Chapter 52: The Pack Is Strange
Harrow’s tail flicked in annoyance, though it was more for show than any actual feeling behind it. The final bracket came undone and the engine came loose, freeing the device they sought for extraction after a much lengthier process than she was expecting.
“Jax, you’re up!”
Her mate waited for her to move out of the way before reaching into the gap in panelling to remove the engine, grunting as Harrow separated the hydrogen burner from the rest of it to facilitate carrying it to the wagon. The wooden cart groaned under the weight once both pieces were added, but the repairs they performed were sufficient to ensure it wouldn’t break on their way. Even if they did, they had two Atmo around who, according to Joe, would likely be able to carry it without minding much.
Harrow glanced over at Volta and the two insects that were watching the process with varying degrees of interest, though the blue-furred Lilhun seemed more interested in Harrow than whatever she was working on. Harrow felt her cheeks flush slightly before a sigh escaped her.
Jax had walked back into the shuttle during the moon with cooked rock-worm for all of them, only to see his mate trying to politely decline a very assertive female. When Harrow gave him a pleading look for assistance, Jax merely laid the food down and leaned against the counter-top with an amused grin on his face. She had managed to deny the advances after she composed herself enough to do so, but she couldn’t help but wonder why Volta seemed so keen on it.
Shaking her head, she secured the parts to the wagon with a bit of ironwood rope she had made. It wasn’t as good as what Joseph could make, but she also didn’t have as much practice. The engine stayed firmly in place, even when she tried to push it with her foot. Satisfied, they set out back to the den.
“Forgive me, but how many are in your pack?” Volta asked, taking a few wider steps to catch up to Harrow.
“Nineteen, though five are out at the moment,” the orange-furred female replied with a slight puff of her chest to distract from the fact that two of her few friends have been gone for a while and they had no way to confirm their safety. Tel was... Well, Tel, so the two hadn’t had much of a chance to get much closer than to be on reasonable terms with one another. Sahari was someone Harrow looked up to a bit more and had managed to spend some time with, enough to consider her closer. Joe was the one she spent the most time with and, admittedly, cared for the most. Minus Jax, that is. Though her mate had a wonderful habit of getting on her nerves at times, she still loved him dearly.
“Would you even be in need of my services with such a small number?”
Harrow nodded heavily. “Yep! We have a large den, and new structures are constantly being constructed. Assuming our new friends here,” she gestured to the two Atmo trailing behind. “are able to help Mama, I expect we’ll have more going up as fast as Nalah can point to where they should be.”
Volta tilted an ear. “Where they should be? You are of a small enough number that it should not matter much. Is the terrain so unwelcoming?”
A snort was given in response. “Joe is planning on way more than just us living there, so him and Nalah planned out pretty much the entire area for habitation. Every building will be built to spec and location. It’s caused a bit of friction between our pack proper and Mi’low’s, but enough war-games and they’ve started seeing eye-to-eye a bit more.”
The female frowned at the response. “Your pack is strange.”
Jax laughed, grunting a bit as he pushed from the front of the cart. “We are very much aware.”
The journey continued with the occasional question, though Volta seemed more interested in the war-games and details of her future duties rather than whom was in charge of what. It was understandable, Harrow herself would be more concerned about the conditions of a new living situation than whom she would be with. People tended to be a very fluid thing in her life, given her circumstances throughout, but the work was always the focus. She figured it was much the same for the new female.
With the last remains of winter finally fading and the temperatures rising to a point where even Violet would be able to wander the settlement soon, the forest had since taken back its silver and gold tones, freed from the muting of snow and frost. The sounds of skittering wildlife silencing as they passed through was one that Harrow had somewhat forgotten about after spending so much time within the safety of the den, the need to brave the wilds becoming little more than the occasional need to test a bow on animals or gathering moss for various purposes.
It was nice to enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about being hunted down by something, the comforting weight of her bow and quiver instead resting in the cart while Jax had worn his over his shoulder should he need it. Harrow caught Volta giving the weapon a questioning look, but she either couldn’t identify what the object might be used for, or assumed it was a specialized tool for removing some of the plating on the shuttle.
The female seemed to be about to ask a question after their final break and a bit more walking when the settlement came into view, her mouth paused in its opened state as her eyes took in the size of the village they were creating.
