[center][h1]Girl's Night Out 
Part 1[/h1][/center]

[center][@Rtron], [@Dervish], and [@DearTrickster][/center]

[hr]

Serena quietly left Vellios in his room, sleeping again. She had already sent Sarah and Del to Khosin with a request to keep an eye on the Turian. Now all she needed to do was find Tanya and Dex. A simple enough job, given the fact that she knew they had headed to a gun range, and her tracking was still able to be activated in their omni-tools. A brief glance before shutting them down again, and she knew exactly where they were. Serena made her way out of the ship, walking smoothly now. The only remnants of her injuries was a discolored nose, a dark red cut on her neck, with a thin layer of medi-gel over it, a shoulder brace on her dislocated (right) shoulder, a similar application of light medi-gel on her stabbed shoulder, and discoloration over her body from where she smacked the ground particularly hard as she flew backwards.

She paused in front of a mirror on her way to the hangar, eyes lingering on the prominent burn scars on her face and arms, and briefly glancing at the rest of her injuries. She briefly tried imagining herself in a beautiful dress, before she gave up with a sigh and walked to the hangar. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t a dress person. Or any pretty clothing for that matter.

She walked through the Elysium spaceport, her Predator close at hand on her hip. Just because it wasn’t Omega doesn’t mean she trusted it to not have it’s own fair share of crime. She walked through Elysium enjoying the feeling of not having to be on edge or in pain. As she made her way through the city (Ilyira? She didn’t know) She made note of various art, knick knack, and gift shops on her way there. She’d need to stop at them before coming back to the Borealis.

In a few short moments she was at Maximillion’s Gun Range. After talking to the human at the counter, Serena got directions to the correct area her companions were in.

Dex and Tanya were there, firing into targets. Serena waited till there was a lull in the gunfire to speak up, looking appreciatively at Dex’s accuracy. [color=hotpink]“Hey, I’ve got plenty of things to work on and you probably don’t want me ruini-”[/color]

“[color=007236]Shut up you’re coming with us. We need a night to relax and take a break from the bullshit.[/color]” She said over her shoulder keeping her pistol in position.  “[color=007236]Besides, you’re not getting a choice in the matter. We’re dollin’ up, might get some free drinks that way.[/color]”

She flicked the safety on her pistol and stood up. Holstering it while faced Serena. “[color=007236]Alright?[/color]”

[color=hotpink]“But I don’t [i]do[/i] ‘dollin’ u-”[/color] Serena began to protest.

“[color=007236]No, shut up. Tanya can help you.[/color]”

Serena opened and closed her mouth in frustration, looking to Tanya for aid. [color=hotpink]“I mean, look at me.”[/color] She gestured vaguely towards her various wounds and scars. [color=hotpink]“These don’t make for good ‘Free drinks attracting’. Maybe to go away.”[/color]

“[color=007236]We can handle that. Are you even hearing me? You don’t have a choice.[/color]”

[color=hotpink]“Right. You’ll handle the looking pretty part and I’ll work on a VI in the corner, out of the way and out of sight. Everyone wins.”[/color] Serena lifted up a blank VI slate, as if to prove it was the plan.

“[color=007236]All I’m hearing are excuses.[/color]” Dex collapsed her rifle, squinting down at Serena. “[color=007236]Scars are pretty sexy, I’m sure there’ll be someone in the crowd who thinks so too. I’m going to get a ride for us.[/color]”

Dex sauntered away to call a taxi. 

Tanya had been listening to the conversation as she was packing away her M-15 into the hard carry case she had brought it in. [color=cyan]”I thought you wanted to drink with us, not try to go find a one night stand.”[/color] Tanya pointed out, leaning up against poll that was supporting the covering roof. She gave Dex a lazy wave as she took off. [color=cyan]”You’re talking to someone who still manages to look presentable even after getting my share of battlefield injuries and covered with machine-guts for a living. Scars can be faded with make-up, and I honestly don’t see what you’re worried about; scars tell a story. You’re out in the frontier of space, it’s dangerous. It just means you’re at the leading edge of it all.”[/color] she said with a shrug, slinging the case over her shoulder by the strap. 

[color=hotpink]“It’s just- I just-I don’t want to ruin the night for yo-I don’t know.”[/color] Serena finished miserably. [color=hotpink]“I just feel like that I’ll screw tonight up and I really don’t want to do that to you guys.”[/color] She sighed. [color=hotpink]“Ah, fuck it. Lead the way. I’ll let you guide me through getting prettified, and if I ruin tonight we’ll never do it again.”[/color]

Tanya playfully cuffed Serena on the back of the head. [color=cyan]”Are you always this depressing? Only thing you’re going to ruin is your self-esteem if you keep going on like that. We’re going out, not to impress anyone, but just have a good night away from the bloody ship. Think you can pull that off?”[/color] she asked, walking towards where the exit was. It was a short walk back to town from there. 

