[Relationship] The Bitch is Back

[Samantha McManus]

Tereza can almost feel Sam's frustration coming up the hallway before she hears the footsteps. When she finally opens the door, she looks a little off from how she was when the werewolf left to go back to the university. It's hard to place. A little bit of it is just posture, but the definition that's been creeping into Sam's limbs is more noticeable and her pants are coming up shorter at the cuffs. Her hair is tousled, messy, and might be a little longer.

Some of the frustration eases as she spots her girlfriend, a smile crossing her lips.

"Hey there, they finally let me loose."

[Tereza Rozanov]

Tereza, for herself, seems disgruntled as well. "I was beginning to wonder how long they were planning on keeping you."

[Samantha McManus]

"Kept expecting something to happen to me, I guess. Beat the odds."

"Where's Viv? At work?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"In Wales. She wanted to go visit Nimue for a bit and I drove her out there."

[Samantha McManus]

"...oh. Well that... that sucks," she sighs as she walks over to sit down near Tereza.

Now that she's nearby and the smells of the cafeteria aren't distracting, the off-smell on Sam is more noticeable.

[Tereza Rozanov]

Tereza's eyes dart over Sam, finally really seeing her. "Don't take this the wrong way, but did they give you some sort of weird shampoo at Muir?"

[Samantha McManus]

"...no?"

She reaches up to comb through her hair with her fingers and a dead leaf falls out.

"Ah, missed one."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"How did you...? But no, that's not it," she says, leaning into Sam and sniffing her as her wolf starts pacing through threat assessment.

[Samantha McManus]

"What? I figured Leo was feeling as cooped up as me so I showed him the woods."

She smells mostly like how Tereza would expect her to, but especially around her hair and under her arms there's something else. Something a bit musky, like a wet dog.

Or a wolf.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"You haven't been seeing other wolves have you?" She asks, trying to play it off and mostly succeeding.

[Samantha McManus]

"I haven't been seeing anyone other than a bunch of doctors who I swear were refrigerating their instruments," she sighs.

"What's wrong?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"You smell... wolfy," she says, a note of worry creeping into her voice.

[Samantha McManus]

"Okay that's a bit odd, but is it a problem?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Maybe. I don't know. Probably not, probably not," she says, reassuring herself.

[Samantha McManus]

"I mean, it's bound to be a smell we're used to by now, eh?"

She continues fixing her mussed hair, tucking it behind an ear that almost comes to a point.

"I bet you were just going stir-crazy with both me and Viv gone."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I guess. Goodness knows Viv and I were at loose ends after five hours in the car."

[Samantha McManus]

"You're used to running with a pack, Isolde isn't good company, and now you're seeing wolves everywhere," she shrugs.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I suppose. And Isolde's alright. Better than she used to be," she says, trying to stick up for one of her packmates.

[Samantha McManus]

"I mean yes, she's not trying to eat your face anymore."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"It's better than that, but I don't want to argue about Isolde. Is there anything you'd like to do now that you're free?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Honestly? I've got a lot of pent-up energy. I guess we could go dancing or something, or hit up the Danger Room?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I think I've had enough fighting for a bit," she says, glancing at her arm, though it looks perfectly fine and Sam's not sensing any pain from her. "I suppose we could find some place to go dancing."

[Samantha McManus]

"I mean, as long as Viv won't feel left out, aye?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I can't imagine she will..." Tereza says. "Any idea where you want to go? I assume you want to avoid the Raven's Crest."

[Samantha McManus]

"Do you like the Raven's Crest? I don't hate it, but she's sort of my sideways-ex?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I don't care, but there's only so many mutant friendly places," Tereza grouses, "and we're both looking pretty mutant-y right now." She reaches over and pokes at the semi-pointed tip of one of Sam's ears.

[Samantha McManus]

Sam blinks a little in confusion.

"...didn't realize I was doing that."

The ear smooths into a more human shape, but only for a moment. Soon after, it flows into a more pronounced point.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Yeah, I think we're going to have to go with something mutant friendly," Tereza says, grabbing her phone and starting to flip through some posts on some forum.

[Samantha McManus]

"Guess it's the Raven's Crest, then. Suppose we were bound to have a better date there eventually," she smirks toothily.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Yeah, the Maldon places have dried up a bit lately, based on what people are saying," Tereza growls.

[Samantha McManus]

"Well it sounds like you got the car running, aye?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Such as it is. Felt a bit touch and go on the way back, but it should get us to Chelmsford."

[Samantha McManus]

"So, the wolf still riding you a bit hard?" She reaches out to trace Tereza's own ear.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Yes," Tereza says, "Has been since the fight. She doesn't want to settle down. I think I pushed her too hard."

[Samantha McManus]

"So how about I show both of you a good time tonight? You deserve it."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I don't know about deserve," she says, still looking at her phone.

[Samantha McManus]

"Why's that?" She quirks a ginger brow.

"You've put up with a lot."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I did what needed to be done. It's not like I went above and beyond or anything," she says, putting the phone away. "We should probably get ready if we're going out."

[Samantha McManus]

"God, yes. I've got to get into something a bit more fun," she says as she heads for the dresser, stripping down.

The smell of wolf is that much harder to avoid as Sam is bared, and Tereza spies a scattering of ginger stubble on her girlfriend's legs and under her arms as she rummages for an outfit.

[Tereza Rozanov]

"You know what? You might want to take some time to tidy up. You just got back. I'm sure the showers are free this time of day," she says diplomatically.