My Black Valentine

[cruisin_gal]

While so many other girls came and went on various outings this lovers' day, a lone wolf pulled into the parking lot. The throaty growl of the V-twin engine died as the blonde stepped off her bike, a guitar on her back and a bookbag dangling idly from one hand.

"How the hell did I end up back here," the angel complained only to herself and her

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[ralph_ashton]

Ralph sat in her favourite tree again as she watched Katelyn and Liz take off on the unicorn. The woman sighed. How nice must it be to spend this year's Valentine with the person you love... As for her girlfriend, she'd left only a couple of days ago to go back to Oz. She'd had such great plans to do for today with Elphaba. Go the cinema, have a luxuous dinner and then walk back to school through the park and under the moonlight... Romantic, but Ralph was like that at times

[cruisin_gal]

"Just might be," Jessie remarked as she set her pack down, making sure her hands were free before this unidentified person came within arms' reach...just in case. Her eyes quickly darted the length of Ralph's body as if sizing her up as she approached, an automatic response after so many bare-knuckle brawls.

Not falling for her tomboyish features or masculine uniform for one second, Jessie spoke again, this time with a knowing smirk on her face. "So, toots," she said to the woman, wondering why an adult was in a student's uniform and a guy's one at that. "Who're you supposed ta be?"

[ralph_ashton]

Ralph shrugged. "What shall I say? Does it really matter? What's more important is who're you. Either you're a new girl or you're not supposed to be here at all."

She stood still at a safe distance from the stranger; which meant the distance was safe enough for any Slayer. Despite the tough outfit, she didn't appear to be a Slayer, though Ralph had learned appearances could be deceiving.

"So either we're gonna be classmates, which means we should introduce ourselves, or you better explain what you're doing up here."

[cruisin_gal]

"Name's Jessie, ma'am." The newcomer replied with mock politeness, not due to any ill will towards the woman she was speaking to but rather simply jockeying for position. "Just rolled into town."

She pulled out an admissions letter from her jacket pocket and casually waved it towards the woman standing before her. "Now, I don't exactly feel like standin' here in the parking lot all day. Mind steppin' aside so I can haul all this up to two-hunderd?"

[ralph_ashton]

"Sorry," Ralph said with an apologetic smile. "No real interest in engines. You should talk to Haruka, though. Professor of Swordfighting. She loves cars, bikes and all that kind of stuff."

Had it not been only four days since Elphaba left, Ralph would've certainly taken advantage of the situation. But right now, she didn't feel in the mood to do anything. All she'd wanted was to show off her magical abilites; the speed and strength. She let Jessie go and picked up the bag that had fallen to ground during her attack on the girl.

"Room 200 is this way," she said to Jessie while she slung the bag over her shoulder as if it didn't weigh anything.

[cruisin_gal]

After being reminded physically of how she had been molested and abused by those she once trusted, back when she still trusted others, sex wasn't exactly the first thing on Jessie's mind. Only the thought of her now being in control of the situation rather than the girl holding her still from behind helped her to maintain the illusion.

Ralph's reaction did not disappoint the girl...in fact, it had been exactly what she was counting on. Whether is was due to embarrassment, awkwardness, or lust, Jessie had counted on her unpredictable behavior to at least cause her "attacker" to drop her guard for long enough to wriggle free. Ralph had instead let her go entirely, which was all the better.

Without a word, Jessie followed Ralph into the building, deliberately walking a half-step behind the Slayer such that she could keep her eyes on the shorter, quicker girl.

[ralph_ashton]

Unaware that she'd just brought back some less pleasant memories, Ralph led Jessie up to their room. She said very little, except to give the girl a faint idea of what was on every floor.

"And this is our room. That's where Yuuki sleeps and this is my bed. The other two are empty." Ralph turned to the new girl, who'd been a little behind her the whole time. "Which of the two did you want to take?"

