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Emily had not been in the city long. She was unsure as to even why she had come here in the first place, but as it where she had decided that she needed a change. She had done well in school and she knew she could go to college if she wished but for now she wanted to travel. She did not know why Harper Rock had come to her mind as a place to go but never the less thats where she was now. The people here seemed different then the people back home. She wasnt sure why but most seemed to not come out untill after dark, but there where lots of places and things to do after dark which might explane most of it at least. She had also noticed that in the time she had been here she always seemed to be sick feeling. She told herself that it was either that she had been traviling or she had not gotten use to some of the food around here. She spent most of the time looking for odd jobs here and there to pay for hotel rooms and food but the rest of the time she was just enjoying new things. She had gotten an email the day from a Mr. Robert Pratt to come and check out a place called Solace. She assumed that he owned it or at least co-owned it. She found it odd that she had gotten an email from a man with the same name as her father but she shook it off. Her father had when she was still a baby. She could of only been about 1 at the time and his name was not an uncommon one. Her last name was still Pratt though she went by Niah. It was a name her friends had given her back in middle school when she had been in a play and forgot her lines and all that had come out was "niah". She had agreed to meet him never the less and see what he had to offer. She had gotten ready and was making her way to Solace where they had agreed to meet. With any luck she could have a job and maybe a better place to stay by the end of the night.

Robert reached out to so many people and in so many ways that he lost track of who was who and how he'd come across them. There was one coming to the centre this evening, a girl, and he was busy readying things for her arrival. Belle had been primed and was ready to approach anyone whom she didn't recognise or who looked unsure and lost. However, Belle didn't really need to be told anything of the sort, she was a wonderful woman who was so motherly and caring to anyone who came to Solace - as well as to himself. He honestly knew, that if it weren't for Belle, he'd not have been able to do nearly as much here as he wanted to do.

The doors were all closed on the self defence classes, as well as on the jewellry workshop and the computer skills classes. There were a few people dotted around the main area having their evening meal, and Robert had always ensured that hot food was available 24/7 for any who needed it. If he concentrated, he could hear the splashings of some people enjoying the swimming pool and if he concentrated even harder, he could hear those unfortunates who'd taken up the offer of a bed, milling about their rooms doing one thing or another in their preparations for bed. He 'walked the floor' and ensured that everyone was happy and healthy, that there was enough food should the girl be hungry and that there were spare clothes and belongings, again, in case she were in need.

Satisfied that everything was as it should be, Robert went to his office and pushed the door to, leaving Belle to watch out for his visitor, and sat behind his desk. He booted up the computer and opened the accounts spreadsheet, deciding that staring at numbers and balancing columns was needed - as he'd seriously been neglecting the paperwork he needed to do what with one thing or another. As he waited for it to load, he absentmindedly used his thumb to play with the wedding ring he wore on his left hand, smiling at what it meant to him.

Emily was both excited and nervous about this meeting. She was excited to meet new people and learn new thing. She had done some digging into the place and it seemed like an alright enough place. It seemed that it was similar to a church community center she had gone to as a child to learn and play. If she where permitted she would enjoy volunteering and giving back to the community.

As she got closer to the build she could not help but admirer it. She like the way that it seemed to be one with nature. People often joke about her being a hippy or a flower child. It was true that she had spend a lot of time outside and in the woods but she was not all peace and love and what not. She valued working and earning what she wanted. Her mother had tough her that.

As she got closer to the building she let her thoughts go to her father. She tried not to think too much about the man that had died when she was still a baby but she remember the stories she had heard about him and the photos that where still displayed through out her mother and grandparents home. She could not help but wonder what he was like in person and if he would be proud of the way both her and her older brother had turned out.

Belle bustled about happily in the building. She loved her job, she loved Robert, and she loved everyone under her care. She was an old hippy, and she was just so thankful that now, in her 70's, she was still working and had been given this chance. It wasn't a chance that others had offered her out of pity, and she was never consdescended to. She was treated with respect and her voice was heard and respected, and it made her feel young again. Robert was a special man, well, vampire - and she felt honoured to know him. She and the others here were all well aware of what Robert was, as well as some of his friends and enemies, and she still accepted him for it.

She headed into the store room to check stocks, and found that the herbs wouldn't last through the night, let alone the next day - not with all the cooking they did here. Everyone seemed settled and happy at the moment, while Robert was in his office working on something that caused a swear word to escape here or there. It made her smile, as she knew it had to be the accounts he was doing. They had money coming in and going out to and from so many places, that it was close to impossible to keep track of it all. But he gave it his best shot and all seemed well up until now, so it was all good.

With everything fine in the building, she walked to the door and pulled it open, walking out into the night and just enjoying the sound of the river running by and the leaves rustling in the trees. It was such a peaceful place down here, just outside of the city - and she loved it. She turned to head for the vegetable and herb gardens when she saw a young looking, dark haired girl coming down the road. Belle smiled at her, lifted an arm and waved.

"Yoo Hoo! Helloooooo there! Lovely evening for a stroll right!"

She bent down and began to pick some basil and coriander, keeping an eye on the girl to see if she were simply out for a walk, or if she was headed to Solace in particular.

She was startled out of her thoughts and some what day dream by a voice. She looked up to and Elderly woman picking herbs. The woman was seemed to be watching her so Emily put a smile on her face and made her way closer.

"Hello. Yes it is really nice out." She walked over closer to the woman "Would you like some help?"

Before the woman could get an answer out Emily was already bent over helping to pick the basil and coriander. She had done this a few times in the other community center she had been apart of. She had help start the garden there and had missed the way it made her feel relaxed.

She looked around at the building "This is Solace right? I am suppose to be meeting a Mr. Robert Pratt this evening. My name is Emily by the way."

