The next knock on the door came at 8:21 pm, ten days after the second llama appeared. “Good news ladies.” I said, sliding the bag down off my shoulder, and onto the ground next to me. “Special delivery from…” I read the label. “SmilleeSmile Llama food.”
“Ahhhh, Finally!” Serena said. “Don’t get me wrong, your grass around here is pretty tasty all things considered; but when you get a llama; you get special llama food that tailors itself to the tastes of your llamas.” She said, coming over, and liking her lips. “And this is our shipment.”
Aurora stretched, and stood. “It will taste like the finest flesh for me, and… perhaps bar food, or something similar for her.” She said with a smile.
“Serena?” I asked, not blinking as I watched Aurora’s smiling form silently and calmly approach.
“Yes?” She said, also refusing to look away as Aurora sat patiently before the bag.
“There are days I don’t trust her.” I said.
“Oh, you should never trust me.” The wolf in llama’s clothing said, smiling even wider. “But I’m the wolf you know about. It’s the others that you should really fear.”
“Serena?” I said.
“Yeah?” she asked.
“Is it just me, or did that make sense?” I asked looking at the former barmaid.
She turned to me as well. “It made sense; but I prefer someone I can turn my back on.” She said.
We both turned back to Aurora, who was still smiling wide, though she was now wearing her wolf form. “Can you at least agree not to eat me/maul me/sell me out until we help Serena?” I asked.
Aurora gave a sigh, and her smile faded to a grin. “Alright, fine.” She said. “But enough stalling. Open the bag! Give us our chow, and our daily update.” I raised an eyebrow, and she rolled her eyes, then sighed. Then she pulled her lips back to overemphasize as she said, “Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase?”
I nodded. “Thank you.” I said. Then I grabbed both their bowls, and took turns filling the bowls; starting with Aurora’s, but giving Serena just a little bit more. Then I grabbed the stool from the back porch, and sat on it while the girls ate.
“So I’ve called every doctor and specialist in the area, but we don’t have enough local werefolk.” I said. “If this were an injury, they might be able to do something for you, but even with the insane advancements in technology, magic and everything outside/in between, there isn’t enough known locally about the crossroads of magic and genetics.” I sighed. “In other words, it’s time for a trip.”
Serena paused, savoring her food, then chewed, and swallowed. “What’s our destination?”
“Well, two of the Campuses that participated in the number crunching for the Human Genome Project are in, or around Seattle, and the University of Washington’s library is hooked into the Global Rowling Network; so I made some calls, and asked some genetics professors, doctors, and students to meet us as the U-Dub library tomorrow. I also asked a friend from Oregon if she could bring her tribe’s shaman to meet us there. And if any wizards passing from one library to another become intrigued and decide to chime in; then their help will be appreciated and accepted.” I said.
Aurora swallowed her mouthful of food, and looked up smiling again. “My, but you are devious. And it seems you didn’t learn from Serena’s example, with regard to dealing with wizards…” she said, trailing off.
“I don’t intend to kick any passing wizards down any staircases.” I told Aurora, giving her a look. “And if they ask, then I’ll be all too happy to tell them the truth about what I’m doing and why. And yes, that includes the part about hoping to get their attention.”
“So given your car’s non-llama compatibility, how do we get there?” Serena asked.
“I asked some of the neighbors with horse trailers, and one said that we can hitch a ride with he and his wife as they go into town. From there we can take the bus up to the college. Then once we’re back on our end, I figure I’ll get an uber van or something.”
Serena nodded. Aurora looked like she was deep in thought though. “So what happens if this library meeting doesn’t work out?” she asked quietly.
