siren's song

Jude Evans, 25 years old human. Pseudo son to Nana. Son to actual rockstar Raymond Evans. Fatherless, but with family. King of everything, and can't be bothered to please you.

[judeevxns-blog]

Phone Call / Jude & Addie

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline hated the stupid smile he wore on his face. If only she could cover him in painful warts or burn him from the inside, but they were in public and it would send him running to the nearest person who would listen. She wondered briefly if she’d have a chance to do something like that the next time they were in private.

She glanced down at the drink he pretended to offer, not making a move to grab it since she didn’t want to share anything of his. The with crossed her arms in front of her, “I’m not leaving the festival, I just want to get away from you.” she retorted. She usually wasn’t so short with people but his smugness got on her nerves. “I’m not going to be your errand girl all night. You got what you wanted, just enjoy the festival like a normal person. Maybe if I’m lucky you’ll fall off one of the rides.” she grumbled.

[judeevxns-blog]

Though Addie really meant spite with her words, Jude could only laugh and give his signature smug smile at her. Though she meant for him to be hurt or to be offended, Jude really was just enjoying himself. The smug smile on his lips grew, and he shook his head at her. “Why are you so bitter? God, live a little, Ads! No one’s going to fall off anything tonight!”

Jude reached for Addie’s arm, in a fashion that looked as though they were friends. However, once he had, the grip was too tight, too tight for friendship. The smile on his lips never left though; others could only see what Jude wanted them to see. Addie, on the other hand, experienced everything. “Come join me,” he hissed under his breath, in that threatening way that he did. “Or else you know what.” And then, in a louder voice, he said, “And smile, god damn it. You look like you’re about to set something on fire.”

[judeevxns-blog]

Phone Call / Jude & Addie

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline’s mood has quickly plummeted at his continuous taunting, as though one comment wasn’t enough he had to keep up with it. She wanted so badly to punch him through the phone. “Shut up, Jude.” she said angrily. When he said what he wanted to do she deflated; he was going to make her be some kind of errand girl for him? 

She sighed, turning to look at the corn dog booth and seeing the long line. “What kind of drink do you want?” she asked, annoyed. The brunette reluctantly moved to stand in the line, walking forward when those in front of her did. “This is really entertaining for you, isn’t it?” she grumbled, reaching the booth and ordering for him.

With his food and drink in hand and a scowl on her face she headed towards the jack o lantern booth and spotted him. “Here.” she said shortly, shoving the items at him. “Can I go now?”

[judeevxns-blog]

There was nothing better for Jude Evans than knowing that he had complete power over someone. There was nothing better for Jude Evans than knowing he had the upper hand. Take now, for example. For all Addie’s words, for as much as she asked him to shut up, and for as much as she loathed him, Jude knew that she would still oblige, and that she would still listen. Jude knew this without a doubt, and it was what painted a smile on his lips.

Her words only proved what he already knew. “Uh, pumpkin spice latte things? Not soda pop! Please and thank you!” A chuckle escaped him. “Yes, yes, it really, really is. Now, please get my drink quickly. Thank you very much!” Another chuckle left Jude, but he no longer waited for a reply as he dropped the call, put the phone back in his pocket, and waited.

He didn’t have to wait long, as Addie arrived with his items a few minutes later, with a scowl on her face to match the annoyance he’d last heard over the phone. With a smile, though, Jude took the items, took a sip of the drink, and then offered it in Addie’s direction only to take it back for himself. “Leaving so soon? Aren’t you supposed to be having fun?”

[judeevxns-blog]

Phone Call / Jude & Addie

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline clenched her jaw as she walked further from the crowd. The costumes combined with Jude’s constant reminding only made her feel like more of a terrible creature than before. She wasn’t the kind to hurt people or even cause trouble, but since coming to this world it had made her feel like being a witch was something bad instead of something to be proud of.

“I’m not a monster.” she repeated into the phone. “If you only called to harass me because it’s Halloween then I’m done talking to you.” she said shortly, ready to be done no matter what he had to say. “So was there a reason? Otherwise I’m going to hang up.”

