Bernie comes in the door, glancing around the room as she closes the portal behind her, bag over her shoulder as usual.

Alicia is sitting on the couch working away at a cross word in the newspaper.

Bernie eases the door the rest of the way shut, quietly, and pads over toward the couch, looking around almost furtively as she goes. Though it's a tempting opportunity to sneak up on Alicia, she doesn't go for it, but rather stops in front of her and rather softly greets her with the usual, "...hey."

Alicia glances up at her, brushing away a few tendrils of hair from her face. "Hey you. I hate these things." Folding the paper, she pushes it to the side.

"Why ya doin' one, then?" Bernie queries, tilting her head slightly. "Pers'nally I like 'em, but I'm a freak, so.... so anyway. 'sup? You busy?" She shifts her weight slightly from one foot to the other, and then perches halfway on the arm of the sofa.

Alicia makes some room for her. "Not at all, I'm bored off my rocker Bernie." She says with a cheerful expression. "Just wondering if Adam will stop by or not."

Bernie mmms, "...he's th' one who clipped yer wings, right? ...So anyway I was thinkin'. You still wanna mess with my hair?" She sounds slightly nervous about the idea, despite the fact that she -is- the one bringing it up.

Alicia blinks a bit and glances over to you. "Serious? You sure? I mean.. I can do so many things with it, but thats completley up to you.. and what brought this about?"

Bernie runs a hand somewhat self-consciously through the wild curls, and nods, "...yeah... I mean, you weren't gonna cut it off or anythin', right? So..." she cracks a smile, "'long as Squall hasn' been at y'r hair care stuff, yeah, what th' hell...." No answer to the second half of the question.

Alicia smirks. "Yah, he joked 'bout that. Nair in the shampoo bottle. I told him he better not, cuz thats Megan's stuff, an she'll kick his ass all over the place. Anyways, I was thinking that we could straigten it out, you know, maybe put some high lights in the bangs."

Bernie still looks mildly dubious, but she shrugs, and nods, the curls bouncing with the movement. "Yeah, a'ight," she replies gamely, "I mean, 's not permanent, right? If I don' like it or somethin', I mean." A slight pause. "...an' Nair shouldn't ever be used in shampoo, gotta put it in somethin' more... um, nevermind." She trails off, eyes flicking innocently toward the ceiling.

Alicia grins a bit. "Anyways... it'll wear off in a month or so, maybe two. Its a temp straightner or something. But why you want me to tho'? Ya didn't answer that."

Bernie pulls a few curls foward and looks at them. "...a month or two?" she echoes, sounding a bit distressed. Second thoughts, maybe? "An'..." her skin gains just the faintest tinge of pink as she shrugs again, looking at the curls, "...I dunno... no partic'lar reason I guess..."

Alicia shakes her head. "Bernie.. Tell me." She says, laying a hand on your shoulder. "Ah'm a girl, an ah'know we never do anything drastic about our hair unless there's a good reason. So c'mon, spit it out."

"Well, I'm a girl too," Bernie replies eventually, not very loudly and still looking at the curls in her hand. "...maybe if I change my hair or something, people might notice that at some point." Yet another shrug; they seem to go along with the blushing and general embarrassment. "...I don't know." Odd how she didn't drop a single syllable in that.

"Notice you how?" Alicia asks softly. "You mean like boys? Or... well... Elders in general? Are you ok?" Concern riddles the Gaian's face as she slips in front of you, dark eyes searching yours. "Something's up... lets have a girl talk, bake some brownies, screw our hair up and have a sleep over."

"...maybe like boys," Bernie grants after a moment, turning even pinker for a moment as both hands move to gather her curls into an ersatz ponytail. The second she releases them, of course, they pop right back into their usual places. "...I'm okay. Brownies are good." A slight pause, and a half-smirk, "...what kind of brownies?"

Alicia smirks. "Legal brownies. Not the kind with marijuana in it." She says, hopping to her feet. "And why do you want boys to notice you for? Half of them are just fucking lame anyways." She replies as she makes her way into the kitchen.

Bernie follows, with a dry, "Shucks, an' here I was hopin'." The question is greeted with -- you guessed it -- another shrug. "Even if so that implies half of 'em aren't, right? ...I dunno... most of 'em aren't bad, most all of my friends all my life've been guys. But I just don't wanna always be one of 'em. If y'know what I mean. 'cause I'm not sure I do." She rolls her eyes, voice still softer than usual.

