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Lord Wolf listened and took the compliment from Dante, pleasing him as he could understand not everyone gave guests the best they could offer when saw as fine to do. He looked to Logir as he spoke about Tala then to Dante and thought about Tala's eyes. He tried recall as he hadn't paid too much attention to the pup's eyes but thought he would have noticed something like that.

When Jesse made her remark, Lord Wolf frowned at her and narrowed his eyes disapprovingly. He did not like others that did not know him making assumptions about him, especially if those assumptions made it seem like he was too busy to notice details about those he allowed into his home. "Then perhaps you are mistaken on your own Tala if he does not allow anyone close enough to see his eyes. Dante could be feeding me lies and you both could also be playing along with a lie to get a free meal from my hospitality."

His tone played into his pondering about if they were with Lady Tigress and if he thought so, he was going to throw them out. He wasn't going to allow anyone allied with her to be inside his home. "Perhaps I was mistaken when I thought your group deserved something nicer than stone, bars and a cold stale meal." His tone was tense and stiff as he spoke, suppressing a growl.

Lord Wolf listened to Dante again and his body remained tense as he finished his breakfast. Carefully he nodded, finishing his drink. "That would make sense. He is one to pick those who can blend in. He has more tact than some." He would go quiet as he set the glass down, looking to Logir almost impressed at how he and Dante had kept formal yet was feeling some suspicion towards Jesse due to the attitude he was picking up on.

"You and Dante may meet with the Tala that came to me last night and see for yourselves. I would say what his eyes looked like but," he set his eyes narrowed upon Jesse, "it seems I would have had been too busy to had noticed something right before my face." He nearly snapped harshly aimed towards Jesse. "I think I will also have another room prepared for you all as we talk, don't want to be giving anyone too much luxury due to how I might have better things to do."

He looked towards the door. "Fetch Gloria for me!" he ordered a guard outside the door. There was a 'yes sir' as the guard went to find the feline humanoid for him. He looked to the trio. "My apologizes for having put you in too nice of a room. I should have paid more attention and known better." There was a bit of perhaps malice in his tone since he had taken Jesse's words as an insult towards his character and ability to notice what others looked like or their actions based on what they had on them or did towards himself or others.

There would be silence as he waited and would look over minutes later when Gloria entered with a polite bow. "Yes, my Lordship? What do you need?"

"Prepare one of the lower end rooms for these three. I made a mistake when I thought they would prefer something nicer than average."

She looked to the three, wondering what they did to get on his bad side but nodded. "Of course, at once my Lordship. I will have one of the other rooms in the other wing prepared and make sure things are secured." She gave another proper bow and left to do just that.

Lord Wolf looked to them then to Dante. "Did you enjoy the festival? Also, don't worry about meals. I'll make sure they are toned down and dialed back compared to this to better fit your taste and to better suit the assumption that I am so busy that I cannot do or see things about guests or those who come to me." He tried to put on a pleasant tone but it was clear he was still irked about that one comment. "I will also try and remember to come and allow Dante and Logir to meet with the pup that came to me. That is...if I can remember with how busy and how many better things I have to do."

Unlike the others that lashed out when irked, he could lash out but if he saw it better, he took getting even by downgrading anything he previously had offered or displayed to the person or persons. He scratched his head listening to anything would have to say, thinking then decided to speak again. "Also I will also tell my men to take their time on your truck. After all, by all assuming I bet there are better things they could be doing than fixing your vehicle from Lord Raven."

Now if they tried to apologize or if Jesse tried to apologize he would listen but wouldn't be too moved by it. He was irked and felt insulted by that one line, that one little line given by one who didn't know him and it had hurt. If they tried apologizing more he would listen to them silently, considering their words. "...Maybe we can work something out for you to earn my trust or a level of my good graces."

~*~*~*~*~

Crystal nodded and went to the kitchen and also got herself a couple biscuits and a glass of milk. Once they had ate she lead the way to the cleaning items for the windows. She would hand Tala a cleaning cloth before taking one herself and giving him a backup as she put a backup of her own into a pocket on her dress. "Okay, let's get this started before lunch."