[judeevxns-blog]

“Did I hit a nerve? I probably did, didn’t I?” There was no need to be so cruel, no need to be so mean, but Jude could not help it. How could he, when this woman he spoke to could kill him with a flick of her hand? How could he, when this woman he threatened could overpower him, should she realize that she did have the power? He had to make his point thrown out there somehow; he had to try for the upperhand some way. This was the only way he knew how to do just that.

A chuckle left Jude, and he shook his head. “I’m just kidding, Ads. No need to be so witchy”---the purpose of him using that word was unknown to him, but it sounded like good pun---”and no need to get all bitter. Don’t throw me in your cauldron now. People will wonder why I’m missing.” Another chuckle escaped him, this time for longer. It was fun pestering Addie like this; this was all good fun.

The woman’s next question, and the way the line for this next booth move forward, made Jude stop chuckling. “There was, actually. Do you have company? I’m going to need a corn dog and a drink, and I was hoping”---something about his words said that he knew she would do this, instead of hoped---”that you’d get it for me. Please and thank you. I’m by the jack-o-lantern booth.”

[judeevxns-blog]

Phone Call / Jude & Addie

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline was enjoying the festival as much as she could, not knowing when the small town would host an event like this again and loving how it was still warm enough outside to do everything outside on Halloween night. She’d just finished her popcorn and tossed the bag in the trash when her phone vibrated.

Pulling it out of her pocket her face fell at the name on the screen. Jude. If there was anything that could bring down her mood if was the human who kept bothering and threatening her. She wanted to ignore the call, but knew he’d just continue or call again angry with a threat. She sighed and picked up the phone, rolling her eyes. “Very funny. I told you to stop calling me a monster.” she reminded him. Every time she said it she felt more like one. “I’m at the festival, by the dunk tank. Why? Couldn’t force any friends into going with you to the festival?”

[judeevxns-blog]

By now, Jude had gotten used to Addie’s sarcasm. He’d gotten used to not being liked by her --- as opposed to being liked by everyone else ---, and he found that he did not mind. Not at all, no. The truth of it was that they weren’t to like each other. She was who she was, while he was normal. That was enough difference for them to base their hatred on one another upon. It was enough for them to dislike one another, as it was certainly the basis that Jude was using to pester this woman.

A smile appeared on his lips at her words, even though it shouldn’t have. A man should not be so cruel, and yet, here Jude was. “Didn’t say anything. I was going for a more general term, but if you feel that you fit into the category, then, by all means, don’t let me stop you.” Though she could not see, there was a smirk on his lips. “And funny, ha ha har di ha. But no, actually, I wanted to see the real scary things. I wanted to see a monster live in the flesh, and---”

Jude paused, as though his words had been an accident, when he really had meant them. The beat lasted long enough for him to chuckle afterwards, and then, to say, “Whoops. Now, I said it.”

[judeevxns-blog]

Phone Call / Jude & Addie

@addiexvalentine

With Alejandra now gone to do whatever it was tht police officers did on the night of Halloween, Jude had an abundance of time in his hands that he did not want. He didn't want this if it wasn't with Alejandra, nor did he want it if it wasn't with Isla. But, as it was, a man had to do what a man had to do, and so he opted for the next best thing, among all these: Addie.

She wasn't much for company, but she was company. She wasn't much, but she was. There was a bit of a distraction in her, alongside the fact that Jude could get her to do anything he wanted. This was his intention, not friendship.

He rang her up, and spoke quickly once the phone was answered. "Isn't Halloween the time for when monsters come to play?" There was no pause in his question. "Where are you now?"

