Lackadaisy Rocky Rickaby - Blog Posts

THE RATTLESNAKE AND THE JESTER PAGE 5-6 🐍🍎🎪🎭

Page 3-4 - Page 7-8 (WIP)

Hey are reqeust still opened if not sorry to bother you but if they are

can you do a child rocky x child reader? (The reader has a younger sister in this) fluff to angst to fluff

It's basically how rocky met reader and their sister as kids and then one day reader and their sister have to move (you can decide why if you want) and rocky gets sad by this but they meet again as adults working together at lackadaisy

(Hope this isn't too much)

Pronouns used : None

Note(s) :

Of course! I'm not too sure what you wanted the sister to do when they're older, or just narrative wise? I didn't have any ideas, my bad.

Rocky was never a calm person, mind and body always running faster than anybody could keep up with, especially in his youth. While his aunt was a ferice and true Christian woman, someone who practically haunted his dreams, at least she didn't have a gun. It was times like this, where he, his cousin and miss pepper where behind a van being shot at, he missed the older times. Even if they were boring and filled with church.

Although, that wasn't because he missed her per say, it was more for two young siblings he met when he was younger himself. They were his best friends and most trusted companions, besides Freckle of course, and had met in his opinion, the best of circumstances.

Not at church, not doing something nice for either of them, instead, Rocky had shoved pancakes on either of his arms, creating sleeves of some kind. Syrup covered him and he was a complete mess. He was running away from a shouting auntie and managed to get lost, at a house away from his own in a forest. It wasn't well kept at all.

There he found two kids the same age as him, they didn't look like locals, strange clothes for this weather and they didn't seem to be playing, just standing out their house. When they both noticed him, the younger of the two quietly laughed and pointed not so discreetly at the pancakes lining his arms.

"He looks silly!" She whispered, staring at him like he was some strange creature and pulling on the older ones clothes.

"Hello! It's nice to meet you!" The eldest, you, outstretched a hand, he noted both of your ways of saying words was weird, but also not. Like you two were pretending to have an accent. Rocky grinned. It was clear you're all going to best friends from that moment, because he thought so. He thrust his hand forward and shook your own aggressively.

"Name's Rocky! Your name my-" He paused, then cartoonishly put his hands on his hips "-dearest neighbour?"

"My name is (F/N), This is-" You, jumping in shock as your younger sister yanked on your fur to push herself in front of you.

"(S/N)!" She happily grinned, giggling and absent minded. Tail swishing happily as she looked up at the older boy, he could swear she reminded him of himself in some way.

Every few days you'd all meet up, he even brought Freckle on some days, but as the days passed, and even months flew by, he began to notice how different you both seemed from the first meeting. (S/N) seemed more quiet as they met more, unable to run and laugh as she once could, and you were more protective, less adventurous and too busy helping your sister walk to speak to Rocky.

Until one day you both stopped coming all together.

He waited an hour each day for a month just to see you two again, Freckle stayed even after that, but even then you still wouldn't come back. They both banged on the door, yelling for you, yet the inside was always still, even less taken care of than before. You had both left. And he denied it for so long, but he realised as he grew why. Rocky at first believed you to have left because you both hated him, you both lost interest in your friendship and simply didn't want to be around him anymore.

But he noticed the signs, he knew the truth, (S/N) was sick, deathly so, she couldn't breathe and instead sat down on most days, even you seemed more sickly. Yet both of you were determined to at least see him and his cousin.

He tried to convince himself you just left for a doctor, but no doctor takes that long, he knew you both most likely died from some illness you weren't used to. With how you both spoke, you weren't from here, and you couldn't resist disease here. It weighed on him, how he didn't confront you about it, to at least confirm his suspicions.

And now, in gunfire and feeling his consciousness drain, it all felt fuzzy, familiar, warm. He wanted to go back and see you both again, one of the highlights of his youth, but also one of the most horrifying parts.

Rocky's eyes snapped open, he was shoved onto a couch like a sack of dirt, the force knocking some air from him and causing spurts of coughs and croaky mumbles of confusion. His vision was blurred and he felt like he drank an entire bottle of alcohol, but he could make a shape from all the chaos. It was speaking, and sounded angry, he noticed what he assumed to be Viktor leaving and slamming the door behind him, that's when the shape drew closer.

It held his hand, it was fuzzy... He noticed the accent, it was familiar. Then came the hug, you're warm. He wanted to reach out and hug you back, but not only did it hurt to breathe, he guessed he understood how you felt back then, but he realised you were wrapping something around him, not hugging him.

Black dots crowded his vision, and the next thing he knew he felt fabric on his chest different from his shirt, itchy and medical. Rocky grimaced and gripped the sofa cushion uncomfortably digging into his side, wanting it all to be over, he loved the job, just not this part. He felt himself fade away once again.

It took so much from you to not force him awake, but you waited, you had waited before for years, what was a few more hours? Your thoughts raced and you felt like sobbing, your sister had begun helping other injured within the Lackadaisy staff before she left for the night, believing he wouldn't wake until morning, yet it still didn't persuade you to leave his side.

Not even after the night ended and you had wasted precious time, you could've helped others with your sister, but all you could think of was him. Was he the same? You didn't know, and a part of you wanted to leave and never see him again, he could hate you for leaving, you never explained why, and he couldn't understand so young. Rocky was your friend, and you hope he still is.

