not a better start //jordan

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

They switched seats.

Ray mumbled something about how of course she wanted to get away. And Jordan was torn between an apology and saying that all families fought and to think there would be a magical time when everyone was fine was okay. Jordan went for the truth. "I'm sorry," She said first, quietly and not looking at Ray. She was just nervous and scared. In any case, Jordan could give her sister a reality check about families at another time.

She clicked on her map wordlessly. "You take a left in three blocks," Jordan said flatly, waiting for the car to leave a curb. after a moment she said, "You don't have any idea what its like to be me, you think you do, but you don't." Jordan knew that Ray probably thought she meant something shallow like 'what its like to be an athlete' or 'what its like to be chased by boys'. Jordan knew she had to continue, even if the last thing she wanted to do was open up to Ray.

"My older sister was beautiful and kind and always polite, my younger sister was a god damned published whiz kid, and here I was, totally ordinary. I liked being home alone without you guys, I could shine for a minute, but I still wanted you there." Jordan admitted, not at all sure if this was going to end up like she hoped. Jordan spent too much time trying to be like Hadley, but she had an edge, and she spent all her time with Ray trying to prove she had something to offer. "I know you think I'm an idiot, and I can never do anything to prove you wrong." Jordan figured that maybe by talking she was being the grown up here, but thankfully the streets prompted her to change the subject.

"Right here." Jordan added and then she said no more, pushing on the radio and turning to a soft rock station that at least wasn't top 40.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Ray tried to put all her effort into paying attention on the road. In any other mood, Ray would’ve been fascinated by the drive. Everything turned picturesque, like a winter wonderland, but more elegant, right out of a fairy tale. There was a crisp layer of snow everywhere, but the roads were immaculate. Clearly, the upkeep of this town was top-notch. But even though the scenery was pristine, Ray thoughts were on methods of distraction. It failed, though, as soon as heard Jordan’s voice again.

No matter how much she wanted to block it out or how hard she wished she didn’t care, Ray could never just cut her sisters out of her mind. Even though her expression didn’t change, Ray picked up every word. At first, Ray wanted to scoff – what could Jordan possibly say now to make Ray sympathize with her? Being in her position couldn’t possibly be as bad as Jordan seemed to be letting on. What kind of sob story would she conjure now …?

But as Ray listened on, part of her started to reconsider. If Jordan was being actually sincere, then such a confession would be … kinda brave on her part. Especially taking into account that Jordan might possibly sometimes feel inferior to Ray (which Ray wasn’t sure was idle flattery or not, because it sounded so outside the realm of possibility.) If that was true, than Jordan was really being vulnerable, which Ray had to respect.

Part of what Jordan said made Ray think about herself and her sisters. Ray was published, but it felt like to her that that never mattered in her family. Her parents always went on about how presentable, sociable, and family-oriented her sisters were (at least, it seemed to Ray that those were the only qualities that mattered.) Ray held onto her niche intellect in attempts to feel better than them at something, but she never imagined her sisters would also see it as something she had over them, too. Ray always thought her accomplishments were considered quirks, or artsy, flaky hobbies.

And between the emotional rollercoaster of the trip, the sentimentality in the last few minutes, and the possibly life revelations, Ray just started to laugh. The first chuckle escaped her lips like a gasp, and once it started going, like a floodgate, it couldn’t be stopped. Ray eased up to the intersection and turned on her right blinker, not knowing what the state law was on turning on red lights, but figuring a full stop would be safe. She took the moment, to clutch her stomach. It was getting hard to breathe.

“We’re such a basket case rescue team.” She managed between laughs. Green light. She started to turn. If their sister’s fate rested on their shoulders … “Hadley’s screwed.”

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Jordan's first instinct was to insist that nothing about this was funny, but after a moment, Jordan found that she too was laughing. All the emotion, anxiety, fear, annoyance just flooded out in that laughter. She was laughing at herself, at Ray at how they were really more similar that either had thought. Suddenly everything seemed funny, and while their relationship wasn't going to suddenly wonderful, Jordan felt like maybe they'd turned a corner.

