Kierra

Usually subdued, but he does speak more, sometimes. Coming up next to me, he looks out over at the horses. The once deep snow is now no more than an inch and still melting in the beating sun. Ground may still be cold, but the air feels like spring.

"Shade?"

Sky blue eyes look down at me, the dark blond line of hair tracing his jawline catching my eye. Can actually see his roots, which are darker than what's on his face. Gonna have to redo it soon.

"Just keeping an eye on you."

My merriment fades as I look at him, seeing how serious he is. Pursing my lips, I give him a droll look.

"I do not need a keeper or babysitter. Having someone younger than me acting as a bodyguard just doesn't work for me either."

His brow lifts, corner of his mouth rising as his eyes spark at me. Oh boy.

"How old do you think I am?"

Taking a step back, I peruse from head to foot then back up.

"Mid to late twenties I would guess, why? How old are you?"

You'd think by now I'd learned that the supernatural don't age normally. Proven correct when he answers with a mocking grin.

"Add about thirty years to that and you'll be closer."

Raising a brow and looking over him again, I give him my own smile.

"Well, for an old man you don't look half bad."

Still don't need him looking over me though, not like this. He chuffs, looking off again and seeing who knows what. Zypher looks to be in his early thirties, but I guess I'd have to add the same amount to him as well. They sure don't act their ages, especially the 'older' one.

"Either way, don't have to look over me. I can look over myself just fine."

The look he gives me doesn't appear to be very amused.

"As was proven earlier? You let your nose lead you, right? How many times has that happened?"

About to snark back, I stop. It was following my nose that led me to the other dire wolf, Joshua. Well, shit. Deflating my ego, I cross my arms instead. Shade nods, smirking. He doesn't know what happened, I don't think.

At a loss for words now that my argument proves invalid, I just stand there like a dolt.

"Ready to go in?"

So much for the shy, reserved one I thought he was. The button-up shirt hides much, but not all of the ink on him. Should have guessed by that that there was more to him. Hmm.

Nodding, he follows me back in. The real surprise is when walking in, Diego comes up to me.

Willingly.

Showing his want to be picked up... By me... Willingly. Imagine that.

Lifting him, I treat him much like I would any other actual animal. Petting and rubbing at his ears and face. There's not a book explaining anything like this, so I'm wingin' it, okay?

Heading into the kitchen, a couple more hours are spent with everyone getting to know each other. Xavier and Tristan danced around the other for the first hour or so, but then settled down and actually started talking. Laughing within the next.

Since Ava has already seen the house, she opts to stay back while I show everyone else. Figure showing my mother when it's just her and I will be better than with everyone else in a large group. So while everyone climbs into the bed of Shade’s truck, I snag Ava's ATV and lead the way.

I love this thing, can't help it. Since it's the main road through here, it's easy enough to travel. When we get to the drive that leads up to the plantation house, it's not as clear. Not surprising.

No trouble though as it all steadily disappears. The ground is so water laden that when it freezes again it will be harder than stone. Right now it's just a muddy mess.

Pulling up close to the house, I point Shade towards the garage. Everyone in the back is looking towards the house all wide-eyed, so I smile. The ground in front of the porch is packed dirt, same for in front of the garage.

"Alright peeps, shoes off before you go in, please."

As they all get out and head up, I don't see Dirk. Guess he stayed back with Ava, too. Shade and his brother get out of the cab, one going around the garage while the other makes his way around the house.

Rolling my eyes, I leave them to it and follow the others. A collection of shoes on the wrap around porch get nudged to the side, slipping my own off as well before going in. Decided back at Ava's that I should probably put them on, even though Tristan already knows I prefer going barefoot.

Bastion is right inside, looking up and around. Touching his shoulder, I smile down and lead him about. I show off the library-office first, because that's my favorite room in the whole place.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and each of the exits through sliding doors. Maii now in human form joins us, so my arm goes around him too as I show them the stairs leading up. Trailing them up to the open top floor, rooms get pointed out and possible uses for each.

The idea to put up climbing walkways on the walls for Tigger is enlarged to having them up for Faline to. Smiling, I think it's more my excitement that my Imp catches onto instead of his own. Leading them both back down, we get the others and head to the basement.

Point out the cellar and bathroom, then make sure to let them all know that the room down here is reserved for Faline specifically. Chandrika smiles, poking her head in while I move for the big open area. It's in here that Bastion finally has a smile of his own.

"So, what do you guys think?"

Xavier comes from the utility room, amber eyes going around the place then back to me. Just by his expression, I know he wants to talk. Ignoring him for now, I look back to my boys.

