Drake looked at Mathias. His palm ached slightly.
“She said she likes you like a brother.”
The aching faded.
“As for mischief. Well we’ll see if I can’t win that Lamia over with my demonic charms~“
Seeing Mathias’s stern look Drake quickly elaborated.
“I meant my personality! Not spells!”
He said quickly.

Mathias looks a little crestfallen as he hears Drake's reply, "Ah ok that's... well that's great he says."

Putting on a smile he continues, "With Ma and Pa away now she the most special person I know around here. I'm glad to know she cares about me."

Mathias listens as Drake continues but looks up sharply at the mention of charms, "Drake you know we don't allow..." Mathais stops as Drake cuts him off, explaining himself. "Ah of course. Sorry I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions there friend. I apologize."

“It’s alright.”
Drake said tearing out the last old post and impaling the last new one in place.
“Why? You like her or something? You know. Romantic wise. You know you can trust me right?”
Drake asked Mathias.

Yuki held what would become Lala's new dress and smiled at her. She could hear that she was quite incredibly dry not only that but she could really use a bath. After All she had scratches and scuffs all over her body from her great run away. I nod my head as I lead her down the hallway. "Of course sweetie, lets get you all cleaned up and hydrated. I am very glad that you like the dress and please there is no need to apologize, you are family now ^~^" I explain as I lead you down the hall and open up a door. Inside is a large tiled room, larger than my bedroom. There is a long counter and mirror that dominates one wall with multiple sinks. On the other side there is a very large bath tub that looks like it could easily hold 16 girls like us. There are two walls in the back that make two alcove, one being a large shower with multiple nozzles and the other having a door that leads to a toilet. On the absolute far side is an open closet that is full of towels and cleaning products. "In order to save water we generally have communal bathing and showering. I understand if you feel nervous about that, we can set up a private time for you. So would you me to stay and help you get cleaned?" I ask as I hang up your new dress.

"Ah well yeah see the thing is," Mathias stammered, "well yeah ya know she's been around an awful long time and all, and she and I always kinda been close and well I kinda thought that... well yeah I guess you know... if it was something that she... it uh, it's just that..."

Deflating a bit he finally says, "Ya I think so. I mean I care about her. A lot. I just wouldn't want to do anything ta hurt her ya know. Looks, its prolly best ya just forget I said anything. I don't wanna go causin strife."

Silently Mathias hammers in the last cross board and stands up looking over the repaired fence.

“Well...”
Drake stares at the sun to judge its location.
“It’s communal bath time. So why not talk to her then?”
Drake suggested as he tested the fence. He grinned.
“And while you chat I’ll be chatting up that Lamia~”

Scratches and scruffs indeed... but not all of those were simply from nature. A few scratches on her back were obviously coming from the beasts that had chased her... and it shouldn't be surprising that she didn't want to show that to anyone. Lala looked back at Yuki as she showed her the bathroom, her green eyes now showing a faint glimmer of safety. Although her voice was still as silent as before once she spoke.

"It's... quite sssizable. But... I don't mind communal showering. We've done that back in the mansssion... although, could I asssk you a favor and wait outssside?"

Lala smiled slightly, poking Yuki's left wing with the tip of her tail.

"It's just... I don't think you'd hurt me. But... I want to take a good look at myssself, and... I'd get all n-nervousss if sssomebody watches me while I do so. Pleassse?"

I gently hug the tip of your tail and nod my head. "Of course Lala, i understand. I get nervous too sometimes. If you need me I will be right outside, so know you are safe." I explain before giving her an actual hug and step outside. Giving you a comforting smile I close the door. Outside I sit down on my knees and close my eyes so that i can concentrate on my hearing. I didnt like to eavesdrop but I felt it was important in case you found an injury you wanted to hide or something.

"Thanksss, Yuki."

Lala smiled gently as she let her tail go and left to wait outside. She just didn't want to show her back to the little harpy, show the stinging scratches she obtained in her escape.

As soon as she was alone, Lala slithered over to the large bathtub. It had easily enough space to fit her body, and as such she hurried to prepare a bubbly bath for herself. She always felt more at ease when there were bubbles for her to play with... and after just a few minutes, the sound of splashing water mixed with a relaxed sigh as Lala slipped into the tub, gazing at her scratched back for a couple of seconds. She picked a soft cloth from the shelf - one of the few times her tail was indeed beneficial - and reached around herself to carefully clean.

Outside the bathing room in the hallway where Yuki is sitting, the silence is broken by a loud shout.

"Baaaaaaaath time!"

A furry simian girl comes bounding around the corner at a full sprint. Jumping up on the wall and using her powerful legs to launch herself around the turn, she comes barreling down the corridor toward Yuki.

When she sees the avian woman she shouts out, "whatcha doin in the hallway Yuki-bird, it's bath time!"

Laughing she dashes for the door.

Pausing for a moment Mathais says, "Sure Drake, sounds like a good idea. Before he mounts up on his four wheeler and starts driving back towards the ranch.

While the vehicle bounces along on the uneven ground he tries to think of something to say to Yuki. He still thinking when he pulls up to the barn and starts un hooking and storing the trailer.

Yuki bolted up to her feet and spread her wings as far as she could to try to cover the door. Sbe used her tiny body to try to barricade the door from the over excited monkey girl. "N-No you can't! We have a new girl who is very shy and needs her privacy!" I shout at the monkey girl as I try to disuade her from barging in on the Lamia's bath time.

Trip's legs immediately lock as she tries to freeze in place. The awkward position puts her off balance sending her tumbling forward. Rather than landing on her face though she tucks and rolls ending up sliding on her back along the floor until she comes to a halt at Yuki's feet.

Smiling a big toothy grin up at Yuki from the floor Trip nearly shouts, "we got someone new!"

Rolling onto her back and kicking her feet forward Trip rights herself before she starts bouncing back and forth from foot to foot. "Whoisit whoisit whoisit," she chants rapidly, "Where'd she come from? Is she cute? What's she like? What kinda girl is she? Is she a fish? Is she a dog? Is she a dragon? OH! Is she another simian? Oh come on Yuki Tell me tell me tell me!"

Lala's quiet musing and alone time came to a crashing halt as the overly excited shouts from outside became audible to her. She dropped her towel and winced, almost diving into the tub to hide. Loud voices were not something she is particularly used to, and not something she coped well with either.

Luckily she was now back to a healthier state. Her scales now glistened with moisture, and as she slithered across the tiled floor, she barely made any sound. Only wrapping a towel around her lower body and slipping on the dress Yuki lent her, she peeked out of the bathroom nervously.

"What'sss thisss commotion all about...?"

Yuki turned to the Lamia as she kept her wings spread out far as she could. "Oh Lala, have you finsihed your bath? It seems like it's bath time and everyone is starting to gather to get all cleaned up. If you want I can keep everyone out for you if you want some more privacy time. Just let me know." I give her a comforting smile and then pout at the overly excited monkey girl. "Calm down you, you are going to make the poor girl nervous, that stress cant be good for her you know."