Hey, babe... take a walk on the wild side. (Closed for marauder13 and laceandcogs)

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa had been badly jarred by the slap, both physically and emotionally. She fought the hot tears that threatened to blur her vision, but found that she could not stand quickly enough to stop Tim. A cry of "stop!" died before it reached her lips, and a curl of warm, dark pleasure unfurled in Iilsa's stomach as she realized that Tim was defending not just his home, but -her-. His mate. Whether she wore that title comfortably just yet was irrelevant. She had, for the very first time, a champion.

The viciousness of the fight below her, however, was disturbing. She struggled to her knees, and had just reached for the rail to pull herself up when Fenrir appeared. He was not so unlike the wolf in her earlier nightmare- massive, sleek, masterful- though his eyes were much wiser, and something approaching amused. He seemed barely to notice the girl half-crouched on the deck above him, and for all the ringing in her ears Iilsa had trouble understanding exactly what was said.

However, the pause his appearance caused, and the much altered tone of the fight in its aftermath, allowed Iilsa to steel herself and rise fully. She moved down the stairs, her spine straight, her movements graceful and deliberate, even as she felt the hot blossom of a fearsome bruise developing on her cheekbone. She stopped on the bottom step, a few feet shy of Tim, but her presence was felt.

Her father looked up at Iilsa with a groveling hope mingled unpleasantly with his anger and distaste. The two exchanged a long, meaningful look, Iilsa's eyes calm despite the anger than flared behind them. That anger warred with grief, fear, pain, and quickly diminishing hope... and then, all at once, it was replaced with something very like pity.

"Please, Tim. I understand how badly my father has disrespected you today, but I think he may have been brought to see the error of his ways. If it is all the same to you, I'd like nothing more than for him to go. Far, far away, right now. Away from our home."

Her voice was quiet, but strong, containing all the peace and steel her mother had instilled, all the pride her father had preached, but also a composure and dignity completely of her own device. It was deliberate, of course, her choice of words... our home. It was for Tim's ears, of course, but more pointedly for her father's. She was no longer his, no longer a bargaining chip or prized show dog. She had a new home, a new family.

 

[marauder13]

Tim felt the warm feeling of victory fill him as he stood up over Iilsa's father. He felt Iilsa's approach, which was confirmed by the change in the other Garou's expression and demeanor. Tim easily picked up on the anger, but he stopped it with a low, throaty growl.

"Please, Tim. I understand how badly my father has disrespected you today, but I think he may have been brought to see the error of his ways. If it is all the same to you, I'd like nothing more than for him to go. Far, far away, right now. Away from our home."

Tim frowned for a moment, slightly confused by Iilsa's words. If he heard correctly, she was accepting of being his mate. He would follow up on it later, once the other matter was finished. Tim indicated for Iilsa's father to stand by giving him a contemptuous nudge with his foot. He stood briefly, his eyes downcast, except for when he glared at Iilsa. He quivered with suppressed anger and embarrassment over his treatment at the hands of the Bone Gnawer.

"Well, since One is here, One had best show honour to the owner of the Range One has entered."

Iilsa's father paled slightly, before raising himself to his full height, and looking Tim in the eye while he spoke.

"I am Erik Liefgott. I am an Adren Ahroun of the Get of Fenris Tribe, That Impressive Mutt-rhya. Please," Tim watched Erik swallow, "accept my apologies for entering your range without announcing myself. I was not aware that it was claimed, wise Elder."

"As This One's mate has asked, so This One will honour. Erik Liefgott will leave now." Erik started to turn when Tim spoke once more. "Wait, Adren."

Erik turned to look back at the Elder Garou. Tim's hand was in motion. The flat of his hand crashed into Erik's cheek, sending the Fenrir sprawling to the ground. He launched himself to his feet, stopping himself with less than an inch of space between them. His expression was murderous, and he barely held himself in check from making another error in judgment.

"Erik Liefgott will not heal that which This One made, neither shall any other Garou nor Spirit. That is Erik Liefgott's lesson, to help keep wisdom of treating Kinfolk well." Tim looked at Erik in the eye, letting the fullness of his rank come to bear. The acceptance of the Spirits for all Tim had done for Gaia coalesced into an almost tangible force. Erik broke eye contact, bowing his head as he stepped back meekly. He took half a dozen steps back before turning and running out of the clearing, and back down the trail.

Tim turned to look at Iilsa, examining the bruise that was still blooming on her face. He reached out to touch it, but Iilsa's hand caught his before he could touch it.

"No. Please... leave it. I... need..." Tim took his hand back. He knew little of the homids and their ways, but he could clearly see the wisdom behind his mate's choice. He looked back down the path before he led Iilsa back towards the cabin. He waited until they were inside before he aired his thoughts.

"Is what Iilsa said true? That this place is now Iilsa and This One's place? Iilsa now agree that Iilsa is This One's mate?"

Along with the confusion over what she said, he started to notice the return of the urges to mate with her again. He managed to control them, not letting them interfere, but he needed to find out more about them, and how to deal with them better. But his focus was on her thoughts, even though other parts of him were focused on her body.

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa followed Tim back into the cabin, her eyes distant. She put a palm gently to the forming bruise, testing the delicate arch of her cheekbone and feeling no crack. She'd had worse by her father's hand, though perhaps none so emotionally painful. It seemed as though her ears would ring with his spat denouncement forever, that she would move through every day to a backbeat of whore. Whore. Whore.

It was only with a slight delay that Iilsa answered Tim's question. "I don't believe, Tim, that I ever needed to agree. I'm your mate. There's no arguing that." Though her words could have stung, there was no anger backing them- she had burned through all her rage, all her hate and anger and frustration, and was left, for now, empty.

Empty, a little bit cold, and hungry. She moved into the kitchen, opening the fridge and staring blankly at the contents. Her arms were wrapped tight around her waist, as if holding in some essential part that might, otherwise, fly free from the cage of her bones. It was a tragic image, her body outlined in the sterile white light, her shoulders curled, her head slightly lowered.

After a few moments of staring, she closed the door, and spoke in a voice that seemed very nearly normal. "Tim, could I borrow some of your clothes? I'm freezing."

 

[marauder13]

Tim felt that he was lost in a strange world. Homids were far more challenging to understand that he first contemplated. Tim was coming to understand that he had not been honourable, in a homid manner, with Iilsa and his taking her as a mate. He acted as a Lupus would, not as a Homid.

He watched as the spark within her faded. Her voice lost the fire, her body lost the steel that held her upright.

"Tim, could I borrow some of your clothes? I'm freezing."

"Clothes on This One are all This One has." Tim walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close. He held her like she was a frightened cub, helping to ease her pain.

"Iilsa, This One has done wrong with Iilsa. If Iilsa not want to be This One's Mate, then Iilsa is not This One's Mate. Mating is honourable amongst Garou. This One will not have Mate in way that is dishonourable. Iilsa would be fine Mate for This One. Iilsa has fight, quick mind, love of Mother Gaia. All those are part of Iilsa, part of Iilsa's spirit."

Tim loosed his hug enough to look at her face to face.

"This One is sorry, Iilsa. This One has done things that can not be taken back. If Iilsa want to be This One's Mate, This One will be proudest Garou in Nation. If not, This One will be Guardian of Iilsa, and ensure that Iilsa gains best Mate that Iilsa can."

