#path trilogy

Off the Beaten Path: Double Date

=^x^=

Kathy blew a puff of air, lifting the cowlick out of her face. It had been a pretty boring night at the bar, with only the usual clients spending their hard earned paychecks on some much-needed booze. Craig and Cain were off sharing stories in a quiet corner. Selena was doing her usual dances while Luke looked on in awe, and Maya was teasing Chase from the counter. A few other villagers were moving in and out, but they weren’t people Kathy found herself interested in talking to, and she found herself wishing for someone interesting to walk in.

“Kathy!” Hayden called. “Yes, dad?” “Phone for ya.”

Kathy blinked twice and moved towards the counter where her father was polishing off beer mugs. She picked up the phone and murmured a curious “Hello?” “Hey, Kathy, it’s Renee!” her best friend’s voice echoed into her ear, “Listen, I’m sorry to bother you at work, but something awesome just happened.” “What? One of your horses give birth again?” “No. Better than that! I got you a date!”

Kathy choked on her own breath.

“W-what?” she sputtered, “Renee! I told you not to arrange anything like this for me!” “Oh, Kathy, he’s really sweet!” Renee pleaded, “Please, just take the time to meet him. He’s so nice and calm, and you need someone earthly in your life. God knows I can’t be there to keep you grounded!” “Renee…” “Here, how about this? I’ll let you find me a date, too. Whoever you want!” “…Really?” “Yes.”

Kathy paused for a moment and glanced around the bar. Her eyes landed on a mass of red hair, its owner deep within a mug of beer, and a smirk crossed her face.

“Anyone, eh?” she asked. “Anyone.” “…I think maybe I can make this work.” “Great! Think you’ll be free tomorrow night, around eight?” “I’m sure I can arrange that.” “Great! Meet in front of the bar, then. Take care!”

The girls said their goodbyes, and Hayden eyed his daughter suspiciously. She cocked a brow at him, emerald eyes alight with mischief.

“Say, pops, I need tomorrow night off,” she said, grinning. “Just what are you and that horse girl planning?” Hayden muttered suspiciously, his brow furrowing. “Just an innocent little double date, dad. Renee’s trying to set me up again.”

Not surprisingly, her father scoffed and shook his head.

“That girl just doesn’t give up, does she?” “She really doesn’t…” “Welp. At least give the poor fella a shot this time.” “I guess I could try.”

She winked and walked over to the lone table where the red-headed man sat. He was a buff fella, and she had to admit he seemed to have a rather gentle face for someone who looked as if he could lift half of Castanet’s residents over his head with minimal effort, and he’d probably pop a yawn while he did it.

“Owen, right?” she asked, plopping down in the chair across from him. “H-huh?” he snapped out of whatever thoughts he was having and noticed the blonde’s cunning stare, and he immediately became weary, “What exactly is it that you want?” “Oh, nothing. I just figured I see you all lonely in here a lot, and I wanted to offer you an exclusive, once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a double date with the most beautiful girl on Castanet.”

Owen eyed her, then buried himself into his mug.

“Sorry, but you’re not that pretty,” he scoffed. “Not me, my…HEY!”

She leered threateningly at him, but he actually snorted into his suds and chuckled.

“I meant it in jest, I promise,” he said, “but I find it a little odd that you’re suddenly inviting me out on a date. I had no idea I was being noticed by the hostess…” “Once again, you’re not dating me. It’s my best friend, and you better treat her nice or so help you, I won’t let you sleep another peaceful night,” Kathy said firmly, folding her arms, “Think you can handle that, muscle man?” “Well, you don’t come on strongly at all, Miss…Kathy, correct?”

Owen smirked and stole another swig of his booze.

“What the heck? I don’t have much to do tomorrow. I guess I could humor you and your lovely friend and enjoy a night on the town.” “H-h-humor?” Kathy stammered, “You should feel honored that out of all these men, I chose you!”

Owen glanced around the bar and cocked a brow at the wild waitress.

“I’m the only bachelor in here. You realize this, right?” he pointed out matter-of-factly. “I could have easily found her a date somewhere else,” Kathy grunted, “I may change my mind and do so, now.” “Just creates more work for you.” “Exactly. So stop trying to piss me off and meet us in front of the bar at eight tomorrow.” “Done deal. See you then.”

Kathy stared him down for a few moments, unable to make heads or tails of his reactions. He simply gazed back at her with a vacant expression.