[berkeley-is-never-wright-deacti]

A haunted house – finally, something that he really loved. Berkeley stood in line, bouncing on his toes to combat the chilly fall air. Despite the cool wind, warm scents filled his nostrils and left him with a bad case of the munchies. Though, as tempting as the food was, he knew he didn’t need it. He had plenty of food back at his home, some that seemed much tastier than what was being sold at the festival. Okay, that was a lie. Everything tempted the young man, but he had to keep himself in check. Money wasn’t exactly easy to come by, and, plus, there was always next year, or the internet. As the line moved forward, so did he. Excitement and adrenaline filled him as screams and cries grew louder. He observed the people in line, taking note that they were all in groups. His normally permanent smile turned to a small frown as he looked around. A partner would make this experience much more fulfilling. Berkeley turned on his heels to the person behind him. “Hey! Need a partner? I think it’s cheaper if people go as pairs.”

[judeevxns-blog]

God knew where Alejandra went. She had said something about police work, something about official business, something about how she couldn’t tell him because it was classified. And then, off she had gone, leaving him to his place all alone here in the line for the haunted house. It was a pitiful thing, really; Alejandra and Jude had spent their Halloweens together since they were young, but now, age had caught up to them as had time. Jude had, with a long face, watched Alejandra go, knowing that there was nothing he could do to stop her.

He’d been sulking for a good while there in line before a man in front of him turned to speak. It was an honest gesture, and a kind one, too; but Jude was as Jude was, and even worse off when he was sulking. He frowned at the man before him without much consideration for his feelings. “I’m fine, thanks. I didn’t come here alone.” It was obvious, though, that he was alone now. It was obvious that he was alone. “Came with a friend, actually. I’m just waiting for them.”

There was no friend coming. There was no friend coming, but this man didn’t need to know that.

[rochellebordreaux-deactivated20]

Caiden couldn’t help the laugh that escaped at the accusation. No wonder the other man hated the pony so much. Stuff like that lived forever in a small town, especially when it involved a beloved icon. Not to mention that it was funny enough to stick in people’s memories, the man was destined to be known as the guy who fell off the pony.

“If you run now, you can get out before the crowd mobs you.” He said, nodding at a small gap in the crowd of people.

[judeevxns-blog]

If there was one thing that Jude did not do, it was run away in shame. If there was one thing he did not do, it was run away with his head hidden behind his hands. No, he was much, much, much better than that! He was Jude Evans, for god’s sake! He was Jude Evans, perfect and awesome and wonderful and majestic in every way. He would not run away because of a little horse, nor would he run away because someone fucking remembered.

(But he was, oh, he was ashamed. No one wanted to be remembered as the man who got kicked by Lil Tony. No one wanted to be that guy.)

If there was one thing Jude was good at, though, it was acting tough and pretending not to be affected by his surroundings. With a glare at the young boy that had screamed out his --- quote, unquote --- identity, and a sneer as though he were about to lunnge, the boy looked away, and went back to watching the pony who did nothing in particular.

“No, never run away,” he told the man beside him, a man whose name was unknown, one he’d never seen before. “That’ll only make them hungrier.” Jude was, as it was seen, proud of himself. He was a proud man on any normal occasion, but now, even more, as he had fended off the unwanted attention.

[rochellebordreaux-deactivated20]

There seemed to be an extra layer to the vehemence of the other man, but Caiden could understand that. Especially if he had always lived here. And they brought the pony out for every event. Yeah, he’d start to hate it too, especially with this crowd of people making it impossible to do anything else. It just drew everyone in, like a train wreck, or a car accident. Except slightly less deadly.

“I can tell.” He said, eyeing the pony. “It’s way too fat.” The sides on the tiny horse were bulging outwards, and it was still eating. Did horses go on diets? Because this one should.

[judeevxns-blog]

One would think that the town of Downsville would finally tire of a little horse after all the years that he’s been presented. One would think that the town would grow uninterested of a pony that didn’t fucking do anything aside from eat or sleep or poop or pee. Yet, here the people of the town were, admiring the pony all the same. Yet, here the people of the town were, holding the pony on a pedestal as though it were some savior.

