JUDE DEVINE

Human | 182 | Thrall

[jude-devine]

I could find my way out but I’d rather be lonely.  Let me destroy this. I don’t care how it ends. I’m a survivor. I break as fast as I mend. I’ll live in pieces if I don’t get it together again. 

I’ve got to die a little to live at all And I remind myself: I want it all. Well, if I die a little just let me fall. I’ve got to live a little to live at all. 

[jude-devine]

ofmonstersandmasquerades‌:

She watched, lightly amused, as he’d gotten her drink to go and cleared the tab. Efficient. That wasn’t exactly a surprise, but it was an interesting characteristic to add to her portrait of the man. And either generous—possible, given that he was giving her a clean getaway— or monied enough that ten dollars wasn’t a great loss—also possible, given that the clean getaway might be a way to proposition her for more. Not that she’d say no. He was the most fascinating person she’d met in a long time. She wasn’t likely to let this one go without learning more about him. She didn’t hope much anymore for someone who could keep up with her, but anyone who could get close was worthy of investigation. 

So she took his arm and let him lead her from the bar without a backwards glance. No one back there held a candle to him anyway, so no great loss. She still had a drink, even, which she took a sip from as she considered him. He seemed actually amused when he said it had been fun. He introduced himself and she just stared before laughing. Real, actual laughter, which was rare. It almost felt wrong. 

“Jude. Really.” She shook her head, knowing that she was about to break one of her cardinal rules, but come on, it was too hilarious not to. “Well, lovely to meet you Jude. I’m Jade.” First names only, at least, she wasn’t completely idiotic. Still, the idea of having a partner in time, at least for the evening, was… enticing. “If you really want to be partners in crime…” She reached into her purse and nimble fingers rummaged around until she withdrew them, triumphantly holding Bar Asshole’s credit car. 

“I know you’re obviously not hurting for cash, but want to help me make a dent before he sobers up enough to cancel the card?”

Jude was indeed efficient, and wasn’t every man generous when there was a pretty girl to impress? Not that ten dollars was particularly impressive in and of itself. It was more the implication that there was more - much more - where that came from, and that when it suited him he had cash to burn. Why he thought his new acquaintance might be worthy of such an investment remained to be seen. Perhaps he was simply looking for a companion for the evening - or perhaps he was a con artist, himself. It would explain how he was able to see past her game, though much of that could be attributed to tuning in at just the right time. Nevertheless, she was masterful in her deception and his interest was clear, even if his motives weren’t.

Trusting the other was a gamble, but there was nothing stilted or awkward about their departure. Arm in arm, they strolled out of the club like they’d known each other for years, laughing at what might’ve been an inside joke once they were out of everyone else’s earshot. Of course, he was amused by her antics. He didn’t understand what was so funny about his name (merely nodding to confirm she’d heard him right) until she gave her own. Eyebrows lifting, he weighed the odds of that being something she made up on the spot - then actually decided against it. She seemed just as surprised as he was. Even knowing what a gifted actress she was, her laugh was genuine, almost in spite of herself, and he found himself accepting it at face value.

“Lovely to meet you… Jade,” he returned with a wry smile, their current closeness mitigating the need for a handshake. Honestly, there wasn’t much left to shake on, but he did watch with curiosity as she went rummaging through her handbag. It didn’t take her long to find her prize. Softly snorting, he reached for the card, not to take it from her but to tilt it to read the name embossed on the front. “I could be Chad Ellis, Jr. for the night,” he mused, his fingers brushing hers before his hand fell away. “Unfortunately the only places still open at this hour are bars, gas stations, and Wal-Mart. Although-” Something clicked, and with dawning realization, he continued, “If you really wanted to send a message… On the way back to my place, there’s this adult bookstore. Can’t say I’ve ever been in but it is open 24 hours.”

