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raging-violets · 4 months

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The Artful Dodger: "Trust Me, I'm a Doctor" | SneedxOC

*I'm using this gif because I can't find one of Sneed not reacting to Lady Belle stalking him down, haha*

Summary: Rainsford Sneed and Molly Atwood have no ill will towards each other. None. They were just doing their jobs: serving and...doctoring.

Set around Episode 4 with the “anesthesia” and Episode 6 with the “Pepper Jelly”

Authored by: Rhuben

Original Character: Molly Atwood (*also stuck between the name Effie Atwood*)

“Don’t move.” Rainsford Sneed barely turned to take stock of tools at his disposal when the woman’s hands flew up towards her face. “I said don’t move!” She dropped her hands again, tightly gripping the arms of her chair, shifting and rocking from side to side. “You’re acting like a bloody fish yourself, ma’am. It’s very unbecoming.”

“You try having a hook stuck in your eye and not moving.” Both eyes firmly clamped shut, Sneed knew she was still trying to gauge just how much damage had been done. The fishing hook shifted and bobbed with each shift of her eyes. At least the bleeding stopped. “I can now surely understand why a fish wiggles so.”

“Yes, I can only imagine the pain you’re in ma’am,” Sneed replied, “but unless you wish to lose sight in your eye entirely, which, I do insist would be a shame, I must ask that you try to stay still.”

Squinting open her good eye, Molly Atwood managed to give Sneed her best attempt at a glare. He noticed the green flecks in her hazel eyes with the light of the sun cast across her face. Yes, it would be a shame... Clearing his throat, he quickly stepped away from her, giving a wide berth to look over exactly what tools he needed. He had to be professional.

“You’re not going to take me into the theater, then?” Molly asked from behind him. Sneed glanced at her over his shoulder. She seemed to be relaxed now If only for a moment.

“This will only take a few moments,” he said, starting to roll up his shirt sleeves. “The drunkards wouldn’t take too kindly to such an easy foray, I’d imagine.” He sighed. “Don’t think they’d believe it to be a good show.”

“Yes, I suppose we mustn’t deprive them of excellent entertainment.”

He took her sarcasm in stride. It was that kind of entertainment that would help get him into the professor’s position. God willing. Still, there was a thrill to surgery. Some might call it barbaric. But he enjoyed it. And those that came out to watch his prowess as a surgeon, when he won the coin toss, enjoyed it, too.

“You don’t need Hetty?” she asked. “Are you sure you can do this?”

Pressing his lips together, Sneed grabbed the glass bottle sitting on his workstation, pointed the nozzle at her face, and squeezed his finger around the trigger. Twice.

For both questions.

A squeak of surprise came from Molly as she jerked in her seat, face now wet. “What on Earth was that?”

Letting out a long sigh through his nose, Sneed set down the perfume bottle. A little harder than he needed to, he supposed. But if it worked... His gaze shifted through the window and towards the theater where Jack and Lady Belle were pacing back and forth across the room, deep in discussion. Belle’s head buried deep in the book, index finger gliding across the pages. If they said it worked...

“It’ll help,” he said quietly. “Does it sting?”

“Is it supposed to?” Molly asked in alarm, her grip tightening on the rests of the chair she was in. “If my face falls off, Rainsford Sneed...”

His lips twitched upwards into a hint of a smile. One he quickly erased from his visage. Besides, it was another empty threat, he was sure. She had yet to see his demise after all this time. In fact, he had gotten quite used to these words from her. Only she normally had a sharp knife on her, not the stink of fish, as he usually found her in the middle of assisting preparing a meal for the Govenor and his fellowship. Or another task which Lady Jane Fox had asked of her.

“So, how did this happen?” he asked.

“I told you; I was fishing. I caught one. I got startled by a commotion. I jerked back on the line and...” She made an odd squishing sound with her mouth, lazily indicating her eye.

“You can remove it, can’t you?”

“Yes, I believe I can.”

“Will I lose my eye?”

“I hope not.”

“Yeah, me too.” After all, how could she fulfill her dream of sailing the open seas without sight? “I do trust you.”

Sneed gave a sharp shake of his head. How would he fulfill his dream of becoming Head Surgeon if he didn’t concentrate? Sailing the seas was no life for a lady, but just the same, he still had to do his job. He stretched his hands, and his fingers before picking up a scalpel, hovering it over her face.

“I do mean it this time, don’t move,” he said. Molly’s chest hitched with the deep breath she took in. And held. Sneed carefully pressed the tip to his scalpel to her eyelid, pressing until it sank into her skin. Through it. He tossed it aside, where it landed with clatter on his table, using his other hand to carefully push the sharp end of the hook out through the newly created hole. Then he grasped his bolt cutters, snipped off the end of the hook, and pulled it back out of the original site of injury. “Got it.”

