cheetah, panther, wolf{tag the clan}

[Emilie Lolita Autumn]

Mick lead us through forests, over rivers, even wound through a mountain trail. I followed quickly, being a cheetah enabled me to easily catch up and pass him, if I knew where I was going, which I didn't, so I stayed behind him. More worried about Dita, I looked at her, her sleek panther body moving alongside me, making me smile, one fang showed as I did which probably made me look kinda funny. Eh, I didn't care much, nothing phased me when I ran with Dita. "Nearly there, but I do warn you, you will probably be asked a million questions, especially by Synge, the Alpha's son. He just loves other shifters. Same with my mate Arwen." I heard the pride in his voice and smiled once again, nodding my head and speaking back. Mick had opened up the telepathy gift between Dita and I, so we were now able to speak to each other in our animals forms. Which would come in handy. "Fine by me." I chuckled, seeing Mick dart forward, the violin wrapped securely to his back. I made him carry it, because I was still a bit sore from the attacks. Although Mick did offer to carry it anyway.

For a few more minutes, we ran, dipped through some bushes, coming clean through the perimeter as Mick said, winding our way towards the clan, which upon hearing, there was voices, howls, calls and laughing. Getting closer still, the smell of food made my stomach ache with hunger as Mick shifted, grabbing a pair of jeans and slipping into them, carefully moving the violin to hand to me when I shifted. Trouble was, I didn't shift. At home I would be fine because the only one to see me naked was Dita, and while that was great, here, I was a bit shy. I think Mick felt it because he nodded, showing us we could follow. Moving like liquid steel, I followed, nudging Dita as we headed towards one of the huts, before seeing Mick's form disappear. Tilting my head, I sat down and waited patiently until he returned, handing us some clothes. Grabbing the clothes between my teeth, I slunk into the hut, shifting and placed a skirt, and a tee shirt on. Not my normal outfit but better than nothing.

"I'm going to find Cole." He spoke from outside, before leaving Dita and I for a few minutes. "Fuck I'm more nervous then when I begin a show." I ran slender, pale fingers through my vibrant pink hair. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we agreed to do this, but still. My stomach is all ooky, not to mention how hungry I am." I slid my arm through Dita's, leaning against her and nuzzling my head into her neck. And our few minutes were up, Mick stood outside, I could smell his scent, the wolf and magick tinge that surrounded him. "I've brought Cole and Syren. Stryker, Synge, Midian and Arwen will be returning from their hunt soon. You are more than welcome to join us, there is a separate area for talking." He sounded all business, so taking a deep breathe, I walked forwards, standing outside in the brilliant sun that shone down upon the earth.

[Dita Longoria]

I'd agreed to go to the Luna, as Mick had called it. Simply because Em wanted to go, and we weren't splitting up. I padded quickly beside Emilie, Mick in the lead. I nudged her with my wet nose. "You doing ok, Em?" It was thanks to him, a Loup Garou, that we could no speak to each other's minds. I was worried about her injury, those wild wolves back in Canticle had gotten to her. I chased one down and killed him, but the others had to pay. Mick, and the two Death Dealers were gunning for the pack, but I wanted in on it. They'd hurt my mate, my darling Emilie, and I would sink my teeth into every last one of them if I had my way. I nodded in Mick's direction. "I would be honored to meet your mate." After all, he had taken good care of mine while I took off after the wolf that had gotten to her. "I'll admit, I haven't met many other shifters myself, until recently that is. I wouldn't mind meeting Synge." I smiled, but stayed close to Em, I wasn't letting her out of my sight for a while.

When we reached the camp, the scent of wolves overwhelmed me. The didn't smell like the ones in Canticle, and none smelled like Gwen or Alyssa, they all smelled similar to Mick. It must be the Loup Garou genes. I shifted as Mick did, unbothered by my own nudity. Hey, I stripped for a living, so if being nude bothered me, I was definitely in the wrong business. But Emilie was very modest, she wasn't as liberal as I was without clothing. I stayed closer to her, my hand petting her furred head, stroking her back. As I opened my mouth to ask Mick if he had something for her to wear, he nodded and beckoned us to follow him. We did. He led us into a hut, and Em's cold nose on my leg made me giggle. I was about to ask Mick again for something for her to wear when he slipped out. "He'd better be getting you some clothes." I smiled to her as I rubbed her ear.

