Fun fact about LeBlanc: Azlyn's pretty sure Telary could park the Gummi ship inside her closet. The knight half expects to find one of those directory maps like at the mall. But she hears Telary's voice in the back of her head, reminding her that the wealthy woman is being very generous, and she should respect that.

"This really is very nice of you, Miss LeBlanc," Kairi says, looking over a few dresses. Unfailingly polite as always.

The woman in question shrugs, already dressed for the night in a floor-length black gown with a nigh-obscene hole in the middle of the chest. "I just love dressing people up, makeovers. I even have a few wigs hanging around the place. Plus, nearly half of this room doesn't even fit me anymore!" Looking around, she frowns. "Where is Yuffie?"

"Present!" the ninja declares, brushing aside a rack so abruptly it falls to the floor. Luckily, half-a-dozen coats are there to catch its fall. Yuffie doesn't even notice, turning a playful pirouette. In lieu of a dress, she's selected a dark green, skintight romper. As a final flourish, she unleashes a high kick. "Oh I am so ready for this!"

"That looks great, Yuffie," Kairi complements. It seems she's picked out her outfit for the night. Unsurprisingly, the dress is a light purple.

"That'll, um, be cute too, Kairi," Azlyn says, not without some hesitation. She beams at the redhead, her smile just a little too wide.

Kairi smiles back. "Thanks."

"Me, I ain't looking for cute," the woman of the night declares, smirking as she investigates another rack. "This is my second-to-last night to taunt men with what they'll be forever missing out on!"

"And so young," LeBlanc says with a chuckle, shaking her head fondly. "I admire you for finding love so quickly in your life, but honestly it isn't something I'd ever do!"

"So you and Gramps are just having a fling, eh?" Yuffie teases.

The older woman scoffs good-naturedly, waving a hand as if to deflect the ninja's words. "Well, I fear my time of being wild and carefree is at an end regardless. After all, this," she says, waving a hand up and down her body, "isn't going to hold up forever. Time I started looking seriously forward to the future, romantically speaking."

"I guess that explains it," Azlyn says, examining a sparkling blue minidress. "Get an older man to make you look younger by comparison forever."

LeBlanc, as the kids say, ain't even mad. She just shrugs. "He really is a dear man, though. And he certainly knows how to use those hands…"

"Done!" Yuffie practically screams. "You're done, Blankie. Forever. What are we doing anyway, standing around talking about boys? Certainly four women as awesome as us have something else to say!"

"Where's Aerith?" Azlyn asks, sliding her jacket off and hanging it up carefully. "I told her she could come, right? Did she not get the memo or something?"

"Oh," Yuffie replies with a little grimace. "Yeah, she knew she was invited. She just, uh… She had to… With Leon gone, somebody's gotta…"

"Yuffie…?"

The ninja throws her hands up in the air. "Aerith doesn't like you!"

A long silence descends on the once festive gathering. Even more awkward is the fact that Azlyn's skirt is halfway down her legs. Without a word, she steps out of it. "Oh."

"Sorry," Yuffie apologizes, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. "I should have had an excuse prepared."

"It's fine," the knight replies tersely. With a loud huff, she steps behind a few fuller racks to change.

Yuffie still looks stricken. "Yikes, I… That was my bad, guys. Now the party's down before it can even get started."

"Don't worry," Kairi says, zipping up her own dress. It's light purple, with a short-sleeved lace top and ankle-length skirt. She starts moving, headed to where the bride-to-be is moping. Pushing aside the hanging clothes, she comes upon her friend looking decidedly downtrodden. "Hey, Az."

Azlyn turns to face the redhead, obviously startled by her appearance. The knight doesn't say anything, just reaching for the zipper on the back of her dress.

"Hang on," Kairi says, approaching carefully with her hands held out, like she's trying to calm a wary animal. "Why don't you let me do that, huh?"

"Sure you want to?" Azlyn asks, her tone utterly defeated. "Sure you even wanna be here? Maybe you'd like to join Aerith at the 'Azlyn sucks' party."

"I wouldn't want to go to that party," Kairi assures the girl, easily zipping up the dress.

Azlyn doesn't seem convinced. Looking to a nearby mirror, she scrutinizes her outfit instead of the redhead's expression. Sparkling blue, short and tight, with long lacy sleeves. With the right shoes, it's perfect. In a lot of ways, it reminds her of the dress she wore when she and Telary first got together. The first night of the rest of her life. She stares down at her engagement ring, letting the diamond reflect the light. A symbol of her undying love.

"That's not to say I'm not mad at you," Kairi continues, crossing her arms and looking at the floor. It breaks Azlyn from her lovestruck reverie. "I mean, c'mon, you condemned my boyfriend to eternity in the Underworld for easy cash. You've got to understand that that's not the kind of thing a person just shrugs off."

"Shouldn't we have one of those awkward heart-to-hearts about it then?"

"You'd think," Kairi replies with a shrug. "But some things aren't solved that easy. Things like this take time." She steps closer, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "But just know, Az, that I don't hate you utterly and forever. I'm not planning on burning you in effigy. We're still friends. Right now, I'm just a friend that's upset with you."

"I can live with that," the knight concedes, allowing herself just a small smile. "And hey, maybe tonight we can party that right outta ya."

The redhead giggles, swaying her hips playfully. "Maybe."

"Oh, and one more thing, Kairi."

"Yeah, Az?"

"Where's Effigy?"

Kairi can't stop the little sigh that escapes her lips. "Don't worry about it."

KH-KH-KH

Radiant Garden is, Azlyn decides as she looks out the car's window, a city best seen in the daytime. It isn't that nightfall brings out an ugly side to it or anything, but somehow the sun just seems such an integral part of the city's unique charm. There are less people, too. She supposes that musts imply be a consequence of the town's long battle with darkness.

