"It helps to have an in with his Alpha," came Regina reply over her shoulder and with a touch of amusement in it. Aesop, of course, had executed almost a perfect turn on his haunches so he could watch her but didn't otherwise move until she snapped her fingers, then he trotted immediately to her heels.

"There's not much left to do, but I can work and talk if you follow me," she said as she reached into a bucket of warm water for a small sponge, which she squeezed out before applying to the saddle soap.

Glancing over at the blonde, she asked, "When you say special, do you mean 'special needs' special, or special like 'sentient demi-fey' or 'familiar' or 'species that looks like a cat but is actually an alien'--" Like Rocket.