The Warehouse
A dark womb of black, and purple encompass The Warehouse nightclub. The room is a fair sized club area that has been built out of an old warehouse. Most of the club has been well-lit with neon tubing, but the lighting around the booths and back wall are shadowed to provide some modicum of privacy. Other than the dance area, the floor is a deep mauve, with light patterns displayed haphazardly on it. A ring of black light surrounds the ceiling, causing the lighter colors in both the club and on the patrons to fluoresce.
A catwalk spreads over the dance floor, the black iron rails holding state-of-the-art varilights and floods which reflect off of the large disco ball that dangles from the ceiling, splashing the LED dance floor with light. The dance floor itself flashes and pulses to the beat of the music, continually changing colors in a neonic frenzy. On tall black step-platforms set out randomly throughout the dance floor are black dance cages, roomy enough for two people to bump and grind to the music in them.
The bar matches the rest of the nightclub, tall and black with a strand of purple LED's running along the sides and the outer edges. The stools in front of it are white and chrome, reflecting the purple light that washes over the bar area. Behind the bar is a high-tech, mirrored drink area with glass shelving. Various libations, ranging from alcoholic beverages to fruit juices and sodas line the shelves.
The music here is blisteringly loud, but startlingly clear. Heavy bass notes throb, speakers buzzing slightly when the volume reaches its peak.
A cryptic message left on voice-mail, and Scarlett has decided it's time for some sisterly bonding. In a location that says, "your older sister is still sort of hip", while being a place that Ivan isn't apt to frequent. That there are very hot bouncers here isn't at all what persuades Scarlett to suggest The Warehouse as a location. Being a Friday night, the place is hopping. There are plenty of university students (legal and not-so-legal), and plenty of slightly older people as well. The music is loud, the dance floor a frenzy of bright colors. The female Fontane twin is dressed in a not-so casual manner, a black one-shoulder mini-dress, knee high boots, and a few black bangle bracelets on her left arm. Her right hand is in a cast, which has been painted black with an intricate rose pattern on it.
There is a booth a little further back in the club, beyond the dance cages, beyond the pulsing music. A quieter corner which is where she's currently seated, sipping on a soda.
-
Amongst those not-so-legal ones here, a not-quite-current university student who swears she will be going back in the fall, Helen was only too happy to agree to accompany Scarlett out for a night of sisterly bonding, which suggests she has no idea there's any ulterior motive to this whatsoever. Her own dress is a little less flowy and a little tighter than usual, but hardly anything risque for a night out with her big sis. The lights, the music, the people, the sugar and caffeine in her drink, they all have her rather hopped up on a natural high. She watches the dance floor for a moment before her attention comes drifting back to the booth. "This is pretty cool," she enthuses sincerely, offering a grin with that as she takes another sip of her soda.
-
"I like it here," Scarlett says, breezily. "A friend of mine works here." A friend who Ivan doesn't want here seeing, but as she's an adult she can make that decision on her own. Which complicates the reason for the sisterly bonding. "I wouldn't suggest coming on your own though. There's a lot of creeps that frequent this place." Creeps, and mouthy drunk telepaths. Shifting her eyes back and forth across the room, she nurses the soda for another second. There really doesn't seem to be a decent way to bring it up, so she clears her throat. Her sight sets back to her baby sister's face and she casually asks, "So have you made any friends here yet?" Someone's been noticed bringing Helen home a few times, but Scarlett isn't that snoopy. Even though she wants to be.
-
"Oh yeah? That's neat. Maybe we can say hi…" Helen glances around the club again as she sets her drink back down. Utterly oblivious to the dating drama going on on the other end, she just takes it at face value. "Creeps? They don't seem so bad," she notes, just taking in the crowd that she can see from here. "But I'll be careful." Not quite a promise not to come back on her own, but it is a promise, just the same. "Ooh, I like this song." She's momentarily distracted, before coming back to the conversation again. "Hm? Oh, yeah. A few, I guess. People here seem really nice. I can see why you guys like it here." There's a slightly softer smile with that and she looks down at her Coke before taking another sip of it.
