disappearer

Julian De Los Santos 46 experienced counsel is your best defense {follow comes from theartdoctor}

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Walking through the picturesque streets of Cardinal Hill, you find Julian De Los Santos, the 46 year old criminal defense attorney originally from Chicago, Illinois. Living alongside them in such a small town, you know that they're tenacious and dogmatic, but what you might not know is that they are a witch, and that they’re hiding something… ― Raúl Esparza, bisexual, male, and he/they.

previous threads - visage - musings - wanted connections

current threads - mood board

Name: Julian De Los Santos

Alias: Juli, Jules, Jay

Gender/Pronouns: Male, He/They

Age: 46

Birthdate: 03/10/1944

Big Three: Pisces, Virgo, Taurus

Occupation: Criminal Defense Attorney

Height: 5’9”

Hometown: Havana, Cuba → Chicago, IL, USA

Family: mother (Rosa De Los Santos), father (Markos De Los Santos), eldest brother (Markos De Los Santos Acosta), older brother (Sergio De Los Santos), older brother (Basilio De Los Santos), younger sister (Valeria González), younger sister (Yara De Los Santos),

Friends: N/A

Relationship Status: single

Sexuality: pansexual icon

Other Relationships: N/A

Character Inspo: Kendall Roy - Succession, Miranda Hobbs - Sex In the City, Jack Donaghy - 30Rock, ADA Rafael Barba - Law & Order SVU,

At 46 years old, this criminal defense attorney navigates the legal system of Cardinal Hill, where he has sought solace ever since one fateful night that forced him to leave his city of Chicago behind.

Born in Havana, Cuba -- his early days saw too much turmoil. At the age of five, his family was forced to seek refuge from the conflicts of their native country. Business in Chicago was booming so this is where they settled. This journey -- the journey to Chicago meant they had to briefly say goodbye to their loved ones. Especially Julian. Two weeks before they migrated Sergio, Julian's older brother had become incarcerated as a result of a political demonstration gone awry. He was forced to stay in Cuba until his sentence was completed. This had such a lasting and powerful impact on his childhood that feelings of pain and misfortune remained with him and continue to do so far beyond his tender years.

Julian's parents, Rosa and Markos De Los Santos -- were a dedicated nurse and a powerful patent attorney. These hard workers instilled in him the values of perseverance and responsibilities. He excelled in academia and was driven to pursue law just like his father. But he didn't want to work tirelessly for companies or The Man, so he decided early in his academic career that he wanted to specialize in criminal law. He hoped to make a difference in the lives of those who, like his brother, found themselves ensnared in the gaping maw of the justice system.

Despite being quite successful, the echoes of his life in Chicago haunt his daily life. When he was just 31, nearly ten years into his practice, a tragic misstep would leave him reeling for decades. He made the difficult decision to relocate to Cardinal Hill. Julian hoped to escape the memories that haunted him and start fresh. The ghosts of his pasts are really never far behind and they influence his work as a criminal defense attorney -- shaping his understanding of true justice and redemption.

In the idyllic town of Cardinal Hill, Julian is known not only for his excellent legal expertise but also his compassionate approach with every client. He never shames, he only seeks to provide the solace to Cardinal Hill that it has given him. He fights passionately and tirelessly for the underrepresented. Driven by a deep-rooted belief in second chances - for others and for himself.

Julian De Los Santos continues to wade the challenges of his profession while he grapples with his family legacy, his identity and his own conscience. He stands at the crossroads of his present and his past, seeking to meet the man he was and the man he continually strives to be.

Headcannons

In Cardinal Hill, Julian becomes unlikely friends with an older library employee who was once a lawyer herself. Sharing her experience with Julian, who at some point started hating the law and called it lifeless. The old library provides another place of worship for him.

Julian struggles in his romantic life. He often pushes people away because he believes that anyone who gets too close will either suffer because of him or they will eventually leave. He's usually drawn to people who have their own past troubles and forms bonds over shared experiences.

When the pressure becomes too much or the guilt is too loud sometimes Julian will wander the streets of Cardinal Hill at night to clear his head.

Julian is Catholic and often struggles with his faith since the incident and he attends Mass regularly because of this. He struggles with feelings of unworthiness and he often confesses to a sympathetic priest.

Despite the slight turmoil it causes, Julian kept all of his late father's law books. He often revisits them and the footnotes in the margins to remind him of the man he wants to be.

Julian still writes letters to his older brother in hopes that one day he'll be able to read them -- wherever he is.

He carries around a rosary in his pocket as a comfort whenever he feels overwhelmed. He finds solace in counting the beads, allowing it to ground him in moments of guilt or anxious thoughts. It's a small act that helps him seek clarity.

One of his clients in Chicago taught him what Zine's are and he was inspired to make one and to his surprise it went really well. To this day he still makes them when he has free time -- divulging his thoughts on the law, redemption and morality. His Zine's resonate well with most people and it gives him a great sense of community.

