<span style="font-family:Carme">Before she had left, Claire had been more than willing to take Okomi’s hand and she did so with a smile. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“It is nice to meet you.”</b></span> The smile faded as her gaze drifted back to Holly and she added, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“It’s a pity you didn’t know her, though. She could use someone she can connect with and she’s outright refusing all of us. It’s made the situation… well… rather unfortunate on all sides.”</b></span> It was clear that Claire wasn’t happy with how things had been going on that front. She would still take care of her own, though, and Holly was one of them now whether she felt that she was or not. And it was with that thought in mind that she headed out for the medical kit, leaving their visitor to keep an eye on the brunette for a few minutes. <br/>
<br/>
Of course those few minutes wouldn’t be so lucky as to leave Holly sleeping for that time, either. Hearing the tail end of whatever conversation Claire and Okomi had been having, Holly propped herself on her elbows once she was certain Claire had left the room for the time being and she did so without saying a word. Briefly she allowed her eyes to take in the sight of Okomi once more and she noted that he looked oddly comfortable in a home that wasn’t his. Being around a bunch of people who could turn into wolves didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. That alone led her to add him to the “them” column in her mind. He was ok with this life, perhaps even meant for it in some way, but she was dead set on believing that this life was never something she was meant to face. <br/>
<br/>
After a moment, though, her voice interrupted the silence as she started to ask, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:deeppink"><b>“Could you grab me… wait… no. Nevermind.”</b></span> The conversations of their walk returned to the forefront of her memory and she remembered how insistent she had been on being able to take care of herself and she wasn’t going to create an opening by asking for help now. <br/>
<br/>
Yes, that is how stubborn Holly was. <br/>
<br/>
Instead of finishing her statement, she shifted herself so that she was dangling on the edge of the bed and she wrapped the blanket around her still naked form as she gathered herself there for a moment. Then, without listening to any objections that might have been made, Holly stood herself up with a hand on the wall and used that for balance as she hopped over to the closet, opening it and seeking out something to cover herself with. Knowing that getting actual clothes on would likely be too difficult, she just settled for a bath robe, and she tied it around her waist. While the closet was open, though, there was another detail that could be seen. On the floor were piles of tattered and torn clothes, all of which had been damaged beyond repair when she’d shifted at rather… well, untimely times. <br/>
<br/>
Even though she didn’t want to ask for help, though, something about having no conversation at all didn’t sit right with her. As she turned around and hobbled back to the bed, now at least somewhat clothed, Holly ventured to ask, <span class="fixed-color" style="color:deeppink"><b>“So, how long are you planning on sticking around?”</b></span> It seemed a reasonable question to start with and Holly did like to have some idea of what was going on since she was stuck there for the time being. <br/>
<br/>
Meanwhile, as Claire had been wandering the halls of the large home that housed an entire pack, she found that something she’d picked up on was bothering her. She couldn’t quite put her thoughts directly on what it might be, but she knew there was something tugging at the corners of her mind. <br/>
<br/>
The medical kit ws in one of the main bathrooms and that was where she went to grab it, nodding to a few of her packmates along the way. The halls weren’t entirely quiet. It was as she was coming back that things got far more rowdy than usual, and that was because Tris and Griff had both managed to get themselves back. They found Claire just as she had been about to walk back into Holly and Okomi and thus, the two would be able to hear the entire conversation. <br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:silver"><b>“Claire! There’s another pack and their footsteps have been encroaching on our borders quite a bit as of late. The scents are fairly fresh and there’s something else as well.”</b></span> Tris seemed hesitant with the next piece of information, but his voice was no less urgent than it had been for any other part of it. <br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“Well, spit it out,”</b></span> Claire demanded swiftly. The pure authority with which she spoke would reveal one thing Okomi hadn’t yet seemed to realize. The truth of it resonated in her voice. Claire was the alpha of this pack. <br/>
<br/>
Tristen was about to open his mouth to speak when Griff tapped him on the shoulder and gestured towards the door that was near them - Holly’s door. Perhaps they should have been having this conversation elsewhere, but Tris shook his head. It was too important to wait to tell Claire about this. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:silver"><b>“Their scent matches the scent that was left on Holly when we found her.”</b></span> Meaning, whoever had turned her was in the pack that was threatening their territory now. <br/>
<br/>
Claire’s face fiercened a bit at that information. Whoever had done what they had done to Holly deserved to die a most painful death as far as she was concerned. She couldn’t let that anger into her decisions, though. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“Let Heidi know. Have her prepare a patrol. One of you will have to go with. Tell her it needs to be a larger group; we’re not taking any risks here.”</b></span> <br/>
<br/>
Both Tris and Griff nodded and headed off, presumably to do just that. <br/>
<br/>
Then with a sigh, Claire walked in to Holly and Okomi; she still had a medical kit in hand. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“It seems we’ve had a situation come up and things are probably going to get quite busy around her for some time. Holly, it would be really nice if you could just work with us for a while. It’s getting dangerous out there, for everyone involved, and I really don’t want to see you get hurt again.”</b></span> Concern was evident in her voice as she walked up to Holly and started collecting the supplies she would need from the kit. With gauze and some cleaning supplies in hand, she casually gestured for Holly to lay down so that she could reach her foot. <br/>
<br/>
And with a resigned expression, Holly shifted accordingly. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:deeppink"><b>“You can’t keep me trapped here forever, you know. Not only do I have zero desire to have anything to do with any of this, but this place is utterly boring and the company is even worse.”</b></span> <br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“You’re not trapped here in this room, Holly. The whole mansion is your home and the grounds are open as well. There’s much here you haven’t even taken the time to see. I wish you would try,”</b></span> she muttered. As she was speaking, Holly cringed because she also pulled the thorn out, putting pressure against it afterwards. She knew she only had to hold it for about a minute and it would heal. That was how wolf blood worked. <br/>
<br/>
Rolling her eyes afterwards, Holly, didn’t comment further. <br/>
<br/>
Claire’s gaze then flickered to Okomi. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:lightsteelblue"><b>“Could I have a word with you?”</b></span> she inquired.</span>