Guiding Light (Jen)

[Mariposa Nazario]

Jennifer Joy was precisely the sort of person Mariposa couldn't help but gravitate toward. Sweeter than honey and in apparent need of a force that would crack her reserved shell, practically begging for well-intentioned meddling.

In that spirit she had invited (or, if one were being less generous, coerced) the other woman out to Pilot Ridge's thriving club scene. It was interesting how such a tiny town managed to have so many options, really. Perhaps the combination of the local community college and the Institute made it more of a hotspot than one would have thought.

She had donned a poison green club dress with rhinestones scattered across the straps. Hair curled, earrings bright and dangling to her shoulders, she was pleased with her appearance.

She swung one hand around the other woman's shoulder, gesturing between the bar and the dance floor. "So drinks first or dancing first? I won't make you bust any moves without lubrication if you need it."

[Jennifer Joy]

Jen had met someone named Mariposa in the bookstore. She was interesting to say the least and Jen ended up befriending her. Friends were a good thing for the small redhead.

Though she wasn't too sure about Mari's latest idea to go clubbing. Jen didn't normally drink and she wasn't the best of dancers. She honestly had no idea about the club scene and she wasn't one to visit it that often. Most of the time she just went straight home after work.

Going along with Mari though had seemed like the best idea at the time because she doubted the other would let her hear the end of it if she said no. Smiling she had put on one of the few short dresses she owned, and it was one of the few that was still left over from when Adam was alive. She really loved the dress and she knew he had as well. That might have been why she kept it.

Thus Jen had ended up at the club with Mari. She smiled and shook her head at her friend keeping a pleasant tone in her voice. "I don't remember the last time i had a drink and I'm afraid I can't dance very well." Hopefully Mari would understand.

[Mariposa Nazario]

Unfortunately for Jen, Mariposa absolutely did not understand. "Everyone likes to dance!" She exclaimed incredulously, dark eyes round in shock that her friend would try and get out of this. "Screw dancing well, that's not the point, the point is that it's fun."

She swept her gaze up and down the other woman's body, taking in the dress with obvious approval. "Anyway, you got dressed up all sexy, then you're not even gonna dance, that's like, a crime, and I would know."

Perhaps flaunting her law degree in an effort to get a friend out on the dance floor was a bit manipulative, but she couldn't help it. Jen needed to break out of her introversion and have a little fun! That this might be stressful rather than enjoyable hadn't crossed her mind at all.

"C'mon, we'll get something teeth-rottingly sweet and you'll never know it has alcohol. Then boom, instant dance machine."

This wasn't a suggestion, and she reached to grab her friend's hand, intent on dragging her over to the bar. A drink or three would be all they needed to loosen both of them up.

[Jennifer Joy]

It wasn't that Jen didn't like to dance, it was that she made an utter fool of herself when she tried. Instead of doing that she would bob her head and sway back and forth. "I.. Um.." Jen didn't really want to object. it might hurt Mari's feelings.

Jen blushed as she was observed up and down. "It was the only 'club-like' dress I had. You know I don't go clubbing." Jen felt bad. She didn't want to break a law, that wasn't good. "I'm afraid I don't know how to dance to suit this dress." Jen looked down saddened. She really didn't wan to disappoint her friend.

Jen smiled as she realized that Mari was using her knowledge against Jen's argument. Jen had never been one to argue, and normally went along with things anyway, but if Mari had the facts to break down her argument then Jen was at a loss. Of course Jen was just as happy staying home and reading, or sleeping. Those were two activities she greatly enjoyed.

" But I..." Jen looked down. She didn't know how to say no, especially to a friend. Sighing in admittance she thought. "Do they have anything strawberry flavored?" Jen liked strawberries. They were nice and red, plus they tasted really sweet.

Jen carefully walked over to the bar with her friend, making sure not to get lost in the crowd. Mari had grabbed her hand and she was basically being dragged along. She really didn't have a choice in the matter.

[Mariposa Nazario]

Mariposa didn't even notice that Jen was taking her arguments about the legalities of not dancing seriously; instead she was merely pleased that the other woman was apparently prepared to agree with her.

"It's gorgeous." She assured her friend as they made their way to the bar. "And there are strawberry cocktails. You ever had A Kiss Goodnight? It's like eating the fruit. If you don't watch it you will be so drunk because you're just like, yeah, I think I can have another one of these."

She sidled up to the bar, giving the woman behind the counter a winning smile. "May we have two A Kiss Goodnights, please?" She ordered, fumbling for her handbag. This was one difficulty that came with skirts and dresses: Unless they were jean skirts they rarely had pockets and thus wallets required some amount of search.