-
Another glance is given around the club, and Scarlett laughs. "I don't think he's working tonight. You'll probably meet him around the shop sometime though. I offered to give him some lessons." Which Ivan is really going to hate, but what Ivan doesn't know won't be a headache for her. "They won't bug you around the table," she says, eyes landing on a few of the creeps in question. Idly, she points them out to Helen. "They roam in packs, trying to get into bed with anyone who's drunk enough to say yes." Now that her baby sister has a general idea of what they look like, she can rest easy on that front. "I know that look, Helen Fontane! Who is he?"
-
And poor Helen just remains oblivious. Instead, she just offers an easy grin, nodding her understanding. "Okay, well, I guess I'll just have to say hi then," she allows with a little laugh. "Do you give a lot of lessons?" It's just an idle question, curiosity at how things have gone out here while she was home at school. Leaning in, she peers over at some of the identified creeps, brow furrowing slightly before she sits back with a look of distaste. "Wow, packs of creeps. I'll definitely be careful. And, uh, not drunk," she adds, lifting her glass of non-alcholic drink. As the conversation comes around, she laughs again, but this time it's a little sheepish. "Is it that obvious?" At least Scar isn't having a stroke at the idea, unlike some people. "His name is Dan. And he's - Well, he's really sweet." And she seems rather smitten, to judge by her tone and smile.
-
"You like him, hmmm?" Scarlett laughs, easily. She's definitely not having a stroke at the idea. She may not like that her baby sister is dating, but she's not going to forbid it like some people might. "Is that who's been walking you home at night?" Best to let her know that she's noticed it at the very least. "I'd tell you not to tell Ivan, but from the voice mail he left…" There she trails off, giving Helen a look. A very blunt, very straightforward look as though she's waiting for more information. "I've never given anyone lessons before, but that was the deal. I'd help him if he'd teach me self defense, and since self defense is out," the black painted cast is held up and waggled around. "It's easier to go with the lessons first."
-
"Yeah," Helen confirms with another little laugh of her own. "I do." She takes another sip of her drink before looking back up at her sister, perhaps just a touch surprised that the walking home has been noticed, but not terribly upset about it either. "That's him." At least it's not yet another guy they have to deal with? She opens her mouth to add something more, but then shuts it again, cringing slightly as Ivan is brought up. "He told you about that, huh?" Her good mood has faded rather quickly. "Yeah, it, uh, it didn't go so well. But he's just going to have to get used to the idea…" Yeah, that'll happen. Of course, Helen still hasn't quite realized what idea it is that Ivan has. She glances down at the cast as Scarlett goes on, nodding sympathetically. "Yeah, that makes sense. Does it hurt much?" she asks of the cast.
-
Sipping quietly at the soda, Scarlett starts to tap the fingers of her left hand against the glass to the beat of the music. There is a nod, a smile, and then the expected, "If you're getting serious, I'd like to meet him. He's welcome to come by the shop as well, so long as the two of you are /safe/." The tapping stops, the glass is set on the table, then she sighs. "Better yet, just don't do it until you're really sure he's the right guy, Helen. You'll get your heart broken otherwise." That may just clue her in as to what she was told by Ivan. Glancing at the cast, she shakes her head. "Did when it happened. It's just itchy now, but the cast can't come off for another couple of weeks. Guess I shouldn't go around punching people."
-
It is, granted, a great deal easier to have this conversation when the other side of it is being calm and rational, but that doesn't mean this conversation is ever exactly easy. At first, the pointed mention of safe just gets a slightly confused look from Helen, but she's distracted by the idea of Scarlett meeting him. "Yeah? Okay, yeah. I can … introduce you. I mean, I guess it's getting serious? We haven't really had that talk yet…" She trails off before she can get herself too muddled. Then at the further advice, her eyebrows go up slightly. "Okay," she replies slowly as she tries to think of how to properly respond to that. A few pieces are beginning to fall into place. "Did Ivan- I don't need the talk," she insists in a lowered but rather pointed tone. With a soft sigh, she sits back again, sipping idly at her drink, before she gives the cast a considering look, managing a small smile. "Not punching people is probably a good start, yeah. Why did you…?" She's still not entirely clear on that.
-
Appearances can be deceiving, because underneath it all, Scarlett is anything but calm and rational. She's in mother hen mode. "So you haven't been having sex?" Easier to just come right out and ask than to continue beating around the bush. The soda is lifted to her lips, a small drink taken to finish it off. "I mean, if you're getting to be that serious, we can take a run down to the planned parenthood building, and get you on some form of birth control. Mom would kill me if I didn't take care of you like that." It's never easy, but it's necessary.
