The woman shot Mode an accusatory glance. Mode sighed and pushed some of the escapee strands of hair back out of his face before removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. "I'm not quite sure what you mean, Officer  Calliegh was it? If I remember correctly." The woman gave a snort from the other side of the counter, "Yes that's it exactly not only did you embarrass me last night but now you've turned up again!" Mode rubbed his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose again, already exhausted by the encounter, "Truly madam, as I've mentioned before the incident last night  was completely unintended."

     Mode in his already apparent exhaustion briefly recalled what had happened the night prior. It was a dark night with a new moon, his preferred kind of night, and typically the only ones he really ventured out to socialize on. When the moon's lack of glow allowed the stars to shine their brightest was an ideal time for him to quench a thirst that would haunt him from time to time. This was because Mode was a little different than his fellow towns folk, because he just so happened to be a dhampir. Though he wasn't simply half vampire half human instead he was three quarters vampire and only a quarter human. Due to this every month or so a fierce desire to feed would grip him and he feared the ways that he may behave should he simply ignore the desire within him. He had gone out that evening to a local tavern where he could observe the local activities and occasionally find some good company for a time. On this particular night he had been enjoying his time with a jolly lady who was a little more well known for her evening work but she was just what he needed to sate the desire that stirred inside of him. Though he was not a fan of how he had to quench this thirst he knew he'd need to take care of the issue before it got out of hand. Having had his fill of the bar atmosphere he had gotten up and had asked the lady if she would like to accompany him which she quickly agreed to. As they were traversing the back alley its darkness was perfect for him to commit his deed and far less likely for his actions to be seen. Though it was dark, due to Mode's vampiric predisposition his eyes could easily adjust to allow him to see perfectly. Walking with the woman next to him he waited for her to make eye contactin the darkness and as she did so he was able to softly call her name and entrance her, bringing his face closer to hers. He had just carefully leaned her against the wall prepared to drink from her slender neck when he was suddenly disturbed by a ruckus at the other end of the alley way and before he knew it or could get out of the way a man had come running straight at him and collided full force into Mode. Causing both parties to tumble in a tangled heap onto the brick alleyway. It wasn't much longer after the collision that Mode heard more running footsteps coming near them when the footsteps stopped and an angry female voice simply said "I didn't need you to interfere I could have easily caught this man myself!" 

     After she spoke Mode opened his eyes and after his eyes adjusted to the light from a lantern  he saw the young woman and a young man behind her who due to him holding the light Mode couldn’t see as easily. The man simply said "Calliegh, you should thank the gentleman for his help instead of berating him." The gentleman then reached a hand out to help Mode up as the lady grabbed the arm of the man who had crashed into Mode, who was obviously very stunned, "I apologize for Calleigh she's had a bit of a rough day we were out for an evening to attempt to help her cool off, I'm Officer Bradford and my charming acquaintance roughing up that gentleman over there is Officer Calliegh." The woman whose hair gave her a wild look, for it was red and curly and looked completely untamed without it being reigned in by a ponytail or bun, just gave a curt nod as she began walking the man with his hands behind his back toward the way he had just come from. Mode accepted the man's hand and began to stand. "I'll be completely honest Officer Bradford I'm afraid I was simply a bystander and the man ran into me." Officer Bradford chuckled, "Well, then you were just in the right place at the right time because that man had just stolen Officer Calliegh's purse". Mode dusted himself off and did a quick side glance looking for the woman he'd brought with him. Unfortunately, for Mode it appeared that the woman's trance had been broken and she'd run off in the commotion." Well I'm glad I could be of help even if it wasn't intended." Officer Bradford turned to head in the same direction as the female officer, "I'd be careful down these dark alleys sir. Pick pockets and robbers have been a bit more of an issue lately." Mode simply gave a nod and replied, "I'll keep that in mind officer," and turned and walked in the opposite direction. 

   That night had an unfortunate ending for Mode due to his prey slipping away thankfully to hold him over for at least another night or two he did have a bottle of rabbit's blood stashed away at his house. However, the results of the previous night are what had led to the moment that brought Officer Calleigh storming into the bookshop that very next day. Mode then found himself, staring across the counter at a very infuriated Officer Calliegh.