He handed her some clothes that she took gingerly in her teeth and entered the hut. "Thank you, Mick." I smiled to him and followed her inside. I thanked Mick once more as he announced that he was going to find their Alpha, and stood by as Emilie dressed. I didn't bother, hoping I'd be shifting into a panther at some point again anyway. "Oh sweetheart, as long as I'm with you, what's to be nervous about?" I pulled her to me and hugged her, nuzzling my face into her neck. She smelled so sweet there, it was my favorite place to tuck my face. I purred against her skin. "Can't you smell all the food here? It's making me feel starved!" I laughed, rubbing small circles on Em's tummy. "We'll get something to eat as soon as Mick get's back." I smiled to her, tucking a piece of pink hair behind her ear. We stayed in each other's arms until Mick returned. I reluctantly separated myself from her arms, but kept her hand in mine. I stepped outside with Em and smiled to the group. Cole had the air of a leader about him, and his mate, Syren was a beauty. "She's beautiful." I whispered to Emilie, then blushed deeply when I realized they'd all heard. I'd forgotten they were all shifters, so each of them had great hearing. Probably half the camp heard me gush over the Alpha's wife. I buried my face against Emilie for a moment, then looked back at Mick. "Thank you, whatever you wish is fine. But, is it possible we could find some food? Em and I are simply famished." I could hardly take my eyes from the Lupa, I believe that was what Mick had called her earlier. She shone like an angel in the sun. The only thing I had ever seen that matched her beauty, was the cheetah beside me, my Emilie.

[Emilie Lolita Autumn]

"You have a point." I nuzzled into her neck, feeling less nervous by the minute as I sniffed Dita, she smelt so good, I nearly melted and it was the smell of others that brought me back down to earth and kept me there. "I can smell the food, theres so many scents!" I marvel, hoping to make sure I didn't make a beeline for the food as soon as I saw it, being hurt and running did make you rather hungry, so most shifters ate more than normal people, well, humans rather. Blinking at the bright light, my hand was firmly clasped around Dita's hand, looking at the newcomers. Sniggering at what Dita said, her head buried in my neck, I held her close. "She is. I agree. Cole, er, Alpha, is one lucky guy." I winked, grinning from ear to ear as Mick tried not to laugh, I could tell he wanted too. "Don't worry, she gets that reaction." He chuckled as I kissed Dita's forehead, trying to ignore the snarling sound my stomach was making, because I was hungry and it was annoying me.

Mick took off suddenly, while Cole and Syren motioned for us to sit down on a makeshift table. Hell, judging my the craftsmanship, it would last longer than any human made tables, and still with my hand around Dita's, I carefully took a seat, Cole took a seat at the higher point at the table, I guessed the Alpha always took that seat, considering he would be able to see the rest of the clan. Syren took a seat next to him while Mick was away, I had no idea what he was doing, when he returned with two large plates filled of several roast meats, vegetables and some pickled fruit. Eyes widened as he set it down in front of us, I marvel as Mick speaks again. "Eat, both of you have been in an ordeal today. More food will be on its way if you need more. Cole, Syren, did you want anything?" He asked, motioning us to dig in and I carefully picked up a leg of roast lamb. The meat smelt tender, and taking a bite of the hot meat, I tasted several spices that made the meat all the more mouthwatering and delicious. "Oh man, Dita you have to try this." I mumble around the food, tearing another strip of meat off and chewing with relish. "This is so good!" I murmur, feeling like I died and gone to heaven. And my heaven always had Dita. Grinning at the thought, I contend to eat.

Sounds from further away entered the clan, footsteps of others came closer. "And speaking of the others. I will introduce you when you've had your full." The others murmured to one another, realization hit their eyes. Tilting my head, I wonder why before the one called Synge speaks. "Mick has let us know why you need to eat above all us. After what you've been through, food will help, keep your bodies nourished." Oh, so that explains things then, and nodding, I continued to devour my food.