Scarlett peers at her cast again, then grins sheepishly. "It's a very long and complicated story, that ends with me kissing someone, then breaking his face."
-
"What?" The direct question is met with some surprise, but it also has the desired result: "No." Helen sets her drink down, having gone a bit pink in the cheeks at all this talk, though at least it's easier to discuss with Scarlett than with Ivan, between him getting freaked out and her getting flustered. Still, a bit of fluster is bound to happen. "It's- No. I mean. I don't need… Oh God, you two haven't been talking about this?" She makes a sound that's equal parts distraught and grossed out at the idea of the twins discussing her sex life, and she sinks down in her seat a bit.
Still, the talk of the cast can't help but pique her curiosity some, and she peers at it. "That does sound complicated. You … didn't like the way he kissed?" she guesses, not really serious, and not really meaning to make light of the situation, but it's a little too surreal to avoid some comment.
-
The emphatic No brings a sigh of relief. "No, but he left a frantic voice mail that I had to talk to you about this because you were doing something you shouldn't." Scarlett seems to relax now, and even smiles. "If it does get that serious, the offer stands, okay? I'm not going to freak out. I'm not going to be disappointed. It's going to happen some day, and when it does I want you educated and safe." The mother hen in her wins out with the last point, but it's necessary. Someone's not ready to be an auntie yet.
"Ahhhh, no. I liked the way he kissed, and that's the problem." Rather, it's not a problem now but big sister Scarlett is still feeling like a bit of a homewrecker.
-
Elbows on the edge of the table, Helen buries her face in her hands for a moment as a few things begin to come clearer. "I'll talk to him," she mutters, not sounding too thrilled at the idea of bringing this up with Ivan again, but something needs to be done there. And she's not sure whether to be angry with him or just embarrassed for herself. Dropping her hands lightly to cross at the elbow, still over the edge of the table, she looks over at Scarlett, trying to put on her best 'grown up' expression. "But it's not that I shouldn't, it's just that I'm not. And I know about this stuff, and I told him that. I mean, I've been to college. I've seen the, you know, demonstration with the banana and all." The mature tone and expression might be just a little impacted by the fact that she's blushing awkwardly at this, but she needs to make sure at least one of them gets that she's actually an adult here.
Her eyebrows lift again and she looks back to the cast, not quite sure what to make of that. "Okay, well, I think it goes better if you don't punch the guy, but what do I know?" she replies with a little shrug. "Seriously, is everything okay?" Not that she's just trying to get out of her own awkward conversation. Sharing is caring.
-
Allowing her sister the moment of clarity, Scarlett flags down a passing waiter, and orders two more sodas. "Don't sweat it, sweetie. I can talk to Ivan. He'll likely explode again, and I've got a lot of practice dealing with that." Generally because she causes his outbursts more often than not. "I never said you shouldn't. Christ, Helen. I was just a little younger than you my first time, but don't you go telling that to Ivan." The soda glass is shaken, the ice making little chinking sounds. "I just want you to be safe when you do, okay?" A light laugh resounds at the banana comment, and she shakes her head. "Condoms prevent STDs, but they're not going to stop a pregnancy. If you're thinking about it, we'll get you on the pill or something, okay?"
Now it is time for a little awkwardness of her own. A clearing of her throat. A downcast gaze. "Everything is fine. He has a girlfriend." "Had a girlfriend. Like I said, it's complicated."
-
"Yeah, he kind of freaked out," Helen admits wryly. "I thought he was mad I was seeing a guy." She lets out a little sigh, trying to shrug this all off a little more. "I won't tell Ivan," she promises, as to Scarlett's own revelation, and that's met with a curious look from Helen. "But thanks for being honest with me." She finishes off the rest of her first soda before setting the glass back down. "When I do, I'll be careful. Promise." She seems to mean that quite sincerely, even if it's still said rather awkwardly.
All the better to shift over to Scarlett's own awkwardness. At least from this sibling, there's no apparently judgement, just a bit of confusion and concern. "It sounds complicated. Do you … want to talk about it?" she offers.
-
"No, I think he was freaked out because he thought you were… you know." Scarlett raises her eyebrows up and down a few times to accentuate her point. "He's just playing the big brother card, and he worries about you." Rare as it is for Scar to say anything at all nice about Ivan, there it is. She said something decent. "I know I'm not mom, but if you ever want to talk without judgment you can come to me." That seems to be the end of that discussion at any rate. Meet the boyfriend — check. No sex — check. Safety — check.
