The music began to play, a pop-like tune that was cutesy and fast paced. Jessie grinned, settling the table with Nina's help, before coming back to the middle.

"So, go go dancing revolves around more than just the dancing. You hair, makeup, and outfit matter too. You have to catch your audiences' eye. Make sure they're always looking at you. That's number one."

She popped her hip, moving her arms in rhythm to the music. Her body rolled, side to side, as she showed off her more glorious assets through pushing out her chest or behind. Even with less revealing clothes, seduction was still key.

"You have to show what you got. Go with the music. Really, it's about making it up on the spot, since you don't know what the DJ may play next. But sometimes you have a routine too."

Jessie smirked, twisting around and looking over a Nina over her shoulder as she slowly squatted down.

"And play with what ya got. Hair, jewelry... your boobs. Whatever. They love that shit, and they tip you all the more for it."

nina larson

☉

It took her by surprise that he answered the door himself. Perhaps he had already sent everyone away for the evening. She hoped that he was alone, because she didn't want anyone to see her break down.

Hell, she didn't even want Gabriel to see her break down.

She held her child closer, though not tight enough to waken him or cause his distress. Swallowing down her pride and everything that she had fought for to dissociate herself from GABRIEL BLACK, she spoke.

"I need help. I need... I need my dad..." she said, her voice wavering as tears threatened to spill over her cheeks as she looked at the ground.

"Please, help me."

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

The reality of the situation was this: Jessie really didn't want to show up anywhere in public, let alone the Rocket sub for training. Her grief and anguish was still fresh on her heart, enough to make her confined to bed when she wasn't taking care of Kai.

Her baby cried when she left him with caspian evergreen, who promised to look after him while he got other work done during their intelligence gathering.

She never saw Caspian more serious in his life since after the death of NIKO MANNER. But she was all the more grateful for him and nina larson. The two were constantly checking in on her, even going as far as to make sure she ate and showered. To neglect herself would turn to neglecting Kai.

Jessie showed up to the sub regardless, dark circles and creases clear under her normally bright and cheerful gaze. She seemed dull and dead, bare faced with her hair pulled up sloppily. Her arms covered her chest, looking over at meeting jayden cross's gaze.

He probably thought she looked like shit. She didn't blame him. But this was for Kai, she reminded herself. And for her own well-being.

To beat down and kill whoever took away her happiness.

jayden cross

☉

Jessie was taken aback by him denying payment. From all her past experiences with men, they always requested money. Or, if it wasn't money, it was something else.

So she wondered if he wanted something from her as well...

"Um. Thank you."

She'd figure it out later, she decided, as the topic flowed to her father. Her brows furrowed as the man brought him up, crossing her arms over her chest as though she was protecting herself.

"How'd you figure that out?"

@calhoun

☉

Jessie blinked, apparently a bit shocked that a stranger would offer her help. Of course, she had no idea that he was the harbormaster. It was probably in his job description to help those in need out.

"Sure. Thanks. Um... do you know how much I'll need to pay you?"

Her funds weren't the richest at the moment, even with the support of the gang. She needed to get back to work, but...

The hunt was calling her.

"Oh, I have family here. And I have business to attend to as well. I guess it's a working vacation," Jessie said, trying to play it light.

"Do you just help people out for the hell of it, or do you work around here?"

@calhoun

☉

The reality of the matter was that Jessica Manner was scared for herself. She didn't know what to do. Everything in the world seemed so lost.

There was no more sleep for her, without hearing the echoes of her scream and watching the light fade from his eyes. There was no one there to sleep beside her and hold her close, to tell her that it was just a dream. This was reality.

It was real. NIKO MANNER was gone.

Kai was strapped close to her chest, her hand gently rubbing his back while her other hand patted his bottom as she walked to her former home in Slateport. Where she thought maybe she could get some help.

Comfort? Doubtful. Jessie fucked over many times. What did GABRIEL BLACK have to offer to his child who ran away, joined a villainous organization for the purpose of rebellion, and practically disowned herself from the family?

Still... she needed something. Anything. So, she knocked, only able to hold it together until he opened the door.

"H-hey... Dad."

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

There wasn't any time for this. Her impatience grew by the second, the longer the boat wouldn't run.

Why the hell did she think that it'd be a good idea to come to Slateport Beach on a boat anyway? Jessie knew she should have booked a flying taxi when she had the chance.

At least Kai was being taken care of, back with the gang. NIKO MANNER-

She had to stop the thought, raising a hand to her mouth to hold back a feeling of nausea or a sob. Honestly, at this point, she wasn't sure. Her mind was occupied by unpleasant thoughts when @calhoun spoke.

The strange voice startled her, bringing her back to reality as she looked up, trying to remain composed and cautious.

"Oh. Uh, yeah, you could say that I do..."

In more ways than one.

"I'm sort of stuck here."

@calhoun

☉

Jessie couldn't help a pleased laugh when Nina called her dancing sexy. It was her job to dance like that, but she wasn't expecting her to be so eager to learn it.

"Okay. I'll teach you how to do some go go dancing. That's a lot of what I do. Sometimes I strip, but that's only if I want something real nice."

She winked, heading to the entertainment studio to turn on some music.

"I do. Let me find a playlist, and then we can move the coffee table."

nina larson

☉

Jessica Black had always imagined that she'd marry a nice man with money. Someone her father would highly approve of, have a ginormous wedding with many guests, and have the most elaborate ballgown. She would make her sister her maid of honor, have a few friends join her bridal party, and have an unforgettable night.

While unforgettable, it was almost as if the exact opposite had happened.

Jessica Manner was all the more happy for it. She knew that the moment they both agreed to get married, they didn't want to wait. There was no time to plan a wedding.

Eloping was the best decision of her life. Even if she hadn't had a princess ballgown and her family with her. She and NIKO MANNER were family now, with Kai fully adopted as her son as well. Finn and Pink Shit had been in attendance, as were a couple of other witnesses.

And an easy honeymoon away brought them home. Settled in married life in Verdanturf.

Sitting at one of the bars, actually near the club she had worked at after leaving Slateport, Jessie was drinking with Niko, giggling as she sipped her fruity drink through a straw.

"You remember that bitch that I fought when I was working at the club? Who got jealous of me getting more attention than her? I saw her the other day..."

NIKO MANNER

☉

Jessie couldn't help a small giggle as Nina stood and copied her, getting warmed up for their lesson. If you could call this a lesson.

"Well, first, I wanna ask, do you want to learn a specific type of dance? Like fun dancing, slow dancing, salsa, tango, etc.? Or do you want to learn what I'm really good at?"

Jessie's world of dance was far from classical dance. Sure, she knew ballet and ballroom dancing. But night life required much more than that.

"I want to know what you are comfortable with learning. And we can go from there!"

nina larson

☉