[jude-devine]

Prelude | Rayne & Jude

[jude-devine]

icequeen-rayne‌:

The moment his lips touched her skin, the rest of their conversation faded into the background. Their contract had been sealed with a kiss, though not the way most would expect. She watched as he drank from her, an impassive look on her face. She could not deny the sight was erotic, but there was nothing of not that kept her mind fixed to that thought. The young man was handsome, though not nearly enough to keep her interested. he was smart, that was a pleasant shock and one she welcomed. It had been part of why she had been willing to let him into her flock. The fact that her blood bound his loyalty to her, made very little difference to her. Rayne garnered loyalty other ways. She didn’t need to enslave people with her blood, though she easily could. 

She tugged at her wrist, finding that the man’s grip was far stronger than she’d initially expected. “That’s enough,” she said firmly as she pulled her hand away from him with her own strength. “Do try to leave me some. I actually need it.” They both did, as it turned out, but she could control his intake and she would. 

She brought her wrist to her lips again, her tongue sliding over the wound she had made, tasting not only her blood but the young man’s saliva as she pressed her tongue to wound, sealing the bite. Her hand came down to touch the face of her thrall, finger running along the edge of his lip, catching the blood that he’s let slip from the corner of his mouth. “Now that we’ve got the contract out of the way,” she said before licking the blood off her finger. “You should go rest. We can put the finishing touches on the plan and get the travel dealt with when you’re ready. Plus I’m tired of this topic and have plans for the night.” She’d already let him overstay his allotted time. She hadn’t expected anything to come out of this discussion. She needed to call her back up and work out a few things, but first, she had a date. 

The thrall was usually well-attuned to things like the passing of time, but he honestly couldn’t say how long he spent on his knees with his lips on Rayne’s wrist. The second her blood touched his tongue, reality itself seemed to slip from beneath him; the glass walls of the penthouse shattered and fell away, and everything they’d just discussed deserted him. Gone were his plans for the New Orleans. Gone was the Chicago skyline. Until she wrenched her wrist back, there was simply nothing but her and the way she made him feel. Thanks to her, he was not only alive again but perhaps more alive than he’d ever been. She was more than his salvation. Still, her words sliced cleanly through the fog in his head, and as soon as he remembered how to control his hands, he obediently relinquished their vice-like grip.

Sinking down to fully sit on the floor, Jude attempted to regain his senses, but his ambitions were thwarted by the heady power still unfolding, multiplying, in his veins. In that moment, he was incapable of even feigning sobriety, and as long as an intelligent response failed him, he elected to just remain quiet. Closing his eyes, he turned his face in to her caress, and only cleaned the corners of his mouth with his own numb fingertips once her touch had fallen way. “Yes…” he muzzily agreed. It was time for him to be leaving, though he’d have been perfectly content to remain there in rapture all night. It took reminding himself, pointedly, that he didn’t have all night, and that he’d already overstayed his welcome. As important as Rayne suddenly was to him, he was just one more employee to her (albeit one on a rather unusual payroll).

“Tomorrow,” he promised, drawing a breath before using the corner of his chair to push himself up, “Or any time after that. I’m ready when you are.” She was right to assume he’d need the rest of this night to recover, though once he was back his feet, he mindfully felt along the inside of his jacket for his breast pocket and from it removed a business card and a fountain pen. The cards were simple, heavy stock and embossed with nothing more than his name on one side and his cell on the other. In the ample white space he added his hotel and room number so there would be no question where he could be found. Extending the card to her, he offered what suddenly seemed a rather impersonal - but perfectly professional - farewell: “Ms. Travers, thank you for your time. I look forward to working with you… Please, enjoy the rest of your evening.”

End.

[fire-burns-within]

Ember of the Night || Xera & Jude

[jude-devine]

fire-burns-within‌:

She paused when he opened the door, a smirk spreading across her lips. She liked that he had a few manners in the arsenal that went with his good looks and smooth talking. “Why should I?” She asked as she marched past him. She turned to look at him, making sure he was actually following her. “You look like a guy that can take a hit and keep standing.” The ac of the establishment barely even touched her, she gave no indication that she even felt it through the think tank top she wore. The pains of being a fire witch, though she didn’t really mind. She liked the warmth. A place like New Orleans suited her perfectly. 

