Dante Ruffin

Dante Harris Ruffin, 30 years old, resident of Del Luna

[dantexruffin]

luxanahale‌:

Lux laughed at his comment, “To be honest that’s not far from the truth.” she admitted. “I sure feel like I’m always working. But I like coming here after a shift at the shop and walking around, I like the river.” She felt terrible as soon as she said it given everything that happened there, especially recently. “Water in general, I guess.” She looked to the stage again and saw a couple people setting up chairs and microphones. “It looks like some kind of group is going to play, do you have any plans? We could grab some food from the cafe here and watch?”

Dante nodded, confirming that he figured as much. He could only imagine the amount of work it took to own a business. He had absolutely no envy for that, despite how successful she and her business partner appeared to be. To hear that she enjoyed the river made Dante turn his head to look at it. Most people only associated terrible memories with it. This fact was both shocking and intriguing to him. Dante instantly wanted to make an excuse, but it was her admission that changed his mind. “Sure,” he told her, nodding to the group. Dante thought also it might make things awkward to decline, considering the two saw each other every week, albeit rather briefly.”You come to the river often?” he asked her, wondering if she had a connection to the parish’s bleak past. He spoke just beyond a whisper, not wanting others to hear, afraid their conversation about it could have been misconstrued. “Would be a nice place for a second location,” he added, finally offering a bit of a smile. 

[alongwaydownads]

DANTE RUFFIN (aldis hodge) is looking for their CHILDHOOD FRIEND.  This connection is OPEN and if requested please contact MASON.

Keep reading

[dantexruffin]

adricnamercan‌:

Adriana had never lived in a small town such as this. However, she did not imagine it would be easy or even welcoming for her to take on this task. To her, the Preacher Man was something to research. She had no emotional or personal connection to the murders. Yet, to those who lived here the Preacher Man was real and touched each and every one of their lives. She was aware that she would not be welcomed to dig into the murders and try to write about them. However, she knew it was necessary to be in St. Clair personally if she was to take on the task of writing about the murders. Some locals had been willing to talk to her. And it was not even motivated by a desire for five minutes of fame! That was how she knew the sources were good because they were not motivated to lie to her for fame. However, she had met many slammed doors and angry words.

Her apartment search was still underway, yet she needed to buy a few things to keep in her hotel room so she had some semblance of food to her own name. While meeting another dead end of an interview, she found her way to the closest grocery store. As she pulled up, she stepped out of her rental car. The luxury brand she rented stood out terribly in this particular neighborhood. So, it was no surprise to hear such a comment as she stepped out of her car. Adriana knew she stood out with her polished wardrobe of heels and designer and luxury brands. Now, his tone was quite hard to read and Adriana did not know if he was trying to pick a fight with her. “I’m afraid I stick out more than I imagined I would.” She responded.

It wasn’t typical in Dante’s experience for people to admit to be an outsider here. Of, course, it became obvious over time who was connected to the families who built this nick of Louisiana, and who wasn’t. But most people waited for that time to come on it’s own rather than admit it. Here, you would want people to assume you had a connection to someone with some power. But this woman’s naivety to the culture here was on full display on her admission. It caused a smirk from Dante’s lips. “You gotta learn to fit in here. Or you’ll never get anyone to talk. I mean, I’m sure you’ve gotten people to meet with you, maybe even tell you a few tales. But no one is going to open up to an outsider,” he said. What he really meant was “an outsider… like you. One without even a speck of intimidation. They have no reason to open up to you,” but Dante was too respectful for that. If anything, it was surprising the woman wasn’t found on the bottom of a river yet. “People are talking about you. In my experience in this place, that’s never a good thing,” Dante said with a shrug, taking a single step toward her slowly, not wanting to put fear in her. 

[dantexruffin]

It could be dangerous uncovering things in this town. Often, Dante took subtle, mental notes on some of the oddities or coincidences he saw around. Making deliveries for the store opened him up to noticing quite about around the parish. He knew the schedule of others perhaps even more so than their own loved ones did. Rumor around the parish was there was some kind of reporter, or writer that had made their way here. It put some people on edge, although for Dante, he didn’t care. It didn’t take long for him to figure out who it was, or at least have a suspicion of their identity. There was a description of her he’d heard from a few customers, speaking under their breath as they assumed no one was around. 

