Patch Job (meeting the pack newbies)

[just2hands]

Cont: from this thread

Well, that made things simpler. Now Anika realized what those occasional faint 'silent spots' that resonated down the clairvoyant thread that attached her to Oni had been. Because as soon as Oni had gone to wherever she was, the thread simply ended. It didn't rip, there was no sudden tear, it just - stopped.

At least Ani wouldn't have to answer to the neighbors she thought as she got the massage table out again, spreading first the plastic sheet and then the linen cloth over it after she set it up in the middle of the small livingroom floor. A trip to the SUV to get her travel med-kit, and the doctor was back in her living room and snapping on a new pair of nitrile gloves even as Oni was dragging her battle-weary companion back in from wherever they had been. And as soon as she was back, the psychic thread between her and her longtime garou sister-friend was back as well, as strong and bright as ever.

Yes, he was tall. And dark haired. That was about all she could see, at least until she got the blanket off him that he'd wrapped around his shoulders.

"Yes, I'm a doctor. And no, you aren't in my debt" Ani caught sight of the wound and her eyes widened. "But you will be. So sit down on that table, and take - no wait. Just sit there. Oni, make him sit there, I'll get my scissors. I don't want him moving that arm." Turning her head away, Dr Nuttal mouthed the words 'Holy hell!" to Onida and blinking before her face resettled into that distant, professional doctor's mask that she wore as she continued to speak to her newest patient.

"Yes, scissors. You can buy a new suit shirt later, but I need to stitch that up and I'm not about to twist a broken arm to get it off you. Hmmm, I've seen a wound like this before... no matter. If you break that table, you buy it, got that? And hold still. This will probably hurt."

Comments

[just2hands]

"He calls you what? Wow, you really got on his good side I see."

"True, true. You're right about that. If I waited to have all the answers, I probably wouldn't step foot outside my apartment. After all, why cross a street? There could be a bus just around the corner coming right at you. You do have to use experience, common sense and all that as well as actual knowledge."

"All I'm saying is, in some cases? Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to carry out your judgement. Nasir, you almost took her eye, but she could have taken your throat. And she did have the presence and self control not to, after all. But hey, it's just a thought."

She opened her mouth to say something, but just sighed, accepting his comment without reply. He was right. The contents of her cooler were sparce to say the least. A box of Chinese takeout, a few yogurt cups, cream for her coffee, an unruly stack of sliced and plastic wrapped cheese, a jar of jelly and a door full of condiments both in bottles and little squeeze packets. Ani decided that it was a good thing she hadn't opened her cupboards in front of him. She knew exactly what was there as well - her stash of Slim Jims, a stash of sugar packets she'd been grabbing from work because she continually kept forgetting to buy her own, an empty jar of peanut butter and an opened box of Ritz crackers.

What she most definitely did not want to think about was how close he was to her, standing behind her like that. That would bring up other thoughts, and they had no place here.

"Why do you think I sent Oni for pizza?" She quipped. "I was going to go soon." Soon-ish. "Besides, I do most of my eating at work or on the go."

Pouring them both glasses of juice, Ani put the container back in the refrigerator and gestured him back to the couch with a wave of her arm. "Speaking of food, I wonder where Oni went to get the pizza - New Jersey? She's been gone a while. And do you need some aspirin, or something for the swelling? I know I have some of that."

[naturaldisasster]

"Quick? It's been almost two years," he retorted, lips twitching as he fought to keep a straight face, "And I could have taken her eye, but didn't. Don't you think that was presence and self control, too?"

There wasn't really anything she could say; The barren wasteland of cheese and processed junk spoke for itself. And she didn't need to open her cabinets for the Strider, either-- He reached over her shoulder and took a peek for himself.

That was the height of rudeness, and he knew it, but he'd had a suspicion. Now that his suspicions were confirmed, he tsked deep in his throat. "Anika," he gently chided her. It looked like she did all her eating at work, or on the go. "I thought you asked Oni to get pizza so that you could tell me what I owed you."

"Speaking of which, you haven't said what the second favor is," he added, sitting back on the couch with his glass of juice. He wasn't sure if the aspirin would help or not, with his metabolism, but he didn't want to refuse outright. "I'll take one, if you think it'll help."

