"On it, Beta. Looks 'a me like we be need'n four jumbo servings of oh-so nutritious meals 'n be easy 'a digest. I'ya be bring'n 'em to ya' new rooms 'fore long. So please've Doc give ya' once o're first."
Her accent sounded like a mix of several different places mingled together. Her eyes reflected experience and compassion behind a spirited spark. The genuine smile and friendly tone to her voice opposed her intimidating presence to the point that she seemed the most trustworthy person they'd met so far. She gestured to a few girls in uniforms behind her to follow her. Without waiting for response, she walked briskly into the open packhouse front door, the three girls following obediently.
The little band of misfits glanced between themselves. Garrett's stomach growled loudly at the mention of food. Frank chuckled lightly then mind-linked the group, [So far, they smell trustworthy enough. I sense no ill will. Let us go along compliantly to receive treatment, at least very least. Nourishment and a good night of rest will do us a significant amount of good as well. It is not as though we are capable of going far in our current condition.]
Lyra felt a little relieved that she wasn't the only one on edge around the new pack. Maybe she wasn't standing out as much as she thought she was. Per usual, she was overthinking everything and freaking herself out over nothing. No, it was not nothing. She was about to enter the home of her assailant. She needed to be more careful than the rest. She could not relax here. Letting her guard down could be deadly, and not just for herself.
Frank's calm assurance was infectious. Garrett grinned, his doe eyes seeking the group's final decision to stay. Ruben nodded thoughtfully. [Okay. I feel the same. Though it seems too good to be true. We are tougher than they think. I'm not worried.]
Lyra stepped forward, giving the last unofficial vote. They followed behind Beta Nathan silently to their new environment.
The inside of the mansion was more bustling than the courtyard. Weaving through the chaos, they ascended a few flights of stairs and walked down hallways until they reached the Beta's destination. He opened the door without hesitation and stood in the entryway, his arm on the door to welcome the group to enter first.
Ruben, who had taken the lead, skeptically scanned the room and door construction before entering. He was not about to be duped into getting locked up anywhere again. Beta Nathan watched without taking offence, allowing all the time he needed to feel comfortable. Ruben looked back over his shoulder and wiggled his eyebrows with a smirk. Looks like it was deemed safe.
"We will not be separating." He told the Beta decidedly, "So you can tell, ah, what was her name? Right. You can tell Ms. Greta that she only needs to prepare one bedroom as well."
Then he walked through the doorway, not looking Nathan's way or bothering to allow for a response. Within the pack hierarchy, his actions were of blatant disrespect. However, Ruben was more clever than he let on. He wished to communicate their independence from the pack and their conditions, as well as convey that they were not giong be taken advantage of. He did all that in a few seconds with a gregarious smile on his face and languid stance. His subtlety was honed into being able to create the desired reception without the recipient consciously aware of their opinions forming. He wasn't manipulative, per se. It was more like social versatility.
Beta Nathan's grin deepened with full understanding of Ruben's message. He was a person who appreciated strong characters, so this display got him to like the newcomer right away. Nodding his head, he answered, "Not a problem. I'll make sure there's enough bedding and such for all of you."
After all four piled into the small exam room, Beta Nathan walked away saying he would talk to Ms. Greta and return shortly. He left the door wide open. Intentionally or not, it was a preference for those who had been unwillingly closed off for so long. Frank walked to the window and opened it, felicitously inhaling the frosty air. There was a tall metal table and one chair, the room was otherwise bare.
"Sit." Lyra said firmly.
"No way!" Ruben refused when he realized she was talking to him. He took a step back and said, "I'm not making the lady stand."
"You were taken upstairs just this morning-" She was referring to the upstairs of the SGS, where they were brought for experimentation and torture.
"I'm fine!" He interjected, his head shaking admittedly.
Lyra knew that this was a blow to his pride. He was also particularly soft towards her. But she was not going to budge. She placed her palm delicately on his abdomen, looking up to his eyes with defiance. Then she slightly pressed into his muscle eliciting a painful groan from Ruben, his balance starting to falter.
"Now." She said, like a mother to her tantruming child.
Ruben complied, his steps almost losing strength. Lyra's brows knitted together. She barely put any pressure on him, and he was already in that much pain. To anyone else, he seemed perfectly fine, maybe having a little annoying pain occasionally. But to Lyra, he was in horrible shape and his pain was arduous. Ruben pouted, refusing to meet her eyes. Both Frank and Garrett were at the window, not interested in the normal interaction between the other two. Lyra approached him and started petting his mangy hair warmly. Ruben hummed in approval, then leaned his head into her hip. One arm remained bracing his injured side while the other wrapped around Lyra.
"It's nice," he whispered.
He was referring to more than affection, and Lyra understood. They all had a long road ahead of them. Starting over wasn't a walk in the park. But it wasn't significant enough to dampen their spirits. They were eagerly ready to start living again.