Thread: Rape Camp (skittish_butterfly & littlerooster)

Jen leaned in as the Sergeant seemed about to tell her something very important. His point that WASP training would be different than anything she'd ever done almost pulled a duh from her lips before she bit that back. Of course it would be different. It was a special forces assignment. But he went on, and it seemed like he wanted to challenge her, making her spine stiffen and her body go just a little taut. Not all weapons training and road work? Well, sure, maybe so. She'd never been through special forces training before. It was probably, well, special, maybe not what someone would ordinarily expect. She shrugged but the big Sergeant went on, focusing her attention on the fact it was all women. Another near duh as she looked back at him. As if WASP didn't start with a W. What purpose? Her mind was still on that question as he proposed a vague but surprising alternative to what she'd imagined. Well. She was silent for a few seconds, the ideas he'd raised still sinking in. She looked back at him then from under raised brows. Then she giggled. Garters and lipstick? You're kidding right? Her giggle trailed off as the Sergeant's face remained stony, looking back at her as if she just didn't get it. Jen slowly settled back against her seat, feeling deflated, not so eager to hear the Sergeant's sage revelations anymore. Another few awkward moment's of silent. Ok, so, uh, women have a different... perspective... than men. She couldn't help falling into her mom's patterns on these subjects, raised on them like mother's milk. A sense of compassion, conflict resolution, if the world were run by women... That was where her dad always jumped in back when he still could, pointing out that it wasn't, and that shit still needed blowing up. Jen had always laughed, which annoyed her mom no end, but only for a few minutes until there was another batch of cookies to take out of the oven. Let's just say women can wield all the weapons, at least the ones we're strong enough for, but maybe we'll aim them differently, pull the trigger differently. But the garters and lipstick? My mom would love you. A slightly dorky guffaw snuck out of her that she quickly suppressed. Learn to wear lipstick, so beautiful Dear, the camera would love you. The memory was almost painful, especially now that she was gone. I... uh... He was just trying to see if he could upset her, that had to be it. Well it was working, even though he couldn't possibly know why. Play along. Don't be the wimpy whiny girl. Part of the team. One of the guys. I guess, like you say, there's stuff women can do that men can't. Like be pretty. Part of battle is distraction and misdirection, getting the edge on the enemy. Men wear camouflage, but I guess there might be times where... uh well... She thought of the guys who got so distracted around her she practically had to slap them to get them to leave her alone so she could study, or do her pushups in peace. Was that why she was here? Not for her endurance or speed, not for her marksmanship or college degree or her determination. For her cheekbones and shiny hair? A perfect hip to waist ratio, or whatever metric some army computer used to spit her out into this assignment? Jen stared down at her coffee, the taste suddenly too bitter for her, the topped off cup too scalding. He was just trying to get to her. It was working. Don't give in. Geller's don't quit. So, well, uh you know Sergeant, I joined the Army to help however I can. If that was behind a desk in Logistics pushing papers, it would kind of suck in a soulless sort of way, but I'd do it. But if I can contribute in special forces, make a difference on the front line, or behind it, to help keep my unit, my buddies and my country safe, I'll wear stupid lipstick. Unless I'm on a nighttime sniper run, that would just give away my position and get me shot. Jen shifted in her seat. But if this is all about women and garter belts, Sergeant, why do you know so much? Are you going to be wearing stockings and lips stick too? The ridiculous image of a cross-dressed Sergeant almost lightened her mood. Maybe while we're buying me some undies, we can get you a little blush or eyeliner. Her eyes laughed even if her mouth didn't quite, not sure yet how the Sergeant would take such things.