Friday Night Fever [Nagi/Sara]

[Marshmallow]

There was a skip to Nagi's step as he filed the last of his day's entries, a coy smile on his face as he shut down the computer and packed away his audio equipment, and a melody on his lips as he locked up his office for the evening.

Oh yeah. It was mother fuckin' Friday.

Nagi loved his job, no one could ever challenge that. But the week was long, the work was challenging, and nothing capped it all off quite so well as a night out on the town to get the kinks out. Good food, good drinks, good music, all while in good company. He loved his work, but to say he looked forward to clocking off was a bit of an understatement.

Okudo burbled from his perch on the kirin's shoulder, sounding displeased. Nagi lifted a hand and stroked the disgruntled jay beneath its beak. "I'm fine, you worry too much," he said dismissively as they embarked on the journey down through HQ to the bus terminals outside. Friday nights meant just one thing - Velvet Vibes, a certain shifter's ever-lovely saxophone solos, and hours spent club-hopping to scope out the very best butts. He wasn't going to let a little thing like a fever rob him of one of his favorite Wathais pastimes.



And sure, a light fever and a few aches and pains were easy enough to ignore. The new bouncer outside the club however was another matter entirely. The troll was a new hire, he was sure of it. Most of the regular employees at Velvet Vibes knew Nagi's familiar well enough by now, or at least acknowledged his status. But this one, he just couldn't seem to abide letting him past the front door.
It was the only thing to halt Nagi's weekend in its tracks, and that absolutely would not stand.

Nagi pinched the bridge of his nose. "I told you, he's a service animal!" he groaned with increasing exaspiration. At this rate, he was going to be late!


"Look, a seein' eye dog is one ting sure, but a fookin' bird? No can do, mon," the troll grunted, easily just as flustered, but he had bulk and eyesight on his side to prevent Nagi from just squeezing past.

[tsukikoko]

Nagi was running a little late.

A few years ago, the shifter wouldn’t have been too concerned for a while longer yet anything, from traffic to a conversation with someone while leaving work, could have held him up. But now, after some of the events that had befallen her or those around her, Sara found she was constantly checking her phone, the club entrance and the time. Not that she had devolved into a panic over his whereabouts, or was actively imagining Nagi had been attacked, hurt or kidnapped, but the shifter certainly had a nervous energy about her. A subconscious niggle in the back of her skull, that had her hidden tail tapping and her hands wringing in an attempt to keep them busy.

In the end, just to occupy her limbs and get some air, Sara made her way towards the exit. She didn’t have to be on stage any time soon and maybe she’d see her friend as he walked up the street.

A good choice; because, as luck would have it, she overheard a very familiar voice just as she walked down the corridor to the front door,
“- he’s a service animal!”
Well, that didn’t sound good.

Sara hurried the rest of the way, picking up the deep tones of the bouncer as he once again refused Nagi entry. Not wanting to have an argument in the doorway if she could help it, but perfectly willing to if it would allow her Kirin friend entry, the shifter hoped for the best and prepared for the worst as she poked her head out of the door. She didn’t yet know the new bouncer well enough to get a read on what his reaction would be, or his level of stubbornness.
“Everythin’ alreet owt ‘ere luv?” She asked the troll sweetly, before looking in Nagi’s direction and exclaiming jubilantly, “Nagi pet! Was worried ya weren’t gan make it, like! Come on in.”
But as she waved her friend forward, the bouncer put his arm across the threshold and barked, a little hesitantly, at the pair of them.
“Ey- eyy now mon! Stop that! Ya ain’t expectin’ me ta believe that-”
“That.. what, pray tell?” Sara rebuffed, cutting the troll off with a hand on her hip, a flick of her tail (though no-one could see) and a far sterner look than was normally present on the redhead’s pretty face. “Now listen ‘ere sunshine, ya mean tah tell me, like, that ya work with supers, live around ‘em even, an’ ya ‘aven’t seen a sentient, intelligent bird before? Phoenixes, familiars, Alicantos - do I need tah go on, like? Ya think only a dog is capable of ‘elpin’ a lad git around? Divvint be so closed-minded.”

[Marshmallow]

Just as he was beginning to lose hope of getting past the bouncer without demanding to speak to management, a very welcome voice chimed in from the doorway. Hope returned, and Nagi's mood brightened instantly. Even Okudo perked up visibly, warbling and burbling away from is master's shoulder. "Sara!" the kirin exclaimed in relief. He could hardly believe her good timing, and started forward automatically.

Of course, he was halted after barely a step. Nagi was forced to wait yet longer, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently, while Sara attempted to reason with the blockhead standing in the way.

Between the thick brow, nasal piercings and jutting tusks, it was difficult to get a read on the troll's expression. One lean but nevertheless powerful arm kept Sara and Nagi separated on opposite sides of the threshold while the bouncer considered. A lip curled, and eyes narrowed in scrutiny.

