"Tell us more about you, Little Miss," Vick began, "Likes, dislikes, and whatnot. We will introduce ourselves first, so take your time thinking of what to say, alright?"
I nodded, watching each male in turn, keeping track of who was who and their influence within the group (not their strenght or place in Madam's heart).
1. Vick, first in command. Calls Madam Precious.
2. Karrak, second in command. Calls Madam Yaya.
3. Romeo, third in command. Calls Madam Princess.
4. Gold, merman, family foreman (labor supervisor). Calls Madam Yali.
5. Moyu, eagle beastman, family spokesperson. Calls Madam Spouse.
6. Michael, scorpion beastman, family entertainer. Calls Madam Darling.
7. Skaris, wolf beastman, family housekeeper. Calls Madam Dear.
8. Baron, wolf beastman, family butler (oversees everyone's needs). Calls Madam Dearest.
9. Kurus, snake beastman, family tailor. Calls Madam Sweetheart.
I didn't expect Romeo's rank to be so high. I thought the nice ones followed, not led.
I also didn't expect for Michael to be the entertainer of the family; whoever heard of a male entertainer before? Or for the strongest-looking Kurus, in charge of mending and washing their clothes.
They all knew how to hunt, cook (besides Moyu), and even had medical knowledge on how to treat injuries and wounds. The first three didn't even disclose their species, saying how it had to be the end of the world if I ever got to see them in their beast form.
They moved here for a change of environment, for Madam to move on from some chick who had wronged them, and to find a place where they could start over.
It wasn't difficult to stay in their presence as I thought it would be. I was used to being a bad center of attention, especially around males.
These males, on the other hand, were easy-going, and not once did they mention my looks or the fact that I was different from them. They barely treated me as a female and more as a fellow male.
"Alright, your turn," Vick called after they were done, "Tell us more about you."
"Y-yes," I began, thinking of what to say, "My likes... um..." The Madam. They liked her, so I should too, "...Madam," I decided.
They chuckled at that and nodded. "Good. Dislikes?"
"Territory." I said, "I dislike not having a territory."
Vick stopped laughing, his smile suddenly turning devil, "Is there a specific territory you want? This is your world, so you surely have a place you would want to see uprooted from the ground, right? Be honest, this is your chance to get back at anyone who's hurt you."
Gold glanced my way, "You can choose a few. We will destroy them for you. Or do you want to do it yourself?"
"I'm sorry?" I asked. Where was this conversation going?
"A name. Give us a few names, and we will make sure they never hurt you again," Moyu said. "It will save us a lot of time on this search. And it's good for you, too."
"..." Was this another trick? Like putting me on a pedestal before shoving me to the ground?
Right on cue, Madam returned from her walk with Michael and Baron, saving me from having to answer.
"Send her to our home. The males there will treat her better than here," Madam said, her voice unfeeling.
I felt two arms wrap around my shoulder, Romeo's and Vick's.
"...But she already came to like us so much, isn't that right, Little Miss?" Vick asked.
I nodded automatically, "Yes, a lot. With all my heart."
"See? A lot, with all her heart," Vick repeated, and the rest chuckled along.
Madam didn't find it funny at all and walked between us to pull me away from them.
"Stay away from those groomers," she ordered, and I was quick to follow. "I won't be able to help you when you realize you are nothing more than an object to them. Except for Romeo, none of them will be able to reciprocate your feelings."
My feelings? Why was Madam making it sound like I was trying to steal them from her?
I shook my head, wanting to deny her words, but nothing came out. I wanted to please them so much, so that they would keep me and let me stay with them. Yes, she was right. It had to appear as if I was trying to steal them from her, in a sense.
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
VISUALS
🎀LittleBlack Sheep
Height: 1.61m (5'2)
Appearance: black skin, long slightly curly black hair, gray eyes
Vibe: quiet (outside) submissive, obedient (home)
⚖️Madam
Height: 1.85m (6'0)
Appearance: Long black hair, gray eyes, white skin
Vibe: bully (outside) bully (home)
⚙️Vick
Height: 2.2m (7'2)
Appearance: Short white hair, blue eyes, white skin
Animal Traits: None
Vibe: commanding (outside) calculating, always ten step ahead (home)
💀Karrak
Height: 2.0m (6'5)
Appearance: Long teal hair (tied back), yellow eyes, olive toned skin
Animal Traits: None
Vibe: grim reaper (outside), troll (home)
🌹 Romeo/Zeek
Height: Varies between 1.85m–2.1m (6'1 Romeo–6'9 Zeek)
Appearance: black hair, black/red eyes, white/black skin
Animal Traits: None
Vibe: politician (outside) second lead syndrome (home)
🔱 Gold (Merman)
Height: 2.0m (6'5)
Appearance: Long blond hair, golden eyes, golden medium tan skin
Animal Traits: fish scales on arms and legs, fishtail in water
Vibe: ethereal commander (outside), doting husband (home)
🪽Moyu (Eagle)
Height: 2.0m (6'5)
Appearance: Short black hair with a single braid, blue eyes, cool toned skin
Animal Traits: None
Vibe: cold, serious (outside), act of service (home)
🃏Michael (Scorpion)
Height: 1.9m (6'2)
Appearance: Dark purple hair, dark skin with a reddish undertone, purple eyes with black sclera, spiky teeth
Animal Traits: Scorpion tail
Vibe: dangerous king (outside), playful king (home)
🌪Skaris (Wolf)
Height: 1.95m (6'4)
Appearance: stitched skin, blindfolded, long white hair, black nails
Animal Traits: white wolf ears/tail
Vibe: eerie (outside), soft (home)
🪩Baron (Wolf)
Height: 1.90m (6'2)
Appearance: Silver-blue hair, blue eyes, white skin
Animal Traits: wolf ears/tail
Vibe: strict (outside), strict (home)
🩸Kurus (Snake Beastman)
Height: 2.1m (6'9)
Appearance: Long red hair, red eyes
Animal Traits: Snake tail, snake tongue
Vibe: dangerous beauty (outside), quiet beauty (home)
╚═════════════════╝