"Ewww! I didn't know food could even taste this gross, man!" Larry yelped, spitting out a mouthful of lobster-flavoured mush onto his plate.
"Larry!" Phoenix hissed, "Don't make an idiot of yourself! The chef is right over there!"
Jean Armstrong's eyes welled up with tears.
"Pardon moi, monsieur! I did not mean for my cooking to offend!" He took Larry's plate and rushed off to the kitchen, crying. Maggey appeared moments later with a tray of drinks.
"Um… did something happen to upset Mr Armstrong?" she asked, "He's sobbing into his favourite apron."
"Ahaha… no idea!" said Larry, taking a drink and slurping it down. A few drops slid down his chin and onto the lacy tablecloth.
Edgeworth glared. "Larry, must you drink so… filthily?"
"He's always been like that," said Phoenix, "Once the Butz, always the Butz!"
Larry started slurping noisily at the cup, trying to get out the last few drops.
"Larry, stop doing that!" said Maya, "It's really annoying!"
"Sorry, Maya, cutie," he said, wiping his chin with the back of his hand, "I'll give up any of my habits for you, y'know!" He grinned at her.
"Um… thanks, I guess…" she said.
Meanwhile, Franziska was sat on the edge of her chair, being careful not to touch anything.
"Are you OK, sir?" asked Gumshoe, "You look a bit… tense, pal."
She cracked her whip at him. "How many times have I told you not to called me pal! And I'm fine, actually, I just don't want any of the dirt from this foolish restaurant to rub off on my perfect attire."
"Hey, it's pretty clean," said Maggey, setting down a plate of refreshments on the crowded table and sitting on a spare seat next to Gumshoe, "I should know, I washed it this morning!"
"You're so hard working, Maggey," said Gumshoe, gazing lovingly at his girlfriend, who he still couldn't believe was actually dating him.
"Thanks, sir!" she said putting an arm around his shoulder, "Compliments like that mean so much to me when you're saying them!"
Phoenix leant over to Maya. "Don't you think it's a little weird that Maggey and Gumshoe are dating now, but she still calls him 'sir'?" he whispered.
"Yeah, that is strange," she said, "Maybe it's some kind of kinky thing they have going on?"
"What is kin-kee?" asked Pearl, nibbling her thumb.
"It's… uh… a grown up thing," said Phoenix quickly, "For people who are… 'special someones'."
"Oh, right," said Pearl, seeming to understand now.
Half an hour later, the rowdy party had stuffed their faces with as much of the peculiar menu as they could bring themselves to taste.
"Hey, guys… whatd'ya say we all hit the town, go to some clubs and bars and stuff?" said Larry, "Nick just won a case, we might as well have a good time!"
"Sounds good," said Phoenix. He hated to agree with Larry, but he hasn't been out on the town for months now and he needed some time to let go and maybe get a bit drunk, "Are you coming, Edgeworth?"
"I… I couldn't possibly," he said, looking down his nose at Larry and Phoenix, "Those sorts of activities are far below my usual-"
"I'm in!" boomed Gumshoe suddenly, "Maggey too, her shift ends in five minutes!" He nudged Edgeworth. "Come on, pal, let you hair down for once! You too, Miss Von Karma!"
"It's settled then!" said Larry, "Let's go!" He got up, grabbing Phoenix and Edgeworth and dragging them after him.
"W-wait!" Edgeworth protested, "I have no intention of-"
He was silenced by a monumental crash as Detective Gumshoe got up a little too forcefully and sent the whole table flying to the floor.
"What eez going on?" Jean Armstrong cried in horror, rushing out from the kitchen to survey the messy scene.
"I'm sorry, pal!" said Gumshoe apologetically, "I'm such a klutz sometimes…"
"I'll clean it up tomorrow, Mr Armstrong," said Maggey quickly, "Is it OK if I go out with my friends now?"
"I… suppose so, Maggey. But please, be here early tomorrow!" He sighed at the collapsed table and the heap of plates on the floor.
Larry pulled Phoenix and Edgeworth outside into the cool evening air, with the others trailing behind.
They stopped in front of the two cars they had used to get there; Edgeworth's shiny red sports car and Detective Gumshoe's battered old vehicle.
