[color=silver][right][sub]A [@metanoia] & [@BrutalBx] Collaboration
[b]TIMESTAMP[/b] Monday || 6PM
[color=567ce0]Introducing Jessie James Milligan AKA Bluejay[/color]
Featuring [color=5584AC]Laura “Lamb” Costigan[/color] & [color=d6c7e4]Sonya Rossi[/color][/sub][/right]
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[img]https://i.imgur.com/o02Am08.png[/img]
[color=567ce0]__________________________________________________[/color][/center]
Well that was far from fun.

Lamb didn’t particularly enjoy being grilled by Daddy James and her own twin brother Clayton but she did understand why it had to be done. These new letters meant that the dark spotlight that had once been on Edenridge High class of 2020 had now shifted onto the class of 2016; her class. Even more specifically, the focus had been tuned to a group of people that were called the Elite. Lamby hated that name so much. There was nothing elite about them. They were just kids, same as everyone else. The only difference was that they happened to have the weight of the world on their shoulders thanks to the pressures of their names.

Laura spat on those names.

The young woman stood in the staff room bathroom, washing her face and freshening up for her soon to start shift at the Afterlife. She still had a little while before she had to begin work but Lamb liked to walk the floor of the club, get her bearings and the lay of the land. She was working the VIP section tonight but that didn’t mean that she shouldn’t know exactly what was happening elsewhere in the club. She was like her big brother in that sense, Lamby wanted to know everything so she could protect everyone. Nobody was going to hurt her girls, bet on that.

After drying off her face, the brunette foundling looked into the mirror that sat before her and checked her makeup. Appearance was everything, especially in her line of work. No wealthy punter wanted to be entertained by someone who didn’t look after themselves. She quickly reapplied some lipstick before blowing herself a kiss. [color=5584AC]”On with the show”[/color]

Afterlife was huge, to the point on some nights it felt infinite. It did feel somewhat strange sometimes for Laura that this den of iniquity was once a place of worship, a place of God. Destroyed by a blazing inferno and rebuilt into a small slice of sinful paradise, many believed it was home for prostitution and drugs. Drugs maybe but not sex work. As a Hostess, Lamb’s job was not to fuck her customer (unless she wanted to) but simply to sit with them, entertain them, regale them with pre-made stories to wet their whistles and spend more money whilst she looked pretty. It was an easy gig really.

Walking out onto the club floor, the day drinkers were starting to funnel out of the bar to make way for the far more lively crowd that usually rocked in later in the evening. Then again, with a massive storm overhead, it could end up being a quiet night at the Afterlife. This was fine because Lamb had an extra special guest coming in before her shift really kicked off, her favourite cousin, JJ. She took a seat at the bar, the eyes of men and women already staring upon Lamy’s natural beauty as she was handed a complimentary Black Mojito from the bartender, her friend [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/87/ed/0d/87ed0dbc0e365a19129ee8c8e886717b.jpg]Sonya.[/url] 

The lost Milligan girl, that’s what they called her some times, though she was seldomly lost. Jessie James always knew where she might end up. All her life she always knew where she might end up but she never bothered to plan out the journey. It was her way. It was how everyone from little, if not sometimes misguided by her lust, sister Bron to her favorite, less-guided-by-her-libido cousin, Lamb, knew her to be. Always sure about what she wanted but never about the fun that might be had along the way. One thing was certain, after nearly five years removed from her high school graduation, in 2016, not only had Bluejay made it home right before that storm had gotten too severe for her to drive in, but she managed to get to Afterlife.

As [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e4/36/19/e43619ddeed93292501bc9d5c10059ef.jpg]JJ[/url] strode into the club, wearing a skintight pair of leather pants, a black top that exposed part of her bust, and a blue leather jacket with bluejay emblem on the back, she made her way past the immediate crowd of day drinkers and wannabe playboys (they were on her as soon as they smelled her but she turned them down fast). She went straight for the VIP section and took a seat right at the bar, meeting the gaze of her cousin. [color=567ce0]“No need to wait any longer, Lamby - I am here~”[/color] JJ, in typical grandiose fashion and the somewhat dramatic woman she was, announced herself to her cousin.

