Erik had always perceived much about me without knowing me for a long period of time. I wonder if he wasn't skewed in his vision, yet I knew that he was a good judge of character. He had a noble streak in him a mile wide. Erik had always seemed like the type of person that was almost too good to be true. He was excessively kind, charming, humorous, and protective. I suppose that if I was any normal sort of woman, I would have never left his house after my short stint there. Despite my age, I was a bit dense in all the romantic kind of stuff, and I was never one for just the sexual part of it. There wasn't any way that I could be the type to enjoy a bit of fun then run. My entire being was so focused on whatever I went after that when I dated, I was invested. I had been disappointed when Booker had moved from the city after our initial dating several years ago and part of that disappointment had transferred to me in the form of avoiding close connections.

People say that once you realize you have a problem that you can then start fixing it. I knew I had an issue with commitment a long time ago but it was a hard habit to break. The relationship between me and my parents had been strained for many years before things had gone to shit. Still, what Erik said was true. I felt a zing in my chest that rung true. People did seem attracted to me - not in a physical sense, that I knew of, but they just generally seemed to be drawn in by me, and I tended to flit around them like the shadows I had begun to control, fleeing when their radiance was shined upon me.

Erik's somber words about attracting the wrong attention make me pause for a moment, letting the words stew as we get to the apartment and commence the cat routine. He had been around a very long time and was bound to make enemies. Well, scratch that, he was so freaking charming, how could he have ANY enemies? It is a question I store for later - if luck would have it, I would have plenty of time to grill him on things later.

"Psh, coffins are your style, not mine," I tease back, winking at him before giggling. I remember how nervous I had been when I first met Dareios. He was the first vampire I had ever met, Erik the second, and yet, here I was teasing Erik about it without feeling a twinge of fear of discomfort. In the end, he was as human as I was, even if we were both a little bit 'extra'. I heard his breath whistle in as I stepped closer and my heart jackknifes even as I kiss his cheek and step back, cheeks pink. Something lurks in his eyes as I step back and I can't tell if it is hunger or just awe, and I wait with uneven breath for his acceptance or denial. I had spent so long pushing everyone away I wasn't entirely certain Erik would agree to stay, even if I knew I was being stupid. He had sought me out after all.

I huff out a breath in quite an undignified, relieved manner, grinning abruptly at him as I kick off my shoes haphazardly before padding over to my plush couch. The truth was, I wasn't naturally a clean freak or very organized. I just hadn't had much time in my apartment to dirty it up in the last few weeks. It was a good thing, I think, casting a green gaze back at Erik thoughtfully. I would have been embarrassed to have clothes littered everywhere with a guest over. I grab the remote, turning the TV on and flipping to HBO, immediately digging through the movies to the Horror genre before giving him a wolfish grin.

"Horror. I particularly enjoy the supernatural kind." My eyes twinkle, waiting to see what kind of reaction that might get. Some supernaturals hated how humans had portrayed their kind in cinema. I loved it. I patted the seat next to me, though my mouth turned dry for a moment at the thought of sitting that close with Erik. It was my nerves and my lack of any sort of real experience I suppose. I was the best damn potion maker out there (in my opinion) but pretty miserable at relationships, friends or more. "But before I play one of these, you said something about having some unsavory people follow you. Care to elaborate?" I lift a brow at him, expression open. He knew who was after my powers so I figured it was only fair if I knew who was after him.