Faline

Coming back to the now that I had wandered off from, the Werewolf has roamed over to look at the painting. Can tell he knows what's been going on when he looks back to me, making eye contact directly. His eyes are pretty creepy; like a dead man with fish eyes looking at you. Sort of. There's actual life in those orbs, so he doesn't have that cold dead fish feel. Yet.

I'd relaxed a little with Lex's words, but I tense up again when the newcomer walks towards me with intent. I’m not good with reading Werewolf faces yet, and those eyeballs aren't very helpful either.

"Watch yourself wolf, got lots of sharp implements around here if I need them, and I'm relatively proficient in wielding them. Lex has vouched for you, don't make me doubt his word."

His head dips, but he keeps coming. My taking a step back and keeping hands loose at my sides finally has him stopping a couple of feet away, his head cocking at me. I think that's amusement in his eyes that I'm seeing.

"I would watch myself; but there are no mirrors in here. You can use anything sharp on me that you want to, but I don't think I'll have the reaction you're looking for."

His lips part in what I think is meant as a grin.

"The Mistress has sent me to be your guard dog and just from what has transpired so far, I think I will enjoy this assignment immensely."

Uhh, what? I scowl. She said she'd send me an animal...not a dog with a death wish and a fetish for blades. Although he'd get along perfectly with my demented sibling.

"So what am I supposed to tell you? Sit and stay? You don't seem to be the type. And you're too big, you'll get in my way."

Kind of being a bitch here, I know, but if he can take it, then I'll keep dishing it. I’m being honest though. Maii was smallish, this dude is too damn tall and bulky. All Werewolves have wide shoulders, don't know about other animals, but it doesn't matter if it's male or female, both are wide.

"I could sit, but I wouldn't be very effective sitting with my thumb up my ass, same for staying. And did you just call me fat?"

Can't help it, I have to smile. He may be annoying but he's funny. So far I haven't had anyone try to make friends and then kill me and if Lady sent him then he should be alright... Right?

Think I'll still keep an eye on him though, just in case. Avina is looking between us a little nervously, so I pat her arm. Looking from Seth to the painting, then back, I give him a raised brow. He just bares his teeth again. I'll keep that in the memory banks as being a smile. Smile, grin, or smirk, either way. Turning away from him, I get back to my job that isn't a job but is a job.

Nothing new had been made, just cycling through what I had made before with them that they knew how to do. Rotisserie ovens get set up with birds and some pig, salad bar filled with new greens, fruits and veggies, and Kerry starts up making some sweet or another.

The others look to me for direction on what to do. Flipping through the recipes that got written down, I start jotting down new ones that I'd seen over at Ava's. While doing so, I have them in pairs making dishes.

Salem and Joey make egg, sausage, cheese and biscuit casserole, Scarlett and Lex get to do egg rolls at the fryers, and Marie and Ty start on making homemade biscuits and gravy. While they do that and after I finish writing down a couple of plates, I start on the french toast roll-ups. Fruit and cream cheese filling with a cinnamon sugar covering after getting fried.

I miss food.

Have to kick Seth out of the way several times, not because he's actually in the way, but because he keeps eating our ingredients on us. Werewolf bellies are bottomless, I swear. Don't matter what form they're in.

Salem and Marie, who’re also Werewolves, can really pack down the food too. Glad to see they're eating, just wish I knew where they were putting it all. Not just wolves of course, but all animals.

When I first started cooking, everyone was thin. By the time I left, they'd all been filling out quite nicely. The humans are still pretty thin, but the animals have really come in to restoring their fat stores.

Female chests and hips are rounding out a bit more and males are adding more body mass for thicker or 'juicier' bodies. Both a lot less boney while hair, skin, and eyes have a healthy shine, and overall attitude is lighter. Should probably ask for outside time for them to, or get some windows opened in a few of the rooms just for them to bask in. Vitamin D right?

We really start going through the yeast when making the biscuits, but even more so when rolls and breads are made. Fruit salad is set out with berry and yogurt smoothies. Since he'd been such a pain, I make Seth into a moving target as I toss berry missiles.

My original goal to make it in his ears gets changed to trying to make the berry explode on impact against him. With human strength, it's pretty difficult for a female my size and power to do, but now that I'm all supernatural and junk, my tossing power is a whole lot better. He has to go to the bathroom after a half an hour or so, being covered in berry juice.

"I think I may have just dyed him purplish-red."

The crew gets a kick out of it, as does a few that’re sitting and eating. Vamps don't look thrilled, so I debate on aiming dead center on their foreheads. Think that may be pushing things a bit too far. Might escalate them into being violent.

It's very, very tempting though. I restrain myself, but really have to check the impulse when a witch walks in. Here I thought she'd left since I hadn't seen her, yet here she is, walking in dressed as some kind of dominatrix from hell.

