Everything had settled just right, falling back into a healthy pattern. She and Gwidian were all moved in and settled. Her clothing not even taking up half the closet, which impressed the hell out of her, and also worried her. She was a bit of a shopaholic, albeit a responsible one. Absently, she was humming to the chill remix that she had made. The melody looping through her brain, stuck to her delight. Lightly, she started singing, "I'm the one who loves you, No matter wrong or right. And every day I hold you. I hold you with my inner child" Having visited the grocery store and now on their way home, Kenzi found herself on cloud nine as they were going to have one big clan get together that didn't involve the pull of a full moon. It would be a nice change, and she had her love to thank for such a wonderful. Everyone had been given the heads up via telephone call. Drake was given a personal invite as she wanted to check on him to see just how he was doing. Cranky as ever, but the extension was made, as well as an apology.

She looked at her lover, her tiger, who happened to be carrying all the groceries. Nothing super fancy, a simply shrimp Alfredo with some capers to compliment. Along with salad and breadsticks. All of it was easy to cook, a meal fit for kings and queens. Though, the shopping bags held enough to feed at least two dozen people. Her eyes, covered by large, fashionable sunglasses, danced with unseen mirth and love. Every day was like both falling in love for the first time, and falling deeper all at once. Even being highly sexual creatures, they had their own way of showing deep passion for one another. Not that anyone watching would be able to handle such displays without thinking about the more succulent and carnal tastes. But then, they were also very romance novel, only without the flowery prose or the cliche need for a third wheel to bring them to realize how much they loved and needed one another.

Pausing long enough to pucker for him and get a random kiss, she laughed softly and then started walking again. The walk between their home was a worthwhile pastime, even if it was a bit of a distance. "I can carry some of those for you, ya know," offering for the third time to take some of the load from him. Her prince, and Adonis, she was well aware that he would tell her no. One blissful walk continued until they rounded a corner and Kenzi felt as though her spine was dipped in ice. It was a metaphysical pull from someone standing right in their path. Normally, she was rather sure with her footing in high heels, however, she stumbled and gave a soft cry of shock. She had never once, other than Kanashimi, that could call her fox. Yet, he was standing in front of her, staring at her form. It made her entire body go rigid and stiff, defiant in stance and snarl. Getting a taste of her own medicine, with how she had once treated Drake.

"Stop it," came out feral and through gritted teeth, her own fox snarling with the threat of using keen teeth. What a way to have an afternoon ruined.

Life was becoming something worth living in the mind of the Tiger prince who had given up on living amongst his own kind, shunning his striped species for those he would otherwise see as prey. But the foxes were good to him, or well, one fox had been good to him. Makenzi was his world and he wasn't afraid to make that known to everyone around him. It was difficult not to touch and kiss her, to whisper all the romantic or sexual things that came to his mind when he looked at her. She was his soul mate, and the tie to his humanity which just happened to be in a pretty sexy package. A short, sexy package. Though that was unfair to note as Kenzi was always bulking about how much she hated being so short compared to her tiger lover. Gwidian usually just smiled and lifted her onto her tip toes. Arguments ended quickly when their lips were that much closer.

When the idea came about to have the entirety of Kenzi's fast growing skulk over for a large family dinner, Gwidian found himself surprisingly excited at the thought. Maybe he was missing the crowds accustomed to his former life, or maybe he was just in the mood to show off his girl and new home, either way he was all for taking the night off from being a big shot at his club to be just another body amongst the rabble. So as he and his mate began their walk home, he was happy to join in on the singing and smiling as they went. "I'm the one who loves you, No matter wrong or right. And every day I hold you. I hold you with my inner child" Giving a wag of his brow at the girl at his side, he found himself scowling as once again she was asking to carry something which he had a firm grip on. "I know you can carry them, you can do a lot of things I don't let you do. But where I come from, you serve the woman you love like she is a Queen, and that is what you are Makenzi Draven. A Queen, and Queens do not carry groceries."

The tiger had slid into a comfortable laugh as they rounded the last corner that would take them straight home, his face bright and cheerful in boyish bliss. That ended abruptly when something slapped him in the center of his being, a metaphysical wave that was aimed wide enough to catch his attention yet seemed to angle into a point more physically close to his body. Red eyes hidden behind black sunglasses sought the source of the call, and it was easily found in the form of a man standing not but thirty feet up the path they were walking on.

"I had hoped you were close." the stranger's voice came in a long droll breath, like he had been holding it in for a little to long.

Gwidian narrowed his eyes and felt his hands immediately release the bulk in his arms, dropping the food they had just purchased to the ground. "He stinks of fox." Gwidian growled beneath the threat in his tone, his body suddenly tense at the prospect of an alpha male fox who could call out to females strongly enough to ping on his radar.

"And you don't." the stranger called out again, a smile forming quite plainly on his lips even from such a distance.

The red Tiger stepped forward and in front of his mate, his arms tucked backwards as if to shield her from anything that might leap out. Gwidian took in the sight of the male more fully. He was young with dark brown hair that fell in a to modern way over one of his eyes. He was dressed well in a long sleeve shirt that matched his checkered shoes and punk cut jeans. The entire effect was pleasing enough to the eyes, save for the sarcastic and egotistical look that was smeared over his face. He was clearly enjoying his ability to call the only powerful female in the area. "Who are you?" Gwidian sneered, his body flexing a little further.

