RAVES, CRAVES & ANIMOSITY

Several lights flashed in a dark room filled with music blasting from every corner. People danced and cheered in celebration of a good time. The dance floor is flooded with flashing lights and an intoxicating vibe.

Mika and Nieko are in the middle of chaos. Every glimpse of light on the dark-filled dance floor reassured others of friends dancing nearby. The girls are flailing to the groove and feeling the music. Nieko did her best to keep Mika in her sights.

A random guy decided to try his luck with girls.

“Hey there, pretty lady, care to dance with me?”

Mika looked up to the guy, struggling to respond.

“Oh, well, I’m kind of here with my best friend and—”

Nieko rushed to save Mika from her turmoil.

“Sorry, she’s with me.”

“Well, would the both of you like to dance with me?”

“No, thank you, I wanna dance with my best friend. You know, just us girls unwinding from a long day. Thanks, though.” 

Nieko turned back to Mika, starting up their duo dance party again.

The guy started to get impatient after being ignored twice now.

“Come on now. You girls can’t reject a man twice. Just one dance with me couldn’t hurt, right?”

Nieko turned around again, this time with a more annoyed tone.

“Look, I already told you that we’re fine. Nothing is more annoying than a guy who can’t take a hint, let alone a verbal explanation. So please, stop bothering us.”

Nieko then grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, whispering in his ears.

“I’m not sure what your problem is, but you should leave us alone. Do not underestimate; I will whoop that ass on this dance floor if you keep testing me. I would rather not get serious because my friend and I are just trying to have a good night. So please, with all respect, let us dance in peace.”

Nieko tried to calmly explain as her voice progressively became threatening in tone.

She released the guy's shirt and pulled Mika towards another area to dance. The guy looked at the girls, then back at his friends, mocking him for not scoring a dance. He clenched his fist in frustration and followed Nieko and Mika’s path.

This time, the guy abruptly grabbed Nieko’s arm.

“Hey! All I asked for was a dance! You will not make me look like a fool in front of everyone here.” The guy grumbled to Nieko.

“Oh no! I’m gonna grab the bouncer for help, Nieko!”

“No, don’t worry, Mika. Also, I’m sorry that you will have to see this. Please forgive me.”

“What do you mean?”

Nieko grabbed the guy’s hand, twisted his wrist, and placed his arm on his back with a firm grip. The guy grunted from the pain in his arm as Nieko whispered again.

“Look, I’m not sure if you get a rise out of getting your ass handed to you or if you have a death wish, but your fucking with the wrong girl. And since you couldn't control your urges, I had to embarrass you in front of my friend and everyone else surrounding us.

The guy looked up at the surrounding people. They glanced at the situation but tried their best to ignore it and keep dancing.

“Now that everyone has seen you get humiliated by a girl with better skills than you, I’m sure you will find it in yourself to leave us alone, right? Unless you would like things to get ugly?” Nieko twisted a little bit more for a squeal.

“Ahhh! Let me go, you crazy bitch!”

Nieko tightened her grip even more.

“Gahhh!! Alright! Alright!”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear what you said. The music is pretty loud in here. Could you please repeat that for me, sir?”

“Alright, alright, take it easy! I’ll leave you and your friend alone.”

Nieko loosened her grip to release the guy as she watched him scurry back to his group of friends.

“Let’s go! These bitches are crazy!”

The guy and his crew disappeared into the crowd of darkness.

“Ugh, I wish I could have one day without people creating problems for us,” Nieko grumbled.

“Wow, Nieko! I didn’t know you were good at negotiations and with the hands.” Mika exclaimed in amazement.”

“Some things I learned at a defense class. You can never be too safe out in this world.”

“You're always looking out for me. You truly are my best friend, Nieko!” Mika smiled while hugging Nieko.

Nieko, surprised at first, smiled warmly.

“You're my best friend too, Mika.”

“Hey! Wanna get a drink?” Nieko asked.

“Sure, my feet are getting a bit heavy; resting them for a bit would be nice.”

Nieko grabbed Mika’s hand and guided her to the well-lit bar to rest. The girls choose seats near the end of the bar. The bartender approached the girls with drinks ready.

”Compliments from the gentlemen on the other end of the bar. The girls glanced over, noticing the same group of guys from earlier waving at them. Nieko sighed.

“They don’t give up, do they?” Mika stated.

“No, thank you, please tell them that we politely decline,” Nieko replied.

“Yes, ma’am.” 

The bartender walked away to inform the guys of their decision.

“Why can’t they leave us alone?” Nieko complained while turning to Mika.

“Maybe they just really want to get to know us.”

“Yeah, no guy just wants to get to know you without wanting something for their efforts.

Nieko attempted to get the bartender’s attention again. He serviced them after finishing up with a ca current customer.

“Yes, ma’am, what would you ladies like?”

“Can I get two Mang-Zilas with a lemon and two shots of  Midnight-Vod?”

Nieko slid E-Koinz across the counter to the bartender...

The bartender accepted with a nod.

“Yes, ma’am! Coming right up.”

Mika turned to Nieko, leaning against the bar, watching the club thrive.

“Did I drink much in the past?” Mika wondered.

“Well, you liked to dance more than drinking. I remember we would go out on lat nights, sneaking into all the hottest spots in Sovanna.” Nieko chuckled.

“Oh, meaning you were always a bad influence on me.”

“You know me!” 

Nieko spiked both Midnight-Vod shots in seconds, catching the people nearby's attention.

“Nieko always has everyone’s attention.”

“Ahhh! That’s the good stuff!” Nieko yelled in delight.

