Kitten Come Calling

silentpaws · Shy Kitten

Kitten Come Calling

DropsofRaine · Fierce Huntress

Raine had been settling down onto one of the couches, a medical journal in hand, when she heard the distinct clang of the doorbell ringing. In all honesty, she had been surprising herself with the way she had slowly but surely made her way back into the Horde's home. She was staying there, now, and though she hadn't opened up to the other Horde members yet about her experiences, save Adam, she was working on it. Perhaps it was the feeling of purpose she had, knowing that she was partly responsible for the protection of these tigers. Brady was Khan, yes, but she was his second. And really, that was a good enough feeling to keep the internal demons at bay. She'd even taken to reading medical journals again, a sign that maybe, some of that healing that she had been seeking was just around the corner .. or, better yet, already in motion. Still, Raine had a long way to go. She still wanted to get to know Brady, to know him as well as she knew Adam. To give him that kind of trust. And she wanted to contact the bear -- Vincent -- whose number Adam had given her when she'd first arrived. Perhaps it really was time for her to get back on the saddle.

She was feeling peaceful, that large black and white striped tiger slumbering calmly within its metaphysically gilded cage. She could feel the other Horde members, the ones that were home, and knew that even the ones that weren't were safe and sound. So the ringing of the doorbell surprised her, some, but it didn't cause any apparent alarm. Tossing the journal onto the couch, Raine pushed herself up and quickly stretched before heading over to the door. She wasn't sure who she thought would be on the other side, but as she opened it, surprise flickered within those kitty-cat green eyes of hers. This was one of the leopards from Hawaii. Raine recognized her, only slightly, but more than that, the leopard smelled faintly like Valcrist. And she didn't smell like the leopard king, Cologiro. Interesting. Raine also took note of the other woman's apparent nervousness. And all of this was noted in a matter of seconds, allowing Raine to offer a gentle smile to the other woman. "Please, come in." She smiled again and held the door open, leaning against one side of it. Though she kept her shields up, for the most part, there was enough calming energy surrounding her to let the leopard know she intended no harm or anything like that. "I'm Raine." She wondered what had brought the leopard to their doorstep, but as there had always been an open policy, as far as she'd known, in Hawaii, she knew that no one would mind welcoming a guest into their home, especially one that felt almost familiar. "How are you? And .. can I get you anything?"

-- Edited by DropsofRaine on Thursday 17th of September 2009 12:23:10 PM

Nadia DueVexe · Striped Devil

Nadia had been in the kitchen with her Lilly...Yes Nadia had claimed the little bundle of joy...Or was it more the girl had claimed her...She wasnt sure..Ever since the night that Brady had become the Kahn...And Brady himself was still a puzzle. One she wish she knew more about. And as much of her was completely loyal to her husband and to Adam ....Her sun King. She craved to be closer to the man who would...No is leading them.

So deep in thought about the new tiger king...Barely listen Lillian as she read off the list that they had been making for their trip to the farmer's market...That when the doorbell went off Nadia jumped. Even more so when Raine went rushing towards the door...Well maybe not running like omg its him kind of rush like she so often did when Luicen or Adam..Or even the Brothers came home..But rushed none the less. Setting the towel on the counter she would follow the tigress those midnight black hues moving towards the door only to see the young leopard.

A smile curving over her lips. The name was a loss..But the face she knew from when Patsy and pard lived with them in Hawaii. Nadia was tempted to ask where the beautiful queen was...Nadia having found herself overly found of the woman in Salem and even more so when they had lived together in paradise.Moving closer to Raine she would let those tattooed fingers brush over the womans arm.She didnt say anything...Not yet. Unsure of what exactly brought the small....And well in Nadia's case many of those around her were...Well quite small...To their doorstep.

silentpaws · Shy Kitten

Movement stilled, her breath held, as the door opened. A shy twist of her lips into a smile as she accepted the invitation to step inside, just far enough that the door could be closed. Then came Nadia. Both were familiar faces to her, easing some of the nervousness.

“I’m Valarie. Patsy said I should come visit you… so I’d be, uhm, safe.” A dip of her head in slight embarrassment. That hadn’t been exactly how she wanted to say it, but now it was out there in the open. “Valcrist agreed that it might be a good idea for me to come see all of you…” A slight shrug.

Chocolate browns peered up at the two women through her lashes. “And thank you, Miss Raine… could I… could I have a glass of water?” Of course, at just that moment her stomach chose to growl. Pink crept into her cheeks as she hoped, but knew better, that they hadn’t heard. She knew she should have eaten breakfast this morning, but she’d been too wound up to even contemplate it.

