Spade

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

Diego finished off the assailants two friends in the circle the crowd provided, wiping his mouth and getting his hair out of his face, he smiled as he stared down the last of the brawlers, "Now I'm gonna show you lot how we handle our business in the big city," he announced, raising his fists and stepping up to his final target. The yokel swung like a bullish madman, winging his punches as soon as Diego entered range. Diego was far from the cobbled streets of Saint Denis, but he felt right at home brawling in a saloon, albeit usually not the country type of place that lined the street in towns like Valentine and Rhodes. He slipped a winging haymaker and returned with a few hooks of his own. The gentleman hit the floor flat on his back, taking a minute to grunt and signify he was trying to get up, but he was cooked, he collapsed as he tried to get back to his feet.

Before the crowd could finish cheering and embrace their victor, Diego walked back to the bar and did his best to fix his hair and collar. Pats on the back and shifty eyes were offered from the various patrons throughout the saloon, perhaps beating up a few locals did more here than back in the city. It definitely earned him more attention, good willed or not. Swimming through the crowd, Annie appeared and attempted to approach Diego to nurse his wounds, but the other girls stopped her, she needed a cold bath and some time off. Diego approached the bar while still catching his breath, a sporting smile spilling across his face as he realized it was time to resume conversation with the beautifully mysterious Ruby. Diego looked and nodded to the woman who would be known as Sadie Adler as she took her shot, another hard type, one that wore herself different than the simple folk of the town.

"I don't think I'm much use to anyone looking like this, Ruby, what do you say we get out of here? I'm up at the hotel at the end of the street. Your people are welcome to drink up on my tab, barkeep fella thinks I'm alright, foolish bastard." he finished putting his coat on, fixing his sleeves and collar before his large frame leaned back against the bar.

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

"I remember that laugh," Diego replied before looking around for Annie, hopefully the girl moved on or called it a night, "I wouldn't worry about her, not too many from Saint Denis make their way out here and she stuck to me like the mud out here. I still work for Claude back home, I'm here supposed to meet some of his associates from Strawberry, we're supposed to set up a high stakes table here. I'm just killing time until they get here, when low and behold the closest thing I've ever had to a guardian angel walks in," Diego returned his attention to the fine woman in the purple dress, "ain't life funny?" he asked, speaking that last bit in a terrible cowboy impression. The whiskey had begin to be felt a little as Diego continued to be nosey with his old fling, "So how long you've been running with your tio? He know about you and Blackwater?"

Suddenly, one of the fellas Diego had beaten at the table earlier returned and got in between Diego and Ruby. That was all that was needed to set Diego off. He grabbed the fella before he could even get a word off and tossed him towards the center of the saloon. The piano player banged the keys a little faster as tabled scratched across the floor in an attempt to make a clearing in the middle. At the bar, the barkeep retrieved a small chalkboard from under the bar and bets began being yelled from throughout the saloon. Diego was finally in a fist fight, that didn't take long at all.

Growing up in the Saint Denis slums, a kid has got to be able to defend themselves or die. The conditions in which Diego had to survive at a young age turned the kid into a natural brawler and dangerous pugilist. He lowered his opponents hands with body shots and threw hooks aimed at the drunkard's head. The man tried to tie up Diego but he was too slow, Diego delivered a vicious blow to the body, forcing the guy to keel over. Diego shoved him to the floor where he stayed and removed his coat, handing it to Ruby as the man's friends rolled up there sleeves.

"Give me a minute Ruby, I've got to handle a few things."

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

Diego finished his drink and followed suit, picking his gloves up from the table and tucking them in his back pocket. As he walked, he patted Arthur on the shoulder before heading towards the bar. Annie tugged at his arm so as to take him upstairs but he resisted, so she pulled him close and reached for his other gun. Diego pushed her off, giving her an annoyed look. She stomped off into the crowd as he fixed his cuffs, bumping through the crowd and taking a spot over by Ruby at the bar.

"Barkeep, lady here drinks on me." It's like he couldn't hide how excited he was to see that face again, that innocent frame and deceiving smile that sent all of his memories rushing to the front of his mind like a drunken stupor. He turned to face her as he leaned against the bar, "You can tell me what you're doing here you know, I'm not someone you have to worry about." His shot was brought to him, he picked it up and took a good look at Ruby.

"It's good to see you, hermosa. I was serious when I said I owed you a favor, now is as good a time as any, cause I don't know when I'm going to leave."