Sighing, the knight turns to look at the opposite end of the bench seat. Kairi's sitting there, practically plastered up against the window. It seems to redhead could care less about Radiant Garden's most aesthetically pleasing hours. To her, it's all beautiful. Not for the first time, Azlyn can't help but wonder why she doesn't share Kairi and Telary's yen to explore this city to uncover every piece of the past.

A few minutes after leaving the mansion, the party pulls through into a very different scene than that of the quiet residential and market neighborhoods. Suddenly, lights shift from the warm glow of street lamps into a shining rainbow of neon. More people pass on the street, dressed in a considerably less down-home style. A low hum of music begins to fill the air, the car shivering slightly in time with a beat.

"Party district!" Yuffie declares, bouncing up and down in her seat and adding another shake to the vehicle.

"I definitely don't remember this," Kairi says, pink light from a passing sign illuminating her grinning face.

"Hasn't changed a bit from my heyday, darling," LeBlanc chimes in, smirking at the younger women. "I remember well those nights. Well, most of those nights anyway."

"And the ones you don't?" Kairi asks.

The wealthy woman's smile deepens. "I can only assume, my dear, that those were even better!"

"I can't figure Leon to be the kind of guy to make this a priority," Azlyn chimes in, briefly following a mixed group of young adults as they practically prance around the street.

"Oh, he didn't," Yuffie replies, shaking her head. "Said we needed to focus on 'important matters' first. Turns out, somebody else figured having a place to blow off steam was important enough." She leans back, suddenly looking quite a bit more mischievous. "Perfect, except…"

"Except what?" Azlyn asks, leaning toward the ninja.

"Except for the little matter of who was doing the restoring," LeBlanc cuts ins, crossing her eyes and giving Yuffie a sly look. "A rather… disreputable man named Don Corneo. Before the Fall, he was quite the notorious man. Had his hands in all sorts of nasty business, drove the city guard to distraction. Nothing they could ever prove, of course."

"Says he turned over a new leaf after the Fall," Yuffie chimes in. She shakes her head. "Nobody really believed him, of course. Now, though, it's even harder to nail him. He's already sent two plants packing."

"Wow," Kairi says, shaking her head incredulously. "To think there's this whole other side to Radiant Garden."

"Just like anything, darling," LeBlanc says, quite nonchalant.

The car turns, and suddenly the ambient music from outside becomes even louder, bright gold light flooding through the windows. Everyone in the backseat leans forward, taking in the sight now revealed to them. Looming over the streets is a massive building, searchlights hitting the gold exterior of its first story so hard it almost seems the sun is shining once again. Above that, floor-to-ceiling windows allow a glimpse into a world of pulsing light and colors, the silhouettes of people dancing away inside. A tower juts out several feet above that, gold and glittering. On the street in front it stands a large round sign glowing with gold light, proudly declaring the establishment as The Golden Saucer.

"Whoa," Azlyn declares, her eyes and mouth opened wide in astonishment. She tries to fight the part of her that's having an internal breakdown about how much gold is on display before her, but to little success.

"I've never seen anything like it before," Kairi chimes in, equally awed by the sight.

The car follows the road as it curves behind the glowing sign, stopping at the curb. As is to be expected, a line of people wait outside the establishment. There seems to be something of a mix in styles, with half the patrons dressed for a night of dancing and fun, and the other half in more elegant attire.

"Midnight, I think, unless we signal you," LeBlanc is saying to the driver, a thin man by the name of Logos. She takes a look at the eager young women with her before amending the pick-up time by another hour and a half. That settled, she gestures to Azlyn, who's seated closest to the curb. "Well, Madame Bachelorette… Shall we?"

Azlyn doesn't need to be told twice. Grinning widely, she swings the door open. The bass of the club's music, powerful enough with the car's chassis between it and the party, hits the knight like a Destiny Islands wave as she exits. She stops, taking it all in for a moment. Until she feels LeBlanc nudging her back. She quickly scoots out of the way, allowing the others to disembark as well.

"Wow," Kairi says, shaking her head in awe once again. She's never seen anything so grand (if a tad loud and gaudy) in her life. She's also never seen a line like the one before her. "Looks like we still have a bit of a wait."

LeBlanc's snort is audible even over the general clatter. "Girl, I haven't waited in a line since I started going to clubs. Follow me, everyone!"

The girls fall behind as LeBlanc strides forward, the wealthy woman looking for all the world like she owns the very steps she walks on. This does not go unnoticed by the people in line, who begin to grumble at the group as they pass. LeBlanc, Azlyn, and Yuffie seem to pay no mind. Kairi feels the sudden need to cover her face. With dirt from the hole she should jump in.

They get about halfway to the door before someone from the establishment decides to investigate the situation. A tall, tan-skinned man dressed in a black suit intercepts the group, blocking their path and pinning them down with a warning look.

"Ladies," he says, possessing the most stereotypical "don't mess with me" voice one could think of. "If you haven't noticed, there's a line. Typically, that would suggest that you should be in it."

"He's got a point," Kairi chimes in from the back of the group.

"And I thank him for making it," LeBlanc says, eyes still locked on the security man. "Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be aware of the circumstances." Stepping aside just a bit, the wealthy woman gestures to Azlyn. "Do you know who this girl is?"

The guard hardly gives her a glance. "Can't say I am. Your point?"

"I suppose another question is in order, then," LeBlanc continues, unfazed. "Do you enjoy walking these streets? Do you enjoy occupying the space you currently do?"