The den sat as the largest structure by far, but it was now accompanied by the barracks, workshop, two dens, a hunter’s lodge, and a rather wide water tower. It was far from enough, but the framework for an additional building was underway, if only to act as a warehouse for items that might otherwise be want for storage. Harrow could spot a larger skeleton of a future project had been laid down, a sort of meeting hall for everyone to gather at without having to enter the Grand Hunter’s den. It would likely be the central hub for any visitors, but that was assuming their Human had been successful in negotiating trade relations while he was gone. Nalah seemed reluctant to build it so soon, but a quiet look of hope from Pan seemed enough to sway her to at least lay out the frame.
“You are nineteen, no?” Volta managed after a moment, her voice taking a disbelieving cadence.
Harrow shrugged. “Like I said, we’re full of weird.”
Since they entered from closer to the facilities wing than any of the construction, they had to round most of the wall to reach the gate. The sight of such a tall and wide structure acting as a perimeter seemed to amaze Volta, drawing a chuckle from the orange-furred female as she watched the new Lilhun try to puzzle out how long it would have taken them to build such fortifications.
Admittedly, without Mama to strip and shape all the pieces, Harrow doubted they would even be partially finished the walls, let alone have long since moved on from them. If it wasn’t for the war-games occasionally utilizing them, she would assume it overkill as well, but it was made obvious that some modifications would be required to allow a patrol along them once they had the time and personnel.
She did catch sight of one of Jax’s security trainees running after they noticed them approaching the entrance, though it seemed that they thankfully weren’t riling everyone up and had correctly identified the group as them instead of a small incursion or visitors. Then again, Jax was a rather identifiable male, and him walking next to Harrow made the assumption a rather obvious one, given her own fur colour and stature.
Volta and the two Atmo would be a large enough departure from what they were expecting for them to rush in their pursuit to inform someone of their arrival however. The new female’s fur being an uncommon blue, more so the cream-colour accenting, would certainly draw the eye.
Tel was a gunmetal grey with even darker stripes, though the two colours were close enough that one would be forgiven for not noticing at any appreciable distance. Nalah sported the same arrangement, though hers was blond and gold. Harrow was a darker orange, the tips of her ears and near her claws slipping into a slightly darker tint, but otherwise was of a more uniform colour. Sahari and Jax were both pure black with Sahari sporting a silkier coat. Pan was a mostly pure white, the only discoloration being her lower stomach taking on a light grey, though it was hardly noticeable even up close.
As they walked through the settlement, a task that took them quite a bit longer with the cart in tow, some of the pack waved in greeting, others eyed the two Atmo following dutifully with a cautious eye, but none seemed put-off or hostile since they had been working with Mama to varying degrees since she was able to come out more.
Volta seemed on edge as the various pack members walked by, even though none gave them much more than a curious look. She kept glancing at Harrow and Jax, expecting something to happen or perhaps confirming that they weren’t going to do anything while she was surrounded. The female stayed back a bit, positioning herself between the Atmo and various workers.
Some excited clicked originated from behind the newest construction they passed by, Nalah and Mama walking around with the Lilhun wearing a raised brow.
“New friends... Holy fuck, you brought Atmo.”
Harrow laughed at Nalah’s surprise, the latter having to pick their jaw up when she caught sight of the two towering figures following behind. Mama closed the distance and offered the two a respectful bow, the pair returning it and launching into a percussive discussion as Volta stared with disbelief.
Jax stopped pushing the cart to smirk at the female. “Found yourself of little faith in our claims?”
Volta could do little more than nod as the three Atmo excitedly clicked at each other and moved their arms in concise patterns for their conversation. She tore her eyes from the meeting to gauge the reaction from the pack around the area, though most were ignoring them in favour of completing their work. “They truly do not fear them?”
“Not since Joseph threatened to kill them if they even thought about harming them, no.” Nalah answered as she approached. She nodded at Harrow. “I take it these three were picked up along the way?”
“They were in the shuttle, actually,” Harrow corrected with a shrug. “I figured Joe would offer them a place in the pack.”
Nalah snorted. “The Atmo, definitely. And you, new one?”
