Maari was lounging at the back of her shop, at the end of a long day of work. She had thought about going out dancing tonight, going to have some fun. She had been lonely of late, which was strange for the energetic, affectionate hybrid. She was not used to being alone, or lonely. Most of her clubbing friends had been busy, and none of the new kids she was seeing at the clubs lately had gotten her interest all too well. She sighed and stood up, going over to the fridge where she kept snacks and cool drinks for when she was down in the shop. Opening the door, she found herself doing that classic maneuver of standing at the fridge, staring inside and somehow not really seeing what was inside, because she was so lost in thought.After several minutes, she suddenly shook herself all over and reached in, snagging out a bottle of nice cold fruit juice, and some salami, before she went back to her desk, to sit again. "Ok, so... I'm lonely. This is not what I want. I could... go out and try to make more dancing friends, and hope they will be around more, and not pair off and disappear with their partners. I could... find a new hobby to help me try to find friends. What else can I do? There really is not a good way to make friends amongst my clients, without coming across as a creep." She opened her juice, and drank, before having her snack, as she tried to think. The problem with the ideas she had said aloud where they were the same ones she had come up with time and time again.
Finally, she sighed and threw out her trash, before locking up and doing the end of the day clean up, making sure all the valuables were back in the safe, and the shop wards were properly activated. After all of that was done, she headed upstairs and locked the door between her flat and the shop, activating the last of the wards. She went in, and took a long, hot shower, still thinking about her options, making sure every inch of her was clean. After the shower, and getting dry, she got dressed and than headed out. Not to go dancing, as she might, but to go shopping... She needed more supplies in the house.
When she got to the store, she found herself, to her disgruntlement, surrounded by happy people. Couples, families... They all were happy and having a... well, generally a good time, for a grocery store run. She sighed deeply and got to work, getting lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, a decent cheese selection, and other supplies she needed or wanted. As she turned into the candy aisle, thinking that maybe some chocolate would make her feel better, she noticed a mother and her child. The child was begging for some candy, but they both looked so... happy. Together.
And that was when it hit Maarika. She could have a child... They were a lot of work, she would need a nanny for when SHE was working, and if she wanted to go out and have fun... But a child was something she could love, and who would, she hoped, love her. She could adopt one... Or she could have one of her own. She studied the small family, and then, as she headed out of the store with her purchases, almost sang in delight at her realization. It was time! Maari was going to be a mother! She made an appointment at an imbuement center as soon as she got home.