But, then again, not all these people were Jude Evans. Not all of them had tried to ride the pony, only so to be kicked off. Not all of them had tried to ride the pony, only to fall to the ground face flat. This happened years ago, and yet, the memory still lingered in Jude’s mind like a fucking photograph. He could only hope that no one else remembered, that no one else---

Too late. Someone turned around to look clearly at his features, only so to point and scream, “Hey! You’re the guy who fell off Lil Tony!”

Oh, Jude Evans should have known: if he were to hide his story, he should have stayed clear of the pony.

[rochellebordreaux-deactivated20]

“It’s like every other pony in the world.” Caiden said, tilting his head as he kept looking at the pony, then looked at the man who had spoken, a confused expression on his face. “Right?” Maybe ponies here were different. Maybe this was another culture gap. Something they didn’t have in his world, it was possible, right?

He really hoped so, because the other option was that everyone here was insane. Which was also plausible, judging from some of the things he’d seen on the internet. Which was confusing enough as well, honestly. But still not as confusing as the crowd that was still pressing around the stupid horse. There was a split moment where he wondered if it would taste different from other horses before he discarded it. Horse was nasty anyways.

[judeevxns-blog]

At least somebody fucking understood! Every fucking year, Jude would ask people what they thought about this fucking pony. Every fucking year, he’d have people defend the fucking pony. At least now, somebody understood. This was not to say, of course, that there weren’t those who shared his indifference fo the pony in the last couple of years; but, with people so in love with Lil Tony, every person who did not understand was a gem. The irony was that Jude remembered and did not remember them alll at the same time.

The man’s words made Jude scoff out loud. This was what he’d been saying all along! This was what he’d been saying his whole fucking life! (Okay, there was a time when he loved Lil Tony, but that was not a story he wanted to look back at.) “I fucking know! Except I assure you that no other fucking pony in the world is as coddled as this one.”

So, maybe, this wasn’t indifference. Maybe this was borderline hatred.

[rochellebordreaux-deactivated20]

Caiden stared at the tiny horse that no less than twenty people were crowded around, aweing and taking pictures. It didn’t look special to him, and he couldn’t smell anything that was different from any other horse. Maybe because it was small? But most ponies were small, it didn’t make any sense, and he kept staring at it. “I don’t get it.” He muttered.

[judeevxns-blog]

Every goddamned year. The fucking pony came out to wow the fucking crowd every. Goddamned. Year. And, in all his life here in Downsville, Jude Evans had yet to understand it. What was so important about a pony? What was so lovely? What the fuck was so fucking special about a tiny horse? It was just a tiny horse! A pony! Just like all other fucking ponies were!

Yet, all the same, Jude could not help but watch as they let Lil Tony out in a little pen for others to see. It drew him in, for god knew what reason. It drew him in, and he was so focused, until someone muttered beside him.

At once, Jude turned to the voice, finding a man he’d never seen before. He looked to have the same look of confusion that Jude did. At least someone understood! “Tell me about it,” Jude replied. “It’s just... a fucking pony.”

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Addie didn’t like how he seemed to contemplate everything he said to her. As though he was trying to make it even more dramatic and nerve wracking for her. A look of confusion crossed her face. Everything? How did he expect her to do everything? Then she realized he probably wouldn’t know what everything was so she didn’t need to show him everything.

“Okay.” she agreed finally, starting to walk further down the street towards the edge of town. She waited to make sure he walked with her so he didn’t think she was trying to run away again. “I can do a few different things, and spells make it so I can do a lot more than just what I was born doing.” she tried explaining. She wouldn’t mind explaining to someone genuinely curious, not so much with someone forcing it out of her.

She nodded, “Yes. Each witch or wizard has a certain ability they are born with, you saw mine.” she said, swallowing. “It’s called transfiguration, changing something into something else.” she explained. Adeline glanced over at him, “And yes, there are other creatures. A lot of different kinds, but I don’t know as much about them in detail.” she admitted.

[judeevxns-blog]

Jude was quick to follow as the woman walked. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight again. Not again. The last thing he wanted was to have her walk around as though this were nothing --- as though she were nothing. As though she were one of them, one of them humans. And there was a question, yes, that came with these: who was Jude to try and put her in her place? He was no officer of the law, and no government official; it would have been much better for him to direct this issue to Alejandra. 

