The aroma would be picked up by Mia the moment she was within a couple blocks radius of the apartment building. The windows to the third story apartment was wide open, along with the doors to the balcony, and the smell of garlic, onion, basil, organo, parsley, tomatoes, bacon, and lots of chicken was so tempting that it was any wonder the place hadn't been stormed already by every hungry lycan in the vicinity. Of course, perhaps the very strong and unhappy aura of the alpha tiger inside cooking the meal was what was kept them at bay right at the moment. She'd turned another three job offers down today... out of pride of course.

It wasn't as though she didn't have any money, she still had her mother's family inheritance in a bank account that she could dip into when she needed to, but she needed to get a job still, for something constructive to do if nothing else. But everywhere she turned, that name haunted her. Everyone was throwing singing gigs at her because she was believed to be asssociated with that bloody vampire. She growled slightly to herself as she took 5 minutes to sit down and attempt to relax.

The apartment was a rather strange assortment at the moment, since Mia had been new when Lilya moved in there hadn't been much to the place. So the tiger had added little touches here and there while the leopard did the same. There were pictures of the Australian surf next to ones of dense forests, two bookshelves which were quickly filling up between the both of them, posters of yummy men in the odd place or three (not to mention Lilya's small shrine to Heath Ledger). Lilya had sent away for plush cushions in the shape of koalas that were usually thrown from one small sofa to the other, along with the small number of stuffed toys in the apartment that were picked up in passing, including two rather large plush cats they'd found at a market, a white tiger and a leopard of course. Naturally, there were deck chairs and a small table on the balcony, since it was a lovely view.

The place was spotless today, since Lilya had a habit of cleaning thoroughly from top to bottom when she was unhappy. Not that it ever got really untidy, apart from the odd few stuffed animals laying about. Having taken a breather to calm herself down, Lilya decided she would simply just keep looking around. There had to be some places that weren't influenced by Gerard Demorte Anlui, she wasn't going to give up. She began placing the shallow fried crumbed chicken in a deep dish, then poured the parmagiana sauce she'd been cooking from scratch for the past 2-3 hours over it, topped off with parmisan and mozzarella and placed it in the oven to bake for twenty minutes or so.

A few minutes later, she picked up the familiar presence of her flatmate and friend approaching and tried to calm her aura down. She knew Mia would have picked up on her distress already, but she really didn't want to have to explain that it had happened again.

Mia, as usual, was running. From no one in particular, and mostly because she could. As promised to Quinn she had avoided alleys and any place deemed particularly dark and creepy looking. She had no need to not avoid the alleys, she just went through them usually to avoid people.

Sadly, someone hadn't been in the mood to avoid her tonight, and her Damsel in Distress card, as usual, seemed to summon yet another friendly cat she hadn't met. However, a few blocks away from home she stopped dead in her tracks, so quickly she literally ran into a lamp post. Mia wasn't having much luck in the avoiding injury department today, between immobile fixtures and muggers, but she was still somewhat cheerful.

What stopped her, however, was a smell. A very lovely smell of food, and with it she caught the faintest scent of tiger, but not any tiger, her friend. Lilya. Mia smiled a little, despite the feeling that came with the scent, and she wondered what had upset Lilya this time, but she'd find out eventually. Rubbing her head which she'd once again injured by stopping, Mia started jogging, fast but not enough that she was likely to run into anything because food distracted her. She hadn't eaten much of the bad takeout she'd had over her little talk with Quinn. Luckily.

When she finally entered the apartment building, she ran up the stairs, two at a time and by the time she got to the third floor her breathing was heavier, but she felt Lilya try to calm herself down. Mia didn't mind Lilya's moods too much, or at least, she was seldom frightened by them. Unlocking the door and coming inside, Mia hung her key up on the rack by the door, before closing the door, careful to lock it and put the chain in its place before she followed the ever so tempting scent of food.

'I have no idea what it is, but it's good enough I ran into a pole just from the smell.' Mia said, she still spoke quietly, but a gentle smile and a spark of amusement entered her face. She wasn't bleeding again, just a little more bruised, still, she'd heal long before midnight.