"We can stick with just one each for now," She reassured Jen, as she assumed a low alcohol tolerance due to lack of exposure. "Then dancing. And if you really don't dig it, we can find someplace else."

By which she meant, of course, another club, or maybe a bar.

[Jennifer Joy]

Jen was almost hesitant about whether Mari was being serious or not. Then she figured her friend wouldn't lie to her. She would go along with Mari's plan for the time being.

Jen smiled at the compliment to the dress. "It is quite pretty." Jen smiled as she kept moving with Mari among the mass of people. She shook her head at the question asked. "I have never had one..." Jen looked at her friend wide eyed. "I better not have more then one then." The last thing Jen wanted to do was end up drunk.

Jen stood still as Mari began to fumble for her wallet. Smiling she held the bag to make it easier on her friend. "I will pay you back later Mari." Smiling she leaned over and gave her friend a hug. "Thank you."

Jen nodded quite fervently at her friend when she said just one. Just one is all she wanted, after all she just wanted to try it. Strawberries sounded really good right now and if this drink tasted like them then all the better. "All right." Jen hesitantly nodded. Maybe she could get out of this by the end of the night.


She hoped it might be to go home, Mari was exciting and fun but Jen like her cozy life.

[Mariposa Nazario]

"Naw, no need to pay me back!" Mari brushed off the promise with a smile and a dismissive wave. "I invited you out, so I pay. That's the way this hospitality thing works."

She doubted life would be all that fun if she were constantly hounding people to pay her back, or trying to keep score of who owed what.

A sound of triumph escaped her lips as she found her wallet, waving it aloft in victory before rummaging through it. She slid a wad of bills toward the bartender as he handed them their drinks. No need for a credit card or a tab this time, not when they only planned on one drink.

"Cheers," She grinned over at Jen before taking a sip of her drink. Mmm, delicious strawberry flavor. Was there anything strawberries didn't make wonderful?

"So what do ya think?"

[Jennifer Joy]

Jen smiled as her offer was brushed aside, she would repay her debt one way or another, whether Mari was aware of it or not. if she wouldn't take her money maybe Jen could do something else." We''ll see."

Jen smiled at her friend and looked down. She wanted to repay her friend, that would be in the best interest. At least that was her thinking. maybe flowers? Or even fruit, Mari liked fruit right?

Jen smiled in relief as Mari found her wallet. Since they were only having one it made sense that it would be paid for with money. Tabs and credit cards weren't necessary and they would just increase debt. Debt in itself wasn't a good thing.

Jen nodded and whispered a "cheers" before she slowly took a sip. Woah that was strawberry. It tasted good and Jen had to smile. strawberries always made her mood better. Smiling slightly she took another sip of the drink. It really was good.

" Yummy." Jen smiled at Mari and held the cup in her hands, keeping it close to her. "It really does taste like strawberries."

[Mariposa Nazario]

Mari returned Jen's shy smile with a beaming one of her own. "See? I told you it would. You didn't believe me, did you?"

She leaned forward against the bar, one foot lightly pulling down the strap against her other heel. "I love these," She giggled. She could drink several more before getting well and truly drunk, but even so she could feel a pleasant warmth spreading throughout her thin frame.

"Mmmm. So after we finish this, dance?"

She turned big brown eyes upon her friend, silently pleading with her to agree. That was the whole point, after all. She was so certain that Jen would enjoy herself, if only she would allow herself to let loose.

With any luck the alcohol would make her somewhat more pliable in that regards; it wasn't known as social lubricant for nothing.

[Jennifer Joy]

Jen had to smile slightly at her friends words. She had been caught apparently, but oh well. It wasn't as if getting caught in this situation was a bad thing. "You caught me."

Jen giggled as she nodded towards Mari. "It certainly is quite good." It made her feel all tingly, and warm. Plus it tasted like strawberries, you couldn't go wring with strawberries. They were just so sweet. "What did you say this was called again?" She would have to write it down so she would remember.

As she was searching for her notepad in her own small clutch she heard the words come out of Mari's mouth.

"uhmm..."

Oh darnit, there were puppy eyes. She never was good at avoiding puppy eyes. From anyone. The fact that her friend was giving them to her made her blush a bit and slowly turn to look at the dancing mass of people.

After taking another sip of her wonderfully sweet drink she smiled over at Mari. "All right..." Giggling Jen took another sip. " But only for you."

[Mariposa Nazario]

Mari giggled triumphantly as Jen agreed to dance with her. "Awww, I feel so special." She was sure that it was even true; it had been difficult enough even convincing her friend to come out with her, let alone to get on the dance floor. She wasn't sure anyone else could claim that much.

