Closed for yaturtle

[NauPaka]

Vanessa "Vanilla", "Van" or "Vani" Slayton
Recently turned 20 years old roughly a week ago
5'3 imp of equal parts innocence and mischief
Born to Carmen and Derrick Slayton

Up until Vanessa was seven she thought she lived in the perfect family, it was like a TV show where the Dad goes to work in his suit and tie and the Mom stays home. They even had the two story house with the picket fence and manicured shrubs. All they needed was a dog, what ended up happening the young girl wouldn't have ever guessed. Her parents seemed to have seen it coming because they never stopped being friends, even when her Dad started wearing dresses and spending his time at a place called Admiral Glory.

As friendly as her parents were to each other things changed and her Mom spent most of her freetime trying to refind*herself in one love after another. It meant Vanessa grew up quickly and before she knew it she was taking care of her Mom more then she was herself or spending it at Admiral Glory the states famous drag queen bar with her Dad and the other divas.No one really understood what it was like for her until she met Shannon Michels the summer before eighth grade. Shannon was adopted, a drug baby hooked on opioids before she was even born. Her adopted family were the kindest people Vanessa had ever met and because it was important for Shannon to know her real parents she knew what it was like to live in two different worlds in a way.The two girls were joined at the hip and two years later they were dating, a phase Carmen said her daughter got from her father, but it was love for the two teenagers. The plan was to go to the same college but when Shannon didn't get into their plan A college they made a quick decision to stay in their hometown and go to the local community college for their two year. Van studying computer science and Shannon Art History.

Plans were laid to waste when Shannon called it quits just before graduation. Claiming that Van was too masculine and that*she had grown past her as a person.

Heart broken and somewhat lost Vanessa poured herself into the few months of school left, trying as hard as she could to pretend everything was alright whenever her parents called. But her Dad knew better the moment she walked into the bar and like protective mother hens the divas descended*upon her for an ever famous makeover, despite her annoyed pleas to stop.*

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"You know your mom is worried." Derrick sighed a concerned look etching deep creases on his brow.

Van sat back and raised a single eyebrow. "And why," She asked, stressing the word why, "Would she be worried? I haven't told her anything." The question was fairly momtoned but her Dad knew better and reached across the bartop to boop his daughter's nose.

"Mothers always know." He said sweetly. "Plus Vanilla, honey, try as you might you're an awful liar."

Vanilla had long been a nickname given to her by the divas. "Dad..." Van whined, moving out of range too late.

"Do I look like your Dad?" He demanded posing dramatically.

Van gave him the respect of a slow once over. "You always look like my Dad because he is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, with cheekbones and eyelashes I know many would kill for." She flattered finishing off her heavy poured drink.

"You are too, you know that right." His face*softened as he cleared the empty glass away. "Also, I told your mom that you agreed and the girls already have your apartment packed." Derrick rushed out in one breath as he turned to wash the single glass.

"Wait excuse me, WHAT?"

"Vanilla, you hush up back there, it's not your turn!" The diva on stage teased/scolded to the laughter of the crowd.

"Father, wait, you're kidding right?" Van pleaded ducking around to the bar back to spin her heeled father around.

"Oh Father, someone is in trouble." Mulan sing-sang trading out an empty tray for one filled with drink ready to go.

"Hell yes he is." Van hissed to the nimble drag queen dressed as an emerald viper.

Derrick put the now clean glass up and finally*turned to face his daughter. "You got in." Handing Van an opened envelope. "Your mom has already put down the year deposit for an apartment within biking distance to campus and Steven even got you an entry level job at the hospital."

Van could hear the mixture of pride and disappointment in her dad's voice. "I didn't lie about it..." She weakly defended herself knowing that what she had told him about getting into college hadn't been the full truth either. "And I'm not a child any more. You two can't go*planning things behind my back!"

Derrick brushed past Van as she rambled, handing out drinks with the flair that only came with years of practice. "There is no reason for you to stay here. What's next for*you?"

"You're here and the mother hens," Van answered, waving her hand out and around. "I don't know- I thought you'd let me bartend here until, I don't know. Just until. Plus I can drink here all I want, so there's that."

"No." Derrick said firmly. "Look no matter where you are, we're always going to be here for you. I'm always going to love you and will drop anything to be there when you need me. That is never going to change. But you can't stay here and let life pass you by. You're too young, beautiful and smart for that." Opening the cash register Derrick pulled out a glittery card and handed it to his one and only with teary eyes. "And it doesn't matter anyways, it's all been done and sorted and Viola made you a card." He said, voice tight.

"Dad..." Van's voice cracked as she took the envelope and opened it. Like a boobie trap hundreds of shining chromatic dick cutouts rained to the floor. "Of course there are dicks..." Emotions threatened to overwhelm her and her words faded mid sentence. The card was filled with best wishes, jokes, crude drawing but most of all love from each and every diva she had ever known and loved. "I-"

"You should be thanking me." Her dad informed her eyes bright with unshed tears. "They wanted to make a big spectacle for your going away party but I talked to them, well threatened them, out of it and got them to agree to this and well-" A*mischievous smile crossed Derrick's face. "You'll see."

