[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

[i]Don't mess this up, don't mess this up, don't mess this up,[/i] Jess told herself, following her mom to the living room once the coffee was made. The room was as it always had been, neat and tidy yet comfortable. Deceptively comfortable. She shouldn't be so nervous about visiting family, but people who knew her well were the ones to be most careful around. They'd easily spot anything out of the ordinary.

During the catch-up, she did her best to keep up the act. She tried to look and sound cheerful as she chatted. She drank the coffee in slow sips, to avoid the effect of too much caffeine at once. She was just starting to settle at least somewhat when her mom said something that sent a fresh wave of panic through her. Something she'd been half expecting, all the while hoping not to hear.

[color=aqua]"So,"[/color] said her mother, eyes flicking from Jess to Roxy, [color=aqua]"you must both be hungry. How about we celebrate properly this time, and head out to a restaurant?"[/color]

The watchers. That was Jess' first thought. Surely they'd follow. [color=teal]"Uh... Yeah! I'd love to!"[/color] she blurted, putting on what she hoped was an enthusiastic tone. [color=teal]"Roxy, how about you? What kind of meal? There are quite a few places around here."[/color]

Knowing full well that Roxy was no more keen on the idea than she was, the empath steadied her grip on the coffee mug. She could show no signs of anxiety. She raised the cup to her lips, only to splash the liquid down her front.

At her startled yelp, her mother sprang up. [color=aqua]"Oh, Jess! Are you ok? I'll get you something to clean up with."[/color]

Jess tried to laugh off what had happened. [color=teal]"Yeah, I'm fine, just being clumsy,"[/color] she replied, setting the mug down on a coaster and standing up. The coffee contained enough milk that it wasn't scalding hot, and had gone on her rather than the sofa, but that was acting normal gone right out of the window.

That ever growing concern her mother gave off proved it. [color=aqua]"I know this is all taking some getting used to,"[/color] she said, [color=aqua]"but really, there's nothing to be so nervous about. I'm sure getting out and about will do you good."[/color]

Maybe it would, Jess thought, if not for the constant scrutiny of less than law-abiding types. [color=teal]"Yeah... I'll just go change shirts."[/color] She turned towards Roxy in a gesture for her to wait nearby, giving her an apologetic look. She hadn't even been here an hour, and was already in danger of screwing everything up.