Katari had the windows rolled down as he was driving back to the Scissortail lands. He and Shanku were both propped up on the windowsills and enjoying the warm summer night and sounds of frogs and crickets as they passed by. He reached down and turned on the radio to a classic rock station. One thing he loved about Shanku is that they had similar tastes in music and she would sing with him. A song came on they both knew, and once Katari started humming, it wasn't long until Shanku joined in. The final verse had a high note, which Katari attempted, and caused Shanku to burst out laughing.
"'A' for effort! I don't even try to hit that one!" Shanku said.
"Damn metalheads and their crazy ranges," Katari said with a laugh and coughed. "How about something a bit more laid back?" He changed the channel when a commercial came on and started playing blues and rock.
"Guitars, whiskey, guns, and knives," Shanku grinned. "My kinda crooning." Shanku deepened her voice to low purrs for the few songs she did know and eventually fell silent to blissfully listen to Katari's contributions. "We need Ina. She does that soulful blues stuff better than I do."
"Yeah, she's more country star than pop idol, despite how city-trendy she likes to dress," Katari said. "So what's the deal with her and Hilael? I can't figure those two out."
"Neither can they," Shanku rolled her eyes. "She likes him, but it's almost in a more mothering way than girlfriend way. He kinda likes her but won't admit it, and she's so outgoing she scares him."
"Isn't he also, uh... how do I put this delicately?" Katari said uneasily.
"A dyrtrar? Yeah. They both are. The other reason she scares him."
"Two 'trars," Katari shook his head and whistled lowly. "It could be done, but they'd need a xreta'."
"Maybe not. Things are different these days and it's not as frowned upon for 'trars to hold jobs."
"Unless they've got a deadbeat xreta' making them do the housework and earn a living while they do nothing," Katari said bitterly.
"Sis still having trouble with her boyfriend?" Shanku asked.
"Yeah. Gol, I hope they don't marry," Katari said with disgust. "I figured she wouldn't put up with that kind of thing, but, here we are, Jnya working, him not, and her paying for all his wants. There are plenty of jobs with low barriers to entry. He could do something. Your parents are doing okay and you're seeing after your siblings anyway. You're how a xreta' should be."
"You think I'm a xreta'?" Shanku asked softly.
"Well, aren't you?" Katari asked.
"Does it matter?"
"Not really, I guess."
"What would you do if I was? Or if I was a 'trar?" Shanku asked with a sideways glance at him.
"Well, if I know for sure you're a xreta', the worse that's going to happen to me because of this conversation is a punch in the arm. If you're a 'trar, it may be weeks before you speak to me again and I'll have to buy you flowers or something to apologize," Katari said uncomfortably.
"I don't know where kurach would consider me on those poles, and I don't really care," Shanku shrugged. "Once in a blue moon I like to look pretty. Sometimes I think about how nice it would be just to mind the nest and not deal with undisciplined coworkers or unruly customers, and then I think about all the household chores I'd have to do and juggle and figure out what to feed everybody every single night for the rest of my life and I get so overwhelmed I punch the clock and keep goin'."
"Xreta'," Katari affirmed.
"What makes you so certain? You like lookin' pretty sometimes, too?" Shanku teased.
"Hey, I'll have you know I can rock some eyeliner," Katari said and held a finger up toward her direction.
"When did you try eyeliner?" Shanku demanded with a broad grin. "Do you have pictures?"
"Thank the Algod, no, nobody's caught me yet," Katari deflected. "I went through a bit of a punk phase at the end of middle school, and sometimes, sometimes, when I go to a concert I'll dress up again."
"Instead of buying me flowers, you can buy me tickets," Shanku said with a sly smile. "Punk and grunge looks good on me."
"You're not a 'trar and I don't have to buy you nothin'," Katari said with a smirk.
"Buy me tickets or I'll punch you," Shanku threatened playfully.
"No fair playing both sides of the fence!" Katari protested. "Buy your own tickets."
"And I'll buy your's, too, and we'll go in proper style," Shanku stated.
"Hey, now, I can pay my own way!"
"If I win a wrestling match against you, will you go in a skirt?" Shanku asked excitedly.
"I regret confessing to the eyeliner," Katari groaned and held his forehead in his hand as he drove with one hand. "Freakin' she-xreta tryna make me a fem-boy..."
"Plaid and leather kilts are both badass and would probably flatter you," Shanku said with a devious grin and evil twinkle in her eye. "I'll wear one too if it makes you feel better!"
"Fine. When we get there, we'll wrestle, and if you win, I'll break out all my old gear and we jam in dresses at the next good gig, but," Katari paused and cut his eyes toward her. "If I win, we're going line dancing and you'll be the only one in a skirt."
"It's a date, and your ass is mine," Shanku purred maliciously. She stared thoughtfully out the window for a moment and turned back. "Might do that anyway. I wanna see you in a cowboy hat and boots."
"So in the end only my dignity is on the line?" Katari sighed.
