JUDE TAYLOR POWELL
CHARACTER BASICS. full name: Jude Powell age & date of birth: 30, October 19, 1992 gender & pronouns: cis male & he/him time living in bradford springs: lifelong occupation: Ghost Tour Leader @ Western & Ghost Town Museum positive traits: Funny & Laid back negative traits: Sarcastic & Guarded where do they live: Small rental home on South Side face claim: Andy Black
BACKGROUND. tw: cancer, parental death
Jude was born in Bradford Springs, CO to his parents Anthony and Renee. The first several years of Jude's life were wonderful, happy, and nearly picture-esque. While the family was never what anyone would have described as wealthy, he was happy, as were his parents. When Jude was 5, his younger sister was born, which shifted the dynamics even further, though not in a bad or negative way. Another mouth, however, meant that Renee and Anthony were forced to work even harder than they had before, leaving very little time with their children. As a result, Jude began to take more and more responsibility at home, and when it came to his sister's care. Anthony worked in a factory in a nearby town, often pulling 14-hour-shifts, 6 days per week. Renee was a waitress at the local diner, often working 60 hour weeks to try and help get the family ahead. The added responsibilities were never anything Jude  minded, however, he loved his sister and his parents as well.
When Jude was 10, however, tragedy struck the Powell family. After what he thought was a bout of long-lasting illness, Anthony was diagnosed with cancer. It spread rapidly, and by the next year, he was gone. This sent Renee into a spiral, one she never truly seemed to climb out of. Though she still managed to go to work, it was like she had become a zombie. What few interactions with her children remained were short, distant, and not fully there, and she spent nearly all of her free time in her room. This left Jude with an even larger responsibility, though it was one he carried well. His love for his mother and his sister moved him to persevere.
Having always been an intelligent individual, Jude continued to excel in school despite his growing responsibilities at home. As soon as he was able, Jude took on several odd and part time jobs- mowing lawns, raking leaves, cleaning houses, delivering newspapers, and anything else he could manage to make extra money, which he began stashing and storing away every chance he could, when he wasn't helping Renee with the bills (which he had come to manage).
This went on for several years, with Jude being the one to show up for all of his sister's activities and events, to tend to her when she was ill, and to make sure she had everything she needed. Her homework was always done, her clothes always washed, and her lunch always packed, and no matter what, a hot dinner was always on the table for her to enjoy with her brother, before he left to attend his night job. When Jude was 16, Renee met a man. He was just passing through, and initially looking for a night of fun. However, it turned into more, and after only a few short weeks of dating, Renee decided to skip town with him when he moved on, called by his company to move on to a new location.
With Renee gone, Jude did his best to hold the family together. When she left, she'd left an envelope with the month's rent and $2,000, from Rodger, the man she'd left with. He made it last as long as he could, though soon it became apparent that he would need to do more. With his sister only being 11, and now depending solely on him, Jude did the only thing he knew he could do. He dropped out of school, in favor of taking a full time job, and supplementing with odd jobs.
He did everything he could to ensure his sister never felt the weight of what had happened. Periodically, cards continued to come from their mother, containing varying sums of money, ranging from $100-$800. Jude saved every bit of it to put in a fund, also contributing as much as he could of his own money, to ensure his sister would be able to go to college.
Despite the fact that his sister is now grown, Jude remains in the home they grew up in. He never went back to school, and began working as a Ghost Tour Guide at the Western & Ghost Town museum in town. Having always been slightly interested in the paranormal, and with nothing better to really do, he found the job a good opportunity. It came with a flexible schedule too, one that would allow him to be free to pursue the music career he has always wanted.
HEADCANONS
-Jude began playing piano at the age of 4, and guitar at the age of 9. It was something his father taught him, something they shared before his passing. Since childhood, Jude dreamed of pursuing music as a career. He is a singer/songwriter, and plays the local clubs and bars during the early mornings and on the weekends.
-Although many have the perception that Jude isn't the brightest crayon in the box due to him never completing high school, he is actually very intelligent. He loves to read and has considered returning for his GED and attempting some sort of college program, but he does not have enough faith in himself to do so, and tells himself he still prefers making sure his sister is well and has all she needs.
-He does not have many friends, as he finds it hard to connect with others in his peer group. He keeps mainly to himself, but is a kind person, if not rather lonely.