Dying Nerves

[Valerie Law]

She could hardly believe this was happening. After just one chance encounter in the training fields, Valerie had found a fellow Xena fan. And possibly a.... friend? Well, why else would Valerie be coming over dressed in the night shirt her father had given her long ago and a pair of basketball shorts she normally wore to bed or when she just wanted to be comfortable. Admittedly, she was a tad embarrassed when she left her room and headed for Amara's in said outfit. People will probably think I'm such a weirdo. Valerie thought with a bit of a blush as she kept her head down and all but ran to the other girl's dorm room.

Valerie had been surprised to find out that Amara Kingston actually shared a dorm with Riley, as the punky girl had been the first person for Valerie to talk with about her sudden Netflix weekend with Amara. That was when Valerie found out, and felt a bit more relaxed about the whole thing. If she felt uncomfortable, Riley would be right there. But nothing'll happen... right? Valerie sincerely hoped so. I hope I don't mess this up. She thought desperately as she finally reached the room and steeled herself outside the door.

This was it.

Breath in, breath out Val. She thought. She knew the girl. Well, sort of. They were just going to watch Xena. Watch Xena, and hang out. Gulping slightly, Valerie nodded to herself a little before heading inside. Once in the main area, Valerie felt a bit unsure again. But one glance at Riley's door, and she felt some reassurance again. The chips had been Riley's idea, considering they were going to be doing a marathon of sorts. Valerie was glad for them, because they gave her something to hold with her hands instead of wringing them nervously. Although she had to be careful not to pop the bag as she made her way over to Amara's room and steeled herself once again before knocking.

"Umm..... A-Amara? It's... It's Valerie."

[Amara Kingston]

    Amara had just finished filling a plastic bowl with freshly popped popcorn when she heard Valerie knock, or at least, she hoped it was Valerie. When she opened the door and saw the young blonde in a Micky Mouse shirt, she grinned, "Hey Valerie. Excellent timing, I just finished popping the popcorn," she said with a grin as she welcomed the girl into her brightly lit room. "And you brought chips? Awesome!"

    Amara's room was as vibrant as her personality and she had decked the place in bright colors, livening up the space as much as she possibly could. There were plants growing on the window sill and she had pictures of her family next to the laptop on her desk. There was a colorful patterned rug on the floor that was soft and comfortable to lay down on while doing homework and she had her reading pillow propped up against her bed. 

    She gestured to the desk chair and to her bed, "Feel free to sit wherever you like, there's more than enough room for two of us on the bed if you want, or the rug is super comfortable as well. The chair can be a bit stiff, but its yours if you really want it," she said with a playful smile as she turned on the tv.

[Valerie Law]

Amara opened the door only a few seconds later and beamed at Valerie. The smile and friendliness of the girl put Valerie more at ease, and she mentioned it was awesome the blonde had brought the chips. Thanks Riley! Valerie mentally messaged before stepping into the girl's room. It was so vibrant and full of life-- Valerie stared at it in wonder. "Wow.... I-I like you, uh.... your room." Valerie said before looking back at the other girl and then blushing a little, looking back down at the floor. Was that weird for her to say? She probably thinks I'm some creep now. Valerie thought with despair.

Then Amara was speaking again, mentioning how Valerie could sit on the bed, floor, or chair. Since Amara mentioned the chair being pretty bad, Valerie figured the floor would be ok. She didn't want to take Amara's bed. "Um.... I'll, ah, take the floor.... s-since you should, um, have your own, ah, bed."

[Amara Kingston]

    Amara smiled at the compliment and pulled a Pepsi out of the mini-fridge she kept in her room, "Thanks. I might have overdone it a bit, but I just wanted it to be a little lively. It helps keep me motivated to get things done," she admitted. "I just feel like I have more energy when surrounded by so many colors," she added, though she felt a bit shy about admitting that. Perhaps it would seem childish to her new Xena buddy. "You want a drink?" she then asked as she pointed to her tiny fridge that she kept stocked with various beverages.

    Amara nodded to Valerie, "Whatever you're most comfortable with works for me. Like I said, the bed has more than enough room for us both if you like, but watching shows on the rug is fun. It's the main reason I brought the rug really. I wanted somewhere comfortable to stretch out other than my bed," she admitted with a grin. 

[Valerie Law]

The colors helped Amara keep motivated and apparently have more energy, which Valerie could understand, which prompted her to nod in agreement. "I like, ah.... cooler colors. Them, um, k-keep me calm." She admitted with a sheepish smile, shuffling on her feet and intensely scrutinizing her own shoes. She felt nervous still, but she was sure once Xena started she'd be fine. When Amara pointed to the fridge, Valerie walked over and got herself a Pepsi too, thanking the girl timidly.

