*Waves* Through the Phone @danikajones/Sleuth/Open

[Sionna Boulangerie]

Sionna looked at the corner of the bed willing her self to not kick the everloving crap out of it. She hated waiting in this rinky-dinky Podunk of a motel. She should be in Chicago at the lap of luxury in the Anastasios. But out of respect she was waiting here due her having put off calling the number she’d been provided. There’d been so much work to do to set up this trip she’d lost her timing in getting it all done quickly.







So now here she was checked in to a room that while clean, enough, still smelled like yesterdays sex left to dry. She wasn’t a prude but this was definitely not in the brochure for becoming a lycanthrope. And the Chief and his wife had called in a favor from a clan up past Fort Nelson. Some real backwoods sort that even wore fresh leathers by choice. So while appreciative that she’d be safe from whatever was boiling over with the witches she’d wished they’d one asked, two found more social people to help. It’d taken six months just for them to lay down the basics of what she was how it worked and what she shouldn’t do versus what she really shouldn’t do. Thankfully her sister had handled things socially. Though she wondered still how she’d managed to break things off with her boyfriend. Shaking her head again she sat down on the corner of the bed. She was skeeved out knowing she’d have to burn these pants later.







Sighing she swiped open her phone going to the actual phone portion of it. She’d not used the function to dial out in four months. She noticed as much from the fact all of the recent calls had the incoming arrow. She frowned as that said so many things. Swallowing to clear the scent from her nose even if just temporarily. She dialed the hastily scribbled number she’d gotten form one of the bears who’d been trying to get her to go with him up into the Lukens mountains to run as he called it. She knew he’d meant rut as it was all over him. He was sexy yes and looked great tall tanned skin and taut abs but as fun as she could be the idea of getting down in the fur and not necessarily remembering everything was a little offputting. She’d been able to remember most of what took place duringher shifts and the rest she’d bluffed as the wé matȟó wit'é were very very very ploddingly slow in doing almost anything. You’d have thought calling themselves the Bllod bears of the New moon would have meant being dynamic. Quick paced or maybe even just a little exciting. No they were almost without a dout the opposite of that. There were rituals for everything. And not rituals but all day affair rituals that meant in her six months she’d managed what should have been a few weeks of learning. Growling her annoyance she caught herself and apologized as the lady on the other end answered. ‘This is Harvey house how can we help you relax today?’



“Oh hey hi sorry. My name is Sionna and I was told to call here if I was intending to be visiting or moving to the area. I do and am. So this is me calling. I guess I need to meet the Ursa, Ursus so that I can uh ya know stay living…”







She was cut off and the woman began offering reservation dates. She was not slow on the uptake she however didn’t want to spend any additional money just yet. She had a budget to keep. “ I don’t need a reservation unless you are going to comp it. Just a conversation and whatever ritual you might need me to take part of. I have a place rented already.” She was again told the reservation dates to which she sighed, “Okay fine two days I’ll be there at checkin. Is it the same as listed here on the website or do I need a special time for that?” She was done with the lady on the other end instantly at that point and only half listened. “Uh huh. Sure, yeah got it. Thanks. Bye”







She ended the call looked around the room. Screw this she thought she’d drive in to her place in the city and sleep there. She had an appointment so that should be good enough to meet the clan leader. After all it wasn’t like she had to leave her place there was delivery for everything and there wasn’t a full moon for a week. She could stay in veg out and use the workout room her manager had set up for her in the basement to get exercise. Two days would be easy-peasy.

[Danika Jones]

The sudden influx of new blood was unusual across the clans, news traveled fast in the city but what was truly surprising was learning about the female bear that had put in a call to the house. Bears generally didn't travel across cities, they had a tendency to pick their area and settle there until death called them which unless they were suicidal that tended to be a long time. She had a number of questions but all would be clear in an hour and a half that is if the woman was on time.

An early morning appointment meant she had to get up or she would also be late and that wouldn't do. Sighing she rolled over pressing a kiss to Marco before slipping out of bed. She wasn't quite sure what they were but they had been seeing each other pretty steadily since the wedding and honestly she was happy with it. She was fairly certain he wouldn't sleep for much longer but she had to get in the shower now in order to be ready on time.

[Sionna Boulangerie]

Hurry to hurry up to wait was the mantra for modelling and while she was a bit more spontaneous than that she was always prompt. She’d watched mary poppins at a formative age. And the line Practically Perfect in everyway always sat with her. So timeliness was a big deal for her. The sleuth back home was considerably more staid stoic and believed time was a construct to which one could check-in or out of as impulse dictated. She was not of that nature. Appointments were important. Time was important after all there was so many things to do and one only had a single lifetime to get them all done.