The light began pouring into the room, your tired and aching eyes didn't notice the twitching, your sleepy head not processing the pained grunts from your patient, until he whispered your name.

Your ears perked up, suddenly more alert than they'd ever been in your life, your eyes widened and pulse quickened. He shifted from his position on the couch, before his back was laid flat, now he was turned slightly to look at you, luckily off his injured side.

"Rocky?..." You questioned quietly, smiling brightly and gently moving a hand forward to his coat, peeking underneath to see the blood seeping through had dried, you whispered for him to sit up slowly if he could. Coughing, he did so, wincing in pain and scratching a cushion that rubbed against the injury.

You began wrapping the new bandages around his side, leaning in close to do so, he took the opportunity and hugged you tightly, you almost thought he was planning to remove your spine with the force he pressed against you.

"I missed you too! Please let go-"

Happy Late Valentine’s Day Everyone!! ❤️❤️🥰🥰

I’m totally not two days late, what are you talking about??🥰🥰🥰

Also I did a drawing of Maríanne and Rocky as statues based on the one of Eros and Psyche (I love their story)

Thank you @missedditart for the apple tree blossoms idea :> it’s a very beautiful touch, I also added Rocky’s blue daises

Love and Loyalty 🔥🔥

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day! And for those who are single like me then I feel you! 🥲

Nonetheless, just remember, that you are all deserving of love ❤️❤️🥰🥰❤️❤️

Here’s the inspo plus a close up of the drawing:

Here’s my chart so far! I enjoyed doing these and thank you to all of my lovely peeps for your requests ❤️

My requests are still open! :D

Yipppeeeeee! I’m bored so I wanna do something to practice my character drawing!

So I’m going to do that fun Expression challenge inspired by Nirami!

I’ll be taking requests and you guys can pick 1-3 of these expressions you want to see with either my oc Maríanne, or any of the lackadaisy characters! ❤️ After each expression I’ll cross them out! Thank you! :>>

b1 for Ivy, b4 for Rocky and f2 for Maríanne pretty please ( ˶⚈Ɛ⚈˵)

Ye ask and ye shall receive ✨❤️ here’s part 2 of the expression requests from @coffeintheface and @yanci-indigo ✨✨

I really enjoy doing these expressions so if you guys have anymore let me know! Thank you so much for your requests guys!❤️

Yipppeeeeee! I’m bored so I wanna do something to practice my character drawing!

So I’m going to do that fun Expression challenge inspired by Nirami!

I’ll be taking requests and you guys can pick 1-3 of these expressions you want to see with either my oc Maríanne, or any of the lackadaisy characters! ❤️ After each expression I’ll cross them out! Thank you! :>>

AHH

MARÍ’S RELATIONSHIPS PT 2.:

Ivy 💃🌼👒:

Very fond of her! Maríanne claims that she is Ivy’s self-proclaimed mentor (seriously idk why she is like this). She trained Ivy when she first started working at the cafe. In their free time, Maríanne will offer to teach Ivy how to box and how to shoot a shotgun (like how Delilah taught her back in New York). When Ivy agrees, Maríanne gains a new training buddy and Ivy gets another shopping buddy! Ivy introduces her to the latest trends and they often hangout when they’re not training. Marí will try to throw in some life lessons during the hangouts but Ivy would be too busy on choosing between two different kinds of hats.

Thoughts: “it’s a tough world out there! In this dangerous life, I have to teach this young girl how to defend herself!”

Current: “I’m very proud of her but what is she doing?!”

Mitzi 🍷💸🦚:

She enjoys her company and may or may not see her as a slight mother figure! When Maríanne first arrived to Lackadaisy, Mitzi pitied her like Viktor. Mitzi would take care of Marí while she was recovering from her wounds bringing her food, fresh bandages, and pain medicine when Mordecai isn’t able to. She’d always dote on Maríanne and try to cheer her up as best as she could. Simply distracting Marí from her worries by asking about her journey out on the streets and about Rocky. Mitzi introduced Marí to Zib and the band once she heard about her street performance. She definitely had lend a hand in convincing Atlas to let Maríanne stay at Lackadaisy. As Marí healed, Mitzi would join in on Ivy and Marianne’s shopping sprees. Maríanne finds Mitzi very sweet and comforting, (sometimes getting unsolicited dating advice from her) and deeply cares about her.

Thoughts: “She’s very pretty, her soft voice reminds me of my mother sometimes. I don’t like to think too far back but she makes sure that I’m having a good day. I feel like I owe more to her than I do Atlas.”

Current: “I trust she could make it work and rebuild it. But from what Mordecai told me…her chances feel slim. I’ll do what I can to give her hand, I might’ve left Lackadaisy but I won’t abandon it completely. It was my home because of her.”

Horatio🐀♣️:

Not too close, but a casual friendship. Maríanne is very polite with him, indulging in some small talk and catching up on life. When the cafe is empty, Maríanne helps Horatio clean up and prepare the speakeasy for the night. They also feed the rats together. Fun fact: Marí loves rodents!

Thoughts: “Great man! Respects the rats and stands firmly at the door. Rocky refers to him as someone who protects the front gates of our a great kingdom. He’s our mighty guard!”

