Kierra

With that, she scampers off into the kitchens as if she were called. My Imp is looking after her, brows furrowed while the coyote Shifter closes his sketchpad and nudges it aside. My phone goes off just before she comes back out, plates and small bowls on a big tray.

Don't recognize the number that comes up, but I answer anyway.

"Hello?"

Voice that answers me has me worried for a moment, then smiling. If something had been wrong, I'm sure he'd sound a little different. As it is, his calling is quite fortuitous.

"Kierra? You busy?"

"Just sitting down for some food Orion, what's up?"

The name doesn't seem to spark any recognition from our waitress as she places everything, not too surprising.

"I'm at your place, a fox tells me you stepped out. You are aware you have a few Red Wolves wandering your grounds, right? What's going on?"

I stop making faces at Bastion’s gross eggs. I hate eggs, they're quite disgusting. They smell foul and have the texture of runny snot.

Funny part? I like cooking with them. They're so versatile, you can do so much with them. You just won't catch me eating them. Unless I can't taste them at all in whatever I'm eating.

French toast for example...when made right.

"Fox has a name, and don't you harass him. And I'm aware of the Reds, they have permission to be there. I'd have given you free rein of running around if I thought your thin pelt could handle it."

My teasing him seems to calm him a bit, the picture of a spiked furred cat calming down in my head all cartoony. He grunts, sounding exasperated, so I smile and have to jab some more.

"What's wrong, pussycat? That sister of mine have you all riled again? What'd she do this time?"

Bryanna had walked away after giving us our food, but there aren't too many others here yet for her to tend to. Not when the two other waitresses seem to be possessive of their tables. Won't say she's hovering, but by my wording of things, it's obvious I have her attention.

"Could say that. She managed to help the Mistress save a bunch of Lost. Most have decided to stay within the brothel, but there is one here that Faline wanted me to bring to you directly."

That has me blinking a few times. Brought to me directly? Why?

"Why? What's wrong with him?"

He doesn't answer right away, so it has me worrying even more. My gaze falls on Maii, who's openly looking at me. No guile to the boy, whatsoever. Considering he was the last one Faline brought, the whole thing has me curious.

"Well, the obvious speaks for itself. I'd rather you be here to see for yourself. Will you be long?"

I look down to my plate then to the boys'. While I've been talking I've been nibbling at mine, while they've been consistently chowing down.

"I'm a bit busy at the moment, but I should be able to leave soon. I'll pick up Xavier and head home, give me about forty-five minutes. Have Kani let you in and get comfortable. Oh, before I let you go, is there a Were-Lion Pride in town anywhere?"

Soon as I ask, I see Bryanna's head fly up and look directly at me, fear plain on her face. Hmm.

"Not that I have been made aware of, only lions around here are all Shifters of my clan. Why?"

I shrug, going for nonchalant.

"No reason, just curious. I'd like to know of all the animal groups in the area so I know what all I have to deal with. From Nathan, I know there's a scattering of animals that are loners who don't belong to any specific group. I seem to be meeting them steadily as time passes, but the bigger groups, like the wolves, I'd like to eventually meet."

The man is quiet on the other end for a moment before I hear his sigh.

"You found a WereLion, didn't you?"

I smile. Clearly, I'm not very subtle.

"Mhmm."

Not sure how Shifter animals are on territory boundaries, for the Weres it seems to depend on animal and group size. I'm not sure just how large the lion Clan is, but just judging from how Orion acts half the time, I'd wager it to be a bigger group. The last thing I need is warring factions to start.

"Ease down pussycat, I seriously doubt a single lioness is a danger to you or yours."

By his silence, I can just picture the blinking 'duh' face he's got going on.

"A female?"

I nod before making noises of agreement, taking a couple more bites before it gets cold. Now watch him think that just because she's female she isn't anything to be worried about. Have to keep myself from snorting aloud.

Can hear his covering the receiver and talking to someone else for a minute. Probably wouldn't be able to normally, but the burly lion is holding his phone to his chest, his very deep voice still resonates. I give him his time while I eat some more, I don't care to talk on the phone anyway.

"There's no WereLion group that I am aware of anywhere near here, so yours must be from somewhere else. I would like to meet her, if possible."

I almost choke on my mouthful, but I get it down, pretty painfully.

"What? I think she's a little young for you bro. One look at you and she'd run the other way. I think meeting my sister has broken your brain."

He chuckles, mumbling that he doesn't deny that.

"Get back here as soon as you can, I do have other things to do you know."

Snorting at him, I hang up. Boys are almost done, but I still have half a plate left. Looking up, I catch Bryanna's eye and motion her over. She hesitates but does make her way closer.

"Can you tell Mr. Williams that Kierra McHone is here? I need to talk to him about his commissioned print."

Sooner I talk to him, the sooner we can leave. She doesn't leave after my request, instead standing there looking at me intently. I clear my throat before looking up to her.

