pcrdita

[pcrdita]

He wasn't quite sure of what enticed the younger woman to join the most un-jolly fella at the bar, in fact pretty women were the furthest thing he needed in his life right now. But she did buy him a drink, he couldn't be impolite and ask her to leave him alone now. He takes a sip, sitting in the silence before taking a swig of his own drink. Alcohol always tasted better when you weren't the one paying for it.

"I can imagine." The mechanic leans back in his seat, letting out an even exhale before glancing up towards the ceiling. "M'problem's long gone by now." He reasons, evenly, after a moment of silence. But he didn't really want to talk about her right now. "What about you? No better company than a 'grumpy man' like me on a Friday?"

— @deryaxyilmaz

While Derya didn't know much about the man, she could tell that he clearly needed to drink and not worry about his troubles, and she couldn't fault him there. Sometimes, this sort of thing just made your problems disappear, even for a second, so she wasn't aiming to disturb that brief peace for him. But they were here now, and she could at least just be some form of company for the time being. And when he granted her a name at least, she nodded before tossing her drink back. "Pleasure to meet you, Jude." She hummed, savoring the taste of the whiskey as it raced down her throat.

His question caught her off guard for a moment, but she quickly recovered with a soft chuckle. "Oh no, this is sort of a first." Derya admitted. "It's usually the other way around, but you looked like you could use a refill anyway." Maybe that still didn't excuse her taking the unoccupied seat next to him, but it still seemed fair. "I'm not gonna ask why you're grumpy, but is drinking solving your problems? Or is this just an escape before you head home to deal with said problems?"

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

Jude's glad Ramsey understands, he isn't really good at stringing together apologies even when he really meant them. "Y'do." He agrees, leaning back in his chair to stretch out his spine for a moment. "Sure." Motioning over to the bartender, he orders drinks for the both of them, before turning back to the closest thing he had to a little sister. "Y'goin' alright?"

— @missxrivera

Ramsey could tell something was up with Jude. While he had the tendency to give her a grumpy cat face, he was never really short with her. She didn’t think too bad of him because everyone had their reasons for changes in mood and she wasn’t gonna pry. She was however gonna make herself available if he needed a friend.

“ you did and that’s okay. I’ve got thick skin “ she replied giving him a small nod. There were no hurt feelings

“ I would like that. Seven and Seven would be fine “ @pcrdita

[pcrdita]

It was nice to see he still had an effect on women at his age. "I do have a few options." He nods, modest but coy enough to see how far he could push Layne's fluster. He sits across from her, resting his shoulders back against the vynil chair covers. "Ah, y'know, gettin' by." He recently had his heart metaphorically ripped out from his chest, but that's neither here nor there. "Yourself?"

— @layne-dell

"An interesting visual..." She said softly with a breathy laugh. "Darling, if you are going to visualize me doing anything, please let it be something other than me eating a burger." She teased as she sat down in the chair he had pulled out for her. Crossing her long legs under the table she leaned in slightly.

"So it's been a while... how has life treated you since we last saw each other?" She said smoothly, doing her best to not visualize the last time they saw each other which was in her bed.

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

Closed: @emiradursun 🎄 Where: All Nighter Diner

On his semi-regular pilgrimage to obtain food for himself and the boys at the shop (When they weren't pissing him off), Jude slumps against the wall outside of the Diner waiting for his order to be cooked. He plucks a cigarette out of his pocket, and cups his hand around its tip while he lights it with the other hand. Engrossed in getting his fix, Jude doesn't realise he suddenly has company out in the cool air.

[pcrdita]

Closed: @jamesonxcassidy 🎄 Where: Outside Pitstop

"I'm gunna need what y'availability is for the holidays." Jude didn't have a family to go back to unlike most, so he'd likely be working through to New Years Eve regardless. Sticking his keys in his pocket after closing down the shop for the evening, Jude glances across the road to all the gaudy Christmas lights draping over peoples homes. Complete and utter fire hazard.

[pcrdita]

There were worse things Jude could be doing right now, searching the bars for lonely women who'd wouldn't need that much convincing to get them back to his place. A pretty face and distraction from his own thoughts and heartbreak. But that was Jude five... ten years ago. He was getting a little too old to leave broken hearts around town when he'd leave at 4 in the morning.

