A Change In the Wind

The moment her tanned hand came in contact with the golden handle of the door Temari knew things would never be how they were before. She had been accepted into a pack and even though she had only met one member her wolf was practically wagging her banner with excitement to see the others while the human side of her was beyond nervous. Swinging the glass door easily opened she took her first step into the hotel's lobby, her soft footsteps echoing against the marble flooring that decorated the lobby. Stopping she took in everything around her, it was...beautiful. The design of the place...the coloring, the furniture...everything. Standing in front of the entrance long enough for a puddle to form beneath her water clogged boots, Temari brought a hand up to push back her soaked hair from her face before moving slowly into the room. The area smelled of wolf in every corner, every square foot of the place yet for some reason it did not bother her as it would have. Perhaps it was because she could finally call this place home?

Bright golden honey orbs glanced down at the couch off to her side before glancing down at her wet body...she really shouldn't sit on it. Releasing a soft sigh she turned towards one of the cylinder pillars that was placed around the room and leaned against it causally, crossing her arms across her chest before softly humming a slightly haunted tune to amuse herself, her soft voice echoing across the large space.

Pushing through the glass hotel doors Elay dipped his head to the front desk people, by now a few of them knew his face. The rain had been falling hard but the warrior still wanted to enjoy his run. Ice cold drops made his hot skin feel good as he bolted down the busy streets, running around the blocks. Renner got a thrill from dodging the cars and just being outdoors, in the hotel his beast felt cramped. Ahh...refreshing. I do enjoy a nice run in the rain. Reminds me of the rainforest a bit. Renner commented. Psh..doesn't even smell half as good. Elay thought with a grunt.

Pulling down his grey hood his blue eyes flickered over the lobby, a new smell hitting him. A female? Smiling he noticed her leaning against a column looking a bit lost, attempting to be friendly he walked over. The 6'3 warrior looked down at Temari with a grin, "You're new I take it...welcome I'm Elay. I should let you know though, no one is going to escort you up. Grab a room key and I'll point you in the right direction." he stated simply pulling his hands from his pant pockets. He grabbed the bottom of the hoodie and peeled it over his head, showing his plain black v-neck t-shirt. It matched his grey and black gym pants and grey sneakers too, he always matched. Tossing his hoodie over his arm he looked for Temari to make her way back over, getting a head start he hit the elevator button.

The swoosh coming from the entrance made Temari glance over at the front of the lobby just in time to catch the scent of the still pouring down rain and the scent of a male, resulting in her body to tense ever so slightly at that. Wary orbs took in the male as he entered, wiping his face free from the water, and she couldn't help but notice his attractiveness. And tallness...He is probably close to a foot or more taller than me Taking in his appearance she noticed the clothing he wore was usually ones someone worked out in and her interested peaked in having another person being as interested in exercising as she was. Perhaps if things went well the next few days and if she crossed paths with him again she would ask him to join her on her nightly run.

It was then he took notice of her and she watched with a silent shock as a smile crossed his face before making his way towards her. Immediately she moved herself off the pillar when he stood before her and introduced himself. Full lips pulling back into a soft smile she nodded in greeting Nice to meet you Elay, my name's Temari. Doing what he said, she turned towards the front desk and took the card one of the people there handed to her, the cool plastic sliding easily in her hand as she glanced down at the number, 613, before looking back up for the male who was heading towards the elevator. Taking a deep breath she followed him towards them. While waiting she took a glance up at the tall wolf Damn I am short. her wolf snorted in disagreement for when she shifted she was taller, yet Temari ignored her other half in favor of asking a question, Can I ask what your rank is? honey brown orbs looked back up at Elay, honest interest laced in her voice and eyes as she tried to come up with small talk. God she was horrible at small talk.

Ding. The elevator door opened and a few people dispersed around them, watching their backs Elay let Temari walk in first. Once the large doors clamped shut he hit the 6th floor button and wiped a few more drops of rain from his face. "I am Warrior Elay, I didn't say it out there because most of the people in this hotel are humans. We keep shifting to a minimum because the maids and butlers don't know what we are. Just a reminder and it's a pleasure to meet you." he said with a small smile. "Though I was the newest member in the pack before you got here, so I am still getting settled myself. But since I got here I've been busy."

His blue eyes looked up at the small screen that flashed the floor numbers, then he looked back at Temari. "What rank were you given? This place has a game room, pool and a few other nice amenities. I do like our outside territories, Central Park is good for running. Where did you live before this pack?" he asked looking at her light eyes. They reminded him of warm amber that dripped down the tree's bark and glowed brightly in the sun's light.

