Hello my non-existent viewers. Maybe you all will be more compelled to read this story now that it's longer? Ehhh. Whatevs. Enjoy.

Getting settled in Mystic Falls was easier than expected. I found a job, two actually. My primarily was working as a bartender at the Mystic Grill. It really seemed like every shop downtown had "Mystic" somewhere in it's name. I was sure that the natives found it to be a joke that got old really quick. My second was a little part time gig at a dress shop. The owner was a nice older lady - well, not older than me, but you get it - who needed a little help with sales and odd-jobs around the shop every so often. During my life span, I had accumulated quite a bit of wealth. Some I worked for on my own, some was from my portion of my family's estate in London and my dowry. I by no means needed to work, but working took my mind off things, gave me a chance to meet new people, gave me a reason not to be alone. Only God knew how lonely it could get after over one hundred years.

I even rented a small house. It was a one bedroom deal. I would have opted for an apartment, but there weren't many, if any, in this small town. This kind of town was a 'stay-here-and-settle-down-forever-in-a-house' kind of town. There weren't too many single, 'young' people unattached to family hanging around here.

From what I could tell, I would like living here. Of course, right now, I was on the watch list of all the older generation Mystic Falls folks. I got it. I was an unknown entity. I was new, unfamiliar. A vagabond really. I found it almost comical, how years ago it was my lover playing the part of the gypsy, and now it was me. The universe loved to keep the balance. I took the judging stares in stride though. Soon, I'd win their trust, become a staple in the community, and when I felt my time was up, ride out of town just like I rode in. Silently and with a mysterious air.

My first night working the bar went smoothly, everything was very straight forward. For the most part, the people in this town didn't ask for any type of drink that needed more prep than pouring - though I was qualified to do much more. It wasn't until I was a few weeks into the job when I got my first bout of excitement.

There was a group of kids, they looked to be around seventeen, give or take a year or two, and they would come in a lot on weekends, and even sometimes during the week to do homework or just chat. There was the pretty brunette who was dating Matt - the busboy. On the few occasions that I actually got to talk to him, he seemed cool, down to earth and all that. I think that her name was Eliza. It was something like that, it started with an 'E'. I don't know I'm not a stalker. Then there was this bubbly blonde. She was obnoxious, loud, and shallow. But despite all of those lovely qualities, she seemed like she had a good heart. Then there was another brunette. She was black, with eyes that were more hazel than green and eyebrows that stayed arched. I was getting some serious vibes from her. Of the magical variety. Those were the main three.

There was Matt's friend, a tan boy with short dark hair. I think he was the mayor's son. He gave off a douche vibe, and he usually hung out with his fellow jocks around the pool tables moreso that with the three girls. Matt also had a sister, Vicky, who worked as a waitress. We never talked. She was either too high, or too I'm-too-alternative-cool-to-hang, to carry on a conversation with. She was the complete opposite of her older brother. She was apparently somewhat dating Matt's douche friend, but also 'hanging' with Matt's girlfriend's younger brother, who was in all definitions of the word, a pot head. A cute pot head, but one nonetheless. That made up the most interesting group of teenagers that frequented the Grill and also the group that sent one of their members to try and get some drinks out of me.

It was Saturday night and they wanted some shots. They sent the blonde to try and sway me. They would have had better luck with a guy. I don't know maybe they thought I liked women as much as Felicity did. Or maybe they though they could pull one over on me since I was new here.

"Hi." She smiled. "My table would like two rounds of shots." I was cleaning out a glass at this point. Just staring at her.

"You got I.D.?" I asked, letting boredom slip into my tone.

"Oh," she waved her hand dismissively, "all the other bartenders know us. They don't card us anymore." I put the glass down and picked up a new one, never breaking eye contact.

"Yeah, well, I'm not them. So I still need to see an I.D." She sighed dramatically. Over her shoulder I could see her group of friends trying - and failing - not to check on her progress.

"Here you go." She placed an I.D. on the counter in front of us. I picked it up looking at it. I cut my eyes back to her.

"Okay, Nancy. This I.D. is obviously fake." At her cool expression slid off her face as a deer in headlights one replaced it just as quickly. I slid it back to her. Looking around the Grill I saw that there were no parents, or cops, or cop parents in the general vicinity or paying attention. My boss was in back doing paperwork or whatever. The other bartender, Stacey, was flirting with some college guys. Her attention was securely focused on them. "But here's what I'm going to do." I pulled out a tray and started arranging shot glasses on it. I pulled out the tequila and started filling them. "I'm in a very generous mood right now. So here's the deal. Two rounds are all you get. If the law walks in and sees you, you didn't get it from me. Make something up. Don't get use to this. And finally, the most important thing, if you can't drive, don't. Come to me and I'll call you a cab. Got it?" She nodded. "Good, now money up front." She gave me a twenty. I pushed the tray to her. I could see the shock decreasing in her eyes and being replaced by something akin to hero worship. "Alright, now get back to your friends." She grabbed her tray and I.D. and quickly walked away.

I wasn't too worried about getting caught. If worse came to worse I could cast and illusion and get out of the offense. But these kids reminded me of a younger me. But back in my day we had to go through a lot more just to get a little whiskey. I poured a shot for myself, and catching Blondie's eye I lifted my glass and gave her a nod, downing the contents without a flinch. Yeah. I think I could get along here just fine.

Read and review please!

Ren!