Ah well. Step one completed, though. Making contact. Now it remained to be seen what they would make of Patsy’s suggestion.

Lucien · Stripped Demon

When Lucien pulled open the sliding glass door to the main house he was being followed closely by Jude, the younger of the tiger brothers, and both of them were deep in a conversation about the merits of oils. An old 35mm camera was slung around his neck and he was fiddling with some of the dials with fingers that looked like they were already coated in ink and dried paint. It was early morning but he'd been up and at his work for awhile. Jude was quickly becoming his mini-me in the art world and in the world of the Horde.

"Nadia do you.........oh. Sorry Lil. Just looking for....well, you know."

When he looked up and saw Lillian in the kitchen rather than his wife and for a moment looked puzzled before following Nadia's scent towards the door that led to the front entrywayvleaving Jude behind with Lillian in the kitchen. Leaning against the wall in the hallway he looked at Raine and Nadia standing at the front door with Valerie and it took a minute for him to place where he knew the girl from. When it all fell into place he finally remembered the phone call from Valcrist and the mans face. Pieces all coming together if a bit late in the game.

"I was just coming to see if we were going to have breakfast. Should we set an extra place?"

DropsofRaine · Fierce Huntress

Raine flashed a smile over to Nadia when the other woman brushed her hand against her arm. Nadia had always been one of her favorites, but that was because she'd known her back in Salem, too. Same went with Lucien. She adored the Morrison brothers too, although she didn't know them as well as she liked. But if there was one thing that Raine had gotten used to, lately, it was the comings and goings of the other tigers, and being around whenever they came back, or coming home to a house full of them after going out, herself. It was nice, really.

She glanced back at the leopard, nodding at the other woman's words. Patsy was a name she hadn't heard in awhile, but even she still remembered the leopard queen. Patsy'd had a good head on her shoulders. Better than the current Nimir-Raj, if the stories were to be believed. She was a bit curious as to why Valarie wasn't seeking Cologiro out, although it was definitely in the leopard's best interest to stay out of that beehive. Still, that wasn't her question to ask, even if she would have asked it. It was Brady's, above and beyond, and since he was home (she could feel the presence of his tiger), she would go and get him in a moment. Raine smiled again at the mention of Valcrist. She hadn't seen him in awhile, but she assumed he was doing well for himself, though she did make a mental note to go see him when she got a chance, just to make sure. She felt a sort of protectiveness for the male leopard, probably because she'd helped save him from that evil bitch back in Hawaii. It wasn't something one forgot, easily.

In any case, mental note aside, Valcrist was pushed to the back of her mind and she gestured for the leopard to come on in, beyond the entryway, coming face to face with Lucien as she turned to do so. "Of course." This was her reply to the question about having a glass of water. "In fact," she nodded at Lucien's suggestion about setting an extra place. Why not? "Why don't you join us for breakfast." It would give Brady a chance to chat with her and Valarie a chance to get some food in her stomach. "If you want to just follow Nadia and Lucien, I'll go get Brady and let him know you're here." She gave a nod to both Nadia and Lucien, leaning over to give each a quick nuzzle, before heading towards the back of the house, though not without a "Hey Jude, Lilli," before she disappeared in search of the Khan.

On the way in search of Brady, Raine let the other tigers in the house know that there was breakfast if and when they wanted it, but continued on after that to find him. When Raine found Brady, she let him know about their guest and filled him in on what she knew -- of both Valarie and Valcrist -- on their way back to the kitchen.

Adam Hunter · Man of Peace

-:At his side Jake was trotting as regally as if they were in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The golden retreiver had a beautiful gait and his fluffy tail was fluttering behind him like a flag. Adam had often speculated on how the dog had come to him and how unusual an animal he was in general. Not many dogs found themselves at home with a family of cats, but Jake had taken to it as though he himself were one of the tigers. Adam held the dogs leash in his hand, curled up and unused. He never attached it to Jake's collar unless they were going somewhere with leash laws. The dog just didn't need controlling.:-

-:When they got close to the house Jake stopped for a moment, gave a quick wag of his tail, and with a loud BARK leapt forward and took the stairs to the porch all in one leap. He stood on his hind legs and used his front paws to push the door latch and pop the unlocked front door open. Jake was the Houdini of dogs. So after Raine left Valerie in Lucien and Nadia's hands the leopard would soon find herself the victim of one curiously fun loving golden retreiver. Jake brushed his hairy side against Valerie scent marking her and then burrowed his wet nose up into the palm of her hand asking for pets.:-

"Looks like he remembers you."

