..:: On the search (Nik and Mei cont) ::..

[naz]

Mei nodded as well and stood up, walking over to the till with Nik. she thought back to the times when she and her husband went shopping a bit like this. he was clueless and she alwasy had to help. smiling to herself, she also still wondered about Nik and what had happened during the attack all those years ago, and when she might broach the subject. perhaps on their way to Alaska Nik would reveal a bit more about his past since they had parted ways. Mei payed for their purchases, offering despite Nik's polite refusal for her to pay, and eventually just giving the clerk her card first, grinning at the nettled expression on Nik's face. once out of the packed mall, Mei felt she could breathe again. she inhaled deeply, stretching a bit as well, and looked over to Nik. "its still early, maybe too early to head back to the docks, what shall we do?" she asked, thinking of food or the hotel in particular.
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"we start by getting you dressed properly" Ruth replied smartly, lifting out a shopping bag from the moveable seat cover. she lifted out some skimpy items, handing them to Rana "there we go, i hope they fit, you're so small" she said disapprovingly, though it was hardly Rana's fault as she had probably never had a square meal in her life. Ruth waited whilst Rana stood looking a bit dumbfounded once she realised she expected her to get changed right there. rolling ehr eyes, Ruth turned around. "i wont look, hurry up will you?" she said, checking her nails again as she heard Rana shifting about behind her. turning back around once Rana said she could Ruth eyed her up "well, at least we wont get complaints about fat dancers" she said as Rana stood awkwardly in the revealing clothes. "I'll take your things, you can get them back when you finish, lets leave them here so you wont forget" she said, putting them under the seat again.
Opening the door, Ruth lead the way out into the club which had fille dup a bit mroe since last time. she handed rana some stiletto sandals, not as high as hers. "here take these, might as well start as we mean to go on eh?" she said, passing Rana the shoes and waiting for her to slip them on. "all ready?" she asked. Rana just looked at her "lets go to the bar and get you started over there" she said, heading towards the long lit up bar, with a few patrons sat on stools drinking. the gazelle who had lead Rana downstairs was warming up on one of the dance poles, the night was just getting started.

[odduckoasis]

Once out of the mall once more, Nik carried their bags, looking around a moment. He tried to come up with something they could do while basically wasting time before they'd need to return to the docks for more information. "Well, if we were normal tourists, we'd be looking for all the attractions to go see, riding on the buses and camera's around our necks..." he couldn't help but smirk a little, drawing a 'strap' for the camera. "Though, I guess I could be the tourist and you're my guide." He raised a brow, not thinking she'd have all that much knowledge about places to see in this particular city. "Perhaps we should take this stuff back to the hotel and decide what we should be doing next..." he thought, part of him wishing they could just go do something fun or relaxing, but knowing there was no time for such.

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When Rana was first handed the clothes, she at first just was unsure how to get things on. They were more complicated than what she was use to, but at least not quite the same as Ruth's clothing- less complicated in a way. Once she had on the sandals, she followed Ruth out into the main room. She folded her arms around her bare midriff, her ears folding back and her head down, her long black hair covering her face as she walked along after Ruth and avoiding looking around at the others- for now. She knew she'd have to get use to it here- she couldn't avoid it.
Finally at the bar, she watched and listened as Ruth went in to telling her all about the drinks and continuing to tell her things to get her roped in. It would take awhile, but Rana listened well- not one to risk getting in trouble for having not paid attention.

[naz]

Mei pulled a bit of a face when Nik mentioned sightseeing. she shrugged and looked a little helpless 'well, i dont really know this part of China at all, so im afraid my tour would be bried, covering the places we've been and our hotel' she said wiht a bit of a dejected voice. at the mention of returning to the hotel and then sorting themselves out from there she brightened up. nodding, she agreed 'thats probably a better idea. i wish we had time to have some fun too' she added sympathetically, as if reading his thoughts. Mei hailed a cab and they filed in, settling down with their bags in the back seat. Mei sat quietly, humming an old Chinese tune to a song she'd long forgotton absentmindedly. without realising, she was humming for the first time in years.

