Natasha trod down the stairs with heavy paws as Max was sat watching the TV, his focus unfazed as Natasha went the front door. Her ears were folded back with a lingering sadness as she glanced at Max one more.
"Hey Max. I'm heading out for a while. Is that alright?"
Unmoved. Max's weary gaze stayed on the screen. His face was devoid of any feeling as he lifted a soft drink and took a swig. He finished by lowering the can and replying.
"Sure. Just be safe out there and don't be too late. I had enough problems with curfew when Zoe was still around."
Natasha frowned and left. her gaze was fixed to the pebbled paving that made up the driveway. She held her handbag tightly as a chilly late afternoon air ate away at her already dampened pride. She felt abandoned, by herself and others. She felt that the current 'her' wasn't what she had thought herself to be. Self-reflection had shown Natasha what she had truly become and she despised it with a passionate hatred that was almost on par with the boiling anger that Zoe could arise.
Natasha wasn't wearing what she normally would. She wasn't wearing makeup or her usual assortment of bangles and bracelets. Her burning eyes were an anguish that could be seen, now that the veil of mascara was gone and her dark lips were curled in a frown.
"How do you do? Doo? Dooooo…" Natasha fooled around, trying to attain a more natural pitch for her voice. Her posh tone had been picked up as advice in a magazine she had once read that suggested that if she sounded of a richer background that it would attract more well-off men but really… Max hadn't given her accent any positive notice. Natasha managed to settle on a voice which sounded surprisingly like her younger self but had a more mature and vibrant quality than her childish rants.
The Vulpix smiled. She remembered her childhood days of running around the back yard where they had grown up together. Max had treated her like a sister. Even though they were part of two separate families that sat side by side, there had always been no boundary between the two and so Max had grown protective of the young fox and Natasha had fallen for this figure in her life which had always brought her protection and warmth.
A gust of wind brought Natasha to a sharp and cold reality. She was alone. She kept going. She had a rough idea of where she wanted to be but didn't really want to resort to being in a place like that. The vixen sighed through chattering teeth, pressing on into the worsening weather.
The place was lively as pools of people gathered in their respective spots around the club. Natasha was sat behind the bar, sipping away at her drink, watching silently as other people conversed. The bronze canine noticed a couple. A womanly anthro Luxray and a tall and mature human.
They seemed happy as the Luxray leaned in close, giggling nervously as she beckoned for her partner to show some intimacy. The man looked around uncertainly before the Luxray took his hands and looped them around her. The man becoming nervous as his hands sunk to his partner's rear, his hands sitting on her torn jeans as she tiptoed to whisper something in his ear. His face lit up like a Christmas tree before he was dragged out of the club. Natasha's view fell off the couple as they left the entrance.
Natasha looked down at her drink. The colourful combination played and pranced around inside the glass. Her emotions were similar in that they collided and mixed in the oddest of ways. She felt glad for the two while simultaneously wishing the Luxray to be in a similar place to herself. If anything, Natasha believed that she was more attractive that that blue and black divinity and could easily…
Natasha spotted two guys across the bar. One an anthro Mightyena and the other was a taller Houndoom, both were sat in a heated discussion that Natasha had just tuned into.
"Nah. She was just a bitch! She can go fuck her three-hundred-pound self 'cause I won't do it no more." The Houndoom nearly yelled as the Mightyena looked downtrodden and blue.
"Yeah. You're lucky because you had someone… look at my sorry, lonely ass. Last chick of mine killed herself." The Mightyena replied in an artificially gruff voice that Natasha could easily tell was just to fit in with his more boisterous friend. The Houndoom nearly choked as he spat out his next line.
"Then go and chat up the pretty lady that's been starin' atcha for the last five minutes! Get your mind off the past and on the present!" At this the two dogs looked up to spot Natasha as she tried to hide behind her glass but to no success. The Mightyena just sat his head on his hands and continued with the cycle of self-pity. The Houndoom just kept trying to grab Natasha's attention to get her to come over.
