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Between the obvious double-take, the wild flailing & the hiding behind a wall, it's a miracle Yun hasn't spotted her. The very last thing Kyoshi needs right now is a run in with her ex.
How Kirima wound up talking her into coming to this party, despite knowing she'd abandon her immediately, Kyoshi will never know. Why she came in despite Wong not coming along, & therefor offering her a person to hide behind, has her questioning her sanity.
Speaking of hiding behind someone despite her stature, Kyoshi resolves to do just that. She far too easily scans the room above everyone's heads, eventually finding her target: an uppity Fire Nation style topknot poking above the crowd. Not the most ideal cover, but it's the best she's got at the moment.
Kyoshi weaves her way over. The closer she gets, the more promising this stranger is. He's not even a full head shorter than herself, with a lithe, well muscled frame. He seems to be carrying conversation well, based on the expressions of the girl he's talking to. By the time Kyoshi makes her way over, she's pretty much talked herself out of doing anything more than use him as a vision shield. Surely, he'd never like her enough to actually talk to her.
Just before she's home free, a voice stops her in her tracks.
"Kyoshi!"
"Yun." How awful to see him. "How good to see you."
"You too." He steps closer. Too close. "& might I say, you are looking ravishing."
"Thank you." A year ago, she would've meant that. Would've been enthusiastic to have the attention of such a charming man. Now she knows him far too well.
"Come on, sexy," Yun says as he moves to tuck an errant lock of hair behind Kyoshi's ear. "Let's show that pretty face of yours."
She flinches back. "Oh, um. That's- That's quite alright. I-"
"Don't be like that, Kyoshi. You don't need to be shy with me." Yun flashes a formerly dazzling smile that now looks nothing short of predatory.
"Excuse me," an authoritative-sounding voice pierces through. Despite the venom in it, the sound feels like a warm campfire. Its owner just barely places their fingertips on Kyoshi's shoulder to pull her attention. "Are you ok?" is said softly.
Oh. Topknot guy isn't a guy. Incredibly handsome, sure; but certainly a woman. A very, very beautiful woman with tarnished bronze-colored eyes that cut right through to her soul. A woman who is currently touching Kyoshi like she's something to be cherished. Speaking to her as if she was precious.
"... Uuuuhhh-"
"Who the fuck are you?" Yun interrupts Kyoshi's truly elegant speech.
Topknot ignores him, only reading Kyoshi's eyes. The giant gives a scared, pleading look. She nods, just enough for her to notice.
Hopefully not Yun.
Having gotten what she needed, Topknot proceeds. "Rangi. My name is Rangi. & you are?" She asks him.
"The lady's boyfriend. Fuck off."
Topknot Rangi meets her eyes with Kyoshi once again. 'Is that true?'
'No.'
Rangi steps forward. "Oh, really? Because I think I'd know if my girlfriend was seeing someone else." she says while placing a hand on Kyoshi's lower back.
Kyoshi blushes from the lie, then shivers from the touch, which only brings more heat to her face. The ensuing stare off makes her cower away from Yun once again.
Rangi pulls her closer. She angles herself between Yun & her ward. Glares at him as if issuing a challenge.
Yun stares daggers back.
A beat.
An eternity.
"Whatever." Yun grumbles. As he turns away, he muttering something obsene.
Rangi stares him down until he's well out of earshot. She loosens her grip, looking up at Kyoshi guiltily. "I'm sorry if you weren't comfortable with any of that. It's just I saw you; & that guy seemed like he was creeping you out. I'm so sorry if I did anything inappropriate."
"No- Ah. N-no. You're good." Smooth, Kyoshi. Very smooth.
"O... k." Rangi looks confused. But relieved.
"So, uh--"
"Uhm." They stare at each other for a little longer than necessary. "Sorry, you go first."
"No- No I'm good. You can go."
Rangi opens her mouth to object, but eventually gives up on it. She instead says, "I didn't catch your name."
"Oh. Uh. Sorry about that. It's Kyoshi." She offers a forced smile that must look terrible.
"Well, Kyoshi," Rangi leans a little closer. Wow, that is the most beautiful her name has ever sounded. "It's very nice to meet you."
"You too, uh, Rangi." Oh. Oh, no. That sounded far, far too soft.
She smiles anyway, looking down before chasing Kyoshi's eyes with her own. Were her cheeks that pretty shade of pink already? Surely they must have been.
"Well, uh," Rangi clears her throat. "I imagine that guy won't give up so easily. I don't want to force anything on you, but it would probably be best for me to stay close, right?" Even as she says it, she backs away. Yet she never fully lets go.
"Yes." Kyoshi says too quickly. Too loudly. "That-- Yes. Strategy. Yep."
"Should I- I mean, we're supposedly dating, so..." She offers her hand out.
Kyoshi gingerly places her own in it. They fit together so perfectly despite the difference in size. Her breath catches when Rangi looks up with a wide grin.
"So, what do you usually like to do at these things?" She gestures at the party with her chin.
"Oh, uh." Should she lie & say something fun? No. Kyoshi is a terrible liar. "Complain to my friends until they either give up of forcing me to stay; or I drive them home."
Rangi laughs. "I'm not the biggest fan of parties, either. But 'when in Omashu,'"
A chuckle leaves Kyoshi's mouth before she's even processed the words, too far entranced.
"So where are these friends who are forcing you to stay?"