Standing next to his car after a shift, he leaned against it and peered down at his phone. The pavement was wet with an early afternoon shower that had already come and went, the faint sound of tires sloshing in puddles could be heard in the distance on the edges of the parking lot. He looked up, recognizing the woman. “You’re not from around here, are you,” he said. Dante didn’t need to speak loudly to get her attention. His voice was deep and somewhat gravely. It was slow and every word seemed incredibly intentional, but without a familiar southern twang that many people in these parts seemed to have. It made his speech pattern rather unique. 

@adricnamercan​

[ladyleverage]

[dantexruffin]

ladyleverage‌:

http://ew.com/tv/2017/03/30/blacklist-aldis-hodge/

[soph-okonedo]

[dantexruffin]

soph-okonedo‌:

Aldis Hodge seen out in Beverly Hills, Calif. 

[dantexruffin]

lucianalefay‌:

“Oh that’s nice. Days off are the best. Though for me I usually end up at home baking anyway,” Luci giggled a sweet little laugh. “Oh yeah. Just one of those days I guess…had a lot on my mind these last couple weeks. Some stuff I’m trying to figure out and no idea how to do it,” she admitted a bit more freely than she intended. Perhaps it was easier to share with someone who was more of a professional acquaintance than a close personal friend. “Anyway,” Luci shook her thoughts away and smiled. “Would you like some coffee or a cupcake perhaps?”

Dante figured that the people who worked here, especially the owners were passionate about what they did here. It wasn’t a surprise that baking was also something she did on her free time. It often smelled of sweet, half baked dough attracting customers in with relative ease. Dante cleared his voice and shook his head, trying to read between the lines. She wasn’t exactly specific about what was troubling her. He didn’t blame her, it was a town where everyone kept things close to their chest, especially with someone who weren’t exactly close. “Something here? In the store? I figured, you’d know just about everything when it comes to the shop,” Dante told her, his voice was slow, and rather quiet. He shook his head, “Just somethin’ easy. Coffee, black. Please,” he added.

[dantexruffin]

Wounded - Closed

[dantexruffin]

ofshaw‌:

When Shaw originally got dragged into the mess that is the underground fight ring two years ago, she desperately needed the extra cash. To be honest, she still needed the cash, but that wasn’t reason that kept her coming back down here anymore. The fighters were tearing themselves apart, and lots of them wouldn’t go to the hospital to treat their injuries before hopping into the ring again the next few days. She didn’t understand why, but she didn’t need to understand. What she did and needed to do was patch up the ones that came to her, and sometimes, if they were bad enough, she would push her way to them.

The was one fighter in particular that she always found herself rooting for..he didn’t fight like the others. He wasn’t full of anger that he couldn’t express..but he also didn’t fight to win. She had seen enough of his fights to know that. Just like she had seen enough fights to know when someone was going to lose, especially him. Not standing the thought of watching him be beat to a pulp, Shaw quietly sat off in a secluded room, all of her supplies scattered around. The red head had her elbows propped up on her knees when she looked over in the door way, “Shit,” she whispered as she hurried to get up and over to him, “Y-Yeah, I got a minute. Here sit down.” She pulled the chair over for him to sit, “Or let me see it? I might need you to lie on that table over there.”

Dante was never aware that anyone was actually paying attention to him, specifically. He knew, obviously that people watched, but couldn’t really tell him apart from any of the fighters who might have looked similar to him. To them, he thought, he was simply fighter B going against fighter A in every match. Just a way to make money rather than find entertainment. He never looked out at the crowd, he was simply content with doing what he needed to win, take the punishment necessary, or find a graceful way to lose. 

As he entered the room, he heard the soft hiss from her shock. He shuffled over to the steel chair, about halfway there he finally spoke again. “It’s not that bad,” he told her. His voice was low, and deep. His voice didn’t have a southern accent really, but it did have an easy drawl to it slightly. Before he could sit down, she mentioned she might need to look at it. Groaning softly, Dante lifted his top, just above the cut. “I’ve probably had worse. Just don’t remember it,” Dante added. The cut wasn’t that long, but it’s issue was how deep it had gotten, blood smeared slightly around the wound.

