Twenty - Three

A/N: Comment & Vote!

"Where we going?"

Tanner smiled. "To a park."

"Park? Luca not go there 'fore." The small boy eyed his Daddy nervously. "Giving back Luca?"

"No sweetheart. Never." Tanner squeezed his little hand.

"Fen come too?" The boy asked hopefully looking around as if the man who magically appear.

A feeling Tanner didn't like twisted in his stomach. "No darling. Fen isn't coming. But," he put on a smile. "Tonight you get to be with Fen while Daddy runs an...errand."

Errand? It was pitiful how little he was looking forward to forced courting--once he found someone of course. When he had thought Sven was going to be his date he had almost...looked forward to it. He signaled to get on the Turn-Pike, watching Luca peering about curiously as he did so. "Daddy go fast?" He urged suddenly excited.

"Daddy will get a ticket," Tanner replied. "Sorry cupcake."

Luca cocked his head. "What ticket? To show?"

A show? Yeah right. More like an argument with a Trooper who didn't give a damn how many points it put on his license. To by standers it could be considered a show, he reasoned. "Not quite. This ticket is bad."

Luca's eyes went wide and he nodded little mouth forming a comical 'o'.

When they arrived they passed through a wrought iron gate. The entire compound was surrounded and filled with greenery and play equipment. There had to be at least a hundred individuals with a Little. Space was a non-issue as he eyed the 90 acres the play area stretched. There were paths and benches. It was dotted with fountains sculpted like animals.

"Wow." Luca stated.

Tanner couldn't agree more.

He paid fifteen dollars for parking to a smiling man who bid them a good time. Tanner grabbed the knapsack that had all of Luca's were equipment in the off chance it was needed. But it was a park--why would he?

They passed by a toll booth where Tanner signed liability paperwork and, on whim, purchased a four season pass for the astronomical fee of 475 dollars plus tax after the woman gleefully described the Great Pumpkin Carving activities in October as well as the ice sculpture during the winter. Luca had been so excited at what a 'Pumpkin' was, Tanner couldn't say no.

With the investment in place he entered the path. Luca looked around wildly. A girl in pigtails in paused at a woman's side. She was a bit taller than Luca and a vampire. "You're a little itty bitty puppy!" She cried gleefully. "But you look like me?"

The woman visibly stiffened and put her hand on the girl's shoulder pulling her closer. "C'mon Glory. Nice to meet you."

"I wanna play," the girl whined as she was led away from Luca.

A ball of fury settled in his chest. The vampires gave the confused werewolf a wide berth continuing down the cobbled path. Luca looked at his Daddy for an answer. Tanner wasn't sure what to say. How did you explain the someone that they hated you for what you did.

"C'mon cupcake. They're just busy."

Lying was easiest. But it was still hard to realize that the discrimination of weres existed here, in this community, where acceptance must have been of upmost importance. Luca moved on from the encounter with ease and began to chase after a blue and purple butterfly that flittered lazily just out of his reach. Tanner kept a close eye on him while trying to take in their immediate surroundings. He could see a very large tangle of play equipment just over yonder with a good milling of people.

Suddenly he was nervous--what if no one would play with Luca?

Tanner sucked on his teeth as the butterfly fluttered high out of reach and the pup grew bored returning to his Daddy's side. "Throw stick?" He asked eagerly.

One warm evenings Kai would do the same for Luca back at the Pet Shop. He was more than eager to do so again. But Tanner was reluctant to have him shift. His species had been recorded and he wasn't told he couldn't by the staff he registered with...

"You made it."

Tanner turned in surprise as the man they had met at the fast food chain on Luca's very first day. His name was Theron. Daniel, his little, buried his face into his shirt seeming unhappy about the meeting. "Yes. It's very beautiful here."

"It is, isn't it?" Theron smiled. "Hello Luca."

The boy recognized him and beamed warmly. "Hello!" He chirped. His little hand found its way into Tanner's. "Throw stick?"

"I thought you could play with Daniel." Tanner glanced at Theron for permission.

The man nodded warmly and nudged the hiding boy. "Say hi," he urged.

"No." The boy mumbles stubbornly. "I don't wanna talk to him."

Luca heard the venom in his tone and drew back, feelings hurt. Why wouldn't he talk to him? Tanner rubbed his back and Theron's smile turned much more stern. "Do not be rude. Say hello Daniel."

"But Papa--"

"I will bring you right to the time out bench." Theron stated.

The boy let out an anguished wail of defeat and glared at Luca. "Hi." He spat as if the words hurt him.

Luca was oblivious to it and was just pleased to have received a greeting. He rushed the boy excitedly. "Play with Luca?" His body wiggled as though he had a tail.

Daniel looked back at his Papa and seeing a stern look nodded regretfully. "We should bring them toward the were-friendly area."