Time thought that it was also good to be standing back from Iilsa a little, as he felt himself harden again being so close to her. He knew that she would not like to be reminded of their initial mating. But the urge to take her again was strong.

'How do homids live with this? Is this Homid way of knowing Mate is worthy? Homids are strange creatures.'

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa began to experience a strange and unwelcome mixture of emotions. She was pleased with Tim for apologizing, and touched by his suggestion that she could, after all, leave, but that he'd be much happier if she didn't. She was soothed by the closeness of his body, the carefully mastered strength in his hug. She was flattered by the way she could feel him edge away, just a little, as if to conceal the arousal stirring in him. And yet, for all that, she wanted to hit him, spit on him, and then cry for days.

Iilsa had always been a girl of certainty. She knew how she felt, and dwelt only rarely in shades of grey. She believed in right versus wrong, and a clear and identifiable margin between them. She had never experienced a loss for words, though often the words that sprang most quickly to her tongue had to be checked and replaced with something less sharp. This muddle of succor and anger, this jumble of affection and hate, was unpleasant, uncomfortable, and utterly foreign.

Settling on something of a compromise, Iilsa let her body sag into Tim's. Tucking her face against his chest, she inhaled deeply, trying to regain some of her strength with slow, deep, cleansing breaths. Her arms, which had been locked around her body, loosened, and slowly found their way around Tim's shoulders, letting their bodies find a new and shockingly perfect alignment.

"I like you, Tim. I'm not sure why, and quite frankly I rather wish I didn't. I might want to be your Mate, after all, though it's kind of hard for me to understand why." This was, of all the threats and barbs she'd thrown at Tim today, the most honest, and, in its fashion, the sweetest. "I'd really like it if you let me think about it for a while. In... well, Homids, they take a while to get to know each other before making decisions like this. They go on dates, and talk about things, and they end up liking each other more the longer they spend together."

Explaining the process of courting to a man-wolf was difficult. What earthly use could Tim have for strolls in the park, mini-golfing, ice cream cones, horror movies? With a short, soft sigh of exasperation, Iilsa tilted her head back and looked fully up at Tim, her startlingly blue eyes softened, yet still wary. "Does that sound acceptable? We... we spend some time together, without... mating, and... and then see how we feel?"

God -damnit-. Looking so deeply into Tim's face had been a mistake. He wore an adorable expression of concern and hope, one that rather made Iilsa feel like a boor. Again, for reasons she didn't comprehend, she wanted to soften the blow. Her hand, moving slowly and with a curious, exploring gentleness, slid from behind Tim's shoulder to the edge of his jaw in a soft, hesitant stroke. She let it rest there while a gentle smile captured her own lips, raising the corners just slightly, her shoulders relaxing in counterpoint.

"Maybe a little bit of mating. If you're really good."

 

[marauder13]

If Tim was in his breed form, his ears would have been full forward as he listened to Iilsa speak. He was still trying to figure out what Iilsa's thoughts and feelings were about what was happening. Since he wanted them to be honourably mated, she would have to agree to it without his pressuring her. He had thought he had done the right thing. In his Lupus mind, she had displayed a liking for him by continually entering his range, and respecting it while she was there.

But homids had a different means of showing their interest, as Iilsa was trying to explain. Tim wanted to learn more about their ways, and if there was something the homids did, then he wanted to know about it. He was pleased that she was trying to explain, share her knowledge with him. He could also see how difficult she was finding it.

He was finding his reaction to Iilsa's closeness to be different than earlier. He found his body was still urging him to mate with her, but it was somehow muted. Whether he was controlling it better, or there was something else happening, he wasn't sure.

"Does that sound acceptable? We... we spend some time together, without... mating, and... and then see how we feel?"

He thought about everything she had said. More importantly was how she said it. He felt her confusion, mixed with her desire to do things the right way. He was learning her ways, so he would follow her lead. His first test was when Iilsa moved her hand from his shoulder. He wanted to ask why she was doing it, then found is was a very pleasant feeling. Her hand were soft, the touch was gentle, possibly even caring. It tingled his skin in a way he wanted to feel again.

"Maybe a little bit of mating. If you're really good."

Again, she caught him by surprise with her last words. Tim wasn't sure that Iilsa was changing her mind, unsure of herself, or forgetting what she had said to him. Of course, it could be a part of who she was. But he returned the shy smile with one of his own.

"If there is a way that homids choose their mates, This One would like to gain wisdom of this. This One wants to have Iilsa as an honourable mate. So, This One will try to gain Iilsa in ways other homids would. If This One is not good enough to be mate for Iilsa, then This One will let Iilsa find mate worthy of her."

He scooped her up, and carried her over to the sofa, sitting her down before sitting beside her. He turned himself to face her. He looked at her again, noting her all over. She was definitely healthy, her legs and the shape of her body seemed to tell him instinctively that she was healthy. He also found his liked her shape as well. The way her body curved in different ways kept drawing his eyes back to them. The shape of her hips, her legs and her chest all seemed to be hard to keep his eyes from. But he remembered to focus on her face, especially when talking to her.

"Since This One not have wisdom of how homids get to know each other(?), what would Iilsa like to gain wisdom about This One?"

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa regarded Tim with a warm, intrigued glance, a smile playing around the edges of her lips. He was so very interested in the idea, now, so ready to do whatever would be necessary to have her honorably. It was sweet, in a strange way. For all his experience in his world of wolves and spirits, his utter lack of foundation when it came to "homid" life imbued him with a childlike eagerness.

Surrendering to the smile, Iilsa stared up at the ceiling and thought for a moment. Though almost every movement of expression made sharpened the ache in her jaw, she pursed her lips and made a gentle sound of deep consideration.

"What is your favorite thing to do? Above all else, the thing that makes you happiest."

It wasn't as though she could ask his favorite movie, or the candy bar he liked best. Iilsa's options for small talk were as drastically reduced as if she were conversing with a Martian. However, there were still many things to learn about Tim, and the sooner started the better. Resuming full eye contact, she quirked a brow in question, finding herself surprisingly interested in what his answer would be.

 

[marauder13]

Even in Homid form, certain actions carried over. His quizzical response was to tilt the head to one side and stare. Which he did when she heard Iilsa's question. To him, it was odd, but then, it was something that pack members found out by being together. Tim wanted Iilsa to be one of his pack.

"What is This One's favourite thing to do?" There was a pause while he thought about it. It was not something that he categorized, that was a homid trait born of their gift of Naming. "This One likes walking in Umbra, speaking with Spirits in their own lands. To feel connected to Gaia more closely than when This One's paws are touching Earth.

"What makes This One the happiest? Being in This One's range. Smelling Gaia's love all through it. To let This One's paws touch clean ground and enjoy what Gaia gives to Garou, Homids and all other creatures."

He leaned forward a little, watching Iilsa's face. He was starting to see little tells in her face as to how she was feeling and what she thought. He had little confidence in them, but he would ensure that he watched her closely so he would gain the wisdom he lacked.

"What of Iilsa? What make's Iilsa happiest? What does Iilsa like most?"

He paused for a moment, then asked the question that was most on his mind.

"What does Iilsa know of Iilsa's family? Does Iilsa know what Iilsa really is?"

