West Richland Tavern.

[celestialdragon]

"Thank you," Alexa said, drinking her Coke and still eating. She looked up at Raven. "I'm Alexa," she said warmly. "It's nice to meet you all," she added, a little shyly. She had the feeling her new coworkers were the same as her, coming from broken homes. She could also tell she was a bit younger than them. She smiled.

 

[BreezySnow]

"Hi Alexa, I am Raven. I am new also. I know the room I picked is next to one of you, mine is facing the street."

 

[celestialdragon]

"Thanks, Raven," Alexa said, her demeanor getting warmer.

 

[BreezySnow]

"Got any bags you need help carrying upstairs?"

Raven looks around for Alexa's bags.

 

[celestialdragon]

"I don't have much of anything," Alexa confessed. "My mother literally tossed me out into the streets in this." She gestured to her torn and tattered jeans and ripped T-Shirt. "I have a few dollars in my pocket, but that's it. . ."

 

[BreezySnow]

"I have an extra pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt you can borrow if you want to take a shower and put on some clean clothes. Maybe we can see if they have a thrift store in town and pick up some stuff for both of us tomorrow."

 

[celestialdragon]

"That would be excellent," Alexa said. A shower. . . she doesn't even remember the last time she had a good shower. She stood up, completely full. She looked at Tess and Hannah. "Thank you. . . so much," she said softly.

 

[BreezySnow]

Raven turns to Tess and Hannah, "You ladies want to hit up the thrift store with us? Can get some nice retro stuff and decent prices! Maybe even find something to decorate your room?"

 

[1millionsecrets]

Drinking her beverage relatively quickly Hannah smiled. "If you'd excuse my rudeness I am usually more bubbly, but today exhaustion has gotten the better of me."
She looked the new girl up and down. "So. Can either of you dance?" Her voice was soft as she questioned. She winked at Tess and crossed her arms. "Tess over there is our newly appointed entertainment director. If you'll like to work in public entertainment please say so. She will also fill you in on a few other key details. For now though I'm going to be in my room downstairs. Should you need me, ring the bell." She nodded and treaded slowly back to her stairs. Smiling deviously as she had left everything up to Tess.
Hannah was feeling oddly ill, but didn't let any ailment show. When she reached her bed she simply curled in next to Troy and huddled close to his form yet again.

(Excuse typos i'm actually quite tired.)

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa looked at Tess after Hannah left. "I can dance," she said softly. "I think I'm decent, been told I've been very good, but I don't believe that," she added, blushing.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess smiled at Alexa, "well, we're in the same boat then. I'm working on a short set of songs that we need to learn dances to for a burlesque show we'll be putting on. No date has been set but i'm hoping we will be ready by the end of the month," she sighed," and I have to make a call since we need someone to run the music."

Alexa looked overwhelmed so Tess added, "we can worry about all that tomorrow, i'm not even done with the song list yet. Let's get you settled first." she smiled and hoping she could ease the girl's mind.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa breathed a sigh of relief. "That sounds good," she agreed, smiling. "I mean, I think I need better clothes if I'm going to dance!!" she gave a soft laugh, her eyes lighting up for the first time.

 

[Wolfias]

''Take your time Dee me and Sadie aren't going anywhere.'' Eugene smiles at her touch on his arm, and turns his attention back to the dog. Sadie suddenly stopped in her tracks, she looks to Dee and back to Eugene. ''Dee will be back soon don't fret, c'mon girl bring me your Snoopy!'' Sadie bounds back to him with her toy, yapping excitedly at Eugene running around him. Looking up to see Dee's cute little wave, he waves back at her and the new waiter guy. ''Hey you, better gimme that squeaky toy you feisty little booger you!'' Laughing as he has to chase Sadie around the bike, scooping her up into his arms Eugene sat on sat the bike. Dee had returned to touch his arm again, looking around with a grin as Sadie gnaws Snoopy. ''Sure, I don't mind let's go...what do you think girl, want to go chase ducks?'' She looks up at Eugene with ears perked, then over to Dee and yapped.

