Giving this another shot. Been slowed down by the fact that I'm in the process of adapting this into a novel/series (taking out the Marvel stuff, obvs) and I'm getting a little discombobulated with my characterization. But, if I stick to my outline for the rest of this story, I should be all good. Let's see how I do.
Jackson and I sat on the roof for a few minutes longer, attempting to plot against our family. Turns out that he had as much of a mind for it as I did, which is to say that I have mostly relied on instincts my entire life and couldn't plot much further than 'get incredibly trashed.' Things were much simpler in space, all I needed was a little cunning and mostly brute strength. It didn't help that most of panther society was now lost on me as I didn't ever get the proper schooling.
Climbing down from the roof proved to be a bit harder than I remembered, mostly because I still didn't feel safe on the ground. I still felt the best course of action was avoidance. I sighed as my boots touched dirt.
Jackson's cell phone let off a chirp as we started back towards the door of the house. He flicked the screen and was soon intently reading a message of apparent great importance. I looked around a bit, cataloguing the nearby trees to distract myself from my mounting impatience. Jackson cracked a grin in my direction.
"Text from Shawn," He explained. To me. Having no idea who the fuck Shawn was and why I should care. Jackson took in my blank expression and raised an eyebrow, "Our nephew? Wes' kid? Remember?"
I nodded in agreement. Oh right, he mentioned him last night. Although I still didn't understand the importance of this 'text from Shawn.' Did I miss something. I gave Jackson a questioning look.
"Oh right, they're just about to land. I'm sure dad will let us go pick them up. Want to go on a little road trip?" He grinned.
I almost leapt with joy. "Yes! I need to get off of this property before I start slaughtering!" Jackson laughed at my frustration which really only made it worse. He motioned me towards the sliding door around the corner and starting walking with me following.
It turned out, my dad already had sent Marcus and Jasper to get my brother and his family from the airport. I was about to explode in frustration when Jackson quickly replied that we were going to be leaving, regardless. To kill the time, Jackson said he'd take me shopping. Which sounded terrifying.
I've never been shopping and the idea of it still confused me a little bit. The idea of being able to pick out and choose your own items instead of just taking what was handed to you was so foreign to me. I wasn't sure whether to grin in excitement or slink off in embarrassment. Everything that I currently owned was on my person and given to me from the depths of the Eclector's storerooms. With the exception of Kraglin's stolen knife. That was still safely in my boot.
After a slight bicker with Desiré about my safety, since it seemed as though she was on the caring ship again, (most likely she didn't want me lost before my 'betrothed' showed up) we headed out the side door. Jackson led us over to the pole barn where he'd parked his car. It was much different than Stark's little flashy red thing. Jackson's car was bigger, and was… missing half of it.
"Um… what happened to your car?" I asked. It looked like it was done on purpose, but I was a little concerned, regardless.
Jackson frowned at me as he dug a set of metal keys out of his pocket and clicked a button, receiving a return chirp from the vehicle.
"It's not a car, it's a truck," He explained. It didn't help but I nodded as though I understood and managed to open the side door and haul myself in.
I could tell by the roar it made that this truck was not only a different shape and size, but was quite a bit more powerful. It was also much higher off of the ground, a feeling that I really liked, turned out. Jackson gave me a sidelong glance as he peeled off of our family's property.
"I had to get out of there! The itch was getting too bad, man," he sighed as he held his hand up to the vent on the control console, testing the warm air that blew out. I rolled my eyes at him.
"I've been itching to get off of this planet since I set foot here a few days ago."
"Ah, c'mon, it can't have been that bad?" Jackson inquired.
I frowned slightly. I tried to put myself in his position. The rest of the family's position, actually. Most of them still seemed to just be in a state of shock at my return. Sure, Jackson and Marcus showed happiness at seeing me again, but the rest reacted pretty much the way that I had expected them to: somewhat disappointed.
"If I can't get off this planet," I started to say slowly, unsure of the words as they came out anyways, "Can I stay with you?" Worst-case scenario. This was the most I'd ever made a plan for my future and it was strange to think about my life having an extension past the current day. Thinking long-term was not my strong suit.
"Yeah sure, Sonny. I mean," Jackson ran a hand through his dark, messy hair, "I'd have to get a bigger apartment, probably."
"I don't need much space," I shook my head as I said it. I was used to making do. However, I didn't want to put too much thought into actually living with Jackson. My main priority right now was to return to Kraglin. If only to find out where we stood.
"Honestly, I think you'd like Boston. It's way different from here, but there's so much more to do and see," Jackson chattered on about what all was out there, but I was still stuck on Kraglin.
