2019-12-27 - Twistin' the Night Away

Thew is in a suit, dark charcoal, dark salmon shirt, paisley tie. He's still bearded and his hair is wind battered, but he's actually going to a place, like a club. So for Jade he's really, really, trying. He even looks the bouncer in the eye when they're being ID'd. The fact that he's the town gravedigger giving them a small berth, but also drawing stares. It's not a big town and people with quirks and a mother like Thewlis has - well people talk.

Jade went all out as soon as Thewlis stepped out in that suit. Pulling out a dress she hasn't worn in over a year and squirming into it, slipping into some heels that actually put her closer to his height, makeup, styling her hair, everything. She was not about to let him down when he went to the effort to clean up so nicely. Very snugly fitted, the dress hugs her until flaring out into a flirty skirt just below her hips, the hem halting just above her knees. She has his arm and is smiling brightly as they enter the club, looking all around excitedly and murmuring, "You look -amazing- Thew. I didn't know you had anything like this stored away."

Clubbing, why not? She's been to this place before, even if she doesn't normally hangout here. This time she leaves her guard behind too, feeling brave or maybe just feeling a bit of cabin fever. Her dress isn't nearly as elaborate as Jade's. It is snug, and black, but it's nice enough for club wear. Her black high heeled shoes match the dress well and she comments a bit about how she shouldn't wander around in the cold with something so short. (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/55/c7/ef/55c7ef01ff5817871c716ff609829bc2.jpg ) She does wear a jacket but seeing an empty chair somewhere, she takes the jacket off and puts it down. The club has heaters naturally, so she heaves a sigh of relief as she starts to warm up. Wandering out in such a dress, what was she thinking? Cabin fever can make you do crazy things.

Walking into the club with Jade on his arm, Thew ducks, eyes on his feet, though flicking up to keep an eye on their path, he swallows and makes his way, at first, towards the bar, "I... I have a few. Not many. I don't. Not often, I. That I wear. But some things... need. I need. Suit." signaling the tender, "Drink first?" moving to draw a stool out for Jade while he himself leans against the bar, head tilting when he sees Hera as well (it's the contrast, pale ginger, lotta leg right now, and club lights? Beacon) raising a hand when she's close enough to possibly see.

Jade, conversely, keeps her head up and looks people int he eye, almost daring them to say anything against the town's gravedigger showing up to a club with a woman on his arm. She smiles towards Thewlis and offers, "Its an excellent suit. You'll have to show me another one sometime soon. I love an excuse to get all dolled up!" Reaching the bar, she settles into the seat and rests a hand lightly on Thew's while they wait to gain the bartender's notice. When he waves towards someone, however, she's quick to glance around, then grin at seeing Hera. "Hera! Hello! Fancy meeting you here!"

Hera whews as she recognizes some familiar faces. If she was going to stay here alone all night, she likely wouldn't last long. "Hello!" she says as she heads over to them, happy to recognize them and even happier to seem her friends out enjoying themselves. Then, she speaks sincerely, impressed by their outfits, "Wow." she pauses as she takes in their lovely appearance, "You two look good, I mean really really good." The times she has seen them, they haven't been all dolled up. "That dress just, it's amazing on you and Thewlis, your suit is perfect, really perfect!" Closing more of the distance, but not invading their personal space, she asks, "So what brings you two out? Small town, isn't it? I was having second thoughts thinking I would be here all by myself."

"I... It. I've never... and Jade... She... She likes... And she's... she looks. I." Thewlis stutters and stumbles, "She looks..." slicking his hair back from his face before using his free hand to pull a stool out for Hera.
"You both. Dresses. Both. You look..." head moving between them again. "I have... I have no words. For either... Word's would... cheapen." Thewlis looks when the tender arrives, signaling drinks are on his before ordering a stout.

Grinning, even faintly flushed, Jade nods towards Hera, "Thank you! I love yours, too! That is -gorgeous-!" She glances up at Thewlis and lets out an appreciative sigh, "Isn't he though? I never though a suit could look so good." Clearly more than a bit smitten, she watches him fro a few moments longer before chuckling and offering, "I haven't actually worn this dress since... Latin Night at this club Liam and I used to hit up now and then in Seattle. They would do full on tango and salsa and everything.. they even had bachata dances. It was super fun but the last year we didn't really get a chance to get out there, and I haven't really found anywhere here that offers true Latin dancing." Jade turns a smile towards Thewlis for his compliments, squeezing his hand lightly before ordering a vodka tonic, tall, twist of lemon."

