Does she love you?

[nred]

Where: The Bronze
When: Wednesday night

By word of mouth, Fannie had learned that The Bronze was the only place to be in Sunnydale. There, she'd get to meet all the cool and popular people, and she'd get to learn more about her classmates. What was more fun than that? She walked into the club, and looked around for a promisin table.

Warren was lurking at the Bronze, checking out the chicks.

Jonathan was lurking at Warren's table, hanging out and munching wings.

Dot wished she'd brought her head-cracking stick. This place was *sketchy*.

Nica was chilling at a table, her sketchpad put away for now, watching people in the dancefloor.

With a sigh, Dot heaved herself off the stool she'd taken over and went looking for someplace better to sit, finally deciding on a table closer to the dancefloor.



Lexi hadn't been at The Bronze since the concert, and, truth be told, she barely remembered that night. As Rick James would say, 'Cocaine's a helluva drug'. So now, she walked in, wearing snug gray jeans and a loose black frilly blouse, her intense eyes taking in the scene.

Jonathan checked out the incoming crowd, hming thoughtfully. "Anyone we know?"

Fannie waved to Dot, one of the people that she knew from school. Not quite the type she wanted to hang with, but close enough for now.

"All I recognize are a few lesbians, unfortunately," Warren commented.

Dot waved, then turned back to the dancefloor, rolling her eyes. Well, just perfect.

Bored already, Lexi grinned when she spotted Warren. She didn't know him, but through a six-degrees form of thought, she knew he hung around with Gwen, who Lexi truly enjoyed irritating.

"Oh, well, I'll just have to make new friends, Daisy." said Fannie, before heading towards Warren's table. She waved briefly to Nica, someone else she recognized from school.

"Fortunately, that just means that the rest of them don't know better," Warren confided quietly, noting the approach of females.

"Women are coming over," Jonathan said, blinking in surprise.

"Ok, here's the deal." said Fannie "I'm new. I don't know you, so are you dorks, or are you not-dorks?"

Warren smirked. "That depends on which social circle you're looking to jerk around."

"The circle that gives me the most power, Smirky McSmirkpants." replied Fannie "So, am I wasting my time?"

Becky headed in, and towards Nica.

"If you're looking for that, you want the club that hangs out at 34 Wharf Street. The warehouse that's missing a sign," Warren answered without missing a beat.

Lexi sashayed her way over to Warren, that sparkling, yet kinda evil smile spread across her face. She laid a hand on his shoulder, and practically purred. "Hi... you're friends with Gwen Morrison, right?"

Nica waved at Becky. "Out on parole?"

Warren grinned. "Now you see, if you want to impress yourself on anyone, this is a much better way to do it. And yes."

Jonathan watched from a safe distance. He had a girlfriend, after all. A girlfriend who he didn't want to hurt - and who, if it came down to it, could kick his ass.

Fannie looked at Lexi, then at Warren. "I never said I was a people person. I'm new, and this table looked interesting. Now, are all of you friends?"

"No, but she's doing a much better job of getting there than you are," Warren countered.

"No." said Becky "Well, kinda. Faith is supposed to be with me right now, but she snuck off somewhere."

"Right. It's the bitchiness, isn't it?" said Fannie, who didn't seem to be afraid of tempting death.

"Well... I'm not friends with this handsome young man yet, but I'm hoping to be." Oh, why was this girl tempting death so badly? All she knew was that pissing off Gwen was her new favorite game.

"I'm um, friends with him but I've got a girlfriend," Jonathan said warrily. "Staying out of this."

"Yeah, it's sort of the fact that you're a complete bitch, and you're not attractive enough to get away with it," Warren agreed. "You need a much sexier outfit, and at least five friends, to successfully pull off that attitude. So, you're in that band, right?" Warren added, to Lexi.

"Oh, Shorty." said Fannie "I'm not the least bit interested in you that way. You seem nice, but, strictly friend matrial."

"Thanks!" Fannie smiled "I'll try that. five friends, better looks, nd a sexier outfit. Got it." she headed away to find that

"Yeah... I'm actually in two bands now. My old bands asked me back, but I couldn't leave Skylar and the girls." Lexi grinned, her body language reading as pure sex.