I felt my heart skip a beat as I thought about him again. Part of me was annoyed; this was starting to get old. I pushed him from my mind as I focused on my surroundings. As Jackson and I chugged along the strip of pavement leading into town, the sky overhead was full of grey clouds that seemed to hang heavily in the air. The wind was stronger than it was yesterday, as was evident by the light swaying of the trees, their needles rustling softly. As we approached the city, the trees gave way to sturdy brick buildings of unknown purpose.
After a few turns of direction, Jackson eased his truck into a grouping of similar-sized vehicles and killed the engine. My eyes were drawn back up to the clouds as I exited.
"It's supposed to snow later," he commented, noticing my gaze.
I nodded in reply. I remembered snow, although it had been quite a few years since I was on a planet capable of getting such weather. However, I remembered it from my years on Terra. Cold and wet, it made tracking near-impossible and I wrinkled my nose at the thought. Without my sense of smell, I felt blind and useless. I really hoped I got the answer to Stark's 'solution' soon. I sighed and reached over to open the door and exit the vehicle.
Jackson was already out and when I approached his side of the truck, he was pressing a button on his keys. I resisted the urge to cock my head at the resulting noise and turned when Jackson did to start walking parallel to the pavement upon which other vehicles sputtered along.
"I figured we'd just browse. Is there anything in particular that you want? Or have always wanted? Most women that I've shopped with just look in every store until they find a billion things they want," Jackson laughed nervously at the memory.
I shrugged at him, looking through the glass windows of the nearest shop. "I'm not sure, I just more or less wanted out of the house," I frowned, noting my reflection in the glass, "since my hope is to return to the Eclector, I can't really think of things here on Terra that I would use or need out in deep space."
Jackson chuckled and I rolled my eyes at him. "'Terra' has a lot to offer if you want to take the time to look," he told me. "Clothes, make-up, books, CDs, movies…"
I ignored most of his babbling as he went on about all the stuff and stood stock still in front of one of the shops. It took Jackson a few seconds to notice my absence but I was unaware, my gaze captured by the enchanted collection of cloth on display.
The centerpoint of two pale inconsequential colors, the forest green dress stood out like a beacon, calling me closer until my breath started to fog the glass. The bodice was tightly beaded with shiny pieces of metal and a single strap over the left shoulder held it aloft, while a light, see-through piece trailed behind. The pattern of the beads loosely resembled the night sky as seen through the pined coverage of the forests that I call 'home.' The looser fabric attached to the bottom splayed outward in shiny, sinewy tresses, creating the illusion of the fabric being constantly caught in the breeze. The lighting in the window display was soft and inviting and the shine of the beads took my breath away. It was one of the most impractical pieces of clothing I'd ever seen, and yet it was also the most beautiful piece of clothing I'd ever seen.
"It'd look good on ya." I heard Jackson say behind me.
I shook my head at the sound. My focus shifted back out and the world returned, the spell was broken. I stared at Jackson for a millisecond, his easy grin making me feel like a cub again. I stepped away from the window and shook my head in a more definitive gesture, "I have no need for something like that." I was saddened by my words, but didn't want to spend Jackson's money on something that had no place in space.
I staved off any of Jackson's instant questioning of my feelings towards the dress by quickly selecting another store, a harsh, clanging bell announcing our entrance. One look around this place sent a thrill of excitement through my body. It appeared to be a weapons shop! Hanging on the wall behind the counter were different models of firearms and other Terran guns. On a different wall in the back I could see a selection of triangular weapons mounted there, as well. Some sort of arrow-launcher, I believe.
I twined my way around the racks, taking the smell of polished wood with a metallic bite, my eyes travelling from one item to the next, trying to figure its use to me.
"Hey, Jackson! Is that you?"
A shout rang across the store and Jackson and I looked over to see where it had come from; a tall, skinny man with short, tightly curled hair, dark skin and a friendly grin as he waited for Jackson to respond.
"Ty? Wow, it's been quite some time, hasn't it?" Jackson grinned, walking towards the counter while I kept exploring; keeping him in my sights the entire time. Slowly, I weaved my way around, until I was close enough to the counter to hear:
"Who's this, your wife?"
I snapped my head up as Jackson let out a hearty laugh. "No man, this is my little sis, Sonia." He turned to me and held out his hand, beckoning me closer to meet his friend.
"Oof, sorry. Bad assumption," Ty said sheepishly as he extended his hand to me. I took it and met his gaze, he smiled.
I nodded at him, catching my gaze on the knives gleaming under the display case lights in a counter to my immediate left. Taking a couple of steps to the side, I saw Ty give a slight frown out of the corner of my eye.
"Is this your sister that was kidnapped?" I heard him whisper to Jackson.