"You haven't seen how clumsy I am in all that extra fabric," Shanku groaned. "We'll have to practice before going to a dance hall."
"That can be arranged," Katari said. The rest of the drive passed in idle conversation and Katari had completely forgotten about his match with Shanku until she tackled him in the grass. "What the—!?"
"I'm gonna see you in a skirt!" Shanku crowed deviously and attempted to pin him.
"Oh, hells, no you're not!" Katari protested and wriggled out from under her. They rolled and wrangled and laughed in the grass for a long time until they were thoroughly winded. Katari had managed to get on top of her again for a moment. "Give up?"
Shanku suddenly flipped him off and pinned him on his stomach. "Nope!"
Katari struggled but was too tired to fight her any more. He thumped his forehead into the flattened grass. "At least let me buy my own ticket," he grumbled into the ground.
"So you concede then?" Shanku asked mischievously.
"Dammit, yes, you win!" Katari growled.
"About time!" Shanku exclaimed and collapsed on top of his back.
"Oh, get off already you over-powered galloot," Katari scoffed and bucked her off. Shanku landed on her side and laughed. "When did you get so strong anyway?"
"Da is a soldier and there were plenty of old warriors happy to whip us young'uns into shape on the bases," Shanku said and sat up. "I was the odd one out who actually enjoyed it. Still practice a lot of stuff."
"Is that why you always hide your arms?" Katari asked as he got upright.
"Yeah, kinda," Shanku said sheepishly. "I'm not that thick, but I'm defined, and it draws unwelcome attention. Girls keep asking me out and boys want to arm wrestle, in example."
"Kicked my ass at any rate," Katari said and rubbed his back. "Ah, well. Let me get home and get some of this dirt off. Catch ya later, Shank."
"Yeah, same to you," Shanku said and stood up. She helped haul Katari to his feet, which made him shake his head, and they parted ways for the night.
Shanku arrived at Katari's home much earlier than he had expected the night they were to go to the concert. He opened the door to find her in black eyeliner, dark eye shadow, dark lipstick, a black choker, and her usual pendant. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and while she was wearing her usual jacket over a black shirt, she had kept her word and donned a skirt, black leggings, and mid-calf boots. "Not ready yet?" she asked with disappointment as she stepped inside. "You're not backin' out on me, are ya?"
"It'll only take me a few minutes. It's not like I'm going on stage," Katari said flatly. "I didn't think you would show up so soon."
"My place is empty since everybody's out for fun on the weekend. Except Hilael, of course. I thought I'd give him some rare alone time with a new book. Looks like it's pretty vacant here, too."
"Yeah. My parents went on a date and my sister is out with her boyfriend."
"Oh, so we're alone? Need help getting into costume? As reluctant as you sounded the other day, I may have to supervise," Shanku said deviously.
"Don't be creepy," Katari said curtly. "I'll go ahead and change now if it'll make you feel better. Maybe we can leave early enough we can beat some of the crowds."
Shanku playfully stuck her tongue out at him when his back was turned and made herself comfortable on a cushion. She was contentedly lost in thought until she heard the chime of the clock. She frowned at the amount of time that had passed. "Are you sure you don't need to be assisted in there?" She called toward the back.
"So help me, Shank, if you laugh, I am not going through with this," Katari called from behind the doorway.
"Just get out here already!" Shanku said impatiently. Katari stepped into view and for once Shanku was at a loss for words.
"The awkward staring isn't encouraging," Katari said with mild agitation.
"It... ah... it does suit you," Shanku stumbled when she finally found her voice again. "I thought you said 'punk', not 'goth warrior'? There is nothing feminine about this, Mr. 'Tryna Make Me a Fem-Boy!"
"All black, leather, and chains genres look the same after a while, some just have more ripped jeans and splashes of neon than others," Katari shrugged. "And it's still a skirt."
"You even got armour mixed in there!" Shanku said and started poking at his wrists. "We ride at dawn. Maybe before."
"Now you're just being weirder than usual," Katari grumbled and ruffled her bangs to pull her back to reality. "We goin' or are you gonna gawk at me some more?"
"Both," Shanku said decidedly, and gestured ahead of her to let him go first. Katari had the distinct suspicion she was still staring at him as he lead them to his truck. "So, you wearing that thing traditionally?"
"You're just gonna hafta pray for a stout breeze to find out," Katari said smugly over the top of the truck before sitting and closing the driver side door.
"Oh, honey, I am the mistress of chaos and I have been called 'tornado' for a reason," Shanku muttered under her breath and climbed into the passenger side. Katari cranked the engine, shifted gears, and began to drive. "So we gonna enjoy ourselves on the way or what?" Shanku asked after several miles.
"Too quiet for your liking?" Katari asked. "You can reach the radio as easily as I can."
"Perhaps," Shanku said and noticed a glint of silver by his cheek. "Or I can bug you. When did you pierce your ears?"
