Nova Cottage & Ember Grove Mall

---

"Meeerrrowww!"

Astraea groaned in exasperation as the sound of Jinxs' yowling pulled her out of a pleasant fantasy. Rather frustrating due to the fact that in her comatose state she had imagined having dinner with John Lennon, one of her biggest celebrity crushes. Perched on top of her chest, Jinx looked down at his owner in earnest, his wide green eyes practically glowing. Astraea batted him away before turning on her side and placing her pillow over her head. He did this every morning. A daily ritual in order to annoy and receive food. If there was one thing that Jinx loved more than anything, it was eating. He was quite plump, so much so that Astraea wondered if she should put him on a diet.

"Meeerrrrrowwww!!" Jinx continued caterwauling as he wriggled his face under her pillow. Stubborn as he was, he always seemed to demand attention, even at the most inconvenient of times.

Despite her futile attempts at ignoring him, his constant prodding made it so she was unable to fall asleep. Her eyelids felt heavy and crusted from her recent slumber. Sitting up in bed, she yawned and used her palms to rub the back of her eyes.

"You suck. You know that right?" She growled at the black cats retreating form. For a moment he paused only to look back and give her what seemed to be a triumphant smirk.

As she crawled out of bed she could not help but squeal as the cold morning air caressed her skin. A glimpse outside her bedroom window showed the culprit to be a bout of heavy rainfall. She smiled. Windy days had always been her favorite type of weather, especially during autumn. However, thunderstorms were a close second.
It was the perfect time to make tea, start a fire, and curl up with a good book. Maybe even an art project.

She stretched as she walked, lazily dragging her heels while making her way towards the kitchen. Behind one of the cupboards was where she stored Jinx's food. As she opened the cabinet door she smiled slightly at Jinxs' happy cry, threading his languid body around and in between her ankles. Just like every morning.
Pausing momentarily, a piece of paper taped to her refrigerator caught her eye.

"That's right!" She grinned aloud reaching forward and snatching the flyer.
"I can't believe I almost forgot!"



After skimming the flyer she glared down at her familiar.
"Why didn't you remind me?"
Today was the day that Tahereh Mafi, one of her favorite modern authors, was releasing her newest book. "Reveal Me" was the final chapter of its' series. The long-awaited conclusion that Astraea had been dying to read since finishing the previous book a few years prior.

Opening a can of cat food, salmon flavor, she heated it up in the microwave before placing it in Jinx's food bowl.

I'm going to have to go into town today. She thought numbly.

Astraea usually did not like to leave the safety of her cottage if she didn't have to... Her home served as an oasis from many dangers that threatened her existence. Being a witch, especially one as old as herself, tended to leave a target painted on her back wherever she went. There were some humans that thrilled in hunting down and killing supernatural creatures such as herself. She preferred the serenity and security that the surrounding trees provided compared to the hustle and bustle in town.

After tending to Jinx, she stalked back towards her room in an effort to get ready and start the day.
She paused in front of the large gilded mirror hanging on her bedroom wall. With a grimace, she noticed her bedraggled appearance. Her golden blonde hair was in wild disarray. The humidity in the air had caused its' tendrils to frizz up and stick out in odd places. Her clothes were wrinkled from tossing and turning in her sleep. Her skin slightly damp with sweat. The makeup she wore the night before was smudged, especially around her eyes. Needless to say, she looked like a complete and total mess.

Shrugging she reached over and grasped a few of the magazines she had laying on top of a vintage trunk that sat near the fireplace. Tilting her head she flitted through its' pages before setting her sights on an outfit in particular.
Nothing too fancy, just a simple pair of jeans and a black belt. It was the top that had caught her attention. A thin, white material that resembled a type of bodice she would have worn long ago. A style that reminded her of home. Of old times.

Her eyes focused on the frills and edges of the top, the denim blue of the jeans, even the various necklaces that lined the model's neck. Shortly after committing every little detail to memory, she set down the magazine and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Above and around its' glass surface were photographs of many different hairstyles. Some were her own, some cut out of an ad, some were even ideas that were hand-drawn. Keeping them pinned near the mirror made it easier for her to use her enchantment and get ready in the morning. She chose one and returned her attention to her reflection.

"Adorno." She whispered.

Suddenly, as if by magic, her pajamas began to ruffle and morph into a totally different shape altogether. Its' outline identical to the outfit she had chosen. Looking up she watched as her hair smoothed out in straight glossy strands. Like little tornados they began to curl into loose waves adding volume and personality to her look. A few tendrils began to braid and knit themselves together, mimicking the style from the photo.

She frowned, studying her face in particular. The black smudges around her eyes remained messy. Her lipstick askew.
Muttering a curse to herself Astraea realized that she had forgotten to take a look at makeup ideas before casting the spell. Unfortunately, the magic she had just performed can only be cast once every 24 hours. Meaning that she would have clean her face the old fashioned way.
Its' effects usually lasted a full 12 hours before disappearing. Once the magic wore off she would then return to the outfit she had on when she woke up.

After wiping her face she quickly put on some light mascara and brown eyeliner in an effort to give her a more natural look. Her plump lips were painted a dark scarlet, almost blood red. Smoothly contrasting with the pale white of her blouse. While tying her black combat boots she noted the faded daisies she had painted on the toes many months ago. An artistic mentality that hoped the small image would brighten her day.

"Alright your majesty." She cooed, walking into the kitchen to scratch Jinx's head. Which, of course, was neck-deep in cat food.
"I'll be right back. Don't have any wild parties while I'm gone."
Jinx looked up meeting her eyes and blinked. His gaze was soft, in a loving way only a strong bond could conjure. Licking his lips he sniffed the air momentarily before returning to his meal.

As she stepped outside Astraea took a moment to peel open her clear plastic umbrella. Effectively shielding her body from the raindrops surrounding her. Water pattered the leaves of the trees creating a symphonic melody. With childlike wonder, she began her journey making sure to jump in every puddle along her path.
A normal person would travel by car in this storm. But in the time Astraea was born, they didn't have cars. Yes, she had her license. Yes, she could drive... But when it came to short distances (about 10 miles or less) she preferred to stick to her old routine and walk to her destination.

After about a 35-minute hike Astraea arrived in Ember Grove. She kept her head down noting the few citizens that milled about, most finding shelter from the downpour of the clouds. Being out in public caused tragic memories to plague her mind. Thoughts of past dangers began to take control. She obsessed over the numerous occasions where someone had tried taking her life. Whether it be another witch, human hunter, vampire, or werewolf. Over the past few centuries, she had had roughly 37 close calls that she had had to escape. Fear seized her, causing her heart to flutter, her breath shallow.

I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things
We can do the tango just for two~

I know that song. Astraea thought, grateful for the distraction. Her breathing started to slow down. Her pulse returning to normal.