[just2hands]

"You know, you're absolutely right. I underestimated your strength and self control during the fight and it was wrong of me. I apologize." Just as she started to close the door, he reached up and opened one of the cupboard doors. Ani started to object, but slammed her mouth shut when she heard him utter her name from behind her.

If she'd been a puppy, her ears would have dropped. It was that obvious. Her shoulders slumped, her head ducked down. Shutting the door, she picked up the glass of orange juice and took a sip. Giving a mental sigh, she followed Nasir back toward the couch before taking a detour and opening the door to her closet. Unlike her kitchen, the closet was stuffed with uniforms, some clothes, and boxes and boxes of medical supplies. Bringing back a bottle of aspirin, Ani sat back in her spot. Was it really worth trying to defend her bared cupboards? No, not really. So instead opened the bottle and handed him a pill, then closed the bottle and set it down on the floor beside the couch.

"About that" She began, settling back in the couch and turning to face him. One more gulp of OJ, and the glass itself was set down on the floor as well.

"Remember a little while ago, Nasir; when you told me that you had wanted to help Oni that day - but couldn't? You said that you should have been there, that you had wanted to. Well then, my favor is this."

Ani looked up, meeting his eyes, unwilling to turn away. "If it ever happens again - or more likely - the next time it happens? If you have any ability to do so, you will not let her be alone, or go alone. You will be by her side to back her up. I can't do it. I know I can't. But you can. And if you want to pay me back for what I did for you? You will do this for me."

[naturaldisasster]

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he said, dismissing her apology with a shake of his dark head.

He gratefully accepted the aspirin, washing it down with the juice-- It was a bit of a juggling act, with his one good arm, but he managed, and he listened carefully as Anika explained what she wanted him to do.

This favor would prove much more difficult than the first. Knowing Oni, it was only a matter of time before she got into trouble with authority again, and Ani was asking him to stand with her when she did. It wasn't a wholly unreasonable request... They were packmates after all, and he stood by what he said about Striders failing to support Oni after the invasion; Historically, that was when they were most vulnerable to backlashes from those garou who were less inclined to get involved in pivotal battles.

He'd have thought, after The Thing That Happened in LA, that she'd have finally gotten a little Reknown of her own, but no. Like it or not, Oni had a reputation now for being a 'Harbinger'-- Of stirring up trouble where before there was none, especially with vampires. That was all anyone ever seemed to talk about, when they weren't gossiping about the way she died or how she was brought back to life. Now scores of younger garou wanted to make a name for themselves by beating the wolf that beat Death. With a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, Nasir realized he was going to be added to that tally of blockheads. Mierda.

"I'll do it," he sighed at last. "Only Gaia knows how, with Oni shielding us from... Everything... But I'll do my best."

[just2hands]

"I understand that it won't be easy. I didn't expect that it would be, especially given the nature of the person we're talking about." A slight smirk played over her lips as the young human bent down to reach for her drink.

"I don't understand the ins and outs of what a normal pack is like. I respect and quietly adore Freya, Han is like a brother to me - and his sister is a wonderful friend. Ash - well, we get along great when he's not being all arrogant and show-offy. But then again, he was there when we needed him, he protected us. Eyota, god I miss Eyota. And Oni is like an older sister. And as for Neph and I, we may be adopted and human, but we can contribute. We do. Because they are family."

"You say you've been around for two years, and yet this is the first time we've met? Who's benefit did Oni do that for, who do you think she was protecting? And more importantly - why? She generally doesn't do things just to be a pain, she really does think about her decisions. Even if, well, it's not clear the the rest of us."

Even if the rest of us would argue the point, or disagree with her reasons, Ani added silently.

Her hand reached out again, almost of it's own volition but at the last moment Ani paused before touching the back of Nasir's strong looking hand. Instead she pointed to his arm, then let her hand drop awkwardly into her lap.

"Look, if it's too much to ask, I understand. I just felt that, especially after talking to you; you wouldn't be happy with getting off moving a couch or something. You wouldn't appreciate a shallow or mundane type of favor because it lessens the meaning of it, as well as the favor you incurred. For you, it would have to be the real thing or nothing at all. So there you go, Nasir. I'm being real."

