“So, you’re not here to buy anything. Is that right, Agatha?” Aria walked behind the counter and stood, leaning on the glass.

Agatha stared, half surprised, half amused. “How did you know my name? Ah no. I got it. You’re one of those clairvoyant Mulanks. Should’ve known that.” She said, realization dawning in her eyes.

“What?! No. I’m a first year. I still haven’t got my name yet.” Aria pulled her looking glass from under the counter. “Besides, it should be expected. You introduce yourself to almost everyone”.

There was a slight tension in her voice. One that indicated that she had no plans of getting along with the Frankenstein’s Monster. Well, it didn’t really matter, thought Eury, it’s not like she ever tried to get along with any of her customers.

“Excuse me” he interrupted. Even though he couldn’t see it, he just knew that Aria must’ve rolled her eyes, as if she knew what he was upto. “As much as I’d love to stay and chat with this lovely little- Eury stood up to take Agatha’s hand in his, but he stopped as the height difference between them become obvious- well, not so little, but still lovely lady here, um… where’s your friend?”

“He’s in the wood, by the banyan tree. Keep an eye on him while you’re at it. He didn’t look too well” Aria said.

Eury nodded and left, shutting the door behind him. The night air was quite chilly. He hugged his clothes to keep himself warm. He was about to walk into the clearing when he felt a loud ‘whoosh’ by his side. The snakes on his head writhed as they felt the fabric brush past them. He turned around, on instinct. He saw Aria standing by the entrance of her shop, annoyance filling her face.

“Take a jacket, you dingus. For Hecate’s*sake. It’s bloody cold outside and you were just soaked through. Do you still need someone nagging after you to take care of yourself?”, Aria yelled.

Eury simply smiled to himself. “Thanks, love”, he said jokingly.

Aria turned back, muttering something to herself as she headed inside.

The Gorgon picked up the jacket. He draped it around his shoulders. It was Dobhar-chú* fur, coarse and prickly.

The path to the banyan was lit by an array of bioluminescent flora. They had that quality to attract insects or anything that they can devour, really. On one of his usual visits here he saw one of the larger species suffocate and kill a wild beast the size of bear dog. It made him wonder if there were any that could prey on him, wrap it’s tendrils around his body and finally melt him before devouring him, whole. All kinds of strange thoughts would occupy his mind everytime he was here. Somedays he’d be left alone and on others, Aria would find him. The thought of her is always accompanied by a strange feeling of warmth.