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After the carnival had concluded, Texas applied herself to be one of Nuova Volsinii's logistic consultants. Along with Penguin Logistics's growing business within the city, Texas had found herself staying in this young city more often than not.
"Let's buy a house." Texas thought to herself. A place spacious enough to welcome her rowdy friends and the occasional parties, but not too vast that made her feel lonely living alone. A place far enough from the bustling city center, with a generous plot of land so maybe, just maybe, a certain white wolf could grow her own little vineyard.
That was Texas's worry three months ago, current Texas had her attention on something else: someone had been crashing in her newly bought home, using her shower and kitchen when she wasn't around. This had happened for no less than 16 times, 3 times within this week. The lupo's sharp senses quickly identified who was the intruder; from scattered strands of white fur, to the lingering petrichor scent and most importantly, this shameless one even left behind some fresh pastries and a note that said "Grazie" next to a doodle of a smiling white wolf with a purple grape.
Fortunately, this time she finally caught the intruder red handed. Texas just finished reading the note when she heard the bathroom door open. Lappland was wearing nothing but her underwear, her still wet hair smelled like Texas' shampoo, faint dark circles under her eyes, new and half healed scratches on her legs and arms from many days of roaming the wilderness.
"This isn't how I prefer to see my friend again after a long time, Lappland."
"Ahaha, my bad. Excuse my attire because my clothes are still in the washer."
"Sigh, there is a new pair of pajamas in the left side of the closet, hair dryer in the top drawer. Don't walk around with your hair wet."
"Aw, didn't know Texas is so dedicated to her guest. Very appreciated!"
As Lappland was drying her hair, Texas headed to the kitchen to prepare a quick dinner for the two of them. She was never a good cook, back when she was still living with Penguin Logistics in Lungmen, she had her fair share of cooking duty with the four of them but it was quite apparent that her dinners were among their least favorite. Texas' skill did get better overtime though she could never make the wide variety of foreign dishes like Croissant or bake many perfectly sweet apple pies like Exusiai, but surely she couldn't mess up a simple pasta. Boiled pasta over butter and grated parmesan, easy but good, classic Texas' style.
"Are you going to stay for the night, Lappland?" Texas asked when the two of them were having dinner, face to face. Nearby the window was open so that the summer night's wind gently caressing their faces.
"I will leave as soon as my clothes are done." answered Lappland.
"It's already late. I always keep extra blankets and pillows in case Exusiai and the girls want to sleep over so..."
"Heh, I can't believe there will be a day when Texas is worried about me. You really have gotten boring, Texas." "Or is it because I have become so pitiful? Hahaha!"
"..."
"Sorry amica, I still have business to attend to so I won't be bothering you any longer tonight."
Texas never expected Lappland to stay. After all, Lappland was finally free from the Siracusan swamp, free from the obsession toward 'the last Texas'. She was free to choose her own goals, her own life, even if that life didn't have a place for Texas herself.
The rest of the night they spent was rather pleasant. Lappland was chatting with her, laughing, and making jokes, as lively as ever. They were so close yet Texas couldn't help but fear of the time they part.
Dishes were cleaned, Lappland put on her freshly washed clothes from the dryer. This scent of the fabric softener was the same as the one on Texas' clothes right now. Lappland was heading out when Texas suddenly forced a key into her hand: "Next time go in through the front door, don't break my window's lock. And remember to come back to clean often, your clothes smelled really bad."
The white wolf chuckled, then she grabbed Texas' hands pulling her into a kiss. It was a quick kiss, as quick as how she came back to just left again. It was a soft kiss, as soft as the breeze felt on their faces when they were sharing the dinner together.
"Fine, I will drop by more often." "I can bring over some snacks or fruits, maybe grapes. Just don't blame me if one of the grapes happens to be too sour."
"Don't make me regret inviting you so soon, Lappland.”