But there was a burning curiosity within him. A burning curiosity that made him do what he did. The woman’s words only fed this curiosity, only made it grow fonder. So what if he wasn’t a government official? So what if he was no police officer? If they weren’t doing anything, then someone had to. And, as far as he was noticing, the government was staying silent in the midst of all these. (Funny how that could be. How could they keep their peace when monsters roamed the earth?)

The woman’s words made Jude nod. The different creatures she was talking about had crossed his path once --- or, at least, one of them had. He had seen, with his own eyes, a monster. Someone turning into an animal. He narrowed his eyes at the woman. “Are you sure? Have you”---he pursed his lips, cautious to ask the questions that burned within him---”seen someone turn into... an animal? Can you do that? With your... transfiguration thing?”

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Addie shook her head at his satisfaction, wishing she didn’t feel such a lack of control right now. When he squeezed her wrist even tighter she grimaced, biting back a sound of pain and scowling at the smile he gave her before he let go. When he finally did she pulled her wrist back, rubbing it with her other hand. Jude clearly already had power over her, he didn’t need to display he was physically stronger than her, too.

When he answered her question, her face fell. Why was it that this always seemed to happen to wixes? No one tried to see past the magic, it was always the goal to use them when it was needed and then toss them aside. Addie wondered if after he grew tired of taunting her and using her magic for his own gain if he would just turn her in anyway. “What do you want me to do exactly?” she asked with a sigh, knowing she didn’t have much of a choice anyway. “I’ll show you but somewhere less public.” she agreed reluctantly.

At his question she immediately felt nervous but kept her face even. He didn’t need to know about the other wixes in town. “Yes there are, but not here.” she explained. “I’m the only one in town.” she lied.

[judeevxns-blog]

What do you want me to do exactly?

Again, this question had an answer. An answer that Jude knew. An answer that Jude knew clearly. He wanted her to prove herself, and, in the midst of all that, prove him sane. He wanted her to prove herself, and, through that, prove him sober. Or something. Whatever she was, whatever this all was, he needed to find it within himself to see that someone believed him. That someone was willing to play along with the magic. That someone was willing to prove themselves just as he was willing to prove himself.

But, again, Addie did not need to know this. Instead of giving the straight-forward answer as he knew it, Jude just sneered and said, “Everything.” (Now, this might have been a little bit dramatic, but, then again, Jude always had been a little bit dramatic. At the moment, though, he felt like something that had walked out of television, something that had walked straight out of a fantasy book. It did not sit well with him.) “I want to know what you can do, then I want you to do them for me.”

Now, as it was not only Jude answering questions, but also Addie, he knew that there was a possibility that she was lying. Lying about those like her. Lying about other monsters. He knew, for a fact, that there were other sorts of monsters: the kind that shifted into animals. Jude being Jude, however, could not ask this in fear that he might be turned down and deemed out of his mind, so, he floated around the question and instead asked, “Are there other sorts of magic? Other sorts of creatures?”

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Addie glanced behind her as she walked out of the store, quickly walking away and down the sidewalk as fast as she could without taking off in a sprint down the street. She thought she was in the clear as she passed the bakery when suddenly a hand wrapped around her wrist and harshly pulled her back.

She turned around to see Jude, grimacing at the pain in her wrist and letting out a small whimper. His voice scared her; he hadn’t expected him to get to angry and harsh just for her trying to get away from him. His threats made her look away, unable to look at him while he reminded her again of the power he held over her.

“Okay. Sorry.” she said quietly, starting to feel defeated of any chance of getting away from him. “I get it.” she said, clenching her jaw a bit and trying to pulled her wrist out of his hand. “Let go of me.” she said, though not very confidently. Addie had no idea what this guy wanted with her, but had a feeling he was going to keep her scared as long as he could. “Will you just tell me what you want already?”