She would give him a bottle of spray while having her own and started to lead the way to where they would start. "We'll start at the top and work our way down. Does that sound okay?" she asked as she slowed, not wanting to start up and work down if he'd prefer to start down and work their way up. "Or we could start on the first floor and work our way up to the second floor."

If he picked the second option to start on floor one and work their way up then she'd go to a starting point on the first floor and if the first option was picked then she'd lead up to where they would start. "We'll each do a side. I'll do one side and you the other. It'll go faster."

Lord Wolf was silent and listened before watching Jesse storm out. He was quiet for a while before speaking. "I'm glad you enjoyed and I like to take wild beasts that are dangerous from the wild and bring them in for the festival. How the other citadel's bring in beasts is their own means." He looked to Dante taking in the words closely as he nodded.

"I see...well that makes a difference and some sense. I'm sorry to have caused your group some dysfunction. If it will aid her in her emotions, I will send Crystal with the pup Tala to your quarters so you all can meet. I will also have it so you may keep the first room with this new information." He nodded. "I don't want to punish someone who has had a rough past, that is wrong to do so towards anyone in or out of the pack." He looked to Dante, "but she must learn restraint. I will forgive the outburst this time but I will hold her responsible next time because she knows and will be on notice. Even a pup or one who is or isn't in the pack must learn restraint and when to say something and when to not."

He would stand once done, having heard a guard follow after Jesse, he looked to the other. "Go and tell Gloria the plans have reversed." The guard nodded and left to do just that. He looked to Dante and Logir. "Would you both care for a tour? I have some time before I need to go take care of some paperwork. I can give you a tour and only once I feel comfortable with you three, will I allow you freedom of movement around my castle."

He would move to the door and lead the way to give a tour if they both accepted. He also figured this way if they ran into Tala then they could confirm or deny about him being their comrade they sought to find.

~*~*~*~*~

Crystal did her work, unaware of what happened on Tala's end. She was glad to meet in the middle. She sprayed and wiped clean one of the last windows in her current room. She got that finished and moved to the next room to get those windows cleaned.

She looked back behind her and saw a couple servants walking and chatting a bit. She took a breath and released it. "Be nice to have that kind of free time but I bet I'd get bored." She whispered to herself, getting to work on the current window.

Down the hallway the pair went, chatting. "Did you see the newbie?" one with black hair asked.

The dirty blond shook her head. "Nope, I heard he's kinda cute for a rough looking guy."

"I'm not sure why his Lordship hired another worker. I mean, I thought he had enough help keeping the castle up to snuff." The black haired woman commented.

The dirty blond woman nodded. "I know, right? Maybe he wanted to take pitty on the little guy. I mean, you know how he likes to take in strays and hopeless cases."

"True you got a point." The black haired woman replied.

"Excuse me but if you both have time to chatter like birds then you have time to show me that your work is done spotlessly." Gloria commented behind the pair, causing them to jump. "I bet you both have not finished your sweeping duty yet, have you?"

"Um...well...you see..." the dirty blond tries to explain slowly.

"We were um..." the black haired one tried to help.

Gloria folded her arms shaking her head. "Nope, you both get back to work now. Everyone else is working hard and this is your warning. Next time I catch this happening when you are on cleaning duty, I will report to Lord Wolf and you both will be demoted or removed from the castle due to allegations of just wishing to use it to show off to your friends."

They both nodded, gulping and took off quickly away from her to go and finish their sweeping of the floors. Gloria huffed and went to check on the others as well as see if she could find Jesse.

If she found Jesse she would wave off the guard and take up keeping an eye on the female member of Dante's group. "So, want to tell me how your group ended up angering Lord Wolf before making amends?" she inquired gently from her curiosity.