The stranger took a single step forward, one leg extended while the other stayed put. "My name is Philip, former Socius-I of the Volpe Rosso Skulk." Philip smirked and lowered his head a little in greeting, but his hands were clearly clenched at his sides, as if expecting the fight that was to come. "She is a prime female and of my species. Does she belong to you?" The power flared from the alpha male fox, clearly trying to reach out to Kenzi behind the Tiger who shielded her.

"Stop that!" Gwidian barked, his power flaring to life like a wild fire that had been encased within a glass jar that melted away with the littlest of control. Philip blanched and moved the step forward he had taken back, his face no longer smug but considering his chances. "She does belong to me, and I take great offense to your displays." The tiger was inching forward, away from his female companion. The red devil that housed itself in the human flesh was stalking forward as well, crawling on it's belly in the metaphysical blackness that he promised to paint red with the usurper to his throne.

Philip redoubled and stepped forward again, his face twisting into anger and challenge to this unknown shifter that he was only sure was not a fox. "And who are you that you think you can keep her from me? I have traveled miles to claim her and her power as my own. You will not stop me." The stranger's power flared brightly like a cold wind that blustered and slammed against the Tiger's heat, attempting to sway the fire into a dull roar of what it was growing to be.

"Who am I?" Gwidian repeated, his usually sweet and gentle personality clicking off as the tiger side was thrust to the forefront of his thoughts. "I am Gwidian Minouse. First born son of the Red Queen. Heir to the Chat Rouge Streak, and Socius-I to the Ambulo en Umbra Skulk." The tiger prince's power hit it's pinnacle and it was clear that the challenger had nothing on his level of plateaued metaphysical ability. This made Gwidian smirk sadistically, and made Philip dissolve into a sour glare.

"Your an asshole, that's what you are." the alpha fox uttered.

"And your about to get your ass kicked by an asshole. Bitch." The tiger spat, rolling his shoulders and lowering his posture into an attack stance.

There came a moment then when both men stared at one another, each thinking of how worth it this female was to own. They wanted her for different reasons, but the more time that passed, it was clear that they were not willing to part with her under something as trivial as the prospect of death.

Philip came in first, a fast blur that ducked low to throw a sweeping kick at the legs of the tiger. Gwidian jumped aside and aimed several fast slashes of his legs at the foxes head which found nothing but air. Both men straightened and rolled themselves out a little further, sizing one another up as they began to circle and plan their attacks. Gwidian stretched his hands and crouched low again, watching as Philip did the same. The alpha fox was in a half boxer's stance, his legs angled right for upward kicks perfect for connecting against the taller fighter's head. "Hmph." Gwidian growled, his own hands taking on a more offensive position as he readied himself to unleash the tiger style kung fu he was taught in. Several moments passed before each men struck, colliding hard as each set into combination punches and kicks that either found air or a well placed limb to block.

"Kieehhhh!" Philip roared as he sailed a sweeping roundhouse up toward the tiger's pristine and rage filled face, his eyes widening as the visible image of the man dissolved into something partially transparent. He hadn't counted on such a bigger man being so fast, and paid the price with a pair of hard jabs that connected in the middle of his thigh.

Falling back, the fox clutched at his leg and hopped on his good foot, reflexively shaking out the now numb and damaged limb. Gwidian didn't give him a moment's rest, he struck in and slammed his shoulder into the foxes sternum, sending him enough off balance to sweep his legs from beneath him, sending him tumbling into the street in a rolling ball of flesh and pained grunts. The tiger still did not relent, and swam in fast and low as he charged. Philip telegraphed the attack and brought his good leg up at the last moment, cracking the tiger acrossed the jaw hard enough to send him careening into someone's windshield which buckled and cracked under the weight of the shifter.

Dazed from the surprise attack, Gwidian set his hands into the broken glass and pushed himself up to a crouch, his vision smeared in blood that was a darker red then he was usually accustomed to. Shaking the pain away, the tiger rolled from the vehicle he sat upon, his eyes searching for his opponent whom he found on his feet and approaching fast.

The car skidded back an inch as the tiger was tackled around the waist, his back driven into the fiberglass vehicle he had just climbed from. Grunting and jabbing his fists into the attacking foxes ribs, he felt the man's arms loosen and chin raise to the perfect point of attack. The tiger struck with a hard raise of his knee that dislocated Philips jaw and sent him flying upward off the pavement. Gwidian watched the smaller fighter bounce and cup his face, the pained cry that oozed from his rival bringing a satisfied smirk to his blood stained lips.

Dragging his forearm over his nose and forehead, Gwidian stared at the man and wondered if he was going to get up. Was that the end of the fight. Was it over? Red eyes no longer hidden behind glasses flicked to his mate, questioning just what he should do. His answer came from a growl that was anything but human. Philip clambered to his hands and knees and was glaring at the tiger prince who was still on his feet.

"Stay down." Gwidian warned.

There was no response, save for a further twisting of Philip's outraged features.