"Ma'am…"

"Because, Mr. Big-Shot-There's-A-Line," Azlyn picks up, stepping up to the man with a pronounced scowl, "if it weren't for me, you'd be lost in the everlasting dark void. Name's Azlyn. About two years ago, I helped out another guy you might have heard of, Sora, the freakin' Keyblade Master, dust the witch bitch that kicked you outta this place, and the guy who started up the whole Heartlesspalooza!" Reaching into her small clutch bag, the knight pulls out a laminated card. "And if that ain't doin' it for ya, I also happen to be the adopted daughter of King Mickey Mouse of Disney Castle, who could start a diplomatic incident before you had the chance to readjust your stupidly skinny tie!"

The entire block seems to have been disrupted by the commotion, only the sound of music pumping from inside staving off absolute silence. The nightclub bouncer's sunglasses fall to the pavement and break in two, the man himself moving a muscle to react. Kairi fights the suddenly powerful urge to smack herself straight on the forehead.

"I, uh, I see," the bouncer says after a few seconds. The man mechanically straightens his posture, steps to one side, and gestures the ladies forward. "Go, um, go on ahead."

"Thank you," LeBlanc says primly, even dipping down in a short curtsy. Ignoring the very loud protests of those still waiting in line, she leads the group forward.

"Damn," Yuffie mutters under her breath, giving Azlyn a playful nudge. "I am bringing you everywhere with me from now on."

The knight smirks. "A girl likes to be recognized for her achievements." She's grinning until she gets a look over her shoulder at Kairi. The redhead looks quite miffed, bordering on upset. She stays at the back of the group, her arms pulled inward. Azlyn is contemplating saying something when they finally get into The Golden Saucer.

The first area is fairly tame, just a small foyer with wood paneled walls, a small booth manned by a bored young man before a cloakroom. Due to the warmth of the season, it's mostly empty. Beyond that is where things start to get more impressive.

The main lobby is a single huge room, nearly a dozen ornate chandeliers providing the illusion of candlelight while also keeping the place bright. A row of slot machines glow with neon lights, turning the room's red carpet into several different colors in the area. Craps tables and cards stations dot the rest of the room. The place actually isn't quite as packed as the outside line would suggest, perhaps a few dozen people enjoying the various offerings. All the ambient music is provided by what filters down from the club upstairs. Couples and small groups dot the staircase, the shifting colored lights from above continuously glinting off their clothes.

"Wow," Yuffie is the first to comment, taking in the room with an awed expression. "I'd heard about this place, but this is something else. It's like 'what Heartless apocalypse', y'know?"

"Seems a little incongruous, doesn't it?" Kairi chimes in, looking over the room with a more critical expression.

"Means people are getting on with their lives," LeBlanc counters, arms crossed. "This is progress, Kairi. This is what Radiant Garden is meant to be."

"Just try to relax, huh?" Azlyn requests of her friend, giving her a brief one-armed shoulder hug. "For me, as like, a bachelorette gift?"

Kairi sighs, forcing a grin onto her face and ignoring the persistent bad feeling she's had since the car arrived. Her goal tonight is to assure Azlyn of their friendship, and that will just take a bit of work. "Okay, yeah. So, are we gonna hit the slots, or tables, or…?"

"Oh, I never gamble, darling," LeBlanc interrupts, holding up a hand and looking distastefully at around the room. "Bad way to maintain wealth, that. No, dears, we're headed upstairs. Time to dance the night away one last time, eh Azlyn?"

"Sure thing," the knight replies, looking straight ahead to the staircase. The sounds of munny being exchanged and won are all around her, and she can almost feel an itch on her skin at the thought of joining the fray. But, tonight is partially about assuring Kairi of their friendship, and that will take just a little (or possibly a lot) of resistance.

"Woot, woot!" Yuffie practically screams, moving toward the stairs with barely contained enthusiasm. The others follow, Azlyn rushing to keep up with the ninja. LeBlanc and Kairi follow at their own more sedate, dignified pace.

Another black suited security guard stands at the bottom of the stairs, noting the group with professional detachment. The ladies barely notice him, especially not when he discreetly pulls out a walkie-talkie and brings it to his lips. "Tell the boss," he mutters into the device, "that we got some candidates. Keep an eye out."

The music just gets louder as Yuffie leads the group up the stairs, the atmosphere darkening despite the sudden bright flashes of light. It's almost a different world, the elegant grandiosity of the first floor making way for a seedier, more primal environment.

This is where all the people want to be, apparently. The large dance floor is packed with bodies moving in time to the bass-heavy thrum of the house music. The shifting lights come from huge lamps overhead, turning the dancefloor into a constantly moving kaleidoscope. One wall is made completely of glass, offering a view of the city. The citadel rises into the night sky far away. Perpendicular to that view is a small stage, the curtain currently drawn. Perhaps a dozen tables sit before it, only a handful occupied. The room's third wall is largely bare, except for a long bar built into it.

"This is insane!" Azlyn yells over the music, feeling the energy of the music and those dancing along with it. "We don't have anything like this in Mouseburg!"

"Yeah, not on the islands either," Kairi agrees, thinking of the small community center that wouldn't take up a third of this space. The Princess of Heart is starting to feel, ever just so slightly, excited for real.

"How did it take me so long to get out here!" Yuffie screams.

"Perhaps," LeBlanc declares, practically pushing herself into the middle of the group, "we should start out with a celebratory drink, hm?"

"Sounds good to me," Azlyn concurs, pumping her fist. Unable to control herself, she lets out another whoop of joy.

