Kierra

Probably testing me right here, but it's late and I want sleep. Maybe some food if it's made already. Anything with some meat.

Looking towards the door as we head out, I stop dead in my tracks, the abrupt movement causing a male body to collide with mine. An arm snakes around my waist as he steadies us both, I don't get his expression though since my eyes are stuck on a painting on the wall. Ashamed that I didn't notice it sooner, it being my work and all.

"Like the painting?"

I nod, pulling away from his hold. His fingers move slowly as they slide away, brushing under the hem of my corset where sticky blood had been caught. Looking at him to see if he realized what he did, he's looking at his fingers, rubbing them together before looking at me.

Clearly blood doesn't bother him. Better the awkward touch than his jumping and freaking out though.

"Do you know the artist?"

I ask him to get his attention off his hand. Works, dropping it as if the substance has been forgotten, gaze peruses the art before he shakes his head.

"Was told it was done locally, but having met the artist, no."

Smiling before I laugh, it gets looked over again. Was one I did a year or so ago. Wasn't a commission, just a spur of the moment type thing.

Don't care to do humans, so if there is one, more than likely most of them is obscured in some way or another. Like this one, for example. A woman decked out in slave silks, jewels, and chains, her whole face is covered in a veil made of them and gauze. Only things you can see are her eyes and parts of her body.

She's laying against a black tiger with white stripes, pillows surrounding them both along with marble pillars. It was pretty random, and looking at it now I can point out each mistake. Whether or not others consider them that, I don't know, but I do.

"You have now."

Up front and even along the walls back here, there are art prints up. Photography-like and others. Really cool to see one of mine here, may have to redo it for him though, since I'm not liking how it looks.

Master Percival is quiet as I open the door and go through. Smelling the blood on myself is making me hungry, and I don't think that's a good thing. Looking back at him, he's coming toward me with a haughty face. Would seem he doesn't believe me. Oh, well.

"Is Renee good with driving in snow?"

Have to bite my tongue before anything else comes out. Going to be hard to get home if I mention there’s a snowstorm. It is pertinent though, so I add on about it.

He nods while looking out over the room. When the sounds of the room next door register, I go red once more.

"Um, I'll wait in front."

I walk away from his laugh and keep from getting caught in any eye contact with the others. Sex noises are being made everywhere, yes, but it just seems more awkward when it's from someone you know. Or is that just me?

Another woman steps through before I do, so I end up following her out. Steampunk-themed outfit, it's pretty spiffy. I'd be dying in all those layers though. Should probably have stopped in the bathroom again, but I didn't even think about it.

Not going back either, so it's a moot point. Pretty sure I can use the one up here, but my eyes are on the snack trays. I get complimented on my hair, so I smile, give a thank you, and keep going. Which is like, a whole whopping three feet away.

I dive right into the meat tray, thin sliced ham and beef getting confiscated and swallowed. Have to remind myself to chew after almost choking. End up smiling at the very pink-haired male who chuckles at me.

Unlike others, I really don't mind making a fool of myself to make others laugh, downright embarrassing myself isn't uncommon either I'm afraid. What's really weird, now that I think about it, is I'm pretty anti-social, or was before becoming a Werewolf, yet those I was around I enjoyed making laugh. I'm just full of clashing ideals and oxymorons.

Slowing down on the food inhaling, I toast the guy with a small glass of punch. He smiles, blush tinging his cheeks before cuddling into the taller man next to him. Don't care who you are, that's just adorable.

The windows are blacked out on the outside, but the inside is a little clearer. Can see out, it's just very shaded, like a two-way mirror. It’s still snowing. Has to be at least a couple inches by now.

I dawdle there for a few more minutes waiting for my given ride. The others smile and compliment, give greetings then move on after noticing I'm not in a talkative mood. Would appear that the people here respect boundaries a lot more than 'normal' people.

Have to be honest, it is kinda surprising. But the stigma I've heard was probably by those who didn't know their ass from a blowhorn. False information is the downfall of many a subject, genre, and lifestyle.

Renee finally comes out, top added to his body so he's now covered. Hard to hide your not being human if you don't act like it. Forcing myself away from the food I've been binging on, I step out into the open.

While he works on his farewells and plans for next time, I get my coat. Hope Benjamin makes it out of here before dawn, would be pretty awkward if he didn't and ended up looking like the human torch.

Eh, he'll be fine.