Hera continues on with her sweet demeanor. In the relatively short time she has known these two, already, the couple seems to mean a lot to her. In a friendly but caring way, she moves in to kiss Jade on the forehead, a bit of a motherly or sisterly action perhaps. "You are beautiful, not just on the outside but you make my friend very happy, I knew that the first time I saw you two together and, wow" she simply blushes madly at the compliments, "This is really, nothing. I have a lot of dresses like these. It's simple but sometimes simple is good." She continues to remain humble as well. "Wow, salsa dances I saw a lot of those in Texas but, just never was too brave to take the lead with them and haha." she playfully pats Thewlis on the shoulder, "He's such a charmer, he really is. Handyman and charmer, all in one."

Blushing red, Thew looks down at the floor. "I... I'm.. I." he swallows, closes his eyes... and changes the subject from him being a charmer, "I know how... dance a little. Self taught." one has a lot of opportunity to be self taught at many things when you've spent over a decade cooped up alone, after all.

"If... If Jade, isn't. Not. Isn't... Not offended. Could offer... Dance. Unless you're... on..." struggling like made to make a joke, be affable, something, "On the... Hunt..." he dares a wink and then he is turning to look at the floor, breathing hard.

Hera laughs at the mention of being on the hunt and rolls her eyes a bit, "Me? On the hunt? Yeah right? I don't think I've ever had the courage to chase anyone like that. Heaven only knows what serious trouble I would wind up in if I did. I don't mind a dance or two I uhm." she bites her lower lip a little out of nervousness then, she takes a deep breath to settle herself, "I, well, have some dancing skill I suppose, maybe. Mae said she would give me formal lessons at some point. I'm nowhere in her league."

"I... I just. I mean I can. I. I've only... I've. Only danced couple times... Public." Thew nods when his beer arrives, taking a long swallow to find a way to avoid speaking. A few small dates, not many. It's Thew Moore. But he has danced and dined, even if it ended up a prank on him. A show put on by others. It's a wonder he ended up sad and not bitter. That he kept his gifts to positive ends and didn't just start killing people.

Hera thinks for a moment and taps her cheek, "I kinda always wanted to learn waltz style dancing, something like that really. I don't know if I would have that kind of skill but to wear those really long elaborate dresses and just let the dresses swoon about you and follow the lead of a gentleman and just twirl about never stepping on the hem of a formal gown." With a bit of a giggle she twirls around a bit and then looks back to her friends, "That's not really what I learned though."

Jade returns from having to take a phone call, offering a sheepish smile and muttering, "My parents were calling to find out if we're still on for dinner tomorrow.. and then they wanted to know what the music was... and um... we may be invaded by my family tonight." She throws Thew and Hera an apologetic look then quick takes a drink of her vodka tonic and tries not to look at Thewlis. Because 'date night' has officially been turned int 'Riveras invade the club' night. She lets out a breath, then looks to Hera with a smile, "You should get a dance in with him now, before they arrive. We're about to be invaded."

Thewlis leans into whisper something to Jade, giving her a little kiss on the cheek before he stands back upright. "Only... if. I was... I mean." Thewlis shrugs a little, "I'll be a perfect gentleman... maybe someone nice will cut in, too?" he takes another long drink of his beer, looking between the ladies and the dance floor.

Hera blushes a little as she lets it slip, "The guy who served up the wine was kinda cute." Whoops, she slacked on that one, "Sorry uhm, yeah." she grins, "I don't mind a twirl or two, especially since I haven't had anything to drink yet. Last time I drank and danced my shoes were declared lethal weapons until Grace intervened. She is aptly named, she was more graceful than I was." About the dance she says, "That's, totally up to you two, especially you Jade. It's just good to find familiar faces in this crowded place."

Chuckling, Jade grins, "That was my brother Abran. He's thirty-two, and a detective with the Seattle PD. And quite single by all accounts. Mi madre has been trying for years to get him to settle down, but every time he finds a girl, she ends up leaving him because of the job." She waggles her brows at Hera, "I could introduce you. He could give you a bachata lesson." Grinning at Thewlis' whisper, she leans up to whisper something back to him before kissing him lightly and smiling, "Go on, baby. Go dance with Hera, I'll be right here."

Nodding and ducking his head down a moment, Thew looks to Hera and offers her the crook of his arm with a tilt of his head. "It's... I'll. Don't worry. Perfect... Gentleman." he gets a grin, "Jih-juh-Jade... she muh-might... if you. My butt... Grabbed. She's... spicy temper, latina temper." trying to make the joke and figuring on failure due to the stuttering.

Hera smirks as she slowly begins to go with Thewlis to the dance floor. "I know, remember the statue, it was how I see you, lovely and perfect couple, an excellent symbol of true romance. It's true, real love, something that starts deep from the inside and radiates out. Your are her rock, and she is your foundation. What you two have is genuine, I really loved sculpting you both but." she extends her hand to him and asks, "Shall we?"

