Faline

Approaching Salem, I ask her if she would be willing, and she's 'happy to'. Kind of doubt that, but I accept and finally feed. Being a Were, her blood has a stronger kick and is longer lasting.

Well, as long as energy isn't expended in large amounts anyway. Doing so as I usually do; careful and respectful, I make her drink some juice afterwards. Have to be careful that she doesn't become 'addicted' as Anthony did with Nicolaus.

Vampires can make their bite either pleasing or painful. Most around here, if not all, go for pain. I go the other way, but I can't control the level of pleasure they get. It can get pretty awkward pretty quick, which is one reason I don't feed from males. Not intentionally anyway, and not if I can help it. Joey had me feed off him once when I was dying, I wasn't aware of it though.

Thankfully he isn't too inclined for a repeat. Willing if needed, but completely fine when not asked. Awkward part this time is Leidolf watching me and scenting Salem's unintentional arousal from it.

All the women I feed on 'regularly' are given leave afterward to go to the bathroom. In a place full of supernatural sniffers, even a place like this, not everyone wants it known that they're 'ready'. Dignity still plays a small part here. Not much, but some, and I hope to make it more so.

The female Werewolf excuses herself but doesn't seem the least bit troubled. It's my awkwardness here, not hers, and I think they've picked up on that and that's the reason they choose to clean up. Each time I think I'm over it, Lady has to come around and screw me all up.

Alastor as well had been looking on curiously, so I avoid all male gazes. Trisha and Danica are aware of what happens, but not always able to pick up on the scent, some being stronger than others. Not foul, just stronger. Some are pretty obvious, where others aren't. Their natural scents not smelling of sex at all. The animals can tell the difference, hormones or pheromones an such.

Where humans use their eyes as their biggest mode of observance, Shifters and Weres use their noses. Vampires are a mixture of both I think. Of course, this is also going off of what I've seen, not actual book knowledge.

I stiffen when I hear the loud voices coming this way. Motioning the healer and girl to stay sitting, I move up to the main food prep area. Leidolf is licking his muzzle while watching me, ears swiveling. Orion stays where he is but picks up on my change of attitude. Standing more upright as his eyes peruse the area, we wait for the rowdy bunch to enter. Werewolves.

Can distinguish five different voices; the same ones from earlier. I'd washed the small amount of blood off of me, but it's in the air as they clamber in. Pushing and patting the one with the busted nose and bleeding upper body.

My teeth had gone into his nose while front and back claws went into his shoulders and thick chest. Wolf next to me growls low in his chest, so I move to stand in front of him. Others are being so loud that he isn't heard by them.

They settle at the end of the table that I'd been at, noses raised and directing their eyes. Looking briefly over Orion and the others before looking further up to where I'm standing. Eyes widen, then they laugh all the more, teasing the bloodied one that he got shredded by a tiny girl.

What really surprises me, is there's no animosity directed at me. Even the one I'd injured is smiling at me, looking a little sheepish. Sighing, I motion him over while I get an ice-pack for him. It's actually a package of frozen peas, but it works.

Looking to be in his mid-twenties, the over six-foot male comes over a little hesitantly. When Leidolf raises his hackles, I lay my hand over his nose. Green-hazel eyes make the circuit of my shape before he reaches out for the vegetables. Couple of inches over six feet, he's got short, spiked, cinnamon-colored hair. He reminds me of a football player with his bulk. From me, his eyes go to the agitated animal that's glaring at him. He smiles at us both, looking completely at ease and openly friendly.

"Sorry about that, I didn't mean any harm."

Blinking at him, I cock my head, keeping my hand firmly on Leidolf so he doesn't jump at the idiot Were.

"Are you in the habit of grabbing at those running by?"

His sheepishness is kind of adorable, even with his face covered in blood. Shrugging, he just smiles, or I'm guessing that's what he's doing, the package in front of his face makes it difficult to tell.

Rolling my eyes, I peek around him and call for Trisha. Not sure why I'm bothering, but he seems young. Why in the world is he here? Bitten hand is also bloodied and punctured, but he doesn't seem too concerned about it.

