Who: Martha J and Allison H What: Match up at the Drag Contest When: June 23 Where: The Den Rating: low
Martha didn’t normally do this, but it was a bit of a dare from Jack to enter the drag competition and she wasn’t one to turn those down (as long as it was safe). The Doctor was encouraging, too, and let her pick out a very over-the-top neon yellow dress. She knew she could have gone Drag King, but she decided to go Drag Queen with the contouring makeup and big personality. Martha didn’t think she’d ever compete with real drag queens - they were the best at this stuff - but she was having fun.
During intermission, Martha desperately needed a drink. She got in line as it was a bit busy. “Can’t decide if I should have a drink-drink or just water.” She said both to herself and the woman in front of her.
--
Allison had come to the drag show out of curiosity alone. She didn’t see herself vying for the position of a Queen or King. Outside of the strangeness that happened in Madison Valley on occasion, there wasn’t a whole lot else to keep one entertained. The Drag show promised some entertainment for the night too.
As she waited in line for a drink, Allison found herself in front of one of the competitors. It wasn’t hard to spot her given the bright yellow dress she was wearing. Allison thought she looked pretty good actually. She was impressed.
“How about both? You should probably stay hydrated,” Allison offered.
--
Martha turned and offered a smile. “That’s smart. Drink to take the edge off and then water to be responsible. I like it.” And she decided she’d do just that. Though she then exhaled a little and looked down at her high heels. “I don’t know how they wear these all night. Don’t get me wrong - I love heels - but these are so tall. It’s almost like I’m on really expensive stilts.” For one night she was certain she could do it. Hopefully she didn’t sprain an ankle or anything.
--
Allison liked to think she had a shred of common sense once and a while. Obviously, it didn’t show up, but when it did, she did tend to take advantage of it. Plus, with the height of those heels she definitely didn’t want the young woman to faint. That would be quite the tumble and no doubt would lead to a few bruises.
“They are totally cute, but yeah, definitely a bit of torture right there,” Allison replied. “I’m not envious despite how cute they are.”
--
“For the record, I think you look cute as-is.” Martha smiled back. She might be into men and dating Gus, but she could tell a good looking woman when she was staring at one. “Are you having fun? Not sure if it shows or not, but this is definitely my first time doing - this.” She gestured to her entire costume. “I’m usually more of a karaoke girl, but I thought it might be fun and it’s also June, so I thought I could support all my friends this way.”
-- Allison took the compliment and offered a smile in return. “I appreciate that. I was honestly not sure what to wear tonight. I’ve never been to one of these before.” In a way, Allison was supporting Klaus and Vanya since both had been involved in same sex relationships; she was pretty sure Klaus was at the moment too, but she wasn’t sure. In any case, she supported the movement regardless of that fact. She was a firm believer in people being who they were and loving who they wanted.
If anything, her power had taught her to appreciate the real and true even more.
“Well, I won’t lie. I definitely feel like a fish out of water, but I am enjoying the experience. I’m glad I came. I’m totally more karaoke girl too, but you’re definitely doing a good job on rocking the look. I don’t know if I would have been courageous enough to pull off that dress.”
--
She laughed softly at the dress comment. “My friend has a really big wardrobe, but this kind of stood out to me. Helped me pick my name, too. Mary Golds. I had some help with that ‘cause I don’t think I’d have come up with it on my own.” She wondered what Shakespeare would have named her. Maybe one day she’d be able to find out. “When they have another karaoke night, you and I should do a duet.” Yes, she was suggesting this to a woman she just met. “I’m normally named Martha, by the way. Martha Jones. And a doctor at the clinic, believe it or not.” She grinned. Hopefully the woman would still trust the clinic after a run in with her.
-- Mary Golds. Ha! That was clever. Allison had to applaud her friend for creativity. It could have been a movie star name. “I have to give your friend credit. That’s a creative name. I like it.”