I crouched down to see the selection on the lower shelves. I was so sick of everyone talking about me like I wasn't here. It's not like I was going to break, yeesh. While pretending to be absorbed in my viewing, I continued to listen to the exchange.
"Yeah, the one and only," Jackson replied, he sounded slightly amused.
"Ah, that explains why she's so-"
A harsh, metallic clang suddenly sounded across the store, causing me to jump up and whirl in a defensive position to face the door as two men walked through the door.
"Jumpy?" Jackson guessed.
Ty snorted. "I was going to say 'quiet,' actually."
I aimed at small growl in Jackson's direction in response to his snipe and was starting to relax slightly when a strange smell hit my nose. It was musky and dense, wild but with smells of civilization interspersed. I glanced in the direction it seemed to be emanating from and spotted the two men comparing different holsters by a rack near the center of the store.
One of the men was thickly built, if not very tall. He had dark, shaggy hair and a matching beard. He wore a leather jacket, denim pants and black boots. His buddy was taller, and thinner, but still muscular. His hair was neatly trimmed, a lighter shade and he was clean shaven. His leather jacket was open to show a plain white shirt underneath and he was wearing similar pants as the other.
The shorter one eyed me warily when he caught my stare, making me wish I had fur to bristle. His look intensified as his partner glanced at me from over his shoulder. I started growling softly, not trusting their scent, which to me smelled slightly sour.
"Sonny…" Jackson warned, noticing the interaction and leaving the counter to come to my side. I relaxed slightly, calmer with him near.
The two men chose their item and started stalking towards the counter, keeping us in their direct sight.
"What are they?" I whispered to Jackson under my breath, my eyes locked with the dark haired man; the wilder of the pair.
"Wolves," Jackson hissed in reply as they stood at the counter.
The clean shaven man interacted with Ty while the other continued to stare at me. He took a couple steps in our direction.
"What are you staring at, kitty?" He said gruffly, hardening his stare, challenging me to respond.
"Your scent caught my attention," I said calmly, returning the stare.
He bristled, taking it as an insult. Which it might have been.
Jackson nudged at me, ushering me slightly behind him saying, "Cool it, she's just never seen a wolf before." He held his hands up and the wolf stood down, but still glared at me.
The other wolf was finished buying the holster and stepped towards us. Even though he missed the exchanged words, Ty gave us all a slightly worried look, but was reassured by Jackson in a way I couldn't tell. My brother relaxed as the taller wolf stopped and nodded at us.
"Jackson." He said it as a greeting. The other wolf stopped showing most signs of aggression. He must be lower ranked.
"Reese, I see you've improved your standing!" Jackson exclaimed, trying to seem friendly and harmless.
"I see you've reclaimed your clan member," Reese replied, his emotion unreadable. He was starting to make me more nervous than the other one. Jackson only nodded in response, offering no other information. "Chuck, leave them. They're Royals." And with that, the two departed, their sour scent lingering in the air.
A few seconds later, Jackson and I also left. "I made him nervous." Jackson said as we continued walking along the row of buildings. My brother had an errand he said he wanted to before we headed back to meet Wes and his family.
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"He knows I've been gone for some time, he's wondering what I'm doing back and whether or not to worry. No doubt he'll report to his Alpha about us," came the explanation.
I cringed, "I hope I didn't cause trouble for you or our family." Especially since I wasn't going to be staying. The last thing I wanted to do was have to stick around to clean up some fucking mess I got myself into.
"Nah, it'll be fine." Jackson assured me. "It's just more funny, than anything."
I wasn't entirely convinced but I trusted him and dropped the subject. Maybe I could figure out a way to check in on my dad and make sure.
Jackson's phone chirped again and he read it while herding me into a building with large front windows showing nothing but rows of counters and a few sitting areas. I wordlessly followed Jackson's guiding and entered the building, which seemed cold and quiet. Jackson finished tapping his phone and was pocketing it when a female voiced squealed his name.
"Jackson!? Omigawd, is that really you?"
Fucking hell, did my brother know everyone in this town? I rolled my eyes and ignored the ensuing conversation and accompanying gawking in my direction. I concentrated instead on the strange music I was hearing. I had heard all kinds of music during my time in space, but none of it was like this. Melodic bell-like sounds overlaid with a woman singing in a soft chiming voice mixed together to create a soothing sound that both calmed and intrigued me.
I continued to ignore the increased amount of stares I received as more people were made aware of my presence and focus only on the music. Every few minutes it changed, with new sounds, voices and patterns. It was pure magic as far as I was concerned and it kept me distracted for a little while until Jackson was done with his business.
So I was in a much better mood when Jackson escorted me out of the building and grinned, saying, "Ready to see Wes?"
I cheated. I've had this chapter finished and ready to go for a couple years now.
~F2M