"Oh, just the one this time. She always wanders off immediately. I should probably go check up on her." Kyoshi starts scanning the crowd.
"Mind if I join?"
Words, Kyoshi. Say words. "Y- Yeah! That'd be great, actually."
They once again stare at one another for too long.
Rangi clears her throat. "So, what's she look like?"
_╲\│/╱_
"Kirima!"
"'Yoshi. You found me!" she replies. "Whoa. Who is this?"
"Already?" Kyoshi asks the air, setting her forehead on her hand.
"Ignore her." Kirima stage-whispers to Rangi. "What's your name, hot stuff?"
"Rangi." She grimaces as the woman gives her a once-over.
"Well," Kirima starts off strong with a finger poised high. "Uhh--"
"Kirima! Is that you?"
Yun.
She gives him a glare. "Fuckboy."
He laughs goodnaturedly. Something Kyoshi has long ago learned to be a total farce.
Yun takes a step towards the trio.
Kirima makes a disgusted face. Kyoshi once more flinches, & Rangi's hand again falls to her waist. It's quickly accompanied by its counterpart.
It isn't long before Kirima tells him to "Fuck off!" But the entire conversation, where he adamantly spoke only to Kirima through, had felt like forever. & he kept glancing at Kyoshi, as if to say 'I don't believe you.' Or just gratuitous looks at her body.
"You ok?" Rangi asks. Kyoshi places her own hand on hers. This is the part she pulls away. Kyoshi doesn't want that.
"Y- Ye--" Her voice cracks. "No." Her boots just became the most interesting things in the world.
A warm hand lifts Kyoshi's chin. She's met with those piercing eyes. "Would you like to leave? I'll help you get Katrina home, if you'd like."
"I- That- Yeah. That would be nice. Thank you, Rangi." With the amount of blushing Kyoshi's doing tonight, maybe Rangi will just think she runs hot & has a rosy complexion. One can hope.
"Of course; it's my pleasure."
& they're back to staring again.
It's once more broken by Rangi clearing her throat. "Katrina--" She turns. "Where the fuck did she go?"
"Ha. Yeah, she does that. I'm not getting out of here until she's had her fill. & then some."
"Well, I won't leave until you do." Kyoshi's can't help but smile fondly. "Only if you want me to, of course!" Now she's the one blushing.
"Of course."
...
"Wanna get some air?"
"Yeah. That'd be- Yeah."
_╲\│/╱_
Kyoshi shivers. It's a little nippy out, but far more comfortable than the party.
"Cold?"
"Uh, It's not too bad. Trust me; I'm used to worse." She chuckles. Rangi doesn't.
"Here." Rangi starts removing her varsity jacket. "It's a little short, but you have a thin frame." She places it over Kyoshi's shoulders.
"Oh, no. I'm fine, really."
"Take it. I run hot. Besides, it's already on you."
"... Alright."
Rangi winks. "You know, you don't look half-bad in red." Is that- Was she flirting?
"Oh, uh, th- Thanks."
Their next bout of staring is interrupted by Rangi now shivering.
"Are you cold?"
"I'm not bothered."
Kyoshi bites her lip to think, & Rangi's eyes instantly jump to it. It's a bold move, but... "How about we share some warmth?" She opens her arms in an offer.
"I- Uh- Yeah." She doesn't move.
Kyoshi takes her time to clear the distance. It's slowly becoming reciprocated as she gets closer. Rangi's breath hitches when Kyoshi's hands make contact on her back.
"You know," Kyoshi says, barely above a whisper. "I've had a good time tonight, despite everything."
"You have?" Rangi looks genuinely shocked. "That's good."
"Mhmm. All thanks to my knight in shining armor."
Rangi laughs, face flushed. "I don't know about that,"
"I do."
She bites her lip.
"Rangi, can I--"
"Hey, lesbo!"
"What?" Rangi barks as she positions herself between Kyoshi & the freshly arrived Yun.
"Get your fucking hands offa my girl!"
"She's nobody's but her own! & she especially doesn't belong to you!"
Yun stalks toward them. "I said," He's up in Rangi's face. "Get off of her."
Rangi makes to maneuver away, but Kyoshi--in her panic--holds her tight.
He lands a sloppy punch on her cheek.
Before Kyoshi can so much as process that it happened, Yun's sprawled out on the grass & bleeding from the nose.
There is also blood on Rangi's knuckles.
_╲\│/╱_
Rangi takes the ice pack off her face to speak. "Thanks again for taking care of me. You don't need to be doing this."
"Anything for my knight in shining armor. Besides, I feel terrible for holding you in place so he could punch you."
Rangi chuckles, wincing from how it contorts her mouth. "I know you didn't mean it. We're all good."
Kyoshi stares at the floor sheepishly anyways. "I'm usually better at that sort of stuff." She rubs the back of her neck. "Guess between... Yun, & wanting you close, I sorta froze."
"It's ok, Kyoshi. I get it."
She looks up at Rangi, worrying her bottom lip. "You sure?"
Rangi's voice sounds raspier, a little deeper, when she replies "Yeah. Certain."
"..."
"..."
"Hey, weren't you gonna say something when Yoom showed up? Do you remember that?"
"Hm? ... Oh. Yeah. I-"
Rangi's eyes are half-lidded. Her chest is held out. Pupils blown. Breathing a little heavy. Voice is- Well,
Kyoshi kisses her.