Moonlight

"Kat, what's up with the Commander?" Z gestures lightly to the room in which Cruger has been howling all night.

Kat cringes a little as Doggie lets out another blood–curdling howl. "The Commander, uh, reacts...to the full moon in a very particular way. He is Sirian, and once a year – every seven Earth years – Earth's moon is visible in the Sirian sky. This causes a reaction in their more canine sides and they feel the need to, well, howl."

"Seriously; DC's howling at the moon?" Z looks disbelievingly at Kat. They both wince as another loud howl comes from behind the door Kat guards protectively.

"He tries not to but it's in his blood as a physical need. You can't tell him you know of this; he'd never live it down," Kat frowns, brushing her curled bangs from her eyes.

"How do you know of it?" Z asks.

"I've known Doggie for years, there are only so many times a man can stand on his balcony wailing at the moon until someone notices," Kat raises her brows at Z, who nods. "Anyway, it shouldn't last long, but until he stops, people shouldn't even be here. The only reason I called you is because I need a favor."

"Whatever you need, Kat," Z prompts easily.

"Syd has a pair of earmuffs I've seen her wear in the winter. Would you bring them to me, if she doesn't mind? I'm happy to guard Doggie's secret but it's damaging my ears," Kat's face is pinched as another howl comes, making her ears fold right back against her head.

"I'm on it," Z nods and dashes off dutifully.

"Doggie," Kat calls before slipping into his quarters. She steps carefully over to his balcony, where growling is heard. The glint of the moon on his fangs is brilliant against the black sky. "Doggie, how are you feeling?"

"Kat," he growls, fighting himself. "You shouldn't be here."

"Shut up, stubborn, old mutt," she scolds him and comes over to him without a moment's hesitation. "I'm not going anywhere, so howl away."

Cruger lets another howl be torn from his throat almost painfully. As he looks back at Kat, the torture of his instincts relents for a moment. She looks breathtaking in the blueish moonlight, highlighting her beauty like a goddess. "You look stunning, Kat."

"Thank you," she whispers, kissing his cheek. She backs away as another growl rumbles in his throat. He spouts forward in another howl and she smiles. "I'll be outside if you need anything, okay?"

"Thank you, Kat," Cruger struggles to say before he growls bestially again.

Kat slips out and smiles with tilted brows, feeling her friend's pain. They both have biological instincts that, once in a blue moon (pardon the pun), they just can't fight. As she turns she sees Z coming again. "Oh, thank you, Z. Syd didn't mind, did she?"

"She wasn't even there," Z shrugs, though Kat frowns at her for taking them without permission. Z only shrugs again with an unconcerned face. "She takes my candy all the time, so sometimes I borrow her clothes."

Kat just nods and slips the fuzzy pink pieces over her pointed ears. They're quite becoming, actually. "Thank you, Z, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night, Kat," Z waves and takes her leave again. Another howl is heard and she ducks her head a bit. "Geez, sound like a freakin' monster, DC... "