Thewlis moves to lead Hera out onto the floor, brow knit and trying to ignore others. It's club music, so things need to be adjusted appropriately. Despite having made the offer, once they're in the mix he looks to her, with one hand out an expression silently asking if she's really sure on his features

Hera nods to indicate that she is sure but, her nerves might have gotten the better of her. Yes, she really wanted to dance and yes, it is innocent but it turns into a serious mess apparently. It must be those heels, those damn heels. You would think women would know better than to wear high heels all the time. Yup, she yelps as she tries to get in position but, whoops, down she goes. This might not turn out to be the fun night she thought it would!

When she starts to fall backward, Thew moves fast, hand at the small of her back, the other holding hers to balance her as if it was some sort of fancy dip before pulling her up to put her into a quick-step set to the club themes.

Thew? He looks shocked. Like. Super shocked. He did something and it was good?

Jade watches with a smile as Thewlis leads Hera out to the dance floor, sipping her vodka tonic. Letting her head drift and nod to the beat, one foot swinging lightly in time with the music as she watches the pair. There's a jolt upright when it looks like Hera might fall, but then THewlis catches her.. and makes it look smooth, too! She grins and relaxes back against hte bar. The man that tries to sidle in is barely glanced at, given a hard pass when he tries to offer a dance to her.

Hera yells a bit and then that yell turns into a swoon. Whoa, talk about timing and good reflexes. She thinks that she's going down for the count but then, Thewlis winds up being Mr. Smooth. Who would think the cemetary caretaker would be such a lifesaver, or at least a dance saver. In fact, some people look over as they do 'da dip' in a bit more of an elaborate fashion. This isn't typical club dancing, it's dancing with flare! Then, she gets back to her feet and get reorientated. "You should try out for Staying Alive! 21st century style!" Well he definitely saved Hera's neck.

"Oh... I. Reflexes." Thewlis stands Hera up... and stands there. There are people watching, especially after that move and Thewlis just locks up. He's shaking, eyes closed, mouth closed so tight that the skin about his mouth has gone white. He's doing his best to keep his breathing in order, and he doesn't panic... But he's a statue.

Jade sees what's happening, know that he's struggling. So she does what any good girlfriend would do.. she goes to rescue him! Hopping off the stool, she makes her way quickly to the dance floor, flashing Hera a brief smile as she steps up behind Thewlis. Leaning up, she whispers in his ear, her hands falling to his hips and starting to urge him into a simple side-to-side swaying. Gentle, easy swaying, nodding to Hera to move with him.

Hera sees him struggle and is about to react, but she remembers what Devlin said about Thewlis and crowds. So, this may be a bit natural, even if it appears unnatural. On a certain level, even seeing Thewlis nervous makes her a bit nervous. It doesn't help that she almost fell on her butt. When Jade comes to the rescue she starts to relax a little and just goes to softly swaying bit by bit, all seems better now. For now.....

Eyes closed, following the guidance, Thewlis begins to relax anew, listening to Jade in his ear. The caretaker's shoulders lower a little as he lets the tension go. He doesn't go for fancy, he just sways for now, trying to at least follow the pulse of the current club beat.

Smiling as she feels Thewlis relax into the slow, swaying motions of the dance, Jade looks to Hera and winks. Leaning her cheek against the back of his shoulder, she stays with him, just swaying and helping him stay calm so Hera can have her dance. With the way she moves to mirror Thewlis's stance and steps, once she's not on her tiptoes, its easy to forget that she's even there. At least from the front! Once he seems to have himself under control, she gives him a light squeeze and steps back to smile towards Hera with a nod, heading back towards the bar to collect her neglected drink.

Hera takes a deep breath after normality has been restored. Fortunately, they don't have to go into outer space to see how things can really go bonkers. Yes, her feet are firmly on the floor, but hopefully not too firmly where she can't move with at least some fluidity. She finally smiles as she's more comfortable. It's a bit of a casual dance, and one that shouldn't involve too many challenging moves.

Confidence slowly returning, Thewlis begins moving again, giving Hera faint smile which for the man is practically manic if you know how infrequently it happens in public. Shifting to tempo and even added a few steps in - to give Hera a good time while they're out on the floor. "Sorry... about. I. About. Locked up. I. Locked. Sorry." closing his eyes and leading to keep his composure.

Hera follows the lead fairly well and she continues to not make a complete fool of herself. It's not a complicated dance at this point, in fact, it's one she is growing to enjoy more and more. "Nothing to be sorry about. Did you want to go get a drink? The song is about over I think?"

"Only... if... Want. If you want..." Thew opens his eyes again, looking to her "Thought... make. Nice night for. I... The statue. I'm bad at gifts..." Thew looks shame faced now, brow knitted. "It was very nice. I don't... How to. Thank you." putting Hera into a little twirl.

Hera feels her cellphone buzz off and she groans, "Yeah, about that time, crap. Never ends I guess." She goes to give Thewlis a friendly and brief kiss on the cheek and says, "I need to go, really, need to go." She looks over and waves at Jade as if to make sure she says goodbye and off she goes.