-:Adam's voice was soft and had a slightly sardonic edge to it that didn't fit with the mans personality one iota. In truth he was about the kindest gentlest soul that had ever been born, but his voice and smile were pure sarcastic glee. Heading into the house just a minute behind the running Jake he closed the door behind him and went straight to Valerie to give the girl a hug and a brush of his cheek against hers.:-

"When did you get here? How did you get here?" -:Then he heard another rumble in her stomach and waved off the questions he had.:- "Wait, how about I start on breakfast and you can tell us your story at the table."

-:With an arm lightly placed on Valerie's shoulders he followed Nadia and Lucien into the kitchen and welcomed Valerie to a seat at their kitchen table which Jude had already begun to set out with plates and napkins and condiments. From the look of things the boy was wanting pancakes, given that he had put several flavored syrups on the table. So Adam decided pancakes it would be.:-

"Pancakes, eggs.....Nadia I'll let you fry the bacon and some ham if you will. Jude will you see what everyone wants to drink?"

-:With Damon and Ephony gone the cooking was never the same, but the kitchen was still the hub of the Horde's world. They spent more time in there than any other room and group meals were just a way of life to them. Something that had become a habit in Hawaii. Having a new Khan hadn't changed that and in fact Brady's profficiency with the grill had only increased their pleasure at dinnertime.:-

-:Adam began mixing up pancake batter as he let Valerie explain what had happened to her after leaving Hawaii with Patsy. Everyone was curious to know what had happened to all of them. If memory served Patsy, Valerie, Cypress, and Brady (the leopard version lol) had gone off together on a boat before the disaster struck. What had happened to any of them after that was a mystery to him. One he listened to intently as he stirred eggs and vanilla into the pancake batter.:-

-- Edited by Adam Hunter on Sunday 20th of September 2009 01:45:28 PM

Brady Hawkes · The Gambler

=When Raine found him he was out back smoking on a cigarello, and talking on the phone. He saw her step outside and felt her beast close and made a few quick excuses to end the call with his sister. Tryin' to explain things to that woman was like tryin' to argue with a pit bull. Once she got an idea in her head she gnawed at it till it bled. And her main goal seemed to be to drag her prodigal brother back to Atlanta and see him settled down with a nice former deb and make babies just like all of his sisters had done. Needless to say that wasn't Brady's asperation for the future.=

"Ah know Tullah. But ya just gonna have to wait. Ah'll come and pay a visit just as soon as ah can. You know that."

=The smoke from the cigarello stung his eyes a moment and he blinked it away and brushed his forearm back over his eyes. The fine golden hairs on his arm tickled at his face before his arm fell back to his side and he said his goodbye's to Tullah and the kids who were screaming in the background wanting to talk to their Uncle Brady. He hung up quick like before one of the little one's could wrangle the phone from their mamma, and turned his attention to Raine. Looking past her only a moment through the door to the house and the feel of a strange cat in their midst.=

"We got a visitor huh?"

=His tigers whiskers bristled at that smell, not much liking other cats on what was now his territory and hunting ground. Slipping his cell phone into the pocket of his comfortable blue jeans he bent down to drop the still smoking cigarello into the metal bucket he'd set outside just for that purpose. Green eyes watched Raine, their golden flecks dancing in the morning light as he studied her. She was such a tiny thing, then again compared to Brady even Adam and Lucien seemed sort of tiny. He had meat on him, a broad chest and was built like a real Southern man who'd been fed on grits and cornbread from the time he was weened. Still he knew that being tiny didn't mean being weak any more than being Southern meant bein' stupid.=

=Moving with her into the house he let her fill him in on the situation and he went over the info in his mind. The Horde knew this woman so of course a friendly breakfast would be fine, but anything more than that just wasn't their business. Before they reached the kitchen he reached out and grasped Raine's arm in the warm circle of his hand to stop her from going any further. He wanted to talk outside the hearing range of the others.=

"Ah know this may be a friend of ya'lls and that's fine. And right now there don't seem to be a leopard in town whose tryin' to claim these other cats, but that don't mean we can keep up. You get my meanin'? If some leopard comes to Rome claiming what's his then that's it. Yah got me? We're tigers. Not leopards, not lions. Ah just want that understood before we go any further."

