artcupcakes

[artcupcakes]

OG 4 in Payday: the Heist era, I guess.

Hoxton AND Wolf are screaming, clutching their chests and falling to the ground. Luckily they were right at the extraction point when they got hit, but it's not great. Chains manouvures the pair, groaning into the back of the van as Dallas does his best to keep the remaining cops back from their position with wide scattering cover fire.

Wolf and Hoxton lay side-by-side, breathing erratic and gargly through pain and blood and everything, and Wolf's eyes are scrunched up and sad and Hoxton's eyes are wide and shocked, absolutely poleaxed that he's been hit-

They lose consciousness, and there is a choice to make.

Chains cuts through Wolf's shirt, ignoring the ping of bullets spraying the van as it pulls off with screeching tyres.

He tears Wolf's vest open, and stares. And stares and stares.

"But-" Dallas frowns, voice raised in confusion and concern, "but he got hit! He went down, he was screaming. He said he'd been hit!"

It makes no sense. And then it does. They work it out at the same time - Dallas and Chains whip around to each other, wide-eyed in sudden understanding.

"Wolf wasn't hit." Dallas says flatly, unnecessarily. Slowly, his eyes move to Hoxton's shirt. How the white is slowly becoming saturated with red. Remembers how Wolf's scream was unlike any other - it was not the berserker scream he yells before committing atrocities against the cops - it was not the typical yelp of pain, surprise and hurt rolled in one unfortunate package - it was worse. Far worse. The kind that made his hair stick on end because it sounded exactly like how it sounded when his father died and his mother, for the first time experiencing the hollowness of life without her - without her soulmate -

They scramble to get the shirt and bulletproof vest off Hoxton at the same time. Sure enough, where Wolf's chest was immaculate, free from scores of bullet wounds both fresh and old, Hoxton's was a bloody mess.

"They're soulmates-" Bain's voice, crackly from emotion and electronic interference, buzzed in their earpieces.

[artcupcakes]

I was talking with my friend yamina about German endearments for these two and she suggested Großer (big boy (fond)) which was too cute, I had to do something with it.

[patreon]

[artcupcakes]

ac look look https://www.tumblr.com/zarla-s/713629490970083328/i-was-talking-with-my-friend-yamina-about-german

what do u think about the blorbo

Rotating "Mein Großer" in my head and it might start to live Rent Free in there

10/10 love the art style's dot eyes and easy to read "panel" layout

Over all thank you so much for showing me this, it's fantastic :3

[artcupcakes]

Yo could you give me some advice on Clover's character (how she speaks, how she acts, etc)? It's for a project I'm working on.

Also if you have the time, could you give advice for Houston too?

I can do that however I must put one disclaimer before I go into it: I am not the biggest Clover fan(I don't hate her, and she's a fun character, I just like some of the other characters like Hoxton or Bonnie more) thus I might be the best for advice. I will try my best but @vieridebitchtits has a better feel and passion for the character. So I imagine they might have better answers/answers I might not be able to give! 

As for Houston, well Houston's probably one of my favorites but I started hyperfixating on something else on a different blog(The reason for the delay in the response) so I won't do him now, but I might come back and comb through his character.

With that disclaimer I will try my best under the cut.

Heads up here's how I'm going to organize things so you can just skip and skim to what you might need.

I'm going to start of with telling you how I go about preparing/researching. Understanding the reasons how I did it might be useless to you, but I'm doing it just in case you need context as to how I did certain things. Really I do this before I write any piece surrounding those major characters; and I use said research to make more grey area conclusions. Both about the character's personality and background as well as certain skill sets I can extrapolate from it. This is of course can be seen as a more general tool that can be applied to any character. 

I'm not saying that this way is the best, it's just what I do. If you find this style of research is too much or simply not worth it than try to find something that better works for you. 

Each person's brain is different and not everyone can hyper-focus on a task like this.

After that I'm going to do the thing that you actually asked for aka not my rambly nonsense aka an actual breakdown analysis of Clover. I hope said analyses helps with your understanding of the character. The idea is the more you understand how she works, you can begin to put her in new scenarios based on such. Like plugging in numbers in a math equation!

If any of this seems unnecessarily excessive, that's because it is!

I will make sure to mark each section clearly.

Research Method

Typically I will start with the character's Wiki page. Paying close attention to the FBI file both for things to extrapolate from canon(Though note they are shaky with the gang doing everything to lie, hack, and manipulate information about them. So take them with a grain of salt), from there I go into the character's history section and pair it against the Prior to PAYDAY 2 section.

From there I look through the Trivia as there you can find things highlighted from multiple area's. A good example being the trivia section highlighting crossover characters places in the world and how it connects to their own original continuities canon.

Then I go into the Quotation page.

