Let's get you settled (Cassiel) - Panther's Lair

She shook her head.

"I'll let tha' slide f'r a week or so. Then I'll be draggin' ye out."

"Out for what?" She asked curiously.

She smiled.

"Runs. T' be out in th' world."

"I understand. But after my nightly rounds, there is something to be said about being home and otherwise occupied, too."

She chuckled.

"Aye. But ye need t' get out for more'n just rounds."

"Perhaps... Perhaps I'm just not ready to the face the world again just yet. I'll get there."

She nodded.

"Then we will nay face humans. But me friends be yer friends."

"Hey, I could use for a new class of friends," she smiled.

She nodded.

"Exactly."

"I just need some time," she replied.

She smiled and reached out a hand.

"Aye. An' I'll be givin' ye tha' time while nay lettin' ye forget th' world."

She took Grace's hand and squeezed it. "This world? There are nights where I just want to curl up and cringe and others when I just want to stop it from turning. Just for a little while. That can't possibly make much sense."

She brought the hand up to her lips, giving it a kiss.

"Aye. It does. Tis how I felt when I woke t' find me husband dead."

"Dead?" She had that look of pure horror on her face. Alex not being accounted for didn't help it much.

She nodded.

"Walked int' th' sun t' save his children."

"I am sorry," she frowned a little.

She nodded.

"Did nay e'en get t' kill th' one who sent 'im."

"You must think about it often..." Her voice was soft, sympathetic, even.

She nodded.

"E'ery day."

"I would, too," she looked down at her hands and then at the cat in her lap with a soft sigh.

She nodded.

"Wha' can I d', t' help?"

"Help me make sure no one else gets hurt?"

She nodded.

"I can d' tha'."

"Thank you... that's all I ask... that's all I ask."

She smiled.

"Aye. Now, get ye settled."