Lowering himself and taking a calming breath, Gwidian blurred forward and planted a foot forward, feigning a kick as he let the inertia of his approach throw more then just his weight forward in the form of a hard jab. He saw the flaw in his attack the moment it did not hit, because what was his human shaped rival exploded into a human shaped fox man that slash down the length of his punch in renewed speed and strength.

Gwidian hissed and fell back, clutching his arm. But Philip was racing forward, his hands clawing at the air as he approached the now wounded man who stood in his way. The hybrid fox leaped and stretched his fingers for the throat of the tiger, but Gwidian had already dropped and raised his legs to catch the sailing fox on his feet. Pushing hard on the hands over his head and the curl of his legs, the fox was thrown the way he came with Gwidian following in a long arch. As both men were launched through the air, the tiger prince bled his skin and was suddenly a hyper real version of himself, something black and red and made of pure muscle.

Gwidian landed with his clawed feet on the foxes chest, his weight sinking the smaller animal's ribcage into something unnatural and fatal. Hands slashed hard over the alpha foxes face, flaying the fur and skin over his muzzle. The hybrid tiger dug in the claws of his feet into weakened shifter, shuffling to dig and remove protective muscle that kept intestines and other vital organs beneath. They were all displayed when he finally stopped and stepped away from the remains of the now still animal that was slowly changing back to a human looking shape.

The tiger huffed and stretched his upper body, his red eyes staring at the sight of the inhuman creature changing before his eyes. He thought for sure he would of felt worse for killing someone, this being his first. But he didn't, he didn't feel anything but good about tearing Philip to pieces. And as he roared his victory into the purple sky, the Tiger prince flared his fire back it's pinnacle, challenging any and all that could hear his voice.

A growl spilled from her throat as her green hues shimmered into liquid amber. Dry, super heated wind consumed her body, outside and inside, all from response to this intruder. Normally, she would have been more than alright with meeting another fox and dealing with them. This one, however, smacked her in a metaphysical way. Kenzi wanted nothing to do with the fox man or anything he was dealing. It was insulting as fuck to be toyed with like this. Which, sent of sliver of gratitude through her mind that she had actually taken the time to give a face to face apology to Drake. She heard him, the interloper, speaking, but there was no response, Kenzi was fighting back, fighting hard against the pull she did not want to answer.

Strong enough to resist the forward step, she found her breathing rather difficult. Yeah, if she was alone, bad things would have likely happened as she was not quite as strong into her alpha abilities as she would have liked. However, before she would have to respond, her lover stepped between her and the other. Still panting and shaking slightly, her body prickled with a cold sweat, Zi found herself leaning her forehead between Gwidian's shoulder blades. She needed comfort after that, needed his touch and tiger scent in order to calm the chaos that had taken a hold of her mind. She didn't even realize it, but her hands were curled into his shirt, gripping tightly to the fabric as though he were her anchor.

Her tiger, and Socius-I provided the buffer she needed to keep from having to do anything other than breathe in his scent. Thank whomever for them meeting up, because she would not have been able to face this The stranger alone. Gwidian was starting to become more aggressive, though, moving from her. It filled her with a cold fear to have him actually step to a challenge that he could potentially lose. Her vision blurred with that thought, tears wanting to spill from just the mental image, one of her hands going to cover her heart to try and stop the horrible wrenching, twisting sensation in her heart. Her eyes watched Gwid swell with the fire of his power, rising to the obvious challenge that had been laid down.

Going to her knees as her hand reflexively covering her throat. Somehow, Kenzi had known he was tiger royalty but not the actual first born to a tiger queen and an heir. Jesus, he wasn't just a prince but a king. Wide eyes simply stared at his back in shock, why had he never told her? She didn't get time to dwell on it, as this Philip, surged forward to attack Gwidian. Kenzi found herself moving, crab walking away from the exchange in order to avoid getting hurt. It was unreal in her eyes and to her mind to watch this all go down. Somewhere, her human part was screaming at her that the cops were going to get called, that even if Gwidian won this fight he could still potentially lose his life. She winced with every blow struck on her lover and mate. The worst of it being when he landed on the windshield of a car, the vixen was instantly on her feet, her hands clapped over her mouth out of fear and true worry. Yet, there was no way to do anything but watch on as her Adonis was tackled into the same vehicle. She had to work to not make a big fuss. She wasn't normally such a girl about fights, but her heart was out there, not just some random set of hot headed dudes.

God, she could smell the blood, causing her fox to peek and lick its chops. Already on edge from the other as he had tugged at it, her beast now paced in a nervous skittishness that she had not felt in years. Yet, it all seemed like it might be ended, the fox was down. Looking at her bloodied mate, she bit her bottom lip, every instinct in her told her that Philip wasn't going to stay down, not by the tension and coiling he seemed to be doing. Spared the briefest of glances from Gwidian, she didn't have any words to tell him. Obviously, the fox man had not deemed the fight as being over and that there was no victor. Her hand reached forward, as though maybe she could stop Gwidian from being the aggressor this time, already feeling the swell of a shift coming from the other skulk. It was far too late when the scent of blood hit the air.

