"Yes, it's me," She replied, walking out into the open and looking around, "How are you liking the cave? Is it alright to stay in?" Her golden amber eyes wandered to the cave and she studied what he had done, actually slightly amazed that he had made it more inviting looking than before.
Frankie smiled welcomingly. ”I like it very much. I'm going to enjoy staying here.” Especially if you can keep visiting. ”I hope you don't mind what I’ve done to it for my visit.” he gestured to the small site he made.
Selina nodded, "Your changes are fine, as long as they aren't going to be here permanently after you leave." She didn't bother to ask or answer any more questions as she laid down a little ways away but still close. Her paws were crossed in front of her and she was clearly still on guard, her ears turning around at every noise that she heard.
Frankie nodded. ”I promise to put everything back when I leave. It’s good to see you again.” he smiled a little shyly, unsure of what else to say.
"It's good to see you again as well, Frankie," She replied, even managing to get a smile-like look on her face without seeming scary, "So, tell me about yourself."
”Uh… Not much to tell, really.” he blushed. ”I… I'm 22, currently not in college and I love nature.” Frankie shrugged with a small smile. ”I came out here because I want to see as much as I can of what Wilds are still left in the National Parks. I know it's not as much as it used to be, but… At least it's still here.”
Selina nodded, settling in even more, "So what is college exactly? I know there are rogues of my kind that live among humans and know more about that, but I've only heard of it from visitors in the park talking about it." Her head cocked to the side curiously and she debated showing him her human form, he had earned her trust so far from not talking about talking to her.
Frankie smiled softly. ”Right, sorry. College is…” he sighed, rubbing his neck, ”Well, it depends on what definition you want. It's supposed to a way for people my age and older to keep learning and eventually get a good-paying job. But honestly, if it's anything like the other schools I’ve been to then, it's a prison.” he looked at her before realizing she wouldn't know that word either. ”A cage, basically.”
She growled and shook her head, clearing understanding the word 'cage', "Why would any reasonable being subject themselves to being put in a cage? I've had experience with those, and they're worse than being bound with actual chains." Other than the fact that it was insane that humans would willingly go to college, as Frankie said they did, it interested her immensely, "So, do you have any family?"
Frankie shrugged. ”We don't always have a choice. Until we get to college-level, school is mandatory. They say it's for our benefit to go on to college if we want to make our own mark on the world, be someone important.” he scoffed. ”Thing with me is, the things I want to learn can't be found in a book.” Taking a calming breath, he continued. ”I’m sorry you had to experience being in a cage, though I would agree chains are better, if just barely.” His gray eyes lit up a bit when she mentioned family. ”Just my dad and my sister. I don't really look like him except for the ears and jawline but he says he’s proud of me for taking this trip since it's what I really want to do. And my younger sister, Cora, is 19 and is just as passionate about the ocean as I am about all this.” he gestured around them.
"They force you to spend your childhood going to a school?" She shook her head again, "You learn more about the world and can make more of a difference just by living out here for a month." Selina didn't acknowledge what he had said about her being in a cage, clearly not wanting to delve into the subject any further. "What about your mother?" She asked, getting to her feet and walking around for a little bit before settling down in a place opposite of where she was before, still facing his camp and him.
”Childhood and teenage years.” Frankie pointed out before smiling and nodding enthusiastically, ”Yes! Thank you! I’m glad someone agrees with me on that.” he sighed in relief at hearing his perspective spoken aloud by another. He didn't care that the other individual was a wolf, it felt good to know he wasn't alone in his thoughts on this topic. His smile almost disappeared when Selina asked about his mother. ”Uh… She…” he cleared his throat, stalling, ”she died in a car crash. Drunk driver didn't even see her.” he murmured, stirring the embers at the bottom of the fire.
She nodded again, bowing her head respectfully, "I'm truly sorry to hear that Frankie. If you don't mind me asking, how old were you when she passed?" Again, she crossed her front paws and really debated showing him her human form. Her gut told her she could trust him, but she didn't know for absolute sure if it was right.
Frankie frowned in thought giving a shrug. ”I think I was nine… If it's ok, I don't really like talking about it.” he sighed, lifting his head slightly. ”Can you tell me about you and your pack? I know a bit about wolves but I would like to hear it from someone who lives it.”
Selina thought for a minute, nodding, "Sure, I will, but I have to show you something before you ask any other questions." She had decided that it would be easiest to tell him about her pack in human form, that way he would be able to understand her life better, at least she felt. "Do you have a pair of pants and a shirt I could borrow? It has to do with what I have to show you."
Frankie blinked owlishly, even tilting his head slightly in confusion before nodding. ”Of course I do. One second.” He stood, walked into the cave and grabbed a spare shirt he had planned for sleeping and a pair of hiking shorts. ”I hope these’ll work. I don't understand why you need them but…” he shrugged placing the clothes as close to her as he felt he could get.
"I won't hurt you Frankie," She said with a small laugh, seeing that he didn't seem to be comfortable getting close to her. Selina took the clothes gently in her mouth and stood up, padding a ways away, "Don't follow me, I'll be right back." Easily, she found a space away from him protected from creeping eyes and dropped the clothes, shifting into her human form and pulling them onto her body.
Frankie gave a relaxed smile at her reassuring words. ”I didn't really think you would. If you wanted to I doubt I would be in one piece right now.” he chuckled. ”I was just trying to be respectful of you. Don't worry, I’ll stay here.” He promised, turning back to the fire trying to figure out what a wolf would want with some spare clothes.
"Ok, Frankie, don't freak out at what I'm going to show you, please," She called out after getting dressed, wandering back towards the camp. She didn't step out into the open right away, waiting for him to say he wouldn't freak out.
He scoffed playfully, raising a brow. I don't know what could freak me out right now. I have been having a conversation with a wolf. What else is there? ”As long as you don't show me a dead body, human or animal, I should be fine.” Frankie promised confidently.
Selina couldn't help but smile a little, "It's not a dead body." With that said, she slowly stepped out to show him her human form, "But it is a different body…at least one that you're not used to. I'm still Selina, I promise."
Frankie's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as she walked into the light. If it weren't for her words and the same golden-brown eyes, he wouldn't believe that the woman in front of him was his wolf friend. ”S-Selina? H-how are you…?”
"I'm as you would call them in the human world, a werewolf," She explained, looking around nervously and shifting on her feet, "Just, please don't tell anyone, or I will not only be forced to…dispose of you…i'll be killed as well."
Frankie opened and closed his jaw a few times trying to form words. After failing that attempt he closed his eyes, focused on his breathing and counted… A little trick he used when his mind was overwhelmed, which wasn't very often. ”I… I won't tell anyone. I promise.” He opened his eyes and took in her human appearance. ”So, this is what you meant about not being a wolf all the time.”
Selina gave a nod, motioning to her body, "Yes, this is what I meant. Now do you understand why I had to show you this before I could tell you about my pack?" Gingerly, she walked forward and sat down near the fire, well aware of how strange this must be for frankie.