The tables are turned back on her, and there's a look of consternation on her face. "Not really, but since I've just spent the last ten minutes embarrassing you, I will." The ice-filled glass is given another shake, and she decides to lift it to her lips. A small ice cube is taken between her teeth and she chews on it silently. "Remember the guy that we stopped from beating on Ivan?"
-
At the waggling eyebrows, Helen lets out a quiet groan and drops her head onto her crossed arms for a moment. "I told him…" But really, it's neither here nor there. With a sigh, she lifts her head back up, still a bit pink in the cheeks, but more resigned to this now. "I know. I know he means well. I guess I just wish he'd worry a bit less sometimes. But then, I've always been a dreamer," she adds more wryly, realizing the futility of that particular wish. And then a little more sincerely, but no less awkwardly, she nods to the offer. "Thanks." Yep, that's about enough of that for her too.
She doesn't bother arguing that this isn't a tit-for-tat situation, instead just settling in to listen to Scarlett's own story. Her eyebrows lift slowly as it begins to unfold. "Yeah… The one with the-" She stops herself from mentioning the 'not-pregnant girlfriend', since that seems to be a point of contention. "Yeah, I remember."
-
Spying the waiter returning with the sodas, Scarlett remains silent. The sodas are delivered, she drops some money and a hefty tip on the tray, then waits until the man leaves before speaking. "Right. Him. He's been going through some stuff. His father died. His mother is still recovering from a wolf attack." There is a very small pause where Scarlett chews on her lower lip. "He came into the shop. Wanted protection jewelry. Had me make something for werewolves." An easy assumption to think his mother is a wolf now too. "I cut him a deal, if he'd show me how to defend myself physically." Shrug. "We almost kissed." With a laugh, she gives her head a shake. "It's foolish, and I feel like I'm in high school again."
-
Helen takes her refreshed soda with a nod of thanks for the waiter, giving a quick grin, before she returns her attention to Scarlett, growing more serious again as she listens to the explanation, frowning sympathetically for the guy's plight. "That's terrible," she replies quietly, sitting back with her arms lightly cross over her chest. Put two and two together, it's not hard to arrive at four, between the wolf attack and werewolf-protection. "I- Wow. That is kind of a complicated story. I'm sorry it's such a mess for you. I don't know if I'd punch the guy, but I guess I can see how it'd get … overwhelming?"
-
"Helen, he was engaged." There. She admitted it. She's a homewrecker. Scarlett looks anywhere but at her sister now, dumping as much ice from the first glass as she can get into the second glass without overflowing it. "Then there's Carter. The guy from the park? He's kind of sweet, you know? I met him for coffee and we're supposed to go out some time." Snorting, she sets the ice-filled glass back down to pick up the soda glass. "Ivan almost approves, even though they work together. Go figure."
-
"Yeah," Helen replies quietly, not quite sure how to turn the engaged part of things into something more comforting. Still, she's not judging, just sympathetic. "It doesn't really sound like a good situation to be in… You okay? Really?" There's a keen look fixed on her big sister now, as Helen is intent to not just let her brush this off. And then there's another guy? "Wow, Ivan almost approves? That's … wow. Well, if he's sweet - and single - and you like him, why not?" It certainly sounds like a better alternative than the messier situation to her.
-
"It's a broken wrist, sweetie, not a broken heart." Scarlett smiles at her sister, to show that she's not at all upset. "Besides, I'm an adult. I can be friends with a man without it leading to something sexual." That's the going theory. Lifting the near-to-overflowing soda up, she slurps at it in a very unfashionable manner, then laughs. "I don't know. He works with Ivan, and that makes things feel a bit awkward. It's not like I'm even looking for a guy in my life, then all of a sudden two fall right into my lap." Her eyes drift down to the ice floating in the soda, her voice lowers to a point where it can barely be heard over the music. "He was engaged to Ivan's girlfriend's twin."
