[center][h2][color=darkmagenta]Natalia[/color] and [color=f9ad81]Mary[/color][/h2][/center]

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Mary was about to enter the key into the slot when she heard a voice call her name from behind her. Not just her name though, a pet name. One she hadn’t heard in a long time, though she couldn’t quite place where.

Mary stood up, the garage still locked and turned over her shoulder at the woman who had called her name. A blonde woman a few inches taller than her was standing at the bottom of the driveway.

[color=f9ad81] “Uh, hello?”[/color] Mary uncertainly greeted. 

[i]Yup, it’s her. No mistaking that face,[/i] Natalia thought to herself, face not betraying her thoughts. Instead, she gave a small smile, doing her best to be as normal as possible so as to not confuse or freak the kid out more than she already probably is.

Taking a few steps closer, eyes drifting to the house, she found herself wondering if Mary even had the faintest memory of her. It was quite a few years prior so it’s possible. She highly doubted Chris would tell Mary about Natalia, he wouldn’t do it so needlessly.

So, she decided a more direct approach would work, instead of saying something needlessly idiotic like, ‘Nice house’ or what have you.

Eyes returning to Mary, head tilting a little in question, Natalia responded with, [color=darkmagenta]“Hi, um, I’m Natalia. I’m actually here to speak with your father - oh, Chris.”[/color] She made herself sound a bit nervous, as she was unsure as to how Mary would take her presence.

Mary still felt a slightest sting when he was brought up. 

[color=f9ad81]“Oh, uh...he passed away some years back.”[/color] She said, keeping her voice steady. [i]Fuck.[/i] Was the first thought to flash through Natalia’s mind at that, eyes darkening unknowingly to Mary. Speaking of which, thinking on the name ‘Natalia’, Mary did remember her a bit, especially because she remembered being annoyed at the name ‘Little Mary’ when she was, well, little. Eager to change the subject, Mary brought this up.

[color=f9ad81]“Oh, yeah, I remember you. You were one of Dad’s Hunter friends, right?”[/color] Mary asked, quieting her voice a little bit. She crossed her arms behind her back, now very much intrigued by Natalia’s presence. 

[i]Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,[/i] was basically on repeat in Natalia’s head this entire time, as soon as the words ‘passed away’ were stated. [i]It seems like those bastards were actually right.[/i] In the community, it was noted that Chris had been silent for a while, even for a hunter. And many had assumed that the hunter had finally died. 

Of course, Natalia had heard the rumors but she just figured that he was off doing is own thing and didn’t think twice about it. Now, however, she is forced to deal with her own feelings about this situation… but, she’ll instead push them to the side for now, as there is more to be done.

She could practically hear her mother’s coo of approval and had to resist the urge to shiver in discomfort.

Now that the jig was up, so to speak, Natalia straightened from her previous more submissive posture, arms going to her sides as she stared at Mary with somewhat curious eyes. [i]So, she’s definitely in on it. In what way, I’m not entirely sure.[/i] Her eyes briefly darted over exposed areas, curious if she’d had her hunters mark yet. Most preferred to have it in clear sight, taking pride in it. Of course, Natalia’s was hidden as her family honors poise over all else and having such a noticeable thing where it could be easily seen is… obscene.

Rolling thoughts in her head, Natalia pondered how to answer the question Mary had asked. She was wondering if she should even answer at all, even. After all, she came here to speak to Chris and he’s gone. She shouldn’t waste anymore time. And she was going to open her mouth to say so when she paused.

Squinting a little at Mary, Natalia eyed her carefully, the way Chris did to her years ago. And unlike the darkness he saw in her, she saw a spark. Not a flame, a spark. Relaxing a little, Natalia inwardly chuckled. [i]Hasn’t killed yet,[/i] she confirmed with herself, attention already wavering from the girl. But, she was not rude.

[color=darkmagenta]“Yes, I am an… old friend of your father’s. I came here to speak with him but… it seems that my plans have changed.”[/color] Natalia stated in a matter-of-fact tone, eyes drifting off as she planned her next move. Shaking her head a little, she gave a polite smile to the obviously curious teen, already planning the easiest way to leave this conversation.

The girl tried not to reveal how excited she had become- here, dropped in front of her, was a link into Dad’s world. A world she had been training to enter for her whole life. Would she get a better chance than this? 

[color=f9ad81]”W-well, hey, what plans did you have? I mean, uh, do you need help with anything? I can help.”[/color] Not nearly as smooth as she had hoped. Mary could already sense the incoming dismissal, and cringed in dreadful anticipation.

 She hadn’t even begun to think about what she would do if she got the veteran hunter’s approval. Would Mom even let her go? Would she have to lie? It would all be over if she couldn’t even get past step one.  Natalia was easily in full control of the conversation and even Mary’s immediate future. Unconsciously she began to dig the heel of her shoe in the pavement, nervously twisting her leg back and forth.

[i]What have I gotten myself into?[/i] Natalia thought with a sigh, rotating her shoulders a little, showing how over this interaction she was. Mary seemed like a sweet enough kid, would probably be a pretty decent hunter one day. After a couple of years of training, she might even get her first kill. But, as of right now?

