Now that was an order, Drew had to admit to being impressed. His own order was a lot simpler.
“New York strip, rare. Really –really- rare I mean just sear both sides and a coke.”
It came with potato salad and he half planed on flitching some fries from Jillian, he’d risk getting his hand bit off for good cheese fries.
“Well I suppose you’re right about the colors some tattoos are more art than not and with the white or black light you’d wind up with something more simple. But I think that’s ok with me too.”
He wasn’t good at being idle and wished the fries were there, instead he wound up fidgeting with the sugar packets. That he was putting her own made him grin wickedly.
“What don’t you trust me? Scouts honor they exist, I don’t know that you can get one just any where but I even saw them on the History Channel so I know it must be true.”
There was the minor detail that he’d never been a scout but that was something he’d over look for now.
Feeling that Jillian was probably a bit lonely in a new and big city Drew wasn’t at all bothered by wanting to ‘tag-a-long’. Hell, even if she hadn’t been new to the city he wouldn’t have minded.
“So you want to see me scream like a little girl while people stick needles in me. You have a truly twisted side.”
He grinned and gulped down some of his coke.
Potholes along the way.
(continued from here )
Jillian didn't feel too guilty having Drew accompany her shopping. It had been his suggestion, after all, even if she jumped on it before he could take a breath. So far, other than the older Alpha, his date, and Hammer...all who were way outside of Jilli's peer group, Drew was the only person she had she might have had anything in common with, that she had spent more than ten minutes talking with.
Yes, there were a couple people in her classes that seemed nice enough, and who she spoke more than two words to, but as of yet time in class was as far as those friendships had gone. She hoped eventually she would fit in, and these school time relationships might blossom, and turn into more than just an occasional 'hi', and 'did you read that chapter last night'? But until they did, she was content to let things progress at their own pace.
Getting to know Drew better was better anyway, since they had the similarities in their backgrounds...the whole werewolf connection. This was something Jillian was only now starting to see as a possible hindrance in the way it could effect relationships with others. She wasn't anywhere near ready to make any commitments to someone, but it would come to that eventually...and then what?
"Almost there...I think...I drove by what looked like a mall on the way to the library, but didn't really give it much thought...which was kinda silly since I knew I had to go shopping at some point or another...I guess my mind was focused on Beowulf...though that didn't seem to last too long."
If she didn't know herself better, and realize that she would get back to the book probably later tonight, she might have had reason to be irritated for dropping her studying for shopping. But she did know she was a good student, and after having gone this route several times in her past, had no qualms about putting off her reading a little bit.
The parking structure was right where she remembered, and she breathed a sigh of relief pulling into it.
"There...not TOO painful, right?" Now that they had reached their destination, Jilli felt safe in looking at her passenger. Had she looked earlier, and seen him in too much discomfort, she probably would have driven slower. But then the ride would have drug out, and any pain Drew suffered would have been prolonged as well. All she could hope for now was that he still had that sense of good sportsman ship she thought she picked up on earlier.
Drew
16 years ago
Jillian
16 years ago
When Drew ordered, Jillian waited...and waited...but all he wanted was one steak! The idea was almost beyond belief. Mindful of the people around her, she spoke in a slightly lower volume when she questioned him. Even though she had very little practical experience in the outside world, her parents had taught her early to understand that she, and their kind, were different, and keeping a low profile outside the pack was imperative. So while she could be exuberant, and bubbly loud vocally, when there was a possibility of being over heard by outsiders, she knew how to behave.
"Seriously, that's it? That's as hungry as you are?"
Again she cast a quizzical gaze at him, but had already decided to force some of her dinner on him. That she could eat grown men under the table was something she often forgot, like now. But she said nothing more. It had occurred to her that he might truly be saving his all the money he could, and not be wanting to spend it on minor things like food. So it became important to not do or say anything that might cause him to be embarrassed, or uncomfortable.
She giggled when she watched her hands playing with the napkin, and Drew's playing with the sugar packets. Holding up her hands, over his, she shook her head.
"Boy are we a pair. I'd ask you if you were nervous about something, but knowing myself, and how I'm just naturally restless, I'll cut you some slack. But keep in mind...you're asking me to trust you, and you're acting just a little shifty. Besides...how do I know you were really a scout?"
It was all just a joke to Jilli. She really did believe everything Drew told her, but she had to give him a little grief, and not seem too gullible. She probably was more naive than many other girls her age, but it didn't seem right that everyone knew this. Furthermore, Drew seemed so ripe for the teasing, and...it was such fun!
"I promise if I hear you scream like a little girl, I won't tell a soul, and I'll even hold your hand if it will make you feel better." It was the word 'needle' that suddenly made Jilli feel quite green, and woozy.
"Oh my gosh! I'm such an idiot! Needles!"
Her fear of needles was one of Jilli's few weaknesses. But to the extent to which even the mere word 'needle' made her fearful, it was a pretty darn HUGE weakness.
"Ok...I won't renege now, but I'll have to hold your hand from the waiting room."
She frowned, but still thinking about anyone volunteering to have needles pushed into their skin for no real reason, Jilli thought nothing about her sudden change in heart.
"I don't do needles."
And now she waited again, but this time for the tables to be turned, and for Drew to lay it on about how silly she was being. It was deserved, after all.
"Seriously, that's it? That's as hungry as you are?"
Again she cast a quizzical gaze at him, but had already decided to force some of her dinner on him. That she could eat grown men under the table was something she often forgot, like now. But she said nothing more. It had occurred to her that he might truly be saving his all the money he could, and not be wanting to spend it on minor things like food. So it became important to not do or say anything that might cause him to be embarrassed, or uncomfortable.
She giggled when she watched her hands playing with the napkin, and Drew's playing with the sugar packets. Holding up her hands, over his, she shook her head.
"Boy are we a pair. I'd ask you if you were nervous about something, but knowing myself, and how I'm just naturally restless, I'll cut you some slack. But keep in mind...you're asking me to trust you, and you're acting just a little shifty. Besides...how do I know you were really a scout?"
It was all just a joke to Jilli. She really did believe everything Drew told her, but she had to give him a little grief, and not seem too gullible. She probably was more naive than many other girls her age, but it didn't seem right that everyone knew this. Furthermore, Drew seemed so ripe for the teasing, and...it was such fun!
"I promise if I hear you scream like a little girl, I won't tell a soul, and I'll even hold your hand if it will make you feel better." It was the word 'needle' that suddenly made Jilli feel quite green, and woozy.
"Oh my gosh! I'm such an idiot! Needles!"
Her fear of needles was one of Jilli's few weaknesses. But to the extent to which even the mere word 'needle' made her fearful, it was a pretty darn HUGE weakness.
"Ok...I won't renege now, but I'll have to hold your hand from the waiting room."
She frowned, but still thinking about anyone volunteering to have needles pushed into their skin for no real reason, Jilli thought nothing about her sudden change in heart.
"I don't do needles."
And now she waited again, but this time for the tables to be turned, and for Drew to lay it on about how silly she was being. It was deserved, after all.
