Faline

Hours later I'm woken by the feeling of being stared at. Keeping my eyes closed, I use my nose. Shit. Lady has found me, and I'm not 'in her bed'. Ugh, woman needs a better hobby than harassing me.

Leidolf is still next to me, his body stiff, so I take it he's awake as well. When I hear the low rumble coming from his chest, my head comes up immediately.

"Quiet your dog, Pet, we need to talk."

Grumbles come from my own chest as I stand and stretch. Looking at the Changeling next to me, the raw skin that'd been there before is now gone. Ears perked, I paw at his feet, and sure enough, the rings of exposed skin that had been around each of his legs are gone.

Meowing at him to get his attention away from the very real danger he's putting himself in, I tap at his nose. While I do so, I shift back to human, even though I really don't want to. Stark naked and crouched down on my clothes, my fingertips rest at the end of his nose.

"Easy Leidolf, that's the woman that made it possible for you to be free right now. Please don't make her grumpy just before I have to deal with her."

My eyes are dancing with mischief, once he sees it he quiets down, licking his muzzle and yawning. I tap his nose once more before I let go and stand, pulling my clothes on while doing so. Getting dressed in front of a male is a bit awkward, but doable.

Glancing over at the others, the majority are still sleeping. Most of those awake are the ones who already call this place home. Nodding to them, I leave the room. Walking is fun; considering my jeans were still wet when I slept on them. So not only is my shirt a little damp, but my drawers feel funny. Orion is still holding vigil, but Seth is gone.

"He is doing something for me and will be back later."

Well, that answers that. Voice soft, she watches me walk around in circles like some kind of idiot. Legs stretching in exaggerated poses and looking as if I have a stick up my ass.

"What are you doing?"

Giving her a droll look, I catch Orion's grin out of the corner of my eye. Leidolf has stood and is standing in the doorway, also watching me, head cocked. Seriously?

"You mean to tell me none of you have worn snug damp jeans?"

Wolf shakes his head, lion shrugs and the leopard just watches me with her dual-colored eyes. Lovely. I scowl at all of them.

"Well, try it sometime and you'll know what I'm doing. Now, what did you want?"

I go from doing circles to pacing back and forth, crouching every few steps to stretch the material. I need to get one of my skirts, this is not comfortable. I may be small and thin, but my thighs do rub against each other, thank you very much, and that will lead to chafing in these things.

Lady is looking at the Changeling as he watches me, then up to Orion who inclines his head to her. Standing upright, I frown at them.

"What?"

Her eyes alight on me once more, a curious look to them as well as an annoyed one. Only shows for a moment then is gone as she goes back to blank face. Not sure if she only does that around me or not; the seeing glimpses of how she's really feeling.

"Gather your animals and meet me in my office."

With that, she turns and leaves. Black suit pants and jacket fluttering around her as she calmly walks away. I cross my arms and scowl after her. Urge to stick out my tongue is strong, but knowing my luck, she'd see it.

Making a sound of exasperation, I throw my arms into the air. That woman has perfected annoying me - has made it into an art. Orion doesn't even try to hide his grin, black eyes sparkling.

"Don't you start. That woman is a pain in my ass. Should drag my heels as much as possible but that probably won't end well for me, let alone the others."

Sighing, I go back into the room. Most have now woken from all the commotion outside the doorway and are looking at me. Scowling, I look back to the giant lion Shifter.

"Are they supposed to walk buck naked all the way there? That woman is a menace, I swear."

He chuckles, but I'm dead serious. Going around and touching the shoulders of those still asleep, I wake them as gently as possible. Diego, the small, color-inverted fox, yelps when he wakes and dashes a few steps away.

Scarlett, who was already awake and still in animal form, makes her way to him carefully.

"I'm sorry Diego, I didn't mean to frighten you. We're wanted in the Mistress's office. After that, I can get all you guys fed and determine where you go from there."

Standing upright, eyes travel over all the newcomers.

"For those of you who wish it, you can stay in animal form on the way there, but she’ll tell you if you can stay in it or not."