“Fantastic.”

Sneed sprayed more of the antiseptic and grabbed a piece of cloth to carefully dab at the remaining moisture and blood.

“What are the fish for?”

“To eat, of course.”

“Molly.”

“Rainsford.” She copied his tone. Equal mix frustration and amusement. Glad someone found this to be funny.

“The Govenor and Lady Jane are not one to ask for fish for supper unless they are hosting,” Sneed explained starting to stitch up her eyelid. “And I do not believe catching them would be a task Lady Jane would bestow upon you.” He gave a sharp tug on the thread in his hand, smiling ruefully at the sharp gasp of pain from his patient. “You are selling them, I suppose. The fish. Why?”

Molly was silent for a moment. “Everyone wishes for fortune, wouldn’t you say?” she asked.

“I suppose so,” he agreed. Setting down the thread he leaned over her, grasping her chin in between his fingers, turning her head this way and that. “Now, slowly, open your eyes.” He watched as she did so, her hazel eyes fixing on him immediately despite the puffiness of one of her eyes. Silence filled the space as they looked at each other before Sneed found himself pushing himself away from her with swiftness. He cleared his throat, clasping his hands behind his back as he calmed himself. “What can you see?”

She smiled. “You.”

“Good evening,” Molly quickly stopped what she was doing to grasp the folds of her dress in a courtesy as Sneed stepped into the warm kitchen. “You’re back on your two feet, Rainsford!”

“Glad that you can even see me at all,” Sneed responded with a tight nod of his head. He gazed around the bustling space, absentmindedly repeatedly smoothing his hand down the front of his shirt. “I suppose everything is healing well.”

“Suppose,” Molly replied. She lifted her hand and gingerly pressed her eyelid. The swelling had gone down immensely. No lasting issues seem to be apparent other than a particularly rough feeling when he blinked. Even that was dissipating with time. “Suppose you are as well?” Her gaze flittered from his lips to his leg. “That is why you came in? To check on your patient?”

“Yes, of course.” Sneed rapidly nodded his head before taking another step closer to her. He looked around once more and seeming to be appeased with the fact that no one else was paying attention to him, he stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. “It is not just that. I wished to know what was to be served tonight at supper?”

Molly’s eyebrows came towards each other as she put down the knife she was about to press into the lump of bread dough before her. Then she turned towards him, eyes twinkling with recognition. She felt a smile come to her face as he watched Sneed shift uncomfortably from foot to foot.

Rainsford Sneed. Recognized surgeon. Nervous.

Interesting.

“Nothing with pepper, I assure you,” she replied. She blinked rapidly, startled at the loud “Sssshh” he hissed in her face, looking around. Rolling her eyes, Molly lowered her voice. “There is no pepper in tonight’s meal. Promise.” She then widened her eyes innocently. “Should I ask that it no longer be served to you?” She placed a hand upon her hip. “I’ll make sure Fanny is aware.” She couldn’t stop the frostiness that suddenly coated her words when she added, “Or is it Lady Belle you’d wish to know this about you?”

He seemed to stiffen; his eyes boring into her. Yes, she was aware of Lady Fanny’s infatuation. And the proposal. And the reason for the duel leading to Sneed’s injured leg. And the Pepper Jelly. Fanny was all atwitter about the whole thing; finding no listening ear in her own sister. Not that Molly was mad. It was actually quite funny. In an annoying kind of way.

“No, I don’t suppose...they’d need...to know,” he finished quietly.

“Suppose not.”

“Though, should you ever want to be tempted again to try...” Molly reached for the small clay bowl in front of her. “I suggest you protect yourself, eh.”

She dipped her fingers into what looked like some sort of clear jam and spread it across her fingers. Then, she took his chin with one hand, and started to slowly smear the cool jam over his lips. “To save you from another stay in bed, of course.”

Upon releasing him, Sneed pressed his now shiny lips together. He silently blinked in response to Molly’s smile of mirth as she turned back to preparing that night’s meal. It took a moment for her to realize he was still standing there, just watching her. Still blinking. She jumped slightly at the revelation before relaxing into a playful smile.

“What?” she asked him over her shoulder. He had his hands up to his lips. “You don’t trust me, Dr Sneed?”

“What is this?” he finally asked, venturing a swipe of his tongue over his lips.

“Animal fat.” One side of Molly’s mouth briefly lifted at the alarmed look on Sneed’s face. “You eat the rest of the animal, don’t you?” She had seen it numerous times when he was extended the invitation to sit with the Governor. “We put it on our hands sometimes. Helps from getting any of the spices under our nails. Hurts like the devil, sometimes, doesn’t it?”