Reluctantly Serena smiled at Tanya, ducking her head instinctively. [color=hotpink]“Only when I’m doing something I have no idea what’s going on or what I’m doing.”[/color] Serena replied,quickly following. [color=hotpink]“Sure. I think I can pull it off. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? I get drunk and flirt with a Krogan this time?”[/color] She paused. [color=hotpink]“Did I mention I’m not drinking? Because I’m not drinking alcohol. It leads to...regrettable actions.”[/color]

Soon they were back on this ship. Serena looked around, a tad uncertain. [color=hotpink]“So what now? We go to a dress shop and hope they have my size?”[/color]

[color=cyan]”You’re drinking unless you want to be the one who hails us a cab. Dex and I are going to be hitting it hard. But you don’t have anything nice on the ship?”[/color] Tanya asked, raising an eyebrow.

[color=hotpink]“I told you. I don’t have anything nice enough to go dancing with. It’s all variations of work clothes. Clothing to wear under armor for combat, clothing for working on things, and clothing for those rare times I have to relax.”[/color] Serena shrugged, blushing in minor embarrassment. [color=hotpink]“When you’re busy hopping from one shit hole to the next, you don’t exactly pack fancy clothing.”[/color]

It was something Tanya could relate to far too well. There wasn’t a lot of freetime where she wasn’t digging into some repair and retrofit project or painting to keep herself busy. Still, there were occasions where a dress worked better than something that was meant to get utterly wrecked in the line of duty. [color=cyan]”Trust me, Serena. If you never take time to just breathe and enjoy the small things in life, you’re not doing yourself any favours. I’m sure there’s a thrift store around here that is full of unwanted dresses around here somewhere. Probably after-prom virginity busting specials that act as shameful reminders of why minors shouldn’t drink.”[/color]

Serena blushed harder at Tanya’s colorful description of the dresses. [color=hotpink]“Remind me to carefully check those dresses before trying them on then.”[/color] She muttered. [color=hotpink]“Lets go before you make any more disturbing descriptions of them.”[/color]

Tanya reached over, throwing an arm over the younger woman’s shoulders. [color=cyan]”You are delightful when you’re ashamed and embarrassed over regular old bodily functions. Remind me to take you on a back alley tour when it’s after closing time, then you’re going to see some real shit…”[/color]

[color=hotpink]“I’m not ashamed! Embarrased, but not ashamed!”[/color] Serena retorted, ducking her head and hiding her increasing blush, if smiling slightly.[color=hotpink]“Note to self: never let Tanya take me to any back allies. Come on, lets go get Dex. You’re enjoying this too much.”[/color]

The two quickly gathered the turian and made their way back into Elysium, hopping aboard the rentable segways to make their trip faster (and far more enjoyable in Serena’s opinion). Soon they were walking into [i]Lantar, Nosina, and Kav’s Emporium.[/i]

[color=hotpink]“Alright...now where are the dresses…”[/color]

“[color=007236]I think I see some clothing off in that direction. Maybe there’s some nice turian dresses as well. I can’t remember the last time I went shopping just for clothes.[/color]” Dex commented taking a look around at the large department store. “[color=007236]I’m sure there’s some deals here, if not I’m great at haggling.[/color]” She grinned at the humans.

[color=cyan]”Turians wear dresses? Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a thing. I just can’t imagine how that works, what with your legs and hips so much wider out from your torso than a human.”[/color] She said, leafing through a row of hangers and a small sea of fabric. [color=cyan]”Besides, this is a human colony, your pickings may be a bit meager.”[/color] she pointed out. 

