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After hanging up her shop's phone, Alexandrea sat back down at her work bench and put her magnifying glasses back so she could complete the tiny beading work she was doing on the Cloche. The hat it's self was a deep chocolate brown, so dark it was almost black, with a lighter golden brown band Alex had hand painted with forest green vines which she was now adding the beading to in subtle ways to accent the tiny vines without distracting from them.

At last she was done and with a smile of satisfaction she placed the newest addition to her store's inventory on the last empty hook on the wall above the check out counter and took a look around. A slight frown crossed her lips. The place still looked too empty to her. Something was still missing...

Pairs of various kinds of shoes stood in a row, the last layer of paint drying before Alex would complete them and add a few ointments. She tested a pair of tennis shoes that had been painted with fabric paint which was supposed to be quick drying and finding them dry enough, took them back to her work bench and picked out some embroidery thread.

The manager of the store she had acquired was pushing her to take a more active role in the business, or at the very least to make certain changes to improve things, as she felt that the store had stagnated and that Keara was yet to put her own personal stamp on the place. She was of course correct, but then it was rather difficult to push for anything when you were only able to communicate with your boss on a regular basis via e-mail. Being of the nocturnal persuasion did of course have some disadvantages and even the possibility of a working meal or a discussion over drinks was out of the option as Keara could partake in neither. In this she preferred her role as the mysterious new owner that was only known by name, despite the fact that Keara shopped at the clothing store on a regular basis.

Observing the staff without them knowing who she was gave her the advantage of seeing how real customers were handled while she judged their true natures and whether or not their personalities fit with the stores need. If and when she needed to report anything she disliked, she would allow them to believe that a mystery shopper had been assigned to rate their performances. At least she would for now, for as long as she didn't actively manage the day to day running of the clothing store, she needn't worry about hiring any outside assistance in rating her staff.

It was after having read one of her work related e-mails that she had found the business card that Alexandrea had given her. It was as if Nox were trying to tell her something; not that a deity of Nox' standing would bother sending her children such silly signs as small details such as this were likely below her. Still, the fates had conspired to bring around the situation that would inspire her, as she had heard that Alexandrea had branched out and acquired a store of her own too.

Finding her way there was no challenge at all and she soon found herself standing at the entrance to the shop wondering if this was indeed the best course of action. Nodding to herself she made her way in and took in her surroundings. Certain areas of the shop were a little sparse but perhaps with her help that could change. She liked the way that everything was organised by shade and colour as it made a certain kind of sense; not that she could easily apply such logic to her own place as gothic clothing by nature was typically made up of dark shades and colours, making them difficult to sort in such a way.

"Greetings," Keara began, seeing Alex settled at her workbench. "Wonder if you remember me do?"

The soft canvas of the shoes had been painted with purple and green swirls. After threading the needle with some gold thread, Alexandrea began stitching a pattern of Celtic knot-work around the bottom where the material met the rubber soles. The work was done quickly and she did a matching but smaller ring around to top where the opening for one's foot was. She set the pair or shoes down side by side and gave them a good looking over. She happy with her work and debating if she could add anything more without them looking too busy.

Opening up a box of charms, she picked out matched pairs of silver moons and stars. One of each was sewn on the tye dyed shoe laces right above where the toes would be in the shoes. Alex smiled happy and got up to place then on the almost full rack of decorated shoes and then picked up a pair of mens sandals this time.

The soles were leather she had dyed blood red and the hemp string macrame that made the tops were tye dyed with black, red and gold. She sat back down and checked them out. The paint had dried well and dye on the hemp string looked great. to add a finishing touch, Alexandrea picked out some embroidery thread in blood red that matched the soles and began to stick a design of a Celtic Cross on thee top of one. She had just completed the left sandal and had picked up the right one when the bells on the shop door jingled.

She turned around with a grin, which grew wider when Alexandrea recognized the vampire who had come in and stood up holding out a hand to shake towards the elusive Elder.

"Greetings and Salutations, Keara! Of course I remember you, you came by my house last Halloween. I do hope you had a nice time at the party. What can I do for you?"

