#desmondbryson

“Thank you, very much.” Maria stood along with her interviewer, shook hands and smiled. Given that this was supposed to be a final ‘check-over’ before her admittance to the town the rather dour tone of the meeting and more pressing questions than she’d expected had been something of a surprise; though no issue to answer.

She smoothed down her knee-length dress and brushed her hair back (she’d ensured she was impeccably dressed for the occasion) took her final documents and stepped out into Hollow Grove... only to greeted by her Sire sanding not ten feet from the door.

“Desmond!” she exclaimed, half-laughing in surprise as she moved forward to embrace him, “When I told you my arrival date I didn’t mean for you to come and literally meet me at the door.” she pulled back, her gaze moving over him, “You’re looking well.”

Maria had finally taken Desmond up on his offer to see his home, it was lovely, and the pair of them were sat taking tea in a spacious living room, “You have done wonders with this space, I do not think I have ever seen you so settled.” she told him with a smile, taking a small sip of the tea he’d poured, the taste was muted but it was enough for her and she rather enjoyed the motion of little else, it reminded her of drinking wine with her daughter and servants so long ago.

“Oh! I meant to tell you and completely forgot; I ran into a vampire who is living here that I met and helped centuries ago, can you imagine?” she said with another smile, “And, he happens to know you, as though we do not have enough signs the world is a small place.”