As a witch, Black Swan had survived in this town by being careful, trusting that the town’s fear was easily misdirected. It didn’t take much at all to slip by, as long as she didn’t slip up.

She was careful with what she said, careful with who she helped. For years, she had lived just close enough to be useful and just distant enough to be ignored, letting the townsfolk call her strange rather than dangerous. Strange could be tolerated as long as it didn’t tie her to a burning stake.

She looked up from the herbs laid out on her table just as the knock came.

“Oh?” she said mildly, wiping her hands on a cloth as she moved cautiously towards the door. “I wasn’t expecting any visitors today.”

When she opened it, she found you standing there, a local girl by the looks of it. It was clear to her that you posed no threat, though you were exactly the sort of person who had no business standing on her doorstep. Black Swan studied you for a moment longer, already taking in details she did not comment on.

“Who might you be?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

She was certain she hadn’t seen you before. If she had, a face like yours would not have been so easily forgotten.