The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

The Mafia Council

Rain splashed down from the sky, pattering against the closed windowpanes. Bicolored eyes stared out of them. With all this rain it was hard to see further than the park across from them. Texas clenched her jaw, eyes slipping shut. Everything that had happened as of late was tearing into her nerves a bit too strong for her liking. The part of her that longed for Lungmen, where the most complicated thing was usually the idiotic mafiosos and drug lords, was yawning like an opened chasm. She wanted to go back.

Going back is easier. But it's not fair.

Life had a habit of not being fair. One would think she would have accepted it by now. As for her friends, who seemed somewhat aware of her inner turmoil, they had steered clear of her for the rest of the night and now into the early morning. Lappland and Exusiai seemed the only ones willing to approach her. They too were facing battles of their own. We all are. And that's why I—

Knock. Knock.

The doorbell rang with the jolting thumps, forcing her out of her reverie. Lappland, who had been sprawled over the railing in what she claimed to be "cat pose" yoga launched back from her position onto her feet. Messy hair fringed over her face with the wild style she was used to dragging her fingers through.

"I'll get it!" Lappland said.

"No need."

Texas already had her hand around the door handle. Looking through the small peep hole revealed the two wolves on the other side. Red and white clothing was darkened by the cloudy sky. Still, she recognized the outfits for what they were. While the Texas alphas were the leaders of the pack, it was not without the support of others. These council wolves went by many names —Elders, Council, and the most detrimental being Texas Mafiosos, as well as the Red— their sever expressions and fedoras had her mind clicking. These people, no matter how many years of distancing, were still her people. So she opened the door.

******

Lappland felt her stomach tightening as the door was unceremoniously opened. She, like Texas, had known who was on the other side of the door before it opened. No amount of rain or mucky mud could hide them from her. The smell of wind was common, as was the spritz of wood, but the tinge of blood these wolves retained was a scent known with the label of predator. Danger. Warning. Thoughts of future peril rang clear. Growing up, she had known Texas Mafiosos (a name that refused to leave her brain ever since she first was taught it by her parents so long ago). While it was the hunters the Siracusan wolves battled nowadays, the Texas mafiosos were an ever worse version of them.

And so her bated breath was a reasonable response, if anything else.

"Welcome to the Texas abode." Texas murmured to them. Lappland could detect the slight flatness to her girlfriend's tone, but she was the only one in the room. Good thing Exusiai went to help with lunch. The presence of a non-wolf would likely just add to the tense atmosphere here.

"Texas." The leader of the group dipped his head in greeting. The other two of the trio made a further showing of respect through their bows. Dark hair, amber eyes . . . all of it added to the imposing aura of the suits the mafiosos wore. "It is good to see you have returned, albeit later than the Council would have wanted."

They never wanted her to leave in the first place Lappland thought but did not dare add. Perhaps if she remained remained beside the railing rigid like a coat hanger the mafiosos would blessedly neglect her. The hope was dashed not even a second later when the sole female of the group landed her eyes on Lappland. Emotions were a rare display on the mafiosos at work, but this did not stop a wrinkle of disgust towards her. Indignation growled at the pit of her stomach. Even before she ran from Texas, after all the years the pair were raised together, these people had not liked her. But at least then they hid it better. It seemed they truly were back to square one in terms of relation.