Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

AN OVERVIEW OF THE GANG, (AND SOME NOTES AT THE BOTTOM!)

Y/N, or "The Player". You never knew your parents, and never had a home. Thus, you had to teach yourself everything and get by own your own.. In your later teen years, you ran into Dogday and Catnap somewhere in the midwest, and seeing the potential in you, Dogday took you under his wing and gave you a home, a family, a reason.

"I don't know what the future holds, but you are all my family, and I couldn't have asked for anything more."

-Dogday Anderson. Your leader, charismatic and optimistic. A man who has refused to adapt to this new way of American life, and leads a band of individuals who have done the same.

"This world still has a place for us outlaws, allow me to prove it!"

-Catnap Garcia. A refugee from Mexico and Dogday's right-hand man. A quiet and reserved individual, but a fiery one when provoked. Immensely loyal and talented in many departments.

"This is my life now, and I'm more than happy to embrace it. I believe we're all here for a reason."

-Bobby Jules. A hopeless romantic and ex-banker from somewhere in England. A cheerful young woman who is basically incapable of hating anyone. When Dogday isn't around, Bobby is talented at raising camp morale, which makes her a valuable member.

"Romance truly is a beautiful thing."

-Kickin Johansen. A stuck-up young man and nihilist from Minnesota with a specialty for survival and sheer luck, though he likes to deem this "skill". Often a target for insults from everybody due to his lack of clear thinking and his high self-importance.

"What doesn't kill me makes me stronger. That's what I live by. Nothing less, nothing more."

-Hoppy Alberts. A rowdy, trigger-happy young woman from Oklahoma who is more than happy to hit up a robbery and have fun. However, her trigger-happy nature has gotten her banned from participating in the larger-scale robberies, much to her annoyance.

"Gentlemen, this is gonna be one helluva time!"

-Crafty Romano. A peaceful painter and young woman hailing from Italy. Never participates in the gang's more violent escapades, but still considers everybody family. Originally came to America homeless, was found on the street by Dogday, and thus was taken under his wing. The youngest and most naive member, at only around 19.

"There's more to life than just guns and guts, y'know.."

-Bubba Fischer. A German man of great intelligence who helps the gang in most ways that don't involve guns, such as dealing with rations, medicine, and finances. Usually stands for no-nonsense, but carries a very dry sense of humor in the calmer days.

"Don't worry, everybody, I think I got zis under control."

-Picky Stevens. An older woman from Washington State who spent a great deal of her life being a cook in the US Army, which she loves to talk about extensively. A skilled cook and butcher who can make something edible out of literally anything, regardless of taste or quality.

"My job is to make sure y'all don't starve, 'cause y'all would resort to cannibalism without me around, so try to keep me outta harm's way, yeah?"

-Baba O' Bess. A cranky widow and alcoholic in her 50s from somewhere in northern America. Despite this, she can be surprisingly insightful and collected in the very few moments she's sober, which is the sole reason she's kept around.

"Where's the damn rum??"

-Icky Silas. A man of Irish descent who moved to America for a life of adventure and quickly got himself involved with the gang. Skilled with dual revolvers and a special love for whiskey, which actually helps because drinking before a fight always seems to benefit him..

"Aye, gimme some of the good stuff and I can roughen' up the entire American Army in the blink of an eye!"

-Rabie Franks. A young woman and con artist from somewhere in Canada with a talent for gossip, distraction, and allure. How trustworthy she truly is is anyone's guess, but she is still a reliable source for any outside news that may impact the gang.

"Ha! Don't underestimate me, sir. I can turn this whole town against you in one afternoon if I so pleased~!"

-Simon Halford. A ruthless, violent man of unknown origin and a recent recruit to the gang. Can effectively use any gun handed to him in any condition. Lives for the thrill of the fire.

"Look at these law-worms, hiding behind their wanted papers and bounties! I say we gut 'em!"

