Faline

Kerry keeps her head down the whole way to the kitchen, Maii at my side being his coltish self. I try getting him to talk, but he just smiles at me each time. We get a few looks from some of the patrons we walk by, but no one bothers us.

Either word has gotten around, or since I'm actually dressed and actually look like a Vamp, they don't approach. Either is fine with me. The route is the same, I think, that Avina had taken yesterday, still as confusing though.

"How long do you have to be here before you stop getting lost?"

I ask as soon as we walk into the warm kitchen, drawing the attention of the others already working, getting a few small smiles, and even a shy wave. The wave comes from the guy I recognize from yesterday as the one who had helped me with the chair.

Inclining my head to each one with a smile, I get to the counter that I've pretty much claimed. There's a clean apron on it waiting for me. Nifty. Pulling it on and tying it as I walk over and look at the painting, I draw power from it to get through another day.

"I will see you again, sister-mine."

I whisper it, but I'm sure at least half the room hears me anyway. The stools have been moved, so I pull them back over, setting one to either side of the island. Looking at Maii as I point to one, he starts to drop when I narrow my eyes at him.

He grins and hops onto it, still a little unsure, I give him a smile in return. Cheeky little bugger. The other counter that I'd pulled over has also been moved, so I pull it back as well. Have to move the one stool, but I eventually get everything situated and functional.

Kerry had been standing off to one side with her head still pointing down. Going over to her, I raise her chin and look at her, telling her that she's fine, that she did nothing wrong, and that I don't blame her for her suspicion after what happened yesterday. She gives a small smile, then I hand her an apron and her face really shines. Since it's still early, breakfast foods it is. When we get started, even the rest of the kitchen crew looks eager and ready to conquer.

After looking for a few minutes reveals no waffle irons, I start making a list. Mistress had said to do so, so I'm going to take advantage of it. After writing that down, I get down to writing a few recipes I know for different ones and types to really make getting them worth it.

While I'm doing that, the others gather eggs, powdered sugar, and the pancake mix that they have, like, a dozen boxes of. Getting into the big freezer again for the sausage patties I'd seen last time I was in there, several boxes that weigh at least fifteen pounds, I grab all of them.

Lots of growing boys around here. Hell, even the women could use a few more pounds. Think I need to have a talk with this 'Mistress' and give her a few pointers on her own people. Just because you save a bunch of people and give them a home, doesn't mean that you stop there. Jeez.

Once we really get into the swing of things, I start getting weird feelings in the areas where my sister had been given wounds last night, like they keep getting torn open and scrubbed. I try not to let on that anything is bothering me, but my muscles will still start tweaking at odd moments. After having almost dropped a grease-filled frying pan when my inner arm had a spasm, Kerry and I rearrange how we're doing things. She gets to cook the meat while I flip hotcakes and make cheese and veggie omelets.

To my delight, once the smells start flowing, more and more people start coming in. Who knew Shifters would have some serious sweet-teeth, never seen anyone go so crazy for syrup. When writing down things the Lady will have to restock or get, I put down some different culinary recipe books.

Mexican, Italian, Greek... I don't write down any oriental ones, those tend not to be in English or call for ingredients that I have no clue what they are. I do however write down all the ones I do know, like stirfrys, rice dishes, and orange chicken.

Oh my God. Orange chicken. I almost want to start wailing right there. Beef and mushroom. Beef and broccoli. Crab Rangoon. I think I do end up making some sounds from the looks I'm getting. Going on to tell Kerry and Maii of all the dishes I can no longer have, they give sad faces, even though I doubt either know what the heck I'm talking about.

My over-exaggerated pouts and disparaging expressions even get a few chuckles from the random Vampires that lean against the walls. I notice none get too close and just have to smirk. Watch out, crazy undead chick in the kitchen!

Sharing that thought with Maii and Kerry gets them giggling, making me feel much better than I had this morning. I draw in as many of the other submissives as I can to include them in the laughter and camaraderie, it's easier to look out for each other when you get along. That's the running theory anyway.

Once breakfast food is all gone, we start preparing for a lunch menu, getting everything to make gyros. You know, cooking all this stuff is really just a torture I seem to be doing to myself. I do get pleasure from seeing everyone else's faces though.

"Maii if you aren't careful you're going to explode."