Volta seemed surprised to be addressed, her ears both facing the blond female. “I was requested for my services, since I have no pack.” Nalah glanced at Harrow, the latter gesturing towards the Atmo as an answer. She nodded and turned her regard back to the blue-furred female.
“Your services are?”
“Cleaning. I was a part of the janitorial staff,” Volta answered firmly before turning her head away slightly with a blush and a weaker voice. “I was also... Required to warm the beds of females quite often.”
Jax’s muffled laughter and Harrow’s punch to the stomach seemed to be all it took to snap Nalah out of her surprise, though if it was at the admittance to a series of somewhat forced bedding or the appraising eye Volta was giving her, Harrow couldn’t say. The Lead Planner cleared her throat. “Ah, yes. Well. We’ll bring you three to see our Paw and gain her approval.”
One of the workers called out something that Harrow couldn’t parse, causing Nalah to yell out over her shoulder.
“How hard is it to slot two pieces together!? I swear, this is why you can’t find a mate! I’d weep if I was your dick!”
Volta shifted closer to Harrow with a concerned expression, speaking quietly so as not to be overheard. “Is she normally this crass?”
“Yep,” she responded flatly. “Well, since she met Joe, anyway. We’re all a little different since then.”
Volta seemed even more confused as Harrow giggled at how their Human had changed them all, but reluctantly accepted the answer.
“Come.” Nalah addressed them after a quick exchange with the construction crew. “I’m sure Pan will be thrilled to meet the Atmo. She could certainly use the pick-me-up.”
Harrow frowned, worried that the seamstress had fallen a little more while she was gone, but the amused grin Nalah was giving her worried her more than it probably should. She looked to her mate. “Jax, just drop that off in the workshop. Heralt should know what we’re doing with it, but tell him it won’t be until the next sun that I’ll get a chance to hook everything up.”
“Or longer.” Nalah commented, though refused to elaborate when Harrow gave her a questioning look.
Jax nodded, pushing the cart off in that direction while Nalah lead the way for the rest of them. A quick call out to Mama was all it took for the three Atmo to fall in line, Volta obediently following behind Harrow as the last Lilhun she felt at least somewhat comfortable around.
The doors to the den were pushed open, revealing a space large enough to comfortably house the entirety of the current pack were it a freestanding structure, Volta’s eyes widening as she observed the space. “This is a large den for just your pack.”
“It’s just the hub.” Nalah corrected, pointing to the two doors that connected to the rest of the building. “To the left is the dormitories, our individual rooms and baths are that way, and to the right is the facilities wing, it’s where everything else is.”
“You’d be responsible for cleaning this den specifically, should you choose to join the main pack. Alternatively, you would be assigned the various buildings in the rest of the settlement.” Harrow added, letting the Atmo get a chance to take in their surroundings. She shook off the feeling that the air felt different than usual in here while Mama clicked a few lines at the two before heading to the facilities wing. Likely to fetch Pan.
Volta tipped an ear. “Main pack?”
“High Huntress Mi’low and her members reside here as well, for the foreseeable future anyway.”
“How large is the main pack?”
A voice called from the opening doors off to their right. “We are nine, though three of our members are currently absent.”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Hey, Pan!” Harrow greeted the Paw enthusiastically, the latter nodding in return but maintaining a professional air she donned whenever dealing with something in an official capacity. “I brought new friends!”
Volta’s eyes widened as she watched the small white-furred female enter the room, but she rapidly blinked away whatever expression tried to take over her face.
Pan smiled when she seen the two Atmo, the Paw walking up to them and bowing the same way Mama does whenever she meets someone new. The two exchanged a look but returned the greeting.
“I hope you both enjoy your time here. Mama is currently assisting Violet, but they should be out shortly.”
The expression returned to a placid look as she regarded the new Lilhun. “I am Huntress Pan, right Paw of Grand Hunter Joseph.”
Volta choked on her words, earning a raised brow from Pan before she managed to speak. “Apologies. I am Volta. I was told I might join your pack and offer my janitorial experience for your benefit, high one.” She finished her introduction, kneeling to one knee and placing a fist to the floor in subservience, surprising all in attendance with the formality displayed.