-
"If you're sure…" Helen replies, the keen look lingering for a moment before she accepts that response with a shrug. "Of course you can be. But if you two are kissing… That sounds sort of, you know, more than just friendly to me." But she says it lightly, almost carefully. She glances out at the dance floor for a moment, watching it while she thinks. "Well, like they say, life is what happens when you're making other plans." Which is why she never bothers with plans, really. "I guess I can see how that would be awkward though. I guess you just have to figure out what will make you happiest, and hope like hell you won't get hurt by it in the end." She gives a small shrug of her shoulders as she shares that personal philosophy. Leaning in to better hear the lowered voice, she considers this newest tidbit as her eyebrows go shooting up again. "Wow, that's … complicated."
-
There is nothing more complicated than saying "my twin is dating the twin of the girl who was dating a guy I kissed", for sure. "Positive, Helen. I'm not overly invested or serious about anyone yet. When I am, you'll be the first to know so you can give me "the talk" if you want," Scarlett teases with a wry little smile. "I'm happy now. Whatever happens, I'm living my life. I'm single, I can afford that. I just feel really awful for the other girl. Had I known things were that serious…" The kiss may still have happened, but there would have been a lot more thought put into it. "I doubt there will be any more of that going on anyhow. I broke his nose." The goody-two-shoes sister beat on someone and hurt them. "You can go dancing if you want to, you know. It's part of why I brought you here." The other part, of course, to interrogate and make sure Helen is being safe.
-
Mention of 'the talk' now gets a little laugh from Helen, and she shakes her head gently. "I'm not meaning to lecture," she assures Scarlett. "I'd probably be the last person to be telling anyone what to do with their lives." Seeing as she hasn't yet figured out what to do with hers, even inasmuch as settling on a major or any sort of long-term goal. "As long as you're happy. And yeah, I know. You'd never hurt anyone on purpose. I know you're not like that," is added in further reassurance. She winces a bit at the talk of a broken nose. "I guess no one can say you weren't clear about that message, at least?" she attempts putting a bit of a positive spin on it. She glances over at the dance floor, considering. "I do like to dance… You want to come?" But she's not exactly rushing off just yet, just weighing the options.
-
"Helen, you'll figure out what to do when the time is right. Don't push it before then, alright? You'll wind up in a major you don't like or doing something you don't really want to be doing." Scarlett has thankfully never had that problem. "It's more a confusing message. Kiss a guy, break his nose. I'm not sure what I was trying to do, but I won't be doing it again. Breaking a wrist makes my work a lot more difficult." Her attention drifts to the dance floor, then she frowns. "Next song. I've got one more thing to say, and since it didn't go over at all well with Ivan, I'm hoping you take the warning to heart."
A long sip is taken from the soda, and she sighs. "There are Niveus' in the area. I know you won't believe me, but grandfather nearly wiped them out. This girl, and her cousins… I don't know what to make of them. Quinn, Samantha, and I'm not sure of the other one's name but I think it might be McCullough… just be wary of them, alright? I don't think they mean to harm us, but just in case I thought I should tell you."
-
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks," Helen replies with a sincere grin, thanking not just for the advice but also for getting it. "Sometimes I get jealous, the rest of you, just knowing what you want to do. But." She shrugs. Really, her way doesn't work out too badly for her, especially since she can always rely on the charity of big sisters who will let her unemployed butt take up residence. Turning back to the matter at hand, she grows more serious. "Yeah, doesn't sound like something you'd want to repeat. But if the message is confusing, it might be because you're confused? I mean, I don't know, but - maybe you need to figure it out for yourself first?" She follows the gaze to the dance floor, but is quick to look back to Scarlett.
The warning is met primarily with confusion. It isn't even so much that she's refused to believe so much as she's somewhat pointedly remained oblivious to that part of the family history. "Okay… What do you mean, grandfather nearly wiped them out?" Not the kindly old man who indulges her sweet tooth, surely. "I'll be careful, but-" Not sure how to finish that, she just gives a little sigh.
-
"You're welcome," she says, lifting her soda glass up. "To us! One confused about what to major in, the other confused in general about life." A gentle sisterly tease, yet she waits to tap glasses. "You'll figure it out, Helen, and when you do? You'll be the best at whatever you choose. I know it." A boost of sisterly confidence, and then a sigh. "How does one really figure something like that out without hurting another person? Trust me, you're likely more prone to be in this situation than I ever should have been." Boyfriends, sure. Not all at the same time, but once in a while she's been known to date the artsy types. This time is much different than normal which is likely what's throwing her off.
