Author: NebulaSpider
Rating: M, eventually
Title: Dark Tower
Summary: DG has tried to leave the OZ behind her, but discovers that running away is never as easy or as simple as it sounds.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sci-Fi's reproduction of Tin Man nor any of L. Frank Baum's original characters. I am certainly making no money from this fiction.
Dark, edgy music poured through the lower floor of the club. DG couldn't quite catch the lyrics over the noise of what seemed like hundreds of people talking to each other, but it seemed sensual and gothic. It was the perfect complement to the dark gray and black upholstery and crystals throwing prisms of rainbow light dancing everywhere. Everyone loved the latest club – be honest DG, the only club – in the small Kansas town. The Cool, the Preps, the Thugs, the Goths, the Nerds…everyone came to The Dark Tower and everyone left each other alone. Like the décor, it was a fine balance and one the management was great at maintaining.
A brief pause in the music playing immediately in the room allowed the hard bass-heavy beat of the dance floor upstairs to drift down. "Come on, DG!" one of her friends yelled into her ear. "Let's go dance!"
DG looked around at the huge crowd of people streaming up and down the stairs and hid a grimace by downing her drink. She didn't even realize so many people lived in the area. "I think I'd rather stay here, Sarah," she said. Sarah shrugged and looked at her with a blank look, indicating that she hadn't heard. DG sighed, gave a shrug of her own and allowed Sarah to catch her hand to drag her upstairs. She didn't really want to be here to begin with, but did Sarah have to make her dance, too? Maybe she could escape after a song or two.
Sarah stopped on the way in the double doors at the top of the stairs to whisper something to the big, burly bouncer lounging casually against the wall nearby. Not much like the Royal Guard, her traitorous thoughts whispered to her, or even like the Resistance. No. No, no, no, no, no. She was not going to do this tonight. She was not going to remember. That was why she had allowed Sarah to bring her out for her birthday to begin with – so she could forget, for a few hours, for a night, why she was here to begin with.
Sarah finished with the bouncer and rushed back over to DG with a brilliant smile lighting up her entire face. Her rich brown hair framed her pixie-like features in soft curls and her green eyes reflected her happiness effortlessly. Everyone liked Sarah and everyone was attracted by her indomitable cheerfulness. Sarah joyfully liked everyone back, further drawing everyone to her. Almost against her will, DG grinned back. "Get a number?" she teased.
Sarah laughed and waved a piece of paper. "I dressed for it, you know." This, in fact, was absolutely true. She was stunning in a short black skirt that flared way too much for modesty and a low cut, cherry red top with black embroidery. "We're supposed to be having a contest here, Deeg. You haven't even tried yet and I have two already!" Sarah glanced down the stairs behind them to the other two girls that had come to the club as well. "Wanna hazard a guess how many Deanna has yet?"
DG smirked. "S'okay," she said complacently. "If she tries to shove it in my face, I'll just remind her that I always won the cigarette contest in high school."
"Hey!" Deanna pouted, hearing the tail end of their conversation. "We were in high school. We weren't supposed to smoke. How was I supposed to know who to ask and who not to?"
The smirk deepened. "You mean you just didn't want people to think you smoked. Although I'm not sure how this is any different."
Deanna dropped the pout and laughed along with the other three girls. "Yes, well, I was a little goody two shoes then. I can admit it. Now I can admit it's just a game. Since I'm not planning on actually sleeping with any of these people and I will never see most of them again, what does it hurt to smile and ask for their number? They can think whatever they like." She tossed her brown hair, blue eyes sparkling with mischief and humor. "Besides, I have something like 8 contests of me being whipped like a dog to make up for."
"Well, that's true," DG ducked a half-hearted swat from Deanna, "but it's not like I'm as far behind tonight as you all seem to think." DG smiled very innocently and produced her own two pieces of crumpled up paper. Laughing at their outraged exclamations, she tucked them back into her pocket and herded them all toward the dance floor. Just before it got too loud for anyone to hear her, she tossed a final sally over her shoulder. "You don't have to see me trying for guys to see through to my natural charming personality."
It may have been too loud for a verbal retort, but that didn't stop Sarah and Deanna both from raising an eyebrow and eyeing her up and down. DG was wearing black leather pants and a lacy tank top split down the midriff to show the gleaming jewel in her naval. The lace was dyed a swirling blue green that brought out her eyes and only barely concealed her cleavage. With her hair up and gold jewelry, DG was sure to get plenty of attention. The message was loud and clear – charming personality their asses.
Giggling helplessly at the indignant expressions on her friends' faces, she turned to weave her way through the crowd. She had just spotted a good spot to dance when the song playing drew to a close. No new song followed immediately and everyone stopped dancing, looking confused.
The DJ spoke up. "Ladies and gents, The Dark Tower just received word of a special once-a-year event." With no warning, a bright white spotlight flared to life and highlighted DG and her group. "Today is DG's 22nd birthday and she's too shy to celebrate so maybe you can all give her a helping hand tonight." Cheers and catcalls rose up from the floor, followed by yells for more music. "You got it folks – happy birthday, DG!" There was more cheering and everyone nearby shouted a happy birthday or gave a quick pat or a thumbs up.
"You didn't," breathed DG in shock.
"Oh, we did," Sarah said. "You haven't really been out in like a year, DG. You needed to get out and Deanna and I really wanted to make this special for you. We want you to have fun – you didn't let us celebrate your 21st birthday."
Well, no, of course she hadn't. Last year, she had been way too torn between her original life on the farm, her correct life in the OZ and her desired life back here in Kansas to want to celebrate anything. Sarah and Deanna had never really forgiven her and she was only just now starting to feel the payback.
"Happy Birthday, DG!" Deanna cried happily, flinging her arms around her in a group hug along with Sarah. Emily, Deanna's cousin, hung back, but still smiled cheerfully at them. DG returned the hug until the next heavy beat started pounding out and allowed herself to be dragged onto the dance floor. Her body moved almost unconsciously to the music and she started to relax. Maybe this had been a great idea after all. Maybe tonight, she would be able to let go and forget. Just for tonight. Please, God, even just for tonight.