However keep in mind that the Quotation page often does not have every single voice line and are often missing some due to the amount of voice lines in game(Sokol's page is still missing a voice line that goes along the lines of "Heartbreaker and drag her nails into you, that is pain") thus it's better to listen to all the voice lines in one of the many voice line videos. I personally use this playlist(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDcDPHGUZDo&list=PL20G3IYPDSS0c4NbXUVwo85mTYp1pQ0oC&index=7) myself but there are other options, and you might need other options if you're looking for Bain, Locke or any other such non heister voice lines. 

Of course listing to the voices also helps me personally recognize the character style of speech, or more accurately helps me see how they emphasize words and how they're accent affects their speech. Plus I personally try to imagine their voices reading the lines I write, but I know that not everyone can do that as that is an aspect of imagination. And well not everyone has that nor does everyone have it to that extent/those uh "skills".

From there I go to both other heister's quote pages.

This is to see if they have any sort of character related stuff in order to help visualize the relationships between the characters. You can find surprisingly a lot. Especially the safe house quotes as that also gives you an idea of what they're like outside of their stressful jobs that can pull out their hyperbolic worst and best versions of themselves.(Funfact: Both Dragan and Bodhi seem to have a close enough relationships to Houston to give him advice[that seems unsolicited btw]. This that can really only be seen from the safe house lines).

After that goes the more final deep dive which is outfit and weapon descriptions. Though the latter I rarely do, the outfits do have a good bit of lore. (A good example of this would be the The Vicious, Pasadena Buzzbomb telling us that Sydney, knows Russian, and has given Vlad a bloody nose.) 

If I'm feeling super venturous I might check out their area in the safehouse as people's area's can tell you something about them.(I still want to know who the people hugging are in that framed picture above Dallas's desk).

And that's how I usually go into writing about a character. 

Of course as I said to each their own and don't be upset if this so obviously mentally ill way of doing things doesn't work for you ;).

Either way here's what I've noticed about Clover and Houston using this method.

Clover Character Analysis

According to the FBI files, Clover favors the L-95 assault, something that's only issued to the military. 

You could extrapolate this as a possible background but given her age of joining the Payday Gang at age 24 shows that it's very unlikely. UK minimum Military Service Length might not be the US's hefty 8 minim years(4 active years followed by 4 reserved) but it still something when it comes to Clover's past. As she could've only served after she turned 18. But we also know that she spent a good bit of time mentoring under Hoxton, so her squeezing in those times of service seems unlikely. And of course this is assuming she's from Northern Ireland aka part of the UK's Military derestriction. 

This is of course a lengthy reasoning and debunking of a reasoning that can be occom razor’ed: We know for a fact when she left Hoxton high and dry she stole a lorry full of L-95s. Thus she probably got it there while she and Hoxton did some level of gun smuggling and/or peddling.

These actions also suggests a level of paranoia, disrespect for bounties, and a level of initiative. Combine that with her spy cam room and it's very clear other's failures such as Hoxton's imprisonment has only compounded her issues.

Speaking of initiative based on what we know Rochelle here seems to have been called Clover long before joining the gang, meaning that at least back across the sea, people recognize her name. Her alias and her mask also show a deep pride for her cultural heritage as well as having a lot of colloquialisms. So due your research on Ireland, as it seems to be a big part of her identity unlike say Wick who's got others things that are more important to him as a character. 

Of course her speech patterns match more like Hoxton with her sunshine nicknames and marriage towards the word fuck, amount other things. Her irish accent just like all accents leaves to modifying letters. I would give an example but then again based on where you are you might interpret the verbalization of accent’s via text to be different. Thus making any attempt outside my qualificationgs.

So like measurements in an old recipe, you just gotta feel it out and hope you pass the vibe check.

As seen in The Diamond Heist trailer her care for legends is clear and their are implications that she questions and has a paranoia toward possible history revisionism, though tbf considering what happen to the Irish, that's pretty fair.

Though her fear goes far beyond just paranoia, she’s very guarded. She hates being seen or others that are fearful and weak, which implies some level of self loathing she refuses to show. From constantly threating civis, to trying to play off her pain, to her lines when dealing with downed crew members. She has a tough guy act that unlike Hoxton or Rust doesn't seem to let up even in moment's by herself.

This is probably something that has been with her in childhood due to growing up in a "rough house on the rough part of town in a traditional fighter's family" which also means that she has actual background in fighting unlike some who might just be street styling it or mimicking what they saw in action movies. And she clearly has a love for it. 

Fighting and being in the action, maybe it grounds her, but it's most likely the pure sadism she shows both towards her enemies and allies.

Even still she very much lives in her head, doubts about everyone around her and maybe even herself are scattered all through her words, both light heartedly and not so much. She also is one to gush about her passions, clearly all excited to show off her surveillance system once it's all upgraded. 

This could also be seen as her looking to impress as well.