Wick🪨🥃💵:

Doesn’t really interest her. He’s just another rich man in her eyes. When they do talk, she finds him pleasant and less obnoxious. So she’s okay with him.

Thoughts: “Rocks and bugs? Interesting, I guess?”

Freckle🔫🪶🥪:

Heard about him through Rocky, so she has a very high liking towards him. When Marí meets him, she’s very enthusiastic. Doesn’t understand why he finds her so intimidating or why he’s so shy? Isn’t he Rocky’s cousin? When she sees his trigger happy mode, then she gets her answer. Sees that being a trigger man is his calling, although he is too reckless, she knows enemies will never see it coming due to his innocent face. Marí will care about him and take care of him for Rocky’s sake but is a little threatened by him.

Thoughts: “Great asset to Lackadaisy. I have my eye on him though, he maybe Rocky’s cousin but who knows what else he’s capable of.”

Atlas🪦:

If it weren’t for him, she’d be dead. Maríanne is indebted to him but doesn’t see him as a loving figure more like a mystery. She knows that he keeps a suspicious eye on her constantly when she first arrived, but there wasn’t malice just protectiveness over what’s his. It was better than her previous situation and was thoroughly surprised when he considered her to be a trigger man or the fact that he let her stay. Maríanne knew how much Mordecai looked up to Atlas, so she trusted that he was a good man. Deep down…she always felt something was off but was just happy to find a secure place.

Thoughts: “I was curious to know more about him but with people like him, it’s best to stop digging. When he died, I was devastated but not just for the death of ‘the Atlas May’ but the death of Lackadaisy. A slow, unfair death…”

🐍🐍

THATS ALL FOLKS!! Thank you again @mivanti03 for the questions! ❤️✨

I’ve been waiting for someone to ask that! AH! Sorry it took so long but I hope I answered your questions well ❤️ Thank you! :>

Hello! I am curious what is Marìanne's relationship with Rocky? Also what is her opinion or relationship with the Lackadaisy crew? Does she have any thoughts about them and what is her job exactly?

Does Marìanne have a family? Does she knows about the Marigold?

That's all l could think of, by the way your oc is so pretty and I love that she has snake fangs (I do have another lacka oc that's base on a sliver fox and snake.).

Have a good day/Night!

AHH! Hello! Thank you for the Ask! ❤️ and thank you, she’s my lil snake (even if she denies it) and that’s awesome! I love your art style and how you draw your ocs, they’re all so pretty 🥺❤️ Below gonna drop as much lore as I can! (Of course it might change because my brain likes to keep adding on 🥲)

This is gonna be two separate parts just to space things out! Let’s start with some Maríanne stuff!

🐍🐍

MARÍ’S FAMILY:

Has an older brother with a 12 year age gap, his name is Estefan Villanueva (his name was changed it might change again). He took care of Maríanne when she was much younger. When he got older he found himself a husband with a kid. His future husband helped him raise Maríanne along with his own child.

Her parents are out of commission. It didn’t end well for them. Maríanne thinks about them sometimes but was mostly raised by her brother.

There are some extended family members in Mexico but some died during the revolution. But she has some aunts, uncles, and cousins still kicking!

MARÍ’S JOB:

Oh, yeah, it fluctuates. When she first arrived at Lackadaisy, she started working at the Daisy’s Cafe as a waitress. Taught Ivy the ropes when she came to work there.

Then to keep her mind busy, she becomes Mordecai’s assistant and does a bit of accounting (mostly in her head).

At the same time she starts to work out again and regains her strength, she catches the attention of Atlas. He put her as a trigger man but she always got hurt because she refuses to kill the enemies with a gun (this mentality won’t last forever) and only fights with her fists. She really tries Mordecai’s patience.

The last straw was when she took in a rival gang member and that’s when Mordecai insisted that she doesn’t join their trigger man ventures anymore. Of course, she is still brought along as extra muscle but only for negotiations, but she just cooks books with Mordecai for the most part.

DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT MARIGOLD?

Oh yeah. Yeah she does. When she finds about Mordecai joining them and betraying Lackadaisy, she’s pissed. Once she finds him, she tackles the hell out of him. After almost killing each other, they talked things out like civilized people (if pointing a shotgun and pistol at each other was civilized). They soon made a deal and allied with each other.

Onto her relationships!!

♣️

MARÍ’S RELATIONSHIPS/THOUGHTS Pt. 1:

Rocky 🎪🎭🎻:

As part of my “The Rattlesnake and the Jester” AU, they met on the road. After a few coincidences of meeting each other while Maríanne was traveling to Florida, they decided to stick with each other because why not, better than being alone. They do split off but not my by choice. Once they find each other again at Lackadaisy it was a joyous day!

They have a close relationship, always getting into trouble with each other. Performing together on the streets almost everyday made them in synch with each other, it frightens a lot of people when they mimic each other perfectly or say the same sentences at the same time. Chaotic in the streets and chaotic on the dance floors. Swear up and down, they can communicate telepathically by squishing their foreheads together. Their love is a little codependent (totally won’t backfire) but it’s a good one.

They act so stupid and goofy when they’re together, so much so it makes people underestimate them. Together they’re a dynamic duo and can swindle people in a heart beat with their combined charm. One moment you’re like “aww look how stupid they are” and next thing you know, whoops! Your wallet is gone. 🔥Partners in crime!🔥

Her first impressions of him: “He’s cute, funny, charismatic, weird, talkative, but I like it. I love hearing his frantic rambles and poetry, even though I don’t understand the bigger English words.”

