ratmobstudio

[ratmobstudio]

VIGGO MORTENSEN as Nikolai Luzhin in EASTERN PROMISES (2007) dir. David Cronenberg

#ch; emil atrovsky

[ratmobstudio]

Matt Dillon as Bob Hughes in Drugstore Cowboy (1989).

#ch; michael amadeo

[ratmobstudio]

I just discovered this WIP and I'm looking forward to reading it. The snippet with Walter was adorable. I wish you the best with your writing!

hi, anon! thank you so much for your words of support >:3c if you think walter is cute here, just wait till you see him in game aha

again, thanks for reading, and we hope you stick around for the ride!

#interactive fiction #interactive fiction wip #only the lonely if #if game #if wip #wip; otl #anon #answered #asks #mod; alex

[ratmobstudio]

Music that matches the "theme" for each RO~?

hi, thank you for the ask! i usually try to keep music in-era because OTL takes place in the '60s, but here are the themes (not necessarily from that era) for each RO:

walter: desperate love - jd mcpherson

worried of life no help from above i won't survive this desperate love

leon: i'm waiting for the man - the velvet underground

up to a brownstone, up three flights of stairs everybody's pinned you, but nobody cares he's got the works, gives you sweet taste then you gotta split

kirk: red right hand - nick cave & the bad seeds

on a gathering storm comes a tall handsome man in a dusty black coat with a red right hand

bonus! carmine: dancing with mr d - the rolling stones

yeah, down in the graveyard where we have our tryst the air smells sweet, the air smells sick he never smiles, his mouth merely twists

#interactive fiction wip #interactive fiction #if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #anon #answered #asks #ch; walter latorre #ch; leon indelicato #ch; kirk hollick #ch; carmine pitera #mod; alex #half this songs are well :) you know who you are

[ratmobstudio]

update (8/1):

hi guys! sorry for the radio silence, been working on getting a beta demo out for OTL, which i'm aiming for either end-jan or early-february :3

i'll drop a google forms closer to the date so anyone who is interested can play it and give some feedback before the actual chapter drops :3

#interactive fiction #interactive fiction wip #if game #if wip #wip; otl #dev log #only the lonely if #mod; alex

[ratmobstudio]

hi everyone! as promised, here's a little snippet of chapter one, very early in-game, featuring michael and walter. please enjoy!

The walk back to Walter’s apartment isn’t as far as you’d think — but Walter’s incessant chatter makes it seem further than it is. He’s been like this since you two were knee-high, constantly talking and walking, as though even a moment of silence would strike him dead.

“— You should’ve seen the look on his face when you told him you weren’t his boy.”

Oh, you’d seen it alright. That dark look that passed over Nicky’s face, the blaze of unfettered rage in his eyes. You could take him in a fight, easily, but there were rules to be adhered to— rules you’d learnt to respect, or face the consequences of breaking.

Rounding the corner, you cross the street to the apartment Walter lives in. The brownstone building is a familiar sight to you , with its chipped steps and ivy steadily crawling up the side of the building. 

Walter stops at the bottom of the stairs. He glances over his shoulder at you, and you nod towards the front door.

“Go on,” you say. “You’ve had a long night, buddy. I think we both have.”

Walter bites his lip. You’ve come to recognize his body language when he wants to ask a question, see the curve of it in the way his shoulders round, as though almost hesitant.

“Do you want to come upstairs?”

You blink. “Upstairs?”

“Upstairs. Y’know, the place hasn’t changed since the last time you were here.”

“Walter, that was two weeks ago.” “Exactly! I mean— I have coffee.” 

You watch him for a moment, standing there, periodically brushing his foot against the ground. Like a bird moments before flight, he balances, watching you watch him.

“It’ll be just like when we were kids,” Walter continues, abruptly. “Right? I mean—”

“I know what you mean.” You grin at him. “Don’t tell me you’re still afraid of the dark.”

He laughs. It’s a wild sound, but there’s beauty in it, and you can’t help but chuckle and shake your head.

“I can’t stay,” you say. “I’ve got things to do tomorrow.”

It’s a flat excuse, of course, you both know it, but what else can you say? Walter says nothing. The streetlights reflect themselves in his eyes, and you pull out your pack of cigarettes, if only for something to do with your hands.

