Rick’s family was dead. There was no conclusion that he could come to other than he was to blame. He had started the argument, in uniform of course, with the bar patrons. It had turned ugly. Threats had been made. They hadn’t been the first to do so. Rick took the usual precautions but he wasn’t prepared for what came a few weeks later. The front door ajar as he returned home from work with absolute horrors awaiting inside.
He knew exactly where to start looking for the perpetrators. Rick ran down every lead and relentlessly searched for the men he believed to be the killers. That was how he ran into the watcher. Rick was introduced into a whole new world. He threw himself into it, wanting to learn as much as he could. The old watcher eager to pass on his ways. Rick learned about the mass activation of Slayers and the added need for watchers. He wasn’t as knowledgeable or skilful as some of the others but he had a desire and a drive. So when the elder watcher believed Rick was ready to start down that path, he introduced him to the witch, Erin.
He met with Erin and they talked. He told her his story and reasons for wanting to continue down the watcher path. Rick wasn’t entirely sure what the young woman thought of him but she seemed to have a Slayer in mind. Ultimately their meeting had led to him to meet up with Erin and the woman in question Rick wasn’t sure what to expect. He had been thrust into a whole new world. Everything seemed uncertain but it didn’t deter his willingness to soldier onwards. He was eager to take the next step, to team up with a Slayer and move forward.
When he walked in he immediately recognized Erin but his gaze fell on the woman sitting at the table with her. His heart fluttered in his chest. Was that what it felt like to meet your match - your Slayer? Just excitement of what might be on the horizon or was it something else? Though he’d had no expectations, she seemed to instantly exceed them. Part of him was left wishing this was actually a blind date and not something closer to what might be a business arrangement.
Erin smiled and waved him over. She stood up from the table, seemingly ready to get on her way as soon as he arrived. “Rick - Emily. Emily - Rick.” She gestured between the two of them. The witch was beaming and he wasn’t sure why. “See you guys later. Have fun.” And with that simple introduction she turned and left them alone.
Rick’s gaze refocused on the woman he now knew as Emily. There was that flutter again. He gave her a smile and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Emily.”