[judeevxns-blog]

“Good, good.” Jude’s words were a manifestation of how cruel he could be, of how evil, of how unkind. Yet, he did not notice any of these things. To him, he was in the right. To him, he was right to be doing this, right to be taking power over a woman who was not actually a woman but a monster. The last thing he wanted in the world was to have her think she was better than him, that she was in the least bit wanted for what she did; he would not let this happen. With a final tighter grip on her wrist, a squeeze so tight, Jude smiled, and finally let go.

Now, the woman’s question came as easily to Jude as it had to her. He knew what he wanted: to prove to himself that he was not insane. That he saw what he saw. That he knew what he knew. That she was who she was, and that no one would question him when he came out with this news. The truth of the matter was that, no matter how this ended, Jude would still probably come out with the truth to somebody or another. He just needed to know that the truth was the truth; he couldn’t go around embarrassing himself.

But he couldn’t say this. Not to her. Not to her. If she knew that he was out on some mission to prove himself sane, then she would surely play with his mind. That was what people did --- what more could monsters do? So, with a condescending smile, Jude went for the answer that she was least likely to use against him but also more likely to answer his true questions. He said, “I’d like you to use your magic for me. Show me what you can do.” The sneer never left his features. “Tell me, are there others like you?”

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline rolled her eyes at his mocking, already annoyed by his constant need to tease and taunt her with every chance he got. She was half tempted to try some kind of spell on him right now, or the moment they got out of the store, but she knew if it didn’t take or something went wrong that he’d be rushing off to tell someone about her. “Too bad the feeling isn’t mutual.” she retorted when he said he liked her. Usually she liked people quickly, she made friends easily and was a generally happy person. But his smug threats and taunts had quickly made him into someone she didn’t like.

She walked up to the register and paid for her groceries, occasionally glancing back at him and hating the excited look on his face. “Stop.” she muttered, turning towards him with the cashier was busy. “I haven’t done anything so stop threatening me.” she said, turning back and grabbing her grocery bags, coming up with a small idea. “Oh hey,” she said to the cashier, offering a small smile. “Jude here is really fascinated by this town’s history and was wondering how this store got its start.” she informed the older gentleman who had just rang her up, hoping he was the kind to know that information. “I’ll meet you later.” she said, waving towards Jude as the man excitedly launched into his history of the store and Addie scurried out of the store hoping she’d bought herself some time.

[judeevxns-blog]

One moment, Addie was there, right beside him. And the next? The next, Jude was listening to some old man start about how the store began late in the 1800s.

The momentary change in conversation rendered Jude still, almost as though he were listening to the man go on about the topic. Almost. Almost being the key word, as listening was an art Jude Evans had learned to master. He listened when there were things of importance to be heard, and, right now, he found nothing. He found nothing of interest with what this man was talking about, and nothing of interest about the store in and of itself. The only interesting one was Addie (alongside himself, but he was interesting for good reasons, and she, for bad), and she was not beside him.

The momentary stillness did not last forever, though. It lasted for about a few seconds before Jude could realize what was happening, causing him to snap out of his little bubble. At once, he ran after the monster --- a monster that should be kept in her place ---, and once he caught up with her, gripped her by the wrist so tightly that the anger that coursed through him poured out.

And he didn’t even know he was angry until he touched her. He didn’t even know he was angry until the anger was there.

“Don’t you dare do that again,” Jude threatened, his voice rough and unmoving. “I will end you. Don’t try anything again. How the fuck do you think people will react to a witch like you? Don’t make me make you find out.”

[judeevxns-blog]

Surprise, Surprise / Jude & Adrien

@shapeshfter

Maybe it was about time that Jude Evans admitted to himself that things beyond what his imagination could come up with were happening in the small town he grew up in. Maybe it was about time he admitted to himself that there were witches and shifters and god knew what else roaming about the streets of Downsville now. Maybe it was about time he admitted, and yet, for all he cared in the world, Jude did not. Jude did not admit. No, to do so would mean admitting to the lopsided thoughts that his colleague had been feeding him this whole time. To do so would mean believing every single word that had ever come out of their mouth.

