acontritemess | Little birds have to jump out of the nest if they're going to fly

[David looks over towards Cat and Freya, flashing them both a smile. He hasn't seen Cat's face yet but it's good to see his cousin.]

Feel awkward yet? [He's to used to his mother to feel awkward.] I need to show my kids here to their room but you're both welcome to come with. They look like they want to say hi.

[He gestures to the five huskies at his heels who were itching to see the pair of new comers.]

Then I'll play host. [Even though this isn't his house.]

[Cat looks over to Freya, and looks momentarily concerned at Freya's nudge toward David's direction, and she gets up.]

Sure, I'll come. [In a very tiny voice.]

[David watches the exchange with quiet fascination. When Cat stands he's finally able to see her face, her eyes and hear the sweet ring to her voice. He stares at her, only looking away when his pups nudge against his legs.

Her eyes were beautiful.]

This way.

[He gestures towards her, his lips tugging at the corner as if to smirk.]

It's nice to know you have a voice.

[Cat can't help but smile and duck her head, but she chastises herself for doing so and looks back up, her dimples shining.]

And sometimes I even use it.

[She follows the group of them. She's never heard of werewolves keeping dogs, but then again, what does she know.]

They're cute.

[David laughs and shakes his head, leading her towards the room that becomes his dogs home when he visits. Usually he just leaves them at home so that they have the freedom to run around though tonight he didn't think he'd make it back home and he doesn't want to leave them over night.

He doesn't say anything more until they step into the room and at the very least his mom is out of sight.]

I like it. [Her voice.] Yeah, they are. Though if you tell them that it might go to their head.

[David kneels down and pets Drummers head.]

I found them when they were pups. This is Drummer, Dancer, Hunter, Steve and Singer.

[Cat stares after him for a moment, even has he crouches down to pet Drummer's head. That was a compliment she hadn't been expecting and it took her by surprise.

She pulls her attention back toward David, though, and to the dogs, crouching beside him and looking at each in turn, as well as showing her attentiveness.]

Drummer, Dancer, Hunter, Steve and Singer. [And she smiles at them.] It's nice to meet you. I'm Cat.

[When she crouches beside him her scent fills his nose. He can't pull his eyes away from her, maybe it's just he way she smiles at the dogs or maybe it's something else. David is having a hard time thinking.]

Cat? [Oh crap.] I'm David because I failed to mention that before.

[He hopes his mom doesn't hear that.]

I think they like you.

[David feels himself being pushed by the large dogs as they try to all smell Cat. He can relate, he really wants to smell her too.]

[Cat laughs gently, a bubbling, happy sound and she looks away from the dogs to look to David, and is suddenly very aware of exactly how close she was to him.]

Only then? [She's still smiling.] So, who would you be if you had remembered to mention it?

[Her laugh is beautiful and considering David's clumsy attempts at being charming he's pretty sure that the joke about him being alone for the rest of his life is about to come true.]

David.

[He smiles at her before looking back at Hunter whose begun to nuzzle at his palm.]

We'll have to wash up but you're welcome in here whenever you want. I'm sure they'd love the company.

[Cat thought he was the most charming man she'd ever met, and part of that was the fact he was trying. She pulled her eyes from his, knowing now she'd never forget their color, and reached out to scratch behind Hunter's ears.]

I like the consistency. [And she nods at his offer.] I...might take you up on that. There...are a lot of people here.

[He chuckles softly.]

Overwhelming? It's just because Freya's back. [They thought she had been dead.] It'll calm down after tonight and no one will blame you if you decide to hang out with these pups though I think mom set up a room for you and Freya.

[He smiles at his dogs.]

So... Cat? Is that your full name?

[He wonders if her parents had a sense of humor when picking the name for their daughter.]

Yeah...something like that. [There are a lot of people back at HQ, and she normally keeps to herself. Growing up, her group had been very small, and even after the time she's spent in such close quarters with so many people, she hasn't gotten used to it.] Maybe after dinner, we can come back and you can introduce me to the rest of them.

[She shakes her head at his question.] Catrina.

[David's gaze is pulled back to stare at Cat. He doesn't realize that he's grinning like an idiot.]

Yeah I can do that. [Though he's already told her their names.