Alicia nods her head and goes about digging through the cupboards. "Well.. don't look to me as an example, sure, ah've.." She pauses. "Slept with guys, but ah'm not ganna pretend to be a pro. I jus'know how ta' seduce 'em an pick their wallet." There's a bit of a sigh and a shrug of her shoulders in return. "But what do you want to know?"

"I dunno," Bernie replies, opening the fridge and pulling out the butter, milk, and eggs, "...mostly I was just thinkin' maybe my hair'd behave or somethin'." She half-smiles almost apologetically and sets her bounty on the counter.

Alicia shrugs her shoulders a bit and smiles, then takes out the brownie mix, setting it down. "Well, I for one think you'll look super hot with straight hair. Curls are ok an all, but only for that geeky annie type people." Wetting her lips, she cracks the box open, taking a deep breath of the sweet sugary powder. "But I do think maybe some blonde or red streaks through your bangs would really bring attention to your eyes, which by the way are beautiful."

"Red's cool," Bernie offers, glancing at the box and plucking the appropriate number of eggs from the carton. "And, um.... thanks...." A hand slides up to self-consciously adjust her glasses.

Alicia smiles a bit, then shrugs. "Anytime.. and if you want to.." She pauses, not wanting to step on toes. "Lose weight... Running around in Lupus really kills calories, it also helps ya gain good muscle. If you want, we can always go for a few romps around in the barn or around the farm house, play tag or something. Its fun, and it really builds your wind up."

Bernie nods, fairly matter-of-fact about that topic. "Yeah, 's a thought maybe, I guess... I gotta get more practise with that. Just, 's hard t' carry my backpack that way, y'know? Thumbs are our friends..."

Alicia grins. "Carry it in yer jaws then Bernie. Nutt'n wrong with that, an we are stronger in that form." She smiles, bumping hips with you as she passes. "Ask Adam to dedicate your clothes to you. Its what he did for me."

Bernie giggles a little. "They're dedicated. Elan did it. 'fore that I'd only change in th' bathroom or places no one was 'round... only, if I shift with th' bag, everythin' inside falls out." She carries the eggs to the bowl, and starts expertly cracking them into the mix.

Alicia hmm's and starts to read the directions a bit, taking a measuring cup out and starts to pour some milk. "Ahh.. Well, still, carry it in yer jaws then. Its easier." She smiles. "Have you ever had a boy friend before?"

A thought strikes Bernie, and she glances at the box before leaning over to preheat the oven. "Um. 'pends if you gotta space in b'tween there or not. Lotsa friends who are boys. Were boys? Nah, 'least 95 percent of 'em still are..." she smirks a bit, and then continues, "but, one-word boyfriends? No..."

Alicia oh's softly and nods. "Well, ah'll help ya get your first one then." She says with a bright grin, confident in herself. "By the time we both hit Cliath, you'll have a truck load of boys wanting yo' number."

Bernie gets out a spoon to mix the ingredients together, and blushes again. "....'kay," is her eventual response to that. She starts stirring the bits together, watching the dry mix with the wet in the bowl. "...far as I know no one's ever even considered it though. I mean, not that I was really payin' much attention or anythin', but still."

Alicia nods her head a bit and shrugs. "Well, the biggest part about dating, is believing in yer'self mostly hot stuff." She says to Bernie. "Sometimes, you gotta take the first step an talk to a guy, ask /him/ out. If he doesn't show intrest, fuck 'em, his bad. But its best to start off as friends an just go from there."

"Friends I c'n do," Bernie replies, then pauses, an odd expression crossing her face, "Um, no pun intended. But, I mean, I'm pretty good at friends. Anyway... did we put th' oil in here yet?"

Alicia blinks and glances at the directions. "Hell if I know, ah've never done this before." She smiles a bit, eyes sparkling.

Bernie looks at the mixture thoughtfully, then around the kitchen, "Don' see th' bottle... wanna get it out? They stick t' th' pan somethin' terrible if y' forget it. PLus they don' come out chewy enough..."

Alicia hmm's and nods, then heads over to the cupboards, looking thoughtful. "Sure, ah'got it. Don't want hard brownies, thats for sure." She smiles, glancing over to you. "You know how to cook pretty well?"

Bernie nods, still mixing, almost all the light grains gone now in favour of a pool of dark brown goo. "Yeah... well, cheap stuff, 'least, y'know? I gotta big fam'ly..."