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

Diego was too busy watching Ruby's eyes do that thing to notice the full house Arthur played right in front of him. He remained still as his eyes shot down to look at his hand. Three of a kind, not four, I'm fucked he thought to himself in that instant. For the first time since riding into Valentine, Diego lost a hand at the poker table. He set his cards face down and stared blankly before looking over to Arthur and slowly bubbling into a laughter. He had been at it since morning, but he had finally felt like he was gambling again. Annie, worried that she was the odd one out at the table, tried to join in on the laughter, but Diego had damn near forgotten she was even there. Diego banged the table with joy as he smiled at Arthur, "Sir, you just took some of my money, I'm buying your drinks tonight. If this isn't the most fun I've had since getting here."

He stood up from his chair and waved over more drinks before reaching his hand out for Arthur, "Diego Cervantes, Saint Denis. I met your Ruby in Blackwater while I was casing a saloon for my boss, nearly got gutted by a posse out there until she saved me being sent back to the city in a box. That isn't what brings me to Valentine however. How about another round?"

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

Annie returned with the drinks Diego had asked for, taking quick notice of the blonde that he hadn't taken his eyes off of since seeing her. The saloon girl placed the shots down in front of the men before walking back to her usual spot behind Diego. She wasn't dumb, she could smell some sort of chemistry between them, maybe even some history. She had been enamored with Diego since his arrival, his stories of Saint Denis and his lifestyle gave her vicarious illusions of grandeur. She would keep a watchful eye on the one Diego called 'Ruby'.

How could Diego forget that quick wit of hers, the way her eyes lit up when she smart-mouthed him. The large fellow at the table was apparently her uncle, or at least that's what she claimed, whether he would believe in that had yet to be determined, circumstances given. Diego kept dealing, "I had business there when I found myself in a situation, Ruby was generous enough to lend her expertise and ensure my time in Blackwater was much more accommodating. I come from Saint Denis though, that is where the majority of my business is, that's home." he finished, giving an embellished smile towards Ruby.

Diego put his cards down after putting his chips in the middle, Arthur had spend his time listening to Diego and looking back and forth between the two trying to read what was really going on, "So, Ruby, is your uncle playing for sport or on account of the money you owe me?" He asked, holding his cards in one hand as he picked up his shot of whiskey, raising it at the blonde.

"To memories returned." he smirked and toasted.

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

The rub of the wooden chair against the floor was felt through the table as Arthur took a seat across from Diego. He was an oak of a man, just a bit thicker around the frame than Diego himself. The young gambler cleared his throat and sat up, smirking as his brown eyes met the striking blues. This fella, whoever he was, was the genuine article. Diego could see it in his eyes, he had seen that look before. Diego had only seen a few true gunslingers in his life, he had seen them ride into town on their dusty horses, covered in the kinda grime that living that life gets you. Nobody gets the look Arthur Morgan had on him by just pretending. Diego's smirk grew at the prospect of playing poker with an outlaw.

Diego took the book of matches out from his vest pocket, offering them to Arthur in a gesture of good faith. He kept his focus on the table as he shuffled the deck one more time, presenting it for Arthur to cut after shuffling for a few seconds, "I'm not very subtle when it comes to picking fights sir, so I say this meaning no offense: I've been in this town a few days now, and it's been fine but all I've met were miners, farmers, laborers, country types I ain't used to," he began to deal, "But I haven't been as interested in getting to know a fella until I seen you."

Diego stopped in an instant, mid-sentence. His open mouth turned into a smile as he laughed to himself. "Your whiskey, sir, let's get you that drink. Annie, please, a shot for this gentleman." he finished, letting out a deep breath and sitting back. Looking up, his eyes met a face he was not quite prepared to meet. He smirked again, this time his eyes focused on the blonde beauty behind Arthur, "Looks like I'm gonna need me another drink as well. What do you say, Ruby?"

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

"Well you said you were on your way, friend. So what's holding you here?"
"You took my money, sir."
"No good man, you lost your money at this table now good day to you." Diego responded as he waved over another shot of whiskey. The fella who had busted out at the table snatched his hat, stewing in his anger a little too long before turning around and walking out with some of his friends. Annie glared at their backs as she draped her arms over his shoulder and watched him play. He had been busting people out well into the afternoon, leaning back and letting the ivory grip on his off-hand mauser catch light.

Annie got up and took his empty glass to the bar. Diego began shuffling with one hand as he looked around, "What this place needs barkeep is some of that tequila I was telling you about," he yelled towards the bar, "Perhaps then we can have some big bets at the table, wouldn't that be proper?" he smirked, cutting the deck and reshuffling. Annie came back and returned to her position behind Diego, rubbing his shoulders as he stared at the empty chair. He could hear Claude's voice as if his mentor was whispering in his ear, an empty chair is a lost opportunity.