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa considered Tim's questions, and the rapid change in topic. Did she know what she really was? Well, she had thought she did, until just a few hours ago. She was a perfectly normal girl with strict but fair parents and wild brothers. If one of those parents happened to be, apparently, like Tim... Come now, say it, she chided herself. If the facts are insanity, hiding from them is at least stupidity. If her father happened to be a wolf-person, like Tim, then that made her the daughter of a wolf-person, and probably sister to at least one more. Though she was certain she wasn't one herself.

Certain? Well, that was stating it a bit strongly. Certainty was a quickly diminishing commodity in her life. Iilsa frowned in consideration, and turned on the couch, putting her back to the arm and folding her legs in front of her. She was settling in for a long explanation. "I think I know what I am, Tim. My dad is... like you. He's a wolf-person." Werewolf seemed a fantastical term, and Iilsa suddenly found herself afraid of saying something politically incorrect. Wolf-American? Wolf-abled?

Shaking her head sharply to clear it, Iilsa looked up at Tim. "I'm not one, though. Right? I mean, I would know, if I was. I'm just a normal girl, whose father happens to be slightly different." Even Tim could hear the question in this, the fearful wonder that she might not really be normal, that, at any moment, her body could stretch and shiver like Tim's until she found herself furry and four-legged.

 

[marauder13]

Tim observed the way Iilsa responded to his questions. She had never really thought about them being anything other than homids. He suddenly realized that as much as he would be learning from her, she would be learning from him, or from another of the Garou Nation. Even if she found another mate, he would still like to be her Mentor as she learned about her heritage.

"I think I know what I am, Tim. My dad is... like you. He's a wolf-person."

Tim actually chuckled. "Not wolf-person. Garou. Erik Liefgott and This One are Garou."

"I'm not one, though. Right? I mean, I would know, if I was. I'm just a normal girl, whose father happens to be slightly different."

"No. Iilsa is not Garou. Iilsa not have Garou scent. Iilsa is kinfolk. This One would not have mated with Iilsa if Iilsa was Garou. Breach of Litany for Garou to Mate with Garou.

"Erik Liefgott is not same as This One. Erik Liefgott is Homid, like you. This One is Lupus. This One was born as wolf. Erik Liefgott is Ahroun, or warrior. This One is Theurge, or shaman. Erik Liefgott is one of Fenris' chosen, Tribe called Get of Fenris. This One is one of Rat's chosen, Tribe called Bone Gnawers. Gaia has different calling for Erik Liefgott and This One. Each carry different blessings from Gaia and her children. Much Erik Liefgott can do that This One can't. Much This One can do that Erik Liefgott can't."

Tim leant forward, bringing his face closer to Iilsa's. His nose caught the natural perfume that was Iilsa. He had to pause to let his homid body come under control again.

"Iilsa. This One has pledged to protect Iilsa. Erik Liefgott will not challenge This One for Iilsa again. Erik Liefgott understands laws of Garou Nation. Iilsa can return to Erik Liefgott whenever Iilsa wants. This One will not stop Iilsa. But This One will share wisdom with Iilsa that it is not wise for Iilsa to return. Erik Liefgott not show Iilsa wisdom of what Iilsa is. Erik Liefgott was wrong to do that to Iilsa. This One will show Iilsa, if Iilsa wants."

 

[laceandcogs]

Garou. Lupus. Ahroun. Too many new words, too many new ideas. Iilsa struggled under the weight of it- not for any lack of wits, but adrift in the complete shift her world had taken in the last few hours. It was still hard to believe that the sun had not yet gone down on a day that saw all this.

She recrossed her legs, aware of how much closer Tim was getting, how deeply he inhaled of her. It was almost charming, to watch him fall slowly into fascination with her... Somehow, Iilsa found that concept both more unsettling and more foreign than that of werewolves. She shook her head just once, sharply, as if clearing cobwebs from her thoughts, and then looked up at Tim. He was afraid she'd go back to her father- not afraid he'd lose her, but that she'd be wasted, somehow.

"I'm not going back home, Tim." A long pause, here, as Iilsa corrected her train of thought- that wasn't home, anymore, even if every scrap she owned was there, even if it was where she'd slept every single night of her life. "I know that my father is angry with me, and that since I'm no longer a virgin he will see me differently. He doesn't love me the way he did before. I could explain to him that it was not my fault, and that I fought you, but I'm not sure it would matter, really. And while I could explain that I fought you then, I'm not sure that I could explain why I'm not fighting you now."

The smallest smile at this, a sardonic and half-sad twist of her lips that failed entirely to reach her eyes. She watched Tim steadily, letting her body language speak for her now- though she kept her legs folded up and her arms loosely wrapped around them, she was not protecting herself from him, because she wasn't afraid. Not even a little. She was guarding her body from him not out of fear, but out of stubbornness. Perhaps the colloquialism "in the doghouse" would be offensive to a werewolf, but here it was apt.

"Here are some things Iilsa wants, Tim." Her smile became just a little more genuine as she adapted to his third-person way of speaking. "Iilsa wants us to eat some dinner, and then Iilsa wants you to tell her what Bone Gnawers are like, and what a werewolf has to do with rats. Iilsa doesn't want to hear anything about Gets of Fenrises. Tomorrow, Iilsa wants to go back and get her car and go shopping, because if Iilsa has to go another day without underwear, Iilsa will become somewhat cranky."

With a lithe, stretching movement, Iilsa unfolded herself from the couch and stood, moving into the kitchen. It may be a bachelor's kitchen, and a wolf-bachelor's to boot, but she could cook. She considered the contents of the fridge again, selecting a couple of steaks and the components of a salad. Happy in her work, Iilsa set to slicing an onion into paper-thin ribbons, which met butter in the pan to a mouthwatering scent.

She hummed a bit of music under her breath as she worked, moving around the kitchen as if she owned it- and, were Tim to have his way, she half-did. It was a peaceful moment, her face serious but pleased as she explored and discovered where he kept things, as she breathed in deeply the scent of searing meat. A small cry of pleasure and triumph parted her lips as she found a stash of mushrooms, which she set to slicing.

"If you like your steak something other than medium-rare, Tim, let me know." So she'd not completely forgotten his existence, it seemed. Looking over to the couch, she quirked a brow in expectation, her hands steadily at work scraping up the delicious browning onions and mushrooms.

 

[marauder13]

Iilsa continued to strike Tim's curiousity. The more he watched her, listened to her, the more he wanted to know of her, and her ways. Not just homid ways, but her personal ways. She still sat in a way that told him she was protecting herself, but the rest of her said she was not afraid. He did not know which to believe, the same way a human tries to decide whether the barking end or the tail wagging end is the one to trust.

"Here are some things Iilsa wants, Tim. Iilsa wants us to eat some dinner, and then Iilsa wants you to tell her what Bone Gnawers are like, and what a werewolf has to do with rats. Iilsa doesn't want to hear anything about Gets of Fenrises. Tomorrow, Iilsa wants to go back and get her car and go shopping, because if Iilsa has to go another day without underwear, Iilsa will become somewhat cranky."

Tim smiled, liking that she wanted to know more about his tribe. He laughed out loud when she mentioned 'rats'.

"Bone Gnawers are like... bums, hobos. Those that live in streets of Scabs. Uhhh, cities? Yes, cities. Rest of nation think Bone Gnawers are not honourable or worth much respect. But Bone Gnawers do what is needed to be done to help protect Gaia. Others will not swim through muck to fight enemies if there is another way, even if slower and more dangerous. Bone Gnawers will, because it needs to be done.