Alicia grins. "But you can still cook. Guys /love/ that about girls. Why ya think everyone follows me around? They are waiting for me to walk into the kitchen an make lasagna or something. There's truth in saying, a way to a man's, or a Garou's heart, is through their stomach."

Bernie hehs, leaving the bowl long enough to find the proper pan to use, "I always heard through th' ribcage was faster..." She sets the pan beside the bowl, and waits for the oil.

Alicia hands over the oil and giggles. "That too, if you like the violent way." She places her hands on your shoulders, giving a solid rub as she kneads the muscle and flesh. Leaning over, she smiles, nuzzling your cheek with hers. "Your a good person Bernie, you'll find that right guy in your life."

Bernie blushes again at the contact and the compliment, though she dosen't flinch away, instead taking refuge in silliness, "Yeah, well, Mother Teresa was a good person, an' she died an old maid... 'course, she was a nun, but hey..." She grins, and pours a dollop of oil into the bowl, measuring it by eye and then adding a few drops more.

Alicia bursts into giggles. "Yer' no motha' teresa darling." She drawls softly, kissing your cheek. Stepping back, she slips up to your side again, peering into the bowl. "That 'bout done? You know, Ah'bet Squall will smell this from the woods an come 'ah' running."

Bernie laughs, and nods, "Well, it's gotta beat th' hell outta rabbit for that enda th' evenin' treat, I'll say that..." She pours the goop into the pan, and adds, "...so I guess you might wanna be sure y'r panties're wedgieproof b'fore these get too done."

Alicia bursts into laughter at that and shakes her head. "He told ya huh? God.. what a dork, He tried to pretend to seduce me an then grab my ass. What a moron. He's not a very good actor." Smiling, she watches you pour the goop. "He'd not be so bad if it wasn't for the fact he tries too hard. He's too obvious."

Bernie grins, and shuts the oven door, standing up again and dusting off her hands. "'zat how? Heh. He jus' told us his atomic wedgie was failed by your timely thong.... not 'zactly in those words, 'course." She sets the bowl and spoon int he sink, starts the water running on them, and heads to the fridge, eyeing the various beverages therein for several moments. Her eyes linger briefly, almost thoughtfully, on the Guinness for a second, but she pulls out a coke, and glances over to Alicia, "Thirsty?"

Alicia smiles and steps up next to you, reaching for the Guinness. Nodding her head, she grins. "Lets get drunk. Lets just go total Fianna, have a blast, an just pretend to be normal for one night." Her eyes shine in mischeviousness.

Bernie considers a moment, and shrugs, switching the coke for a Guinness as well. "Yeah, a'ight," she agrees, then pauses again, and grins, "...only, 'f you're gonna mess with my hair, how 'bout you do that while you're still sober, yeah?"

Alicia nods her head and smiles. "Ah'won't get slammed afta'one can Bernie. Lets do th'hair thang while th'brownies cook."

Bernie snirks, "Well, I di'n' figure y' would, jus' di'n' think it'd be too wise t' do the full gettin' drunk bit b'fore th' precision follicle adjustment, y'know?" She eyes the can, hand stopping just before opening the self-chilling top. "...Matt says it's jus' wrong for Guinness t' be auto-chilled like these things, 'sposta be warm. I told 'im he oughta keep some out in a warm place an' open 'em with a can opener, but I don' think he took th' suggestion..."

Alicia shakes her head and shrugs. "Well, ah've nevah drank this before, so..bottom's up?" She pops the tab, then takes a mouthful, swallowing. Wrinkling her nose, she clears her throat a bit. "Mm... Yum." Its obvious that, well, its not what she really feels. "Ah'gotta bag of stuff up in the attic, Ah'll be right back."

Bernie nods, giving a negligent tilt of her head and popping the top herself, watching the frost develop on the thin metal. "So y'think we oughta do it in here, then?" She takes a somewhat tentative sip herself, and considers it a moment. "...'s better'n the crap my folks drink," she decides.

Coming downstairs with a huge backpack, Alicia smiles to Bernie, giving a grunt. "Sorry fo' the way. I had to find all my shit. Looks like someone was going thru' my stuff or something."

"No problem," Bernie replies from her chair, feet propped up on another of them, at least half done with her drink now. "...uh oh... think maybe it was Squall, lookin' t' get back atcha? I'd be careful wi' anythin' y' got from there..."

Alicia shrugs her shoulders with a grin. "Ah'dunno. If Squall knows whats good for him, he better not. The Furies have taught me the fine art of kicking a guy in the nuts." She plops the bag down, then begins rooting. She takes out a box of red hair dye, the same kind she has in her brown ocean. Some brushes and a blow driar.

