Narcissa had been an only child, and growing up with her magic was not a simple childhood. She felt disconnected from the other children around. She had to make sure that she controlled her emotions when she was about, less she loose control and let an outburst of magic happen. It had happened once when she was 4, it was the first time she had displayed any magic.
Her mother and father had been discussing how to educate her and had broken out in a small dissagreement over it. Her mother wanted to keep her daughter home to teach her, while her father had wanted to send her away to study at a school abroad. Narcissa had heard this and burst into the room sobbing and wailing about not wanting to leave home. Cosmina and Fredek stopped their argument and tried to comfort their daughter, who only got more upset.
This was the moment that changed things, as the doors all around began to open and shut, repeatedly. Increasing in speed as their daughter got more and more upset. Naturally this caused some fear and concern with the two parents who stared at each other dumbfounded for a few moments before they embraced their daughter tightly, comforting her enough to stop the slamming of the various doors. Narcissa was frightened and didn't understand why her parents reacted so, it wasn't until her mother sat her down and explained what happened. She told her daughter about magic and how it came from the weave and how the Goddess Hala had once come down and taught people how to use it. Her father told her a different tale, about how magic was dangerous and powerful and she should be proud that she can wield such power, he told her about all the things she could possibly do. Gave her the idea of a better Barovia where those who wronged others were punished, while her mother tried to encourage her to focus on how her magic can be used to help. It was confusing and the four year old child didn't really understand it. She was upset, scared, intimidated and wanted to be normal.
Narcissa had planned to run away from home a few days later. She had packed a loaf of bread and some apples, a blanket and a waterskin and was sneaking down the stairs in the late night. Her plan was to stay hidden in the basement until her parents had gone looking for her, then she'd flee. She just wanted to be normal. So she did, she sequestered herself away in the basement of the house. As she huddled in a corner in the damp basement she cried and begged for someone who would understand, someone she could trust who wouldn't hate her for her magic. She didn't want to hurt people, and she was terrified of her magic. She thought, perhaps, she could flee the city, maybe she could find somewhere else to go. Somewhere where people wouldn't be frightened by her magic, and that was when she heard it. A rustling in the far right side of the basement.
"He-hello?" A frightened voice called out, as she muttered a few words and conjured a light. Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth to not scream as her eyes spotted a foot tall, flying creature who grinned at her.
"Shh little dear. My name is Eros, and I want to be your friend. I'm not afraid of you. Are you afraid of me?" The blackish greyish imp asked as he flew over towards the little girl who recoiled in fear. The imp frowned. "Don't be afraid of me. I want to help you. Please?" the imp grinned deviously as the child approached him and touched one of his leathery wings. "I heard you wanting a friend, someone who wasn't afraid of your magic, is that right?"
"Y-yes... That's right Mr uh... Eros..." Narcissa said timidly, her fear of the creature dissipating as he spoke to her.
"I can do magic too, see?" Eros said, making himself invisible and visible again. This made the little Narcissa giggle and smile. Someone who was like her!
"Wow!! That's amazing Mr Eros! Can you teach me to do that?"
"In time, I think you'll be able to do more than what I can!"
"Really? You really think so? But... What if magic is bad like people say?"
"Ignore them child, they just fear what they don't understand."
"Alright. My name is Narcissa. It's nice to meet you Mr Eros."
The imp bowed in the air, eliciting another giggle from the girl, which drew her parents attention. Eros could hear them walking towards the basement hatch. "If you ever get scared Narcissa, just call for me and I'll come. I promise."
"Really?" She asked looking up at the imp with her wild, innocent child eyes.
"Really, now best go be a good girl for your mother and father, hm? No need to run away now, alright?" Narcissa nodded eagerly and rushed up the stairs, startling her parents.
"Mommy, daddy! I made a friend! His name is Eros and he lives in the basement and he's not a scared of me!!" She said proudly to her parents, who just assumed their daughter had created an imaginary friend.
