Solasta was outside waiting for Tasa to arrive, and when he didn't show up on time she waited another twenty minutes before going back inside to see if he had called. "What's taking Tasa so long?" she wondered, and was about to call him on his holo-comm when she heard the familiar whine of his speeder coming up the road.
She stepped outside just as he decelerated abruptly in front of the house, but before she could ask Tasa why he was late, the look on his face made her change her mind and instead she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Those dumb Separatists blocking traffic again. This time they weren't letting any speeders or transports through until security showed up, then things really got interesting when one of them took a swing at a Security Officer. They ended up hauling away four protesters," Tasa explained as he helped Solasta tie down her Waveboard.
Jumping into the speeder they left for the beach with Tasa driving a little faster than normal to make up the lost time, but Solasta already knew they would miss the morning supply transport to the island and would have to ride a public shuttle.
Nearing the Mainland Base, Tasa slowed the speeder briefly but sped up again when they couldn't see the supply transport on it's pad through the fence. Growling low, Tasa said, "Scaa! [Shit!]" Solasta looked at him and said, "It's ok, we'll just take the public shuttle," but she knew his mood had already been fouled by the delay with the Separatists.
Parking the speeder in the lot, they grabbed their bags, Waveboards, and ran to the terminal. If they missed the public shuttle that was about to leave, they would have to wait another thirty minutes for the next one.
Rushing onboard moments before the doors shut, Solasta's stomach dropped when she saw Metho and her cronies seated at the front of the shuttle. It was clear that Metho's group had already noticed her and Tasa by the whispering and staring that carried on. Slinging her bag over one shoulder and carrying her Waveboard with one hand, she put the other hand on Tasa's chest and directed him to the back of the shuttle so they were at the opposite end from Metho.
During the entire twenty-minute flight to Avilatan Island, with every whisper, laugh, or dirty look that came from Metho's group Solasta could see the tension building in Tasa's face as he gritted his teeth, the subtle flicker of muscles in his cheeks and eyebrows, and how unusually quiet he became.
The shuttle landed and the doors opened, but Solasta stood facing Tasa to block him. No words were spoken, but the physical language spoken by Cathar was shouting volumes, had anyone else understood it. Looking up into his ice blue eyes, she silently and sternly pleaded with him to stay where he was while the other passengers exited. As Tasa looked into her golden eyes, his face only conveyed frustration and anger.
As Metho's group exited one of the girls said, loud enough for Solasta and Tasa to hear, "I guess we know which one is the bigger pussy."
Solasta instantly spun around on her heals and spit out, "Tras sica! [That bitch!]" Tasa could see the fur on the back of Solasta's neck clear enough to count each one individually, and grabbed her by the arm before she could take a step. Solasta half-spun to look at Tasa with pupils so dilated he almost couldn't make out any gold colour in her eyes, and seeing her anger diffused his own.
Solasta's face bore only rage as she stared at Tasa, and without saying anything to him she blinked a few times and her eyes returned to normal before she began to pace a few steps back and forth while her arm was still held firmly in his grip.
When everyone else had left the shuttle, Solasta looked at Tasa and said, "Give me your shirt now!"
As they exited the shuttle and walked through the terminal Solasta carried both Waveboards while Tsas pulled his yellow tank top off. When they stepped outside, Solasta exchanged the board for Tasa's tank top, and she began to look around.
Curious, Tasa asked, "What are you looking for?"
Solasta didn't answer, and instead head off in the direction of some young kids who were spraying graffiti on the wall outside.
"Hey, can I borrow your black spray?" Solasta called out, and the kids froze and stared at her trying to figure out if they were about to get in trouble. "Your black spray? Can I borrow it?" she asked again impatiently. "Uh... sure, ma'am" answered one of the kids, and handed her the canister of black spray, where she laid out the top and began to spray it.
Walking over the ridge to the eastern shore Solasta scanned up and down the beach as they walked until she found Metho, and they headed off purposefully in that direction. When they reached Metho's group Solasta stopped, put down her stuff, and faced them until Metho stopped talking and acknowledged her presence by saying, "Yeah? What do you want?"
Solasta pulled Tasa's tank top over her head, then making a rude gesture said to Metho, "Lyat a' Shar'viri ri sica! [Go to Hell you bitch!]"
On the front of the top, in black spray Solasta had written, "I lick myself clean"
Stunned and shocked, nobody said anything as Solasta picked up her bag and Waveboard, and stormed off. Tasa, who was still standing there and stifling his laughter, waited until he thought the shock passed before yelling, "She's just messing with you guys... she doesn't need too" and grinned while raising his eyebrows.
Walking briskly to catch up to Solasta, Tasa put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. When they were certain they were out of earshot, unable to contain themselves, they both started laughing.
They spent the rest of the day with their friends playing in the water and sand. They stayed until the sun began to set, and on the ride back to the mainland managed to get seats on the mostly empty shuttle. Tasa had his arm around Solasta, and she had her head resting on his shoulder, as they sat quietly just enjoying the closeness of being together.