These Iron Bars ~Cam~

[Jezbel Fioren]

This post is COMPLETE.

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The residential area in Laredo hadn’t changed much since the last time she’d been here. Indegencia was still submerged in the dregs of society and the smell…Ugh, if I had to pick one thing that I didn’t miss this smell would win hands down. Carelessly tossing long blond hair over her shoulders Jezbel Fioren’s bright blue eyes scanned the run-down buildings before her. At five four and a hundred and forty pounds Jezbel was all muscle and curves. She sun tanned skin was encased in another pair of her favorite jeans and a men’s shirt she’d had one of the Dama Suerte girls alter for her. Jezbel might be good at cooking but anybody that saw her with a needle and thread quickly walked the other way. She found some way to butcher whatever fabric she came into contact with. The other girls normally just patter her on the hand and shoved her off to do other things. Which as Dama Fortuna I suppose I do have other things to do but one of these days someone’s going to have to grow a pair and teach me how to sew. Then again it might not even possible to teach me how to sew.

A sharp bark to her right drew Jezbel’s eyes down and sure enough, Oscar was there staring at her fixedly. After the night they’d had before Jezbel figured it was a good idea to make sure he hadn’t hurt anything and check for lesions. Crouching down Jezbel ran experienced hands over his body, checking for any wounds or sores. The mutt was a brindle color, majority black and tan, with little patter to his coat. His coffee colored eyes watched her without care and when she was done with her inspection he gave a sloppy kiss across the cheek nearest his mouth. “Ugh, Oscar that’s exactly what I need first thing in the morning. We have enough problems without you getting sappy on me.” Jezbel’s eyes lit up with her own personal amusement as she lightly pushed the large dog away and returned to an upright position.

Two men strolling passed had paused to too far away to watch the exchange between woman and dog. Like all those small minded fellows that had to move in on women in groups they chatted to themselves as they watched her. Of course what they said as they watched her were lewd comments about not only her appearance but how they would let her hands caress them like that any time. This kind of bravado then led them to gaining enough courage to approach the beautiful woman, who had just gained her feet at that exact moment. “Hey lady, those some talented hands you got there. Why don’t you try pettin’ someone’ll appreciate it better?” With a grin he thought was particularly fetching he reached out for Jezbel’s arm.

She had known they were there the entire time and that they would give her trouble if she gave them the chance. They probably weren’t dangerous but that didn’t mean they were harmless. Besides it’s about time someone taught them their place. Jezbel signaled Oscar to let her handle it and as the lewd buffo reached out for her arm Jezbel moved to grab his arm before he laid hands on her. I’m really going to regret this, he reeks… were Jezbel’s leading thoughts as she got in close enough to smell his rancid breath and placed her hip center with the middle of his body. Before he could even process that she was close she used his forward momentum and her own experience to roll him across her body and send him flying into the ground. She placed one boot firmly on his throat as he sputtered incoherently then she eyed his companion dispassionately. “You should ask a lady if she wants to be manhandled before you go getting grabby on her.” Glancing down at her capture she spoke directly to him, “Don’t you think so?” He nodded his head as much as he could with her boot taking up the hollow in his neck. Jezbel leaned down, putting weight on his larynx as she got closer to his face; farther down she went until her foot was still resting on his throat and her lips were next to his ear. It was a vulnerable position to be in but she was sure the man under her was frozen with a fixture of fear and lust, as was his companion. She really did enjoy invoking such feelings in her play things. “Behave yourselves from now on okay? If I ever hear of you grabbing at other women I might get jealous.” She ran her tongue lightly along the outside shell of his ear. “And I’m a very jealous woman, so jealous in fact that I will hunt you down, beat you, and leave your still warm body bleeding on the floor. You’ll have a very nice view of your small and large intestines." Leaning back up enough to meet her cobalt eyes with his stricken brown she finished her little speech. “Do we understand each other?” Jez only smiled prettily as she stood without delay and signaled her dog to follow her.

With a happy bounce in her step Jezbel strolled away from what she considered only a small diversion. They had given her a nice outlet for all the pent up anger she was feeling at the mysterious shooter that had been dogging her steps last night. Although what she’d said was true, if she caught either of them messing with unwilling women they would bleed for it- and scream for the privilege of being killed by her. Jezbel absentmindedly rolled the tension out of her shoulders as she continued scanning the addresses before her. I really do hate aggressive men, I prefer aggressive women much more. Of course speaking of aggressive women where is our one and only leader hiding this fine morning? Jezbel was here to report to Cameron to see what she wanted her to do next. Or even better what they were going to do next. She hadn’t seen Amber yet but that didn’t mean anything; the psychopath was always lurking around somewhere. Psycho was Jezbel’s personal nickname for the redheaded Dama Fortuna, she didn’t mean anything derisive by it the other woman just made it so hard to get to know her. Jez had never had any friends or anywhere to belong before Dama Suerte, so sue me if I want to make friends and she wants to remain the ice queen in the corner polishing her blades with that malevolent look in her eyes. They all had their pasts, their own reasons for being where they were, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy it a little.

