah? what would you recommend?

do you ever play poker?

i don’t play poker cause there’s always people that are going to be smarter than me.

i’m not smart but i’m smart enough to know i’m not the smartest.

i don’t like poker because it’s about other people.

with roulette, it’s all chance.

it’s just you and the universe.

turn around very slowly.

tell me what you think about the person behind you.

yeah i don’t think so either.

they’re pretty funny together.

have some more.

it’s just funny how things work out.

before you sat down with me today, i had lost everything.

when i woke up this morning, i actually was gonna leave this place.

what happened?

i got to the corner, turned around and went back.

i felt like i didn’t have a choice.

i put everything i had on twenty and i had enough to keep on playing.

i saw you last night in the casino.

i sat down at the table right when you stopped playing.

then i followed you out into the rain.

you did?

i just noticed your hands.

it’s something that my father used to do.

he said “never look at a person’s face.”

people learn to control their faces, they use it like a mask.

you can’t control your hands.

i was just thinking about it when i went into the casino last night.

that you could use a friend.

are you hungry?

where do you wanna go?

i know a place.

do you want some?

they’re not very good.

why would i want some if they’re not very good?

no, i didn’t mean it like that.

you should try it.

you’re right, they’re not.

i’m gonna eat mine anyways.

yeah, me too.

actually, i have a confession to make.

you think they’re in love?

it’d be just like my husband to fall in love with his student.

i’m sorry.

don’t be sorry.

words are hard.

i wish i could just make noises and have everybody understand exactly how i’m feeling.

can i ask you a question?

you have to tell the truth.

why’d you come here?

i didn’t want to be at home anymore.

i don’t know why i came here. i think i thought it was going to be different.

my parents came here for their honeymoon.

they really liked frank sinatra.

two weeks ago i saw my husband with someone else.

she was his student. he’s a teacher.

that’s the kind of cliche he is.

but i guess i’m kind of a cliche too.

what would you say?

what would i say?

that’s what i’d say.

i understood you.

you did?

oh alright.

what did i say?

that’s exactly what i said, you’re right.

i’m feeling a lot better.

you wanna grab something to eat?

i mean, are you hungry?

i could eat.

come on, i want you to meet someone.

#and what did my hands say? — meme

[gamblecity]

@cannotfly ( continued from here. )

THE ONLY THING THAT ARTHUR HATES ABOUT THE BEACH IS THE FACT THAT SAND GETS ABSOLUTELY everywhere. No matter what you do, you’re going to end up with sand everywhere. Thankfully, he doesn’t have to shower at a gym anymore. He has a shower in a house now. And he and Johanna are married again. (He thinks this is probably the best shower of his life). He kisses the top of her head with a smile. “I do?” He rakes a hand through his hair, inspecting his fingertips in the low light of the bathroom. He can’t see anything, but he’ll take Johanna’s word for it.

He brings their hands up to kiss her knuckles. “Thank you.” He’s never been good at taking compliments, but having it come from Johanna is always a good thing. “And you’re still very beautiful.” He kisses her softly. “Do you want to wash my hair? So you can get all the sand out?”

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me

[gamblecity]

HE AGREES. HAVING PAM WITH THEM AT THE BEACH WILL BE FUN. HOPEFULLY. HE’S PRETTY SURE SHE inherited his love for the beach, so Arthur is tentatively hopeful that she wants to join them. “I think she’ll want to.” He shakes his head. Spending time with Johanna is always something he’s going to enjoy. It’s just an added bonus that they’re spending time together at the beach. “Today is a perfectly good day to do things, Jo.”

“Do you want to bring some food? And a blanket? We can have a picnic.” If they were still in Atlantic City, they could go to that sandwich shop Arthur and Julianna used to go to every summer. Arthur doesn’t think he wants to go back to Atlantic City, though. There’s too many bad memories there.

@gamblecity sent: DOES IT MAKE HIM A BAD HUSBAND IF ARTHUR HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO FOR JOHANNA’S BIRTHDAY? HE’S pretty sure it does. Then again, he hasn’t been around for five years. It could be perfectly fine that he doesn’t know what to do for Johanna’s birthday. But they were married (and dating before that) before Pam was born. He should know what to do for Johanna’s birthday. But the only thing he knows is that Johanna doesn’t like her birthday. Or gifts. So he’s at a bit of a loss of what to do. He doesn’t think she’d want to go to the bookstore again. The only other thing he can think of is the beach. He calls Julianna to see if she’s free and after confirming that she is, he goes to find Johanna. “Hey,” he says. “I know you don’t like your birthday much but I was thinking we could maybe go down to the beach? Make a day of it? Julie can take Pam if you want it to be just us. Or we can bring her. Up to you.”

this year feels different than the others. she's getting old. thirty, this year, is strange for a girl who didn't think she would make it to adulthood in the first place. she almost didn't more times than she can count. but ignoring that number, johanna hasn't had a birthday with-with arthur in forever. she doesn't particularly care for the day. it's never mattered to her and she prays paloma doesn't pick up on that fact. she wants her daughter to keep enjoying her birthday. her head tilts to the side at arthur's offer. she hadn't thought about doing . . . anything.

wouldn't the beach be too cold? well, they did just go last week for saint valentine's day. ( she wonders how anyone would want to be in a relationship with her since her birthday is just after the so-called, "day of love." ) the cold was hardly an issue when they could just enjoy themselves. besides, no one else will be there. a private beach for her birthday does lift the curve of her lips.