“The next stop then would be California.” I said. “There are a few more advanced genetics labs, experimental labs, and cutting edge hospitals down there; plus the Navajo and Hopi people who are both closer to werewolf experts are only a state away, in Arizona. I’d see if they could meet us in California, or if some of the experts in California could meet us in Arizona. Either way. Bad comes to worse, we’ve got other advanced genetics labs which share the greater New York area with the Mohawk, which are the last American tribe that seems to have had the most dealings with were-creatures. So if Seattle doesn’t pan out, then it’s the southwest, and if that doesn’t work out, then it’s off to New York before getting really esoteric in our searches.”
Serena and Aurora nodded, then went back to eating their “Not-llama” food.
“Are you two alright?” I asked. “There seems to be something unspoken going on here. I realize that I don’t know much about llamas from the internet, but-”
“Most people don’t think that hard about llamas.” Serena said. “It’s appreciated.” Then she paused and fidgeted. “I just hope that we don’t disappoint you.” She said.
I smiled and patted her head, then wet to Aurora, and patted her’s. “You two have already begun to make my life interesting. There’s no disappointment here. Just be yourselves, and I think it will be alright. Now, finish your food, and we’ll discuss how tomorrow’s going to go.”
The knock that came at 1:57 in the afternoon on October 16th didn't seem too out of place; I just couldn't remember ordering anything lately. Shrugging, and feeling pretty relaxed after work that Friday, I walked to the door, and called, “Who is it?”
There was a moment’s shuffling, then a pleasant enough female voice said, “Delivery for one… P.N.W.? Writer?”
I chuckled as I unlocked the door. “Not very creative I know; but it wasn’t taken yet, so-” I opened the door… only to find myself face to face with another llama. Huh.
I looked around for a source of the voice; but I didn’t see anyone walking away, or hear a car disappearing down the driveway. Odd. Looking up at the llama, I found the tag tied to it’s neck and read, “A Gift, From: CycKath. Huh.” I said releasing the tag. “I had no idea; but I guess sending llamas is a thing.” I said.
“And I had no idea I’d be going to a new home today.” The llama said, using the same voice I’d heard from the other side of the door. “I guess today is just full of surprises for everyone, now isn’t it?” she said.
Several different knee-jerk reactions floated through my head in those silent seconds, but I finally settled on, “I didn’t know talking llamas were an option.”
The llama shrugged. “I guess when you get changed into one, speech becomes an option; but you’re taking it well enough, so I guess all’s well. By the way, what do you have for food; I’m starving!” She said, beginning to walk into my house.
“Whoa!” I said, jumping in front of her, to block her path. “No offense meant, you’re a very well spoken llama; but you can’t wipe your feet well enough for my carpet; you’re slightly odiferous after your long journey; and I’m allergic to llamas.”
“That last part sounds pretty suspiciously specific.” She said, backing up, and glaring at me. “I think that statement might imply bigotry!”
Now it was my turn to shrug. “Well if you must know, the truth is that I’m allergic to everything with fur and feathers. Go ahead, sniff my house. Tell me if you smell any pets.”
After a few good sniffs, she turned to me. “Alright. You’re off the hook this time.” She said.
“Thank you.” I said smiling, as I closed the door, and began leading the new llama around to the back of the house. “But despite my allergies, you’re both going to be properly fed and watered. Plus, with a second llama around, neither of you will be lonely.”
“Hm. Tell me more about this other llama.” She said, following a few steps behind me.
“Well I’ve been keeping him… or her; I’m not really sure actually; in the shed. If you don’t want to keep such close quarters, I’ll have no problem working out something unique for your needs; but best of all, since you’re sentient; I won’t have to bother tying you up for fear of you wandering… off… What?” I asked, stopping as I noticed the new llama had stopped with wide eyes, as she came within first glance of my llama from KalmanHukka.
“You… haven’t been under the mistaken impression that a rope would do you any good against that thing… have you?” the new llama asked nervously.
“Like I was saying, I’ve kept a rope on it to prevent it from wandering off…” I said as I turned to look back at the Kalman llama. Then I froze. The Kalman llama was sitting like a patient dog, and smiling. Smiling much too wide.