"Rat is the spirit totem of tribe. She teaches Her children how to fight to win. How to do anything that works to beat enemies, and save Gaia. Rat is also a great survivor, and She shares wisdom in how to live on what others would not eat. Of course, all of this is done by the Litany, though many believe that Bone Gnawers not follow Litany."

He took some time to watch Iilsa in the kitchen. Tim know enough about the workings to be able to make simple things like cooked steak, but little else. He was fascinated at the way she moved about, almost as if she had been there many times before. She showed confidence in her movements which seemed so different to when she was with Tim. He had to remind himself that it had been a rather challenging day for her. Learning that she was a mate to a Garou, that her father was a Garou and she was Kinfolk.

Once more, Tim let his homid body react to the environment, while learning more about those reactions. He knew that his body reacted to different scents, and handled different foods to his proper body. The scent of the meat cooking was making his stomach come to life as if it was mid winter and he smelled food. While his stomach was making noises, the rest of his body was once more reacting positively to Iilsa. The confidence she was showing was very arousing to the Garou. He thought that she would be viewed as an appealing mate by any other Homid, because she showed all the signs of being healthy and easily able to whelp cubs, and nurture them. But he also knew that Homids would mate because it felt good, and they had no real season for mating. He looked forward to mating with her again, in the hope that it would be as good, if not better than their first time. Having Iilsa not fighting back so much would also help.

"If you like your steak something other than medium-rare, Tim, let me know."

He shrugged. "I eat meat however it comes, Iilsa. Cook it as you like, I will eat it."

He stayed seated, letting Iilsa work without distraction or interruption. Her willingness to cook was a good sign, and one he hoped that she would continue to do as they lived together. If she was willing, he would try to gain some wisdom of how to cook, as well as what ever other parts of homid life he could learn from her.

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa had always enjoyed cooking. It was soothing, really, the repetitive motions of a knife, the organization and orderliness of preparation, the reward of a meal well-done. However, it had also been a place where she could shine, where she could outdo her mother just a little, where she could indulge her competitive spirit and creativity without being seen as prideful.

Her eyes had been on Tim whenever possible, listening quietly to his explanation, saving her questions. Her movements were sparing, the meat requiring much of her attention, and the relative lack of what she would consider appropriate side dishes allowing her to focus. Still, she was surprised to find more than one plate, more than one fork- he did not strike her as the entertaining type. Perhaps it was simply to stretch out the days allowed before doing a pile of dishes?

Iilsa served up the meal, her old ways coming forward once again- Tim's plate was significantly more loaded. She set them carefully on the table, with a fork and knife in perfect parallel to the plate, and a glass of water precisely placed.

Her eyes were bright and satisfied as she looked up, her smile so... genuine. It was bright and sweet and proud, perhaps the most luminous- and most true- she'd offered Tim. "Dinner is served, Tim."

She took her seat, and waited anxiously for him to take the first bite, her hands folded in her lap. Her expression was curious, hungry for his review, the iciness completely gone from her blue gaze- she was unguarded, for the moment, allowing the simple act of making dinner to separate her from the darker pull of her worries, her tangled emotions. Leaning forward just a little as Tim joined her, her smile became a smaller and more hopeful version of its former glory.

Why, precisely, did she care so much if he liked it? Why, as well, was she constructing a mental grocery list, things she would want to pick up in order to make a more impressive meal tomorrow? This was more than the simple practicality of making the most of a foregone conclusion. This was a budding sense of hope, a blooming idea of making this place a new home. Of allowing pieces of herself to mark it, to impress herself upon the little world until a casual glance would show her presence.

If Tim wanted this to be her home- their home- then, perhaps, it could be.

 

[marauder13]

Tim took in everything he saw. Most of it didn't make any immediate sense to him, but like all things Homid, in time it would. After her work at the table was complete, he saw a different side to Iilsa. The look on her face was natural, and the smile made her look like Selene when the spirit search for lovers to bless.

"Dinner is served, Tim."

He stood up, and moved to the place that was set for him, and he sat down. His mouth watered at the smell of the food rising from his plate. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. The aroma filled his nose, and he was amazed at the way it smelled. He started to gain an understanding of why homids took so much time and effort to prepare food to be eaten.

"Iilsa, this smells like nothing This One has smelled before. It is glorious to This One's nose." Some time back, a kinfolk of the Bone Gnawer showed him how to use a knife and fork well enough to eat with, and not endanger anyone. He carefully cut the steak, mainly due to lack of practice than any other reason. The put the meat into his mouth, chewing it slowly and letting the juices run across his tongue. While he chewed, he looked over towards Iilsa with a smile.

"This is good," his voice garbled around the mouthful of food. He started cutting the second piece with more enthusiasm, putting it into his mouth with the chewed up remains of the first piece. His smile broadened as he continued to eat. The taste of the meat was great. He swallowed before trying the onions and mushrooms. He even found them to be better than the last time someone fixed them for him.

"Iilsa has much wisdom of making food taste great. This One is honoured that Iilsa make such for This One. If Iilsa wants, Iilsa can be alpha of kitchen."

Tim wasn't being sexist, but very pragmatic. She demonstrated her skill was far better than his, and to him, the best member of the pack at a task got to do that task. Pure and simple. As they lived together, he would find out what other areas Iilsa was good at, and let her take charge of those tasks while he took care of the rest.

He was sensing a slight change in her while they sat at the table eating. She seemed more relaxed, less aggressive towards him. He felt that she was seeking some form of reassurance, possibly like she would from her parents. He wasn't sure if there was any instinct gained from her father; that she was being respectful to one that she could feel was of greater rank and status than her. It could have been part of how she was raised. She might defer to the men of her family as most of their tribe tended to do. He hoped that one day she would do things like that out of personal respect for him, as he would do for her. She was his mate, and even though she was kinfolk, she was also worthy of respect and honour as any other member of the Garou Nation.

Once the meal was finished, Tim swallowed the glass of water in one gulp. It was the best homid style meal he had ever eaten. He was looking forward to seeing what other meals Iilsa could make. She would garner much renown with the local Garou who came to visit, and ate with them. While Tim was not very social at the best of times, he did meet with others on the nation in the cabin from time to time. That might have to change if it became his place to stay with Iilsa.

"Iilsa said that Iilsa would get cranky if Iilsa went without underwear for more than one day. This One does not have wisdom of why Iilsa would get cranky because of this. How does underwear make Iilsa not cranky?"

This was another reminder of why Tim took the path he did, so these confusing matters of the homids could be made easier to understand.

 

[laceandcogs]

When Tim finished his rave review of the meal, Iilsa began to dig in happily. She surprised herself with her hunger, taking care to eat slowly, neatly. Her eyes stayed on Tim, half-watching him enjoy the meal, half-studying his features. She was beginning to notice- and thus, admire- more about his appearance. It was funny, but she'd tried consciously not to notice that he was an attractive man. Relaxing, allowing Tim to have a chance; all this meant she had to reevaluate him fairly and completely.

In the name of fairness, Iilsa had to admit that Tim had some very admirable characteristics. He had beautiful eyes. His smiles were rare, and frequently slightly bewildered, but they made her feel triumphant.