Pan quickly composed herself at the unprecedented level of respect shown. “You may rise, you are not a servant here.”
“I am merely showing the reverence one such as yourself deserves,” the blue-furred female replied with averted eyes as she hesitantly got to her feet.
Pan cleared her throat, thrown completely off balance by the display. “Yes... Well, all that seek a den are welcome here. I assume, by the company you brought with you, that you have no issues with the Atmo?”
“Yes, high one. They saved my life and I vowed to find a den for them in return.”
The Paw smiled. “Well they are certainly welcome here as well. You have completed your vow, Volta.”
The female was quiet as she spoke. “Thank you, high one.”
Pan frowned a bit, but took the insistence more in stride this time. “As for your own inclusion, do you have any conditions?”
Volta met her gaze, quickly looking at the floor as she responded. “I merely wish for a safe den to reside. Perhaps...” She muttered the rest at a volume too low for Harrow to pick up, even though she was standing so close.
“Pardon?”
Volta shook her head. “Nothing, high one. I simply request safe haven and meaningful employment.”
Pan was about to answer when the facilities wing doors opened again, Mama and Violet entering with excited clicks.
Violet noticed the new Atmo and raced forward to greet them, the tablets she had draped over her shoulders by rope clacking as they bounced against her. Both of the new insects paused as the den-kit welcomed them with vigour, the young one seeming vibrating with energy.
The pair looked at each other before lowering themselves to the floor, their upper bodies bowing below Violet’s height. The den-kit wasted no time in hugging them, eliciting an amused purr from Mama and a serene expression of satisfaction from Pan.
Finished with her embrace of the two new insects, Violet quickly approached Volta, holding up a tablet that had seemed to have been prepared prior.
[Hello]
Volta and Harrow blinked, the latter caught off guard because she wasn’t aware Violet was to the point where she could read her own writing enough to have the correct signage for such a situation.
The blue-furred female caught herself after a glance to Pan, offering a smile in return to the enthusiastic Atmo. “Greetings, small one.”
Violet spun in circles while bouncing back and forth between two sets of three legs, her joy in a successful salutation to a new person overwhelming her before she ran up to Pan and held her tightly.
Pan hugged the den-kit in return, tears playing at her eyes as her expression filled with pride. The Paw looked to Volta, the wetness staining her fur. “Thank you.”
Volta flushed, her cheeks turning purple as she looked away. “It would be rude to ignore her.”
Harrow patted the new female on the back. “You’ll fit right in. Right, Pan?”
The seamstress wiped her eyes, the persona abandoned as she wore a genuine warmth. “I would be delighted to have you.”
Volta nodded, a smile tugging at her mouth as the purple prevailed over the usual blue. “I look forward to contributing.”
“Speaking of contributing,” Nalah interrupted, grinning at Harrow. “Our Paw, in her infinite wisdom, generated an urgent task for our dear Head of Technology.”
Harrow slowly turned her eyes to see that Pan had suddenly found the floor incredibly fascinating. “What did you do?”
Pan tapped her claws together sheepishly. “I may have blown a fuse.”
“HOW!?”
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“Shall I give you a tour?” Pan asked Volta after learning that Harrow had picked up quite a few more swears from their Human than she had assumed. Even Nalah seemed surprised, though she seemed more interested in learning them than the frustration that caused them. Once Harrow had stormed out to deal with the issue, Nalah left to return to construction while there was still light, and the group of Atmo were following Violet as she excitedly led the new insects around the den.
The dark-blue-furred female nodded, again avoiding meeting Pan’s eyes. It was a curious reaction to have after going through the trouble of showing a defective such respect, but the new Lilhun had been polite and even humoured her kit’s welcome, so she had no issues overlooking such a small oddity.
Pan was sure Joseph would also welcome this female with a warm welcome after treating his adopted kit as such, so she extended the kindness she knew her mate would in response.
She started after the touring Atmo with a slight spring in her step. “Then we should start with the facilities wing, seeing as it will be where most of the mess is generated due to the nature of the rooms there.”
Volta remained quiet, but dutifully followed her lead as they walked through the doors. Pan stopped shortly after the doors closed and gestured to the room on her right. “This is the med bay. Hopefully this will rarely require little more than touch-ups, but the worst would be expected to be concentrated here.”