Finally, with a wordless grunt of acknowledgement, the troll conceded to Sara's argument. The brute stepped back and folded his arms. "Tch. Fine, go on den," he growled. "But if dat ting shits on even one table, I be havin' hot wings tonight. Got it?"


How barbaric! Nagi grimaced, but quickly morphed the expression into a too-sweet smile that was all sarcasm and no mirth. Okudo simply glared. "Got it." Nagi brushed past the bouncer and into the club at last, only too happy to leave the unpleasant troll and his predjudices behind them. With any luck, he wouldn't become a Friday regular.

Once they were well clear of the entrance, Nagi let out an exaggerated sigh and let his shoulders relax. "Uuuhhg! I'm so sorry, I would have been on time if not for that," the kirin lamented as he scrubbed a hand down his face. The exaspiration quickly fled though, and he smiled brightly at his friend. "Just in case no one's told you lately, Sara, you are a queen and a goddess!"

[tsukikoko]

While the shifter kept her expression very carefully thankful in the bouncer's line of sight, her rolled eyes and the tut under her breath once in the club revealed what she truly thought of the troll's behaviour. But once she and Nagi were in the venue proper and the kirin let himself relax, Sara was beaming once again - the force of her joyful smile apparent even if he couldn't see it. When Nagi apologised, the resulting response was as bombastic as it was friendly chastisement.
"Divvint apologise luv!" She exclaimed, coming towards the kirin for a tight, affectionate hug. Her gaze briefly turned back to the entrance of the club. "'Opefully a wee chat can sort owt 'is attitude, but if nowt... well, I'm sure that lads ain't gan want that sort o' bloke associated with the club, like."

A slight pause, then another wide grin.
"But enough o' that, like!" 'Ow ya been luv? Feel like I 'aven't barely seen ya all week, just passin' glances in the corridor." Then, because she most certainly didn't want his familiar feeling left out. "An' you Okudo, pet! I 'ave somethin' tah give ya!" The shifter reached into her pocket and withdrew a few of the bird's favourite nuts, holding them out on her palm. She never failed to give Okudo some form of treat, followed by head scritches if he signalled he wished for them.

As she fed the little familiar, Sara gently elbowed Nagi in the ribs, her voice laced with threads of conspiratorial mischief.
"So, we're gan git a drink, I'm buyin' first round like, but after that, what night 'ave we planned? Is it a 'worked threw me arse ower tit an' I need drinks an' tah sing me 'eart owt', orrrr, 'I need tah vent' orrr...." her tone shifted gear as the smile on her face curled into the devilish expression of a partner in crime. "Am I ya wingman? New bar tender's an 8, like."

[Marshmallow]

Nagi couldn't help smiling back. Sara's joy - and her mischief - were absolutely infectious, and already the stress of a week gone by was melting away. He may have held to the hug a moment longer than usual, squeezed his dear friend a little tighter, but he was all smiles and delight when he straightened again. The week had been exhausting, but he wouldn't miss friday club night for all the sake in Japan.


The jay bird hopped up and down on his master's shoulder, clicking his beak excitedly as Sara fished in her pockets. Upon the reveal of tasty walnuts, Okudo was only too happy to exchange one perch for another, and fluttered to her open hand.
"Arigatou gozaimasu," replied the familiar in his uniquely too-deep-for-his-size voice, as one by one the nuts disappeared. Then, of course, the bird tipped his head down to invite scritches.


"Sign me up for all of it with room for second helpings Sara, this week has been a mood," Nagi replied, gesturing dramatically with both hands as though fed up with the world. There was a second where he seemed about to launch into a rant about one thing or another, but reconsidered. "You know what, hold that thought; Table and drinks first. And, tell me more about this new bartender..."

[tsukikoko]

With a wide smile on her face as she gave Okudo his well-earned scritches, careful not to exert too much pressure, while still managing to hit all the right spots. This certainly wasn't her first rodeo, she knew what he liked.

Then, careful not to jostle the jay bird, Sara looped her arm through the crook of Nagi's, exclaiming jubilantly,
"Ha'way man, drinks it is! There's a corner table with our name on it, like."
Before long she was leading her friend through the club to the spot she'd caught sight of; it was set slightly apart from the main throng, so the noise of other patrons and music wouldn't completely overwhelm the two and cause them to need to shout at each other. It was also perfectly positioned to allow her a surreptitious view at the bartender she'd mentioned, so that she could describe him in detail to her kirin friend.

She guided the super into his seat and didn't even need to ask what he would be ordering - given what good friends they had become, she'd made sure to learn all his favourites. Whenever his week had been a mood, Nagi opted for Mai Tai, needing that punch of rum but still craving the beautiful tangy fruitiness of lime and cherry. Add to it that Sara could describe the bright red liquid, courtesy of the vibrant grenadine syrup, that meant it stood out a mile from other cocktails and it was certainly a statement drink. She opted for a double shot of straight dark rum, herself.