"We are a basket case rescue team, but Hadley is going to be fine." Jordan said, only half agreeing. If she thought Hadley was screwed she doubted she could get through this. They had to come, it was better than nothing, and maybe there were some nice people in this town. The small hotel pulled into view and Jordan pointed at it.

"Let's hope they have an empty room, how many people really travel before the holidays anyway?" Days before, sure. After, of course. But Christmas was still a few weeks away after all, most people wouldn't be out of school yet. Jordan figured the odds were pretty good.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Ray was glad to get a good laugh out. A lot of the stress and tension that has accumulated throughout the day had seemed to just roll off. It felt that way for the moment, anyway. The deep breaths after the laugh felt like heaven, and Ray savored them. Following Jordan’s line of sight and pointed finger, Ray turned into the hotel parking lot. It certainly didn’t look like one of the cheap affairs that had the vacancy/no vacancy indicators in the front, so it seemed they had to ask inside.

“You’re probably right.” Ray said quietly, putting the car into park. Hadley would be fine … which seemed to turn the conversation back to an earlier point, but Ray let it go. Unbuckling herself, Ray reached back for her jacket, gloves, and scarf.

Stepping outside, Ray bundled up as quickly as she could. Something about the cold reminded her of London, which reminded her of what time it was in London, which reminded her that she would be sleeping right now, which reminded her that she was actually very tired. It was so strange to suddenly realize that – the strain on her mind to keep functioning was immense. Ray stifled a yawn.

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Jordan followed Ray's lead and grabbed her winter wear out of the back, wishing she'd remembered to keep her gloves within reach. She tucked her hands into her letterman's jacket, which was remarkably warm, but none the less, she hurried to the entrance and inside.

It was a beautiful place actually. Cozy, rustic, but it didn't smell like old carpets. Jordan wasn't sure what a room here would cost, much less how long they were staying. The woman at the front desk was eyeing her quietly and Jordan realized maybe she looked odd, but what was so odd about scoping out a hotel?

"Um, hi there," Jordan paused to read the woman's name tag, and deciding she wasn't sure how to pronounce it, gave up. "We need a room, 1 queen bed would be okay." She said lightly, hoping at least to get away from a tiny bed, though how much would ti be to get a rollaway bed in a one person room? Certainly not as much as a room for 2.

"For tonight, possibly a couple days, do you have anything?" Jordan prompted when the woman didn't ask or say anything. Jordan decided she must hate her job to be so difficult. While the woman looked up on her computer, Jordan shrugged at Ray.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Like Jordan, Ray looked around, a bit sleepily, when they got into the hotel. Ray meandered towards the front desk a bit behind Jordan, not really on the ball because she figured Jordan would do all the talking – she was the assertive older sister, and all. So it was slightly surprising to hear “um, hi there” uttered from Jordan’s lips. Ray never imagined Jordan could be anything but fierce in public.

The surprise prompted Ray to actually pay attention to her surroundings and that was when she first noticed the kind of reception they were getting. The woman was eying Jordan, but Ray knew it was because of her – she lady was probably wondering how could a nice, normal-looking girl get mixed up in someone like Ray. This wasn’t the first time this happened, only people tended to be far less closed-minded in Europe. Ray turned away and rolled her eyes. Catching Jordan’s shrug, Ray felt bad that Jordan still looked somewhat hopeful. Ray knew what was about to happen.

“Sorry, we have no vacancies.” The woman announced, obviously not sorry at all. “You should really try to make reservations ahead of time.” They were dismissed. Ray narrowed her eyes and responded with a sarcastic, “Thank you,” and turned abruptly to walk out.

