Emergency Makeover!

Posted on Tue Aug 31st, 2021 @ 3:49am by Lieutenant JG Jenna Jade & Ensign Rene Rouen & Ensign Minerva Delacroix

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Jenna’s quarters

“Minerva? Nine-One-One.”

The words echoed in the quarters, filled with panic and nerves, then Jenna shook her head sharply, “Oh Christ, Minerva, Ah’ve got an hour before he shows up! Ah need a bath, no, not enough time, so a shower, Ah Ned to do my makeup, my hair…” Even more panic entered her voice, “Ah don’t have any thin’ to wear except a uniform or a tennis outfit! Ah need your help, Minerva, please?”

Minerva sighed. "You know I have your back." She stepped in behind Jenna and started guiding her to the fresher. "Get in the shower and be out here in ten minutes. I will have everything ready by then. Now go!" She quit guiding Jenna and shooed her on to the bathroom.

Jenna dropped the duffel bag by the door as she started getting pushed, then started to take her uniform off even before she got in the door. The shower started off far too hot for her liking, but she still scrubbed down despite that because there was just far too little time and she was in and out in what felt like no time at all, with just a quick drying before she wrapped the towel around herself and returning to the main room.

Minerva got busy like someone who was a professional makeover artist. Five minutes later she had a choice of three outfits laid out on the couch. Brushes, a curling iron, hair spray and full range of makeups set on the stand next to a vanity with mirror. She was just finishing up setting out a small array of perfumes when Jenna returned in a oversized towel wrapped about her torso. "Sit. Hair first."

Obediently sitting, Jenna looked around and saw the three outfits on the bed and grimaced, "Ah'm not sure any of those'll work for me, Minerva." She looked back over her shoulder before her head was grasped and turned straight ahead again,
"Ah know you're sharin' from your closet, but your boobs put mine to shame." It was one of the things Jenna sometimes wished weren't true.

Minerva pondered for a moment as she brushed out Jenna's hair. "True, you may not possess the assets that I have, but...you do have an exotic beauty about you. The question about an outfit is what message do you want to send. Notice me, want me, or...have me. So which message do you want to send?"

"Ah don't know!" Jenna genuinely didn't know, but there was a reason, "You know Ah haven't been on a date since... Oh, what was his name? Back in high school." She shuddered with her nerves, "Ah've never even taken anyone home with me." She flushed red.

Minerva smiled down at Jenna's reflection. "Girl, don't overthink it. Just be yourself."

"Green." Jenna decided. It was the color of her eyes, it went with her name and besides, she liked it. "Let's go with the green one."

Minerva picked up the green dress and studied if for a moment before nodding. "Sends sort of a message somewhere between notice me and want me. Good choice for a first date." She returned to Jenna

Minerva grabbed the curling iron and waved it so Jenna could see it in the mirror. "Light curls, heavy curls or do you want I should get my straightener out? Now that we know what message you want to send...you put on some light blush and pick out a message aligning lipstick. I will be right back."

"Heavy curls, Ah think it looks better, especially with it this short. Ah think Rene would like the curls better than a lack of straight." She said without thinking, reaching for the blush brush and powder, expertly applying it just as she'd been taught in the past.

Minerva grinned as Jenna let the cat out of the bag. "Rene? You mean that cute security officer that is walking about all over the ship doing the job of two officers, a chief and at least two enlisted fellows? That Rene?"

There was an even deeper blush than the makeup could account for when her friend pointed out the error, "Yes, that Rene, and don't you dare." Jenna did turn to give a glare at Minerva.

Minerva giggled. "Don't worry sweetie. He is not my type. Too short. My man has to be over six feet tall and able to put a Nausiccan pit fighter in his place."

"Didn't stop you with Eddie." Jenna stuck her tongue out, "Well, didn't stop Eddie with you Ah should say, because after he agreed to go out with me that one time, he saw me go over to you and that's why he came over. The asshole."

Minerva grimaced at the mention of Edward Warren Davis common nickname. The guy had thought himself a ladies man. He was more of a sad stalker boy actually. "Well, I shut him down pretty quick anyway. That guy was creepy with a capital creep."

Jenna exhaled deeply, yes, definitely, definitely nerves talking to her, "He's a fencer, so all that time Ah spent in that will come in handy with him, Ah'm not sure what I really want to expect out of this. Ah've never had time for this sorta think, Minerva, Ah don't know what to do!"

Minerva spun Jenna about on the little swivel chair she sat on and got her nose to within an inch of Jenna's. "Be. Your. Self. You are a wonderful person Jenna Jade. Rene seems like a sharp guy. He will see that if you let him."

“Be myself?” Jenna asked, “Ah’m an engineer who plays tennis!” She shook her head, “Ah, Ah, Ah should just comm him and cancel, there’s no way this can turn out well.”

Minerva waggled a finger at Jenna, adamant expression on her face. She turned Jenna back to look in the mirror. "Look at yourself in the mirror for a moment and see what I see. See what he will see. A very beautiful woman who is dedicated and fun to be around." She started curling Jenna's hair and in about ten minutes she was done. "Only three things left, well four, get dressed then come back to pick out a lipstick color, perfume and I have two small purses to pick from the go with the outfit."

