the light stings and they can feel the remnant of burning heat from jude’s proximity. their head throbs and pounds and they grit their teeth. outwardly they keep their composure, but they can’t stop the way the shadows open up and swallow an unlucky passerby without warning.
in the gray haze of a near hidden sun their eyes look like pools of impossible black. like holes.
the darkness laps at jude’s feet, almost seeming to dissolve into steam against her. just as frigid as the glasses she plucked from their face.
“ consider it as a warning. “
they’re voice is steady, cold, but in truth they’re shaken. moreso by the lack of guilt they feel than by the life they just snuffed out. still… it’s not encouraging to lose control like that. not after so many years trying to suppress it all.
“ now would you mind giving me back my glasses? “
“Of course,” She’s still wearing that sharp, sharp smile. Jude studies Ramza’s face as she holds the glasses out for them; the impossible darkness of their eyes. She’s met several of the Dark’s acolytes but can safely say she’s seen nothing like them before. Color her intrigued! But further probing into what and who Ramza is can wait. They’re here about a mutual friend, after all.
“Our dear Olivia was born with a rare and precious gift, as I’m sure you have noticed, one that needs to be tended to carefully and diligently. We just want to see that her flame is fed.” Jude pulls another cigarette out of the carton with her teeth and lets it light itself. She’s never taken her eyes off Ramza’s, gaze cold and intense, “Or do you want to see that flame go out? Because I assure you. If she doesn’t feed that flame, it will go out, and it's going to take her with it.”
Jude sighs, dramatic, wistful almost. “Besides, would you like to see her grow up like you? Lost and confused? Out of control?” the woman’s head tilts, expression a mask of vague and insincere sympathy, “Tell me, Ramza, your childhood street, everyone who lived there, was that a ‘warning’ too?”