From the welcome she received, she could surmise that either Alex remembered her quite clearly or that she was quiet adept at faking such enthusiasm by way of being polite. The fact that she had stated her name however suggested that it was the former rather than the latter that was true. The exuberant female had offered her hand as was the custom and Keara's hesitation was only slight in accepting it and shaking it in a firm and yet swift manner. This was a custom with which she'd had a bit of practise recently, so the speed with which she withdrew her hand while fast, wasn't so fast as to be able to seen as being rude.

"Still have your card I do," she said unable to actually produce it in that moment as the attire she was wearing was completely unsuitable for carrying anything that couldn't be hidden around her cleavage. She'd yet to customise the skirt of the dress to create invisible pockets in which she could conceal her wares.

"Saw it the other day I did and thought to self that perhaps speak with one another we should. Matter of business have I to discuss with you. If you the time have."

She wasn't ready to explain the idea just yet, as she wasn't sure if she was interrupting Alexandrea while she was hard at work. The creative process could take its toll on the spirit as well as on the body and if she had too, she was more than prepared to simply make an appointment to discuss things at a later date.

After a quick but professional handshake, Keara withdrew her hand and explained how she had hung onto the business card Alexandrea had given the Elder back so many months ago. Then went on the say her visit was no accident, she had sought out Alex to discuss a business matter.

Alexandrea was intrigued, and smiling again gave Keara a nod. "Alrighty. I have time now if you want. We can talk here or we can go someplace more comfortable. The Dragon's inn is only two doors down or there are some comfy places to sit around the mall. I was about ready to lock the shop and take a break anyways."

It was mostly true. Alexandrea hadn't noticed how long she had been working until the Elder arrived and had intended to stop to rest hours ago. She realized her fingers had started to stiffen up from holding a needle too long and she laced themselves, cracking her knuckles.

She cast her eyes about the shop once more, allowing herself the time to take in the smaller details she missed upon entering the premises. She nodded as Alexandrea spoke, pleased that she had the time to sit with her.

“Matters not where talk we do. Follow you I shall. Since know the area better than me you likely do. Defer decision of where to speak to you I shall.”

Keara was trailing the edge of the work bench with her fingertips as she gave her reply; this wasn’t something that she was aware she was doing but in her subconscious mind the urge to do so had been overwhelming and thus it had to be done. Even as her fingers played along the edge of the surface, she half turned her body in the direction of the door, showing that she was ready to follow Alexandrea to wherever the best place might be.

She had not lied about not being familiar with the area, as this mall was not one that she had entered into before. She had of course heard it from Deanna and had often thought to pop by and check it out as she had done the other shopping complexes in the city, and yet for some reason there was always something more pressing that could be done to hold her attention.

The Elder nodded and agreed to let Alexandrea led the way. Alex watched as Keara's fingers stroked the work table but said nothing. She often did such actions herself, finding the sense of touch helped to keep her grounded in reality. She had always been a bit of a dreamer and at times she had to make an effort to keep her head out of the clouds. Alex wondered if her visitor was the same way, or just tactile curious.

Alex went behind the check out counter and took a puzzle box from the display counter the register sat on and took out the spare key to the store she kept there. Her own keys were in her purse which had gotten buried under some of the hand painted tee shirts somehow, and Alex didn't want to move them until they were dry.

Which meant a snack was out. Not that she needed to eat, she just loved the egg rolls at Dragon's Inn. It was just as well, Keara wasn't an allurist and Alex always felt guilty enjoying food or drink in front of her fellow vampires who didn't share the ability to do so.

"Let's go sit by the shank tank, alright? I love to watch him swimming around."

She gave the Elder a wink and held the door until Keara had followed her out, then locked the place up.

"This way, it isn't far. Just passed the First Aide room."

She turned east and walked the short distance to the entryway, pausing just south of the rock climbing wall to watch some young boys having fun.

As they exited the shop Alex began talking about a shark tank which gave Keara's mind a moment's pause, as it frantically tried to connect the word to a familiar image and/or memory. She hadn't had much contact with marine life and had not been brought up in any modern day educational facility that may have made the creature more familiar to her. Eventually she realised what it was and she was filled with curiosity, as she remembered flicking past a documentary on the creatures some months back.