Lamby turned in her chair, pulling down the hem of her little black dress to hide the height of her long legs so she could face the breathtaking blonde that was her mother’s sister's eldest and she smiled. Of course, Jessie James  looked like an absolute badass. How could she not? She shared her name with one of the most legendary outlaws of all time and that was something that JJ definitely was herself; an outlaw. Her sister too. The Milligan’s were not burdened by the pressure of being Foundlings, much like the Costigan’s, even though their names were plastered all over town on bridges, buildings and streets. [color=5584AC]”It’s been way too long, JJ”[/color] 

Laura got up off of the chair and pulled her cousin into a tight embrace. God, she missed Bluejay. JJ was her person. The one she turned to whenever things were rough or she needed to just forget about the world. She was to Lamb what Avery was to Clay. And more sadly what Clayton himself should’ve been for her. She loved her big brother but their disconnect and inability to get over it was one of her greatest regrets. [color=5584AC]”Well you look sexy as fuck”[/color] Releasing JJ from her arms, Lamb re-took her seat and turned to Sonya. [color=5584AC]”Another special babe”[/color]

[color=567ce0]“I do, don’t I?”[/color] She responded with a half-smirk on her face. JJ was never one to be shy away about owning up to whatever anyone said about her, especially not her ride-or-die. She had been absolutely right about the amount of years that had passed since she’s even stepped foot inside Edenridge. She, of course, set as much time aside to meet up with Lamb as much as she could, but between the demands of college, losing time because of parties and other things that distracted her, it was damn near impossible, but she could have tried harder. That, at least, was something she was trying to rectify. [color=567ce0]“But me, what about you, Lamby? You’re working, yet here you are looking the best you always do.”[/color] She glanced at the bartender. [color=567ce0]“Doesn’t my cousin look amazing?”[/color]

Sonya slid the glass over to JJ with a wink and a smirk. [color=d6c7e4]“Drop dead gorgeous. The best girl we have here by a clear country mile”[/color] Her chocolate eyes took on the two beautiful cousins that sat before her. She had known both off and on for years. Being the daughter of the town's fire chief meant that despite her lack of Scott Street status, Sonya would be dragged to any and all charity functions her mother had to attend. This meant that she would often rub shoulders with the likes of the Elite and the crazy Milligan sisters. [color=d6c7e4]“If you’re ever looking for work, you should hit us up cowgirl. You’d fit right in”[/color] The Indian/Italian stunner comped off the drink on her register and then moved further down the bar to serve the next customer.

[color=5584AC]“Looking good is part of my job, babe”[/color] Lamby stirred her drink a little. She was doing her utmost to be in the moment with her cousin but she was struggling to shake off the cold, clammy feeling in her stomach that had been sitting there since Clay and his boss had left her. 

She was under no illusions in the slightest. The minute Laura heard about the latest batch of the devil’s letters, she was expecting a visit from Clayton, both personally and professionally. It was his job. He had to ask her everything she knew but he also had to care. They were twins. They were supposed to be the same person. Yet whenever Lamby gazed upon David and Jamie, she knew that she and Clay would never have that “magic”, which was what Jamie called it. Laura had it with JJ though. Her outlaw cousin. In many ways, Lamby was the same. She could have ridden her family money to some easy gig. Instead she chose to entertain guests in a club. Maybe she was an outlaw too?

Sucking the air through her teeth, Lamby’s face switched to a large grin. [color=5584AC]”Tell me everything. How’s college? Bron? How long you in town? Any hotties in the picture?”[/color]

JJ caught a small glimpse of what her cousin tried to hide. She couldn’t say what it may have been about, but there was definitely something in the air. The faint hint of anguish, but Lamb had always been proficient at switching gears. Guess it came with the job of being closer to that foundling royalty than JJ was herself. She didn’t think too much about it, though. As much as she wanted to ask, if her dear cousin wanted to talk about it with her, she would have. 

