Faline

"You know with your sister surviving the attack, she's more than likely a Werewolf now herself."

Hadn't really thought about that actually, would explain a lot though. Managing to tussle with a Vampire for one and not be killed instantly.

I give her a small nod, still not understanding their reaction. She looks to Maii, telling him to go by the door, and if he hears anyone coming, to let her know. He gives a sharp nod and hops down.

Lifting my head, I watch him, then turn to her with my own confusion before she takes my hands in hers as she scoots closer. Her face showing worry yet excitement as well.

"There have been rumors flying around the community lately, especially among the wolves and undead. Even your Maker's Werewolf has to have heard some of them. There's been talk of big changes going to happen."

I nod, showing her that I'm following along, but still not understanding where she's going with this. Her warm hands feel good against my cold ones.

"The wolves have been talking about a new wolf, some say pale while others whisper Silver. Some even claim to have seen or heard this new wolf. Each species has its own legends and tales that we hear of when we're young and in school or by our families."

She stumbles on that part but keeps going after a brief pause.

"One of the bigger ones we learn about with the wolves and most other canine breeds as well is the Silver Wolf. A very rare color in the communities, the last one lived many, many years ago. At least a hundred years I think, and it was overseas. So talk of one here is a big deal."

I start fidgeting, not really liking where she's going with all this as hard knot starts to form in my gut.

"You see, the Silver Wolf is said to be very special, magical. Even powerful in some tales, holding sway over all canines and said to have the magics of all the Clans combined. There's a lot of fear around it, but also a lot of reverence. It's said that no wolf or any supernatural of canine blood will harm them."

Yeah, that sounds great and all, but if she's thinking my sister is this wolf, she's sadly mistaken.

"Don't you see? When you account for the timing of all this, as well as you being here to see that painting? Your sister becoming a Werewolf just as talk is rising about prophecies of change? Your Maker's inability to have her killed even though you know of at least two attempts?"

She finally stops after at least a whole minute of my head shaking.

"No. You're wrong. You said that no one of canine blood would harm them. I felt her being raped by a wolf. If she were this wolf everyone is talking about, then that wouldn't have happened."

Kerry nods for a moment, then speaks up to counter.

"Unless they were a rogue. Rogues don't follow any traditions or rules and tend to be overall bad people. Weres and Shifters have their share, animals go wrong just like people do."

Still don't believe her, and by the look on her face, there's no point in trying to argue the point anymore. She huffs out a breath.

"I'll ask Orion, he'll know more than I. He's still a part of his Clan, where I'm not."

She sounds a little sad about that but doesn't let it show for more than a moment.

"Orion?"

Kerry nods, her loose platinum hair moving around her, at least waist length and slightly curled at the ends. On seeing my raised brow to continue, she finally answers.

"You know him, you've talked to him. I heard he's even offered his protection to you. The lion Shifter."

Oh. So he does have a name. Much better than 'Freakishly Tall Man with Boomy Voice'. My look of comprehension seems to satisfy her. Her thin frame is fairly bouncing on the bed next to me. Glad she's excited, but I'll hold judgment.

"Won't talking to him be dangerous though? If my sister does happen to be this mythical beast you think she is, her life could be in even more danger if the wrong person finds out."

And I'm sorry, I know my sister is amazing an all in her own right, but she's far from magical. Even she would laugh at anyone thinking so, then she'd smack 'em. The whole 'Gibbs Slap', right to the back of the head. I feel a smile form at that.

Think she misreads it though, as she moves to grab items from on top of the pillows. Her 'uniform' of loincloth, nipple clamps, and a binding for her hair. Another cloth next to it must be Maii's. He's also still wearing his collar. Spandex?

"No, he can be trusted. The whole reason he's here is to keep his people out of any trouble they might get into. The different Shifter species don't tend to intermingle unless something important comes up, but he'll do what he can if someone asks him for help."

Interesting. Was hoping he was a good guy. I watch her as she equips herself, the clamps look like they really hurt. Then again, I'm not one for pain, she might be. Hell, they all might be.

Looking around, I sigh. Can at least try asking for something to wear.

"Kerry? Granted I didn't mind too much about the loincloth and apron yesterday, but I would like something more substantial to wear today. Do you know where I can get something? After everything I learned last night, I really want some clothes."

I plead with her, both in voice and eyes. Turns out I don't have to do too much, her looking at my back once more. She gives a nod.

"After knowing that you aren't here as a slave, many of us were wondering why you were wearing what you were. You don't act like the others, either. The Mistress does what she can, but just like any leader, she has to keep up appearances otherwise she'll lose control. I will go out and find you something, but Maii has to stay with you. One of us has to be with you at all times, preferably both of us. The Lady seems to have taken a liking to you since she has let you get away with a lot."

Shoulders rise and fall, but I thank her for looking for me. Again, I get the typical surprise, think I'm just going to start ignoring it. Doesn't seem to change no matter what I do.

"After I'm in clothes, we'll go to the kitchen and make more food. There's more recipes I have to write down, too. How did things go before you came up?"

"They were good. A bit weird at first, but it all smoothed out."

Nodding, I show her my gratitude, then she slips out to find me something to wear. While she's gone, I take a quick shower, really wanting to be gone if Nicolaus shows up. Or his dog.

I don't think I'll be able to keep myself from attacking him at first sight. Either of them really, but I think Anthony will be easier to take down, especially if Nicolaus isn't around to pull me off of him.

Exiting the bathroom in a towel, Maii is in his human skin by the door on his knees with his head down.

"Maii? You don't have to sit like that if it's just me around, it has to get uncomfortable."