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Ruth noticed the young girl covering herself but didn't say anything. soon enough she'd stop covering up, there simply wasn't time to watch your every move and there was too much to do to feel on show, except when you were dancing or something similar, when your jab was to put on a show.
Ruth showed ehr some cocktails and watched Rana serve the men nervously, avoiding their glinting eyes and still trying to cover up slightly. during the hours she did feel a slight twang of pity for her, remembering her own start in this place. the club was dark and dangerous, and one got a feeling of once you worked here, there was no leaving. Ruth coped the only way one could-to take each night at a time and try not to think too much. she focused on keeping a close eye on Rana, and any customers who thought they could get a free grope off the new girl; a few of them were eyeing Rana up closely already.

[odduckoasis]

Nik hadn't meant to dishearten Mei of course, but part of him did feel bad that they'd come all this way, especially here since this was her home country and they weren't really able to look around and see the wonders of China. Perhaps- one day. With a nod, Nik walked with her down the street back towards the hotel. "Is walking back alright with you?" he asked, not sure if she was looking forward to another cab ride or didn't mind. The hotel wasn't too far, but just far enough that it would one- waste some time and two- allow them time to just enjoy their time there. Even if they couldn't explore outside the city, the city itself was a fascinating culture as well. Nik continued to walk, willing to call for a cab if she wanted to. Though, as they walked, he started thinking of the things they'd be sorting out and talking once they got back to the hotel and worked out about the next ship or more they'd try to find out about. At any rate, he had a feeling things would get more risky the deeper they got.

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Not too long after first starting and having to continue to ask how things were mixed and such, Rana had to put aside her uncomfortable feeling and the way the leather and plastic felt and just do her job before she got in trouble. Occasionally she'd look at Ruth as she was serving and say the stern 'just work' look on her face and Rana would continue to do her thing. Avoiding all the looks she was getting, Rana tried to avoid the men as much as she could, glad to see that Ruth wasn't doing anything to force her on any of the men there. It was her first night, she probably had to work her way up. Though, she didn't really have any desire to climb that cooperate ladder.
It had been a few hours now, Rana had gotten use to delivering drinks and cleaning tables, but she wouldn't deny that her feet were hurting. She just wasn't use to the types of shoes. As she headed back to the bar with a tray of empty glasses, passing a table with several guys (who had been eyeing her all night) her eyes widened a little and she stopped as she suddenly felt a hand on her tail, keeping her from walking further. She turned to look back at what had grabbed it and saw a hand who slowly pulled her back to him. Her heartbeat suddenly skipped and rose quickly, her face growing hot.
"Hey baby... you don't have to rush, stay here a moment and entertain us..." he smirked, twirling her tail a little in his hand so as to wind it more around it and reel her in further. The others at the table watched her with greedy smirks, obviously all agreeing with their friend- wanting her to 'entertain' them.
Rana shook a little nervously and shook her head, not wanting to anything for them except deliver their drinks and gather up their empty glasses once they were finished with them. But, they must be use to getting what they want, since they didn't think she'd be unwilling to do so.

[naz]

{eep, forget my bit about the cab then lol}
"walking's fine" Mei said with a nod. she guessed she needed the excercise anyway, so they strode leisurely back into the centre of town and began navigating the full streets back towards the hotel. Mei also wished they could explore and look around. she missed China, and began thinking that she might see about moving home, though she wouldnt be able to if Liling came with them; she'd need to give her a bed until the girl was old enough to work and get a job herself. she shook the thought out of her head and just focused on trying to get back. eventually they reached a junction and Mei read the sign, looking confused 'erm, im a bit lost' she said sheepishly to Nik, knowing full well he probably wouldnt be able to help as he couldnt even read Chinese.
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Ruth eventually detactched from monitoring Rana as cloesely as she had at first. once she was sure the girl wouldn't break anything or get herself into any trouble she began working at the other end of the bar and flirting with the regulars, she had her job requirements too, and her boss was in the mindset that fulfilling those was more important than training the new girl, so Ruth just got on with things.
Ruth had taken her eyes off Rana for a while when she looked around for her to tell her something about an order when she realised Rana wasnt behind the bar. looking out across the huge club, it took her a few moments to pick the girl out. she had been stopped by some seedy men in a corner, and even from this far away Ruth could tell she was terrified. sliding a man's vodka shot across the table to him with speed and accuracy of years of experience, Ruth jumped up on the bar top and slid across as it was quicker (receiving a few whoops from the nearby customers) and trotted in her stiletto's towards Rana as quickly as possible.