Drew
16 years ago
He couldn’t help but chuckle at her worrying he was going to waste away to nothing. She’d ordered enough for three people next to that his order was pathetic; but he really wasn’t very hungry.
“What worried I’ll eat you if I don’t get enough.”
He did a Groucho Marx style eyebrow wiggle to make it clear he was teasing her.
With her hands over his he stopped fidgeting and looked up at her somewhat shocked.
“Me? Shifty? Never! Just because I’m trying to keep the sugar nice, neat and organized I’m shifty.”
Although he did tactfully not mention his lack of scouting credentials.
A slow and easy grin spread across his face as she explained her thing. He wasn’t mocking the fear, nope nothing wrong with a little bit of fear but the fact that they’d be sticking the needles in him not her made it all a bit silly to him.
“We could do it via video conferencing you know, you wouldn’t even have to be in the room.”
“What worried I’ll eat you if I don’t get enough.”
He did a Groucho Marx style eyebrow wiggle to make it clear he was teasing her.
With her hands over his he stopped fidgeting and looked up at her somewhat shocked.
“Me? Shifty? Never! Just because I’m trying to keep the sugar nice, neat and organized I’m shifty.”
Although he did tactfully not mention his lack of scouting credentials.
A slow and easy grin spread across his face as she explained her thing. He wasn’t mocking the fear, nope nothing wrong with a little bit of fear but the fact that they’d be sticking the needles in him not her made it all a bit silly to him.
“We could do it via video conferencing you know, you wouldn’t even have to be in the room.”
Jillian
16 years ago
"Well a girl can't be too careful, can she? After all, seriously, you could be a wolf in sheep's clothing...right?"
Knowing that term had more possible truth to it than had it been spoken between to other average people, Jilli smirked. But of course she was still ribbing him, and she gave him back the same eyebrow wiggle, but added the cigar mime as well.
"...because the sugar display was such a terrible mess when we sat down."
Eyes wide, Jilli nodded intently, pretending to believe his every word.
And then two things occurred to her as they talked about needles and tattoos... One, he didn't get the part about how just seeing needles made her feel all clammy and icky, and two, if the boys she had known back in Elko had been so easy going, and fun, she might have shown an interest a lot earlier.
The waitress reappeared with the hot wings, and cheese fries, and before she left she refilled Jilli's ice tea glass. All the talking she'd been doing had made her extra thirsty, it seemed.
"But, if I watched the whole thing through a TV, how could I be there to wipe away your tears? That wouldn't do much good for you now, would it?"
Drew was a grown man, and Jilli knew he would do better than fine getting a tattoo, but she held on to the idea that he would do better if she was there for moral support. And if she got too squeamish, she'd close her eyes, and just squeeze his hand harder. Who knew, maybe it would help her get over her ridiculous fear as well.
Knowing that term had more possible truth to it than had it been spoken between to other average people, Jilli smirked. But of course she was still ribbing him, and she gave him back the same eyebrow wiggle, but added the cigar mime as well.
"...because the sugar display was such a terrible mess when we sat down."
Eyes wide, Jilli nodded intently, pretending to believe his every word.
And then two things occurred to her as they talked about needles and tattoos... One, he didn't get the part about how just seeing needles made her feel all clammy and icky, and two, if the boys she had known back in Elko had been so easy going, and fun, she might have shown an interest a lot earlier.
The waitress reappeared with the hot wings, and cheese fries, and before she left she refilled Jilli's ice tea glass. All the talking she'd been doing had made her extra thirsty, it seemed.
"But, if I watched the whole thing through a TV, how could I be there to wipe away your tears? That wouldn't do much good for you now, would it?"
Drew was a grown man, and Jilli knew he would do better than fine getting a tattoo, but she held on to the idea that he would do better if she was there for moral support. And if she got too squeamish, she'd close her eyes, and just squeeze his hand harder. Who knew, maybe it would help her get over her ridiculous fear as well.
Drew
16 years ago
“Sheep are good to eat, but they have lousy fashion sense. I think I’ll stick to being a wolf in wolf’s clothing.”
The place was crowded and nosey and no one was paying attention to them so he wasn’t worried about being over heard. Even if he was, no one was going to appreciate the full value of what he’d said.
A soft bark of a laugh escaped him as she continued the impression.
“Let me slip out of these cloths and into a dry martini. And damned skippy they were a mess the sugar in with the sweet and low in with the equal, it was a terrible mess and what if some one who was allergic to sweet and low had grabbed one of those pink packages by mistake. They could have died! My fidgeting might just have saved a life.”
Ah food. Not exactly, 100% his taste but damned if he was about to let that stop him. His hand snaked in and he stole a few fries and gulped them down before she could protest. He did his best to look totally innocent and like the whole incident hadn’t happened.
“Hmmm and if you watched it on TV you could record it… good point OK you have to be there. But you have to –swear- not to say anything if I go into my little girl routine.”
The place was crowded and nosey and no one was paying attention to them so he wasn’t worried about being over heard. Even if he was, no one was going to appreciate the full value of what he’d said.
A soft bark of a laugh escaped him as she continued the impression.
“Let me slip out of these cloths and into a dry martini. And damned skippy they were a mess the sugar in with the sweet and low in with the equal, it was a terrible mess and what if some one who was allergic to sweet and low had grabbed one of those pink packages by mistake. They could have died! My fidgeting might just have saved a life.”
Ah food. Not exactly, 100% his taste but damned if he was about to let that stop him. His hand snaked in and he stole a few fries and gulped them down before she could protest. He did his best to look totally innocent and like the whole incident hadn’t happened.
“Hmmm and if you watched it on TV you could record it… good point OK you have to be there. But you have to –swear- not to say anything if I go into my little girl routine.”
Jillian
16 years ago
"Are they really? I don't think I've ever eaten sheep. There were a lot of goats in Elko, and wild turkeys...rabbits of course, and smaller animals. I never had too much patience to worry with anything smaller than a rabbit though. And we didn't hunt all that much...maybe once a week?"
Her curiosity about other packs seemed to know no bounds. There were all kinds of things that crossed her mind about how she and Drew might be different, as well as how they might be the same. She had the same questions for Xeph, Nikhila, and even Hammer, but doubted she would get many opportunities to get answers from them. Everyone seemed so busy all the time.
"Fashion sense?" Jilli laughed, and her laughter grew as she invisioned Drew unzipping his 'body' and stepping out as a wolf, and then comfortably settling himself in a HUGE martini glass.
"I'm sure management will thank you then, for making things right. Maybe they'll tip you!"
Finding she had been smiling and laughing most of their time together, Jilli also found her cheeks were starting to smart a little, as she tried to settle them with soft pressure, and a light massage. She was almost always an upbeat young woman, given more to the positive sides to life, but even so she hadn't laughed or smiled this much since...well, since before her parents had died.
Instead of feigning disapproval over his unwarranted pretense of sneaking fries, she just continued to grin, and slightly shook her head in amusement. More interested in the hot wing, Jilli pushed the fries closer to Drew, but occasionally alternated between the chicken and the potatoes. She found she was much hungrier than she thought.
"Have you been around many of our kind...outside your own pack, I mean?"