He is the youngest of his brothers and sometimes that makes him feel inadequate or like the runt of the boys.

However, he is the only witch out of the brothers and that fills him with a sense of pride. His mother is a witch too and taught him everything he knows, which he happily passes down to his two younger sisters who he loves more than anything.

To find comfort and connection to his Cuban roots he takes a few cooking class and gets really into it, actually! He often cooks traditional meals and invites neighbors over for dinner parties.

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Location: Orion's Reach Observatory (Hidden Archives) For: Julian | @forgivemeyourhonor Character: Atlas Time: After Halloween

Atlas Serling stood at the entrance of the observatory, the towering structure rising majestically against the darkening sky. As the sun dipped below the horizon, it painted the world in shades of deep purple and gold, while a blanket of stars began to twinkle above. The observatory held more than just a telescope; it was a sanctuary filled with ancient tomes, celestial charts, and the whispers of those who had come before. Atlas had dedicated their life to studying the stars, delving into the mysteries of the universe and the magic intertwined with it.

Within the walls of this beloved sanctuary lay the hidden archives—an expansive collection of knowledge, filled with secrets about the cosmos and the occult. Atlas had spent countless nights poring over these texts, uncovering the forgotten tales of celestial beings and the whispers of ancient magic. It was due to these tomes and records that they first met Julian.

Recognizing the depth of Julian’s curiosity and his penchant for justice, Atlas had decided to grant him access to the archives. The observatory was alive with the soft glow of lanterns, casting dancing shadows across the walls adorned with maps of the night sky. The familiar scent of aged paper and ink mingled with the crisp night air as Atlas prepared for Julian's visit. Lyra, their serpent companion, slithered playfully around Atlas's arm, sensing the unease that settled in the pit of their stomach.

They only had two rules for the archives: never remove a book or scroll from the archives and second - if anything felt wrong, to tell Atlas directly.

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian De Los Santos walked through the cobbled streets of Cardinal Hill. His loafers clicked against the stones, quietly, as the evening began to stretch across the road ahead. It was a particularly crisp night. The smell of petrichor and fallen leaves wafting through the air. It was always his favorite time of year, when everything seemed a bit quieter, a bit more slow. But tonight there was an urgency in his steps. Something was brewing and Julian was determined to figure it out, lest anything happen to the little sleepy town he now affectionately called home.

He was headed for the observatory, a place he had visited more times than he cared to count. Being an introspective and curious man, it had a hold on him. Though he had many years ago shifted his focus to something more "normal", or as 'normal' as the judicial system could be -- he was a brujo at heart and always would be. It was his heritage, carrying a piece of his mother Rosa on his alter and everywhere he went. She was the first teacher to Julian, her hands calloused from years of working with herbs and healing her nursing patient's. His sisters were attuned deeply to the spiritual world as well. But still yet, Julian had always kept his own practice more private, almost hidden. His father's influence maybe, or perhaps, his own way of compartmentalizing.

Either way, it didn't make a difference to Julian, he still made his way to the old observatory. To visit a friend and to peruse the information he had only recently become privy to. He took a pause, accompanied by a deep breath as his fingers brushed over the ornate iron knocker. Julian gripped onto the leather strap of his briefcase as he slowly pushed the door open. Filled with case files, which was not unordinary for him. But what was't ordinary; was what was buried deep deep inside all the other paperwork. A small notepad, bound in leather centuries old. Containing information passed from his mother's mother, to his mother, to him. Information that he hoped would help him unearth some answers.

Julian finally entered the observatory, a signature playful grin on his lips as he searched for his friend Atlas; arms crossed firmly across his chest. When he spotted them, he gave a "Hello, my friend! How are the stars treating you tonight?"

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian couldn't help but to chuckle to himself at Clover's logic "No, not technically. You just need to be careful with those types of arrangements because it's not exactly a gray area in the eyes of the law. I’d say go for it though, you’re already half way there. You have her last name." The whole conversation was nonsensical and it amused him very much. He appreciated Clover and everyone in his life that allowed him to be unserious. That allowed him to be more like himself.

“Breaking and entering is also not a gray area, I'm terribly sorry about that." And he was sorry, but not sorry enough to risk being disbarred when there was a better solution.

Julian nodded his head and said "It's really not a problem, I have court in the morning but you don't have to wake up when I do. " He glanced over at the doorknob to the apartment complex beside them "Just lock the door when you leave and try not to get any keys stuck in the lock, please."

[coldasxwinter]

Clover thought about it for a moment, his brows furrowing together as he did so. It took a lot of energy for him to put all of his focus into one thing like that. "I mean, it's all kinda silly, isn't it? 'Cause even if we look at it from the idea that I purely have bad intentions, why is it the law's business, anyway? Even if I just got with a rich old person for their money, the rich old person thinks they've got a loving relationship at the end of their life, right? They feel cared for and fulfilled. And then when they pass, I get their money. It's so simple!" He shrugged, gaze focusing on Julian again. "And it doesn't seem like it should be illegal at all." But then, what did Clover know about the law, anyway? Or how to stay ethical, or whatever.