Lilya smiled slightly as Mia's footsteps echoed up the stairwell of the complex loudly... well at least loudly to her sensitive hearing. The girl never really seemed to stop, but then the city wasn't really the safest place for a young woman to be wandering around by herself. Lilya would have gone by the library to walk home with the leopard if she knew she'd be finishing early. She didn't like the idea that someone might try to hurt Mia, or worse yet, that he migh just show up and whisk the girl off while she was completely unaware of anything going on around her. When she wasn't out, she would try and meet Mia at the library, not minding if she seemed a bit protective... she was.

Flopping down onto a couch with one of the cushions, Lilya's beast practically pounced the leopard at the door in a 'welcome home' gesture while she called out to her, "I thought I told you to stop picking on those poles." She chuckled lightly, but she also quickly picked up the scent of another cat and turned her head to Mia as the other girl walked into the main room. She frowned, though only out of slight concern, she hoped nothing bad had happened on the way home. Though she'd imagine Mia would be in perhaps worse shape, or that she'd be getting a call from the pard house if it was something really bad. At least she didn't have the scent of that vampire on her.

"Eventful trip home?" Lilya tilted her head curiously from her spot laying lazily on the couch. She stretched out and cuddled her cushion, "I've only just put it in the oven to finish baking. Vegetables are already roasting in there too, so sit back, relax, maybe see to that bump on the head." She pointed to a spot on her own forehead to let Mia know that her own was rather noticeable. She then sniffed the air and sat up suddenly on alert, glancing at her friend with her tiger blue eyes, "I can smell dried blood... what happened?"

Mia laughed softly at her friends beast pouncing on her own when she entered the small home. It was one of few she could stand without worrying herself silly over urges to shift. Something that came of living with her, she supposed, but it felt good to have another cat around, especially one that made her feel safe. Even if said cat was ten times more protective than anyone in her immediate family had ever been.

Walking into the main room Mia sat on the edge of their rather solid coffee table, near Lilya. She undid the top two buttons of her very proper looking blouse and tilted her head slightly, a little amused. 'Yes, well all things considered I may have done it more damage than it did me. Dad always said I had bit of a thick head.' she said, rolling her eyes and tapping her head gently.

Watching the curiosity on Lilya's face, Mia still couldn't help but smile a little, mild headaches aside this was one of her more uneventful evenings of late - which explained Lilya's worry for her, and even Quinn's even if he didn't know the whole story yet. 'Oh. You know. Nothing is boring when I get to walk around by myself.' before she could continue though, Lilya spoke of the food and she licked her lips slightly, before she noticed the sudden worry radiating off her friend. Mia touched her forehead where the bruise was, and wondered where the blood was, she'd wiped the blood away.. some must have gotten in her hair, for Lilya to notice over the smell of the food.

'It's alright. All in one piece.' Mia said, putting her hands up. in the air, a sort of surrender. 'There may have been an attempt at a mugging.. but it turns out Pard enforcers? Very good sense of timing.' she spoke still quietly, it wasn't a big deal to her, she'd been shoved around rather a lot since she got infected, and could take it. 'Quinn took me to some chicken shop for food after, we mostly talked. I think we nearly good a dose of silver from the neighbourhood hooligans, but it's no big.'

At the sound of Mia's laugh, Lilya cheered up a fragment. It was nice to have a friend for once and not be completely alone and constantly travelling. It was perhaps also more the reason she was so protective of the other woman. It had been literally years since she'd allowed herself to get somewhat close to someone, so she didn't want to see anything bad happen to her. Her tiger nudged her leopard lightly in a friendly gesture then returned to waiting for the food to be ready.

Lilya tutted lightly, shaking her head at Mia, "Those poor light poles, suffering dents and such from your thick skull." She teased Mia playfully, in almost a sisterly fashion and tossed a cuchion at her before she stretched out on the sofa. She still had a bit of tension from the annoyance of the recent troubles with trying to gain independant employment. She managed to crack a vertibrae and shivered at the small release of some pressure.

It seemed the food must have been on both their minds as she noticed Mia get distracted from saying much about her evening when she mentioned the food that was still cooking, and Lilya couldn't help but smile despite the lingering smell of stale blood. Having spend most her evening around the different aromas from cooking, it had stood out rather easily to her. As far as she could see, Mia was fine, but it didn't mean that something hadn't happened, she healed quickly as did most of their kind.

