The next morning I decide to walk in human form for a bit and allow Faen a chance to get steady on his legs. When I shifted last night, I willed my dress to not appear, so that I could change into warmer clothes. Another ability royal's have. I can shift back naked if I want or have the dress, I opt for dress more often than not as I feel so regal in it. I feel like a Queen.

'You will be Queen,' Aris huffs, 'When you stop running, that is.'

Oh, hush Aris, I roll my eyes and keep walking, keeping a watchful eye on Faen, I don't need your preaching this early in the morning. Or ever.

'You're acting like a child, playing hiding-go-seek with Fate,' Aris grumbles, 'You need to stop your games.'

Oh, Hell, I groan at her both mentally and physically, I already have a mother, I don't need another.

'Someone has to keep you in line,' she growl, her tail flicking with contempt.

Leave me be! I snap, shutting her out as I stomp through the snow.

I know we are closing in on our destination, claws marks on the trees signalling me. I designed them to resemble bear claws, because bears are territorial and will claws the trees in their domain. It's my way of ensuring my safety and solitude. Hunters even tend to shy away from a potential angry bear. I call Faen over and he prances over to me, already responding to his name. I bundle him up in the blankets and strip off my layers, placing them in the duffle bag, along with Faen.

I shift quickly, wanting to escape the cold breeze that wraps around my naked body. Fur sprouts along my pale skin as I transform into a majestic beast.

Once on all four paws, I carefully scoop up the duffle bag between my jaws. Faen is no longer frightened of Aris, though I don't think that includes others. I lope through the lightening forest, the trees whizzing my as I draw closer than ever to my destination.

I slow down as the trees begin to thin, before suddenly stopping and opening up to a small meadow. Enclosed in miles of trees, it's the perfect place for solitude. On the far end of the clearing is a wall, a tall cliff face. Built into it is a dingy cabin. With rotting log walls and a sagging roof, it may not look like much.

[looks like this in theory, but the cabin is the on up top]

Looks can be deceiving.

The old cabin is a front. If you go into the deserted office and you pull the right light piece, the crumbling bookcase and wall, slides back to reveal the hallway of my cave. Smoothed out rock, formed over thousands of years of erosion. An underground river carved out every room and every passage. It goes deep into the mountain side, I haven't even explored it's end.

Because of nature, I never had to employ a crew to build anything. The reason the cabin out from looks so bad is because I built it by hand, using scrap wood and old furniture from the basement. I'm kinda glad I'm a crappy builder, but my interior design skills are like no other. That said the cave interior is fit for royalty.
Shifting, I drop the duffle bag and drop into my human form, clad in my white dress. I grab the bag into my arms, cuddling a curious Faen in my arms. His little nose twitches at everything. Did I mention that it's perpetually spring here in this little sanctuary. That's why I call it Springdom. Tacky, but I was ten when I found this place. It's constantly teeming with life and full of wonder.

Overall through the meadow, tall grass catching at my dress, but I keep walking to the cabin entrance. Ignoring the ominous creaks and groans emitted from the house, I pad over to the 'study'. Shifting the bundle in my arms so I can free my arm, I reach up to pull on an old gas light, placed on the other side of the room.

A grinding sequence follows, the cabin walls shuddering with the effort. I almost wince as the walls groans to a halt once it has slid back into the mountain. A sunny room greets me. Lit with small holes in the walls and multiple mirrors, it truly is a sight to behold.

I enter into the cavern, the cold floors carpeted beneath me feet with an assortment of many different carpets. I kneel down to release Faen from the confines of the duffle bag, allowing him to roam free. The warmth of the mountain means I don't have to wear layers of furs and sweaters. This network of chambers was once a volcano before it went extinct, then became a hot water spring feeder. In fact, I have several pockets of hot water baths throughout the cavern.

As it is daytime and the mirrors provide enough light, I don't need to switch any lights on just yet. A series of connected lights, all run from a small generator, but I barely use it, relying on candles unless necessary. From outside, in the distance, you can see flashes of light coming from the mountain. The mirrors. Only no body knows that, because of thousands of little gems hidden in the rocks that catch the sunlight during the day. That's why the locals call it Diamond Mountain. I'm not complaining, it just means I don't have to worry about discovery.

At the moment, I just want to relax after the long trek. I need a warm swim after the cold temperatures in the Kingdom beyond. I decide a lovely dip in the underground hot spring lake will suffice. Heck, more then suffice, that place is my favorite room in the whole cavern. Just to be sure Faen doesn't wonder off and get lost, I place him on my bed for a nap. I draw the curtain closed behind me as I have no doors, hoping Faen stays in my room while I swim.

I skip down the hollow chambers, excited to finally relax, alone. Entering the large room, the size of a college football field, I shift into my tiger, knowing Aris loves to get her fur wet.

I know what you're thinking, but unlike other cats, tigers love to swim and play in the water. It's also what makes us such deadly predators. When prey takes to the water, seeking safety, they don't count on tiger's knowing how to swim. We can run, climb and swim. I think only birds are safe from my claws, unless the are on the ground, then they are fair game.

I let Aris have control, allowing her to splash and swim to her heart's content. I just lay back and relax, watching her play, like I'm watching a movie.

~•~•~

Sorry for the wait. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to:

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LilMissImperfection xoxo

P.S - I'm thinking the girl below can be Maurice, unless you have someone better in mind. Let me know in the comments or PM me.

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