I walked into Asylum and went up to Jeanette's office. She was sitting at her vanity, typing on her laptop when I came in. She turned in her chair to see who had entered and smiled when she saw me.
"Kitten!" she cooed, jumping out of her seat and running over to hug me. "I've been awful lonely without you near."
"Sorry, Jeanette," I said. "I've been busy."
"Yes, I've heard," she purred, walking over and sitting on the edge of her bed. She patted the spot beside her. "Taking on the Sabbat, chasing coffins and bringing down the Prince. Not to mention that you now get to spend your nights with a hunky numbered man."
"You mean Nines?" I asked, sitting next to her.
"Mmmhmm," she hummed, smiling. "So, how are your morning's in-between the sheets?"
"So far, restless," I confessed, "And not in the way you think."
"What troubles your morning sleep, kitten?" she asked.
"Nightmares, day mares…the horror's I've seen and not had time to process," I told her. Her teasing smile vanished and she looked at me seriously.
"Kitten, I can't imagine the horror's you've seen," she began. "But fretting over it won't make it any better."
"I know," I said. "It's just…I was human, living my dull human life then thrust into this life and seeing things that make me want to vomit and scream all at the same time."
"Well, kitten, you didn't get a very good transition period," she said, "But surely your numbered man can sooth your mind."
"I suppose I should let him in more," I conceded. "I just don't want to sound…"
"Like a pussy?" she asked, smiling again. "From what I hear tell, Nines has never seen a Tzimisce. I doubt he'd call you a pussy. I've heard stories of those things and I don't even think I could stomach the things they do." I shivered, remembering the macabre picture of the house on kings way and the warrens, covered in blood and foul twisted creatures.
"It was horrible," I whispered. Jeanette carded her fingers through my loose hair.
"I know, kitten," she cooed. "I know." She put her arm around me and I leaned into her, pressing my face into her cool neck. We sat like that for a time, Jeanette whispering soothing nothings into my ear as she stroked my hair.
Jeanette's phone rang and I sat up.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"No worries, kitten," she said. "Any time."
"Thanks," I said, pecking her cheek and taking my leave.