Ashley was reluctant to part with Vera.

She liked the geezer slash young maiden, if not downright loving her to bits.

If she could, she would stay with her and chat the days away, finally letting all the feelings and thoughts she kept inside herself spill out.

Vera admired Ashley in turn—even after living for centuries, Ashley was the only one she could let down her guard and actually be candid with.

The orphans she adopted were still children to her. She naturally would divulge some of her