As Alex locked up, she began to wonder if such a creature actually was being kept somewhere on the premises or whether Alex's words had another meaning that she did not understand. It seemed strange to her that the mall might contain such a display but then being unfamiliar with the building, it certainly was possible.

She said nothing in reply to Alex's words and instead followed in comfortable silence taking in her surroundings and making a mental note of what was where in case she might have need of that information at a later date. When Alex paused and eyed the male climbing up the artificial wall, Keara did the same, cocking her head slightly to the left as she mused over the idea of climbing the wall unaided. The safely system was somewhat unnecessary for one of her kind; a realisation which in turn left her pondering the fragility of the human form once more.

"Odd activity this is. Especially for place such as this. Why do they partake in the activity if fear they do the effects of gravity should they fall?"

She couldn't help the question that escaped her lips and as the last word hung in the air, she realised that in all likelihood, there was no good answer. The thought that people might flirt with danger for the adrenaline rush was one that did not occur to her, as she wasn't the sort to seek out such activities herself. In her day she got her kicks from accomplishing a mission, but that wasn't really the same sort of thing as living on the edge just for the thrill of it.

"Well, they aren't really in any danger. If you look closer, you'll see that they are wearing safety harnesses. They are tethered to the top so if they fall it lowers them slowly. Otherwise they might fall into the shark tank."

Alexandrea pointed out the pool to Keara and then walked over to the water's edge. Looking around to be sure no one was watching, she pulled a head out of her bag and tossed it into the water. The shark swam over right away and Alex smiled.

"Keara, meet Orin. Orin, this is Keara Aithne."

She turned to address the woman in a lower voice. "He's named after the dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors.' Great movie. If you haven't seen it, I have a copy and maybe we could watch it sometime if you like. But let's have a seat and you can tell me what's on your mind."

Smiling, Alexandrea went and sat on the closest bench after brushing it off with her hand to be sure it wasn't wet.

Alexandrea explained the safety system the humans were using and she nodded to show she understood what was being said. It made sense that they were protected from harm in some fashion but still, she wasn't sure she saw the appeal of that particular activity. Perhaps one day she'd try it for herself and find out, but that day wasn't going to be today.

When a human head was pulled from the bag, Keara looked around the area, checking to see if anyone had noticed. Thankfully it seemed that those gathered in the area were so absorbed in what they were doing that they hadn't seen a thing. She was momentarily concerned that the head might just sink to the bottom and lay there to be discovered later but that fear was quickly put to rest when the creature in the tank swam forward to take it's treat. There was no real discernible expression on Keara's features but she was pleasantly surprised to see the shark and even made a mental note to herself about this being a good way to dispose of a body...should the need to do so ever crop up.

"Orin. Like that name do, though seen the film of which you speak I have not. Few films have I seen to date, so not surprised am I that unfamiliar to me it is."

When the time was right to do so, Keara seated herself next to Alexandrea on the bench. She wasn't sure how best to broach the reason for her visit but since she wasn't exactly asking for something for nothing, she wasn't entirely sure if the way in which she approached the topic would make any real difference to the outcome anyway.

"Come to ask a favour of sorts I have. Though beneficial it might be to us both. If receptive to the idea you are. Cryptic perhaps I am being. Straightforward the idea is though. See. Found your card I did and idea came to mind. Business related idea that is."

She paused for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Keara had seated herself next to Alexandrea but with her body slightly turned towards her, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She longed to grip the bench but was endeavouring to remain professional in her demeanour. In truth running a business was relatively new to her and she wasn't sure if she would sink or swim. She'd done a lot of preparation before buying the place, read up on business pitfalls, tricks of the trade and the like; she'd even looked around the mall in which her shop was located to check if there was any real competition. As it was she was lucky as there didn't seem to be much in the way of clothing stores in the area, let alone ones that traded in articles of the gothic variety.

"Considered I have that perhaps of benefit to one another we could be. Taken over a clothing store I have. One that articles of gothic clothing sells. What missing it is, is accessories. Well...that not strictly true is. Accessories we sell, but like them I do not. Too generic they are. Prefer I would more interesting pieces to offer. In this, thought I of you. Thought perhaps create articles you could for my store. A cross promotion effort of sorts. If that right terminology is. If open to idea you are. Thought perhaps discuss it would could and to an agreement we could come."