Current thoughts: “I will die and fight for him (yep they’re getting together). I still think of him the same way but I understand his rambles now. I like joining in his chaos but I will pull it back once it gets too dangerous or it risks other people’s lives. He’s my safe space and wherever he goes, I follow. I don’t want to lose him again. “

Mordecai 🔪⏱️🔫:

Her mentor (Mordecai never agrees with it but it’s the truth). Back in New York, Marianne’s brother owned a shelter/soup kitchen where Mordecai and his family stopped by from time to time. Marianne’s brother hired Mordecai to be his accountant once he got to know him. Baby Maríanne always followed Mordecai around when he came to the shelter and watched him work. Despite being annoyed by this clingy little child, he’d let her watch because she stayed quiet.

During their prime lackadaisy era, it was no different. Maríanne would come into his office and watch him work or even help him (or tries to, she just ends up being more of an unpaid secretary instead of a fellow accountant cuz Mordecai is very picky).

First Thoughts-“I admire him and I aspire to be like him (people often wonder why). I try to adopt his menacing and stoic demeanor, but it never works. Next best thing is trying to be as agile and quick thinking as him. I really trusts in his advice and judgement. Often finding myself looking to him for answers but I’m not afraid to question them. He keeps me grounded and I’m grateful for the amount of times he kept my mind busy with work. Better than dwelling on the past. Occasionally, I fear him and fear for him. I don’t understand how he can be so cruel but I’m jealous on how quickly he can turn off his emotions. How does he sleep at night?”

Current thoughts: “Can I still trust him?”

Note- Think of Athena and Odysseus from Epic the Musical

Zib and the band🎺🎷🥁🎹🎻:

She loves them. They’ve helped her get through her toughest days and always went to them on her break. They’d sing and dance with each other to the annoyance of most. They f e e d into her gambling addiction (always tempted to gamble her house keys, cuz she believes she’s that good) and she always plays poker with the band. For fun she often plays their instruments, always reaching the trumpet more (iykyk). Marí always hangs with them until Mordecai has to drag her by the scruff to bring her back to work.

She’d mostly do some late night drinking with Zib and they both just wallow in self pity together. ✨Depressed drinking buddies✨ She’d often go to him to learn more about poetry and (before their reunion) would ask him to explain Rocky’s poems to her.

First Thoughts: “They’re fun! I understand why Mordecai refers to them as “lazy hooligans” but I always finds them as a place of peace to let loose. A bunch of talented cool cats! Deep down I want to sing with them on stage but the dance floor just calls to me.

Current thoughts: “They deserve better.”

Viktor 🔧⚒️🛻:

A friend but only talks to him on occasion. She know that Viktor pities her but she doesn’t take it to heart. Marí slightly fears him but sees him as a place to run when they’re creepy men tailing her.

First Thoughts: “Tall. Tall scary fluffy man. I find him incredibly intimidating but I want to be as strong as him. His unwavering strength encouraged me to get strong again. I always feel tempted to ask him to throw me at the enemies. Like a surprise attack! But he’d probably stare at me. I’m definitely going to use his stare as a negotiation tactic.”

Current thoughts: “I pity him.”

Sorry for the long post! Second part coming later today!

Hello! I am curious what is Marìanne's relationship with Rocky? Also what is her opinion or relationship with the Lackadaisy crew? Does she have any thoughts about them and what is her job exactly?

Does Marìanne have a family? Does she knows about the Marigold?

That's all l could think of, by the way your oc is so pretty and I love that she has snake fangs (I do have another lacka oc that's base on a sliver fox and snake.).

Have a good day/Night!

AHH! Hello! Thank you for the Ask! ❤️ and thank you, she’s my lil snake (even if she denies it) and that’s awesome! I love your art style and how you draw your ocs, they’re all so pretty 🥺❤️ Below gonna drop as much lore as I can! (Of course it might change because my brain likes to keep adding on 🥲)

This is gonna be two separate parts just to space things out! Let’s start with some Maríanne stuff!

🐍🐍

MARÍ’S FAMILY:

Has an older brother with a 12 year age gap, his name is Estefan Villanueva (his name was changed it might change again). He took care of Maríanne when she was much younger. When he got older he found himself a husband with a kid. His future husband helped him raise Maríanne along with his own child.

Her parents are out of commission. It didn’t end well for them. Maríanne thinks about them sometimes but was mostly raised by her brother.

There are some extended family members in Mexico but some died during the revolution. But she has some aunts, uncles, and cousins still kicking!

MARÍ’S JOB:

Oh, yeah, it fluctuates. When she first arrived at Lackadaisy, she started working at the Daisy’s Cafe as a waitress. Taught Ivy the ropes when she came to work there.

Then to keep her mind busy, she becomes Mordecai’s assistant and does a bit of accounting (mostly in her head).

At the same time she starts to work out again and regains her strength, she catches the attention of Atlas. He put her as a trigger man but she always got hurt because she refuses to kill the enemies with a gun (this mentality won’t last forever) and only fights with her fists. She really tries Mordecai’s patience.