''I would have to say that's a yes, wouldn't you Dee?'' Eugene stood having been seated sideways on the bike, he offers Dee Sadie's Snoopy squeaky toy again. ''After you Miss Dee, off to the duck pond we go.'' He follows behind Dee as he puts Sadie down, she does needs to be walked more often. With the bike shop turning out custom bikes, it was a full time job even with Eric's help. ''Your right Dee it's a beautiful day to be outdoors, I'm the one working inside for several days at a time. Sometimes I even sleep in my office on the couch, instead of going right on upstairs to my apartment to bed.'' Recalls he didn't know when Hannah's grand opening was, maybe Dee would hopefully know if she was told. ''Dee has Hannah mentioned when the grand opening is? I have a very nice little surprise planned for her.''

 

[wombat9966]

Troy had been getting aroused and had been ready to start responding to Hannah's ministrations when she was called away again. Sighing not so much in disappointment but resignation he watched her get up and walk back upstairs. He did notice her clutch her stomach for a second as she walked up. Thinking back he began to wonder if she had eaten. He remembered her eating half a sandwich but that wasn't enough for lunch. They hadn't really had anything for breakfast either.

When Hannah walked back down the steps Troy watched her carefully. Sure enough he caught the little tell tale signs. She winced slightly as she hit each step and was walking down very carefully. She rubbed her belly when she made it down, but tried to hide it as a scratch. Her face was slightly pale and had a fine sheen of sweat on it.

She snuggled into bed with him again, and he put his arms around her. As her hand went to caress his penis again he interrupted her. "When were you going to tell me you were not feeling well Hannah?"

 

[feistyphoenix]

Alexa breathed a sigh of relief. "That sounds good," she agreed, smiling. "I mean, I think I need better clothes if I'm going to dance!!" she gave a soft laugh, her eyes lighting up for the first time.

Tess smiled again at her and winked, "We will figure it out, I have some things that might fit you. It's one of the benefits of having to wear corsets that lace up and other stretchy clothing items, they're flexible."

She took both the women upstairs and gave them a short tour, showing them the lounge area at the top of the stairs and the short hallway on the left where the twins stayed, there were two other empty rooms across from theirs. And then turning to the right and she pointed out her own room. Alexa was in the room directly across the hall and Raven in the one next to her. There were still 3 rooms unoccupied, two on the same side of the hall as Tess' room and one next to Raven's door. She also showed them the little skinny door at the end of the hall that served as a linen closet. She pulled down a set of sheets and handed them to Alexa.

"I think your room needs these," she said as she pulled them down from the top shelf. She thought for a moment and then added a clean towel to the stack in Alexa's arms, "you'll need this too. If you'd like to borrow my travel sized shampoo just let me know. I have another set of toiletries in my bathroom already."

Tess knew what it was like to feel lost and alone in the world. She'd cut ties with all her friends in Seattle when her boyfriend had become insanely controlling and refused to let her out of the house without him. She hoped whatever Alexa was going through would pass for her quickly, she was too young to have the same troubles that Tess had.

 

[celestialdragon]

"That would be appreciated," Alexa said gratefully. She gave a warm smile as she made her way to her room and new home.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"I'm going to go make a phone call, i'll see you ladies in a bit," Tess said as she headed for her room.

She grabbed the slip of paper from her nightstand and headed back down the stairs. She got to the phone behind the bar and sighed as she picked it up and started to dial. Tess really hadn't wanted to talk to DJ again but they were going to need help with this show and he was the only person she knew who was into the music scene and would know how to run the soundboard. Hannah couldn't be in the show, run the front of house, and be in charge of the music too.

He didn't answer so she left him a message and told him if he was interested in the gig to meet her at 8pm to talk and to make sure he brought a laptop with him. She made sure she sounded pleasant and like nothing was wrong. Maybe she could smooth things over after the mess she'd made. She slowly smiled as she realized if he did start working here he would be DJ the dj and she absently wondered what his real name was. She refilled her water glass and headed back to her room to finish up the song list.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa let the water wash over her for several minutes, feeling grateful for the warm water wash everything away and she felt clean for the first time in months.

