Alternate Ways of Meeting I:
From the Silver Screen
The Mercenary captain stared straight ahead at the scene on the holo-deck. It was a scene he would never forget for the rest of his days. His lady love, the azure vixen, was in the arms of another man, that panther. Worse, that man was a member of Star Wolf, the team of his rival and arch-nemesis. It was a break-up and betrayal searing in its pain.
"I'm sorry, captain," said the vixen. Her look of disdain was agonizing. "I can't be with a man like you, not after what you did." She laid a paw on the panther's cheek. "Here, though, is a man that won't let me down."
The vixen and panther kissed. The captain looked at the scene like a car crash.; He knew he should look away, but the scene had a magnetic and awful quality to it. He felt his heart breaking not with pain but with an emptiness washing over him. He fell to his knees. Numbness spread all over him.
His eyes misted over. Now, he understood, he was alone and unloved.
"Cut!" said a voice. "That's a wrap! Excellent work everyone."
On the ground, actor Fox McCloud took a deep breath and counted to ten, leaving the character and returning to himself. The director, one Mr. Pepper-an old hound of Cornerian film making-came beside Fox as he stood up. The old dog put a paw on his shoulder and smiled, and it raised Fox's spirits. However emotionally hard the role was, the smile of a good friend made it all worth it in the end.
"Nice work as always, Fox," he said. "It's been a long season for this show, but here we are at the end."
"Pleasure's all mine, sir," said Fox, smiling back. "Always happy to help on a show you're directing."
"Ah, I wasn't a fan of this one to be honest," said Pepper, shaking his head. "Too much melodrama, frankly. But I'm not snooty enough to turn up jobs, and it's a joy to work with you and your regulars. I just wish I could change the title." He curled up his nose. "Love's Last Command? Who writes this stuff? Ah well, the people love it.
"Yeah, I wish the name could be-"
The door to smaller side studio, used for filming the holo-deck sequence, slammed open. Out walked an annoyed and angry Panther Caruso.
"Will someone please get this woman off my back?" he shouted.
"How dare you?!" cried a voice.
Out came a blue vixen, Krystal, now a rising star on the TV scene. There were tears in her eyes and a snarl of anger and hurt on her muzzle.
"How dare you talk to me like that, like I'm the one who's the problem?" she said. "Like I was the one who cheated?"
Panther shrugged. "Like I told you, it's hard for me to be satisfied with one woman."
"You said you would change!"
"Well, that was then, this is now," he said. There was a sneer on his face that Fox felt an urge to punch. "Do you know who I am? I'm Panther Caruso! I do what I want."
Slap.
The sound of Krystal's paw striking Panther's cheek was a gunshot in the hushed studio. Everyone was looking at them now and saw Krystal run into her dressing room, tears dropping behind her.
Panther rubbed his cheek. Fox wanted to believe he saw something like regret in the cat's eyes-he didn't hate Panther, and in working with him on various productions before knew that his acting chops where substantial-but what sympathy he had was extinguished when Panther muttered something about being free before marching off to his own dressing room.
There was an awkward silence on the set which soon departed; other actors and techs went about their business again. Mr. Pepper looked at the spot where the scene took place for a moment longer before turning to look at Fox. His face was grim.
"Fox," said Pepper, "if I ever catch you talking like that towards a lady, I will lay you out. Understand?"
"Yes, and I'll let you," said Fox.
Within his dressing room Fox was joined by Slippy and Falco, he two closest friends and co-workers in the business. Falco was a fellow actor and leading man, a heart throb for a sizable number of Lylat's citizens. Slippy was a worker in visual effects and sound design, and a good one at that. The three of them were colloquially called The Fox Pack, as they worked on plenty of pictures together. Slippy liked to call them a package deal.
"I can't believe that Caruso," said Slippy. It wasn't often that Slippy got angry about studio scuttlebutt, so the scene must've gotten to him. "How could he say stuff like that while she was crying? I feel so bad for Krystal."
"Film breeds jerks like him, Slipp," said Falco. "It's why men of class like me gotta hold up the joint for all leading men in the business."
Slippy and Fox gave him a flat look.
"What?" he said. "Ego is different than being a jerk."
"I'll give you that, grudgingly," said Fox.
"Same," said Slippy.
"Oh, screw the both of you," said Falco. Then a smile grew on his beak and whenever that happened Fox knew trouble was afoot. "So, now that Krystal is free, you gonna make your move?"
"Huh?" said Fox, about falling out of his chair.
"You heard me," said Falco, smiling as much for the topic as his friend's reaction. "Buddy, I know you like her."
"I'm with Falco on this one, Fox," said Slippy. His smile was more good natured compared to Falco's. "It's obvious you have a thing for her."
Fox stared at his friends and wondered if he was that transparent, though he knew the answer was yes. It was the whole truth; he was taken with Miss Krystal the moment he saw her some months ago. He saw her first at a party thrown by one of his friends, Mrs. Fay Sinclair, and the vixen was the toast of the whole house. A beautiful, sapphire vixen who was making waves in the film and TV business for her abilities and beautiful figure. Fox wanted to make a pass at her then, only to see she was already on the arm of Panther Caruso. Thinking back to it he could've still introduced himself, but Panther's presence stopped him. The cat was one of the best leading men in the business but his personal life was awful. Multiple girlfriends and all sorts of drama were the name of the game. He didn't want to mix in with the cat's social circle. So, he stayed away and wished her the best. Maybe she could do Panther some good?