The last straw was when she took in a rival gang member and that’s when Mordecai insisted that she doesn’t join their trigger man ventures anymore. Of course, she is still brought along as extra muscle but only for negotiations, but she just cooks books with Mordecai for the most part.

DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT MARIGOLD?

Oh yeah. Yeah she does. When she finds about Mordecai joining them and betraying Lackadaisy, she’s pissed. Once she finds him, she tackles the hell out of him. After almost killing each other, they talked things out like civilized people (if pointing a shotgun and pistol at each other was civilized). They soon made a deal and allied with each other.

Onto her relationships!!

♣️

MARÍ’S RELATIONSHIPS/THOUGHTS Pt. 1:

Rocky 🎪🎭🎻:

As part of my “The Rattlesnake and the Jester” AU, they met on the road. After a few coincidences of meeting each other while Maríanne was traveling to Florida, they decided to stick with each other because why not, better than being alone. They do split off but not my by choice. Once they find each other again at Lackadaisy it was a joyous day!

They have a close relationship, always getting into trouble with each other. Performing together on the streets almost everyday made them in synch with each other, it frightens a lot of people when they mimic each other perfectly or say the same sentences at the same time. Chaotic in the streets and chaotic on the dance floors. Swear up and down, they can communicate telepathically by squishing their foreheads together. Their love is a little codependent (totally won’t backfire) but it’s a good one.

They act so stupid and goofy when they’re together, so much so it makes people underestimate them. Together they’re a dynamic duo and can swindle people in a heart beat with their combined charm. One moment you’re like “aww look how stupid they are” and next thing you know, whoops! Your wallet is gone. 🔥Partners in crime!🔥

Her first impressions of him: “He’s cute, funny, charismatic, weird, talkative, but I like it. I love hearing his frantic rambles and poetry, even though I don’t understand the bigger English words.”

Current thoughts: “I will die and fight for him (yep they’re getting together). I still think of him the same way but I understand his rambles now. I like joining in his chaos but I will pull it back once it gets too dangerous or it risks other people’s lives. He’s my safe space and wherever he goes, I follow. I don’t want to lose him again. “

Mordecai 🔪⏱️🔫:

Her mentor (Mordecai never agrees with it but it’s the truth). Back in New York, Marianne’s brother owned a shelter/soup kitchen where Mordecai and his family stopped by from time to time. Marianne’s brother hired Mordecai to be his accountant once he got to know him. Baby Maríanne always followed Mordecai around when he came to the shelter and watched him work. Despite being annoyed by this clingy little child, he’d let her watch because she stayed quiet.

During their prime lackadaisy era, it was no different. Maríanne would come into his office and watch him work or even help him (or tries to, she just ends up being more of an unpaid secretary instead of a fellow accountant cuz Mordecai is very picky).

First Thoughts-“I admire him and I aspire to be like him (people often wonder why). I try to adopt his menacing and stoic demeanor, but it never works. Next best thing is trying to be as agile and quick thinking as him. I really trusts in his advice and judgement. Often finding myself looking to him for answers but I’m not afraid to question them. He keeps me grounded and I’m grateful for the amount of times he kept my mind busy with work. Better than dwelling on the past. Occasionally, I fear him and fear for him. I don’t understand how he can be so cruel but I’m jealous on how quickly he can turn off his emotions. How does he sleep at night?”

Current thoughts: “Can I still trust him?”

Note- Think of Athena and Odysseus from Epic the Musical

Zib and the band🎺🎷🥁🎹🎻:

She loves them. They’ve helped her get through her toughest days and always went to them on her break. They’d sing and dance with each other to the annoyance of most. They f e e d into her gambling addiction (always tempted to gamble her house keys, cuz she believes she’s that good) and she always plays poker with the band. For fun she often plays their instruments, always reaching the trumpet more (iykyk). Marí always hangs with them until Mordecai has to drag her by the scruff to bring her back to work.

She’d mostly do some late night drinking with Zib and they both just wallow in self pity together. ✨Depressed drinking buddies✨ She’d often go to him to learn more about poetry and (before their reunion) would ask him to explain Rocky’s poems to her.

First Thoughts: “They’re fun! I understand why Mordecai refers to them as “lazy hooligans” but I always finds them as a place of peace to let loose. A bunch of talented cool cats! Deep down I want to sing with them on stage but the dance floor just calls to me.

Current thoughts: “They deserve better.”

Viktor 🔧⚒️🛻:

A friend but only talks to him on occasion. She know that Viktor pities her but she doesn’t take it to heart. Marí slightly fears him but sees him as a place to run when they’re creepy men tailing her.

First Thoughts: “Tall. Tall scary fluffy man. I find him incredibly intimidating but I want to be as strong as him. His unwavering strength encouraged me to get strong again. I always feel tempted to ask him to throw me at the enemies. Like a surprise attack! But he’d probably stare at me. I’m definitely going to use his stare as a negotiation tactic.”

Current thoughts: “I pity him.”

Sorry for the long post! Second part coming later today!

THE RATTLESNAKE AND THE JESTER CH 1 PG 7-8🐍🍎🎭🎪

Page 5-6 - Page 9-10 (WIP)

OMG OMG THE RATTLESNAKE IS SO COOL AND WITH MARÍ?? ITS LIKE HER ULTIMATE THATS SO COOL! SO BADASSS!