Making their way from the entrance to the bar proves itself to be something of a task, considering all the people packed between those two points. Shoving through hardly seems to work, even the most aggressive shouting lost beneath the heavy music. Eventually, the girls realize that the most effective course is just to basically dance through, allowing the flow of the crowd to naturally direct their bodies. By the time they're out of the general throng, ten minutes have passed and all four women are quite flushed. All the more reason for a drink, then.

Luckily, a few yards around the bar itself are populated rather more sparsely. There are even, fortuitously, four stools right next to each other. The ladies take their seats, Azlyn and Kairi making sure to sit together, flanked by Yuffie and LeBlanc on either side.

"Excuse me," Leblanc says, raising a hand that the bartender, a young woman, doesn't see on account of her back being turned. She seems a bit busy already, honestly, mixing a cocktail. Still, LeBlanc presses on. "I said excuse me…!"

"Just hold a minute there, wouldya?" the tender calls over her shoulder, its accent unique and immediately memorable.

"Vanille?" Yuffie blurts in astonishment.

That seems enough to get the bartender (who is, indeed, Restoration Committee receptionist extraordinaire Vanille) to turn around and face the group. She smiles upon seeing them, raising the completed drink in her hand. "Oi, hello all! Just give me a second here, yeah?" The young woman practically skips down the bar to hand the cocktail off to another mid-twenties girl whose date is currently nibbling on her neck. Rolling her eyes, Vanille walks back up to the group. "Well, hello again!"

"What are you doing here?" Yuffie asks, eyebrows raised in puzzlement.

"Um, making drinks?" Vanille replies, her tone fairly insulting. "And then munny because of making said drinks?"

"Good enough for me!" Azlyn declares with a smack to the bar top. Her engagement ring gives it a particularly harsh sound.

"You already have a job," Yuffie continues speaking to the bartender without pause. "Are we not paying you enough? I can talk to…"

"Relax, Ninja," Vanille says, rolling her eyes. "My gig at the castle pays rent fine, but a girl like me likes having a little free cash for frivolity. Plus, doing this puts me right in the middle of the action. I always liked bein' round people, especially people having a good time. Plus, there are," the girl throws in a saucy wink, "other benefits to the gig, if y'know what I mean. Really getting into the action. Hell, I almost tried out for a spot with the Saturday dancers."

"Uh huh." Yuffie puts both her hands up, surrendering. "Well, as long as you're doing this for your own reasons, I'm good. Just wanted to make sure…"

"I would like to make sure," LeBlanc cuts in, her voice raised to be clear even over all the club's activity, "that I and my friends get a few drinks in our hands."

Vanille smiles. "Well, then I am the girl for you!"

After everyone's gotten their refreshment, LeBlanc decides that it's the perfect time for a bit of ceremony. She slides off her stool and stands beside Azlyn, holding her glass in the air.

"A toast is in order, I think," the wealthy woman begins, shouting over all the noise surrounding them. Everyone turns to look at her, only for LeBlanc to quickly place a hand on Kairi's shoulder and declare, "As the person closest to our bride to be, I thought you might like to have the honors."

The Princess of Heart is, obviously and understandably, quite thrown off. Nevertheless, one look at Azlyn's subtly nervous expression tells her that this is something she should do. So, Kairi stands and slides into LeBlanc's place, glass in hand.

"Right," she says, taking a moment to center herself. The weirdness of late aside, she still somehow finds it incredibly simple to reach into her heart and find a few kind words. "Azlyn, I am really happy that you and Telary are together. If there are two people in this universe that are better for each other, make each other stronger and better when they're together, then I sure haven't heard of them. You love each other with the kind of love most people can only dream of. May we all find someone and something that makes us just as happy. To Azlyn and Telary!"

Yuffie and LeBlanc let out whoops of excited agreement, before tossing back their cocktails in one gulp. Azlyn says nothing, only taking a small sip of her drink and silently thanking the shifting lights for hiding her blush from the others. Kairi still manages to notice, however, and smiles while taking her own sip.

"That was quite beautiful, Kairi," LeBlanc congratulates the redhead, setting her empty glass on the bar. Vanille gives the wealthy woman a questioning look, but she just waves the bartender off. "Now, if you'll all excuse me, it's time I got down to what we all really came here for!" With a playful wink, she goes bopping off onto the dance floor, gleefully mixing herself in with the moving bodies.

"The lady's got that right!" Yuffie declares, slamming her own glass down and heading off into the throng as well. "C'mon, last one in's a rotten egg!"

The remaining two girls laugh at the ninja's antics, but decline to join in just yet. Instead, Kairi takes a seat at the stool beside Azlyn. For a few moments the pair remains silent, simply sipping at their cocktails and watching the dancefloor.

"Uh, Kairi," Azlyn begins after a minute, taking one last sip before setting her half-full glass down. "That, uh… Thanks. For the speech there. It was, y'know… nice." The redhead is about to respond when she continues on, hesitantly. "So, uh, did you really mean that? About me and Tel, and stuff?"

"I wouldn't just make stuff up, Az," Kairi says, leaning in closer. "You and Telary are great together. I really think you have what it takes to keep each other, y'know, balanced. Because he's smart and kind and…"

"And I'm just the kind of bitch he needs to keep the world from trampling on him for it?'" the knight replies. Her tone and expression are both so deadpan that, for a few moments, Kairi feels rather nervous. But after she's had her fun, a grin spreads across Azlyn's face. "I take that as a compliment, y'know."

Kairi shakes her head, sort of fondly exasperated, and stands up from her stool. "I'll bet you do. Now, c'mon. We came here to dance, didn't we?"

The girls make their way onto the floor, absently brushing against a tall man. Already dancing, they pass him without comment or apology. He says nothing either, only briefly turns to watch them go. After a moment, he looks to where another similarly dressed man is standing. The other man listens places a finger on the small speaker inside his ear. Looking back at his companion, he nods.