The new female took a wide step around Pan to survey the room, the shy expression temporarily replaced by a critical eye as she inspected the space. Satisfied that she had seen all that she needed to once she looked past Violet and company examining the healroot, she nodded to Pan and quickly reverted to staring at the floor.
Pan giggled to herself, intensifying it when the female’s cheeks shifted colours again. “Across the hall is the gym. We use it primarily for training and spars, though occasionally it serves as a weapon storage when required or if testing results in many somewhat viable products.”
Again, Volta inspected the room, her eyes lingering on the few crossbows with curiosity before she shrugged off the oddity and gestured for the tour to continue.
“To the right is the kitchen which is usually manned by Tel or Mama.” She allowed time for the female to view the room, its size larger than any other singular room on this side of the building. Once Volta returned with a thoughtful expression and a nod of assent, Pan entered the room across from it. “This is the sewing room. It serves a few functions, despite the name. Mama will often complete smaller works in here, and Violet will assist me in processing textiles and leather. I myself work at the table here and create clothing and such for the pack. The process is slow, but I am enough for our numbers as it stands.”
Volta grimaced slightly once she noticed the wood-chips and dye made from their ink that had spilled, but Pan merely felt embarrassed that she had not cleaned her workstation since their arrival was rather sudden. She hadn’t been very cognizant of such things since Joseph had left, herself finding it difficult to focus on the more mundane tasks.
The female picked up a completed garment from the table, admiring the quality for a moment. “You made this?”
Pan blushed slightly at the wonder in her voice. “I did.”
Volta flushed purple as she laid it back to where it was. “Would it be irreverent of me to request new clothing as well?”
Pan eyed the wear of the female, most of it having been torn or was barely hanging together. She offered Volta a warm smile. “Of course, we could even do measurements right now, if you wish. I might be able to complete a basic set for you in a sun or so.”
The blue-furred female beamed. “Yes, I would appreciate that.”
The Paw giggled, passing Volta to fetch some lengths of palm she used as a measuring line. “If you would like a proper fit, I will need you to disrobe. Those leathers are thick and will disrupt the final product otherwise. Would you like me to fetch you a towel to cover yourself?”
Volta flashed purple. “Ah, no. This is fine.” She hesitantly started removing her clothing once Pan had closed the door.
Pan turned around to see the female covering herself with naught but her paws, the cream-coloured accent across her torso contrasting greatly with the almost black that constituted the rest of her coat. It was a rare coloration to be such a shade of blue, but size of the off-white fur and the way it framed her body was even rarer. Pan shook her head. It was interesting, but not what she should be focusing on.
“If this is embarrassing, I could still fetch the towel for you.” Pan reasserted the offer, noticing the deepening blush at her appraisal.
“This is fine, high one. Thank you for your concern.” Volta insisted.
Pan chewed her cheek for a moment before accepting it. “I’ll need you to raise your arms outward, if you would.”
Volta complied, exposing herself fully as Pan wrapped the lines around various points of her torso. Each line was nicked by a claw to mark the proportions and sorted onto the table in a particular order so that she could know at a glance which one referenced which measurement.
“All I must do now is measure your waist, legs, and around your tail.” Pan updated the female, offering her top back to her. Volta donned the attire, refusing to meet the Paw’s gaze as she grabbed a new set of lines to measure.
The new female fidgeted as Pan’s paws glided over her fur, the latter noticing the sensation and thinking of her mate.
“It’s so soft.” She muttered to herself with a smile, knowing that Joseph would likely find himself absently playing with it if he ever noticed. Volta stiffened, the purple brightening as she continued to stare at the wall. Pan chuckled to herself as she finished the procedure, instructing the female to dress now that she had all the measurements she would need.
“With that out of the way, that concludes the rooms we would ask you to work on in this wing of the building.” Pan announced, purposely not including the terminal room. “The room at the end is granted access by the Grand Hunter alone, so forgive me for not familiarizing you with it.”
“All is acceptable, high one,” Volta answered cordially, not even looking in that direction, though Pan supposed it was pretty self explanatory.
“Shall we tour the dormitory? We shall assign you a room as well. Each have a mechanical lock for the purposes of privacy.”
