Kierra

Maned wolf nods, gazing out and watching the scenery go by. Should really talk to all the guys about getting cell phones, would make some things so much easier. Few minutes later has me dropping him off in front of the publisher's office; another car in the way for the shop he's wanting.

No big deal. Wonder if Benji is working today. Debate on going in, but when I see a couple people already in there, I decide not to. Warning the male once again that I may be a bit, he waves me off.

Pulling out carefully, I realize while doing so that I forgot to grab those damn sunglasses. Even put in a place that should have been visible to remind me, I forget. Lovely. My annoyed bitching under my breath has the boys looking at me.

"I forgot the sunglasses. I can usually feel it coming on, but sometimes I don't. Here’s to hoping no one overly annoys me and has my eyes going all freaky in public."

Hell, knowing my luck, I should just plan for it now, since that seems to be how things work these days. Think the whole Werewolf thing also came with a shorter fuse and bullshit meter.

This should be good.

Takes almost ten minutes to get to the diner, it being on the other side of town. Probably should have told Xavier that. Whoops.

"You guys hungry?"

Both nod, should have already known they would be. I might not actually feel hungry, but going to a place with food that no one at home had to cook is a bit enticing. I'll admit, to me as well.

"Alright, we go in and get a table, eat, and go from there."

Actually, while we're eating I'll be looking around at what's new and see if I can get a vague idea of what they could be going for. After that, I'll ask for the big guy. Hopefully, his attitude will have changed. I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Since the boys, especially Bastion, are in heavier clothes, the blades are hidden. When coats are taken off is when I'll have to be mindful, sweaters only cover so much. Didn't even grab a coat for myself, but that's not unusual.

Hair is mostly dry, but since I didn't get it brushed before we left, it's kinda crazy right now. Damp wavy hair left on its own, especially mine, will curl up like no one's business. Since I don't carry a purse, I don't have a brush on me.

Luckily, I sort of prepared for this sort of thing. A small brush is hidden in my glove box. When I find a parking spot in front of the small eatery, I pull it out and run it through.

I don't go all out and style it or anything girly, just a quick brush over to tame the craziness. Still looks crazy, thanks to the new color addition, but that I can't help. Glancing back to the two boys in my backseat, I'm still amazed by how similar they look.

Both shaggy blondes with blue eyes, thin, and seem to have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Going to have to talk to Ava about getting after their hair. They may want to grow it out, but they can still use a trim.

Bastion and Maii are already so much older mentally that I don't have to treat them like someone would with others their age. No warnings of being on their best behavior, using manners, or threatening punishments. Thank God.

"Been a few months since I’ve seen the guy, but last time he was kind of a douche. Remind me not to go off alone with him if I move to do so. That would probably be a bad idea. Ready?"

Maii has his nose in his drawing but gives an absent nod. Bastion, looking all adult, nods while looking all serious. Need to find something to do with him soon where he doesn't have to be all grown up, where he can be a kid.

Would probably be easier if I knew what the hell kids did these days. Are gameboys still a thing? Too cold for scooters, bikes, or skateboards. Rollerskating? Aw hell, I'm old.

Screw it, we'll go to the YMCA and go rock climbing. There. Getting out, we head in without anymore dawdling. Maii folds up his notebook before I can get a look at what he's doing, but he seems a little frustrated. I know the feeling well.

Nothing more annoying than being able to see what you want to do perfectly in your head, yet unable to get it down the way you want. That was my biggest problem when I first started out, had me stopping several times. Almost gave up just as many times too.

Upon entering, no one's up front to direct us to a table, so we stand and wait. While doing so I look over the walls at some of the stuff others have done. There's no specific theme from what I can tell, just a hodgepodge of different things.

From a bowling scene to lounging in a park and a few scenery images. Looking away from the art itself and to the theme of the building doesn't help much either. Aged wood, airy and open, it looks much like any other place you go to.