Bryanna comes up to me as well while Rika lets Diego down to explore on his own. With Tristan along, I can't tell them all my plans with him around. Already he looks a little puzzled on why this room is getting so much attention.

As Kani and the kids scatter, the adults come up to me. Here we go. It's Tristan that speaks up first.

"It's nice, really big. Do you really need so much space? Shit, I should move in with you. How much is it?"

Can feel Xavier slightly stiffen at that, not sure over which part though. Glancing at him in reprimand when Tristan isn't looking, I clear my throat.

"Yes, I do. I can convert the bedrooms into something different if needed. As for you moving in, I doubt you'd want to since there'll be a few kids living here. You know how loud they can get. Hell, you've seen how grumpy Faline can get, right? You really wanna live with that?"

I chuckle and he follows suit, but he does look at Bryanna and Xavier curiously.

"All the guys moving in too?"

Shrugging, I look around, arms crossing.

"I can provide a place, so yes. Not like I won't have the space. Besides, they help me with...stuff."

He snorts, walking around.

"Going into nudist art or something? Don't see them being very useful for your writing unless you go for specific details. Never said how much it is."

Bryanna's emotions are getting more and more nervous while Xavier's get more indignant. Rolling my eyes, I make light of it all.

"Oh yeah, because I can so gawk at a naked male long enough to paint it or write about it. Pfft. Can you imagine posing all he-man like for me? I don't think so. You are aware males are good for more than what you seem to be assuming, right? Like...oh, I don't know...actually 'helping' me pay for this place? Helping me keep up with it? Have you ever known me to fix a sink?"

Being real sexist here I know, but it's getting my point across to him... Hopefully.

"As for just how much it is, you don't want to know. Trust me. Ava was able to work me a deal with the owner, but it's still pretty high. Hence all the guys."

"And the kids? If you're working so much, who's taking care of them?"

Rolling my eyes again, I make a rude noise. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Diego. With only a couple lights turned on down here, it leaves a lot of shadows to hide in from human eyes.

"Just how old do you think they are? They'll be going to school, have plenty of stuff to keep them busy, and they already know that if they need anything all they have to do is talk to me. I'm not a complete idiot, Tristan."

Raising his hands in surrender, he backs off, laughing.

"Alright, alright. Where's your sister anyway? Has she seen the place?"

"Not yet, she's still with her friends. Last I talked to her she was looking into different jobs on taking care of people."

Think that's what she was doing when making that list of people. Could be way off base though. I hope not.

"Tried to get her to come over today, but she was busy with other stuff. I'll be getting my mom in a few hours."

Nodding, he moves off, saying he's going to go upstairs and look around more. Waving a hand at him, I look at the two Were-animals next to me.

"Alright, so what’re your guys' complaints?"

The woman clenches her fists, then drops them to her sides to keep from fidgeting. Her light brown skin holds the sun-kissed look but it comes from her mixed heritage. Brown eyes are determined as they look at me.

"I wasn't sure before since your home was so small, but if this is what you're getting... Were you serious when you said I could stay?"

Smiling at her, I nod.

"I was serious, yeah. Figure bedrooms can be doubled up if need-be to hold everyone's things. Aside from the size change, everything would pretty much be the same as it is at the other house. Maii, Bastion, and possibly Rika will be going to the Shifter school that Lily goes to, so it's not like they'll constantly be underfoot. Shade, Zypher, you and I have our day jobs, so we'll be plenty occupied."

Glancing over to Xavier who's been quiet, he speaks up before I can go on.

"I have something lined up."

My brows furrow, but I look back to Bryanna.

"Kani is waiting for a friend of his to send him his things, then he'll be doing something. Faline will be spending much of her time at the Vamp bordello if I'm understanding things from her right, and Diego will hang out here with either me or one of the others until he feels up to taking human form again."

Looking over to where he was hiding, he comes out now and up to us, sitting at our feet and looking up.

"I've set aside my writing for now and focusing more on my art. I also have other stuff I've been working on and I don't know how long it will take. When finished with it though, I'll be working towards this animal council thing. Things in your guys' world are seriously screwy."

When she looks even more confused, I shake my head and tell her to talk to Shade or Zypher. They'd know more than I. Hell Xavier could probably tell her more, but I need to talk to him first.

Shooing her and Rika towards the stairs, she gives a small smile and leaves. Sticking my thumbs in my pockets, I turn to the maned wolf for answers.

"You're not going back to your mercenary, work are you?"