Judith
Jade had been through a lot - from pain and heartbreak to denial and all the stages of grief that one can experience. She was currently settled on anger, and rightfully so. Arthur had put her through so much, and then left her high and dry as if she didn't matter. She had given him the best version of herself, and he had thrown it all away. But Jade had had enough of crying and begging for him to come back. She had friends in Briar Ridge that she could rely on, and she knew just who to turn to - Dimitra Florakis.

Jade had always enjoyed the energy that Dimitra brought with her, and the way she could give Arthur a run for his money. She was the perfect partner in crime, and Jade knew that she needed that kind of energy in her life right now. She was done being good, done with feeling left in the dust. If Dimitra wanted to take over the old courier shop, Jade would be there to help. And if someone in Briar Ridge wanted to burn it down, Jade would be more than happy to partake in that too.

As the sun began to set, Jade left her cottage and told Akira, her neighbor and new companion, that if she wasn't back by dusk, she was probably at Dimitra's and probably drunk. Jade planned on being tipsy, maybe not too drunk, but she knew that Dimitra had a way of making her laugh and bringing out the best in her. As she arrived at Dimitra's porch, she felt the negative feelings slowly stripping away. She knocked, waiting for the untamed curls and sphynx-like walk of her friend to appear.
Maria
Of course she'd heard of Arthur Maldorano's swift exit from Briar Ridge. On the one hand, that did well for her. On the *Other* Hand... She knew that slippery son of a bitch had left poor Jade Grant in his dust with not so much as a note or a kiss goodbye. She also knew that Jade was a sensitive soul; she'd really loved that slimy bastard for some ungodly reason. 

So when the woman in question showed up to get tipsy and gossip, she wasn't about to say no. The front door opened and she leaned there; she seemed completely fine for someone who'd been attacked a few months ago, but Dimitra Florakis was not one to be kept down for long. She flashed Jade a smile and held up the bottle of whiskey she'd stashed away for her private collection. 

"About time you showed up," She said, nodding her head to the porch, where two chairs sat. Dimitra had another occupant of the house these days— the woman Serah Karim, had been staying here too. She liked to give her some space, so sitting out on the front porch in the crisp March air seemed nice anyhow. It made her cheeks feel rosy in the coolness, and she took a seat in one of the chairs. 

"Have a seat," She said, popping the top and extending out the bottle to her. "You first, of course. Tell me everything, sweetheart." She squeezed her arm soothingly. "Let it all out."
Judith
Dimitra was exactly what Jade needed, and now she could strengthen their bond without worrying about any negative consequences. She looked over at Dimitra to see if she was still in pain, but it seemed like she was okay. Jade hated seeing Dimitra in the hospital bed, it was scary for her because she thought Dimitra was invincible. If Dimitra could get hurt, what did that mean for Jade? But she let that thought pass, as the important thing was that Dimitra was alive and well. She laughed seeing the bottle of booze and quickly hugged Dimitra before taking her seat on the porch.

"I know, I know. I had to stop by Akira's. I told her that if I wasn't home well after sundown, she may need to come and get me because I am drunk as a skunk," She teased, sitting next to Dimitra. Jade wondered what they should talk about first. Should she mention the idea of Dimitra taking over the courier? Or maybe offer her help in running a better business? Dimitra also had stories for days, and Jade loved hearing about her adventures.

"Well, Arthur left. That's not news, though. I came to forget about him and just drink, gossip, and listen to your adventures. Although, I do want to run something by you eventually."
Maria
"Mm!" She held up a hand as she took a swig straight from the bottle, her hand wrapped around the neck of it. "I'll just say this—" She said after she swallowed her hefty gulp. "Arthur is an idiot to leave a pretty girl like you behind." Dimitra meant it, too. Arthur was also an idiot for a lot of other reasons, but that aside... "But that's besides the point!" Dimitra handed the bottle to Jade and clapped her hands together. "First of all— if you want to get your mind off of someone by getting under another, let me know. I'm incredibly good at matchmaking, even for just a night of fun," She winked in Jade's direction. "Speaking of fun— I've gotten myself off the market *Officially*," She enunciated her last word crisply, batting her eyelashes. "So that means a lot of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes are safe from me!" Dimitra couldn't help but laugh. 