His grizzly expression and the reek of alcohol doesn't seem to be scaring off the stranger. She must be new around here, most who knew of Jude was aware to stay clear of this very specific mood. "Jude." He replies, after a moment of silence, glancing down at the drink. The mechanic doesn't know why he's entertaining the younger woman's questions, introductions lead to conversation, everything he'd been avoiding over the last week or so. "Y'make a habit of buying old men drinks in bars?"

— @deryaxyilmaz

Since moving to Aurora Bay, most people Derya had encountered were rather welcoming and kind, unlike Jude. But all things considered, she was just going to chalk it up to him having a bad day, or week or so, and just let it be. When he told her what he was drinking, she quickly called out for the bartender to bring them both another round. "Got it, so getting you to talk requires some JD? Duly noted." She mumbled, and within a minute, the bartender was putting their new rounds of drinks down before them.

"I know you're not in a talking mood, but you can toast to a free drink, right?" Derya asked as she took her glass and held it up. "I'm Derya, by the way. Do I get to know your name, or should I just call you Mr. Grumpy?"

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

Of all people that didn't deserve Jude's wrath, Ramsey was pretty high on that list. "I..." The mechanic pinches the bridge of his nose, after a moment of silence between them, "I didn't mean that." At least not to her exactly.

At the offer to let the silence wash over them, Jude offers a short but solid nod, before reaching out for his glass. The only sibling figure he had going right now, she'd be the person he'd talk to about things, but Jude doesn't have the energy right now.

"Y'want a drink?"

— @missxrivera

Ramsey had known Jude for a while and while she knew his moods were often a bit stormy she rarely saw him like this. That had the model a bit worried and apprehensive when it came to approaching him. Still, she was trying not to back away from things that seemed difficult so she took a seat at the bar next to him and didn’t say anything at first.

“ we don’t have to talk Jude” Ramsey noted as she glanced back at him. “ I am gonna order a drink and sit next to you though “ @pcrdita

[pcrdita]

Jude was aware he was coming off abrasive and rude, but in the moment he didn't seem to care that much. At the equally snarky comment Jude finds himself turning to glance at the woman, before turning his attention back to his glass. He let's out a low hum from his nose, conceding that his comment may have been a little out of line.

"Y'sat next to me." Now his comment seems out of jest, even with the lack of energy in him as Jude latently motions with his hand towards her seat. That was enough cracks in his tough facade he was willing to offer before sinking back another mouthful of booze. "Jack Daniels, apology accepted."

— @deryaxyilmaz

Finishing up a long shift, Derya had ducked into the first bar she'd stumbled past. She was in a bit of a daze after tending to sick patients for the duration of her shift, so she was in desperate need of a drink, or several. Walking towards the first vacant seat she'd spotted, she hadn't even paid any attention to the person occupying the seat right next to hers.

That changed once the man spoke, and she could only blame the alcohol, judging by the heavy stench coming from the stranger. "Funny of you to assume that I even wanted to chat." She sassed back before motioning the bartender over and ordering herself a glass of whiskey. Normally she would have gone for something lighter, maybe even just a shot of something, but since she was kid free for a few days, she didn't see the point in going easy. Once the bartender put her drink down, she took a sip before finally giving the man next to her a once over. "I'd offer to buy your next round as an apology for intruding on your little pity party, but that would require me to ask what you're drinking, and you're not up for chatting, right?"

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

It was interesting to watch her demeanour change. Layne, above all, kept her composure at all times even when it threatened to plush her cheeks pink. He doesn't really care where people spend their money for drinks each night, he just wants to get a reaction of her. To capture attention.

"Yes it does." It was quite often Jude found himself succumbing to the availability that came with cheap fast food, rather offering himself the chance to develop as a person and actually learn to cook. "But on you of all people... It's an interestin' visual." "Sure." Taking his offer, the blonde every so suavely pulls out a seat for her at the table beside them.

— @layne-dell

She smiled and nodded, honestly somewhat surprised he remembered her name. Although she vaguely recalled making him look her in the eye and say it once or twice through that night.

"Well... that's fair I suppose." She said with a soft grin. However when he mentioned the dive bar not being her style she pressed a hand to her chest momentarily. "It's not. Well... not usually. But... every now and then the allure of a greasy burger and a cheap cold beer.. well it can get to you." It was one part of America she had really grown to like. "Would you like to join me?"

