Kierra

Should've known Bastion would, he loves going over there. Maii too, seems to enjoy it. Kani raises his hand, quite obnoxiously and waves it around. Makes the boys smile though, so it's all good.

Xavier looks to the two newcomers before looking at me.

"I know you two just got here, but this is something I have to do. Ava is a wonderful person, she's also a Shifter and has a daughter. Unlike the breed I've just learned of today, she's not one who will leave her girl at any point."

Have to stop and lighten my tone so I don't come off as if I blame the ones here for who they are.

"Since Xavier had to go and get another vehicle, everyone should fit."

Kani looks over at that, apparently not realizing there's a new pile of metal out there. Thanks to Diego staying in animal form, there should be room for everyone. Since I haven't actually looked inside the thing, I'm not a hundred percent sure.

Looking over Rika's form and shape, Faline's clothes should work fine till new ones are acquired. Going back to her room, I scrounge for some footwear for the girl as well, nabbing socks on my way out.

"These should fit, you look roughly around the same size as Faline."

Smiling in gratitude, she takes them. Then a light coat gets pulled out of the closet and handed to her as well. Probably doesn't need it, but eh.

With Ava living pretty much at the edge of a lake, it's always a bit cooler thanks to the water. Would imagine the same would go for the hyena that it does for the maned wolf; they can handle the cold and even frigid temperatures, but not as well as timber and Arctic wolves. And foxes, for that matter.

Chandrika picks up the small fox and pretty much cradles him, which also works out perfectly. I give Ava the call that I'm heading her way and motion everyone towards the door, snagging up the sunglasses on my way out. Standing there and looking at the door with my keys in my hand, I wonder; do I really need to lock it?

Answer is no, I don't, so I leave it. Phone and wallet in pockets, keys, and shades in hand, I still feel like I'm forgetting something. Everyone else is piling in while I stand there like a dolt. Xavier comes over and asks what's wrong, but I just shake my head and go for the car.

All black and standing next to it makes me feel small. Opening the front shows five seats in the back, six or seven if you get creative. Then the typical two front, which at the moment has Xavier and his cheeky expression.

"I thank you, but you still didn't have to do it."

"I know."

Shaking my head, I get in and get a feel for it before starting it up, having to fiddle with the seat. I don't have stilts for legs so it needs to be moved up quite a bit from where he had it. Four-wheel drive is a must, and this has it, thankfully. I smile, ignoring all the techno stuff filling the dash.

"You can play with that, my hands and eyes will be busy."

His smirk and raised brows have me chuckling, but I ignore everything afterwards and just get going. So used to my jeep, maneuvering this thing is going to take some getting used to. It's got a way bigger ass.

Doesn't take really all that long to get there, and when we pull in on her road that borders her pasture, I can fairly see Bastion bouncing. Kani and Rika are behind the front, Diego in her lap, while Bastion and Maii are in the way back. Probably a good thing that they're so short, otherwise sitting back there would be very uncomfortable. Not much legroom from what I can see.

"Kani have you talked to Ava and Lily about the horses?"

When he was first brought here and seen them, he'd gotten all depressed. Loving the creatures but unable to go near them thanks to his smelling of a predator. Ava's horses are special, having been raised around supernatural animals, so they don't spook as badly.

He nods, explaining that Ava gave Lily that responsibility. Makes sense, she's the one who takes care of them. Bastion's getting lessons from her, Kani's knowledge just adds to the experience.

Probably a good thing that the new place is so close since we've been over here just about every day for the past week or so. Was the big reason I'd wanted to move out here in the first place; to be close. Of course now that I'm given the chance to is when I see who the owner is and constantly second-guessing.

If you haven't figured it out, I'm not exactly a people person, even if that people is half animal. Hell, if they stayed in animal form I could probably stand them better. Don't exactly have the luxury to stay as an animal myself, not really all that sure I would if I could. Hard to write or paint without opposable thumbs.

Lily isn't outside when we pull up, which means she's more than likely back in school. The same one that my two will be going to soon, with a possible plus one. I'll ask Ava about getting Rika enrolled, but I want her to have some healing time first.