She made it to the bar, her disregard for the patrons in front of her clear as she brushed passed them. Ember had no time for the people milling about. They danced and the played games with each other. They were prey and she was a huntress. They were insignificant to her world until she was looking for a kill. Tonight she was looking for a drink and nothing more. She’d already gotten her kill. “Hey blue eyes,” she said to the bartender. There was no recognition behind Ember’s eyes that would indicate that the handsome man behind the bar looked familiar to her. That was simply because he didn’t. Must have been a transplant to the world of New Orleans. They got a lot of that around these parts. Not unlike the man beside her. 

Her eyes lit up with excitement and smile spread across her full lips at the sight of the card as it passed from Jude’s fingers to the nameless bartenders. “I’ll make it easy for you to start. Two shots of rum, top shelf and a couple of beers. The darker the better.” Ember knew what she liked and what she wanted. She never settled for second best. Jude, the man beside her had been right about her pulling punches. She’d never seen the point. 

As the bartender acknowledged her request, she turned to Jude, the smile still on her lips. “Do you dance or do you watch others from the sideline?” There was a jukebox in the corner but no dance floor to truly speak of. She didn’t care about that she could make her own. “Or are you a pool player? You look like you know how to handle a stick.” 

Jude arched an eyebrow at her comment as she strutted past, teasing, “Thank you… I think. I’m just going to take that as a compliment.” Hopefully she won’t ever feel the need to truly test that theory. While he could certainly hold up to a lot more abuse than most humans, he was far from fireproof. Though the success of his cause hinged on recruiting a couple loose cannons like Ember, before he lit any fuses, he needed to make sure he was out of the line of fire. Thus tonight was all about getting on her good side - or trying to. He’d been lucky so far. Now that they were at the bar, he just had to keep the momentum going.

It helped that she was such a pretty thing, and there seemed to be some degree of mutual attraction. He didn’t miss the fact that he was managing to hold her attention while everyone else in the room might not have been there at all - with the exception of the bartender, whom even Jude had to admit was rather striking. He didn’t make their association known as Ember greeted him, instead enjoying the young man’s sheepish reaction to his new nickname. He was a little slow to get moving after taking their order, a bit like a deer in the headlights, but when Jude’s card was passed across the counter, he shuffled off to get their drinks.

“Sounds like it’s going to be a good night,” Jude remarked with a pleased smile. It wasn’t going to be a cheap round, but he hadn’t brought her here on a budget. He was idly watching the young man behind the counter when she volleyed her question about dancing, prompting him to blink and take a second look around the bar. He didn’t see anything resembling a dance floor, much less anyone dancing. Truthfully, under most circumstances, he didn’t enjoy it, but she’d given him the perfect out, “You know, I really just like to watch…” Their rum arrived at exactly the right time, on the coattails of his innuendo, and picking up his glass, Jude smirked as he toasted, “Cheers.”

Once they were finished with their shots, they could take their beers to go - at least over to the pool table that currently sat, ignored, in the corner of the room. Pool was a much more appealing idea, and he nearly made the mistake of agreeing with her when he caught that devilish glint in her eyes. Thinking it over for a second, it clicked what she was implying, and he laughed even as he shook his head, “I can handle myself. Sticks aren’t usually my preference, but what the hell. It’s 2018. Let’s play some pool.” Jude picked up his beer with one hand and motioned for her to once again lead the way. As they drew closer to the pool table, he offered, “I rack, you break?”

[jude-devine]

cammiesinger‌:

She chuckled and rolled her eyes, “never saw myself there. I might try it though since you think I would be cute in scrubs. All the old men would wind up with bloody noses though if they tried anything.” She grinned at him and she never thought about ever being a nurse. Too much she had on the side to worry about taking care of people… or even running into the people she had hurt. She nodded, “that shocking?” She sat down and took a deep breath wiping the sweat from her brow. “I grew up around cars. My dad had a shop and a junkyard too. Every now and again he would let me run the crusher… but he always let me help him out.” She nodded, “you a nurse or doctor then? I don’t know many other occupations that have a call schedule.” She thought for a moment looking over her shoulder at the treadmill and then back at him, “well if you don’t have anything to do right now, how about a drink. One won’t hurt. You might wanna rest that arm anyway.”