And he was not that. He was not that.

There was a fear rampant in his bones, though. A certain fear of the unknown. A certain fear now for those that roamed amongst him and his fellow humans. There was denial, too. Denial that morphed into hope that all he’d seen were dreams. Denial that morphed into hope that all he’d seen were things he would never see again. These things, the fear and the denial, carried him through his days, though he, as ever, managed to look as composed and as put together as any. He was Jude, and Jude Evans was good at acting. Even if he could tell that the world was filled with monsters, he would still pull himself together.

Who would believe him anyway?

So, denial. So, fear. He would be fine with these for so long as no one other than Addie showed themselves to him. Only, as life would have it, life did not go Jude’s way. (Even though it should; it really should.) And so, from the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure of a teenage boy, a familiar figure of someone he had once bumped into. Wrong next moves were not a specialty of Jude’s, but he used one up now, as he turned his head, and met the boy’s gaze.

[addiexvalentine-blog]

“So that’s how you’re going to be?” she asked, watching him. “I don’t even get your name and you seem to think you know so much about me.” Addie pointed out, attempting confidence though it wasn’t supported by the strength of her voice. When he started teasing her she narrowed her eyes at him, her face closer to a scowl. “This is not a date, stop mocking me.” she said.

Addie glanced down at her groceries she’d completely forgotten, and looked back up at him. “That’s not how it works.” she informed him, looking over at the checkout line. “Alright I’ll pay for my groceries and hope I don’t run into you again then.” she said dismissively, turning to head towards the register.

[judeevxns-blog]

The woman’s failed attempts at confidence were giving Jude his own sense of confidence. It was so pitiful, though, that he almost wanted to help. So pitiful that he almost wanted to give her tips! See, if there was anything Jude was good at, it was confidence. Take right now for example: he was oozing with it, unfazed by the woman and the words that she threw at him. “Feisty,” he replied and with a little chuckle, said, “I like it. The name’s Jude. You’ve earned that one.”

The next of the woman’s words made Jude throw himself back a step whilst faking an offended look. “Ouch! Never see me again? No second date for me? Pity. And I was just starting to like you.” Jude shook his head, chuckled at his own taunting, but all the same followed her towards the line to the registers. There weren’t many people around, so the queue was short. Thankfully. Jude didn’t want to have to wait.

Wait for what, exactly? Wait for what this woman could do? Wait for what she would tell him? He didn’t know, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he was excited for whatever this woman might bring; excited for what she might have had to offer. Still, he had to keep showing her who was boss. “And is that not how it works?” he said as they walked. “Pretty sure any authority figure I tell wouldn’t believe you.”

[addiexvalentine-blog]

Adeline hated the way he smiled at her, wishing she wasn’t the one that felt powerless in this situation. When he requested her name she furrowed her brow a little, “If you don’t know my name, how will you know if I lie? Unless you already know my name, and then I’m not sure why you’re asking.” she pointed out, then sighed. “It’s Adeline.” she said, pursing her lips.

He seemed to amused by the fact that she was here, that he got to see her again and scare her. “Listen, if you’re wanting to talk about what happened the other night, we have to go somewhere less public.” she said, glancing around them. “Do I get to know your name?”

[judeevxns-blog]

Despite the woman’s sass, and despite the way she answered back, Jude Evans knew that he had the upper hand. It was by way of that, then, that his smile remained on his lips. Oh, no --- there was nothing wiping this sneer off him. No, no; for so long as he had the power, and for so long as he had her hooked on the fear that she felt, Jude would smile. His smile ignored the first half of what she’d said, so for him to reply with, “Adeline. Nice name.

“And oh? Wanting to be exclusive first date in? My, aren’t you an impatient girl. I think you should pay for your groceries first, though, don’t you? Wouldn’t want them turning into a flower right in your very hands, right here, right now.” And that was the truth. Jude didn’t want what had happened to happen again; he didn’t think he could handle it.