Volta nodded, Pan leading them across the hub and into the wing, pointing out who lay claim to which room. “This one belongs to Mama, though Violet often stays over the moon. Her room is over there, the last on the left.”
“Which is yours?” The female queried. Pan flicked an ear, but answered the question regardless.
“I rest with the Grand Hunter, typically, though during his absence I have taken to spending the moons with the Atmo in Mama’s room.”
“I see.” Volta replied absently, looking into the room that Pan referenced. The Paw felt a little crestfallen upon mentioning her mate, forcibly reminding herself that he should return within five suns if all goes well. She wore a smile for the benefit of the polite female.
“You may claim any room that is unoccupied, though do check for possessions. Harrow and Jax rest within Jax’s room usually, but Harrow keeps her items within her own. Much is the same for the rest of them. Worry not, we have a few vacant rooms, even with the additions.”
Volta noticed the switch and momentary sorrow, herself wearing a complicated expression before Pan cleared her throat and turned on her pads to the last room on the right. It was by far the largest singular room in either wing, enough so that it facilitated a double door. The Paw pushed open one and led the new female into the room.
“Finally, we have the baths. To the left we have three pools of water of varying depths. They are on a gradient, so they start at shallow and increase as you proceed. The centre of the room is a single large shower that we use to wet our fur before entering them, as well as rinsing out our clothing until we manage a proper laundry facility. The back is where you can find the controls for the aforementioned as well as a large air dryer, though you would do well to remember that it is quite loud.”
Volta seemed mesmerized by her explanation, her eyes wandering each item with wonder until it fell to the right side of the room. A singular large indented box filled with ash populated the space from wall to wall. “What purpose does that serve?”
Pan took a moment to notice where the female was looking. “Ah, that is a dust bath. We do not use it, but, assuming I remember correctly, you can switch the ash for other things. Glass, rock, sand... Sand.”
Pan grabbed the female’s paws in her excitement. “Sand! We completely forgot! I will return in a moment!”
She ran out of the room, leaving behind a blushing Volta.
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Returning to the baths after explaining the situation to more people than she thought would be required, she noticed Volta testing the waters with a bit of a frown, the female oblivious to her return.
“Would you like me to show you how they function? The power to the facilities wing has ceased until Harrow can repair it, but the electricity here is working.”
Volta jumped at the sound of her voice, but sheepishly nodded. Pan giggled, feeling her own exhaustion pile up from the suns and restless sleep.
“I may join you. I believe it might be what I need.” She passed the flushed female and quickly demonstrated the controls just as her mate showed her when she first joined him. The memory drowned her somewhat chipper mood.
Volta tried out the shower controls as well as setting one of the baths to varying temperatures. She even switched out the dust bath to a few materials until it dispensed sand, at which point Pan requested it remain that way for other purposes. After testing the water and making an adjustment, the blue-furred female seemed pleased with the arrangements.
Pan gestured to the dispensers along the wall and went over each with her, mostly just summarizing what she knew of the ones that they likely wouldn’t be using. “...And these two are ones I personally find work well. We have a limited supply, so we ask that those using it do so sparingly.”
“Is that how you keep your fur so white?” Volta asked quietly. Pan smiled, though it came off a bit wooden when she thought of why she was so particular about how she bathed.
“Yes. I apply the cleaner first in the shower, then apply the conditioner before rinsing it off in the bath. I find it works the best when done that way.” The Paw gestured to the female. “I’m sure your coat would be even more beautiful once you try it.”
Volta flushed the deepest shade of purple yet, causing Pan to question why she seemed to embarrassed. “Could I ask you to help me through the routine?”
Pan blinked, an ear flicking in confusion. She tilted her head slightly as she answered. “I wouldn’t mind, I suppose.”
She portioned out two of each of the required liquids, placing both away from where the spray from the ceiling would dilute them. Pan disrobed as she activated the shower, laying her garments under a portion that was set to a different temperature so as not to harm the leather and directed Volta to do the same, the latter almost burning a hole in the ground with her eyes but doing as requested.