"Again, end of middle school, when my best decisions were made," Katari explained. "Jnya gave me a harder time about it than my parents did. She even said that if I was gonna have a leather phase, I should have crafted everything myself."
"Did you grow up fast or is that seriously the same one you had in middle school?" Shanku asked with a raised eyebrow.
"A more recent purchase," Katari admitted. "How about you?"
"Junior high, and still fits," Shanku said. "I got tired of boys staring at my butt in jeans, so I got a skirt to throw over it and lessen the impact. It was either that or keep a sweater tied around my waist, and Ma said sweaters go on the shoulders and not around the hips. Sweaters are also impractical in the summer."
"Never would have guessed you to be body shy," Katari commented.
"Not really shy so much as possessive. It's mine, not theirs, and I don't like to share."
"That's fair."
"You, on the other hand, always being so prim and proper, surprise me," Shanku said slyly. "You are literally just boots, bracers, a belt, and a kilt. Very risqué!"
"Even outdoor concerts at night can get really hot, and I'd like to be comfortable," Katari said. "The bracers come in handy if a fight breaks out and I have to backhand somebody that gets caught up in the excitement and tries to start something with me. Bare back for similar reasons. I can take flight quickly if necessary."
"Stylish and functional," Shanku nodded in approval. "Much experience with that?"
"Twice," Katari replied. "How tied down are you right now?"
"Just the jacket. The tanktop has a low back and the slits up the skirt can let me adjust my leggings enough to let my tail out," Shanku said. "I've also had to make an expedient escape a couple of times. Anywho, we just going to enjoy the music, or you gonna have an eye out for a cute thing?"
"I've got way too much going on with school and volleyball, I don't need to get involved with anybody right now, and I definitely don't want a one night hook-up. You?"
"I just want to enjoy the music without any grabby hands," Shanku said with a roll of her eyes. "Sure don't want to go to dinner afterward with some stranger ogling me the whole time I try to eat."
"Um," Katari paused and glanced at her. "Care to be my stand-in then?"
"If you'll return the favor."
"Then, for tonight, we're a couple when necessary," Katari smiled.
"No complaints here!" Shanku beamed. "Now, the radio is mine!" She pushed the power button and flipped through a few frequencies before she found something to her liking. As traffic became more congested she started to turn it down bit by bit as she saw Katari trying harder to concentrate on avoiding impatient people and road ragers.
"Maybe arriving an hour before start time was later than we should have left after all," Katari muttered as he slowed almost to a standstill.
"We can always park and walk," Shanku suggested. "A lot of the strip malls around here look full for that very reason."
"Hope those boots were made for walking then," Katari said and turned into one of the shopping center parking lots.
Rivulets of concert goers were wandering toward the venue from many blocks away and slowly forming into a line. Shanku and Katari took their place and waited their turn for the ticket booth. Giggles and whispers began to come from behind them and Katari gave Shanku a concerned sideways look. She simply reached out, took his hand, and pulled him closer. Katari leaned over and kissed her on the temple to further the act, which elicited disappointed mumbling from the girls behind them.
"Why would a cute thing like you want an animal like him?" a deeper voice asked.
"Excuse you?" Shanku asked with a raised eyebrow as she looked over her shoulder.
"Obviously he's a kurach. His chest and back are way too built for a human, and, oh, look, wolf and feather necklace! Wouldn't you rather be with your own kind?" the cocky fellow asked.
Shanku put her hands on her hips and turned around. She looked at the twerp before her, looked at Katari, then back to the hopeful pest and his buddy, who was nudging him in the ribs and thought she was seriously considering a switch. Shanku shrugged her jacket off her shoulders and flared her wings around her as she loosed a playful growl. The two men yipped and stepped back.
"Yup, I think I would much rather be with my own kind," Shanku nodded and pulled her jacket back onto her shoulders as she shifted back to her human form. "He doesn't scream like a little kid when he sees my wings."
"Bloody kurach," came a grumble behind them and Shanku happily grabbed Katari's hand again.
"Was that necessary?" Katari asked lowly.
"You enjoy an outing your way, I'll enjoy it mine," Shanku replied with her typical naughty smile. The line began moving again and before long they were able to give their tickets to the young lady at the counter. They managed to wade through the throng of other excited fans to find a place that their sharper senses would be able to appreciate the show without being too overwhelmed by the speakers.
"Eh! Memorial photo for the happy couple?" asked a woman with a clunky camera. "Only a buck!"
"Oo, c'mon, Katari, strike a good pose!" Shanku said. Katari obliged, the flash blinded them for a second, and Katari was blinking his vision back to normal to watch the instant photograph develop in his hand as Shanku paid the woman. She stood close to Katari afterward and admired it as the colours finished showing.
"Looks like you finally got caught," Shanku teased.
"Maybe I'll keep this for myself then," Katari threatened.
"Oh, no, I paid for it, it's mine!" Shanku said and snatched it away. "My dirty little secret. None shall know but us. And whatever randos that came tonight."
