What kind of mischief could one get into with a thousand years under their belt? It is a wonder that Erik was as civilized as he was. Rumor had it that the longer a vampire existed, the less humanity they contained. Something to do with centuries watching death pass them by and steal the lives around them. I assumed that was why many vampires found themselves in covens. At least their brethren would exist for as long as they did unless they met with deliberate endings. There was the matter of souls too. Did vampires have one? I think, as I glance at Erik, that they did. They were just trapped in an body unable to age, frozen in a state of prime. What would I do with eternity before me? The idea seems a bleak one. There was something sad about knowing you had a never ending amount of time. It took away from the urgency and the desire to do better. Learn, grow, be stronger. If you had eternity to do it why bother rushing? I suppose it had its appeals for mortals who were stuck in the grind of daily life but I had things to distract and enthrall me. Once I got rid of my problems, that is.

Despite his gruffness, he seems ambivalent to my companion which is a relief. I didn't think I could handle someone who was hateful towards my cat considering he was all I had left. A very sobering thought. My giggling draws his attention though I try to stop it, mostly because the throbbing behind my eyes grows stronger and I feel wobbly. Tired. Gosh it had been a long.. day? Days? I can't remember. He asks what I am thinking about and I flash him a wide grin. "Look at us! What a trio we make. I bet that runner thinks I'm a prostitute. Or a druggie. Maybe both!" I cackle again at that, one hand grabbing my side instinctively where my muscles contract against my sort ribs but soon enough I calm down. "I suppose," I answer his question about witches. "Honestly, he is just a cat, but he chose me and I take that as a sign he was supposed to be mine. Some witches are blessed with such intelligent creatures who choose them. It's an ancient tale that most of my people don't believe in anymore but I like ancient tales. There is something... mystical about them." I tilt my head a bit, a thoughtful and wistful look on my face. "I know it's foolish considering I am a witch to believe in such things but it's just how I feel." I shrug a bit self consciously about it. My parents had always chided me on foolishness for such things and the rest of the witch community was rather cut throat. It's why I preferred being by myself.

The longer I talk to him the more certain I am of being around him. Erik is comforting and kind. I could have done a lot worse in finding a friend and besides, even if I did have bad luck, I tended to find good people around me. Bad just as well but it was balanced out. It does the job, he says, and I give him an incredulous look as if to say: look at it! It does more than a job! But to one such as him, perhaps he had forgotten a life before this. How much memory could a brain hold? I was filled with questions I wanted to pepper him with but I was too tired to formulate them. Plus overwhelmed when we enter and Adele latches on to me. He gives me a reassuring smile as I move away from him, hearing his comment on a litter box, and my smile softens as I face forward. If I'm right, it seems this wouldn't be a one night fix. I would have to impose on his hospitality for a short time but it relaxed me enough to know I had a solid foundation from which to start my hunt.

I listen to Adele's mothering voice, feeling a sense of nostalgia. Once, my mother had been like this but as the years passed she had hardened. "I'll try not to be a nuisance," I say, though it is obvious that Adele rather enjoys the work of fussing over me. "Anything is fine," I say to her question of food. Just when I was getting worried she might be old school enough to want to help me bathe she give the last of the instructions and leaves. I grin at the tub and quickly strip down, sinking into the hot water with an exaggerated sigh. My sore muscles scream at the heat for a few moments before loosening and I make quick work of washing. The water grows filthy quickly but I don't stop until I'm scrubbed raw and my hair is soft and silky from the conditioner. I hear a yowl from somewhere in the house and start to giggle - sounds like someone got ahold of Darwin and it was his turn for bath time. For a moment I sink back in the tub and close my eyes. By the time I open them the water has grown cold and I realize I've dozed off. They would no doubt come hunting for me soon enough if I didn't hurry and get out so I leap up, dry off, and throw on the bathrobe. I give it a frown, hesitant about walking around with just a robe on in an unfamiliar house but what else could I do? I feel as if Adele would scrounge me up some clothes in the meantime but she is going through an awful lot of trouble already so I will just deal with it. I grab a brush that was set out and whip it through my wet hair so it hangs damp down my back, noting with shock the slight bruised look under my eyes from lack of sleep an the leanness of my face. Too gaunt.

My belly growls angrily once more so I tentatively step into the hallway with a nervous look on my face and one hand clutching my robe, although it is tied tight. I head the way I came from then the direction Darwin's howls had come from and find myself padding into a kitchen. I forgot all about the toast and fruit left for me before in my haste to make sure they didn't think I had died in the bathtub. But the smells coming from the kitchen remind me of what I had missed for such a long while.