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The Nomad should be used to saying goodbye. They had to say it countless of times — to eras, to places, to friends. During the worse nights, the memories of farewell came like waves, crushing and shapeless. One lover was much like the other, even though the person who had loved them had different names.
On this night, their name was Phyre and they were standing in the cemetary of St. Stephen's church. Their weary eyes were fixed upon a tombstone, freshly engraved with the letters "S.U." Beside it was the older grave of "G.H." And to the right of that was another new stone: "F.L."
Kindred rarely received funeral rites. Funerals were for the living, and they were already dead. There were often no bodies to bury. By the time Phyre returned to the warehouse where they first awakened, there was nothing to greet them but ash.
But it was good to have a memorial — something to address in their place. Fabien certainly wouldn't begrudge them for talking to an inanimate object.
"This shall be my last night in Seattle," said Phyre. "I've asked Niko to keep an eye on Joey. You should have said they were a ghoul. It would have made them easier to track. He has been providing for Misty. Upon your request, he claimed. I would not worry. The new Prince has allowed her presence in the city. With time, I have no doubt she will learn to be fully independent. She was quite saddened to hear of your Final Death, though I suspect she already knew. Niko, as well. I felt obliged to tell them."
Unfortunately, Phyre was not Fabien. They could not make the tombstone answer back.
Phyre sighed. "This existence of ours is full of partings. I've learned that one cannot fully leave without abandoning a piece of yourself. I know this for a fact. Despite never setting down roots, one buries parts of themselves in certain places. This city will always have my wonder at gazing upon its sea of lights. My distaste of the concentrated caffeine in the blood of its kine. My frustration at navigating this era like a newborn... And my fondness for a detective who guided me through it. That is the Phyre that will forever stay in Seattle."
They paused. "...I leave them with you, Fabien."
Love and loss had transformed them so many times that their mortal self would scarcely recognize who they were now. They were glad to be changed. It was the reason they have adapted and survived for as long as they have. As soon as they leave each place, the Nomad will be nameless once more — a stranger, but one forever changed.
Now, they will never give up on a case. Every filing cabinet will now bring a small smile. They will be the only vampire who will think of the sun and not be afraid.
"I am glad to have met you, detective."
Phyre placed a sunflower upon Fabien's grave, the bright yellow a tiny beacon in the darkness.