The big reveal

One week later, you took Tori on a trip to the lake for a weekend of camping, deciding that after the trek earlier, you needed a proper trip out in the wilderness together, without worrying about anything or anyone else. Other than a brief channeling detour with a bird who needed help shooing a raccoon away from the eggs in her nest, you and Tori had a wonderful time that reminded you of times in the woods with each other as kids. In fact, you and Tori had walked this path dozens of times together, and it felt as familiar as ever. Around the campfire at night, you two cuddled close, sharing a brief kiss but mostly enjoying the stories you'd tell each other. On her own with you, Tori had no plans to move too quickly, almost preferring to let the channeling energy drive more exciting interactions with you while preserving a calm, loving friendship with you.

Unbeknownst to Tori, the trip was more than just a getaway to share time with a friend. Laredo's partners on the horse track project happily accepted your offer for a free design, gushing over the notion that they could have a facility that would match the modern stylings of Seatown architecture and promote tourism to the area. And so, Laredo made good on his promise to equip your property with everything you needed to take care of a horse. While you had neighbors along your street to the side, your backyard stretched pretty far out for nearly two acres with more rolling fields just beyond the far boundaries, with an old unused shed and fence that needed some patching up. With a quick modification to the front wall, Laredo's team was able to convert the shed into a single-horse stable pretty easily, creating a suitable space for Tango to stay. With a mended fence and gate, and a start on feed and supplies, the Laredos had finished their work shortly before you and Tori arrived home.

"That was so fun, Pete," Tori said as she followed you in the house, oblivious to any of the work done in the backyard. "Being able to roam all around that lake all these years later? That was a pretty special surprise."

You put an arm around Tori, barely able to contain a smile. "Well, the surprise doesn't end here. I've got one more thing to show you."

Tori snorted. "Is it a DVD box set of Baby Chef Showdown?"

"I think you'll like this one a little more than that," you said as you walked to the side door, opening it up. With a quirk of her eyebrow but a polite smile, Tori walked out to the backyard patio, and gasped at the sight.

The shed looked new, painted a brick red, completely ready for stable use, complete with a saddle hanging on a railing. That was impressive enough, you thought, admiring their handiwork. But Tori was looking toward the far end of the yard, where Tango roamed the perimeter, getting a feel for the area. "Pete, I'm... does this mean, Tango's going to be here with us?" You nodded, and Tori almost knocked you down with a hug, giggling uncontrollably. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I can ride her to a lot of my checkups right outside town, that's better than saving up for a car! How on earth did you get Laredo to give her to you?"

"That's a secret I'm gonna keep for now," you said, squeezing Tori tight to you. "Denny said he wanted more space for some other horses, and we both knew you liked Tango a lot. So, she's set up for everything she'd need to stay out here, though I would presume that we can save some costs with some of your channeling expertise to ease the burden on our budgets. The backyard can be your space, I don't do much with it, so if you want to bring in more animals, I'll leave that to you, but for now it's just ready for a horse."

With a wink, Tori grinned up at you. "Now, if I had to guess, you might be in favor of channeling Tango for very different reasons from time to time... better to have her close at hand, of course."

Hearing the commotion, Tango turned your way, trotting toward the house. Once she came close enough, though, Tori felt that familiar tug, as her hand glowed purple once more... she ran forward to meet Tango halfway, touching her neck. Once the flash faded, one girl stood in the middle of your hard, arms crossed tight to her stomach as tears ran down her cheek, sniffling.

You hurried over, a look of concern on your face. "Tango? What's wrong?"

Tango closed her eyes and shook her hand. "Nothin' at all. These are tears of joy, Pete..!" She reached out and held herself onto you, burying her face into your shoulder. Unlike the giddy Tori just moments ago, the strong and resilient Tsunami Tango bared her softer side to you, her tears soaking into your shirt. "It's been so, so long... so long since the old days when they paid attention to me as more than just a burden. I'd been overlooked for years, Pete, barely gettin' a chance to do more'n wander the ranch. Knowing that you did all this for me, so me and Tori could ride together, it's... I don't have the words! I feel like I matter again!" Tango gripped tighter to you, as if she was scared that if she let go this dream may fade away.

"Hey, of course you do," you said quietly, keeping your arms around here. "You know Tori adores you, and I do too, you won me over really quick. ...Even without all the, well, you know. I like who Tori is with you as a part of her, and I think she likes it too. But you're part of the family now, and I promise here, as far as horses go around here, you take first prize."

"First prize..." Tango whispered back, holding onto you. "And a family where I won't be forgotten. I will devote my days and nights to make you and Tori endlessly happy, I can promise you that. You can count on Tsunami Tango to be there for everything you need--just like you and Tori have been there for me." She pulled away from you, wiping her eyes and smiling, trying to speak without her voice breaking. "I'd seen this day comin' from a mile away, I knew my time at Laredo Ranch wouldn't last much longer. I tell you, I was scared taking those first steps onto the trailer to come here, I thought I was headin' south to some other strangers and I'd be far from the things I knew. Then I saw you and Tori come outside, and everything made sense... I needed to know that this was real."

You kissed Tango's forehead and nodded. "Yeah, it's real. You're going to have to share more body time with Tori, though, if you keep taking her body wholesale she's going to start getting jealous!"

Tango laughed and wiped some tears away. "You're right. You think she'll share with me often? Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors and I'll be more'n happy right out here and takin' Tori around for her work when you're busy. And you too, of course, I'll take you wherever you want too! But I know there's an opportunity here to be more than just a means of transportation, and if you'll let me, I'll be with you like this every so often to remind you of my gratitude for thinkin' of my wellbeing."

"Oh, trust me, I'll be more than happy to enjoy your company. How frequently is up to you and Tori, it's her body that she has to share. That said, I know willful channeling can help protect her from involuntary stuff, so I think she'll find your presence very helpful."

Tango nodded, gripping your shirt a little more. She seemed to be taking a moment to build up the courage to do something without you providing a command to her, but eventually she moved in for a kiss, locking her lips to yours, taking the initiative to display her affection. It felt like the kiss restored her confidence, and anchored her emotions. "I, uh, do have one more request, though."

You quirked an eyebrow as Tango let go of you, stepping back to look at the backyard that served as her new home. "What's that?"

"Think you could get me a hat of my own?" Tango said with a toothy smile, her equine ears wiggling atop her head.