"They had better not," Katari said.
[[ If you need a line up, think The Offspring, KONGOS, Three Days Grace, The Killers, Linkin Park, and other alternative, punk, and grunge bands similar to those. What? Kilts ain't punk? Don't tell The Badpiper. ]]
The stage suddenly lit up in a multitude of colors and the first opening band took the stage. Shanku and Katari shifted their focus to the lead singer as he welcomed everybody and started amping them up for the night. High above were color-changing spotlights that roved over the crowd and provided additional lighting. The hours passed faster than they felt they had and soon the lead singer of the final band bid everyone a good night.
Katari knelt down in the grass to wait for the worst of the crowding to pass before he and Shanku exited. She sat down cross-legged beside him, leaned back to prop up on her hands, and admired the stars as they waited.
"C'mon. It's late and we should get something to eat before going back home," Katari remarked when the throng had thinned enough they could start walking back. He offered his hand lest the rabid fangirls came back or they became separated. Shanku took it and laced her fingers between his, and they made their way to the parking lot.
"Well, that's the concert. Time to find a pair of cowgirl boots that fit and practice my line dancing," Shanku sighed as she shut the passenger door.
"A worry for another day. I want to finish enjoying tonight," Katari said warmly.
"Dinner mean that much to you?" Shanku asked.
"It's only proper I treat my fake girlfriend to a good meal after she protected me from all those scary rebel wannabes."
"Hrm," Shanku moaned wistfully as she stared out the window.
"Not up for dinner? You never turn down food," Katari observed.
"Nah, don't worry about it. Just spaced out a bit. Where do you want to go?"
"A drive-thru," Katari said quickly.
"Oh, I'm sure we can find a sit down restaurant somewhere that will let a half-naked guy in," Shanku said with a broad grin.
"No place where we are old enough by kurach standards to enter," Katari said firmly. "What are you in the mood for? Burgers? Pizza? Tacos? Fish? Chicken? Noodles? Something else?"
"You pick," Shanku said quickly. "My ears are bigger than my stomach and I just may say 'one of each will do nicely'."
"A large pizza," Katari said decidedly. "Do you mind going in to order carry-out?"
"Sure. What toppings you want?" Shanku asked. They settled on a dish not long before he pulled up to a pizza place. Shanku went in, ordered their meal and drinks, and came back with their supper. Katari drove them to a public park to eat. He grabbed a blanket from inside his toolbox and spread it out in the bed of the truck to keep the chill of the metal off of their backsides.
"'Tis a shame the stars are so dim from the light pollution. This would be a pretty nice dinner otherwise," Shanku said as she looked up at the sky.
"Sorry I'm so mediocre and disappointing," Katari said with feigned hurt.
"I was criticising the city lights, not you, you dingbat," Shanku said. "It's private, we got bugs and frogs singing to us, and trees all around. It's otherwise a pretty good evening. And, dang, does that pizza smell good!"
"Salud," Katari said and opened the box. The two hungry kurach made short work of the pie after the energetic evening they'd had bouncing and shouting at the concert. Katari put the empty box on his toolbox and Shanku flopped down in the bed of the truck to star gaze and rested her hands just below her full stomach. Katari leaned back against the toolbox and looked up.
"Too bad you're not looking. You know how to treat a girl to a good time. You wouldn't stay single long," Shanku remarked as she watched a lazy cloud float by.
"Maybe, but," Katari tilted his head to the side. "I kinda play for keeps, not for fun. Not many girls my age are into that. They just want somebody to kiss them and buy them things for a little while until they get tired of their current one and want a new somebody. They sure don't put up with some of my quirks."
"Like the eyeliner?"
"That's minor and something I keep to myself. Getting them past the other stuff is the problem," Katari muttered.
"Like what? You seem pretty normal to me," Shanku said and turned her head toward him.
"I can't stand a mess or being dirty, or my fingernails getting long," Katari said uneasily.
"You skin dead animals and you have claws as a kurach," Shanku pointed out.
"That's work and temporary. I scrub really good afterward, and kurach claws are natural," Katari said.
"Alright, so you're a touch OCD. Big deal," Shanku shrugged.
"I don't like odd numbers. When I eat soup or salad I always take my crackers in pairs and I can't eat the last one in the pack because there is invariably an odd number of crackers in every pack. Never fails," Katari continued.
"More than a touch OCD, and that's kind of cute," Shanku grinned.
"I keep a toothbrush and floss in both my backpack and glovebox. Kind of antsy to go deal with that. On that note, I tend to fidget when I get nervous," Katari added when he realized he was running a chain between his fingers.
"Then go brush. I'll be here," Shanku said. Katari promptly hopped over the side of the truck for some quick oral hygiene. "Feel better?" she asked when he returned.
"Don't judge me," Katari mumbled glumly and raised a knee to prop his arm on.
"Your odds of dentures are lower than mine," Shanku said. "Nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I live with Hilael. I'm used to working with anxiety and odd habits. He watches clocks when it's a few ticks away from a new hour or new minute."
