Girls Night Out

Who: Arienne, Jessie, and Ramona
Where: Alexandria Library, then the Boardwalk
When: Night

All told, Ramona had been more cunning than she even realized, more gathered and practical than she had any right to be. Her father’s negative portrayal of the lower class had taken hold in minor ways, but they were ones that told Ramona to leave her few pieces of jewelry at home. More, she knew she’d need money for this outing, or that it would be a good safety net against plenty of unknown factors. What she hadn’t expected was the gun.

She’d found it in her father’s desk while plucking a few bills that he’d never miss, starkly aware of her first theft in the moment before she pulled the drawer open. But there it was, waiting for her in all of its’ freshly-polished glory. And somehow, on some distant level? Ramona knew enough of her family’s business to know that anyone who recognized Ari or herself could be trouble.

So she’d taken it back to her room, stuffed it away in the bottom of her purse, and gone through all the motions that happened every night, except the ending. This time, when it was nearer to eight o’clock and her maid had retired for the day? Ramona left out the window, climbing latticework down and skulking awkwardly off the grounds, her cheeks burning from imagined embarrassment. Surely her father’s men could see her. Surely they’d pick her up any moment.

Except for when they didn’t, when she managed to hail a taxi, and all the while riding to the library. She was still expecting it as she waited outside, purse held in her lap where Ramona sat on the front steps, praying for Ari or even her friend Jessie to arrive.

The little money Jessie had with her didn’t allow for a cab and so she had walked to the library. Getting out of the house had been as easy as she’d expected; she had told Jesse she was going to meet friends over in Little Haven and he had just smiled and told her to be careful. She had a bag slung over one shoulder with enough in it to look like she was sleeping over at a friend’s, her knife was in one pocket of her jacket and her money in the other - that way if someone grabbed her bag, she wouldn’t be without anything important. Rounding the corner, she saw Ramona was already there and picked up her pace a little. “You made it out then,” she said with a smile, glad the other girl had been able to come, as she sat down beside her.

Already rising from her seat as Jessie came into view, reflex dictated the hand smoothing a wrinkle from Ramona’s dress as she smiled towards the other girl. “I’m glad you did as well, Jessie,” she greeted, moving down a bit before sitting again. “I don’t often get to see these parts of the city, and never after dark. At best, a glance out the window on the way to my lessons after classes, or home,” Ramona mused quietly. “It’s picturesque, in its’ own regard. Though I do wish the library was better tended to.”

“I don’t see it much after dark myself,” Jessie admitted, pulling her bag up onto her lap. “Obviously if I’ve been to a late show at the Apollo then yeah, it’s dark when I come out but I always go straight home. This is definitely a new experience for me.” And it was kind of thrilling, being out after dark, breaking rules and her heart sped up a little in her chest. Turning to look at the building behind them, she couldn’t help but agree with Ramona’s statement and nodded. “It’s a shame alright. You spent much time in there?

Ramona’s lips twisted up in a warm smile at the question, hands tightening around her purse as she nodded. For her, a night where she snuck away like this would be fabulously spent inside the library all night. “Since enrolling in the highschool, yes,” she answered eagerly, “Any time between my tutors’ homes, I try to come here. They have some wonderful editions of varying faiths’ renditions of the Bible, and a few early press-prints of of Bosch reprinted in full size? My father doesn’t approve of my studying such things, though.”

Religion really wasn’t Jessie’s thing and neither was studying but she was quick to respond to Ramona’s enthusiasm, returning her smile with one of her own. “Why does your father disapprove? I would’ve thought must folks would be proud of a kid who likes studying,.”

There wasn’t a simple answer to the question, but complicated explanations had never daunted Ramona before; she was accustomed to having to give detailed rationale for all kinds of things. “Our faith decreed Bosch’s work to be heretical since the seventeenth century, and while my father has little use for the laws of Rome? He would never want me studying what many people consider blasphemy, or at best an obscenity.” Amazingly, that was almost a simple answer. No Cathars, Adamites, or explanations of Dutch art history.