Of course, she would very much like to take credit for being fantastically capable of persuading anyone to do her will. Particularly those peculiarly stubborn individuals known as introverts. All that energy spent avoiding typical social activities such as clubbing when that energy could be put to better use actually socializing.

Although she had been more timid when she was younger she still couldn't always comprehend why other people would be. Surely they didn't have the same reasons for hiding she did?

And Jen was a perfectly lovely young woman; Mari was completely unaware of the problems that caused her to retreat.

"It's called A Kiss Goodnight," She repeated, waiting for Jen to scribble the name down before pulling the other woman back out onto the floor. "Come on, hurry!" She added, pleading as Cobra Starship came over the speakers. "I love this song!"

[Jennifer Joy]

Jen smiled at Mari's enthusiasm. It was very much catching. Especially with the drink. Mhmmm it was strawberry. "You should." Grinning Jen looked at Mari and smiled. she wouldn't really be doing this for anyone else.

Jen was happy with her at home, non socializing life. She had everything she ever needed and it wasn't her place to go clubbing. She was more of a stay home and read person then a socializing person. She knew Mari knew that. Probably why she was basically dragged here.

She hadn't ever really gone clubbing int he past. She was too preoccupied with Adam and her friends. Mostly though it was Adam. Not to mention her studies.

Adam had always said she was smart. Now it still hurt to think about him. She looked down somewhat agreeing with Mari and somewhat thinking to herself. She really shouldn't be here.

Jen nodded and scribbled the name down before she was pulled into the throbs of people. Jen wrinkled her nose in a thought. This wasn't sanitary. Instead it was a lot of people, most likely them drunk and a lot of people who were all looking for a good time. She diligently followed Mari out and sort of bobbed along to the music. She really was a horrible dancer.

[Mariposa Nazario]

Mariposa was set on having a grand old time. She didn't care that Jen wasn't a good dancer, because she wasn't there to judge other people for their dancing abilities: the dancing was for fun and as long as other people were having fun, then she would admire them.

And, bless her, Jen was trying, which was important! Even if she looked rather miserable, which was the opposite of what Mari had hoped for.

She nudged the smaller woman in the side with an elbow, leaning down to stage whisper in her ear. "At least try to smile. We're supposed to be having fun, remember?"

Of course, she chalked the nurse's frowns up to introversion and lack of experience with clubs rather than any deep seated depression. They were friends, but newly so, and she was unaware of the other woman's travails and grief.

"What do I have to do to get a smile on that pretty face, huh?"

She flashed a grin at her partner in crime, hoping to coax some semblance of happiness onto the other's face.

[Jennifer Joy]

She really wasn't good at dancing. Instead she just shuffled her feet and tried to keep the rhythm. Which really wasn't easy. She could waltz though. That was one thing she had learned from her dad.

It really was best when you were eight years old and your dad waltzed around the living room, feeling as if you were floating on air. In reality she was on his toes, but really, with an eight year old that didn't matter.

Jen gave a hesitant smile when she was nudged. "Better?" Smiling more she shuffled along, perfectly happy to let Mari have the spotlight in this crowded club.

Because she was attracting attention. Jen wasn't used to men glancing at her. It seemed that being with Mari would... show her what it was like. She rather it be Mari they were looking at anyway. Her friend deserved someone. She already had had someone special in her life. Someone new wasn't needed.

" I am smiling." To prove her point she smiled and waved at her friend. "Not quite so sure about the pretty though." Because really Jen wasn't the type to be called pretty. Mari on the other hand, was.

[Mariposa Nazario]

Mariposa gave Jen a thumbs up as the other woman attempted a smile. "Definitely better," She agreed. It wasn't the genuine, bright smile she had hoped for, but there was time enough for one of those. Perhaps when the drink had been finished, and she had gotten into the swing of dancing.

Or perhaps when one of the men eyeing the two of them got up the nerve to flirt with her.

The self-deprecating comment resulted in an exasperated eye roll. "You're not sure about the pretty." She repeated, tone clearly expressing her thoughts on Jen's remark. "Have you never looked in a mirror before? Tell you what," And she tipped back her glass, "I'll let you have one of mine. But for now just look. Look at that guy," She jerked her head meaningfully in the direction of one of their admirers. "Totally checking you out. Would he do that if you weren't pretty?"

She hoped that Jen wouldn't have the presence of mind to list all the other possible reasons he might have for staring; she also hoped he didn't ruin her attempt at a self-esteem boost by revealing himself as falling down drunk.

That would be lame.