"Thank you. I'm still mad- wait, no way!" Van had flipped the card over and there taped to the back was the best made fake ID she had ever seen. "Gisele Moore?" Derrick shrugged. "I'm still mad at you, just so you know."

"I know. I love you Vani." Derrick gathered his daughter in his arms as a tear fell down his cheek. "Love you so much." Taking in a deep breath of her hair. "You leave tomorrow morning*just to let you know."

"Love you too Dad."

 

[yaturtle]

Jimmy kelly sat at his desk twirling a pen in fingers as he did a final check of his work in progress reports . He would soon hand them off to Frank the next shift supervisor and then it was off to the ladder. Or ladder one it's official and his favorite watering hole. The name came from the abandoned fire station that now housed the bar. Repurposed real estate like every place in old Boston. It had the latest big screen HD TV's and decent food . Just blocks from his job at the hospital where he now worked it was perfect for a few drinks with his friends before heading home to his apartment. He was the middle child of 7 In a large Irish family. He was the quite one , while the rest were outgoing and prolific. Four of them already had large families of their own. He had many opportunities but preferred the freedom of being single and the piece and quite of his own place when he wanted it. At twenty six he had just started filling out a bit. He was six feet but still under the 200lb mark. His older sisters and aunts often compared him to thier favorite movie star and telling him he was a catch. He knew he was no movie star but he did have his fathers laser blue eyes and his mothers thick sandy brown hair. His college hockey days gone now he still played in pick up games and kept himself in good shape swimming as well. But tonight his hockey would be on TV at the ladder with his friends. At four he handed the baton of to frankie and headed out....
He sat in his usual spot down the end as the place filled up.

 

[NauPaka]

The move was less traumatic*than Van had expected, in fact it was so seamless*that she wasn't too sure this was real or not. When she landed there was a driver waiting for her, the whole nameplate and everything. "Just how rich is Steven?" She muttered to herself as she was directed to a luxury SUV,*the driver taking care to place*her two bags in the cargo. It seemed his pockets were deeper than even she could imagine. Her amazement was heightened when they stopped in front of a brick building, historic and impressive in its size and height.

Her new apartment was as her dad has claimed, already moved in and furnished with what little she owned. Except... "What happened to my clothing?" In a closet where her clothes should be were instead bits of fabric*in an array of bold colors or daring cuts, most a mixture of the both. "Love starts with*the*eyes, remember that what you like to see so do others, Love all of your Mamas" Van read out loud flipping through the hangers and digging in the drawers. "That's what dad wouldn't share." She sighed.

A shower and a change of clothes later and Van was hitting the streets of her new home town. While most of the day had passed, what with the air travel and settling in there wasn't much but maybe an hour left the sun, sadly it had been hours since she had eaten and turned into the nearest establishment that looked like it might offer food and drinks.

"Ladders..." Funny they had a Ladders back home and they had the BEST fried mushrooms. Walking she took a quick look around and claimed an open table. It looked the same, most pub style bars did except*this one was fashioned with a fireman vibe that ran pretty heavy around the place. Within minutes someone came by and took her order, and didn't even question her ID when she placed her long island ice tea order.

 

[yaturtle]

Jimmy was working on a cold draft as he listened to his friend fill him in on the details of a Montreal trip he was putting together with some of the guys. It was always planned when the bruins were playing in the Forum and included air fare and hotel and tickets to the game. She caught his eye when she came in looking around like a tourist. He held up his end of the conversation stealing a glance here and there noticing she was seated very close by at a table. The ever efficient Lisa came out of the kitchen entrance behind him and breezed past to take her order. On the big screen the puck dropped for the opening face on most of the crowd turned their attention to the game. A big guy was making his way past when the bruins scored his attention was still on the screen as he walked. Lisa burst through the kitchen door carrying a tray with a sandwich and a glass of ice tea tripping over his foot.
Jimmy heard Lisa yell and turned around only to see pickles , fries , and glass spinning in slow motion. They landed on his shirt and tie then slid to the floor with a crash .Lisa was cursing a blue streak at the guy and toweling him off at the same time. Over Lisa's shoulder the commotion must have gotten the girls attention. She was looking straight at him with her hands over her mouth trying not to laugh. The eye contact gave him butterflies. Asking Lisa if the food was for the girl behind her' he picked a french fry out his shirt pocket and ate it. When she answered yes he said " please tell her dinner is on me and send me her tab." Then he headed for the restroom to clean up .

 

[NauPaka]

It was a habit to always scan the room, it not only gave you the layout but helped identify the troublemakers and those aware enough to notice someone new. The only person that seemed even remotely aware of her arrival was a man seated*with who she assumed to be his friends at a table not far from the one that she picked.

