Many, many, many thanks to ALL of my wonderful reviewers!
... ESPECIALLY those of you who come back and review after my long absence!
I'm sorry for going MIA for so long! I've just been SO incredibly busy...
I was a soloist in a musical here in town... Had a birthday...
Was the leader of some kids at a camp... Got sick...
Painted/framed a gift for a dear, dear friend and mentor...
Sent out a bunch of job applications...
... and finally, finished this chapter!
So, to those of you still reading:
THANK YOU. And please enjoy! c:
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( ... Drinking isn't always the answer ... )
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Krytal's Adventures
Tales of the Cobalt Vixen
A Collection of Cornerian Shorts
Chapter Twelve: "Hot Mess"
The barbell clinked as Sedge pressed it up slowly over his chest, careful years of safety training warring with the desire to pump ferociously. His impressive arm muscles strained against the resistance; his breath hissed between his teeth.
He was better than this.
Clank. Clank.
He didn't need to compare himself to McCloud.
Clank.
He shouldn't crave everything the pilot had. It wasn't worth the shame, the jealousy.
He closed his eyes.
Her face flashed back at him: the blue vixen, the newest girl he couldn't have. Beautiful, kind; gentle and determined...
"He saved me," echoed her voice inside his mind, and behind his own eyelids, he saw the look of sheer adoration on Fox's face.
His muscles tensed.
With a grunt, he replaced the barbells, heading for the treadmills.
This was clearly a cardio problem.
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After giving a little shake, Krystal stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel. It was soft in her hands, fragrant. She smiled, bringing it to her nose. Such a comforting scent.
She patted her face dry, her hair and ears, rubbed the towel lightly across her body. She shook out her still-damp fur, stepping into her bedroom.
"Computer," she called, her voice soft but commanding.
The little screen by the door flashed brighter.
"Send message to Fox McCloud. Meet in the lobby in thirty minutes."
The screen flashed again. "Message confirmed," said the calm digital voice. "Request notification of message receipt?"
Krystal shook her head in reflex, smiling as she remembered that her computer needed audible commands.
"No," she called.
Then she frowned. A thought crossed her mind.
"Have I received any messages?"
A slight pause.
"One message, sender Divya Devereaux. Request playback?"
Krystal blinked. Divya, the girl she'd met at Café Jesperia.
She smiled. "Yes, please," she said, eager and surprised.
Ac crackling sound came from the computer speakers, tipping her off.
A vocal message. So she'd called her room.
"Hello, Krystal," rang out the dragon's gentle, honey-sweet voice. "Since it was such an extraordinary pleasure meeting you the other day, I'm a little determined to make you my friend."
Krystal smiled, blushing a bit. The message continued.
"Would you like to get drinks with me sometime? Coffee or cocktails are both fine with me... but no more cosmic coladas, not for a while."
Krystal laughed out loud.
"Anyway," continued Divya, "Call me back at this number if you feel like going out." The dragon gave a soft giggle. "Until then," she finished, and the message clicked off.
A wide smile spread across Krystal's face.
She asked the computer to call the number.
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Fox waited in the lobby, his leg shaking with a nervous tic. A memory of Falco's unwanted advice suddenly rang through his mind.
"You know, legs aren't supposed to do that. It's a sign of sexual frustration."
Fox scoffed. Leave it to Falco to make everything about sex.
He glanced at his wristwatch. Any minute now…
His leg shook harder.
Somehow, the thought of Krystal getting ready to meet him made him even more nervous. What if she'd forgotten? Even worse: what if he had the wrong time? He checked his watch again. What if she was already here, watching him check his watch?
He jerked up, staring around the lobby.
No one.
He groaned. "Oh my god," he mumbled. This is ridiculous. I'm about to have a panic attack and she's not even here yet.
Falco's voice rang through his mind again.
"Bro, calm down."
He scoffed.
"No really. You need to calm down."
It took Fox a minute to realize that it wasn't in his head. Falco was actually standing in the lobby, staring down at him with a bemused look on his face.
Fox groaned. "Hey," he muttered.
Falco strutted over to the couch, plopping down beside Fox. "Hey Foxy." He grinned. "What's eatin' ya?"
Fox glared at him. "Shut up."
"Oho!" Falco laughed. "That's no way to treat a lady!"
Fox cocked an eyebrow. "So, you're finally admitting it?"
Falco punched him in the arm, chuckling. "Admitting you're crazy? Yeah." He ruffled the crest of fur between Fox's ears. "But seriously, you better take a chill pill before Krystal gets here."
Fox stared at him. "How did you know that-"
Falco raised his eyebrows.
Fox looked at the floor. "That obvious, huh?" he mumbled, and Falco chuckled.
"You know it, ole buddy ole pal." Then Falco slipped a sly arm around Fox's shoulders. "So… What are you two lovebirds doin' tonight?"