Something caught her eye, and Tanya plucked a rather hideous yellow and black checkered dress from the rack. [color=cyan]”What bloody century did this thing crawl out of?”[/color]

[color=hotpink]“Actually, half the population of the colony is alien. So the odds are she’ll find at least a good selection of dresses, somewhere if not in this shop.”[/color] Serena said, somewhat absentmindedly as she perused the dresses. She was examining a bright shiny blue one (a tad too gaudy for her tastes) when Tanya’s exclamation caught her attention. [color=hotpink]“I don’t know...but something tells me it’s been here longer than the shop itself.”[/color] 

She pulled a simple pink flared dress from the line of clothing, holding it against her chest and giving a speculative look to her two friends. [color=hotpink]“Yes? No?”[/color]

“[color=007236]Different angles, colours and the obvious focus being in other places for our clothing but yes. Turians can wear dresses.[/color]” She looked at both dresses and noted, “[color=007236]Is… it supposed to reveal the fleshy lumps on your chest? Or just the skin?[/color]”

[color=cyan]”Depends if you plan on bringing someone home that night.”[/color] Tanya chipped in, hanging the abomination dress back on the rack. She looked up at Serena and shook her head. [color=cyan]”Pink dresses really bring out the after prom special I was talking about.”[/color]

[color=hotpink]”Of course it does.[/color] Serena muttered under her breath, putting the pink dress back on the rack as Dex reached past her.

Dex tilted her head hoping her chances at understanding it would improve at a different angle. Then saw a two piece dress behind Serena, reaching past her she grabbed it off the clothing rack. The top piece was a tube top, strapless silver and reflective in colour. While the bottom skirt was long and the very same silvery colour. Holding it up, “[color=007236]Um, maybe this…?[/color]”

Tanya walked over to Dex, grabbing the end of the skirt to feel the fabric. [color=cyan]”I think it’d go well with her complexion and hair, alright. Only thing I’m worried about is miss self-conscious fretting over having her back, shoulders, and chest bare… if she wants to cover up her injuries and shit, that is.”[/color]

“[color=007236]Hmm…[/color]” She hummed. “[color=007236]I’m still confused on the scars point. Scars are objectively attractive. I suppose we could find something one piece with a back and sleeves.[/color]”

Serena looked at the dress Dex was holding, very skeptically. [color=hotpink]“It’s very pretty...but also a bit...revealing.”[/color] She glanced over at Tanya, crossing her arms somewhat defensively. [color=hotpink]“It’s less self-conscious and more…”[/color] She grasped for the word, waving a hand vaguely. [color=hotpink]“..I can’t [i]do[/i] pretty. I’m a grease monkey who has spent most of her life in oil, shit, and blood.”[/color]

“[color=007236]I thought Tanya being here makes a point that you [i]can[/i] clean up to go out and have fun. Spirits Serena, it is possible to polish a turd.[/color]” The turian laughed, “[color=007236]Interestingly, getting cleaned up to go out isn’t a problem. Soap has been around for centuries.[/color]”

[color=cyan]”So, you’re saying someone who spends her life covered in oil, grease, and bloody gibbets is incapable of looking attractive?”[/color] Tanya asked with a raised eyebrow.

Serena, shoulder’s slumping slightly, ignored Dex. [color=hotpink]“[i]You[/i] can Tanya. You’re gorgeous.”[/color] Blushing slightly, she continued on. [color=hotpink]“I’m not. I’m just-”[/color]

“[color=007236]I was kidding about the turd comment-[/color]”

[color=cyan]”Less awkwardly making passes on me, more trying on pity-fuck dresses.”[/color] Tanya said, making a ‘shoo-shoo’ gesture with her hand. [color=cyan]”You ask us for advice, and then you whine about our choices because you think you look like something a varren upchucks after binge-eating. You don’t, so stop worrying about impressing people who don’t fucking matter.”[/color] she shrugged, wondering if anyone was wondering about the gun case on her back; so far, nobody seemed to think it amiss. 

Serena blushed a vibrant red, a flush seeming to go from the tips of her toes to the tops of her ears. [color=hotpink]“I wasn’t-I wouldn’t- I- No- Passes-? What-”[/color] She stuttered out, then took the only option left to her and quickly retreated to the dressing rooms towards the back of the store, the dress held in one hand. 

Dex nodded along to what Tanya was saying, then called after Serena retreating to the dressing rooms. “[color=007236]We’ll hunt down the soap while you change![/color]” Laughing as Serena shot her a look. “[color=007236]This is fun, trying on dresses and shit talking Serena into a better self esteem.[/color]” She commented to Tanya. “[color=007236]Can’t wait until we get to the bar.[/color]”

[hider=Important Plot Stuff]

HADUKEN!

FALCOOOOOOON PAWNCH!!!!!!

DON’T BE A WHINY BITCH SERENA.

GROSS TANYA - GROSS

Deal with it, primative.

*In the distance*

[color=cyan]“Take off your clothes.”[/color]

[color=hotpink]“W-what!?”[/color]

[color=Cyan]“Aww. You’re cute when you blush.”[/color]

U wut.  I’ll knock u in the gabber I swer on me mum.

[/hider]