Bernie eyes the paraphernalia warily, and takes another drink of the Guinness. Funny how these drinks always start tasting better as you go. "So... how d'we do this?"

Alicia smiles. "Well, Ah'figure we'll do it the easiest way. We'll jus' get yer hair really wet, then ah'll brush it out an blow dry it at the same time." Her eyes shine impishly. "Its quick, an it'll get the tangles an curls out."

Bernie nods slowly, "...do y' hafta wash an' condition it first, or jus' get it wet?"

Alicia shrugs her shoulders. "Well, you got any goop in there? Like gel or hair spray?"

Bernie shakes her head, the curls tumbling against each other, "Nope... jus' th' hair, thassall."

Alicia hmmm's. "Well, I guess it makes sense to shower it up. I always did. God, its been forever since I've done this." She huffs, flipping back her own natural straight hair. "I spent the last few years on the street. All the important stuff like cooking brownies an doing hair went out an robbing people blind went in."

Bernie nods, and shrugs, draining the rest of her can. "A'ight... just tell me what t' do, sarge..." She doesn't comment on the past activities, except to say, "...an' we'll get back t' the fun an' socially acceptable skill set."

Alicia chuckles. "Go upstairs an take a quickie shower if you want. There's poo' an conditioner up in the bathroom. I'll make sure the brownies come out an get cut when they are ready."

Bernie nods, "A'ight... be righ' back, then. 'scuse me..." She stands, taking a moment to drop her empty in the trash before she heads out and up the stairs.

Alicia smiles and watches her go, then settles onto the table, glancing to the oven.

Bernie returns after ten or fifteen minutes, wet, her jacket and flannel over one arm so that she's just in the tanktop and jeans for now, hair hanging down damp and almost limp with the water. She's also brought a slightly stained towel from upstairs, in case it's needed. "Think that oughta do it... brought a towel, too..."

Alicia nods her hair and smiles, having the pan of brownies out and cut. They still look hot, steam rising off the top. "Cool. Sit down cute stuff and I'll start ah'brushing."

Bernie reclaims her chair obediently, after snagging another can from the fridge, and sets her feet back in place. "Right-o, oh bestower of beauty, an' all that..." S he reaches out to poke a brownie lightly with a fingertip, "...they look an' smell great."

Alicia grins. "Your a wonderful cook I suposse." She draws, running the brush experimentally through your hair, making sure it doesn't tangle or catch. After a few strokes, she gets into it, running the entire length, pulling back lightly with her free hand. "So Bernie, what'd you used ta' do before the whole napp'n thang?"

Bernie thinks about that a moment, popping the new can open. "Pretty much th' same thing as now, I guess," she replies, and takes a sip, "...'cept in SoCal with my family there an' an official house an' goin' t' school an' all, an' no one turnin' into big hairy monsters. So maybe not so much th' same..." A quick grin, and another sip. "Read a lot, did th' school thing, played arr-pee-geez, messed with th' computer in th' library, hung out in th' park by th' stream, got in fights with th' jock asshole idiots an' got suspended for usin' the ringleader's knife 'gainst him t' change th' bite scar I gave 'im b'fore inta a happy face..." She actually sounds somewhat proud and self-satisfied about that.

Alicia blinks a bit and grins. "Yah? Thats cool. You sound like a real smart person." She pokes you slightly, then continues to brush. "Thats good, the Garou need..smart people instead of.. blood lust full moonies." Plugging in the hair driar, she turns in, then goes about blowing and brushing.

"I am," Bernie replies completely matter-of-factly, with a little shrug. "Lola an' Naomi got th' beauty, I got th' brains. Us'ly I don't think it's sucha bad deal..." She holds her head quite still, not wanting to mess up the process. "...an' seein' as I'm a no-moon 's a good thing I'm not blood-lust central, I guess." She half-smiles, and supresses the urge to look back and up at Alicia.

Alicia giggles softly and strokes the brush through the hair, using the blow drier to help warm as she goes. "Benedict, my twin brother... he was the jock. He's not bad looking either, Ah'm guessing he's prolly a real pimp with the ladies. But Ah'was the /smart/ one ah'guess you can say. So smart I grounded my life into drugs." She furrows her brows a bit, then shrugs it off.

[...and sleep insisted the scene end, so the actual hair adjustment was put off. Assume the characters got too tired also, eh? ]