“…Is there something else I can help you with?” he asked after a few awkward seconds. “…I don’t get you,” Kathy scoffed, and she walked off in a huff.

Owen gazed after her for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders and bringing the beer to his lips once again.

“Women,” he muttered.

=^x^=

Owen arrived in front of the bar moments before eight. To his surprise, nobody else was there yet. He leaned against the building and stuck his hands into his pockets, eyes gazing around the immediate area for any signs of people approaching. He wondered if maybe Kathy was just trying to set him up, and he muttered incoherently to himself about how idiotic he was for falling for the girl’s tricks. He was almost ready to walk off when he noticed someone else approaching, and his eyes widened in slight surprise when he realized who it was.

“Toby?” he asked, “Why are you here?” “It’s the oddest thing. I seem to have been invited to a date…” “Yeah. Me too…”

Owen was silent, and so was Toby. Slowly, their heads rose, and their eyes locked into an awkward gaze.

“…Oh. Oh my,” Toby stuttered. “I knew this was a joke,” Owen muttered. “I mean it’s not that you’re not handsome, Owen…” “Oh God Toby no.” “Oh my, Renee must think I’m-” “Hey guys!”

The two men jumped at the sound of the two female voices. Kathy and Renee were approaching, both dressed to the nines, their hair done up stylishly, a large picnic basket clasped in the latter’s hand. Renee’s eyes widened at Kathy’s choice of date, and Kathy gave Renee her best ‘Are you serious?’ gaze.

“Well, look who showed up,” Owen remarked off-handedly, “Only ten minutes late…” “Sorry. I don’t work well with short hair,” Kathy sighed, elbowing her friend, “but you can’t argue with results. Whatcha think, Owen? Ain’t she a goddess?”

Owen eyed the simple farm girl and shrugged.

“She’s pretty,” he said, but it sounded more like simple observation than a compliment. Renee’s face fell, and Kathy eyed Owen threateningly, and the red-haired man recoiled slightly. “Alright. She’s VERY pretty. Happy now?” “Quite,” Renee said sweetly, “Oh, and Kathy, meet Toby! I’m sure you two will find you have much in common.” “I highly doubt it,” Kathy said. “Do you fish?” Toby asked hopefully. “No.” “Oh…”

The fisherman’s face fell, but he perked himself back up and forced a smile.

“Well, then we’ll just have to find something else that we share,” he said. “Can’t wait,” Kathy sighed. “So where are we going for this date?” Owen asked. “I’m glad you asked,” Renee piped up, “I figured we could have a moonlit picnic! Up for a little walk to the fields?” “Oh, that sounds delightful,” Toby said, rubbing his hands together, “The moon is so beautiful on clear nights like this.”

Renee and Toby looked hopefully to Kathy and Owen, both of whom wore bored expressions.

“I guess if I don’t have a choice,” Owen shrugged. “Yeah, whatever,” Kathy said, “Let’s go.”

The group walked, and Kathy reached ahead of her and pulled Renee back so they were walking side by side.

“Toby? REALLY, Renee?” she said in a furious whisper, “Why would you set me up with that sack of cod?” “He’s CUTE, Kathy,” Renee whispered back, and she almost looked offended, “You can’t get with another firecracker. Remember Luke?” “Renee that was ages ago.” “It took dad three weeks to fix the windmill, Kathy.” “Renee…” “Three. Weeks!” “Whatever! I can’t be with someone as boring as Trout tank Toby though…” “Just give it a chance, Kathy. You might really like him.”

She paused for a moment, then managed her own scowl.

“If anything, what’s YOUR deal setting me up with Owen, of all people?” she asked, “I’ve never even been within twenty feet of the mines, and that’s literally all he ever does.” “That’s not his only hobby, Renee.” “Drinking doesn’t count.” “He doesn’t drink that much. He only stops by like….once a week.” “A week on which planet, Kathy?” “…Jupiter.”

Renee rolled her eyes.

“It’s obvious we know very little about each other,” the brown-haired girl sighed. “I remember every single imaginary friend you had in second grade, but I apparently can’t get a decent man for you,” Kathy grumbled. “Let’s agree to stop setting this crap up,” Renee sighed. “Full, one hundred percent agreement.” “It’s decided, then.”

The girls candidly shook on it and then picked up the pace so they were walking beside their respective dates. Renee glanced to Owen, who simply gazed coldly ahead as he trudged down the path. Kathy passed a disgusted gaze at Toby, who was almost skipping. Both girls exchanged glances and sighed heavily.

