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rainbowfic2021-07-04 08:51 pm
thisbluespirit) wrote in rainbowfic2021-07-04 08:51 pm
Candy Green #8 [Divide & Rule]
Name: Rock and Rye
Story: Divide & Rule/Heroes of the Revolution
Colors: Candy Green #8 (Rock Candy)
Supplies and Styles: Graffiti (June Challenge) + Eraser + Tapestry
Word Count: 467
Rating: PG
Warnings: None, really.
Notes: Edward Iveson/Julia Graves. Noir AU (from the list).
Summary: The rules of the game are changing tonight…
***
Julia pushed the cocktail along the bar to the man standing next to her. She didn’t want to play these games, but she had her instructions, and she wasn’t in a position to argue. The casino was smoky and full of people losing more than they could afford, but there was always someone watching. She smoothed down the red evening dress that never felt in the least like her, and smiled brightly up at the stranger.
“Thank you,” said her quarry, glancing down at her with the briefest of smiles. He examined the Rock and Rye cocktail, raising his eyebrows at the unknown beverage.
Julia shrugged. “It’s on the house. You don’t have to.” The casino had an American theme, and the cocktail was another import, probably just a little off-key, same as the rest. She wasn’t interested. What was worrying was the odd sense of recognition he evoked in her. He was probably a PI or copper – something like that, so they’d said. She didn’t know him, she was sure – he reminded her of someone else, perhaps.
“By the way,” he murmured, leaning in close, “your idiot brother sends his regards.” He took a sip of the cocktail and grimaced at its sweetness, putting it down with finality. He turned to the barman. “Scotch, please.”
Julia started at his words, but he passed her the cocktail before she could betray herself – or him. “Christy?” she said under her breath, as she lifted the glass to her lips.
He nodded.
“I’m supposed to – well.” She toyed with the cocktail stick. “Keep a close eye on you tonight. You know.”
He put an arm around her, ushering her over to a table in the corner that had just been vacated. “Excellent,” he said, with a grin. “Do your worst. I’ll play along – and at the end of the evening, we’re leaving.”
Julia nearly spilled her drink, but he rescued the glass while she sat. “I can’t.”
“Trust me,” he said, as he leant over to place the drink in front of her. And then, more softly still: “Christy is safe, don’t worry.”
She studied his narrow, earnest face, and thought, her stomach turning over, that she actually might – and that never ended well. You couldn’t trust anyone in this place. But their plans aligned so far, and she’d risk anything to get out of this den of thieves. She downed the rest of her drink and then stood, holding out her hand. “A dance, then. I insist.”
“My pleasure,” he said, closing his fingers around hers.
Julia let him lead her out, and when the band struck up the next number, she leant in against him, like she was supposed to. She tried to forget his promise. She’d let hope back in after she was free, not before.
***
Story: Divide & Rule/Heroes of the Revolution
Colors: Candy Green #8 (Rock Candy)
Supplies and Styles: Graffiti (June Challenge) + Eraser + Tapestry
Word Count: 467
Rating: PG
Warnings: None, really.
Notes: Edward Iveson/Julia Graves. Noir AU (from the list).
Summary: The rules of the game are changing tonight…
***
Julia pushed the cocktail along the bar to the man standing next to her. She didn’t want to play these games, but she had her instructions, and she wasn’t in a position to argue. The casino was smoky and full of people losing more than they could afford, but there was always someone watching. She smoothed down the red evening dress that never felt in the least like her, and smiled brightly up at the stranger.
“Thank you,” said her quarry, glancing down at her with the briefest of smiles. He examined the Rock and Rye cocktail, raising his eyebrows at the unknown beverage.
Julia shrugged. “It’s on the house. You don’t have to.” The casino had an American theme, and the cocktail was another import, probably just a little off-key, same as the rest. She wasn’t interested. What was worrying was the odd sense of recognition he evoked in her. He was probably a PI or copper – something like that, so they’d said. She didn’t know him, she was sure – he reminded her of someone else, perhaps.
“By the way,” he murmured, leaning in close, “your idiot brother sends his regards.” He took a sip of the cocktail and grimaced at its sweetness, putting it down with finality. He turned to the barman. “Scotch, please.”
Julia started at his words, but he passed her the cocktail before she could betray herself – or him. “Christy?” she said under her breath, as she lifted the glass to her lips.
He nodded.
“I’m supposed to – well.” She toyed with the cocktail stick. “Keep a close eye on you tonight. You know.”
He put an arm around her, ushering her over to a table in the corner that had just been vacated. “Excellent,” he said, with a grin. “Do your worst. I’ll play along – and at the end of the evening, we’re leaving.”
Julia nearly spilled her drink, but he rescued the glass while she sat. “I can’t.”
“Trust me,” he said, as he leant over to place the drink in front of her. And then, more softly still: “Christy is safe, don’t worry.”
She studied his narrow, earnest face, and thought, her stomach turning over, that she actually might – and that never ended well. You couldn’t trust anyone in this place. But their plans aligned so far, and she’d risk anything to get out of this den of thieves. She downed the rest of her drink and then stood, holding out her hand. “A dance, then. I insist.”
“My pleasure,” he said, closing his fingers around hers.
Julia let him lead her out, and when the band struck up the next number, she leant in against him, like she was supposed to. She tried to forget his promise. She’d let hope back in after she was free, not before.
***