"And in return, if I can do so, if something happens? I won't let you be alone either. I will come for you, Nasir. You will never be lost and if you somehow get taken, I will lead the way to get you back. Because you're pack. Because family."

"I mean," she added "Unless there is some other way to repay you?"

[naturaldisasster]

"If there is such a thing as a normal pack, I haven't seen it," he grinned, though it faded somewhat at the mention of Eyota. They were all grieved over the loss of the last Croatan, but he'd made his own choices. Few knew, but Eyota was the reason Nasir joined Oni's pack; He appeared to the younger Philodox after his death, as an ancestor-spirit, explaining that he was the one Eyota had chosen to take his place-- though, as always, he kept his reasons why to himself. "But you're right. This one is certainly... Unique."

There was no doubt in his mind that Oni was hesitant to let him meet Anika, because she feared what he would do with the knowledge once he found out about her powers. Even now, he couldn't quite wrap his brain around it -- what did 'magic in the blood' mean? -- but he understood perfectly well how the Nation would react. In the same vein that the Wars of Rage started over doubts that the other changing breeds were the works of Gaia, some wolves believed that anyone not strictly 'normal' human was abhorrent. Unnatural. Homo superior, humans with powers... That wasn't something most of the tribes were ready to accept, but he was a Strider. He'd seen things in his travels that most garou could never comprehend. "She definitely had your safety in mind. You must be wary of garou outside the pack, Anika. Some tribes... They'll make no attempt to understand."

His sharp eyes caught the aborted movement of her hand. Don't be afraid of me, he thought, praying that wasn't the reason she seemed conflicted. "I know you've only just met me, but... Trust me when I tell you that if I say I will do something, I'll do it. Oni can be difficult, si. But I'm not without my own tricks. And she hasn't gotten rid of me, yet."

It was the strangest thing. What had once seemed a vulnerability -- Anika keep an eye on his whereabouts -- now felt like a comfort. He knew now that it was her Gift, as Oni called it, that saved the she-wolf's life. Perhaps someday it would save his too. Suddenly he wondered if that wasn't too much to ask of her.

The last thing she said, and the way she said it, caught him completely off guard. Nasir bit back a tortured groan, his whole body going tight with tension again because what was he supposed to say to that? He couldn't ask to see her again, though he sorely wanted to. He finally gave into temptation and brushed his fingers across the back of her hand, slowly taking her hand in his so that she had the chance to pull away if she wanted to. "You don't owe me anything," he gruffly said, watching her face intently. With a quick glance across the room to her cabinets, he added "But maybe I'd feel better if you had more food in your kitchen."

[just2hands]

"Unique. I like that word. And they certainly are." Speaking of which; Ani closed her eyes, mentally ran her hand down a row of threads and brushing against each stream of light. So much easier this way to make certain that her family was all hale and healthy. Opening her eyes once more, Anika began to giggle "Oni is stuck in a traffic jam downtown. I have no clue why, there are decent pizza joints all around the neighborhood!

Leaning in, she lowered her voice to a half-whisper and winked as well "I hope you'll be alright with cold, or microwaved supper tonight. I don't think it's going to be very warm when it gets here. Or maybe we can store that in the fridge and go out for something else? This whole neighborhood is filled with wonderful little hole-in-the wall shops, as well as a couple good bodega's and an excellent bookstore that serves beverages and pastries."

His own tricks to keep up with Onida? Oh, now that sounded intriguing. Still, she'd just met him - would it be polite to ask? Wait just a second, she thought to herself. Nasir threw politeness out the window when he poked in her kitchen cupboards, so hey, all was fair from now on. Wasn't it?

"I only know one garou outside the pack" She confessed warily. "And he was in a unique situation, he seemed very nice. I don't go looking for them, I swear it!" Just like I don't go looking for vampires, she silently added. "Now you're talking like Mike. He said the Rokea would have a problem with me also. I guess it's only fair - normal humans would have kittens if they knew the truth about the Fera... and everything else".

"No, she hasn't gotten rid of you yet, and she's probably wanted to. So what's your secret? I get that your um," She caught herself in mid-sentence, changed 'stubborn to "tenacious. But it takes more than tenacity to keep up with her. And you don't look like you enjoy being patient. Two years, hah!" The sparkle in her eyes, the light smile on her lips, and more importantly - though she had initially looked down when he took her hand - she hadn't pulled away. Oh but then he got serious again.