It was gonna be a long night…

=^x^=

“See? Isn’t it pretty?” Renee asked. “Gorgeous,” Toby sighed, “Look at all the stars.” “They’re so pretty. Hey…I think I see Jupiter.”

Toby and Owen were both oblivious to the look of pure hatred Kathy shot at her best friend.

“Forget stars. I’m STARVING. Let’s dig into the grub!” Kathy said. “Yes please,” Owen sighed.

Renee placed the picnic basket between them and opened it up. She started reaching for cutlery and scowled at Kathy.

“You could help with passing everything out,” she suggested. “Sorry, Renee, but the waitress is off-duty,” Kathy said airily. “Here, I’ll help,” Toby said, smiling and reaching for the plastic forks and knives. “Why thank you, Toby,” Renee said sweetly, eyeing Kathy, “What a GENTLEMAN he is!”

Kathy nearly gagged, and Owen suppressed a roll of the eyes. The two watched as Renee and Toby laid a blanket out and set all the food neatly. Kathy’s eyes lit up when Renee laid a slice of pizza out. It was topped with various seafood.

“Dig in, everyone,” she said sweetly.

Renee had packed something special for herself. She moved to grab some sushi, only to have her fork collide with Toby’s. The two exchanged looks.

“You can have it,” Toby said, pulling his fork back and smiling. “I think I can handle sharing,” Renee said, “Split it?” “Sounds good.”

Renee took Toby’s plate and began splitting up the sushi when a scream erupted. The two looked up to see Owen and Kathy mid-brawl.

“That pizza’s mine!” Kathy screamed, clawing at the buff herculean pizza thief, “Paws off!” “I saw it first, you freakin’ psycho!” Owen growled, struggling to push her off. “Why don’t you two just share-” Toby began. “NO!” the brawling pair snapped.

Toby slowly backed away, and Renee watched in pure amusement as the fight died down. Owen finally shoved Kathy away, and the two sat panting, staring each down .

“…Hey, guys,” Renee said, pointing to the ground.

Kathy’s eyes widened in horror. The pizza was laying in the grass, seafood-side down.

“YOU DUMB OAF!” Kathy screamed, “YOU KILLED MY PIZZA!” “I didn’t kill any-OOF!”

The two started brawling again, and Toby and Renee exchanged worried glances.

“…Should we do something?” he asked uncertainly. “My heart says yes, but my brain says absolutely not,” Renee replied stoically. “My kind and giving nature says to stop them, but my sense of humor admits this is hilarious,” Toby whispered, smirking. “Is it bad that mine does, too?” Renee asked.

The two shared a laugh, even while their guests were screaming and clawing. They watched with subdued interest until the two, once again, managed to cease their fighting and lay breathlessly on the grass.

“Pizza…killer…” Kathy panted. “We could’ve…just shared,” Owen grunted. “It was MY pizza.” “You’re so impossible.”

Owen pushed himself to his feet.

“I’m gonna go get dinner at a nice quiet place, preferably one that doesn’t host any psychotic pizza pilferers.” “YOU’RE the pilferer!” “Last I checked, you never claimed that pizza.” “I shouldn’t have to. It was IMPLIED.”

Owen threw his arms up and stormed off, tuning out Kathy’s jabs and jeers as he departed from the group. Kathy let out a growl and fell into a seated position, grabbed a brand new plate, and loaded it with food. Renee and Toby slowly began eating again, only to see poor Kathy shoot another hurt gaze at her beloved pizza.

“Men,” she growled.

=^x^=

“You feeling better, Kathy?” “I was a total jerk, wasn’t I?”

Renee and Kathy were sitting in the latter’s room. Renee reached out and lay a comforting hand on her best friend’s shoulder.

“I was just really bummed out. I mean…Toby? And Owen was really annoying me,” Kathy groaned, “and I just really wanted that damn pizza.” “I understand. This isn’t the first time you nearly killed a man over food,” Renee said. “That’s pathetic and bitchy and I’m an awful person.” “You aren’t an awful person. You just have a really strong and overbearing side to you. At least you didn’t do that to poor Toby. He would’ve fallen apart at the seams. Owen can take it.”

Kathy sighed and shook her head.

“You and him had so much more fun than I did,” she grunted, “If you two got along so well, why’d you tell him to date ME?” “I actually didn’t realize Toby and I got along so well UNTIL that night,” Renee said, “Actually, he and I agreed to see each other again tonight. After you took off, we ended up talking for a really long time and…” She blushed slightly. “I gotta admit, he’s really sweet and I like him…” “Woohoo, lucky for you. I lost two dates in one night.” “…Two?”