Natalia’s eyes roamed over the girl, eyebrow arched as she took in the nervous girl’s every move and tick. [i]It’s pretty textbook. Girl idolizes father and wants to be like him, father dies, and now the girl is missing something. Something she thinks she needs. Hunting. And who knows? Maybe the girl might become somebody in the community one day… or maybe she’ll get herself killed trying to run off and be a hunter like her old man. Basically, no matter how I look at it, this girl is of no use to me or my objective.[/i]

But, a small part in her brain lit up, idly poking at her, asking if she could really turn down the kid. Just dash their hopes as they just began. What would Chris say?

[i]He’d probably say thanks for not killing his kid,[/i] Natalia responded dryly, unphased by her own conscious trying to sway her. With that in mind, Natalia returned her attention to the girl, holding in a sigh that wanted to escape. Glancing around, Natalia walked closer to the girl until they were a few feet apart. Mary took a few steps back as she approached. 

Looking down at her, Natalia’s face was hard. [color=darkmagenta]“Look, I’m sure you’re a good kid. And who knows, maybe you’ll become a good hunter one of these days. It may take a while but it could happen. But right now? Now, I have an objective. And although I appreciate the offer, and no offense, but I don’t need someone who’s never even had to go up against a witch, trailing after me.”[/color]

Perhaps if Natalia’s mind wasn’t so flooded with pokes and prods from her emotions, asking her if she’s gonna ever react to Chris’ death, she would’ve been a bit kinder. But, now? She wasn’t in a kind mood. Giving a stiff nod to Mary, Natalia turned to walk away, mind already busy running through Plan B.

Just because Mary was anticipating it, doesn’t make it any less of a gut punch. Several gut punches in a row. Devastated, Mary let her eyes fall to the concrete as Natalia walked away. What would Dad want her to do? The veteran hunter was right. It was certainly more dangerous than going to the movies. But, if she never got to go on a first hunt, how would she get better and more experienced? Mom and Dad taught her everything she knows. Dad was raising her to become a person who could do good. 

[color=f9ad81]“Hey, wait a minute,”[/color] She said calling after Natalia, taking a sporadic step after her. Natalia rolled her eyes, sighing and reluctantly turning. Mary took a moment to collect her thoughts and celebrate that she hadn’t just kept walking.[color=f9ad81]“I know I’m not what you expected, but I can still help. You came for backup- you knew my Dad, right? He taught me everything I know. I’ve got nothing to…”[/color] She hesitated, trying to figure out how to best beseech the obviously jaded woman. 

[color=f9ad81]“I can’t learn anything new without your help. I promise I won’t get in the way.”[/color] Mary was at least hoping to learn what her objective was- then she could explain how she could help. She [i]knew[/i] she could help. If there was trouble, Mary wanted to be there, just like her parents.

Natalia toyed with the idea of saying ‘no’ and then walking away, further crushing the girl’s dreams. But, alas, and rather lucky for Mary, Natalia wasn’t so cruel. Well, she was. But, remembering Chris and considering the fact that this is his kid, it helped sway her decision.

[i]After all,[/i] Natalia thought idly, staring the girl down with an arched brow. [i]The girl must have some use in her. Chris wouldn’t have taught her poorly, he wouldn’t have. So, there must be something there that can be of use. And until I can see about backup, I’ll improvise and take what I can get. A little toy soldier.[/i] Natalia’s lips briefly twitched into what could be a smirk before her face smoothed out.

Briefly chewing on her tongue, Natalia gave a sigh of false resignment. [color=darkmagenta]“There may be some use in you, then. Fine. You can help. BUT, if you fuck up anything or even annoy me too much, you’re done, you hear me?”[/color] Her voice lowered daringly, eyes saying ‘Don’t mess with me, child’ before she straightened, giving her one more once over. Mary’s face lit up, and then went very somber, nodding to the conditions. On the inside, she couldn’t be more excited. This was her chance.

[i]This had better be the end of the world,[/i] Natalia thought with an eye roll, turning on her heel and sauntering away without another glance at Mary. The girl followed a few steps, trying not to skip, then realized that she forgot her hunting backpack. A notebook about the environment would do no good against a witch.

[color=f9ad81]“Oh, wait- uh…”[/color] When Natalia showed no signs of slowing down, Mary sprinted back into her house, frantically unlocking the door. Natalia, all the while, was lightly chuckling to herself at the sound of the girl’s frantic motions. Mary’s mother was in the living room. “Mary?” She said, concerned.

[color=f9ad81]“It’s fine- it’s fine. I’ll call you later and explain everything. I just-”[/color] She ran out of ear shot and tossed her normal backpack, grabbing her other one and jogging quickly back out the door. 

[color=f9ad81]“I love you!”[/color]

“Mary-”

[color=f9ad81]“I love you, bye!”[/color] The door closed behind her and she ran to the sidewalk. Relieved that Natalia was still in view and hadn’t vanished in a cloud of a smoke, she jogged back to get to her side- slightly trailing behind. A small smile on her face, Mary didn’t say anything for risk of making herself sound more like a child.

[i]She’s determined, I’ll give the kid that,[/i] Natalia admitted to herself wearily.