"This looks like the place," Richard Van Direstag said to his wife Rose as he parked at the curb.
They had considered going to Awareness first to see about acquiring new clothing for their new and improved bodies but in the end, decided it'd be better to meet with the Werelion King of Moon Lake first to get any formalities and other legalities out of the way.
"I'm a little nervous about this," admitted Rose as she got out of the car. "Are we dressed for royalty?"
"Dang if I know, but it's too late to back out now," replied Richard, as they approached the open bay door of the garage.
"Hello?" Richard called out, to which two men raised their heads from under the hood of a classic 1940 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon with wood side panels.
"Greetings. Are you the gentleman that called earlier concerning the Model T in need of restoration?" the man closest to them asked.
"Sounds interesting, but afraid not," Richard admitted. "We're looking for Leon Talbot. We need to talk to him about..."
"Royal business," Rose added.
"Oh," the first man said in surprise. "My brother is inside with his wife. Just knock on the side door and wait to be let in."
"Thank you," Rose said, as they turned and walked toward the house.
After knocking on the frame of the outer screen door, the Van Direstags waited until a woman opened the inner door and said, "Yes. Can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm Rose, and this is my husband Richard Van Direstag. We're new to Moon Lake and need to talk to Leon Talbot, please."
A quick, discrete sniff revealed them to be werelions, so the lady opened the outer door and said, "I'm Regina Talbot. Would you please have a seat and I'll go get my husband for you," she offered, pointing to the kitchen table.
"Thank you," Richard said, holding out a chair for Rose before sitting down himself.
Alone in the kitchen, the visiting couple couldn't help looking around.
"Place seems normal enough," Rose whispered to her husband.
"I've noticed. Maybe we're worrying over nothing, but what do you say to a king anyway?" wondered Richard.
"Hello would be nice," a man answered as he walked into the room. "I'm Leon Talbot," he added, holding out his hand while his wife came in behind him.
"Richard Van Direstag," he said, presuming Talbot only wanted to shake hands and wasn't expecting anything more formal. "And this is my wife Rose," to which Leon held out his hand to her.
"Pleased to meet you," Rose said but after the handshake, she was surprised when Leon kissed her hand briefly before releasing it.
"Van Direstag," Leon began, while holding Regina's chair, which wound up being next to Rose. "I've heard that name recently."
"From Shelia Wiggleston, I presume," guessed Richard. "We bear her no ill will."
"In fact, we owe her for introducing us to our... new lifestyle," Rose added.
"Oh?" said Leon, as Regina smiled knowingly at the Van Direstags.
"It's a long story, but in brief..." began Richard, before recapping everything that happened to them up to Richard becoming a werelion and then transforming Rose into his werelioness.
"Sounds like you two have had quite an adventure so far," Regina said, nodding at Rose.
"Yes, and it's only gotten better since," Rose added, before reaching out to hold Richard's hand in hers.
"I'm not sure about the formalities involved," admitted Richard, "but I'm here to tell you that while my wife and I are now werelions who will honor the laws and rules of Moon Lake and werelion society to the best of our abilities, I have no interest or intention of ever challenging you or your descendants for your title," he said to Leon.
"I see," said Leon, relaxing a little now that the main point of his visitor's business was out of the way.
"I would like to start my own pride though," added Richard.
"Our pride dear," Rose politely corrected him.
That got both of the Talbot's attention.
"And who shall be within your group?" Leon asked, as Regina took a closer look at their guests.
"My wife, of course. And Sheila, if she's willing," replied Richard.
"Anyone else?" Leon wondered.
"Not at the present time," answered Richard.
"How long have you been a werelion?" Leon wanted to know.
"Not very long," said Richard.
"Even less for me," confessed Rose.
"Then we have much to discuss," announced Leon, standing up. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Water would be good, if you have any," Richard said.
Leon went to the kitchen fridge and pulled out two bottles of water.
"We will be a while in my study," Leon told the ladies, before leading Richard further into the house.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Regina asked once they were alone.
"Water would be good," replied Rose.
As Regina Talbot got up to go to the fridge, she said, "While the men talk, I can tell you about life from the werelioness perspective, but I'm interested in hearing about how the Van Direstag Pride shall be yours as well as his," Regina added, returning to the kitchen table.
Rose accepted the water and took a drink, not noticing that Regina was now sitting closer to her than before.
TO BE CONTINUED...