“Our guest will be arriving soon. Girls, I need you out front.” Lady Jane’s voice was carried from the front of the estate.

“Well, alright, yes, thank you,” Sneed said with a quick nod of his head. “For the tip.”

“You’re welcome, Dr. Sneed.” Molly cleared her throat. She rolled her shoulders back, tipping her chin upwards. She did not wish for Lady Jane to find her falling behind in her work. Not on a day so important to Fanny. Only a simple glance across the table as she helped serve dinner would give away her proclivity of “Oh, Dr. Sneed?”

“Yes?” Sneed asked, spinning on the ball of his foot in the doorway.

“Glad to see you, too.”

Sneed bent forward in a short, quick bow, his lips lifting into a prideful smile. He mimed a quick tipping of his hat before leaving the kitchen. Laughing quietly through her nose, Molly shook her head, before getting back to the task at hand.

Tag List: @ocappreciationtag @foxesandmagic @witchofinterest @ochub @darknightfrombeyond. If anyone else wishes to be added to the tag list for The Artful Dodger and my OC (who I still can't decide on the name of), let me know!

#tw: injury #the artful dodger #the artful dodger oc #rainsford sneed #sneed x oc #hey a new oc #ficlet #ficlet: trust me i'm a doctor #one shot #authored by: rhuben #by: rhuben

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tsundcku · 5 months

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mr rolling giant but hot

#if u watched kane pixels' the oldest view then u know hehe ;)#i think this is the most niche sim ajsksk #the idea came abt as I was watching the oldest view #and I wondered how mr giant would look like if he was a sim lol and then this happened #gosh im so embedded in the analog/internet horror space ksksls #sims 4 #sims 4 cas #TS4 #ts4 simblr #♡ts4cas #oh I named him rhuben btw !!#and im in love w him alr 🥺

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purpleyearning · 11 months

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RANDOM GIFTING ↪ for @raging-violets

#an updated cover!!#others ocs #allaboutocs #ocappreciation #rhuben tag #type: graphic

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partiallypearl · 1 year

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MAKE IT COUNT PLAY IT STRAIGHT DON’T LOOK BACK DON’T HESITATE

#WHEN YOU GO BIG TIME #hehe #thank u riley and rhuben <3 #u got that song stuck in my head now #btr #big time rush

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hournites · 6 months

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I saw Hournite and immediately rushed to send in an ask! 😁 "Is this a date?" -Rhuben

Homemakers

Beth wiped silky cobweb film on her patchwork jeans. Mindful to not let her upbringing with wealthy parents and a spotless home cloud her judgment, she stepped away from the giant 80s curtains, continuing to meander through the fixer-upper. The wooden floorboards were swollen with old water damage and spreading apart by the front foyer, creaking beneath her tennis shoes. A stubborn stale smell lingered in the air, even after Rick opened windows to stop her sneezing.

“I know it needs work.” Rick glanced around at the stains and barebones furniture, seeing his home through her eyes for the first time. “A lot of work.”

“That doesn’t matter.” She turned around, full with so much gratitude. To her knowledge, Rick had never let anyone visit his house. When he casually suggested they stop by because he forgot his hourglass in his room, she nearly kicked her feet with giddy. She was happy just to be on his property for the first time, she didn’t expect him to give her a private tour. “I think this place is wonderful.”

“It’s a shithole,” he corrected, shrugging a shoulder. “There was a pipe leak just last week. You don’t have to lie.”

It wasn’t a lie. She wasn’t about to deny that it needed serious TLC. The rugs could use a good beating and every room she saw was practically begging for a deep clean. The only mirror was dirty and cracked in the bathroom. The couch could at minimum use a cover, but honestly needed to be replaced…Swiffer could do a commercial here for their mops. No dishwasher and a clothesline for his flannel to dry. At the same time, in all its depressing neglected glory, many trinkets belonging to Rick’s parents were left behind by Matt Harris, writing them off as worthless in value. It was humbling and reassuring to see the reminders of the house this once was. It brought Rick’s past alive.

In fact, she was certain she could transform this into a rustic, positive and hospitable space Rick wouldn’t have to feel ashamed of. With some flowers in window planters and a few fruit trees for Grundy, they could even revive the farm and make it beautiful again.

“Nonsense.” Sitting down on a soft duvet in the room they ended up in, she slipped her hands behind herself to curb the itch she had to fetch her goggles and measure dimensions. She flashed him a grin instead. “It just needs a trip to Ikea.”

“…Ikea?” he repeated, like it was a foreign word.

Beth gave him an excited nod. “Mmhm!”

Rick crossed his arms with a strange look on his face, leaning against the doorpost as she looked around, noticing a mismatching vibe she couldn’t quite place. She sniffed after another tickling sneeze, nose no longer quite so clogged with dust mite. An earthy scent greeted her at last. A hint of sandalwood and trees.