BUT THE POST AT THE BOTTOM?? IS THAT THE YAOI MEN 😭😭😭 CHAD MARÍ REIGNS I AM WHEEZING. WHAT IS THIS??😭😭😭😭

THANK YOU SO MUCH!🥹🥹❤️

Here is a cool stance I drew for Secret Santa @ahhhh-118's OC Marianne Villanueva! I hope you enjoyed your Christmas this year (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠✧⁠*⁠。

Also permission to drop this (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

I haven’t posted in a while about Maríanne 😭 but I did this little mini comic based on my mini series called “The Rattlesnake and the Jester” (I will try my best to get the next pages out 😭)

Rocky and Maríanne being traveling buddies and he is not letting her sleep 🤧

In the first year of being traveling pals, Marí trust issues were H I G H 😭

This note was supposed to appear in a Christmas fanfic, but after @acesandocs sent me an ask about RoMaunce "Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch? (Bonus: what does it usually say?)" with an art request, I made a decision to post both the fic and the note much earlier. The fic is under the cut, enjoy the Christmas spirit in the middle of summer. :D

Bonus: the fic also tells the story of The Most Ridiculous Scarf's creation. x))

The Winter Wonder

Working until the last client was an awful practice.

Mau couldn't remember when she had gotten a good night's sleep. Hiding behind the storefront window, she rested her head on her hands folded on the counter and tried her best to keep from falling into slumber. She might have fallen asleep for real if it hadn't been for the cheerful music that was playing from the radio.

“Let's not disturb Miss Maura,” a cheerful whisper sounded barely audible next to Mau. A few coins tinkled quietly as they fell onto the counter, and two visitors headed for the exit.

She didn't instantly realize what was happening, and raised her head too late. Before the front door slammed shut, all she could see was Rocky wrapping a threadbare blue scarf around his neck with one hand, and gently pushing his cousin toward the street with the other.

The two young men who frequented the eatery, and who were different from most of the visitors, were constantly drawing a lot of suspicious stares. When Rocky had first brought his redheaded cousin to the place a few months ago, it had been noon on a workday, and the workmen who lunched at the eatery had become strangely quiet when the two young men had taken the only available table near the exit. Until that day, Rocky had always sat at that table for some reason, but every time he had been lucky enough to come to the eatery when there were few or no other guests. On his first visit with Calvin, though, it was as if he had deliberately chosen the busiest time of day. Like he wanted them to be noticed. But Rocky had guessed, apparently, that they had attracted too much attention, and since then, alone or with his cousin, he had shown up at the eatery either when honest people were busy working or at closing time, when honest people were getting ready for bed.

Such was the case to-day.

“And the following composition will immerse you…”

With a click of the switch on the radio panel the main room fell into silence. Despite the approaching Christmas, Mau was in a horrible mood, and even with all her love of music, she had no desire to listen to another sickeningly festive song. It was a cloudy, unusually snowy day in St. Louis, and Mau was apparently infected by its grayness, so even her usual chores were draining. Mau's father and the owner of the eatery, Mister Augusto Venza, had been away for a couple of weeks in Chicago on extremely urgent business, so Maura had to serve the clients alone and, moreover, had to meet 1928 all by herself. Though she was rather glad of the latter.

There will be no fuss.

Slowly, one by one, Mau counted the coins that Calvin and Rocky had left as payment for the coffee, and was surprised to find a piece of paper folded several times next to them. Unfolding it, Mau saw some amusing, almost childish, drawings in red crayon. On the first one, she herself was sleeping with a terribly sullen expression in a daisy field under a big, angry raincloud. In the second, Rocky held a sheep, which resembled a cloud of cotton candy and was eagerly munching on that raincloud, above his head, while the cartoonish Mau was already smiling. Next to these sketches was a wry caption:

“Don't be sour! Let sweet dreams eat all the bitter thoughts. R.”

Chuckling, Mau shook her head. She scrutinized the drawing for another minute or so, then sat down on the floor behind the counter and pulled one of the wooden baseboards towards herself.

“Come on, stop being stubborn…”

Finally, the baseboard gave way, revealing a narrow gap at the bottom of the counter that Mau used as a stash for part of her tips. She folded the sheet tighter and put it with the notes Rocky had sometimes left on his previous visits.

The front door suddenly swung open, letting cold air into the room. Mau's heart leapt, and she hastily pushed the wooden flap against the gap, then hastily stood up from the floor and shook off her knees.

“What is it, my dear? Are the spoons running away from you again?” the old Missis Bruno creaked in Italian.

“You have a keen eye,” Mau answered her also in Italian and added: “The usual for you?”

The woman nodded and headed for the far table. As she looked at her, Mau noticed the bright green knitted scarf under her coat and walked to the kitchen to serve Missis Bruno her favorite cheese ravioli.

“You have such a lovely scarf,” she said as she passed by. “Where did you get it?”

“Knitted it myself,” the woman's eyes flashed with pride. “There's some wonderful yarn at Scaffidi's now.”

“You're such a talented needlewoman,” Mau said, putting the pot on the stove. “I can't knit at all.”

