It had been a slow morning, but then, the daylight hours tended to be. Most didn't want to be seen going into the building a supposed mystic resided. And to add, many thought daytime was hardly an appealing aesthetic to go and get one fortune's read. But Mortem was hardly complaining, there was plenty to do around the shop.
She cleaned and tidied up, listened to the gossip that passed by her window. A murder here, a murder there. A murderer on the loose. Scandalous, as they say. Windows were cleaned, the crystals and stained glass she kept to catch the sun were hung once more. Her shop was very much a classic shop of mysticism, all potion bottles and a circular table with a crystal ball. Dried herbs hung towards the back counter, books from all over the world lined her walls.
To her, it was cozy. The soft crackling of the fireplace and the scent of something pleasant brewing in the small cauldron that dangled above it. Not a space that was saturated in incense and the likes. The wooden sign outside that she had carved invited people inside at their own leisure, informing them her door was open.
No bell chimed, no bell was ever needed to chime. She sensed all. Like now, the flicker of a soul and the potent feel of something darker. As if she could ever be ignorant about such a hungry creature. She'd be mindful for now, as she saw no need to be hostile as others may to a beast in black.
"Greetings," The witch turned halfway to face her visitors. "m'lord." She intercepted her own self, aptly calling him by his title. Mortem may only know pieces about the willful boy, but she recognized him well enough to know how to address the young lord. Partially due to an impeccable sense of fashion. Her fingers tugged lightly at her sleeves, smoothing them to rest against her wrists as her black eyes flickered to the boy's companion before back to him.
"How unexpected, I thought you'd be out chasing rabbits or rabid hounds." She mused, knowing the Queen's Watchdog was a title associated with his station. The comment was one woven together with a playful intonation as she turned fully, giving the young lord her full attention. "To what do I owe the honor?"