The operation is go.

KH-KH-KH

For nearly an hour, the girls dance carelessly among the crowd. It's liberating in a way, simply closing your eyes and surrendering to the pounding beat of the music. Feeding off the energy of not only your friends, but a hundred strangers all in pursuit of the same goal as you: simply having a good time.

But you can't go forever without stopping, and eventually Kairi leads Yuffie and Azlyn back to the bar. LeBlanc remains on the floor, apparently running on a different energy source entirely than that of her friends.

"I guess she really wasn't kidding about being on her last flings," Yuffie notes, signaling for Vanille to prep them another round once she's finished with her current customer.

"I thought this was supposed to be my last fling," Azlyn jokes, shaking her head. Just because she's not a perpetual dance machine, of course, doesn't mean that she isn't having fun. The only way tonight could be improved would involve either sex or violence.

It seems the evening has decided to go with option number two. Two security men approach the ladies at the bar, and before the girls even see them, they can sense something's up.

"What?" Azlyn blurts right off the bat, spinning her stool to face the two goons. They remain passive, apparently not intimidated in the least. "Can't you see…"

"This doesn't concern you, miss," the taller of the pair says, frowning right back at the knight. He gestures a hand to Kairi. "We have a message for this enchanting young lady, from our patron Don Corneo himself."

"What kind of message?" Kairi asks, fists clenching unconsciously. Her danger senses, whether a byproduct of being a Princess of Heart or of many months of combat training, are going crazy.

"He wishes to invite you to his private suite," the shorter man replies, giving the redhead a crooked grin that practically drips sleaze. "A high honor, offered only to the most…"

"Look, buddy," Azlyn interrupts, scooting forward so she's ready to launch herself off the stool at the slightest provocation, "we're kind of in the middle of something tonight. My bachelorette party, in fact. That means it's a sorta 'no boys allowed' situation, okay? All that to say, get lost and tell your boss it ain't happening."

"Uh, yeah!" Kairi repeats with as much toughness as she can. Grateful as she is for Azlyn coming to her defense, a part of her wishes that she herself would have been allowed that honor.

"I see," Tall Goon says, nodding slowly. Oddly, he looks almost disappointed. "Well, if that is the way you feel, I suppose it can't be helped, hm?"

Azlyn practically growls. "No, it really can't."

"In that case, I suppose we should wish you ladies goodnight," Shorty chimes in. For whatever reason, this one seems even sleazier than his companion. "I hope you enjoy whatever entertainment you can find."

"Excuse me?" Yuffie and Azlyn ask simultaneously.

"I'm afraid that we'll have to ask you to leave the premises," Tall Guy clarifies, what was once just annoying smugness becoming something closer to a threat.

"And just why the hell would we do that?" Azlyn demands, springing to her feet and shifting her stance in preparation for a fight.

"You can't just kick us out for no good reason!" Yuffie agrees, also readying herself for oncoming aggression.

"For your information, ladies," Shorty says, still leering, "management retains the right to refuse access to anyone they so choose. And it just so happens that the man himself told us 'she dances with me or she's out'."

"That's bullshit!" Azlyn yells, stepping forward and shoving the heel of her hand into the tall goon's chest. The man stumbles back, letting out a breath and looking quite surprised at the whole thing. "You wanna throw us out, you're gonna have to get literal with it!"

That gets a laugh from both security men, obviously neither of whom had been briefed by the bouncer outside. In time, they might wish they had been.

"Look, ladies," Tall says, holding up a hand placatingly, "I understand you're upset, but making threats is only gonna…"

What "making threats is only gonna" is never determined. Before the big security man can finish his condescending spiel, Azlyn reaches out to grab his forearm. He makes a startled noise, which turns into a full-on scream as Azlyn flips him through the air and sends his back slamming hard into the bar. It's a testament to the contractors that it doesn't crack, much less break outright like most would be prone to do.

Shorty is stunned by the attack, his mouth dropping open. It's a reaction mimicked by pretty much everyone within a fifteen feet radius of the bar. "What in the…?"

Another bouncer, another unfinished statement. Grinning, Yuffie grinds the heel of her shoe into the man's toe. He screams, and she follows up with a jab to his throat that sends him sprawling to the floor. The ninja looks down on her victim and lets out a hearty laugh.

"Oy," Vanille comments, standing behind the bar near where Tall Guy is still groaning in pain. She looks quite stunned, gaze flipping rapidly between the two injured bouncers. "Guess all that to-do about the mighty Restoration Committee wasn't just bunk, eh?"

Azlyn shrugs, still looking quite content. Kairi, on the other hand, doesn't seem quite so triumphant as her companions. Sure, the two bouncers had been obnoxious and condescending and had been trying to collect her to presumably join the establishment's owner's harem, but the girls may have started something without thinking.

"That's how we do it!" Yuffie whoops, pumping her fist in the air. A few other customers (mostly female) lend their own cheers, but considering they're all holding drinks, it might be less a general triumphant spirit and more just being drunk. Either way, the ninja turns to Vanille with an elated expression. "So, hows about that second round?"

"I think," Kairi says with a grimace, looking across the club, "you're about to get that and then some."

Curious, the other girls follow their friend's gaze. A crowd of men in similar dress to the two who've just been put down are making their way across the floor. Just as Kairi thought, here comes consequences.

Azlyn doesn't seem worried, rolling her eyes and letting out an impressively dismissive scoff. "And we so could have just done this the easy way."