❝ we should ask her. if she'd like to come or not. i'd like her to be there, if she wants to. ❞ spending the day she was born ( taking it back, in a way, from a long-dead father who didn't love her enough ) with her favorite people is far from a terrible idea. ❝ and you're not sick of it either? i know . . . today is far from the ideal day to do anything. ❞

#cannotfly #i made the mistake of not coming after you once. i’m not going to do that again. — verse #queue shouldn’t trust me #yeah no problem!!

[gamblecity]

LYRIC SENTENCE STARTERS

all lyrics have been taken from my favorite matt nathanson and noah kahan songs

i am not scared of death, i’ve got dreams again.

it’s just me and the curve of the valley.

a minute from home but i feel so far from it.

it’s all washing over me, i’m angry again.

the car’s in reverse. i’m gripping the wheel.

i’m back between villages and everything’s still.

the things that i lost here, the people i knew. they’ve got me surrounded for a mile or two.

my whole life’s a movie, if movies made you want to jump off a bridge.

i’ve got one who moves me and one who sees through me and all i really want is a kiss.

i was born three thousand miles from where i came alive.

and i left without saying a word to start a new life.

i spent my whole damn life just trying to hide.

you can change every inch of your life, but you’re still just a boy.

i’m mean because i grew up in new england.

i’ve got dreams but i can’t make myself believe them.

i was only kidding when i said i liked a fight.

i was only kind of kidding when i said i liked a fight.

but sometimes you’ve got to start them yourself.

i had a dream you died.

what kind of man misunderstands a woman like you?

i’m the last of the worst pretenders.

i got tired of the frat boys with the brights on.

but it’s all we’ve had for always.

we’ll all be here forever.

we spent july in a berkeley basement.

there was so much i didn’t believe in and then there was you.

no one cares about the stories they’re not in.

we’ll fade out to whispers.

there’s no nostalgia here, it’s just now.

i was a fire that you started.

for once i knew everything that i wanted.

for a minute there, we were perfect.

we made the beautiful people wanna be like us.

some heart’s gotta break to let the light in.

i loved you even before i knew what love was.

everything else felt so unimportant back in your boston bed.

when you think about it i hope you blush just a little bit.

all the best parts still move me.

i could’ve powered the city every time that you kissed me.

we looked good back then.

just between you and me, part of me will always be in love.

we’re better off, no doubt.

what’s it matter now?

if i get too close and i’m not how you hoped, forgive my northern attitude.

i was raised out in the cold.

i was raised on little light.

i don’t miss you. i miss the way you made me feel.

and if i died tomorrow, would you feel me?

and you were only a minute of my time.

even through the pain, i can’t recall your face.

just the ache of knowing everything was gonna change.

got so close to love with you.

i know that the moment i chase is a race i’ve already lost.

it’s long ago.

you were only a break from the fear of being alone.

but i’m sure feeling the ache is better than nothing at all.

i know it gets hard just to breathe sometimes.

it’s the way she walks, the way she talks.

you and my imagination.

there was heaven in your eyes.

everything’s alright when she calls me back.

don’t you hold your head up high.

for bullshit, i do not have time.

and i do not exist to die. but live to die while saving you.

and i don’t get much sleep most nights.

i’m seeing you in every dream.

i was too afraid of living life in your footsteps.

i’m still angry at my parents for what their parents did to them.

but i ignore things and i move sideways.

at the end of the day, i know there are worse ways to stay alive.

i’m terrified that i might never have met me.

if my engine works perfect on empty, i guess i’ll drive.

it’s better to die numb than to feel it all.

and if all my life was wasted, i don’t mind. i’ll watch it go.

you were right.

i’m just a stubborn fool who’s living in the past.

i got a king sized bed and phd and the way it used to be.

the devil is in the details. he and i get on real good.

i’ve got a love that comes in colors.

i had a head full of tangles.

i had my heart full of splinters.

and you came around to save me.

now i drop to hold you.

grew up believing love was a grudge and home was a place you lived with your guard up.

people keep saying memories fade. mine are all drunk and they just keep calling.

the past is a long distance runner and i’m falling further and further behind.

takes me forever and ever to see the good in the people who see the good in me.

#and what did my hands say? — meme

[gamblecity]

tag dump!

ships

and if only i could hold you, you’d keep my head from going under — rel: arthur hartman / johanna barker

dynamics

i sold my sister’s engagement ring for two hundred dollars — dyn: arthur hartman / julianna hartman

you shouldn’t trust me — dyn: arthur hartman / jane blake

miscellaneous

i’m not a good person — headcanon

#and if only i could hold you‚ you’d keep my head from going under — rel: arthur hartman / johanna barker #i sold my sister’s engagement ring for two hundred dollars — dyn: arthur hartman / julianna hartman #you shouldn’t trust me — dyn: arthur hartman / jane blake #i’m not a good person — headcanon

[gamblecity]

YOU SHOULDN’T TRUST ME. YOU SHOULDN’T. I’M NOT A GOOD PERSON. I’M NOT ME WHEN I AM HERE.

independent, private & selective arthur hartman of the atlantic city story. written by jasmine. (she/her. 18+. est.) iconless. prefers to plot. ©

#i just noticed your hands — self promo #the atlantic city story rp #indie rp #independent rp #indie roleplay #independent roleplay

[gamblecity]

GAMBLECITY: an independent, private & selective arthur hartman of the atlantic city story. written by jasmine. (she/her. 18+. est.) iconless. prefers to plot.

carrd. promo.

#ooc — pinned post #personals dni #and what did my hands say? — meme