Waiting for the bus on a weekend was a joke. It came about twenty minutes late and by the time Daine had finally trudged along home, she had less than an hour to get ready. She crashed on her couch as soon as she got in, cuddling a sleepy Cloud.

"Oh Cloud! I'm so tired I don't want to goooo!"

After lying there for a few minutes, Daine finally got up. Dragging her feet, she made her way to her cramped bathroom. She plugged in her straightener and looked down at Cloud who had followed her in, yawning. Cloud pounced on to the counter and curled up in the nearly empty Kleenex box.

"Better get to it, huh Cloud?" she sighed. She pinned up her hair in sections and sighed again at her reflection in the mirror. This is going to take forever.

Miri texted precisely at 8. Daine was sitting on her couch, all dolled up eating a bowl of cereal. Hair straight, dress on, eyeliner done, and heels sitting ready next to the door, Daine was physically ready for the rest of the night. Not so much mentally; she was sure Miri would set her up with someone or another, pushing her to have fun. Daine pushed herself off the couch to open the door only to step back again at the high pitched squealing.

"Oh my gosh, Dee! You look fantastic! I'm so excited for tonight!" Miri cut her rambling off, looking at the bowl in Daine's hand. "Cereal for dinner? You need to start eating proper meals Daine."

Remembering the bowl, Daine turned to drop it into the sink. "I haven't had the chance to get any food. Plus, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is made with whole grains!"

Daine turned back to get her shoes, smirking at Miri's snort. Miri was dressed in a little black dressed covered in sequins. Teetering on sky high gold heels, she began rummaging through her clutch.

"Here!" she brandished a tube of lipstick. "This would look great on you."

Daine smiled thankfully before reluctantly grabbing the lipstick. Eyeliner probably isn't enough anyways.

Grabbing her bag and a jacket, she stepped out, pulling the door shut. Straightening out her skirt, she asked Miri who was driving.

"Oh Evin's waiting in the car."

"Right, how was dinner?"

"Umm… normal I guess. There's this new pasta at that Italian place and it's really good."

"Have their breadsticks gotten good again?"

"Mhmm!" Miri nodded with a smile, opening the door to Evin's car. Daine slid in the back seat, calling out a greeting.

"Aren't you excited Daine-y poo?" he asked with a grin.

"Sure… I hope it isn't too crowded."

"Oh don't worry! I've heard it's very classy. And we'll be with you!"

The club was downtown, in a brick building covered in string lights. The line to get in was insanely long, full of people teetering in heels and fixing shirt collars. Fancy. At least we aren't overdressed… Evin gave a whistle as they drove by it, looking for parking.

"Wow," Miri said shocked. "Why don't you park the next street over? I think there's a lot there."

"Cool… Think we'll get in?"

Daine looked back at the line, which curled nearly around the block. "Maybe?" They were letting people in pretty slow but they weren't being nearly as discriminating as other high-end places. That's a nice change.

Evin suddenly swerved into a recently vacated parking spot and parked. Getting out, Daine noticed how he rushed out to Miri's side of the car, only to then stand aside awkwardly. Daine smirked as she slammed her door shut. Walking behind Miri, she saw her friend slowly slide up next to Evin and put her hand in his. Heh it's happening! Daine 1, Onua 0.

They'd almost reached the end of the line when Daine heard someone calling her name from behind. Whirling around, she nearly lost her balance. Once she was stable once more, she scowled at the approaching figure.

"Ha ha ha, Alanna. Like you can walk in heels too!" Her face broke into a smile as she approached the other woman.

"Well that's why I don't wear them, lass," Alanna grinned, mimicking her boyfriend's particular speech. Reaching out she gave Daine a tight hug.

George chuckled as he joined the pair. "Heels would give you an advantage, lass," he mentioned bemusedly. "Maybe that way others could reach you without bending halfway over."

Daine laughed at Alanna's responding scowl and the whack she gave George.

"I'm so happy you guys are here! How long are you visiting for?"

"Just the weekend. We actually just got here a few hours ago" Alanna responded, straightening her shirt. She had on a flowy white shirt and simple black trousers along with flats. George was wearing the same combination only a more laid back version. Then again, everything George does is laid back.

"We just had dinner and decided to check in on this new club," George added. "One of our friends mentioned it and had some sort of part in it."

"Oh we're going that way too!" Daine suddenly remembered her other friends. Looking around for them, she spotted Evin waving from near the end of the line.

Alanna snorted. "No way I'm waiting in that line. I'm gonna go up front and see if we can slip in a few names and bypass this mob. Coming with, laddy-buck?"

"Of course, my lady!" George replied with a mock bow. "Excuse us a minute, Daine."

Daine smiled up at him and watched him follow Alanna past the line. Going up to join her Evin and Miri, she noticed they were having a heated debate about something. As she got closer, she caught a few words. Lord of the Rings vs. Star Wars. Of course. What else would it be?

It had all started a couple of weeks ago when Miri decided to split the tip jar into Lord of the Rings and Star Wars to see which people preferred. Miri is a devout Tolkien fan, so when Evin started his shift and made a comment about how Star Wars was obviously better, she snapped. They didn't talk to each other for a couple of days. It only comes up at random times now.

"Excuse me?"