As Mia insisted that everything was fine, Lilya simply raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. Turned out she hadn't needed to ask who it was she could smell on Mia as the other woman explained that she'd run into a pard member. Her eyes were still a little wary at the mention of an attempted mugging, but she was glad someone had stepped in, "Well... as long as everything's okay. I think maybe I should start teaching you some basic self-defense moves. Its the least we could do." She nodded when Mia mentioned she stopped for something to eat, but it seemed she hadn't had much going by her hunger. She cringed at the mention of copping a dose of silver though, and rubbed one of her wrists, "Definitely some self-defense. And they call us dangerous."

Mia's leopard nuzzled against the larger cat that was Lilya's beast, happy to be home and in familiar company again. Company that didn't involve being thrown up against brick walls or threatened with silverware. Company that never threatened her at all. Her beast purred, happy for the company.

Mia smiled still more at Lilya when she tutted at her and commented about the light poles. A low laugh trickled out when a cushion landed on her, thanks to Lilya, cuddling the cushion closer to her Mia rolled her eyes but tilted her head, watching her friend. She didn't need power to know something was not right, or had not gone well. Even when she was nothing more than a high school girl she had known well enough when people were not at ease, or something was bothering them. She didn't like that something bothered Lilya, the girl was so lovely, and knowing at least someone had been horrible to her in her past, Mia felt Lilya deserved reprieve, even if the universe seemed unwilling to give it.

Cringing at the idea of being trained, even if only to defend herself, Mia tilted her head to the side, her brown hair drifting across her face slightly - she was going to have to start putting it up if she was to avoid hiding in it. 'I wouldn't have gotten grabbed if I'd been paying attention, my run, run as fast as you can method usually works fine.' she smiled gently, she was hardly ever violent and very few things could inspire violence in her, and protecting herself didn't happen to be one of those things. for whatever reason. Her voice was still quiet, a warm sound that made her sound a little older than her eighteen years.

It was just as nice a feeling to know that someone else was simply happy to see her and be around her, and not have a hidden agenda. Lilya was too used to people wanting something from her, that she found it hard to trust well... almost everyone. But Mia was honestly nice, and the fact that she came over as a fairly easy target caused Lilya to want to take extra care of her friend. Plus, she just liked her, the most important reason to be friends with someone. Her tiger purred as the leopard nuzzled her, but kept her nose aware of the cooking food.

The laugh that trickled from Mia caused Lilya's smile to brighten a little more and she sighed and rested lazily as she became well aware that Mia was studying her moods. She hadn't exactly been hiding it as such, though had been encouraging it to fade into the background so she wouldn't dwell on it. She chuckled at Mia's look, knowing that her friend wouldn't so much as ask her what was wrong, but would simply keep giving her that look unless she said something, and sighed, "Don't mind me, just another day of turning down offers that I'm only receiving because apparently I'm an acquaintance of a certain vampire in town." She growled slightly, it was almost like harrassment. She didn't doubt that most people would take advantage of the opportunity, but she was determined to be independant and be appreciated because of her own merits and talent.

Shrugging, Lilya rolled her eyes lightly, "I know I'm being picky, but I don't want to feel like I owe anyone anything." She sat up and stretched her arms with a yawn, "Its fine though, I'm sure I'll find something. Might try a recording studio or something."

Mia's cringe at the idea of being trained in self-defence was easily visible and Lilya sighed and rested her head in her hand as she watched the other woman, "Its usually works, doesn't mean it works everytime. I'm only talking about a couple of simple moves that will get you free to get away easier just in case you're caught unaware." She realised that there wouldn't be much point in teaching Mia to actually fight, but the least they could do is give her an avenue for flight should she need it.

To Mia, Lilya's moods became easier to read with every passing day, but they still triggered her unwavering sense of curiosity when she didn't quite understand where they came from. Now was one of those times, but Lilya noticed Mia watching her and explained, though Mia might have asked. Eventually.

When Lilya told her of the reason for the discontent, though she still didn't quite understand she had the general idea. Mia had been hired at the library for her skills alone, while it was a different kind of work all together, the idea of being hired on ones own merits was the same idea. Mia wasn't sure how she'd react if her job had been influenced by someone else's hand, and she loved her job. Lilya had a much stronger independent streak than Mia, and Mia was well aware of it, so she presumed it must have bothered Lilya much more than it would bother her.

Despite all of it, she had the urge to defend the vampire, even without his name being mentioned she knew well Lilya meant Gerard. It made her smile a little more than usual at the thought of him, it was entirely unintentional on her behalf, but the vampire still held sway in her and she couldn't shake him. She didn't even startle when Lilya growled.