[Cole Loup Garou]

I laughed heartily. "Indeed, Syren is a beauty. Though, if I may say so, both of you are equally as beautiful." Syren agreed, showering them with her stunning smile as she squeezed my shoulder. "Don't bother Mick, Devin will bring us round plates and drinks in a moment. Sit with us, Duke." The seats to either side of me were for Syren and Mick, Syren had already taken hers. I nodded to Synge, asking him to sit, Devin would bring enough food for all of us. "I do believe that Arwen, Midian, Stryker, and Arya will be joining us soon as well. Though I suspect Lucy and Aimlyn are gallivanting around the camp elsewhere." I grinned as I said it. "Ah, here he is!" Devin arrived with arms laden with plates and cups which he quickly placed before each of us, save for Emilie and Dita, who already had their plates. "Devin, thank you. Tea & wine please." Devin darted off, to return with food and drink, no doubt with Nyta's help.

"First off, I would like to welcome you both to the Luna on behalf of Syren, myself, and the entire Loup Garou clan. We are glad to have you. Though I apologize for the misfortune earlier in Canticle. Mick tells me you were injured Emilie. I trust you're feeling better then?" It was plainly obvious that these two shifters, a cheetah and a panther were imprinted. The two made a striking couple. Devin, following Nyta, returned to the table. Both of them carried a tankard of wine, another of tea, and dishes filled with meats, vegetables, bread, and fruits. They placed everything on the spacious table. "Thank you both." I smiled and nodded to them as they went off to have their own meals. I was truly grateful for them service us in such a manner. It was not Nyta's job, nor was it truly Devin's, though he enjoyed serving others. He once told me it gave him a sense of purpose, and made him feel right. Who was I to argue, Alpha or no?

Syren plated the vegetables for Synge, myself, and her, while I cut into the various meats. Synge was attacking the bread, probably due to the fact his mother had made it. Syren baked almost nonstop, and Synge was often the first to taste her wares, though Midian was never far behind. Speak of the devil, he arrived with his mate and daughter in tow. "Heya Pops! Hi Mom! Are we too late for chow?" He kissed his mother's cheek, punched his brother lightly on the arm and took a seat. I chuckled slightly, pulling Arya into my lap. "Allow me to introduce my sons, Midian, and Synge." I gestured to each in turn. "And my daughter-in-law Stryker." I gestured to her as well, then introduced Arya last. "And this little darling here is my granddaughter Arya." She beamed and waved at both Emilie and Dita before tucking into my plate which elicited another chuckled from me.

[Dita Longoria]

As Em pulled back after kissing my forehead I took the opportunity to nip at her chin. My free hand found her stomach again as it rumbled. I stifled a giggle at feeling her stomach as well as hearing it grumble for food. I sat with Em, as Cole had motioned for us to do, and grinned at the others. "Thank you so much for the hospitality. You are all very kind." Mick had disappeared and already returned with two plates heavily laden with food. "Oh my!" My mouth watered at the sight. "Thank you, Mick. Thank you very much!" My eyes were alight with glee, and I dove into the fruits with abandon.

I had my mouth full when Em spoke, so I leaned over to see what she was on about. "Hmm?" I mumbled behind my fruit infested mouth as I eyed her lamb. "Mmm." I nodded, swallowing the sweet fruit and picked up my own roast lamb. I bit into a savory and succulent piece and almost cried out with joy. It was delicious! I moaned with pleasure as I chewed the meat. "Fuck me, this is great!" Shocked at myself, I covered my mouth with a pale hand. "I'm so sorry!" The others merely laughed at my choice of words, which carried a giggle from me as well.

I smiled to the new wolf that joined us, and waved, unable to speak because my mouth was now full of chicken. Others came as well, and soon there were great deposits of food and drink on the table. Synge, the boy who'd spoken to Em first, filled our glasses with wine. "Thanks!" I tasted it, a delightful bouquet. "Everything is just so wonderful." I smiled to Cole and Syren. These were people like Em and I, completely taken by what they were, solid in their beliefs. The Loup Garou had quickly earned a fond place in my heart. Cole introduced the other who joined us. "It's very nice to meet all of you." Arya beamed at me before shoving a carrot into her mouth, and I couldn't help but smile brightly back at the adorable youth. I immediately began thinking of ways we could repay the Loup Garou for all their kindness toward us. If not for Mick, Em could be....no I wouldn't think of that now, not when we were surrounded by new friends and heaps of delicious food.