“Well, technically you don’t have to work in a clinical environment to wear scrubs,” he pointed out with an impish, growing grin. “I’m sure you could just buy a set for, you know, those special occasions you feel like slipping into something more comfortable.” All jokes aside, that would certainly be an interesting dynamic. Imagine working in the ICU and coming face to face with someone you put there. Jude of all people could understand that conflict of interests. There was a reason he’d given up on his medical career, even if the ability to administrator emergency aid (not only to others but to himself as well) sometimes still came in very, very handy.

He tilted his head, acknowledging, “Maybe a little surprising. There aren’t a lot of lady mechanics out there.” Much less pretty ones, though it made sense to learn Cammie was raised on it. He noted the way she talked about her father in the past tense, however. The man probably wasn’t around anymore, but it sounded like he’d certainly succeeded in passing the torch. Blinking as she suddenly inquired about his own line of work, the exact line of questioning managed to catch him off guard. His knee-jerk response was a cryptic smile, but after a moment, he slowly answered, “I used to be. But I got hurt... I missed a lot of time, and just never got back to it.”

Such was life. At least, such was his life. It was weird, and there was a hell of a lot more to that story, but she hadn’t asked to hear it. She’d only asked what he did for a living, so he explained, “I’m in investments now. My company is expanding to Louisiana, so I’m here reporting on market conditions ahead of the move.” It sounded like pretty dry stuff, but chances are it paid well. Also, at least for the time being, he had the benefit of setting his own schedule, which gave him the freedom to drink, hit the gym - and then apparently drink some more. Her offer made him laugh out loud, “I thought I was the only one who did that. Count me in. I’ll even buy the first round.”

[jude-devine]

[jude-devine]

15. Things they used to believe in but perhaps not anymore.

“I wouldn’t call them beliefs, necessarily, but there are always things you just don’t question until you have a reason to. If you’re looking for specific examples… I used to accept that everything happens for a reason. I assumed there was a God. But the only evidence I’ve ever seen of a higher plan are the events I put into motion, myself. I guess seeing is believing after all.”

[jude-devine]

ofmonstersandmasquerades‌:

She’d taken notice of the man before. Of course she had—he was basically the textbook definition of ‘tall, dark, and handsome’, but he hadn’t done anything interesting enough for her to do more than clock where he was sitting and how often he was ordering drinks: not that often, he was probably more sober than most of the people in here. Certainly more sober than the forward man she’d decided was her mark for the night. Honestly, anyone who thought that starting right off describing what positions he thought she’d look best in deserved for her to take him for all he had on him. She wasn’t one with strong opinions on morality, but that had to be some sort of universal truth. 

The fact that this man seemed to have picked up on her little game, though, was startling. Women caught it far more than men. Men didn’t like to think that pretty blondes were predators—of course not, that meant that they were the prey, and no man she’d ever met had honestly felt comfortable admitting that the gorgeous blonde with her perfect nails and her diamonds and pearls and meticulous make-up was actually far more intelligent than he could hope to be. She wasn’t complaining. It was far easier to manipulate someone who thought they held all the power. But it made it a little unsettling that Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome was indicating that he had any idea what she was up to. 

She glanced down at the bill as he signed it, adjusting her impression of the man slight to accommodate the “IV” behind his name. Old money, then, not one of the newer tech magnates. “Are we?” she asked, deciding to play into it. “Well if that’s an invitation, then… I’ll say that you’ve sparked my interest.” She was sure she didn’t have to leave. Bozo over there probably wouldn’t suspect it was her who stole his wallet, and if he did start to look her way, all she had to do was to get hysterical about “wait, is mine missing too?” and then turn to the bartenders and the bouncers and wail about how they had to do something, she didn’t feel safe, wasn’t that their job? It might even be fun, but it was old hat. This man was something new. 