Ignoring the imagery of his nude body in my head, I step out ahead of the WereHyena. His light jacket flaps in a sudden gust, snow swirling around. I watch him curiously, wondering that since his animal is meant for much warmer climes, if the cold bothers him.

While walking where he leads, I just come out and ask. He shrugs, lifting his nose and inhaling, then scrunching in distaste of the air.

"I'm from a much colder area. Colorado mountains. Colder and the air tasted a lot better."

Have to agree with him there. My inner wolf provides instincts, muscle memory, and faint images at times. She doesn't care for the taste either. It's better at home, surrounded by trees and wildlife, but the air is still tainted from years of pollution.

Luckily he isn't parked that far away, and whatever event is going on is still going, so roads aren't that bad yet. We make small talk as I direct him, getting a feel for each other. A sharp mind matches his wit.

He eventually gets around to asking how I met Benji. While explaining, his face alights with curiosity. Renee the WereHyena is a fan of my works. Imagine that.

As we get further and further out, can tell he seems to be getting restless.

"We're almost there, don't worry. No harm will come to you."

I make light of his fears, but it doesn't calm them much. The only way for that to happen is by action, or lack thereof rather. Should probably mention other things too, then.

"Uhh, don't freak out, but you may catch sight of wolves around. I've given the Red Wolf Pack use of the land around my house. Plus there are those within my home."

With a raised brow, he glances over at me.

"You say that as if you have a Pack of your own."

My head shakes, the very idea of it's just a call for trouble.

"Nono, just those who are mine to protect. Benji is also mine and has free run of the place when he needs it."

The look he gives me makes me slightly annoyed, as if I'm being slow.

"What do you think an Alpha is? What they do?"

Okay, so it is splitting hairs, but still.

"Can't be a Pack. I haven't partitioned your council, nor are they all wolf."

At that, he does look over at me fully, surprise on his face. Right, here we go again. Rolling my eyes, I explain tiredly. Should really get this down on notecards and just hand those out, saves time.

"Yeah, I know. You guys are all ass-backward, I get it. I'm the weird one that doesn't stick to my own breed. I ask you though, how's my setup any different than what you have at your club? You yourself are friends with a Vampire, how is that any different?"

He's quiet for a minute before asking just what all I have at home. Takes me a moment to respond as I get it all straight in my head.

"There's me of course, sometimes my sister who is a Vamp, a human boy, coyote Shifter, a WereManed Wolf, a set of Werewolf brothers, and a WereFox. Couple new ones recently added are a WereHyena, like you, and a fox Shifter. Possibly a WereLioness depending on how things go. Oh, and my fat cat, Tigger."

His jaw fairly drops when I'm done listing. Have to admit, it is quite a bit, and to think they're all squeezed into my tiny little house. For a few more days at least.

Silence fills the car as he turns onto my road, having to slow way down from the built-up snow. Blackout zone means no plows. The storm is in force now, large flakes falling and blowing everywhere.

Leaning forward and looking up, the skies are gray in a thick blanket. All is quiet but for the tires pushing through.

"Um, Renee? You may want to stay, at least until the storm clears. Doesn't feel right sending you back out in this. From the mountains or not, it's still a risk to you and anyone else."

By his lack of vocals, you'd think I gagged him or something.

"If you really aren't comfortable doing so that's fine, but I'd rather you didn't."

If I hadn't lived here for years, I'd totally miss the turn-in for my driveway. The trees help mark it too, as does the mailbox when you can see it. Headlights bounce around as we get closer to the house, think it probably a good thing I didn't point out where the Reds are.

Pulling up behind my jeep, I wonder if Zypher would be too terribly annoyed if I swapped his bike out of the shed to put my car in. It's what I had gotten the darn thing for in the first place. The trees help, sort of.

Snow may not pile up on the car under the branches, but it does create a bowl-like effect from snow building up around it, effectively blocking it in. So, really not helpful much. The car stops and stays while a man turns and looks at me.

Soft brown eyes are intent as they look over my face, reading me.

"You killed a man yet act as if nothing's wrong, you talk of a congregation in your home but claim no Alpha status, and have a human child with supernaturals mixing together. Who are you?"

Thought that was pretty obvious by now, but I guess not. Looking into the intent gaze of the submissive next to me, my eyes bleed to yellow.

"I am one of the damned; a child of an unwanted prophecy. Doom to those who fear change and a bane to many an enemy. All theatrics aside, I'm what animals and Vampires alike call the Silver Wolf."