It wasn't that I had ever planned my disappearing acts, only that life seemingly was intent on upending me everytime I grew comfortable and flourished. Then again, one might also say that I avoided any sort of commitment like the plague, even if unintentional. If I sat down and really thought about it, I suppose I could trace those emotions back to my childhood or the death of my parents or so many other various defining moments in my life. Either way, one thing that I was dedicated to was my passion for my business. It was what I knew and understood. It fed the growth in me and now that my shop had begun to flourish once more, I had stable income, I had begun to realize just how bare I had left my life.

I knew many in this city. Well, many might be overdoing it, but I knew a few, and I had came into their lives in a flourish and left with the shadows at my back. Dareios, Erik, Carolina.... All those that I was close to, all those I could have been more with if I chose. Friends, lovers, room mates. The possibilities were there yet I had been distracted and, honestly, I had been scared of such ideals. The only one in my life that I could ever really count on was me and it was difficult to dissuade myself of such a notion so quick.

As the sun went down on the south, I found the nightlife of the city calming. I had a few clientele come in seeking malicious potions, to which I almost always invariably sent away unless it was something seemingly harmless or not decidedly deadly. It always depended on price too. I suppose I wasn't as darling a person as I liked to think, for when those moments came, I sold a piece of my soul for a bit of cash. I would always remember those times when I scraped by, barely able to afford food, and it was difficult for me to turn down any opportunity.

The South wasn't as pernicious as the west so more often than not I got people merely seeking tonics for various things such as morning sickness, anti-aging cream, and various other items that were simple enough to make. Any hedgewitch could do them with a little knowledge and I always kept stock of such things. It was the more complex potions that I slaved over, losing sleep in my desire to do more, to be greater.... Besides, I was the only one operating a shop that was open six days a week. Every time I passed by a now hiring sign I had begun to contemplate if I was ready for that. To open up my shop to some stranger to help. I had a thing with control too.

I was busy in the back, grinding herbs together, murmuring enchantments over items, when the bell to my door rings. I give it only a moment before wiping my hands down a waist apron that I had placed over my long-sleeved maroon cotton blouse and stepping out of the alcove that I tucked my 'workshop' in. Emerald eyes immediately land on the posh figure. Dareios had flown high in this world. A vampire mayor stepped in politics but I had never known him to be corrupt or evil.

It is no wonder he finds me - it seems we always seemed to circle one another, pulled in by some vortex inexorably until we collide. I can't say that I am disappointed. "Well," I say slowly, perusing his suited attire with a purse of my lips, trying to bite back a smirk. "Aren't you dapper?" I can't stop the grin then, amusement on my face as I move to stand next to him, raising a brow as my hand comes up, slim fingers plucking a vial from his eyesight. "Anti-aging cream. Hmm, I think I see a bit of those years around your eyes now. I heard being in politics will do that to you, vampire or not," I tease, because it feels good. The tight knot in my chest loosens, as if reminding me that I didn't have to always hide myself away. "It's nice to see you again," I add then, placing the vial back gently, smiling warmly at him, slightly unsure what he might say. The last time I had seen him, I had been in a darker place - I had flirted with a dark side of me that, while still there, I tried hard to fight against.