"Any thoughts on what would be an ideal date for you?"

"I, uh, don't have a lot of experience dating. So I haven't really had the opportunity to form preferences there? Or, rather, to investigate my preferences there. I'd think- time together, doing something we enjoy- that's a solid starting point?"

She nods and smiles. "Agreed, that's the foundation of good dates. We've had good luck in the past with sharing favorite shows, or playing games together. But we're open to lots of things."

She tilts her head for a moment. "Oh! Most aesthetic thing vampires do."

She looks around for a moment, spots a convenient sunbeam, and steps into it.

Suddenly all her exposed skin glitters and sparkles gently. She twirls in place slowly.

"Ooh! That's pretty! I do have to admit while I expected from, uh, your being out during the day, that the whole killed by sunlight thing was a myth, I did not expect it to be replaced by sparkles."

Hailey laughs and nods. "It was a surprise for us too. My working theory is that vampires stayed out of the light to avoid breaching the masquerade, but doing that without explaining it led to people making up reasons, and then they think we're hiding from it because we're harmed by it."

She shrugs. "You could call masquerade breaks a form of indirect harm, I suppose, especially back in the days before the Empress deposed the old coven and they killed people for the crime."

"Why did the old coven enforce a masquerade, actually? Just that- there were so many humans, so secrecy was safer even though individual humans would be, uh, helpless?"

She tilts her head thoughtfully. "That's probably it. There are enough humans, and humans do sometimes throw witches. Plus, sufficient blunt trauma can break a vampire to bits like rubble, and then if you burn the rubble before an ally can reassemble it that actually does the trick. So we're not completely invulnerable. Only mostly."

"Ah, human witches, that helps make some sense of it. Along with the burning rubble option. As much as I would prefer for the immortality on offer to be, uh, even more durable than that, the ability to, uh- opt out, eventually- is probably net good to have."

She nods, frowning for a brief moment. "Yeah."

Not a happy thought, and leads to thoughts of what if Alethia decided to eventually "opt out". Which is the Least Happy thought.

Distraction please right.

"So what's your favorite thing about Total War? Or what're you more curious to experience for yourself about vampirism?"

"Oh, uh- before I answer that question, to be clear I don't expect to ever opt out, just- the world is big and has lots of people in it, you know."

A wry smile flits across her face. "That obvious, was I? Thank you. That means a lot to hear."

"Well- that obvious given I know about how mate bonds work. But, to answer your question! I like the way that all the individual elements of Total War help prop each other up. The campaign makes individual battles feel important, and those battles feed into campaign success, and everything just works. And, vampirism- honestly, the immortality. But I'd be lying if I said the ability to run faster than a car didn't appeal to me greatly. But- probably the largest individual thing is the eidetic memory. Not having to worry about losing moments- I like that."

"Void yes the eidetic memory is so great. Our memory was terrible before turning. And now it's perfect. I love it so much."

"I'm glad you have that, then! My memory's decent but I'm still really looking forward to just- not having to worry about forgetting things. To having all of my past available to go over, if I want to."

She hums. "One caveat with that. New vampiric memories are so much higher fidelity than anything from your mortal life that they drown them out a bit, so take some time immediately after turning to go back over everything from before, that way you reinforce it and upgrade it."

"Ah. I suddenly wish I'd been much more diligent in journaling. Would rather get around the issue. Well- maybe I'll try to tell you my whole life story just after turning. And do it in advance of turning, too, so it's fresh and I have the chance to realize I missed things."

She really hopes that will work. She likes having a pretty solid recollection of her life.

"I think that will work. It's my theory for how I'd try it, anyway. I really hope it works for you."

"I hope so too. Thank you for warning me. I appreciate knowing in advance."

"We try."

She shakes her head and smiles.

"Well, any other questions for now, or shall I introduce the last of us?"

"No more immediate questions, I think."

"Then I'll leave you with the note that you can ask for any of us at any time, and depart to introduce Ruby."

She salutes playfully—

—And then grows an inch taller, her messy black bob shifting to a shorter, asymmetric style and developing dark red tips. Her eyes turn silver, and some muscles are a bit more clearly visible on her arms and shoulders. She smiles warmly at Alethia.

"Hi! I'm Ruby and it's really really great to finally meet you properly! I took the shift on watch last night to make sure no armed assailants attacked your apartment building! We probably won't need a watch since you installed that app now unless you really want one although now I'm wondering about that because you won't really be able to push the panic button if someone invades your apartment in the night until they're already inside and possibly stabbing you so maybe we do need a watch still?"

Ruby sounds excitable, and she talks rather quickly, but with clearly evident warmth.

She's adorable. So cute!

"Hi Ruby! It's nice to meet you! I have said this for all of you but also it is true for all of you, so I shall not apologize for repeating myself. And, I, well. I do not in fact expect to unexpectedly have to deal with a home invader. But, uh- well. I would not turn down a temporary roommate? Like- not immediately, I'll need time to adjust to lots of interpersonal interaction, but. Pretty quickly? And before then I'm not going to get annoyed if you decide to hang out on my roof. I may need, like- full actual privacy at some points, but while I'm sleeping kind of isn't actually one of them?"

"Oh good there are really great rooftop spots on and around your building and we can't sleep so we just won't read quite as many books for a week or two and my Factorio world will just have to wait a while."