17th September, 3 pm. Prison Cell

[therealpm]

*Peter scratches his way through the summary of yet another brief.  Apparently he is ahead of what the BIS civil servants had estimated he would be able to summarise.  A small satisfaction.

He stretches his hand and stares out the window, willing away the cramping up his forearm and takes another sip of water.*

Comments

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I was merely suggesting that we try and fulfil the aims of your trip here this evening before the babysitter leaves.

It was a suggestion, Sally!

If you think, in the long run, that spending all evening gossiping with Peter about my faults is a far more valuable use of your time, then by all means go ahead. However, I would just point out that the longer you spend swapping the tales, the longer you have to wait to see if you can find it in you to trust Peter to be around our children, something I know you, Peter, I and the children are keen to resolve post haste.

[thetwitterqueen.livejournal.com]

*Argh. The man is so infuriating sometimes.*

Thank you for your suggestions, John, they are duly noted.

*She turns her nose up at him and swivels to look at Peter. The man looks like one of her children, sitting quietly on the bed, and she immediately feels guilty for fighting in front of him. That's the last thing Peter needs, more drama.

She gentles her voice.*

What do you want to do, Peter? It's completely up to you. Please don't listen to John, he's being a dick.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter smirks from under his fringe at John, then compoes his face and turns to Sally.*

I am perfectly happy to provide a... demonstration of the wolf form, though not the act of transformation itself, today, however...

*He glares at John.*

...in future more freedom to roam would definitely be appreciated.

[thetwitterqueen.livejournal.com]

*Sally smiles at him.*

That would be lovely, but only if you want to. Should I go out, or is the bathroom big enough?

*She lets her smile take on a wicked edge.*

And don't worry about the future. If I'd realised...I will make sure John finds a way to give you a bit more freedom.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

The bathroom will be fine.

*He favours Sally with a friendly smile, and John a smug nod as he passes.

Once inside the bathroom, he leans the door just to (paws can't handle door handles terribly well), strips off, folding each item of clothing and placing it carefully on the toilet lid, then takes a deep breath and summons up the part of him that prefers four legs to two.

It is difficult- the new moon was only two days ago and the wolf form is still very small and very weak; It takes a lot of persuasion to wake it up. If Peter hadn't practiced the transformation extensively by now, he doubts he would be able to do so at all. Eventually though, his claws and fur begin to grow and he runs through the now familiar sequence of changes as he transforms from man to wolf.

Shaking himself off, he uses a paw to poke the door open and pads out to meet Sally and John.*

[thetwitterqueen.livejournal.com]

*As Sally waits - rather longer than she'd expected - she's surprised to find herself more than a little nervous. She hadn't been at all nervous last time. But now, waiting in a werewolf's cell, with John nearby but still a ways away from her, her nerves are beginning to race.

And then Peter steps out in his wolf form.

He's beautiful, is her first thought. Scary, yes...but beautiful.

She clears her throat.*

Peter?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter wags his tail and whines happily, then wanders over to the bed, leaps up onto the spot he vacated only ten minutes before and curls up to sleep. The transformation at this time of month still takes far too much out of him and he is very tired.*

[thetwitterqueen.livejournal.com]

*Sally holds her ground as the wolf pads past her and jumps up on the bed. It certainly doesn't seem to be a danger to her.

She plucks up her courage and steps closer, then reaches out her hand to stroke his head.

His fur is soft under her hand, and he does not snap at her. He could be a big fluffy dog - but for the lycanthropy surging through his veins, she reminds herself sadly.*

Good night, Peter. I'll let you sleep now.

*She hasn't really been able to spend enough time with the wolf to know whether or not he's safe, although even in this short time she's leaning towards yes. But she does need more time, and besides, using it as a lever against John will mean she has a good chance of getting Peter out of the Palace for a bit. After this long cooped up, he's sure to need it.

She strokes him one last time.*

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter snoozes, oblivious.*

[thetwitterqueen.livejournal.com]

*Sally pats his head, then turns and walks quietly to the door.

She raises a finger to her lips, and John, mercifully, obeys for once. He lets her through the wards, and the two of them head back upstairs.

They pass a carefully blank Lindsay on the way. Sally'd forgotten all about him. Well, she hopes he enjoyed that little show.

But now she needs to go up and hug her children, and thank the stars above that they are safe and whole.

And, perhaps, prod her husband into calling some Army friends.*