Fox felt his face heat up. "Nothing, really," he mumbled. "Just drinks." He scratched his ear, anxious to change the subject. "What are you doing tonight, Lombardi?"
Falco grinned. "Third wheel?" he asked, nudging Fox in the side.
Fox frowned. "No."
"Awww," whined Falco. "Come on. I just wanna get some drinks. You won't even know I'm there."
Fox raised his eyebrow. "No way."
Falco scooted closer to him on the couch, squeezing his shoulders. "Come on. Please? I hate drinking alone. And I really need a drink..."
Fox stared at his friend, who was practically pouting. He caved. "Fine," Fox groaned. "But the minute you start getting in the way-"
"Don't worry, don't worry," Falco said quickly, holding up his hands. "No cockblocking. I promise."
Fox blushed. "I didn't say anything about-"
"I got your back, McCloud," interrupted Falco, smacking him on the back. "Remember that."
"Am I interrupting something?"
Fox choked at the sound of her sweet voice.
Did she just hear all of that?
Falco was immediately on his feet, reaching out to take her hand. "Good evening, milady," he crooned.
Fox looked up to see her flash a winning smile, lighting up her pretty face. As usual, he was stunned by her beauty. She wore a simple little sundress, light blue with a white ribbon; but somehow, it was the most exquisite thing he'd ever seen.
He stumbled to his feet, giving her a shaky grin. "Hey, Krystal," he murmured. His heart stopped when she skipped lightly to his side, wrapping her arm around his waist.
She squeezed him close in a quick hug. "I'm so excited for tonight!" she giggled, her voice light and giddy. She released him and backed away, fixing him with a happy gaze.
A wave of guilt crashed through Fox's heart. "There's something about that," he stuttered. He glanced over at Falco, who was looking pointedly around the room. Fox cleared his throat. "Um, Krystal, I need to tell you… I hope you won't be upset…"
She bit her lip, lowering her eyes. Fox watched her long eyelashes flutter against her cheeks. "Actually… I need to tell you something, too. Promise me you'll forgive me?"
Fox blinked. "Of course. Anything." He coughed. "I mean… What is it?"
Krystal looked up at him through her lashes. "Please don't be upset."
Without thinking, Fox smiled. It was a warm, genuine smile. "I could never be upset with you," he murmured, knowing it was true.
Krystal bit her lip again. "Well… I may have… invited a friend to join us tonight."
Relief rushed through him. "Me too!" he blurted, glancing over at Falco.
Krystal's eyes widened. Then she laughed. Fox laughed, too.
"Well," she sighed. "That's a relief."
My thoughts exactly, Fox mused, smiling down at her. "Maybe your friend can keep my friend company."
Krystal giggled. "Or we can all keep each other company!"
"I like that idea," provided Falco, suddenly joining in the conversation.
Fox glared at him. "So much for not even knowing you're there," he grumbled. Falco wrapped a good-natured arm around his shoulders.
"Don't worry, Foxy. I'll give you all an equal share." He winked at Krystal, who, to everyone's surprise, winked back. Fox looked between them, startled.
"You boys know I love you," she giggled, and Fox's heart spluttered. "So don't worry," she continued. "I'll make sure to pay attention to everyone."
Then she reached out, and, for a split second, squeezed Fox's hand.
He blinked. It was over. Had he imagined it?
"She's meeting us at the lounge," Krystal was saying. "Let's go save some seats at the bar!"
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He patted the towel over his damp fur, breathing the lingering mist from his hot shower.
Good workout.
His muscles ached with sweet fatigue. He couldn't even remember what was bothering him.
Yes he could. But he wouldn't.
He threw the damp towel to the ground, stepping out into the cool, dry air of his apartment. He was too tired to think of it now. He couldn't think of it. Good workout. Feel the soreness, the building muscles. Focus on that. Not on her. Not on Krystal.
His heart thudded.
Behind his closed eyelids, he could see her, doing her stretches this morning. So lithe and agile… He'd rarely seen anyone so naturally flexible. And a pleasure to watch, with her delicate curves and perfect little face…
He shook his head. "Get it together," he grunted, pressing his ears back. He walked over to his dresser, tossing out some shorts and a muscle tee. "Focus."
Then, suddenly, he was looking in the mirror. He couldn't even remember getting dressed. When did he put those sneakers on?
He stared at his feet, at the lines of his muscles under the tee. He flexed.
"You could get any girl you want," he told himself, staring into the reflection of his own pale eyes. "You're a good-looking guy. Any girl would want you."
Except her, a bitter voice reminded him.
He shook his head, and grabbed his jacket.
I need a drink.
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OHOHO WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN!
Thank you, as always, for reading... especially after my long absence.
I really want to be the best writer I can be, and provide the best stories I can.
I LOVE YOU GUYS. c': I hang on your every comment!
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Review please! I'll listen to your words!