[bwboysgallery-deactivated202007]

[dantexruffin]

bwboysgallery‌:

Aldis Hodge by Robby Klein for TheWrap

[dantexruffin]

lucianalefay‌:

Luci smiled at Dante. “Still, I am very sorry. I shouldn’t be lost in my head while at work. It’s good to see you Dante.” She checked the time on the clock to make sure a whole two days and some odd hours had gone by. “It’s not our usual delivery day, does that mean you’re here for some coffee or a cupcake or two?”  At his question her smile faltered for a split second, “Yeah of course I am. How about you?”

Dante had a bad habit of pretending not to recognize people. Perhaps he didn’t want people to think he had noticed them. It wasn’t anything related to him having an ego. If anything, it was the opposite. The thought of someone not recognizing him in return would have been slightly embarrassing. It could also be that he learned in this town, to keep your head down. He gave a soft, brief smile when she did recognize him, then shook his head. “No. Not here for business,” he started, tapping one of his knuckles softly a couple times on the counter while he thought. “Just, it’s my day off,” he finally said, not thinking of a good excuse to be in town. Dante thought it might be a better decision to shift the conversation to her. “You looked like you were somewhere else. I know, because I’ve had that same look,” he joked, although his expression wouldn’t have tipped anyone off of that.

[luxanahale]

Lux’s voice was low as she spoke on the phone. “I told you, I can’t take your calls during the day. You need to call me about this at night when I can talk privately.” She sighed, “I suggest you-” she stopped and turned around when she heard someone behind her. “-call our store tomorrow when I’m in and I’ll check on the shipment of your favorite coffee beans. Have a nice day.” She hung up and slipped her phone into her back pocket. “That’s the problem with small town customers, a bunch of them know my cell phone number.” She gave a small attempt at a smile and nodded toward the small stage a short distance away where people were gathering. “Do you know what the show is tonight?”

[dantexruffin]

Dante gave a rare half smile as Lux turned around to notice him. He recognized her voice, which was the only reason he stopped. Perhaps he shouldn’t have bothered her while conducting business for her shop. But, it wasn’t every day he saw her outside of that place, and the last thing he wanted was for her to notice that he had ignored her. Dante himself wasn’t there for anything he could talk much about, but always had an excuse handy. Dante looked back to the show area, then back at Lux, his hands in his pocket. “No,” he replied with a soft shake of his head. “Is that what you do to relax? I figured all you did was work,” he joked, that smile still not going past halfway along his lips. 

[flawlessgentlemen]

[dantexruffin]

flawlessgentlemen‌:

Aldis Hodge for Interview Magazine

[dantexruffin]

Wounded - Closed

Dante had spent the last fight doubled over a steel chair, away from the ring, away from the crowd. He wasn’t entirely sure if he had a broken rib or not, he’d had one before, and the current pain, shooting from his abdomen wasn’t as bas as that time. What he was more concerned about was the nearly three inch gash on his right hip from the constant bombardment of his opponent’s fists that night. Dante wasn’t proud of it, but he threw that fight. It might have been a good thing, however, he wasn’t entirely sure he’d have won, anyway. Unlike some of the fighters, he wasn’t professionally trained for it, he relied on his natural strength and instinct rather than finesse. 

After the last fight was over, he slowly walked over to the infirmary. It was his first time having to resort to using it, aside from the usually bloody knuckles, and bruises, there wasn’t anything major he’d needed remedied. Dante felt more defeated walking to the medic, than he had while he was in the ring. He had on a grey, stringer tank top, red liquid pooled on his right hip where his wound was. “Hey,” he said in a grunt as he made his way into the open door. “You uh... you got a minute?” he asked. Dante’s voice was deep and gravelly, but he was always rather quiet.  

