"Ivy talking looks like this."
Faye taking to Ivy in her mind looks like this.
"Faye talking out loud looks like this."
Chapter 8: Talking with Ivy and Autopilot
I froze at what the voice said, "Ivy?" I asked.
"Yep, that's my name! Why are you so shocked hearing my name? I haven't gone through your memories yet so I have no clue," Ivy asked sounding confused.
"Nothing, Nothing. I just had a cat named, Ivy," I told her shaking my head at the coincidence.
"Ewwww, I share a name with a cat? " I chuckled at her response, nodding my head.
"Well, let me tell you, I'm better than any cat. I'm stronger, faster, and cuter too!" she replied proudly , I could tell she was being cocky just by the sound of her voice.
"It's not cocky if it's true!" She responded to my thoughts, somehow I could tell she was smiling smugly.
"Now, if you excuse me, I am going to read your memories, I assume I have your permission?" She asked making sure I was okay with it and I nodded in response, then I felt her presence weaken like she was there, but also she wasn't.
I continued to walk the path back home, knowing the way back to the cabin like the back of my hand, deeply in my thoughts. I forgot about getting a wolf guide, it's been two months and two weeks since my arrival.
Wait, I froze in shock and thought to myself, If she's here, that means… I gasped, "I will be shifting soon! I completely forgot it's been almost two months since I arrived. In about two weeks or so, it will be three months." I had mixed feelings of nervousness and slight excitement at the revelation.
I read many stories in my past life about how the first shift always hurts the most and over time, it gets easier. I wonder if that will be the case in this scenario. I will admit, I'm a bit scared, but I'm also curious about what it's like to be a wolf.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize I had reached the front door of the cabin, shaking my head and chucking at my bad habit, I muttered to myself, not expecting a response, "I guess I was on autopilot."
Suddenly, Ivy popped back into my mind and interrupted almost giving me a small heart attack in the process, "You should probably break that habit. What if it happens during something important, like meeting our bond or during a fight?" I didn't even realize that her presence was fully back until she said something.
I suppose I'll have to adjust to the idea of sharing my thoughts and emotions with someone.
"I'll try my best to break that habit," I said grabbing the doorknob and walking inside, taking my shoes off.
"Oh, by the way, I'm sorry for your past, human. Your death and life were unfortunate, but I'm happy we are together now," Ivy replied cheerfully.
"Thanks, Ivy, I'm grateful that I'm not alone during this!" I replied with appreciation and gratitude after hearing Ivy's heartfelt message.
"You know, You don't have to respond aloud. I can hear your thoughts. It would be weird to other people if they heard you talking to yourself, you know," she said slightly amused.
"That's possible?" I asked, in confusion, stepping inside the kitchen to start making dinner, "How do I do it, do I just think and you'll be able to hear me?" I asked as I lit a match and started the stove.
"Yep, pretty much, you just have to focus on sending your thoughts to me," she said popping the p.
"Are you making meat? Please, tell me you are making something with meat!" Ivy exclaimed with excitement. I could sense her tail wagging at the thought of meat.
I laughed pulling out a pan from the cabinet and some of my stored drained rabbit meat from the fridge, along with some garlic and rosemary that I found in the forest.
I nod my head, "Yeah, I am! We are having rabbit meat with garlic and rosemary," I told her as I started to cook the rabbit.
We stood there in comfortable silence while I cooked, and soon the rabbit was done. I sat down on the couch and started to eat dinner.
"This tastes great! Maybe that's just the wolf in me, but I think prefer it raw. I can't wait to go hunting in our wolf form! I bet we will catch lots of rabbits and maybe some deer too!" Ivy said getting excited over hunting.
"Speaking of our wolf form, will the change be painful?" I asked softly as I finished my food and got up to wash my dish in the sink.
I sensed her head tilting as she replied, "Do you mean the shift?" I nodded in response.
"It may hurt a little the first time, but afterward, it won't hurt anymore," she explained. I nodded my head and gulped in concern and apprehension for the future, Ivy seemed to notice my anxiety, "Don't worry, human, there's nothing to worry about, I'll be there the whole time."
I took a deep breath to calm myself, smiling at her words of comfort. She could tell I was thankful and we sat there in a comfortable silence while I put my dish away in the cabinet.
After finally returning to my bedroom and getting comfortable under the covers, I began to feel unusually tired. It's weird, but probably nothing to worry about.
I decided to ask Ivy the question that had been nagging at me for a while, "Hey, Ivy, didn't you see my memories? My name is Faye. Why do you keep referring to me as "human"?" I asked stifling a yawn, I could feel my eyes getting heavier.
"Hmm? Oh, I guess it became a nickname because even though you are now a tribrid, you were a human in your past life, which is cool and fascinating! If you prefer, I could call you by your name instead."
I shook my head lightly, "No, it's okay, I don't mind the nickname. Just wanted to know why. Can you please call me by my name sometimes though?" I could feel my eyes getting harder to keep open, slowly drifting off to sleep. I thought I heard Ivy...
"Of course, sweet dreams, Faye."