Welcoming Presence

The town of Pine Grove was as quaint as it was small. And, oh boy, was it small! It was, as the name suggested, mostly forest. There weren't many places to shop for nonessentials. And, of the stores selling food, there wasn't much choice in stock. You already knew you were going to be seriously hurting for snacks during your stay.

You told Lanius she could wait in the truck, that you'd just grab what you needed and be out in a jiffy, but she insisted on coming in with you.

Despite her pushiness, she acted the part of the perfect gentleman, manning the cart and grabbing things from the top shelves for you. You didn't hate it. After all, you'd never gone shopping with someone outside of your family before. It was very... Domestic. You felt a little awkward but not completely uncomfortable.

Once all your groceries were loaded into her truck and the cart was put away, you climbed into the passenger seat again. You wanted to wrap up this visit before things got awkward, but you had to know... "Is there somewhere I can buy winter clothes around here?" Then, realizing how presumptuous that sounded, you added, "I'm not gonna make you do any more shopping with me. I just need to know for later."

"You didn't pack any winter clothes?" She asked incredulously as she turned the key in the ignition to start warming up the car.

You gave her a smile that was really more of a grimace before gesturing to your outfit, the mismatched combination of all your clothes, which you'd already slept in. "I packed everything I had. It's just not enough."

"M'hm..." Lanius gave you a long onceover, starting at the toes of your boots and drawing all the way up to the pom-pom atop your hat. You felt thoroughly judged. "It's more likely your clothes just aren't a high enough quality. Outdoor wear is something you've got to invest in."

"I don't exactly have money to spare. What's a broke college student to do?"

She chuckled, rubbed her chin. "Y'know, I have a lot of old clothes back at my house... All used but well cared for. Something is bound to fit!"

This was when your anxiety really kicked in. "No. No no no," you squawked. "I couldn't possibly--!"

She beamed at you. You didn't notice how large her canines were until now. Their size and sharp points made her look like a vampire. "I insist! How could I leave my new neighbor out in the cold?"

"Temporary neighbor. I'm just here to clean out my grandmother's house. Then it's back to the big city for me."

Another chuckle. Then... Something muttered under her breath, that you couldn't quite manage to make out.

"What?" You snapped, feeling distinctly like you were being made fun of.

"Nothing! Nothing, hun," she chirped before putting the truck in gear.

It was by no means a short drive from the center of town to Lanius' house. You remember her telling you on the way over that her family owned a lot of the surrounding area, turned it into a massive nature preserve. You... Admittedly, didn't remember much else after that, however.

Between your lack of sleep, the warm car interior, your hostess' comforting voice and scent... You dozed off, thinking about how good she smelled.

What perfume did she wear? You probably couldn't afford it, but you still wanted to know. It was woodsy and --dare you say-- a little fruity, like cedar and quince. It reminded you of the smell of a new paperback.

An indeterminate amount of time later, you were startled awake by someone gently shaking your shoulder. Lanius, of course. Who else would it be?

"Does someone need to be princess-carried into the house?" She asked. Her smile was teasing, but her tone was serious.

"I'm too heavy," you mumbled as you knuckled your eyes, speech slurred with drowsiness.

"Uh oh! I wouldn't try to challenge me if I were you, honeybun."

You blushed and sputtered, causing her to laugh again. Honeybun? You thought she was just being condescending when she called you 'hun' earlier. Hopefully these nicknames wouldn't stick.

As if to prove to her that you were a strong independent woman who didn't need any assistance, you threw open the car door, hopped out of the truck... And promptly fell on your butt.

Lanius was by your side in a split second. "Careful, careful!" She growled. "There's patches of black ice all over the driveway! Are you okay?"

You let out a groan, but it was more in embarrassment than pain. "A little bruised, but I don't think anything's broken."

"Is the princess carry more tempting now?"

"Ha! No."

That's when you caught sight of the house.

It was, in a word, beautiful. Like something out of a Thomas Kinkade painting, like a poster-home for all that was wholesome and good in the world.

If it didn't look welcoming enough, it certainly smelled it. Despite the cold, the smell of homemade pasta sauce and freshly baked garlic bread permeated the air.