That sounded like a bit of a stupid reason as far Jessie was concerned but then her family was never overly bothered about the church thing - sure they went at Christmas and Easter but the rest of the year it was pretty much a non-factor in the James household. She wasn’t about to express that allowed however. “So what about them do you like enough to not care that your dad disapproves?” She’d already got the distinct impression that Ramona wasn’t really one for rule breaking.

“Their honesty, I suppose,” Ramona answered with a thoughtful purse to her lips, brow lining. “There are... unpleasant aspects in these works, depictions of Hell, of souls in torment? The artist was very vivid in that regard, but not only that regard. I look at them and I see someone who was moved by his faith to create. And creation is beautiful, even when it’s unsettling.” Clearly she was a product of private learning, but Ramona hadn’t learned much guile because of that.

“You really are like super smart aren’t you?” Jessie stated, looking at the other girl carefully. There was nothing negative in what she’d said, rather it held a note of admiration. She knew she was far from stupid herself but what Ramona was saying and how she said it it was clear she was very intelligent.

Whether the question was rhetorical or not, it seemed to faintly surprise Ramona for a moment before she blushed lightly. “Thank you,” she offered graciously, “I was... am, I suppose, very cloistered in my home. My family is very protective, so while I missed some opportunities in my adolescence, I was afforded many others as far as education was concerned.” And she’d actually learned to keep the haughtiness from her voice, it wasn’t a brag on Ramona’s part. “If you ever need assistance in any classes, I’d be more than happy to help.” Which, for Ramona? An offer to study together was as close to ‘friends’ as she ever declared.

Even if she'd made it sound like she was going to have to sneak out, that she would get into trouble if she were caught--Arienne hadn't done any of that. In fact, she'd left a note for her brother, so he'd know exactly where she'd got off to, and if he was going to be checking up on her to not be seen while he did it. Then she'd left the house, and headed for the library, taking a cab up til a block around the corner, and she walked the rest of the way, purely to make it look like she'd made the journey on foot the entire way.

As she walked, the breeze catching her skirts, shadows along the sidewalk looking like she had a cloak on, she smiled a little to herself, thinking that one day, the streets would be hers. Hers and Nathaniel's. Then her thoughts wandered to him, wondering what her counterpart was up to, how far up the chain he'd climbed in so short a time. He'd been busy, lately, taking care of business. She'd need to find a way to see him soon, if for no other reason than she wanted to hear how his progress was going.

Turning the corner, she saw the girls on the steps, and she smiled as she walked up. "Good evening, ladies." she greeted warmly. "How very nice that we've all managed to get out from under on the same occasion."

Jessie grinned at the offer and bobbed her head. “I’ll be sure to do that,” she said warmly. She might have added something else but was derailed by Ari’s arrival and stood up to greet her. “Hey Ari,” she replied, excitement creeping into her voice - now that they were all here, things could get underway.

“Arienne, good evening,” Ramona said with a pleased smile. Part of it was fueled by Jessie’s acceptance, but just as much came from being able to say that for the first time outside of a social function organized by one of their families. “And yes, it seems you picked an opportune night for all of us. Shall we walk?” she suggested primly, still smiling much more enthusiastically than her tone suggested.

"Let's." Ari said with a nod, waiting for the other girls to join her on the sidewalk, then she led the way, taking her place between the both of them. She was, after all, the one who bridged the gap between them. "So, the boardwalk first, yes?" she asked to confirm.

“Sounds good to me,” Jessie replied, slipping hands into her pockets as they walked and all to happy to let Ari take the lead. As well as being the connection between her and Ramona, Ari had been the one to suggest their little trip and that, along with her being the oldest, had made her the de-facto leader of the group as far as Jessie was concerned.