Waiting until they were out the door and out of earshot, Ray turned to Jordan. “She totally thought I was your druggie lesbian lover,” Ray declared indignantly. Ray was more bothered by this than usual because she suddenly feared that finding a place to stay (and Hadley, more importantly) was going to be impeded by her inability to blend into high society. “What a twat.” She added, mostly to herself.

The very British slur suddenly reminded Ray of how she could very convincingly sound very British, which sparked an idea.

Ray’s paused reaching for the car door, and then she rested her arms on the car roof to give herself a proper opportunity to think. “Remember what you said … about using cleavage?” Ray started slowly. She had forgotten Jordan’s words exactly, but surely she’d remember the idea.

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Before Jordan could give the receptionist a piece of her mind, Ray thanked her and Jordan just nodded, following her sister out of the hotel. At Ray's comment about being her druggie lesbian lover, Jordan laughed so hard she snorted. "We totally should have made a scene about how she didn't care about gay people." Jordan said shaking her head. They could have pretended to be bloggers or something, and that they would boycott the hotel and demand to speak to the manager... that would have gotten them a room. "She's probably just mad she's not getting any." She said flashing her sister a little smile.

But then Ray asked her about her cleavage plan, "Yeah, but I don't think that would work on her...?" Jordan said. But maybe Ray meant at the next place they checked out. That would work. Jordan knew she'd have to loose the long sleeve shirt if they were gonna make that work. She couldn't remember what bra she had on, maybe she'd pull out another shirt.

"What do you have in mind?" Jordan asked, deciding to be direct. Ray had a look on her face that Jordan found amusing.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Ray had smiled vaguely at the idea of making a scene with Jordan. Despite their differences, somehow Ray could picture it perfectly. Jordan would be brilliantly dramatic, and Ray could pretend to be the one holding her back. The remark about the receptionist not getting any was also mildly amusing and probably true, but Ray's thoughts were elsewhere.

She looked at Jordan, and then back down. She chewed her lip, and then looked at Jordan again. It wasn't just Ray - Jordan was dressed normally, and looked cute, but ...

"Look, a pair of girls, even if they're cute, aren't going to get a warm welcome around here if they're not wearing designer jeans and fut coats." Ray stated bluntly. "Unless ..." she added, biting her lip. It was a ridiculous idea, but she had to get it out there.

"Unless love, they're a pair of moody rock stars from the UK, completely knackered from a bloody long flight." Ray explained, entirely in the British accent.

"I know it sounds insane." Ray admitted before Jordan could say anything, "But you have the attitude and I have the style. I tried it once with my friends in Italy - we got a free room and complementary spa treatments. It was ace."

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Jordan wasn't entirely sure if Ray's first statement was true or not. Sure people in designer wear might get a better reception, but money was money and they should appreciate the business. It wasn't like everyone in Aspen was rich, the people who worked at hotels certainly weren't. Jordan was about to say so when Ray started talking in a British accent, with all sorts of slang she only sort of knew.

"You're knackered if you really think that will work," Jordan said at first, but she paused to think for a moment. They could certainly try. Jordan watched enough BBC Sherlock, seen Love Actually an abundance of times and read enough Harry Potter to figure out enough slang, and what child didn't try to prefect their British accent growing up?

"So, if we're moody rockers from the UK... I can't be seen wearing this rubbish." Jordan said gesturing to herself, trying not to laugh at her accent attempt. Maybe she could just take off her shirt and unzip her jacket just enough to show plenty of cleavage but not that she lacked a shirt. "What's the name of our band, oh-fearless leader?" Jordan said as they reached the car, back in her usual speech.

She was flattered that Ray thought she had attitude and could pull this off, she was also rather amazed that Ray would have even thought up such an idea, much less had it work before.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

“Knackered means tired.” Ray pointed out matter-of-factly, but couldn’t help from smiling. Maybe it was nerves over what they were about to attempt or the realization of their ludicrous situation. Or maybe it was funny just hearing Jordan say “knackered.” “Which I am, but if you meant insane, you want to try barmy or off your trolley.”Ray watched Jordan consider the idea she had just dismissed. Ray, thinking she could work some sort of Jedi mind trick, thought “Come on, come on, come on” with increasing urgency. When Jordan appeared to embrace the idea, Ray did a silent cheer, but outwardly just looked over Jordan’s attire.