"Nah, that's cool," Clover said with a sigh. He probably should have known better than to ask the other to help him break into a building. Even if he had permission to be in there, he knew enough to know not to break into anywhere and think that was acceptable.

He blushed when the other brought up getting a key stuck in the door. "I wouldn't do that to you," he reassured Julian, smiling almost sheepishly. "Besides, I can get up early, too. I'd rather not be in your house if you're not there, anyway. 'Cause that's how I end up gettin' accused of shit, y'know? I can't be trusted alone," he half-joked, shrugging.

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he listened to him. "It's just better safe than sorry, anything that could lead to misunderstandings should be avoided -- misunderstandings are how cops make mountains out of molehills." He had seen too many people become victim to these particular misconceptions. Good people, ripped from society all because the scales were scarcely tipped in the favor of those types on his side of the courtroom. Julian would hate to see something like that happen to Clover. "It's best to avoid that, but if you're in any kind of situation like that. Don't say anything to them, just call me." A piece of advice that he had repeated so many times in his life, it almost sounded rehearsed.

"I know you wouldn't," he remarked "I just had to tease you a bit. It's actually pretty hilarious that you managed to do that." Julian started walking towards his house, an invitation to walk with him. He gave a nod "I'll have coffee ready by 6:00 am. I have a mediation at 7:00." Julian sighed at the thought of it, pinching the bridge of his nose. He shook his head, shaking it away. "I don't mind either way." He highly doubted that Clover would try anything anyways, Julian was one of the only criminal defense attorneys. The best one, if he was speaking frankly. He's a compassionate man but it was unlikely he would represent Clover for something like, stealing out of his house. And he didn't think of Clover as that type of person anyways. Sure, he could be a troublemaker at times but he had a good heart. His Achilles heel had always been his ability to only see the best in people. Probably what makes him so good at his job. "I just figured you young people like to sleep in." He chuckled, fatherly tone ringing when he said 'young people'. Much like an old curmudgeon reminiscing on the old days. Days when he used to be young and keen to things like extra sleep.

[letsbelonelytogetherr]

— Franz Kafka, letter to his father

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Mags took in Julian’s words, each one like a thread that bound her, grounding her in this place she’d so hesitantly called home. For years, she had been ready to run. She had an emergency bag just in case she had to flee in the night, but for the first time -- she thought she saw an out. For a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to respond. She’d built walls so thick and high she forgot what lay beyond them—and here he was, offering her a world of safety, of permanence.

He was offering her a hand, both literally and figuratively. She let her hands shape her reply, gentle but certain, even as emotions swirled beneath the surface.

“Maybe jesters play the fool,” she signed slowly, “but you—you’re so much more. You’re the guard and the priest and the --." She faltered for a moment. "And for the Queen, Julian—for me,” her hands hesitated a moment before continuing, “You're one of the reasons why I don't want to run away.” For a moment, her mind flickered to the Kingsleys—the way they’d only ever offered her a home with conditions, a place that was built like a cage, built on lies and pretense. With them, safety had been an illusion, the walls a flimsy barrier from the storm that raged within their own hearts. They’d taken her in, yes, but only so far, never letting her belong. She was livestock. Sure, a cow could be raised preciously, but she was still going to end up at the meat-plant in the end.

But here… here with Julian, it was different. His protection was a shield, something unyielding, without strings, without demands. He was looking out for her because he cared, because he saw her, past everything she’d done and all the fear she carried. “I believe you,” she signed at last, fingers trembling slightly as she pressed her hands together. “I believe you."

This place, this strange little life, was nothing like what she’d imagined, but it felt real. She met his gaze, her face softening as her fingers moved again, slower, her heart behind each sign.

“This is my home now,” she signed, the words more of a declaration than she’d ever thought herself capable of. “Because of you.” She paused, her eyes steady on his, and added, “Thank you.”

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian felt the weight of his words, heavy on his chest as the silence stretched between them. He could sense the conflict inside her. The way she hesitated. Caught in the crossfire of fears and unsavory memories. It made him think of his own struggles; the times he wanted to flee, and the times he wanted to stay. He hoped that she could see the sincerity dripping from his facial features. He wanted to reach out, with not just words and signs of his hands. In this fragile moment, he could see her walls start to crumble. And even if it was just a little bit; it was enough for Julian. He understood her. Understood how it felt to be guarded. He could remember a past when his walls were too, impenetrable.

When she finally signed back, he let the gravity of her words sink in. Allowing each one to do their work resonating deeply within him. He recognized the flicker of pain in her eyes, one he had seen too many times for his liking. “I will always stand by you to be your guard and priest, then.” He signed back, sincerity behind his gesturing palpable. “Your trust means everything to me.” Hearing her words was like the weight of a thousand bricks on his shoulders being lifted. Julian wanted to be a safe harbor for her, and tried so hard to be there for her always. Confirmation of it meant to him more than she would ever know.

