Darren and his ghost, Merin were headed to the Ramen shop to meet Jayla and L.J. After their last E.K.C (Enemy-Kill Challenge), since Jayla came in last, she had to buy them all drinks.
He wasn't even in the Bazaar tho before he heard the shouts and raucous laughter he recognized all too well.
"Already?!" Merin said disapprovingly.
Commander Zavala looked at Darren as he entered the Bazaar. "Your fireteam, Mr. Vol?"
A glass shattered and Darren heard Jayla's drunken yell and L.J laughing. "Yes, sir." He said thru clenched teeth. "I'm headed in there now to break it up."
"See that you do." Zavala answered.
Darren's lips were pursed in a thin line as he entered the ramen shop.
"DARREN, BABY!" Jayla squealed as she unsteadily stood up from the table she was leaning on. She staggered over to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Guys, guys...guys...look! It's my favorite warlock…"
She tossed her hair and rolled her eyes up to look at him. "You...ARE a warlock, right?" She slurred.
"Jayla, my dear, you are absolutely wasted." Darren said, straightfaced.
"Hey! Don't you talk about me like that...i'll fight you…" she held up her fists, only to immediately lose her balance and collapse against Darren's chest, giggling up at him.
L.J and the Drifter were sitting at the counter, only slightly more sober than Jayla, laughing uproariously.
"Please, no one buy her anymore…" Darren said, removing Jayla's hands from his chest and leaning her against the wall, where she promptly slid down and sat on the floor.
"Nah, sis…" The drifter slurred and squinted "-brother, we didn't do a thing. She's bought them all herself; they just cut her off. Left her little babysitter at home tonight, i see."
Darren turned around and realized for the first time that Orrin wasn't with Jayla.
"I've *belch* got her." L.J stood up slowly. "Go...drink some tea, or narc on somebody will ya?" He slurred. "Killjoy." He and the drifter laughed even harder and L.J leaned on his shoulder so he didn't fall over. "Hey...hey...wait a second wait a second...did you just call…" He squinted at Darren "...that guy, a girl?"
"I mean, he's got a dress on!" The Drifter roared with laughter and Jayla and L.J joined in.
"Out, out OUT!" Darren rolled his eyes, grabbed L.J by the arm and Jayla by the hair, and dragged them both outside. He thrust them forward in front of him, where they dissolved onto the ground into a fit of giggling. "I'm cutting you off; the well's run dry."
"Awwwwwhhhh, man; you suck! Thanks a lot Mom!…" They both wailed.
"Go home, and sleep it off now." He pulled them to their feet and pushed them in the direction of their quarters.
"Stop nowhere, and talk to no one!"
Jayla wrapped her arm around L.J's waist to steady herself and patted his chest, snickering and snorting. "Jiam Lames…" She slurred. "Have i...i have ever...have i ever told you…"
"Told me WHAT?" L.J was grinning like a psychopath.
"Just wait...i'm getting there." Jayla belched loudly. "Have i ever told you...That i really like you...It's not every hunter who can out-drink me…"
She started babbling incoherently and continued patting his chest.
L.J leaned his head against hers and wrapped his arm around her head, patting the side of her face. "You good, you good…" He snorted and they stumbled off together.
"You better check on them tonight, and make sure they're not passed out in a stairwell or throwing up off the balcony again…" Merin reminded Darren as L.J and Jayla disappeared from view. "I heard the sweeper bots complaining about Jayla the last time this happened."
He sighed. "Traveler have mercy...at least they're getting along for once."