Renee blinked confusedly, and Kathy shook her head.

“…I didn’t invite Owen out for you,” she said, “Truth be told, I’ve been trying to get to know Owen for ages, but I didn’t wanna ask him out. I figured if I introduced him to you, I could get to know him a bit more and maybe…well, work up the courage to ask him out if he still seemed worth pursuing…” “…No wonder you chose him for me.” “I’m sorry. I kept telling myself I wasn’t doing it for myself. And then I ended up screwing everything up because I had to act like a freakin’ teenager.” “I’m sure you two can talk it out.” “I doubt it.”

Kathy fell face-first onto her pillow with a pathetic thump. Renee absentmindedly rubbed her friend’s back.

“What am I gonna do?” she groaned, “He’ll probably show up tonight.” “He might not.” “He shows up every night.” “I thought he only showed up a few times at most…” “I lied…”

Renee rolled her eyes.

“Drunkards, the lot of you,” she sighed. “I think he’s just lonely,” Kathy said quietly, “He’s always seemed lonely, to be honest.” “Know who else does sometimes?”

She and Renee traded glances, and Kathy recoiled slightly.

“Me? I hardly think of myself as lonely,” she said, slightly affronted. “Do I need to remind you of what happened when I went off to school?” “T-that was different. You’re my best friend, Renee!” “And you start falling apart the second I’m not there, Kathy!”

She groaned into her pillow again.

“Shut up, Renee…” “I’m sorry to be real here, but you can only be a floaty party girl for so long. Go talk to Owen. Maybe you two will find you have more in common than you think. Me and Toby did…”

She smiled and pat Kathy’s shoulder.

“You need to find someone you’ll be happy with, Kathy. Maybe it’s him.” “I doubt it…but fine.”

She pushed herself off the bed and stomped off towards the door. She opened it and glanced back at Renee.

“If I actually end up falling in love with this guy, please shoot me.” “You got it.”

=^x^=

Sure enough, Owen was sitting at his usual table that night. Kathy remained quiet behind the bar, shooting glances towards him every so often. He didn’t look any different than he usually did. He wasn’t tossing glances nor looking down or sad. He just looked the same as always, staring off into space and downing another gulp of booze every so often. Multiple times, Kathy tried to approach him, but found herself frozen to the floor every time she attempted.

“Hey…”

She jumped slightly. Owen was sitting at the bar, his eyes serious.

“W-when…jeez, you snuck up on me,” Kathy murmured, her gaze falling to her feet. “Sorry,” Owen said, “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry for the other day.” “…YOU’RE sorry?”

Both of them looked confused.

“Why are you apologizing?” Kathy asked, “I was the one who freaked out on you over a slice of damn pizza.” “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know,” Owen admitted, shrugging, “I just felt like I should say sorry to you. I could’ve just given you the pizza and not bothered fighting.” “You’re apologizing for NOT letting me walk all over you? Owen…”

She shook her head.

“I’d rather you fight me than just passively give me everything I want,” she muttered, “Watching Toby just bending for Renee like that was sickening. I could never love a man that passive…”

A tiny glint shined in Owen’s eyes.

“Love, eh?” he asked softly. “Right. I would be bored of someone like Toby in a second flat.” “Yeah?” “Yeah…”

Owen inched a little closer, gazing at the woman with interest.

“I mean, at least you’re willing to fight me,” Kathy rambled, “Just giving me that slice of pizza would be boring. You created a damn MEMORY, Owen!” “I did, didn’t I?” “Yeah, you did! And someday I’ll tell my kids about the crazy guy who nearly socked me in the nose over pizza.” “And I’ll tell those same kids about how their mother started it.” “Exactly! And then…wait.”

She eyed him wearily.

“What are you implying…?” she asked, a tiny smile forming on her lips. “I’m implying that I would ensure your kids knew the truth…and that is all.”

He sipped his beer and winked. Kathy smirked in mild amusement.

“Y'know…maybe you really aren’t that bad,” she admitted, “At least you’re entertaining.” “I could say the same for you.” “Yeah? Huh…”

She leaned down on the counter, and the two of them locked eyes.

“Y'know, the Full Moon festival’s tomorrow,” she said. “Yeah. It is.” “…Wanna ditch it and do something awesome?”

Owen smirked and down the last of his booze.