The mind of others was a mystery that I rather liked to pick apart. Oh, I could name my own qualities like a textbook test and I could even hypothesize how they came to be. Why was I an intellect? Well, because my parents had taught me much. Why was my affinity originally earth? Well, because I had spent the better part of my childhood traversing the wild beauty of Scotland, fascinated by the stories of the fey folk. Whatever drove Erik was a mystery to me yet in time, I decided, I would pester all the information out of him. After all, he seemed rather forthcoming with it whenever I joked. I could only imagine the horror stories that a thousand years could create but with it came beautiful memories. My own memories were tainted now with the what ifs. What if my parents hadn't truly been as kind as I had always assumed? Would I love them less? Did it even matter since they were dead? I felt the aching hole of loneliness still there in me, though it was easily ignored with Darwin on one side and Erik on the other. I had purpose for now but after I was free from this curse and free from the searching of those wicked women.. what then?

One problem at a time, Sorcha, I tell myself.

His witty remarks earn him grins, amusement still there. My laughter had exacerbated the soreness in my muscles but it had also left me with a warm feeling. Hope. Hope was such a delicate thing. Yet if I could hold a conversation full of witty remarks with a vampire after the last several months then things would undoubtedly get better. It never occurred to me that Erik might be unfamiliar with mortal things. Once he had lived the life of a mortal but memories fade over time. The extent of his immortal life far, far exceeded the time of his mortal one, those needs having long disappeared in the depths of time. That he had some compassion at all was a wonder. Not too much of one, though, as Adele accosts me. It is obvious she grounds him with her clucking and mother henning. I enjoy it even as follow her directions, giving them time to get things ready.

It isn't a surprise that I am quiet as I survey the house. The kitchen is beautiful and wide open, much more prone to enlightening a chef than my little microwave and makeshift hot pan had been. The studio I had rented before my parents death had been homey yet when I was called away for a few months spent dealing with my parents death I had forfeited the lease. Thus when I returned I had simply made do with renting out a shop space and living in the small back quarters that were more dungeon than home. I had high hopes but all good things must come to an end.

Whatever would happen, I felt that I was safe here. The bath had relaxed me to the point of sleep and that short snooze had refreshed me to the point I felt energized. Almost buzzing with it, though once I ate I no doubt would crash soon after. The smell is what draws me and in this moment I am sure that I could eat whatever firsts, seconds, and thirds Adele wanted to give me as long as I got a taste of that heavenly scent. I pause in the kitchen, watching Adele quietly, not wanting to interrupt. I took the time for my emerald eyes to slowly go over every fine detail, a look of appreciation in my eyes. Darwin was perched on a stool nearby, his fur comically fluffy from the bath and subsequent drying, but he had a heavy-lidded look about him that told me he had eaten his fill too. No more nasty alley rats for him for the time being.

I did not hear nor sense the arrival of Erik at my back, my gaze fixed on Adele as she turns around with that pleasant look on her face. I smile genuinely at her as she tells me to sit but jolt in fright as Erik speaks from behind me, spinning around with one hand pressed to my breast bone as my heart skitters. "Jes... I mean, crap," I finish lamely, my ears burning. I feel like a child with her mother watching her back, ready to scold her, though I barely knew Adele. I knew I did not want to disappoint her. I give a shaky laugh at the banter between them, turning slowly back to Adele, glancing under my lashes back at Erik, feeling rather self conscious in just a bath robe.

His words thought make me smile a bit and roll my eyes as I slide into a chair. "All things considered, I'll take that as a compliment." I giggle a little. Adele tells me of fresh clothes and I give her a thankful look. "You are too kind." I feel a niggle of guilt in my belly again at all these people waiting on me, helping me, and me unable to do anything for them. If only I had access to my other powers. The idea sobers me and my face grows shadowed a bit but Darwin's sudden meow jerks me from my morbid thoughts. I smile at the cat, sitting back a bit in the chair with one hand brushing down the softness of the robe, unable to stop myself. It was too lush - fancier than anything I had ever owned. "You rascal, got your meal before mine," I chide playfully before glancing at Erik. "You can at least join me at the table while I eat." The words are hopeful, feeling quite out of place and comforted by his presence. Something about him overshadowed the worry within me and let me relax a bit. When Adele brings me a plate, I dig in quite suddenly, unable to stop myself as my stomach growls. My taste buds explode, a pleased look on my face, but I try to slow down lest I make myself sick. It had been a while since I ate anything this rich and satisfying. "So," I say abruptly, between bites. "Do you drink from humans?" It is a blunt statement, meant to shock Erik, but there is a twinkle in my eye as I peek up at him from my plate. Ah, back to my testing and prodding.