"Then I'll do it because I want to" Ani squeezed his hand, as she began to speak, but paused when he continued. Anything she had to say was blown away by Nasir's comment about her lack of food supplies. "Oh come on, not fair!"

"Look, I barely live here, ok? I haven't used my bed in days, I come through the door, jump into the shower and half the time I sleep on my couch. I... " He did not look impressed at her excuse she decided, finally trailing her words off to an embarrassed silence. Hey, at least the kitchen was clean!

"Fine." Ani sniffed hard and shot him a glance. "I'll go shopping this week. But don't you get mad at me if I come home with TV dinners and pot pies and... and stuff. I just don't have time for all that, and if I buy real food? It normally goes bad before I even remember it's there."

[naturaldisasster]

Nasir thought he knew the reason why Oni elected to go somewhere farther away for their food, but, boy did he hope he was wrong. Inwardly, he grimaced, picturing the smug, knowing look his alpha was sure to give him-- If Gaia was merciful, that traffic jam would last a long, long time. Ani's laughter was infectious; Her wink and conspiratorially low tone of voice amused him to no end, pulling him out of his thoughts, "Si, we could probably eat and be back by the time Oni got here. You pick the place, my treat."

He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. Of course. Of course she knew a Rokea, whereas even he had only ever heard of them. Some day, all of this would stop being so shocking to him (at least he hoped so.) "Having kittens. That's one way of putting it," he half-laughed, half-groaned, "Mankind is not ready to know the truth about us. But, at the same time, some Fera are not prepared to learn that there's more to you humans than we ever could have guessed."

"My secret?" he hesitated. There was no precident for this. What were the rules, in this case? Was it possible to break the Litany with someone who already knew about Garou? Deciding the risk was minimal, he ducked his head, feeling as if he were being boastful somehow. "I can be patient," he assured her, with a roguish grin, "I can... Check in on her-- Not the same sense that you can. Think of it as a call she can't ignore or put on hold. Speaking of, I should probably tell her that we're going to go eat without her." Rather than reach for a phone, however, he touched his fingertips to his forehead, where the third-eye chakra was thought to be, his eyes flashing an eerie yellow color.

He was using the Gift of Mindspeak with Onida. After he relayed his message, and 'heard' her mentally-yelling "I'm driving, connard!" by way of acknowledgement, he broke the connection. "There. You should know, she's already started eating the pizza." God, that woman could eat. She must be taking very tiny bites; no wonder she 'sounded' so pissed off.

As she squeezed his hand and smiled at him, it occurred to him that she had literally no idea what she'd done to him with that one sentence. He also learned that he'd been right about her sleeping on the couch, and he laughed a little under his breath (mostly at his own expense.) "What's so unfair about it?" She was right about one thing, however -- Nasir was not buying any of her excuses. And he'd already decided that, like it or not, he was going to get some real food in here. She couldn't live off this crap, and, even if she could, why should she? Anika was about to find out that Philodox could be almost as hard-headed as Ahroun.

"Come, then. Let's get you something that isn't chinese food," he murmured, standing and gently urging her to her feet with her hand in his. Was that a jab at Han's cooking? The world may never know. "Do you eat seafood?"

[just2hands]

They were having, wait. They were having fun! Wasn't she supposed to be angry with him? Damn it, the lines were so confused now. He was her patient and he was pack, but... oh, heck with it, she'd figure it out later.

"You know" Ani arched an eyebrow. "When you smile or laugh, you become a whole other person. Someone... I don't know really. But it's a good look on you. Just in case you wanted to know." Somehow she doubted that Nasir smiled a whole lot on average, and suddenly wanted to see if she could get him to laugh again. Just to see if she could. There were butterflies in her stomach, a tremble down deep - excitement?

Blinking and astonished, Ani watched as Nasir went silent, and then relayed Oni's message. "Telepathy? You have telepathy? That is amazing!
Is it Garou based, or can you do that with anyone?"

Oh, that was exciting! It even touched on something that Storm had been slowly trying to get Anika to expand and practice on the last time she was up at the school. If she could feel emotions, could Anika become strong enough to share emotions - and then thoughts as well? It was an exciting premise, but not one that Ani had thought to share with anyone until now.