@ofshaw​

[alongwaydownads]

AND IF YOU FALL, HOLD MY HAND

Name 🡒 Dante Harris Ruffin

Nickname(s) 🡒  N/A

Date of Birth 🡒 October 11, 1989

Identity 🡒 Cis man & he/him

Orientation 🡒 Straight

Hometown 🡒 Memphis, Tennessee

Has Been in St. Clair 🡒 Since age ten, but did move elsewhere for a bit after Hurricane Katrina.

Currently Living 🡒 Del Luna

Occupation 🡒 Backroom/stocker at Pop’s Grocery Store

Faceclaim 🡒 Aldis Hodge

OOH BABY, IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN

TW - triggers

1. GOOD AFTERNOON, FIRST OFF I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS IS SIMPLY PROCEDURE. YOU AREN’T IN TROUBLE. WE JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK, IS THAT ALRIGHT? AND BEFORE WE GET STARTED, HAS ANYONE OFFERED YOU SOMETHING TO DRINK YET? A WATER, COFFEE, OR PERHAPS A CUP OF TEA?

Dante wasn’t entirely sure why he was here. Part of him thought that perhaps they had uncovered the illegal fighting ring. He could only lie so much about the scabs on his knuckles. But, why would he be singled out for it? There were plenty of others who could have been brought in, others who had been fighting illegally for far longer than he had been. “Already told him, I’m fine,” Dante said, nodding to beyond the door where an officer had given him that offer. He played it cool, how much trouble could he actually be in? “I’m hoping we can just make this quick,” Dante added. Like him and just about anyone else who’d sat in this very chair, he wanted to get out of the small room.

2. OKAY THEN, COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? IS THAT YOUR BIRTH NAME? ANY ALIASES WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

“Dante Harris Ruffin,” he said with a shrug. The name itself did actually mean something, not only in Del Luna, but in the entire parish. His name would be in the local papers, highlighting his football stat line while in high school. But it faded into oblivion, thanks to his family moving back and forth his senior season. He shook his head. “Nothing like that, no,” he said quickly. Perhaps they were insinuating something, that they had gotten word that he went by something else. But he wasn’t going to give any information, willingly.

3. NOW THEN, LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD BRIEFLY. WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?

“Growing up?” he started, shaking his head when he spoke before giving an exasperated breath. “We moved back and forth, a lot. I was born in Memphis. Moved here when I was in Elementary school. When the hurricane hit, we moved back and forth from there a lot.” That fact really did fuck with Dante, having to leave his friends and restart over and over again. He didn’t hold any resentment against his mother, she was doing the best she could given the circumstances, she had no family down here. “My family is pretty tight. The kids, we all grew up pretty well adjusted. More than most kids I bet,” he said with a shrug, still trying to decipher why he was brought down here.

4. AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FAMILY? WERE YOU CLOSE WITH YOUR PARENTS, OR GUARDIANS? ANY SIBLINGS?

It was as if Dante knew that was where the questions were heading. His story was probably not unusual or unique. “I don’t remember my dad too well. The only thing I could remember clearly was a fight between my mom and dad,” he let out. Perhaps it was a bad idea to let a police officer know that. But it was so long ago, and he wasn’t around anymore, anyway. “My dad stayed in Memphis. My mom refused to let him come here with us. He showed up once or twice. Don’t remember what for,” he lied. He could recall those times, just as any son would remember. “Being the oldest of them, I was probably closest with my mom compared to my other siblings. We all get along. We fight, like any family does. But we look out for each other,” he added. Dante was speaking quickly, not wanting to give out anything more than he needed to. Honestly, he loved all his siblings, and would do anything for them. Dante knew the reverse was true as well, he could count on them,

5. WHAT WAS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE LIKE? DID YOU ENJOY IT? DID YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS, OR WERE YOU MORE OF A LONER? SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN, MAYBE?

“Sure, yeah, I enjoyed,” Dante said with a nod, placing his folded hands on the table in front of him. Dante wasn’t as jaded back then, at least not his freshman or sophomore year of high school. But, when they had to start moving back and forth, that’s when it started to go south for him. “I tried to get along with everyone. But I never minded keeping to myself.” It worked out that way, too. It started out with him having plenty of friends, but when he turned, both he, and his friends had changed. He felt out of place, unsure where he belonged. “I played football. Hard not to have friends when you do that,” he offered, helping them fill in some of the blanks of who he was.