The fact that he seemed so close to Nikhila, or appeared that way over dinner, to Jilli, piqued an interest there as well.
"And Nikhila...have you known her long?"
Her curiosity about other packs seemed to know no bounds. There were all kinds of things that crossed her mind about how she and Drew might be different, as well as how they might be the same. She had the same questions for Xeph, Nikhila, and even Hammer, but doubted she would get many opportunities to get answers from them. Everyone seemed so busy all the time.
"Fashion sense?" Jilli laughed, and her laughter grew as she invisioned Drew unzipping his 'body' and stepping out as a wolf, and then comfortably settling himself in a HUGE martini glass.
"I'm sure management will thank you then, for making things right. Maybe they'll tip you!"
Finding she had been smiling and laughing most of their time together, Jilli also found her cheeks were starting to smart a little, as she tried to settle them with soft pressure, and a light massage. She was almost always an upbeat young woman, given more to the positive sides to life, but even so she hadn't laughed or smiled this much since...well, since before her parents had died.
Instead of feigning disapproval over his unwarranted pretense of sneaking fries, she just continued to grin, and slightly shook her head in amusement. More interested in the hot wing, Jilli pushed the fries closer to Drew, but occasionally alternated between the chicken and the potatoes. She found she was much hungrier than she thought.
"Have you been around many of our kind...outside your own pack, I mean?"
The fact that he seemed so close to Nikhila, or appeared that way over dinner, to Jilli, piqued an interest there as well.
"And Nikhila...have you known her long?"
Drew
16 years ago
“You should try it. Most people don’t seem to eat much mutton. Course I like lamb better than mutton but either way, tasty.”
There always seemed to be sheep and mutton around back home. But he’d noticed outside of his family, or maybe outside of the rez he wasn’t sure, it wasn’t much less common.
“Hot damned I hadn’t thought of that. We might get the meal gratis. Now if we can just sell this whole deal to management…”
And there in lay the rub, no one else was likely to buy his ridiculous scenario
Score! She wasn’t going to complain about the fries. So, he nicked a few more and eventually worked his way up to one of the chicken wings. Damned things were so tiny… mostly bone… maybe that’s why he never went out of his way to get them on his own.
“Nope, other than family only a few of us here and there. Not a lot of folks seem to make it out our way and I can’t say I blame them. So I’m making it out their way.”
He grinned and snarffed down another fry. He needed real food, meat, soon but this was doing quite well while waiting.
“Nikhila? She’s one of the few that made it out our way. Damned I can’t remember the first time we met. I must have been in high school.”
That seemed about right. She’d been back a few times since her initial visit, not often but enough. She and his grandfather got on quite well for no apparent reason, well none he could see.
There always seemed to be sheep and mutton around back home. But he’d noticed outside of his family, or maybe outside of the rez he wasn’t sure, it wasn’t much less common.
“Hot damned I hadn’t thought of that. We might get the meal gratis. Now if we can just sell this whole deal to management…”
And there in lay the rub, no one else was likely to buy his ridiculous scenario
Score! She wasn’t going to complain about the fries. So, he nicked a few more and eventually worked his way up to one of the chicken wings. Damned things were so tiny… mostly bone… maybe that’s why he never went out of his way to get them on his own.
“Nope, other than family only a few of us here and there. Not a lot of folks seem to make it out our way and I can’t say I blame them. So I’m making it out their way.”
He grinned and snarffed down another fry. He needed real food, meat, soon but this was doing quite well while waiting.
“Nikhila? She’s one of the few that made it out our way. Damned I can’t remember the first time we met. I must have been in high school.”
That seemed about right. She’d been back a few times since her initial visit, not often but enough. She and his grandfather got on quite well for no apparent reason, well none he could see.
Jillian
16 years ago
"Maybe people don't eat mutton for a reason, hmmm?"
Having nothing against the meat really, except a lack of contact, Jilli secretly made a vow to herself to try it at her first opportunity. Lamb, for sure.
The rest of their meal was served, and Jilli gave up on the wings for her double burger, relishing every bite. Eating was one of the few things that could make her mouth stop talking...that and sleeping, so for a few moments the table grew quiet. But it was a companionable silence, and not one that felt awkward to her, so she went with it, and didn't scarf down her food.
Curious to know why someone like Nikhila...someone so exotic, and who seemed worldly wise, would travel from Nachton to Arizona, had Jilli wondering. But it would have to remain a mystery unless Jilli asked the woman herself, since Drew didn't seem to know, or offer any reasons.
"It's nice you two did meet, otherwise you might not have been able to get that job you have, and now get the experience you're getting. I think it was lucky for me that Xeph made the rounds and visited our pack all those years ago. I certainly wouldn't have made it here, and met all of you if he hadn't."
She had no idea what she would be doing now if she had stayed in Elko, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't be nearly as happy as she was. Not under the circumstances anyway.
"So tell me...do you hunt on a regular basis, or leave it up to random desires? I haven't explored outside the den much and was wondering if there was any areas that were good for it, or any that I should stay away from?"
She would have loved an invitation to join some of the other Kadzaits, but wasn't going to make a pest of herself seeking out company. Her thoughts were more along the lines that maybe she would run into another pack mate if she happened to frequent the same hunting grounds as they did. Then it might feel more natural if she happened to join them in the future. Hunting with her pack had always been a group event. She was growing a little antsy to get out again in the near future.
Taking another bite of her burger, Jilli held it up in front of herself for a second.
"Don't think all I do is think about food, cause I really don't. I like hunting almost more for the activity, than the meal at the end."
She giggled and nodded, emphatic in her statement.
Having nothing against the meat really, except a lack of contact, Jilli secretly made a vow to herself to try it at her first opportunity. Lamb, for sure.
The rest of their meal was served, and Jilli gave up on the wings for her double burger, relishing every bite. Eating was one of the few things that could make her mouth stop talking...that and sleeping, so for a few moments the table grew quiet. But it was a companionable silence, and not one that felt awkward to her, so she went with it, and didn't scarf down her food.
Curious to know why someone like Nikhila...someone so exotic, and who seemed worldly wise, would travel from Nachton to Arizona, had Jilli wondering. But it would have to remain a mystery unless Jilli asked the woman herself, since Drew didn't seem to know, or offer any reasons.
"It's nice you two did meet, otherwise you might not have been able to get that job you have, and now get the experience you're getting. I think it was lucky for me that Xeph made the rounds and visited our pack all those years ago. I certainly wouldn't have made it here, and met all of you if he hadn't."
She had no idea what she would be doing now if she had stayed in Elko, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't be nearly as happy as she was. Not under the circumstances anyway.
"So tell me...do you hunt on a regular basis, or leave it up to random desires? I haven't explored outside the den much and was wondering if there was any areas that were good for it, or any that I should stay away from?"
She would have loved an invitation to join some of the other Kadzaits, but wasn't going to make a pest of herself seeking out company. Her thoughts were more along the lines that maybe she would run into another pack mate if she happened to frequent the same hunting grounds as they did. Then it might feel more natural if she happened to join them in the future. Hunting with her pack had always been a group event. She was growing a little antsy to get out again in the near future.