And - ok, maybe now wasn't the best time. Maybe later would be better, after they ate. And speaking of which...

"I have to go change out of these scrubs if we're going to go out and eat. I look like I've just come out of surgery here. Can you give me ah, maybe 15 minutes to get washed up and dressed?" I won't be much longer than that, really." That fluttering feeling was back, nervous and exciting, but this time she just went with it.

"And yes, I eat seafood, chicken, steak... oh, oh!" Dr Nuttal gave an unusual and unprofessional squee of glee. "There is this wonderful Brazilian Barbecue a couple blocks north. Well, I think it's wonderful. It smells wonderful when I walk by. It has seafood, steak, the whole bit. Want to check it out with me?"

Fifteen minutes later, she bounced out of her bedroom in faded, close-fitting jeans with a wide brown leather belt, a bright saffron turtleneck shirt, a casual green blazer and a pair of faded brown hiking boots. Her hair, no longer braided, was held back in a pony tail by a bright orange, pink and teal blue scarf yet still flowed down her back in long, black curling waves.

"Nasir? Nas-oh!"

[naturaldisasster]

He arched an eyebrow in return, a mischievous glint in his eyes; Perhaps he didn't smile often, but that was only because he wanted to be taken seriously. That was the motivation behind the way he dressed too, and, generally, it got the desired effect. Here, in Anika's living room, he felt he didn't need to be as stern and gloomy as he usually was. Or maybe it wasn't the space. Maybe it was the person. His lips twitched, almost but not quite giving in to the smile she was after, though it was hard to resist when she was so obviously excited to be going out.

"No," he said, with an embarrassed grin, "Not telepathy. Or, I guess you could call it that, but I can only communicate with people I know fairly well, unless I have something of theirs..." He looked around for something that would suit, his eyes falling on a short length of velvet ribbon lying on the coffee table. Picking it up, he closed his eyes, focusing-- And Anika might have 'heard' his voice echoing in her mind, speaking her name like a whisper. <Anika, can you hear me?>

Normally, he'd have told her not to worry about changing, but... Yes, the blood stains on her scrubs were bound to raise some eyebrows. He would wait patiently, and find a way to distract himself from what she was doing in there. What was wrong with him? He had better self-control than that. "Entiendo," he said hoarsely, feeling like his mouth had gone dry, "Take as long as you need."

She was so excited about the restaurant, that it got the better of him, his grin widening. "Anything you want," he told her, watching her back as she retreated into her bedroom. Now what? His sharp ears could already hear the sound of cloth rustling, he knew she was getting undressed and suddenly he needed to be doing something, anything, to take his mind off the sound. He tossed out his ruined shirt. Then, looking down at himself, he realized he could do with a fresh change of clothes as well. He had some spares Dedicated to him through mystic rites -- because, for garou, nudity was an occupational hazard -- and he summoned them to himself.

Nasir discarded the borrowed shirt and removed his sling. He'd managed, through much difficulty, to put on pants, belt, and shoes by himself. The tie, vest, and jacket he draped over the back of a chair because that just wasn't happening with his broken arm; it's not like he needed them anyway. But he ran into a snag with his white pressed shirt and it was still hanging open, half-unbuttoned, by the time Anika returned. He looked up from what he was doing and froze. She looked lovely enough in scrubs, with her hair braided -- Now, she was even more beautiful.

He stopped staring and ducked his head, quietly laughing at himself, "This has proven more difficult than I thought it would be."

[just2hands]

Curious, she watched him pick up one of her ribbons, and waited to see if it would work with her, a human. But when his whisper came to her, it came not only in her mind, but - but she could hear and feel it as well coming through their thread! Her head, her heart - Anika was never sure as to where the actual center of her power was located; in her brain or in her chest. There were times that it felt like both were involved, but she'd never actually managed to figure how. So strange, so different that it caused Ani to gasp out loud. It wasn't just the sound of him in her mind, but the feel of him that she got as well.