Another blur of motion, scarcely a scene that could be followed by an untrained human eye. But, as she felt the swell of power that came from the surge of beast from the skulk, she felt it from Gwidian, too. Seeing how they landed, Kenzi understood who the victory was going to. Yet, something in her mind ticked, even with the elation that she wasn't going to lose her lover, there was still RPIT. The reason it ticked? With her fox so close to the surface, her hearing could pick up the sound of sirens, and they were getting closer. Someone had called the police, phoned in a fight and those that uphold law enforcement were coming. Fumbling into her purse, shaking fingers grabbed her phone, she did what she knew she needed to. Turning on the camera option, she got a few shots that clearly and as well as little blurrily portrayed the fox for what he was. So focused on capturing the image of the werefox before he melted back into human form, she jumped almost out of her skin when Gwidian roared. Her fingertips losing grip on the phone, juggling it a little before keeping it safe from bouncing on the ground. Yeah, if the police weren't on there way before, the sure as fuck were now.

Her fox, on the other hand, danced in excitement. In its eyes, the tiger it had chosen was strong. Even proven it now that he was the best choice ever. Not that it saw him as anything other than a different kind of fox. It was all too willing to roll over and bear its stomach to him and at the same time, as much as it made Kenzi want to shake her head, turn around and present. Finally, her brain engaged and she scurried out to the street, near frantic and flailing her hands, "Gwidian... Gwid! The cops, someone's called them. You've got to calm down or they may shoot you, please..." He may have been bloody, but she wasn't afraid to touch him, to make sure he was really real, and really okay. Zi found her logic locking into place and she flipped open her phone again, this time, it was her calling to report what had happened, "Shift back, please? Eat the shrimp, and shift back, baby, pretty please?" spoken while the phone was ringing.

Soon enough, she had explained most of what was going on, at least until RPIT showed up. At that point it got, confusing. Initially at least, there was gun pointing and hands up, with some freezes in there. Kenzi told the dispatcher that she was talking to that she had to put the phone and her purse down, that she needed to hang up. Looking at her lover, she spoke, "Gwidian, they are not challenging, you need to co-operate and tell them the truth, and try to remember they are human," hopefully that would click with him that they wouldn't understand his tigerly thinking. Kenzi co-operated just like any other law abiding citizen that did not want to get deported for the fight. God, what would she do if parliament saw fit to boot her right out of the country? Best not think about that. Her fox paced more, whining at her to get back to her mate. That wasn't possible at the moment as the cops separated the two of them to question them both, a tactic often used in order to discern if there was lying going on. Thirty minutes was spent on this tactic, only to have their stories match, and be congruent in detail. Sometime, during all that, she had even offered up her mobile to them, giving the cops several shots of the man in werefox form, not just human.

Finally allowed to get together again, the lead officer and detective came forward, Officer Fitzgerald, "Well, no charges are being filed, so far, though we are going to to investigate a little more, get the background on this, Philip." The corpse's wallet had been found and the background was being run on him, "A witness came forward said that he attacked first, consistent with what you've both said. We've got your address and phone number. Someone in the department will be contacting you if we need further information. You are free to go." Kenzi knew that they weren't truthfully free to go. No, their faces, both hers and her lover's were going to be ones that were watched for when crimes happened. Not that Kenzi had anything other than the occasional speeding ticket on her record. Turning with her mate, she wanted to slump against him, but with dignity and poise, she tucked under his arm, grabbing the ruined groceries, and headed for their home.

Once inside, the woman flung her arms around him, slumping her full weight into his form and let with one great big sob. Finally, dissolving into the tears that had been waiting to fall, the situation had been scary as hell. "God, I was so scared, Gwidian, so very scared." Her fox, meanwhile, was rubbing all over his tiger, very much being friendly and accepting of the russet toned feline.

The tiger let loose another thunderous roar, his head thrown back and up as his body flexed and swelled further with the power victory gave him. When the air was drained from his lungs, the hybrid monster draped his arms down and began to pant, his eyes searching the corpse a little further as the back shift was all but done. "Hff, hff, hff." the tiger huffed out his nose, chest puffed out and ears up as no further challenges presented themselves to him. Disappointment rang in the muscles of the monster, as well as his mind. The animal part of his conscious was dwelling on the dead supplicant and the lack of more challengers to it's throne and mate. The human part was more focused on the fact that he had just killed a man.

And then his Queen was there, frantic and yelling at him. He nearly stepped back and away from her, wondering if he had done something wrong and that's why she was so sad. Tilting his maned head slightly, he followed instructions given to him to the letter, calming down and shifting back, eating and cooperating as police arrived with their loud noise making automobiles and guns. The guns he was not keen on, but as Kenzi had said, they were just human. With a shrimp tail sticking out from his mouth, Gwidian got on his knees like the short man brandishing a pistol told him to do, hands behind his head. He wanted to ask if he could keep the shrimp, as he was very hungry, but the question was drowned out as he was forced to lay forward with his face on the pavement.

An hour later the tiger king was leaning against the trunk of a police cruiser, his naked body wrapped in a rather uncomfortable and itchy blanket. He gave the complete story to anyone that would listen, every detail an honest one. One female officer had even taken the time to ask him to repeat everything twice. Gwidian liked her, she seemed interested in the dozen or so sexual marks left on his skin from Kenzi, which he happily explained to her. "In my culture, it is a sign of love and great sex." He smiled and nodded knowingly to the female officer, the surprise on her face causing him to add further as he unwrapped the blanket. "I have many more along of my thighs..." but the uproar that took place quickly made him confused.

