A Few Years Ago . . .
When Exusiai had first met Texas, the other woman hardly spoke to her at all. Conversation would be exchanged over a mere few words or none. It had frustrated her, to have a partner who would rather keep quiet then make friends. But she still couldn't help but admire Texas. She was so skilled at everything. And when she did speak, there was so much intelligence pouring out of her. There was awhile where Exusiai had no idea whether they were even friends. They worked so well together, no one would ever have guessed.
Eventually something did happen. Texas saved her life. It had been a rough mission, they had been trapped in such a way that the only way for them to escape was if they communicated. And so they did. And so they were both alive and well today.
Like a dam had been broken, some of the walls Texas carefully crafted had fallen after that catastrophic event. But this had been none more apparent three years ago at a bar right near Penguin Logistics Headquarters. They were out, just the two of them, tossing back drinks like no one's business. Texas had been mostly quiet. Nothing out of the usual.
"Bartender. Another round." She called out to Dave. The male Lupus was all shades of gold. His skin was sun-kissed, and his surfer hair mostly hid his pointed ears. The tail behind him swayed with the rhythm of the jazz band playing out in the back corner. She would often see the look those gray-gold eyes would cast over her friend. He was a friendly enough guy, but she doubted Texas would be interested. Though she doesn't seem interested in anyone to be honest. It's pretty hard to tell with her.
"Of course Exusiai. The usual? Or perhaps you lovely ladies would like to try something else."
Texas was tense beside her, tone terse. "The usual is fine."
Dave gave Texas a smile, though the other Lupus wasn't even looking her way. Instead, her amber gaze remained on the half-full drink in her hand. Something felt strangely off about her tonight. Texas was actively aware of her surroundings like always, but her ears were drooping and so was her tail. Her eyes blinked slowly. When Dave left, she turned to her friend.
"Texas, is everything okay? You seem pretty upset."
"I'm fine Exia. Don't worry about it." Texas's answer was droll, emotionless.
"Don't lie to me Tex. I know something is bothering you."
Texas sighed. She set her drink down, the liquid sloshing inside. Dave came by, took in the state of them, set the drinks in front of them and walked away to tend to other patrons. Exusaia watched them go before turning back to her friend. Sometimes it still shocked her to know they were friends.
"You're not wrong. Do you really want to know? Once you know, there's no way to go back." The way she said it, so tired and sad, made her heart clench. Exusaia knew Texas was private about her personal life. She never talked about her hometown or parents or even friends. Maybe it's because she doesn't have them. The idea was unbearably sad. A part of her refused to consider it.
"I do want to know. I promise."
"Okay." Texas huffed. The air she exuded was heavy with alcohol. The stuff clung to her breath. She was drunk, or at least close to getting there.
"So tell me."
Texas's eyes grew distant. "A long time ago, there was . . . Lappland. She was there for so long in my life. Ever since I found her, we did everything together."She sounded faintly happy. Exusiai felt concern rising in her. Something about this story was not going to end well, if the state of her friend was anything to go by.
"So what happened? And what do you mean by found her?"
Texas waved her off with a shaky hand. "I'm getting to that." She grunted, taking a swig of her drink before slamming it back down on the counter. "As I was saying, we were close. There wasn't anything we didn't do together. I-I trusted her with everything I had. She was the biggest piece of me . . . I couldn't imagine life without her."
Her eyebrows rose at the implications. Were they together or just friends? It's so hard to tell. "So you were close."
"Yes. The closest of close. I-I, we, we were—" Texas sighed. Some hair was falling down over her eyes. She blew some air to blow it away. Her amber eyes were hazy, her lips just a shade darker red. The other patrons in the bar were singing along to the new band who had come in, so Exusiai had to lean to listen to Texas speaking in her oh so quiet tone. "It doesn't matter what we were. All those feelings, they-they've . . ."
And that was when she noticed the tears welling up in Texas's eyes. They were little drops of water, reflecting with the blue in her irises. It would've been a beautiful sight if not for the frown on her face.
"I understand. Come here Texas." She pulled her friend into her arms. Texas —the stoic, standoffish Lupus— went willingly. If there was some sniffling coming from the dark haired woman, she ignored it. She also ignored her shirt becoming wet. They stayed like that for a few minutes, until Texas pulled away. Exusiai let go of her reluctantly keeping a careful eye on her. The tears were dried on her face, the dried up tracks little transparent trails.
"Everything happened so fast. And then, Lappland, she did something. Something horrible."
"What was it?" The bad feeling was rising like bile in her throat. Exusiai swallowed the nasty taste. Her unease was useless here.
"I . . . someone died."
"Oh." Who was it? We're they someone close to you? Were you involved? These were the questions running around in her mind. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Texas dipped her head. "I am too."
"So what's brought this on, you thinking about this?"
"Today's the anniversary of that day." Texas explained. "I couldn't help thinking of it. So much has changed since then."
"Huh, I'm sure it has. So, just out of curiosity, do you miss this Lappland person?"
"I-I can't say. Our relationship is complicated."
"So you do miss her." Exusiai hedged. There was something wistful in Texas's voice. But why?
"It doesn't matter. I'm never going to see her again. Whatever I felt for Lappland, it can't come back. She's as good as dead anyways."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Lappland is Infected. Her mind, she's changed. The old Lappland doesn't exist anymore." The finality of those words made Exusiai shudder. She had never heard such desolation in Texas's voice before.
Present Day . . .
They were turning in for the night. The Penguin Logistics liaisons were all huddled in their shared apartment dorm. It consisted of four bedrooms, each with plenty of space for all the operators to be comfortable and cozy in their home away from home. Sora had returned for the night, calling it an early day. Croissant was also in her room, with water running from her bedroom. She tended to shower before bed, something about rubbing all the dirt off from their missions. No one dared mention this "dirt" was usually just blood from the thugs they fought.
Texas was watching the flat screen television in the living room. A pocky stick poked out from her lips. She was chewing on it thoughtfully, her eyes distant. A drink sat on the glass countertop in front of her. Little bubbles floated to the top of the fizzy sparkling water.
"Headed off to bed soon Texas?" Her friend had been quiet since the confrontation with Lappland earlier in the day. Exusiai would be lying if she said she wasn't more than a little worried.
"Soon enough, though I doubt I'll be able to sleep."
"It's because of Lappland, right?" The question made Texas stiffen, confirming her question without saying anything at all.
"Yes. You know me too well Exia."
"Heh. I don't know if I do. There's so much you haven't told me."
Texas sighed. "I know. And someday I will tell you. I'm just . . . not ready to yet. Sorry to disappoint."
Exusiai reached out, running a hand over Texas's ears. She probably wouldn't want anyone to know just how soft they were. The fur was almost velvety, the same was true for her tail. Texas had told her it was a familial trait, a representation of status. Wolves sure are weird.
"It's okay Texas. I'm not going to push you."
Texas leaned into her touch, a small rumble coming out. Purring was another thing her friend might kill her for if she dared tell anyone. "Thanks."
"What are you going to do about Lappland though? I doubt she's going away anytime soon." From their brief interaction, it would appear Lappland was here to stay. She could only imagine the affect this might have on Texas.
"I'll deal with it. It's all I can do really." Texas let out a yawn. The sword on her lap slid as she reached up to rub at her eyes. The blade glitter silver-gold from the skylight overhead. "I think I'll go to bed too. See you tomorrow."
Exusiai nodded. "See you tomorrow."