Allison could admire boldness and she was all for making friends here. “I’ll be looking forward to it. I’m Allison Hargreeves. I work at the salon in town.” --
“The salon? God, it’s been like, forever, since I’ve gone to a proper salon.” Of course, she had black hair so it was often hard to find someone who always knew how to handle black hair. Suddenly Martha was excited because she was confident that Allison would know. “I’ll have to come see you. I have a wedding to go to and I’m the best woman to the groom. Well, one of the grooms, anyway. It’d be nice to look extra special for them on their day.”
-- If someone in Allison’s past had told Allison she would be working in a salon and enjoying herself, she would have laughed. With her abilities, there was no way she would be stuck working a mundane job. She was going to be a movie star and be glamorous for the rest of her life. That was before she realized how meddlesome and problematic her abilities could be and how wonderful actually earning something could feel.
“You should definitely come see me. I can get you all taken care of for that day,” Allison reassured her. “And congratulations to your friend and his partner on tying the knot.”
--
Martha was beyond thrilled. Alliso would probably be seeing her before then just because it was always nice to have your hair looked after by someone else. The ‘salon’ in the TARDIS was nice, but it wasn’t exactly personable.
“Honestly I’m a bit surprised. His name’s Jack. Jack Harkness. Do you know him?” While she didn’t think everyone knew everyone, Jack was very hard to miss and very hard to ignore so if Allison met him, she’d know. “He’s not normally the sort to be ‘tied down’ but I think he found the right person who can keep up with him.”
-- There was a good possibility Allison had met him at some point or seen a network or two by him. He was one of the people here who were difficult to miss.
“I think I have or at least seen his network posts,” Allison replied. While Allison wasn’t sure she believed there was someone for everyone, it was nice to hear when a person did find that special someone who could keep up with them. She did believe everyone deserved to find happiness, no matter what form that happiness took or how it happened.
“Well, I’m happy for him. It’s rare to find someone that truly understands you in this world and loves you for everything you are, no matter what.”
--
“Don’t I know it.” She nodded. She had never really been lucky in the love department. It didn’t help she had pined after the Doctor for a long time. None of the other ones had really lasted either. Gus, however, felt a little different. She really hoped what she had with Gus would last. Or at least be long and fun. She was happy right now and she tried her best to focus on that. “If the wedding’s open to everyone, I highly recommend you come. Jack and Ianto can’t possibly throw a boring wedding.”
It was finally her turn and she ordered both a pint of beer and a bottled water, then moved so Allison could order too.
-- Allison knew how difficult it was too. Her first marriage had ended in separation and her second? Essentially the same. Her track record was far from spotless when it came to matters of the heart. She didn’t even want to think about Luther; he was on a different level than the other two. A more confusing level that Allison had avoided confronting since coming to Madison Valley. Then there was Mitch who she’d recently shared a drink with. She liked him and enjoyed the night they had listening to music and talking. Even if they just remained friends, Allison was glad to have him as someone she could talk to.
“If it’s open, I’ll definitely show up. I have to see you show everyone else up with your outfit and killer hairstyle,” Allison replied before taking her place at the bar and ordering herself a classic margarita. She handed over some cash and stepped aside to wait for her drink.
---
“Oh, I like you.” Martha grinned widely. She liked the woman and not just because she could do her hair and she had complimented her too. No, Allison struct Martha as someone who had a good sense of humour and understood the world. “If you’re still around by the end of the night, I’ll buy you a drink. How’s that?” And if not, she’d see about a girl’s night some other time because it’d be nice to have more female friends. Martha mostly had male friends.
-- “Likewise,” Allison offered with a genuine smile. Outside of her family, Allison didn’t have a ton of friends she’d made in Madison Valley. It wasn’t for a lack of putting herself out there as much as the relationships just didn’t end up being cultivated. However, with this one, she hoped otherwise. Martha was definitely good company and she had a sense of humor.
“Sounds like a plan.” Allison picked up her recently arrived margarita and held it up in a toast. “See you at the end of the night.”