Alastor had mentioned brands and their removal, so I'm guessing that's what's under the bandage on her arm. She may look fine on the surface, but I can only imagine the hell she and Diego went through and now show on their bodies. The serious wounds though are the ones you can't see; the ones to the mind and soul.

When fully stopped, Kani is the first out so the boys behind him can be released. Maii may not speak or make any vocal noises, but his energy can be felt just as much as any other hyper kid. Good thing there's so much space available.

Rika gets out slower, nervous about the new surroundings. I get out, but I wait for her. Xavier and crew are just ahead, Bastion talking to him about doing some more knife training.

Maned wolf looks back to me, so I nod. Didn't bring any aside from the ones they're carrying on them, but I have some stored here. They've used them before so know they're available.

A couple of the horses come out of the barn to inspect the visitors, drawing almost everyone's gaze. Rika is almost clutching the small fox to her, so I touch her shoulder. Hasn't been an animal long, and during a big portion of it she'd been abused, so touching of any kind can be iffy.

Most animals find it reassuring to be touched by a friend, it helps steady them, especially if touched by one who's of a higher rank. With her being a hyena, it helps immensely that I'm female. The majority thought process may be human, but while in beast form you tend to fall back on its instincts.

So the very thing that makes wild animals so unpredictable is the same for any who carry an animal within them. She jumps at first but settles a little when realizing it's just me.

"This is Ava’s farm. She helps the Gray Wolf Alpha bring in food for his wolves and gives the younger ones something to do in the summer as they come and help tend it."

Why she's growing leafy stuffs instead of livestock is a bit weird, but everyone needs their veggies, even the carnivores. Her eyes are wide as she looks around, taking it all in, Diego does the same. Both look nervous at the mention of wolves. I touch his head before cupping her cheek to make them look at me.

"None of them should bother you while on this property. You both have my protection. If you don't feel safe outside, I'm pretty sure Ava won't mind your staying inside. In a couple days we'll be spending the holiday here, I hope by then you're both a bit more comfortable around us. Understandable if you aren't, and I'm sure as hell not saying you have to accept every wolf here."

My look of disgust has them both looking at me weirdly. I pull my hand away as I give a small smile.

"Like you, my first experience with a paranormal wasn't glamorous and I've tangled with a few after. Not all wolves are bad, I promise. I'll help in any way I can, as will the others within my home, and even Ava. Even being a giant feline, she's the nicest person I know."

I smile at them both. Rika returns a small one while Diego stays guarded. That's okay, everyone needs time. I coax her towards the house and explain why we're here in the first place.

"Alright, you've seen how small my place is compared to the list of people you heard me give Orion, yeah?"

She nods, listening while still looking around.

"The reason we came here today is so I can talk to the Gray Alpha about getting a house within the park. Turns out even though it's listed as a 'state park', the Gray Wolves here have owned it for a very long time. Own and run. To even think of getting a home within it you have to be some animal or another."

I smile while gritting my teeth.

"I should know, I tried before I was Changed and the price had been so jacked up that it was impossible. That's the ploy here. Even as animals, it's expensive, so services are traded."

She looks at me in doubt, side glancing while her shoulders stiffen. Chuckling, I touch her arm then pull away before she can shake me off.

"That's how I took it at first, too. I was furious that Ava would have done that, but that isn't what happens."

I motion her up the stairs then point back out towards the garden and greenhouse of herbs in the distance.

"The service she gives is the growing of food, that I mentioned before. She's also a tattoo artist, hairstylist, and does some under the table dealings that helps everyone involved. That's how I got the papers for Bastion and Maii. She trades those services to the Alpha and the cost of her land is lowered."

Call it rent or property taxes, either way, there's a money exchange somewhere. Has to be to keep the place free from greedy politicians and the like. Not to mention upkeep and utilities.

"So what are the services you give him?"

Her question wasn't unexpected, I’ve been wondering that myself.

"I don't know yet. The house I've picked out isn't that far from here, but it isn't a farm spread. Could do a small garden I suppose, a mini-plot, but that wouldn't help anyone, save me and mine. That's one of the things I need to talk to the man about."