"Wait a second Nick," said Maya, holding Pearl's hand, "You'd better drop me and Pearly off at your flat. It's too late for us to get back to Kurain, but we can't take Pearly out with us!"
"Oh yeah," said Phoenix, only just remembering that Pearl was nine years old, "Um… but I kinda wanted you to come too Maya. Can't Pearls look after herself, just for a few hours until we get back?"
Maya looked at Pearl doubtfully. "She's only a little girl… and I should probably rest after all the crazy stuff that's happened today…"
"Please, Maya?" he said, "It just wouldn't be the same without you!"
Pearl squeezed Maya's hand. "It's alright, Mystic Maya. I can take care of myself for a little while. You should go out and have fun with your special someone!" She smiled happily at Phoenix and Maya.
"I… I guess it wouldn't hurt to go out for a bit," she agreed, "Fine, let's drop Pearly off, and then we'll get going!"
Edgeworth unlocked his car and opened the driver's seat door. "Alright, since I clearly have no choice in the matter, who wants to ride in my car?"
"I shall," Franziska declared, "I'm not travelling in that foolish fool's excuse for a fool-mobile." She flashed a deathly glare at Gumshoe's faded brown car, looking sad and sorry for itself next to Edgeworth's flashy model.
"Well, there are three seats in the back… how about Wright, Maya and Pearl ride with me?" Edgeworth suggested, wanting to make sure there was no room for Larry.
"Yay! We get to go in the nice car!" said Maya. "No offence, Gumshoe," she said quickly, as the Detective's face fell.
"Edgey, meet us at the Blue Bar once you've taken my cutie Pearl home, OK?" said Larry.
"I'll see you in a few minutes," Edgeworth said, "And please don't call me 'Edgey'."
Maya, Pearl and Phoenix clambered in to the row of three spotless leather seats, while Franziska daintily let herself into the front seat. Edgeworth got in beside her.
"So, the first stop is Wright's apartment?"
"Yep," said Phoenix, "You know where it is, right?"
"Erm… yes," said Edgeworth. Franziska gave him a look of confusion.
"Why on earth do you know the location of this fool's foolish abode?"
"I had to pick up some case files once," Edgeworth explained, going red, "It's not like I'd visit him out of choice."
Franziska raised an eyebrow but said no more.
"This is a lovely car, Mister Edgeworth," Pearl piped up, "The seats have such a nice material! What sort of a material is it?"
"It's called 'leather', Pearls," said Phoenix, admiring the car's expensive upholstery for himself.
"Oh, I think I've heard of that one before. Leh-ther," she said, "Where does leather come from? Is it spun by silkworms, like silk is?"
"It's actually made of-" Phoenix began, but Maya kicked him hard in the leg.
"It's… uh… given to us by nature, Pearly," she explained. She leant close to Nick. "She'll get upset if she knows it's cow skin," she whispered softly.
"Ah," he nodded in understanding.
The car drew to a halt, the smooth purr of its engine dropping into silence. "Here we are," Edgeworth announced.
"Come on Pearly, we're home now." Maya opened the side down and helped Pearl out.
"Thank you for driving me, Mister Edgeworth!" said Pearl with a little wave.
"You're very welcome," he said, his usually serious face breaking into a smile. Phoenix got out the other side and escorted Maya and Pearl into the block of flats.
Franziska smirked. "I didn't know you had a soft spot for children, Miles Edgeworth," she said.
"Just because you're icy cold all of the time, Franny, doesn't mean I am." He reached a finger up to her pale face, tracing his fingertip down her cheekbone. She slapped him away.
"Not here."
Her face remained still and stony as a statue. Miles loved trying to break that perfect stare, and uncover the deeper, more emotional side to Franziska; but it wasn't an easy barrier to get past.
"You know, I'm surprised at you," he said, his voice as sweet as honey.
"And why is that?"
"You haven't raised one objection to this night out," said Edgeworth, "I'd have thought you'd have insisted to be taken home by now."
"Hmph," she said, folding her arms, "Aren't I allowed to participate in the fun once in a while?"
He looked shocked. "You mean, you actually like the idea of going clubbing with Larry and co?"
"Everyone needs to relax once in a while," she argued, a small smile playing on her lips, "Even the most perfect of us."