"Would you like something to eat, honey?" Annie ask him in her thick country accent.
"I'm fine Annie, thank you." He quickly responded, staring out of the window bored of the day already. Maybe it was time to start lending money, or set up a craps game of his own since the Strawberry affair is taking so long. What he really wished was that he could open a restaurant, one that serves more than lamb's fry and cooked rabbits meat. The dinner clubs in Saint Denis seemed like they were on the other side of the world, all Valentine knew was game meat and muddy whiskey. Diego caught himself getting irritated, cleared his throat and redetermined himself to get comfortable. Who knows if he'd leave Valentine any time soon. "We got us a card game over here gentlemen, a mans game, let's turn some cards." He pitched at patrons who walked in and over to the bar, or the girls. After a few more moments of silence, Diego got up and raised his voice.

"Shot of whiskey for any fella in here with the stones to sit down and play some cards, let's make some money." he bellowed. If there weren't any takers, the Mexican was prepared to get soggy and take Annie upstairs.

Red Dead Redemption - Violence, Money and Similar Pastimes | Hari x Spade

"No word from Strawberry yet, Mr. Cervantes, but anyone coming from that way may experience some significant delay, what with the sudden Pinkerton presence after that situation in Blackwater. I'll send word round to the saloon should I receive any information pertaining to your business associates. Also, sir, the gunsmith sent word last night your pistols were ready."
"Much appreciated, take this for your trouble."
"Far too kind Mr. Cervantes, much obliged, sir."
"Don't mention it, in Saint Denis, we take care of those who help us."

Diego's fine boots knocked the porch wood as he stepped outside, scanning the crowd that bustled up and down the main street of Valentine. His spurs chimed as he made his way to the gunsmith, his bulky frame used to weaving through bustling walkways. The bullish man reeked of fancy, his burgundy frock coat draped over his fine vest and french dress shirt. The bright white of his cuffs poked out from under his tailored coat sleeves as he walked.

As he walked, Diego pulled his fine leather gloves on, because even though he would never admit it, Valentine was a lot colder than what he was used to. Last time he was in Valentine, he was just a boy. The cold mud between his toes made them numb, and he fumbled whatever English he could. That was a long time ago, and now, the people of Valentine stared because the of his dress, not his skin, because of the pomade in his hair and the way he strutted down the street, like it was Saint Denis and everyone knew who he was, what he could do.

He tipped the gunsmith handsomely, his mauser and volcanic pistol were as clean as a whistle. Both pistols were ivory gripped, black steel with brass. Back in Saint Denis, he was known to use the volcanic as a hammer when he needed to, but there wasn't much construction being done in his line of work. He was from the city, the cobbled streets of Lemoyne's biggest urban sprawl, revolvers and bullwhips were not his forte, nevertheless, the man knew how to fight. Growing up in the city as muscle for gamblers made him quite the brawler.

'Send the Mexican' Claude would say, and debts would practically pay themselves. Other than skin tone and name however, Diego was pure Saint Denis city stock: Fine clothes, slicked hair, tough beard, and an eagerness for money and violence. The people of Valentine were to slowly find out just who he was. Being in town a few days, he had attracted enough attention with the money he was spending at the saloon, but the recreation was superficial, a way to kill time until business was handled. Yet there was Diego, still in Valentine walking through the mud every morning just to get around. With no word from Strawberry, or Saint Denis, Diego was ready to kick his feet up with sincerity.

With his horse comfortably stabled and his room booked through the next week, Diego strolled into the saloon for a haircut and to finally mix with the locals in earnest. The bartender poured him a shot of whiskey as they conversed, Diego wanted to see about getting tequila shipped to the town. Meanwhile Annie, the saloon girl he spent his first night with made her way over to him.

"Well Mr. Cervantes, long as you need to handle business here in Valentine you are more than welcome to unwind here, sir."
"Barkeep, my good man, I knew you'd say that." Diego smirked as he raised his glass.

The Fox and The Jaguar

"No need to prove yourself right away, agent. There will be plenty of time for that, but I do trust that since you're out here all alone like you should be, you're not entirely useless. The local gang around here just lost their leader to an assassin, my people just told them it was you." he smiled, taking a long sip of his coconut as he looked Agent Kessler in her eyes, "I have a boat waiting for us at the port on the edge of town. If you can make it, I will take you to the Trash Market meeting, it's first thing tomorrow." Diego finished explaining, interrupted by an old Thai woman coming to give him a hug and dry kiss on the cheek. Being a hired killer is easy to sweep under the rug when you're so damn charasmatic, "Anyways, I have a ride wating for me outside, I hope to see you soon, I can't remember the last timeI had so much fun with the FBI, perhaps Sinaloa, I'm not sure." he mused, tilting his head humorously as he got up and left.

