Wolf Child - HAITUS

Chapter Three: Angel in a Sari

Isabella blinks- and she wonders if the person in charge of her life story has suddenly ushered her into a Bollywood soap opera- because she's confused.

Isabella opens her mouth, and squints her eyes in utmost distrust, "Can I help you?"

The girl before her jumps- as though never expecting Isabella to speak. Her eyes are wide- so wide that Isabella likes them. They remind her of a doe, large and brown and the girl's skin is a lovely shade of olive that puts her red clothes a hundred times attractive.

Isabella leans on her door, an eyebrow raised- then she decides that this girl can't possibly be a threat. She looks shy even- and shy people don't do undercover business for secret wolf packs wanting revenge on human girls... right? And plus- she didn't look a thing like Eclipse, so she couldn't be a wolf.

Isabella puts out a hand, sending the girl a smile, "I'm Isabella, what's your name? And how can I help you?"

The girl waves her head from side to side- almost likes a doll fluidly moving, "My name is Ashna, and I..."

There's just a hint of an accent- but she sounds mostly normal. That is, she doesn't sound too foreign- were there werewolves in India?

The girl, Ashna, speaks again, "I live next door," she points to that cozy house to their left, "And I'd like... like to..."

She blushes, and when she puts out her hand for an awkward handshake, the bangles jingle- it's cute. Isabella grins at her- there's something so childish about her, Isabella could imagine her hair in pigtails instead of that long braid down her back. She can't be older than eighteen- maybe even younger. Could she be sixteen, fifteen?

Ashna chuckles nervously, and bobbles her head again, "I'm sorry- I don't usually leave my home, but I'd love to meet you... and your beta- baby!"

It's like a train blaring past her does Isabella remember the Wolf Child on her bed and the fact that her home is not in a presentable state. Isabella's eyes dash to her car parked so near, and wonders if she runs, would Ashna follow her? Chase her? She doesn't think that a girl who resembles a deer could turn into a wolf.

A wolf in doe's clothing?

Isabella throws away all ridiculous thoughts, and instead smiles at the girl, "Now's not really a good time Ashna,"

Her face falls- and Isabella can distinctively feel a weight drop on her shoulder... The girl's shoulder's sag, "Oh."

It's that kicked-puppy-look that has Isabella quite foolishly saying, "But I guess I could come over sometime... later today?"

The rising sun has found a cousin in this girl's face- the way it lights up makes Isabella smile, and her voice is jubilant, "Really? That would be great! Can you come over for lunch? I'll make some- wait."

Isabella's eyes widen, "Yeah?"

Ashna stoops, and it's only then Isabella sees the bag on the floor. It's bulky and it's almost daunting- but the girl lifts it up easily and holds it between them, "It's a welcoming gift!"

Isabella is hesitant, "What does it have?"

Ashna shrugs, and she's growing more comfortable when she says, "Some groceries, a map of our town, a few coupons, an address book with notes. Some baby clothes-"

"Ashna I love you!" Isabella grabs the girl in a hug, "Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you!"

Ashna is frozen for a solid second before laughing, "You're welcome Isabella!"

And a friendship is formed- because of baby clothes. Isabella can't hide her relief so Ashna dives into the bag, and takes out a little romper. It's far too big for Eclipse- it's like a ladybug- and it's so soft that Isabella has evil plans to turn it into a cushion. And the little hats- oh the socks... Isabella doesn't realize she's cooing until a certain child starts to scream.

Isabella- with a beanie hat in one hand and a blanket in her elbow gives a panicked look to Ashna.

The girl says, "There's baby formula too."

It's official- angels come in saris. And who is Isabella to deny an angel entrance? She smiles- widely, like a woman who's won a hamper, in this case, a hamper full of all the things she'd truly need and not useless things. Isabella steps from the door, and offers Ashna entrance.

She wonders if noodles would be an appropriate breakfast- and is offering such food polite- or disrespectful. Ashna smiles, and slowly steps it- Isabella holds onto the bag as though she did win it.

Eclipse screams again, her voice pausing every now and then to take deep breaths. Isabella wonders if the girl would grow into an opera singer! Hmm... if Ashna is in a soap opera and Eclipse sings the opera... would that make Isabella the operator?

Isabella snickers at her own jokes, and shuts the door with her foot. It isn't a long way to reach the living room fashioned into a bedroom- and Ashna's wide eyes fall on the baby on the bed.

Isabella drops the bag on the couch, and rushes to the babe, "Alright you little monster,"

Ashna flinches- maybe because the bag falls to the floor? Eclipse doesn't restrain herself, and she's making enough noise to rival a fire alarm. Ashna makes herself useful- and hands Isabella a bottle before Isabella could even comfort the child.

Ashna shakes the glass bottle- and she explains, "There was a thermos inside, I've prepared it beforehand."

Not all angels have wings- some have bangles.

Isabella sits on the bed, and Eclipse is greedy once more. She drinks every last drop, trying to grab the bottle with her hands- less baby and more piggy. Isabella scrunches her nose, "I should call you little Piggy Child."

Ashna giggles, and takes great care to sit on the bed, "She's beautiful- I love her violet eyes."

Violet? Isabella squints at the baby, "Wow- I didn't even notice. I guess I've been too busy this morning to notice,"

Ashna closes her eyes when she grins, "It's fine- I can help! I can set up a bath for her in the kitchen, I'll warm the water!"

Isabella raises a hand to point the way, but Ashna is already in the kitchen, bending under the sink to retrieve a... bowl? Giant punch bowl. How did she know?

Isabella looks back at her sucking child, "Well... this is new... isn't it little Wolfie?"

Eclipse actually smiles- and spits out the empty bottle teat- her mouth is a mess and Isabella stands to retrieve a baby rag from the bag. She pulls out that Ladybug romper- and she smiles. Isabella knows exactly what Eclipse shall wear. She carries the baby into the kitchen, and meets a smiling Ashna. Isabella has no qualms letting Ashna bathe the child, and dress her, and even combing her little fluff of hair. Eclipse immensely enjoys it.

It's strange, the way Isabella so readily trusts this stranger. The older teen offers a drink- and Ashna humbly accepts. The Indian girl doesn't let go of the baby- even when Isabella busies herself in finding ice-cubes in an empty freezer. She should have cool water though, right? Nope, her fridge is pitifully empty. Nothing- nada, zip. Although, there's a cooler near Isabella's bedhead that should have Coke. Would Ashna accep-

Isabella should worry less about the coke, and more about a screaming Ashna. She whips around, eyes wide, "Ashna?"

"Wolf?"

Fudge.