Edgeworth grinned, happy to have revealed part of her more fun-loving side – a side that he didn't often see. He lightly touched her hand.
"I love it when you smile, Franny."
She turned to face him. "Stop trying to be romantic, Miles Edgeworth. You know it won't get anywhere, not with me."
"But it does," he replied, "Remember when I cooked dinner for you, two weeks ago?" He leaned in closer to her, his breath touching her face. "Remember how overcome with passion we were that night? Remember what we did?"
Franziska pouted.
"And you're so cute when you pout," he murmured. He softly turned her head and kissed her pouting lips. Immediately she shoved him away.
"Don't do that!" she said angrily, "Not here! What if someone saw? Nobody is supposed to know about us!"
Edgeworth chuckled. "Franziska, do you see anyone around who could be watching? Any hidden cameras?" He paused, gesturing the empty scene outside the car windows. "We're alone."
He kissed her again, his hand creeping down her back, the other winding into her smooth hair. This time made no move to push him away; instead she relaxed into his warm embrace, letting his lips push against hers. He moved, tracing his mouth across her cheek, lining her neck with kisses. Franziska tugged him closer. Despite her usually unbreakable self control, she found one of her hands slipping under his shirt to brush against the warm, soft skin of his stomach.
While Franziska and Edgeworth were passionate embracing in the car, Phoenix and Maya were just saying goodbye to Pearl.
"Remember, if you need anything, our mobile numbers are written on her," Maya said, pointing to the piece of paper on the small table by Pearl's makeshift bed on the sofa.
"You know where the food and drinks are," said Phoenix, "Help yourself if you want anything."
"But mother said I mustn't eat after bedtime!" said Pearl, looking worried.
"Well… it's a special night, because Nick won a case," said Maya, "So you can have special treats tonight, OK?"
"Alright, Mystic Maya," said Pearl, "Should I eat lots and have a feast, so I can be big like you?"
"Um… maybe not today, Pearly."
"Are you ready, Maya? We need to get going," said Phoenix, fiddling with his door key.
"Yep, let's go!" She kissed Pearl on the forehead. "Be good, OK? If you get frightened, give me a call and I'll be right back."
"And there are chocolate biscuits in the cupboard," Phoenix added, "Your favourite kind."
"Yay! Have a nice time, you two!" Pearl waved at them as they walked out of the door, thinking what a lovely couple they were.
However, as soon as the door slammed shut behind her, she suddenly felt a tremble of fear.
She was home alone. For the first time ever.
Pearl gulped. This was going to be a long night.
Franziska leapt off of Edgeworth as soon as she spotted Phoenix and Maya opening the door of the block of flats. She hurriedly patted her ruffled hair back into place.
"Do I look alright?" she asked.
"Beautiful," said Edgeworth.
"Yes, fool, but do I look as if nothing happened?"
Edgeworth smiled, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Perfect." Franziska tucked the edge of his shirt in where it was hanging out and straightened his wonky cravat.
"There. If they ask what we did while they were gone, don't say a word," she instructed.
"I know, I know," he said, "Don't worry, Franny. I don't want our relationship out in the open yet, either."
"What do you mean, 'yet'?" she demanded, "You know that we can never let people find out! What would my father think of me?"
Edgeworth sighed.
The door clicked open and Maya and Phoenix got in.
"I hope Pearly will be OK," said Maya, "She gets really scared sometimes…"
"Stop worrying, Maya!" said Phoenix, "Pearl is sensible, she'll be fine. Besides, she's too happy that we're going out drinking together as a 'couple' to get scared."
"Huh, I suppose she is," Maya said, "Anyway, how come the windows are so steamed up in here? Has someone been hyperventilating or something?"
"Oh, how strange," said Edgeworth, "No, I don't have any idea how the windows came to be so steamed up."
"I bet Edgeworth and Franziska were secretly making out while we were gone, Nick," said Maya jokingly in a loud whisper.
"Ha ha, very funny," Edgeworth said in a dull voice which hinted that he was not amused.
"Good one, Maya!" Phoenix laughed. Edgeworth started up the engine and they drove off; Maya didn't really just how right she was.
It looked like the night was already in full swing when they reached the Blue Bar. Music was pounding out of the club and a gaggle of drunken young men were stumbling around by the doorway.