Dressing in the yoga pants and shirt Raven had given her, she made her bed and sunk into it, feeling safe and warm for the first time in two weeks. She smiled as she remembered good times with her father and friends back home.

Eventually, she made her way downstairs and looked at the stage longingly. Looking around and seeing no one, she gotup on and began ddancing her last recital, her body and muscles remembering.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Dee walked slowly just baking in the sun's rays. After a few.minutes she spoke softly, "Tomorrow I think..." Her voice danced softly and a little hop grew in her step when she saw the pond.

----------------
Hannah jumped slightly at his voice and retreated her grasp from him, retreated her whole body from him. "I'm fine." She spoke softly and continued to separate from him gradually. Her heart raced weakly and she bit her lip.

 

[raiguy]

DJ slowly stood up after eating. He stretched again, realizing just how exhausted he felt. He looked down at his watch, realizing he had spent about 7 hours total, and it was nearing 4pm. He sighed, before heading back into the music studio. He was thinking about finishing this electronic symphony he was working on when he heard his phone beep.

He made his way over, seeing a number that he had hoped he wouldn't see right away. He gulped, before shaking his head and pulling the voicemail up. He was greeted with Tess's voice, before listening to the message. He realized that it was just the type of gig he wanted. He could have fun with it, and not have to worry about appearances like at most of the big nightclubs.

He quickly sent Tess a text, telling her he would be there, and would be bringing more equipment than just his laptop. He smiled to himself, letting the prospect of a job he would really enjoy outweigh the prospect of a potentially awkward meeting with Tess as he packed up equipment he would need, and unplugged his laptops that he used for DJing.

He yawned as he finished, before stretching one last time and heading to lay down. He knew a nap would help calm him down, as well as replenish his energy. He set his alarm for 6:45, before letting himself drift off to sleep.

 

[Wolfias]

Dee didn't respond to his other questions and statements, she seemed to have just stopped listening ''Did you hear what else I said Dee?'' She must simply been lost in the moment, the sun dancing of the water and the beautiful park. I'll have to wait for Hannah to sleep, then I will need Tess or one of you girls to let me in. It won't take me long I'll be in and out in ten minutes. Letting Sadie off the leash she bounds toward the ducks, stops dead in her tracks to run back scared. Eugene cracks up laughing at the sight, as Sadie reaches him and Dee to hide behind them.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy was a little upset as Hannah retreated from him. He had thought they were close enough to talk about things like this. "Hannah you don't have to be scared of me. I don't care if you are sick or just tired. Nothing you tell me is going to make me want you any less than I do right now. Believe me when I tell you, you can tell me anything."
He opened his arms and invited Hannah to come back to him silently.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Dee glanced over at him.confused for a moment. "Hmm?" Her voice was soft. "Sorry I got distracted what did you say?" A blush quickly spread across her soft features as she stood embarrassed.
-------------
She blushed softly and bit her lip. "I... I don't want to make you ill." She hesitated slightly at first, but soon melted into his grasp. Her arms folded around him and she nuzzled into his chest. A chill raced through her but she was able to stiffle it just enough to not shiver.
She listened to the steady beat of his heart, and breathed out slowly.

 

[Wolfias]

''I said I'll have to wait for Hannah to sleep, then I will need Tess or one of you girls to let me in. It won't take me long I'll be in and out in ten minutes, she's going to freak when she sees what I built. Before that I told you about working in my shop, and about sleeping in my office. Rather than go upstairs to my apartment in my own bed, I don't get outdoors to get Sadie enough exercise.''

 

[FireyIce]

Jack Richards looked at the outside of the building as he walked by it. Hmmm, the lights were on but it doesn't look like many people are in there, he thought. He couldn't believe how much of a makeover this place had from just a few days ago when he drove by it. He decided to try his luck and walked to the front door, pushing on it to see if it was open.