"I would be honored to be alpha of the kitchen, Tim. With luck and hard work, maybe I can be alpha of the living room too." Her smile was still warm, but more thoughtful now. She finished the last bite of her dinner, careful to scrape up the very last of the mushrooms- always her favorite part.

It was then that Tim asked his question, the blissful afterglow of a delicious meal first turning into surprise, and then amusement.

Her laugh. Full, throaty, sparkling, her eyes closed as she tipped back in her chair and thoroughly enjoyed the moment. It truly tickled Iilsa to discover that Tim listened to even her more inane comments. Even better, that she would now have to attempt to explain why being without underwear would render her irritable.

Which she would. She would explain that, in a moment or two, as soon as she was done laughing. Putting her elbows on the table, Iilsa planted her forehead in her palms as the laughter continued, her slender shoulders arching and shaking with the force of her amusement.

Finally, straightening up, Iilsa regarded Tim with bright, still laughing eyes, her lips twisted with the force of her effort to stop laughing. "I... I suppose that I'm a bit particular, Tim. This isn't how I usually dress, either. I was just wearing this to go out for a hike. I like to be...put together for the day, no matter what I'm doing, and I suppose that that, in my mind, requires underwear. It's unsettling to go without something you've become very used to."

 

[marauder13]

While Iilsa's laughter baffled Tim, like many things homids did, he did nothing to interfere. It was clear to him that she was enjoying something he said, which in turn was relaxing her. Her laughter was initially from her belly, full of life. It also made her body move in ways that Tim was now getting more used to. His own body's reaction to her was something that he was getting used to, and taking as a good sign that he made his choice well for a mate. But then the laughter changed to something more soothing and somewhat musical to Tim's ears. He smiled warmly as he decided that Iilsa laughing was something to be enjoyed, along with her smile.

"I... I suppose that I'm a bit particular, Tim. This isn't how I usually dress, either. I was just wearing this to go out for a hike. I like to be...put together for the day, no matter what I'm doing, and I suppose that that, in my mind, requires underwear. It's unsettling to go without something you've become very used to."

Tim nodded thoughtfully. When he was in homid form, there were things that he always wore, and if he couldn't, it did feel strange being without. The photographer's jacket and his necklace were both items that felt wrong not to be wearing. The jacket was obvious because it held all of his Loot and Stuff. But the necklace held special things. A small compass, a metallic four leaf clover, a crow tail feather and a monopoly baby booties piece amongst others all hanging off a length of ordinary string.

"Tomorrow, This One and Iilsa go shopping to get Iilsa more underwear. Will also need to shop for more food too, as Iilsa not eat what This One has been eating over last few days. Would Iilsa need other things?" Tim paused for a moment, while his body surged nearly uncontrollably again.

"Iilsa, This One's body is making ready to mate many times while we have been together here in cabin. Is that a good thing for Iilsa's mate to have that? Does Iilsa like that This One's body acts like that?"

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa reached over to pat Tim's hand, a reassuring and surprisingly tender gesture. "It almost always makes a woman happy to know that a man thinks she's attractive, Tim. And it makes her even happier to know that his mind is in charge of his body, not the other way around."

* * * * * * *

Walking back to her car with Tim was surprisingly companionable. Iilsa had not expected to find him such an affable shopping companion, but he had risen early and seemed eager to begin their errands.

It didn't occur to Iilsa to offer to allow Tim to drive. This was only partially because she wasn't certain he'd know how. It was a decision founded almost entirely in her inability to relinquish control of her car. Though it was far from new, and definitely not showy, being a boxy, heavy Swedish make that prized safety far above agility, it was immaculately maintained. Iilsa took especial pride in it because it was completely and truly hers- purchased several years ago with the accumulated savings of several summers worth of shifts at the ice-cream stand, she owned it free and clear.

The car had given Iilsa freedom, but also made her acutely aware of her parents' expectations. It was fine that she own a car, and fine that she work- provided, of course, that her job never interfered with her studies, or her duties at home. However, it was always viewed as something of an amusing quirk- as if independence, social and financial, was a teenage phase she'd soon outgrow. Though the balance of her checking account grew quite respectably, due not only to Iilsa's work ethic but also to her incredible cheapness, college had never even been discussed.

It was simply too ridiculous to consider that Iilsa might someday wish to move away from home, away from family, away from supervision, simply to pursue a degree that would inevitably go unused- after all, she would marry, sooner rather than later, and happily transition into the life of a stay at home wife and mother.

To think that Iilsa would choose otherwise, would -want- otherwise- well, it would require a suspension of disbelief that beggared her father's imagination. Not to mention an entirely uncharacteristic interest in Iilsa's desires.

Iilsa drove quietly, and with a distracted air- though she was a capable driver, cautious and diligent about traffic laws, she seemed to be functioning on autopilot. Her full lips were pursed in a frown of deep consideration, a shallow vertical wrinkle appearing in the formerly smooth skin between her brows. As the sedan merged into the flow of traffic headed into the shopping mall, Iilsa spoke, her tone striving for lightness.

"Tim, why don't we split up our errands? I can go pick up some clothes, and you can do the grocery shopping, or just browse for things you might need. We'd be finished more quickly, and I promise I would meet you back at the car."

Iilsa, of course, was unconcerned with the timetable. It wasn't as if they had any pressing social engagements to attend. What really prompted this suggestion was the fact that the bruise she'd begun to form last night was now a rather impressive black-and-blue on the high arch of her cheekbone, an uncomfortable looking injury of the sort that would almost certainly lead to unkind and untrue judgements on Tim. She worried that he might not understand why he was being treated so coldly by perfect strangers. Worse, she considered, he would understand precisely why, and be wounded by it.

With a smile that sought to be reassuring and yet was hopelessly marred by her evident worry, she quirked a brow and awaited Tim's response.

 

[marauder13]

Iilsa's reassurance about Tim's homid body reactions made him feel a little better. He had not had it react to any other women in such a manner before, so he was still confused about the true meaning behind it. As a homid, Iilsa was obviously more aware of such things. Of course, it would be wiser for him to have asked a man, but there were none about.

That night, Tim slept in his breed form, in the corner of the room. He didn't feel comfortable to sleep in the same bed as Iilsa in homid form, and beds felt wrong when he was in his proper form. It felt a little strange hearing the movements and smelling another close by in the same room, but he would get used to both. He liked the feel of Iilsa's aroma on his nose. It was a nice scent to sleep with.

~||~​

Tim was grateful that Iilsa drove. It was one skill of the homids that he could not muster. He didn't mind. Look looked at the pacing scenery, both static and mobile. It was then he realized that his body liked him looking at female homids, though none of them got the same strong reaction as his looking at Iilsa.

"Tim, why don't we split up our errands? I can go pick up some clothes, and you can do the grocery shopping, or just browse for things you might need. We'd be finished more quickly, and I promise I would meet you back at the car."

"Ok" With a simple nod the matter was closed. He knew that she didn't want people to think that he was responsible for the bruise on her face. He knew people would think the worse, rather than believe the truth.

They pulled into the carpark, and Tim wasted little time getting out of the car. He knew where he was going, and it was not into the mall that was the obvious destination of Iilsa's. Once he reached the edge of the carpark, he looked at the local landmarks, as well as tall buildings that dominated the skyline. With a nod and a grunt he was off at a fast walk.

He arrived several blocks away at a medium sized grocers. 'Tony's Fresh Produce' was founded by Malcolm's great grandfather, the Tony the store was named after. It was still going, if just. There was something about the store that kept some customers coming back.

