Miles quickly pulled his arm out from between the bars when the door started to open. He stepped through the opening and followed everyone out with his ears swiveling to and fro. Upon seeing the older man, he blanched at the familiar tone he took with them. He didn't recognize him at all for someone who was calling himself their father.

Miles warily traded looks with the others around him to see if they believed this man any more than he did. He stayed back then when it was his turn, slowly approached the man. 

"Hi," He said tentatively, "You said you were our dad? Does that mean they're all my brothers and sisters?"

Father nodded. He moved back to his regular position. "And you're my son, I bet you have a million questions." Father leaned back against the plush couch and relaxed. "I'm all ears Miles, just ask away, if you have any worries just tell me. I'm here for you." He went to squeeze Miles' shoulder gently.

Miles' eyes followed the hand that came to his shoulder, but didn't move away from the contact. It was strangely comforting, but it didn't seem so strange knowing that this man was his dad. He smiled back up at the man, his ears perked up straight. 

"I was wondering how long we've been asleep. And what that man that snuck in last night did to us," He asked, then started to unzip his jumpsuit, "'cause I have this bump on my back that I don't remember and it's sore, but I don't know if that's because I fell on it when I woke up or if it's always been that way."

"How long you've been asleep? Just a night or so." He said with some worry. "You slept in about half-a-day, it's right at noon." Father said. He looked at a watch just to make sure. "11:58." He looked back up at Miles. "The man, he was caught." Father said. "So don't worry about him, as far as what he did, well he drugged you guys. I assume he meant to rob us, but didn't quite manage." Father smiled. 

Father then got up to look at Miles' back. He went to put his hand on Mile's bump. "Here?"

Miles shrugged off one sleeve of the jumpsuit and pulled back far enough to show Father the bump on his tailbone. He nodded when he felt his hand on top of it. "Yeah, yeah. That's it," His eyes widened, "Did the drugs do that? Have I been poisoned?" His ears flattened against his head.

Father chuckled lightly. "No, no. You're fine Miles." He said removing his hand and helping Miles get the jumpsuit back up. "That bump you're feeling is a sign that you're growing as a person. You see, you, my children, are special. You're half-animal. Don't ask me how, but you. Now you, you are half-wolf, and don't let the others know, I haven't told them. You're actually growing a tail, which is wonderful!" He smiled. "I'm supposed to be training you now to be special soldiers and stop people who do bad things. To do that you have to embrace your animal, okay?"

Miles eyes widened again, but his ears came up with his surprise. "Naw, really!?" That was too loud. He dropped his voice to a whisper. "I'm a half-wolf?" That would explain a lot of things. He held both sides of his head in an effort to contain his excitement and felt his ears. That's right!. His ears. He couldn't imagine his head without them. He straightened up and beamed at Father. "I will, Dad. I promise," He said resolutely, punctuated with a firm nod, "I'll be the best soldier you'll ever have."

Father smiled. "I know you will Miles, I know." He went to pat Mile on the head gently twice. "Now the training is rigorous and a lot of hard work, but if you do well I'l get you a surprise that you can mess with in your downtime, okay?" Father beamed with pride at Miles, and for once, he didn't feel upset that he could, even though it was a total lie, call Miles his son.

Miles' ears dipped to accommodate the hand that was coming for his head then sprang back up when it was gone. He perked up at the thought of a reward. Well, now he had to do well so he could get that prize. He loved surprises. "Okay, Dad," He chirped and flashed Father a bright smile in gratitude. 

"Oh, I should probably skedaddle," Throwing a glance at the others behind him, "Can't keep holdin' you up like this. I'm sure everybody's got some questions." He backed up and bumped into the forgotten armchair. He lost his balance for a moment, but caught himself on the back of the seat. "Whoops!" He chuckled and slid the chair back into place before backing up for the next person to take their turn.