You put one in your mouth before you offer the pack to Walter; he takes one, and by the time you tuck the pack away in your pocket, you hear the telltale clink! of his lighter. Looking up, you see him holding it out, the flame flickering in the cool night breeze.

You cup your hands around the flame, leaning in until your cigarette catches light, and smoke fills your lungs. You take the first, heady drag, exhaling as you stand there, looking at Walter.

He smiles at you, blows a lungful of smoke towards the sky. 

“Come upstairs,” he says, again. “You can sleep on the couch; we can get your car from Sonny’s tomorrow.”

You want to say yes. You want to. There’s a feverish shine in Walter’s eyes, and his hands tremble as he takes drag after drag of his cigarette.

In the half-dark, he looks angelic. 

In the half-dark, he looks like temptation.

Your chest abruptly tightens. Flicking the cigarette to the ground, you stomp it out beneath your heel, grinding it into dust for good measure. 

“I really have to go.”

You wonder when you’ve begun to sound this tired, this worn down by life. Walter’s shoulders seem to sag. His voice is even when he speaks, but you detect a bite of hurt in his words.

“I get it. You’re busy.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?”

Instead of answering, Walter bounds down the stairs towards you, stopping at the last stair. It gives him a few inches of height above you, his eyes staring into your very soul.

You hope he cannot see what lies there, this rising bubble of desire that seems to choke you, this bear trap slid right below your heart, waiting for you to stick your leg in.

He cups your face in both of his hands. “You’ll see me tomorrow?”

You wonder if he can feel how hot your face is. “I already said I would.”

“Okay, Mikey.”

There, again, that childhood nickname. He’d used it in the bar, and here again, beneath the stars and the clouds and god, god, you aren’t sure if you love him all the more for it or hate him in equal measure.

You push his hands from your face, step back out of his reach.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you say, with finality.

Walter grins, watches as you turn and make your way back up the street. You can feel his stare burning into you, watching, waiting, as though you’ll suddenly change your mind and walk right back to him. But you don’t.

You walk, and you keep walking. 

#reblogging this again :) #okay to reblog! #come get a taste of walter ehe

[ratmobstudio]

hi everyone! as promised, here's a little snippet of chapter one, very early in-game, featuring michael and walter. please enjoy!

The walk back to Walter’s apartment isn’t as far as you’d think — but Walter’s incessant chatter makes it seem further than it is. He’s been like this since you two were knee-high, constantly talking and walking, as though even a moment of silence would strike him dead.

“— You should’ve seen the look on his face when you told him you weren’t his boy.”

Oh, you’d seen it alright. That dark look that passed over Nicky’s face, the blaze of unfettered rage in his eyes. You could take him in a fight, easily, but there were rules to be adhered to— rules you’d learnt to respect, or face the consequences of breaking.

Rounding the corner, you cross the street to the apartment Walter lives in. The brownstone building is a familiar sight to you , with its chipped steps and ivy steadily crawling up the side of the building. 

Walter stops at the bottom of the stairs. He glances over his shoulder at you, and you nod towards the front door.

“Go on,” you say. “You’ve had a long night, buddy. I think we both have.”

Walter bites his lip. You’ve come to recognize his body language when he wants to ask a question, see the curve of it in the way his shoulders round, as though almost hesitant.

“Do you want to come upstairs?”

You blink. “Upstairs?”

“Upstairs. Y’know, the place hasn’t changed since the last time you were here.”

“Walter, that was two weeks ago.” “Exactly! I mean— I have coffee.” 

You watch him for a moment, standing there, periodically brushing his foot against the ground. Like a bird moments before flight, he balances, watching you watch him.

“It’ll be just like when we were kids,” Walter continues, abruptly. “Right? I mean—”

“I know what you mean.” You grin at him. “Don’t tell me you’re still afraid of the dark.”

He laughs. It’s a wild sound, but there’s beauty in it, and you can’t help but chuckle and shake your head.

“I can’t stay,” you say. “I’ve got things to do tomorrow.”

It’s a flat excuse, of course, you both know it, but what else can you say? Walter says nothing. The streetlights reflect themselves in his eyes, and you pull out your pack of cigarettes, if only for something to do with your hands.

