Tachibana is back in her private study. With her late husband’s newly discovered journal in hand she begins to read it with vigor; only to find time has not been kind. Opening the leather bound book she is dismayed to see that much of the text is faded beyond legibility or destroyed by water damage. Tachibana rifles through the pages only to come across the last entry. Despite the fact it to is damaged; Tachibana is able to read a good portion.
‘May the seventeenth, nineteen forty two. After finalizing the agreement with the skulk and the dragons I find myself relieved that bit of business is behind me. Seeing the dragons shift into their were forms was unnerving to say the least. Each one bulking up and towering over me, as they put their mark on the treaty we all crafted. They must have been a good nine feet tall each. My one small comfort was their representative an individual named Drake who surprisingly was quite affable. We had many discussions regarding the dragon clan.
While he did set my mind at ease they; that they wanted to ensure that were’s are able to remain secret without fear of being persecuted and or hunted. What bothered me was that they themselves had no qualms in using brutal means to maintain such secrecy. He explained that it was merely their nature, just as it is a spider’s nature to draw a web to catch flies. I confess that statement held little comfort but the agreement is signed. We the skulk will manage moon lake and keep it safe from within while the dragon clan ensures no outside forces discover it is a community of weres.’
The rest is ineligible. Tachibana closes the journal, she realizes that the person her Husband mentioned was the same Drake that called her last night for his favor. Wanting to know more of these discussions with her husband, Tachibana gets on the phone to call him. The phone rings and rings, but all she gets is the man’s voicemail. Tachibana leave a message for him to call back and gets up to get herself a cup of tea.
****
Dymixious and Jade arrive at Drake’s Moon Lake house after a full afternoon of shopping for baby products. They both made quite the scene heading from one store to another; buying up toys, diapers, bottles, food and other necessities. Both being first time parents was not lost on most shopkeepers. They were able to help both make appropriate purchases. While the were-badger Dymixious met at their first store had to be scolded in discretion. The rest of the sales clerk at the stores they visited were far more circumspect; at least for those that where weres.
Both spend a few minutes checking out the house. The house resides in a quiet neighborhood. With a dense forest abutting the backyard; for discreet entry and egress while shifted. It is clear that Dymixious’s father hasn’t resided here in some time. That not to say as Jade went to the kitchen only to find it fully stocked with fresh food and produce; saving both the time to going out again to get groceries. She raids the fridge for the usual food items a woman craves while pregnant. Pickles and ice cream. Dymixious screw his face in disgust. He never liked pickles and found ice cream to be too sweet. But he knew better than to tell Jade. She would mess with him by serving him a bowl of ice cream with sliced pickle in it, given the chance.
“I’m going to unload the car while you take a rest honey,” Dymixious states.
Jade makes and indecipherable sound as she has her faced stuffed with food in response.
Back at the driveway Dymixious was busying unloading his car, when he is greeted by the next door neighbors. He was caught their scent long before they approached. ‘were-felines’ he noted.
“Hello neighbor,” the first one states. “Names Frances Twist.” Pointing to her companion, “and this is my life partner Samantha twist.”
Dymixious shakes both their hands. “Names Dymixious.”
“Just moving into town I see,” Samantha being the curious cat so to speak.
“Not per say. This is my father’s house.” Dymixious continues, “He wants me and my wife stay awhile until after she gives birth. Currently he is away on business.”
“Oh yeah!” Samantha perks up. “I saw her as you were helping out. Seems like she is about to give birth soon.
“Samantha enough!” Frances shouts. “It’s rude to ask those kind of questions.”
“It’s ok,” Dymixious answers while closing the car’s trunk after finishing the unloading. “She is seven months in and is carrying twins.”
“Congratulations then,” Frances chimes in. “Would you and you wife like to come over later tonight for diner? It will give you a chance to meet a few of your other neighbors.”
“Well my wife is resting right now,” Dymixious answers. “But I’m sure she will insist on accepting the invite.”
“Great Fances,” answers. “We’ll see you around eight thirty then.”
Dymixious nods and carries the rest of his and Jade’s, purchases inside.
Outside Samantha and Frances are walking back to their house.
“My god, what a specimen he was,” Samantha exhales. “If I wasn’t married to you, I’d definitely hit that.
“Frances shakes her head, slightly bemused. “You’re incorrigible Samantha.” Frances continues, “Besides, I got a whiff of him while talking. He is definitely a were but not one I can recognize.”
“I caught that to,” Samantha chimes in. “It was almost a subtle musky scent. Slightly sweet as well. Could he and his wife be were-gorillas? ”
“I don’t think so,” Frances comments. “But one thing is odd. For the longest time I can remember; no one has lived in that house. That story about his father away on business sound fishy to me.”
“I can call the Sheriff and see if he can dig up anything about this Dymixious fellow,“ Samantha asks.
“Why call the sheriff when Tachibana might be able to get something on them quicker.” Frances comments while looking back at the recently vacant house. “Something is off and I can smell it.”