Walking home was nice for Gwidian. They took their time and Kenzi cuddled up to him. The only hindrance was the blanket which he tried several times to skirt and leave behind. "No! No Gwidian. People are watching!" Kenzi said. This made the tiger whine and wiggle, his free hand delving beneath the wool to scratch at the places the blanket rubbed. "But it itches." he complained. "Tell you what. Count how many steps it takes to get back home. And I'll give you that many kisses when we do." He liked the sound of that. Liked it a lot. So with a defeated sigh he removed his hand from beneath the blanket and stuck out his bottom lip, pouting fully. "Alright." Unfortunately for Kenzi, or so Gwidian thought, he did in fact count each step all the way home. And as he mentally ticked off 'six hundred and eighty nine' he stepped inside the large mansion and closed the door behind him.

"Umph!" he groaned, the tight squeeze of his lover's arms reminding him that his partial shift only did so much in the way of healing his back and ribs which were, just an hour ago, bouncing against a car. "Makenzi." he said slowly, quietly, any desire to pull from that pain suddenly gone as she sobbed how very scared she was to him. Biting his bottom lip, Gwidian leaned himself forward and circled her small frame with his strong, bruised and battered arms. "Don't be sad." he said quietly into her golden hair, pecking her scalp again and again. After a full minute of just holding her, he gave a sad sort of sound and whispered into her hair, "You made me lose count." The fox that dove into him metaphysically was a welcome sensation. The great red beast that dwelled within him was placid and laying on his side, front paws forward and head up to watch the interaction.

After another minute Gwidian couldn't help but fidget and beg. "Can I please take this blanket off now?" The shower that followed was a much needed one for both parties, but it was the hot water that soothed Gwidian the most. Heat was his power, and as the steam kissed his honey suckle skin, he felt immensely better. Sliding behind his naked mate, the tiger king drew his mate to her tip toes and kneaded her body along his, his voice barely there as he whispered softly. "I love you, Angel." Drying off reminded him that no matter how much better he felt, his body was damaged. Which only created an argument between himself and Kenzi about his needing to strip and go to work the following day. They settled it the way most of their fights ended, with a kiss and a slap to an ass. This slap just happened to end on Gwidian's muscled backside, having lost and all.

Pulling on a comfortable pair of jeans and a long sleeve crimson cotton shirt, the tiger turned his head and stared at his mate. "Are we still going to have the dinner? I would like to very much."

Drake’s hand scrubbed over his face, through his hair and nails dug into the back of his scalp as he stepped out of his front door, before shaking his head and stepping back inside. Head still shaking he took two steps forward, turned then shoved his hands into the back pockets of his black jeans before taking another attempt at walking out of the front door.

No.

He turned around to face his apartment building then back onto the street and sighed.

He had received the invitation from Kenzi and had at first ignored it. Then ignored it some more before finally admitting to himself, it would make his life more peaceful if he at least was on civil terms with the skulk.

That prospect alone had him torn between anger and frustration. His fox, on the other hand just twitched in a confused exhibition, bewildered and somewhat disorientated as to why it’s human counterpart was acting so strangely. The inner fox failed to see what was so terrifying about the outside street, as of yet unaware of the plans for that evening.

Drake and his animal had a seemingly agreeable unity. They liked to hunt. They liked the quiet and they certainly both liked being in Yeovil. Since coming to the south the foxes human had been free of those ghastly various medications and was, for the most part, emotionally more stable.
He locked the front door and gave himself a firm nod. It was the better thing to do. Hands moved to rub his bare arms, his upper body adorned in a faded and some what paint splattered white t-shirt, he put one boot covered foot in front of the other and began the long walk toward Kenzi’s address.

The air carried a strong hint of blossom and honey dew. Drake wrinkled his nose, outwardly displaying his beast’s inward actions. Summer had a puzzling effect on his ability to pain. It seemed to strip away all creative abilities. He blamed the heat, the scorching sudden Indian heat wave had left him unable to sleep-not that he often did- but he could barely relax, uncomfortable in his skin.

His mind wandered over questions, how many foxes would be there? What would they be like? Would he be made to answer twenty questions? The more he thought on it, the more he wanted to turn around, and he was about to commit to that thought and go home when he suddenly found his feet had lead him around the corner into the street containing Kenzi’s home. Several police cars had driven past him, and he thought nothing of it until the lingering scent of sweat, aggression trailed from a downward breeze.

Drake shrugged it off. It was Yeovil, it had its moments of being rough as hell and no doubt some drunken youths had started a fight of some kind.
Oh crap. I’m here. He cursed in his mind and feet carried him toward the front door and before he knew it he was knocking on the door.

“Too fucking late now,” He sighed and both hands moved to rub his face, his tired eyes before pushing the messy curls of dark hair from his brow.