"Maybe we still could," Kairi points out, putting a hand on the knight's arm. She hopes she won't have to employ it to hold her back. Azlyn looks at her, puzzled. "C'mon, Az, we've pretty much had all this place can offer. There have gotta be other places we could…"

Azlyn shakes her head firmly. "No way, Princess. I ain't leaving until I decide it's time to go. No bunch of braindead hired bruisers are gonna make me do anything." Yuffie whoops her agreement, downing the drink Vanille somehow had the wherewithal to make her.

"As noble as the sentiment is…" Kairi's admonishment about thinking things through never gets its chance as the gaggle of suited men arrive on the scene. The music still pumps through the overhead speakers, but the sounds of people having a good time have lessened considerably. All but the most oblivious move their focus to this new conflict.

"Alright, you had your fun," the man at the head of the bouncer crowd declares. He cracks his knuckles for show. "We won't tolerate violence against security in this establishment, so…"

"Tolerate this!" Azlyn sends out a straight punch, knocking the spokesperson into the other security men. A trio of them fall over from the falling man's impact, but those that are able to step aside him look ready to fight.

Just as Azlyn and Yuffie are. Yuffie acts first, throwing the first glass she can get her hands on in the face of the rightmost man. He flicks it away, only stumbling for a moment. Scowling, the ninja reaches for the next glass, throwing it as well. Then the next, until finally she runs out. It isn't much, but the barrage provides enough time for her to slip off her shoes. A battle is no place for heels.

Azlyn divests herself of her shoes as well, skipping the middleman and just using them as her own throwing weapons. By the time the first bouncer gets to her, she's ready. He throws a punch, but it isn't hard for her to sidestep. She kicks out and lands a hit on his shin, then jabs the heel of her hand into his throat.

The next two men are on her by then. She reaches out and grabs the base of the stool, hoping to use it as a weapon. Unfortunately, it's bolted to the floor. The knight is thrown off entirely, and the security man's punch lands. Luckily she's turned around, and what would be a finishing blow to her face is just a really painful hit to her shoulder blade.

Still, Azlyn knows how to take a hit and keep going. She stumbles a few steps, then jumps up onto the bar itself. Yelling loudly, she snaps her bare foot up in a kick that sends the bouncer off the floor and falling backwards. The other man reaches for her leg, but she hops over the clumsy grab.

Yuffie's contending with her own thugs, three men she seriously pissed off with her throwing glasses routine. Their rage actually proves a useful tool. They're too angry to do much smart fighting, ending up more often an inconvenience to themselves rather than a threat to her. All it takes is some fancy footwork to have one man punch another in the chest. Yuffie ducks a bit and unleashes a jab of her own. It hits the man's stomach, taking him down.

She backpedals as he goes down, the remaining bouncer having to step around his comrade to get at her. Now the friendly-fired man is ready to go again, and they both move toward the ninja from either side. With her back against the bar, it isn't a promising situation.

Unless she has a little help. Her initial misgivings aside, Kairi can't just stand around while her friends are attacked. Better judgment will have to wait for another time. In a flash of light, her Keyblade comes forth. A single swing to one of the bouncer's backs is enough to knock him down. The other security man notices, but it's too late to do anything but take a swing into his gut. The man Yuffie punched has straightened again, but not for long.

"That," Yuffie declares with a frown, pointing to the weapon in Kairi's hand, "is totally cheating. Guess I shouldn't complain though, huh?"

"No," the redhead replies tersely. She turns to help Azlyn, but the bachelorette is just finishing up her own bout with security. Somehow, she's managed to use Tall Guy as a weapon to fell the last bouncer.

"Now this is what I call a party!" the knight declares with a loud whoop, hopping down off the bar and landing gracefully. "Forget another round of drinks, bring on more big dumb guys for me to knock down!"

As if cued up by Azlyn's exclamation, the heavy pounding bass of the music disappears. Sounds of annoyance rise up from everyone too clueless to notice the earlier brawl. The lights stop shifting as well, settling into a uniform blue across the club. Except one, a single spotlight shining down on the wall beside the club's entrance. Everyone's attention is naturally drawn, just in time for a pair of double doors to open.

Two figures emerge from the elevator, bathed in the spotlight's glow. One stands tall, a shapely woman dressed in a suit like that of the bouncers but a deep crimson. Her hair, exactly the same shade as her attire, is pulled back to reveal a fairly lovely but angular face. Her gaze sweeps over the room with a calm professionalism. A bodyguard if Azlyn ever saw one.

The man she's guarding is… not quite as lovely as his companion. Short, balding but for a blond quiff so slicked with gel that it looks slimy. A tattoo of a pink heart pierced by an arrow adorns his scalp. His features are pinched and pig-like, his blue eyes watery. He wears a white suit, without and tie and with the top three buttons of his shirt undone to expose his chest, and a gaudy red velvet cape wrapped around his shoulders. The man looks around the room, a frown on his face that only makes him look worse.

Suddenly, a second white spotlight flares to life. Azlyn, Kairi, and Yuffie flinch and throw up their hands. By the time the brightness shock has worn off, the toady man and his bodyguard are striding their last few paces towards the group. The man looks pleased at the sight before him, in a decidedly creepy way.

"Good evening, ladies, my name is Don Corneo. This is my nightclub," the man says, scratching his head in the tattooed area. The gold rings he wears on nearly every finger reflect the spotlight. "I must say, when I heard that someone was making trouble, you three were not what I expected." He gives each of them a pronounced once-over. "A pleasant surprise though, oh yes indeed."

"So, you're the creep who sent those goons to nab my friend, huh?" Azlyn says, stepping closer to the Don. His bodyguard reacts in kind, not ready to tolerate a move on her employer.