You put one in your mouth before you offer the pack to Walter; he takes one, and by the time you tuck the pack away in your pocket, you hear the telltale clink! of his lighter. Looking up, you see him holding it out, the flame flickering in the cool night breeze.

You cup your hands around the flame, leaning in until your cigarette catches light, and smoke fills your lungs. You take the first, heady drag, exhaling as you stand there, looking at Walter.

He smiles at you, blows a lungful of smoke towards the sky. 

“Come upstairs,” he says, again. “You can sleep on the couch; we can get your car from Sonny’s tomorrow.”

You want to say yes. You want to. There’s a feverish shine in Walter’s eyes, and his hands tremble as he takes drag after drag of his cigarette.

In the half-dark, he looks angelic. 

In the half-dark, he looks like temptation.

Your chest abruptly tightens. Flicking the cigarette to the ground, you stomp it out beneath your heel, grinding it into dust for good measure. 

“I really have to go.”

You wonder when you’ve begun to sound this tired, this worn down by life. Walter’s shoulders seem to sag. His voice is even when he speaks, but you detect a bite of hurt in his words.

“I get it. You’re busy.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?”

Instead of answering, Walter bounds down the stairs towards you, stopping at the last stair. It gives him a few inches of height above you, his eyes staring into your very soul.

You hope he cannot see what lies there, this rising bubble of desire that seems to choke you, this bear trap slid right below your heart, waiting for you to stick your leg in.

He cups your face in both of his hands. “You’ll see me tomorrow?”

You wonder if he can feel how hot your face is. “I already said I would.”

“Okay, Mikey.”

There, again, that childhood nickname. He’d used it in the bar, and here again, beneath the stars and the clouds and god, god, you aren’t sure if you love him all the more for it or hate him in equal measure.

You push his hands from your face, step back out of his reach.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you say, with finality.

Walter grins, watches as you turn and make your way back up the street. You can feel his stare burning into you, watching, waiting, as though you’ll suddenly change your mind and walk right back to him. But you don’t.

You walk, and you keep walking. 

#interactive fiction #interactive fiction wip #if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #ch; michael amadeo #ch; walter latorre #okay to reblog! #these two are cute :(

[ratmobstudio]

rip carmine, you will forever be an ro in my heart

sorry to everyone who wanted carmine to be an RO ;A;

honestly, the whole decision about that boiled down to the fact that "the thing about desire is that it is stronger when not completely satisfied" and you know what, that's some good angst right there.

but don't you worry, michael will have a lot of scenes w/ carmine that will make you... uhm. wish he was an RO :)

#interactive fiction #interactive fiction wip #if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #ch; carmine pitera #anon #answered #asks #mod; alex

[ratmobstudio]

Among the entire character sheet(which is very detailed and well written!), who are the ROs?

hi, thank you for the ask and thank you for taking the time to read the character sheet! (i worked rlly hard on it :"3)

i keep forgetting to announce the ROs, so thank you for reminding me!

the MC is gay, so all the romances are going to be male, and the current lineup of ROs are: walter, kirk, and leon.

(and, maybe, a secret fourth one ;3)

#interactive fiction wip #interactive fiction #if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #anon #answered #asks #mod; alex #ch; walter latorre #ch; kirk hollick #ch; leon indelicato

[ratmobstudio]

Without MC's influence for each RO (if they ever even wanted to leave the mob life if things became destructive) would they leave in a body bag or witness protection or try smth differently (and would they succeed or fail hypothetically)🤔

hi there!

even if you don't romance specific ROs, they each have their own lives and personal goals that will progress as the story goes along, running parallel to the MC's story.

their endings do depend on how much points you have with them (and possibly their aligned faction), and the choices the MC has made that affects the world around them.

so, there is an ending where you ride off into the sunset together-- vaguely :)

#interactive fiction wip #interactive fiction #if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #anon #answered #asks #mod; alex

[ratmobstudio]

#misc; general

[ratmobstudio]

update (22/12):

hi, everyone! hope you guys have gotten well-acquainted with our cast of misfits :3c

our askbox is open if you guys want to know about any particular headcanons about them, or know more about michael, our lovely protagonist.

we're working hard to get a demo out by mid-january, early-february, so look out for that-- but there's something special coming next week: a little snippet of our first foray into the world of only the lonely.

hope you guys are ready for it!