[Emilie Lolita Autumn]

"Lucy is Lucy, if she was Nyu then Aimlyn would be around closer to us." I heard Mick speak, taking a seat next to Cole while I chewed through my food, stifling a grin at Dita's choice of words. I was curious to know more about the clan and the members, from Mick's words there was more to Lucy then met the eye, but I didn't ask, feeling it would be too rude of me, nor did I judge this Lucy, because thats not who I was. "Thank you Devin." I dipped my head as Synge filled up our glasses, their kindness was amazing to bare. Being a clan, I thought they would be wary of outsiders, but they welcomed us with open arms and hospitality. I would never ever forget this, nor would I have anything that could repay them for it. Unless. Swallowing my food with difficulty, I spoke. "Mick, do you still have the violin?" I asked, and he nodded. "It's in the room." A smile lit my face. "I don't know how to repay you for all of this." I spread my arms wide. "But I would like to play you a song with my violin."

"That sounds awesome!" Synge spoke and I beamed, he glanced around at everyone hoping they would agree with him. "Thats awesome." I looked up in time for Midian, Stryker, and little Arya, smiling at each as they took their places. "I heard, sounds wicked. I would love to hear you play." Stryker replied, reaching out and I shook her hand before she started digging into her food as well. "I'm with Dita, thank you guys so much." I add, feeling self conscious again so I started eating, chewing on a carrot this time and falling silent. Synge was eating bread, and it did smell good, and seeing a sample on my plate, I took a bite. "Wow, this is tasty." I murmur, seeing Syren smile. "I'm guessing you made this?" I asked, "its very delicious."

"Thank you Cole. Yes, I ran into trouble there, Mick used some healing cream on my wounds and helped take down the ones who did it. I feel much better thank you." I looked towards Mick. "Anymore thank yous and its going to go to my head." He laughed softly. "Do not worry, any of the Loup Garou would have done the same. Those werewolves were evil and preyed on their own kind. You don't intentionally go and hurt a brother wolf that way, or a shifter, fights happen in the clan yes, but we don't go out and hurt each other for the sake of it." Mick hated anyone who hurt other shifters for the sake of it, and I knew he wasn't sad to see them killed. If they left in peace, different story. But they launched themselves at Mick and I was glad he survived it. "Thank you anyway Mick. You could have been killed though and it would have been my fault for leading you guys into where those wolves were." I carried on eating, when Stryker spoke up. "You know, you don't have to feel guilty over it. Yes lives were lost, but if they were truly sorry in what they did, Mick would have let them live. But gathering from what transpired, they also hunted humans. There are good werewolves, and other shifters, like us, and bad werewolves, like them. Such is the way of the world."

[Syren Loup Garou]

"Hey baby boy." I gave Synge a hug and whispered quickly into his ear before he took a seat. I fought a blush as Cole agreed that I was beautiful, all these compliments were going to go straight to my head! Especially from two such as Emilie and Dita, who were both quite stunning themselves. Dita's lack of concern for clothes reminded me of myself, though I didn't have her quite the curves she did. I was glad she found comfort in herself and her own body, shifters should be less ashamed than humans of being nude. There's nothing wrong with it at all, it's entirely natural, and how we all enter this world. Humanity gives a negative spin on nudity, making it seem crude and uncomely, that you're vulnerable without clothing. Clothes do not make you vulnerable or not, they are as easy to tear away as flesh.

I smiled to Devin, nodding my thanks as he filled the table with food and drink. I plated for Synge, Cole, and myself while listening to the others talk. "Mick, before we get too out of hands with the thank you's, I must say I appreciate you bringing them back to the Luna. It is a great pleasure to meet you both." I turned from Mick to the girls. I was proud of our Duke for coming to their aid, he was a fine man indeed, and good for Arwen. "Hello Midi!" I chimed, leaning into his kiss as he joined us. I reached for Stryker's hand and gave it a squeeze, then turned to tickle Arya while she sat on Cole's lap.