“It smells so good here.” She settled in, crossing one leg underneath the other and pulled out her phone for Ikea’s web browser while ideas were still fresh. “Best spot so far.”

“This is my room,” he told her, amused. “And that’s my bed, so you’re smelling me.”

She gaped at him, ignoring the flush warming her cheeks. “Your room?”

But there wasn’t a single personal item here on display! No books, snack wrappers, or any pictures…There was the bed and a chair, and, yes, admittedly now she did see his phone charger plugged into the outlet in the corner, but…she at least expected the hourglass to be somewhere noticeable.

“What?” he teased. “Didn’t think my bed would be made?”

She stood up, sensitive to what was growing between them and unsure how to proceed. “I didn’t say that!” she protested hotly.

“I know, B. I’m kidding.”

His tone went soft. Like he loved to ruffle her feathers for the opportunity to gently set her at ease.

Opening his door to her also opened a part of himself that Beth always craved after. As guarded as he first was that she knew everything about where he came from, he’d quickly adapted and affirmed her presence much like the baby steps it took for Rick to invite her to sit shotgun in the Mustang. And now it was her unofficial official seat.

“But why is it always you now,” Yolanda used to whine when Rick picked them up for school. Beth would shrug innocently, like she hadn’t been aware their dynamic was charged from the start.

She wasn’t sure how long he’d ever had the peace they fostered in the Mustang, knowing this was the very place he’d used the car for to escape. It wasn’t lost on her that their friendship filled a lot of voids. Connection, solidarity, and, well, partnership. Which, at first, worked in the traditional sense on the team, but had now sailed into the uncharted gray area beyond intense friendship. She couldn’t help longing for more. And, she knew, she was the one that usually tested the boundary as the extrovert of the two, but it secretly thrilled her when it was Rick’s doing, which he was more often.

It had only occurred to her that she’d never let Rick into her bedroom all the times he’d stayed over. Why was that? Her parents never set out any ground rules. And there she was, curling up in his private space–She could only dream what was running through his mind. Was there such a thing as too comfortable? How much was too much?

“And—” she continued to justify, even though Rick never asked. “I likely have your scent memorized because I’m familiar with your car. Or something.”

“Sure.” Rick lifted an eyebrow at her, and kept going. “Or, you just really like my aftershave.” Bending down, he pulled out a storage container from under his bed with a padlock and that had all his stuff.

Beth glanced out the window at the field of dry grass, hoping he’d open it too when the room only grew warmer as more unwarranted thoughts of Rick shaving leisurely swirled around her head.

Meanwhile, Rick latched onto the golden chain of the hourglass and slipped it round his neck. She decided she’d rather be embarrassed about finding such random things Rick does attractive than stay sad about the state of his living habits, clearly developed from living with his uncle. He deserved a teenage room, not a hotel safe. Now that thought drove her to wrap her arms around his middle.

“Thanks for bringing me here.”

Rick returned her hug hesitantly, genuinely confused. “Is this just an excuse to smell me?”

“No,” she said with a roll of her eyes, a teeny tiny fib–she’d already buried her face into his shirt. But this was not the time for that, so she sacrificed the sandalwood for propriety and regretfully pulled away. “I know it matters, that’s all. You could’ve told me to wait in the car but you didn’t. So, thank you.”

He nodded and Beth stepped back, folding her arms.“So, Ikea after training?”

She watched him nervously rub his jaw and added, “We can set a budget. And you get veto power over anything we get.” She crossed her heart but in their business, didn’t think it prudent to hope to die.

“Okay, but I veto.”

Her hand is still over her chest. “You veto.”

“It’s my budget not yours.”

“Okay, but can I buy a few things?”

“Define a few.”

She held out a hand. “Ten things?” She saw his face twist and quickly adjusted. “Five things! Five things you really want!”

“One thing. Maybe. I’ll pay you back later. And, I’d need your advice anyway so don’t give me that look. And this is my house, not yours.”

She saluted as he shepherded her out of his room with a hand on the small of her back. “Message clear and understood.”

-.-

“Is this a date?” She peered into a display box with a dozen different door knobs in one of the Ikea showrooms. Rick gave her a long sideways glance as he pushed a cart twice the length of Courtney’s staff.

“What?” She laughed in his pointed silence. “People go on Ikea dates all the time! They browse interior decor, ask probing questions to get to know each other, share Pinterest ideas to share their dream house aesthetics, and find pieces that fit both styles. There’s a restaurant to eat Swedish meatballs for dinner…Not to mention the teamwork required afterwards for assembly.”

“You think building furniture together with wordless instructions is romantic?”