#if wip #wip; otl #interactive fiction #interactive fiction wip #only the lonely if #mod; alex

[ratmobstudio]

The Three Families of Los Aquilios have ruled the city's dark underbelly since the beginning of the 20th century. Originally nothing but a bunch of gangs fighting over territory, they have since reformed and structured themselves in a strict hierarchy.

Michael Amadeo [M] | Verano family associate

An errand boy to the Verano family in your youth, you’ve managed to climb the ladder to become a noted associate of the family. You’ve spent almost your entire life in this underworld where nothing is as it seems, and where your friends come with smiles and knives hidden behind their backs. Appearance: Slicked-back black hair and hazel eyes. Around 5’10”. In your early 30s.

Walter “Angel Eyes” LaTorre [M] | Verano family associate 

Your childhood best friend, Walter is now nothing but a thorn at your side— and everyone else’s. A degenerate gambler relying on his boyish charm and enthusiasm to get by,  there’s nothing Walter likes better than to spend money that isn’t his. But time is ticking, debts are unpaid, and you’ve always been one to help a friend in need. Haven’t you?

Appearance: Black messy hair and dark brown eyes. Around 5’9”.  In his early 30s. He has a noticeable scar cutting through his right brow that has faded with time. Lean and built for speed.

Carmine Pitera [M] | Verano family made man

Balanced on the edge of the family’s inner circle and egged on by the ever-burning ambition in his gut, Carmine is a cunning and dangerous mobster. He’s been around the block since long before you ever came on scene. With nine lives almost up, Carmine has started looking at you differently, and you’re not quite sure if you should run. Appearance: Slicked-back dark brown hair that has started to go grey at the temples and black eyes. 5’11”. In his early 50s. Rarely seen without his oversized sunglasses.

Vincenzo “Vinny” Verano [M] | Don of the Verano crime family

A great thinker who brought the “old ways” into the city, Vincenzo is the man responsible for bringing the Three Families into an alliance of sorts, drawing the lines in the sand so each faction could live in relative peace. The old man had taken you under his wing when you were young, treating you as part of his own flesh-and-blood family. Now in his twilight years, the man they call “The Thoughtful Don” is looking forward to handing the reins to his son, and settling down to the peaceful rest of his life.

Appearance: White hair and hazel eyes. 5’7”. In his early 70s. Wears glasses that take up most of his face due to old age and failing eyesight. Constantly in a suit.

Francesco “Kid Lucky” Verano [M] | Verano family made man

The second son of the Verano family don, Francesco has the uncanny ability to come out of any situation unscathed. Hot-tempered and volatile, the only saving grace is how gentle he is to those he considers ‘family’. Although not as close as you could be, Francesco treats you like a little brother, and should he ever rise to claim his father’s position, it’s you who might be standing at his right hand.

Appearance: Rust-colored hair and hazel eyes. 6’1”. In his late 30s. Stocky and built like a boxer.

Jeannie “The Godmother” Verano-nee-Ardent [F] | Verano family associate

Vincenzo’s wife of fifty years, Jeannie does not suffer fools gladly despite her motherly countenance. Unlike her husband, she is a sharp-witted woman whom various members of the Three Families consult on problems due to her experience and shift in perspective. 

Appearance: Dark hair mixed with white-grey due to age and grey eyes. 5’ 6”. In her late 60s. Plump and homely. 

Matteo “Sonny Boy” Carlini [M] | Verano family underboss

The last of the old guard, Sonny is a jovial man who believes in optimism and hard work. Usually found at the bar he’s owned for the last thirty years, even the young hotheads who have just joined the Families know to speak to him with a certain degree of respect.

Appearance: Black hair shot with a streak of white on the left side and dark brown eyes. 5’11”. In his late 60s. Built with muscle run to fat due to age. 

Lorenze “Lonny” Gallo [M] | Don of the Perricone crime family

An old friend of Vincenzo’s, Lorenze struck out on amicable terms to join and eventually become don of the Perricone family. Fond of philosophical discussions and hot coffee, the don is content with the life he has carved out in this city, and wants no further bloodshed in his lifetime.  Appearance: Balding with white hair and dark hazel eyes. 5’10”.  In his mid 60s. Has a deep scar across his throat from a failed assassination attempt.