“Just wear something black.” Ray finally concluded. Jordan had to have something black… right? “Or neon, or … loud, basically.” Ray scrutinized over Jordan’s face next. “And mess up your hair and wear more eye liner.” With the amount of "ands" Ray was saying, it felt like she should go on forever, but those recommendations should do the trick.

Ray popped into the car and turned it on. Jordan just then raised a fair question. They would need to get their whole identity and back story straight. And being that Ray was known for her writing, it fit that she’d pick out a name.

Though admittedly, she didn’t like being put on the spot like that. “Um … Death Light … Premonition City … The Wandering …” Ray paused for a moment, tilting her head, and decided to take the moment to back the car out of park. “Slayers … Kennedies …” The last two were references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer which had been Ray’s whole life up until college. Despite the fond association, Ray began wondering what exactly constituted a good band name.

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Jordan chuckled and repeated the words 'off your trolley' silently to herself and nodded as she moved back to the car. Once they were inside, he realized she'd need to get ready and she leaned over the back of their seats to grab at her bag so she could pull out something suitable to add to her outfit so she could pass for some British rocker, knackered after a long flight... Maybe she'd just look tough and let Ray do the talking.

Ray was listing off possible band names and Jordan couldn't help but chuckle, she often kept a list because who didn't want to be in a band? "Seducing Virtue? Thunder Clap? Maisy and the gang? You can be Maisy and I'll be the gang," Jordan laughed, having a little too much fun with the whole thing before it became real. She shrugged and quickly pulled off her jacket and shirt in order to put on a new one, and she ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it to one side before going for her makeup bag.

She could make this work.

"I really have no idea," Jordan said with a shrug. But they needed a band name for absolute sure, otherwise they had no way off pulling this off. She looked over at Ray, waiting for some sort of instruction or comment as she finished lining her eyes and reached for some lipstick to finish off the new look.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Unfortunately, every writer was also a critic. At least, that was true for Ray. Surprisingly, Ray actually found herself hesitant to complain about the names. Normally she would jump at the opportunity. Ray chewed the inside of her cheek and caught a sideways glance at her sister, who was applying makeup. She figured what she felt was that they were actually, impossibly, surprisingly getting along, and it’d be a shame to ruin that.

But still, “We need to sound like we’re serious rockstars – international sensations. Seducing Virtues isn’t mysterious enough; it’s just sortof saying, haha, I’m paradoxical. Thunder Clap sounds like a painful STD, and Maisy and the Gang sound like they perform for toddlers on children’s TV networks.” Ray felt a bit bad about saying all that, but it had to done. What hotel would take them seriously if they showed up declaring themselves Maisy and the Gang?

Since none of Ray’s suggestions seemed to strike Jordan’s fancy, she figured maybe she’d go in another direction. Instead of sounding vague or dark, maybe she’d go for British sounding. “Her Majesty’s Pleasure?” Ray offered, a little more quietly than before, hoping Jordan wasn’t mad at her.

When Jordan declared her look finished, in the most unsure way possible, Ray caught a glance. She couldn’t help but smile as she returned her gaze to the road. “You look perfect.”

ooc- Ray's a bit of a brat, but I'm loving it ^____^

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Jordan just shrugged. "Hey, I'm just thinking out loud." She said with a roll of her eyes. It wasn't like she hadn't had thoughts or misgivings about the names Ray had come up with. For example, death light just sounded like a lame lightsaber. "You know, you can just say 'nah' and be done with it." She said pointedly, following with a chuckle. Ray would keep more friends and start fewer arguments if she told half truths. But Jordan was a bit excited and she didn't care, especially since Ray was right... though she sort of liked 'seducing virtue'.