Evidently not. Now he regretted the decision not to talk to her, or even warn her.
"Well?" said Falco.
"Don't you think it's too soon?" said Fox. "After all, it looks like they just broke up."
"About that," said Falco. "Katt told me otherwise."
Fox raised his brow. Katt Monroe was one of Falco's friends and frequent main squeeze, even if their relationship was colorful to say the least. She also had a handle on plenty of gossip on Corneria.
"They broke up weeks ago, actually." said Falco.
"Really?" said Slippy, widening his eyes.
"Yup!" said Falco. "Turns out the studio wanted them to appear together to keep excitement up for their films and shows together-you know how the studios love that sort of thing for the fan zines and tabloids. But behind the curtain they were done with each other. Panther hurt her bad and she hated being by him for that. I don't blame her, frankly."
Slippy and Falco looked at Fox. For his own part Fox wondered about this information. Maybe the vixen would be open to something? He was afraid of making a bad impression and showing up at the wrong time, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. He was yearning for a relationship, but he would also be satisfied with just getting to know the vixen. There was something about her that piqued his interest.
"I'll think about it," said Fox.
After finishing business in the studio that evening Fox started on his way home, wondering how to approach Krystal. Though he was unsure of the enterprise he didn't want to procrastinate meeting the vixen. Sure, blowing it or swinging and missing would suck, but you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take, he thought. He started towards the front gate of the studio lot mingling with these thoughts.
As he walked rain began to fall, just as the morning's weather report said it would. Kudos to him, thought Fox. He opened his umbrella.
"Oh no, not now," said a miserable voice. Fox turned to it.
Krystal stood in the rain, her bag over her head, looking ruefully at the night sky. Without thinking Fox walked over to her and held his umbrella over her.
The vixen paused and looked at him. When Fox first saw her at that party he was struck by her eyes and how pretty they were. Seeing them again and up close made him gasp softly.
"Oh," she said, looking up at the new umbrella over her head. She put her handbag at her side and a faint plush showed on her cheeks as she stared at him. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it," said Fox.
"You're...you're Fox McCloud, aren't you?" she asked.
"The one and only," he said, smiling. "You're Krystal, right? I saw you didn't have an umbrella, and figured you needed some help."
"Yes," she said, and she stared ruefully at the night sky. "I've had so much on my mind these last few days, the weather reports this morning passed me by." She looked him over and Fox tried not to read too much into that. Then she smiled. "Look where that got me. I'd be in a state, if it weren't for you."
Her smile made his heart flutter. It was ironic. Despite how much discomfort the weather caused her before, framed by the rain and lights Krystal looked mesmerizing.
"Like I said, don't mention it. I'm just glad to help," said Fox. "There's a corner store nearby that sells umbrellas, actually. I bought this one there one night. Want me to show you?"
Krystal looked him over again. Again, he tried not to look into it too much, but the appraising look in her eye and the smile she gave him after her look tempted him to think otherwise. "Yes," she said, nodding and smiling, "I would like that, actually."
"It's right this way," he said. He began to walk and the vixen fell into step beside him.
"I've heard of you, Mr. McCloud" she said. "You've been around the film and TV business for a while, right?"
"For a few years, yeah. My dad was something of a star and I wanted a try at it. I'm not at my father's level, but I do my best."
"I think you do well," she said earnestly.
"Hm?" said Fox.
"I watched some of your old films before coming to Corneria," she said, and she had a wistful look in her eyes. "Some of your westerns, actually."
"Oh, those," said Fox, blushing and thinking back to those hokey days. "Don't remind me."
Krystal giggled. The sound of it dispelled all his embarrassment. It was one of the prettiest sounds he ever heard. "They weren't that bad, Mr. McCloud. I liked them a lot, and I enjoyed watching them with my family."
"Really?" said Fox.
"Oh yes! We loved family movie nights. Those films were more than part of the reason I wanted to become an actress," said the vixen. She surveyed the town around her, and Fox knew from the look in her eye that despite the recent drama Krystal was happy to be here; it was that dreamy look all young actors who made a big break had. "I dreamed about it and now I'm here! It does still feel like a dream some days."
"That's wonderful," said Fox.
"Hm?" said Krystal.
"That you made it here and that my films were part of the story," he said. He gave her a warm smile. "I like knowing that my pictures can be a tonic for people around Lylat. Make'em smile, as my father once said."
Krystal's blush deepened, but she returned the smile. "I...thank you Fox, that was sweet of you."
"You're welcome," said Fox.
They came to the corner store and Krystal bought herself an umbrella. Fox offered to pay for it, but the vixen would have none of it. "You told me about this place, and that's enough," she said. The umbrella she bought was a deep midnight blue, and it suited her.
"Thank you," said Krystal, as they stood by the storefront.
"For showing you the store? You're welcome," said Fox.