[color=567ce0]“College is as good as it can be. Started going for my masters in business, but I might just cut my losses. Way more difficult than I anticipated.”[/color] Truth be told, JJ had another reason for not being able to focus. For a while now, a certain correspondence she had with someone she was enjoying -- a letter correspondence -- had stopped. She fell back into old habits that probably set her own self-worth back about a year or two. It was only recently she arranged…something. [color=567ce0]“I got back this morning. Spent some time with mom and Bron. Both are good. Mom misses you and her love is with you. My sister is as spunky as I remember. Maybe more so now that she’s older.”[/color] Bluejay laughed, thinking about how her sister had only gotten worse in that aspect. But she still loved her. Family was family and someone had to show her unconditional love. [color=567ce0]“No hotties, though -- least, not yet.”[/color] Maybe a lie, but JJ didn’t know how to really explain.

She took a sip of her radioactive blue cocktail that tastes sweeter than both outfits that her and her cousin were wearing combined. [color=567ce0]“Now your turn. How’s that doofus brother of yours been? Is he still chasing skirts?”[/color] She laughed at the memory that she had of him gaining quite the reputation when they were younger. It was hilarious to think about but also sad. She felt bad for Clay in that sense.

The curse of being a twin is that one is always asked about the other. Lamb and Clay were a package deal whether they liked it or not. [color=5584AC]”Clay is still Clay, except he has a badge now”[/color] She took a sip from her drink and gazed out as more people began to fill out the VIP rooms. [color=5584AC]”Yeah, big brothers a cop now and as far as I’m aware, still fucking Eden’s horny housewives and broken young clovers with daddy issues”[/color]

Laura really wanted to open up to JJ but to open Pandora’s box here and now in the club would be like that scene in Indians Jones and Jessie’s beautiful face would melt off. [color=5584AC]”I don’t really know the details but I think he’s struggling right now, with the whole David letters that are making the rounds thing. That was his best friend. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for him to accept all the truths that go with that…”[/color] She drifted for a moment into the pool of thought. She really hoped that Clay would be ok. [color=5584AC]”Anyway, I digress. I heard what you said; [i]not yet[/i], you are seeing someone aren’t you?”[/color]

Good old Clayton is a cop now? God help Edenridge. JJ knew her cousin was a good guy. Too goofy for her short temper sometimes and a damn fool otherwise, but she never had a problem with him. Certainly not as high as Lamb was, but he was still family. So, she felt for him. She wasn’t terribly close with David, but she couldn’t imagine what she’d do if she ever lost her rock that pulled her own of too many hard places to count, so she could at least understand what that hypothetical pain must feel like for Clayton. [color=567ce0]“Mom told me about the letters. Some secret lover or something?”[/color] She mused into her cocktail, taking a thoughtful sip of it. [color=567ce0]“They better catch the person who did this. It’s just awful!”[/color] A bit of anger came through, but JJ recovered quickly.

She took another sip as Lamb persisted on her love life. With a light chuckle, she gave her favorite cousin a shrug. [color=567ce0]“Not exactly. There is someone I’ve been talking to, but I wouldn’t say we are seeing each other in the way you’re thinking.”[/color] She thought about it and she wasn’t sure herself. Musing a thoughtful sound, she continued, [color=567ce0]“I mean, we’ve only been communicating through letters.”[/color]