If it wasn’t a universal truth, Jade would be met with few objections on that side of the room. Jude certainly hadn’t been impressed with the man, but he hadn’t made it his business or attempted to intervene. The blonde seemed to appreciate the attention, or at least the free drinks it was netting her. It wasn’t until she’d strutted back to the bar without the drunken idiot that Jude had realized how much of it had been an act, and a rather convincing one at that. Maybe he should’ve been uncomfortable, or at the very least concerned for his own wallet. He had no doubt the blonde’s expensive designer handbag was stuffed full of things that didn’t belong to her, yet he still seemed happy to offer her an out.

His invitation wasn’t explicit and when asked about it, he only smiled, “It could be. If you’re all done here… My night’s wide open.” He only needed to finish his drink, which he lifted from the countertop now. However, he paused before knocking back the last, watered down swallow. The scene on the dance floor was growing more and more dramatic, with other people now checking to make sure they still had all their valuables and the bouncers getting involved. Jude’s expression as he looked on was the perfect combination of bland indifference and bemusement, appearing to neither care nor fully comprehend what was happening. After a short while, he finished his drink and turned to set the empty glass on the bar.

“Hey, can we get that to go?” he asked the bartender as they were returning with Jade’s mai tai. With a shrug, the drink was unceremoniously dumped, fruit garnish and all, into a styrofoam cup with a straw and a lid. Jude stifled a grin as he forked over a ten dollar bill to cover the round, “Thanks... Have a good night.” After transferring the drink to Jade, he crossed in front of her to offer an arm. It was both terribly old-fashioned and terribly convenient, his much taller frame blocking her from her former date’s sight and practically ensuring a clean getaway. Presuming she accepted, they’d be out of the club and into the (relatively) fresh air of the Quarter in no time.

A few paces from the door, Jude gave her the option of slipping her arm free, but the amusement he’d previously manage to contain to just his eyes was spreading across the rest of his face like wildfire, “Well, that was fun.” Coming from anyone else, it might’ve sounded sarcastic but Jude truly seemed to mean it. His smile was nothing short of devilish as he laughed, “Now that we’re partners in crime, care to tell me your name?” He didn’t expect her true title so much as an alias, probably something as pretty and perfect as she was, but just to keep things fair, he introduced himself, “I’m Jude.” 

[memeasaurus-promptus]

Childhood Memories

Send in a number and my muse will talk about:

An old childhood friend

A time when they got lost

A fear they used to have (or perhaps, still have)

Their favorite food

Food they used to avoid but like now

An old enemy/bully

Their family

Their earliest memory

An adventure they had

An object they kept

Their favorite toy/past time

A time they got hurt

A happy time

A sad time

Things they used to believe in but perhaps not anymore

A dream of the future they used to have

A vivid dream/nightmare

Something that scared them

Something that made them laugh

Their favorite relative/person

Their childhood hero

Something they used to collect 

Their favorite animal

Free question. Ask something not listed! 

[crescentcityroleplay]

October ask memes! As always, participation is optional and if you don’t like these suggestions, feel free to post your own. :) 

[jude-devine]

Prelude | Rayne & Jude

[jude-devine]

icequeen-rayne‌:

It was rare to catch Rayne off guard. She was meticulous in her planning. She crossed t’s dotted i’s and then had others make sure it was all in order. Her operation, while wholly hers, was not run just by her. She had a second in command, whom she happened to adore more than anything in the world and others that made up the ladder of authority. The organization ran smoothly because while she was the one with all the power, she knew how to delegate. She knew who to trust and who not to trust. She had rules and they were followed. Second chances were almost never given. Break a rule in Rayne’s organization and it was the last thing done. The point was, Rayne was meticulous. Being caught off guard was not something easily done, so when he told her it had been five FIVE weeks since he had last had a fix, Rayne had to force her features into a neutral and bland look. 