“It can be with the right person! And a pair of very useful AI goggles. Or a guy with very convenient strength.” She picked up an eight dollar lampshade. “This one?”

He wrinkled his nose. “Does it come in black? And I thought you were very against using JSA stuff for non-JSA things.”

“Exceptions can be made–Are you sure you want black? That’s a depressing color.”

“I’m sure.”

She sighed, resigning to the unforgivable fact Rick was a monochromatic minimalist by default. She noted it down to collect in the maketplace. “So, is this a date?”

The long cart came to a stop. Rick rested his elbow against the metal grate handle. “Believe it or not I do have standards. I’m not having a first date be a trip to Ikea because my house is so ugly it rendered you to tears.”

She laughed again in disbelief, having so much fun. “I did not cry!”

“You hugged me!”

“Because you smelled really good, and I was in your room, which also smelled really good, and I was happy,” she explained, gesturing wildly.

“You’re going to bump into that dresser,” Rick warned her, avoiding a backwards collision with the KOPPANG by tugging her close just in the nick of time.

Greeted by sandalwood yet again, she whispered, “So a first date in your books would not include Ikea at all?”

“Not a first date. Not any date.”

“Noted.” She peered at him quickly, then glanced away to watch other families and couples shop, clasping her wrists behind her back as they walked along the long natural way. Rick strayed away to pick up a few things.

It was when she got lost going through the Turkish rug samples hanging from the ceiling that an arm wrapped around her and she got a kiss on her cheek felt all the way down to her toes.

#stargirl #hournite #ask #hn fics #hn fic #fluff #dctv #rick x beth #continuing rick's physical affection towards beth trend as coming in all tender unexpectedly and in PUBLIC #i imagine that beth is in a position where she wants to date him and has made it quite well known. rick knows she wants to date him.#rick is slowly but surely working on being more vulnerable and this open house was a huge step towards where he needs to be to feel ready #he clearly adores her and i feel like we miss the opportunity of exploring the dynamic where NEITHER are oblivious #they know they know they KNOW but they're teens so what do they DO when they KNOW? they do nothing #it drives courtney crazy

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foxesandmagic · 7 months

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An Apology

This probably isn't needed, but I just wanted to say sorry for posting asking a question, and then dropping off the face of the earth (or at least, disappearing from Tumblr).

First off, thank you to everybody who interacted with my question posts (I'm going to tag replies to comments, I hope that's okay).

Secondly, I'm going to try and do a little work on the Halloween Challenge if I get some time over the weekend. So, if anybody wants to be tagged in things, please let me know (I'm going to be posting them over at thevoyageurmoteplass and justmoreocs for writing and editing first).

Thirdly, as a general update on creative things: I'm currently trying to re-edit Fox's story, and my Peaky Blinders story (The Piccola Rossa Series) so I can finally finish all the books for it (at least, that's the hope).

@darknightfrombeyond - Thank you for your comment, and the beautiful gift you left me.

@andromedalestrange - Thank you; I hope things are well with you.

@mabonetsamhain - Thank you so much; hopefully there'll be some more Fox stuff for you soon (Renee might take a little longer).

@eddysocs - Thank you. It can be hard feeling like you're posting into the void, but thank you for that reminder, it means a lot. I always love seeing your stuff as well - you have such pretty moodboards and things!

@raging-violets - Thank you, Rhuben.

@fanficanatic-tw - Thank you for your kind words, and your support as always.

#Other Things

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witchofinterest · 1 year

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Ok, I need more info on Ricky and this paint throwing situation 🤣 -Rhuben

okay, i made this up 5 seconds ago and Ricky was made 2 hours ago, so let’s fill this in!

So, she wasn’t a troublemaker per se and mostly a good kid, but she got upset like everyone else. One day, her class was up to help paint sets for the play bc they were short that year. And there was this boy that was really annoying her in small ways, poking her, pulling her hair, i’m not touching you, etc. But the thing that made her throw paint was him untying part of her shirt (the back part). He ran away and she grabbed the nearest bucket of paint and threw it (green). It splattered everywhere and they lost a few set pieces. In the principals office they said she could either get a call to her parents/detention or she could audition and it would never have happened. She choose the play

#oc: ricky jensen #also like. he pulled on her shirt she was never gonna get detention #the principal just owed the drama teacher #she’s enjoyed theater ever since! does not regret a thing #oc ricky jensen

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stylesclashed · 1 year

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New Criminal Minds OC idea? 👀🤭 -Rhuben

Yes :)

I am still debating about her name (seeing I just came up with her), but I am leaning toward "Brianna" (Brie for short). She will be Jennifer's sister. I got the idea from one of my prompts for CMBingo (fill a plot hole).

Her face claim will be Brittany Snow :)

She will be a widow.

I'm not sure who the love interest will be yet.