Malcolm was a young man, still with the freshness of youth that the world hadn't removed yet. The jet black hair, and beard, enclosed a pair of eyes that missed little, and a mouth that was quick to smile.

"Hey Tim. Here to get your pay?"

"Yes. This One is in need of food, and there is no place better to get it."

Malcolm laughed. "That's what any businessman wants to hear. Not only a happy customer, but one that is really happy. Go, help yourself. And if you could come back in a couple of days, that would be great."

"This One will come in two days time and clean for Malcolm, and make store good again."

"Thank you." Malcolm went about loading one of the display bins with purple onions. Tim took up one of the large cloth bags, and started to fill it with various produce. He moved slowly, eying everything carefully. Slowly, he would reach out, lifting one item to his nose. He would take a deep whiff, then more often than not, place it in the bag. Down the aisle he would go, choosing from what was in front of him. No method was used except a straight forward linear approach. After half an hour, his bag was full.

"Thank you, Malcolm. This One is grateful for the food. This One will be back in two days to earn more."

"Thanks, Tim. Have a good day." Malcolm waved as he arranged the cauliflower so they wouldn't spill if someone got too close to them.

Tim went three shops down to a small bakery. A tiny, massively wrinkled Asian woman peered up over the counter when the chime went off. The narrow slits of her eyes widened as she clapped her hands together in front of her face.

"Ah, Spirit Talker. You back. Good. Need you to please spirits." She moved rapidly around the counter, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the back of the bakery. "Nothing bad happen. Mei wants spirits to remain happy. Please spirits before anger comes. Make Mei happy. Keeps spirits happy. Spirit Talker can do?"

"Yes, Ancient Mother. This One will speak with spirits and please them." Time grabbed some flour, sprinkling it in a circle on the floor. He liked that the floor was regularly swept clean, so the circle would stand out clearly.

Mei stood back, standing straight enough to allow her deep blue traditional dress to leave the floor. She kept her hands together below her bowed chin. She whispered prayer to her ancestors as Tim continued to ready himself.

Tim spoke words in the Garou tongue that were mostly nonsense as he paced the outside of the circle. He stepped across the boundary, sitting himself in the exact centre of the circle. He opened his eyes to view the spiritual world about them, rather than the real world. Numerous spirits teemed within the shop. Some of them were spider like creatures, while others were more like mechanical men. All of them paused when they knew Tim was looking at them.

"Greetings, Children of Mother Gaia." Tim's words were strange, mere sounds to the normal human ear. "This One is honoured to meet with those that serve the Mother of All so well."

"Greetings Warrior of Gaia. We are honoured that we are worth the time of one so revered by the Mother of All."

"This One always has time for the Children of Gaia, for they have wisdom that This One does not. But this one is here to make the homid that lives here when Helios is awake pleased. Ancient Mother believes that she does not do enough to keep spirits happy, and asks This One to make sure that Spirits are happy." Tim felt some shock wash off a few of the spirits. "This One tells Ancient Mother that spirits are happy with what Ancient Mother does for them. Ancient Mother honours them at all times with what Ancient Mother does. But this is easier than telling Ancient Mother that spirits are happy. This One also gets to speak with spirits which makes This One happy too."

One of the larger mechanical men walked over to Tim. "Please tell the Ancient Mother that if she continues to do as she does, the spirits will be pleased and honoured. In turn, we will respect her and her place."

"It shall be done. Thank you, wise Children of Mother Gaia."

"Thank you, Esteemed Elder."

Tim let his eyes return to the world. He stood up, grabbing a dustpan and brush. "Spirits are pleased with devotions made by Ancient Mother. Spirits will remain pleased as long as Ancient Mother keeps devotions."

Mei opened her eyes, the smile removing close to thirty years from her face. She waited while Tim cleaned up the flour, then scurried over to grab his hand with her two thin ones. "Spirit Talker is good friend. Will give Spirit Talker good bread. Yes?"

Tim nodded. He walked back to the gap in the counter and turned to be presented with three loaves of uncut bread.

"Mei knows what Spirit Talker likes. Many blessings to you, Spirit Talker." She stood a little straighter, and the lingering echoes of her smile seemed to stay on her face. She took her spot on the stool behind the counter, her hand reaching above the counter top to wave to Tim as he left.

Time needed to walk around the corner to reach his final destination. The facade of the building was rough, and worn. Tim knew that the building was much better than it looked, because the spirit of the building was hale, happy and very resilient. The battered door opened with a soft tinkle. The smell of sawdust and various varieties of meat assailed Tim's nose.

"Ah, Tim. Good to see you again. If you wait one moment, I've already got your order ready."

"Thank you, Butcher Jim. But This One will need some more normal cuts. No more than six will do."

Jim paused, looking over his shoulder for a moment. "You hungry?" When he got a shake of the head in reply, Jim cocked an eyebrow. "Feeding someone else then?" A nod was all he got in reply. "Alright. just give me a couple of minutes, and I'll get the extras for you."

Tim fought to stop his mouth watering too much, as he always did when he entered the store. His true nature wanted to take over, and gorge himself on the product available for sale. But his gained wisdom knew that doing that would be dishonourable as well as hurting his good friend.

"There you go. All the stuff you normally get, as well as the extras. I'm not sure how you do it exactly, but I cant thank you enough for keeping the vermin problem to a minimum. I haven't had any animals go through the bins in ages either. That cut me a lot of slack with the council people." Jim leant back, giving Tim a very penetrating look. "There is more to you than meets the eye, isn't there? Not only the rat problem, but I know you pulled some strings with the council and those strings are still nice and tight too."

Tim bowed his head slightly, smiling. "This One has many good friends who help This One. Keep Butcher Jim working is one thing that friends want to see happen too."

"Well, you thank those friends of yours, and send them my way when they need some meat. OK?"

"This One will do that." The now fully laden Tim started heading back to the car. His ninety minute long shopping trip was enjoyable. He knew Iilsa was shopping too, but what he remembered of female homids and clothes shopping, he was more than likely to get back before her. If she got back before him, it wouldn't be by too much.

 

[laceandcogs]

By the third store, Iilsa had found just the right posture of casual disregard and barely-checked withering anger that kept all glances and murmurs at bay. She had to be careful, as her temper was still close to the surface after yesterday's events.

Events. It really was the most sane way to encapsulate it all. Iilsa paused to reflect in the mall bathroom, cinching the belt of her new pale-green linen wrap dress around her tight waist. Everything she wore from head to toe was new, untouched by anything that came before. Though she leaned close to the smudged mirror and stated, she couldn't see anything new about herself- no flashing neon "ex-virgin" sign on her forehead, no outward manifestation of her expanded, wolfman-inclusive world view. She looked calm, relaxed, clear-headed- honestly, she thought, she looked beautiful. Still, Iilsa was thrilled not to run into anyone she knew- explanations were going to be necessary eventually, and she just didn't have the fortitude for them today, even with a very successful morning of shopping behind her.

