Faline

The only downfall here is that the Vamp will probably smell it in me and get mad. Mad that I had gone human, fed, then went back to cat without him. Especially the going back to cat part.

When hearing him in front of me, I take this time to practice. Circling around and going high, I wait for him to be right below me when I drop. Landing on his back is easy enough, the thrashing he does to get me off on the other hand, not so good. I try not to dig in my claws too much as I jump back off.

Able to retreat and sit down next to the tree before he whirls on me, the attack is halted when he sees me sitting there. I shake my head and lick my nose, the upper half of my body sinking to the ground before I flop over and start rubbing. Acting as innocent as possible while still snickering inside.

I start purring as he stalks toward me with his ears back, eyes hard and lip slightly raised. As soon as he hears me he stops. Ears relax as he watches me roll around, then he sits.

Nicolaus watches closely in what almost seems like bewilderment to me. Ever been stared at by an agitated big cat? It's highly disconcerting. Now just times that by ten from the massiveness of his size.

Since he isn't very trusting at the moment, I try to initiate play. My rolling has moved me closer to him, so I keep up the purring. With my back legs close enough, I kick out at his thick front legs. Trying to remember how Kierra's cat always does it.

It's not a hard kick, more just a firm enough press to move my own frame. This doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere, so I roll onto my belly, purring away. Raising to paw at his muzzle, I'm amazed that he even lets me. Then again, five of me 'might' make one of him. Still no change.

I headbutt his jaw and move into rubbing against his front. I can't make myself do it again. I was already acting way too cuddly. Taking a step away and turning my head back at him, I stop purring, sneeze once, then walk away. All I'd been trying to do was show him I hadn't been attacking, just practicing, or hell, even playing.

I get about four feet away before he's next to me pushing close. Chuffing once and keeping my head up, not even looking at him, I keep going. Heading, I think, to the entrance door.

He falls back a bit then headbutts my hip. I steady myself and keep going, nose high. He lets out a small, low growl and headbutts me again, this time right at the base of my tail. The force lifts my rear and almost knocks me onto my head.

I yowl, but otherwise keep ignoring him, getting maybe two more feet away before he does it again. This forceful nudge hits the back of my legs, then he tosses up his head. I lose my balance and topple right onto my face.

Now, cats can't laugh, not out-loud anyway, but the look on his face as I lift my leaf and dirt-covered face to glare at him speaks loud and clear. His bright pumpkin-colored eyes glitter with laughter as he chirps. I shake my head, going into the whole body shake. It's amazing that such a big cat can make such a small sound like that.

I yowl at him once more when his expression doesn't change. Standing back up, I wait till he's at my side before I start walking again. His massive head drops to my neck where he rubs his face and chin, his own purring loud and deep. The noise reminds me of the way a car sounds with the motor running.

He keeps up his amorous headbutting all the way to the clearing. Anthony's nowhere to be found, thankfully. I'm still curious about the business mentioned, but not enough to shift and ask. Nicolaus gives one last lick to the side of my head, then morphs into his human form. It's a really bad day when I realize I'm getting more and more used to him being naked around me.

He pulls on his jeans, does up a couple of buttons, all while I sit and wait. What's the point in having pants that button up if you don't use all the buttons? Then again, those other buttons would come in handy when he goes out into public. Whenever he leaves me alone long enough to anyway.

The look on his face is one I can't really read. Like as if multiple things were trying to be there at once. Whatever is on his mind, makes him pretty absent of the moment. Which would be fine if he weren't so close to me, knowing he can fly off the handle at any moment for no real reason.

I keep still and let him work through whatever it is he has on his mind. Out of everything going on on his face, I can pick out that secretive look he had given earlier but then it's taken over with a look of guilt, then replaced with a look of anger. He mentioned once that he was almost a hundred sixty years old, I wonder if his mind is snapping because of that or if he was like this before he was turned.

Whoever turned him must have been just as crazy if not more so. Talk about getting pulled into a fucked-up family. My tail flicks as my thoughts roam, catching his eye. I freeze again, but he seems to pull himself out of whatever has a hold of him, doing his ritual of pulling his hair back with the hair tie on his wrist.

"Stay by my side, there are others roaming around. The woman owning this place is hosting some event or another. I warn you now before you get any ideas, for this gathering is made up of all those who come out once it gets dark. All who are here are here to buy skin. Many will not think twice about snatching you up, thinking you're open market."

Well, that gives me a small clue as to why his face was so confusing. I swallow down a thickening lump in my throat as my thoughts go back to the submissive, Avina. I nod at him, having no problem listening to him this time. Planning on being like glue at his side, going human now would be a very stupid thing to do, which is probably why he hasn't complained about it yet.

"We won't be able to avoid everyone, but the larger crowds we can get around. With the full moon so close, many of the patrons are an animal of some sort or another, so you won't stick out too much. More so since you're female, but less so since you're not a Were about to go into heat."

That catches my attention even more so than the other stuff he had been saying. Heat? What the hell? I think I'm going to have to fold and go human at some point soon, having so many damn questions. The next words out of his mouth almost mirror my thoughts.

"We'll talk more about everything when we get to the bedroom, I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. I will not give you up, and no one else will have you. We'll have to avoid as many of my kind as possible since we're claiming sanctuary. It's dangerous for you to remain in here, especially alone. Now, come. By my side, the whole way. If something comes up I will keep you as safe as possible, but if something should happen..."