Five weeks was a telling answer. Most thralls she knew could go a few days without a fix, a week tops. Two was pushing it. Five, though, that was a testament to how old he actually was. She wanted to ask, wanted to know more about this man in front of her, but she’d wait for those questions. She could see his focus waining, his mind fogging over. His eyes were glassier now than they had been when he’d walked in, though possibly that was from releasing the tension from his body now that his story was slightly told and his proposition laid out is enough detail to tantalize and tempt. “You’re a good storyteller,” she said simply. “Dangle the interesting parts to trap and ensnare but keep the truly interesting bits to the side for when the bait bites. I like it.” 

She knew she was the bait in this scenario, but that was okay by her. She had her own thoughts and plans. He wasn’t in charge in all of this. Ultimately, he was simply the architect. She was the contractor. He’d designed the game, but it was hers to play. And play she would. “I’ll make the call to my contact down there and see what he can give me in the way of information. Perhaps he’ll be able to point me in the direction of the one that hides the pack.” She didn’t know if Laslow would know or not, but if he didn’t, he could possibly help her track down someone who could. He would be her eyes and ears in there while she was prepping to relocate. 

“But for now,” her nails, perfectly manicured and polished in a color matching her skirt, drummed on the wood of the desk she leaned on as she watched the younger man. He was an interesting creature despite what he was, cleaver and sharp, but there was something under the surface that niggled at the blonde vampire. Something about the man that perhaps those who had never met her creator would find disconcerting. Rayne however simply wanted to poke at it. She would do that later, though. There was a time and a place for everything and now was not the time to poke a bear, especially one as weak as this one. 

Her movement was slow and deliberate as she brought her wrist to her lips. She let her fangs elongate a bit before taking a bite out of her perfect alabaster skin. Crimson liquid seeped from the two puncture wounds she’d given herself and she held her hand out. “Consider this your contract,” she said simply. “Drink and we’re in business together. We’ll talk payment tomorrow or when it suits you.” She didn’t even bother to offer him the option to turn it down. She knew he wouldn’t. It was, after all, why he was there. 

Storytelling was something he generally left off his resume, but at the end of the day Jude knew how to be persuasive. As a human in a world of monsters, he’d made his way for the better part of two centuries - and until recently had apparently managed to do quite well for himself. He was wealthy, well-spoken, easy on the eyes. His master’s murder was surely a tragedy and a mystery to eventually solved, but in the meantime it opened the door to intriguing new possibilities. The thrall had previously distinguished himself amongst a class of creatures that were, for the most part, far from notorious. With his insight and someone like Rayne at the helm, there’s really no telling how far this plan might take them, though it was becoming increasingly apparent the businesswoman wasn’t scared to find out.

He took her remark as a compliment and smiled in spite of his exhaustion, replying, “I’ve spared you the tedious parts. Those, you can leave to me. But most the work has already been done for us... All this domino run needs is one or two missing pieces, then someone with the nerve to set things in motion.” The architect and the contractor was an excellent analogy. Ultimately all this his plans were nothing but nice drawings on paper until he could convince someone with the power and resources to back the project. He clearly recognized that, too, emphasizing the rewards over the risks, and never so much as mentioning what compensation he would require - even if, to most vampires, his price would’ve seemed to dirt cheap. Rayne Travers was hardly most vampires, and Jude was well aware what he was asking from her.

Jude couldn’t say he was altogether surprised to learn she already had contacts in the New Orleans area. Perhaps the city’s unique predicament was something she’d previously given some thought to, herself. If (and hopefully when) he regained his energy, he’d be eager to compare notes. “You never know till you ask,” he encouraged, though it went without saying that she’d need to breach the subject of the wolf pack with an abundance of caution. Hopefully this contact of hers had been vetted, and could be relied on to not to let the cat out of the bag too early. The thrall had no choice but to trust her judgment on the matter. It wasn’t overly easy to do, seeing as they’d only just met, but as they were both well aware, there were shortcuts to faith and loyalty.

Stillness fell over him as she lifted her wrist to her lips, his breath softly catching in his throat. His pupils contracted then expanded as his gaze locked on the dark blood pooling on her perfect ivory skin. Strangely, it didn’t call to him as Alexander’s blood did - as Alexander’s blood would have, had it been so long since his last fix. There was no desperation to his movements, no evidence of frenzy, yet when his ‘contract’ was offered out to him his hands still lifted, seemingly of their own accord, to falteringly grasp her hand and arm. Though she continued to speak, her words were lost on him. His last coherent thought was of her beauty, and he slid forward in his chair till he fell to his knees before her, kissing her bloody wrist before opening his mouth to do as instructed.