“I know how to feel the difference between having somewhere to stay and having somewhere to belong. And you do belong here. Truly.” Julian signed, movements clear and deliberate. “I’m honored to be a part of that. There’s no need to thank me.” It was true, much like a child of blood, no thanks were necessary. His duty, his fatherly love. It was intrinsic.

[forgivemeyourhonor]

JULIAN DE LOS SANTOS as PERRY MASON (1957-1966)

“I’m a paid gladiator. I fight for my clients. Most clients aren’t square shooters. That’s why they’re clients.”

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Location: Coffee Shop For: Julian | @forgivemeyourhonor Character: Grey Hawthorne

Grey stood at the edge of the patio, the crisp autumn air wrapping around him like an unwelcome shroud. This was his second meeting with Julian, and the sense of foreboding had only grown.

He spotted Julian moving through the bustling café, each step deliberate, as though attuned to the town’s heartbeat. “Thank you for meeting me again,” he began, his voice steady yet low, mindful of the lively atmosphere around them. “My initial impressions of Cardinal Hill have deepened into something more ... curious. Ominous.”

Casting a glance at the townsfolk, he noted the way their faces lit with familiarity but were tinged with an undercurrent of tension. “There’s a feeling here—an unease that clings to the air. Whispers of strange happenings and shadows linger just beyond sight. It feels as if the town is holding its breath, waiting for something to break the surface.”

He leaned closer, intensity flickering in his eyes. “I came to you because you seem to possess insight into this place. Have you noticed it too?” He was attuned to the evil of his estate - to the lands he had been cursed to serve before anything else - he couldn't tell if the feeling was the same -- related. "or am I in deeper than I thought?"

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian took pause for just a moment, observing in Grey's expression as he approached him. "Anytime, mi amigo. I'm sorry that we have to meet again under such ... sinister circumstances." He took a seat across from him, for the first time, coffee not a priority for him despite being in a building that's main purpose was coffee. "I'd say you're not alone in that, there's a certain kind of energy here. One that I've noticed that people can sense, but I've never seen anyone speak of it openly."

He had felt it too. The whispers, the shadows. There was a history to this town -- filled with complexities that could never be explained. It seemed there were secrets that were buried deep, and Cardinal Hill had a way of keeping them that way. But perhaps it was starting to become too much to be held back. "Yes," Julian said frankly "I have noticed it. It's a possibility that you are picking up on more than just your physical surroundings."

Julian leaned in and lowered his voice now, "Tread carefully if you try to uncover anything. Some things are better left undiscovered." The side of him that craved adventure couldn't help but add "However, I am curious myself. If you decide to embark on this I'm happy to assist you, Grey."

[coldasxwinter]

"Bein' some rich old lady's arm candy is committing insurance fraud?" Clover asked incredulously, eyebrows rising and jaw dropping. Well, there goes the plan of finding a sugar daddy/mommy and letting them pamper him. Too bad, because Clover couldn't think of a better lifestyle than that, honestly. "I mean, I'd obviously treat her great for whatever years she's got left. So I'd be earnin' that life insurance policy," he reasoned, nodding.

For a moment, Clover was hopeful that Julian might actually break him into the apartment. But his expression dropped when he realized the other was turning down the offer. "It's barely even a crime, I'm totally allowed to be here," he tried to argue, but his heart wasn't in it.

The offer for a warm place to crash was kind, though Clover wondered momentarily if he should turn it down. This was an attorney, after all. Clover was often convinced Julian would turn him in at any moment. The guy seemed too straight-edge for anything else. But also, it was kind of cold, and Clover really didn't want to be stuck out here all night. "You sure that's cool? I don't wanna intrude or nothin'."

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian couldn't help but to chuckle to himself at Clover's logic "No, not technically. You just need to be careful with those types of arrangements because it's not exactly a gray area in the eyes of the law. I’d say go for it though, you’re already half way there. You have her last name." The whole conversation was nonsensical and it amused him very much. He appreciated Clover and everyone in his life that allowed him to be unserious. That allowed him to be more like himself.

“Breaking and entering is also not a gray area, I'm terribly sorry about that." And he was sorry, but not sorry enough to risk being disbarred when there was a better solution.

Julian nodded his head and said "It's really not a problem, I have court in the morning but you don't have to wake up when I do. " He glanced over at the doorknob to the apartment complex beside them "Just lock the door when you leave and try not to get any keys stuck in the lock, please."

