Issue 1 Downtime

The evening after Ryan's faux-mission in the Danger Room, Brigid stops by and knocks on Steph's door.

After all, Theresa and Murphy are... otherwise occupied.

Steph opened the door, looking rather sleep deprived, dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater. "Hey," she smiled, though there was a bit of worry in her eyes. "What's going on?"

"...are you that used to me only visiting when something's wrong?" She cocks her head.

"...yes?" she smirked.

"Come on in."

"Then I'm gonna have to fix that," she chuckles, stepping in.

Steph exhaled in relief, "yes, please."

She flopped down onto the couch in her small shared living room, a tablet resting on a coffee table along with a chemistry textbook that looked like it may have been thrown across the room at some point in its life.

"Been a...wild few days eh?"

"That's one way to put it. Theresa and Murphy are off on a date now that they can finally lose the rest of us," she smirks.

"How's your shoulder?"

"We might hear them later then," she smirked.

Steph tugged on her sweater's neck to reveal her shoulder which had less of a fresh werewolf bite and more of a scar.

"I healed fast before, but never like this. I think everything is stronger now."

"Looks badass. So you really think you're like us, now?"

"I don't know, maybe? I never felt that different from you all," she hedged. "It's hard to say--just spending time all together was...amazing. I've had friends--really good friends. And maybe a boyfriend or two...but ever since my parents disowned me I've been alone. No family, no pack....but now? I feel like I have a family, after five years of wandering aimlessly."

"I don't have any sisters, so this is all pretty awesome."

"I only ever had a brother. Was a few years younger than me...wonder how he's doing..."

She shrugged.

"it is amazing, though. I'm glad this happened to you two...three now." She smiled.

"You and Murphy are probably like the only people ever to say 'I'm glad you turned into a hellbeast,'" she laughs.

"You aren't though. You're a beautiful young woman who has an amazing new gift. You've already changed. More confident, sure of yourself."

"I guess it's harder to tell from my side of it, but I do feel... better since this happened."

"Just remember you're still you. Don't let the wild side rule everything you do. Just...coexist. Your wild side--all the urges and instincts? A huge gift. But you're still human, with a big brain and logic that a wolf can never have. I like to think that we're basically perfect," she smirked.

"Really though...we heal fast. We're rarely sick...just TRY to get out of shape. If there's any downside at all, it's losing favorite outfits and spending a lot of money on food or booze."

Listening to Steph, gold starts to rapidly seep into Brigid's eyes. A big grin spreads across her face, showing growing fangs.

"...well, when you put it that way," she laughs.

"...and not that I'm encouraging anything with Alex that may or may not have already occurred but almost full moon sex is mind-blowing,"

"I... not with Alex," she says.

"Not with anyone yet," she admits with a flush coming to her cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed, there's no need to rush it. Hormones are strong on their own and a wild side doesn't exactly discourage them. I would have much rather waited but....well when you do...hang on." she smirked.

"I'm sure Theresa and Murphy are going to work out a lot of stress tonight. Hopefully she might stop glaring at me."

"Not after her girlfriend got all sexybites with you," she smirks.

"Okay. So. Confession time. That fucking HURT. She bit me hard. There was nothing remotely sexual about that. I hugged her to keep from falling over and having my shoulder get torn to shreds."

"Yeah, well that's probably not how it looked to Theresa. Certainly didn't where I was standing."

"Oh my gosh, I don't even swing that way. I've never fooled around with a girl. Ever."

Brigid shrugs.

"I wouldn't have if I'd figured out you guys would smell it on me."

"Well, welcome to fooling around in the company with ferals," she smirked. "As long as you don't go after Ryan, I don't care who you fool around with."

Steph reddened. "I did not just say that."

"...you're a lot more fun outside of class."

"...gosh I really am awful with you guys aren't i?" she frowned.

"Well seriously, this is like a whole new side of you."

"Well. I can't be this open with everyone but...help me suck less, will you?"

"Wait, wait, wait, you're going to me for advice?"

"Well. If I start to do something that will get me a nickname as sticky as Detention Oprah, maybe stop me or something."

"See for that one, maybe don't give everyone detention?"

"So...I got pissed off. I let my temper get the better of me, and if you haven't already noticed, emotions are all a bit stronger."

She smirked. "I'll never lose that nickname. But I'm going to try and be better."

"You're, like, ten times cooler when your wolf's showing. Seriously."

"Well. She was out when I have everyone a detention," she chuckled. "But I get what you mean and that's sweet."

Steph just smiled at Brigid for a while, her eyes going yellow. "This is so awesome. Love you, sister." She leaned over to Brigid and hugged her tightly.

Brigid gives a sharp-toothed grin, returning the hug with perhaps a bit more strength than she meant, her ears twitching to points and poking from her hair.

"Sister. That sounds about right. We're pack-sisters."

"Love it! But...Don't shred your outfit," she chuckled.

"What?" She asks, then feels her ears twitching. "Ah crap, I slipped."

"Doesn't matter so much here, I guess."

"Strip if you need to save a favorite outfit. Nothing I haven't seen before."