NIGHT OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE:
Everyone was dressed and ready for the summer solstice except Boober, who was in Gobo and Wembley's room with a laundry basket full of clothes and chatting with them.
"Are you sure you don't want to come, Boober?" Gobo asked him while he and Wembley waited for the girls to arrive.
"I'm positive, Gobo," Boober answered.
The truth was though, Boober wasn't sure if he wanted to spend all evening in his hole. Not while Jessa was still unspoken for and at the risk of getting drunk from the radish wine they served at the solstice.
"You don't sound positive," Wembley pointed out.
Before any more could be said, Red and Mokey showed up, all giddy about the solstice.
"Where's Jessa?" Gobo asked them.
"She's making a few last-minute adjustments on her dress," Mokey answered him. "She'll be right out."
Boober stared down at his yet-to-be-washed laundry, unsure of what to do. He still had yet to decide whether to go or stay. Mokey and Red, while their hairstyles were unchanged, were clad in their dresses. Red was in a red swing dress that went down to her knees while Mokey wore her boho-style long skirt and camisole. Gobo and Wembley were in their tuxedos, the latter being Hawaiian-themed, of course. Gobo's tux was a bit average, though it still brought out his personality. Boober listened to everyone talk while fiddling with his laundry basket just as Jessa showed up.
"I hope this isn't too formal for the solstice," she said before stopping right behind Red and Mokey.
Everyone stopped talking and turned to face her. Jessa was in her teal one-sleeve mermaid gown adorned with clear quartz crystals across the top and her hair was styled into an elegant half ponytail. Upon seeing Jessa all dolled up, Boober lost his grip on his laundry basket as it fell to the floor, some of the clothes spilling out. But he was too stunned to notice as his attention was on Jessa. She looked absolutely stunning! Boober felt his tail wagging and his face heating up.
"Wow, you look great, Jessa!" Red said to her.
"Yeah, that color looks amazing on you," Mokey added.
"I know for a fact Boober likes it," Gobo said while smirking in his direction.
Jessa looked over to see Boober staring at her as if had witnessed something phenomenal.
"Don't just stand there like a big goof, Boober!"He thought to himself."Compliment her! Say something!"
But words had failed him. He still couldn't muster anything out of his mouth as Jessa walked over to help pick up his laundry.
"You dropped some clothes, Boober," she said before picking up the clothes that escaped his basket.
"Tell her she looks nice!"
Everyone watched as Jessa handed Boober his laundry basket back to him, their hands almost touching.
"Here you go, butterfingers," she teased lightheartedly before joining the others.
Boober still couldn't say a word, not even to tease Jessa back. That pretty smile on her face almost killed him. He watched her walk off to the party with Gobo, Red, and Mokey. Wembley stayed upon noticing Boober's silence.
"She looks amazing," he admitted to his friend sadly.
"So why the long face?" Wembley asked.
Boober remained silent and sighed while staring down at his basket of dirty laundry. He wished he complimented Jessa. Why did he have to be such a coward? Despite Boober's eyes being hidden behind his hair, Wembley could tell that something was bothering him.
"I'm afraid."
"Afraid?"
"I'm scared Jessa will end up with someone else after tonight."
"Boober, you don't know that. She may not dance with anyone."
Boober only huffed with pessimism.
"I should wash these clothes before the stench sets in. Enjoy the party, Wembley."
"I will."
Wembley watched sadly as Boober walked off to his hole before joining the others. He knew he had to do something to help Boober with his feelings toward Jessa, but what? This was going to require some thinking.
"Man, y'all got some wicked rhythms here!" Jessa shouted over the music.
She and Red hit the dance floor, completely engulfed in the vibe. The music was loud and upbeat, perfect to dance to.
"The Minstrels always have some good music."
Gobo and Mokey watched them dance away, sitting in a nearby booth.
"Where's Wembley at?" Gobo inquired.
"Oh uh, I don't know," Mokey replied before spotting him. "Oh, there he is."
"Hey Wembley!" Gobo greeted him nonchalantly. "I got us a booth."
"Thanks Gobo."
Wembley took a seat between them and saw Red and Jessa dancing in the crowd.
"Boober didn't want to come?" Gobo asked.
"No," Wembley began. "But I could tell he wanted to."
Gobo glanced at Jessa dancing and enjoying herself before replying.
"I think I know why."
Jessa and Red came back after the song ended, and they were all sweaty and panting.
"Man, what a workout," Red panted.
"And what a hell of a good tune," Jessa added before plopping down next to Wembley.
"They should change your name from Red to Sweaty," Gobo joked.
"I don't see you enjoying the music," Red replied.
"I don't know about you guys, but I could use a drink," Jessa interjected just as a server stopped by with some radish wine.
"Wine anyone?" he asked.
"Um…" Mokey began before declining.
"No thanks," Wembley said after Mokey.
Red and Gobo had no interest in alcohol, but Jessa accepted the refreshment.
"Sure, I'll take some wine."
The server poured some into a wine glass and handed it to her.
"Jessa, you drink?" Wembley asked in surprise as she sipped her wine.
"Only a little bit," Jessa shrugged.
Lie. Absolute lie! Though Jessa wasn't going to get super inebriated, just one or two glasses of wine would do, and she would drink them very slowly.
"When did you start drinking?" Gobo asked her.
"A few years ago, but very far and few in between. It's not like I drink regularly."
Another lie! Before Jessa could take another drink of her radish wine, a rather large fraggle approached her.
