Explanations - Panther's Lair

She looked down at the panther and smiled.

"She doesn't like the leash, does she?"

Grace shook her head as she loosely collared the panther.

"Nay, but she understands why tis needed til we reach th' woods."

She smiled.

"You're going to take her off of the leash once we get to the woods?"

Grace looked at Rebecca with mild surprise.

"Why would I nay let her loose? Th' leash be for th' mortal authorities, who require such things."

She nodded.

"That's what I thought. It was more that if there's local authorities in the woods, it could be bad."

She smiled almost sadly.

"I wouldn't want there to be trouble, but I don't like putting her on a leash."

Grace shrugged.

"I dinna like it either. But once we hit th' woods, she can fade int' the scenery if any o' th' authoritative types show up."

She laughed.

"I understand that. Shall we go?"

Grace smiled and took the leash, in her hand, hooking it to Serene's collar.

"Aye."

She started walking around the house towards the street. The house was on the outskirts of town, so it would be a short walk.

She turned to walk with Grace toward the woods, sliding her hands into her pockets.

"Swear, this is weird."

Grace smiled and nodded.

"Aye. Tis like t' be weird for a while yet. Decades, maybe."

She wrinkled her nose.

"Can't we skip the weird part?"

Grace laughed.

"Wish we could, love."

She shook her head with a laugh, then she wrinkled her nose.

"I'm not convinced Jamie thought this one through fully."

Grace gave her a look as they turned down the street that would lead them into the woods.

"Has he ever when family be involved?"

She turned with Grace.

"Depends on the situation."

Grace chuckled again.

"An' in this situation, I doubt he was thinkin' past keepin' ye."

She laughed.

"I'm pretty sure he didn't think about the repercussions. For me, anyway."

Grace nodded as they entered the woods.

"Aye. Likely not."

She didn't pause, though she did stop for a moment after stepping into the trees. Just to close her eyes for a moment and feel.

"Love the woods," she murmured. "Reminds me of home."

Grace smiled.

"Aye."

A few steps more, and Grace unclipped the collar from Serene, much to the obvious pleasure of the panther.

She smiled as she watched Grace let the panther free.

"You spend a lot of time out here?"

Grace nodded.

"As much as I can. Th' house is more a place t' keep me clothes than tis a place t' live."

She nodded.

"I can see that. I guess I'll have to figure out how to keep myself alive out here."

Grace chuckled as Serene shook herself and perked up at the sound of the nightlife.

"Tis nay as hard as ye think, love."

She laughed.

"I know. I just need time."