[odduckoasis]

When they stopped and Mei revealed the possibility that they were lost, Nik raised a brow and glanced around. He had no idea where they were so he was definitely of no help. "Well, maybe walking wasn't such a good idea." he chuckled a little, feeling a little silly about walking now that they didn't seem to be able to find their way. "Well, um- ask someone or grab a cab?" he shrugged, figuring if they wanted to still walk, they ought to just ask someone for directions, and hope someone actually had any to give. He mostly just wanted to walk to help with his thinking, not just rush back to the hotel and have to be sitting again until they decided to leave. It helped him as well just to relax more, not get so worked up and worried about their reasons for being here. The more he dwelt on it, the more he worried they were running out of time.

--------------------------

Rana didn't see Ruth coming over nor could she hear the clicking of her heels against the floor over the music. All she could hear and feel was the chuckles of the men and the one male keeping her from escaping with her tail wrapped around his hand. His other hand lifted to her leg, caressing over her thigh, high and over around to the front as he pulled her closer. "You don't move enough baby... do I have to teach you..." he chuckled again, also not seeing Ruth heading their way. However, a couple of the other guys did and they looked away, deciding to pretend they didn't know or see anything.
Rana whimpered again, one hand going to his on her thigh to keep him from sliding it up any further. The leather didn't do anything to keep his hands away from her, just seemed to drive him to find away past them.
"Maybe you and me should go find a more private room.." he smirked.
"N-no... I, I don't think so." she shook her head, wishing he'd just let her go.

[naz]

Mei laughed at how logical Nik was 'of course, im sorry i had a panic moment then' she said, shaking her head at herself. she approached a middle-aged lady and asked politely whilst Nik waited at the side. she returned looking more confident and told him she had taken a wrong turn, nothing much to worry about, and the lady had redirected her correctly. Mei noticed Nik looked a litle absent. peering at him slightly, she cocked her head to him 'you ok?' she asked. she was sure he was, and that he was just lost in thought, but she was interested in what he was thinking about. she didnt want him to become totally obsessed with the search they were on, though of course she couldnt blame him for worrying so.

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Ruth finally came to the table and slid between the male who was holding Rana and Rana herself. 'hey you, picking on the new girl' she said flirtily. the main rule was that no matter what was happeningm, you had to treat the customer right, so Ruth had to be careful here. if she annoyed the man, her job might be on the line. she woul dhave to be tactful. she wound her own tail around his arm lightly, manouvering onto his knees and playing with his shirt collar.
'Now what have i told you about the trainees huh?' she said coaxingly 'she's not up to that level of entertainment yet, its only her first day. why not take on someone more your match?' she teased. she flicked her eyes to Rana to show she was trying to get her out of a potentially dangerous situation, not just showing off. the man was still holding Rana's tail. they had to be careful

[odduckoasis]

Waiting patiently along the side as Mei asked for directions, Nik nodded to her as she rejoined him and they continued on down towards the hotel. It's good that they weren't too far off, that made him feel a little better. As she inquired about if he was doing alright, he broke from his slight far off gaze and looked over at her again. "Sorry... I'm..." he wanted to say he was fine, not to worry. But he would be lying and he knew it would just prolong any sort of talk. He sighed and shook his head. "I'm worried." he stated, ears folding back. He couldn't keep saying nothing was wrong or that he'd be fine. He was just simply worried he was too late, that there was nothing that could be done and they'd never find his children. "I don't mean to be doubtful... I guess it's just been so long- can you blame me for being afraid it's too late to save them?" he looked at her, clearly this has been on his mind for quite awhile. Even, since his children were stolen from him. He looks ahead again, sighing a little. "My daughter.. Rana... was just a little child when she was taken. She won't even know who I am..." that brought a pang of sadness to him, knowing that when they found her, she wouldn't know who he was. But he hoped, perhaps- she remembered something.