A large commotion*startled Van out of her note taking, yes like any first time tourist she was jotting*down the must see places of Boston on her bar napkin. As luck would have it, it seemed that*her food and drink not only just arrived but managed to find itself in the lap of the man who had taken notice of her when she had walked in. All assisted*by a large man, the culprit of the entire situation, who was currently getting yelled at by the waitress. The whole thing had Van hiding her laughter behind her hand and trying not to laugh out loud. The poor man who ran into the woman looked like a kicked puppy, he must have been a regular because*you don't get to use such descriptive language with someone unfamiliar, but also because of the look the other man was giving her. There weren't any signs of annoyance or anger, he seemed to just be rolling with it and boldly made eye contact as he nicked one of her fries and ate it. A moment later the waitress come to apologize and notify her that the man wearing her lunch/dinner was going to take care of her bill.

"Well that's not going to work." Van smiled, pocketing her pen and phone, almost*forgetting her note filled napkin when she left her table. "If you'll switch my order to appetizers and have them delivered to their table, I'll be joining them." Van informed the waitress as she passed by.

"Gentlemen." Van stood at the table of men and placed the chair she had stolen from the closest in front of her. "Hope everyone's day is going well." Shifting her body so her attention was on the man who she had made eye contact with, Van extended*her hand out and smiled sweetly at him. "Vanessa." She introduces herself. "See it's a habit of mine not to take food from strangers, but a new friend..." The offer was there along with her hand and she left the choice up to him as to what would happen next.

 

[yaturtle]

Jimmy had not seen lisa deliver his message and assumed she had ignored him or the girl declined his offer. He wasnt exactly the master of the pick up line. His focus had returned to the hockey game . When willie tapped him
He turned to see her right in front of him. She introduced herself as vanessa and extended her hand as she stared into his eyes. The afore mentioned butterflies suddenly became condors. It seemed to take forever for his mouth to work. He shook her hand " hello Vanessa...my names jimmy andthis guy is my friend willie, and this guy is Bob." They had actually just met Bob after he tripped lisa starting the whole commotion . It would be great if you joined us
We were just taking in the game and enjoying some cold ones. Please sit down.

 

[NauPaka]

Van watched the delay with an amused quirk of her lips, he was cute like a puppy she thought*to herself before he finally responded. "It's nice to meet you all." Her delight was genuine and she smiled at all the men at the table*before*settling down next to Jimmy,*placing her phone and note-covered napkin next to her. Just as she sat down, the waitress from before arrived with her long island ice tea and kindly let her know that the food should be on it's way soon. "Thank you." Van managed to get out before the quick moving waitress was out of ear shot.

"Sorry about how the food mishap turned out." Van apologized waving her hand at the mess of his shirt.* "When you said it was on you not often is that a statement*of truth." She laughed. "I'd be careful driving home," Van took a sip of her drink. "They pour heavy here and you smell like a distillery."

Getting comfortable, Van looked up at the screen. "Shame about them losing and locking in at third to the penguins." She commented off handedly. Donald was a huge hockey fan, as well as being wickedly talented*with a makeup brush, and while she didn't much care for the sport it was hard not to know a thing or two when it was all he talked about.

 

[yaturtle]

Jimmy immediately gave the zip your lips sign language to willie before turning to vanessa " can't talk penguin's around willie unless you want to listen
To one of endless rants, please tell him you're not a fan even if you are". Just then Lisa came by tossing a ladder 1 tshirt at him." Go change out of that thing ,I don't want you attracting rodents and giving the place a bad name".
With a stage wink to van" you can dress them up but you can't take'em out honey". Then she was gone again. Jimmy pointed to the napkin " If your a restaurant critic don't let lisa see that. Then he excused himself to go change.

 

[NauPaka]

"Oh don't worry I won't have to lie to say I'm not a pens fan." She replied with a smirk to Willie. "However I do like me some Canucks" Which was a truth as much as anything else. While not a fan of really any team she had picked the Canucks as a young girl because they had an orca in their logo and after the Free Willy movies she had been positively obsessed with the whales. Winking at Willie to lessen the blow she couldn't help but laugh when their waitress came back with her food and a shirt for Jimmy.

Teasingly Van answered. "Forget dressing them up, undress them and stay at home. Safer for society and more fun for yourself."

Jimmy pointed to her napkin and blushed fighting the urge to hide the note. When Jimmy left she turned to all the food the waitress had brought out and wave to the men. "Help yourself, I ordered to share." There were wings, nachos and fried mushrooms. Shipping on her drink Van waited for Jimmy to return as he seemed the only one in the mood to talk as the others seemed lost to the game.

"It's a list of things to do in Boston, the ten best if the internet would have me believe." Van answered when Jimmy returned trying not to giggle at the light pink color of the shirt. "And just to let you know I love how that color brings out your eyes." He really did have some stunning eyes, she noted remaking eye contact.

 

[yaturtle]

Jimmy felt his face reddening as she mentioned his eyes. And the quick exchange with Lisa floored him. None of the girls he had known exuded such an easygoing self confidence . He realized now from the napkin that she was from out of town ,but he couldn't pick up any accent. Something he was normally quite good at. " so how long you here for?" He know sooner got the question out when a fight broke out in the game and the bar erupted. Every one stood at at once to watch. They roared when the bruin got the better of the fight. When he turned to sit back down he found himself inches away from her as she looked up into his eyes. For a second or so he couldn't breath, before he finally stammered maybe we can go for a walk ...you know were i can hear you better ...and you can tell me more?