"I take it you heard my asking about lions in the area. One I was talking to is a friend of mine, he's also a lion, but a Shifter cat instead of a Were. Only been a cat for a year, you said, did you have anyone around you to show you what was going on? Another lion I mean?"

Her hands are fidgeting in front of her as she shakes her head. Yeah, didn't think so, not with as jumpy as she is.

"I know you don't know me, and therefore have no reason to trust me, but if you allow it, I can aid you. Possibly make it so things aren't so scary. With being a female Were-animal as well, I know things can get pretty awful, especially around the full moon. Just know you aren't alone and I will help in any way I can."

Can see her eyes tearing up as she looks at me. Still nervous, but wanting some kind of assurance. Pointing to her paper pad and pen, I write down my address for her.

Pretty messed up, my handing out my home to others, as if I have no care. I do actually, but I've been where this woman is. I had Bastion and Asher though, and she has no one from the looks of it.

It's within my power to give aid, so I will. This time last year I probably wouldn't have, but at that time I couldn't. Now I have the means to take care of myself as well as those around me. Mostly.

I also write my phone number down.

"If you wish, come see me tonight. I have much I have to do today, so give me a call and let me know you're on your way. If you don't come, I'll understand, but keep my number in case you need anything, okay?"

Bryanna slides it into her pocket before darting off once more for the kitchen.

"Do you think she'll call?"

Bastion’s question has me looking at him. I splay my hands in a shrug.

"It's up to her. I provided a path, now it's up to her on if she takes it or not."

His blue eyes go back to the way she fled, looking sad.

"I hope she does. She looked so scared."

I nod, eating up a couple more bites before realizing I've lost my appetite. We get everything stacked and piled onto the center of the table while I wait for the big guy. I'd really like to do a print and get my art branching out, but if this guy is as much a douche as he was last time, I'm so outta here.

It's another five minutes before he comes out. Just as he does I'm looking around, as it's not busy enough for him to have taken so long. My lips purse, but I try to ease up. Always possible he was caught doing something else; on the phone or something.

I’ve never worked in the food industry, so I have no idea what all goes on behind closed doors. Standing, I shake his hand as he comes over. Hate shaking hands, but it's the thing to do in polite society, it would seem.

When he starts gushing happily over me it makes me smile, but something is off. David Williams, owner of this hole in the wall eatery, is in his fifties at least. Wide shoulders and a little thick in the middle, but otherwise looks to be perfectly healthy.

His cockiness is astounding as he goes on, leading the conversation off even when I try to talk about what he wants. A persistent ticking in my head has me about to go nuts. Hard to hear when he's talking, but when he pauses with his mouth open is when I really hear it.

"Sorry, Mr. Williams, but do you hear a ticking?"

I interjected before he could start up again, but my question has his eyes widening at me before he smiles.

"You hear it? Well, I'll be damned. I don't always hear it, no, but I'm getting up there in age so I'm not sure just how loud it can be. I have an artificial heart valve, the clicking you hear is from it pumping."

Blinking at him, I'm at a loss for words. I've put my foot in my mouth here and have no idea how to rectify it. He sees my blundering and laughs, looking quite merry about the whole thing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude or anything..."

"Nonsense! It's quite alright. It's because of it that I have taken such a liking to art. I may not be able to do some of the things others can, but there is peace to be found within the works that make up for things seemingly lost."

My face flushes as I continue to flounder, but I take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds before releasing it slowly. I then listen to his tale of why he has it and what started him on his collecting of art and eventually moving to local pieces.

"I am sorry for how it happened to lead up to this. You see, I have to be sure the artists who come in are legit and serious about their work. They have to have passion. Those who just slap paint onto a surface and try to pass it off as art is not what I want. Robert had vouched for you, but I needed to see first hand what you could do before I could allow you on my walls."

Well. Now I feel like the douche. Even more so since I understand what he's saying perfectly. Too many times have I gone to one of the auctions and seen a print sell for thousands, and all it is is chicken scratch done by someone who could care less.

Those that have come from money and have no shortage, silver-spoon and all. Money buys money. When he and I start talking about that, Bastion taps on my arm.

"Oh, crap. Mr. Williams..."

"Call me David, please."

I smile warmly, trying to pull my hand out from under his without seeming rude.

"David. I hate to rush you, but I have a friend waiting on me to pick him up..."

"Say no more, I apologize for taking so much of your time. As for what I want you to put up on my wall, I leave it to you. It has to be family-friendly, of course, but you already know that."

I smile and agree, asking a few more questions to get a sense of who he is and what he likes. Size is restricted to a max of 26 by 24, which is fine. We shake hands once more before he pulls me into a hug.

Awkward.

He's all smiles when he lets go, wishing us a good day before disappearing into his kitchen once more. The boys and I go to the front desk so I can pay, ordering doggy bagged gyros for Xavier and Kani. That takes a few more minutes since they're made fresh, but then we're on our way back to pick up the maned wolf.