Little shit has eaten four sausage patties, two omelets, and I don't even know for sure how many pancakes. He just pats his belly and smiles. Granted I have him running around getting things for me, but still, that's one hell of a metabolism. Have a feeling that he and even some of the other younger looking ones will end up shooting up in height thanks to all the actual food they're eating now.

While I work on gathering the lamb from the freezer, Kerry needs a pee break, and Maii is off looking for more tomatoes. I find the meat, but I'm gonna have to slice it up and season it a bit. Wonder if the Lady of the house would get one of those meat slicer thingies. Hmm.

They're also in boxes and lifting them is no problem, but things were a little awkward and off-balance in one of them. Combine that with a slippery floor and bare feet and disaster is bound to happen.

Making one of those high pitched girly squeaks, I slide right to the doorway where I collide with a very large chest. The boxes are grabbed, but I fall onto my rear. Of course, another squeak comes out as my barely covered ass lands on the icy floor.

I don't even pay attention to the one I'd run into as I try jumping up to find my balance, overcompensating leading to falling on my knees. I give up. I'm upright at least. Swinging my hair back over my shoulder as I look up at the one I bounced off of, I have to keep looking up.

Dammit.

"You know, there is such a thing as being too damn tall, and you might as well be a damn pole with how hard you are."

Wasn't till after that comes out of my mouth that I start choking, putting a hand over my eyes. The humiliation is never going to end. Damn lion is always causing trouble.

"You should try break-dancing on ice more often, it's quite amusing. You even give cute little sound effects."

I glare up at him, but his face is too adorable.

"Shut up and help me up. I don't want to find out if I can stick to the ground like I can the counter."

He raises a thick black brow, mocking smile on his face, but lowers a hand for me to grab. Unlike other massive people, he doesn't pull like we're playing tug of war. So I luckily don't go flying out.

"Why do you always seem to be around when I'm in some kind of mess?"

"Why are you always getting into messes?"

"Uhh, touche."

He chuckles, massive timbre vibrating my eardrums as I'm carefully lifted and allowed to step out. Lifting my legs while facing the wall to brush the ice and water off my legs and rear, think I bruised my cheeks. I scowl up at him again as I rub at it.

"You made me bruise my ass. Literally."

"You ran into me."

His smirk is gonna get him smacked if he's not careful. Even if I have to climb him to do it.

"Yeah, well, you shouldn't be so hard."

Oh. My. God.

I just can't stop. I slap my hand over my mouth and groan. Stomping away has me slipping on the wood floor and about to go down again when he catches me.

"You're a bad luck charm. Shoo."

He bursts out laughing as he rights me, my arms crossing while his merriment vibrates my bones. Maii is off to the side with his mouth covered as well as he tries to keep from showing his laughter. My eyes narrow at him and he runs off. Doesn't go too far though as he returns with a dry rag for my feet.

"Thank you Maii, nice to know someone around here has manners."

I look at Orion pointedly who just shrugs, wide smile on his face.

"Hey, I saved the meat. That's what's important."

"Of course it is. Damn giant freakin' animals."

I mutter what I say, but he just chuckles some more.

"You sure you're not a hyena? Bred from an ogre?"

His brows raise so high that from my angle they almost look like they're floating. I grin as I dry my feet.

"You sure you're not a Pooka with a death wish?"

"Dunno, what's a Pooka?"

It sounds familiar, but for the life of me, I can't place it. Hooking the rag on the ties of my apron, I gather up the boxes of lamb.

"It's a Celtic Fae, said to be bringers of good or bad fortune. Supposedly they're shape-shifters, one of their forms is that of a cat."

Oh. Nifty. He grabs half the boxes, ignoring my scowl and takes them to the counter. Damn long ass legs.

"Just how big are you in cat form anyway? 'Cause it might be considered a dire animal or something. Is it possible for Shifters to descend from ancient cats like the sabertooth?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

I shrug, put my boxes down, and work on opening them.

"Not like I have much else to do. Might as well learn what I can about all this, right? The whole knowledge is power thing. Always been a firm believer in it."

While thinking about it, I write down on the list that I've started for the Lady, that a couple of meat slicers would be very helpful. People like meat on their partners right? The whole 'more cushion for the pushin' montage?

If you ask me I'd think it would draw more clientele if what they're paying for was healthier looking. Helps the employees feel better as well. Not to mention if blood does the whole thing that semen does when it comes to taste; more fruit making things sweeter an all. I wouldn't know myself, just all sorts of ick in my book.

Where's a non-bitchy female Vamp when I need one?