"Most people aren't that understanding," Katari said as he stared into the trees.
"My turn," Shanku said and took a long inhale. "I have a bit of an oral fixation. I used to chew up a lot of things as a cub. I prefer stew meat and jerky because I still like to gnaw on things, and I usually keep a pack of gum on me. Sometimes I chew up the sleeves of my sweaters or ends of my hair without realizing it. The one time I tried flirting with a guy, he got super pissed because I wouldn't stop nibbling on him, and I even nibble on my families' ears to show affection."
"At least you have fresh breath," Katari remarked.
"I prefer webcomics to comics, and I hate moulting," Shanku said with disgust. "I don't care if it's just for a few weeks every other year. I dread it every time. It's so itchy and the gaps feel so off-balance."
"I think you're cute with snaggle-feathers," Katari said kindly.
Shanku gave him a narrow glare, grinned, and shot a hand up his skirt to grab his bare backside and make him squeal. "So you are traditional after all."
"What the f—! Why!? And couldn't you have warmed your hands up first?" Katari protested and held the edges of the fabric down to prevent a second attempt. "For somebody so territorial over their butt being looked at, that was awfully hypocritical."
"I don't care when it's you," Shanku said. "I feel comfortable around you."
"So I noticed," Katari fumed.
Shanku sat up and scooted back to lean against the toolbox with him. "Do you want my jacket?"
"Huh?"
"You're covered in goosebumps and shivering a bit. You're cold. I can give you my jacket or we can pull up the blanket," Shanku said.
"I didn't want to disturb you," Katari said.
Shanku gave him a look and shooed him off the blanket so she could pick it up. They settled back down, she took off her jacket, and she threw the blanket around them. "Ah, now, much better."
"Keep your hands to yourself under there," Katari said with a frown.
"Dutifully under my arms to warm up, captain!" Shanku saluted with a nod.
"Don't you get so cold you get sick," Katari scolded and put an arm around her under the blanket to share what heat he had.
"You're one to talk," Shanku said as she burrowed up next to him. After she had gotten most of the chill out of her fingers, she slipped an arm around his waist to put their torsos together and block the chill on their flanks. "Oh, c'mon, I'm not going to pull the same stunt twice when you're expecting it," Shanku said when he tensed up. "That's no fun."
"We should probably be heading back. It was quite a drive down," Katari said.
"I just got comfortable!" Shanku protested and nipped his shoulder. "Oh, gosh, sorry! Did it before thinking!" Shanku squeaked and shrank.
"It's a sign of affection," Katari said and nipped her ear, which made her squeal. "Ah, good, and I got even, too."
"Don't make a habit of it," Shanku said smartly.
"Biting you or getting even?" Katari asked.
"...Forget it. A little competition will keep me sharp," Shanku said.
"Oh, so biting wasn't up for debate then?" Katari asked with a grin and tried to bite her ear again, but she blocked him by raising her shoulder and ducking her head, and he nibbled on her shoulder instead. Shanku extended her neck and pulled his hair with her lips and made him laugh. When he pulled his head up they were nose to nose, and she quickly took advantage of the position to lick the end of his nose. He grimaced and wiped his nose on her shoulder. "Return to sender!"
"That better be all you gave me. I ain't a tissue!"
"It really is getting late, though," Katari sighed. "I'll turn the heat on after the engine gets warm. I guess you can still sit next to me in the truck if you want."
"If you guess I can then I guess I may or I guess I may not," Shanku said as she gathered her jacket, the empty box, and cups. She hopped over the side of the truck and got inside as Katari folded up the blanket and put it away. He got in, cranked it, shifted gears, and started driving them home. Shanku hadn't put her jacket back on, slid over next to him, and buckled up. Katari smiled softly and rested an arm along the bench behind her.
That dipshit in line was right. Katari does have a nice chest, Shanku noted. I'm impressed his deodorant is still holding up after tonight, too. How come girls' stuff only lasts for five seconds and guys' stuff can survive an apocalypse after wading through a bog for a month? She turned on the radio and kept the volume low for background noise as he drove them home. One of the songs they had heard at the concert came on the radio and Katari reached down to turn up the volume. He started humming along and Shanku lightly bit his shoulder again.
I guess I know what gets her motor going then. Shanku started getting sleepy and slid down in the seat to rest her head on his leg. Or not. Now she's out of it. Katari smiled and shook his head. He let his hand rest on her shoulder as he finished taking them back to the Scissortail capital.
"I can't believe I fell asleep on him!" Shanku groaned as she paced the living room the next morning.
"I can't believe you actually went on a date," Nari said as she cleaned the table after breakfast.
"It wasn't a date," Shanku retorted. "We're friends! We just hung out."
"So no kissing, cuddling, or anything?" Nari asked with a wry grin. "You ended up in his lap somehow."
"No. Maybe," Shanku said and looked away. "It was cold last night."