The taste of her blood on his tongue was rain on the desert, reawakening parts of himself he’d forgotten existed. Eyes shutting tight, his breathing resumed in ragged fits and starts, his body finally on board with what his mind had known all along. Involuntarily his grip tightened, and with just one swallow, he was again electric, vibrant, alive. Cleaving to his newfound goddess, he drank for as long as she allowed, reveling in the feelings of rejuvenation, infatuation, and euphoria that flooded him. The high was unexpectedly powerful, dizzying and unlike anything he could remember experiencing with Alexander, save for perhaps the very first time… Maybe because of that, he should’ve been wary, but it was far too late for that now.

[jude-devine]

[jude-devine]

cammiesinger‌:

She raised a brow but nodded. It was none of her business if something else was going on with him, but she couldn’t help but to slightly worry about his arm. “You sure?” She shrugged at his admittance of it being better and nodded. “Just try to take it easy. I’m no nurse and I don’t know anything about what to do in those kinds of situations.” She knew more than she let on but stitching him up wouldn’t be needed, or alcohol to clean a wound… the usual easily fixed hunter injuries. No insurance and no time to waste on hospital and doctor bills. 

She nodded at his question, “Yeah, unfortunately shop doesn’t close for fourth of July. Plus, all the tourist with car problems are going to have to find somewhere to bring their rides after they leave the lights on all night.” She chuckled, it was surprising how many times she had to replace a car battery because of that reason… but if the customer insisted on a new batter she wasn’t going to argue. “You too? Or do you get the day off?” 

It was kind of her to worry, but unnecessary - particularly since his ‘injury’ was nothing more than a hasty cover for what could’ve been a suspicious situation. Fortunately, she’d accepted his explanation and the conversation moved on easily from there. A smile flickered across his face as she advised him to take care, studying her a second before playfully declaring, “That’s too bad. You’d make a cute nurse. I bet all the old men would hit on you.” Never mind that he was handily twice the age of even the oldest of her prospective patients. He wasn’t about to mention that - or his own experiences in the medical field, for that matter. In most contexts, it was irrelevant. It was a lifetime ago.

Jude listened with a tilt of his head as she explained that the shop didn’t close for the holiday, trying to piece together what sort of business she was referring to. It didn’t take him long to realize she meant a garage, though he did require a second to see her in that new light, “You’re a mechanic?” It wasn’t anything he would’ve guessed at, but somehow, it suited her. And just as she said, she was probably going to be busy as all hell tomorrow, causing him to laugh as well. Shifting his weight forward to brace his elbows on his knees, he confided, “I’m more or less just on call. If my boss doesn’t need me, I’ve got my own projects to be working on. I’m not that busy the moment, but I wish you luck for tomorrow… Sounds like it’s going to be a hell of a day.”

[jude-devine]

[jude-devine]

[jude-devine]

👄

“It wouldn’t be much of a secret if I told you, now would it? But, fine. Here’s one I can let you in on... I’m Batman.”

[jude-devine]

🎭

“Is- this a trick question? My most ambitious project to date has a backer, and I’ve got four-hundred years of power flowing through my veins. How do you think I’m feeling?” 

[fire-burns-within]

Ember of the Night || Xera & Jude

[jude-devine]

fire-burns-within‌:

With the smell of the smoke to surround them, and the gentle breeze Ember had created, it was easy to ignore the rancid stench of the city. Ember had no real connection to the city, but the family she came from and the body she inhabited seemed to be attached so she stuck around, stuck being the more appropriate of terms. She would have preferred to find herself somewhere a little less disgusting but, who was she to complain? She preferred to make the most of a situation rather than dwell on the injustices. What was the point? Do something about it or shut the fuck up. 