The eatery became awkwardly quiet for a moment. Maura's revelation made Missis Bruno squirm uncomfortably in her chair. The mere thought that a woman of Mau’s age could not knit not only disturbed her, but appalled her. From the kitchen, Mau couldn't hear the old woman muttering worryingly to herself:

“Poor girl, there was no one to teach her…”

But even that wasn't enough of an excuse for her. She had friends, neighbors, and yet Maura Venza, at the age of twenty-two, could not knit! It's not a long way to ruin one's fate, thought Missis Bruno, nervously rubbing her napkin in her fingers. No, she could not let it go! A little while later, she said loudly:

“This is just unacceptable. What's your father thinking about? Certainly not that his daughter is so mature and can't knit. That's embarrassing,” her tone changed from condemning to admonishing. “Tell you what, Mau, honey, I'll teach you how to knit. It's easy, you'll see. Mama left you needles and yarn, didn't she?”

“I don't think so. Even if she did, it remained in Kansas City,” Mau lied habitually, barely containing a grin. She was amused at Missis Bruno's attitude toward such things. No wonder, though; things had been different when she had been young. Mau couldn't prove to her that knitting wasn't a required skill now.

“Not good. Not good at all,” the old woman continued to wail. “Back in my days…”

Mau sincerely hoped Missis Bruno hadn't heard the low chuckle that escaped her lips. She pulled a small bag out of the freezer. Knitting. Well now! There was a book she couldn’t finish for more than a month, and today there were mountains of plates, cups, and baking pans to wash. What knitting to think of.

Listening to Missis Bruno half-heartedly, Mau soon put a steaming plate of cheese ravioli with pesto in front of the old lady and returned to the counter. With the toe of her shoe, she again tried to discreetly slide a piece of baseboard back into the gap.

“…and then on Christmas Day…” Missis Bruno persisted. The wooden part wasn't falling into place. Mau frowned and mentally cursed. Why had she even opened the stash in the middle of the day?

Oh, yes, Rocky. Rocky and his funny drawing.

…and his old worn-out scarf.

Mau looked outside the window, watching the snowflakes fall slowly. She rarely got a chance to go outside, but Rocky, given his very specific occupation, had to be out in the cold a lot. And sleeping in the car in this weather must have been uncomfortable, too… it wouldn't take long to get sick. The mere thought of that made Maura uneasy. She pictured him huddled under his coat and a thin, shabby blanket, huddled in the back seat of the car, and she clenched the side of the counter tighter. He had been taking time out of his day for so many months now to come to her and just cheer her up with something: a humorous story, a funny trinket, or a little candy. As if whenever by any means he could find a little bit of warmth somewhere, he had always rushed to share it with her. And now, more than ever, she felt the desire to return that warmth to him a hundredfold. Slipping the teaspoon to the floor, Mau ducked under the counter and pulled back the flap of the stash.

“You know, Missis Bruno… I think you're right. I really should learn to knit. Could I ask you to lend me needles until my father returns and show me how to do it?”

“Of course,” the woman said enthusiastically, obviously pleased that her story had piqued Maura's interest. “Maybe you want to make something specific?”

“A scarf,” Mau answered without hesitation.

“Oh, a scarf is quite simple,” the woman squinted her eyes, smiling broadly. “With my advices, you’ll do it in two evenings. It's the dresses that require all sorts of tricks, but this…”

After a moment, Mau sat down in the chair opposite Missis Bruno and handed her a few crumpled bills. All her tips from the last couple months.

“Good. Can you buy a couple skeins of good yarn for me, please?”

Two evenings was easy to say! A week had passed before Mau could manage to do anything right at all. And Christmas was the day after tomorrow! So little, so little time… Mau yawned. She could hardly keep her eyes open, and therefore even had stopped watching whether the rows of stitches were knitted straight or not. She finished her work only in the morning, and fell asleep, holding her knitting in hands, with the needles dangerously close to her eyes.

And overslept.

In the morning, after freshening herself up, she hastily stuffed the scarf into a bundle of paper and rushed to the eatery. She spent the whole day in anticipation, hoping Rocky would come, and every time the bell over the door jingled, her heart jumped in her chest. Until finally the young man appeared on the doorstep, shaking off the snow from himself.

“Today is on the house, in celebration of Christmas,” she told him, setting coffee and a plate of chocolate pancakes with raspberry jam, garnished with three raspberries and sprinkled with powdered sugar, in front of him. And while Rocky, as if being hypnotized, stared at this gorgeousness and tried to guess if the berries were purposefully arranged in a heart-shaped pattern or not, she shoved the bundle into the pocket of his coat, which hung on the clothes rack behind him.

When Rocky walked out of the Venza family's eatery that evening, he couldn't stop smiling dreamily. He passed by the lamppost, dancing around it, and laughed softly, putting hands into his pockets. To think that Mau had baked pancakes just for him, and damn, what pancakes they were! But… what in the world was that?

He stared in puzzlement at the slanted bundle, and immediately opened it.

Seeing… a scarf.

Or rather, it looked like a scarf, except… the blue stitches wiggled from side to side, the crookedly sewn buttons reminded two eyes, and what should have been white trim on both ends looked more like jagged teeth. If it was a scarf, it was the most ridiculous scarf he had ever seen.

“How did you knit to me, buddy?” Rocky murmured, twirling the knitted mess in his hands. But there was no clue neither on the scarf nor in the paper shreds of the wrapper. Frowning, Rocky looked over his shoulder at the eatery and bit his lip.

