The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Days of Remembrance 6

Texas tugged at the hem of her dress, frowning at the mirror in front of her. Lappland watched her from the bed, the dress she wore already fitted with its bows and straps of gray satin. This type of wear was abnormal to the both of them. It was strange, the breathing quality of the sleeveless material. Her pale arms had goosebumps rising along them. No amount of rubbing at them seemed to alleviate them.

"Do we have to do this?" Lappland asked.

Texas gave her a side eye, wolf ears twitching as she responded with a clipped tone. "I do. You don't."

Lappland groaned. "But it'll be no fun if you're not here."

She flung an arm over her eyes as she flopped backwards. From this position, it was impossible for her to see the scowl Texas wore. But after their many years together she knew it was there. And just as she knew about that, she also could take a gander about what Texas would say next. Footfalls moved towards her in a quiet shuffle. While they were not cats by any means, wolves were still plenty silent.

"Like I told you earlier, it's obligatory for me to go. But not you."

"I'm going if your going." Lappland responded, lifting her arm away just in time to see Texas leaning in. A kiss was pressed onto her cheek. It was feather light and sent a spark of warmth curling in her heart. Their deepening relationship was fairly new; the unknown was a massive canyon to explore. She wanted to respond in kind, however Texas was moving back with a small step. Her hands went clasped behind her back.

"Then it's settled." Texas grinned at her. The amber dress she wore marched the flames that seemed to sparkle in her eyes. A hand was extended to her. Lappland took it, allowing herself to be pulled up and back onto her feet.

"Let's go."

******

The banquet hall was full of the richest people the pack had to offer. Texas had pointed out the dignitaries and business men and women on their way into the government building, keeping a tight hold on the skirts of her dress. These type of gowns the two of them were wearing still felt ridiculous to Lappland, yet she was unable to complain about it as they arrived in the room with all the other Lupos their age.

The room was packed. There seemed to be no lacking in participants at the food tables or the dance floor. An orchestra played in the corner, smaller in size then the one she'd seen in the room where Gran, Houston, Amarillo and Ontario entertained guests. The dresses and suits the Lupos wore were posh and fashionable. And oh so lacking in the ability to fight in. For the second time she was already thinking about the stiffness of movements, of the way it was so hard to keep balanced as one moved in clothes geared for appearance and elegance and not . . . not the survivability her whole family had deemed to be of the upmost importance. It was almost a mockery to see just how carefree these people were when there were so many dangers, even here.

"So what are we doing tonight?" She asked under her breath. This close to Texas —holding hands as their shoulders brushed— not even the clamor of the crowd could keep them from hearing one another.

Texas's left ear twitched. "You're just here for presence. I'm here to get a better handle on the influential wolves my age. Gran's instructed me to hold at minimum a polite conversation with each."

"And then you can relax?" And eat? Ever since Texas's parents had passed she had been taking less time to do those necessities like eating, putting more focus onto studying and training with her swords.

Texas nodded. "Yep."

Lappland smoothed out the tulle in her dress idly. The frilly pattern did not cease to annoy her. "I guess I'll wait for you here till you're done."