"That's bloody perfect," Jordan said with a little smile. Her Majesty’s Pleasure... it sounded British and possibly lesbian, which was sort of funny. Jordan pointed at a sign for the resort, making sure that Ray didn't miss the turn as she sped along. It was weird to be getting along so well, but something about all the time apart and this car ride had really moved them along, not that Jordan thought they'd never fight again. That would be unrealistic.

"Thanks...sis," Jordan grinned. She honestly liked mixing in a little punk in her wardrobe, but usually when she went partying more than day to day. Not that ray would know that, having been overseas for so long. They reached the resort and she bounced out of her seat and popped some gum into her mouth, chewing wide and vacantly, leaning against the car to get into character a bit.

[RAYLENE NOELLE FAIRCHILD]

Ray was a little worried until the chuckle. Somehow that one sound let her know that everything was okay … well, as okay as things got between her and Jordan. Before that moment, Jordan sounded legitimately annoyed (obviously, for good reason.) Ray wondered what brought on the chuckle – it seemed to come from nowhere. Sometimes Ray just marveled at how bizarre Jordan’s mind seemed to be.
Not that Ray was an example of a normal person.

“But wouldn’t you want to know why I say “nah”?” Ray asked, really, really curious. What, was Jordan happy in ignorance? Ray couldn’t imagine herself ever feeling the same way. She liked to know what was going on and why – at least, around her family. That collective group of people was responsible for too much anxiety for Ray not to want to understand what they were up to and why, at all times.

Jordan’s spontaneous use of the word “bloody” rekindled Ray’s hope in their plan. That was very British, indeed. Clearly her sister wasn’t a lost cause. Ray almost wanted to go on and explain that “bleeding” could be used to substitute “bloody” sometimes, and that variation could be good, but the idea of going on another lecture made seemed tiresome. Ray just pulled into the resort and sought out parking.

Also, Jordan had just approved of a band name. Now, this was a lecture she had to go on. “To be held until her Majesty’s pleasure means to be put in prison for an undetermined amount of time,” Ray explained. It was important for Jordan to know their fake band name’s legitimate backstory. Also, with that new meaning, Ray figured Jordan would see the badass nature of the band name. It ultimately meant power. Holding onto things until you wanted them to go.

The way Jordan said thanks made Ray a little self-conscious. Ray didn’t mean anything special by the comment – “perfect” meant Jordan hit the perfect rockstar look. But unlike the case of band names, Ray figured this wasn’t something she could correct. Plus, there was something about the way Jordan said “sis” that sounded hopeful. A little, maybe. And it made Ray feel somehow exposed.

She parked the car and turned off the ignition. Looking critically at the resort, she asked, “Ready?”

[JORDAN VALENCIA FAIRCHILD]

Ray asked her if she would be fine with just a non-committal 'nah' and Jordan sorta moved her head an shoulder in a half yes and half no, trying to make up her mind. "If I want to know more, then I can ask, but you don't have to offer everything right up front." Jordan explained. Sometimes people wanted simple answers, or at least ones without judgement if it were possible.

Ray's explanation of what the name meant made her laugh again. It was fitting, for what had probably happened to Hadley, for this car ride given that their new found closeness wasn't going to be perfect or easy. "Roger that mate." Jordan offered, still trying to think of words she knew that qualified as British slang.

Ray asked if she was ready and she opened her door, and before getting out she looked over at Ray with her best rock star 'of course' movement and got out of the car. "Move your bloomin' arse Ray." She teased lightly, shamelessly quoting My Fair Lady but she couldn't help it.

Jordan started toward the resort, worried that she would blow this for both of them, or that of course that it wouldn't work anyway, but she was sure she'd be blamed if anything went wrong. She tried to make a list of slang she knew but all she could come up with was 'where's the loo?' but Jordan wasn't going to show weakness, certainly not to Ray.