Could it be that it was made by Mau?

There was certainly a chance that someone had put the bundle in his coat by accident, but somehow Rocky felt like there was no mistake. It was definitely a present. A self-made Christmas present. From Mau. For him! Rocky straightened the scarf and lifted it as high above his head as his arms could reach, looking at it like at an absolute miracle. The scarf, swaying in the wind, stared up at him with its button eyes and its crooked, white-toothed grin. And Rocky, as he continued his way toward the Little Daisy, smiled broadly back at it.

“Zib, please have mercy,” he kept whimpering, clutching at the man's pant leg. Zib made another attempt to make a step, but after dragging Rocky across the stage floor a little more, he gave up again.

“Kid,” Zib sighed, “if you don't let me go, I'm just going to sit on you.”

“Oh, please! I'll even be your personal horse, taking you out to the audience every night, right under the spotlight…”

Zib gave him a confused look and snorted nervously.

“No, I think I'll pass, thank you.”

“It's a matter of life and death, Zib! What can I do to get you to say yes? I'd do anything. Give anything. Literally. Even my eye teeth.”

“Why on earth are you so damn eager?” The man flailed his arms up. Rocky pulled himself closer to Zibowski's legs, squeezing them like a vise.

“It's just Christmas. I can't resist the urge to do good deeds. What a stale dry man wouldn't be heartbroken at a picture like this? Just imagine: a poor, unfortunate soul burning with a passion for music, but locked in a prison of pots and pans… as the servants of Euterpe, it is our duty to rectify such injustices! Even if only once a year.”

Zib groaned doomedly. He looked down at Rocky tiredly, then up at the ceiling, then back at Rocky, whose blue eyes stared back at him, not even with a plead, but with an almost childlike hope.

“I'm going to regret this…” he muttered, sighing heavily.

The next bright, frosty morning, Mau went down to the eatery and began her routine. She wiped off the dust, pulled open the curtains, opened the window vent, turned on the stove and set a batch of muffins to bake, began to prepare the batter for tomorrow as usual, and then…

…heard the music.

From the street, very close by, came a jaunty jazz tune, accompanied by the singing of several male voices. Mystified, Mau rubbed her hand over the fogged glass of the window and looked outside… no, it couldn't be. She ran out onto the porch and, still not believing her eyes, stared at the whole orchestra on the sidewalk in front of the eatery. When Rocky noticed her, he stepped forward and twirled around himself, playing his violin with an unusually wide smile. Looking at him, Mau laughed warmly and outlined the musicians with her hands, as if silently asking: How? How is this possible? Rocky only fleetingly lowered his gaze, paying her attention to his new scarf, and then winked at her, continuing his improvised dance with the violin.

It was a real wonder.

Soon the music and singing subsided, and Maura, still grinning happily, loudly applauded.

“Bravi! Bravi! Oh, but please hurry inside, I don’t want you all to catch cold! Come on!”

Zib's band could barely fit into the cramped space of the eatery, but that only made the atmosphere more welcoming. When Rocky cheerfully introduced Mau to all the musicians, whose names immediately mixed in her head, she brought out cinnamon coffee for each of them and a vase of ginger cookies to bite until the cupcakes were ready.

“Mind if I smoke?” Zib asked, making himself comfortable in the old chair. Mau shook her head, locking the door. No, there will be no working until the last client today. Today will be only the celebration.

“How could I say no after such an amazing concert? How did you all even sign up for this?”

Zib chuckled, giving Rocky a sly look.

“Well, let's just say he's got a long way to work it off.”

“Oh, it was worth it,” the young man shrugged nonchalantly.

Following the cozy Christmas aromas, the tiny room was filled with stories from Zib's band's past, music and laughter. Mau couldn't remember when she had felt so alive, so it was like a dream. Such a sweet, sweet dream. In her mind, she went back to those distant noisy evenings in New York, when every holiday she and her father celebrated in the large company of the Riva family. When there was no fear or anxiety, when there was warmth and hope in everything. Mau's gaze lingered on Rocky. She didn't understand how he, with all his troubles and hardships, every time managed to do the impossible: even if only for a short period of time, but to bring her back that long-lost hope. But it was then, on that sunny Christmas Eve, when she finally heard in herself undeniably loudly: I love you.

After more than one hour and more than one cup of coffee, after a series of stories and a particularly noisy argument, Sy climbed up on the counter and began to dance and juggle apples to the lively rhythmic clapping…

When suddenly, dumbfounded, with a key in his hand, Augusto Venza appeared on the doorstep.

It was a challenge for me to adapt Mau to the style of the Lackadaisy pilot, especially because my own artstyle is very different. But it turned out to be a very interesting and useful exercise. :3 Love the result. ✨

I have no excuses for this tho :D

Thank you to all who interacted with the recent pages of “The Rattlesnake and the Jester” your comments are so sweet 🥹❤️

In the meantime, while I work on the next page, here are some doodles I made a while back of Rocky and Maríanne

(Forgot to add this on the recent pages but Rocky Rickaby belongs to Tracy Butler of the Lackadaisy series)

THE RATTLESNAKE AND THE JESTER PAGE 5-6 🐍🍎🎪🎭

Page 3-4 - Page 7-8

he is a mermaid now!!! and im just really proud of the background.