Alex was still bunked with Tam as the situation currently stood. While she'd been looking for her own place, she still lacked the job to pay for it. Not exactly the best thing in her mind. She highly doubted that Kenzi would be thrilled. In fact, a conversation concerning occupations was one she was hoping to avoid for as long as possible. Or at least until she actually had an occupation to discuss. It had been a while since her last conversation with Jaquoline and there was the offer that the human had given. Something to keep in mind. While the vixen had been mulling over such things when the phone went off. The call had been from Kenzi, mentioning a dinner tonight that the Skulk members were invited to. After jotting down an approximate time, Alex figured she should at least figure out what she wanted to wear. It wasn't like she needed to dress to impress, but she didn't want to come off as a slob either. Thus, it was time to raid the closet.

An hour alone was spent on figuring out what she wanted to wear. Alexandria had tried and retried outfits until there was nothing left to try on. With a glance behind her, she took notice of the clothes now scattered along the floor. So much for keeping organized. With a wrinkle of her nose, Alex stood and began to move around, picking up jeans and shirts as she moved. She doubted Tam wanted to come home and find clothes littering the room. Alex knew she herself wouldn't want that. As the articles of clothing began to disappear, she was able to see the floor again and an item that seemed to have been overlooked in her rush to find something presentable.

The dress was navy blue and something she hadn't worn in a while. It wasn't flashy in any sense and, while it was strapless, it didn't really show off as much cleavage as one would initially think. However, she figured it was perfect for the evening. To Alex, jeans and a shirt just seemed too casual. With her outfit decided at last, she switched over to hair, deciding to straighten it as opposed to the wavy mess it usually was. Where make-up was concerned, Alexandria simply went with black eye liner and applied a neutral shade of eye shadow. When she finally got done, the vixen moved out to the living room, waiting for Tam to get back. It would be easier for them to go together than seperate. As excited as Alex was for this evening, she couldn't deny that flare of worry that had sparked within her.

It was supposed to be a temporary fix, but the situation had escalated from weeks to months. A throwback to her uni days, without the copious amounts of alcohol and wild partying. All in all, she was a pretty good roomie. Cleaning up after herself, and Tam. Now, that left her feeling guilty. Teensy, weensy guilty. Crimes that did need to be solved ate into her free time--well, her chillaxing and cleaning time. The invite was god-send, and she had managed to wrangle more free time from the boss lady. The dark wood of her front door glared at her. Well, lookie here, I'm home. She bit her lower lip, stifling the yawn that threatened to explode from her. God, she wished she could curl up in her bed. Her keys chinked together as the door was unlocked. Well, there was no turning back now. The sight of Alex; all dressed up and nowhere to go, stopped her dead to rights. Oh god, don't tell it has to be that formal.

Since staring at her room mate's choice of fashion was rude. A tired smile graced her face, and she limply waved at her roomie. Her hand bag and duffel was dumped on the ground. "I'll grab a quick change of clothes." Her foot slammed the door shut, her ears wincing at the loud reverberation that drifted through the room. Quickly, she jogged into her room. Thankfully, that morning, she had the foresight of pressing her selection. Boring, but pants and blouses worked for every occasion. Light purple for the top, and black slacks. It wasn't that bad. She ran a brush through her hair, before putting a pony tail up. A light dusting of gloss and she was ready. Oh, yes, she rushed back to her closet. Shoes, she needed her pumps.

She grabbed her housewarming gift. The canvas wrapped under the paper was custom made with intertwined figures of a red fox and tiger. Hopefully, her Lumen and Socius-i would love it. Darting back to the living room, a few minutes later, she waved Alex over. "All ready now," she shouldered her hand bag, "let's get going."

The car ride was long, the were-fox had to take a detour when the side of the road had been blocked by trucks and police cars, the sirens still blazing. She parked her car to the side, taking the gorgeous view of the mansion. Her eyes squinted. It looked like someone was waiting at the front step. She grabbed the painting, and quickly locked the car, making her way to the main entrance. The scent of fox wafted from the man. Gingerly, she smiled at him, "I'm Tam." God, she was awkward at making small talk intros.

The stream of water and heat were enough to unwind her for the most part. She wasn't entirely happy about what had happened between the now dead fox and Gwidian. Shock was pretty much what happened to settle about her person and her mind. Jesus, Kenzi could be kicked out of this country for even witnessing such a thing. Hopefully those multiple upon multiple cameras, someone would see that the fight was initiated by the opposite party and not Gwidian. This wasn't the first death she had ever seen, not by a long shot. Being involved with a Kiss was enough to paint the world a certain color when it came to violence. Then again, she would not ever be used to it whole scene.

Feeling him pull her close, to knead her smaller body against his, she leaned her head back against his shoulder, her eyes drifting closed. His whisper wasn't a shock or a surprise, but somehow it always warmed her heart. "I love you, Adonis," her own words quiet. She wished that she could read his mind, know what was lacing through his feelings. Kenzi was more than content to let rivulets of water rush from her body as they stepped from the shower. Air drying was more her thing, but, she snagged at towel expedite the process. Peridot hues caught site of his damaged body and she made it a point to look at him and tell him that he was going to call in to work the next day. His balking lead to a little discussion and her winning, which she enjoyed every much.