The blond carelessly strolled passed the Sheriff’s office but while her body may have been walking without pause her mind did a double take. The last time she’d seen that place it had been in a little better condition. A man named Erik Black had decided to make it his life’s work to clean up the streets of Laredo. She’d heard complaints from criminals as small time as drunk and disorderly and as serious as the more organized groups like their own gang. He’d been a thorn in everyone’s side except for the prostitutes. Well to be honest most women that weren’t completely jaded. Even the bitter ones had to admit he was a package. All wrapped up in ideals and that sugary sweet hope he liked to preach to the teenage inmates. She’d heard a rumor that the ever persistent Erik Black had turned in his badge and left town for greener pastures. With a sardonic look over her shoulder at the dilapidated building, I guess his replacement isn’t doing so hot. She laughed lightly under her breath as the hotel she was looking for finally came into view.

It just goes to show how long I’ve been away if it took me this long ot find this stupid hotel Decadence. Why’d she pick such a corny named one to stay in anyway? It’s probably full up the rafters with prostitutes and their prospective customers. Jez nudged the door open with her booted foot, there was no telling what had touched that door last, and headed up the front desk. A fat man with black beady eyes glanced her over from head to toe; taking in her rough appearance, the dog at her side, and the weapons strapped to her body. With only a slight pause he began, “I take it you here to see the bosslady? She tell me, ‘You look out for a blond lady, real pretty type without all the makeup. You’ll know her when you see her.’ Now I am thinkin’ I see her. Are you her?” Only slightly surprised by the greeting Jezbel slouched over the counter and batted her long eyelashes at him, “Pretty? Did she really say pretty? How exciting! But yes it seems that I am the blond lady. You know having blond hair seems to get me in a lot of trouble. I’m going to start thinking that the world has a sort of prejudice against blond ladies. Did you know I was accosted this morning? All because I had blond hair…” Jez shook her head sadly as she straightened her form and followed the waddling figure before her after motioning for Oscar. She continued to chatter at him for the fun of hearing her own voice, and the weird looks he kept giving her over his shoulder. But when the door to Cameron’s room came into view she stopped talking abruptly and a transformation seemed to happen right before the surprised clerks eyes.

The woman that had walked into his hotel had slouched when she walked with a sort of rolling saunter that bespoke arrogance and sex appeal. She had been free with her emotions and animatedly moving every part of her body. She had joked, prodded, and teased him to see what kinds of reactions she could get out of him. The casual air around her that invited others to prop up their feet and chat had dissolved without a trace. The woman before him now still had an aura of energy around her, but it was focused. The useless movements she had made before were gone; everything she did now had a purpose. Her eyes were calm, her posture straight, her body relaxed, and she was ready for anything. It was amazing to him to see the change and he suddenly understood why this woman was here to see the bosslady. He didn’t hesitate any more as he escorted her to the door and left without another word or glance back.

Jezbel knocked lightly on the door, waited five seconds, and then let herself in. She held the door open long enough to allow Oscar to trot happily into the room and then closed it firmly behind her. She gave Oscar the hand command to do as he pleased, within reason of course, and watched as he immediately scampered to Cameron’s side. “Traitor.” Jez couldn’t help but whisper under her breath as he begged shamelessly for attention. “Cameron, I’m home!” Jezbel said with an open smile. One last smart comment before she reined in her exuberance and filled in the Casino Queen of the Dama Suerte on the results of her little outing. “The only real trouble I ran into was on the way back here. I’ll admit I made a mistake by traveling when I was already so tried. Going three days without sleep wasn’t the smartest move I could have made. Halfway here I was shot at by someone, given how out of it I was at the time they could have gotten a lot closer and I wouldn’t have noticed. But they didn’t, they shot from a ways off and then took off after me when I sent Macbeth galloping. We did a few fancy tricks and lost them in a small patch of trees.” Jezbel ran inpatient fingers through her hair, “As it is I’m not worried about it. But what do you want us to do next?” As one of the seconds in command it was her job to advise not make the decisions, thankfully.