"Thanks, I think," Jonathan said.

"I never want to get grounded again." Becky said

Dot wandered out onto the dancefloor. She could feel the music through the soles of her boots, and she smiled. There was plenty of room around her, so she closed her eyes and swayed along with the beat.

Warren grinned to Lexi. "So what brings -you- to this table, hmmm?"

Nica smirked. "Good luck with that. You want wings?"

"Just wondered what you thought of the show, sweetie..." Lexi rested her arms on the back of Warren's shoulders, ruffling his hair cutely.

"No thanks." Becky replied "I;m supposed to be following a diet. so, I think Faith is sneaking around to see someone."

Jonathan wondered if Warren was trying out some new pheramone cologne he'd invented or something. This was crazy.

Fannie was off convincng a few high school girls to become her friends.

"Well, I thought it was excellent," Warren said cheerfully, "although the actions were even more entertaining than the music."

"Really? She's not lusting after David anymore?" Nica asked.

Lexi, being the troublemaker she was, decided to start picking away. "I really can't understand why someone as charming as you hangs around with someone as uncouth as Morrison..."

"Well, she keeps complaining about his new girlfriend, but, she goes to the corner, and gets in a really nice car- and today she ditched me for the same car, I think. I, um, sorta spy on her."

"Then you've obviously never seen her softer sides," Warren commented, amused.

"Hey! Don't talk bad about Gwen," Jonathan said.

"She's our friend."

"Aw, isn't that sweet?" Lexi reached over and, in a fairly sarcastic fashion, pinched Jonathan's cheek. "So adorable."

"Ow," Jonathan said, sulking.

"I like your spying," Nica said in an admiring tone. "So who;s the mystery guy?"

"I dunno." Becky said "But he looks tall, and has dark hair."

"Now, now, be nice to Jonny," Warren chastised.

"Tall is good," Nica said. "Wow ... that's weird. WHy is she being sneaky?"

brb

"So.." Lexi continued, trying to sound sweet, "Did you enjoy the show? We had to put the songs together rather quickly..."

Warren nodded. "Pretty hot stuff. So are you and Meredith an item?"

Jonathan rubbed his cheek and sulked. He didn't like this girl.

"Meredith? God no." Lexi laughed softly, and sat down next to him. "Meredith's a great friend. That's about it. I prefer boys, to be honest. Although, I will say Skylar's never hard on the eyes."

"I dunno why she's sneaking around." Becky shrugged "Oh, I sorta told Ethan I'd be here, even though I'm still not supposed to see him."

Fannie seemed to have talked one girl into becoming her friend, and she was on the search fo number two.

Warren nodded. "The way you were acting on stage, I'm surprised you haven't had time with some of your fellow band members."

Ethan was actually on his way in, looking aroudn the club, his hands thrust into his pockets. He was looking scruffier than he had last year. He smiled when he saw Becky and headed that way.

"Hey, War- I'll be back," Jonathan said. He headed off to the bar to get a refill on his drink- and get some time away from the table-invader.

Becky looked over, smiled, and rushed over to hug Ethan.

Warren nodded to Jon.

Ethan hugged back. "Great to see you, hon. How's everything going?"

Jonathan took his glass and headed for the bar.

Lexi watched Jonathan go, and smirked. "I don't think your little lapdog likes me."

Fannie and her new friend waved to Jonathan, and went back to talking to another girl

"Better now." Becky smiled "Being grounded sucked"

Jonathan waved back, just because. He settled at the bar with his refill, needing some alone time.

Warren personally thought that he already had a lapdog - a cute, reskinnable one that had the Kama Sutra on file - but hey. "It's been a bad week for him."

"I'll bet," Ethan said, and kissed her.

Becky happily kissed Ethan. "I missed you."

This was NOT working. Lexi had been hoping to be able to get Warren to badmouth Gwen, but he was apparently either too loyal or too smart to take the bait.

"Missed you, too," Ethan said. "Is Faith around?"

Warren wasn't that clever. Right?

"She snuck of with her new boyfriend." Becky replied "Why?"

([Warren] I built a freaking BRAIN. I know a couple of things about mind games.)