Kirk Hollick [M] | Perricone family consiglieri

A talented accountant and a genius with the numbers, Kirk is a bookkeeper for several of the Perricone family accounts, including two restaurants, a bar, and several legitimate businesses scattered around the city. Despite criticized for being named consiglieri at such a young age, Kirk hides a cunning mind and a plan for every situation. Appearance: Curly brown hair and dark eyes.  6’0”. In his early 30s. Has a right prosthetic hand, hidden by a single black glove.

Ophelia Gallo [F] | Civilian 

A femme fatale found at every bar the Three Family’s own, Ophelia delights in the air of danger and allure that has permeated every inch of her life. The daughter of the don of the Perricone family, what she isn’t given, she’ll take— even if it’s detrimental to her. She’s set her sights on delving deeper into the dangerous world her father occupies, and she wants you as a guide. 

Appearance: Slightly-above shoulder length dyed blonde hair and light grey eyes. Around 5’6”. In her early 20s. Always seen wearing pearl earrings. 

Giovanni “John” Viale [M] | Don of the Marchesi crime family

The least stable and the youngest out of the dons of the Three Families, John is— like the rest of the members of the Marchesi family— an eccentric at heart. Clinging to superstitious beliefs, John wanders the streets of Los Aquilios, lost among the ghosts and the guttering lights of the past. Appearance: Grey hair and dark blue eyes. 5’9”. In his late 50s. Constantly wearing a green windbreaker and winter gloves. Slightly hunched but stocky.

Nicodemus “Big Nicky” Fanucchi [M] | Marchesi family made man

A little weasel of a man, Nicodemus is a ticking time-bomb. Having scraped himself up the ladder, Nicky now exercises what little respect and authority he has over associates of the Three Families, constantly looking down at them as he attempts to hold onto everything he has worked for.

Appearance: Dyed black hair with grey poking through and dark brown eyes. 5’5”. In his early 40s. Has a shitty moustache. Small and skinny. 

Emil Atrovsky [M] | Marchesi family associate

A hitman from the snow-covered outreach of Siberia, Emil is a towering wall of a man. Silent and stoic, it is incredibly difficult to get anything out of him. Despite this, he is fiercely loyal to the Marchesi family due to reasons unknown. Most of the other Families are wary of his existence, due to him being an outsider.

Appearance: Close-cropped blonde hair and cold blue eyes. 6’4”. In his late 30s. Built tall and muscular.

Leon “The Fixer” Indelicato [M] | Marchesi family associate 

Known as “The Fixer” simply because he can fix you (with his bat), Leon is a Marchesi family informant. The ins and outs of the city are a map that only he can fully read, and there’s nothing he cannot get or tell you— for a price.

Appearance: Sandy hair and dark green eyes. 5’9”. In his mid 40s. Wiry and wearing an eyepatch on his left eye.

#self reblog #once again for the morning crowd

[ratmobstudio]

big nicky and shitty mustache...couldn't have possibly been inspired by anything or anyone, could they? haha just a funny thought that occurred to me, just wondering

I SEE YOU AND I RESPECT YOU

oh my friend, nicky is definitely not inspired by anyone, i couldn't have the faintest idea of what you are talking about :)

seriously though nicky is.. a lot to handle. he's got an inferiority complex as big as god's mouth and twice as damning.

the only person he remotes confides in isn't supposed to be in the family at all (according to the others), and i think for most of his youth he's struggled to accept who he is as a person :) so like, he's unpleasant sure, but it's due to years and years of hardening himself to become a fortress.

#if game #if wip #only the lonely if #wip; otl #interactive fiction wip #memestreets #answered #asks #mod; alex #HARRY PLEASE #ch; nicodemus fanucchi

[ratmobstudio]

#ch; ophelia gallo

[ratmobstudio]

“Killers’s Kiss” by Stanley Kubrick. 1955.

#ch; michael amadeo

[ratmobstudio]

Helen Ivory, Waiting for Bluebeard; from 'Waiting for Bluebeard'

#misc; general