He looks up and smiles at me, but stays put. I sigh and leave it be. Pacing around the room, I wait for Kerry to return, really hoping she hasn't gotten stopped by anyone.

My shower was maybe five minutes long, counting that, it takes her fifteen minutes to return. By then I'm ready to rip my hair out. She knocks and when the door is opened she's on her knees holding up the folded articles.

I get her to stand and pull her in, her face shows nervous for a minute, then calms. Geez, you'd think I'd ravaged somebody or something. Oh, wait, I am known to do that. No one innocent though, first time with the submissive Avina doesn't count.

I pull the bundle to me and bury my face in them first. Laundry soap and leather meet my nose, strong this close, but I don't care. It's clothing! I should probably see just what it is before I get excited. Would really suck to be all excited and it turns out to be something I wouldn't wear in a million years.

"Sorry I took so long, I wasn't sure where to go to get them, so I went to the Mistress. She rolled her eyes, but gave me those to give to you."

Pulling back, I look at her in surprise. Great. No telling what they are. Meanwhile, I'm becoming more and more in debt to that woman. Pretty sure that's why she keeps helping. Standing more upright, I really look at them.

Setting the bundle on the bed, it turns out that it's a few different outfits. Two of them being silk and gauzy lingerie sets, one black and the other white. Yeah...no thanks. The third one isn't much better, but it more qualifies as 'clothing' than the other items.

At first, I think it's a two-piece, but nope, one whole piece of black leather. Of course. I exhale over the look of it, then turn for the bathroom, motioning Kerry to follow me. Not so much for privacy as much as I need a mirror.

Handing the outfit to her for a second, I go back out and grab the black pair of undies that I have to detach from garters. Back in the bathroom, I slip them on first. Easy enough. Now for the painful part.

Strapless black corset with a zipper up the front and crisscrossing straps on the sides from under the breasts to the hip. A short, pleated black leather skirt is the bottom of it, the only color on the whole thing is the eyelets and zipper that glare silver.

I've always been thin and on the small side, the Mistress is both taller and a different shape, yet this damn thing looks like it was made specifically for my size, pushing my smaller bust up till they look bigger than what they actually are. The snug fit keeps them in place as the zipper goes up, the whole thing tightening around me. Even with it being what it is, it feels amazing to be enclosed in clothing again, the pressure from it damn near comforting.

I'm sure expressions are all over the place on my face, but I can't help it. The short skirt goes just low enough to cover my butt cheeks. No bending over for me. My sister would kill me if she ever saw me in this.

Somewhere, Kerry had found a brush and has been going after my hair while I shimmy into the leather. Once all situated, I look into the mirror and am pleasantly surprised; I look pretty awesome.

Snug from breast to waist and flaring out at the skirt, the ties going down my sides are revealing, but not showing anything important. My scars are showing, but I'm not going to worry about it. Now I know what Kie meant by them being badges.

It shows that I survived, that I made it through something difficult. Becoming a Vampire smooths the skin, takes away most blemishes, and makes hair thicker and more lush. Shows just how bad I'd been scarred to still have them after my conversion.

Granted they have faded and thinned, but they're still there and always will be, more than likely. My hair has gotten longer and thickened, it used to be thin and just below my shoulders, now it's just above the middle of my back and thick. Not as thick as my sister's or my mom's was, but much more than what it had originally been. Eyebrows are also finely arched and thin, no more plucking needed.

Right now Kerry is finishing the fight against the snarls and knots. Once all brushed out, can tell my blond has gone a little more yellow, the color leading into an orange then red at the tips. Originally it had been blondish-red, so what it's doing now is totally new. Looks nifty I guess, having the color of fiery flame.

Kerry pets down the length of it while looking into the mirror at me, admiration on her face. It doesn't belong there. There's nothing to admire here. At my scowl, she shows me a length of cord and I nod. Pulling it back, she ties the strange hair up for me.

Giving me black leather when I'll be working in a kitchen is just dumb, but whatever. My gold eyes blaze back at me as I build myself back up from my collapse last night. Stiffening my spine, I pull on all my courage and wrap my humor around me like a cloak.

"Alright, time to stop hiding and take on the day. Grab the bull by the horns and make it my bitch. I know you and Maii are supposed to keep me out of trouble, but if anyone starts it with me, I'm not going to back down."

I warn her now, because I know it's bound to happen. Always seems to. Motioning her to follow me, we go back out to the bedroom so I can include the boy in the conversation, even though I'm sure he can hear me anyway.

"I want you both to back off if anyone does try to start anything, I don't want you hurt. If things do start going south, I want one of you to get the Mistress and the other go get, what's his name? Orion? Don't go for Nicolaus. If I see him or Anthony, it will just make things worse. Alright?"

Looking at each in turn, Maii nods readily, Kerry, on the other hand, looks like she has reservations, but at my steady look, she inclines her head as well. Go figure when I need them to be submissive is when they find backbone. Before I can go to the door, she stops me.

"The Mistress requests that you use me to feed before we go down since Avina isn't here."

Her voice shakes a little, but there's no fear on her face. Having not taken much from the girl last night, I do need to feed if I want to be able to make it throughout the day with relatively no issues. At my nod, she tilts her head.

Stepping up to her, I take my fill, seal the holes, and step back. Taking what I need, but not pulling so much from her to make her dizzy. Her eyes had closed tight when I approached, but when I pull back, she's looking at me.

"I take it you were expecting me to be an ass?"

She lowers her head, but I shrug and head out the door. She shouldn't be donating anyway, not with what happened to her yesterday, but her blood does have a bit more zing to it than Avina's. More heat.

"Don't worry about it."