I can serenade and gently play on your heartstrings
Be your Valentino just for you~

It was as if it were a sign from the universe. Frequently Astraea would turn to music when she was upset. Throughout the years she had watched and listened as different genres took form and evolved.
Since the 1970s Queen had definitely been one of her all-time favorites. The sound of Freddie Mercury's voice never ceased to make her smile. His vocal range and vibrato always gave her goosebumps. Besides that, Queen had been one of the best concerts she had ever attended. They were one of the first bands to bring a mini trampoline on stage. Their energy was infectious. Their showmanship astounding.
In fact, during the 80s she once had the opportunity to go on a date with the bands' guitarist Brian May. An option she heavily considered but eventually turned down due to the groups rising popularity. It wouldn't have been wise for someone who never aged to be in the public eye.

Looking up she saw the source of the sound. A man in his mid-20s with short black hair grinned looking down at his phone. He could have answered it immediately but instead his head seemed to bob slightly to the music.

A true fan. She thought with a smirk.

He proceeded to answer the call with great enthusiasm and affection. A result that caused the slight smile to slide off her face. Astraea missed having a family. Having someone other than a cat for company. She missed her mother and who her father was before the Salem Witch Trials. Frowning she folded up her umbrella making sure to shake off a few water droplets in the process.

She passed the stranger with her head down as she entered the building. In an attempt to clear her negative thoughts, Astraea began whistling the same song she had heard moments before. For a brief moment she looked up to make eye contact, but then after losing her nerve looked quickly away.

With knowing steps she meandered about the crowd, her eyes set on her first destination. Her favorite bookstore. Whale of a Tale was a locally owned business. One she preferred compared to the corporate sellouts that stood on every corner.
Making a beeline she noticed a sign in golden lettering: New Releases.

"Bingo." She murmured under her breath taking a step forward.

Time: Late Morning
Location: Alexei's to Ember Grove Mall
Interaction with:

---

Damien's last shot of tequila did not appear to phase him. With the young passerby gone and his final shot downed, Damien got up from his bar stool and walked to the restroom. The tequila had given him the slight buzz he was looking for and now it was time to even things out.

He quickly moved to the closest sink while pulling out a small plastic vial. He made sure to be quick as he poured the cocaine and used a credit card to form a solid line. He closed the vial and tucked it into his pocket with the credit card. With the pinch of one nostril, he used the other to snort the cocaine. The bump he had indulged in earlier had just been an appetizer for this solid dose of the drug.

He grinned to himself in the sink mirror as he wiped any leftover specks frlm his face. As he did so, he noticed the tattoo on his hand overlap with his mouth, giving him a ghoulish mask for a moment. Now this is how you start off the day!

The Vibe

Damien exited the restroom, the separate buzzes from the tequila and cocaine combining to create quite a mood-lifting concoction. He made eyes with the bartender and nodded at the woman as he grabbed his umbrella and stepped out the door into the rain that was beginning to slow down.

There was no hint of the sun coming out any time soon, but the rain would end within the hour, leaving Ember Grove with an overcast sky. With pep in his step Damien headed back towards the mall with a friendly smile on his face for those that passed by. Whether he received smiles back or awkward stares, he didn't care. Damien was truly feeling himself.

In the distance, perched on top of a bus stop bench that had a shelter to keep waiting passengers dry, Lucy watched a goofy Damien stroll up to the mall as if he was walking on the clouds. She was sure he was buzzing which meant he would try to be a bit more social than usual. Sometimes it just got a bit out of hand. The raven blinked a few times as she watched him twirl his umbrella before closing it as he entered the mall. It was possibly worse than she thought. The raven croaked before twisting her head to peer up at the sky. She'd fly once the rain died down some more.

Meanwhile, Damien entered the mall and took a deep breath, almost as if to announce his good and relaxed mood to all near the entrance. In reality, he was feeling out the place. His eyes flashed yellow for less than a second as his excitement spiked. The scent is thick with mutts… fun fun fun. Looks like the theme for today is dog eat dog… And Damien is oh so very hungry.

---

There was a brief moment, when the man bent down to retrieve his bags, where Genesis and Illia’s nostrils flared. As they took in his scent, and identified his lycanthropy, Illia brightened exponentially. As if she had forgotten all about her previous annoyance, she rocked on the balls of her feet and grinned like mad. She loved having a shared secret, it was just like being in her favorite dramas.

Oliver, who had realized the man was a werewolf the second he had pushed Illia into him, seemingly paid little mind to the situation. His headphones were now plugged in, but nothing was being played through them. He did this often, playing videos on mute and keeping a watchful eye on the situation at hand.

At the same time, Genesis was putting on her best diplomatic veneer. She hoped to make a lasting impression on Carter, and kindness made that easier. Getting an in with the local werewolves was always important. She wanted to know all about their dynamics, see what she could learn and bring back to Liam. She also wished to offer any advice she could, to ensure their packs remained safe. After all, her mother and father’s packs had been great. Large, self-sufficient communities in the middle of a dense forest. Despite that, they had fallen prey to hunters. She blamed their downfall on a number of things, including herself, and made sure to advise each wolf who would listen about them.

That could all come in time, though. She had to make it past introductions first.

”I’m Genny, that’s Oliver,” She pointed over at the boy, who didn’t move to introduce himself. ”And the girl that bumped into you is Illia.”

“Yup! Illia Green, it’s a pleasure!” Illia held out a hand for Carter to shake, but upon seeing how full his hands were she dropped it. ”I wasn’t hurt at all, don’t worry.” She was still grinning like a fool, but didn’t speak further. After all, she didn’t want the man to think she was strange.

”Would you mind if we took some of your bags? Sometimes it helps to share the load.” Genesis grinned, wondering if he’d accept the help. ”And, if you’re not too busy, maybe I could grab us some drinks and we can sit down and chat?” Hopefully he had picked up on their similarities. Otherwise, that would probably sound kind of creepy.

---

Volfango felt a sudden chill permeate his entire body forcing him awake, that felt more ominous that a simple breeze. He shot up into a sitting position and a thick fog had overtaken the lake and the surrounding area in such a way that even the sunlight felt hazy. His new instincts were telling him that something was wrong. Very wrong. "Genesis! Can you hear Volfango?" He yelled out into the seemingly endless fog, and heard nothing in response. Normally, he wouldn't be worried but this wasn't anything but normal. The very air felt charged with killer intent....as if something was staring him down. A figure slowly emerged from the darkness and Volfango tensed his muscles for confrontation. The person that emerged from the dense fog was himself.

He felt his heart freeze as he stared at his own visage, not that he didn't love staring at himself but this was not the same as a mirror. The other him did not say a word and instead kept on moving towards him. "Stay away from Volfango or else!" He demanded but the other him only seemed to pick up speed. Volfango had no idea what was happening but he felt little other choice than to use the power he had been avoiding since he was bitten. He looked struggled to find the beast inside and came up with nothing. Despite it feeling like any moment he could turn the day before, nothing was happening. He would have to fight this the normal way, at least he planned to. His other self suddenly stopped about forty feet from him. Its body began to contort and skins began to break as Volfango watched it transform into a werewolf before his very eyes. The creature was massive and its muscles seemed large enough to crush his head like a grape.