Arya clapped giddily at Emilie's mention of playing for us. "That would be wonderful Emilie! It would be our honor to hear you play." Dita spoke up as well. "And as Em plays, I'll dance. Not my usual burlesque of course, but I can't not be in motion when she plays." The way she gazed at Emilie, and the looks she got from her in return was touching. These two kitties were deeply in love. "Mm," I said around a mouthful of bread and fruits. "Mick's salve is a wonderful thing. He and I are almost always working up new creams, tinctures, and ointments. Not everything is effective on shifters, so we've developed our own medicines over the years to compensate." I nodded. "Stryker is right, and she, more than most in this clan, knows what she's talking about."

We ate and talked for a while longer, Arya taking a fancy to the new shifters, as much as Synge. Arya spoke to Dita about dancing, and Dita promised that her and Emilie would return one day with her props. Boas, large feathered fans, giant balloons, ballet shoes, all this excited little Arya more and more. "Like playing dress up!" She beamed at Dita, who returned her smile. "Yes, just like playing dress up." Cole rose after finishing his plate, announcing that he had duties to see to, but would check in on us later. No doubt his Duke would follow. Midian and Synge may or may not join them in leaving us girls, perhaps going for a run. "I'll see to it that our guests are comfortable. You may stay as long as you wish. And I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have in regards to our pack." I bid Cole good luck, gave him a kiss, and insisted he leave the plates. I would have plenty of time to clean up later.

[Emilie Lolita Autumn]

"Then its settled. Once we've eaten and relaxed a bit, I'll play." I smirked at Dita, knowing full well she would dance as I played, it was natural. It was something we did together, and really, her dancing brought my music to that much higher plane, and I knew that she enjoyed dancing along as I played my music. Figuring the others wouldn't mind, I leaned over to sniff Dita's neck, nuzzling my head over her pulse point and grinning deeply. "Shes amazing when she dances. You'll soon see." I patted her hand, looking up into Dita's eyes with tender love embedded in my own. To me, Dita gave the world meaning, like her dancing as well as my music. I was proud to say I was deeply in love with her, and nothing would ever change that. Even if someone else fell in love with me, I would refuse them, no one had captured my heart like Dita had. From the moment we met, my life had never been the same, and I was glad. I was truly glad, and hoped we would spend many more years together, no, forever together. I never wanted to part by her side, I always wanted to be in her life, even in death we would still be together. We were made for one another, born to fall in love and destined to become soul mates. I never wanted that to change, ever.

"Can anyone help make those salves, or do you have to be born with that special ability?" I asked, curious. "It worked wonders, he has a talent." Seeing Mick blush slightly, I wondered if he never got compliments before, until it hit me. The clan would know, but outsiders, they would have no idea, so he wasn't used to others, outsiders I mean, telling him he has talent. "Mmmhmm, you are double right Stryker, Syren. Forgive me, but I always tend to feel guilty after killing humans." Tapering off, the events of the mountain hit me, running through my head like a fever, my hand clasped tighter around Dita's for reassurance that I wasn't loosing my mind. "Even faced with evil, killing still makes me uneasy." Shaking my head, I let my pink colored hair slip around my ears, bits dangled in front of my eyes which I carefully pushed away with one sweep of my free hand, watching as Cole stood up to go do what Alphas did, and Mick stood up moments after. "Syren is right. We won't be long anyway," with a wink, he slipped away after Cole, I saw him form shimmer slightly before his human form was gone, replaced by his wolf form that we ran along with to the clan.

As I ate a bit more, Dita was talking, while I was lost in thought. Dita was much more better than kids than I was. I always was at a lose for what to say. "Thank you Lupa Syren." I said softly, feeling more and more at peace here than I thought. Synge began asking a few questions, Stryker was trying not to laugh at Arya who was getting excited, her head bobbing up and down, and I wondered where I should begin in answering his questions. One was how I became a shifter and what shifer was I. "Okay Synge, let me tell you. I was bitten by a female after running away from home." I didn't mention the rape or anything else, mainly because I didn't want to darken the atmosphere or have them pity me, because I didn't want to be pitied. Besides, I thought with grim pleasure, the rapist was dead now, thats the image that coursed through my head before when Dita and I killed his hunter friends and killed him. I could still taste his blood on my lips. "She was a werecheetah, and so, thats what I am too." Synge's eyes widened in awe, he knew, like the others, we were felines, but he didn't know jus twhat kind of feline I was. "Thats when I met Dita, a few years later. Running from home was good, I never would have met her or fallen in love."