As I opened my mouth to either comment on this, or ask about it (I wasn’t sure which yet), the Kalman llama’s eyes lit up in bright blue, and it’s entire body began to shift and flow like water. Moments later it solidified into the shape of a large, smiling wolf, with glowing blue eyes, and teeth the lengths of my fingers. “Oh dear,” It said gently. To my further surprise, it’s voice was darkly feminine, and slightly melodic; but edged with just a hint of either a growl, or musical resonance. “The jig, it would seem; is up.”
To my surprise, the Cyc llama, took a few steps forward, placing herself in a wide aggressive stance between the Kalman llama and I. “You know the rules,” she said, doing her best to look intimidating. “You may not harm the one you are presented to.”
The Kalman wolf chuckled deep in it’s chest, as the shadows in it’s fur swirled and shifted, taking on a liquid consistency, and began to drip upwards. “I wouldn’t dream of harming my new owner.” She said smoothly, as she laid down and got comfortable. “It took quite a bit of effort to come here from the dreamlands of my creator’s mindscape, and I’m well aware that harming my new human would mean a very quick return, followed by an even quicker show tribunal; before the inevitable trip to oblivion. No, I don’t like wasting that much time and effort.” She said. “But…” she said after a pause, “My creator gifted me with a few abilities beyond those of a normal wolf. I happen to know just a little bit about what’s looking to happen to this human; and I want to be here to see the consequences.” She said, looking first to the Cyc llama, then back to me.
I looked back and forth between the two llamas. “And what exactly does that ominous statement translate out to in English?” I asked no one in particular.
The Kalman wolf smiled wider, seeming to be on the verge of laughter. “You still haven’t asked this new llama what she meant when she mentioned, ‘…being turned into one.’ Go ahead. Ask. This is going to be great!”
As I turned to the Cyc llama, she sighed, then sat down her own self, now looking more annoyed than angry, scared or threatened. “Sorry about the confusion,” she said turning to me, “But humans see each of us in a simple, non-threatening, default form: A llama. Each of us can see each other for what we really are: a small piece of our sender’s creativity. Well, I used to be a human woman.” She said.
“A fairly well endowed human woman!” the Kalman wolf called.
“Yes.” The Cyc llama said with a glare at the wolf. “A long haired, fairly well endowed, young human woman with a family history of shapeshifting, noticeably greater than average strength; and a pretty good record of wins verses losses in the bar I tend.” She spat at the wolf. Then she got quiet, and looked down at the grass. It’s just that I had no idea the guys who’d gotten drunk and grabby were mercenaries hired by a wizard for his trip.” She said with a sigh. Then she laid her head down on her forepaws. “He was leaving of his own free will, but when the adrenaline starts flowing, I get a little rowdy. I decided to kick him in the butt as he was leaving, to make a point. And that kick was perfect...” she said wistfully, looking up at the sky. “He lost his balance, tumbled down the three stairs of the front porch, then ate dirt at the bottom. I was laughing hard as I went back inside; but I only had one foot across threshold when I noticed that my clothes were starting to feel way too tight, and that I was feeling itchy all over. It only took a moment or two for my brain to register that the words I was hearing from the guy on the ground don’t come from Earth; but that's when I exploded out of my clothes, and into life as a full time llama.” She said, looking back down. Then she shrugged. “He turned the mercs who’d caused this mess into frogs a moment later, then walked off cursing the lot of us. When I didn’t change back into a human after a week which included the waning of the moon, I went to see a doctor. He basically said that he thinks the spell interacted with my recessive werewolf gene. He had no idea how to fix this; and before I could begin looking for a solution; I was brought here.” She said, looking at me.
I nodded. “You know, this is how mythic quests usually get started.” I said, looking back and forth between the wolf and the llama. “Well we’re not going anywhere today, so I’m going to get the two of you comfortable, then make some phone calls. Meanwhile, I don’t even know what to call the two of you, though I’m open to suggestions.” I said.