The reaction seemed off to the Paw, given that her pack often bathed in groups and none of them seemed so reticent during, but she just chalked it up to Volta being in a new environment and perhaps being naturally less open to exposure. She decided to help out a bit more than she would normally to instill a sense of belonging to the new female. She had brought along Atmo and had been nothing but polite, so this was the least she could do.
Once Volta had lathered majority of her body, Pan offered a helping paw in doing her back, the female stiffening as her claws worked through her fur but not shying away from the touch. The rest of the process proceeded much the same, they worked through the suds, rinsing them out before Pan helped her with the conditioner. It was nice to help someone when they were so hesitant.
Joseph had helped her when she was still very much confused by everything, so it made her feel closer to him to do the same for another. Constantly feeling his absence was unfortunate, but she would merely need to wait for his return. It wouldn’t be too much longer. Five suns. Five suns before she could be with him again.
“Are you okay?”
The question broke her from her thoughts. “Hmm?”
Volta glanced over her shoulder at Pan before breaking eye contact. “You seem distressed.”
“Ah.” Pan lowered her paws and started towards the bath to rinse off, the familiar sensation as the water rose over her thighs reminiscent of the moon she had inadvertently joined her sleeping mate. She stopped as the water reached her stomach. “I am merely missing my mate. Pay me no mind.”
The splash of water behind her informed her of Volta entering as well, the gentle ebb and flow following her steps through the bath. Pan felt herself being embraced from behind, the soft give of flesh pressing against her own prominent.
“Care for me to alleviate the loneliness?”
Her white fur turned pink as claws travelled down her stomach, her own paw stopping it before it continued further.
“I take it that would be a rejection?”
Pan gave her a cautious glare over her shoulder as she removed the paw. “It is.”
Volta nodded, separating before making her way to a ledge to sit with a dejected expression as Pan slowly lowered herself into the water. “I apologize for my straight-forward approach, I thought you might be requesting my comfort.”
The Paw eased slightly, but remained mostly submerged at a distance. “I wish for no other than my mate, though I am confused as to why you would think as such. More so why you would oblige.”
The blue-furred female flushed purple. “I find you attractive is all.”
Pan blinked. “I am defective, surely that would discourage such thoughts.”
Volta laughed after a moment, tapping her nose as she spoke. “Chemicals. It is rather common in my field. Such matters not to me. It has no bearing on your allure for ones such as I.”
Pan stared at the water for a while as the female rinsed herself off. “I will decline, though I thank you for the compliment.”
Volta wistfully smiled at her. “Might I change your mind?”
A shake of the head was given. “I remain devoted to my bond.”
The female looked to the water as she considered something. “And if I convince him, might that persuade you to join us? I can be rather flexible regarding such matters.”
Pan laughed. “I’m afraid that the difficult part may come from remaining whole after such an attempt.”
“You don’t seem the possessive type.”
“I am not referring to myself.” Pan clarified, exiting the bath to grab a towel. She placed a second one nearby for the new female, the latter unsuccessfully trying to be subtle about her lingering gaze.
Volta tilted her head. “Then whom? Another paw?”
Pan paused the process of drying herself off with a thoughtful skyward glance. “Perhaps.”
The female frowned at the answer. “You speak in strange ways.”
A giggle met the accusation as she walked away. “We are a strange pack, Volta. I welcome you to it, though unfortunately I will have to refuse your offer. Do meet with the others, they might have more to add with your duties and expectations. I will retire for the moon.”
The door closed behind Pan, herself quickly isolating herself in Joseph’s room. She typically avoided being in here to distract from thoughts of her mate, but being approached so suddenly made her miss him more. The scent he had left upon the room had faded, leaving little to comfort her. She couldn’t help but compare the feeling that fell down her abdomen between the two. It made her smile to acknowledge that she greatly preferred his, it carrying a reverence and longing that she doubted another of her kind would impart.
She slept in his bed without him for the first time in quite a while, if only to imagine how hard he would laugh when told the events of the sun.
His rumbling baritone would vibrate through her body as she laid upon his chest, his paw carefully playing with her fur and tracing her form with love. He would probably joke about accepting the offer, or perhaps make a self-deprecating remark. Either way, he would hold her, a silent reminder that she was his, and him, hers.
Her heart yearned for him as she drifted off, a quiet hope that Tel was easing his sorrow as well as Violet was easing her own.