Volfango's legs took off before his mind even decided it was time to run. There was nothing he could do against it. Adrenaline and fear coursed through his veins in equal measure as he darted into the heavy fog, dodging trees and fallen logs as he ran towards any sign of help. Meanwhile he could heard the sound of snapping wood and heavy breathing behind him. This was now on the top of the list of things that he didn't understand but he didn't want to die. Voflango ran faster than he ever had before but seemed no close to reaching Ember Grove nor escaping his pursuer, who was quickly closing in. All it took was planting his foot on some poor footing and his body smashed into the brush. There was not time to recover as his other self was instantly upon him. "Please! Do-" The words barely escaped his mouth before the strong jaws of the werewolf sunk into his neck and crushed it. After confirming its kill, the werewolf began to feast.

---

Volfango's eyes shot open as he surged forward, breathing quite heavily as beads of sweat dripped from his head. A hand immediately went towards his neck and found everything to be intact. He let out a deep and heavy sigh as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. A nightmare. That was the first time he's had one since he was a child. That all it was. A bad dream. His attention turned to his immediate surroundings. The sun was rising in the sky and there was no trace of fog he could see. His gaze turned down as his hand touched an jacket he immediately knew belonged to Genesis. She must have woken up first and placed it on him. The troubled look turned into a grin as he remembered the night's events fully. It would certainly be a night that would never leave his mind, though he was rather glad she took off before him. It saved him the trouble. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin a great night by making it into something more. With that in mind, he got dressed into his own clothes and headed back into town with her jacket tucked tightly under his arms. With his new sense of smell, it was possible to use the scent off the jacket to track her down but he didn't even consider it. Volfango just wanted to clear his mind with a hot shower and a hot breakfast.

He reached his apartment fairly quickly, giving a wink to some rather good looking man as he walked passed. After all, Voflango was far more sexy and fun then that prudish woman on his side. It was tempting to stay with the rest of his new pack but for now he needed time and space to figure all this out. The sound of rushing water as it poured over his body did little to stop his mind from thinking about what happened in his dream. That was who he was now. A werewolf. There was no waking up and returning to being just the fabulous Volfango. He was scared of becoming nothing more than wild beast but maybe it was time to stop fighting the inevitable. The other members of Liam's pack were able to control their werewolf side, so it was without a doubt he could as well. As he exited the shower and got dressed, Volfango had steeled his resolve. Tonight he would go to Liam and try to transform into his werewolf form.

Volfango left his apartment feeling reassured in himself. If there truly was no turning back, well he was going to be the goddamn most beautiful werewolf there ever was! Despite it being later in the morning, he decided to try out the one shop they passed on the way to the lake. Sweet Keks it was called and according to the reviews on his phone, was quite worth the visit. With luck, there would be a nice piece of eye candy alongside the pastries. Volfango walked to Sweet Keks, well more like strut, with a pair of expensive black sunglasses to add to his already radiant confidence. Werewolf or not. Nightmare or daydream. Nothing was going to stop Volfango from being his true self and owning every moment.

"Volfango is here! Please, do remain seated!" He proclaimed upon entering the bakery. Mixed with the various sweet scents of the baked goods was a oddly familiar one, though it was too far mixed with the others. Volfango removed his sunglasses as he made his way to the counter and then hung them off the V in his shirt. Lucky for him the line was not too long, though the same could not be said about the stares of the other customers. Volfango could not blame them for recognizing his majesty. At last it came his time to order and it seemed lady luck indeed did favor him. The woman standing at the counter was such the sight to behold that he began to wonder if she was on the menu as well "Buongiorno! Volfango shall need the hospital if these treats are as sweet as you." He said with no hesitation then proceeded to order right after. "Volfango shall have the Hornchen with jam and a coffee just black. Grazie." He smiled warmly at Sorrel, having not the faintest idea who or what she was.

Gwendolyn Dexter Barrett

Time: Day
Location: DNA's Dinner/Ember Grove Streets/Pink Canoe
Interactions: Nobody

Gwen was waiting in the dinner, haven take a seat in a booth in the very back of the dinner. Having waited an hour and a half for Chris to meet her to help her locate Luna, but after a while she didn't think he was coming and founded being here a waste of her time. Calling over the waitress that had served her a couple of cups of coffee, she was not torn up over the guy she was suppose to me arrive. Heading out of the dinner and into the streets, The first clue of where she could find this Luna chick would be. Walking towards a club she knew that could have some information for her, the only issue was that the club was owned and filled with werewolves. She knew she was not welcome in many other clubs, especially ones where she pissed off the owners enough to get a life ban form their clubs.

However this one she would be fine in since she didn't piss off the owner enough, After a bit of a walk she arrived at the club standing in front of it. In bright pink neon letter's was the name of the club, "Pink Canoe" Gwen thought was not a very creative name for a club but never the less she knew she would be able to get some info on the person she had to find. Walking over towards the front door being stopped by the bouncer who was quite a tall muscular woman. "Hold on kiddo, the entry fee is twenty bucks to get in" The woman held out a hand in front of her, Gwen quickly searched the pockets of her pants and the jacket she was wearing. Procuring a crumbled twenty dollar bill into the woman's hand, being lead inside having her coat taken by the receptionist inside. Making her way down a flight of stairs and towards the dance floor, scanning the room she could see the place was filled with women of all shapes and colors.

Making her way towards the bar and ordering a glass of cranberry juice, While waiting for her drink she took a few more glances at the people around her. She was making sure to not be suspicious while in the bar. "Here you go toots" The butch bartender handed over her drink to which Gwen paid for, sitting down in a booth and having her drink while watching the people around her dancing and or talking. She noticed a woman who was staring at her and felt a bit weird about it, looking down at her drink and taking a few sips form it. When she looked up she noticed the woman was standing in front of her.

"Saw you all alone here, just wondered if i could keep you company?" She asked her with a warm smile, Gwen returned her smile with one of her own. But making sure not to show her teeth to give away her being a vampire, even though it could be evident by her pale skin. "It wouldn't be a problem miss?" She asked pointing to the empty seat across form her, "My name is Ziggy" She said reaching her hand out for a handshake. Gwen shook her hand and noticed how gorgeous she looked, the woman's most noticeable features were her short blonde hair and heterochromia eyes. One of them being a light blue and the other a dark brown, "Your name wouldn't be Stardust by any chance?" Gwen gave a small giggle to her reference/joke.

"No but my last name is Joplin like that other singer" The woman said relaxing in the booth, "So what brings you here?" She then asked looking her dead in the eye. Gwen thought for a moment if this woman knew anything about Luna and her location, "Actually i was here a couple of days ago and got the name of his cute bird, but i never got her number or how to get a hold of her" She said taking another sip of her blood red drink. "Here name is Luna Lockheart, i don't know if you have seen her here or around the city?" She asked to which Ziggy was rubbing her chin thinking about if she had heard the name Luna before or had seen her. "I never heard of that name, but perhaps you can check with Sarif who works at the Pancake Factory. He might know where she is, Here let me write down the address" She wrote down the address on a piece of paper handing it to Gwen.