"Want to be my dance partner?" He asked.
"Thanks, but I'm good," Jessa declined politely.
The fraggle looked disappointed but respected Jessa's wishes and continued on his way. After he was gone, Red snickered, confusing Jessa.
"What's so funny?" She asked her.
"Looks like Large Marvin struck out."
Jessa didn't find this amusing and just sipped her wine.
"Don't mind her, Jessa," Mokey said to her. "He's an opponent of Red's."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it's a long story."
"Here comes somebody else," Wembley pointed out.
Everyone turned to see another Fraggle head towards Jessa, possibly with the same motive as Large Marvin.
"Would you be interested in a dance?" They asked shyly.
"Kind of busy with my wine, but better luck on the next fraggle."
Just like Large Marvin, the fraggle walked away with disappointment.
"You sure are getting a lot of attention, Jessa," Gobo said with amusement.
"I got asked by only two people, Gobo."
"Make that three," Wembley said as Jessa swore. "Here comes Rumple."
"Wanna dance, cutie?"
"Not with that corny pick-up line," Jessa replied with disinterest.
Red giggled at Jessa's answer as Rumple felt embarrassed.
"Hey Rumple," Red began as he turned around. "If it's any consultation, she also turned down Large Marvin."
"I'm talking to the sexy purple fraggle, not you."
"And I'm not interested," Jessa said to him. "So take a hint and leave."
Jessa glared menacingly while saying this, prompting Rumple to back off.
"Let's hope that's the last of it," Jessa hoped out loud.
"What do you mean, Jessa?" Mokey asked.
"I'd rather just sit here, drink my wine, and chill with you guys. I don't want to be asked by 10 thousand people to dance."
"I'm surprised that those fraggles didn't wait until Couples Hour to ask you," Gobo commented.
"Couples Hour?"
"That's when the slow dancing starts."
"And it's so romantic!" Mokey gushed.
"Like I would ever be caught dead with anyone acting all mushy," Red interjected.
"Come on, Red, you know you want to," Gobo teased.
"And be all girly and giggly? I don't think so."
"Not even if I asked you?"
Gobo put a lot of emphasis on the word 'I,' taking Red off guard. Jessa took notice and giggled mischievously.
"Yes Gobo, I would love to be your dance partner," Jessa joked in a high-pitched girly voice and laughed afterward.
Red growled, feeling mortified as Gobo dragged her to the dance floor.
"You better be a good dancer," Red threatened though she was secretly excited.
"Don't worry," Gobo began. "I'm a pro to shape of Foxy And Robins."
Red rolled her eyes, but Gobo could see her blushing as they danced. Jessa, Wembley, and Mokey watching them, Jessa smiling in accomplishment.
"She so wants him," she said with amusement.
Jessa continued drinking her wine while Mokey and Wembley watched.
"He's really good," Wembley pointed out just as a female fraggle asked Jessa to dance with her.
Jessa was more polite in rejecting this time as the girl wasn't intrusive like Rumple.
"Even the girls are asking you to dance," Mokey said in an impressed tone.
Jessa shrugged while looking at her.
"It's a free country, after all," she replied. "People are allowed to like who they like."
Jessa took another drink of her wine just as Zeevo, the most charming and respectable fraggle in the rock approached her. Jessa looked up at him mid-drink while Mokey got flustered by his presence, her tail wagging.
"Hey," he greeted her. "I don't think I've seen you around before."
"I haven't been here very long," Jessa replied.
"Maybe I can introduce you to my friends and maybe… have a dance together?"
Mokey felt a twinge of envy but didn't say anything.
"You seem very nice, and I'm flattered that you consider me a worthy dance partner," Jessa began before setting her wine glass down. "But I'm declining your invite."
Zeevo had a look of disappointment on his face but respected her wishes. At that moment, Jessa noticed Mokey's reaction to Zeevo's presence and put two and two together.
"Instead, allow me to put in a good word for my friend Mokey here."
Mokey was surprised as she made eye contact with Zeevo.
"She's artistic, poetic, and one of the nicest fraggles I know. If anything, you would be lucky as hell to dance with someone like her."
Zeevo took a look at Mokey as she blushed, not knowing what to think about this.
"Hi," she finally managed to say.
"Hey," he replied sweetly, noticing Mokey's beauty. "Would you like to dance?"
"Sure."
Jessa smirked, watching them go off onto the dance floor.
"That was nice of you, Jessa," Wembley said as she sat back down to tend to her wine.
"I wasn't into him," she admitted.
"Why not?"
Jessa stared down at her now half-empty wine glass before replying.
"Let's just say that my interest already lies elsewhere."
Jessa didn't have to name-drop for Wembley to know who she was talking about. It was obvious that she was starting to return Boober's feelings. The only fraggle Jessa wanted to dance with wasn't at the solstice but instead holed up in his room washing dirty clothes. Wembley thought about what Boober had said earlier and felt bad, knowing that neither of them knew what the other really wanted. It was at that moment that Wembley decided enough was enough.
"Jessa, I'm going to get a radish cupcake," he said while getting up. "Do you want one?"
"No, I'm good."
Wembley took off, not to where the food was, but to Boober's hole. The last thing he wanted was for his friend to wallow in misery knowing Jessa was getting asked by many fraggles to dance with them. Boober didn't deserve that. He deserved to be her dance partner and have a good time. Boober and Jessa deserved each other.