Thoughts/Telepathic Communication between characters

Animals/Animal Spirits Speaking Human Tongue

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Author note: Still alive! Oh boy, sorry updates took so long, been running around like crazy last two months. Went to Convergents in Minneapolis, dealt with the massive load of CFD tourists and have now finally started to slow down. Woo. Enjoy

Maurice knocked on the large doors, the doors gave an eerie squeal as it slowly opens a crack for him. Inside the main hall a large fire was crackling in its ornate fireplace warming the hall but only providing a small amount of light, casting odd shadows about the walls.

"Hello," his voice echoed through the hall as he entered, "I hate to intruded but I was separated from my wife in the storm, and just need to wait out the storm for a time."

There was no response. He looked around the entrance hall as he removed his soaking jacket laying it near the fire, "Would be rude to drip everywhere."

He did his best to dry off as he stood in front of the fire. From the shadows of the hall two unseen servants watched him.

"Fellow must have gotten lost," a voice whispered.

"Not a sound," another whispered harshly, "Stay out of sight. He'll go away eventually."

Maurice looked around the room as lightening flashed outside briefly illuminating the room, but there was no one around that he could see. He shivered, shadows were just playing tricks on him, "Luna I hope you found somewhere safe to hide."

After he was warm and dry, he began to slowly explore the hall, hoping to find someone, and to keep his mind from needlessly fretting over Luna.

"We should at least be hospitable."

"Hello? Is someone there?"

"Stay quiet."

Maurice spun around trying to see through the darkness, "I must…be my imagination."

He shook his head to clear his mind, while on a near by table a candelabra began to softly glow revealing more of the room. Beside it on the table was a clock. Maurice calmed some as he went over to the table

"What amazing craftsmanship," he said admiring the metal work of the candelabra and then the carvings on the clockwork frame, "Such detail and patterns."

He carefully picked up the clock looking for an artist signature on the work, but oddly he saw no mark.

"Mm wonder who crafted you," he spoke aloud to the clock.

A soft thump came by the fire grabbing his attention. Some how a warm mug of cider appeared on the side table. Maurice set the clock back down as he cautiously went over to the mug.

"A man of taste."

Under the mug was a note, 'You and your horse are welcomed to stay till the storm passes.'

Maurice looked over the note before taking a sip of cider. It warmed his insides as it trailed to his stomach. He let out a relaxed sigh before sitting down in a chair giving a small toast to his invisible host, "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality."

The room was silent in response. Maurice gave a small shiver as he continued to sip at his drink. His in-laws told stories of spirits and fairies taking up residences in lost places, cursing disrespectful travelers that pass through them. He better leave as soon as the weather cleared, best not to linger in fae places. Better leave a small gift as thanks too. As he finished his drink, his body and mind relaxing he began to drift off to sleep in his chair.

While Luna searched for Maurice for a time before her wounds from the fight began to slow her. In pain, cold, and exhausted she stopped her search for her husband, for the time till she was better rested, finding an old badger den for shelter; digging it out some more so she'd fit comfortably inside before settling in.

"Husband you better be alright," she sighed, licking her wounds as she fell into a restless sleep.

All the while the girls had gone to their relatives to finish the laundry at their packs hidden lodge in the forest. Hidden by a secret pathway only their family could find.

With their aunts help, Louata and Belle got their clothes finished, while Marie played with her cousins. Though as is common with visits to their relatives, Belle and Louata vented to their aunts and grandmother about what Gaston and the villagers had done. Especially Gaston's attempt at a proposal to them.

Their grandfather gave an annoyed huff at that, "You girls have better taste than that one. And deserve a better mate, strong, and caring. Three of em at the least."

"Grandfather," Belle gasped at the old wolf, making him laugh, as she sighed back, "I'd be happy with just one. Though I'm not entirely sure what I'd want."

"I'm good rolling with it," Louata said as she folded a shirt, "But some unexpected surprises now and then would be good. At least more than just the Fae celebrations."

"Has our Louy grown bored with her wild Faes," their aunts chuckled. Louata stuck out her tongue at her aunts playfully tossing a pair of trousers at them.

"We've been dancing the borders for so long I don't think anything in just one will settle us," Belle sighed with a weak chuckle.

"I'm sure you girls will find a fine mate," Grandmother smiled to them, "Be it you form your own pack like your mother or like your aunts."

"As long as they pass my expectations," Grandfather muttered.

"And ours," their uncles commented too.

"Come now, any to get that close have to stand up to my tastes," Louata said.

"But mine comes first to my heart right," Belle gave a slight glare to her sister.

"Of course sister," Louata smiled back to her sister, wrapping her arms around her, "What kind of littermate would I be if I didn't."

She then began to tickle Belle, making her laugh and squirm in her arms.

"Lou-Lou! Stop!"

"Never!"

"Careful you two, watched out for the tub," Grandmother called out to them as Belle slipped from her sister. Louata laughed at her sister as she half heartedly chased her before sitting next to her grandfather. He laughed at the two, giving Louata a pat on her shoulder, "I'm sure you'll both find someone."

"And you have your whole life to figure it out," Grandmother said, giving Belle a kiss on her head.

"Doesn't feel like it," Belle sighed, "Thank you though Grandmother. That does make me feel better."

"Good," she smiled back. With the laundry done, the girls stayed for lunch before they were ushered back home as the storm rolled in.