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Mags wrinkled her nose as he offered money for the new panes, shaking her head with a faint smirk. She signed emphatically, "Greenhouse isn’t mine, you know that," then added, "But I am queen of it. Everyone knows that if they try to make the flowers grow, they tell them the wrong stories, and the flowers don't grow as well." Julian had helped her get the job there; it was one of the first of many things she had asked him for help with over the years - as she worked under the table, and there was always the risk of being taken advantage. It was why she didn't go to him without having something to offer in trade - even if it was just a sandwich.

But when Julian leaned into his plan to dig into her past, Mags’ expression hardened. She leaned over the desk and placed her hand firmly over his, a rare gesture. She never reached out to him first. She never physically touched anyone.

“Julian,” she said out loud, her voice uneven, like finding words took more effort than she’d prefer. She could speak out-loud, but she didn't like how her voice felt in her throat, her vocal cords producing sounds she had never heard -- but she needed him to understand. “Please… don’t go looking up things. It’s dangerous.”

She had to pull her hand back so she could sign again. Her ASL was fast, fierce, “If you did, they’d find me.” She breathed deeply. He was going to ask questions. He deserved to ask questions. "I don't have a family. I did once, but they had their own baby and didn't want me anymore, so they gave me away like you'd give away a dog."

Then came the hardest part to say: "The new family - they're not good people….” Her signing slowed, deliberate. She was cracking open the door to her past that she had been running away from - that she thought she could escape, as long as she kept facing forward. "They'd kill me if they found me -- I burned down their library to distract them so I could get away. Their family spell books. Their experiments. They know my given name. If you start using it - getting access to it - what if they've been looking for me, and you trigger a missing person report, and then they find me again?"

Did he understand? Did he get why she had to keep hiding? For the rest of her life, she'd fight to keep her walls up and people out. "I'm Mags now. I want to stay Mags. I want to keep my life here - with you. With -- with Bunny. Tigger. I don't want to be the person I was. I don't want to be..." she shook her head. "I don't want to go back. They -- I'm already --" she exhaled hard, not having the right words. "Julian..." she signed his name, his sign name - the name she gave him, not finger-spelling his name. She used the name as it would be in her language, not translated from English to ASL.

(His name was The sign for J and then a tapping two fingers against her heart.)

"This is my home -- I want to stay here."

[forgivemeyourhonor]

"I know it's not yours," he signed, a tight lipped and understanding smile gracing his lips "but the queen deserves panes that are not broken, at the very least. Her jester is happy to divide." He couldn't help but chuckle at that. He always thought parents were a bit like jesters. Himself included, feeling like a father ever since he had stepped into her life. Parents, much like jesters, tried everything they could, including making complete fools of themselves in order to please the high court. Never minding to do so, as it is their duty.

When she touched his hand he felt the true weight of her fear wash over him. Her retellings painted a picture of the torment she faced. He wanted to reach out and tell her that they would face this together but he feared pushing her further into her shell. Instead, he spoke back in addition to his signing as he said "I will do everything. And I mean, everything, in order to keep you safe. I won't let anything happen to you." Julian would die before he ever let anything bad happen to her and that was a fact that was true and absolute.

He reached his arm up to place a hand on his heart for a long moment as he looked at her, seemingly stilling the raging waters. "Listen m-i-j-a," he finally signed and said as his eyes narrowed in a way that was warm and not the scathing way he was used to in court "You don't have a formal birth certificate. As far as the law is concerned, everyone here has only known you as Mags. That's what we can reflect on your official records. Who you were, before you came here, is virtually non-existent. And I'll fight to the death to keep it that way."

Julian's eyes softened further, if that was even possible, when she used her name for him in her own tongue -- or more appropriately, her own hands. A silent language known by the few, by the chosen. "This is your home. You can stay here as long as you want. I will make sure of that. You know that, right? You're safe here. If they come here, for you, they will leave. Immediately. And I will make sure, personally, that they are sorry they ever stepped foot in this town."

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Mags took a breath, feeling the warmth of Julian's acknowledgment wash over her. Not for the first time, she caught herself thinking about what it would have been like if she had found Julian before the Kingsley had found her. She shook her head - the thought was stupid. She was being stupid. Stepping into the office, her guarded nature eased slightly at his invitation.

“Didn’t have to,” she signed, a hint of a smile flickering at the corners of her lips. She had become something of a staple in his office throughout the years - at the park, at a diner ... she'd pop up at different times and sit next to him only to disappear again. "It's good bread - I didn't mess it up or anything."

Settling into the chair opposite him, she maintained a cautious distance, her posture relaxed yet alert, ready to spring up if there was movement she wasn't anticipating. “The plants are holding up,” she signed, glancing toward the window as if expecting to see wildflowers flourishing despite the storms. “They’re tougher than they look... the greenhouse has some broken panes, but I'll get up there and fix them if the owner doesn't hire someone to do it."

But there was a reason why she was there - beyond sandwiches. She had to take the leap. She had to start trusting people, or she was going to be alone forever - trapped in a cage of her own making. Leaning forward slightly, she signed with more intention, her expression serious. “I’ve been thinking about a garden of my own,” she admitted, feeling a flutter of anxiety at the admission. “A home, too. I know I'm being dumb. I don’t have… anything. No birth certificate. No social security card. I did once. But I don't anymore. Without those, no driver's license.”