"I merely made a small request," Corneo replies, shrugging carelessly. "Certainly there was no need for violence, hm?"

"Not until your boys made it clear 'no' wouldn't be taken for an answer."

Don Corneo gasps, theatrically clutching a hand to his chest. "My dears, I hadn't any idea. My, if I would have known that my men were…"

"Oh, save it," Azlyn interrupts. Corneo's bodyguard tenses again at the hostility that's in every syllable. Her eyes narrow. "I know a creepazoid when I see one, and you my man…"

Azlyn moves to jab a finger in Don Corneo's froggy face. The move is aggressive enough to provoke action from the bodyguard. Her hand snaps out and closes itself around Azlyn's wrist like a vise. The knight lets a hiss of pain slip from between her teeth.

"Have a care," the crimson-haired woman says, her voice low and carrying a strong accent. Where she picked that up considering Radiant Garden has just the one city is anyone's guess. "You may have humbled those buffoons my employer calls club security, but I am not like them. Continue to accost the Don, and I shall show you."

"Rosso, Rosso," Corneo tuts, shaking his head fondly. "I appreciate your enthusiasm where my protection is concerned, truly. But this young lady…" The Don pauses, pursing his lips and examining Azlyn's hand closely.

"What?" the knight spits. Literally, she makes sure spittle comes from her mouth and gets all over Rosso's hand.

"Excuse me, I was just admiring your lovely ring," the club owner says, giving her a polite smile that still comes off as slimy without even trying. "An engagement band, I presume?"

"Yeah. This is my bachelorette party, actually. What's it to ya?"

He shrugs. "Just lamenting that a beautiful woman such as you is no longer on the market. A lovely ring, indeed."

"Look, are you gonna throw us out or what?" Yuffie demands, hands on her hips. "Because if you wanna try again, I'm just as ready for round two."

Kairi looks on at all the "festivities" with a frown. She's technically the one who started this whole, and now she's just been shoved off to the side and ignored. Talk about breach of etiquette.

"This whole misunderstanding can be cleared up easily," Corneo says, chuckling jovially. When the laughter stops, his leer is enough to almost incite physical cringing. "I know my men's impersonal request failed to entice you, but…"

"Okay, screw you buddy!" Azlyn declares, throwing her elbow at Rosso's face.

It seems the bodyguard wasn't kidding. Quick as lightning, her free hand comes up and stops the elbow cold. Azlyn barely has time to react before Rosso uses her superior hold and momentum to flip the knight over, a cruelly ironic echo of her own move against Tall Guy.

Yuffie scowls and moves in, but Rosso isn't having any of it. The tall woman's arm snaps up and slaps the ninja across her face. Another member of the bachelorette party goes to the floor. Don Corneo's bodyguard hasn't even moved beyond a slight shuffling of her feet. She eyes Kairi, a challenge glinting in her eyes. She looks quite excited at the possibility of a further fight.

"Well, young lady?" Corneo asks, waving a hand over Kairi's fallen companions. "Must this violence continue?"

After a moment of hesitation, the Princess of Heart faces the Don down steadily. "I'm afraid spending the rest of the night with you is pretty much at the bottom of my wish list, sir."

"Yeah, Kairi!" Azlyn encourages from the floor, propping herself up on her elbow. "Use that Keyblade, show these creeps…"

"But," the redhead continues, as if she didn't even notice her friend's word, "I'd rather not keep this cycle of violence going. Maybe it would be best if my friends and I simply took our leave."

"Excuse me?" Azlyn hops to her feet, fists clenched tightly. "C'mon, Kai, we can take…"

"Azlyn, it's over," the redhead interrupts, her expression leaving no room for argument. "Exercise some discretion for once in your life, please."

"Sad to see you go," Don Corneo says, shaking his head. Rosso steps close to his side again, scowling at Kairi. Oh, she had certainly been looking forward to further violence. Just another good reason to let this go. "But I would be sadder to see more violence in my establishment."

"You can't be serious!" Azlyn groans, throwing her hand in the air.

"I am," Kairi replies through clenched teeth. "Get your shoes, and lets go. This part of the party is over."

Azlyn complies, though not happily. She trudges to her heels and slips them on. Yuffie follows along beside her, exhibiting her usual amused ease with the situation. Kairi watches them all the while, trying hard to ignore the feeling that she hasn't done her relationship with Azlyn any favors here.

Don Corneo can't resist one last discharge of slime. As the girls pass by him, he gives them all a leer and softly says, "A pleasant evening to you all."

It's too much for Azlyn. She spins around on the Don, a fist rocketing towards his smug face. And once again, Rosso stops her cold. This time she skips the wrist and locks the knight's hand in hers, holding it there tightly.

"You heard your little friend," she hisses, the soft sound made harder by her accent. "Walk away, girl. And be glad you were given the opportunity. Don't let your face be seen around here again."

Growling audibly, Azlyn rips her hand free. With one last threatening glare, she turns and stomps toward the exit. The other girls just try their best to keep up.

KH-KH-KH

Azlyn's decided there's nothing really that impressive about The Golden Saucer. It's all just insubstantial gaudiness, a perfect reflection of the man who owns it. Anybody lured in by its shining facade and flashing lights is just an air-headed moron. A stupid place full of idiot people, that's what it is!

"Y'know," Yuffie speaks up, the first girl to talk since their forced walk of shame, "that actually wasn't half bad! A little dancing, a little drinks, a fight… Pretty good time, all in all!"

"I cannot believe this!" Azlyn yells, shaking her fists at the sky. "That sleazy jerk and his ice queen bitch bodyguard can rot in a hole. Dammit!"