All the same she was at the Harvey House Bed and Breakfast promptly at her appointed time. The place as quaint and seemed despite the tranquil neighborhood busy. The driveway was filled with cars leaving mostly Teslas the new status symbol of the new rich. She hated them. Both the car and the new rich. Not that she wasn’t trying to become richer herself, but she was never going to buy a tesla. Ever. Moving to what was clearly the front door and in she waited in line as the couple ahead of her smelled of pot and Axe for him and her. The scent of bear was so pervasive she had to sniff again to make sure it wasn’t her. Nope a lot of bear all over the place and snake and lion and wolf and a few other things she wasn’t sure of. But the couple ahead of her were taken by the fresh piney scent that would normally mask such things. Which made her know what she was smelling wasn’t completely physical.

Pulling out her phone she made a note of that thought how the melding of things worked. Looking up as the couple in hushed tones mentioned this was their twenty-second honeymoon. They were from the Cleveland area. She rolled her eyes as Cleveland sucked. They were small minded and violent. She was only there for a weekend shoot but six people had been killed within a mile of their hotel. Only one by gun she shuddered partially glad that the nature of her infection would mean she couldn’t travel as freely without consequence.

Finally the couple were on their way and she stepped forward meeting the taller bears gaze. “Hello I’m here to meet the king or queen or royal couple. But I’m supposed to say something about a reservation.” The area free of guests she felt the cloak and dagger stuff could wait. “I’m Sionna, she added not sure if there were more folks coming to Chicago or not. Escorted to a table towards the back of the building on the first floor she sat and was miffed she hadn’t been offered a drink or anything. The woman needed to work on her lycanthrope skills as she handled the couple like royalty and her like shit.

She didn’t have to wait long when a short brunette woman with large eyes walked in. Standing she offered her hand. “Hi I’m Sionna.”

[Danika Jones]

There had been a good 30 minutes left before she had to be on the main floor of the house. She spent that time settling the nerves of one of the younger bears. He had been doing well but blood was still a trigger for him. Later she would have someone's ass in a sling for putting him in a situation he couldn't handle.

Grumbling under her breathe at the stupidity of some people her Grieve approached letting her know the new bear had arrived. She sent the woman along to make sure their meeting room was free and clear before heading up to do the meet and greet.

It took her less than a minute to find the woman though why she had been sat in the back she had no idea. As she closed in on her with a smile in place she took her in. She appeared young but that didn't mean everything when it came to power.

Reaching out they shook hands, "Its nice to meet you I'm Danika or Dani as most call me. We'll be moving to our meeting room for privacy reasons. Would you like breakfast or something to drink?" It would of course be delivered to the room along with something for herself if she chose to eat. With an answer in place she half turned "if you would follow me we can get this show on the road." Turning fully the two of them headed across the room where she made a brief stop beside one of the bears to relay the order before turning down the hallway, two doors down she pushed the door open.

Allowing Sionna to walk in ahead of her she followed suit with the door shutting behind them. Taking a seat she motioned to any of the empty chairs and waited for the other to settle in. "So Sionna, for now this is just me and you getting the basics down. How long you've been a bear, what you do for a living that sort of stuff. If this is a permanent move for you and you agree to terms of living here there will be an official acceptance of you on the night of the full moon. If you have questions I would love to hear them." For now that about covered it. Depending on her answers she would delve a little deeper if need be.

[Sionna Boulangerie]

She ran three days a week and kept herself just toned enough. Since her infection she’d had to increase not only her weight usage but to get any shock to her system with cardio she needed seven miles but pushed it to ten. Careful to run alone or as much as possible. Even jogging her pace was quick enough to cause unwanted attention to fall her way. So her usual ten egg omelet had been devoured. Though she’d have to get accustomed to the eggs being bleached to within an inch of their lives, "The pleasures mine and only if it won’t put you out a glass of water would be great." The shake was as expected warm but holding a strange bit of strength that was incongruous to the womans shorter height. She miled as she squared that away. Mama Nuna was big as a house so her strength was expected. Her voice was not it was light and airy as a birds morning whisper. She put thoughts of home and how things had been handled out of her head. LA was a bustling place and everyone was a little phony she thought. Smiling daggers was a very real thing and far too dangerous far too deadly and far too devious. It was as if everyone was jockeying for a half a step even if it meant standing on someone else. Or maybe it was the circle of people she’d had the misfortune of falling in with.



"Sure thing." She said falling in step with the woman. She did her best to not pry but the slightly male scent and a feeling of children set near her skin. She almost asked until she saw the ghosts in her shadow. Child and woman not angry but watchful waiting… protecting maybe . She frowned pretending she’d had an errant bit of dust hit her eye. Rubbing and forcing her face calm she cleared her throat swallowing her questions.