"I heard you" She whispered, awestruck. "I heard you and I..." When she responded next, instead of just thinking it? The doctor tried to send it back to him via the thread they shared. "Can you hear me?" Joy, citrus fresh and sunlit welled up inside her, threatening to spill out. Ani's dark eyes were shining, her smile ethereal as she attempted to 'send' bacl to the Philodox.

"Nasir, are you there? Ohhh, this is so" wonderful! She finished out loud.

A few minutes later, Ani was in her room, humming as she slid on her old jeans and tied the hiking boots to her feet. The turtleneck came next, and over that a blazer. Casual but not too overdone. At the last second she decided to let her hair out of the braid, letting it flow free down her back before tying it back with one of her favorite scarves. A belt for her jeans and she was finished.

Looking in the small mirror she kept on her dresser, Ani wondered. What what about makeup? Aiee, decisions! In the end she simply chose a clear gloss after deciding that putting on makeup was far too much like actually going on a date. And they weren't doing that, they were just ah, going out to eat together while they waited for Oni. That's all. Just eating together.

In spite of her denials, Ani still reached for the ginger flower and vanilla bean fragrance oil that she had picked up on a trip down south with Wade. All natural, in a base of sweet almond, it even had a hint of pineapple to it. Yea, just right for this 'not a date'. Putting just a drop on her finger to place at the back of her neck, Anika rubbed what was left onto her wrist, rubbing both of them together before she set the ornate little Egyptian glass bottle back on the dresser.

Nasir startled Anika again when she came out of the bedroom and he was standing there in a new outfit, shoes tied and ready to go except that he had another shirt half-open. The white contrasted with his skin, and brought out brightness in his eyes and his teeth as well as the man spoke.

"Here" she sent as she came toward him "Let me help" Ani's fingers were more sure now, and quickly finished buttoning Nasir's shirt for him. "All set, Or did you want me to put your tie on you as well? She finished out lout.

The last thing she did, after grabbing her wallet and her spare housekey was to stop by the table near the front door and reach for the bowl sitting there. Ignoring Nasir for the moment Ani sorted through the various items there, finally pulling out a pair of goatskin suede black gloves that ended just beyond the wrist. The woman was very intent as she slid them over her hands, making certain that they were on each finger completely before she continued.

"Ready? She asked, looking up to meet his eyes. "Because I'm starving."

[naturaldisasster]

Her reaction was everything he could have hoped for. He smiled despite himself, pleased that she seemed to enjoy his little demonstration, but when she sent a thought back -- No, more than that. The feeling washed over him, warmer than the summers of his youth. He inhaled sharply, eyes closed, and for a second he couldn't think of a reply to send back along their link. Her brightness blinded him momentarily, like staring directly into the sun. <Yes, I'm here. I hear you.> he finally sent back.

"It's never been like that," he breathed, swallowing thickly, "It must be you have a talent, Anika."

Even without heightened senses, he'd have caught the scent of her perfume when she stepped closer, her nimble fingers fastening the buttons on his shirt. It was spice, and floral, and even a little bit fruity, Gaia help him. His fingers twitched, palms itching to sweep her mass of black hair aside and nuzzle his face against the nape of her neck, where he could tell the scent was strongest. He'd never do something so improper to someone he'd only just met, but the impulse was there; thank goodness that didn't travel across their link.

He imagined her fingers on the collar of his shirt, that close to where his pulse was beating strongly. "Ah, no, that's okay. Gracias," he muttered, neatly tucking his shirt into his pants. Even he had his limits. Best not to try his luck.

While she reached for her gloves, he took the opportunity to put his sling back on. It was a little saddening to see her covering up, but of course it made perfect sense. He wouldn't want an accidental connection, the likes of which he'd just felt, with the kid working the counter at a cafe either. Hell, even the one she'd made with him was out of necessity; he knew she'd only done it because it was a medical emergency of a sort. "I'm ready," he said, holding open the door for her with his good arm.

He spent the short walk down to the street in silence. It was so funny-- Striders were all about speed, and make no bones about it, the boy could run, but he had that slow walking gait really tall people had, when they were used to compensating for much shorter people. Speaking of which, people didn't give him quite as wide a berth as they did with Onida, but they were still careful not to bump into him. Maybe it was the way passing headlights reflected weirdly in his eyes. "Do you like it here?" he asked, all of a sudden. And, at first, it may have seemed like he meant the block she lived on, but then he added "With all these people?"