"T-thanks." Valerie said after Amara commented on the carpet and how she got it. Valerie walked over and took a spot on it with her chips. Wow.... It really is soft. Valerie thought as she felt the rug with one hand an smiled faintly. "I... I can see why." She said, flashing Amara a shy smile before looking down again with a renewed blush

[Amara Kingston]

    Amara nodded her understanding, "Usually I'm so calm, I fall asleep while working so I have to have something to help boost energy," she admitted with a smile. "And anytime. If you ever want anything, feel free to take it," she said indicating both the her fridge and the room in general. Amara enjoyed sharing with others she knew.

    Amara then grinned down at Valerie, "It's great isn't it? It's one of my favorite places to be," she said as she flipped through her lists until she found Xena. "You want to start at the beginning or is there a particular favorite season you have?" she asked, wanting to allow her guest to choose.  

[Valerie Law]

Valerie had to smile a little at that. Amara did seem very calm, kind of like Riley. Maybe that meant they could be friends? That would be nice. Valerie thought, nodding when Amara said she could take anything she wanted from the fridge. 'Ah.... thank you." She said, flashing Amara a small, shy smile before opening her can and taking a few sips.

Once Xena got on the screen, Valerie felt herself relax more, smiling faintly as she nodded and watched the screen. Then there was the question on where to start. "Oh, um... h-how about, ah, the.... the beginning? I-if that's ok." She added quickly, blushing and looking down at her can

[Amara Kingston]

    Amara grinned at Val, "Anything that's mine is yours," she offered with a warm smile. She liked Val a good deal, and Amara trusted her gut regarding people. She didn't sense any ill intent from Val and she couldn't help but adore her.

    Amara grinned broadly at Val's answer and went to the first episode of season one, "Sounds great to me, I haven't done this for far too long," she admitted as she pressed play and watched the beginning for the hundredth time, still as into it as she was when she saw the first show... although now she knew almost every line by heart and she may or may not have been mouthing the words along with the show. 

[Valerie Law]

Valerie smiled gratefully at Amara's offer to anything in her fridge. "Thank you." She said again with a blush before looking down at her feet. Amara was very nice, but Valerie was still very shy. Although, she had to admit she was relaxing a little around the girl. She didn't seem to mind Valerie's constant stammering, or maybe she was just good at hiding her annoyance.

But then Xena was on and Valerie glanced up, her eyes quickly becoming glued to the screen with a growing smile. If Amara was into it, so was Valerie, knowing all the words by heart and still bouncing with excitement when the action came. It might seem corny to others, but it was amazing to Valerie, who itched to copy some of Xena's moves as the show went on.

[Amara Kingston]

    AMara got so wrapped up in the show she temporarily forgot her surroundings and as Amara saw the chakra fly for the first time she grinned and let out the infamous battle cry. "Seriously that's immediately what I thought of when I saw you," she admitted excitedly. She thn stopped and glanced at Val a bit sheepishly as she realized what it was she had done. She didn't want to scare the girl off, as Val seemed a bit on the shy side. 

    Amara felt her face heat up and she turned back to the show, almost wanting to get up and be in it. Too bad that wasn't a mutant power. Bringing the show to life for a few hours would be a dream, but then bringing it to life would also mean bringing the villains and gods to earth, and Amara wasn't sure she wanted all of the consequences that would inevitably follow that... Still it was a fun idea.

[Valerie Law]

When Xena first showed up and let out her famous battle cry, Valerie couldn't help herself as she flung her arms up and joined in with the warrior princess and Amara. Grinning like a total geek, Valerie turned her head in surprise when Amara said that that was what she thought of when she first saw Valerie. It made something like pride swell up in Valerie's chest, but also wonder than she could be anything like Xena. "Um.... Thanks." She said sincerely with a big smile and a bit of a blush.

But then it was Amara who was blushing, and Valerie was a little confused. Should Valerie not have thanked her? Before she could ask, Amara was facing forward again and Valerie hesitantly followed suit. but she couldn't help but feel concerned. "Um.... You, ah, ok?" She asked, her voice a little shy again.

[Amara Kingston]

    Amara then realized Val had joined in with her and grinned widely, as she asked if Amara was alright she nodded happily and shrugged, "I'm just not used to watching with Xena someone other than my sister, so I always feel a little worried they'll get annoyed or something," she explained easily. "I tend to get super into it," she added with a small laugh. She glanced back at the screen as Xena took out an enemy and freely cheered this time. 

    "You know, my sister and I used to act out these scenes all the time," she admitted with  grin. 
    

[Valerie Law]

There was a nod to confirm she was alright, and Valerie smiled a little as Amara seemed to relax again. She apparently had only ever watched with her sister,and was afraid Valerie would get annoyed. The blonde pixie in question shook her head quickly. "I-it's ok! I get, ah, really into it too." She admitted to assure the girl, blushing a little before looking at the screen and cheering with Amara.

At the mention of acting out the scenes, Valerie looked over at Amara, her expression brightening considerably. "Really?" She asked, smiling.