CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 244 - PLENTY OF GOOD COMES WITH SOME BAD

***[POV: Hungry Beast-mom]***

The café food was fairly good, but as I finished off the third plate of salmon... I requested a ’to-go’ container for the leftover vegetables. Because the children were looking at me funny and it was starting to make me feel *too* seen.

Paul and Zoé had at least begun to banter easily enough as I drank the last of the soup, almost forgetting I was there now that they thought I had a ’limit’. I excused myself to use the restroom after a while.

Where I learned that the problem with waist-high tights does not end once you put them on the single time. Because if you intend to wear them throughout the day, it will be a continual up and down process to satisfy bodily needs.

And you cannot rush the steps or else they will tear... as we’ve now learned. Luckily it’s a place hidden by the skirt, but this is unfortunate.

My wolf whines its condolences, when I stress how I hadn’t actually paid for them and now they are ’useless’. That it will only continue to unravel if an attempt to keep using them past getting home in them were made.

I hope to never have to wear these again. A shooting star? Oh, oh I get it. Wishful thinking.

Wait, why *am* I still wearing them? I could just... oh, then I’d have to remove the heeled boots and... no, not worth it. Fashion anywhere is such a hassle.

Strutting back out into the dining area, an unpleasant scent drifted over. One that made Vrika instantly alert in my mindscape. For the spirit did not have any good opinion of the woman either.

Not her again. Why is she everywhere after everything a little good?

Victoria Whitecrest stood beside our table, clean *looking* as always in what appeared to be an expensive cashmere sweater and tailored pants. At least if I could be considered any judge based on my shopping experiences so far.

Her gaze lingered disapprovingly on Zoe’s brighter clothes, the kind that probably came from a ’normal’ store... before looking up and settling on me. Her sneer was not unexpected, considering how we parted last time.

"Well, isn’t this cozy. Two prowlers in the city meeting up. Does my bloodline over here attract all the bad apples?"

"V-Victoria, please... what are you even doing here?"

Paul’s voice tightened while also squeaking, in a way that told me he didn’t like the way she thought. But also in a way that told me he was a kid, she was his family, and that making trouble with her was not on his ’must do’ list.

"Having lunch with clients. I thought I’d come say hello when I realized you were all here. You didn’t mention to grandfather that you were meeting... with such unique friends today."

She gestured vaguely toward a table in the other corner of the room. But I didn’t look away from her. Because some part of me didn’t like how close she was to the two children. With a hand on the back of his chair.

With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and an emphasis on ’friends’ that made it clear what she thought of his choice of company. Mostly me, but not *just* me. Vrika barks violently a few times in my soul.

Yes, that is my thinking exactly. What a bitch.

"...It was spontaneous."

The boy muttered as she took a few steps and pulled out the empty chair I had been sitting in - and sat down clearly in my spot. With my drink still placed there. I smirk at her territorial intimidation attempt.

But unlike that random Pineheart, I would not be caught alive sitting on this woman’s lap. I’m not sure the scent neutralizer in my bag can even handle that smell! And I will not be finding out, even if it would be funny to piss her off.

There are plenty of other ways to do that. Like merely taking the seat beside her without a word. Even though I want to gag as much as I do claw her eyes out.

"I haven’t seen you since you stormed out of the boutique. It was nice. A new set of clothes from there again, I see."

"Yes. By your unmasked derision, I expect yours are surely hand-me-downs that are years out of style. Or maybe that’s just your own ’well maintained’ age showing... my apologies."

Her false smile tightens as I see both teens just... stop moving. As I tilt my head and wave my hand in their line of sight, they both finally blink and try to look small. Did they pass out for a few seconds?

"...How have you been finding our city other than its high quality clothes and purses?"

She seems oddly fixated on how I am dressed. I can also tell she does not actually care how I am doing, so why would she bother asking? Is she still trying to maintain a pretense of decorum in public?

"Welcoming. Despite a few very specific, very territorial exceptions."

"As I explained before, not everyone appreciates... sudden visitors who swoop in for a closer seat at the table."

"Oh, so this was all to set up that comparison? Your forethought is astounding. But as you can see, I am quite comfortable using what I can when it is available. Why should I get attached to where I sit?"

"I bet you are. And I bet you do not."

She scoffs, as I all but expected. Altogether she is fairly predictable, other than when she brings in new information I can’t possibly have.

Through all of this, I could feel Paul and Zoe’s discomfort. As if my Intuition perk was begging me to shield their eyes, cover their ears, and lead them out of the restaurant.

But there was something satisfying about matching Victoria’s barbs with relative nonchalance. It reminded me of court politics... the sort of social game I’d been forced to obtain a level of mastery in long ago.

"So, Paul. How is Maisy doing? Has she recovered from her... ordeal?"

Victoria turned to her nephew, clearly dismissing me as a talking partner. Actually, that is a very good move for most people. Denying them your attention. I hope she keeps doing it!

"Ordeal, what are you- oh you mean the birth? That was weeks ago. She’s perfectly fine."

"Is this a relative of yours?"

"It’s my mother’s dog."

I asked... partly out of genuine curiosity - and partly to remind Victoria she couldn’t simply pretend I wasn’t there. As much as I don’t want her talking to me, I can’t just let her think she won.

Because I just can’t! Imagine rolling over and just letting her sit on you right now. Would you take it without a single bark? Thought so. How is this anything like that? It just is!

"I see. Well, I hope her puppies are healthy."

Responding generically, I focus on how truly,so very glad I am that my wolf was not the kind to just say it would endure the woman’s aggression. How frustrating would it be to have what the people of this world call a ’masochist’ for a companion.

Well... whatever Kyrie is aside. Not that we are companions, but... I feel my mind wander through recent memories. I never actually hurt her physically, really...

However, part of her hopefully would continue not liking it if I did. Which is the important part of why I myself am not disgusted!