How was Maleena supposed to feel? She had given up with hopefulness long ago. Countless disappointments in those whom they had told her would be "wonderful owners" for her, heart-wrenching pain and the tearing feeling of separation had made her fear any change of the "owner kind" by now. However positive she wanted to meet the new challenge every time... she could not help but worry.<br/><br/>At least Skuld was here... and at least Jean had promised Skuld would always be there now. Maleena had a protective tail draped about her companion, as they were sitting on the small sofa, waiting for what fate would bring them this time. One thing was for sure, though - it would be something different. It was never the same, but that meant neither good nor bad. However, Jean had very clearly told them to give this a good chance and act accordingly. This seemed suitable enough and Maleena was determined to keep her spirits lifted - accompanied by a decent amount of caution.<br/><br/>She nudged Skuld's cheek gently. "It's going to be okay this time, right?" she asked, more to appease herself than to ask an actual question. And to remind herself that Skuld was here with her. This time.<br/><br/>She looked out of the window, seeing her younger companions play carelessly in the little garden. Tails peeked out from behind scratched, wooden pillars and little ears pressed close to the heads before little hands and feet bounced, pounced and scratched in playful battle. Other companions were watching, or stretching out on the lawn. Someone who Maleena had always believed to be a close relative - her scent seemed like it - was drawing on a sheet of paper while Silver, a boy about Maleena's age, watched her and two of the other girls in turns. The girls were stretching and brushing themselves on sunny chairs, sending him occasional looks. Silver's face was glowing with growing anticipation. However, the girls wouldn't let him close just yet. In two or three days maybe - but then Jean would make sure the girls had their separate rooms. Maleena knew that room only too well and she truly didn't envy the young ladies.<br/><br/>Maleena's ears perked as steps were approaching. Jean had shooed everyone outside into the sun so that the house was near empty. Elaine and two of the older catgirls were in the kitchen, Constantin was tending to the little ones upstairs who were supposed to take a nap, but as always, never really did. They'd sprawl out on some sofa, carpet or on top of the heaters some time in the afternoon, exhausted from playing chase or hide and seek - they'd sleep whenever and wherever they would please. However, it had been very kind of Jean to leave the spaceous living room, furnished with old, yet comfortable, mismatched armchairs and two sofas (all with some amount of destruction in their covers), thick carpets and three robust tables as well as a stack of blankets in a corner, to Skuld and Maleena and chase or order everyone away. - Well, nearly everyone. Solo, a teenager, and his little sister Padeeta were rolled up on the pile of blankets, perfectly passed out and not disturbing anyone. Solo had given up on trying to live his own life, Maleena supposed - he slept when Padeeta slept, ate when she ate, and thus relieved her fears of separation that life had beaten into her even at her tender age.<br/><br/>Yes, it had been kind of Jean. This room was kinder than any other she could have chosen to introduce them to their new owner. It was scented like friendship, like kind battle and like countless tears of relief. It was scented like all the many souls that had been here, some longer, some more briefly, and like all the friendships that had formed. It was scented like Skuld's fur, like Elaine's warm arms and like milk-fed, whiny-meowling kittens that curled up to the older ones in replacement for the mothers they did not have. Maleena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would remember this scent, always, and connect it to Skuld... it was here when she had arrived, lost, homeless and confused; it was this room she had stumbled into from Jean's gentle push, here, where she had hidden herself behind a sofa and curled up. It was here, behind this sofa, where Skuld's warm body had joined her without saying a word (because not all communication needs such trivial things as words), and kept her company until Jean managed to coax her out and join the large, loud table in the dining hall. She'd remember this. Always.<br/><br/>Maleena was grateful. Too many bad memories were connected to the office, where she had met new owners before. This felt warmer, nicer, and Padeeta's and Solo's quiet, peaceful breathing, the ticking of the clock above the door... it all made this a little better.<br/><br/>She perked here ears up some more. Soon, the steps would arrive. Soon, her next fate would walk through that door.<br/><br/>The door opened, closed again.<br/><br/>He was younger than expected... and she first noticed his style. It pleased her and there was a bit of fresh air there in the room with him. He was younger - considerably - then most humans she had seen walk in here and it lay on the tip of her tongue to ask, how he could afford the both of them. She said nothing, though. She kept an inscrutable smile and watched him approach. Her tail curled more tightly around Skuld - secretly. Only Skuld would feel it.<br/><br/><em>"My name is Akira Hibarashi. Nice to meet you."</em><br/><br/><br/>Her brown eyes fixated his cautiously. There was kindness... but there was something else, too. Detemination, maybe?<em>What are you doing here...</em>she wondered,<em>what do you want from us?</em>...but she'd leave it to Skuld to talk.