A Chance Encounter

Virus was sitting at the bar, downing a beer alone, when a Kat she'd never seen around here walked in. The new Kat stuck out in the crowd, like herself. While most of the bar's regular customers were older Kats with dull, more traditional earth colors, this Kat was primarily black with jagged stripes of vibrant colors, starting with orange and pink on her head, morphing into purple, then blue. Along her head, spine, and all the way down to her tail, the Kat sported sharp spikes. She was rocking a studded leather jacket. Virus hated to admit it, but she was kinda cute. Well, cute in a sort of “mess-with-me-and-I’ll-stab-you” way. She dug it. Next to her, Virus’s own bright green and pink coloring seemed almost tame.

The Kat hardly looked at Virus as she scanned the room. Her eyes landed on Virus for a brief moment before shifting to the open stool a few seats down. She walked over with her head held high, but with a dangerous glint in her eye. Virus raised an eyebrow before turning back to her pitcher, while the Kat sat down.

“A shot of Vodka, please.” The bartender nodded at the Kat and turned to the drinks behind the bar. Virus watched the new Kat out of the corner of her eye as the bartender set the shot in front of her. The Kat raised the glass and knocked it back. Though she hid it fairly well, Virus’s trained eye saw through the Kat’s façade; she hated the drink. Blinking back tears, she made a small noise in the back of her throat, almost inaudible. Virus hid a grin in her cup. The Kat raised her hand.

“Another,” she called, sliding the cup back to the bartender. He nodded again and returned a glass to her filled. She again downed it without hesitation, and she again hid her disgust and recoil fairly well.

She’s got some guts… for an idiot, Virus thought to herself, and this time she could not help but snigger to herself. Suddenly, she felt eyes boring into her. She shifted her gaze back to the Kat down the bar and found her staring daggers. If looks could kill, I’d be on the floor.

“Something amusing to you?” the Kat said, her voice surprisingly smooth and calm for the death glare she was still shooting Virus.

“Nah,” Virus said with an easy lopsided smile. “Just remember a joke an old friend told me.”

“Maybe you ought to keep it to yourself,” the Kat shot back before turning away. She then stared miserably into her empty shot glass. Virus liked this girl. She had attitude, but Virus could tell it was all just an act. She’d met plenty of Kats who wore their cruelty as armor. “What’s your name?” she call over to the Kat.

The Kat eyed her suspiciously. “Dexter,” she said, slowly, as though Virus would attack once it was said.

“You waiting for somebody, Dexter?” Virus asked.

“No,” Dexter answered, clearly confused as to where the conversation was going, and still very suspicious.

“Well, how about I join you? You look like you could use a drinking partner.” Virus slid out of her seat before Dexter had a chance to enter and walked to the open stool beside her. She hoisted herself in and gave the other Kat another lazy smile. “Shall I order you another round?” she asked, gesturing to the empty shot glass.

“No!” Dexter answered quickly. She then cleared her throat. “I mean, I’m good, thanks. I don’t want to drink too much.” She rubbed a hand over her face as though that would hide the blush on her cheeks.

“Maybe something a little tamer, then?” She waved the bartender over. “Tell the man what you want.” Dexter’s chest puffed up indignantly, though it quickly deflated and she said “Dalberry tea, please. Extra sweet.” She turned her head away and crossed her arms. When the bartender returned, she muttered a “thank you,” and sipped it down.

“So, tell me,” Virus started as she poured herself another glass from her pitcher, “why are you over here pretending to like vodka?” she asked without looking away from her cup.

“I wasn’t trying to-“ Dexter stammered. “Why would I ever-“ She stumbled through a few more half phrases of insult and denial. When she was through, Virus turned to her.

“Who are you trying to impress?” Virus asked. She wasn’t sure why, but she actually did want to know, and deep down, she kind of hoped it was her the girl was trying to impress.

“I wasn’t trying to impress anyone,” Dexter snapped, venom dripping from her words. “I don’t need to impress anyone.” She shoved her empty glass of tea away and climbed down off the stool. She threw a few Bits on the counter, along with a piece of folded up piece of paper, and headed for the door. “Thanks for the tea,” she spat before shoving the door open and leaving.

Smooth, Virus. Real smooth, she thought to herself, sighing. You’re not likely to see her in here ever again. Just when someone interesting showed up, you had to go and wreck it. Virus downed the last glass of her beer and threw her Bits down on the bar on top of Dexter’s. “See you next week, Jim. Same as always,” she called as she headed for the door.

Virus stepped outside and pulled her jacket up around her neck. It was pretty cold out. She vaguely wondered if Dexter’s leather jacket would be enough to keep her warm on her way home. Forget it, Virus, she told herself, sighing.

Deciding to take the long way home, Virus headed through the darkened city streets. A paper taped up to the side of a lamppost blew free in the wind and smacked Virus right in the face. She pulled it off her face and scoffed down at it. Damn local “bands” popping up everywhere. None of them would know a decent song if it hit them in the- Virus blinked down at the paper. Could it be? She held it up to the light and squinted. “Well, I’ll be damned.” Virus looked around to make sure no one was around before shoving the paper in her coat pocket. Behind her, another blew free from its tape. Maybe she wouldn’t be going back to the bar like usual after all.

TOMORROW NIGHT: PERFORMING LIVE AT THE ON THE ROCKS BAR DEXTER “THE REXTER” REX TRENT FLOYD -OTHER KATS’ NAMES IN THE NOT TECHNICALLY OFFICIAL BAND- Come on out to the show!