There were things she was going to have to explain to herself, as well. For example, the two hundred dollars she dropped in Victoria's Secret. She'd never even set foot in the shop before, and couldn't entirely account for the mingled rebelliousness and cat-murdering curiosity that dragged her in this morning. However, once the world of ivory lace and candy-pink polka dots unspooled before her in technicolor confectionery, she was a goner. Yes, she was out of underwear, and yes, she did need more than the one sports bra she currently possessed, and yes, she had to admit that the dress did lie very nicely over her freshly-enhanced bust. But there was no defense to be made for the firetruck-red satin push-up and matching bikini that effected that improvement. Or its sisters in peach, lavender, chocolate, vanilla, grapefruit, lemon, and sweetpea. With the pink-striped shopping back stuffed into the bottom of the much less conspicuous L.L. Bean shopper, Iilsa felt more than slightly wicked. And hungry.

And so, just a few minutes behind Tim, Iilsa strolled back to the car with her loot and a cardboard tray containing two strawberry milkshakes. It was probably irrational to assume that a werewolf was going to be excited about anything Dairy Queen had on offer, especially when it was roughly the color of nuclear Pepto Bismol, but it also seemed rude to get one only for herself.

After all, successful relationships were about sharing. And she wanted this to succeed, didn't she? Iilsa paused just a second, considering the gorgeous, lean hunk of (wolf)man waiting for her, sunny and mildly demented grin on his lips, his own shopping resting on the ground at his feet. Who knows how long he'd been waiting for her, or what he'd been thinking while he had. Would he like milkshakes? Did he find something nice for dinner? Does he prefer lemon over lavender?

Resuming her walk with a little finger-wave, as if she'd only been trying to sight her car and had just now seen it, Iilsa felt her cheeks flush and pushed the questions away. The answers would come, eventually.

 

[marauder13]

Tim had not been waiting long when he saw Iilsa approaching the car with her collection of shopping. What caught his attention more was the cardboard tray with two full cups of drink. His nostrils flared as the wind shifted to carry the scent of cold, fresh strawberry milkshakes. Ones that had not been left behind by someone hours earlier, nor that had fortunately landed the right way up in a bin. His grin expanded at the thought that his mate got one for him too. The next moot of the Tribe, he would sing the praises of his mate to all.

But his homid form was taking in more than he first knew, as he felt his approval grow of Iilsa and her new clothing. He was finding the homid desire to mate at anytime to be rather annoying at times. But they found a way to control it, so could he. Still, the shape of her body was different, and somehow causing a stronger reaction from him. Maybe when they got back to the cabin, they could do something about it.

"This One hopes that one of those is for This One. This One has never had fresh made pink drink. Can This One try some please?" With the milkshakes so close, the familiar sights and scents of the drinks overwhelmed the strange urges of his not natural form.

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa carefully lifted one from the tray, offering it out to Tim. "Of course, Tim- I bought it for you. It's good you like strawberry... it's my favorite, and I didn't know if you'd even like them, so I guessed." With a natural grace, Iilsa held the tray aloft and fished her keys out of her purse, turning on her heel to prop the door open with one hip and pop her bags into the backseat.

"They come in other flavors as well, you know- chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, all sorts of fruits- just don't drink them too fast, or they get their revenge." Iilsa leaned across to unlock Tim's door before poking the straw into her own "pink drink" and taking a slow, satisfied sip.

"So where did you off to?" Genuinely curious about his shopping, Iilsa tried not to peek in the bags as Tim stowed them. "And is there anywhere else you want to go in the city, or shall we head home?"

Maybe it was just pink drink talking, but somehow, the word "home" didn't taste as strange in her mouth.

 

[marauder13]

Tim looked at the offered milkshake, taking it in his hands almost reverently. He took a long pull of the drink, sighing as the cool slush slid down his throat.

"Of course, Tim- I bought it for you. It's good you like strawberry... it's my favorite, and I didn't know if you'd even like them, so I guessed."

He continued to enjoy the drink as most people would, rather than the dregs he normally got that were warmed by the sun. He fully understood the reason homids like such drinks now he tasted one as it was meant to be drunk.

"They come in other flavors as well, you know- chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, all sorts of fruits- just don't drink them too fast, or they get their revenge."

"Mmmm... This One knows they come in different tastes. This one has even tasted some of them. This One would like to try others like this pink drink. Nice and fresh and cold."

"So where did you off to?"

"This One went to places where people give This One plant foods, breads and meat. This One helps them, and when This One needs food from them, This One is gifted food." He placed all the bags into the back seat, along with Iilsa's shopping. He put the bags so they would be stable.

"And is there anywhere else you want to go in the city, or shall we head home?"

"Yes," Tim nodded. "This One promised to see Tracy when This One was in Scab again. This One can find trail to Tracy's den." He sat down in the passenger seat, putting on his seatbelt and waited for Iilsa to get driving. He gave her clear instructions, all landmark based until they reached a more suburban part of town. All the houses along the street were all the same design, sitting on roughly the same size patch of ground. The main variance between the houses were the gardens and the mail boxes.

When they pulled up in front of the house that was 'Tracy's den', Tim waited for the engine to stop before he got out. He walked up to the door without waiting for Iilsa. He knocked on the screen door, then looked back at Iilsa.

"Who is it?"

"This One coming to see Tracy."

"TIM-RHYA?!? Come in, sweetie. You don't have to knock, silly."

Tim entered, keeping the door open for Iilsa, then walking down the hall to the kitchen. A young woman, with a noticeable baby belly enveloped Tim in a warm hug. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then pulled back to look at him as a mother would look at one of her grown children. The brunette was in her early twenties, very casually dressed and obviously dressed for comfort. "How are you, my favourite pup?" Before he could answer, Tracy noticed Iilsa, and the relaxed air vanished. Though she was a few inches taller than Iilsa, Tracy dropped her head, almost fawning over Iilsa.

"Welcome to my home, Mistress. If there is anything I can do for you, please ask." Tracy looked at Tim, the question plain on her face. "Uh... how about we sit in the lounge room." Tracy led the way, clearly nervous about Iilsa's presence. When they reached the lounge room, Tracy sat in a chair that had a small table next to it. There was a box of tissues, a pump bottle of water, a baby's bottle full of water, some pacifiers and wet wipes.

Tim sat down on a sofa with enough space for three people, sitting at the end closest to Tracy. He shuffled along a little, making room for Iilsa to sit in front of him, so he could hold her within his arms.

 

[laceandcogs]

Iilsa felt her smile of greeting twist into something much more wry almost instantly. Super, she thought. This day was getting too goddamn normal, anyway. Almost forgot I was through the looking glass! Though she couldn't possibly understand the deferential attitude of the girl, who was quite nearly her own age, she was determined to quell it, and quickly.

Led into the sitting room, Iilsa refreshed her smile. It wasn't hard, really- this was a sweet little place, and there were the hallmarks of babies. Anywhere there was a baby to hold, bounce, tease, and tickle, Iilsa was happy and at home. Still, she was determined to repress the desire to ask after the whereabouts of tickle-targets until this girl -relaxed-.

Oblivious to Tim's unspoken direction, Iilsa settled onto the sofa next to him- keeping a very respectable few inches of distance. Clearly, this Tracy was affording her some sort of spooked respect out of the terribly, horribly, awfully mistaken idea that she was Tim's woman. Which was, of course, patently false. Perhaps it would let her guard down to know so. Extending her hand and leaning forward, Iilsa offered her hand for a shake.

"Please, Tracy, call me Iilsa. I don't even know what to -do- with the word Mistress. And don't you dream of tidying up like we're the Better Homes and Gardens board- a pregnant woman should be relaxing as often as possible, and I happen to adore the smell of baby wipes."