6. SO, DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? IF SO, WHAT FOR AND IF NOT, WHY? WHAT WAS YOUR POST-HIGH SCHOOL LIFE LIKE?

Dante shook his head. “Too much money, man. I have three younger sisters and two younger brothers. Felt selfish to go, even on loans,” he admitted. Even with all the moving he did have offers. But he knew without him around, his family would have trouble operating. There was zero resentment from him for it. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. “Started working. Did a few odd jobs before getting work at Pop’s. Been there for a while. They pay me decent, flexible schedule. It works for me,” Dante said as he sat back in his chair. Not to mention, he could easily get a job for a couple of his younger siblings there.

7. DO YOU HAVE A REPUTATION AROUND TOWN? HOW WOULD YOU SAY OTHERS PERCEIVE YOU?

Dante thought about it, sitting there quietly as he stared at the table. “I – I don’t know,” he started, looking up finally. It was an interesting question, and not one he thought about.Dante often felt like an outsider, like someone who simply there on the edges. “And, I guess, I really don’t care what people think about me,” he couldn’t help but add, only further added to the fact that he was a bit of an outsider. He only had allegiance to his family.

8. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSONALITY? WHAT ARE YOU LIKE, BOTH ON THE SURFACE AND DEEP DOWN? WHAT ABOUT IN PUBLIC VERSUS IN PRIVATE?

“I guess, my family would say I’m a leader. But, I don’t know about that. I just, I want to do what I can. I know they’d do the same,” he told them, his eyes looking away again. Dante was guided by an unwavering moral compass, he knew that was what his family was talking about. He was far from perfect though, he felt like a leader needed to be more vocal than he was. “I don’t really come out of my shell in public situations. But I’m just naturally, quiet,” he said with a shrug. Dante was starting to open up a bit more than he originally wanted to. He really shouldn’t be afraid of anything they find out here.

9. LEADING OFF OF THAT, WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?

Dante wasn’t a fan of this, talking about himself. And to people he didn’t even know. It was uncomfortable for him, but his expression probably didn’t reveal that. At least, he hoped it didn’t. “Greatest strength,” he repeated to himself, out loud. “I’m determined. I’ve been told I couldn’t do something a lot in my life for one reason or another. But, I don’t pay attention to those who try to deter me,” he said with a shrug. As for weaknesses, he felt like he could write a book about that. “If anything, I don’t advocate for myself. I’m no pushover, or anything. But, I should really talk more about the shit I do, positively,” he answered back, still unsure of what was going on.

10. A BIT HEAVIER, I KNOW, BUT I HAVE TO ASK IF ANYTHING HAS HAPPENED TO YOU PERSONALLY IN YOUR LIFE THAT DRASTICALLY CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON?

His heart thudded harder now, as the questions became less general. He thought back, not wanting them to catch him in a lie. Most of his days were rather monotonous. It was nearly the same routine over and over again. He was fairly secretive about what he did to raise money to help his family. Dante slowly shook his head. “No. Not that I can think of,” was all he said. It shouldn’t have been this difficult to tell the truth, but he was finding that to be the case.

11. AND OF COURSE, I HAVE TO ASK, WERE YOU IN TOWN BETWEEN ‘96 AND ‘99 WHEN THE ORIGINAL DROWNINGS OCCURRED? DID YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW ANY OF THE ORIGINAL SEVEN VICTIMS? WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE DURING THOSE TRAGIC YEARS? WHAT WAS THE AFTERMATH?

Dante raised a brow. Was this why he was here? He knew that some murder cases were back open, but what could he possibly do to shed light on it, he thought to himself. Those trail of murders will still a big deal around these parts, he learned that despite technically being a transplant. “Me? Know I didn’t know any of them. I was only a kid during that time, and I didn’t even live here. I was in Memphis, and so was my family,” he said with a shrug, hoping that would answer the rest of their questions. But, of course they already had to know that, and yet they still brought him in. It must not have been about him, but someone he was associated with. “I think this community is still feeling the affects of it. I don’t think it’s as close knit as it should be, because of them.

