To say that Henry was terrified was an understatement. He didn't even know the words to describe how he was feeling. He hadn't slept all night and had been awake before the sun even rose. He had ventured to the beach, walking along the wet sand in the moonlight, thinking and reflecting. Was this the right thing to do? Was he ready? Was Sterling ready? But in the end, he had to trust that Tet wouldn't let him do anything to Sterling. This was supposed to be a healing exercise for them both.

But here he stood, standing at the door of his maker before he was allowed entrance. His eyes glanced at the muffin that Raven had so selflessly made. He should be hungry...but he wasn't. His thoughts were elsewhere until he felt Tet's hand on his shoulder, his words supposed to offer him comfort...but they didn't. "Thanks." It was a simple response, but one that he meant wholeheartedly. He couldn't bear it if anything happened to Sterling.

And then they were moving towards the fighting ring. He fell into step behind Tet, trying his best to hold his head high and not appear nervous or downright scared. He knew he was not winning in that department, but he continued to try. He didn't want Sterling to lose faith in him.

By the time they arrived in the arena, Henry let his eyes flicker over to Sterling, noting that the man hadn't moved a muscle since he'd been left there a moment before. He had hoped he would take a drink to loosen his nerves, but he understood if the hour of morning was a little too early. When Tet spoke, he realized that he hadn't shared his lover with his family. He moved to stand next to Sterling, letting his hand rest softly on Sterling's shoulder as Tet asked if Raven would be joining them.

Henry had been just about to answer him when Raven's voice broke through the silence. Eyes rose to meet hers and he gave her a silent "thank you" mouthed with his lips. She asked Sterling if he had any questions, and if he had to guess, the man was probably too overwhelmed to ask them. Sterling's answer did not surprise him in the least. He looked down at his lover, his hand squeezing his shoulder ever so slightly. "Don't be afraid to ask her anything...I mean anything." He had a feeling Sterling might question the probability of success and their contingency plan should something go wrong. He had ever right to be afraid. But he had to trust Henry and Henry had to trust Tet. It would be a long morning, indeed.

Slowly, he moved away from Sterling and settled in the corner of the fighting ring. Slowly, he began to remove his clothing. He folded each article, setting it on a chair just outside the ring. And when the last of his clothing, his boxer briefs, were removed, Henry took a deep, cleansing breath. Slowly, he turned to see if Tet was ready, uncaring about his naked body. Tet and Sterling had seen him in his birthday suit plenty of times. He should be a little more modest around Raven, but she knew this life. Surely it wouldn't bother her at all.

Normally, he required Tetradore to pull the panther forward in order for him to shift. And yet, today his panther was oddly calm. While the cat was still unsure of Sterling (he could feel it), the animal wasn't trying to flee. He didn't understand it, but he went with it. Without prompting from Tet, his body began to contort and change. While shifting was still uncomfortable, it took far less time now. When his blue eyes locked onto Sterling, he could feel the cat now threatening to make his move. There was a low growl that escaped his lips, the cat weary of his host's lover. And yet, there was still Henry there, still fighting to regain control. He had to learn to kick this kitten's ass...he had to.