[color=5584AC]“A pen pal? How nineties of you!”[/color] Laura pushed JJ’s shoulder slightly in jest as she laughed. [color=5584AC]“He’s not a serial killer is he? Like he’s not in jail?”[/color] It seemed that even in adulthood the fact remained the same. Jessie James had a habit of placing herself in the strangest and foolhardy situations that one might come across. Clay was an idiot. JJ was headstrong AF. Always had been. [color=5584AC]”Just do me a favor? Meet this guy in a public place if you’re going to do it? This town is already full of horror stories and missing women, we don’t need another one. Especially not in our family. Knowing our luck it’ll be Clay who finds your body rolled up in a carpet under your ancestors bridge with the trolls”[/color] Lamby looked at her cousin for a minute, her face awashed with concern for a moment before replacing it with a smile. [color=5584AC]”So what’s this guys deal? Why letters and not DM’s like a normal creep?”[/color]

She never thought of it as creepy. Maybe it was how intimate the correspondence was. An old fashioned approach versus how people now communicate with each other - not for a lack of trying said means, at least. [color=567ce0]“I tried, believe me, Lamby. I searched high and low on just about every social media site and app you could think of - popular and obscure. I couldn’t find him anywhere, so letters were the only option left.”[/color] She didn’t mind. It was nice to get back to basics. [color=567ce0]“And no, he’s not in jail. That was one of the first things he cleared up for me. He worked in construction or something like that. Real wordsmith, too.”[/color] As she started to talk about it, even if she wasn’t aware that she was blushing, her face did feel a little warmer. Her pen pal made some of those lonely nights at college bearable, when she wasn’t out and about.

[color=5584AC]”No socials?”[/color] Laura cocked an eyebrow. [color=5584AC]”Total serial killer”[/color] The brunette could see how red Jessie’s face was getting. She really liked this guy, you could see it in the warmth in her face as she spoke about him. It didn’t make Lamb any less suspicious. No social media. Letter correspondence and a job in construction. Why would construction stop social posts? Or phone calls or anything like that? Laura certainly didn’t trust any of it but then again, she wasn’t a cop. She served drinks and flirted in a bar for tips. Perhaps once all the letter business was dealt with, Lamby would ask Clay to have a look into Blue’s secret admirer. [color=5584AC]”At least, tell me he’s hot?”[/color]

Under normal circumstances, she lived for Lamb’s commentary. There have even been times when she joined in with her as some form of backup or something, but not this time. At her question, Jessie smirked and chuckled. [color=567ce0]“Unbelievably so. Has the dreamiest eyes you could imagine. And so fucking funny. You know how I like funny.”[/color] She laughed again. 

[color=5584AC]”The way between a woman’s legs is definitely through her funny bone”[/color] Lamb tried to picture JJ’s mystery man in her head. A funny construction worker with dreamy blue eyes who was also apparently unbelievably hot….shit was Jessie James fucking Chris Hemsworth? Hot dang! [color=5584AC]”Well I guess someone is a lucky girl. I hope it works out”[/color] 

Lamby remembered a conversation she one had with Roddy. He was very clued you on the whole Edenridge curse thing and he had once told her just the curse of a Callahan was that they were destined to be lonely. Whether that stretched to the Costigan’s and the Milligan’s the hostess didn’t know but damn she could lie. She was lonely. Apparently, she was difficult to love. [color=5584AC]”Maybe I’ll find Mister or Misses right tonight. I’ve got a full guest book”[/color]

[color=567ce0]“The night’s young, Lamby!”[/color] JJ smiled wide at her cousin, her best friend. [color=567ce0]“And you in that killer of a dress? You’ll have em’ lined up just waiting to get your time of day.”[/color] She knew just how phenomenal of a person Laura was. There was someone out there who would not only be hot enough to be by her side, but to capture her heart. [color=567ce0]“Trust me on this. Tonight is gonna be your night!”[/color] She wrapped her arm around her cousin’s neck, bringing her in close for a side hug.