With careful determination, she reached into her bag and pulled out a second paper bag, worn and crumpled from years of being tucked away. Setting it on the desk, she opened it and began to pull out stacks of cash, placing them in neat piles on the surface. "I can't get a bank account either. I can't have a paper trail. So -- this is impossible, and I need you to tell me that it is."

Why was she even trying? Deepening her roots would be a stupid idea. She knew this. She had gone back and forth for weeks. Months, even.

“This is what I have,” she signed, her fingers moving quickly yet deliberately. “I spent as little as I could; I kept it close.” She looked at Julian, searching his gaze for understanding. Would he understand? “I was hoping you might help me figure it out. You can count it - I had more but --" she shrugged. The previous inn-keeper's son stole from her. Vulnerability seeped into her expression, echoing the fear she felt in trusting someone with this knowledge. She pushed the money across to him. It was nearly forty-thousand dollars. She had been working off the books at the florists for as long as she had been in town, and she lived in the attic of the inn without needing to pay rent. “I know it’s a lot to ask. And you can say no. You can tell me that this is stupid, and it will never happen. But the sandwiches aren't a bribe. They really are because you get lost in work."

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian watched as Mags signed -- the hint of her smile, even if it was just a hint, it still brought warmth to the room. It seemed to always be a balance of delicacy for her. Between her vulnerability and her own need to guard herself. He always admired her resilience in that way, even if it was only there out of necessity. He chuckled softly, a smile lighting up his face too, "Don't be silly, your bread is always good," he signed, "your visits never fail to make my day and fresh bread is a bonus."

As she spoke about the plants, he felt something reminiscent of pride. He had watched her grow up and helped guide her, now not only could she take care of herself (and had been really for a while), but also could now take care of flora and fauna. "That's good, they're very strong." he indicated, fingers moving faster now "If you need some money for new panes, please don't hesitate to ask." Julian motioned to his checkbook that was now also cast aside with the forgotten case files. He knew she was unlikely to ask for money or even accept it if he just handed it over, but he thought he might as well throw that out there. He didn't mind helping out, he never did. Mags was family to him, maybe even the only 'family' he had in Washington with his mother in Cuba and his siblings scattered throughout the United States (no where near the Pacific Northwest at that). Julian wasn't a frivolous spender either and with him being on so many retainers, money wasn't an issue for him. He would much rather spend it on helping out someone he cares about or throwing a lavish dinner party than spending it on fancy things, designer suits and gadgets.

When her expression shifted and seriousness settled in, he leaned forward. His heart racing at the admission. Forty-thousand dollars; a small fortune. Definitely enough for a down payment on a decent house in the area. Julian could see how nervous she was, the look in her eyes could always give her a way to him. He recognized the leap she was trying to make. "It's not dumb." Julian signed quickly, vocalizing it at the same time so that way she knew he really meant it "Wanting a home. Wanting roots. Nothing about that is dumb. Nothing about that is foolish. You deserve to have a space of your own where you can feel safe. I'm proud of you for taking this step." And he was. Really, truly proud of her. He had to take a deep breath through his nose to stop tears from prickling at the corners of his green eyes.

"It's not impossible," he signed, composing himself quickly "things like this are rarely impossible, not when you have counsel like me." Julian motioned now to himself, trying to lighten the mood with a cheesy gesture -- accompanied by an equally cheesy smile.

Julian glanced at the money now, his face showing only the whisper of a grimace. It made him extremely nervous to know she was walking around with that much cash. But he wasn't going to convince her to put it in the bank. That's an immediate no. "Let's talk about how to make this work. You're not alone in this. You never are." Not with Julian in her life.

"Getting identification sorted out might be difficult, but it is possible. Even if it feels overwhelming." He signed, his fingers moving deliberately and firmly to reassure her. "We'll first need to gather any documents we have about you. Medical records or any documentation. I know you don't have much if any at all, but there are alternative avenues we can pursue, okay? Don’t worry." He signed before pulling out a notepad from one of the drawers in his desk so he could start drafting a plan.

"It could take some time - but we can apply for something that is called a delayed birth certificate. It's just as good as a regular birth certificate. We can get the ball rolling on getting you a Washington State ID once we have that." Julian held a soft smile on his lips, praying he could instill a sense of hope to her. He would be there to guide Mags every step of the way.

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian De Los Santos Moodboard

(01/??)

“Jesus Christ, I'm alone again

So what did you do those three days you were dead?

'Cause this problem is gonna last

More than the weekend

Well, Jesus Christ, I'm not scared to die

I'm a little bit scared of what comes after

Do I get the gold chariot?

Do I float through the ceiling?”