Lord Wolf nodded. "I don't want to think of what anyone did to another just to make a beast for the Hunt. I know what I do and if they provide beasts then how they acquired them is their own business, not mine." He lead the way out and nodded. "My guards will keep an eye on her as she calms down. I did not mean for her to become upset." He smiled hearing Dante's comment of always wanting to look around a Lord's residence. "Then let my abode be your first." He smirked and the tour began. He would point out different things, where certain rooms were, what rooms were off limits and such. He even gave history lessons on some art and other things along the way if he felt the need to or if either one asked.

~*~*~*~*~

Crystal turned nodding after she finished up. "Well there's also dusting but I tend to wait until the sweeping team is done first before I move in to dust the rooms. We could dust the hallways. Lunch will be around noon or so which is in a couple or three or so hours." She explained. "Would you like to start or do you want we go see if the cook would need help in the kitchen then we dust after lunch?" She knew the sweeping staff took their time and wasn't sure how far along they were but would leave it up to Tala.

If he picked for them to get started with dusting the hallway with its items and lighting fixtures then she would nod and lead the way to where the dusting supplies were, which also included polish. This would require the use of a cart since a latter would be needed to reach the light fixtures to polish the metal.

If he picked the kitchen then she'd lead the way so they could drop off the window cleaning supplies, and lead the way back to the kitchen to see if the cook needed anything done they could help with.

~*~*~*~*~

Gloria would look to Jesse and sat by her. She reached a hand out and softly rubbed her back to comfort her. "Let it out, it's okay to." She whispered softly with her feline ears folding down sadly as she felt bad for her. "I'm here to listen if you need to unload anything and I won't tell a soul." She assured gently as she rubbed Jesse's back, moving closer and moved her other arm in the offering of a hug.

If the offer was taken then she would give the female a comforting hug and let her cry it out. If not then she would lower her arm to rest her hand by her side and watch Jesse. "Has your group or family been through a lot?" she then recalled catching a glance of Jesse's face when she first met them in the room, causing her ears to lift up.

"...You're worried about your friend, Tala, right?" she softly asked. "He means a lot to you, doesn't he?" she would go quiet to allow for an answer before she would gently ponder locating Tala so they could meet and find out if he was the same one from their group. "....If you'd like then we could go find Tala and you could see if he's your friend." She offered, not sure if Jesse would want to take it.

If asked about worry over Lord Wolf getting mad about that then Gloria would shake her head. "I'm sure he'd understand. You are worried for your friend's safety. He's part of your family and Lord Wolf cares about his pack, his family so I'm sure he'd understand." She would assure.

If not questioned then she would wait for the answer. If Jesse did want to go see Tala then Gloria would stand and lead the way once Jesse was ready, heading back inside. Gloria would then ask a servant then someone else if they had seen a new worker around and follow any instructions of where he was sighted.

Lord Wolf nodded. "It's hard to stay calm when a pack member acts up like that towards another. I'm betting she has learned or will learn there is a time and place for everything." He explained. He also explained about the pieces he had collected or were custom done for him.

He nodded to Dante by his comment. "Yes, it did take years and some pieces are custom made by those who wished to show me thanks for having mercy on them." He stated looking at one piece that was a vase that also was a part of a piece of a painting. "This one was from a woman who had a son who needed help so I aided them and she made this for me." He watched it with good memories. "It's a one of a kind."

He cared for his people as his people were part of his pack, an extension of it and thus deserved his focus and respect.

~*~*~*~*~

Crystal lead the way and walked up to the cook. "Do you need any help with anything?" she asked cheerfully to the busy man who was cooking up lunch for everyone.

"You can get the breakfast dishes washed." He pointed to the loaded sink and counter top area. "The servant that was to do it left early due to getting sick so it got backed up. I can't get the other one to come and do it so mind helping me out?" He looked to Tala curiously. "New blood, huh?"

Crystal nodded. "Yup and he's doing very good so far on his first day. He's protected by Lord Wolf."