"Well." Lexi grinned and blew Warren a little cheek. "If you ever want to get together... just tell your 'friend' to let Skylar know, and I'll be in touch."

Warren grinned. "Feel free to bring a couple of your bandmates."

As Lexi walked away, she was practically knocked over by none other than the robotic girl called Maya, who charged in with all the grace of a bull in a china shop. "Warren! There you are! I was beginning to worry!"

"Hiya, Maya, sit down," Warren said, amused. "I told you I was going to be here."

Jonathan picked up his drink and started heading back over to the table now that it was less Lexied.

"Welcome back, Jonny," Warren added.

"Yes, I know! But usually you've returned close to 43.6 minutes earlier!" Maya blinked those big eyes full of concern.

"Thanks, Warren. Hey Maya," Jonathan said, as he retook his seat. "Man, who was that annoying girl?"

"Yes, but your statistical average fails to take into account the important practice of 'girlwatching'." Warren snagged her by the hem and tugged her into a chair.

"Just wondering hwo closely we're being watched," EThan said, and kissed Becky again.

Maya sat down, pouting cutely. "But why would you watch them when you could watch me? My breasts are statistically more impressive than close to 89% of the women here."

"That would be Lexi -- I've seen her at a show here at the Bronze, mostly because she was licking all over Meredith during one of the songs." Warren grinned.

"Considering she didn't invite me off for sex, I'm guessing she was just here because she doesn't like Gwen, for some reason," Warren shrugged. To Maya, he added, "Well, it's like market research."

"She knows all about you." said Becky "So, I'm not gonna tell about her boyfriend."

"Nice," Ethan grinned.

Maya huffed cutely, feeling as though her words were being ignored. "Would I be more interesting if I showed my breasts more?"

Warren poked Maya. "When we get home, yes. Right now, we're peoplewatching. This is a good way for you to learn how people move and act. For example, check out the dancers."

Dot was one of those dancers, even though she wasn't dancing *with* anyone.

"See, notice how she's moving -- despite the fact that she isn't actually dancing with someone at the moment?" Warren asked.

Jonathan peered at Dot. "I think she's in one of my classes. New girl."

Maya cocked her head and pouted again. "But that thing she's doing... according to my programming, that is called a grand mal seizure."

"Know anything about her?" Warren queried.

To Maya, Warren added, "No, a seizure is when she's not trying to do that, but is doing it anyhow."

"No- want me to go find out?" Jonathan asked.

"Go for it!" Warren suggested, giving a thumbs up.

Jonathan headed on out towards the dancefloor, hoping to strike up a conversation.

To Maya, Warren added, "What she's doing at the moment, or at least what she thinks she's doing, is a form of dancing. I'll let you watch MTV tonight -- it's actually part of a larger cultural trend."

"I feel rather bad about knocking over Ms. Cumdumpster..." Maya said with a sad whine.

"Well, you can make it up to her if she decides to get naked for us at some point in the future," Warren assured her.

((*dies* I love you, robot girl.))

"The woman I knocked over looking for you. Gueneviere showed me her picture. Floozy McCumdumpster?"

((Hahhaa.. oh Gwen))

"That's not her name, but I'm guessing they don't get along. Did Gwen say why?" Warren asked. "Or is that just her way of flirting?"

"Hi," Jonathan said, making his way over towards Dot. He didn't really dance well, so he was just kind of swaying to make it look like he was going through the effort.

([Warren] I'm the sleazeball, and yet compared to the people I roll with, I'm a priest, baby.)

Dot blinked, startled. "Oh! Hi! I didn't hit you, did I?"

"No.. I just think we have a class together, so.. I thought I'd just say hi. So... hi," Jonathan said. "I'm Jon."

Maya blinked, watching Jonathan at work. "Gueneviere merely told me that was her name. And look at Jonathan.. is that called 'macking'?"

(hahaha)

"Hi Jon. I'm still learning my way around." Dot kept her eyes open and looked at him while they talked, but still managed to sway along in time with the music.

"It's close. Right now, it's more like 'chatting up'. Jonny's just on an info run. At least as far as I know," Warren said. "Anyhow, I think her actual name is Lexi, and Floozy McCumbucket is just Gwen's name for her -- sort of like the various little names she gives you."

