“I’m glad you came to me.” Were the first words Drevari uttered when she opened the door for the blue wolf. Zheil’s housemate was out of town and the blue wolf had just heard some troubling news. One of her friends and supporters had been stricken by an illness and died. It was a hefty blow to Zheil simply because without that friend the wolf wouldn’t be where she was in her career or even her mental maturity.

She’d spent the night restless, unable to think clearly or focus on her work even facing a loss of appetite. Part of her knew she wanted to call Drevari, one of the best friends she had, even if their get-togethers were often a bit more professional. The bat was, after all, a very busy woman with a packed schedule regardless if it was for her business or leisure. It had taken Zheil until late at night to decide she would go through with the call, and by then she had felt guilty about leaving it too late, so she had waited until the sun rose.

Even at that early time in the morning, the woman’s ever present aide was the one to answer the call. It was almost enough to make Zheil’s already indecisive self just pretend it was a wrong number and hang up, but she’d persisted.

When Drevari heard the summary from her assistant, she took the phone, holding it away as she simply told Cerise she knew what to do before she put it to her ear and spoke to the wolf.

Drevari promised Zheil that there was an opening for her that night, and the wolf’s relief was palpable. Hearing the declaration, Cerise hopped out of room to make some other calls and cancellations to adjust Drevari’s schedule, all to ensure that her employer’s word rang true.

Zheil and Drevari met up that evening, and the bat could see from her eyes that Zheil hadn’t slept for over a day. They went through to Drevari’s lounge where Cerise had just finished setting out a few comfort-food style refreshments. The small cocker spaniel knew Drevari well, often able to anticipate what she would need, even if the bat didn’t know herself. When it came to others her predictions were not always as absolute, and so she hovered by the door, a discreet distance away, quite happy to leave or stay.

“Come, Zheil, tonight we’re having a girls’ night, let us all just settle down and talk.” The bat said, taking hold of Zheil’s shoulder and guiding her over to one of the sofas.

In the end, Cerise was called over to stay and join them, all the entertainments they had on standby sat ignored. Instead the night was spent talking as the bat and dog both did their utmost to help encourage the wolf. She let out her feelings, and Drevari knew that for Zheil the best way to handle it was to speak about the departed friend.

Drevari listened, calmly and quietly, asking the right questions when Zheil fell quiet, and soon the wolf’s spirits were lifted enough that the fatigue in her body took over, but not before they’d convinced some food into her. The wolf woman soon drifted to sleep on the sofa, and Drevari very carefully pulled herself out from under Zheil, waiting to be sure she was soundly asleep before heading away.

Drevari would have to make it up to the client she had to postpone, but even if it came to the worst outcome, it was a sacrifice she’d make any day for those who relied on her.