Jude
By time he’d come to live in the Greatwood there had been no leadership left to speak of, or at least none he’d known of or abided by. Then again as the son of a demigod he’d often been given more grace than a child as respectful as he’d been would have cared to abuse. Still, he isn’t accustomed to hearing footsteps even so many years later. The Fae carry themselves on wings or elastic mushrooms, and the sound of someone moving registers as more animal than human. His shoulders hike instinctively in vague preparation for fight or flight - only to land on freeze instead as a clearly human voice speaks, dashing the prey-fear crawling up his spine.
Alas, pretty girls are as terrifying as any predatory animals the Greatwood might house, so Jude doesn’t breathe any easier once he’s verified she’s human.
But she’s somehow even more awkward than he normally is. Jude hadn’t been sure that was possible honestly, and it makes him crack a lopsided smile that hasn’t learned how to be charming yet. “Um, hi. You walk really quietly has anyone told you that?” His laugh cracks with the remnants of being taken so thoroughly by surprise, not quite hysterical but humorously shrill. He clears his throat firmly and doesn’t let himself feel embarrassed even as his cheeks warm rebelliously. “It’s not a big secret - what everyone’s looking for out here lately, I guess. One of Vi’s roses.” There’s practically been organized search parties as far as Jude has heard. He’d been content to bury his head in the sane until…well, until Noe. The reminder drains the smile off his face and he looks down at his bloody hand which is turning tacky now. “My best friend is infected. And she’s all I have.” It comes out with a sharp note of defensiveness, shoulders tense when he meets her eyes again. It’s not half as important or honorable as using the flower to take power back from the Family, and he knows it. He just really doesn’t want to have to hear it out loud instead of in his own head.
Alas, pretty girls are as terrifying as any predatory animals the Greatwood might house, so Jude doesn’t breathe any easier once he’s verified she’s human.
But she’s somehow even more awkward than he normally is. Jude hadn’t been sure that was possible honestly, and it makes him crack a lopsided smile that hasn’t learned how to be charming yet. “Um, hi. You walk really quietly has anyone told you that?” His laugh cracks with the remnants of being taken so thoroughly by surprise, not quite hysterical but humorously shrill. He clears his throat firmly and doesn’t let himself feel embarrassed even as his cheeks warm rebelliously. “It’s not a big secret - what everyone’s looking for out here lately, I guess. One of Vi’s roses.” There’s practically been organized search parties as far as Jude has heard. He’d been content to bury his head in the sane until…well, until Noe. The reminder drains the smile off his face and he looks down at his bloody hand which is turning tacky now. “My best friend is infected. And she’s all I have.” It comes out with a sharp note of defensiveness, shoulders tense when he meets her eyes again. It’s not half as important or honorable as using the flower to take power back from the Family, and he knows it. He just really doesn’t want to have to hear it out loud instead of in his own head.
I LEND EVERYONE MY EAR, BUT NOBODY MY HEART
I'D LIKE TO CHANGE THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START
I'D LIKE TO CHANGE THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START