Tanner's stomach tightened. "I didn't think it would be like this."

Theron nodded his head somewhat grimly. "I know what you mean. But I guess some prejudice so deeply rooted not even Littles can play together much less sharing the same equipment."

"He's not allowed on the equipment?" Tanner regretted the purchase. Now Luca would have to watch others playing while he was stuck in the grass.

"Not the Main Equipment but enough people pressured them to build a separate jungle gym for both to play on. It's not as large as the vampire-only one but it's not as teeny as the were-only one."

"There's a were only?"

"Yes. It's awful though. It's in the shade and infested with lady bugs. Plus it always floods when it rains. Your best bet will be the shared."

"Why did I give this place my money again?" He asked dryly.

Theron smiled. "There's some great people here. Don't let it discourage you. Your Little will definitely make some friends."

He was doing this for Luca, not to make a point. His blood was boiling however. "They didn't tell me they segregated the play equipment." Tanner pointed as they began a stroll in the direction of said jungle gym.

"There's a big ol' sign--you can't miss it."

Tanner expected it be bland and brass like everything else. But it was colorful and drawn playfully. It featured a male and female little with comical fangs with 'Vampire's Only Please' scrawled beneath.

Further down, a good three acres or three football fields, there were two signs. One was fun like with the vampire only jungle gym. It had a a smiling vampire and a human looking were with big ears, possibly canine, and a fluffy tail. They were holding hands. The caption said 'Everyone can play here!'

Beside it was type of sign Tanner expected. It was metal and imprinted with the following rules:

Weres under 25 lb (12 kg) must be either muzzled or equipped with a security collar

Weres over 25 (12 kg) must have BOTH

NO EXCEPTIONS

Violating these regulations will result in either a fine or expulsion of membership with no refund.

"This is bull--" Tanner cut himself heatedly.

Theron looked surprised. "It's regulation--same as in public. But he's under 25 pounds isn't he?"

"I hate treating him like an animal." Tanner grit out.

Theron nodded his head. "I couldn't imagine being in your position. But as long as he doesn't shift he can play just like everyone else."

'Everyone else' meaning vampires. "Yeah. I know."

They stepped on the soft mulch heading toward a bench under a willow tree. "Papa can I play with Gee?" The boy pointed a little shoveling in a sandbox.

Luca's eyes widened and in a flash, shifted to his wolf shape to no doubt, dig. "Wait!" Tanner narrowly caught the wiggling pup as he dug for the muzzle.

Luca's rail stopped wagging and his tail pinned. He whimpered in objection as it was fastened. "If you're in this shape you have to." Tanner told him weakly.

He let down the pup who had lost his excitement. He watch Daniel going to dig with his friend and began to realize how different he was. "Go on and play." His Daddy urged him with a smile.

Luca would much rather play with Marco--at least then he didn't have to wear the stupid straps on his mouth. But he obediently trotted toward where Daniel was. The boy ignored him strictly while the other, Gee, watch him curiously as he sniffled at tough of grass and edged closer to the sand box almost nervously. Daniel ignored him stubbornly beginning to create a mound base for his sand castle. Gee moved over, making space for the pup to join them.

At least he could show decency.

Theron led him to the bench where the two men sat and began to get to know each other--but not before Theron apologized for his behavior. "He doesn't mean to be intolerant."

"I know he doesn't. But to blame an entire species--"

"You and I both know that not too long ago we would have felt the same. That kind of realization comes with maturity." Interrupted Theron. "I can help teach him tolerance and he'll learn eventually--but it won't happen overnight."

Tanner knew he was right whether he liked it or not. "He is a sweet boy." Theron assured him. "He may seem cold but once he warms up to Luca--and I can tell he will--the two will be inseparable."

A woman appeared their left. Tanner naturally stiffened as he expected criticism for Luca but Theron greeted her warmly by her first name. "Nala, this is Tanner. His little that adorable little were with the boys."

She turned her piercing blue eyes on Tanner and sized him up momentarily. Surprised he didn't fight her on the domineering look in her eyes. Nala saw this as a win and smiled. "Pleasure."

She extended her hand and Tanner shook it. She squeezed tightly and Tanner couldn't help but smile at her will. "My Gee seems to like him," she pointed out.

Tanner nodded his head. Luca's little paws were digging casually. Gee was watching closely while Daniel scowled at the two. "Although the strapped muzzles always make me nervous--it's too easy to  get off."

Tanner bit back a sharp remark. "I assure you it's well within regulation."

Man and woman eyed each other challenging before she broke out with a wide grin. "I like him," she told Theron. "He seems like a good boy--I was picking."

Tanner tried to play if off but he didn't like the air of her joke.

QOTC: What do you think of the park? Should Tanner boycott it or is it more important for Luca to socialize?

Thoughts on Nala? Daniel? Theron?