Coyote/Nita
It was cloudy and cool in New York City the day Coyote showed up at Nita's door. She was no longer living in the dorms, thank goodness, these were student apartments. However, Coyote didn't blend in any better here than she would on campus.
"Coyo- uh, Connie!" Nita exclaimed for the benefit of her neighbors in the hallway. She had almost forgotten the trickster's most recent alias. They usually met in the bar, or on Coyote's home ground, where there was no need to use it. "What are you doing here?"
'Connie' leaned forward and kissed her cheek, much to the interest of said neighbors. "It is very good to see you too, dear. Perhaps I could come in?"
Nita shut the door behind them. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but I am surprised. Seriously, what are you doing all the way over here?" And why now, her facial expression said. "I didn't think you came East of the Mississippi all that often."
"I don't, usually. I am on a road trip. Itchy feet need to be scratched. And I thought to myself, why not stop to see a good friend since I am already here?"
Nita couldn't help but smile a little. That whole thing was probably a lie, but Coyote would only tell her exactly what she wanted to. "I'm afraid I might not be very good company. I have midterms coming up. I'm not on errantry…not yet, anyway."
"Not yet? But you have a wizard-y sort of feeling, don't you?"
"I usually feel sort of wizard-y, actually."
Coyote laughed. "No, I understand. Coyote brings no trouble with her, Wizard. Only conversation. And tamales."
Nita eyed the bag Coyote was dangling in front of her face and wavered visibly.
"Also, squash soup."
"All right, all right. Make yourself at home. I'm not going to argue with you if you want to cook for me. I just hope you don't mind if I ignore you while I read."
"You could read to me," Coyote said as she started unpacking ingredients. "It might give you a fresh point of view. Should you need one."
Nita agreed, and they spent the next hour cooking, reading, and eating.
"-I'm not sure," Nita said, using her spoon to trail patterns in the dregs of her soup. "I just don't like waiting to find out what's happening. You can't be proactive all the time, but it's at least nice to be prepared, if something bad's going to happen."
"I shall rest easy," Coyote said, leaning her elbows on the table. "There are few places that I could be safer in, when I am with you."
Nita's cheeks colored a little as she stacked up the dishes. "I'll wash if you'll dry."
The cleaned up in companionable silence. Once the last dish was put away, Coyote put her hands on Nita's shoulders and leaned in to kiss her. Nita froze, then jerked back in surprise.
Coyote gave her a look. "You cannot tell me that I have not expressed my interest clearly."
"No, I just- you flirt with everyone. It's what you do. I wasn't sure if you were serious."
"I assure you," Coyote said, watching her through half-lidded eyes. "I am very serious."
"I knew you were here for something," Nita said with a bright and sudden smile.
"Yes, yes, you are very clever. Would you like to continue congratulating yourself, or kiss me? Because you can't do both."
"I could in my head," Nita said, taking the half step required to bring her back into Coyote's reach. She held out her hands.
"Only if I am doing it wrong." Coyote pulled her in again, this time with no objections from either side.
Later that night, Coyote wrapped herself in a sheet and stepped out onto the balcony to smoke a cigarette. It lit up obligingly, no lighter needed, as usual. She breathed out a long trail of smoke into the sky. Something moved in the shadows, stirring the smoke.
"There you are," said Coyote, turning to look at the Great Horned owl perched on the railed. Its wings were folded tightly, large eyes staring at her. It was beautiful, and terrible. She felt a shiver run up her spine, and narrowed her eyes.
"What is it these wizards say? Ah, yes. Greetings and defiance, Starsnuffer." Coyote paused to take another drag. "I believe that I have now expressed my interest in this…situation quite clearly. I do hope you agree."
It didn't move, still staring without a blink. She clenched one fist and fought down another shudder. "Civility is not the word for the evening? Fine. In other words, step off, bitch. The girl is mine." Coyote flicked her cigarette at the owl, and spun on one heel, back into the apartment. She shut and locked the balcony door behind her.
Outside, the owl hooted several times, filled with derision. It spread its gigantic wings and glided off into the night.
Nita was sitting against the pillows with the bedside light on and Manual in reach when Coyote returned to the bedroom. "I'm on errantry now," she said, clearly expecting an explanation.
"How fortuitous," Coyote practically purred as she climbed onto the bed. "I have no plans for the next few days. Perhaps you will allow me to assist you. But surely it can wait until morning…"