The kiss on the cheek causes Thew to freeze and stand there on the dance floor. He has no clue what to do when Hera heads off, but he is able to at least get back to the bar unaware of lipstick lips on his cheek. Slipping in next to Jade, picking his beer back up to take a long swallow of it. "I... She. I. I. She. I. She. I. She." Does not compute!!!

Jade waits at the bar, having seen the whole thing. Smiling. Oh she is highly amused. Poor Thewlis, so easy to bluescreen. When he takes the drinka nd sets the glass back down, she reaches up to rub at the lipstick mark on his cheek and chuckles, "She kissed your cheek, yes. Women do do that with male friends. She very clearly thinks quite highly of you, Thew."

"So... I. You're not. I'm not. No trouble?" swallowing hard and looking back to Jade, giving her a small smile. "Good... I..." he shrugs and leans to pop a kiss on her forehead before nursing his beer again. "Do you... want... Dance?" head coming up a little, brows knit - though he looks more intent in his curiosity than passively wondering.

"Oh sweetie, no. I'm not going to get angry at you for something like that.." Jade smiles up at him and reaches out to squeeze his hand gently. "Now if you start letting women kiss you on the lips, then we might have some issues." Winking at him, she sips from her drink then lifts a brow at him, "I would love to, but only if you want, Thew. I don't want to force you to be more 'public' than you're comfortable with."

Offering Jade his hand, Thew gives her a smile that rarely exists outside the house. "Juh-ja-Jayyy... Darlin'... I'm not... Club. Take you... For one... Duh-di-druh... Vodka and go." summoning up the courage to tip her a wink while he stands there, at her mercy.

Jade takes his hand, smiling broadly and rising up from the stool, "I didn't think you were, love, but I didn't want to tax you either." She kisses the corner of his mouth and tucks her hand into his arm to let him lead her to the dance floor. "Do you want to go see the new Black Christmas that's coming out for the next date night? Nice quiet theater, some good popcorn, a fun horror movie?"

"Yeah... that. It. I... Sounds fun for that" leading Jade further in than he lead Hera, opting something more... akin to what she may like... He doesn't know bachata, but he does know salsa... lifting her hand in his and settling the other on her waist as they start moving.
"Wanted to... we see horror so much... Thought you'd... Dance. Would like."

Lifting a brow as Thewlis steps into a familiar starting position, Jade glances at his hands, then up at him with a grin. Oh someone is quite excited for this dance! She takes her own position and chuckles, "I love watching horror movies as much as you do, Thew... but I'll admit, I love dancing too. That said, we could push the furniture out of the way at home and dance in the living room if you wanted."

"We could... sometime. But... Think... you'd want. Go out?" moving into the first steps, keeping his hips in the action, the arm on her hip rising soon for hers to rest on and the hand holding hers coming down as he grows more confidence, keeping his eyes on Jade and doing as much as he can to ignore the rest of the club.

"Of course I like going out with you," Jade responds, smiling up at him, moving into the dance with him. Hips and arms in motion, feet following along to the beat of the music, she grins, turning out, then back in, going side-by-side for a moment then whirling around to face him again. "I get what you're saying, though... and I appreciate it. Maybe.. maybe once a week we could set up something where we just... go out? There usually seems to be something happening around here, shouldn't be too hard to find a social event to jump into.."

"That. I... That's. Idea. Good idea." Thew smiles at her. "Yuh-you..." he twists into a spin that brings her all the way around him and back in close, arms and hips keeping the time, "You'd better... puh'pick... I'll... I won't know what to do... When I do... will. Fair" bringing Jade in close, stealing a quick kiss before the dance continues.

"Good! I think it will do us both good. We also still have to have dinner with Tio Ruiz. You'll like him, he's the best of people," Jade flashes a grin before twirling out under his guidance, then spinning back in close. Chuckling as she gets that kiss stolen, her cheeks flush softly. "You really are a charmer..."

"Just with... just... You." He smiles and moves with her over the floor, where they have space, keeping close and focusing on Jade, intent on keeping her the center of his attentions now, only her and no one else while they dance in the crowded club.

"And that is the best answer," Jade murmurs softly, smiling up at him as they move across the floor. Thankfully, salsa can be done in a relatively small amount of space and if the floor isn't too crowded, it should be pretty easy for them to dance unimpeded. She keeps her attention focused on him in turn, no glances darted to others or even just away. She keeps her gaze on his and tries to keep them both focused on the dance itself.

Thewlis blushes at that and remains quiet through the dance. He actually looks relaxed in public. Sure it's a seedy nightclub and not some swank hot spot in a nice part of town, but the atmosphere seems to have no affect on him right now. His only change in dance steps coming when the music changes to something slower, and even then he only moves closer, to wrap his arms about her waist. "You make it easier to be out here, Jade"