Maya nodded, trying to understand this all. "But Gueneviere calls me things like 'Tits McGee, when my name is Maya, and I don't even posess a last name yet."

"Yeah, you're new, right?" Jonathan said. "What's your name? Sorry... I don't mean to be asking like, a ton of questions, but I was curious."

"That reminds me, I've got to forge your paperwork," Warren nodded. "Then you'll have a last name. Remind me, hm? Anyhow -- Gwen likes to give people alternate names - even herself. Especially when nudity is involved."

"I don't understand her. She makes my brain-circuits hurt." Maya cuddle up rather adorably to Warren. "I love you, Warren."

Dot nodded. "Yeah, just started this week, so I've got a lot of catching up to do. I'm Dot. Like dot dot dot, right?"

"Dot-to-Dot?" Jonathan smiled. "That's cool. Welcome to Sunnydale. Where'd you come from?"

Warren petted Maya. "Well, you don't have to understand people entirely -- you just have to figure out the best ways to interact with them. At heart, it's a simple logic problem with a lot of variables. But Johnny Five figured it out, and so'll you eventually."

"Colorado! My parents dragged me out here because they got promotions or something at work." Dot shook her head.

"Oh, lame," Jonathan said. "Well.. if you want to meet some pretty okay people, you can come hang out with me and my friends. We're like, not popular or anything, but we're nice."

"Okay! I was kinda having fun doing my impression of a solitary redwood, but new people are good too!"

Jonathan grinned. "Good impression. C'mon, we're over here." He headed back towards the table.

Dot followed along after, snagging a chair and dropping her tall self into it.

Warren waved. "Welcome to our table."

Dot waved. "Hi!"

As Jonathan went to sit down, he suddenly found himself grabbed by Gwen, who gave him a few furious noogies. "Hey kiddo!"

"Hey, Gwen -- you just missed your friend, Floozy," Warren commented, amused.

Gwen saw Maya, put two and two together, and just kinda smirked. "Oh... uh... yeah. What can I say? Maya's brain is a fun thing to have... um... fun with."

Jonathan struggled, but smiled

"Hey, Gwen... hey everyone, this is my new friend, Dot. Dot, this is Gwen, Maya, Warren..." Jonathan said.

He pointed to each in turn.

"Hi!" Dot waved. "So, this place, is it as sketchy as it looks?"

"Oh, there hasn't been a massacre here in weeks," Warren said, smiling sweetly.

"Warren. I need to talk to you. I don't care if the others hear it, but I just kinda..." she sighed, actually stammering a bit. "Look, despite how I act, I can be traditional at times, and this is something I need to tell my best friend."

"Okay -- want to talk here, or elsewhere?" Warren inquired.

"She *did* just bring it up in public," added Dot.

"New girl's got a point, War." Gwen smirked, liking this girl already.

Warren shrugged. "Yes, but you're stammering."

"Performance anxiety? Nah..." Dot said.

"I need you to be serious, that's all. And that worries me, cos seriously, you're the one who makes jokes during specials about the Holocaust."

"But the Holocaust is funny," Warren pointed out, "especially when juxtaposed with the cheerful faces of the Nazis having picnics at the same time a few miles away."

Jonathan blinked. "Hey... you know, I'm Jewish. "

"It shows how screwed up we as humans can be, and that is downright hilarious," Warren concluded.

Warren added, to Jonathan, "And guess who the Master Race turned out to be? Not the Nazis -- they're all dead or dying."

"ANYWAY!" Gwen groaned, rolling her eyes. "Warren. I know Jon's gonna be totally awesome with this, but I worry about you. Anyway, you know I've gotten pretty serious with Skylar."

"Yep," Warren concurred. "How many weeks now?"

"DAMMIT WARREN!" She squealed, stomping cutely.

Dot laughed. "Boys."

"Whaaaat?" Warren tilted his head.

Gwen actually looked like she might get teary-eyed out of frustration. "Look... I need you to be my friend here, and not the asshole you like to act like."

"Okay -- so say what you mean already," Warren answered patiently, "and I'll wait until you're finished before being me."

Warren had been considering mentioning that Gwen should've gone with her usual tactic of taking advantage of any opening, but thought better of it.