"Hi thanks for helping me out, I uhh appreciate you giving me this gent's whereabouts" Gwen said smiling while sipping her drink. "It's no problem perhaps you can return the favor one day" Ziggy was now staring at her longingly which made Gwen smile out of nowhere. Once Gwen had finished her drink she paid for her drink and saying goodbye to Ziggy, heading out to meet this Sarif person.

Time: Late morning
Location: The Young apartment
Interactions: -
Ambience: Mia´s morning

---

Mia knew it was going to be one of those days, it was this feeling of dread slowly creeping up on her. It weighed her down, like wet clothes. Cold, uncomfortable and not easy to remove. She turned on her side, shifting underneath the blankets. A pair of solemn brown eyes stared at the view outside of her bedroom window. Even though she was looking, Mia didn´t register what she was seeing, her thoughts a million miles away. Simple, mundane things were painful to look at, because they summoned memories of a time of happiness, happiness that was no longer there. The cream colored sheets she was sleeping under, displayed winding branches of purple wisteria flowers. It used to be one of her favorite ones. Now when she looked at it she felt the sting of all the nights she spent sleeping on those sheets, next to him...

Nights were she worried endlessly, afraid to face the fact they were not going to make it. Nights were she had distanced herself at the outer most corner of the bed, just so she wouldn´t be touched. She wondered why these once treasured and often revisited memories, still stung so much. It was like they´d broken up only yesterday. She traced the wisteria flowers on the pillow next to her, the side of the bed which remained empty. A lump started to form in her throat, and the hot flash of tears falling down the side of her face. Slowly she pushed herself upright. Mia drew her legs up and leaned her face on her knees, arms wrapped around her legs. She cried quietly, holding in any loud sobs, refraining from making too much noise. She didn´t want her brother to hear her.

It was her day off today, there was no place to be, no expectations, except Sean´s request. It gave her the slightest bit of relief. She dreaded the entire magical drugs situation, but at least she could start her search in the safety of her own home. Mia dabbed at her wet face with the sleeves of her pajama´s. It was time to get up and face the day. She went into the bathroom to shower, staying in longer than usual, the warm water was comforting. After a good thirty minutes Mia knew her brother was definitely not home, otherwise he would be yelling at her not to rank up the water bill.

She returned to her bedroom and walked up to her closet. Since she was feeling crappy today, she would make an extra effort to look nice. Sometimes that did help make her feel better. Mia choose a knitted off the shoulder long sleeved sweater in off white, with small embroidered flowers decorating the top part. She paired it with a pair of form fitting jeans and cream colored suede ankle boots. She made sure her clothes were wrinkle free, they didn´t need to be ironed so she took a seat behind her vanity. It was a cruel contradiction because on the one hand she couldn´t look at her reflection on days like this, but if she wanted to doll up she had to.
Mia took her time to style her hair in loose waves, fanning outwards. She put on some dainty jewelry, minimal make up and her favorite perfume.

She stared at the mirror with a blank stare, forcing herself to not think for a minute. No thoughts about the last time she wore this sweater, or how he loved her hair in waves. She would make new memories, ones who wouldn´t remind her of a painful past, but encourage a new beginning, a happy future. She didn´t quite believe her own thoughts yet, but maybe this was a start.

Time: Morning
Location: Her apartment
Interaction with: N/A

---

A sliver of light founds its way through one of the cracks on her bedroom blinds. Nathalie stirred, sighing in response to her sleep being disturbed. She knew she needed black curtains to block out the bright morning sun, but more often than not she was exhausted nearly to the point of unconsciousness, making it rather hard for her to wake up.

A few minutes passed while she lay awake on her bed, debating whether or not she should get up. The fact that her stomach grumbled embarrassingly loud made her consider finally starting her day, but on the other hand, her warm blanket and soft pillow presented a strong argument against such notion.

"Okay, fine."

She finally convinced herself, pulling the covers away in order to sit up on her bed and stretch. Even though she would have preferred to sleep in a bit more, Nathalie realized she wasn't as tired as she originally thought.

What the hell?

Nathalie stood up instantly, her pulse increasing as she tiptoed over to the open door, the one that was supposed to be closed. She stood adjacent to it, her eyes darting from one corner to the next inspecting whatever portion of the hallway was visible. Nathalie then listened for any sounds, but after some time she was met with the same silence as before. Despite her apartment probably being empty--aside from herself, of course--she knew someone had been in there. She wasn't crazy; she knew she'd closed the door the night prior. She did that every night, without breaking her routine. Something about creating a barrier between her and whatever was outside her bedroom that helped her sleep a little better at night. Nathalie was well aware that she was a little too old to be believing in ghost stories, but the scary movies she enjoyed on occasion always got to her and made her imagination run wild.

Unfortunately, she wasn't in fantasy land. Nathalie finally reacted and rushed to her bedside to grab her phone that had been charging up to that point. She dialed 9-1-1, waiting only one ring before the operator picked up.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?

"Hi, I need the police, someone broke into my apartment."

Time: Morning
Location: On the street
Interactions: N/A
Mentions: Lucius @Ithradine

---

Violet watched the man perform a spell in front of her, not even going as far as to hide himself speaking latin. So he was the new warlock in town after all. Usually, most witches were safe around each other as far as she knew so she relaxed a bit. "No, you did well."She said and smiled, "You will have to be careful doing that in public. Not everyone is very appreciative of a nice trick like that. " Violet warned him. The Holy Saviors were still up and running so she hoped he'd take her warning seriously or it could cost him his life. "If you're lost, I can help you find where you're trying to go."She offered.

Time: Late Morning
Location: Alexei's
Interaction with: @MsMorningstar Genesis, Illia, and Oliver, @Vixen58 Carter

---

Damien let his enhanced senses take the lead as he strolled through the mall. He followed that rugged scent that was all too familiar. He circled about almost aimlessly as the scent had spread in all sorts of directions before he found himself walking past a group of four conversing. The words heard from them were not as important as the scent that came off of them. Judging by how easily, Damien could follow them, the four must have just entered the mall. Lucky Damien. This instance would just be another excuse to get drunk and high at the same time more often.

"Don't you need dog bowls for that?" Damien commented as he passed by the group with a smirk on his face. His comment was meant to catch their attention or maybe it was to kind of tick them off. Four in one place. Definitely a pack. His eyes flashed yellow before he continued walking on his way.

Ember Grove Mall

---

Astraea spent more time at the bookstore than she had intended. Originally she was only to purchase ONE book. However, as she approached the cashier she noted with a begrudging euphoria that she had ended up with five separate novels.

"Damn my addiction." She murmured under her breath. This wasn't the first time that she had overspent her budget on literature. It was a weekly event. A love/hate relationship of sorts. She hated the fact that she had spent more than she planned but absolutely adored the thought of spending the next few days reading new stories.

After paying the outrageous fee of $102.72, she exited the bookshop and continued pursuing her errands. The next stop was the pet store to get Jinx's cat food.
She gracefully weaved and dodged around excited teenagers, happy seniors, and unenthused parents. Without thinking, she took a moment to close her eyes and lean forward opening her bag slightly. Astraea had a habit of smelling new books every chance she could get. It was one of the many small joys in her very long life. Inhaling deeply, she continued her walk as if in her own little world.