Natasha waited but soon realised that the Houndoom wasn't going away… that and she needed to prove something to herself. With a new goal in her head, she rose from her seat, swaying her way over to the two.
"Umm. Hey… I, uh… noticed you staring and I decided that I… didn't want to be alone." Natasha awkwardly tried to inject herself into the conversation and by the look on both men's faces, her insertion couldn't have been more out of place. The Houndoom now held a look of disbelief as he hadn't expected a vixen like Natasha to answer to his calling.
"No problem. Welcome to the rejects." The Mightyena muttered from his own little reality that could be found in the rings of dirt on the bars surface. The Houndoom looked incredulously at his friend and then nervously at Natasha.
Natasha hadn't noticed before but there was a clear contrast in the two's appearances. While the horned had a loose t-shirt with slightly unkempt joggers that were slightly too lose for him. The Mightyena, on the other hand, held a more approachable presence as it looked like he had taken the time to brush his hair before heading out today. Natasha felt as if she could comfortably be around the Mightyena, but his friend…
"Damn bro. She fresh. You should totally talk to her or she'll leave you for me, bro!"
…Less than enjoyable. Natasha sat silently, brewing a formula to remove the Houndoom from the equation so that she could be with him alone.
Natasha hadn't realised it but when she thought about it, or more specifically the gentleman that she was trying to snatch away, was she trying to be friends or was she pursuing something… more? This wasn't the time to think about it. She had to rid the Houndoom from the situation.
"Umm… Hey…" Natasha looked to the goofy one of the two canines. It took a second but surely the fire/dark type turned to see the Vulpix and listen to what she had to say.
"…could you get me and your friend here a drink? Please?" Natasha didn't feel the need to use any tricks to persuade the Houndoom as he already seemed to be wrapped around her furred finger. The sulking dog pulled his head up and looked quizzed by the intentions of the random woman who had decided to listen to his friend.
"Err… Why exactly should he go? What are you playing at?" The Mightyena had become more that apprehensive to the point that he may just snuff out her plan. Natasha had to think fast and so after a quick look of confusion she snapped back with a changed heart.
"Fine. Me and you are going to get a couple of drinks from the shop down the road." Natasha stated to the now engaged lump of grey.
"Dude. You should totally go be with this babe. It'll be better than you bein' a deadbeat here, boy." The black and red friend chipped in. Natasha felt like giving up but that's when he bit.
"Fine. But I ain't playing around. I'm just walking to wherever and then home." The nonchalant Mightyena spoke. Natasha perked up at this while the Houndoom seemed ecstatic that his friend was taking this opportunity by the horns.
The Mightyena rose from his seat and into a slouching stand. The canine stretched himself, surprising Natasha by the display of his rather formal wear.
"Do you normally dress like you're at a business meeting when you go out?" Natasha began a little small talk. She was testing if she could lever a little humility out of him. It worked. He laughed.
"Ha-ha. Actually, I was teaching a class before I passed this place on the way home…"
The Mightyena led Natasha out of the building, holding the door open and everything as she stepped out into the cold evening air.
"I thought I'd nip in for a drink or two. Five later and that asshole we just ditched decided to buddy up to me. I'm glad you got me away from him. The name's Kylo. And no, I'm not part of the galactic empire or whatever those Star Wars nerds call it." The Mightyena offered a hand which Natasha took. It took her a second but Natasha could feel that Piña colada kicking in. The night air felt a little nippier and Natasha had forgotten about the heavy scent of alcohol on Kylo's breath.
"Ok, Kylo who is definitely not part of the 'galactic empire' where are we flying off to now?" Natasha joked to the slightly cheery anthro.
"Wait? You really didn't want to get something from the Seven Eleven?" The Mightyena asked with more intrigue that he should have.
"Yeah. I didn't like your friend either. I'm just surprised that he didn't call me a bitch. But really, if you wanted, we could go back to yours or whatever?" Natasha went back to licking her teeth. She seemed engrossed in a small chunk of whatever the fuck that was stuck in there.
"Sure. I don't live far. It's a couple of blocks away." The guy went on, slurred in what he was saying but both were too pissed to care. Natasha laughed to herself as she counted the total amount of drinks she managed to get through.
