The shop always had an earthy scent to it. At first I had been concerned, trying to make sure the place wasn't falling apart but it was perfectly pristine. A far cry from the first shop I had in the East (but of course, all I could afford there was a hovel). Then over time, I gradually began to understand that the scent wasn't from the shop itself but rather a byproduct of my magic. My innate element was earth which was why I had become so adept at potions. I enjoyed practicing my craft with various herbs, figuring out just how much of magic and nature could combine to create something flawless and wholesome. It soothed me just as much as it drained me.

I had begun to consider offering my skills as a healer as a supplemental sort of income, though it made me uneasy. My shop was mostly packaged for everyone. I had begun to sell my potions as 'basic' sounding as I could, though the effects were anything but. A far cry from the pharmaceutical companies. At least my magic didn't have such severe side effects, though at times everything could cause something. Still, I kept my most precious gift to myself more often than not. I remember a time when I had healed a broken bone on another girl in my parent's coven - I had fairly fainted from pain as my body took the remnant pain in return. A life of conditioning meant that I wasn't sure I was willing to sacrifice my energy and pain levels on others... still, it could be lucrative. I had been considering it more when Carolina entered. Cosmetic stuff... scars...

My mind is half there, half with her, though I focus completely when she says my name and I ask if we know each other. I liked to think that I was as attuned to the world around me as I could be, but after weeks of working to stock and restock and draining myself daily, I had tuned the world out. It is why I did not sense what she was at first.

My brows furrow a bit at her words. Long time ago? There is almost a bitterness to her words. I knew well how memories held power but I was certain I had never wronged her. I had wronged many, even accidentally, but not her. In the forest, she says, and for a moment I puzzle through what I think is a riddle. Until it clicks - she is a Were. "Oh," I say at first, confused. Had I met her on the Ark? It HAD been a long time ago and after the Frost scare, I hate to say that I chickened out but, well, I had chickened out. Then my life had fallen to hell.

Then memory hits me. That night beneath the stars when I drank from the earth it's energy. It was the best time to make the strongest potions, when I was in my element, and the Snow Leopard that had watched me. I remember watching it, feeling almost jealous of such a thing; what would I have been if I was a Were? "Oh yes! I remember you!" I snap my finger, beaming at her. "The snow leopard in the meadow with me!" How strange it is to reconcile that creature to this lady, but I can see it there in the softness she offers me with her words and the hardness behind her eyes.

I smile at her, delighted at her words. However unlikely it seemed, this woman had sought me out. Perhaps I had made an impression but I liked to think in that time we had made a bond, both of us in our elements. "I am glad to see you then," I say genuinely, noting the nervous movement, soothing my body into a relaxed state. "But I never caught your name, unless you want me to call you Cat?" I tease the words, my lilting voice raising in amusement, though it is kind. "I have not been to the Ark in many, many years. How is it?" How strange that a piece of my old life might show up here after all this time, and how strange that I felt content at it to do so.