Taking the hint she netered the meeting room taking the seat whose bac was to the door. She had no problem playing power games it was how things were done especially with castings. At least this time hopefully she’d be able to keep her clothes on. Stupid bikini tests, she thought. "No problem Dani.” She said picking up the water that had been brought in just as they settled. “Oh a little over six seven months ago was when I was infected. It was a bit of a surprise as Bear lycanthropy is so rare to actually contract. And I am self employed. I model and consult. And no not like an Instagram model but I have a firm and business manager to handle my bookings. Not that ithere is anything wrong with cuing out the middle person and going that route but its not for me.” Taking a sip of her water she knew itw as going to be cold and n room temperature but they actuall had it at a drinkable temperature. She sipped again, cool not cold and definitely not iced, she was actually very appreciative. “ And yeah I think this is home my new normal unless I have to fight for it. That’s not my thing I don’t like fighting.” She waited for the next slew of questions as I was often her name that threw people for a loop. When hearing Sionna, pronounced Sha-na or as her sister always teased sHan-A, they expected some large Viking like irish Scandinavian redhead with a horned helmet. Lucily Dani didn’t seem to have any preconceived notions yet but she knew it couldn’t be this easy so she braced.

[Danika Jones]

Taking a sip of the coffee set before she she nodded as she listened. Generally being a bear meant their skill set was targeted towards hospitality roles but clearly Sionna had picked her career before ending up as a bear. Which wasn't all that surprising considering how new she still was to her new way of life. Being a bear was actually not that bad but of course not everyone would agree with her.

When the bear was finished it brought up more questions that needed answers and answered others. "So you are still relatively new, not a bad thing of course but that does mean I need to know what you already know and who took you in will tell me a great deal. How you've been dealing with all this as everyone is different and not everyone can handle it." There were not a great number of sleuths around the US. Bear was hard to catch and they all tended to migrate towards each other. The bear in itself was for the most part a lone predator but the human side craved the need to be near others of its kind. Those that couldn't handle the change were killed or on occasion changed into the beast and simply stayed that way.

She laughed a little and shook her head. She could understand where the other was coming from but her sleuth wasn't like that. There were occasionally fights of course but they generally weren't used to determine the hierarchy. "No hun around here unless you are planning to usurp me fights aren't how things are done. Cant say there aren't fights on occasion because that would be lying but on a day to day basis the answer is no." Taking another sip from her cup she debated what else to add.

"As to your job that is perfectly fine, you do whatever suits you but I do expect you to pull your weight. The staff for the Harvey house are on rotation between the clinic below your feet to the customer service and food topside. A good number of the bears have other jobs as well so the schedule works around the ones that have day jobs." Running a hand through her hair she gauged the others reaction so far. She did and didn't appear to surprised. Taking a breathe she got back into it. "Seeing as you are new both to us and in general you'll watch and learn down stairs but not be forced outside your comfort zone. I do expect that you still have at least some trouble handling fresh blood. Can't have you shifting and attacking anyone." She smiled then to take the sting out of her words, in her world it was simply a truth.

"For now if you have any customer experience you'll be added to rotation on this floor mostly to help you settle into your new home and as a way to meet your fellow bears." There she let her words settle and waited for an onslaught of questions. She was curious to know how curious Sionna was and if she was aware of the clinic the sleuth ran.

[Sionna Boulangerie]

Laughing at the idea of her trying to take the leadership role by fighting. But mainly the whole leadership role thing. She’d managed people and had to work on teams of educated full of themselves stuck up assholes. It was one of the many things that turned her off to the idea of continuing her business career. "Who’d be dumb enough to want to lead. It’s a lot of thankless work and effort. People suck and throw in turning hairy once a month and they could be downright nasty or…" Realizing how that sounded she stopped herself smiling. “I don’t mean you’re dumb or anything but it is a thankless job and way more work than I would like to invest for other people. Especially people who think its just a title or something to go on a resume.” No she wasn’t bitter at all. Nope not even a lot.



"Sorry tangent. I just uh don’t really like people as a whole. Individually we are fine but in a group of any sort and we become either mindless sheep or worse." Shrugging she sipped her water. "I uh don’t like blood. Even before being infected I don’t deal with blood. My sister busted up her lip once when were were swimming and I passed out almost drowned." She downplayed how bad that was and the fact that she went into shock and it’d taken two hours to get her back to being herself. Now with the hairy thing in her chest it wasn’t as bad but it was close. She’d begun remembering the hunting and the devouring and every time she did made her stomach churn. She became downright dissociative. The room was suddenly cooler and her fingers were a bit tingly all of a sudden forcing herself to breath normally she fixed Dani with a wide but empty smile.



A slight shiver she went on doing her best to not miss anything and not talk about the blood that came from being infected. "Oh and the folks that taught me and took me in The Wé Matȟó Wit'é not far from Fort Nelson. All the way up in Chiye-tanka country, but I am hoping their way isn’t the only one. Otherwise I might go a little crazy with boredom." She smiled brighter chuckling a bit at the last. It was said as a joke but was far closer to the truth than she wanted to admit. Chief, War-chief, Medicine man and council bs was straight out of some period novel about the old west. And they were so god awful slow. Pushing the idea of they were one people parts of the whole. And their nativistic time means nothing stance made it very hard. At least they were with a little pushing and bending the truth willing to tell her what was needed when traveling. Phone first. Contact anyway one could or find as soon as you are in a territory where the clan is located. Besiege acceptance either temporary or permanent and abide by the laws. Simple and she could get behind that. Never reach into someone elses cupboard without asking basically.