Almost done. I just need to-

SMACK!

Her thoughts were immediately interrupted as she bumped into an unlucky pedestrian standing in her wake. In shock, her eyelids flung open only to see that her new treasures were skidding about the area in a flourish of papers.

"I. Am. So. Sorry!" She gasped, the apology escaping her lips before crouching down to collect her belongings. It didn't help that they were standing right in the middle of the food court, one of the busiest areas in the mall. With a wince, she watched as unsuspecting patrons stepped on her novels. Creasing and staining the new covers with their muddy, wet shoes. Surely a result of the storm that had been brewing outside.

A crimson blush slowly crept across her face as she reached for the battered copy.
"How embarrassing." She whispered.

This. This is EXACTLY why I don't leave the house. She thought numbly.

It was then that Astraea realized that she immediately dove for the books without checking on the person who suffered her clumsiness. Did they fall over? Sprain their ankle?
Her gaze snapped up, urgent to assess the damage she may have caused. Upon eye contact, her pupils dilated ever so slightly. The person that she had run into was very handsome. He was extremely tall, defined by a lean muscular frame. His coal-black hair was short, albeit a little shaggy around the collar. However, it wasn't his beauty that had stunned Astraea... it was his eyes.

They were a silver-gray with a hint of something... other. Even though it was daytime and the mall was bright with light, his eyes seemed to have an otherworldly glow. Like moonlight.
It was well-known in the supernatural world that werewolves could sniff each other out. Not only their own kind but other entities as well; vampires, witches, etc. Their innate sense of smell was a key tool in identifying the magical beings that roamed the globe.

Witches were a different story. There is a phrase that describes the eyes as being "windows of the soul." Witches and Warlocks, in this case, had a sixth sense so to speak. Looking into someone else's eyes gave these beings clues as to who they were as a person. Their emotions, their insecurities. Mainly their personality, but on rare occasions so much more.

This strangers eyes looked... cold. Angry. Vengeful.
Hardstone on such a youthful face. A mask to hide his true nature from the public.

"I'm... I'm sorry.." Astraea croaked feeling all possible vocalizations die on her lips.
She apologized for so much more than her clumsiness. She apologized for whatever made the man in front of her this spiteful. The kind witch could not help but fall victim to her own empathy.

---

---

Time: Morning
Location: Ember Grove Mall
Interaction with: Oliver Green, Illia Green and Genesis Stewart - @MsMorningstar and Damien Crawford - @FunnyGuy

---

”I’m Genny, that’s Oliver,” Genny introduced them, pointing over at the boy. ”And the girl that bumped into you is Illia.” Carter gave a nod and smiled at the introduction. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he scared them off just yet. The girl who had bumped into him was rocking on the balls of her feet and had a big grin on her face. Carter couldn’t help but briefly wonder if her sudden shift from annoyance might be because they picked up on their shared trait, but didn’t linger on the thought too long.

“Yup! Illia Green, it’s a pleasure!” Carter was unable to take the hand that she had held out, but he gave her a friendly nod instead. ”I wasn’t hurt at all, don’t worry.” A relieved smile found its way on Carter’s face. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s a pleasure to meet you Genny, Oliver and Illia Green.”

That’s right, Carter, things are going well so far, so just stay friendly and polite and you won’t have an angry pack of wolves run you out of town.

”Would you mind if we took some of your bags? Sometimes it helps to share the load. And, if you’re not too busy, maybe I could grab us some drinks and we can sit down and chat?” Returning Genny’s grin with his own, he shook his head. [color=1589FF]“I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t ask you to trouble yourselves like that, this load isn’t anything I can’t handle.” He still remembers his mother’s lectures on how he shouldn’t burden others if he could prevent it. “Drinks and a chat sounds good, though.”

"Don't you need dog bowls for that?" A new voice asked, just as another smell hit Carter's nose. Turning slightly, he saw a a man with dark hair and gray eyes that flashed yellow as he passed. "Why, do you?" Carter teased back in a friendly manner before the other was completely out of earshot before turning back to Genny. "Friend of yours?" He had a feeling what the answer would be, but he still had to ask.

Time: Morning
Location: Sweet Keks
Interactions: @Ithradine Volfango

---

The bakery had picked up shortly after her first customers had left. Now there was a short line along with some people who were sitting and eating their bars goods. Sorrel was wrapping up a few macarons for a customer when a man, a rather gorgeous looking man, walked into the shop and announced his presence. Sorrel had paused what she was doing, briefly distracted, before giggling a little and handing over the customers goods. "Looks like we've got a lively one today, wouldn't you say Mrs. Miller?" The older woman giggled and nodded while taking her treats and walking away.

Soon enough the man was in front of the counter and she gave him a sweet smile. "Buongiorno." She began with a small giggle at his flirtatious words. "Thank goodness the hospital is not that far from here then." She teased as she went about getting his order together. She'd thought she'd caught a familiar wolf like scent on the man, but it was becoming increasingly hard to tell with all the mixtures of scents in the bakery now. It was interesting to her at how many werewolves there now seemed to be in this town.

She set his coffee and hörnchen down on the counter in front of him as she began ringing him up. "It seems I haven't seen you around here before. What brings such a gorgeous man like yourself here to Ember Grove? Especially when I'm guessing you came from Italy, yes?" She knew it was cold to assume where he was from, but she'd been around long enough she'd gotten good at pinpointing where people were from. Not to mention his greeting was a large hint. She also knew her question could be turned right around on her as she sported an accent not from the area as well. No one had come in after him yet and he was the only one in line now, so Sorrel didn't have a problem with striking up a bit of a conversation. Especially if it were with a man who was as intriguing as this one.

---

Lucius smiled warmly at the compliment and laughed a little "I am happy you liked it.". He nodded in response to her warning, his smile turning into a solemn frown, though he was very much aware of their presence. They had been a great pain in his side for a long time, though no matter how many plots to get rid of them they would always spring back up like the little cockroaches they were. Despite the information about hunters in the area, he smiled once more "There will always be critics, I suppose. They've yet to roast these old bones!" He cheerfully said in a rather optimistic tone. How easy it would be to simply reach out and wrapped his hands around her thin, little neck. How would she try to escape his tightening grasp before the last lights of life faded from her? Would she claw desperately at his hands? Would try to utter a spell before her neck collapsed completely? What kind of abilities did her familiar have that might save their master? It was all so fascinating to to imagine how a person would struggle to survive.

He had only been able to survey the town a little during his time here, so it was important to know the locations of the major players. However, he didn't want to push on that subject just yet. "If you could show me the location of the local library, I'd appreciate it. I love to read and I am looking for something new. If I'm lucky, I might even meet some fellow performers like myself!" A little research on the town itself could prove to be useful in making the right moves. It wasn't as though he could follow her to where she was headed. That would be far too suspicious and make this encounter void. Time and patience. All good things come to those who wait after all...and those who prepare. Contingencies needed to be made after gathering information about the various factions in Ember Grove. He could try and convert her coven all he wanted but how many would resist or die fighting? At that point, it was more efficient just to eliminate them to begin with instead of wasting resources and time.