Ramona was falling into this easily, with Arienne to take the lead she could just offer support and learn by example. It didn’t occur to her just how similarly things had run for their fathers for so long, Jessie’s presence was some kind of proof against such ideas. Arienne was too welcoming of a girl to be like the man either of their fathers supposedly were. “I haven’t been past it since before the grand reopening,” she said as they walked, somewhat wide-eyed as she watched the streets around them. “But I also visited a diner in the Sprawl, Nighthawks? It may be worth a visit at some point tonight.”

"I've heard of Nighthawk's but have never been there." Arienne stated, knowing vaguely where it was, however. She'd just never had occasion to go, and it was fairly down trodden, or it looked like it to her. "We'll have to go. If only to keep with the spirit of the evening." she told the girls. "I managed to get enough money from home to cater to all three of us, by the way. I wanted it to be a proper experience, and I hear there's rides, and games, and all sorts of things down at the Boardwalk."

Jessie had been to the diner before; a few times in fact, usually as a treat for her birthday as, looks aside, Nighthawk’s had some of the best food in town. “It’s good there,” she offered, the prospect of visiting the diner making the evening even more special. The idea of Ari paying however did not sit as well with her - she knew that Ari came from a wealthy family but she had been raised to make her own way in life - and frowned a little. “Thanks for being so generous Ari but I’d rather pay for it myself,” she said, trademark smile missing for the moment.

Ramona couldn’t help a curious frown over the exchange, hands twisting the grip of her handbag to fight the urge to get her notepad out. “I’d brought some funds as well, in case we needed them,” Ramona offered. “If we let Arienne provide the Boardwalk’s fees, you and I could share the tab at the restaurant, perhaps?” It wasn’t like Ramona’d brought more than ten dollars, though she figured that could easily cover a night’s fun and then some.

"I mean no disrespect," Arienne said to Jessie first. "I just want this to be a night where it's about the experience, not about who's paying for what." she said reasonably. "I happen to have it. I want to share with my friends, something I'll admit I get to do far to little in my life. In fact, this is the first time I've really gone out and spent some fun time with friends like this. I wanted us all to enjoy it, and not feel the need to look at a price tag on anything. Just...go, buy cheap jewelry at a shop there, ride some rides, play some games...make it about doing something together, enoying ourselves."

“I didn’t think you did,” Jessie replied, not wanting to ruin the evening before it got started by making a fuss but at the same time, she still felt uncomfortable about the idea of not contributing. What Ramona suggested felt like a happy medium they could all agree on however and she seized on that. “However if you’re going to treat us at the boardwalk, I would like to pick up the tab at the diner with Ramona. I know it sounds silly but it will play on my mind all night otherwise.”

“I don’t think it sounds silly,” Ramona offered as they walked. “All three of us are in unfamiliar territory, by and large, but Arienne’s right. This is a special occasion, let’s just make an effort to enjoy it.” Which was as much for her own benefit as either of theirs, because the idea of boardwalk rides was already making her stomach feel weird in anticipation. Not that she’d back down if she could, no way; Ramona was loving every panicky moment of being out without oversight.

"That's agreeable." Arienne said. She understood she'd be paying their way for the bulk of the evening, and that was fine. She'd rather do things that way, and if they wanted to share the dinner tab, that was alright as well. Mostly, she was just glad Jessie wasn't about to hold them all back because she couldn't pay her way through all of the things they'd want to do. That would have been disappointing. She could see the boardwalk up ahead, it's lights glowing brightly. "And there it is."

Glad to have settled the issue, any lingering misgivings Jessie may have felt were banished by the sight of the boardwalk. Regardless of how many times she’d visited it, there was something magical about it at night with all it’s lights that made her feel like a little girl, seeing it for the first time from atop her father’s shoulders. “There it is,” she echoed, smile spreading across her cheeks.

The closest thing Ramona had ever seen like this was around Christmas each year, when the decorations were laid at her home, when the church would sponsor music in the park maybe. But in either of those moments, it had never been so loud or teeming with activity, so alive and unfettered. “...pure chaos,” she murmured in awe, grinning wide before she reached out to grab one of Ari’s hands lightly and pull her toward the ticket gate.

