She hesitates, afraid of doing something wrong, and then asks in a tentative voice, "For pets, Master Darius?"
"Pets?" he asks, voice low.
She nods. She misses getting pets from Auntie Darla. Alpha Franklin says she shouldn't ask for them anymore since she's grown up. "Pets," she repeats slowly, bringing her palm up to her head, fingers curled inwards as she brushes her hand over her ears.
"Do you want pets?" he asks.
She nods and climbs up onto the seat on her hands and knees. She leans her head to his thighs, cheeks pressed against his hard stomach, and lets out a rumbling purr.
"Jesus," Ethan growls.
"Please, Master Darius," she whines when he takes too long, wriggling a little to capture his attention.
"I'm not- you don't have to call me Master Darius, Aria," he says and combs his hands from her forehead to the spot between her ears, and then down to cradle the base of her neck. She pushes her head closer to his palm, chasing after the sensation of his fingers on her skin. He's warm and his touch is kind. He doesn't grip too tightly or use his claws and he's not trying to demean or humiliate her.
She relaxes in his lap, liking him more and more.
"She's a sweet little thing, isn't she?" Ethan murmurs. "How human do you think she is?"
"She's right here, Ethan. You can ask her yourself."
She would much rather if he didn't. She likes getting touched like this, soft and gentle and not at all with the intention to cause pain. Her tail sways from side to side behind her, pleasure causing her to purr a little harder. She wonders if she should be sadder about leaving her family, but she can't muster up the tears and she's not really sad. And it's nice that he's touching her so kindly. She likes it.
Feeling brave, she crawls up and into his lap, fitting herself on top of him with continuous, content purrs. He's a big man, muscles on his thighs sturdy as she shifts and makes herself comfortable on top of him. Her skirt pools er skirt pooling at her thighs and hiking up when she straddles him and rubs the top of her head to his chin. It's prickly and he smells a little bit like blood, but mostly she feels very warm and safe and it's important that he likes her. If she puts more of her scent on him, he would recognize her as his and he wouldn't hurt her. He's her new Master now and maybe if she does her best to be good, he will be a kind to her.
Master Darius startles, fingers in her hair stopping for a second before he continues, combing his fingers down her hair and over her furry ears again and again.
"Do you get pets like this at home, Aria?" Ethan asks carefully, enunciating every word like he's afraid of the answer.
She pauses. "Yes," she lies because she doesn't want Master Darius to stop. And then, softly, she amends, "I used to."
The answer seems to satisfy him because he doesn't ask her to elaborate. She smiles and melts a little more in his lap, rubbing her cheeks to the front of his shirt.
"May I see your tail?" Ethan asks suddenly.
She's aware that her tail has been swaying from side to side underneath her skirt and it's probably the movement that caught Master Darius's twin's attention, but she's a little reluctant to show him her tail nevertheless. She's used to hiding it when she's outside. She remembers the punishment she would get if she disobeys and bites her lower lip in hesitation. Maybe Master Darius is different, and he doesn't have a basement to lock her in. Maybe-
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Master Darius whispers, breaking into her thoughts. His grip on the back of her neck is calm and soothing. The collar gets in the way somewhat, but she's not too bothered about that. The collar is leather with the metal bits locking in so she can't take it off. She's used to having it on.
Permission from Master Darius to not show her tail only makes her feel like she should. "I- I can, Master Darius," she says and lets the tip of her tail peek from underneath her long dress. The fur is a little messy because she had curled it so tightly around herself earlier and she wishes she can groom it better, but her Master Darius's hands are on the small of her back, keeping her steady as the car rumbles onward. The skirt hikes up a little more and her tail curls up, showing off the bristling, fluffy fur.
"It's a lovely tail, Aria," Master Darius praises.
She preens and doesn't pull away like she usually does when Ethan grabs the end of her tail and tugs a little. She does grimace, though. It stings when people do that.
"Don't be a brat, Ethan," Master Darius scolds, teeth bared as though he's ready to fight her brother for her and Ethan lets go immediately.
"It's so soft," Ethan says.
Master Darius doesn't say anything when she curls her tail back underneath her skirt and she mewls happily, rubbing her ears to his chin to get his attention back on her.
"Aria, I want to ask you a few questions and I want you to answer honestly, okay?" he says.
"Of course, Master Darius."
"Not gonna get used to that anytime soon," Ethan chuckles.
"Shut up, Ethan," he fixes his brother with a stern glare. His tone is softer when he talks to her. "Aria, were you unhappy at home?" he asks.