'I'm sure he.. they..' Mia stopped herself, shook her head slightly and sighed, getting up and walking over to the wall before leaning against it with her shoulder, cushion still held close to her. 'I'm sure you'll find work, Lilya.' she said softly, with a smile. She was frustrated that no matter how well she was told and understood logically about Gerard... any mention of him made her act strangely or come to his defense. She was realizing she was probably being used, and she didn't care and it bothered her more than a little - even if she knew to some extent that she'd have to be a lot stronger if she was to shake him, since she couldn't even do it in her own apartment. The thought of him, the gentle persuasion that still pulsed through her veins made her Goddess necklace go warm, but she ignored it. It wouldn't burn her over residual vampire influence, or it hadn't - yet.

Back onto the subject of defense, Mia could only sigh slightly again, Lilya was hard to convince otherwise when she had an idea in her head, and mostly Mia gave into the ideas of the tigeress, not minding what she decided. 'He was human. I could have gotten away, but I would have hurt him... I didn't want too... hell I probably could have growled.' she shrugged slightly, leaning her head against the wall, looking out one of the windows.

Lilya knew that even if Mia couldn't understand her problem completely, that she would at least understand her reasoning for turning jobs down. She wanted to earn her way off her own back, plus she knew deep down that getting involved with Gerard in any way could be a very bad move. Sure, he made it seem like his intentions were well-meant, but she simply didn't trust it. He seemed more like someone who enjoyed collecting rare prizes to have on display. Though in the end, it wouldn't matter who was influencing her life, she simply wanted people to respect her for her talent and not for who she happend to bump into on the beach.

As difficult as it was to do, Lilya had to ignore the small grin that appeared on Mia's features when she realised the leopard was probably thinking about him, even though no names had been mentioned. That bothered her, a great deal, especially since he'd only had contact with her once that she was aware of and his power still affected the leopard like it was now. But she couldn't yell at Mia or take her frustration out on the situation because the other woman had already had it explained a number of times and still hadn't been able to shake it.

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll find something..." Lilya sighed as she observed Mia. She knew it frustrated her to know that she was being influenced, but not knowing how to break free of it, and moreso, not wanting to. She felt bad for bringing it up, it was her problem and she wasn't helping Mia by reminding her of the vampire. Her tiger perked up suddenly and she turned her gaze toward the kitchen for a moment before glancing back at Mia with a smile, "Dinner's ready." With any luck, Mia was hungry enough that the thought of the good food would override any other thoughts that were swirling around her head.

As she walked toward the kitchen, she spoke back to Mia, "And the guy might have been human, but what would you have done if he'd had silver and knew how to use it, hmm?" She rubbed one of her wrists again just slightly at the old memories it brought up, "It doesn't tickle, I can tell you. And if they get a good shot in, you could be in real trouble." She sighed loudly, "I'm not going to force you to do it, it has to be your decision. But it would help me sleep better at night."

Though it went unsaid, Mia felt the slight displeasure her tiger friend felt at her smile for the Vampire, who even in his absence had consumed Mia's thoughts. This made Mia uncomfortable, displeasing Lilya no matter how little it her fault it was. And she knew it wasn't her fault, but the memories of those small moments on the beach, though well past they may have been now, she could still sense them like he were there. She remembered the warmth of power pressing against her cheek from his hand and it made her flush crimson. She didn't understand that power. It wasn't the power that whispered to her to come to him, but it was a drawing power none the less.

She wanted to ask if someone knew what it was, but it embarrassed her. Short of asking Gerard himself, she wasn't sure anyone she knew would know. It wasn't like she knew a lot of vampires.

Mia didn't mind that Lilya had mentioned him, for she often had her mind bring up the subject with no prompting, and it wouldn't leave her alone, so she tried to ignore it when she could. It was hardly Lilya fault, he had effected both of their lives, even if it was in a different manner.

Still avoiding eye contact with Lilya Mia said, a little louder 'If you hang around at the library anymore, they'll think you're a librarian.' it was a gentle tease, a friendly distraction to avoid trying to explain why mere thoughts of the vampire made the young girl flustered. Mia's beast perked up yet more at the mention of dinner, and Mia smiled, a more genuine, appreciative smile then her flustered embarrassment had been before. She could use real food, she'd grabbed a quick lunch from a take away store near the library, having run out of the house this morning because she'd over slept, she hadn't had time to pack lunch, nor had she even remembered she should have.