'Count ze drinkz wive me! huan, two, three, four…'
Natasha snickered away to herself as she was led to Kylo's home. Her mind dithering as Kylo checked up to make sure that she was alright every once in a while.
The apartment door slammed shut sending ringing through both canines splitting heads. Kylo shuffled around the tipsy Vulpix and through an archway into the kitchen.
"Feel free to make yourself at home. I'll get us both drinks while you settle." The man half yelled to be heard over the ringing in his ears.
Natasha looked around. It was a very… lived in apartment. There was the odd sock and an empty drink can. Oh! And a David Bowie poster!
"Wait! Do you l-like David Bowie?!" Natasha threw her shoes onto her piled jacket on the floor. She slinked her way onto the only couch that reminded her of the three-seated sofa at her own place.
"Yeah! I love his works. I've got all his albums. Shame how he died though… Have you listened to 'Space Odyssey'?" Kylo asked away while carrying two glasses of wine over in his hands and carefully setting them down. Natasha had smiled a toothy grin when kylo declared his passion for the song writer. She had begun flicking through several cd's before shoving one into a nearby stereo.
"I friggin' love that song!" Natasha cooed as the machine whirred into action. The song took a second but surely Space Odyssey started humming through the speakers and into the vixen's sensitive ears. It hurt a little but she didn't care.
Kylo was now reclined in his seat. He swirled his glass of wine while glancing at the bent over fox. He took a sip while awaiting Natasha to join him. It took a second for Natasha to wobble her way over but she eventually managed the arduous task of plonking herself down. The fox could hardly make out her own thoughts as she manoeuvred her hand to grip the glass she had been offered.
"T-thanks." Natasha tried to be polite as Kylo just kept his gaze on her. She raised the fancy looking liquid to her lips and sipped.
"This is ground control to Major Tom. You've really made the grade…"
The song hung in the air, adding atmosphere to the already warming attitude of Natasha. She smiled to her friend who smiled back. Natasha scooted closer. Kylo didn't seem to mind as he lifted an arm to allow her passage. It didn't take Natasha to be told twice, she had shifted right next to her company and even felt as he wrapped an arm around her. The Vulpix felt inclined to rest her head on his shoulder.
"And I'm floating in the most of peculiar ways. And the stars look very different today."
Time rolled by as Natasha mulled over what to do next. The canine jumped a little as she felt lips press against her cheek. Natasha's face lit up as Kylo ended the small smooch. They both sat there, Natasha turning to look at her new encounter. She could see it in his eyes and with how long she had been waiting… She felt like she was ready for this.
The instrumental kicked in. Natasha pushed forwards and met Kylo's muzzle. They both melted, instantly, into a warm and passionate kiss that had the fox feeling a little giddy while her face was gently caressed by the dark types hand. They never broke as Natasha mounted herself over his legs. Her form leaning into his now reclined form.
Natasha felt like she was accomplishing something as she felt numb. Her body melting into and onto a mass lying on her back against the sofa. She tried to move but her body wouldn't answer. She felt a little scared but trusted Kylo to help her.
"Tell my wife I love her very much. She kno-o-o-ows! Ground control to Major Tom. Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong. Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you hear…"
Futile. All her efforts failed as Kylo's form lingered over her own. He seemed indifferent by the paralysed vixen below him as a hand rummaged through her hair, down her neck, to her chest. Natasha finally caught on. It was too late of course. The poor creature couldn't do anything as she felt his hands circling around her stomach. He licked his lips eagerly. Was she just another person to prey on? She couldn't think as her fur was unravelled from her clothing, the garments that once held the young vibrant vixen now let away to reveal her empty shell. Natasha would have shivered as he entered but nothing. She couldn't even shed a tear as she lay victim to Kylo's lust.
The last thing she remembered was the shaky rise as the song finished like her memory, her mind fading to black as the night claimed her body as its own. Now she was just another figure in the sea of corruption. Natasha just wanted to be home. She wanted to be cuddling with Max. She just wanted all the pain to stop.