Words: 2,057
Tagged: Cameron
Notes: Just so you know, she's not in love with Cam and does not want to sleep with her. Her personality just got tweaked a little in this post. I like her a lot more now.
”Jezbel Talking”, Jezbel’s Thoughts, and "Others Talking"

[Cameron Blake]

Cameron sat lazily at the makeshift desk in the run-down, nasty building. The dust and grime didn't bother her though, she was use to the grit associated with Laredo. Especially within the boundaries of the Indegencia. Growing up rough and rowdy with a hefty lot of men didn't hurt either. The hunting knife she played with in her hand came careening down onto the table's surface, as her propped up, booted feet slide to the floor. There had been that one time it had hurt, but Cameron shot the past straight out of her mind. She didn't like to dwell on that scumbag. He'd said his piece, played his part, and then died like the two-faced bitch he was. It was the first and last time anyone had gotten the jump on her. The leader of the Dama Suerte was not pleased with herself for dredging up old news. Painful old news at that. Glancing out the dirty window pane, her eyes settled on the clouds that appeared almost yellow in color through the glass. Anytime now one of her seconds was due a meeting. Cam wasn't quite sure what she thought of Jezbel Fioren, but the woman was certainly capable. As a Dama Fortuna she had to be one of the best or Cam would have personally removed the woman from the position of power. She didn't have time for nitwits and half-cocked gunslingers today.

No, today was a day for scheming and planning. For that she'd need someone with just a bit more control over her frontal lobe than Amber did. It wasn't that Cameron thought the other Dama Fortuna was witless. In fact it was the exact opposite; the woman was a prodigy when it came to weaponry and inflicting pain. But she really had no hand at laying out fool-proof, fail-proof plans. Jezbel, however, was a mistress of the mind, able to concoct such strategies it nearly brought Cameron to tears. Waiting for the bombshell blonde was a torture of a special kind. The bosslady hated waiting for her underlings to appear, as she was always wound up and ready to explode into action. The Dama Suerte was Cameron Blake's air and water, it provided her with everything she needed. And the little bit of pleasure it didn't give her, she often found in the arms of a man she'd be persecuted for laying with. Sure, it was Cam's own rule that forbid the women of the Dama to consistently visit a fellow, but being Queen had its perks.

Tossing the blade carelessly away from her, it clattered down the length of the table to hover at the end. The holster that usually was slung low on her waist, blocked the knife from meeting the floor. Pushing back onto the back two legs of the rough-hewn chair, Cameron slapped her boots back up onto the wood surface. Removing the gun from the worn leather, she checked the chamber and reloaded the six silvery shots. Slipping each one into the ovular spaces, the woman's steady hands moved skillfully and steadily. As she snapped the pistol back into place and spun the chamber with boredom, there was a knock at the door. Cameron didn't bother to answer, she was only expecting one person and only three people knew she was there. One she'd instructed to inform the second, and the third was the innkeeper. Still, a Dama wasn't taken on unawares and the brunette pointed the barrel of the gun at the doorway. When it opened to reveal Jezbel and her excitable mongrel, she lowered the weapon and returned it to the holster.

"It's good to see you, Jez." She greeted with a wink and a grin, and then she patted the dog absently before returning to the conversation. "And we don't have time to go off chasing your mystery shooter. Sleep with one eye open for now, and we'll deal with that if and when it becomes an issue. For now, I need your efforts elsewhere. I've been planning a run down across the boarder, see if we can pick up some new girls, raise a little havoc. But see here, I've got this son-of-a-bitch constant thorn in my side. So we've got to make a smidge of a detour on our way down. Juan Gonzalez has been dogging me worse than a cattle cur chasing his bitch. So I did some nosing around and rustled up some maps for you. I can give you any other information you need, but I want you to tell me today how we're going to kill that little varmint without losing half our number." Pleased that she'd laid the new game's rules out clearly enough for the other, Cameron sat back smugly in the poorly made chair and awaited a response from her second.

SURE-SHOT? COMPLETE
WANTED POSTER: JEZBEL
WHAT'S IT WORTH? 813 WORDS
RIDE ON: SO IT BEGINS!!
WHAT'S YOUR NAME? IMAGES BY ESSY
LYRICS BY FOR ALL THOSE SLEEPING
IRONICALLIZE_IT @ CAUTION 2.0

[Jezbel Fioren]

POSTY coming soon, prolly tomorrow. I just finished another 5,885 long exam I've discovered I've written a total of 18,108 words for that class and ITS FINALLY OVER! One down three to go!!