Following Lilya into the kitchen, Mia sighed a little. 'I'd have smelt it, if there was silver.' she said softly. 'I've been shot with the stuff before, I know it doesn't tickle.' she was speaking in hushed tones again, quiet. She rarely mentioned being shot, there was only a small scar that hardly anyone would ever notice to mark the occasion, and she tried to forget it.

'Do you need a hand?'

Lilya knew it wasn't Mia's fault, they way she was affected by Gerard, which was why she didn't say anything about it and kept her annoyance to herself. She didn't want to upset her friend about something that neither of them could have prevented at the time. While Lilya could block the call herself, she couldn't block leopards and so Mia had simply been at his mercy while Lilya watched on unable to do anything. But she couldn't help but feel that there had been more to it than simply his call, he'd done something to Mia and the tigress could see it in the way the leopard blushed when she was obviously thinking about it.

When Mia mentioned the time the gier spent hanging around the library, Lilya couldn't help but chuckle a little, quite happy to drop the subject that irritated her and distracted Mia. She hummed as though she was pondering it and shrugged, "Think they'll start paying me if I do? I think I could pull of librarian duty... give directions to specific books, put 'em away, tell people to be quiet. If it weren't for the fact that I'd probably get stir-crazy being cooped up inside all day or night, then I'd consider it." She smiled, but it was true, she found it hard to do the same thing in the same place, perhaps why she enjoyed performing, it was always different.

Glad to see Mia smiling again when she mentioned the food, Lilya went to the oven to pull out the parmagiana and roast vegetables to sit on the bench for them eat to dish up as much as they wanted. Her appitatie fluctuated and so she never assumed how much someone else might eat. She let it sit for a couple of minutes while the topic came back to possible dangers and Lilya sighed, "I know, I just worry. I'm glad that one of your pard enforcers managed to happen along at the time."

Placing a serving spatula on the parmagiana tray and another on the roast vegies, and setting a couple of plates down for them, Lilya stepped back to give Mia some room and gestured toward the food with a smile, "You first, help yourself. I'll just get you to help with the dishes later." She chuckled lightly and leaned against the bench.

Grabbing a hair band off the end table Mia pulled her hair up quickly into a loose ponytail, some of the shorter bits still fell free to frame her face, but she automatically tucked them behind her ears, out of the road. She had enough hair that if it wasn't tied up, it was likely to end up in her food if she leant over it, and she tried not to get it in her hair, it was bothersome to get some kinds of food out again. Plus, it gave her another distraction.

Mia tugged at her bracelet slightly as she leant on the bench near Lilya, knowing she shouldn't wear it, but when she took it off, she found herself feeling astoundingly vulnerable, so she hid it when she expected to see Rhia or Michael, particularly Michael, mostly she wore it around her house and to work. She never mentioned to Lilya from where the simple bracelet came, but the tiger probably guessed. Especially since she'd only had it since she'd worm Gerard's jacket that night on the beach.

Blinking slightly when Lilya responded to her, for her mind had drifted again when she felt the gold in between her fingers, a small reminder of what she was trying to forget. Mia smiled warmly, 'They might pay you,' she was amused, 'it's not like librarians are common among the young folk.' she teased. Mia loved her job, it was quiet and easy and full of books, but she dearly missed her main job, being a forest ranger. 'But I get it. I miss my forests, you could walk for days and not find anyone.' she said, with a sad smile.

Watching the dinner come out of the oven, and the smell fill the room yet more, Mia sighed happily.If nothing else, she adore her flatmate and her cooking. 'I know you worry, it's sweet. I mean, my family worries about me, but they're more likely to get seriously hurt than me, so worrying about me is silly.' she said softly - she almost always spoke fondly of her family. They weren't perfect, but they were hers, and she loved them. 'Joseph keeps trying to get me to let him come visit.' she shook her head slightly, as if she was thinking Not while I can help it. 'If something is happening here.. and, even as oblivious as I seem to be.. I think something is, I don't want him here as cannon fodder.'

Watching the plates being sat down, Mia took one and when Lilya told her to get food, she was tempted to say 'you first,' but her beast put a stop to the idea by metaphysically head butting her insides, which made Mia look down at her rib cage, just to make sure it was still there. It was, and she got herself some of the lovely looking parmagiana and vegies, before going and getting the cutlery out of the drawer by the sink - she got some out for Lilya too and sat them by the other plate. 'You cooked, I can do the dishes.' Mia smiled before moving out of the tigers way. They didn't really have a dining table, or room for one, so Mia asked 'Where shall we eat?'