The soft yet sharp chime of the elevator broke through the silence that issued after she asked him that question, with the opening of the doors she stepped in to the small square, feeling Elay following behind her, before turning 180 degrees to face the closing doors, the last sight she saw of the lobby were the few people milling about. It was only when they were moving did Elay answer her, his words causing her eyes to slightly at knowing that not even those who worked there knew what they really were...one would think they would figure it out by now. Well then, thank you for letting me know, and it's a pleasure to meet you as well. Are there many others in this pack? Glancing at the moving needle above the doors she saw that they were only moving towards floor two before turning to face the tall, stunning blue eyed man.

I'm the same as you then, for I'm Warrior Temari, and it's good to know there's places for me to exercise and run around here. Already she could feel the excitement build up at the thought of swimming, it had been forever since she had gotten to do that. At the question of where she had lived before she merely shrugged her shoulders before responding, I used to live in a shabby old apartment building. I used to lock myself up in the basement when I would shift until I could gain control over it, no one ever went down there so I took it as a safe spot for me. Her tone was indifferent as she spoke about her old home...if one could really call that place home. What about you?

Elay turned to face Temari he leaned against the elevator wall, resting his folded hoodie against him he looked up. "There are a ton from what I can smell, haven't actually me to many myself though. I would just keep your nose open, you'll smell them before you spot them I'm sure." he pointed out. He gave his head a shake as the droplets collected on top his hair, flew off against the wall.

Staying silent he watched the arrow move to the 4th floor,"There are a decent amount of spots and I'd be up to join you for a run. As you see rain, sleet or snow I'm out there enjoying the outside." he said looking back to Temari. Elay noted her body language change as she spoke about her old home. Not pushing the subject he let it be,"California and before that? Africa, is my homeland. At least you learned to control yourself, that takes a lot. Especially doing it alone."

Turning his bright blue eyes back to the arrow he watched it change to the 5th floor, almost hitting their destination. Cracking his neck he stretched his shoulders and relaxed, he was almost to his cozy room. His lips parted as he yawned and began speaking, "I live on the 6th floor to and higher up the Alphess and the other ranks live. I've never been up there myself though, only heard about it."

Shoving her hands in her back pockets Temari listened to Elay as he told her about the others, maybe this whole pack thing wasn't such a bad idea; one of her biggest fears was that she would be surrounded by others. One on one she was fine, but if two or more came it felt as though she was trapped. So far you and Dr. Vitani are the only ones I've met. Glancing up to see where the needle was she turned back to the Warrior as he talked about joining her for a run and for once a genuine smile bloomed on her face. No one had ever offered to run with her, or had taken up her offer whenever she had asked. You are more than welcome to join me anytime. she paused as he continued with his talk of home before commenting Both places sound amazing. What were they like? I was born in South Carolina before I moved here. I also didn't have anyone to help be during my change.

She turned towards the needle again the same time as Elay and noticed they were almost there, turning back to the male she felt a twinge of guilt as he yawned. I'm sorry to have troubled you in the lobby, you must be tired from both the cold and the run. Though its good to hear that I now know someone on this floor. As soon as the last word left her lips the elevator came to a soft stop and slowly the doors began to open. Taking a few steps out her eyes saw the board on the wall the showed which rooms were where, seeing that hers was one the left, before turning to face Elay with a soft tilt of the lips. Well, thank you for helping me, if you hadn't I would still be in the lobby. Anytime you would like to run my room is 613. all the while as she spoke she held out her hand, feeling slightly better about joining when already she had met two others who had been nice to her.

Elay gave Temari's hand a sturdy shake and he smiled with a nod, "I shall keep that in mind Warrior Temari. I live at 625, so we aren't to far from each other." he said walking beside her down the hallway. His blue eyes watched the doors as they passed, looking for her door.

"No trouble at all, you looked pretty lost standing there. But California was ok I stayed there for a bit. I've been all over due to my old job and Africa was the best. Nothing like jungle and Safari. Nice place though..home was." he said stopping in front of her door. Giving Temari a smile and a nod he turned to keep walking, "Don't forget if you want to run, I normally leave around 9am. Feel free to meet me in the lobby." With that Elay kept on strolling down the hotel's hallway, another pack member he met scratched off his list.

Memorizing his room number for the future, Temari nodded as she released his hand from the shake and continued to the left of the hallway, staying silent as
he talked more about his home as he walked next to her. California she could view as being much like New York, just larger and probably a lot prettier; but Africa...her mind couldn't even imagine what it must have liked living there. From the television she knew what it looked like and the animals that lived there...but to have actually lived there must have been beautiful.
 
Stopping in front of her door she held up the card to swipe it through the sensor, turning to look at Elay as he continued down the hall before calling out to him, I usually run at night, but I'll join you sometime for a morning run. Thanks. with that said she slid opened her door and walked into her new room.