"It looks rather rowdy, don't you think?" said Edgeworth doubtfully, "Trust Larry to pick a place like this."
They got out; Edgeworth making sure his car was securely locked, as he didn't like the look of some of the men loitering around. They walked nervously into the club; inside it was crammed with people, the dance floor almost overflowing.
"Why, of why, did we have to come here, of all places?" Edgeworth muttered.
"Look, there are the others!" said Maya, pointing to three figures sipping drinks by the bar. They pushed through the crowds to reach them. Maggey and Gumshoe had obviously popped home to get changed; she was wearing a cute blue dress and heels, whereas Gumshoe was wearing a bizarre purple shirt embroidered with gold patterns which appeared to be much too small.
"Nice shirt, Detective," said Phoenix.
"It's my party shirt," he said happily, "Got it at a charity shop, pal! Bet ya wouldn't have guessed it only cost me 50 cents!"
Larry shoved a glass of something into Phoenix's face.
"Hey, Nick! Wanna cocktail drinking contest?"
"Ooh, I do!" said Maya, "Is there any for me, Larry?"
"Sure, have this one, since Nick's too much of a wuss to have it!" Larry passed Maya the glass of pink liquid, topped off with a cherry and a little umbrella.
"Wow, this cocktail is really decorative!" she said, admiring it, "I like all the little extra touches!"
"Yeah, awesome, Maya babe!" said Larry, "OK, three, two, one…" He tipped his head back and poured the drink down his throat; a second later he was bent double, choking. A soggy cherry flew out of his throat and landed on Edgeworth's shoe.
"Disgusting…" said Edgeworth, "I'm going to find a tissue." He disappeared into the noisy crowds, Franziska following behind him.
Larry finished spluttering and looked up at Maya; she'd drunk it in one gulp.
"Better luck next time, Larry," she giggled.
"Hey, no fair!" Larry said, "I choked on the cherry so it doesn't count, OK?"
"Fine, let's try again!" she challenged, "Then we can really prove who's king – or should I say QUEEN – of the cocktails!"
"You're on!" Larry ordered more drinks.
"Want me to get you a drink, pal?" Gumshoe asked Phoenix.
"OK… I'll just have what you've got," said Phoenix, deciding that Gumshoe's drink looked harmless enough compared to what Maya and Larry were having. The detective turned to the man behind the bar, a long haired guy with a stubbly chin.
"Two more of these, pal," he said, showing the man his glass. The bartender nodded. "Two 'Fresh Breezes', coming right up!"
Maya managed to win seven more cocktail contests before Larry finally accepted defeat.
"I'm the CHAMPION, Nick!" she giggled, swaying a little.
"Maybe you should stop drinking, Maya…"
"No WAY!" she said, "Ima get MORE Nick, c'mon!" She dragged him to the bar and ordered drinks for them both.
"Hey, I'm not drinking this!" said Phoenix, "It really doesn't look very healthy!" He examined the drink, which was a pale blue colour.
"Scaredy-cat!" Maya hiccupped, taking a slurp from her glass, "Go on!"
"Fine, fine…" He gave in and had a gulp, shuddering at the strength of the alcohol. But Phoenix supposed it didn't taste as bad as he thought. He managed to drain the glass, while Maya was already starting on a third glass of the stuff.
"Have another one, Nicky," she slurred, "Then we'll dance!"
He forced another cocktail down his throat and, feeling slightly drowsier than before, let Maya drag him onto the dance floor. The music was throbbing in his ear drums. Maya waved her hands in the air and performed some embarrassing dance moves.
"Nick, you're not dancing!" she said, swaying out of time with the music, "Look, even Gummy-shoe is getting' his groooooove on!" She pointed a drunken finger at Gumshoe and Maggey who were dancing wildly in the midst of the crowd.
Phoenix tried rocking a bit from side to side, but just felt stupid.
"You need more to drink, Fee-nick!" Maya laughed, pulling him back to the bar.
They had all lost track of time when Larry stumbled over with a cute blond haired girl clutching his arm.
"Who's that?" said Edgeworth, pointing rudely, all his politeness lost with the haze of alcohol which Maya had eventually encouraged him to drink.