“You really know how to have a good time, Nieko.”

“What’s a better luxury in life than to enjoy the moments that mean the most to you. That’s why I decided to hang out with my one and only bestie tonight,” Nieko grinned.

Mika smiled back before looking down at her hands and caressing her drink.

“Hey, Nieko, I wanted to ask you something.”

“What’s up?!”

“Did we go to a wrestling arena?”

“A wrestling arena? What are you on about, Mika?”

“Well, I believe I had this strange nightmare of having to fight a treacherous, gigantic woman in a cage match and nearly died….”

“Sounds like a scary nightmare to me,” Nieko reassured, placing her hand on Mika’s shoulder.

“Yea, maybe. It just felt so real, yo know?”

“I wonder if I should tell Nieko about the shadow figure. I wonder if she would believe what I say.”

“Hey, Nieko—“

“Hey, Mika, stay here. I’m going to go check on my lead that I had about Zeth real quick. You’ll be okay without me, right?”

“Oh, yeah! I should be fine. I’ll just stay right here and wait for you to come back. No worries!”

“Alright, stay here and don’t talk to any weirdos while I’m gone. You got that?” 

Nieko looked directly at the bartender for confirmation.”

“I saw how you handled that guy earlier. I’d be a fool to get on your bad side,” the bartender expressed.

“I’m glad we’re both in agreement,” Nieko winked.

Mika chuckled at their exchange.

“I’ll be back soon, Mika.”

Nieko made her way through the ocean of people clumped together in the dark abyss of the club. Mika sat drinking her Mang Zila through a straw.

Moments passed, and Mika started to get bored sitting around, waiting for Nieko to return.

“Where could she have gone for so long?”

Mika looked into the crowd, knowing it would be impossible to find Nieko within the chaos.

“Are you doing alright, ma’am?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m doing—”

Mika was stunned that the bartender working earlier had changed into another guy with a more suave demeanor. His strong arms cleaned the counters with ease as he smiled at Mika, who unintentionally stared at him for far too long.

“Uhmmm, ma’am, are you sure you’re okay?” chuckled the bartender, waving to get her attention.

Mika realized and averted her eyes back to her drink in embarrassment.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare at you. I was just surprised! I was expecting the last bartender….”

Mika said, gazing into his eyes.

The bartender smiled as he draped his towel on his shoulder and leaned on the counter near Mika.

“Well, since you're the only one at the bar right now, Would you like to have a little chat with me?”

Mika snapped out of it again.

“Well, I’m unsure what we could talk about, although I am buzzed by my Mango-Zila. I wouldn’t mind some company until my friend came back.”

“Great, I’m happy to hear it.”

The bartender made another drink for Mika and presented it to her.

“What is this?”

“A special blended creation from yours truly.” 

“I call it The Bliss of Zale,”

“Sounds fancy and majestic, Zale, but what does it taste like, I wonder,” Mika’s in awe of the beautifully colored drink.

“Why not give it a try. I didn’t name it after myself for the hell of it after all,” Zale said with considerable persuasion.

“Well, it couldn't hurt, right? I am here to have a nice night and relax a bit,” Mika said, a bit anxious about the gesture.

“I promise, I don't intend to misplace your trust, just humor me and my ego for a bit. I would truly love your feedback.”

Mika smiled, then happily started tasting the concoction. Zale studied her expressions, awaiting her valid response. Mika drank until the glass was completely empty.

“Damn— I mean, wow, was it that delicious?” Zale said in amazement and slight concern.

“It was delicious! It was fruity and refreshing, and— You should patent this drink! You’ve created something wonderful and intoxicating! I’d buy this drink in bulk if I could!” Mika giggled, slightly buzzed.

“You're a bit flustered due to spiking the drink so fast, and I’m sure you're just trying not to be rude and tell me it was great as an act of good manners.”

Mika grabbed his cold hands and looked Zale straight in the eyes. Zale was taken by surprise by the gesture.

“You're going to make all your dreams come true one day. Never give up, Zale!”

Zale looked into Mika's eyes as if she had said something he had been waiting to hear his whole life.  It’s as if Mika’s eyes had a glow he never saw in anyone else.

“Thank you, Mika.” Zale turned away as he spoke.

Mika snapped back to reality when she heard her name and released Zale’s hands as she blushed.

“Sorry about that; I must be flustered to invade your space without warning. I apologize for being rude!”

“No, no problem at all.”

“Say, would you like to go to the VIP rooms down the hall? It’s quieter, filled with exclusive drinks made by great mixologists like myself. Plus, you seem to be buzzed from the drinks you consume. You can unwind back there in peace.”

“I don’t know. I’m still waiting for my friend to come back. I told her I would stay here and wait for her return.”

“No worries, I’ll let your friend know where you are when she gets back. I’m just worried about your well-being. You remind me of my little sister; it ignites the big brother in me.”

“Well, I am slightly exhausted and a bit out of it.”

Mika grabbed her purse as she stood up to leave.

“Thank you again, Zale, for the heartwarming chat.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Miss–”

“Mika.”

“Mika, I appreciated your company as well.”

“You're very welcome; off I go now.”

“Wait, Miss Mika!”

Zale pulled off his pendant and placed it in her hands.

“Take this as a token of my appreciation.”

Mika stared at the beautiful charm for a moment; she initially wanted to return it to him but felt it would have been rude not to accept a kind gesture.

“Thank you, I’ll keep it safe, like a sign of good luck.”

“There you go, stroking my ego again.

Mika smiled before making her way to VIP. 

Zale watched as Mika disappeared through VIP doors.

“That girl is quite fascinating.”