Slipping into a comfortable dress, something that fit a warm summer evening. Dark purple and delicate, Kenzi didn't find this clothing all that constrictive or confining. She was mid enjoyment of how the fabric, itself, whispered against her skin almost like silk only thinner and lighter, when her Adonis made mention of dinner. Uttering a sharp expletive, she hurried herself to finish brushing her hair, "Yes, I forgot, completely about the dinner. Do you want something cater delivered or simply pizza, you know what.... go ahead and order what you think everyone will like and eat." Kenzi started muttering to herself after that, fixing her hair and dabbing on just enough make up to cover her face and make her eyes pop. Somehow, she needed to get the night back on track.

Deciding to head to the living room and wait for the rest of the invitees to show, Zi stole a kiss from Gwidian's cheek and sighed. "How are you doing, hun?" Cupping his cheeks and lavishing attentions to him, her head turned to the sound of someone knocking on the door, "C'mon, love, let's go see who it is." Barefoot and actually rather nervous, Zi padded to the front and smiled at the sight of Drake, Alexandria, and Tam. Poor emo man, caught between a closed portal and two bubbly women. Opening the door, she smiled genuinely and gave Drake a light hug in greeting, "I am very glad you came. Please, step in, hang up your coat and pull off your shoes." She didn't feel it necessary to remind him that he would be welcome to depart at any point he felt a little too pressed to be part of the convo. "Drake, this is Gwidian. My mate, lover, and Socius-i." She didn't care how odd it sounded to say that a tiger was her mate, she just went with what felt right in her heart.

Turning to Tam, she smiled, "Oh you made it! And do you look frosted. I have some Arabic coffee just waiting to be brewed, and some honey to go with it," Zi snared the Corsac for a tight hug. Every day that she saw Tam, that she didn't get a phone call that the young woman hadn't been hurt, was considered a fantastic day. "You know Gwidian," she winked, "And you know where the coffee pot is, go on, go help yourself." She ushered Tam inside only to turn to Alexandria. The silver fox didn't escape without a hug either, a smile, "You are over dressed, but look so nice." She gave the woman a light cheek rub and turned to bring her in. "Welcome to our home, Gwidian's and mine." Entwining her arm with Alexandria's after shutting the door, she escorted the other woman to the kitchen/living room/dining room area, chattering the whole time, "How have you settled, have you found a place to stay, any luck on finding work or going back to school?"

Glancing at Gwidian, she frowned with the one party that lived here and was missing, "Have you seen Zachary?" She hadn't seen Mirror all day, and usually he was home by now. There were not missed phone calls on her cell, though, "Gwid, any messages on your mobile?"

The tiger king flashed a smile as his mate cursed at seeming to forget that they invited most everyone in the skulk to dinner. "I don't blame you for misplacing the thought. I was just thinking of why we were out in the first place... the food, for the party." Gwidian continued to smile even as Makenzi began to do her make up, something he assured her on several occasions was wholly unnecessary, what with having the facial structure of most female Greek works of art and all. Of course the tiger king wasn't willing to lose yet another argument so quickly, so he himself finished getting dressed while his mate proceeded to accent her wondrous eyes.

With the food, as usual, being left up to him, Gwidian was unsure as to just what everyone would enjoy having. Pizza, like Kenzi suggested, just seemed to run of the mill for the first meal the skulk would ever have together as a whole. "Well that's no easy task to settle." he muttered to himself, his face twisting a little as he relaxed into deep thought. A stolen kiss to his cheek and the soft words of his mate jarred him out of contemplation, and as always he found himself smiling up at her. "I'm fine." he uttered sweetly, wrapping his hands around the slender wrists of his Lumen when she touched his face. The sound of a knocking both made both their heads twist, and Gwidian found himself taxiing right behind Kenzi at the prospect of seeing who was here.

Standing in the middle of the stairs, one hand buried in his jeans pocket, the other resting on the banister, Gwidian watched as Kenzi swung the door open to reveal a small crowd standing and waiting. The sight of so many people made the tiger smile and pad further down the stairs, his bare feet not making a sound as he reached the clean smooth flooring below. The first through was a handsome, dark featured fellow Gwidian took a liking to right away. Followed by Tam, someone he was quite familiar and stricken with, and then a female he couldn't recall if he had ever seen before.

As Kenzi introduced Drake, Gwidian stepped forward and offered his hand, refusing to stop at just a simple handshake though, the tiger king completed the approach by breaching he dark man's personal space and pressing himself to his body. Sliding his cheek over the rough edges of his face, Gwidian allowed his nose to find dark curls and the washing scent of fox. Hands clung to the front of the male shifter, holding him in place as he scented, drawing him closer for better scrutinization. He smelled good, like skulk and family. And he did it all with as much masculinity one could have while rubbing up against another man.

Breaking that hold and wrapping an arm around Drake's shoulders, Gwidian smiled brightly and edged him toward the kitchen and living areas where everyone else seemed to be walking. "I'm glad to see you've come." he said warmly, tucking the man close under his arm. "Kenzi tells me you are something of an oddity, preferring your privacy and not to attend most skulk events." Gwidian nodded as if to himself. "But I have to admit, it is a pleasant thought that maybe we are warming to you." Completely unaware that he might be intruding or speaking out of place, Gwidian continued in the most friendly tiger fashion he could. "I am in charge of procuring something for dinner. Did you have anything in mind that you would prefer? It would help me a great deal if you shared your ideas with me."

