Kierra

Four muzzles come up at me, licking before rubbing down my sides, preventing any further movement. Dammit. Four canines seeking favor and assurance pester at me till each is nipped. Only then are they content enough to move away.

Ava is standing there, arms crossed and glaring at me.

"What problems are you causing now? You're bleeding. Can't you keep from fighting for one day?"

I gape at her. I didn't cause anything, darn it.

"Wasn't my fault. All high and mighty dick was just upset that I wouldn't cow to him."

She rolls her eyes and heads for the house. Looking around, I pipe up again.

"Uhm, where are my clothes?"

"Would serve you right if I hid them on you. They're in the house drying. You had them strewn all over the yard, what were you doing?"

Wincing, I picture it and shudder. Jeez, I turn into a damn nudist when stuck in my head.

"Uhh, wasn't doing anything, I thought. Was just sorting through smells and when I opened my eyes I was somewhere else and in animal form. Your guess is as good as mine."

She doesn't look convinced but leaves it alone. Bastion moves close, reaching forward to stop just before touching my seeping shoulder. Movement really isn't good for healing wounds.

At his uncertainty, I move forward and nose at his cheek. Smiling, he lays an arm around my neck and walks with me. Everyone makes their way back into the house with me and my Imp bringing up the rear.

Feeling prickles between my shoulder blades, I look back. At first, it looks to be nothing, but I see the reflective eyes of someone watching us. Don't know who it is, and right now I don't care. Licking Bastion’s cheek when he looks back, I bodily move him into the house in front of me.

Ava does eventually give me back my clothes, I have to threaten to shed all over her salon room to get them, but hey, whatever works. Shade and Zypher take human form as well after being shot down by Ava about keeping watch outside. Her house, her rules.

Maii stays in animal form, once more trying to get Diego to play with him. He may be mute when human, but he sure isn't with those coyote pipes of his. Lily too, ended up going furry and is now playing with the two canines.

Think it's more her that gets Diego to open up and start romping with them, she just has that way about her. Both she and her mom have a way that just draws you to them. Not because of anything paranormal, just honest kindness and openness. Friendly.

While all those under sixteen tear through the house in play, those who’re older work on food, cleaning up, or just keep conversations going. Chandrika started out helping, but she kept getting caught up in the middle of games of tag. Third time's the charm; Ava finally telling her to go play with them.

She looked unsure at first, pulling that 'I'm too old', but Ava just had to wave a wooden spoon at her. Could see the indignation that had sparked in her eyes, true teenager attitude rearing up, but when it got brought up that she could shift to play, she became more open to it.

With Bryanna and Ava around to help counteract any of Xavier's wiles, he steps up his game. Zypher joins just to be an ass and to see who can get more of a reaction. Poor Shade just looks like he has a headache.

Kani joins us girls, but he's the one who caves just about every time, having to turn away because his face is turning shades of red. Bryanna has a one up on them, being more attracted to females than males. Think Ava is the official winner though, her being the only one to not need to turn away.

Around noon is when there's a knock at the door. As Bryanna gets the younger ones settled and into a room, I answer it. Would normally be Ava, but she's elbow deep in flour right now. Expecting Tristan, my eyes widen when I see who it is, looking all sorts of sheepish as he stands there.

"Dirk?"

Standing around five-foot-seven, his teenage frame is in the middle of bulking up. Short black and white hair spiked up every which way looks much like bed head to me. Forest green eyes look at me shyly, a smile quirking his mouth.

"Hi, Kierra. I was wondering...if it isn't too much to ask...if I could join you guys?"

His mind is like an open book as he speaks. He may be part of a Pack that numbers into the twenties, but he's lonely. The emotions he's swamping me with make me feel sorry for him. Much like how Xavier was when I first found him, this one also just wants to belong to something.

"It's fine with me, but it's not my house. Ava's in the kitchen, go ask her."

His head bows as he walks by, his relief mixing with excitement. Shaking my head, I'm about to follow after him when I see a vehicle coming up the driveway. Now Tristan is here. Poking my head into the house, I let the others know.

Ava won't turn the boy away, that's an automatic given. Actually curious as to how much he shows up when we're not around. He's seen the others but never been introduced. Well, that's being changed as I walk down the porch.

A wide smile on my face, I'm happy to see the redhead as he gets out of his car. Eyes look over the rest of the vehicles before he meets my gaze, smiling like a goofball.

"Full house?"

"You have no idea."

He laughs, ducking into his backseat and pulling out a case of beer. My nose scrunches, giving him a look of distaste.

"Beer is gross, you know this, right?"

"To you maybe. To others, it's like mother’s milk."

Yeah... Not a good way to make it endearing if you ask me.

"Uh, gross? Nastiness in a can."

Nodding to get my point across, he rolls his eyes and heads in. Following in after him, my nose leads me back to the kitchen where fresh baked rolls are being pulled from the oven. Oh yeah, that's the good stuff.

As it gets set down, Ava points at me with squinted eyes.

"You, back off."

Looking at her innocently, Tristan laughs as he moves through to the fridge, nodding to the guys spread about. Soon as Ava turns her back though, two rolls get snatched up. I get ratted out, then have to dart out of the room from a spoon waving loony.

Have to make a display of licking both of them before she'll leave me be, even then I get popped on the ass. Her eyes widen in shock when the damn thing ends up breaking. I look at her for a second before I burst out laughing, one wood piece flying off one way while she holds the snapped off handle.

"You broke my spoon."

Her look combined with what she said has me bending over, holding my belly. Trying to talk and it coming out in squeaks doesn't help, just makes the laughter worse. Bastion comes walking up, spoon piece in his hand and a confused look on his face.

I can't do it. I can't breathe. Hands on her hips, Ava glares at me, but can't hide the amusement in her eyes. Standing up, I try to talk. Still squeaky, but I get something out.

"I...I didn't break anything. You're the one who broke it. Tha...that's what you get. So abusive."

While I bend over busting a gut again, Ava takes the spoon piece and goes back to the kitchen. I can now officially say I've broken something with my ass. The forgotten bread is still in my hand, but I'm not touching it till I'm good.

When Ava comes walking back out with a metal spatula, I'm so out of there.

Have to dodge Tristan, Xavier, and Kani as I head for the front door. End up losing my bread somewhere, which is just downright depressing.

I barely make it out, and it's more tripping out than anything else. Getting caught on a rug as I make my dash out the door, I have to jump down the porch stairs or fall down them. Still giggling as I right myself, I hop forward in a sideways motion to keep my balance.

"Behold! I am a graceful swan!"

Tristan shakes his head from the steps, grin in place.

"You're crazy is what you are. Do you even realize you're barefoot?"

Looking down and wiggling my toes, I look back up with a crooked grin.

"I actually forgot."

He snorts, heading back in while I right myself. Shade comes through, a small smile in place as he comes down. The ground is cold, but it feels good. Especially on a stubbed toe received when dancing out the door like a stoned rhino.

"You alright?"