Slightly earlier, Benton after being directed by Frieda is parked in front of the Anderson household. Seeing it is a two floor house of similar design like the rest in the neighborhood; Benton honks the car horn to let Eric know of his arrival. Moments later he sees Eric leaving the front door with a backpack and a small duffle bag. Frieda getting out of the front seat, to help Eric place his overnight bag in the trunk; she joins him in the back seat of the town car.
As Benton drives off he notices that the house next to the Anderson’s is the Twist’s. Mildly curious he looks at Eric through the rear view mirror.
“Is Doctor Frances Twist your next door neighbor Eric?”
“Yes;” Eric Answers quickly; her son and my brother are friends.”
Frieda taking her index fingers and butting them together; Eric sees this and shakes his head. “No my brother is not gay. But he is seeing a sexually ambivalent female were-leopard who from what I hear is into kink.”
“Alright,” Benton twisting his face in disgust; “that’s enough of that, Frieda where does Spencer live?”
Minutes later, Benton pulls up to the Lawson house. While it may not be as large as the Anderson’s house, it does have the same charm of the house Benton originally grew up in before his father Anton became a successful business man and built the estate Benton know calls home. After honking the horn; Spencer is seen locking up as she heads to the town car. Getting in the car Frieda speaks up
“Now that we are all here, it’s time to talk dreams.”
“Which one,” Eric grinning; “the one where I’m chasing you in the forest, Frieda? The one where you and Spencer are eating the same hot dog or the last one.” Eric grinning, “The one where we were snuggling in that large hammock tied between the palm trees?”
“The hammock one was fun,” Spencer smiling; “up until dad woke me up before leaving for work.”
“Why did he wake you up;” Frieda asking.
“to talk to me regarding tonight,” Spencer answering; he wanted to warn me of the possibility of other were-panthers wanting to enjoy our company due to us being unique.”
“Ah,” Frieda understanding what Spencer was referring too. With Eric being a pure with were-panther with a small hint of brown fur on his head and Spencer being a werewolf/panther/feline hybrid; Frieda forgot that there is the possibility of the two having to fight off possible suitors.
“It’s okay,” Spencer grinning; “I told my dad I wasn’t interesting in anyone but you two and informed him that those who wouldn’t take know ‘no’ for an answer will regret it.” Spencer chuckling, “my dad didn’t teach me to fight like a marine just for shits and giggles.”
Eric and Frieda also join in on the laughter as Benton silently listens in, ‘both unique weres huh?’ Benton thinks to himself; ‘guess I’ll find out later this afternoon. But Lance could fill me in a bit. I think he has seen Eric’s fursona.’ Breaking out of his thought process; Benton sees the school in sight and quickly pulls into the drop off zone.
“I’ll pick you all up after school,” Benton responds; “Leave your overnight bags with me, they are not going anywhere.”
Frieda looks at Eric and Spencer, ”I’ll catch up with you two in a moment. I need to talk to my father about something.”
Watching Eric and Spencer wait for her at their usual spot; Frieda turns to her father and shows him the email she received earlier.
“Just so you are not in the dark,” Frieda speaking as he reads the email; “I know Julie Stovall wrote it. I sent a reply and I blind carbon copied the sheriff.”
Benton reading the reply, “Anything else I should know;” as he hands the phone back to Frieda.
“Shortly after the person you and mom thought would be a good fit for me as I went through my first transformation,” Frieda pausing; “I sort of told Julie a portion of what happened. While I gave her a fake name and never told her the whole detail of the were-panther trying to rape me, I sensed that she was getting a little too stuck up for my liking, thats when i started to slowly distance myself from her.”
“So you told Julie something,” Benton thinking; “just to get her off your back over that night as it were.”
“Yes,” Frieda answering; “now she is trying to use that in a half assed attempt at revenge for what happened last Tuesday.”
“Okay,” Benton remaining calm; “I appreciate the heads up. At least now when the sheriff approaches me, I won’t be blindsided like last time. Have you told Eric and Spencer about what happened;” Benton asking.
“Some of what happened,” Frieda sighing; “just not all of it.”
“Well,” Benton sighs; “if this bond you, Eric and Spencer have is deep as your generation likes to say, then this might be something you may need to tell. Sooner, rather than later.”
“I’m trying to find the right time,” Frieda sighs; “one more thing the were-panther, is he-“
“Alive,” Benton answering; grinning menacingly, “just a head shorter where it matters. My little reminder for him over what he attempted to do to you.”
Benton watches his daughter climb out of the town car and heads to her Eric and Spencer that were waiting for her.
“I wonder if Frances Twist could help Frieda out in regards to dealing with that traumatic event,” Benton speaking to himself. Thinking for a moment; Benton drives off to the one place he wasn’t sure could help. Parking in the parking lot Benton gets out and heads inside. Seeing the security guard at his desk, Benton approaches him.
“Has my brother Lance Knight arrived?”
“Your Benton Knight; ”the security guard looking suspicious.
“Yes,” Benton’s patience quickly waning; “Is Lance Knight here?”
“He hasn’t arrived yet,” The security guard answers; “you can take a seat while you wait.”
Benton looking sullen takes a seat and grabs his phone.
‘Just dropped Frieda, Eric and Spencer off at school. Waiting for you at your gazette. B’
Hitting send Benton waits; with a multitude of tasks to complete today, Benton was hoping Lance will quickly show up. He wanted to talk to his brother regarding a few things. Some involving tonight at the gathering; the rest regarding Far and Kai’s disappearance from the Wáng Technological Consortium. Not knowing that the two in question are currently staying in Moon Lake as Tachibana's guests at her estate.