Lilya went about doing what had to be done while Mia tied her hair back. The tigress had the same problem with her fine white blonde locks and so her's had been tied back earlier to prevent it geting all over everything while she'd been preparng it. She also noticed the bracelet that Mia wore and began to tug at it. The leopard had never mentioned where she'd got it, but since it had only shown up after that night when Gerard had loaned his coat to the girl, Lilya could only assume it came from one place. Something else she didn't like the thought of, but couldn't do a thing about. So she kept silent in her thoughts, knowing that it wouldn't matter what she said, the vampire had something over Mia, he'd used some kind of extra power or something that wasn't just his call over cats.

"They might start paying me, doesn't mean they will." Lilya chuckled lightly and rubbed her head slightly. "If I don't get a break soon, I might have to try for it. I'm sure all the little kiddies would just adore me." Rolling her eyes, she shook her head slightly before they got to the topic of the outdoors. She knew Mia missed being a ranger and her tiger nuzzled the leopard lightly for comfort. She knew the feeling, missing the places you loved, "Yeah, I really need to visit home again one day... Australia... not the other place I lived." She shuddered slightly, she only had not so nice memories of her father's home.

Lilya leaned against the bench and shrugged once she sat the food out of the oven, "Why shouldn't myself or your family worry about you? That's a part of caring about someone, you ninny." She smiled fondly when Mia spoke about her family, and it made her think about her own mother who she still missed. Lilya never even knew if there was a funeral for her mother, she'd been taken away the same day that she'd died. She shook herself out of her reverie and raised an eyebrow, "That's probably a good idea. Some people will use anything to have something over another person." Strangely, she felt like that's what would happen to her, she hoped she was wrong, but didn't know what she'd do if that was the case.

She waited patiently as Mia served up her own plate, smiling at the fact that she knew Mia had stopped herself from offering to wait. They were both hungry, but Lilya was happy to wait. She picked up her plate once Mia had finished and smiled, "If you insist, I'm not going to argue, I hate doing dishes." She chuckled and served up the parmagiana and roast vegetables on her plate and raised her eyeborws and nodded to the balcony door, "Why not eat outside? We've got the chairs and small table out there and its a beautiful evening." She smiled and picked up her cutlery and plate, "We can make everyone else jealous."

'Oh, they hired me and I'm hardly miss resume'.' she smiled, 'though, I'm sure you'll get a job you like before you need to revert to stacking books. It'd do you some good to do something other than clean and worry about me.' the last sentence was softer, almost as if she was unsure of the ground she was treading on. Mia was like that though, unless it concerned her family, she was soft, not wanting to upset anyone. Even at what was quickly becoming her home. Sometimes when it was late at night and she was the only one awake still, she wondered why she was like that. She had been more assertive once, she was sure of it. Why she had changed, though, she couldn't say.

Feeling the light nuzzle of Lilyas beast against her own Mia simply smiled. 'I dunno about the kids, though' she continued, finishing her train of thought about the library. 'They can tell I'm not as human as them, they tend to go ask the other girls to read for them when they realize. And I'm not even close to the top of the food chain.' she sounded vaguely amused, though she avoided the children most of the time now anyways. Mostly because she knew she could never have her own, and she'd wanted them.

'I think everyone wants to go home.' her smile turned into a slightly sympathetic one at the thought. But Mia knew she was so much closer to home than Lilya. Hers could be cured by a short plane trip, Lilyas would take longer.

Listening to Lilya eventually call her silly for not wanting people to worry about her, she couldn't help but agree, though she didn't want anyone getting hurt on account of her, though she didn't say it. Instead she watched the emotions on Lilyas face, and her leopard reached out and brushed against the tiger. It was the best she could do to cure a hurt she knew little about. 'He's 15, he'll only listen to me for so long. But if he comes here I'm going to have to call my cousin to send him home and make sure he stays there. He worries about his big sister too. Or maybe he misses me unplugging his stereo and is a sucker for punishment. Who knows?' she smiled somewhat proudly about her brother. It was clear he was a misfit, but she would defend him, even if she wouldn't herself. It was somewhat obvious that if he did come and get in trouble, for him she would get her act together.