Drake waited after he had knocked on the door, and as barely three seconds passed he decided obviously no one was in and was about to turn around when appeared two females walking toward him. His eyes scanned over them, both carrying the strong musky scent of fox, bringing his fox out slightly to take a curious peek, before huffing and curling up back to sleep.

As the Asian female introduced herself Drake remained silent, looking between the two and forcing his lips to curl into what should of been a smile, but came across more of a grimace. “Drake.” He retorted sharply and pushed his hands into the back pockets of his jeans, turning back around to eye the front door. His back to them both he could feel eyes burning into his back and took a deep breath hoping no small talk would continue.

His aim, get inside the house, find a corner, smile a little, eat and get the fuck out of there. A solid plan he thought. Hopefully whatever animosity that had occurred between he and Kenzi would be gone, and he would be left alone to eat. He was making an effort, didn’t not mean he had to suddenly become Mr happy pants. As long as there was no hugging, touching, kissing, petting or playing happy best of friends, Drake would cope.

It was not that Drake viewed himself as a asshole or a wanker. He liked people, he was sure people were nice. As long as they stayed at least three feet away and did not talk to him. This stance changed for his students, when it came to art and those willing to learn he had a tolerance and appreciation for them. He just generally preferred not to give anyone the benefit of the doubt and assume everyone could not be trusted. Did it make sense? No, but then again people, humans, the planet failed to make sense to Drake.

The door opened.

Drake allowed his eyes to move up from the ground to see Kenzi and tried to make his facial features soften into a smile, but instead gave a sort of half hearted shrug as if to say, “yeah..I showed up.”

Hug. Oh god, she hugged him. Drake stiffened and forced a small smile. Even though this was seriously awkward for him, it did not mean he lost his manners. As he previously claimed, he was not an asshole.

His hands still in his back pockets he shrugged a little and bobbed his head, shaking away the dark messy curls that had fallen over his dark eyes. “Ok.” He said when invited inside and looked around before shrugging off his coat, sighing as he pushed off his shoes.

He curled his toes, the soft fabric of his black socks tickling his feet as he looked up when a strong scent filled his lungs. Turning he saw a male approaching, taller than he was and broader in the shoulders. The male carried a rich scent, not fox, feline, mixed with the softer scent of Kenzi.
People. Lots of people he did not know. Drake found himself swallowing back the need to take flight and lock himself in his studio with his artwork.

"Drake, this is Gwidian. My mate, lover, and Socius-i”

Drake eyed the male and gave a short nod which constituted a suitable hello in Drake’s book. Apparently for Gwidian a nod was not good enough and before the male fox could protest he was suddenly finding himself pressed up against the male tiger. Drake froze. By the gods did he freeze, his hands back firmly in his back pockets he found himself holding his breath as he was seemingly touch raped by the tiger, who was pushing his nose though Drake’s hair.

Drake’s eyes painfully looked to Kenzi as he was now under the arm of the Tiger and escorted into the kitchen. Had he had time to look around he would of admired Kenzi’s home, however he was being nasally abused by the strong scent of Tiger and his Fox was now peeking out through his eyes, chuffing and huffing at the breaking of their personal barriers.

"I'm glad to see you've come....Kenzi tells me you are something of an oddity, preferring your privacy and not to attend most skulk events....But I have to admit, it is a pleasant thought that maybe we are warming to you."
Drake shuffled out from under the Tiger’s arm and took two steps to the side, his back bumping into the kitchen counter. Over the dark circles of his eyes, chocolate hues twitched and looked around, before settling back onto the male.

“Personal space." He choked out the words, one hand moving from his back pocket to push back his fucking hair again. He was close to shaving it off, it was starting to annoy him. Or perhaps it was just being thrust into a situation he would of usually avoided, which in turn was now making him irritable.

“Not warming. Was logical.” Drake retorted in short, quick tempo replies, “Make’s life easier. No danger from being kicked out of town.” Better to sleep with the enemy than have them knocking on your door. Not than he viewed this skulk as the enemy, they all seemed nice enough in their overly friendly ways.

Yes, Shifters liked physical contact. But Drake and his fox had spent too long alone, to the point his beast was now in the same mind set as the human.

“ I am in charge of procuring something for dinner. Did you have anything in mind that you would prefer? It would help me a great deal if you shared your ideas with me."

Bottle of bourbon, twenty Embassy lights and a cocaine chaser.
God, an upper would of made this so much easier. But, he was clean. He had to remind himself that. He had lasted this long free from uppers. But, he also remembered how they would make any social gathering a million times better.

“Anything hot. On a plate..” He shrugged, “Ain’t fussy.” He looked around at them all, his hands moving behind him to grip the counter, “Don’t eat much...when I do...I suppose...Steak is nice.” When he remembered to eat. He would fall almost into a trance when painting and not eat for days. Saying that, when had he last eaten? His stomach growled a little,

“...Maybe lost of dead cow on a plate.” The end he lifted his face up, giving a softer side as he showed he was at least making an effort.