All the stars have fallen asleep

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

Jude flushes slightly, pleased with the compliment but equally inclined to instinctively disagree. Edmund has done more for him than the reverse in his eyes. Loyalty, devotion - those are traits he has never seen be rewarded, not by his fellow men and women. What fealty he has witnessed has always been temporary and misleading. Promised eternity that is never actualized.

It's a fitting sour note to aid in the response to Hadama's question, expression becoming slightly twisted. "People follow Frey because they encourage individual desires and goals, even if they don't serve Frey's. They don't want much of us. And that's great." For some. Jude's eyes go past Hadama's shoulder to the waters beyond, beginning to turn purple as the sunset fades away. Soon Safrin's silver light will be the only light to lead them home."But I don't want that. I want to follow a herald who will appreciate my devotion. If I'm going to serve someone, why shouldn't it be with all my heart?" He could surely do so for Frey, but it wouldn't mean as much to Frey as it would to Safrin. "Humans don't care about loyalty enough. I do. I think Safrin does too." If Jude can't trust his heart in the hands of mortals, he'll lay it on Safrin's altar and let her choose what to do with it.

Physically shaking himself to try and banish the strange gloom-and-doom settling on his shoulders, he offers a wan smile. "I'd appreciate the help, but I'm not sure you can. I have to hurt someone with my words, and lie to help someone. I don't want to do that to you." It would also feel particularly wrong given Hadama's status as his King. Nevertheless, he appreciates the offer.

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night