Watching Lilya get her own dinner, Mia easily balanced her plate in one hand, cutlery in the other. Though she would wait for Lilya, she seemed to be enjoying the smells very much. Mia didn't mind doing the dishes. She didn't like sitting still, so having something to after dinner wouldn't bother her.

'Outside it is, then.' Mia smiled. 'Though I think you've already made anyone in a five mile radius jealous.' she teased lightly, walking over to the French doors that opened onto the balcony, she easily opened them with one hand before she went out and sat on one of the chairs, sitting her food on the table, The air outside was still warm but there as a breeze, Mia preferred it when there was some wind, it didn't get too hot. Mia started to eat her dinner, slowly though her stomach couldn't take much more teasing.

"But they obviously saw something worth employing you for, so don't speak too lightly about it." Lilya smiled at Mia, she knew her friend meant well, but she doubted she'd be as suited to a librarian job. For one thing she generally had to much energy that she had to expend, which was another reason why she had to get back into performing. Singing, dancing, acting... whatever, as long as she was doing something active. "Besides, I bet no other kitties have a place as clean as ours... And it doesn't matter if I'm working or not, I'll still be thinking of you." She grinned cheekily. She knew Mia didn't sleep well some nights, though tonight with the meal they were having it'd be no surprised if they both passed out on the sofa before they'd be able to make it to their beds.

"Yeah, kids are sensitive like that, but you're pretty placid, and so is your beast generally speaking. I'd probably have more trouble with them, even if I held back on my energy." While there was a touch of amusement in her voice, Lilya also heard a teensy bit of sadness. It never really affected her to be around children, but then she didn't have to worry about whether or not she could have her own. She knew she could, but that she simply wouldn't if it meant going through what her mother had to. It made her feel bad for throwing away something that other people would want, but her own experiences had made her decision. She would never have any unless their safety was guaranteed and it was her choice, not forced on her. She smiled just slightly when Mia mentioned that everyone wanted to go home and nodded, "You're right there. But at the same time... I'm not sure I could do it, go back there, you know?" 'There' being where her mother had died.

Lilya smiled appreciatively as the leopard brushed against her tiger and a small metaphysical purr vibrated through her beast. She'd mentioned it in passing, but never really spoke much about her life. It was one of those things that she'd rather not burden others with, and deep down she still believed that she would bring nothing but trouble to them. She laughed as Mia spoke about her brother and the way the leopard seemed to light up with pride, "I'm almost jealous. I never had any sibs, so I wouldn't know what ite like. But it sounds like fun. And if he did come to visit, be sure I'd look out for him as much as I would for you." She winked with a smile, but was being honest. She wondered if she considered Mia to be something close to a little sister to watch over, and her beast seemed to be thinking the same thing, but she didn't say antyhing.

Tempted to lick the serving utensils, Lilya refrained and smiled back at Mia with a nod, "Outside we go." She picked up her plate and cutlery and grinned at Mia's comment about already making everyone jealous, "Not our problem, we're the ones with the goodies." She followed Mia out to the balcony, then set her plate on the table as she enjoyed the view and the fresh breeze. She smiled as Mia began eating right away, but didn't sit yet, instead walking back in to the kitchen and calling back, "I'm gonna grab a drink too, you want anything?"

'They employed me because I can pack library books in my sleep, at a very fast pace.' she said with a soft chuckle. 'Plus, I'm too shy for the clubs half of the others seem to work in. Library's are nice and fully clothed.' it wasn't that she was exactly prudish, but Mia was perpetually modest and the fact that she was a leopard didn't have too great of an effect on that, it seemed.

Mia simply shook her head when Lilya said she'd still be thinking of her. 'You worry too much. I'm not going to break. The kitty survived a very strange pack of wolves on her own.' she said, gesturing at herself. She wouldn't necessarily hurt anyone, the idea made her squeamish, but she wasn't suicidal. The fact she had been caught off guard tonight was the only thing that made her get into trouble instead of out running it.

'Its better that they stay away.' she said softly with an indifferent shrug - though that itself was a lie. 'The little babes are snack size on the bad days. Placid isn't the right word either, if my beast was as placid as I wished it wouldn't still see food in the young ones.' Her beast and herself were quiet, generally unobtrusive. But the real word, in the community for this, for her was submissive. Even in a home in which she belonged she would give way to someone more than her. Lilya was more than her, but she was a friend, also, and Mia didn't mind being on the bottom rung around her.