-Allister. His last name is unknown, and he seems to have lived in Louisiana for most of his life. Incredibly lazy and unreliable, but he is still a skilled tracker and hunter- when he wants to be. However, Dogday keeps him around seemingly for his and everyone else's amusement..

"I'll do something tomorrow, promise! Now lemme rest..."

-Poe Mortimer. A former priest hailing from London. Has revoked all faith and now lives a life clouded with theater and dark poetry, which he claims he was truly born for. Only kept around because he apparently met Dogday upon his arrival to America, and they enjoyed each other's company.

"This world's a stage, and we're just the background cast!"

-Touille Moreau. A sly Frenchman with a strong wit and a whole host of stories to tell around the fire. Skilled in combat with a rifle, but his true talent lies with the knife, which he can effortlessly wield in close-quarters combat.

"En effet, my friend! Now let me slice 'em open!"

-Maggie Thompson. A young woman from Scotland who claims to have lived a life of extreme poverty. Now she constantly indulges in the various pleasures of America. Only kept around due to the fact that she had apparently saved Dogday's life a while back. Something about defusing a situation that could've gotten him killed..

"Allow me to indulge until my death, yeah? I promise I ain't gonna get in y'all's way."

NOTES!

----------------
-This story, characters, events, etc, are largely inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2, so if you've played that, it may feel familiar. (don't worry, the story is mostly still original)
-The characters are now given actual last names.
-Poppy, the Frowning Critters, and Harley don't come into the story until later
-The player will be called (y/n), just imagine yourself in their position like you would for the actual game
-All the other characters besides the gang, Poppy, the Frowning Critters, and Harley are just random critters

-The chapters will be split up and done into 3 parts, as well as small side chapters with the player and a gang member doing an activity, which will give small lore drops to various characters

Chapter Text

ALBERTA, 1897, MARCH.

"Right there, the barn!" Called out Dogday, as he spotted the run-down structure.

Currently, it's a rather chilly March in Alberta, not enough for winter wear, still not warm, but thankfully, it was clear enough in the sky and the sun provided the slightest touch of warmth.

You and the gang had traveled up north to escape some heat caused down in Montana. Dogday didn't tell you the specifics, as you weren't involved, but whatever it was clearly involved leaving the state to lay low for a while. You had been traveling north with the gang for a few days at this point, but finally found a spot to settle temporarily. It was a run-down, wooden barn that seemed like it was big enough to fit the lot of you, as well as hold up some tents outside without arousing much suspicion.

"Park the wagons and set up camp, people!"  he called out again.

Everybody quickly dismounted the wagons and got their bearings. The barn was old, wooden, but still standing. There was no sight of a house, silo, or anything. Just the barn and some broken fences. It was rather unideal, but it was only temporary, after all. "Ah, coulda sworm me pa owned a shambled wreck like this!" said Icky, in his usual sarcastic tone, as he dismounted his wagon. Dogday then swung open the barn to make sure it was uninhabited, which it was, but nobody could think of that because the barn hit everybody with the smell of carcasses and expired milk. Clearly, whoever the previous owner was didn't take much care of it. Dogday then turned around and began one of his 'speeches', meant to boost camp morale.

"Listen up, everyone! Now, I know we're in a bit of a weird spot with what happened back down south, but I promise y'all, things are going to turn around! This barn will be only temporary! Believe me! Now, in the meantime, set up camp and make sure you find a place to sleep! But tomorrow? We'll be back and better than ever!" Who knows what he could've meant by "better than ever", but with Dogday, it was always a guessing game.

Afterwards, camp was set up, and Allister had to be physically hauled from the back of the wagon because he was in such a deep sleep.. Due to your rank within the gang and closeness to Dogday, you were given a full tent and cot outside the barn, along with Catnap and Dogday himself. Unpacking was simple, as you had very few belongings, including a dirty bandana, a rusted revolver you were surprised still shot at all, and an old photograph of you and Dogday from several years ago.. After setting up your tent and cot, you lie down for a nap, even though was is still midday. You were exhausted, to say the least, including your rear, which was sore due to sitting on a wagon bench for several hours.. Thankfully, the cot was a tad better.

