Gage flew in his open bedroom window and dropped down on the floor. So what if he met another shifter? His heart shouldn't beat a little louder, making it hard to hear with his ears. As he took his human form again, he took in a deep breath to settle the feeling away. That's all it took and he was normal again. Picking up the clothes he left over the back of his chair, he dressed again and turned toward the hall with the ease he could only have in his own home and the mall, places he knew so well it didn't matter if he was blind.

The shuffle to his right alerted him, though he expected it anyway. "You're home early. The parents are still up, so they'll ask questions if you go down," his little sister hummed. He turned toward her voice, knowing already that she sat against the wall opposite her bedroom door which sat opposite his, with the stairs in between.

"I was thirsty." Gage wasn't sure if that was an excuse for why he wanted to go downstairs or why he came home early. Maria didn't ask, though she no doubt formed an opinion. Though only twelve, she was already so independent and bright. Perhaps because she was a deer she grew up so fast.

"I'll get it for you." As her footsteps reached the stairs, she leaned closer so he could feel her shoulder-length fluff of hair against his arm. "Ready for the mall trip tomorrow? Remember our plan, kay."

Gage suppressed a small sigh, but nodded his head for her benefit. "Yeah." With that, she bounced down the stairs and he moved to wait by his door, more than ready for the next day.