Waiting for Tracy to shake, Iilsa offered another soft, conspiratorial smile. She tapped into her "midwife mind" for a moment, assessing the distribution of Tracy's weight, the line of her chest, the color of her cheeks- she was probably in her sixth month, perhaps even farther along if she was one of those fitness-crazed moms who kept up with the crunches until they laid down in the birth bed. Judging by the wipes and bottles, she had another still in diapers, and who could tell how many out of them.

A finger of concern ran icily down her spine as Iilsa wondered if this is what all... mates were supposed to be like. She remembered her mother's own pregnancies, six over nine years with two miscarriages besides, stopping after Iilsa only because her overworked body had refused another. She recalled every birth she'd attended and assisted at, rising through the ranks of water-boiler and hand-holder to her first real, solo birth at fifteen- an event so difficult and terrifying that, after assuring mother and child were whole and well, Iilsa locked herself in the bathroom and wept, swearing over and over she was going to abandon this insane practice of home-birthing for a hospital, a surgeon, and oodles of drugs.

Oh, come off it, Iilsa! You haven't even decided if you'll let him -touch- you again. You've got plenty of time to worry about getting pregnant, and then nine more months to worry after how it's coming out. Just relax, and keep your eyes open for a baby to play with.

 

[marauder13]

T.I.M. enjoyed visiting Tracy. When T.I.M. first joined a Sept as a cub, Tracy was a barely teenage girl in the same Sept. She befriended the newly changed Garou cub, and was something like a mother to him, as well as a good friend. As they grew older, T.I.M. looked at her as a potential mate. When they were old enough, she had found someone else who was more to her liking. He was a little upset when she choose the other to be her mate, but he respected her enough to accept her decision. He still looked on her as a friend, as she looked on him like he was still 'her' cub.

Unlike Iilsa, Tracy knew all about the people she was a part of. She reactions were ingrained, and she reacted accordingly. T.I.M. felt the respect for Iilsa the moment he first saw her. Only his rank, and her being a kinfolk, were enough for him to control his own natural desire to submit to her.

T.I.M. watched Iilsa try to settle Tracy. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking how clearly that action would be disturbing Tracy. It took years for Tracy to accept T.I.M.'s rank hadn't changed how he saw her, but a sudden change like the one Iilsa was trying to do.

"Please, Tracy, call me Iilsa. I don't even know what to -do- with the word Mistress. And don't you dream of tidying up like we're the Better Homes and Gardens board- a pregnant woman should be relaxing as often as possible, and I happen to adore the smell of baby wipes."

T.I.M. caught the look shot his way, and his return look spoke enough for Tracy. The other kinfolk extended her hand reluctantly, and shook hands for as long as was absolutely necessary.

"Ok... welcome to my home, Iilsa."

"Iilsa does not have wisdom about Garou Nation. Does not have wisdom of her bloodline. Iilsa not have wisdom of how to accept reverence Tracy gives to Iilsa."

Tracy relaxed a little. "Thank you, TIM-Rhya."

"How is first... child?"

Tracy smiled. "Sandra is sleeping right now. But she is well. She is the perfect little girl. Well, I think so." She blushed a little. "The doctors say she will have a little brother. We have decided to wait a little while before we think about another one. This one was an accident, but a nice one." She gave Iilsa a questioning look before returning to T.I.M.

"This One thinks of Iilsa as Mate, but Iilsa not sure."

Tracy's face lost some colour as she looked between the two. She noticed the body language between them. "TIM-Ryha... you didn't... you know..."

"Yes, This One did mate with Iilsa when Iilsa not wanted to mate." He gave her a commanding look, cutting off the reply. "This One now has wisdom that mating with Iilsa was not right, by homid view. This One not keep Iilsa if Iilsa want to leave."

"TIM-Ryha!! Haven't you listened to me at all when I told you about how George Baneraker set about claiming me as his wife? His mate? He waited until I was ready before we mated the first time. Mating like the way you did was very, very wrong." She turned to Iilsa, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Mis.. Iilsa. He is too stuck in his Lupine ways at times. If you need somewhere to stay, I have a spare room you can use." She turned her attention back to T.I.M. "So help me, TIM-Rhya, I should paddle your tail end red for what you did to her. Did you at least get her ready?" She paused long enough for T.I.M. to respond with a shake of his head. "Gaia's Merciful Heart! You stupid... wolf. She's homid. You don't take a homid woman like a lupus bitch that's on heat."

Tracy's face went whiter than the paleness she had before. She turned her head slowly to look at Iilsa, her jaw slightly loose.

"Please tell me, Iilsa, TIM-Rhya was not your first."

 

[laceandcogs]

It seemed that this was to be an afternoon of color-changing women. This was a thoroughly unexpected and unappreciated conversation, and Iilsa felt her embarrassment creep hotly up her throat. She was left wordless for a moment, her lips parted on the beginning of a protest- she wasn't about to defend Tim, of course, but rather demand that the whole topic be dropped as soon as possible. Preferably, two minutes before it began.

As it became increasingly evident that, not only would this conversation insistently continue, it would in fact require her involvement, Iilsa grew stiff. It was very, very tempting, as the flashing, arcing electricity of fury in her eyes advertised, to demand that both Tim and Tracy abandon the topic of her sexual experience and never, ever, ever return. However, Tracy had only reluctantly left off the use of "Mistress", and apparently uncomfortably so. It was a truly warped social convention that made one woman address another with such fearful respect and then trip merrily into discussion of lubrication!

Though her back remained warningly stiff, and the rage in her eyes banked only a little, Iilsa managed to keep her voice calm- if only barely warm enough not to make Tracy reach for the thermostat. She really did appreciate the sentiment behind Tracy's interrogation, even if she wanted no part of it. And that was hardly Tracy's fault, and it was something that should be encouraged, even if such encouragement meant a bit of martyring to the lions of deeply personal conversation with utter strangers. Nice, kind, concerned utter strangers, Iilsa, you graceless dolt. Be as kind in return.

"I appreciate your concern, Tracy, and I am...gratified to know that you wish Tim had behaved differently. I do as well, and he knows it. I was a virgin, yes, but I... I didn't have the opportunity to explain what that means, yet. And it's all over and done with, and there's nothing for it now." Noticing that her hands had locked into white-knuckled fists, Iilsa forced them to uncurl, and took a slow, deep breath.

"And I do sincerely appreciate your offer of a room, but really, I... I'm fine." Even as she said it, Iilsa felt hot tears press at the corners of her eyes, though she couldn't have decided, just then, whether they were of shame, sadness, or some other senseless and unbidden emotion. With a quick, graceful movement, Iilsa stood.

"I do need to avail myself of your restroom. No, don't get up, I'm sure I'll find it, thank you." The fact that Tracy hadn't even had time to offer was a different sort of social code, one that Iilsa was sure the other woman would understand- and equally certain Tim would be befuddled by. She needed a moment to be left entirely alone, and she seized the chance, moving quickly from the room.

It wasn't hard to find the bathroom, though Iilsa's hands did tremble as she worked the lock. The tears were coming freely, now, and for no good reason at all- it was awful, really, and she wished it would stop. Soundlessly, Iilsa leaned against the vanity counter and closed her eyes, letting the full wave of emotion consume her, cover her, and recede.