"Good cover," Nari teased as she put the last plate in the dishwasher. "He's a good cub. You shouldn't be embarrassed to spend time together."
"I promised to go line dancing with him if he went to the concert with me, so we're about to be spending plenty of time together," Shanku grumbled and flopped down at the table.
"Oh?" Nari inquired.
"I dunno how to line dance!" Shanku exclaimed as she threw her arms out before her. "I'm going to have to practice or I'll look even dumber out there than I already will!"
"If you're that worried about it, why go?" Nari asked. "You could have gone to the concert by yourself."
"Kind of a double-dare," Shanku said. "Now it's my turn of the dare."
"What kind of dare?" Nari asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing scandalous! I'll just be wearing a dress on my turn," Shanku said quickly.
"Do you even own a dress?"
"Not the kind I'm gonna need. I'm gonna hafta go shopping. This is gonna be sooo awkward," Shanku groaned and dropped her head into her hands.
"Be careful what you wish for, and promise," Nari said with a grin.
Shanku nervously met Katari out in a clearing later that afternoon. "I was half-hoping you wouldn't show up," Shanku confessed uneasily when she heard his footfalls.
"Trainin' yer two left feet's gon' be worth it ta see ya in a skirt," Katari said and winked at her.
"Practicin' yer cowpoke?" Shanku mocked as Katari set up a small speaker and music player.
"Gotta set the mood," Katari said and turned on some music. "Let's get started so we don't get kicked out Saturday night for property damage when you're unleashed. And for starters, there's a lot more to do than just plain line dancing. A lot of it is normal dancing."
"Do I look like I've done much dancing?" Shanku asked flatly.
"My turn to be your tutor then," Katari said warmly and took her by the hand.
"What are you smirking about?" Shanku asked after several mistakes.
"Imagining you in that dress you promised," Katari teased. "I can't believe you own one."
"I don't yet," Shanku said and stumbled. Katari helped right her.
"You're not getting cold feet, are you?"
"Hell naw, once I make a promise, come hail or high water, I'mma do it!"
They practiced until after dark when finally they couldn't see without returning to their bestial common forms. Shanku diligently met him every evening until Saturday night. Katari knocked on her door and patiently waited for her to answer. Hilael answered the door and invited him in.
"Is Shanku ready?" he asked pleasantly.
"She has been holed up in her room for over an hour," Hilael said. "I've never known her to take longer than ten minutes to get ready, and most of that is tying and retying her hair because a strand is pulling."
Katari went to her door and knocked on the wall. "Hey, Shank, you need help in there?"
"So help me, Katari, you barge in here or laugh and not even the reaper will be able to find your corpse!" Shanku called out.
"Quit bein' shy and get out here if you're dressed and ready then!" Katari teased her.
With resignation, Shanku opened the door and stepped out. Katari gave her a glance up and down, but didn't speak. Her hair was up in a high-pony again and she had gone with more subtle and accentuating make-up than at the concert. She had dangling earrings and her usual pendant, with a dark blue buttoned shirt, jean skirt, and boots. "You clean up good," he said simply. Shanku was tight-lipped and staring off to the side. "Well, ladies first," Katari said with a grin and gestured before him. Shanku rolled her eyes and skulked outside. They climbed into the truck and he drove them to the restaurant.
"Sooo, you gunnin' for any adorable cowgirls in there?" Shanku asked slyly.
"Again, I don't need the drama or a summer fling," Katari shook his head. "Are you on the prowl?"
"I'm not looking at the moment," Shanku deflected.
"Then, if it's alright with you, we're a couple for the night again," Katari offered.
"Of course," Shanku said with a broad grin.
The live band was loud enough to be heard from the outside when they arrived and there was a short wait before they were seated. Katari lead them inside, got a table, and they started off with some water and soda. They were underage and not permitted to order anything intoxicating.
"Alright, this is a good 'un," Katari grinned when the band started playing a different song and took a reluctant Shanku by the hand. She let herself get dragged out on the dance floor and rather stiffly fumbled around. "Aw, c'mon, Shank. It ain't like you to be so passive. I didn' get stepped on so much for nothin'!"
Shanku grimaced and and sighed. "I dunno... this ain't really my scene."
"I know it's in ya because yer own accent keeps comin' out." Katari gave her a short spin and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Loosen up," he purred in her ear and then softly bit the edge of her ear.
"Oh, bloody hell, you didn't," Shanku said and whipped her head to the side to face him. He flashed her a wicked grin and released her. Shanku finally relaxed and was as lively as he and the other partiers were. After several songs, they came off the dance floor sweaty and winded, and sat back down at their table.
"Are y'all lovebirds finally ready to order?" the waitress asked with a smirk.
"Whaddya mean 'lovebirds'?" Shanku demanded. The waitress merely glanced between the two of them and raised her eyebrows in a coy manner.