Joelle handed Diego his jacket as he took a seat in the back of the SUV that waited for him outside of the arena. The time for recruiting prospects was over, there was business and he was a business man.

"About time you threw her to the wolves, no need for dead weight." Renan remarked from the passenger seat.

"If she makes it, maybe she can handle herself around us." shrugged Diego, taking a relaxed sip of his coconut.

Joelle shot Diego a worried look through the rearview mirror, "Get the fuck outta here my guy, you actually like this broad being around."

"She seems nice, it'll be fun," he mused in response, he was met with disapproving silence, "What? Fucking relax guys, I got it all worked out."

The exterior of the boat was pretty inconspicuous, which was by design, but the inside was much more accomadating. This wasn't some spy boat mobile command bullshit from the movies, but for what it was, it was very impressive. Agent Kessler would be able to put together just how resourceful Diego was. The guys helped the small crew prepared the ship while Diego sat on his laptop. Some people he sent Agent Kessler's picture had sent him what information they'd been able to gather in the short time they were given.

"She's here Diego." Renan shouted from above deck. Diego closed his laptop, grabbed his coconut and reported to the deck to recieve the FBI agent.

"You're still here Agent Kessler, that's good," he said, smiling and throwing his empty coconut in the river below them. Behind him, Renan and Joelle glared a burning hole through Agent Kessler, a warm welcome nowhere to be found, the jungle was warm enough, "Now we can get to work, little fox."

They would be in Bangkok by morning. Inside the boat was a small armory and plenty of tactical gear to choose from. "Take what you need, my little fox, we should be done by lunch."

The Fox and The Jaguar

"Diego, just let me put a bullet in her and let's forget we ever agreed to this. We'll hit the Trash Market meeting, cut some heads and that's it man, we get out of there." Renan explained, he was never a fan of the authorities for obvious reasons, but American Federal Agents were always bad news.

"You want me to kill her now? Like right now? Are you crazy hermano? Look at this," he argued, showing Renan the picture that Joelle was sent of Agent Kessler, "You know what that is?"

"Trouble," Joelle admitted "I thought they were gonna send us some ex-Navy seal looking for a vacation or something."

"You're both wrong. This is an opportunity, fellas. We just had an FBI agent delivered to our front door, this is a beautiful thing, think of the possibilities, the doors we could open," he stopped, looking down at the candid picture of Agent Kessler, "Nobody lays a finger on her until I say so. We make sure she's alone, we find out who she is and then we have our fun." explained the murderous mercenary as he took his suit jacket off and rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt up a little, his left arm revealed to be covered in a leopard print tattoo except for a traditionally etched Thai tattoo that occupied the most of his inner forearm. He finished his drink and headed for the door, raising a hand to Joelle and Renan before they could finish getting up, "No need, just make sure she came alone. NFA boys, No Fucking Around tonight. The plan goes as usual, have the plane ready by morning, have a care package ready for her, this outfit just grew by one, let the proper people know we're hot and heading into Bangkok for a business meeting." he finished, making a gun gesture with his hand.

The fight below grew increasingly intense, Diego could sense the fight wouldn't make it past the third round. Word got out that The Jaguar of Bangkok was sending life-changing amounts of money to those who had won in a convincing fashion. The young Thai boy in the blue corner feinted with the left jab before bringing a powerful right knee forward, catching his slipping opponent right on the nose, spilling blood all over the canvas. Where the Jaguar went, blood was eventually spilt.

"I didn't realize the FBI let such beautiful agents come to a place like this." Diego mused as he pulled up a stool next to Agent Kessler, taking out some baht and acquiring a refreshing coconut of his own, "They must not give a shit about you. Welcome to Thailand, agent, I trust your boss let you know who I am." he said, offering a cocky smile. Behind them, the loser of the last bout had to be taken away on a stretcher, as the next pair of fighters began their pre-fight dance. "I hope they told you about all the good things I've done for the people who pay me. Now, I'm being paid by the United States government to let you tag along and take credit for my work. Seems like a fair price to pay if you ask me." Behind them, the mother of the injured fighter was in tears as she was being helped out of the ring, the blood of her son on her cheek and hands. Diego didn't bat an eye, this was another day in Phuket, another day of youth trying to break out of the poverty. They reminded him of himself, the slums reminded him of his home. "Does this place scare you, little fox? Do I scare you? You should see the places we're gonna go, you should see the people we're gonna kill."

Diego lifted his coconut with an eager smile, "To new friends." he menacingly proposed.