The cook looked Tala over and neared then spotted the bracelet. "Oh, you have that do ya? You must be special for his Lordship to give you sanctuary here." He said stunned.

Crystal nodded again as she moved over to the sink. "Yup and he's a hard worker. I've enjoyed the help." She said happily before looking to Tala. "Do you want to wash and put them into the washer then I dry and put away or would you like to dry and put away?"

Depending on what he picked would depend where she went. There was a heat machine beside the sink, an extra step put in by Lord Wolf when he saw too many dishes not being cleaned to a high standard, not liking when any specks of food were left on cookware or eatery so put in a second cleaning system to ensure everything was spotless. He never wanted to risk anyone visiting or living there to become ill from any type of cross contamination.

~*~*~*~*~

Gloria was happy to lead the way and looked back at times to check on Jesse. She approached one of the workers. "Have you seen the new guy?"

He looked nodding. "I saw a new face with Crystal. They headed towards the kitchen."

Gloria nodded. "Thank you very much."

He nodded back and looked to Jesse curiously and was about to speak before rethinking it and went on his way to make sure the castle kept running smoothly.

Gloria lead the way to the kitchen. Once they would enter she looked around and lead Jesse around the spacious space. She inhaled deeply and sighed. "This smells wonderful as ever in here." She said pleased while making her way around. She spotted Crystal, either doing dishes or drying depending on what Tala picked he wanted to do, and would approach. "Hey, Tala with you?"

Crystal would turn and nod, pointing to the male. "Yup, right here." she chuckled. "I think you need to stop doing nightly runs. Your eyes seem to be getting worse." She joked.

Lord Wolf took a breath and sighed before continuing on the tour. "We get along for the most part but we don't see eye to eye. I don't see eye to eye with the others. I for one did not trust putting Lord Silver as the new head of Delta. I voiced my concern that he may have caused Lord Dragon's death yet I was ignored and they said they didn't have much options open to them for someone to be a puppet to hold the seat."

He pointed at other rooms and items as he explained them before answering Dante's other question. "There has always been tension but we are able to put aside that tension when in the public eye or when we must work together for whatever reason. Other than that, we tend to do our own thing. As you know, I don't have a good eye to eye relationship with Lady Tigress after what she's done in my citadel. Lady Snake and myself are on I guess even terms, so to speak. I don't speak often to Lord Raven but he seems the most open unless he's playing different sides of the field for his own benefit."

Lord Wolf trusted the other Owls but at the same time held distrust towards them at the same level. He wanted to think he could trust those at his level of ruling yet felt he couldn't. "I've never really spoken to Lord Silver but I still don't trust him. I still hold thought he is an enemy in disguise and will one day murder us all."

~*~*~*~*~

Gloria smiled giggling as she watched the pair's reunion. Crystal took the plate when offered and watched, blinking with some confusion. "You know her, Tala?" she questioned gently. "Is she your sister or girlfriend or something?"

Gloria laughed lightly at those questions. "Nope, she's his comrade and she was horribly worried about him. I think she's got feelings for him beyond friendship but that's for another story." The feline giggled cutely with a small purr. "I think it's adorable at how they are meeting up again."

Crystal looked to Gloria then Tala before smiling. "I think this is adorable as well and if you want, Tala, you can take a break to spend time with your friend. I think she'd enjoy having some one on one time to catch up with you. I can handle the dishes if you want to do that instead." She then thought more before speaking again. "Or, Jess was it? can wait and once we are done here you two can have lunch together catch up."

The cook watched this affection. "Aww that new blood has a little lover girl, how adorable~" he cooed as he was a sucker for romance and for touching scenes of emotion between people. "I'll make up a dish for you two lovebirds and you both can catch up and I'll even include anything you want to drink." He thought some before continuing. "What do you both like to eat? Pasta? Soup? Casserole? Or something else?"