I will be making an intro post soon! I might even write a oneshot soon introducing her!

#danie answers things

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reyofluke-ocs · 2 years

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Hi! 👋 Saw your OC for The Quarry through OCAppreciation. LOVE the idea of Sydney. I think the fact that she likes horror art would bring an awesome perspective to the events of the story. 👍 -Rhuben

Aww, thank you so much! Her and a yet unnamed Hackett OC were the immediate OCs to develop after watching playthroughs (I’m waiting until holiday sales to see if it comes down anymore in price before buying it myself). Her love of horror art was inspired by Emma having her own following and Sidney has her own minor following, from a youtube channel where she’ll draw characters as various horror versions and also do book reviews. An idea of what she does, check out Jordan Persegati on YouTube! His channel was a huge inspiration behind creating that particular aspect of Sidney.

#answered

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nikosasaki · 2 years

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Your The Wilds OC was reblogged onto my dash and I already LOVE THIS IDEA!! And I love Kirin so easy sell for me 😁 -Rhuben

thank u so much!! i fell in love with kirin so hard and i really didnt plan on making an oc but I just couldn't stop myself after seeing him lol, kindhearted jocks will be the death of me for sure

#asks #raging-violets #ch: kit

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raging-violets · 3 months

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The Artful Dodger: We Are Nothing More | SneedxOC

Summary: Rainsford and Molly come to terms with how complicated their positions in the colony are.

Set during episode 5, “The Duel.”

Authored by: Rhuben

Original Character: Molly Atwood

Molly turned away from watching the men as they prepared the Duchess of Portland to set sail at the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. Spotting Belle’s quick, yet purposeful steps through the town, she found herself relaxing a little, but still gathered the folds of her dress and quickly moved away from the area.

Her friend, she knew, would understand her want to just want to be around the ships in the harbor. The men? Captain Gaines? She’d be deemed a distraction. Give the (wrong) impression that she had a desire to find a suitor of the men. Or be se seen as someone to keep an eye on, lest she steal something from the ships. Food? A weapon? Neither out of the ordinary for her and the reason why she was put under the Governor and Lady Jane’s eye in the first place – let alone why she was in Port Victory.

“Lady Belle,” she greeted, falling into step with her, “I trust you enjoyed the soup?”

“Oh, I’m sure it was lovely, Molly, but I did not have any, I must apologize,” Belle said, distractedly. Her eyebrows pinched towards each other, the shadow from the brim of her hat emphasizing her disgruntled expression. She sniffed. “Mr. Dawkins, though, seemed to have enjoyed it.”

“Oh!” Molly’s eyebrows lifted. Her lips twitched upwards in the corners. She slowed her pace and Belle, sighing through her nose, matched her. “And when would Mr. Dawkins have had a chance to taste the soup?” Belle didn’t answer. “Must’ve been all the nutmeg.”

“I’m sorry?” Belle asked, blinking repeatedly. She swallowed, the crease between her eyebrows lessening slightly. “Nutmeg? How-how do you mean?”

“Lady Fanny has counted you know,” Molly said, looking into Belle’s eyes, “your turns. Eight this past month I believe she’s said.”

Belle’s eyes flashed. A hardness came to her voice as she said, “That is of no business of yours.”

“Yes, Lady Belle, I apologize.” Molly bowed her head slightly, clasping her hands together in front of her. “I have just noticed that upon these turns you don’t eat much. I have begun to wonder should the taste be better you’d be more inclined. And it has helped ease any ailment.” A small smile came to her face. “Besides, you do need to keep up your strength.”

“Meaning?”

“Well, I suppose, should Sneed wish to teach you to shoot,” Molly started rocking back and forth lightly on her heels, “you should be able to hold a gun properly.”

Belled opened and closed her mouth. She blinked repeatedly. Molly smiled wider. Belle took in a deep breath through her nose. Pressed her lips together. Cleared her throat. Then the two were laughing. Not too loud; a lady should not be disruptive, of course.

“Fanny told you?” she asked, her nose wrinkling as her last laugh disappeared.

“Somewhere between complaining about you not appreciating her worry, and not being receptive to any man’s charm so she can be married, not appreciating her art, and wondering where she was even to get a guillotine, Sneed’s request to teach you to shoot did come up, yes,” Molly explained. “She watched you from the window for a bit. Before she went off to paint some more. Her art is quite lovely, you know.”

“Her trees could use some work, I’d say,” Belle said flatly. “Anyway, I am in search of Captain Gaines. Have you seen him?”

“I have not. Why do you wish to speak to him? Seems urgent.”

“Well, I thought he’d like to know about an illegal duel being held tomorrow at dawn,” Belle replied, starting her quick pace again. “Rainsford does not wish to put a stop to it, so I am looking for another way.”