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

"Know the feelin'" Jude mumbled around the coffee mug resting on his bottom lip before taking a sip. Jude had banned any christmas decorations in the shop; flammable & OHS risks, and deep down Jude was more than willing to pull everyone in his space of bah humbug if it meant he didn't have to hear a bar of Wham's 'Last Christmas.' "Everyone's miserable at Christmas, just no one wants t'show it."

— @haley-owens

Open: @aurorabaystarter location: all-nighter diner

"With the holiday right around the corner again, and perhaps watching Bad Moms one and two, I realize I have no Christmas Spirit. I'm even annoyed with the Christmas music." Haley said as she sat there at the diner sipping on her coffee, her bad habit of drinking caffeine so late. "Am I the only one feeling like the Grinch?" She asked the person near her.

[pcrdita]

Who: Open @aurorabaystarter ( Feel free to assume connections ) Where: The Reef

He was drinking again, that wasn't good, it usually led Jude to make decisions he'd come to regret the next morning. But right now he didn't really have a reason to be the better version of himself. Self destruction after pain wasn't exactly a healthy coping mechanisms, but a way to cope nevertheless. He notices the figure selects the stool next to his, not one of the other perfectly good seats. Usually most had the decency to provide people with personal space when they had the opportunity to. Turning his features in his drunken stupor, booze glazed eyes recognised the other. "Not in the mood to chat."

[pcrdita]

There was some stubborn part of him that still wanted to turn down the cash. Despite the unrelenting kindness, and Lia's mind clearly being made up, the gift was difficult to receive. However, the mention of using it to benefit someone else was a scapegoat to his own guilt he was happy to grab onto. "Yeah, she deserves somethin' nice..." The sentiment rang very much true, Jude didn't need much convincing of it. "I dunno what else to say, Li. It's generous as hell of ya."

— @cavenshh

If there was something Lia was actually good at doing it was for sure accepting gifts, so she struggled to understand another person who was unable to accept them. "Well then here I go again doing the same thing." She said matter of factly.

Lia knew in her own mind that she was right about this, if anything that would be the exact thing that would make her ten times more stubborn and not give it up. "Jude. I'm the girl who has literally everything I want within fingertip reach. Of course I don't need it. Treat your lady, do something nice with it."

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

"Y'can't keep a pair together t'save y'life." The older blonde shoots the boy a knowing look, with a subtle, underlying hint of mirth. Jude did invest in better overalls lately for the team. If the men couldn't manage to keep them free from holes he'd happily go back to the cheaper stuff.

"Yeah, can't judge y'on that. I'm just as bad." Jude stopped being ashamed of his inability to cook a very long time ago. "I try." A fools game, really. "Somehow magically turns into a yes every damn time."

— @jamesonxcassidy

“ I think they would throw me out if I showed up in my coveralls “ Jameson replied with some humor to his voice. He didn’t want to think of anyone would throw him out for another reason because that was very likely as well. “I think so . I think Gideon over at the diner gets most of my food budget. Emma likes the fries there “ he added, pointing out that it might have just been a cassidy thing the like the diner so much. “ yeah but would you say no to her ? “ he asked @pcrdita

[pcrdita]

About a year ago, this moment between them seemed unobtainable. Jude knew from the very beginning Luciana was into him, however she was never the type to fold easily. Jude wouldn't insult her by assuming as such. He had to work hard to win her over, which not all men nowadays would necessarily be into, but Jude played his hand — interested to see what would happen.

Jude shifts one arm to rest around her shoulders, the other resting on her knee, squeezing it gently. "No." His head shakes, "I don't believe y'ruin everything you touch." He understood that to some degree it was a metaphor, but it was a belief he wanted her to depart from. It wouldn't serve her well to constantly be afraid of her own past actions. People make mistakes, whatever they may be she's referring to, this relationship would be the fresh start the pair seemed to need. "I don't feel broken."

"Yeah, but I'd had rather that learnin' be in a better situation." Then again, Jude has remained sober for the entire trip back home for the first time in years. Even if she didn't witness the most bright and shiny version of him (Was there any?), her presence made the process of going to his fathers parole board a lot easier.