Lord Wolf was quiet again as he thought and took a breath in. "I don't trust him because he's an outsider. He has magic I bet yet he does not use it. He claims to have none yet I bet he does." He sighed softly. "I'm just not sure. It wasn't even a unanimous decision either. They decided with me voicing concern and they said we would just watch him and act if he showed any signs of going against us." His shoulders tensed some. "I dislike that. It's like letting another predator into our domain."

The man listened closely as he nodded then looked to Logir as he had caught his attention with his view. He narrowed his eyes on Logir with the thinking over his points. He turned his head forwards to look at the floor with his steps slowing down. "....You make good points....and I wouldn't put it past Lady Tigress to do something like that. She was gutsy enough to step in and order my guards just so she could get Tala. She also likes having control and being in control."

Lord Wolf reached a hand up and held his chin as he was taking more of this into consideration. "She could if it meant she would get her target back and I refuse to allow someone I have given safety to be taken away again. I lost one I gave safety after they decided they didn't want it anymore, left and I never saw them again alive. The Owl they hid from had found them and they were dealt with...." he lowered his eyes, "I don't want to see the pup put back into harms way."

He lowered his hand slowly as he looked to Dante then Logir. "What work did you do for Lord Raven?" he inquired as they continued and began to move closer to and start passing by the kitchen. "I want security and to know my people inside and out are safe from Lady Tigress, primarily I want to ensure Tala stays safe. I have never met anyone able to shift their form and I take it as a sign I am to help him since he came in the form of a wolf."

Lord Wolf was now working out how best to ensure safety for Tala and others, not knowing what or who Lady Tigress had in her corner.

~*~*~*~*~

In the kitchen, the cook and Gloria looked to each other and giggled. "It was just our opinion. We can't help but ship those who look cute together." The feline admitted sheepishly with a small blush on her cheeks.

The cook nodded and smiled. "I'll prepare some pasta for you both when he's near done that way you two can go and eat together. It'll be good for you two to catch up I bet." He said and went to prepare the menu and food for the coming lunch hour.

Crystal, once Jesse let go, went back to her spot and began to remove the dishes once they came from the machine for the extra cleaning and looked to Tala. "You okay? She seems nice." She commented softly with a gentle smile.

Gloria would have nodded and begun to lead Jesse out. "He likes take them around to show his art pieces. He also likes to show where different rooms are and where to stay out of." She explained while heading to the door and came to halt some steps outside its doorway. "Speak of the devil."

Lord Wolf looked to Gloria, "I want you to set it up for Tala to reside in my quarters until further notice."

"Huh?" she tilted her head. "I can but why?" her expression spokes to her having never heard this kinda order from him before.

"Our guests have pointed out a thought that I feel isn't beyond Lady Tigress. And if she wants Tala bad enough, I want t o take no chances. Also, keep your group on alert. Take out any foes and also keep me posted on anything you find."

"Um, alright," Gloria nodded. "I will do so my Lordship." She looked to Jesse and if she hadn't already would say, "go rejoin your friends and enjoy the rest of the tour." If Jesse already went to Dante then she'd leave to go do as asked.

Lord Wolf looked to Jesse, "how are you feeling? My apologizes but it stung to have a guest make an assumption about me after my territory had been invaded to a degree." He sighed, "I dislike hurting those who are not a foe as well as members of one's pack that I have granted aid to."

He would listen to them before looking to Tala if he came over. He recalled what Jesse had said then would speak to him. "I want you safe but will you be alright with staying in my sights?" If Tala continued work then he would look to the reunited group. "Shall we continue the tour now?" If yes then he would continue the tour.

Lord Wolf looked to Tala and noticed the look to Crystal and seeing her shrug. He spoke up, "You can keep doing your chores with Crystal but I want to keep an eye on you at night. I trust you with her. Lady Tigress might try something and I don't want her ordering any of my guards to steal you for her." He said his tone fallen as it stung with the failure from previous. "But I won't force you if you would prefer to have your space at night and not be in my quarters."