---

Sorrel's smile and giggle nearly knocked him off his feet, though his pristine balance would never allow such a embarrassing act! It also filled him with glee to hear her reply back to him in Italian, though he could hear the hints of a different accent in her voice. Volfango clutched his heart in a dramatic fashion and pretended to fall by hanging on the corner of the counter and slowly lowering himself a little "Call that ambulance for Volfango for he shall not stand much longer!" Flirting with a beautiful woman or man was great, but when they returned it by flirting or teasing themselves it was fantastic! After all, there was nothing wrong with a little flirting.

As Sorrel placed his items on the counter, Volfango reached into his pocket and retrieved his credit card from his wallet. He grinned when she mentioned him coming from Italy "Volfango came to the United States to be an actor and model! He rushed to Ember Grove once he heard of a bakery owner with the most gorgeous eyes! You come from somewhere else as well, yes?" Voflango was not entirely sure but he could hear an accent in her voice, though it was clear she has been in this country for much longer than he has. Being a werewolf was something he was told to keep hidden, so he couldn't mention that as his reason for coming here. Volfango handed her his credit card for payment and took his hornchen in his hand and took a bite. His taste-buds screamed in delight as the sweetness of the jam meshed with the warm fluffiness of the croissant "Mmmm. Beautiful and talented! Volfango has to know, will you be free later? He must repay such a delicious treat with dinner!" He had completely forgotten about going back to his pack so he could experience his transformation in a safe environment.

However, little to the eccentric wolf's knowledge he was being hunted by someone familiar and much higher in the food-chain. He had run away from his situation without considering the consequences of his actions and now his problems were going to follow him to Ember Grove just as he was getting used to his new supernatural lifestyle.

---

“...Pleasure doing business.”

Cain adjusted his tie, and the eccentric man who stood opposite him stood up from his exquisite assortment of appetizers and entrees. It almost irritated Cain that he had ordered so much expensive food, yet hadn’t taken more than a bite of a single pastry. Though, Cain had to admit it was hypocritical to be censorious when it came to food. He himself was quite the picky eater, after all.

He watched as his cloaked form left the bakery. Of course, it was somewhat odd for him to have met a business partner in such a setting, though Cain had learned to acquiesce when it came to this one. As well, it was one of the higher class establishments in Ember Grove, so Cain supposed he could also see it as a measure of good faith. A steep measure indeed, Cain grumbled to himself as he looked over the sizable bill that he was left.

But regardless of how outlandishly expensive their food may have been, the cost of brunch was just a dip in the bucket compared to the value pinned to each and every word they exchanged. It was an intricate ritual, that of the businessman, where blows were exchanged with pleasantries such as paying for one’s meal. Each action Cain orchestrated was a carefully planned out stride towards an increased payout. Nothing more, and nothing less.

”Hey. You.”

Cain looked around, searching for the source of the noise he just heard. It was awfully cacophonic compared to the gentle ambience he had expected from this bakery.

”I’m talking to you, blondie.”

As Cain was about to get up, a swarthy looking woman took a seat at his little table, situated in the corner of the bakery. She was about a foot shorter than Cain with brunette hair, and wore a suit rather similar to the one Cain was wearing. As well, she carried with her a brown suitcase.

”Ah, pardon me. I’m just heading out, the table’s yours.” Cain flashed a pleasant smile, nonplussed by her sudden arrival.

”I’m not here for the table, Cain.”

”Wha-...” Had they met before? Cain wracked his mind for her face, but failed to find a single memory. ”My apologies, have we met before?”

The woman leaned back in her chair, staring into Cain her two blue eyes. She smiled sharply and extended a hand over the table. ”For certain, this is our first face to face meeting. Introductions are in order. I’m Diane Savart.”

Somehow, this smaller woman was making Cain uncomfortable. ”Miss Savart, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You seem to already know, but I’m Cain. Cain Fourier.” Not that he showed an ounce of discomfort. He firmly grasped her hand, and confidently spoke. ”How can I help you today?”

”Help me? No, Cain. You’ve already done enough.” Diane’s eyes narrowed. Although the two had already shook hands, she failed to let go of Cain’s. Instead, her grip tightened with a vice far stronger than once would expect from her stature. ”You’ve got some explaining to do, Cain. Hey, do you know Jeremy Biot?”

Cain furrowed his brow. What was she talking about? He tried to pull his hand back, but it was futile. Somehow, this five foot lady was completely overpowering the over six foot Cain. ”What are you saying? I don’t know any Jeremy Biot.”

”Hmm... “ Diane pondered for a second, and let go, causing Cain to collapse back into his seat. She spoke while he regained his bearings ”I guess that’s to be expected. I mean, a man doesn’t learn the name which his steak dinner once belonged to. Oh! Hopefully, he doesn’t hear that, wherever he is now.”

Cain’s face whitened, and realization dawned. His demeanor changed bleak, and immediately he broke eye contact with Diane ”I… I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

”What a blatant lie. You’ve made quite the mess, Cain."

Cain raised his eyes. This time, instead of his manufactured pleasantness, his face was apathetic. There was no use hiding it. This woman had clearly seen him last night, and saw what he had done. If only she knew. He’d have to silence her. ”Make it quick. What do you want? Is it money?”

”Pfft. That molehill you call a family fortune wouldn’t even pass for a rounding error where I work. No. I don’t want your money, Cain.” Diane reached down and grabbed her suitcase. She unclasped the latches and retrieved a small opaque bag. ”I just have some questions. Though, I hardly think we should talk here.” She gestured to the surroundings. While they were currently the only customers in the bakery, there were still the employees, as well as the possibility of someone else entering.

Cain looked at her incredulously. Did she honestly believe he’d go with her?

”You’re out of your mind if... “

Diane revealed the contents of the bag. It was a picture. A picture of the warlock he killed yesterday, and looming above the body was the shadowy form of Cain. The parasite. She set it on the table in front of Cain.

”We wouldn’t want something like this to end up in the wrong hands, would we Cain?”

Cain couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Nor what he was seeing. It was as if some part of him was lagging behind reality. But before he could inquire further, Diane continued.

”I should mention, we’re doing this as a precautionary measure. For our own safety, we’ve got to do some inspections, and by the way, we can’t let you see where we take you. We’ve been watching you Cain. You’re dangerous. Especially to us. We know what your family does to vampires, and now that you’re sticking your nose into our turf, you’ve become more than a nuisance.” Diance leaned back again. ”Indeed. You and Abel were quite the nuisance. That’s why you get to live, Cain. You’re gonna help us with that… and so much more.”

Cain shuddered, and stood up. ”What makes you think I’m gonna help you with anything? You’ve got an image of some assault which I’ve got nothing to do with. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to excuse myself.”

”I guess I can’t force you.” Diane’s smile stretched wider, and Cain could see her two fangs. ”Although, I did say we’ve been watching you. We’ve been watching Ava too.”