After some hours of sleeping, you were suddenly jolted awake by Picky. She had a plate of some kind of meat in her hands.. "Bison?" she said. Before taking in the food, you took in the sky, which was now a mix of orange and purple, meaning it was around 5 pm and you'd been asleep for some time. The bison smelled fresh, though a bit sweeter than the usual beef. "Yeah.. Guess so, didn't know we had Bison on us," you said with a tired, but jokey tone. "Hah! Well thank Mr. Garcia and Mr. Silas next time ya see 'em.. They offered to go huntin' instead of relaxing like Dogday asked,"  she said. "In times like these, we need all hands on deck. Anyways, eat up. Dogday said he wanted to talk with ya afterwards." She then handed you the plate and left you be.. The meat tasted exactly like it smelled, sweet but fresh. It was definitely the best thing you'd eaten in a while, having to rely on canned beans and dry biscuits for the past few days.

After you finished eating, you got up, stretched, then went into the barn, which was lit up with a bright orange glow from several lanterns, and it smelled utterly terrible in there. You then found Dogday, along with Catnap and Simon, at a table in the corner, with a map of the area laid out before them. "Ah! Y/N! You made it! Great! Now c'mover here. You'll like this," said Dogday as he pointed down to the map. Circled with a pencil was the barn you were staying at, but what was nearby caught your eye: a small town by the name of "Settler's Landing". "Now, a day or so ago, when I was scouting this area out, I met a friendly local, and he told me the town had everything we could want. A saloon, a hotel, and best of yet, a bank! You see where I'm going with thi-"  Simon then cut him off, the dragon looking rather ticked. "This buffoon wants us to cause more trouble when we're already tryin' to lie low." Catnap doesn't speak up. He just remains silent.

"Well, I suppose the town is small, so if we're quick, we could get some cash then move elsewhere," you said. "Pfft... bootlicker..." said Simon as he left the barn, grumbling.. Dogday then faced you with his signature grin. "See? We need folk like you! Folk who don't doubt and just trust the process! Now. Here's the plan. You, me, Catnap, and Allister will head into town tomorrow morning, get acquainted with the locals, then we come back here and figure out a way to rob 'em blind!" he said with immense enthusiasm. "...And why Allister, might I ask?" Catnap spoke up, clearly a bit unsure. "Well, it's simple! The old guy needs to get out and about for a few hours! Wouldn't hurt!" said Dogday. He then turned back to you. "...So, you in?"  "Guess so," you said.

"Great! Now you folk get rested up, we've got a big day ahead of us!" he said with joy. He then rolled up the map and, along with Catnap, left the barn. After standing in silence for a few moments, you then left the barn. The camp was dead silent; it seemed everyone was in bed. The sky was now a dark black, stars and some constellations lining the midnight sky, and the moon was in full glow. A truly gorgeous sight, but now wasn't the time for stargazing.. A moment later, Bobby suddenly ran over to you. The bear seemed rather impatient.. "Y/N! Y/N! So, I heard you and some of the other guys were headin' into town tomorrow. Just wanted to ask if you could pick up some medicine and other general stuff from the store if they got any?" You take in the question for a second before speaking up. "Sure.. guess it wouldn't hurt. I think I have some cash on me. Just write me a list in the mornin', yeah? Now lemme rest..." Bobby nodded, then allowed you to head back to your camp. Your tent, despite being rather shabby, still felt cozy and more preferable than sleeping in the barn next to Simon or Baba.. You didn't have time to change clothes or anything, so you just lay down on the cot, thinking of whatever would come the next day. Your heavy eyelids basically forced their way down, and all you could think was "Dogday is either a genius or a fool for what he's about to have us do tomorrow..."

END OF CHAPTER 1.1!