“A duel?” Molly repeated, hurrying in Belle’s wake. “Here? That’s barbaric.”

“Not according to Fanny,” Belle said with an odd laugh, “she seems to believe the duel is over her. Wishes to believe she’ll get a fine suitor should Rainsford win. It’s exciting for her.” She clicked her tongue and gave a sharp shake of her head. “And knowing Dawkins’ proclivity for reckless and utterly stupid behavior, I have no doubt—"

“Dawkins,” Molly repeated. “Jack Dawkins? He’s dueling Jack Dawkins?”

“The very same.”

“Is Rainsford out of his mind?”

“Well, of course, he’d have to have one to lose it.”

“Why would he wish to duel Jack?”

Belle didn’t answer right away. Her teeth worked her lower lip. “I do not wish to understand the male brain,” she finally said. “He’s absurd; he had me smelling nutmeg.”

“Huh?”

“Nevermind.”

“Well, as a future surgeon, I don’t deem that wise,” Molly commented, “not wishing to understand the male brain, I mean.” She grabbed Belle’s elbow, pulling her to a stop. “You’ve come to care for him,” Molly posed the question more as fact, “Jack Dawkins, I mean?”

Belle opened and closed her mouth. “The professor will be passing on the role of Head Surgeon in two months’ time,” she said, wetting her lips with a quick swipe of her tongue. “More and more are arriving at Port Victory; we need as many surgeons as we can possibly have.”

“And with Dawkins around, someone is giving you the chance to be another one,” Molly said with a nod.

“Yes, well, that is one bright spot, I suppose,” Belle said with a curt nod. Molly lifted an eyebrow, watching her. Belle shifted her weight from one foot to the other before crossing her arms over her chest. A sparkle came to her eyes, the corners of her lips curling upwards into a hint of a smile. “Amongst others.” Then it cleared and she tilted her chin upwards. “Now, I must find Captain Gaines.”

“Yes, m’lady, I will not delay you any further.”

“Rainsford!”

Sneed looked wildly over his shoulder at the sudden shout before then focusing on the row of bottles that were knocked over at his sudden reaction. He pressed his lips together, exhaling sharply through his nose as the glass shattered as it hit the stand.

“Yes?” he asked, watching Molly stride towards him. His eyebrows came towards each other as he took in the look on her face.

A part of him suddenly he felt the need to get out of the area as fast as possible. First Belle and how Molly. He had never seen such a force within a woman. It was startling in a way; such a display of emotion he was not used to and equally piqued his interest.

“You must call off this duel,” Molly commanded.

“I will do no such thing,” Sneed replied, moving to set up more bottles.

“Why is there need for a duel?” Molly asked.

“Jack Dawkins is not fit for Port Victory,” Sneed replied setting up another row of targets. He could feel her eyes boring into his back. “Yet he acts like he’s entitled to the Head Surgeon position. Something I have worked so hard for!”

“Dr. Dawkins has worked had at his job, too.”

“And has ignored every advice and command as he’ s done it,” Sneed snapped, slamming the last bottle down onto the stand. He whirled around to face her, gritting his teeth. “I told him that the surgery on the navigator was for naught, yet he did it anyway.”

“And he saved his eyes.”

“It was too risky! The man should have just accepted nothing could have been done.”

“You believed you couldn’t do anything for that navigator—”

“The only thing I could do for him was to suggest that he get used to a cane.”

“Yet you chose to help me. Or have you forgotten you have successfully removed a hook from my own eye?”

“You were not in danger of losing your sight.” Sneed crossed his arms over his chest before taking a few steps closer to her. He lowered his voice. “You are not about to set sail, Molly. There is a difference” he insisted when she scoffed. “None of those men on that ship would have been safe with him attempting to navigate. They were better off without him.”

“Yes, I’m sure the man with the engorged member would have done much better,” Molly replied, her upper lip curling slightly. “I’m sure he would’ve been pointing in the right direction at some point, no need for a compass.”

“There was naught I could do.”

“You were just too scared to do it.”

“Excuse me, m’lady.” Sneed stepped closer to Molly, feeling his jaw tighten. “Governor Fox wants them sailing as soon as possible. I had to look at man after man to determine if he was seaworthy. But I had the final decision, and based on my experience, this was not something that could be done.” He pressed his lips together, finding them shaking. “Besides, Dr. Dawkins inferred the smell in town is me.”

Molly’s nose wrinkled. “The whole hospital has started to smell,” she commented, waving a hand in front of her nose as if she could smell it now. Perhaps she could; many in the colony had been speaking of it. “It would be hard to place the blame on anyone.”