Daine turned again, this time taking care to be more careful. Leaning towards her was a huge suited man. Daine blinked. "Yes?" she asked hesitantly. Miri and Evin stopped arguing too and looked up in confusion.

"Daine Sarrasri? You and your party are on the VIP list, so if you'll follow me?" He started to the club, not waiting for confirmation.

"Umm VIP?" Miri whispered, coming up to Daine.

"I have no idea?! Alanna probably?" Daine whispered up equally excited. She giggled, listening to everyone else in line grumbling as the walked by.

They walked in to the club, impressed at once. There were lights everywhere in the dim gloom and two visible levels. Wait, is that a chandelier? The music's beat pulsed through the air and people were dancing near the slightly elevated stage.

The suit left them mysteriously with a grumbled "Enjoy." Looking around, Daine felt a bit overwhelmed. At least it's open. It should be fine as long as I stay out of the crowd. Miri nudged her in the shoulder, nodding towards the bar. "Should we scope out the place first?"

Daine nodded and smiled, following Miri with Evin behind. Taking a seat at one of the tables near the bar, they sent Evin to the bar with drink orders.

Daine looked around from her vantage point. There weren't many familiar faces at all. In the middle of the dancing were a few of the tourists that had dropped by the café the previous day, and then there was that one friend of Evin's, and was that Buri? It was a small town so most of the unrecognizable faces Daine assumed were tourists. A lot of tourists for a new place. But where did Alanna and George go?

The upper level had more tables and more couches and such. The light up there was far darker and she couldn't quite see who was there.

Evin soon returned with their drinks. They had some casual conversation again before finally just falling into a comfortable silence, people watching. Evin soon left to say hi to his friend, and it was just Daine and Miri.

"So," Miri began, draining the rest of her drink. "Wanna dance? Or another drink?"

"Hmm…" I'm not buzzed enough to dance. And Miri's definitely going to want to dance… Unless Evin asks her…? Hehehe. Daine drained hers as well with a grin. "Another."

Some time later, Evin returned back to the table to find Miri and Daine giggling uncontrollable. "Hey. So, wassup you guys?" he asked with a confused smile. Miri looked up at him with a lazy smile. Evin grinned down at her too. "You alright, Meers?"

Miri crinkled her nose up at him. "Do you want to dance?"

"Can you even stand straight?" he asked bemused.

Miri struggled off the stool, swaying dangerously in place. Evin watched her, chuckling. When she was finally upright, she grinned up at him and grabbed his arm, dragging him towards the music.

"Will you be fine, Daine?"

"I'll be here," Daine nodded, happy for her friends. Watching Miri stumble away, Daine resumed her observing, a happy smile on her face. Snorting as she saw someone nearly fall off their stool, she realized she still hadn't seen Alanna or George. Maybe they're upstairs? Oh I could just text them! She looked around for her phone but couldn't find it. Did I bring it with me? Ugh n, o I think it's on the couch. I should stay here then in case Miri and Evin come back. Pouting to herself, Daine slouched forwards, head propped up by her arm. This is boring without, Miri. Scowling, Daine gave the place another cursory look. Wait a second. I know that face!

Coming down the stairway was none other than Daine's new acquaintance, Numair. She watched as he stopped and had a few words with another well dressed guy. Figures he'd be here, according to Onua's tales. Daine reached for her drink and found it disappointingly empty. Getting down from her seat, she held on to the table for a few seconds while trying to work through her sudden dizziness. Vision clear, she made her way to the bar, giving a friendly smile at the busy bartender. Grabbing a seat there, Daine waited her turn.

"Daine?"

She turned to face Numair. He looks great in all black… Darn.

"Hey!" She drew out the word, causing him to lift his eyebrows amusedly. "Hah, again! Hey again!"

"You getting another drink?"

"Mhmm! Once I finally get my turn…"

Numair leaned over the bar and gestured the bartender over. The other immediately dropped what they were doing and came over with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry boss, it's been really busy. Your drinks are almost ready."

"No problem. Just wanted to add my friend's order and a water too. Daine?"

Wait, boss? Was Numair Alanna's in? What does he even do? Daine rattled off her order and turned back to Numair, with a questioning look. "Boss?"

"Ah yes," Numair flushed. "Um yeah… Just a project. So are you here with anyone?"

Daine shook her head at his sad attempt at changing the subject. "I came with a couple of friends. They're dancing right now. Are Alanna and George here too?

"Yeah we're actually upstairs. Would you like to join us?"

Daine looked back at the crowd, looking for Miri. Ah there they are! Aw they look like they're having fun. "Sure! If you don't mind?"

"Of course," Numair smiled at the bartender who had finally brought their drinks. Picking up the glass of water, Numair offered it to Daine. "C'mon," he said, noticing the stubborn look of refusal coming up on her face. "Drink or you'll regret it tomorrow."

Darn him, he's right. Daine scowled at him before grabbing the glass and gulping down the water. Numair watched her bemusedly. Grabbing the drink tray, he asked, "Do you need to tell your friends here you're going to be or…?"

Daine looked back at her dancing friends. "I can just text them," she said, smiling at Evin's weird dance moves.

Walking with Numair, Daine nearly tripped again. Why did I think heels were a good idea? Numair laughed before quickly balancing the drinks in one hand and putting the other around her. "Maybe you've had enough to drink, huh?"

Daine leaned into him a bit, looking up at him. This is nice…