Lamb embraced her cousin tightly. It was so nice to see her and it would be nothing short of amazing to have her back in town for any amount of time. She was her other half. The one that got her to the next day with a smile on her face. [color=5584AC]”Love you Blue”[/color] Laura looked at the clock on the wall. It was time for her to start her evening shift. It was a shame she couldn’t hang out with JJ more than night but mama had to earn her dollar. [color=5584AC]”I gotta go start my shift, JJ but we’ll catch up soon ok?”[/color] Lamb got to her feet and pressed a soft kiss to the side of her cousin's cheek. [color=5584AC]”Be safe. I’ll drop you a message tomorrow and we’ll sort out another day for proper drinks. Love you”[/color] Waving, the Costigan girl entered into her “office” for the evening.

[color=567ce0]“Love ya more!”[/color] JJ hollered at her departing cousin.

She remained at the bar, ordering another blue lagoon cocktail for herself. She also took the liberty of ordering a beer. She saw what brands they carried here. Afterlife had most of the affordable ones, but she only went for the cheapest one. Bud Light seemed like a good choice. In the back of her mind, Bluejay wondered just how long she should remain here. That storm she saw looked kind of bad before she came to the club. But at the same time, she had endured worse weather conditions. Nothing ventured nothing gained, right.

Absentmindedly, she looked at her phone just to see what time it was. [color=567ce0]“Not late at all. I’ll give it a few more minutes.”[/color]

He hurried through the growing crowd of people. Even in a near tornado, the fact that the bar was swiftly filling up baffled him.That said it was likely most of these folk were coming in to simply hide from the weather and where better than a den of sin? He climbed the stairs of the Afterlife and finally parked himself on a stool next to the blonde. [color=63773B]”Sorry I’m late. Trying to get through traffic in that weather is absolute murder”[/color] Hyde’s deep blue eyes drank in the bombshell before his lips contorted into a rattlesnake smile.

[color=63773B]”Hey there”[/color]

There was that smile - that smile that started it all. The smile that drew her in. If she was a moth, he might’ve been the flame to light her up, but instead he lit her up in very different ways. For a man who was so devilishly good looking, eyes that drew you in, and a smile that could kill, she was damn near shocked to her core that he would not want to show his face off to random strangers on the internet. Reaching out to him was hard because he was nowhere to be found - not until she received a letter like she was fucking Steve from Blue’s Clues. Then they got reacquainted. He was so charming, so eloquent, so damn attractive.

[color=567ce0]“You’re late, but I figured with the storm you might be, so I ordered your favorite.”[/color] She turned to face him. Maybe part of it was to show off what her shirt couldn’t hide, no doubt an attempt to make up for lost time, but really there were no real hidden intentions other than her getting comfortable. [color=567ce0]“Personally, I could never drink that, but people call me mad for liking my cocktails as radioactive as Chernobyl. So who am I to judge?”[/color]

[color=63773B]”Every fire needs a fuel, just so happens yours is chemical waste. Nothing wrong with that”[/color] Hyde breathed in Blue’s facade for the evening. In the time the pair had been away and separate she had most certainly gotten more attractive. He wouldn’t hide the fact that he was checking out every curve, every contour. Her body had tightened and toned, she obviously worked hard for that. There was a new, very subtle hint of red in her hair that was not too dissimilar to his own. JJ had always been beautiful, even when he knew her about her lifetime ago. The main difference was that back then, he wouldn’t have known what to do with someone like Blue. Now things were different, now he knew exactly what she wanted and what she deserved. 

Hyde grabbed a hold of the beer that the Milligan girl had ordered for him. Perhaps its ice cold taste would calm the raging inferno that had been blazing through his skull since his visit from the woman he sadly called his mom? He raised his glass in celebration. [color=63773B]”Cheers. To old friends and new adventures”[/color]

She hid nothing from him. Not the fact she had purposely come to the club knowing full well she would meet up with him nor the fact that she wanted to highlight her body. She also could tell he would look. She played the subtle game but she wasn’t blind. It was going to be a good night and the many days that would follow, Bluejay knew it in her heart that she had come home at just the right time. Raising her glass up and clinking it with his, she smiled, giving the man with the dreamiest eyes her undivided attention. [color=567ce0]“And to unforgettable memories!”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]