12. THAT SAID, DID YOU KNOW EITHER DARYLL BORDELON OR GEORGIANA MEARS PERSONALLY? IF SO, WHAT WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THEM? HOW MUCH HAVE THEIR DEATHS AFFECTED YOU?

“No, no. Like I said, I wasn’t around here during that time,” he started, his voice slowly trailing off. He thought back to everyone he’d met here to try and find an association maybe by family. “The only thing it’s done is reminded me how dangerous it is to trust people. You think you know someone, but they aren’t always who they appear to be. I think everyone is on high alert because of that. Makes it sort of a tense place to live,” he added.

13. LASTLY, WHERE WERE YOU ON THE NIGHTS OF MARCH 9TH AND JULY 23RD AND IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN CORROBORATE YOUR WHEREABOUTS?

Dante breathed a little heavier now as he racked his brain about those dates. He gave a slight swallow, hoping it wasn’t a night he was in the ring. “Probably working,” he told them, hoping it would buy him some time. “I’d have to check the schedule. But, you can just as my boss. I’m there a lot,” he told them. He hoped that one of his bosses would simply tell them that was where he was at. If anything, he could probably convince both them, and law enforcement that that was where he was during that time.

TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER

Dante fights in the illegal fighting ring to help bring in money for his family. His mother is sick and needs quite a bit of expensive medication.

PLAYED BY MASON

[ofmadsle]

Mads sent her coworker off after she had successfully picked up someone to bring home, residing by herself over in Roots. Glass full of amber liquid, she glanced at the notebook she brought from work. Honestly, she meant to go home, but inspiration struck and while she may not have been in the right state of mind to actually create something she was happy with, she was having a good time regardless. Shading in the bottle of Mark’s she was staring at, Mads heard a glass shatter to jump her out of the haze. “Oh shit,” she murmured and glanced to her side, seeing the glass shattered a few stools down. “Glad that wasn’t me this time.” She murmured aloud, taking another sip from her drink.

[dantexruffin]

Dante honestly didn’t enjoy being here. It just simply wasn’t his scene. Too “country” for him. But a few people from work liked the place and talked a group of them to come out. He had nothing going on today, and it was either go out, or be trapped in his small abode above his mom’s garage for the night. The group he was at  was split into two parts. Most of them were at the bar. He and a few others played pool. He much preferred playing pool. He wasn’t good at it, but it was at least relatively quiet over in that corner. As Dante was applying blue chalk to the tip of his cue, standing off to the side, away from most everyone, even those who were also playing, he looked over at the sound of crashing glass. It was his coworkers glass, the one who had actually drove them there. “Sorry about that,” he said to the woman working behind the counter. Dante owed him some money for gas to get there and placed a few bucks on the bar. “This should cover it. I owe him for the ride anyway,” he said with a shrug as he placed his wallet back down. The rest of the group had migrated away, to a new spot in the establishment. 

[eviehalliwell]

Luci paced behind the counter of Common Grounds. She needed to keep busy to keep her mind away from the million thoughts threatening to run rampant in her head, but she was done with the first batch of cupcakes for the morning shift and didn’t have any more room to put the spares. She was almost tempted to bake some and just take them to her friends. Luci was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even hear the jingle of the door or the approaching footsteps until a hand was waving in her face. Instantly she threw on a smile, “Oh hey, sorry I didn’t see you. I was lost in my thoughts.”

[dantexruffin]

Dante had been to this place a few times before. Killing time before a fight, it was a decent way to relax and was usually rather quiet. So long as he found a seating in the back. He stood at the counter and peered over it, his tall frame easily able to look into the back area, when the employee finally saw him. “It’s fine,” he said as she shook his head down at her. “I’m not in a rush. I just, wasn’t sure if you were open,” he told her. It was rather early and entirely possible that she was still getting the place set for the day. “I don’t think I’ve been in here this early before.” he added softly. The woman seemed on edge, or at the very least, dazed in his opinion. “You alright?” Dante couldn’t help but ask. 

[supagirl]

[dantexruffin]

supagirl‌:

Aldis Hodge in What Men Want (2019)