How Green Becomes Wood

Daizi asked questions about both their costumes, loving how all of them were a different archetype and feeling very grateful they weren't just all cowboys. "We tried to think of a way to make Ivy look like Dark's assistant, but we couldn't come up with something that would be visually obvious."
 
"I am hoping she keeps it on," Dark said.

When they arrived at Cooger's cabin, a few other people were already at the house, milling about outside, dressed like various cowpolke. These were friends from the animal shelter and some customers he had made friends with.

Cooger himself was dressed in a blue vest and a bolo tie, a large, expensive stetson on his head. He wore his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, also wearing sleeve garters. Of course, pinned to his chest, as a silver sheriff badge. He was walking through his guests with a big grin on his face, having absolutely no qualms about being forty.

When he saw the Wahid-Darks exit their "wagon", he walked up to them, arms wide, laughing, "Well Howdy there! Why am I not surprised y'all were creative with it!"
 
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"Howdy there, Sheriff! Quite a fine posse you've gathered here!" Alec greeted him cheerfully before going for a hug. "You look awesome!"

Xander tipped his hat to Cooger. "Howdy," he said, appropriately grave for his role as a drifter.
 
"Don't be causin' any trouble around here, or I'm gonna throw you in the, uh, the... brig," Cooger replied, realizing he couldn't think of the correct word.

"Brig is for ships," Dark replied, going into the trunk and handing Cooger his wrapped present.

"Thanks," Cooger said, tucking it under his arm, "What is it for the Wild West then?"

"I think it's just a jail," Daizi laughed, giving him a hug, "Happy Birthday! Congratulations on being old."

"You're not far behind me," He teased.

"But I'll never surpass you," She replied.
 
"Slammer?" Alec suggested playfully.

"I think hoosegow was what they called it sometimes," Xander supplied. "I make no promises for my behavior, but don't you worry none. I'm just passin' through."

Lex's car pulled up then, and Lex and Toby got out. Toby was in very typical Western wear with blue jeans, a lightly striped white shirt, a belt with a large buckle, and a cowboy hat. The hat was actually a prop from a Halloween costume, but it looked halfway decent. His skater shoes kind of threw off the vibe, but no one was really looking at people's shoes much, he figured.

Lex had managed to dig up a pair of brown cowboy boots to go with her outfit. She had on a clay-red fringe skirt that may or may not have been some sort of buckskin and a decorated vest that matched. (It was thrifted and didn't have a tag, so she had no idea what it may or may not have been made from, but it was soft!) She had on a floral-patterned button-up shirt with a fun and fluffy cravat/necktie to go with it, and leather bracers. A white hat (also thrifted and possibly also part of a former costume set) and a toy gun in a holster at her hip completed the look. She'd fluffed out her brunette hair some in a cascade of ringlets tied back with a ribbon.

"Well, howdy there, stranger!" she called to Cooger in her best (not very good) Western drawl. "I heard there was a barn party in these parts!"

"It's called a hoedown, Mom, or a barn dance," Toby said.

Lex shrugged. "A get together of some kind," she laughed as she walked over.
 
Cooger adjusted his belt, "Well hey there!" He replied, bending to kiss Lex hello, "Good to see you, pretty lady---" he made a face at this, displeased with his own compliment. It was hard to stay committed to the wild west bit, "You look great." His calloused fingers lightly touched her ringlets and then he pulled away, not wanting to mess them up, "A get together of some kind indeed. And it seems we had the right idea," He took out from his gun holster a water gun. It was more clearly anachronistic than hers, but more actually threatening.
 
Lex returned the kiss and grinned. "I think I'm Annie Oakley... I think. I'm glad you like it." She rather liked him playing with her hair. She made a note to wear it like this from time to time. She narrowed her eyes at him as he pulled out the water gun. "Dad-gum-it, why didn't I think of that?" She pouted fetchingly, her eyes twinkling even as she was truly annoyed that she hadn't thought of it. "If you shoot me, I can't give you your gift."
 
"Didn't think to try to fill it until too late," Xander replied.

Toby grinned and pulled out a very nice wooden gun that had been carved. It wasn't anywhere near perfect, but it was recognizable. "A friend made it."
 
Xander and Toby instantly started heading for the cabin, full of intent.

Alec made a face. "I'm a pianist. I'm not supposed to have a gun."

Lex chuckled. "You could keep one on hand in case one of these varmits tried to start a fight during your playing."

"Nah, I'd just keep on playing and provide a soundtrack to the fight!" Alec said brightly.
 
"Pardner, I think everyone in the wild west has a gun on them, just in case," Cooger grinned, "Dark, you got an inside pocket."

"I do," He replied, looking up from where he was kneeling beside his toddler, tying her bonnet on, "and I will put one gladly, but I do not know if we should provide one to my daughter, or else we'll all suffer."

"We can after all the necessary pictures are taken. I only wish I had one of those gun holsters I could put on my thigh," Daizi griped. The only other place one would fit would be down the front of her dress, which was much too provocative... and physically uncomfortable.
 
"I'll get you a small one, Mama, and maybe you can find a way to tie it on at least for show," Alec said and trotted off to fetch himself a water gun.

Lex smiled at Cooger. "I'll wait until the rush on the table has thinned. Then I'll get myself one." She hesitated only a moment before stepping closer to Cooger and asking in an undertone, "Are your parents here?"
 
Inside, Hank was lying on the table near the water guns, licking his paw. Cooger had dressed him in a red bandana and a tiny cowboy hat which he was clealry only tolerating because he was so chill. He barely looked up when they came in for the water guns. None of the other cats were dressed.

"Yeah," Cooger replied quietly, glancing down at his bona-fide cowboy boots, "They're excited to meet you."
 
Toby and Alec both cooed over Hank, telling him he looked awesome. Even Xander spared him a few pets. Then they crowded around the table and picked out their guns. Alec was tempted to snag one of the bigger ones for Daizi, but that would look weird strapped to her leg, so he got her a smaller one. Xander selected one for Dark with a slight smirk.

"It's been a long time since I've met a beau's parents, and now I'm going to meet them dressed like some imagined version of a female gunslinger," Lex said, amused. "Anything I need to know in advance?"
 
"Not really," Cooger replied as he toom her hand, "Just... don't tell my dad you're from New Jersey. I'm not ready to break that news to him. And don't mention the Celtics unless it's to say you hate them."
 
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