- Brand New

[coldasxwinter]

"Mr. Fields," Clover mimicked without thinking, removing his arms from over his face so he could turn his head and look at who was speaking to him. Though there weren't really that many options, most people didn't refer to him as 'Mr. Fields'. "Can you imagine, people callin' me that all the time? It sounds so weird. And also makes me sound like I'm married to the cookie lady. But that would suck, bein' the husband to the famous cookie lady. She has the fame, the fortune, the cookies, and I'd just be her arm candy in the background." He thought for a moment, and then his eyebrows rose. "On second thought, not a bad living."

Clover actually really liked Julian, even if he was a stuffy attorney. As far as attorneys went, Julian was way cooler than expected. Clover had conferred with him several times in the past, mostly about trans activism stuff, which wasn't everyone's cup of tea. And Julian had always been cool to him. Respectful, even, and Clover could appreciate that.

He took Julian's hand, letting him pull him up. "I lost my key to the building. Or, actually, I lost my friend's key. It's his apartment. But he's not home, and nobody else is gonna let in a stranger, and I'm just real fuckin' tired, y'know? Been a long day." He sighed, shrugging and slouching a bit where he stood. "I don't suppose you know how to break into an apartment building?"

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian couldn't help but give a roll of his eyes at the sound of the mimickery, it was a bit amusing and he was accustomed now to the other's dramatics. Clover had pretty much nailed it too but he didn't want to give that indication. "Well, that seems like some game plan, she looks like she's only got a few years left in her, so that would be quite the payout. Legally speaking. I can't advise you to commit any insurance fraud." he chuckled " but if I see the cookie lady around I'll be sure to send her your way."

He glanced around and shook his head as he helped pull him up "I've spent enough time with characters of questionable moral compass to know how to do that," Julian said but quickly added "and enough time to know it's not wise to be an accessory to a crime."

He felt for the younger boy and didn't think that he had many other options. "It's cold out, my house is just down the street, you're welcome to crash there if you want." If he were actually a client of his, he didn't think he would offer - that might be ethically questionable. Well, he didn't think he would, but he probably would. That's just who he is. Julian wouldn't be able to live with himself if something were to happen to Clover or anyone in his life, client's included, if they were left outside all night. Especially in these colder temperature's. He's made some bad judgement's in his life and he's not keen on making his list at confession any longer.

[veilxstars-deactivated20260327]

Mags paused outside the door, her heart thumping in her chest like a trapped bird. She didn't know if he was letting her in, but she had to trust that he was - as though this wouldn't be the first time Julian turned her away. She had taken to bringing Julian lunch weekly - never on the same day or the same time - that was too routine for her, a small act she offered in her own cautious way. Today, it felt particularly important; she was trying to overcome the memory of the storm.

Gathering her resolve, she pushed the door open with a false ease, stepping into the dimly lit office. The sight of Julian, deep in concentration over his case files, stirred a familiar tension within her. She always felt this way when she was alone with someone else - like she was being called in for punishment -- even though she had sought Julian out willingly. She had spent so long learning to navigate the world in solitude, finding safety only in her attic room at the inn and in the greenhouse, where the plants thrived under her care.

“Lunch,” she signed, her movements sharp and quick, infused with purpose. She held up a brown paper bag. She didn't trust the markets, so she made her own bread - she left one loaf for the inn and another she used for herself. It was a small gesture, but it felt significant to her, a way to reach out without inviting too much closeness.

Mags glanced around the room, her eyes flitting over the clutter of legal documents and the dim glow of the desk lamp. The closed blinds gave the space a sense of sanctuary, a refuge where Julian prepared to fight battles that were far larger than her own. She didn’t move closer, maintaining her distance as a feral cat might, cautious despite the years she's known him. He'd have to indicate that she could come in further.

“Just… thought you might need a break,” she signed, her expression flat. She quickly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze momentarily dropping to the floor. Being around others had always been challenging for her. People tended to be untrustworthy. "And you don't remember to eat."

[forgivemeyourhonor]

Julian glanced up from the case evidence files after the door had opened, relieved to see Mags standing there. He was glad it was her instead of the many people it could have been. He could feel a warmth in his chest but he masked it with perfectly practiced neutrality. The sight of her always sparked concern and what he could only guess was a paternal instinct. Protectiveness. He motioned for her to come inside, like coaxing a skittish kitten to come further, giving a silent vow of ‘you are okay. you are safe’. “Thanks, m-i-j-a,” he signed back, a bit slower than she had, shaking his head no when he got to the word ‘have’ to accompany the phrase “you didn't have to.” He was fluent now, after 10 years, but some of the nuances of American sign language made him have to think for a second. From the moment they met, he decided to learn; it only seemed like the right and just thing for him to do. She was a child who needed someone to advocate for her wellbeing and communicate with in a way that was familiar for her. And it was much easier for him to learn than some of the complicated constitutional law and complex litigation courses he had to take many years prior.