"Warren... Jonathan... I don't even know if we can legally do this in Cali..." Gwen sighed and finally smiled sweetly. "But I wanna ask Skylar to marry me."

Jonathan blinked. "Wow! For real?"

"Legally, no," Warren commented, amused. "In practical terms, you just have to know Wiccans or something."

"So do you need a ring or something?" Warren inquired.

"No, I don't." Gwen swallowed there, trying to get rid of the sudden lump in her throat. "My mom... died when I was a little girl. But she left me the engagement ring my dad gave her. It's really the only thing of real value I own..."

"Well, that's good then," Warren nodded.

Dot made a little "aw" noise. "That's a sweet thing."

"Look... you guys and Andrew are pretty much my best friends." Gwen smiled, truthfully more girlishly than either had ever seen her.

Gwen looked away, afraid Warren would make some stupid comment. "And I want you guys to be part of it, somehow."

"Have you actually proposed yet?" Warren asked.

"No... I wanted to tell you guys, and then tell Wesley, and THEN ask her." Gwen shrugged. "Told you, I'm sorta traditonal."

"I think that's really cool, Gwen," Jonathan said.

Dot frowned. "Can I help? I bet I can find an *AWESOME* spot for the ceremony, whatever it is."

"I know, Jon... you're a complete sweetheart." Holy shit... she just said something NICE to Jonathan.

"Heh. Well, let us know when you need our help, hm?" Warren said.

Gwen didn't know Dot, but still smiled brightly to her. "Tell you what, Hottie McSweetass... lemme actually ask her first, and let's you and me get to know each other, and then, I'd be gratful for help."

Dot grinned. "fair enough."

Jonathan beamed.

Gwen looked back to Warren and Jonathan, and said her next words as though they were the most unexpected words ever spoken. "I mean this, guys... Skylar actually... she makes me not wanna be with anyone else, EVER again."

Warren resisted the urge to point out that Gwen had said those exact same words about her last two or three companions.

"Alright, you guys talk shop -- I'll be right back," Warren said, instead, and abruptly slipped off for the men's room.

Gwen blinked at Warren's sudden departure. "He's either gotta piss like a racehorse, or the thought of me and Skylar made him have to go fire off a round."

Dot laughed. "I was just thinking 'private shop class'. "

Gwen gave a wry grin to Dot. "If he's not back in a few minutes, someone should go make sure he's not slaughtering TOO many of his potential children in there..."

Raising her hands, Dot grinned back. "Not me, even though it's dim in here they'd never buy it."

"Are you kidding?" Gwen laughed. "Sexy thing like you? He'd just ask you to join him."

"Pssh. He'd make me stand guard or something more like." Dot grinned.

Jonathan shook his head. Gwne might be getting married, but she was still Gwen.

"Riiight. Anyway... look. I gotta go tell Wesley, and try to think of something to say about us that will make him all squirmy." Gwen looked far too pleased at that prospect. "I love you guys, ok?"

"We love you too!" Dot chimed in, helpfully.

Gwen laughed, already completely adoring Dot, and hopped up. "Alright.. I'm out. I gotta go get this done so I can go get me some poontang."

"Have fun, McTailchaser!" Dot waved.

"Later," Jonathan said, nodding.

"And that would be hurricaine Gwen," Jonathan said.

Warren wandered back up to the table after Gwen had departed.

"She's tons of fun at parties, I bet." Dot said.

"She's a mobile party," Jonathan said.

"Heh. Which is why odds are this is going to end badly - again," Warren commented, shaking his head.

"Oh man, I bet. I mean, she seems fun but ..um. Maybe not precisely my speed?" Dot shook her head, too.

"I hope it works out for her this time," Jonathan said.

"Eh." Warren shrugged. "Let's talk about something else."

Dot yawned. "I gotta go, boys. It's been fun though!"

"Later," Warren said, nodding.

"Have a good night," Jonathan said.

Dot smiled and waved, and headed out.

Warren looked to Jon. "So find anything out about this chick?"

"She's new - from Colorado," Jonathan said. "We have a class or two together."

"Cool. Is she one of the freaks or the norms?" Warren asked.

"One of us kinda freaks, I guess," Jonathan said. "But i'm not sure beyond that."