Kairi sighs. She should have predicted this. Still, the redhead walks closer to her friend, intending to place soothing hands on her shoulders. "Now Azlyn, I know…"

"And you!" The knight spins on her heel, getting her finger right up in the Princess of Heart's face. Kairi stumbles back a step, for a brief moment struck by the odd thought that something's different about Azlyn's hand. "You just let 'em show us the door! Damn girl, haven't I taught you freaking anything!"

"Now, Az…"

"Backing down in front of everybody like that!" Azlyn rants on without pause. "We coulda had that bitch on the floor!"

"Azlyn!" Kairi yells, getting up in the bachelorette's face with matching vigor. "Would you mind getting your head out of your butt for, like, a single night? Is that so much to ask? You don't need to take on every fight that comes your way, not if there's another option. Ugh, this is just the kind of thing you always do. Charging ahead with for no other reason than because of your pigheaded stubbornness. You don't think, you just do. I'd have thought you'd learned better than that by now."

Azlyn can only stare back at her friend, mouth open in shock. Never in her life has she seen Kairi go off like that. It takes her a second to recover.

Yuffie wisely takes advantage of the moment. "Okay, good for you to get all that out. But I think both of you are missing something pretty important."

"What?" both girls blurt, turning their scowling face to the ninja.

"Where the heck is LeBlanc?"

As if she heard her name called, the wealthy woman comes clicking towards the group. She looks flushed, eyes a little wider than usual. She also seems concerned.

"My goodness, what dreadful business that was," she declares, placing a hand over her heart and shaking her head.

"You managed to avoid it, I noticed," Yuffie growls under her breath.

"I didn't want to hinder you three, of course," LeBlanc replies smoothly. "I confess that in a melee brawl I would be of limited assistance."

Yuffie looks unconvinced. "And there's no reason you should have to be barred from entry to the hottest club in town?"

All the wealthy woman can do is shrug in reply. Then suddenly, she focuses on Azlyn with a deep frown.

"What?" the knight asks harshly.

"Azlyn, dear," LeBlanc says slowly. "Whatever happened to your engagement ring?"

Azlyn's mouth drops open, hand flying up in front of her face. Sure enough, her ring finger is conspicuously bare. When did that…?

"That bitch!" Azlyn roars, loud enough to startle a few people heading up to The Golden Saucer. "That last hold she got, she must've… SHIT!" she rounds immediately on Kairi. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself now?"

"This isn't my fault," Kairi protests.

Azlyn isn't having that, scoffing loudly. "Yeah, right. If you'd just stepped up like you should've…"

"Oh, you do not get to…"

"Ladies!" LeBlanc says, getting between the two girls and pushing them apart. "Is this really the time for this? Now, the best thing to do…"

"Is march back into that club and demand my damn ring back!" Azlyn finishes for her. She looks at Kairi with a sneer. "Unless the princess here thinks I should just 'avoid the violence' and let the symbol of my undying love stay in the hands of a worlds-class creep."

"Shut up," Kairi shoots back, uncharacteristically scowling herself. She crosses her arms tightly. "I don't disagree that we need to get that ring back. Look, all we have to do is go to Quistis, file a report with the Defense Force…"

"Not gonna happen, Red," Azlyn declares. The look on hr face is so focused and tense that even Kairi can't immediately start raising objections. "That's my ring, and I'm gonna be the one that gets it back."

"Yeah!" Yuffie chimes in, pumping her fist excitedly. "Let's get back in there and…"

"Wait a minute, Yuffie," Azlyn interrupts, raising a hand. A devious smirk spreads across her face. "Maybe Kairi's right about avoiding violence sometimes."

"Oh," Kairi blurts, hardly able to believe what she's just heard. "Azlyn, I…"

"Sometimes," Azlyn continues, the smirk deepening into a full on smile, "ya gotta get a little sneaky with it." she straightens up, looking weirdly pleased for the situation. "Ladies, I know what I wanna do for the rest of my bachelorette weekend." She looks up at the glittering tower illuminated above, a devious plan forming in her mind.

"Uh, cool," Yuffie says, totally shocking Azlyn out of her little moment. Some part of the knight's mind had, admittedly, expected a fadeout on her last line. "But what are we supposed to do with the rest of tonight?"

"There's the most charming little gay bar just down the block," LeBlanc suggests. It seems to perk all the younger girls' interest. "Oh, and I think tonight might be karaoke!"

"Sounds fun, actually," Azlyn admits. "I could use to de-stress a bit. Helps the plans form better, y'know?"

"I like singing!" Kairi agrees chirpily.

LeBlanc raises her hand, somehow signaling the driver to come and get them. "Well, it's settled then!"

The girls wait for Logos to arrive, Azlyn and Kairi keeping a notable distance between each other. Some things even karaoke can't instantly fix.

Honestly, the inspiration here was me thinking to myself "What is the most un-Kingdom Hearts thing I could have characters do?' For some reason, clubbing sprang instantly to mind. And then I threw in a gay bar to top it off. I wanted to show there was a slightly less sunny side to Radiant Garden, make it a city like any other. Don Corneo as the most notable FF gangster I could think of (though I toned him down considerably on the whole horndog thing), and something about Rosso the Crimson just screamed "Azlyn would wanna mess this bitch up".

Chapter output really is gonna increase here guys, I swear. The key is to remind myself the goal of writing enough of KttK III to really establish it before REAL KH III comes out. These bachelor/bachelorette party stories are proving a bigger hurdle to jump than I thought, but maybe I just need to stop obsessing so much over everything being just so.

Anyway, shout-outs to Bezerker21 and goddragonking for their reviews of last chapter. See you all (I never know why I write that, it isn't like I've ever actually seen any of you) real soon!