He didn't want to make the youth uncomfortable despite him wanting to keep him safe. He would wait until he got an answer and would stick around to discuss with Tala. If he said he wanted space then with reluctance Lord Wolf would agree to this and dismiss the order. "We can talk more during lunch." He would move and leave to continue the tour, feeling bad that he might push Tala away yet wanted to keep him safe.

Crystal watched and felt bad for them yet also confused. "I wonder why he'd think Lady Tigress would try stepping in more to here?" she softly asked before looking to Tala. "Don't worry, we can start on the dusting in this floor and wing, eat then continue work." She tried to assure him with a confident smile as she go back to taking and putting away dishes that were out of the second wash of heat. "Sound good?"

The cook couldn't help but stick his nose back in. "You know, Lord Wolf is nice and cares about everyone here so maybe he thinks those guards that ignored him for the Tiger might do it again. You never know about those who switch sides so fast."

"I'm not sure that is helping." She said and looked to Tala. "Just always be honest with him. You're part of the pack after all." She wanted to rub his back yet knew how he felt about his personal space. "Is it okay I pat you on the back for support and comfort?" If he agreed she would pat his back caringly yet if he said no then she wouldn't.

She would move to start back on the dishes so they could start on dusting before lunch.

~*~*~*~*~

Later lunch would be served in a dome area where Lord Wolf tried recreating the original outside with grass, butterflies and flowers. "We will dine here for lunch if that is to your liking. I try to grow things here and have them transplanted out there to try helping this land return to what it once was." He sighed, having more on his mind but didn't speak it.

He took his seat at the head as a server brought a trolly with dishes of spagetti, garlic bread, bread sticks, fruits and other sides as well as options for drinks. Once the plates were set with glasses the server left with a wave of Lord Wolf's hand. He fixed his plate and would wait until the others had as well before eating, ready to discuss anything they wanted to.

Lord Wolf listened as he began eating and nodded after swallowing. "To answer it is dangerous outside of these walls. That is why I only send out four guards and two florist to ensure proper transplanting them outside into the wilderness in hopes something will take. Sadly I feel it would be too dangerous but when the land is normal then perhaps." He looked to Dante, taking another bite.

"Thank you, it has taken a while to accomplish. I have thought about asking Lord Silver or Lord Raven if they were interested but I'm not sure they are willing to help. It would be nice to have help restoring Aphelia back to its original state. I don't think Lady Tigress and Lady Snake have the same main interest as I or as either of the other two Owls."

He looked down and took another bite of food. Crystal came over and sat down as she had been permitted and smiled to Tala before getting her plate. She began to eat quietly while listening to them discuss things.

Lord Wolf looked down with some thought though. He could try reaching out and asking but would they even be interested and fully invested like he was? He wanted to make up for what they did as he had begun to feel guilty about it. He thought maybe if he helped getting the land to restore itself then the realms Goddess would have mercy on him. When Dante changed the subject it drew him from his thoughts.

It took a few moments but he soon found his voice. "Yes, they began work on it today and it should be done tomorrow. I will also let you use my communication system to contact your other members." He looked to Tala. "Would you like to stay here or go back with your friends? You don't have to answer right now but could you think it over?" he was worried about losing Tala as he had the previous one he helped yet at the same time he couldn't deny that being with the group, out of his citadel would throw off Lady Tigress.

Crystal looked to Tala then at her food as she ate. She would miss him, even though she'd only known him for roughly half a day. She had been enjoying his help and company but didn't want to voice that and be selfish if it kept him from his friends. Crystal also didn't want him to stay if he'd be in more danger since he'd be in the place where Lady Tigress would likely look. She pushed some noodles over before swirling them up and eating them.

She looked to Lord Wolf concerned. "Are you okay your Lordship?"

Lord Wolf nodded as he tried to shake himself free of his thoughts. "I'm fine, just got lost in pondering." He took another bite of food. She wasn't sure she believed him but didn't push it.

There was quiet and Crystal spoke up eventually to break the ice. "So...could you tell us about yourselves?" she asked curiously before slurping up some pasta.