=He'd seen situations go south fast when the lycan races started to mix. Groups broke apart, people got hurt, it could be very not pretty. Brady didn't mind a few leopards bunking down with the tigers until a Nimir-Ra or Raj came to town, but after that all bets would be off. Any tiger that couldn't stick to that agreement would be directly going against his wishes for the Horde. He conveyed that with his words and with the look in his eye. His top priority was keeping the tigers safe, fed, happy, and united. What happened to the other cats was not at that moment in time something that he considered his business to interfere with.=

"You standin' with me on this? Or against me?"

=He asked because he needed to know before they went into the situation who might challenge his right to dictate something about the other cats. As his hand went back to his side he could feel the warm naked line of his side against the inside of his arm. That heated power wafting from his skin like a solar flare. Once Raine had answered he would nod and they would move together back towards the kitchen to join the others for breakfast. When they walked into the room it seemed Adam, Nadia, and Jude were busy making breakfast while Lucien and the leopard sat at the table. Everyone seemed to be listening to the leopard tell her story so Brady kept quiet for the moment and went to take a seat at the table, listening to the tail end of the leopards story.=

Mayra · New Member

Red hair flew about her face, there was smudges of dirt across her nose and on her cheek. Golden skinned hands were dirty, as she came in from outside. She had been messing around in the garden of course. Mayra had taken to the plants about the house, needing something to keep her busy, to make her useful, and it seemed that she had a knack for making things grown.

Dirt stained her pink shirt, smudged across the words ‘ La Gatita ‘, her jeans were in equal state, the knees caked with dirt and grass , but she looked happy again. It was a much quieter version of the Spanish Diva, but one that was again at peace with herself, or at least getting there. She stopped short as her golden-green eyes alighted on the mass of people gathered in the kitchen. Instantly her cheeks flamed, self conscious of her state of dirtiness.

Running upstairs as Valerie was in the middle of her recounting, she quickly washed off and changed, into a fresh pair of jeans, and a black tank top. Sliding a brush through the tangle of her hair, and trying to tame into a civilized ponytail. Her round face gleamed all clean when she came back downstairs. Hands jammed into her pockets and she found a corner to play shadow in.

Even she was curious to what had happened to those that she had know from Hawaii. Mayra had known Valcrist since her first days on the island and she had heard of, if not very briefly met Valerie. So it was good to see one of his kind and find out what had happened to them, after she had left.

As quietly as she could she moved around the kitchen trying to keep out of everyone’s way, but stopping to greet Adam, whom she had not seen since she herself had left Hawaii. A quick soft brush of her cheek to his, and whispering softly against his ear “ Es muy bueno verte de nuevo.“ before letting him go back to flipping pancakes. Lucian and Nadia were greeted with quick hugs and that same gentle brush of golden cheek. Before she turned to the others. She was standing with her back to the door, when she felt their Khan come in.

Stepping back into a corner again, her hands still deep in her pockets, she watched and listened, trying her best to not really be noticed, while still being a part of everything.

-- Edited by Mayra on Sunday 20th of September 2009 05:35:58 PM

DropsofRaine · Fierce Huntress

For Raine, being around other cats -- leopards and lions alike -- was par for the course. She'd been around them enough in Hawaii and Salem to have grown comfortable, and her tiger counterpart felt the same. Hell, her ties to leopards went even further back to when she'd first been turned, when there had been no tiger willing to claim her, the pard had allowed her to stay with them. But that was neither here nor there at the moment. Once Brady was finished with his call, she'd leaned in to greet him, brushing her cheek lightly against his, and brought him up to speed. Now, green eyes focused on Brady as he stopped her from going any further, head tilting to one side as she listened to him, thinking about what he said as he finished speaking. It didn't sound as though he was saying that the leopards would be left out in the dark, so long as there was no Nimir-Ra or Nimir Raj, but that if one came to town to claim the leopards of the city, then that was that -- which, to Raine, sounded completely logical.

"I stand with you, Brady." She nodded, reaching out to press her hand briefly against his shoulder, assuring him. He was a different leader than Adam, but in his eyes, Raine saw nothing that would cause her not to stand with him, not to respect his choices as Khan. If there ever did come a time in which she dissented with him, he would surely find out about it -- she had no problem being vocal. But they had all of them accepted Brady as their leader, and until he did something that she honestly would not stand for, or something to compromise the tigers, he commanded her respect and loyalty in every way he possibly could. For what it was worth, she didn't think he would ever do something that wasn't in the tigers' best interest, and that was why she could agree.

