Kierra

With that as the last image my mind’s eye sees, I slowly awaken. Sounds and smells find and assault my senses, so I move my forelegs closer to my head in an attempt to drown things out. It doesn't work though. The sound of a motorcycle outside is being revved before it goes silent and the smell of food cooking makes my belly grumble aloud. A small chuckle next to me has me raising my head, have to blink a few times to make sure he's who I'm seeing.

"It would appear you are hungry, little wolf."

I yawn before looking back to bluish-green eyes that are several shades lighter than the ones I'm used to seeing. Benjamin the Vampire is sitting next to me on my new couch. My ears quirk before I look around.

"Someone actually let you in? Think I need to fire my security."

The glittering of my eyes shows me clearly being an ass, but he scoffs anyway.

"Seeing as how most of your 'security' are pups, I fear you're in for a mighty big disappointment."

Sitting up casually, I lean over and nip at his arm. He pulls away but still laughs. Since he's here, it must be after dark. Yawning again, I drag myself off of the couch, stretching my legs while I do so. Seen dogs do it before, now I know why.

"When did you get the new couch?"

I look back to him as I get my legs under me. Tail lashing from one side to the other has a wisp of dream rise, but it's instantly gone. Great, probably had some awesome dreaming done and I remember none of it. Typical.

Bastion and Xavier are in the kitchen cooking again, Maii sitting at the end of the island counter watching them. Can hear the brothers outside but no sign of Asher yet. Probably making his rounds again.

"Earlier today actually. Bought with money you slipped into my account. So guess you could say the bad guys bought it for me. So nice aren't they?"

All he does is smile, so I shake my head. Smile does fall though when he motions out front, question obvious. My projecting turns into whispers for his brain alone.

I rub along the lonely footstool while he shivers. Would ask if he's alright, but I know he is. Just a side effect from my calling his animal to the surface. Seems it creates a bond with Vampires, so I have to be very careful.

"Picked up a couple new strays. They helped Xavier and I earlier when I went to see Alarico, the Red Wolf Pack Alpha. Couple Vamps tried jumping us as we were leaving when they provided aid, then again later when a group of humans made a try for us."

Glancing over, can see his face has hardened.

"It was the humans that we got the tape from. I know the Vamps were after me, but I have no idea where the humans come in in all this. Any ideas? Did you get what was on it?"

He nods but doesn't look too happy. Making it around the dark green ottoman, leaving scent and loose fur, I walk past him, swatting him with a long tail.

"Sourpuss."

Have to stop and really laugh at that, him actually being a puss an all. Send my laughter into his brain just as he snags hold of my tail. Keep forgetting his speed, his being faster than any others I've come across.

Sending him a raised eyebrow visual, he tugs till I start stepping back, only stopping when I'm right in front of him. His scent hits me hard as he moves more to the edge of his seat. Must have been sitting there for a while for his musk building to that level in one spot.

Musk, not must.

The smell coming off him entices my wolf senses. Oh, shit. Watching him closely, he doesn't look too drunk yet, he’s still ‘there’ in his eyes as his hands sink into the fur on my back and side. You'd think I was a freakin' petting zoo with as much as everyone touches me. Don't get me wrong, feels good, just...damn.

"You with me here, Benji?"

"I am."

I get saved by an Imp as he comes over with a few slices of roast beef. Nahm. Licking his face before snagging up the food, I plan on shifting back soon anyway, soon as I stop getting groped.

Get the feeling he wants to talk to me, just not in range of everyone else. I look at him and ask if that's what he's wanting, and he dips his head down once. I'd be nervous if he was drunk, but he looks to be fighting it pretty well.

"To do that, you have to let me go. I want to be upright, dreams made me uneasy. Let me shower and such then we can talk."

He lets go instantly, seeming to know all about dreams going bad. Can just imagine that he has. That or I stink. Either way, once he lets go, I head for the shower. Checking to make sure there's a towel left before shifting, I take my shower and do all other assorted bathroom things. My own breath tasting especially horrible, teeth get brushed twice.

Now the fun part. I usually dart across to my room, especially when so many are here, but there are a couple that like to be right under my feet. Putting my ear to the door to get a better idea, doesn't seem to be anyone out there to be a pest. Opening the door to see the way is clear, I make my dash, making the roughly seven-foot sprint in two seconds flat. My room is across from the bathroom, but the doorway itself is further down.

While equipping myself with my daily armor, the urge I had in the shower to call Ava gets stronger. Hope she's alright. Also have to make a call to mom since she more than likely only sent a text.

Also think that I should probably look into getting a new place, if I keep collecting people and housing them, I'm going to need more room. Probably won't be able to get anything this late in the year in the size I need, let alone needing to figure out finances.

That's all pushed away as I start daydreaming. Large house with a big wrap-around porch, multiple stories for space and rooms, a basement that doesn't have any exposed pipes and lack of windows. Large open rooms that are a combination of carpet and hardwood. Most definitely more than one bathroom, my God. It’s true when they say bathrooms sell houses.

Hook-ups for a washer and dryer would really be nice, can't keep mooching off of Ava's. She says she doesn't mind, and she may not, but I do. Lots of land will be needed as well, with privacy. The biggest problem I think will be finding a balance between Faline and everyone else.

Sorry guys, but she comes first.

Clothed, I now start putting in all the assorted body jewelry that doesn't like to stay in when I shift.

Maybe have rooms in the basement? One that isn't dank and depressing for sure. Want to keep up with the whole nesting thing, and to be able to accommodate her, it needs to be in a basement again. Instead of a man cave, it'll be an actual den. Can't help but smile at that. Still need several bedrooms though, even if they aren't slept in; a place to put your things is always nice. Not to mention answers to any asked questions.

As far as daydreams go, I think it's pretty good, even moreso when trying to stay realistic. Hell, a new vehicle is also needed, since my jeep seems to be getting smaller and smaller. The park that Ava lives in, could it have open houses? That would be pretty damn perfect actually. Lots of space to run without worry of getting caught every few seconds and since someone has to go to her place to get Lily for school, they could snag up my two as well.

Ahh, the power of dreams. Not sure how much Ava pays for her setup, but I'm pretty damn sure it isn't cheap. Any house I get would also have to be bought, not rented. Hell, even if it's a place in foreclosure, just means you get to fix it up in a way you want.

Staring into my mirror, I can see my eyes get all dreamy. I blink it away. Time to get back to reality, where things are a lot harder, and a lot less shiny. Jeans and a plain shirt in order with piercings in place, I head back out. My hair air dries, no brushing till then, otherwise, it just gets ripped out. Hate using a hairdryer, I end up looking like a damn poodle.

While stepping out of my door and playing with the barbell in my tongue, I step right into a chest. Blinking a couple times, I look up to a shit-eating grin. Leaning against my doorway and knowing how I tend to come out, he just sat and waited.

"Creeper."

"Insolent pooch."

Laughing, I push past the annoying overly tall male. Tongue still playing along my lip as I get the hole to widen. Have to be careful with assorted skin additions since flesh will try to heal over it.

Re-piercing my ears each time is one thing, but my tongue is a whole different deal. May heal faster and all, and the initial piercing won't be that bad, it's the annoying swelling afterwards. My masochism does not extend to the enjoyment of the swelling muscle that I use to talk with, sorry.