Of course until you do upgrade her area she is full of classist comments, perhaps hating things that remind her of her own rough up bringing. She also has some more casual anti-Russian views, something she has in common with Houston(though Houston's dialogue clearly implies that thanks to his friendship with Sokol, he's starting to move on from those beliefs)

While not as major to her character at it's core more simpler things about her is her love for comics, as shown with her referencing both The Walking Dead, and Captain America(Which she calls Dallas thus continuing her clear nicknaming habits). She also is a whiskey drinking suggesting using the John Wick method of reliving pain while you revive her. She seems to take the most pride in her killing of dozers and shields, she also seems to scream in fear at them.

Now let’s talk work relationships:

Her major friendships seem to be Hoxton and Bonnie. 

With Hoxton she still shows signs of that old mentorship but now with a jokingly flirty dynamic added. Though interestingly this is only on Clover's side, which is funny because Hoxton is clearly while soft shows more of a prideful older brother/father style dynamics and that's if you stretch what is clearly just a normal long time friendship/mentor dynamic(unlike whatever the hell is up with him and Wolf). 

Meanwhile her and Bonnie seem to have a more destructive drinking buddy enabler dynamic. Both of them causing trouble for everyone else. With their equal levels of craving chaos and being very nosey means that they most definitely are a horrible combo to be a victim of.

Interestingly enough she seems to have some sort of banter friendship with John Wick or at least something friendly enough to make Wick be the one to start and engage in conversation, making a joke by saying "Irish Luck huh?". This could also be a culture inquiry since Wick as shown in his movies seems to have an imply fascination for learning such new things.

Other than that though there's not much to gleam from her relationships with anyone.

And just like her relationships, she doesn't have any clothing lore either, I was hoping there would be something but hey beggars can't be choosers.

All in all, Clover is a very guarded character who opens up just enough for banter but is very allergic to everything else. 

Or at least that's what I could find. I hope this helps! :D

[artcupcakes]

Wolf: So, for our wedding, I was thinking we should do something simple. Maybe something in the fall, with just us and Dallas, Chains, Clover, and Bonnie.

Hoxton: We're... not engaged, Wolfie

Wolf: ...

Wolf: So that's what I forgot to do last night.

[artcupcakes]

God gave me the power to edit photos and now that’s everyone else’s problem.

(Og Image under cut)

Oh yeah, I know I have it either in my bio or my pinned post but I would like to reiterate; Feel free to use anything I make however you like!

Also have two Bonus Houston-shipping versions of the image in case you don’t want him to be alone (I know they seem like crackships but I swear they make sense if you think about it )

[artcupcakes]

thinking abt 'if alcohol makes duke invincible what would coffee do' from this post

[artcupcakes]

Wolf: I really regret getting you that blender for Christmas

Jacket, drinking toast: -why?-

[artcupcakes]

I thought about giving this Hox sketch an explanation, but then I thought it would be funnier to give no context

[artcupcakes]

Hoxton: Are you fucking daft!?!

Houston, not understanding British slang, but still wanting to fuck with him: Absolutely, why do you ask?

[artcupcakes]

Duke: There is no future. There is no past. Don't you see? Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured jewel that humans insist on viewing one edge at a ti-

Bain: No more coffee for you

[artcupcakes]

A few days, they said, it’ll be Wednesday they said. So that was a lie. But I’ back and plan on posting soon :D

Going on a temporary hiatus, will be back as soon as I can!

[artcupcakes]

Going on a temporary hiatus, will be back as soon as I can!

[artcupcakes]

Hoxton is six years older than Clover.

Now this might not mean much if you think after Clover betrayed Hoxton, Hoxton immediately jumped into the payday gang thus making Clover around 24. 

But I like to think that Hoxton was betrayed by Clover 4 years before Hoxton joined the og Payday Gang(ages 26 and 20) and that Hoxton was teaching Clover for like four years before this. 

I like to think this because the idea of Hoxton bumbling around like a first time older brother to this feral yet obviously criminally talented teenager is hilarious. 

Hoxton’s only frame of reference is his two brothers. As shown by the way he interacts with Bonnie, Hoxton clearly believes in not being a dick to women just because he can like he does with guys...Well most of the time >;)

So I imagine he was very awkward and trying his best while Clover could give less of shit and just wants to learn crime.

Over all a dynamic I personality find funny

[artcupcakes]

Sokol: I don’t think I can mansplain, manipulate, manwhore my way out of this one boys...

Joy: Manslaughter it is then.

Dallas: What the hell are you two talking about?

[artcupcakes]

Breaking Hoxton out as Hoxton is weird because you’ve got 2 Hoxtons talking shit at once.

[artcupcakes]

Dallas: I wouldn't be opposed to moving out of the friend zone.

Wolf: You could very easily get out of it ;)

Dallas: What do I have to do?

Wolf: Not much. Like you could slide out of it with minimal effort.

Dallas: Like what?!?

Wolf: I-I don't know! Make any move!

Dallas: Knight to E4!!!