"My Muffy," said Larry, "She's sooooo cute. I'm takin' her home baby!" He started drunkenly kissing her.
"Hey! What are you doing with my girl?" the bartender yelled.
"She's MY girl duuuude!"
The scruffy bartender climbed up and over the bar and punched Larry square in the face. Blood poured down from his nose.
"H-hey! Why d'ya do that?" Larry wailed. He flailed his arms at the bartender.
"Muffy, what are you doing with this loser?" he demanded, holding Muffy's arm.
"I… um… Griffiiiin!" she wailed. Griffin the bartender aimed a final kick at Larry before leading the drunken girl away.
Larry sobbed, wiping his blood streaked face. "Awww! He took away my girl, my angel!"
"It's alright, pal," said Gumshoe, patting him forcefully on the back, "Every linin' gotta silver cloud, know what I'm sayin'?"
"No," said Larry, "I'm gonna drink all this pain away!" He grabbed a glass out of Phoenix's hand and drunk every drop before running off.
"Never mind him, Nicky-poo!" said Maya, "Dance with meeee!"
This time, Phoenix was drunk enough that all of his self-consciousness and common sense had gone; he just let himself go. Sure, maybe he and Maya looked like idiots, but everyone was too drunk to care. She suddenly started to look really hot and he found that he couldn't keep his hands off of her.
"Let's go home baby," Maya whispered in his ear in what she thought to be a seductive voice, "I'll show you how much I loooove you!"
Meanwhile at the flat, Pearl was huddled under her duvet on the sofa, trembling. Wouldn't Mystic Maya and Mister Nick be back soon? She hadn't realised that hours could last so long… and it had gotten so dark outside…
Suddenly, Pearl heard a noise which made her jump. Shivering, she peeped out of the curtains… phew, just a car driving past. She glanced around her. The living room had never seemed scary before, but now that she was here alone, she felt very exposed. Someone could leap out from behind the door at any moment. What if there was a person hiding in the kitchen waiting to catch her? Or they could be behind the sofa, the very sofa she was lying on, picking the right moment to pounce and steal her away and she'd never see anyone ever again…
Pearl tried to calm her breathing and relax. She knew she was being silly, and Mystic Maya would laugh if she saw her like this. But still, she couldn't get rid of that uncomfortable prickling at the back of her neck…
There was a click. Pearl almost leapt out of her skin in terror, but she was sure that this time it was a real noise, not her imagination playing tricks on her. She shrank back against the sofa cushions, pulling the duvet tight around her.
The door handle was moving! Pearl fought back the urge to scream… she was frozen on the sofa, unable to move a muscle…
Suddenly there came a clanking sound and a voice from outside the door.
"Damn, dropped my keys!"
Pearl relaxed. It was only Mister Nick. She heard him pick up the keys and twist the handle again. She was so relieved… then she remembered how late it was, and thought she should probably be asleep by now. Quickly, she lay down and covered her face with the duvet, keeping as still as she could so she would fool Mister Nick and Mystic Maya.
They burst into the flat, both of them laughing drunkenly.
"Aww look! Pearly's asleep!"
"Cute," said Phoenix, "Not as cute as you honey!" He grabbed Maya's arm and led her into his bedroom. The door slammed shut behind them
As soon as they were out of sight, Pearl sat up. Had she heard correctly? Were Mystic Maya and Mister Nick finally in love?
She slipped silently out of bed and tiptoed to Phoenix's door. They were being quite noisy inside and she was sure they wouldn't notice if she opened the door a little, just for a tiny peek.
Inside it was dark, but she could make our shadows. On the bed, Maya was on top of Phoenix and they were – Pearl felt a little thrill – kissing! She decided she should leave the happy couple alone and crept back to her bed, where she soon fell asleep, her head filled with happy dreams of Maya and Phoenix.
Not long after she drifted off into her dream world, Maya staggered out of Phoenix's room, her clothes hanging off. She was feeling pretty disorientated and not sure where she was. Phoenix was already unconscious; he'd passed out on his bed, half naked with his legs sprawled over the edges.
Maya glanced around; everything seemed really blurry for some reason. She recognised a door – her bedroom! With shaking, weary legs she pushed it open and wandered in, collapsing onto her comfy bed. Within seconds, she too was fast asleep.