Her hand fell back down to her side as she offered him a smile and then walked with him into the kitchen. When he sat down, she moved over to lean against the counter, watching with a bit of curiosity at all of the goings-on, one ear tuned in to Valarie's story as she knelt down to pet Jake briefly when he wandered over, before she walked over to Adam, peering over his shoulder for a minute to watch him with the pancake batter. With a quick grin, she leaned in to brush her cheek against his, mouthed a quick 'hey, you,' before she went back to her previous place against the counter. Eyes flickered over to Mayra, and she nodded to the other woman, but she barely knew the Spanish tiger, so she wouldn't disturb her from her attempts to just be quietly there with them.

silentpaws · Shy Kitten

Faint, crooked smile quirked her lips when Lucien came up. He, too, was recognized. The invitation to join them for breakfast was far too tempting to pass up with her belly rumbling its displeasure at her. She’d begun to head after Nadia and Lucien when a golden body came running toward her. “Jake! Hey, handsome.” Delight brightened her smile and brought a happy twinkle to her eyes, her hands going immediately to scratch Jake’s ears. The kitten even leaned down to give the dog a kiss on top of his furry head.

Head came up at the sound of Adam’s voice and she was soon straightening to return the hug and brush of cheek. A slight nod was given at the notion of telling her story after breakfast was started. Adam had always given her the impression of strength, but there was also calm and gentleness there, so she felt no qualms about leaning just a little into the arm across her shoulders. Steered toward a chair, she gave a smile to Jude as she sat herself down to wait. The mention of drinks had her glancing Jude’s way once again. “Water’s fine for me.”

A moment of silence passed before she started telling her story, starting first with answering the questions Adam had put to her minutes before. “I got to Rome a few weeks ago. One of my brothers, Nathan, brought me along on vacation with him and his girlfriend.” A slight shrug of her shoulders. That was the shortest version of how she’d gotten here. Fingers lifted to brush hair behind her ear before catching them up to speed on what had happened after Patsy took her along on the yacht. “I went back to Salem with Patsy after we left the islands. Took a few more classes at the university and got my degree. When the news came about Hawaii… we didn’t know if any of you were all right. At about the same time Patsy started asking questions, trying to find you, I was going back home to see my family. When we found out you were in Rome, I mentioned it to my brother and Nathan said he’d be coming here and I was welcome to tag along. So… here I am.”

It was a short recounting, but she didn’t think they wanted to hear about the near hysterics she’d had when she’d seen the news. Or the sleepless nights hoping, praying, that her friends were all right and had made it away from the islands. Just the bare bones and if they wanted to hear anything else, they could ask for more detail and she’d give it. However, at present her attention shifted to the man who’d come in with Raine and then taken a seat at the table. She ducked her head, chocolate browns peering at him from under her lashes as her hair fell back around her face like a shield.

Valcrist · Silly Kitty

This looks like the place the young wereleopard would think to himself as the taxi cab pulled up to the road leading to the Horde House. With the exception of a brief, but enjoyable meeting with Raine and Mary Jane, it had been quite some time since he had last seen the Tigers. He also began to wonder if Adam, Mayra, and the Brothers joined up with Raine, Mary Jane, Lucien and his wife. Well, one way to find out. He looked over the address that was given to him by Lucien as he began to make his way down the road. Pretty much like every other horde, pack, pard, and rodere house he had been to, it was a little out of the way from the downtown area of Rome. Reason why, Lycans, naturally, would shift and feed whenever the full moon makes its way across the skies, and thus, each group needed their hunting space.

Valcrists eyes would examine the property around him. Lush forests, a few yards away, dotted the landscape, providing for excellent forays into the woods. The house, itself, looked like it had just been built, not showing any signs of decay. The weight of his steps would echo and vibrate against the wooden deck that served as the front porch, possibly alerting anyone of his approach. The smell of food wafted through the air from an open window, apparently he must have arrived just in time for lunch. He would smile as he imagined most of the horde gathering around a large table, enjoying the food and each other's company. Valarie would probably be here, as well, as she did tell them she would be going to see them. Already, he could feel the presence of the other leopard nearby, which means she must have gotten away from Nathan. (well, durrr, obviously!) For a moment, he would allow the tension in that well-built, athletic frame to ease away as he took in a deep breath, eyes closing as he tried to center his beast, along with himself as well before his right hand curled into a fist, knuckles rapping firmly against the thick, wooded door...