Emerald Flight: Homecoming: Return to Grace (continued)

Elizabeth forced herself to ignore the vague tingle coming from the region below her stomach.

Continuing inside, she paused once the two girls were out of her peripheral vision. She suspected that they continued to watch her, but she dismissed them from her thoughts, focusing instead on the scene ahead of her. She peered into the washes of flashing lights, blinking against the occasional glare. The music was louder than she had expected, as was the shout of voices trying to be heard over it. For a moment, she wondered whether this had been such a good idea. The empty feeling that followed the thought of spending the evening alone in her room renewed her conviction.

Looking at those who passed her—a few of whom gave her an appraising glance—she did not see anyone that she recognized. To be fair, she wondered how many of them would recognize her dressed in something other than her uniform. She eyed the large dance floor, but made her way to the bar instead. It got her further inside, and would give her a better vantage point of the club’s interior.

An empty spot opened before her as a couple left their places, drinks in hand, and headed off into the crowd. She walked up to the bar, surprised at the opportunity. The bartender gave her an inquisitive look.

Elizabeth froze for a moment, uncertain. She had not thought as far ahead as what she would actually order. Quickly considering her choices, she dismissed several of them quickly. She wanted to maintain relatively sober for the time being. She was also aware of the impression that certain types of drinks made to others who might be watching. A shot of tequila was out: a little too wild. A daiquiri: too tame. Wine: she rarely drank it, except with special meals. She finally—and just in time too, as the bartender seemed to be losing interest in serving her—settled on a margarita on the rocks, with an extra float of tequila. It was an innocuous enough drink, and strong enough to maintain its potency as the ice diluted it.

She stared out over the dance floor, discovering that the club was not nearly as crowded as she had expected.

What night was it anyway?