V Day Ch 9

Sorry, sorry, after years of stalling, I finally got around to writing again – but I just started school again, so I have an excuse XD! Plus now I know where I'm going with this, so hopefully I can wrap it up soon 

So, how long exactly was she meant to stand there? Was politeness really necessary in a cheap club like this one? She would be the last person to know, having never been to a proper club in…ever.

One thing was for sure though – if this was the "hip new club" in Bevelle, then what the heck were the others like?

Paine was getting sick to death of this guy going on and on about whatever it was he was talking to her about. She stomped over to where Rikku was dancing quite inappropriately in the middle of the dingy dancefloor. Screw manners.

"I'm leaving. You're coming too." Paine said firmly, grabbing hold of Rikku's arm.

Unfortunately it seemed that the Al Bhed had polished off several toxic drinks, and so, instead of leaving quietly, decided to drag Paine onto the dancefloor with her.

"C'mon Painey! Show us your moves!" Rikku giggled, nearly falling flat on her face as she tottered about on her heels. Paine was standing, arms folded, as the idiot DJ put a spotlight on her and echoed Rikku's ridiculous request.

A few quick pressure points poked, and Rikku was down for the count. Paine swung her over her shoulder, and exited the club quickly, before anyone could demand she try the move on them.

She quickly scanned the streets for a cab, or maybe Gippal, running rampant because they weren't at the apartement like she'd promised. Unfortunately, there were no cabs available (Of course there wouldn't be any free on Valentine's Day) and no Gippal either (he wasn't due at the apartment until 7, so 8:30, Al Bhed time.

She wasn't willing to wait for three and a half more hours for Gippal to pick Rikku up, especially when she was in this state, ie: Drunk and Disorderly. And unconscious.

Hmm.

Anyway, as a single, solitary car drove slowly past, Paine contemplated the possibilities.



There were none. Rikku had managed to get her into some deep, deep crap, and now she was stuck on the Bevelle roadside with said Rikku draped over her shoulder in a dress that was probably the reason why that car was driving so slow, on Valentine's Day.

She didn't know why she didn't just drop Rikku and take a long walk off a short pier.

Especially now, as the car had decided to stop altogether. She was debating whether or not to make a run for it (she didn't feel like being hit on by some creepy old bloke) when a not so creepy young bloke decided to exit the car.

A not so creepy old bloke with a familiar face.

"Paine? What are you doing here? And why's Rikku passed out on your shoulder?"

Normally, considering past circumstances, Paine would have used Rikku as a weapon to batter Baralai, but seeing as he wasn't running away and had a car, she wasn't going to risk it.

She flung Rikku into the car, ignoring Baralai's wince as she landed roughly on the car seat. Paine gave the directions to her apartment to the driver, then slammed the door roughly, leaving the car to drive off.

And leaving her and Baralai on the pavement.