She put the cigarette to her lips as the walked, listening to the smooth voice of the tall man beside her. He was easy to listen to. The lilt of his voice was pleasing on her ears and he wasn’t half bad to look at. Her luck had picked up, it would seem, after the misfortunate meeting she’d had moments ago. He’d gotten what was coming to him and she was happy to be the one serving up the justice. No one else in this city would be willing to do it. They’d put him on trial or let him go. Free to roam the street looking for another woman to terrorize. Ember wasn’t ashamed of what she had done, but showing her enthusiasm for it seemed to be frowned upon. 

She cocked an eyebrow as she exhaled the acrid smoke that had filled her lungs. “See how well that turned out for him,” she quipped. She liked the idea of ruling with fear, but at the same time, she knew how well it worked out. Rulers that breed fear created creatures like her, that rose up and fought against them. Or that rose up and fought for the sake of fighting, killed for the sake of killing. Ember was the other. She didn’t serve anyone but herself and the mind that occupied the body with her. She did like the way the man beside her flattered her, though. A smirk slid across her lips and she ran her free hand down her neck. “I like my head, I’m kind of attached to it,” she told him. “I think we’ll go with Attila the Hun, but you’re right, I am much prettier.” 

She flicked the smoke away from her, watching as the embers bounce off the cherry as it skipped across the pavement and smiled at the man. “Well then,” she said with a purse of her lips, “I suggest you keep up.” She pulled ahead of him and took a sharp left, cutting across him before heading toward a distillery. She’d never been there before, but it was a spot in town that she’d heard had good food and drink. It was also owned by a witch, which meant it was perfect for her. 

Vigilantism was indeed generally frowned upon, particularly when there was a body count to go along with the vengeance. Jude didn’t know if their friend back in the alley would ultimately survive his encounter with Ember or not. He didn’t care to know. There was freedom in plausible deniability, but realistically, the thrall wasn’t concerned about having to go back to silence him later. At least he clearly didn’t hold the fire witch’s actions against her. On the contrary, they seem to be what had drawn him to her in the first place. He waxed poetic about revolutionaries and tyrants, but his ambitions for the immediate future weren’t nearly so lofty. Anyway, didn’t every good coup always start with drinks?

His mind had already more or less moved on when Ember alluded to the typically short reign of tyrants, her attacker being case in point. She wasn’t the least bit incorrect, however. It was erroneous and, more than that, dangerous to suppose power was the end all, be all. People were surprising, tenacious. Sometimes it was about the size of fight in the girl, not the size of the girl in the fight, and Jude was more convinced with each passing second that he’d found his firebrand. Though he’d initially appeared a bit taken aback, his eyes now slid (with some amusement) up the graceful curve of her neck as her hands brushed her blonde hair back, “I can see that… But, it sounds like you know how to use it. I don’t think it’ll be going anywhere.”  

For a fleeting moment, he imagined his own fingertips caressing her heated skin, and his lips taking their place soon after that. As lovely as she was, it was easy to indulge in such fantasies, though he’d seen for himself what happened to those that didn’t keep their hands to themselves. Jude wouldn’t make the same foolish mistake, but then, their interaction hadn’t started with him detaining her against her will. It was very important to him that the night unfold on her terms, which is essentially why he invited her to take the lead. He was pleased she took him up on his offer - he was just surprised she did it so quickly. “Oh?” Blinking as she flicked her cigarette away, he took a hurried final drag from his own before likewise leaving it behind.

A long stride or two caught him up to the place that she’d darted in front of him, and from there it was practically a jog to the distillery. His eyes flickered up to the familiar sign as they passed under it, but his expression revealed nothing but his mirth as he reached ahead of her to open the door. “You really don’t pull punches,” he teased as he stepped into the establishment behind her, glad for the jacket he wore when the air conditioning hit him. His gaze swept curiously over Ember’s thin tank top and bare arms as he followed her to the counter, then lifted to the raven-haired bartender that couldn’t seem to help but stare. Jude didn’t acknowledge it beyond smiling as he pulled out a card to start a tab, “Whatever she wants… Let’s make it a double.”