Hardly fifteen minutes after he'd gotten into the club, the kirin had a drink in his hands and the rather devilish company of a shifter about to spill juicy details.
"Alreet so 'e's tall an' broad," she began, in hush, conspiratorial tones, "-pretty sure 'e's a satyr, like, but I ain't managed tah confirm yet. Could be a faun. 'As a slight beard, but nowt too long, well kept, like." Then she blew air out through pursed lips, a sound that near became a whistle, as though recalling something particularly impressive. "An' an arse tah die for, like. 'E must be on a gym regime, like, 'cause those chiselled buns'd give our Tsu a run for 'is muscled money." Such a comment was high praise, given just how well Sara knew the taut musculature of that particular werewolf's bum.

[Marshmallow]

In short order the kirin found himself seated, with pale hands clasped around the pleasant chill of his glass. A Mai Tai - Sara knew him well. The comfort of routine sank into his bones as Nagi relaxed into the seat and took a long draw from the cocktail. Maybe too long. He had to remind himself to take it easy, and lowered his drink with a soft sigh. It had been a rough week, and with this budding fever putting a light flush to his skin and a needling heat in the back of his throat, he craved the cold refreshment. But they had all evening to smother his woes in booze and music, he shouldn't need to rush.

Covering that small flicker in morale with an easy smile, Nagi leaned forward and propped his elbows on the table as Sara spilled the beans on the hot new bartender across the way. That was a subject deserving his whole attention!

Nagi wiggled in his seat as he listened. He grinned over the rim of his glass when Sara got to the juiciest of juicy details. "Oh really?" The kirin's eyebrows rose skyward at that last bit of praise. And what high praise indeed! He could already imagine it, and his grin turned sly. "Never dated a satyr before. I wonder if he has a 'type'... Figure out if he's single yet?"

[tsukikoko]

Despite the low light and distraction of a 'girl-talk' style conversation, Sara's gaze upon her friend was carefully attentive. Over the course of knowing the gentle, sassy kirin, she'd had a niggling sense of... something, building in the empathically aware centres of her brain. She wasn't sure exactly what set her alarm bells ringing, but she found herself focusing on the slightest sheen upon Nagi's skin, the way his breathing came ever so slightly heavier than she would like. Stress of the week and their recent altercation, a budding cold, just the heat and pounding bass in the club?

Hmm.. maybe she was just being paranoid. Given various events over the last year, Sara had been far more attentive and prone to worry about those around her than usual. She had to catch herself sometimes.

Still, she couldn't quite keep her gaze off the kirin. Even when a bubbly response followed Nagi's question,
"Eeee, why aye man, I did. Though I 'ave tah admit, another wee lass did the 'ard work for us, like. Over'eard 'im bein' asked owt, ya know? 'E gave 'er this charmin' smile, but I could see the apology in 'is eyes. Let 'er know 'e were single but just divvint swing that way, like." The shifter took a fairly large gulp of her own drink, knowing she could down a fair few more before she was in any real danger of total inebriation. "She took it well, bless 'er. But aye, 'e seems tah be single, like." A light chuckle escaped her. "O'course, 'e could 'ave been usin' a convenient excuse tah git owt of an awkward conversation, but it divvint seem that way tah me."
A moment passed as she took another, smaller sip of her drink, smiling over the top of the glass even though Nagi couldn't see it. Then, the tip of her tail curled around to affectionately prod him in the leg, the shifter's equivalent of an elbow nudge.
"Ya gannin' te ask 'im ya reckon, luv? Unless ya 'ave some juicy stories I divvint know abowt, like, it's me duty as wingman tah make sure ya git laid."

[Marshmallow]

Nagi grinned with budding excitement as he considered. Sara had an impressive track record as his wingman. Why, between the two of them, he was certain they had enough wit and charm to seduce the entire city if they had a mind to. And he would be lying if he claimed the prospect wasn’t incredibly tempting. For Nagi, there were few better distractions from a week of stress than the physical attentions of an attractive new lover. Very attractive, if Sara’s assessments were correct - and he was certain they were.

But… Nagi was hesitant. His smile diminished as his fingers drummed against the glass. He could just about feel Okudo’s scrutinizing gaze. The bird said nothing, but he knew his little familiar disapproved of him even being out tonight, let alone aiming for another man’s bed. Not tonight, not in his present condition.
As though sensing his master's thoughts, the jay let out a low warbling sound. Yeah, yeah...

“Actually…” Nagi sighed. He really should play it safe. “I think this time around I’m perfectly happy to keep things to just us,” he replied at last, some small measure of his disappointment evident in the wistful tone of his voice. Then, a note of bitterness. “... I ran into Braxton this week. So it’s probably for the best.”