All the lights were on inside, and you swore you saw people moving around behind the windows.

"Do you live with your family?" You asked as the two of you treaded lightly up the stairs of her frozen porch.

"Some family, some friends... It started out as a big house and has only gotten bigger with the expansions we've made over the years. Seems a waste not to fill it with life."

"That sounds nice..." There was a lump in your throat as you said it, though.

Lanius misinterpreted you, gave you a doubtful sideways glance. "Really? You can be honest with me. Most people think it's a little weird."

"No," you answered. "Honestly, I wish I had something like that." To be a part of a family, a community. You swallowed hard around your longing and... You refused to put a name to what else you were feeling.

Nevertheless, your hostess seemed to pick up on it. "There's always room for one more..."

You forced out a laugh and shook your head. You would just take up space. "Maybe this was a mistake. I'm not really in any sort of state to meet a bunch of people right now. Can you just take me back to Grandmother's house?"

Before you could turn and climb back down the steps, her hot hand was at the small of your back. "No! No no no no! I'm sorry! You don't have to meet anyone. I mean, I'd like to introduce you eventually, but it doesn't have to be today. You can still try on some clothes, take everything that fits..." Her shoulders visibly fell at your dubious look. "Please? I'd never forgive myself if I stood by and watched you freeze to death in that spooky old house."

Up against the full force of her big puppy eyes and rueful smile, you couldn't help but crumble. You sighed and nodded, not trusting your voice.

She beamed at you, bright as the midsummer sun. "Thank you... Now, just give me one minute. I'll clear everyone out of the way, make sure no one disturbs us." And, before you could tell her that precaution really wasn't necessary, she ducked inside, leaving you to wait out in the cold.

You wished you could just leave. You should have followed her in your car rather than riding in her truck. You were trapped. There was no way you were getting home until she personally escorted you.

At least you didn't have long to brood over your stupidity. In two shakes of a lamb's tail, the door opened again and Lanius --and only Lanius-- was ushering you inside.

You didn't see anyone as you walked through the house, which was just as beautiful on the inside as it was outside, but you could hear them in the adjacent rooms. Quiet at first, then louder, followed by frantic shushing. You still couldn't make out what they were saying.

She led you upstairs and into what looked like a spare bedroom converted into a storage room, where she pulled out bin upon bin marked, "Women's Winter Clothes."

"Here you go," she said with a smile. "I'll step outside to give you some privacy while changing. I won't be far, though. Call me if you need anything." And, with that, she left you alone.

You were already elbow-deep in one of the containers by the time she closed the door. You wanted to get this done as fast as possible, so you could get out of this perfect house with its perfect family as soon as possible.

The clothes were all good quality, name brands. Not fashion name brands, either, but utility name brands. Patagonia, North Face, Columbia, L.L. Bean... It took you longer to strip than it did to try on any one item.

There was a decent selection of things your size, so it didn't take long for you to collect a new wardrobe. Once you had everything draped across your arms, you noticed it was damn heavy.

"Lanius?" You called, thinking she would answer from the other side of the door. You never expected she would just barge into your changing room, while you were dressed in just your bra and panties.

What happened next was even weirder. She didn't immediately sense her error. Rather than closing her eyes or closing the door, she just stared at your naked form, as if weighing you up like a piece of meat.

"Yes?" She answered at last, in a low, slow voice. It was so sensual that it sent a shiver down your spine.

That certainly shocked you out of your stupor. "Get out!" You shrieked before wadding up a knitted hat and throwing it at her. It hit her square in the nose, but, of course, did no damage.

After that blow, she seemed to realize what she'd done --was doing-- wrong. She suddenly slammed the door with a belated, "Sorry! Uh, did you, um, need something?"

"Yes," you hissed as you hurriedly hopped into some fleece-lined leggings. Even if they weren't technically yours yet, any pants were better than no pants in a house where the hostess doesn't know how to fucking knock. "A bag would be nice. Please and thank you."

Even through the thick slab of wood, you heard her take a steadying breath. "Yeah, of course. Be right back." You couldn't relax until her steps retreated all the way downstairs.

What the hell was that?

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Mr Wolf, Mr Wolf, what time is it?

Three o'clock...

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