He shakes his head, my heart thumps so hard I'm sure he can hear it. Definitely accomplished scaring me, that's for sure. Orange eyes land on my gold, a determined look on his face. Inclining his head, he opens the door and we go through.

The biggest thing to strive for now is to remain unseen. Nicolaus stays close to the shadowed inner corridors, away from the gatherings, so I stay between him and the wall. Being a feline right now really comes in handy. Soft footed and small to boot. Don't think I'll ever complain about being small again.

Just as we're about to make a turn down the second hallway before we start heading up, Nicolaus is hailed by a male voice. I stay next to his legs against the wall, trying to look invisible without looking like I'm trying to. My Vampire keeps walking, just raising a hand in acknowledgment.

We keep going, making it to the stairs where a strong flowery smell is filling the air. A female calls out to him this time. He sighs heavily and turns, putting his hand on my head as I go up a couple, tapping on the back of my ear. I can feel his body tensing as he waits for his suitor, so I stay on my feet and move closer to his leg, watching as the woman approaches.

She might have been real pretty at some point, but her heavily painted face hides anything really worth seeing. Having either powdered her face, or it's just really freaking pale with black charcoal in thick lines around her blue eyes making them look darker. Long brown ringlets cascade over and around her shoulders in an artful spritz.

I have to do a double-take on her outfit, not sure I'm seeing it right. Tight, thin, black, and red leather bands spiderweb over her upper body, barely covering her nipples. Her areolas are displayed almost proudly, the skin tightening as she gets closer to Nicolaus. The straps go low over her hips, crisscrossing over her groin, again just barely covering anything.

Peek-a-boo clothing. How quaint.

As she moves closer, my nose twitches, watching the straps going over her groin move and give glimpses of pale skin. The lower straps drape down the sides of her legs and lead into panels of a gauzy like material. She is on the smaller side, but the heels enfolding her feet give her at least five inches. Stiletto heel. Not surprising.

Sandal-like platforms to match the outfit, it's probably a good thing I don't have too many expressions in this form, because I'm sure I would have been slapped by now as I look on in distaste. The look on her face as she gazes at him makes me want to gag. Of course that could be from her cloying perfume turning my stomach, it even causes me to take a small step back before I realize I'd done so.

Nicolaus pinches my ear, then goes to scritching the top of my head as I un-wantingly take the step back. I try not to breathe too deeply, but I can't stop the sneezes that escape me. My head starts to spin as one after another has my head shaking. I'm finally able to stop after five. The look on the woman's face glares at me as if I'm making her look bad.

Sorry hunny, that's all you.

Nicolaus is rubbing my ear as I rub my face on his pant leg, trying to get her thick scent of vanilla and some strong flower out of my nose. His body is still tense as she puts her arm in his, trying to pull him back and further into the room. He doesn't budge.

The woman looks cross for a moment, then steps up close, pressing the front of her frame to his. Her leg movement's exaggerated as she tries to knock it into me. My ears go back, trying to behave while she goes to her tiptoes to whisper into his ear.

If I bothered I could hear what she's saying, but not only do I not care, I'm too focused on not sneezing with her this damn close. Feeling it creeping up, I rub the side of my head against the back of my Vampire's knee in apology, then turn to her legs and let loose, purposefully spitting all over legs and strappy groin.

She jumps back with a screech, my head shaking as I keep going. She shoots a murderous look at me, then exclaims at Nicolaus to nevermind. I finally stop after four this time. My head pounds as I hold it down for a moment, forepaw waving in front of me as if trying to brush them off. So worth it though.

Nicolaus crouches down next to me, the glint in his tangerine-colored eyes one of suppressed laughter, the slit dilating at me. He can't hide the smile that creeps up though. Cupping my face, he presses his forehead to mine.

"Thank you, love."

He whispers to me then stands to continue our trek upstairs. I look back once to see her standing off in a corner, eyes glinting sapphire at me. My tongue slips out to clean off my nose and muzzle as I hold her gaze. She fumes before turning away with her nose raised. Nodding my head and sniffing, I turn back and follow Nicolaus' soft laughter.

We make it to the third level with no other mishap, that is, until we get to the hallway leading to our room. A deep male voice chuckles behind me, close. Too close. I whirl around, lips raised in a growl. How this man managed to sneak up behind two feline Vampires is a serious need to know issue. I blame the brain-boggling, no idea what the man at my side can claim.

Nicolaus had whirled at the same time, body going into a defensive pose before he sees who it is. Standing upright, but not relaxing, he's even more tense than he had been with the woman. That makes me real nervous. The stranger's scent finds me, a subtle, nice smelling cologne, not at all overpowering. Yay for small favors, don't think my brain could survive another rattling.

The new man is tall, like, really tall. I've estimated Nicolaus to be around six-foot-four-ish, this man is taller. His rear leans against the railing with his arms crossed over his barrel chest. A very wide, very naked chest. Is this a 'Clothing is Optional' thing? Wait, we're in a brothel. Nevermind.

Barefoot with zipped up dark blue jeans that ride low on his hips. A trail of dark hair runs into his pants from a tanned upper body, drawing the gaze to his narrow waist and long, thick, crossed legs. I snap my eyes more north, seeing his smirk. Eyes so dark they look black gaze out, a chiseled face with a five o'clock shadowed jaw, which is also adorned with high cheekbones, and long black hair.

Feeling really tiny right about now, I back up a step. A wildness from his scent tickles my nose in curiosity.

"What do you want, Lion?"