"Well, that and..." she bit her lip and her look got vulnerable. "That, and for being a pleasant person to talk to." She sighed. "I needed that."
Fox gave her a solemn look.
"You probably saw that whole row earlier," she said. "Talking to a friendly soul after something like that is everything. Again, thank you."
Fox nodded, and it struck him that he wasn't ready for the night to end yet. There was something about the vixen. Her presence was calming and fun and every moment with her thus far had been a joy. As risky as it was he wanted to try for more of her time.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Sure," said Krystal sweetly. "What is it?"
"Want to grab a small bite to eat?" said Fox. "There's this place I know that always cheers me up after a tough day. Want to try it?"
Krystal looked surprised and Fox feared the worst, but he didn't regret trying. The smile she gave him after her surprise melted his fear instantly.
"Well, that would be nice, cowboy," she said, and butterflies swarmed in Fox's stomach at the nickname. Those westerns had truly been good for something, then. "What's this place like?"
The place in question was a humble desert cafe down a side street nearby. Fox believed this slice of heaven the comfiest place to eat in all of Corneria. He hoped Krystal would like the atmosphere and was relieved to see Krystal smile as they walked through the front doors. There was some moderate business in the cafe and so they were told to wait a moment while a table was cleared for them.
"Why have I never heard of this place?" said Krystal. "It's adorable."
"It's a best kept secret in the town," said Fox. "Actors not in the know or tourists flock to the ritzier places, and so the real treasures here go undiscovered. I frequent here alone or with my friends."
"I'll remember this spot," said Krystal.
They were taken to a table and when they sat down a menu was handed to each of them.
"So," she said, after glancing at the menu. "Are you from Corneria?"
"No, actually," said Fox. "I'm from Papetoon, a planet in the Outer Rim. Out in the sticks, as it's sometimes said." He smiled wistfully. "Small town boy goes off to the big city to seek his fortune and all that. How about you?"
"I'm from Cerinia, which is further out than Papetoon," said Krystal. She smiled. "I have you beat, country boy."
Fox chuckled. "I've heard of Cerinia," he said. "A lush planet, right?"
"Yes, quite tropical for the most part," said Krystal. "As pretty as it is, it is isolated. It's common for Cerinians to catch wanderlust and explore. That's what happened to me."
"I caught that too," said Fox. "You grow up in a tiny part of the universe, so you want to see everything."
"Yeah," said Krystal, looking thoughtful. "That is it."
They ordered their food and engaged in more small talk, and then their food came. Krystal ordered a slice of the cherry pie and Fox a piece of coconut cake. The rain outside made the warm atmosphere and food so much cozier than it already was. The jazz playing in the cafe didn't hurt either.
After a bite Krystal sighed in pleasure.
"That good?" said Fox.
"Oh, yes," said Krystal. "Absolutely lovely."
Fox watched her eat as he enjoyed his own pie. The vixen leaned back in her chair and took in the feeling of the place, and whatever residual stress she had in her just washed away from her, Fox could see.
"Do you..." said Krystal. She cleared her throat. "Do you mind if I vent?"
"Not at all."
"It's just good to put everything behind me," said Krystal. "Just a chapter of my life I can move on from. A mistake I'm going to learn from."
"I get it," said Fox, nodding. "It feels good to get that off your chest."
"It is," said Krystal. "It really is." The vixen took a sip of her water and eyed Fox in a way that was unmistakable; she was appraising him carefully, and Fox now knew she was interested. What did she think of him, exactly?
"Thank you," she said. "For letting me talk like that." She leaned forward on the table and eyed him closely, with a smile that made the butterflies in Fox's stomach go aflutter again.
He blushed. "You're welcome."
Following their meal, Fox offered to walk Krystal home. The way to her apartment was well lit and Corneria was a safe city in these parts, but Fox wanted more time with the vixen. He was relieved when she graciously accepted.
The rain was over by now so they took their walk at a comfortable pace. The hustle and bustle of Cornerian night life was all around them but Fox focused only on Krystal. They talked over their hobbies and other interests. She liked music and dancing, and romance novels. She lived alone, which was fine for her at the moment.
"Wouldn't mind a change of pace though," she said.
Their conversation moved with such ease that they arrived at Krystal's apartment in no time at all.
"Thank you," said Krystal. "Not just for walking with me, but for everything."
"You're welcome," said Fox. "It was my pleasure."
Krystal didn't move to the door. She looked at him in thought and now, Fox realized, was an opportunity. He took a deep breath, and-
"Would you like to do this again, some other time?" said Krystal.
Fox just looked at the vixen, who was giving him an adorably hopeful look. He smiled.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," said Fox.
Krystal's face lit up. "I'm faster than you on the draw, cowboy," she teased.
"I suppose so, little lady," he said, putting on the drawl, and that got a laugh out of Krystal. His world lit up with that sound. "The answer is yes."
"Excellent," said Krystal. "Same time tomorrow, perhaps?"
"That would be perfect," said Fox.
He watched her open the door and walk inside, and before closing it, she gave him one last smile for the night.
The whole walk to his own place, Fox had the goofiest smile on. And he didn't care one bit.