'Perhaps, one day you'll be ready.' she said with a soft smile in an attempt to be comforting. 'Time doesn't heal all wounds, but sometimes it helps.'

Smiling warmly when Lilya laughed, Mia tilted her head to the side. 'I have a brother and a cousin, closest of my family. Theres always been more than just me. If she ever comes to visit though, you won't have to worry about her.' she said, the last referring to her cousin.

At the table in the dark, Mia felt fine.She was tempted to look over the edge of the balcony, to make sure nothing was there. Recently she'd had reason for a bit of paranoia, but it was only starting to rear its head now. Pausing mid motion when Lilya went back into the appartment Mia looked at her fork like it was going to run off with her food, but said 'No thank you.' when asked about drinks.

"You're probably better off working in the library than one of those clubs anyway. Despite my love for singing and performing, there are also just some real freaks out there who frequent those places." Lilya found nothing wrong with Mia's modesty, and sometimes thought that some people could use a bit more of it. To many people flaunted themselves around these days, it was a little disappointing really. "I'll worry about you as much as I feel like Missy." She poked her tongue out at Mia, being cheeky to the younger woman, but at the same time she wanted to make sure that her friend was okay.

Lilya tilted her head slightly when Mia mentioned what babies looked like to her beast, but wasn't so sure how she felt. "Well, I guess there still has to be a part where the human side overules the animal somewhere still though. I mean, tigers have families and such, and they're not exactly going around eating their offspring." They did a number of other horrible tihngs to their kids, but eating them certainly wasn't one of them. She wouldn't put it past them to eat the kids of other clans though, she really detested the society her kind dealt with.

"Maybe." Lilya smiled back at Mia, "But you'll totally have to come with me. We can make it a holiday or something." She grinned cheekily, considering what kind of fun they could get up to in a whole different country. Even if Mia was more the quiet, shy type, she definitely thought the young leopard could enjoy some time out. She raised her eyebrow at the mention of a cousin not needing to be looked after if she came to visit, "Oh? Your cousin a pretty tough gal is she? Not a bad thing."

Lilya got herself a drink of mineral water and returned back out to the table where her dinner was waiting for her while Mia ate hers. "So is it good?" She asked quietly as she sat down. She glanced over the balcony with a smile, it really was a lovely night, she was glad they were able to simply relax out there without too many cares. She then picked up her utensils and took a bit of the parmagiana and almost groaned lightly as she nodded. "Oh, yeah, I've still got the touch."

Mia almost giggled when Lilya sounded a little concerned at even the thought of stripping. She nearly pointed out that most of the "freaks" that were actually dangerous to their kind would belong to the preternatural community anyways, and not likely need a club to find them. But she didn't. She just let it drop, because she was concerned she'd turn the white tigresss grey if she kept it up. When Lilya poked her tongue out at her, however, Mia did giggle a little. It was a soft sound, but warm and friendly.

Mia wondered what Lilya thought of her beast for it's thinking children were snackable. She wasn't particularly fond of her beast most of the time, and it's.. her thoughts occasionally disturbed her. Listening to Lilya reasoning, she knew it made sense, but... 'Tigers are born shifters mostly. You can have babies, thus you're not inclined to think of them as food, I suppose. Leopards can't have babies, plain and simple.' she paused for a moment, shrugged and continued. 'If our beast does not have them, then I do not think they understand them other than they look like food.' it was soft, harmless in her way, she was reasoning out her beast. She did it more often than she realized - this wasn't the exception to the rule.

'Holidays are good. I'm happy to go wherever.' she smiled. She would go, partly because Lilya wanted her too, but also partly because she wondered what it was like all that way away. Miami was as far as she'd ever been from home, she'd never left the country or done anything particularly of note. A change of scene for a little while sometime in the future was a nice thing to think about - and not unwelcome at the moment.

'Oh, Ange. Well. It'd take more than a locomotive to stop her, I think. Shes more, ah. Alpha than me. She's a lioness.' It was all one rather quick sentence. Mia's family hadn't much luck with avoiding getting infected, it seemed. However, they were good on the surviving attacks area. 'I think she's still in France.'

Mia happily ate her food while Lil got her drink, when asked if it was good she grinned and said. 'Oui, you are a Goddess, amie.' in a surprisingly French accent. The apple never falls far from the tree - and her father still spoke like he had never left France.