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Whimpering a little, Rana felt a rush of relief as Ruth came over, intervening and hoping to get the man to let her go. Luckily for Ruth, it was indeed her job and she could so easily be fired- but for Rana, she was a slave. If she did anything wrong, she'd be punished. Her submissive nature, after years of abuse, kept her from using her mutant powers to fight back. She allowed the punishments if they came. But she obeyed, so they wouldn't come at all.
The man looked up at Ruth as she leaned on him and wrapped her tail around his arm. He found this very entertaining as well, the others there casually watching. He still didn't let go of Rana, not yet. He smirked, up at Ruth, raising a brow. "Not going to let me break her in?"
Rana looked away a moment, hiding the fear in her face, glancing around the floor for a second, glad to see no one was really paying attention. They weren't making a scene at least- not a loud one anyways. Her muscles tightened some and she waited, remaining quite, for the man to release her tail.
Grinning a little wider, the male slipped his free hand around Ruth's waist, drawing her a little closer. "But I might take you up on that offer..."

[naz]

Mei sighed heavily and took Nik's arm gently, holding it to try and comfort him slightly, though her gesture was probably a little lame- she wasn't sure if he would appreciate her holsing him properly. 'It will be alright, you'll see' she said, ears folded back too as Mei knew it must be torturous to wait to so long no knowing where you family was, especially your own children. 'lets go back to the hotel for a while, then we'll be able to try and figure out our next move to get to Alaska.' she laughed and shook her head slightly 'I cant believe we're going to Alaska, this trek is taking me all over the globe' she smiled ruefully and shook her head again slightly. 'when we find her, then she'll be able to get to know you all over again, and likewise' she added, nodding slightly and trying to offer some comfort to Nik.
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Ruth flashed Rana another warning glance as she wasn't out of the woods yet. 'im afraid not honey, we wouldn't want her getting hurt now would we?' Ruth said, giggling a bit and curling her tail around a little tighter, moving the man's arm away from Rana little by little as she did so, but disctracting him enough so that hopefully he wouldn't notice.
Ruth giggled again, acting along with the man and his friends and helping herself to a sip of his drink as well. she replied coyly 'well you know im alwasy generous in my offers honey'. she laughed along with the othermen and tickled the man's hand so that he would let go of Rana's tail. 'hmm, im going to have to sen dher back if you're taking me on, we need someone at the bar' she added, and nodded to Rana to leave, hoping the man wouldn't change his mind again

[odduckoasis]

Nik did appreciate the gesture of Mei's simple hold onto his arm and he smiled a little at her, still worried, but grateful for the company and support. He lifted his other hand and lightly placed it along her hand that was holding his arm, watching her a moment before looking ahead once more. "Yes, I hope that will be the case..." he nodded again. "I can only imagine the types of things she's been through and experienced- she, along with her older brother will most likely be quite traumatized..." he nodded, also wondering about his son, still unaware he was already safe at the compound. "We'll see what happens..." he was also grateful for Mei's presence and her work with mutants in their troubles, and in thinking so, he looked at her. "When we find her, I'm sure it would help a lot if you spoke with her..." he hoped at least that she would be willing to speak with her.

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As Ruth did her thing to get the man distracted enough to let her go, she felt his grip slack on her tail as he was totally concentrated on the woman in her lap. He grinned up at Ruth, enjoying the attention he was getting- perhaps that being his plan all along. "Yes, I know, and I'm going to hold you to that..." he nodded, finally letting Rana go and putting his arm slowly around Ruth instead, enjoying her tail wrapped around his arm.
Rana sighed thankfully, giving Ruth a look of deep gratitude and slowly walked away, trying not to look like she was so anxious to leave, even though she really was. She took some glasses off an empty table on her way, letting her heartbeat slow down as she went back to the bar.

[naz]

Mei's ears twitched upwards at Nik's mention of her counselling and she smiled slightly, feeling grateful to him. 'of course i would, it would be a pleaseure i guess'she said with a bit of a grimace, as 'pleaseure' wasnt exactly the right word. ' i was hoping id get to see you and Rana once we''re all back home anyway' Mei continued shyly, as Nik's hand was still on top of hers as they walked along the emptying streets back to the hotel. she wondered what Rana was like, and Nik's son, and she also hoped they would be able to get on her trail quickly, it seemed she was miles away from them-show could be anywhere.