Jenna first looked in the mirror and almost did a double take. The face looming back at her was definitely hers, just… Enhanced, because as the curls set Minerva had also attacked her eyelashes with some mascara and eyeshadow that was really muted but brought out the long lashes Jenna naturally had. The curls were arrayed amazingly in layers skewed towards the right side with a handful of artfully ‘escaped’ ones arranged on the left. It was only the nudge from her friend that got her back to the present and she snagged the green dress and vanished back into her bedroom where she rapidly began to get dressed.

The dress itself was a wrap-style dress, but where the material would have covered more of Minerva’s chest, it settled around Jenna’s slightly wider shoulders almost as if meant to be there. Curious, Jenna checked the seams and… She shook her head in some shock, then tied the integral ‘belt’ fabric into an intricate bow that rested on her right hip before slipping on the only pair of non-regulation shoes she owned, a pair of two inch black decorative heels, and looked at herself in the mirror. The fabric ended just above the knees and showed a fair amount of her potential cleavage, but hid more than enough to allow mystery. Her shoulders seemed to barely hold the dress, but allowed her more movement than she’d imagined.

Finally, she carefully opened her door, stepping out into small living area where Minerva was waiting for her, “Minerva? How long have you been waiting with these?” She gestured at the two dismissed outfits and the one she was wearing, obviously made for her, not Minerva herself.

Minerva laughed, a grin sneaking onto her face. "I had them made about a week before we left left Earth...you know...just in case something like this happened."

“You sneaky little…” Jenna stuck her tongue out at her, “For the record, Ah’ll be comin’ home tonight, alone. Ah’m not you and Rene is a gentleman, not just tryin’ to get in my pants. Ah don’t think.”

Minerva looked at Jenna with a shocked expression. "Are you saying I would sleep with a hot guy on a first date?" She then grinned. "Because that is totally a me thing. You on the other hand." She stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Probably more of a third or fourth date thing, fifth date if your trying to hold out."

“As if Ah’d ever get that far.” Jenna mumbled, “Or Ah don’t lose my nerve… Again.” She shook her head, in this day and age people like her were rareish, at 21. “So, how do Ah look? Ah know it’s not much to look at, but still.”

Minerva smiled warmly as she guided Jenna to the full length mirror. She gave a flourish of hands down each side shoulder to thighs. "Viola! A beautiful woman ready for a first date!"

“Ah’m glad you think more of my than Ah do,” Jenna smiled, “Christ, Ah haven’t been this gussied up since.. Whose ball was it? Well, that ball. Ah thought it was all behind me.” She took a deep breath, “Right, it’s about time, isn’t it?”

"Oops, two more thing." Minerva held up three different lipstick tunes between the fingers of her right hand and a pair of perfume bottles in her left. "Time for the final touches."

Jenna turned to her and looked at the lipsticks, “You know these better than Ah do.” She shook her head gently, but took a sniff at both perfumes and picked the more floral of the pair, then puckered her lips to let Minerva apply the chosen shade.

Minerva deftly applied a lipstick that matched the natural shade of Jenna's lips and misted the air and had her step through the small cloud. The door chime sounded just as Jenna cleared the mist.

Minerva rushed to the door and deactivated the lock and opened the door. "Do come in sir. Jenna literally just got ready."

Rene gave Minerva a friendly smile as he stepped inside. He was dressed in an outfit more reminiscent of a gentleman from the early to mid 17th century than contemporary semi formal date wear. He nodded at Minerva and turned to Jenna. He stopped dead in his tracks, stunned by how beautiful she looked.

Minerva couldn't help but chuckle as she glanced at Rene and turned to Jenna. "You must be a phaser set to stunning because...."

Jenna turned and met Rene’s eyes, a very uncertain smile on her face, “Hi Rene, Ah suppose Ah’m ready to go?” She darted a glance to Minerva, “But Ah shouldn’t be rude, let me introduce you to Minerva, she’s my very bestest friend who helped perform a miracle to get me ready.” Her smile at Minerva was genuine and full of affection.

Rene glanced at Minerva briefly and shook hands. "Pleasure to meet you." His eyes returned to Jenna. "You look...amazing." He glanced down at his own outfit, somewhat embarrassed. "I forgot that most of my clothes are in transit to Starbase 634. I only had my holodeck outfit aside from a few jeans and t-shirts to wear in my off duty hours."

Minerva patted Rene on the shoulder. "You look fine. Besides, who wouldn't want to be escorted to dinner and drinks by a member of King Louis XIII's court."

“It’s certainly a first for me.” Jenna smiled warmly, ironically somewhat relieved that Rene did actually appear slightly awkward, which meant she could as well and fit right in, “And Minerva’s right, you do look just fine and handsome.” She gave a brief smile at Minerva and stepped forward gracefully, “Ready to go?”

Rene nodded at Jenna. He gave a glance to Minerva. "It was nice meeting you." He then crooked an arm so he could escort her to the lounge like a gentleman would.

'In, up and over.' Jenna forcefully reminded herself, slipping her arm into his in a maneuver that four years ago would have been natural, but since out of practice. "Ah'll be back later, no need to wait up." But she knew her friend would, no matter how late they were. And smiled.