Who: Kaa, Kenzi, Rey, Xan What: double date Where: Key West Shrimp House When: Jan 14 (backdated) Warnings: Low Status: g-doc
Xander didn’t think of this as a double date so much as a fun night with friends that involved two couples. He wanted Rey to get to know Kenzi and Kaa better, given Kenzi was his best friend in town and he both knew Kaa and liked him quite a bit. So, to keep with the feeling of low key, Xander suggested the foursome grab dinner at Key West Shrimp House.
He honestly hoped they didn’t randomly lose power while eating dinner. But, who the hell knew in this place? Xander knew the power restoration meant that it was less likely Kaa would die of hypothermia, something that worried Xan during the whole power outage.
After meeting Rey at her house, the couple walked to the restaurant to meet up with Kenzi and Kaa. Maybe Xander should look into a car. He kept hoping his would appear, but so far no luck.
Rey was looking forward to the dinner as well. She knew she needed to make more friends and getting to know Kenzi better than the peripheral knowing would be best for Rey considering her boyfriend was best friends with the outgoing woman.
She was about to say something when a car pulled up and two people got out. Kenzi bounded up just a bit in front of Kaa due to her enthusiasm. She was excited about some delicious seafood. "We were almost late because I lost my eyeliner." Clearly a tragedy.
Rey offered a smile that was a bit sympathetic. "Well I'm glad you were able to make it."
"Me too." Kenzi reached for Kaa's arm. "I'm Kenzi and this is Kaa."
–
Kaa had been VERY happy when the power came back on. It seemed as if every Winter season here was bound and determined to see what it would take to make him slip into hibernation. Fortunately, he had friends…and a very hot wife. Pun exceedingly intended.
He had never been on a double date. The ancestral memories told him what it was and what it could be like, so the Naga was very curious to experience it. Kenzi was excited, too. The incident with the eyeliner was a bit his fault since he’d borrowed it for work. He had to make it up to her.
He offered Rey a big smile and a deep bow. “A pleasure to meet you.” When he straightened, he put his arm around his energetic wife.
– Xander laughed at Kenzi’s enthusiasm, used to it as he was by now. He offered Kenzi a one sided hug and fist bumped Kaa.
His hand entwined with Rey’s as they entered the restaurant. “Did you find the eyeliner or did you need to open a new one?” God, he hoped Kenz had spare eyeliner because she definitely wore it often.
Truthfully, Xan hadn’t tried this particular restaurant yet, because he grew up on a fishing boat. He knew fresh seafood and worried about how it would taste in the middle of a Dome in damn Indiana.
Rey offered a small bow of her head alongside a 'it is nice to meet you too' before she held Xander's hand and followed him inside.
"Found it. But I have back ups." Some were cheaper and for the 'in case of emergency ' variety, though truthfully Kenzi was used to it considering back home she never had a lot of money to begin with. "I told Kaa he owes me some awesome Mendhi." Which she knew wasn't really any sort of concession on Kaa's behalf since he didn't mind doing it, but it was beautiful and she loved the way it looked.
"Is that the pattern you had on when you were getting married?" Rey didn't know too much about Kaa's culture except that Mendhi was from it.
Kenzi nodded. "Yep! I bet you could rock it too. Right Xan?
The compliment cause Rey to blush softly. –
Kaa beamed proudly as his work was admired. “Perhaps I should give up my job at the Den and open a Mendhi shop. It seems quite popular.” He liked dancing and showing off too much, however. But it might not be a bad idea as a side gig in the summer.
“So tell me, my friend. How did you meet?” Kaa enjoyed stories of all kinds, especially those of other people’s lives. He had the ancestors’ tales to draw on, but ones from his friends were best.
– Xan watched the two most important women in his life trade compliments and he felt really happy. He didn’t worry about Rey and Kenzi disliking each other, but sometimes Kenz could be a lot. Like a lot a lot.
“Of course she could rock it.” Xan kissed Rey’s temple.
“You’d make a killing in the warmer months, Kaa.” Xan offered a smile. “Oh. We met at one of the decade movie marathons. I just got here and Rey looked a little overwhelmed?” He hoped that explanation didn’t insult his girlfriend.
Rey looked a little sheepish, but not like Xander had overstepped any boundaries. “I’m getting better, but at the time I found movies and a lot of normal Earth stuff hard to navigate.” It was definitely easier to navigate with someone else. Poe had helped a lot, but he disappeared shortly after they both arrived.
“Don’t sweat it.” Kenz didn’t find that weird. She’d seen worse, really. “There’s tons of people like that and some never figure it out. Dyson - this guy from home - is like hundreds of years old and lives on Earth and still finds some human stuff confusing.” But she was obviously fond of the man.
Kaa was intrigued by what Rey said. He was certainly sympathetic. If not for the memories of the ancestors, and his albeit strange experience in Bollywood, he would have had a much more difficult time adjusting to life here.
“May I ask where you are from?” He knew about aliens, vampires, werewolves, and a whole host of other creatures that came here, so she could fall into a number of categories.
Without hesitation, Xan squeezed his girlfriend’s shoulder gently. He appreciated his best friend not making Rey feel bad, not that he expected it to happen. Or he wouldn’t have befriended Kenz.
He didn’t speak for Rey and instead kept quiet, except to order a drink when the server came by their table.
“I’m from another universe with space travel and no Earth that we know of.” But she supposed it was technically possible. Rey paused, then added with some sheepishness only because it was still odd even after all this time, “My universe is quite popular on Earth. There’s… several movies and other media about it.” She’d gotten used to the idea, especially after someone had explained to her the idea of the multiverse and how stories ‘had to come from somewhere’. It was still weird though. “I’m a Jedi.” Something else which had taken time to get used to saying out loud and accepting since she had struggled with feeling like an imposter for some time.
Kenzi made a mental note to show Kaa Star Wars later. “Rey is pretty much a badass. Not that you aren’t too, Xan.” She gave her friend a wink before she picked up the menu. The thing with Kenzi was that she loved food a lot. Maybe it had something to do with being food insecure when she was growing up, but she didn’t like to over-analyze herself. Plus food was the most delicious thing on earth. Alcohol was a close second. “Okay so the rule is everyone has to pick at least one appetizer for us to share.” Appetizers, in Kenzi’s opinion, were often underrated by people which was a shame. “Then once we order, how about we do a little game of ‘Never Have I Ever’?” She placed her hand dramatically on her heart. “Which I promise to keep PG.” For tonight, anyway.