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Ruth occupied the man for a while until she could spy Rana back at the bar. then she hopped up again and gave him her card, telling him she wasn't on 'that' sort of duty tonight. striding back over to the bar she approached Rana who looked shaken and slipped an arm around her narrow waist. 'you ok honey?' she asked quietly. the bar was pretty dead and Ruth thought Rana could use a break. 'here, on me yeah?' she said and poured the girl out a measure of whisky into a tumbler, passing it over with a wink 'drink up, you'll feel better' she urged, pouring herself one too and taking a swig from her glass.

[odduckoasis]

Nik didn't take any offense to her choice of words, since he knew what she meant all the same. She would be glad to counsel his daughter, and anyone else there at the complex that might need extra counseling. Erin did a fair job, but since she wasn't very old, nor did people feel a bond of trust towards her since she didn't look her age, not many people felt comfortable going to her for help and talking. Besides, there seemed to be an intimidation factor with talking to an empath. As she mentioned going 'home' as well, he couldn't help but look at her more directly, almost as though he was making sure she knew what she just said. A small smile crossed his lips as he looked at her, liking the fact that she was wanting to come to the complex- along with her niece, that was the real reason- at least that's what he told himself.
"Well, hopefully things will work well when I see my daughter again..." he still held the air of doubt, not sure how she would react, and afraid she'd not want to go with him- having fears that where ever she was, she wouldn't want to leave....

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He was very wrong, however. Rana wished for so long she had enough strength, not just physical- to get out of this place. She had wished it for a long time. The only time she had chanced an escape, was a few years ago when she was in China....

Fifteen years old and in a slave camp. There she was made, with the rest, to do labor in place of those they that owned them, would otherwise pay. Not all those that were enslaved were mutants though- she was one of the few and at her age, her mutant powers had not emerged yet. It was one night, closed inside a cage with 5 others around her age- 3 boys and 2 other girls, totally the six of them. They were made to share a cell every night, as was everyone else there in the camp. Thin mats to lay on with thin cotton blankets and thin pillows that made the ground more welcoming. Rana actually did disgard her own pillow, preferring the mat alone. She was laying along the edge next to a girl who was sleeping soundly- as were they all. Rana had awoken however, always being a light sleeper (ground into her at a young age as she was required to get up if called for by her mistress) and felt- in her half awake stage- something moving up her leg. Jumping a little, thinking it might be a snake, she quickly shifted to her back and sat up, but soon found a hand along her mouth and an arm round her waist, forcing her back down.
One of the young men locked there with them all, looked down at Rana, his dark nearly black eyes staring into her own dark browns. She didn't know what he wanted, she looked back at him with great confusion- but something in his eyes made her fear she didn't want to find out what he wanted with her. For a wild moment she thought he was coming over to talk about some plan to escape- until she felt his arm around her waist move her blanket aside and his hand go down to her the hem of her dress and start to pull it upwards. Struggling, she muffled a scream against his hand, glancing over at the others there, who all remained motionless. How could they sleep? Couldn't they hear her? Her hands went to his chest and tried to push him off, but he was bigger, stronger, older- he couldn't be shoved off. But during that time, as she tried to push him off, feeling his body coming closer to her own, suddenly she felt her hands feel warm, but to the boy above her, his lustful eyes suddenly widened and his mouth opened in pain. He screamed as her touch- like acid- burned his shirt and to his flesh. Everyone woke up then- and anyone that had been awake and ignoring what was going on, couldn't ignore any of this now. Rana looked at her hands, shocked and scared of what had just happened, the boy having jumped away from her, wiping at his chest as it burned as though covered in acid. Without a word, the young girl turned and placed her hands to the bars, which soon melted and squeezing through. She ran and ran....
Unfortunately, she didn't get far....