[cruisin_gal]

The blonde remained quiet for a second, emerald eyes scanning her new surroundings. "Don't matter much to me, either way." She tossed her pack on the nearest of the two beds almost randomly. "This'll do, I suppose."

The girl began to unpack her belongings, the entire process not taking especially long since she always traveled light. Just her bass guitar, a couple of changes of clothes, and a few other small items that could easily fit into her saddlebags or her backpack. "Place feels kinda empty, though." She shrugged as she glanced up at the bare walls above the two empty beds. "Might aughta dress this place up some, 'fore I get busy with these classes..."

[ralph_ashton]

Ralph shrugged. "All kinds of places. Bars, restaurants, the cinema... whatever you like. Got nothing better to do anyway, so I might as well tag along and play guide, right?" She gave the girl something like a grin in return, though it lacked a bit of enthusiasm. "At least I do something useful that way. Anything's better than sitting and doing nothing."

[cruisin_gal]

"I could go for some nine-ball," Jessie admitted as she observed Ralph's glum look. "And looks like you could go for a beer."

The taller blonde then slowed to a stop. "So why we headin' to the mess hall, then? Whaddaya say to some bar burgers and chicken wings instead of whatever slop they got bakin' under a heat-lamp here?"

[ralph_ashton]

Ralph had to smile a small, painful smile at that. Had Elphaba been still here, she'd be dining in one of the better places in town. She stood still booked there, of course, but Jessie didn't seem to be the type for luxury and etiquette. Indeed her offer sounded more like her; and maybe more attractive as well?

"It's closer," she replied to the girl. "But sure, why not. I'll take you to some place."

[cruisin_gal]

"Uh-uhh," Jessie said. "Don't nobody take me out places. Ain't the way it works, see." With a grin she stared over in the direction of the parking lot. "Walkin's a waste of a perfectly good chance to ride! Who cares if the school's lunchroom's closer? All the better, far as I care."

"Besides," she added after a short pause and a disapproving scowl on her face. "Damn restaurants are prolly filled with sappy, star-struck lovebirds. Movies too. Prolly better to go to some dive, where there ain't nothin' but a bar, few tables, and a jukebox in the corner."

[ralph_ashton]

To be honest, Ralph's heart nearly gave away at the first stunt Jessie pulled off without any warning. Sure, Haruka liked to race and she'd been behind her a lot as well. But the older woman never did anything that could put her friend in danger.

At the same time, though, Ralph realized she wasn't really in danger. It was obvious Jessie was an experienced rider and she knew what she was doing. She soon shared the girl's excitement as well, feeling more alive than she had been the past few days.

"Sure, whatever you want," the woman replied. She didn't care either way, though right now because she was too busy enjoying things.

[cruisin_gal]

"Thought ya might like that," the biker said with a wicked grin as she dismounted. "Yeah, les grab us a coupla beer, and go shoot some stick, huh?"

Entering the small pool hall, the atmosphere was informal to say the least. It was little more than a dive, but for the moment everyone kept to themselves and were running their own tables, kicking back drinks and flirting with waitresses in vain. The lights were dim, aside from the ones shining directly down upon the green felt, illuminating each table brightly. Two rows of five tables left a runway-like strip to the bar, with a dartboard in the left corner and a jukebox to the right. Various sports were being shown on a half-dozen TV screens, suspended high on the wall just below the ceiling.

"Yo, barkeep!" Jessie flipped a driver's license on the table, speaking casually as if she had done this a hundred times before. "Shot o' Jack and a table for two." The underage girl then shot Ralph a glance with a very small wink. "What 'bout you?"

[ralph_ashton]

"Same as you," Ralph replied with a shrug. She was not about to spoil Jessie's secret. After all, she'd done the same thing when she was about the girl's age. Not that she ever told anyone about that, not even Haruka...

She had to admit, though, that she began to like this girl. Friendly feelings, of course, nothing else. But if this was going to be her roommate... she wouldn't mind it.