Taking another bite of her burger, Jilli held it up in front of herself for a second.
"Don't think all I do is think about food, cause I really don't. I like hunting almost more for the activity, than the meal at the end."
She giggled and nodded, emphatic in her statement.
Drew
16 years ago
“Not my fault most of America avoids a perfectly delicious meat is it?”
It really was a cultural thing. While Drew hadn’t traveled outside the US he had friends who had and who were from outside the Sates and they seemed to eat more lamb and mutton and what not.
Mmmm… meat. Drew happily chowed down, ok the meat was more well done than he’d like but he didn’t really suspect they’d hand him a slab of raw meat. After all that was a huge health hazard and while he wasn’t going to catch anything from it most of their patrons would. So one learned to deal.
He swallowed a bit wrong and coughed for a second.
“Hey! I got that gig on my own.” He protested, well not so much protested as clarified, after all it was true. “I didn’t have a clue she was here until I showed up. She is a good one though. A bit hard to pin down, as near as I can tell she’s been around the world more than once. Literally.”
Although she never out and out spoke about her traveling to Drew, he’d over heard conversations with the old guys. And if he asked her a question, she’d tell him. Drew suspected she was being somewhat modest and didn’t want to seem like she was bragging.
He also took it for granted that she’d have met Xeph at some point. He was the Alpha, that’s what Alphas did. Hell the man had made it to no where’s vill Arizona when his old man had needed him.
“No sense worrying or wondering what you would be doing because you’re here now.”
Would of, could of, should of weren’t much in his train of thoughts. Well maybe should of but that was another story.
He grinned at her question.
“Well at least once a month.” His eyes twinkled. They all got out once a month, even the quiet and peaceful ones. He’d seen it with his own eyes. “After that it’s a little random, it depends on my mood and what else is going on and if any one else is up for a run.”
He didn’t have any brothers to run with, but that didn’t bother Drew his one sister was good company or any of his cousins. Running with the old guys or even his uncles he had to watch his manners a bit more. With contemporaries, it was more like littermates and they could all be puppies.
“Uh huh… sure… I’m not sure I buy that I mean I’ve seen you order twice now. How do I know we wouldn’t wind up running down something mammoth?”
It really was a cultural thing. While Drew hadn’t traveled outside the US he had friends who had and who were from outside the Sates and they seemed to eat more lamb and mutton and what not.
Mmmm… meat. Drew happily chowed down, ok the meat was more well done than he’d like but he didn’t really suspect they’d hand him a slab of raw meat. After all that was a huge health hazard and while he wasn’t going to catch anything from it most of their patrons would. So one learned to deal.
He swallowed a bit wrong and coughed for a second.
“Hey! I got that gig on my own.” He protested, well not so much protested as clarified, after all it was true. “I didn’t have a clue she was here until I showed up. She is a good one though. A bit hard to pin down, as near as I can tell she’s been around the world more than once. Literally.”
Although she never out and out spoke about her traveling to Drew, he’d over heard conversations with the old guys. And if he asked her a question, she’d tell him. Drew suspected she was being somewhat modest and didn’t want to seem like she was bragging.
He also took it for granted that she’d have met Xeph at some point. He was the Alpha, that’s what Alphas did. Hell the man had made it to no where’s vill Arizona when his old man had needed him.
“No sense worrying or wondering what you would be doing because you’re here now.”
Would of, could of, should of weren’t much in his train of thoughts. Well maybe should of but that was another story.
He grinned at her question.
“Well at least once a month.” His eyes twinkled. They all got out once a month, even the quiet and peaceful ones. He’d seen it with his own eyes. “After that it’s a little random, it depends on my mood and what else is going on and if any one else is up for a run.”
He didn’t have any brothers to run with, but that didn’t bother Drew his one sister was good company or any of his cousins. Running with the old guys or even his uncles he had to watch his manners a bit more. With contemporaries, it was more like littermates and they could all be puppies.
“Uh huh… sure… I’m not sure I buy that I mean I’ve seen you order twice now. How do I know we wouldn’t wind up running down something mammoth?”
Jillian
16 years ago
Sure, it could be a cultural thing, but for now Jillian was remaining skeptical on the sheep menu. It just didn't seem logical that if it was such a epicurian delight, there weren't more people eating it. Then again, maybe it was like snails. She shuddered at that thought.
His cough was behind him before she grew concerned. Truthfully it would take a bit more than that to distract Jilli from her dinner. While her mom and dad had perfect table manners, growing up with the kids in her pack was like growing up with a bunch of dogs. The boys especially always ate like there was no tomorrow and noisy!? That was an understatement. But because her mother was usually so busy with pack issues, it wasn't unusual for Jilli to take her meals in the communal room, until she found out how to cook for herself that was.
"You're really not a lot like the boys I've known. But then you are a lot older, and being from Arizona could be the reason too."
It was spoken because it had been on her mind, but really didn't reference anything he had just done. It was a conclusion she had drawn earlier, but seemed to be revisiting often during their conversation. The comment also wasn't said with malice or anything other than her own personal insight.
"And I apologize if I offended you. I don't doubt you are completely qualified to do what you do...I just assumed Nikhila had been a route for your career path, but then that's what assuming gets me. I'm sure you were chosen because you have the skills and knowledge Meridian was looking for."
She hoped she wasn't putting Drew off. Today was the most fun she'd had since arriving in Nachton, and she would probably die if he became disgusted with her, and her inane musings.
Normally Jilli was a pretty self confident person, knowing full well she was smart, and personable, but she liked Drew a lot, and for now he was her only 'friend'. She couldn't afford to lose him over some silly misunderstanding.
His words were familiar to her.
"I used to be like that...not worrying overmuch on things that just were. You're right, I know. I am here now, and whatever might have been before, well, that no longer exists for me. What becomes of me now is what I make of myself...here."
It could have been easy for her to settle into sadness by discussing that topic further. Fortunately that wasn't to be tonight.
"So you do like to hunt for pleasure...when you're in the mood?"
He didn't sound like an avid hunter, but Jillian was trying not to jump to conclusions, and waited for confirmation. If it was just a matter of company...
"I'm going to extend another invitation to you, much like the car one...I'm almost always in the mood to hunt, or just be outside, so if you're ever in need of someone to run shotgun, give me a call."
She hoped her smile conveyed her sincerity. Making friends was a full time committment, but Jilli was all over it. Life in Nachton was only going to be as good as she made it, and she was all ready to put forth as much energy and enthusiasm as she could find time to muster. And if all her endeavors turned out to be as good as Drew? She'd soon be living a life of fun and excitement. She hoped.
Looking at her hands now, the burger gone already, Jilli laughed heartily, and nodded in agreement.
"Yea, I know...I do eat a lot, but really...truthfully...I do like to do other things too! Its just when I eat, well, I try to put my all into everything I do, and because I love eating...well, its easy to become caught up in it..."