The talk becomes more serious again, and she sighs. "I mean he used his magic and his political means to decimate another family. To kill them. I have proof, Ivan won't believe me, and I suspect you won't either. Even if you don't…" She exhales slowly, eyes leveled on her sister's face. "Even if my proof is wrong, these people believe it to be true, which means they could potentially hurt you, Ivan or Trey. If you meet them, just be on guard."
-
Helen gives a quiet, wry laugh, lifting her glass to touch it to Scarlett's. "To us," she agrees. "At least if we're going to be confused, we're doing it in style." She sips the Coke before setting it back down again. The confidence-boost is met with a grin, and really does seem to help the girl feel better about things. "I don't know if you can figure it out without someone getting hurt. But it doesn't sound like not figuring it out is keeping people from getting hurt either," she points out gently. Of course, it's certainly advice that's easier to give than follow, and she's not unaware of that.
She only grows more serious as the talk shifts again, frowning as she has trouble reconciling this information with what she knows. "What … sort of proof?" It's hard to believe Scarlett, if only because she really doesn't want to. "And - yeah, I'll be careful," is added almost as an afterthought, since she's still stuck on the initial concept.
-
"Documents, Helen. Written documents. Death certificates. Newspaper clippings. Christ, I've got Quinn Niveus coming into the shop and talking to me. She certainly believes it to be true." Scarlett frowns a little, then sips at her soda. It's only proper to drink after making a toast. "I don't hate our grandfather, but I hate what he did. There's a folder up in the closet back at the apartment. Go through it sometime on your own." Sighing, she brings her left hand up to run through her hair. "If the only person getting hurt in the end is me? I'll be happy. I like them both for different reasons." She points toward the door with her broken hand. "Slugger works here, actually."
-
Helen absently traces a bead of condensation down the side of her glass as she considers this information. It'd be easy enough to dismiss out of hand, but even she can't deny overhearing the occasional murmur growing up, no matter how much she'd try to ignore it. "I'll take a look," she replies, trying to remain neutral on the matter until she sees the evidence for herself. "And I'll be careful. Promise." She offers what's meant to be a reassuring smile, though it comes out a little weak. "I don't want you getting hurt either, Scar. You're caught in a bad situation, but that doesn't make it your fault. I mean, you're not the one who was engaged," she points out, before glancing over in the direction being pointed out. "So wait - he's the friend? Are you here to- Why are we here?" Now she's getting confused again. It's been a lot to take in.
-
"I'm maybe, but probably not, stalking him." Scarlett is teasing, she really is. Her voice is light, her eyes rolling toward the catwalk. "We're here to have a discussion about your non-existent sex life, and do some sisterly bonding with dancing and a night out." Running into the Slugger would have just been a bonus. "Hey, you want some lessons too? Just in case this Niveus family means us harm? I can help you with a few things, maybe. At the very least, get you weaving your own protective spells when you need them." There is no fear of being overheard here, so she doesn't mind talking about such things.
-
Helen can't help a little grin at the teasing, shrugging her shoulders in defence of herself. "Well, I don't know! You've apparently been off having a really complicated life without me realizing, so I have no idea what I'm missing." Still, she's willing enough to take her sister's reply at face value, nodding in understanding, and quite glad they're past the first and onto the second point on the agenda. "Actually, yeah, lessons would be good. Funny, I was going to ask… I've kind of been thinking I should maybe work on things a little more. I'm not really very good and-" And now there may be a boy to show off for, which, sadly, makes all the difference.
-
"You can be good at anything you set your mind to," Scarlett offers, reaching a hand out to her sister's arm. "I believe in you, okay? We can start after the weekend. I'm guessing since I took up one whole night of it, you'll be busy tomorrow." Winking she motions to the dance floor. "Let's go dance away some of this heavy conversation. This is one of the best songs ever. See if you can keep up!" Broken wrist and all, Scarlett is already slipping out of the booth and trying to carve a path toward the dance floor so that they can get up and have some fun, which was the second point to coming out.
-
Helen is quick to smile at the show of support, genuinely touched by it. "Okay. After the weekend sounds good," she agrees with a nod, not denying the fact that she may end up with plans tomorrow. The mood considerably lighter, the enthusiasm for dancing is met with a quick laugh. Helen tosses back another quick sip of her Coke before leaving behind the dregs, scooching out of her side of the booth to do her best to keep up with big sis! This part is definitely easier than all the heavy talk.