“Still,” Sneed sniffed, “Jack Dawkins does not have any respect for authority. He questions the Professor, he questions me…it is not right. It is not right for him to lay up all night with the governor’s daughter. Lady Belle has been spending too much time with someone of his class.”

Molly’s eyebrows rose sharply. “The same class as me, you mean,” she asked.

“Yes, that is what I mean,” he replied. He moved to his gun case and carefully removed his revolver from its position. Turning around to face the bottles, he fired three quick shots. He smiled as each bottle exploded.

“So, Dr. Dawkins and I are not meant to wish to do something more?” Molly asked from behind him. “Or worse yet, you do not believe it to be possible. You like every other small-minded twit here.”

“You will not speak to me this way, Molly.” She would not be the next person to do so. Lady Belle. Jack. Now her? He deserved respect and he would get it.

“Yet, you have no issue should Lady Belle do the same.”

“Lady Belle needs to understand that it would be better for her to marry,” Sneed said, “and not to worry herself with surgical knowledge. It will be better for her.” He punctuated his sentence with another successful shot of his gun.

“And that’s the difference between us? The only difference?”

Sneed let out a sigh of frustration. He set his gun down and placed his hands on his hips as he faced her. “I don’t understand.”

“Yes, Lady Belle and I are not in the same class, but we are friends.”

“Well, you’ve been tending to herself and Lady Fanny for a while now, surely you’re bound to grow a rapport.” Which would make it easier should Lady Belle and himself marry. It would be one less housekeeper to understand how the homestead was to be tended to.

“We are friends because we both dream for more with our lives. We speak of it quite often.”

“Out of turn.” Sneed pointed a wagging finger at her. “That is not something that should be discussed. You help tend to her home.” His chest swelled as he took in a breath of air. “We shouldn’t be discussing it, now. Not like this.”

“Yes, but how are dreams supposed to be achieved if no one hears us? You dream of becoming the next Head Surgeon; how would you come across the role have you not grown a rapport with Professor McGregor? With Governor Fox?”

“Our families have known each other for years,” Sneed replied, “I have studied at Oxford. Of course they would think of me.”

Molly’s lips twitched. “Well,” she sniffed, “you could at least find someone who actually likes the smell of nutmeg.”

Sneed’s anger lessened slightly as he locked his brown eyes with her hazel ones. She didn’t say anything else, just gave him a blazoned look. He cleared his throat. Brushed his hand over his mustache. “You wish to leave these lands – it-it wouldn’t be right,” he finally said.

“To whom?” Molly asked with a scoff. “To the colony? To the Governor and Lady Jane?” Arms crossed over her chest; she stepped over to him. “Because surely, someone of my class couldn’t feel for anyone in yours?” Her eyes bored into his, saying a silent, “you’ve seen how Jack and Lady Belle have looked at each other.”

Yes, he had seen it. And he had seen how she looked at him. How she looked so relaxed leaned up against him. Andhe couldn’t understand it. And he didn’t want to understand it. It was something else Jack Dawkins seemed to get without any work. Any effort. And it didn’t make sense to him how Dawkins always seemed to get what he wanted. Unfortunately, they both seemed to want the same thing at the moment. Though he wasn’t sure which was more prevalent; the Head Surgeon’s position or Lady Belle.

“I am the Governor’s house servant now, that is true.” Molly swallowed thickly, seeming to hesitate before saying, “Yes, I was a convict before that. We’ve both seen in Dr. Dawkins how that doesn’t matter. That it shouldn’t matter.”

“But it does,” Sneed said quietly. “You have had those who’ve asked to marry you.”

“I have no desire to pick up their handkerchiefs and you know it, “Molly said through gritted teeth. She then said just as quietly as him, “They are not whom I wish to marry.” She reached into his gun case and retrieved his revolver. Sneed watched as she lined up the shot and pulled the trigger, successfully shattering the bottle she was aimed at.

“…Nice shot.”

“Thank you.” She set the gun down and looked him in the eye once more. “You have dirt in your hair, by the way.” She reached out a hand and brushed at his hair. Sneed briefly saw a plume of brown waft in the air before the smell of nutmeg reached his nose. “Call off the duel. You wish to save people for a living, I don’t believe you could willingly take someone’s life.”

Sneed didn’t answer, he just picked up his gun one more time, prompting Molly to turn on her heels and walk away. Sneed aimed at the final bottle and pulled the trigger. A hint of a pleased smile came to his face as he watched the final bottle explode in front of him.

Tag List: @ocappreciationtag @foxesandmagic @witchofinterest @ochub @darknightfrombeyond. If anyone else wishes to be added to the tag list for The Artful Dodger and my OC, let me know!

#tw guns #the artful dodger #the artful dodger oc #rainsford sneed #belle fox #sneed x oc #fd: the artful dodger #authored by: rhuben #by: rhuben

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