Madaline really can't pull it off though; her features are all wrong. Bright red shiny leather or PVC with zippers everywhere. All are open of course, to show off as much skin as possible. Breasts are hanging out with red nipple tape barely covering her nipples, crotch zipper that goes from pubis to mid ass is surprisingly done up...barely. Stiletto boots instead of her usual sandal types, a red leather bodice ending at her legs, high over her hips, and fishnet stockings take place as the leggings.

The matching thigh-high red boots only leave a small amount of fishnet showing, so the whole point of it is kind of lost on me. Long gloves go up her arms...wait, no, they're part of the bodysuit. Must be some spandex in there somewhere.

A red collar on her neck is decked in chains and bells. I hate bells. Every little ring from them grates on my nerves. Bright red lipstick and hair glitter adorn her dark curls, skin as pale as ever from her powdering it.

There's some kind of hairnet holding her hair, attached to a crimson headpiece that curls up on either side to give the look of horns. The whip on her hip makes me want to laugh, seriously doubt she knows how to use one. Don't stake anything on it though, so I leave it alone. For now.

I groan aloud when she comes in glaring at me. Of course she's going to come in now when all that's around is subs. Makes me wonder if she was waiting for it.

Each step of hers makes me wince from those damn bells chiming, clenching my teeth so hard my jaw is starting to lock. Turning around, I glare at my fridge. The metal is so shiny that I can see her red reflecting off it to show me where she is.

Crossing my fingers that she's just going through and will leave me alone is met with denial, as she fairly stomps up close to my counters.

"What are you doing here? You were chased out, who let you back in? There's no reason for you to be here. Leave."

Turning around to face her, an eyebrow is raised and expression is one of boredom. Madaline's normal shorter height has several inches added from the boots so she's trying to tower over me, puffing out her chest, arms crossed under her breasts and holding them up. Not that they need it, she's already perky.

"Nice to see you too, Maddy. Would have figured with Nicolaus gone you would have trailed after him like a lost little puppy. Or bitch in heat, either way."

Her scowl makes me smile, but I see a glint in her eyes. Mine narrow at her, so she turns her head, huffing. Damn bells sounding off is seriously trying my patience of not ripping them off her throat.

"I doubt anyone here invited you back. Leave. Now."

I smile sweetly at her. I just love ruining this bitch’s day.

"You'd be correct, no one did. But I just couldn't tear myself away from the possibility of tormenting you with my very presence. You're just too fun."

The angry look on her face really is enjoyable. When she takes another step towards me, I smirk at her.

"Careful Peach, do you not recall me telling Nicolaus that the next time you came at me, I would kill you? That still stands. And although I would like nothing better than to rid everyone here of your stench, I really don't want that amount of blood on my hands my first day back."

Matching her glare for glare, we stare at each other for a couple more minutes before I smell Seth coming in. Can tell it's him by the wet fur. He comes up close, taller than the she-bitch even in her snappy heels.

She steps back as she lifts her lip, acting like she'd stepped in dog shit as she looks at the wolf.

"I see you have a new dog. Let's hope he fares better than the last one, hm? Wouldn't want his throat torn out and bleeding all over your kitchen."

I think I surprise everyone when I burst out laughing. God, could she be any more stupid?

"Oh, Maddy, you're so dense. The last one, for one, wasn't mine, and two, it was my sister that killed him, you ignorant, simple-minded dunce. He got what he deserved, and so will you if you don't get out of here. Right. Now."

Can tell she fed recently, her blush turning into outright rage. She wants to come at me bad, can see it in her eyes, but something's holding her back. Have a feeling whatever it is...is going to bite me in the ass later.

Right now though, she needs to get her ass out of my kitchen. With a huff, she spins around and leaves. The motion seems unfinished without long skirts or a cape. Bells clack till she either stops somewhere or is out of hearing range. My jaw slowly relaxes. Seth, who had been watching her walk out, looks back to me.

"I was told you're a magnet for trouble. Guess I should have taken heed to it."

Giving him a lopsided grin, I look over his wet coat.

"Didn't you dry off at all? You're dripping all over my floor."

When he looks down, I flick his nose. The red and black head rears back in surprise before he laughs. After shooing him off to talk to those at the tables and out of our way, we get started on lunch. Finally remember one thing I was bitching for.

Clocks.

There are no damn clocks anywhere. I would imagine some of the people up front have something since they need to keep track of events or whatever, but back here there's nothing. Even in all the rooms I've been in, there is no sense of time.

All but Lady's anyway. Her big window gives some clue. Computer clock as well. I make a mental note to ask for a couple to be put up in here. Don't matter what kind, but they're needed.