When the older woman comes forward, I push a stool out to him with my foot. He looks confused for a minute before she tells him to sit. She's gone into nurse mode, so 'the voice' is being used. You know, the forceful 'I'm not taking no shit from you' voice.

He sits immediately, looking at her with laughing eyes. Rolling my own, I retrieve a wet cloth for her, all the while pushing Leidolf further back. When I have him against my fridge, I tug at his ear to get his attention.

"Behave."

The look he gives me makes me smile. Lex is looking on curiously, looking from me to the Werewolf and all the blood on him.

"He got a little grabby, I changed his mind."

The lynx Shifter smiles then chuckles, shaking his head. Joey just shakes his head, focusing on what he's doing.

"What do you guys have going for today?"

I talk amongst my crew while Trisha works on the dummy, Changeling keeping an eye on him the whole time. A new menu is made up since the one they have was from yesterday. While they get set up for that, I look over the fruits and veggies that get left out for quick grabs.

The Werewolf eventually comes up to me and sticks out his hand. I look at it then to his face with a raised brow. He grins, leaving it out for me to take. His patched wounds seemingly forgotten about.

"My name is Rafael, and I'm a glutton for punishment."

I snort at that, but finally give him my hand.

"Faline, and the one you grabbed is Leidolf. You've got to do some apologizing to him, not me."

He nods, looking over at the annoyed animal.

"Have a feeling if I get too close, I'm going to regret it, but I will apologize directly. My friends and I have been here for a few days now, yet this is the first we've seen you. Are you new here?"

Rafael is glancing around at the others, each keeping an eye on him. Looking confused, he looks back at me. I smile and shake my head.

"No. And if I were you, I'd be careful talking to me..."

I look past him to a couple of the Vampires holding up a section of wall, watching me.

"I'm not very popular with the other bloodsuckers around here."

Gold eyes go back to the wolf in front of me, but he doesn't look fazed in the least. Glancing back just to shrug his shoulders. His brows furrow though, thinking too hard as his eyes go over every one.

"The others not cold-hearted in here seem to be very watchful over you. Don't usually see that for Vampires. Are you..."

His hand's waffle, looking a bit flustered.

"No, I am not sleeping with all of them. I don't sleep with any here in that manner."

The scoffing from across the room has my eyes going back to the Vamps, both sneering. I raise my voice, even though it isn't needed.

"Pay no heed to them, they wish they were in my bed, but I find them lacking, if you catch my drift."

The group of Weres start their uproarious noise of merriment. The two male Vampires, however, don't look amused in the least. Trying to keep blank faces but anger still leaks through, mostly in the eyes that promise me a very slow death.

Rafael grins but keeps up his questioning.

"I don't think you own them all, but I'm not sure what else it could be. You one of the Mistress's favorites?"

My turn to burst out laughing, which has his eyes widening. I shake my head, the very idea being abhorrent.

"Uh, no, I'm not. If she had her way I wouldn't be here at all. I'm friends with most of the animals here and many of the humans. Not the patrons, but the submissives. I treat them like actual people instead of sex or food objects. Unlike the other undead freaks here, I actually have manners."

I'm glaring at the males while talking to the wolf, but they make no further remarks. More or less using them as patsies since I can't glare at the queen bee. Didn't lie when saying she didn't want me here. Meaning here specifically in this room. She wants me in her room.

No thanks.

The Werewolf picks up on my annoyance and gives a lazy smile. My eyes travel back to him, in a rather bored fashion as I sigh. Haven't been awake five hours yet and I just want to curl up somewhere and sleep. Now I know what Kierra means when saying that just being around me can be exhausting, since I feel the same way with many around here.

I may be Vamp catnip to some, relaxing to the animals and humans near me, but they tire me at times just dealing with all the drama and eggshell walking.

"There anything else?"

Don't mean to sound rude or anything, just not feeling very chatty. He doesn't take offense though, shaking his head before going back to his buddies. They surround him and want details - though they’d be able to hear everything just fine if they'd shut their mouths.