The Luna's Gift

Settling In

The next morning, Helena made her way to the kitchen, her stomach begging for some food. When she entered, she saw several pack members putting food and containers into backpacks. Ingrid noticed her and cheerily greeted her, “How’d you sleep, sweet pea? I hope you’re hungry, I made pancakes for breakfast if you’re hungry!” Helena nodded approvingly, “Everything was great, I actually slept really well. Best I’ve slept in awhile. Must be how quiet it is here. What’s everyone packing for?” 

“It’s one of the last weekends before school is back, so the pups are taking a camping trip. It’ll be even quieter here this weekend now! Most of the pack is going, they’ll be back Sunday afternoon. Just a nice trip out, enjoy the summer before they’re back to studying.”

“That sounds lovely, and it will be nice to have access to the pool. I couldn't get a toe in yesterday with all the pups.”

Ingrid laughs, “Oh yes, that pool is the most important thing in the world to them. You’ll get a chance to really get settled this weekend, we’ll still be here of course. We’re a little too old for camping these days.” Ingrid gives an adoring look to Humphrey, who is schooling some of the younger pups on the science of a well packed bag.

Helena helps herself to the pancakes, a side of sausage, and fresh fruit. She is going to need to reconsider her original opinion on not liking American food. She’d only been to America one other time, and was subject to rest stop food on her quick trip to retrieve an artifact. In Rome, there are lots of American eateries of course, but after her trip to the States, she wasn’t interested in exploring the cuisine any further.

“Are you going on the trip too?” Clara asks, coming and sitting down next to Helena at the big oak dining table in the kitchen. Most of the table is taken over with clothes, canteens, dried meats, and a few tents. Helena squeezes in at the end to sit and enjoy her breakfast in the middle of the bustle.

“No, no, I plan on staying here. Getting settled.” Helena answers, still chewing.

“You should come out to the bar tonight! We’ll be working all night, it’s a lot of fun. Every Friday night we have a costume party, and a different movie themed cocktail. Tonight’s movie theme is The Shining.”

“Thank you so much for the invite, I would really love to come, maybe next week? I am still so exhausted from the trip, and I would like a day to get settled, and maybe take a run and explore the woods.” Helena replies, hating that she already wants to bail on an invite, but an evening alone with the pool and woods is too appealing. 

“Of course, oh I’m sure you are exhausted, and the time difference! Next week the theme is Wolfman, because of course it is.” Clara laughs at herself and rolls her eyes, “Joseph loves all those horrible werewolf horror movies, any one that comes out he drags me to it. Well, I won’t keep you from eating, I’m going to go help them load the cars. If you change your mind, shoot me a text! You’re welcome anytime.” Clara cheerfully says bye to Helena and helps Humphrey haul out the bags. 

The pack slowly files out, leaving Ingrid loading the dishwasher, and Helena cleaning the skillets. 

“What are your plans for the day?” Ingrid asks, making small talk. 

“I think I’m going to lay by the pool, catch up on emails, call my friends back home and check in. I’m itching to get into the woods for a run.”

“I’ve been to the Daae once, when I was very young, before I met Humphrey. There was a forest there, it was...nice, but not like this.”

“What do you mean?” Helena inquires, putting the skillet back on the stove top to dry.

“The Daae is, what’s the word. It’s in the city, a huge populated city. We’re wolves. Why is it in a city? Away from the woods, nature. Nature is where we feel most at home.”

“I guess because it was the most convenient area between all the species. Vampires are natural city dwellers, Grounders can sort of dwell anywhere...caves, sewers, mounds. Convenient for human travel.”

Ingrid starts the dishwasher, “I think you’re really going to like the run in our woods. You’ll have to let me know how it compares to Daae’s gardens. I’m off to town for a few errands, would you like to come with me?”

“No, thank you, I’m going to jump in the pool. Thank you so much for breakfast, it was delicious.”

“Of course dear, and I’ll leave my cell number on the counter for you, if you need anything just give me a call. A call, not a text. No matter how hard I try I just can’t figure out texting.”

Helena smiles warmly and bids her goodbye. She quickly changes into her swimsuit and lounges out by the pool, bringing her phone to video chat Mags.