His cough was behind him before she grew concerned. Truthfully it would take a bit more than that to distract Jilli from her dinner. While her mom and dad had perfect table manners, growing up with the kids in her pack was like growing up with a bunch of dogs. The boys especially always ate like there was no tomorrow and noisy!? That was an understatement. But because her mother was usually so busy with pack issues, it wasn't unusual for Jilli to take her meals in the communal room, until she found out how to cook for herself that was.
"You're really not a lot like the boys I've known. But then you are a lot older, and being from Arizona could be the reason too."
It was spoken because it had been on her mind, but really didn't reference anything he had just done. It was a conclusion she had drawn earlier, but seemed to be revisiting often during their conversation. The comment also wasn't said with malice or anything other than her own personal insight.
"And I apologize if I offended you. I don't doubt you are completely qualified to do what you do...I just assumed Nikhila had been a route for your career path, but then that's what assuming gets me. I'm sure you were chosen because you have the skills and knowledge Meridian was looking for."
She hoped she wasn't putting Drew off. Today was the most fun she'd had since arriving in Nachton, and she would probably die if he became disgusted with her, and her inane musings.
Normally Jilli was a pretty self confident person, knowing full well she was smart, and personable, but she liked Drew a lot, and for now he was her only 'friend'. She couldn't afford to lose him over some silly misunderstanding.
His words were familiar to her.
"I used to be like that...not worrying overmuch on things that just were. You're right, I know. I am here now, and whatever might have been before, well, that no longer exists for me. What becomes of me now is what I make of myself...here."
It could have been easy for her to settle into sadness by discussing that topic further. Fortunately that wasn't to be tonight.
"So you do like to hunt for pleasure...when you're in the mood?"
He didn't sound like an avid hunter, but Jillian was trying not to jump to conclusions, and waited for confirmation. If it was just a matter of company...
"I'm going to extend another invitation to you, much like the car one...I'm almost always in the mood to hunt, or just be outside, so if you're ever in need of someone to run shotgun, give me a call."
She hoped her smile conveyed her sincerity. Making friends was a full time committment, but Jilli was all over it. Life in Nachton was only going to be as good as she made it, and she was all ready to put forth as much energy and enthusiasm as she could find time to muster. And if all her endeavors turned out to be as good as Drew? She'd soon be living a life of fun and excitement. She hoped.
Looking at her hands now, the burger gone already, Jilli laughed heartily, and nodded in agreement.
"Yea, I know...I do eat a lot, but really...truthfully...I do like to do other things too! Its just when I eat, well, I try to put my all into everything I do, and because I love eating...well, its easy to become caught up in it..."
Drew
16 years ago
OK that comment came out of left field and got Drew to stop tearing through his steak and to pause.
“I’m trying to decide if that’s a slur on my manhood or if you just out right called me old.”
He grinned both at the idea she’d tried to insult him and that she’d offended him. He was just having fun. Nothing wrong with deliberately misunderstanding things as long as everyone was having fun with it. And since most of these ‘misunderstandings’ were at his expense, he didn’t figure any one would have issues with things.
He only nodded his support and understanding. The philosophical overtones of the conversation could quickly go bad. So far, it seemed like Jillian had been having fun and he didn’t want to ruin it. He very much wanted to keep the positive vibe going.
“Now we established that I couldn’t take a ride from you because there might be a date involved. But this one I think I can take you up on. Hunting just … well it’s a social thing. Still.. … … do you think we can find any wild lamb out here to take out?”
Teasing or not, he was defiantly taking her up on the hunting though. Hell even just a run, he hadn’t properly stretched his legs in a while. The nature preserve looked promising, and of course, he’d found the long run. Who cared? It sounded like a good idea.
He laughed at her rambling about eating.
“Nothing wrong with liking to eat. We all do it. I don’t know how things worked back home for you but it seems like for the most part we all drifted to the kitchen.”
“I’m trying to decide if that’s a slur on my manhood or if you just out right called me old.”
He grinned both at the idea she’d tried to insult him and that she’d offended him. He was just having fun. Nothing wrong with deliberately misunderstanding things as long as everyone was having fun with it. And since most of these ‘misunderstandings’ were at his expense, he didn’t figure any one would have issues with things.
He only nodded his support and understanding. The philosophical overtones of the conversation could quickly go bad. So far, it seemed like Jillian had been having fun and he didn’t want to ruin it. He very much wanted to keep the positive vibe going.
“Now we established that I couldn’t take a ride from you because there might be a date involved. But this one I think I can take you up on. Hunting just … well it’s a social thing. Still.. … … do you think we can find any wild lamb out here to take out?”
Teasing or not, he was defiantly taking her up on the hunting though. Hell even just a run, he hadn’t properly stretched his legs in a while. The nature preserve looked promising, and of course, he’d found the long run. Who cared? It sounded like a good idea.
He laughed at her rambling about eating.
“Nothing wrong with liking to eat. We all do it. I don’t know how things worked back home for you but it seems like for the most part we all drifted to the kitchen.”
Jillian
16 years ago
Again with the date thing. Jillian dismissed the idea with a wave, and a look of skepticism. Not that she would be adverse to any such thing, it just didn't seem likely after her past experiences.
"Well, how old are you exactly? Twenty five, twenty seven? That is considerably older than the teenagers I've known. True, its also younger than my father...was...or any of the pack elders..."
Jilli was being both serious, and teasing. In truth she didn't think of Drew as being that much older than she was, yet he did act a lot more mature than the boys of her pack back home. Thinking of her parents still had the power to disturb her, even if just a little, but she recovered well, and didn't become depressed by it anymore, much.
"Wild lamb? Hmmm...wild horses, wild goats...do lambs ever run wild?" She honestly didn't know, but hadn't heard of them, at least not back in Elko. "If they do, I'll give it a try!" And yet she imagined she would probably be back to chasing down rabbits. "I should probably do a little research and see what kinds of game prowl these areas. To be prepared, right?"
And then there was something about what Drew said that had Jilli laughing.
"I just wonder what someone might have thought if they overheard that...'its a social thing...any wild lamb to take out?' It almost sounds like you're looking to date one."
So okay, it had been a long day, and Jilli hadn't had her usual afternoon nap...but really, that had just sounded too funny to her.
Once she calmed down, and wiped her damp eyes with her napkin she nodded.
"We had a huge rec hall where we lived, and almost half of it was kitchen. I don't remember a time when we had a pack meeting or event where we all didn't either start out hanging in the kitchen or wind up there. Of course it was the warmest place in the winter, and the coolest in the summers, so that probably had a lot to do with it, but yea..."
She held up her clean fork, and turned it in her hand.
"Eating is a very social thing, so it makes sense that the kitchen would be the natural place to be."
And that cinched it for her. She was definitely going to learn how to cook more, and better.
"Well, how old are you exactly? Twenty five, twenty seven? That is considerably older than the teenagers I've known. True, its also younger than my father...was...or any of the pack elders..."
Jilli was being both serious, and teasing. In truth she didn't think of Drew as being that much older than she was, yet he did act a lot more mature than the boys of her pack back home. Thinking of her parents still had the power to disturb her, even if just a little, but she recovered well, and didn't become depressed by it anymore, much.