As if sensing David's distraction his dogs bound forward knowing their father to the ground. Steve decides to sit on David's chest while the others swarm around him. He wants to tell her that her name is beautiful but he's a little preoccupied.]

Guys! Can't you see I'm talking. Steve get off me. You're so fat! Who's feeding you!

[His head thuds against the ground wishing that Cat hadn't seen this.]

[This time, Cat's laugh is louder, not holding back at all, and she moves away before she can be consumed into the dog pile. She moves a hand over her mouth while she watches the spectacle unfold. They were adorable...all six of them.]

You guys should show more respect. He feeds you.

[David can't help but smile when she laughs. This is suddenly worth it.

He pushes Drummer away from his face so he can look up at her though he is still unable to move Steve from his chest.]

That only matters when I have food. [He really doesn't mind, he loves his dogs. He smiles up at Cat before hearing a loud call from the family room.]

DAVID!

[His mothers call is enough to get the dogs off him.]

I think that's our cue that we need to go eat dinner.

[Cat winces when the call from his mother comes through. She has the same opinion the dogs do. They took too long.]

Don't we have to wash up first?

Yeah.

[David slowly stands making sure to pet each dog on the head and whisper a goodbye. He'll be back to bring them food before he sits to eat but he usually likes to eat with them.]

I'll show you were the bathroom is.

[He brushes off his pants when he stands and then straightens his shirt. His mom will still find something wrong with his appearance but oh well. He waves Cat towards the bathroom planning to head to the kitchen to wash up and grab dog food.]

[She nods, saying goodbye to the dogs before following David's directions to the bathroom to wash her face and hands. Even after she's away from him, his scent lingers with her. He smelled like forests and wild places, adventure, and things she couldn't even rightly put words to, but it was exciting, and she wanted to smell him more.

Was this what falling for a boy was like? Freya liked Kevin. Maybe she'd ask her later.

No, she was definitely going to ask her later. She made sure not to take long and took a steadying breath before she rejoined the collective of werewolves at the dinner table.]

Hi. I'm sorry. [Her voice was quiet as she took a seat next to Freya.]

[Rebecca shook her head.] It's not your fault, and he's still late.

[David doesn't think he'd every get Cat's smell out of his head. It's like spring or flowers? He can't describe it and he's not about to try because he'd probably sound like an idiot if he did. He washes his hands and arms before carrying a large bag of dog food in for his very large dogs. He pours out the dry food before whispering to his dogs.]

You guys like her don't you?

[His five kids stare at him before digging into their food. With that done he takes the large bag back to the kitchen and then goes to meet everyone at the table. He takes the only empty seat next to Amanda flashing his family a smile.]

You say still as if I'm late even while I am here. [He gives his mom a look before Amanda grabbed his attention by nudging him in the ribs.

Freya leans over to Cat with an excited smile.]

So?

[Can't talk to loud at the table but Freya is definitely curious because they were gone for a while.]

We were all at the table already, David. [As though that should explain his mother's comment about his being late.

Cat looked over to David, who was preoccupied with his sister, then looked over to Freya with a look that said "seriously? right now?" When she spoke, her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.]

We'll talk later, okay?

David smiles at his mom.] And now I'm at the table too.

[Freya grins at Cat.]

Deal.

[She looks back up to find David staring at Cat only to have his attention be pulled back to Amanda.]

Cat, Freya [David smiles at Cat and Freya, Amanda is upset but silent.] Why not tell us what's up with you guys.

[Cat looks back to David, her eyes meeting his, and blinks for a moment before swallowing. What's up with me? I'm sort of boring, really. I've traveled a lot, but nothing really fancy...]

Uh...like what...?

[David tilts his head to the side while the rest of the table quiets.]

Well were are you from. [He nods his head to Freya.] Or in your case; what have you been up too?

You two are the guests of honor.

[No pressure.]

[Cat doesn't know what to do with that information for a moment before giving a look around the table. Were they all really looking for them to talk?

Rebecca shoots David a warning look not to be rude, but doesn't make physical contact...at least not yet.]

I...um...come from New York? City, I mean.

[Amanda scoffs.]

You're a city wolf.

[David glares at her but it's Freya who speaks up] Hey! [Freya glares.]

I think what my sister means is what's it like living in a city.

[David has no idea what it's like.]

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