Sending a runner for Trisha, I make my way back to the thirteen-year-old that's still being comforted, but he looks steadier now. His legs are still bound, think that's the only reason he didn't dart out of the room and take off.

"Trisha will take a look at your legs. It hasn't been that long, so I'm sure they're nowhere near healed. After she does I'll carry you."

He nods and settles back down. All the new animals are sitting around me, either in animal form or human. Still looking sleepy, but clearly aware and alert.

"Scarlett, I need you to get back to the kitchens, please. The roast that was put in is probably ready by now. Have the others get plates made up and let them know we'll be coming in soon."

She nods, shifting to human before I’d even finished talking. Tying her loincloth back on, clamping the nipples, and pulling her long, red auburn hair back, she's all set. Collar had stayed on through her shift. She touches my arm with a smile before she leaves. With as petite as she is, it's almost a shock when you hear the strong southern accent coming from her. Is to me at least.

It's split half-and-half on who stays animal and who goes human, towels getting gathered up for those on two legs and four. The healer comes in at record time, she'd been checking in on those in the detox rooms. All three humans are still knocked out. Good. Diego's legs are indeed not completely healed but are set correctly and healing nicely.

Loose bandages are redone, then the others are looked over real quick. Smaller wounds are all gone, bigger ones still need time. No brainer there. Thessily stays in her clouded leopard form, blank look still there, but I still have hope that she'll come around.

Trisha is amazed when she looks over Leidolf briefly, him still not wanting to be touched makes it a little difficult for her to get a look at everything, but she's seen the before and after. When she asks him if he can turn human for a moment, he stubbornly shakes his head. She looks at me expectantly, but I just smile at her while holding the small fox in my arms.

She looks annoyed but lets it go. He will more than likely have to go human for Lady, she can look then...if she's in the room. Feel like Jane Goodall, just with different predators rather than the ape.

Orion escorts us while his nephew, Alastor, stays in animal form. So that means I have in animal form; a lion, a clouded leopard, a wolf, a fox, and a serval walking around me. Chandrika, Viskal, Kyle, and Skeet are on two legs. Just missing some birds and maybe a squirrel or rabbit. We get gawked at, of course, humans and animals look on curiously while most Vamps either sneer or look on hungrily. Great.

Even see Madaline in passing, talking to Max in one of the great rooms that we go through. Where she lifts a lip, he narrows his eyes at me. I wink at him before moving on.

Have to go up a few floors and I have Orion slow his giant strides so the newbies get a chance to actually see their new surroundings.

"Your damn leg span is three times mine, remember? And there's no way I'm getting on your shoulders again, think my ass is still bruised from your bony shoulders."

His black brows rise so high I laugh. There isn't a single thing on him that is bony. Nothing visible anyway. Still, being bounced around on a precarious perch is not a fun experience.

"Your ass? How do you think my ears feel? I think you stretched them out. Don't even want to mention the strain you put on me."

He rotates his arm as if it's stiff.

"Ha!"

Alastor is watching us curiously, and I'd wager he's talking in Orion's head with all sorts of questions. Leidolf pushes against my side, getting my attention. Following his gaze, I see the same 'new' Vampire I did the last time I went to Lady's rooms.

Giant lion near me doesn't change attitude but he notices the Vamp as well, keeping him in his sights as we go by. With all the animals around me, there's no way I'll be able to identify his scent.

Standing in a hallway crossing this time, reading a different paper. A fedora is low over his face, but I recognize him. I'm tempted to stop, but my hands aren't free and I don't want to have to drop the kid. Doesn't look up as we go by, same as last time. Few paces ahead I glance back, but he's gone. Lips pursed, I look up at Orion. He shrugs but can tell he's tense.

Avina's in the kneeling position just in front of the doors, head down and hands facing up on her legs. Really hate that pose. It's the one that each submissive takes when someone goes by. Got most of them to quit doing it around me, but I don't try telling them to stop with others. Getting hit is not uncommon here, sadly. Not sure if that will ever change, even if I try to.

She stands when we approach and opens the large double-doors, moving aside for us to go through. Leading lion goes first and the others follow a little hesitantly. Don't blame 'em, not one bit.