Truth be told, Jude had never met a woman's family before. Frankly, until coming to town he had no business going to a parents home to try and fool them into believing he was a standup guy. "Is that right? Y'gossip about me to y'Nanna?" The light jab proceeds a gentle nudge to the woman's arm, leaning forward momentarily towards her. "Y'tell her how handsome I am?"

— @lucianaxalvarez

Months have felt like years in this relationship; how easily she was able to let down her guard and allow herself to sink as deep into this as she could. Not even dipping her toes but jumping off the cliff and expecting him to be there at the bottom to catch him. So, far... He hasn't let her down. But she has a feeling it's not in his dynamic. He's not the type to let someone down... Only she is. And after that night with Xavier, the brief walk home and the emotions that settled within her that made her realize how much she let him down.

Her thumbs graze along the side of his neck, her attention solely focuses on him and not on anything around them. The last week and a half brought them closer together than anything probably ever could and it's made her a little more bold in public, but it also made him more willing to receive it. It's no longer kisses in the office when she drops by the shop and it's hard to believe they were ever at that point instead of this one. "You don't believe that I was happy to help?" She muses in a playful tone as she smiles at the turn of his head, the kiss on the palm of her hand. "It was nice learning more about you, J."

"I think so too." She whispers. Her eyes resting on him as she chews on her lower lip. "You know this means you're going to have to meet Nana, right? It's already driving her crazy that I have brought you around and now she's already planning on setting that extra plate at Thanksgiving. She wants you to come see the let's hope Luciana doesn't burn down the house this year show... I catch the oven on fire once and she's never let it go."

@pcrdita

[pcrdita]

Jude wasn't a stranger to bumping into past flings. Admittedly, in his own heartbroken turmoil he found temporary sanctuary in the arms of women that didn't mend the hole in his part — but satisfied any urges that night.

How thrilled they were to see him, well, that would be decided in the moment. Either he got a (mostly deserved) slap in the face, or the reaction he was getting now from the familiar blonde across from him. No matter how old he was, it was definitely a nice boost to the ego. "Layne." He offers a nod of familiarity,

"Well, I do live in town." He notes, with hands in his pockets, lazily letting his shoulders sit back. "To be fair a dive bar doesn't really seem y'style."

— @layne-dell

Who? @pcrdita

Where? The Reef Bar

Layne really didn't go out for herself much these days. She would go to the lounge to hear the singers, see if there was anyone to keep on the radar for work, or she'd just go home. Tonight, she just really didn't want to go grocery shopping then make a meal. So a cheap meal and some cheap drinks sounded like her solution. She needed to indulge sometimes in some unhealthy food and drink. Typing away on her phone she was walking into the bar and managed to bump right into the other person entering. "Oh so sorry.. I wasn't paying at.." She paused as she looked up seeing a familiar face. "Jude?" That night came rushing back to her and her cheeks immediately warmed. "I hadn't expected to see you here." Or at all really. Wasn't that how hookups went?

[pcrdita]

Now, usually Jude wasn't a fan of little kids (Or big kids either) being in the shop. They ran around knocked over tools that were heavy or got too close to sharp edges. But there were a few excepts to the hardline rule. In Jameson's parenting situation, he'd allowed Emma into the shop. However he did have a firm conversation with Jameson in the past that he needed to have one eye on the little girl when she was in the shop at all times.

However, Jude have a small toy box in the office specifically for Emma. He felt a bit better about her being occupied int he safety of the office. Less things a kid could do to hurt themselves.

Turning at his name, Jude flashes a quick half smile. "Startin' them young? Damn. Get out while you can, kid."

— @jamesonxcassidy

Closed for @pcrdita

Jameson had gotten a bit of a scheduling issue hit all at once. It was why he had Emma holding his hand as he walked into the garage, this morning. He was certain his daughter had no interest in mechanics engineering and was a lot more like her aunt personality and interest wise. He was actually pretty grateful for that fact considering he believed Emerson was the best person he knew.

“ Jude” jameson replied as he called out to see where his boss was today

“ we might have an extra set of hands today “ he called out before looking at his daughter, and telling her he was joking. He knew she sort of hated that stuff.

[pcrdita]

What is your muse's favorite food dish? Are they able to make it themselves?

"Man, I don't remember the last time I cooked a home made meal. The people at the diner keep me fed and alive."