"Sure, a menu, if ya don' mind," Katari replied after readjusting his hat, oblivious to the visual exchange. "And another two waters." He thanked the waitress when she returned and slid a glass and menu over to Shanku. "What are you glowerin' over? We already said we were gonna act like a couple again tonight so nobody would come 'round hittin' on us. Take her remark as a compliment on good faking!"
"Still embarrassing," Shanku sulked.
"Aw, am I that much of a shame to be seen in public with?" Katari asked playfully. "Sorry I'm such a mortifying sight for you."
Shanku ducked her head and was grateful for the dim lighting. A cowboy hat, dark grey button-down shirt, and a good pair of pale jeans was more flattering on him than the kilt had been! "No, you look fine." Oh, so fine...
"So are a lot of these dishes!" Katari said as he looked over the menu. "What do ya think bleu cheese is like on a burger?"
"Order and find out," Shanku said as she started to browse the laminated paper. They had each settled on a plate when the waitress returned. They placed their orders and waited.
"So, do I need to find out if that waitress has an instant camera so I got a picture of you in a skirt like you got o' me?" Katari asked.
"Oh, gosh, no, she's grinning enough every time she comes over here. I don't want to encourage her!" Shanku groaned and Katari laughed. "So I guess you feel kinda safe here? It's not easy getting to wings in closed-back shirts like these."
"Yeah," Katari said. "Been comin' here for years with my uncle. Unlike some o' those cutthroat city concerts, out here people only care if you're a good worker and don't cause too much trouble. I've even helped some of these patrons with their fences, cattle, and done some other odd jobs for them, and I've sold some leather stuff."
"Oh, yeah, you're favouring leather working," Shanku suddenly remembered. "I guess this would be a good place for you to sell it."
"They put me through my paces, too," Katari said and ran his hand through his bangs. "They really like detail work. I had to get a pretty robust tool set to try to meet their demands."
"What's the hardest thing you've had to make?"
"Boots," Katari said with a frown. "As if sizing it wasn't difficult enough, all the little dots and swirls I had to cut and stitch into it after that! Had to paint and stain a few, too. Not my artistic forte."
"Did you at least get paid well for it?"
"A few hundred," Katari nodded. Shanku's eyes went wide. "Well, when you take into consideration the time, supplies, and all that, and they requested a specific hide for it to be made from that I had to track down and take, it's fair."
"What do you do with the rest of the animal?"
"Usually eat it," Katari said. "There are very few things I can't either eat or use. Oh, speaking of food, lookie here!"
The waitress delivered their orders, checked their drink levels, and disappeared again. They took their time eating and talking over dinner. About the time they finished the band stepped off the stage for a break and the manager opened up the stage for karaoke.
"Time to grace the hall with that lovely singin' voice o' yours," Katari said excitedly and grabbed her hand.
"Do they even have any songs I know here?" Shanku asked worriedly.
"As many times as you've sang along with me in the truck and you suddenly get nervous out here?" Katari laughed. "They've got a huge selection on the machine. You'll be fine!"
"We're considerably more sober than the other people up there, so we have that in our favor," Shanku observed as an older man warbled off key.
"This ain't a contest. This is just for fun!" Katari said. "What song do you want to do?"
"Pick something you know I can do," Shanku said and crossed her arms as she stared off to the side. "And nothing really depressing about people gettin' sick or dyin'."
"I'll be mean and pick a cutesy duet if you don't give me better criteria than that," Katari teased. "May even have to cozy up for some PDA mid-song."
"And I may have to judo throw you onto the dancefloor if ya do," Shanku said and turned away further as she blushed.
"Fiesty t'night, aren't ya?" Katari grimaced. He picked out something lighter and Shanku nodded. Her competitive nature came out when they stepped up to the microphones and none could tell that she was nervous. Katari stepped off first and held up a hand to help her down. Shanku placed her palm on his with a smug grin and descended.
"Momento for the happy couple," the waitress said as she reappeared with an instant photograph.
"Thank ye, ma'am!" Katari said and snatched it up before Shanku could get it. He held it out of her reach, and teased "nah-ah, this one's mine!" before tucking it away safely.
"I see another wrestling match in your future," Shanku growled.
"Nope, you don't, because I'm not wagerin' this!" Katari laughed and started walking away. "You wanna dance one more time before goin' home?"
"Why not?" Shanku smiled and shook her head. "Nothing like being serenaded by drunk people that can't remember half the lyrics."
"Best thing on the planet," Katari nodded and took her by the hand again.
My, aren't we grabby tonight? Shanku grinned. After a few more playful rounds, another couple hit the stage and did a romantic duet, and Shanku pulled away.
"About time to go home?" Katari asked. She just nodded and kept her face hidden. Katari took her by the hand one last time and lead her off the floor. He paid their ticket and they went into the parking lot. Katari was quiet as he drove them home. Shanku was staring out the passenger window for most of the trip and absentmindedly chewing gum. He pulled up to her parents' home and parked. "Sorry about tonight, Shank."