He shifted his weight in his leather chair, the files completely forgotten as he studied her standing at the threshold. There was something about the way she stood there that tugged at him — she was always welcomed and he could only hope that she knew this despite the fact that she did this nearly every time she came to visit him at his office. Mags reminded him of a wildflower in that way; delicate but resilient. Growing in any environment that she found herself in.

The sight of the paper bag struck a chord with him because he knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to connect in her own way. It brought a smile on his lips to think about. Julian never had any children of his own and Mags was the closest he got to that kind of kinship. She faced challenges with a fierceness that reminded him of his self. “I appreciate it,” he signed “Come, sit. Tell me what’s on your mind.” Julian began to shuffle the papers on his desk into a neat pile before he set them aside, gesturing at the seat across from him. “How are the plants weathering these storms?”

[coldasxwinter]

location: outside of rustling oaks, late at night status: open! @cardinalstart

"Oh, come on!" He probably shouldn't have shouted, not right outside the apartment building anyway. Not when kids were probably sleeping, and potentially adults with 'real jobs', too. But the shouting wasn't the worst of it, he was also kicking and slamming his fists against the outside door, pissed that his key was stuck in the lock. Groaning in frustration, he grabbed at the keychain and yanked at it again, to no avail. Then his fingers gripped at the tiny metal head of the key and twisted and pulled and worked at it until finally it pulled free. "Aha!" He cried, holding it up. When he tried the door though, it was still locked.

It sort of made sense, considering he had actually lost his real key to the building.

And to the apartment he was crashing in upstairs.

So he couldn't have really gotten in anyway. Which was somehow less frustrating to him than the fact that the incorrect key had gotten stuck in the door, and also that the incorrect key hadn't worked to unlock it and let him in the building. Because all keys should work in all locks, right?

"No, wait, I see how that could be a problem," he said aloud to himself, following his own train of thought. Then he groaned again, walking to the curb and sitting down on it. It had been a long night, and while he was grateful for the food in his belly and the money in his pockets, he felt grimy and disgusting and he just wanted a hot bath. One more prolonged groan, and he let his body seem to melt, sliding down off the curb and into the empty street, his arms rising up to cover his face when his head was the only thing left resting on the sidewalk. "Why is this the longest night ever??"

[forgivemeyourhonor]

“Mr. Fields, please get out of the road,” Julian called out exasperatedly, gesturing grandly to his ‘client’ that was laid out on the pavement “I’m supposed to be advocating for you and giving you advice, not defending whoever is going to run you over if stay like that all night.”

He was on one of his nightly walks, his head too stuffy with thoughts to concentrate on work or sleep when he stumbled across the younger man. He had been giving Clover free legal advice for a few months now — one of his favorite ways to give back to the community that had been so good to him. Even knowing him and his profession, he thought he was a good kid with a lot of potential so he was happy to help him out.

The attorney gave a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose before he extended a hand down to him “Come on now, get up. What are you doing out here?” His voice stern but somehow still warm.

[forgivemeyourhonor]

for: anyone (could be a client, friend, someone looking for legal advice, etc, up to you!)

location: Julian’s office

@cardinalstart

Julian De Los Santos scoured meticulously over every piece of evidence that was laid out before him on his large oak desk. It was sunny outside for now but his blinds were closed, the soft glow of the desk lamp highlighting the focused expression etched across his features. His fingers danced across the keyboard, searching for precedents and strategies in the Discovery. He was working on a particularly gruelling case, one that would be tough to win; and he really wanted that win. Sometimes he actually preferred diffucult cases over ones that were cut and dry, served on a silver platter. The triumph felt bigger, brighter when he really had to work for it.

While criminal defense is his passion in life, his own brother -- a victim of the labyrinthine jaws of a flawed legal system, he also provides counsel for many walks of life. The lack of attorneys in the area and his love for the community required him to wear many hats. Some of them ugly, but all of them, his. Divorce? He can help with that. Business contracts? Easy, peasy. Some jerkoff at the grocery store backs into your car and then speeds off like a bat out of hell? Just give him the license number and he's got your back.

Just as he was about to delve even further into the intricacies of the case, a knock echoed throughout the room. Breaking the intense silence of his determination. Julian raised up his head, his brows furrowing a bit at the unexpected interruption. He turned his wrist to glance at the time and it only puzzled him further; he wasn't expecting any clients yet. Leaning back in his chair, the leather creaked quietly as he called out a simple “Please, come in.” with a composed tone.

[sugurugetos]

I got somebody. Rafael Barba. He's the guy that put away the two johns for raping a prostitute. [Yeah, that was a tough case. I thought he was in Brooklyn.] He was. Just requested a lateral to Manhattan. Guy's got big brass...ego. Raúl Esparza as A.D.A RAFAEL BARBA LAW & ORDER: Special Victims Unit

[letsbelonelytogetherr]

— I Guess the Old You is a Ghost (#589: June 25, 2014)