[just2hands]

floor after floor they traveled down the stairs, each engrossed in their own thoughts. For Anika, it was time of silent contemplation mixed with both awe and wonder as she mentally felt along the clairvoyant thread connecting her to the man who led the way down to the ground floor and out into the city night. They had spoken, actually talked to each other through the thread and through his special telepathic gift. It was like a whole new world had opened up for her, and he had unlocked that key.

Out on the street, the crowd had lessened. School children and young adults carrying book bags were no longer dotting sidewalks, an older and more mature group of people now strolled up and down the sidewalks and across the crowded streets.

Stuffing her gloved hands into her pockets, Ani took a few quick steps to be at Nasir's side, and contemplated the answer to his questions.

"Well" Anika began, pausing to raise a hand and pull some strands of hair out of her face "I like the access here. The libraries and the museums and the theaters. The hospitals and the colleges - I can hear a lecture from a world-renowned doctor or philosopher just about every week of the year. The music, the street markets and street fairs. The blending of so many cultures, so many lives and so many languages. And the food!" She gave a side glance and a grin.

"But" Ani continued. "I miss" Oh, how to put this?

"I miss my alone time. I miss my privacy, my ocean walks or my hikes in the woods. I miss riding my cycle, I miss walking in the sand. I" There was a hesitant, embarrassed pause. "I miss being able to walk without layers, to not worry about getting my gloves wet because I don't have to wear gloves. I miss..."

She stopped abruptly, shook her head and turned her face away. "I'm sorry. I do tend to run on sometimes." She pointed "It's just down the end of this block and across the street, then half a block to the left."

"Do you like being here Nasir?"

[naturaldisasster]

He watched, a little too intently, as she brushed that errant lock of hair back from her face; How he'd have liked to do that for her. Earlier, he'd felt something... The werewolf lacked the words to describe the sensation, but he knew that it had something to do with Anika and her connection-- What had she called it? A thread? It resonated within him, and he coughed to hide a shudder. That was something he was going to have to learn to brace himself against, especially since Nas doubted Anika even knew she'd done it.

"You like to stimulate your mind," he nodded approvingly. More than anything, the Philodox admired the woman's intellect. In that context, he could even appreciate her enjoyment of music, food, and culture; It broadened her understanding through experience and, when she grinned, he smiled back at her.

He listened to her, as she finished answering his question, and he understood because he keenly felt the absence of nature in the City. When she cut herself off and looked away, his brow furrowed, wondering if she'd been about to tell him that there was someone else she missed. That was fine, he reasoned. He could keep his feelings to himself and still admire her from afar.

"I don't mind," he murmured softly, in response to her sudden self-consciousness. At her question, he looked around them, taking in their surroundings. Before today, he would have said that he hated the City, absolutely. Now, well... Things were less straight-forward than they had been. "I prefer the wilderness, or the freedom of the open road. In nature, there's only you and the Great Mother. And I find that my thoughts are always clearer in solitude, without all this... Noise."

"However, as fate would have it, this is where the work is. Though I wouldn't say it's all bad," he added with a suggestive smirk, "Some things are worth sticking around."

"Is this it?" he asked, gesturing with his good arm at a posh neon sign, "Rodizio Grill?"

[just2hands]

"Stagnate and die, Nasir." She replied with a half-shrug. "That applies to minds and hearts as well as bodies." Ani had come a long, long way from the medical student who would barricade herself in her room for days with nothing but books as her only companions.

"Freedom, that's it exactly! That's why I miss the west coast, it was so much easier to ride my bike out there. I still skip the highways and hit the dunes and desert when I can, for exactly that feeling." She understood his concept of clear thinking as well, and thought that he'd actually have a lot in common with her new-to-be roommate as well; as long as the two of them could get along. Well, he didn't seem like he had too many negative pre-conceived notions about other fera - or if he did, he was polite enough to keep it to himself. Hopefully that trait extended to fae as well.

"They are." Ani readily agreed, with a wink in her eye. "And great food is only part of it. Can you smell that?" Oh, of course he could. Probably better than she herself. Ani nodded enthusiastically, lengthening her long stride. "Man, my mouth is watering already. Come on!"