Now standing at that bar, Rana stared at the glass of whiskey Ruth had just poured her, having lasped into a memory a moment. Then taking the glass- she placed it to her lips and downed it, grimicing at the potent taste. "Yeah, thanks..." she said, putting the glass back down and sighing, looking out at the floor and over to the stage where one of the other girls was dancing to the delight of the crowd. She knew, that would soon be her.

[naz]

Mei clicked open her door room with the card key and stepped in, followed by Nik; they shared a door after all, so what was the point in entering their separate rooms? Mei dropped their purchases on her bed and took a seat by the window. looking back at Nik who was stood nearby she asked 'shall we get a drink and something to eat before we head out again? we dont know how long this is going to take after all. sit down too', she added with a smile as he still looked slightly awkward.
Mei wondered what Nik was thinking about his daughter, as she could tell he was still very worried (who wouldnt be) though now something different seemed to be troubling him other than worry about her safety. 'what's up?' she said openly, though she knew form experience that he might not give her a straight answer. yet again Nik was an honest man, and had been very upfront with her from now on.

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Ruth eyed Rana coyly, watching her take back the drink ruefully and raised an eyebrow. considering she had just been grabbed however, Ruth put it down to that and followed Rana's gaze over to the pole dancer. her mouth twitched a bit as she saw Rana's face. 'not your bag eh honey?' she said, taking another whiskey before putting the bottle back and serving another customer-the bar was filling up now- 'im afraid noone came here as their first choice, we have to deal dont we?' she said, and plonked a foamy beer in front of her customer.

[odduckoasis]

Nik followed Mei into the room, indeed looking a little awkward though he knew it was a hotel room just like his own, not as though being at her apartment and being asked to walk into her bedroom. Even at that thought he had to look away a moment- having honestly not let such thoughts enter his mind for some time. His only concern these last fifteen years have been to his children- blood and not. He had to protect them and save them- that was the choice he made. Finally he took a seat in one of the chairs and leaned forward over his knees, unaware his face was still showing signs of his worry. Upon hearing Mei's voice again, he looked up at her, raising his brows a moment as though unaware he'd been doing anything to spark her curiosity. He knew that as a physcologist, she wasn't about to bore into him and force out whatever he was thinking- but he felt comfortable talk to her anyways. It wasn't a fear to him to share his thoughts and feelings- which may have been different had he not already known her so many years before.
Looking down again, he sighed, lightly scratching the side of one hand as he thought a moment before speaking, "What if... what if she doesn't want to come?" he asked, keeping his gaze down to the floor. Isn't it every good parents greatest fear that their children would not want to come home again? He didn't like to think it- but really, it couldn't be helped.

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Eyes sliding back over to Ruth, wondering a moment just how much anyone knew about her, Rana, and where she'd come from and how she ended up there. This was no choice- but still she had to go on with it. She didn't wish to endure any more punishment, not again. With a nod, she sighed and followed suit, getting a few beers out for some customers. She tried to keep her eyes off the rest of the bar, avoiding the stares and hoping the night would be over soon.

[naz]

Mei laid her ears back slightly, her mouth twiste as she considered his worry. unfortunately, it was pertty improbable that Rana would have managed to force her way out of being kidnapped and begun to lead a normal life. Mei didn't want to voice this opninion though for obvious reasons-as if she would want to worry Nik further when all he seemed to do was worry- so she gave him the other half to that probability; 'i seriously doubt it Nik, she's your daughter and she'll never find anyone who cares about her wellbeing as much as you do. when we find her, she'll want to come. trust me.' Mei nodded decisively at the end-it wouldn't do to get him depressed whilst they were still in the dark as to Rana's whereabouts, and with so much work still to do. they had to go back to the docks and get a few more answers yet...

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the night was passing in its usual frenzy of acitivity and loud, thudding club bass. Ruth wiped her brow quickly and took a note from a customer, ringing the change out of the till before checking the clock behind the bar. their shift would be over soon enough, it had gotten into the early hours of the morning and the fresh workers would arrive to take over. she looked across to check how Rana was coping, and had to admit that the girl was putting a brave face on it. between tottering about in 4 inch heels and having comments thrown her way all night she would be exhausted-anyone would. Ruth assumed she must be used to the hard life, afterall hardly anyone working in this sort of environment would come from an easy past.