The dimly lit tavern buzzed with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of mugs. In a cozy corner, Tixo, the Tabaxi, sat across from Wei, the mute Avian Siren. The two had been set up on a date by their friends after months of flirting, and tonight was supposed to be their chance to finally get to know each other better.
Tixo, in a moment of misguided confidence, had decided to impress Wei by drinking what seemed like an innocuous amount of milk. However, for Tixo, milk had a peculiar effect, akin to that of a strong drink for others. Now, with several empty glasses of milk before him, Tixo was feeling the full brunt of his indulgence.
Wei watched with a mix of amusement and concern as Tixo's eyes grew heavy-lidded, his movements increasingly unsteady. The Tabaxi's usually graceful demeanor had given way to a tipsy, almost kitten-like state. Tixo blinked slowly at Wei, his pupils dilated, and a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Y'know," Tixo slurred, swaying slightly, "you're really pretty, Wei. Like, really, really pretty."
Wei's cheeks flushed a soft pink as he looked away shyly, his feathers ruffling in response. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but instead, he simply smiled and nodded, appreciating the compliment.
Suddenly, Tixo's attention shifted, his eyes zeroing in on Wei's hair and feathers. "Your feathers... they're so... fluffy," he murmured, reaching out with a paw. Before Wei could react, Tixo was running his fingers through Wei's hair, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his drunken state.
Wei froze, unsure of how to respond. Tixo's paw moved from his hair to the feathers at the nape of his neck, and he let out a soft, contented purr. "So soft... so nice," Tixo mumbled, his eyes half-closed in bliss.
Wei's initial surprise melted into a warm, affectionate smile. He gently placed his hand over Tixo's, guiding it to rest on the table. Tixo let out a whine, stubbornly trying to continue his petting. "Nooo, let me play with your feathers," he protested, sounding almost childish.
Wei shook his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He patted Tixo's hand reassuringly before taking out a small notebook and pen from his pocket. Quickly, he scribbled a note and held it up for Tixo to see.
"Maybe later, Tixo. Let's get you some water first."
Tixo pouted, but he didn't resist as Wei flagged down a passing waiter and requested a glass of water. When it arrived, Wei gently coaxed Tixo into drinking it, his patience unwavering. Tixo gulped down the water, his ears drooping slightly as the reality of his drunken state set in.
"Sorry," Tixo muttered, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Didn't mean to get so... uh, milk-drunk."
Wei shook his head, his smile kind and understanding. He wrote another note and showed it to Tixo.
"It's okay. I think it's kind of cute."
Tixo's ears perked up, and he managed a lopsided grin. "Really?"
Wei nodded, his eyes filled with warmth. Tixo's heart swelled, and despite his earlier embarrassment, he felt a surge of affection for the mute Avian Siren sitting across from him. Maybe this date wasn't going exactly as planned, but in that moment, Tixo couldn't have been happier.
