<em> "It's going to be okay this time, right?"</em><br/><br/>Skuld didn’t answer her friend right away, the calico marked feline’s drifting attention was drawn to the wide window and the midday activities playing out beyond it, but the tri-color ear nearest to Leena twitched towards her letting the other feline know she was listening.<br/><br/>So another human, another chance and, some would believe, another disappointment waiting to happen.  Although her companion’s mind was plagued with these very questions and doubts Skuld herself wasn’t thinking about any of this in particular. Actually, she was thinking that she would prefer to be out in the warm sun playing games with the kittens and enjoying the lazy afternoon than stuck in this all too familiar room awaiting a new stranger and a new start.<br/>Now she didn’t actually mind humans, in fact she rather liked them – and she especially liked creating mischief for them.  She was hoping their new owner would be fun! Her previous owners had not matched Skuld in her playfulness or energy and very few understood her loony side.  In general, cat-people had a high rate of being returned to their respective shelters for a myriad of reasons but mostly because most human people did not know what they were getting into seeking the companionship of a feline-human, even with the careful attention of people like Jean in selecting owners.  At Greenwood Skuld held the present record for the most returns.  There were undoubtedly some quiet bets going on as to how long it would take before Skuld was sent back home.<br/><br/>Home. Yes, home.<br/>Greenwood was more a home to Skuld than anything she had ever known and she had long since accepted the very real possibility of becoming a permanent resident.  She wasn’t unhappy with that possibility, she wouldn’t mind spending more time with the kittens who seemed to look up to the calico as if she were a big sister.  A big sister who would sneak them creamy treats filched from Greenwood’s well-stocked kitchen, join in on their games the other residents felt were too childish and teach them how to harass the older residents of Greenwood.<br/><br/>“If I knew the answer to that I’d win us a lottery instead.”<br/>Skuld wouldn’t mind staying but she knew that Maleena wanted a real home… and Maleena wanted Skuld there with her just as much as Skuld wanted Maleena there, wherever ‘there’ may end up.<br/><br/>“Even if it doesn’t, I’ll still be here.”<br/>She turned her dual-colored eyes to her worried friend, hoping to reassure and relax her somehow.<br/><br/>“C’mon… what’s the worst that could happen?  We end up with some rich brat whose family bought their way into adopting us for their hormonal teenager?”<br/>She chided, nudging Maleena playfully.<br/>“Jean wouldn’t let that happen.”<br/><br/>Oh, yeah, Jean.  Skuld had promised Jean that she would be on her best behavior for this… this interview of sorts.  This meant a lot to Maleena and Jean wanted what was best for them.  Jean was good people.<br/>Footsteps and voices from beyond the door.  Skuld’s feline ears pricked, trying to glean a word or two or even the tone of their new owner’s voice, perhaps.  Even though they were mere heartbeats away from meeting him some part of her wanted to know right now!  She felt the protective tail wrapped around her tightening.  The door opened and then…<br/><br/>A guy entered.  A kid, really.<br/><br/><em>"My name is Akira Hibarashi." he said "Nice to meet you."</em><br/><br/>Skuld stared at the sharply dressed Akira with those mismatched eyes before she looked up at the ceiling, willing herself to see through the ceiling and beyond to whatever powers may be.<br/>“You find this very funny, don’t you?”<br/>