Instantly, Cain slammed his fist on the table, causing the employee at the counter to flinch and look up. Before he could do anything, he seemed to sense that getting between the two of them was far above his pay-grade. Cain leaned across the table, practically snarling at Diane. ”What the fuck does that mean!?”

She just chuckled, grinning through it all. ”It means we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. You can choose, Cain.”

Cain stayed, his wrath practically oozing from his eyes. And then, as soon as he lashed out, Cain snapped back to his seat. He took a deep breath, and it was as if he had never shouted in the first place. ”Who do you work for. Why are you doing this?”

Diane’s eyes turned blue again, and her smile shrunk to a less malicious proportion. She collected the pictures. ”We're just a group of vampires trying to make the world a better place for our kind, Cain.” Standing up, Diane started towards the door.

Cain begrudgingly followed.

---

Helene had to politely excuse herself from her new quartet, stating that she feeling a little exhausted and wanted to go home and rest a little. The fatigue was slightly worse than this morning but it was nothing that she couldn't manage. Yes, she should be able to continue on a little longer. With that incident on the stage, she realized what was the source of her mysterious affliction. The last time she had any blood to drink was two days ago before she left the protection of her home. No longer were her meals of blood provided her, saving her from the gruesome act most vampires did on a daily basis. The one time her mother made her do it herself she hated herself afterwards. There had to be some other way. Helene just hold out until she found it. In the meantime, she would heed Marceau's words and shop for a wardrobe that was more appropriate to wear out in town after taking her violin home.

That was what lead Helene to the mall, from what she understood this was the place that humans went to purchase all kinds of goods. The building itself was massive but upon entering the building Helene's eyes lit up like a child in a candy store. There were so many different places that she didn't have the faintest idea where to start! In fact, she had little to no idea of what kind of clothes would make her blend in better. With a bright smile that made her forget all about her hunger, she headed into the very first clothing store she spotted. Everything was just so new and unlike anything she was used to that she wanted to try it all on. While looking at a black sweater, her smile faded as the soft sleeves slid from her hands. Helene thought about how more fun this would be with a group of friends like she had seen in shows. She shook her head of the negative thoughts. After getting new clothes, she would surely be able to make some friends no problem!

Helene hummed a catchy tune as she left the store with five bags in both hands, each filled with all sorts of clothing, and resumed her journey through the mall carrying them like they were weightless. As she got further in, she began to believe she may been a little too eager with the first store as there were plenty more to explore. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of her mother moving through the crowd but the next moment she was gone. It was just her imagination, but that didn't stop the feeling of dread. The Sinclaire Foundation was watching her, that much she knew from the audition flyer in her new apartment. Helene knew it was only a matter of time until her mother showed up.

Liam studied the jittery young wolf who seemed more concerned with the relatively minor battle wounds the others had suffered over her own, more troubling, injuries. She hadn’t asked for any means to contact her own pack or even family which only made him wondered what sort of wolves she had known before now. To be a lone wolf, in his mind, was an unnatural state, they were pack animals and the wolf in them required community just as much as it desired food and space to run. The thought of wolves out there, and of alpha’s out there, abandoning there own was worse than just being cruel it was a betrayal of what it means to be a werewolf.

“You’re certainly looking much better than you did last night, werewolf healing factor’s certainly a huge perk. I imagine the other two from last night are fine as well but they aren’t part of my pack, just other local wolves. But we all chose to help you, because you called, and it is in a wolfs nature to answer that call. So, you don’t owe any of us an apology, wolves look out for their own. You’re a guest here Luna, not an inconvenience, and if you need anything just ask. For example, if you need something more appetizing than Marcy’s cooking we can always send someone to go pick up a pizza.” He added trying his best to make Luna feel a bit more comfortable here.

Before he had a chance to say anything further the door flew open and a young werewolf, Kevin, burst inside panting. “We’ve caught an intruder.” He announced.

“Vampire?” Liam asked although it would be strange for vampires to be out making trouble during the daytime. He tensed up more than ready for another fight with vampires.

Kevin shook his head as he took a moment to catch his breath. “Another wolf.” He said regaining his composure and standing up straight now.

Liam sighed, slightly annoyed and relaxed again as he lead Kevin out of the trailer. “Kev we’re on high alert here for vampires, this is a public campgrounds, we can’t be hassling every werewolf out for a hike around here.”

“This guy seemed real shifty and he wouldn’t say what he was up to.” Kevin explained, the young scout clearly overeager to have found a threat.

Liam followed Kevin back to where they had found another wolf, half annoyed that his scouts weren’t able to handle the situation on their own and hoping they weren’t out making trouble with the locals. The other werewolf, a young blond guy, was casually stretching and certainly didn’t look like he posed a huge threat to the pack.

“My apologizes if these guys have been harassing you, sometimes the scouts can get a bit overzealous. You got business here kid?” Liam asked the unfamiliar werewolf, while he didn’t look like a threat he could certainly see the others finding him suspicious, though giving his apparent young age he could just as easily be a smartass who stumbled into the wrong part of the campgrounds.

Time: Morning
Location: Sweet Keks
Interactions: @Ithradine Volfango

---

Flirting definitely wasn’t something Sorrel did on a regular basis, but she wouldn’t lie that she enjoyed it sometimes. It did help to make one feel good about themselves, which it certainly was giving her a bit of a confidence boost. ”I’m quite flattered that you’d come all the way here just for me.” She said teasingly as she placed a hand against her chest, feigning to swoon at his words. She gave him a smirk as she took his card and ran it. ”Perceptive ears you have there. To answer your question, though, yes I’m not from here originally. I’m originally from Deutschland.” She informed him happily as she handed his card back along with the slip to sign.

His next words had caught her slightly off guard, was he asking her on a date? She hadn’t been on a date in a long time and at first she wasn’t sure how she should respond. She had plans to go visit Luna after work, but she supposed she could switch that around a bit. Perhaps she’d close the shop for an hour or so this afternoon so she could still go visit the young wolf and then she would be free that evening. ”Perhaps I could rearrange my bust schedule and be free around six.” She gave him a coy smile, surprising herself that she would spontaneously agree to something like this. For a moment her mind flashed back to many years ago, to a man who was just as charming as this one, and how that encounter ended poorly. Fear gripped her for a short second, but she quickly pushed it aside. She was much stronger now than she was then. She’d never let someone take advantage of her like that again.

”My name is Sorrel, by the way.” She told him as she realized she’d never introduced herself.

Finn

Location: Campsite
Time: morning
Interacting with: Liam Donovan@helo
Mentions: Boris @Kkushmar

Finn was quite surprised to see the youngster return with someone who looked like he had some time to go before passing his 40’s. In his mind, the young wolf always envisioned Alpha wolves as these old dudes like his father but never like someone like the man who was now standing in front of him. Finn could not help to wonder what kind of Alpha he would be. Where all packs ran the way his father did or was this dude’s pack something different?

“Don’t worry about it, I’m a chill guy. I wouldn’t hurt your scouts unnecessary.” Said Finn with a smile. It was a little joke to antagonize Kevin a bit more. Somehow the youngster reminded Finn of how he used to be some years ago. Always eager to prove himself, especially in front of a superior. Just angering him a bit more was always funny.