Arienne laughed lightly, happy with the reactions all around. She let Ramona pull her along, and she snagged Jessie's arm as well so all three of them could head in quickly and stay together while they were at it. Getting through the ticket booth easily enough, she paid for them and they were allowed in, the smells of popcorn and something sweeter heavy in the air, right alongside pipe smoke from a nearby game vendor. She could see the ferris wheel spinning in it's slow progression in the middle distance, and music was playing from somewhere to their left. “Where shall we start?” she asked.

It made a pleasant change for Jessie not to be the most excited person in the group and she joined in with the laughter, delighted by Ramona’s enthusiasm and before she had time to think, they were in the midst of the sights, sounds and smells of the boardwalk. At Ari’s question, she started to look around, humming thoughtfully - that was the only downside to the boardwalk, trying to decide what to do. “The carousel?” she suggested, looking back at the other girls.

Ramona was still drowning in the new experience, caught up by the lights everywhere and the rich smells coming from the snack tents, her focus fixed on the ferris wheel off in the distance. “Which way is the carousel?” she asked curiously, torn between wanting to go over every inch of the place and wanting to get the view from the top of the ferris wheel immediately.

Arienne pointed in the correct direction. "I believe it's that way." she said, hearing the music that accompanied the ride. "Come, ladies, let's go find it. I was never allowed such things as a child." Her childhood had been filled with a lot of other things. Like entertaining at her parents' parties, learning subjects other little kids hadn't even heard of. But it gave her advantages, that was for certain.

Leading the way, Jessie kept flashing grins back at her companions as they weaved through the crowd, the music getting louder as they approached the carousel and within moments they were in front of it. An amazing sight, it was bedecked in light, it’s colours vibrant and tantalising and there was horses of every imaginable shade as well others animals including bears and eagles. The organ music was so loud up close, she had to raise her voice to speak to the other girls. “So ladies, time to choose a mount right?” she said, beaming at them as the ride slowed to a stop and people began dismounting.

As enthused as her companions were, Ramona had to be surpassing them as she drowned in pure sensory overload. There was an awareness that they had a destination, a plan even, but everything around her was fighting for her attention. The carnival games, the stands overflowing with snacks of all kinds, and the surges of people all around her were nearly enough to distract her entirely, but Jessie’s question pulled her back. “Indeed,” she said, waiting for people to leave the ride before stepping in after them and sitting in a small recreation of a carriage.

Arienne smiled as she saw Ramona sit. "You should really go on one of the horses--it's part of the charm." she advised, choosing one herself. It was funny, seeing how everything looked so bright and colorful from afar, but up close she could see the cracks in the paint, the way it had been painted and re-painted over the years. It was a little reflection of the city itself. The top coat never quite covered the cracks beneath. It needed to be sanded down and restarted entirely. Like what she planned to do with the face of organized crime. The city in general, perhaps.

Still wearing the pants she had on at the park, Jessie easily swung herself up onto a horse with a well practised motion; she may have never ridden the real thing but she was an old-hat at this. Her chosen mount was bright blue in colour, with a gold and silver mane and, despite the wear and the cracks, she still found it beautiful. “Yes, go on Ramona,” she called down from her perch, leaning forward to rest her arms in the wooden beast’s head. “Who knows when you’ll get the chance to do this again, you should make the most of it.”

Who knew indeed, and that was a sobering thought that briefly punctured her high spirits. How often could they do this? How many chances would she have to slip away unnoticed? Most likely they were few, most likely it would be the gilded cage for Ramona, aside from tonight. That meant taking her friends’ advice, and Ramona smiled sheepishly as she exited the mock-carriage, smoothing her dress down before moving to an actual mount. Slipping up onto the wooden horse, Ramona glanced Arienne’s way with a faint smile, one that spoke of anxiousness over the ride itself. But she wasn’t complaining; the whole night would be an anxious thing for her, but in a good way.