Judith

"For the West, mercy is a strange passion; one they follow at the expense of strategy, of humanity, and ultimately of reason. With me it is merely good manners. The desert has drunk more blood than you or I can ever imagine; judge for yourself which motive is the more expedient." - Aden Mansour, PhD, University of Algiers Professor of Art History and Antiquities

Biography

"American-born USAF brat educated abroad" might explain her hard-to-place accent. The daughter of an officer, she became one herself before joining the United Nations as a Peacekeeper deployed variously to Algeria, Darfur, Mali and Lebanon over several years under the UN's initiative to promote women as "active agents of peace in armed conflict." Her honorable discharge following a formal report to the UN General Assembly landed her in Paris. If she warms up to you, she'd say she has come to Los Angeles because she prefers warm desert nights to any other, loves the city and surrounds for its sheer size, its cultures, its staggering opportunities and its life-and-death vibrancy.

RP Hooks

Now in Town : A relatively recent arrival in Los Angeles (by way of Paris and Algiers) Judith has been in town long enough to buy herself the sweet ride she's always wanted. She's also the latest proprietor of Zavarka.

Poetry : Judith frequents bookstores, flatly avoids readings and hauls around a battered limited-edition Moleskine and, recently, an antique copy of ibn-Arabi's "Translator of Desires."

Algeria : There are tells that she spent too much time in northern Africa. Followers of international politics may remember hearings about an unsanctioned air strike on the Saida-Mascara line and brief public outrage.

Paris, and the Art World : Judith arrived in Paris for a grueling UN hearing and stayed for the night life. She has financial and curator/collector interest in three small art galleries in Paris (La Muse Froide, L'Ancien Moderne and the White Mughal).

Cello and Bass Guitar : She can passably grind on either one. Sound-sensitive.

Ballroom and Bull-Dancing : With remarkably generous definitions of each. With or without a blade.

The sin of pride : Easily touched, rarely soothed. The best offense is a good offense, but otherwise? Pride.

Sekhmet : If you know, you know. Also: Odile, at least two of the Mares of Diomedes, Qetesh, malaka, Zenobia of Palmyra, chercher la femme, failed poet, warrior poet in the making.

Contacts

Artemis Whitlocke
Elizabeth Tanner
William Ian Stanford
Laila Hakim
Lunette Faucher
Patricia Barreau
Roger Montagne
Summer Hastings
Various NPCs: Professor Aden Mansour, Adil Salah, Sister Immaculata (USA-CPT NATO), Bevin Avraham, Stefan Angelos. And one former matador back in Cordoba.