[tsukikoko]

Sara's head tipped, inquisitive as a dog assessing potential food in one's hand, as she regarded her friend. His sigh, the fading smile tinged with dejection and bitterness, spoke of something brewing beneath the surface - something that indicated, despite his words, something other than enjoying her company was keeping the Kirin from pursuing male affections.

Then, the reference to Braxton. Well, that could explain it. She knew about their history and to say she disliked the bloke would be an understatement of the highest degree.

The green of Sara's gaze flickered briefly to Okudo, then settled back on Nagi. Even if he couldn't see it, the warmth of her smile and the affectionate concern in her eyes came through in the subtleties of her tone and the gentle way in which her hand came to settle over Nagi's own.
"Alreet luv, ya know I'm reet fond of ya company, like, so I ain't gannin' te complain if ya want it just us, like. But I 'ave tah ask," she squeezed his fingers tenderly, "-y'alreet? Soundin' proper dejected." Her tone rose with a hint of fire. "Braxton divvint do or say nowt tah ya, div 'e like?"

[Marshmallow]

“Oh, no. No, it’s fine, he-” The tired old excuses rose in his throat like bile. He stifled them, mouth working soundlessly for a second before he snapped his jaw shut and shook his head. “No, nothing happened, not really. We were in public, so he was just being annoying and making scenes. Yelled at a barista.” He sighed. Whether it was nerves or fever, his palm was clammy as he squeezed Sara’s hand. “It’s just got my nerves frayed, that’s all. Wouldn’t.. Wouldn’t want it to get in the way, you know?”

Not that he’d wanted to talk about Braxton at all… It was a fast way to ruin any evening. Though his inner therapist voice scolded himself, it was probably healthier to. Sara was the only person he truly could confide in. And at the very least, it distracted him from the physical discomfort, the prickling too-hot-yet-too-cold sensation that flushed his skin. What color the fever added to his pallid features was somehow the wrong one, and in the low, often flashing lights of the club, he almost looked like a corpse.

Gingerly, Nagi withdrew his fingers from Sara’s grasp and wrapped them around his glass once more. He cleared his throat, pushed a smile back onto his face. Change the subject. Smile, be happy. “So, how was your week?”

[tsukikoko]

The concern already evident on Sara's face was only compounded by what she felt from his hand in her own. The Kirin felt clammy, whether from stress, nerves or illness she couldn't tell, but either way something was wrong. Something he was being evasive about. Was there something more to the Braxton situation, or another problem entirely? She knew she couldn't force her friend to talk about it, if he really didn't want to. But still... she worried for him.

"I can come owt with ya sometimes, luv, if ya think ya meet go someplace 'e'll be, like." Her offer was sincere, but not forceful. If Nagi wanted some extra support where Braxton was concerned, she was more than willing to offer it. Bellend wouldn't have a clue what hit him, if he kicked off with the fiery haired shifter around.

Then, to answer his question,
"Ha'way man, me week, well- work in general 'as been.... a juxtaposition, like. Bloody crackin' 'alf the time, git tah research interestin' folk like the Surras, makin' good progress on some o' me projects, like, but..." she paused a moment, still more concerned about Nagi than interested in airing her own problems. Still, he'd asked, and perhaps it was the kind of distraction he wanted from whatever might be bothering him. The shifter still intended to try to bring up her concerns later, though. To try again. "But eeee, man, it's also... tense, like. Ya meet 'ave come across it? Between 'ow people feel abowt our Koji, like, an' some o' the events that 'ave 'appened lately-" she shuddered, trying not to let images of Aaron's battered state into her mind again. Viktoria hadn't been in her right mind, but still she couldn't forget those images. "Things ain't the same, reet now, ya know?"

[Marshmallow]

"Yeah, tell me about it..." The phrase, spoken with a sigh and a slight shake of the head, was more a statement of commiseration than an invitation. Of course Sara could elaborate if she chose, he was more than happy to lend a listening ear even while off the clock. But even sequestered as he often was in his own office, Nagi was not oblivious to the atmosphere at HQ. "Turbulent times and all that. Hopefully things will start settling down soon," he added after another sip of his drink.


The kirin went to swipe a palm across his forehead, feeling the skin prickling with sweat even though he felt chilled. It bothered him how much worse he was beginning to feel since leaving the office, but chose to blame it on stress. Stress and annoying bouncers low-key threatening to eat his familiar.

Mid-way into the gesture, he self-consciously transformed the motion to sweep fingers through his hair instead, as though to smooth the snow-white fluff.


"You should tell me about your projects sometime." He shifted the focus to the cheerier aspect of Sara's work with a return of that equally cheery smile. "And the Surras! I haven't gotten to hear very much about them up on my floor. When you have time, that is. How long until you're due on stage, anyway?"