"Wild lamb? Hmmm...wild horses, wild goats...do lambs ever run wild?" She honestly didn't know, but hadn't heard of them, at least not back in Elko. "If they do, I'll give it a try!" And yet she imagined she would probably be back to chasing down rabbits. "I should probably do a little research and see what kinds of game prowl these areas. To be prepared, right?"
And then there was something about what Drew said that had Jilli laughing.
"I just wonder what someone might have thought if they overheard that...'its a social thing...any wild lamb to take out?' It almost sounds like you're looking to date one."
So okay, it had been a long day, and Jilli hadn't had her usual afternoon nap...but really, that had just sounded too funny to her.
Once she calmed down, and wiped her damp eyes with her napkin she nodded.
"We had a huge rec hall where we lived, and almost half of it was kitchen. I don't remember a time when we had a pack meeting or event where we all didn't either start out hanging in the kitchen or wind up there. Of course it was the warmest place in the winter, and the coolest in the summers, so that probably had a lot to do with it, but yea..."
She held up her clean fork, and turned it in her hand.
"Eating is a very social thing, so it makes sense that the kitchen would be the natural place to be."
And that cinched it for her. She was definitely going to learn how to cook more, and better.
Drew
16 years ago
“Eight hundred and seventy two.”
Drew said without so much as taking a breath or batting an eyelash. He knew he looked young for his age, but so must she. Hell so did they all, at least all of them that had chosen to be Gifted.
“Course they do! If you get them out of the corral first and then put a hungry wolf in the mix they run like anything.”
So did just about any other domesticated animal for that matter. That whole situation, however, had been an accident. It had been the full moon and he and his cousins had been playing rougher than usual. At least his cousin kept more of his mind than Drew did or they might have eaten most of the stock. Drew grinned at the memory and wolfed down the rest of his steak.
“Nothing too unusual, squirrel, but they are hard to catch, rabbit, deer if I remember right a few game birds. Shouldn’t been anything that wants to chomp you back.”
He had done some looking into these things before leaving the safe confines of his familiar desert. There seemed to be fewer pointy and/or poisonous things out this way, and he approved.
Rolling his eyes, he leered… well wolfishly.
“Maybe I’m just looking for a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
How the hell could the kitchen be the coolest place? Not that he would ask but during the summer, even in the high desert, you didn’t relish the idea of turning on an oven or a stove and adding heat to the house and it was damned hard to cook without heat.
“Yeah the only trouble is fitting enough chairs around the table and staying out of the cook’s way. For some reason I’m always deemed unhelpful and banished from the kitchen.”
Drew said without so much as taking a breath or batting an eyelash. He knew he looked young for his age, but so must she. Hell so did they all, at least all of them that had chosen to be Gifted.
“Course they do! If you get them out of the corral first and then put a hungry wolf in the mix they run like anything.”
So did just about any other domesticated animal for that matter. That whole situation, however, had been an accident. It had been the full moon and he and his cousins had been playing rougher than usual. At least his cousin kept more of his mind than Drew did or they might have eaten most of the stock. Drew grinned at the memory and wolfed down the rest of his steak.
“Nothing too unusual, squirrel, but they are hard to catch, rabbit, deer if I remember right a few game birds. Shouldn’t been anything that wants to chomp you back.”
He had done some looking into these things before leaving the safe confines of his familiar desert. There seemed to be fewer pointy and/or poisonous things out this way, and he approved.
Rolling his eyes, he leered… well wolfishly.
“Maybe I’m just looking for a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
How the hell could the kitchen be the coolest place? Not that he would ask but during the summer, even in the high desert, you didn’t relish the idea of turning on an oven or a stove and adding heat to the house and it was damned hard to cook without heat.
“Yeah the only trouble is fitting enough chairs around the table and staying out of the cook’s way. For some reason I’m always deemed unhelpful and banished from the kitchen.”
Jillian
16 years ago
"Well there you go! I was only off by about eight hundred years."
She laughed at his teasing, wondered why he hadn't answered the question, then quickly forgot about it as the topic of conversation changed again.
The vision of a herd of poor, scared lambs fed her laughter. But being a practical girl, not given too much to fantasy, Jillian understood that animals were game, and necessary for survival. Yes, she could coo over a baby animal like anyone, but if push came to shove, she would have no problem at all making a tasty meal of them. Though she drew the line with domestic cats, and any kind of canine. She wasn't heartless, or given to the idea of cannibalism.
"Like seeks like?" He had so opened himself up for that one, and after denying that he wore the sheep's clothing himself. He really was a funny guy.
"I know, right...even in the largest kitchen there never seems to be enough room. But that's why I'm sorry, and I'd have to agree...if you aren't really being of use, you do need to stay out of the way. I've seen pictures of some of the more modern homes these days, where there is a big living room off of the kitchen...great rooms, I think they call them. No one in our commune had anything like that in their home, but they seem the way to go, especially if you have a big family."
Thinking Drew probably had no interest whatsoever in talking about house design, Jilli dropped that line of conversation, or changed it to be what she considered more suitable for discussion.
"I like how the Den is kind of communal like our pack was. I've always like being around people, and never could understand why someone would choose to live alone, and isolated. I suppose it has everything to do with how you're raised. What about you? Have you ever imagined once you're ready to settle down, buying a house across town, and living among them?"
'Them' was a term Jilli often used to describe anyone who wasn't a werewolf. She disliked saying 'human', because for all intents and purposes she was still, just as she had been born. But she didn't recall a time when she didn't feel like a werewolf, even before she had been gifted.
And growing up with an Alpha for a mom...well it seemed their door was never closed to anyone, so it wasn't unusual at all for Jilli to wake up in the morning and find a friend, or even a stranger passing through, had spent the night and was having breakfast at their dining table.
She guessed that was why she had always found it so easy to talk to strangers. It was that, or remain mute all her life.
She laughed at his teasing, wondered why he hadn't answered the question, then quickly forgot about it as the topic of conversation changed again.
The vision of a herd of poor, scared lambs fed her laughter. But being a practical girl, not given too much to fantasy, Jillian understood that animals were game, and necessary for survival. Yes, she could coo over a baby animal like anyone, but if push came to shove, she would have no problem at all making a tasty meal of them. Though she drew the line with domestic cats, and any kind of canine. She wasn't heartless, or given to the idea of cannibalism.
"Like seeks like?" He had so opened himself up for that one, and after denying that he wore the sheep's clothing himself. He really was a funny guy.
"I know, right...even in the largest kitchen there never seems to be enough room. But that's why I'm sorry, and I'd have to agree...if you aren't really being of use, you do need to stay out of the way. I've seen pictures of some of the more modern homes these days, where there is a big living room off of the kitchen...great rooms, I think they call them. No one in our commune had anything like that in their home, but they seem the way to go, especially if you have a big family."
Thinking Drew probably had no interest whatsoever in talking about house design, Jilli dropped that line of conversation, or changed it to be what she considered more suitable for discussion.
"I like how the Den is kind of communal like our pack was. I've always like being around people, and never could understand why someone would choose to live alone, and isolated. I suppose it has everything to do with how you're raised. What about you? Have you ever imagined once you're ready to settle down, buying a house across town, and living among them?"