Belle went to answer the girl, but before she could she was already bent double over the little green leaves, picking the best bits like she knew what she was doing. Belle smiled and stood herself up, hands on the small of her back and a groan issuing from her lips as she leant backwards to stretch out again. Her mind might be as sharp as anything still, but her body was definitely slowing down and crumbling little by little.

"You're a kind girl, to help an old woman out like this. And yes, this is Solace. Oh! Emily! You're the meeting with Robert. He's waiting for you inside!"

She grinned a wide grin, looking the girl over and felt pleased that she seemed healthy and clean. That was a plus for the books and one less thing to worry about with her. Belle put her hands on the girls hips and gently guided her away from the herb patch. She looped an arm around the girls waist in a motherly manner, and then bustled her in through the doors and towards Robert's office.

"ROBERT!"

She called out happily as they neared.

"Robert! Emily is here for you. Put those spreadsheets away man!"

Dropping her hold on the girl, she pushed open the door and walked on in, beckoning to Emily to come on in too.

Robert had been banging his head against a brick wall for what seemed like hours. The numbers were swimming before his eyes and he was sure that when he blinked, that some of them jumped from one column to another. Still though, he kept on plugging away and little by little, things were starting to make sense. That was until his concentration was broken by Belle's dulcet tones. However, he could never be angry with her, and he smiled as she walked in the door and nodded his head. He reached out and switched the screen on the computer off and got up, walking around the desk to seem more approachable.

This wasn't an interview, or a formal meeting, so he never sat behind the desk and instead used the comfy chairs and sofa that were set up. It was more informal and sociable and helped people to open up more easily.

"Good Evening Emily. I do hope you found your way here ok?"

He spoke to the girl behind the door who hadn't appeared yet, smiling in a friendly manner and waiting.

Emily took in her surroundings as she followed the elderly woman down the hall. Walking through the building she had more memories of back home. It was a comforting thought that she had found a place that would feel like home in a place so far from it.

She still had the herbs in hands as they reached the office door and the woman called for Robert. She heard a voice come from the other side of the door. She assumed that it was his and he sounded nice enough from where she was standing.

As she made her way in the door she handed the herbs to the elderly woman and gave her a big smile. As the man came into view She had to do a double take. Not only did this man have the same name as her father but he looked like her father. She half smiled at him as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a locket her mother had given her with a picture of her father in it.

She turned back to the elderly woman "It was nice to meet you." She said before checking the locket quickly.

She turned back to the man as she slipped the locket back into her pocket. He didn't just look like her father but she was sure that he was her father. She knew that couldn't be though. He family had told her that he had died when she was one, but here he was standing right in front of her in the flesh.

She felt herself getting sick again but this she chalked up to the fact that she had just seen a dead man. She was sure the color had drained from her face but she tried to force a smile back onto her face for the meeting.

"H...Hello Mr. Pratt. I..I did not have any trouble finding the place at all. H..how are you this evening?"

She knew her voice was trembling but she really hoped that it wasn't as noticeable to other that did not know her as it was to her but then again he should know her but she would not be surprised if the man that had been dead for 16 years didn't realize anything about his flesh and blood.

Belle took the herbs greatfully and then left them too it. Usually, when people came to the Sanctuary then the last thing they needed was being swamped. She didn't miss the fact that the girl looked like she'd seen a ghost, so padded off to the kitchen to put the herbs down and make her a nice strong cup of sweet tea.

Robert watched as she removed some piece of jewellry from her pocket and seemed to double check something. He took it as a nervous habit, perhaps some form of OCD, and so didn't think anything of it. However, she suddenly paled and started to stammer when she spoke, and he was worried she would collapse or something. Quickly, he closed the gap between them and caught her elbow gently, looking down from his 6' 1"s of height with concern written all over his face.

"Here, look, Emily dear. Sit down, you look like you've come across all funny."

Gently he helped her over to the couch and sat her down, sitting himself beside her as Belle came back in with the tea. Robert took it from her and she left again as he offered her the tea.

"Here, drink some of this and see if it helps. Are you ok? What happened?"

He stayed there by her side, watching her with that same look of concern as he waited for her answer.

He makes his way over to her and he towers over her. For some reason she ended up being the short person in the family. On a good day she around 5' 2" maybe 5' 3". He had nearly a foot on her as he reaches out for her. As he touches her, she flinches a little. She thinks to herself 'He touched me...so he's not a ghost at least...but what is going on...' He leads her over to the sofa and she can see that he has concern on his face. He might of noticed her lack of color or her voice. The elderly woman came back into the room with something to drink. He takes it and then hands it to her as he specks and ask her if she is okay. She drinks as she thinks of what to respond 'Should I make something up...Should I question him...I don't know what to do...' She manages to finish off the tea. She catches her breath before she decides what she is going to do. "I...I just have not been feeling to well for a few days is all." She hopes that will be good enough. She has decided she will return home after this meeting to question what really happened with her father. She forces a smile back onto her face as she talks "You have a very lovely place here Mr. Pratt. I'd love to know more about it."

He sat beside her quietly, not wanting to touch her as she'd seemed to flinch when he had. He waited for her to finish her tea and regain her composure, offering her a kind little smile should she ever look up at him. She offered up an excuse that she'd not been feeling well for a few days, and he nodded his head and believed her. There'd been a few bugs floating around the Sanctuary, with a few people coming down with flus and colds and all sorts.

"Can I get you anything else? Anything to eat or make you feel better?"

He waited for her to respond, and if she did want anything - he'd send Belle a telepathic message to ask her to prepare it so he could collect it in a moment for her.

"What would you like to know about Solace? We're very open and honest here, we like to help and educate people a much as we can - so they can better their lives. So, anything you want to know or ask - feel free."

He smiled at her encouragingly and waited.