"Now, now... Drink up, we can't gossip if you're sober," She leaned her elbow on the arm of the chair. "I've been a little *Under the weather* The past few months, tell me *Everything.*"
Judith
The Dimitra Florakis was officially on the market! Jade couldn't help but feel so happy for her friend "Well I'll be!" She chimed in. "Someone managed to catch your fancy~ that's so lovely! When are you two gonna debut in town" She teased. Dimitra was mesmerizing, the woman didn't struggle for admirers. She just looked over at her friend with a soft smile "Now that you mention it. I do see that relationship glow!" She teased but once Dimitra insisted on her taking a drink — that was the only prompting she needed. 

She knocked back the bottle and took a big sip. By god it was awful and it burned in her stomach for a moment but one or two more drinks and she would be feeling good. "Nah, I don't want to be under anyone, not right now at least. Hell, I didn't even sleep with Arthur, maybe that's another reason he hit the road" She teased. Jade made peace by making jokes. She didn't sleep with him and now that this had gone down... She was glad she didn't. 

"Oh man... Let's see, werewolves messing things up again, love is in the air for many people, Arthur up and vanishing and, while I'm thinking about it... I think there have been a few messy one-night stands..."
Maria
Dimitra fanned herself, cheeks blooming bright red as she laughed. "Oh, I don't know if he'd want all that attention..." A wide grin spread on her lips. "Besides, it would be scandalous if everyone found out the preacher's been kissing up on a bootlegger," She let his identity slip, a laugh following. What an unlikely pair, Abel and Dimitra made— with his furrowed brows and his lips set into a scowl most days as he spat fire and brimstone, and Dimitra with her wide smile and wild hair, dancing the night away with little care in the world. 

"Messy one night stands!" Dimitra gasped and covered her mouth. "I know all about those things in my hay day but nothing as of late... Tell me more. Who's poking who? And why is it so *Messy*?" She crooned. "Is there a love triangle brewing? Angst? Broken hearts I should know about?"
Judith
Jade let out a playful gasp. Dimitra Florakis done settled up with the preacher! She looked at her friend with wide eyes and a beaming smile "Well, I'll be damned" She giggled taking another sip of the strong alcohol, it burned her hallowed-out chest. She saw so much love around her, she had that once. Well... Was it love? He was never really all that nice to her unless it was touching. Jade's first love and first heartbreak. It wasn't bad, or so she thought but alcohol numbed everything. She swore she would never drink this stuff but now? Nothing tasted better to her. 

"Well, I don't know specifics or anything but I've been hearing rumors about a lot of... Encounters" She teased, she couldn't give names. She had only heard it in passing but that is another reason she was telling Dimitra "I was hoping you would know some names" She giggled, already feeling the effects of the good stuff, her cheeks tinted pink. "It must be something in the air" She mused, closing her eyes just to listen to the steadiness of Briar Ridge. What a tough month. She felt like she could breathe for the first time in a while. 

"Y'know... I think a part of me knew we wouldn't last long. He was used to more... Experienced women. He never wanted to settle." She brought the bottle to her lips again, choking down the strength of it. "And I didn't even kiss anyone before him. I should've known better" She wasn't sad. This was just the facts. 

Arthur wasn't a good man. She thought about what she would've done had he looked away from her that day. She would've never kissed the devil. 

Memories felt like weapons
Maria
"Mm... Names..." She whistled and leaned back in her chair. "I'm sure I could conjure up a name or three for you, in your pursuit..." She took a long drink from the bottle they shared and thought it over a moment. 

"Pursuit of gossip is something I'm so good at," She chuckled. "It's old news, but I think there's trouble in paradise between Rhett and Alma," She said with her eyebrows raised. "Just from what I've heard, of course. I'm not spilling all my secrets, Rhett is a wonderful friend of mine..." She winked after and chuckled. "If he wasn't head over heels for her, I'd suggest him to you. He's a great kisser." 

Who hadn't Dimitra tried her hand at in town? "And I've heard Valerian Barca and Hazel Calhoun are getting *Mighty* Cozy, I'm surprised I haven't heard church bells yet." She snickered and crossed one leg over the other. 

"More experienced women—" She scoffed. "He doesn't know a gem when he sees one." She rested her elbow on the arm of her chair. "He's an idiot. And I could've ran that courier business with my eyes closed." She shook her head. "Do you want some tobacco?" She asked her curiously.