Nothing really sets it apart. Most of the prints are relatively small, don't know if that was done to make more room, the owner being cheap, or what, but changing it up might help the 'boorish' feel to it. That's just me though.

A waitress finally comes forward, but I smell her first. Images fly into my head of yellow and brown lands shimmering in the heat, the dry scent of dirt and cat, shaded under a baobab tree while watching water buffalo grazing lazily.

Blinking rapidly, I look over at a curvy brunette woman who's looking at me nervously. Mixed, but leaning more on the pale side with long curly hair and brown eyes. About five and a half feet yet looks barely legal.

"Hello, my name is Bryanna and I'll be your waitress this morning. Smoking or non?"

Her voice is shaking visibly, but it's obvious she's trying to control herself. Tell you how long this place has been around, I didn't think they offered that anymore. Oh, I see, not actual smoking, but the puff-happy vapes everyone seems to have nowadays.

"Non, please."

Nodding, she leads us through to the right-hand side. The woman’s nervousness bellies the animal I know her to be, so it has to be over something else. Inhaling deeply, I catch no other animals, so I'm at a bit of a loss. Looking over to Maii, he shrugs yet had been looking around as well.

We get led to our table, sat down, and given menus. Hurriedly stating she'll get us our water, she then bolts.

I know cats are skittish and all, but she's a lioness. She should not be afraid of a simple wolf, a young coyote, and a human boy. We settle down into the window booth, seats warmed by the sunlight streaming through.

Little bright for my tastes, but Bastion seems to enjoy it. He and I both go over what the food listings are for Maii, who can't as of yet read for himself. From the corner of my eye, I can see the waitress, Bryanna, watching us curiously.

With her hearing, she knows exactly when we're ready, coming back with water and silverware for each of us.

Were-Lioness.

Not a Shifter like Orion. I don't know enough of the fuzzball community to know if there's a Were-Lion Pride around.

After giving his order, Maii pulls out his notebook and gets back to his drawing. I smile and look over to Bastion, both of them having sat opposite me. He's watching the progress almost absently.

Small talk is made while waiting for the food, waitress coming a few times to refill drinks for us. Bunch of thirsty fools over here. On her fourth or fifth trip back to the table before the food has come out, I finally ask her outright why she's so skittish.

Not very tactful, I know, but it's too early to be beating around the bush. Early for me anyway. She almost drops her pitcher of orange juice, brown eyes flying to me.

I help her steady it as she looks back towards the kitchen, her heartbeat picking up a faster pace. I furrow my brows as I look at her.

"Are you alright? I don't smell any other animals here. You're not afraid of me, are you?"

I know I have resting bitch face, but damn, this is a bit extreme. Her head shakes vigorously before she stops and nods, looking everywhere but at me. Bastion looked confused till I mentioned animals, now he's looking at the woman curiously.

It's he that asks for her to start answering.

"You're an animal? What kind? Are there any others here? Your name is Bryanna right?"

Not usually such a chatterbox, so I've a feeling he's picked up on her hesitancy. She smiles at him kindly, patience in her face as if she likes kids.

"I am, I'm a lion. There aren't any others here, no, and if they find out what I am..."

I shake my head at her, trying to be just as patient as she is being to the boy.

"We'll not expose you, we all have too much to hide. I didn't mean to startle you, was just wondering why you're so nervous around me."

Bryanna finishes wiping an invisible spot off the table. Still jumpy, but lingering.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting you is all. I usually try to avoid anyone who smells like you or him."

She nods her head towards Maii, who'd looked up when she started talking. His eyes widen in shock. Not often do you hear that an adult is trying to avoid anything that smells like you do. Can imagine how odd it has to be for him.

"You mean Shifters?"

Her head cocks and shrugs, so I narrow my eyes.

"How long have you been a lioness?"

The waitress bites her lip, looking back to the double-doors leading to the heart of the place.

"Almost a year."