"Hm?" Shanku turned to him curiously. "Why? It was fun."
"Didn't look it. I ain't never seen you so withdrawn and you kept lookin' away. I won't ask you back to a country bar again," Katari said with a weak smile.
"You didn't ask me. You challenged me. I won, but said I'd go anyway because I wanted to see you in a hat and boots," Shanku said sullenly.
"I guess I really was an eyesore for you to be actin' like that all night then," Katari cringed and sighed. "It was bad enough my fake girlfriend is fake breakin' up with me." He yipped when Shanku grabbed a large handful of hair and yanked him close to her.
"Call me yer 'fake' girlfriend one more time and I'm gonna break yer jaw," Shanku growled.
"Then what should I call you? My real girlfriend?" Katari glared at her as he gripped her wrist.
"Might be safer for ya, cowboy," Shanku replied.
"Dammit, Shank, we're both xreta'. It ain't gonna work out. Let go!" Katari said and tried to pull her wrist away.
"What does it matter if we are?" Shanku demanded and released him. "Everybody has jobs these days and nobody likes doin' housework. Nobody would be any the wiser."
"I went from single to engaged in five seconds," Katari grumbled and rubbed the back of his head.
"You were talkin' about us being together before I was, Mr. Be-My-Stand-In. Twice!" Shanku pointed out. "I thought you were serious and played for keeps. Kinda hypocritical of you just to do a bunch of one night flings."
"You didn't have to say 'yes' if it bothered you that much," Katari groaned and smacked his forehead into his palm. "What are you really wanting outta me, Shank?"
"I want you to tell me what you're wanting outta me," Shanku said sternly, and pulled his hand away from his head and set it down on his leg. "I've known you for years. You don't really hang out with that many people. You've never kept a steady girlfriend or boyfriend, but yer hangin' 'round me every chance ya get and you get a lil' sulky whenever I start chasin' a guy. We've gone out two weekends in a row now after a really damn flirty week and you had the dumbest grin all night!"
"And you've looked miserable all night!" Katari countered.
"Because I'm getting mixed signals, ya moody mongrel! You tell me I'm your best friend and then keep askin' me to be your 'fake girlfriend'. Are we hangin' out or goin' out?"
Katari fell silent and broke away from her steely blue gaze. He clenched his fist under Shanku's warm hand where she was still holding on to him. Her ears were still sensitive enough to hear his heart start pounding. She moved closer to him.
"Loosen up," she whispered in his ear and bit his earlobe. Katari turned a deep shade of red and turned his head to end up nose to nose with her.
"You're, uh... not gonna... lick me again, are you?" he stammered.
"I got somethin' better in mind to test your reactions with this time," Shanku smirked. Katari tensed as Shanku closed the gap, and slowly relaxed as she kissed him. When she finally pulled away, he realized he had been gripping the back of her neck and had a hand on her waist. "That's one way to get an answer out of you."
"Dammit, Shank," Katari softly swore again.
"You didn't put up much of fight, so we're definitely not just hanging out," Shanku teased and nipped his cheek. He inhaled and nudged her chin with his nose. Shanku ran her fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes. "And for the record, cowboy," Shanku smirked and flicked his hat off his head. "I've been avoiding eye-contact all night because you're just so freakin' hot in that get-up I was burnin' worse than you were a moment ago."
"Coulda fooled me," Katari said.
"Oh, but you don't need no 'summer fling drama'," Shanku said with a grin and pushed away from him. "Got all that school and volleyball to deal with. We're just hanging out after all 'cause you just don't have room in that busy schedule of yours." She had a hand on the door handle and was about to slip out of the truck when Katari dove over to her side.
"Hold on now, you infuriating tease!" he said and grabbed the handle. "You can't just kiss me like that and run off!"
"I guess that means you think you're a good runner and can catch me then?" Shanku asked over her shoulder, grinning like a fox.
"How about you not run off to begin with?" Katari asked.
"Is this better?" Shanku crooned and leaned back against his chest with her head on his shoulder, and bit his neck.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her to suppress a delightful shudder.
"Quite!" Shanku laughed and nipped his jaw.
"Volleyball doesn't take up that much time," Katari muttered and rested his head against hers.
"And I frequently help you study, so school isn't that demanding either," Shanku said. "I can send you serves to help you practice when the others aren't on the court."
"Don't you have martial arts?" Katari asked.
"You think I can't handle you and a good throw down at the same time?" Shanku asked.
"I reckon you can so long as you aren't implyin' I'm gonna be the one on the ground," Katari said.
"That's the fun part of two xreta' dating," Shanku whispered in his ear. "Fighting to not be on bottom." Katari gave her a shocked look and Shanku kissed him again. "Good night, Katari. See ya next weekend if you can't come up with a good excuse before then." Shanku gave him a wink and got out of his truck. Katari smiled, put his hat back on, cranked the truck, shifted gears, and drove home, still wearing that dumb grin he'd had most of the night.