'Them' was a term Jilli often used to describe anyone who wasn't a werewolf. She disliked saying 'human', because for all intents and purposes she was still, just as she had been born. But she didn't recall a time when she didn't feel like a werewolf, even before she had been gifted.
And growing up with an Alpha for a mom...well it seemed their door was never closed to anyone, so it wasn't unusual at all for Jilli to wake up in the morning and find a friend, or even a stranger passing through, had spent the night and was having breakfast at their dining table.
She guessed that was why she had always found it so easy to talk to strangers. It was that, or remain mute all her life.
Drew
16 years ago
“I’m always useful!”
Drew protested. He really did make it a habit to be as useful and helpful as possible. There were some areas, however, he just wasn’t terribly gifted in and no matter how hard he tried eventually people lost patience with him and shooed him away. It didn’t bother him much, he was used to it.
“Now that sounds like a good plan. At least it would give you extra room to maneuver and then people in the kitchen wouldn’t be left out of what was going on.”
He nodded, agreeing. The Den was quite well designed community and privacy all together.
Buying a house across town? Drew laughed, he couldn’t help it he just laughed probably a bit harder than he should have. First off, ‘town’ itself was not what most would imagine and second he sure as hell wouldn’t be welcome there.
“No. Not really its kind of a given that unless I leave Bitter Springs all together I’ll stick with the rest of us. But what about you? Is this a temporary move or you planning on heading back?”
Drew protested. He really did make it a habit to be as useful and helpful as possible. There were some areas, however, he just wasn’t terribly gifted in and no matter how hard he tried eventually people lost patience with him and shooed him away. It didn’t bother him much, he was used to it.
“Now that sounds like a good plan. At least it would give you extra room to maneuver and then people in the kitchen wouldn’t be left out of what was going on.”
He nodded, agreeing. The Den was quite well designed community and privacy all together.
Buying a house across town? Drew laughed, he couldn’t help it he just laughed probably a bit harder than he should have. First off, ‘town’ itself was not what most would imagine and second he sure as hell wouldn’t be welcome there.
“No. Not really its kind of a given that unless I leave Bitter Springs all together I’ll stick with the rest of us. But what about you? Is this a temporary move or you planning on heading back?”
Jillian
16 years ago
She had decided a while back, when she had been daydreaming about where she wanted to be in ten years, and what she wanted to be doing, that any house she had would have one of those 'great rooms', so everyone could be a part of what was going on in the kitchen, if they chose to. To Jillian it seemed the epitome of 'homey'.
She could relate to Drew's feelings of remaining with the pack, and ideally agreed. However, while it would be to her benefit to fall in love with a pack member, and marry, Jilli knew things didn't always work out that way. So she was also practical enough to understand it might come down to compromise, and thus living away from the pack could be necessary, at least in the beginning. Eventually she would hope further compromises could be made and she and her family would come back to reside near her 'family'.
"No...there isn't any reason to go back...nothing for me there now, really. So, for all intents and purposes, I'm here to stay. At least, that's the plan. But then we both know how easily plans can change. So, for now I'm just going to enjoy my new life here, and not worry about what will come. I'll have time to make other arrangements should I find it necessary, right?"
Off the top of her head, Jilli couldn't think of anything that might happen which would require her to make a decision on the spot. Not for something as important as to where she was going to live. What she wanted for breakfast, was an entirely different matter...she knew she could handle that without too much consideration.
Wiping off her hands, finished with her meal, Jilli sat back and laced her fingers together across her still flat stomach.
"Ugh...I feel like a stuffed tick."
Smiling companionably at Drew, Jilli thought about dessert, but only for about a half second before she ruled it out. Maybe she would get something later, but for now she didn't have room for even a sip of water.
The waitress stopped by the table to pick up Jilli's plate, and other items on the table no longer being used. Before she left she placed the bill folder on the table, which Jilli picked up.
Digging through her purse, and wallet, she placed the appropriate bills in the folder, making sure to include a moderate tip of 18%. She wasn't in any hurry, and wasn't about to rush Drew.
"Have you met any other of the pack around our age?"
Having still not spent an inordinate amount of time around the Den, Jilli couldn't tell if she and Drew were the youngest or not. She doubted it, but without more information she just wouldn't know. She hoped not. Not that she wasn't having a great time with Drew, and hoped to see more of him in the future, but she also wondered what it would be like to have a close girlfriend. But then she had wondered that for as long as she could remember.
She could relate to Drew's feelings of remaining with the pack, and ideally agreed. However, while it would be to her benefit to fall in love with a pack member, and marry, Jilli knew things didn't always work out that way. So she was also practical enough to understand it might come down to compromise, and thus living away from the pack could be necessary, at least in the beginning. Eventually she would hope further compromises could be made and she and her family would come back to reside near her 'family'.
"No...there isn't any reason to go back...nothing for me there now, really. So, for all intents and purposes, I'm here to stay. At least, that's the plan. But then we both know how easily plans can change. So, for now I'm just going to enjoy my new life here, and not worry about what will come. I'll have time to make other arrangements should I find it necessary, right?"
Off the top of her head, Jilli couldn't think of anything that might happen which would require her to make a decision on the spot. Not for something as important as to where she was going to live. What she wanted for breakfast, was an entirely different matter...she knew she could handle that without too much consideration.
Wiping off her hands, finished with her meal, Jilli sat back and laced her fingers together across her still flat stomach.
"Ugh...I feel like a stuffed tick."
Smiling companionably at Drew, Jilli thought about dessert, but only for about a half second before she ruled it out. Maybe she would get something later, but for now she didn't have room for even a sip of water.
The waitress stopped by the table to pick up Jilli's plate, and other items on the table no longer being used. Before she left she placed the bill folder on the table, which Jilli picked up.
Digging through her purse, and wallet, she placed the appropriate bills in the folder, making sure to include a moderate tip of 18%. She wasn't in any hurry, and wasn't about to rush Drew.
"Have you met any other of the pack around our age?"
Having still not spent an inordinate amount of time around the Den, Jilli couldn't tell if she and Drew were the youngest or not. She doubted it, but without more information she just wouldn't know. She hoped not. Not that she wasn't having a great time with Drew, and hoped to see more of him in the future, but she also wondered what it would be like to have a close girlfriend. But then she had wondered that for as long as she could remember.
Drew
16 years ago
“No reason something like that couldn’t work.”
Actually, he could think of a few. Sure things had changed since his father and mother met and fell in love, but his grandfather had told him some stories. His father had been constantly worried for his mother’s safety for quite some time before Xeph took over. He had his own memories of the attempted rebellion and some of the other pack member’s treatment of his mother. This wasn’t something he ever wanted to deal with himself.
“There are lots of us, all over, no reason to limit yourself to one city. Hell for that matter just cause we don’t have a presence is no reason –not- to go somewhere. Might as well dream big; Europe, Asia, Africa its all there for you. If you want it.”
Some day he did need to go out and explore, take a look around and see the rest of the world. That is what he could bring back to his family. So many of them had never left the country, or even Arizona for that matter.
He wrinkled his nose at her choice of words.