“I think I’ve met your Russian friend, Boris in the woods last night. He still got my shirt and I probably should do some laundry today. The clothes I’m wearing are soaked and muddy and don’t have much spare with me. But anyway, I’m not really here to talk about laundry and stuff. I’m looking for someone. Drove all the way down here from New York City to find my brother. Yes, he’s a werewolf too, just like the rest of my family.”

Finn reached for his pocket to grab his cellphone and pulled up a picture of his brother. “I’m asking around in local packs if anyone has seen or heard from him. His name is Mike. He moved to Ember Grove roughly a year ago but I’ve lost contact with him over a month ago. I figured maybe he had joined some pack here so that’s why I’m asking around. ”

Ember Grove Mall

---

It was unlike Damien to be so clumsy... Oh wait, he wasn't. Sure, he his focus had been occupied by the reactions to the comment he made towards the group of werewolves conversing, but the young woman or whom he assumed to be a young woman ran right into him. The sound of fluttering pages were followed by several low thuds.

A scowl was his initial expression, but the foul look faded once he identified the apologetic culprit of golden locks. He noticed that despite her quick apology, her focus was on gathering the books scattered about on the floor. It was a pitiful sight, and made Damien frown in slight contempt for the stranger, but perhaps there was something here. The werewolves had been of interest, but his expression shifted neutral in order to seize a moment with this stranger. Like Nathalie, she could prove to be useful to him, to shroud his darker intentions in her innocence. Having met both women in the same place was what Father Xavier might call a blessing. So Damien made his move, quickly picking up one of the dropped books off of the ground before it was kicked about too much by passerbys.

Brushing it off a bit and shutting it appropriately, Damien was able to take a peek at the title. "Shatter Me" A smirk quickly etched his face as the title caught his eye the way it was meant to but not reasons intended. Damien thought of Kyran once more...

Once his eyes found the stranger's, as blue as blue could be. He could tell she had been the first to gaze judging by the look she was giving him. It was as if she had been given enough time to discover something that filled her with a hint of sadness. Why is she looking at me that way? Everything in him shouted at him to back away from her, but he stood his ground and broke his discomfort with a smile and the offering of stranger's novel.

"Don't be. It was technically my fault... I was following my nose, instead of paying attention." Not a total lie.

Following his nose... Astraea's heart began to race as a realization took form.
That confirms it... He's a werewolf.

The kind witch did not have anything against werewolves, far from it. In fact, back in the year 1867, she was involved in a serious relationship with a female werewolf by the name of Lily. Lily had saved Astraea from being burned at the stake by hiding her under the floorboards of her home. The two were inseparable and had dated for quite some time. They had even considered the idea of marriage. It wasn't until Lily's pack had found out about their affair when issues transpired. The Black Forest clan were notorious for their prejudice against witches and vampires alike.
Their malice and judgement were key components to the destruction of the unusual pairing. Having been left with a choice between the love of a woman and the acceptance of her family, Lily chose the latter. Being apart of a wolf pack created a deep bond. One of which she felt obligated to protect. Immediately she cast Astraea out of their home. The poor witch had nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and the tome in her hand. The betrayal had led to months of Astraea being chased by hunters of the supernatural. With no home and no weapons to defend herself, the blonde had barely escaped with her life.

Over the past few centuries, she had seen and experienced many different cruelties. All of which made her wary of strangers. Her loving nature made Astraea crave companionship. A family. All the while her fear of letting someone in kept her alone.

"Thank you." Her voice cracked, scratchy with nerves.

Almost reverently she placed the novel back in her bag with its' siblings. It had been a while since she talked to anyone outside of Jinx and the few citizens she was forced to interact with. Cashiers were hard to ignore when running errands.
Unsure of what to do with her hands she crossed her arms effectively hiding them. Her socially awkward tendencies caused Astraea to rock back and forth on her heels.

"Um... my name is Astraea?" She mumbled, the words sounding more of a question than an introduction.

Damien's friendly smile faded a bit as he watched the woman place her scuffed book into her bag. His gaze stuck to the bag for a moment as he took note. He had heard her give thanks, but he did not want to accept it. He saw his action as just being decent to someone else. Thanks was not needed. To deserve that, he needed to do something with a lot more kindness behind it. When she introduced herself, he couldn't help but to let out a small chuckle. Almost as if to let her know that there were no ill feelings and that she didn't need to be so nervous.

"I'm Damien." His introduction was a stark opposite to Astraea's, giving off a strong sense of confidence.

Damien. That name suits him. Astraea thought, smiling politely.

"And I should be the one saying sorry… Actually! Wait here for a sec.

Astraea's eyebrows knitted in confusion. She opened her mouth to protest but was immediately interrupted by his insistence.

"Just stay right there, I'll be right back." Damien walked into the sea of people lightly crowding the walkway of the mall, destination in mind.

Meanwhile the kind witch looked around the edge of the food court perplexed. Should she stay here? She barely knew him. Despite all rational, her intuition caused her to stay put. Curiosity getting the best of her. As she waited she took notice of a few of the pedestrians milling about the mall. A lot of citizens were human, looking to be in their mid-teens and spending time with friends.

She spotted a group of individuals out of the corner of her eye. A male and two females. Nothing out of the ordinary, the three of them stood talking just like any other group. Belatedly she noticed another male standing to the side. His headphones were on, but seemed to be paying attention to the conversation.

More werewolves? Astraea gulped, her heart jumping into her throat.
That's too many creatures for comfort, I gotta get out of here.

Before she could escape, however, Damien had returned with something familiar in his hand. "Shatter Me, right? The new one?" Damien held the book up towards Astraea while his free hand reached for her bag. "We'll trade and we can call it even." Astraea had other books that were probably in worse condition, but Damien figured the girl wouldn't accept the large gesture of replacing all of her tattered books.

Normally Astraea would not accept something so generous from a stranger. Gifts could leave strings attached inadvertently creating a bond between two people. Unfortunately, her fear was overtaking her, choking off her air and taking control. The walls of the food court were closing in. Panic was causing her vision to blur.
With shaking hands, she grabbed the copy in pristine condition and dumped it into her bag.

"Thanks. It was nice meeting you." In an awkward attempt to end the conversation she bowed before whirling around and running towards the exit.

Air... I need to get some air. Her mind screamed as she slammed her body against the exit, finally free of the building.

It wasn't until after a few heaving gulps of oxygen that she realized what she had just done could be considered rude, if not severely weird. This wasn't the first time that fear had overtaken Astraea. A few decades ago, her most recent near-death experience had plagued her with nightmares, panic attacks, and social isolation.
After sensing the group of werewolves, her paranoia turned a casual interaction into a possibly lethal ambush. Frowning, her cheeks burning red with embarrassment, she started walking towards home before coming to a sudden stop.

"Fuck." She cursed, stomping her right foot in frustration.
"I forgot the cat food."

She began to rummage through her bag in an attempt to find her wallet when she noticed two copies of the same novel.

"Double. Fucking. Fuck." Astraea growled, cursing her neverending bad luck.
"I forgot to give him his book."