“Blech. I hate ticks damned annoying things.”
Hmmm… he never really asked how old people were, it didn’t much matter to him, and among the Amaroq it could be damned hard to tell besides.
“I’ve caught a few between classes and what ever, just haven’t seemed to have time to get to know them. I’m going to have to fix that. So its not like we’re living in an old folks home or anything.”
No mention that one or two of the girls had been a little on the cute side. Maybe he’d start by getting to know them.
Actually, he could think of a few. Sure things had changed since his father and mother met and fell in love, but his grandfather had told him some stories. His father had been constantly worried for his mother’s safety for quite some time before Xeph took over. He had his own memories of the attempted rebellion and some of the other pack member’s treatment of his mother. This wasn’t something he ever wanted to deal with himself.
“There are lots of us, all over, no reason to limit yourself to one city. Hell for that matter just cause we don’t have a presence is no reason –not- to go somewhere. Might as well dream big; Europe, Asia, Africa its all there for you. If you want it.”
Some day he did need to go out and explore, take a look around and see the rest of the world. That is what he could bring back to his family. So many of them had never left the country, or even Arizona for that matter.
He wrinkled his nose at her choice of words.
“Blech. I hate ticks damned annoying things.”
Hmmm… he never really asked how old people were, it didn’t much matter to him, and among the Amaroq it could be damned hard to tell besides.
“I’ve caught a few between classes and what ever, just haven’t seemed to have time to get to know them. I’m going to have to fix that. So its not like we’re living in an old folks home or anything.”
No mention that one or two of the girls had been a little on the cute side. Maybe he’d start by getting to know them.
Jillian
16 years ago
"Stuffed pig? Stuffed goose? Habit...heard it back home once and picked it up, but I agree...in fact I've always been a little paranoid about those things, and make sure I have someone check me over after I've been out in the woods or tall grasses." Jilli shrugged but knocked her knuckles against the top of the table lightly. "I guess I've been lucky so far."
But having seen what an angry tick could do to someone, without even bringing Lyme disease into the equation, was enough to warn Jillian.
"Sorry...probably not the best subject for the dinner table." She grinned a little sheepishly. Not one to suffer a squeamish stomach, Jilli sometimes forgot there were certain topics better left for time away from the table. It was common courtesy.
Her mind drifted a little, and she drew circles in the ring of water on the table, left behind by her ice tea glass.
Would others of her own age take to her as easily as Drew had? Now that her mom wasn't Alpha anymore, and Jilli was doing her best to fit in, would she finally have some friends her own age? What Drew said about an 'old folks home' hit her closer than she cared to admit to. She was growing close to adoring Xeph, and enjoyed even being around gruff old Hammer, but Jilli was really looking forward to having a life with people her age. It was something she had never managed to enjoy growing up, and it seemed to have importance for her now.
But that was Jilli's issue and not anything she cared to share with Drew, or anyone else right now. A big part of her knew she was being silly, even if an equally large part knew how much something like that meant to her.
Snapping back to the present, Jilli looked to see if Drew was finished.
"Ready?"
But having seen what an angry tick could do to someone, without even bringing Lyme disease into the equation, was enough to warn Jillian.
"Sorry...probably not the best subject for the dinner table." She grinned a little sheepishly. Not one to suffer a squeamish stomach, Jilli sometimes forgot there were certain topics better left for time away from the table. It was common courtesy.
Her mind drifted a little, and she drew circles in the ring of water on the table, left behind by her ice tea glass.
Would others of her own age take to her as easily as Drew had? Now that her mom wasn't Alpha anymore, and Jilli was doing her best to fit in, would she finally have some friends her own age? What Drew said about an 'old folks home' hit her closer than she cared to admit to. She was growing close to adoring Xeph, and enjoyed even being around gruff old Hammer, but Jilli was really looking forward to having a life with people her age. It was something she had never managed to enjoy growing up, and it seemed to have importance for her now.
But that was Jilli's issue and not anything she cared to share with Drew, or anyone else right now. A big part of her knew she was being silly, even if an equally large part knew how much something like that meant to her.
Snapping back to the present, Jilli looked to see if Drew was finished.
"Ready?"
Drew
16 years ago
“Anything but tick!”
He agreed fervently. It was stupid but he had no fear of the things in human form but running around in his other skin, they made him squeamish. Not that he was ever going to admit that in so many words.
He grinned in a brotherly fashion and watched her sort of float away as she played with the condensation. Sure, she had a lot to get through, he had no doubt, but she had a better start than most and couldn’t be in a better place. Pretending not to notice her mini field trip, he nodded. He couldn’t afford the whole bill but he could do Dutch treat and dug up his wallet and slid some money under the check, more than his half (one had to tip after all).
“When ever you are. I’ll even manage to fold myself into that thing you call a car.”
He added with a teasing smile.
He agreed fervently. It was stupid but he had no fear of the things in human form but running around in his other skin, they made him squeamish. Not that he was ever going to admit that in so many words.
He grinned in a brotherly fashion and watched her sort of float away as she played with the condensation. Sure, she had a lot to get through, he had no doubt, but she had a better start than most and couldn’t be in a better place. Pretending not to notice her mini field trip, he nodded. He couldn’t afford the whole bill but he could do Dutch treat and dug up his wallet and slid some money under the check, more than his half (one had to tip after all).
“When ever you are. I’ll even manage to fold myself into that thing you call a car.”
He added with a teasing smile.
Jillian
16 years ago
Seeing Drew putting money into the folder, Jilli shook her head vehemently. She then reached in and removed it, sliding back across the table toward Drew, then leaving it there.
"I got it! I said I'd treat as payment for all your help! Now don't make me throw a tantrum...you won't like it...it won't be pretty!"
Her words were forceful, but barely above a whisper.
"You just keep that money and put it in your car savings. I told you I'd play chauffeur but that offer wasn't indefinite."
She was grinning now, trying to take whatever sting he might have imagined he felt from the episode. And as an added emphasis, she stood, and waited for Drew to join her, making sure he took back his money.
"Unless you don't think my tip was enough, but really...that there is much too generous, even if you were hoping to get a date with the waitress."
Jilli waited patiently, ready to give him 'what for' if he showed any signs of disagreeing with her. While she was by no means wealthy, she did have her inheritance, and could afford a meal for the guy.
If he wanted to test her stubborness, he had found the right way to go about it.
"I got it! I said I'd treat as payment for all your help! Now don't make me throw a tantrum...you won't like it...it won't be pretty!"
Her words were forceful, but barely above a whisper.
"You just keep that money and put it in your car savings. I told you I'd play chauffeur but that offer wasn't indefinite."
She was grinning now, trying to take whatever sting he might have imagined he felt from the episode. And as an added emphasis, she stood, and waited for Drew to join her, making sure he took back his money.
"Unless you don't think my tip was enough, but really...that there is much too generous, even if you were hoping to get a date with the waitress."
Jilli waited patiently, ready to give him 'what for' if he showed any signs of disagreeing with her. While she was by no means wealthy, she did have her inheritance, and could afford a meal for the guy.
If he wanted to test her stubborness, he had found the right way to go about it.