2025-01-30 - Spoooooky! No j/k, everything's normal.

"A monster! He's a monster!" a middle-aged woman howls as a man, presumably her husband, wraps her winter coat around her to lead her out of the shop. Tears are streaming down her face. The man is carrying a beautiful pencil drawing of a lovely woman who has the air of being from a different, bygone time. "Let's go, Frank! I never want to see that horrible man again." She glares at Noah and then storms out of the shop. Right behind her, Frank follows. He glances back at Noah apologetically and silently mouths, "I'm sorry." Then he leaves the shop with his wife.

With a dejected expression, Noah lets out a long, slow sigh. He starts cleaning up his work area to prepare for the next client. "I work for tips," he mutters to himself as he flicks his head to get his hair out of his face. But here he has a rare opportunity to relax. Typically there is a line waiting for his services at The Spectral Pen, but for whatever reason the place is deserted. Noah disappears into a back room and reemerges with a can of Cherry Pepsi.

Shirley blinks a bit as she watches the woman leaving the place in such a state. Perhaps most would think to turn away but curiosity is going to get the better of this cat girl as she wanders towards Noah her usual look of satin, lace, and ruffles, black paired with a lovely real today with her traditional heeled combat boots on her feet to help her not feel so short.

"So, is that how most of your customers react? Or was she just extra special?" is asked as she leans in the doorway, curiously watching Noah.

Noah is standing there tall and lean in a pair of black jeans, black Chelsea boots, a white Spellbound Island polo shirt, with his employee badge hanging around his neck on a lanyard. He is in mid-deep-drink from a can of Cherry Pepsi when Shirley walks into the shop.

With a small smile, Noah nods a greeting in Shirley's direction as he sets down the can. "Oh, hi." His gaze follows the ears down to the tail, which likely marks her as an employee. "Uh, well, sometimes." His eyebrows go up and he lets out a bit of a humorless, casual laugh. "They wanted to talk to the lady's mom, who died ten years ago. Apparently there was some expensive family jewelry that she hid before she died and they can't find it." He shrugs and momentarily puts his hand out to the side in a surrender gesture. "So I arranged the chat, and the mother's ghost told her she was a greedy selfish bitch and she'd never reveal where the jewelry was hidden."

Noah sits down on the stool that's in front of his easel. "I mean, most conversations that I, you know, arrange go better than that. Honestly, that was a first for me."

Shirley rolls her eyes, "Typical, only wanting to talk to the dead because of greed. Disgusting. Well I am glad they got scared away or what have you. I like the mother's ghost, at least she knew what was up." She slips further in as she says, "Is this new? Or am I just noticing it? I have been here for over a year now, I think? Time blurs. I have had at least one birthday here and that was back in July. So, yeah." She laughs a bit more before she calms, "Though. Hopefully you don't get too many more greedy tourists like that. Or at least, if they are, they have more tact about it for goodness sake."

With a nod and a grin Noah confirms, "Yeah this place is real new. Actually, I pitched the idea to Marketing during my interview. I was an art and design major in college but I took a few business classes, so I guess I had just the right amount of business lingo to whet their appetites. Originally it was just meant as a place where people could bring in old pictures of deceased family or friends and get a brand new portrait of them made. But after like a week I started realizing I could actually call the ghost of the deceased. So now people..." He peers around the empty shop. "...USUALLY line up when I'm on shift. There must be a show or something starting, that's usually when I get a break from the customers."

He chin-nods in Shirley's direction. "Cool ears and tail. I'm Noah, by the way."

"Shirley, though I am called Tini when on the clock, and thanks. I sometimes switch em up for giggles. Or at a customer's request. Normally it is bunny or fox or floppy eared doggy types if not the cat girl. Always a anime dream," she laughs heartily as she truly doesn't mind the new her since New Years. "The tail can get tedious but it is just because I am OCD and want it as soft as possible."

She ponders before she mentions, "I think I saw them doing a little street show a few blocks back. That is probably what is distracting them right now. "I dunno who I would call yet, but when I figure it out. I will come and pester you. Though, I wouldn't mind seeing your art sometime. I make little clay figurines for giggles, probably nothing compared to what you do."

With a charming smile and easy manner, Noah nods to Shirley. "Nice t'meet you, Shirley. That's a great name like for real."

"Hell yeah, come by whenever you wa..." Noah abruptly stops talking and peers out the glass front door. The man who was in here with his wife rushes in. He's alone. He has some cash in his hand. He looks at Shirley then at Noah.

"Young man, I really apologize about my wife. Here, this is for you." He puts down two 20-dollar bills on a table that is close to the front door. "You have an amazing gift. It's not your fault my mother-in-law was...is opinionated about certain things." He smiles a little bit of an embarrassed smile. "My wife and her mother never got along."

Noah stands up from where he's sitting on his stool. Professional to the last. "Sir, it's really alright. This stuff can be super shocking. You don't owe me an apology. I hope your wife is okay."

The man nods and leaves the store after one more glance at Shirley.

Noah peers at Shirley. "Well how about that. I figured they stiffed me."

Shirley laughs softly, "I like Tini too, it super funny to hear the tipsy people shout it to get my attention."

She then falls silent at the man who came back in with his wife returns and watches silently for now. She looks grateful as the man is apologetic and puts the money on the table.

"Well, I am glad that isn't the situation. He at least seems like a good egg but his wife... well... maybe she is an old dog than can be taught new tricks? I dunno. One can be hopeful instead of jaded and realistic sometimes." She giggles.

With a grin, Noah walks over to the table and grabs the cash and stuffs it into one of his front pocket. "Guess I'll be able to get some groceries in the morning."

"Tini, huh?" Noah repeats as he returns to sitting on his stool. "Yeah you have a definite anime vibe going. You must get hit on by drunk tourists all the time." He laughs a little. "I don't have that problem. Well once this rich lady offered me a thousand dollars to go back to her hotel room and sleep with her." With an embarrassed laugh, Noah runs a hand back through his floppy hair. "Not gonna lie I was really tempted. That's a lot of money that could get me through slow times here."

Noah clears his throat. "Anyway...so what's your gig at Spellbound anyway?"

Shirley laughs a bit, "Yeah, I do, even more so now but it comes with the territory. Could be worse." Her jaw drops as he mentions the dollar amount to go back to the room with the lady, her cheeks actually flush as she utters, "Was... was she bad looking? Or do you not swing in that direction? I have never had someone offer me money to do that. Not yet." She stifles a few giggles. "Oh, bartender at the Tales and Tails, Tini is suppose to be short for martini. All the drinks at the bar are punny animal names and the like."

Noah gives a small shrug. "I mean, she was probably sixty...so I guess as much as someone that age can be." He shakes his head. "The funny thing is, if I met her at a bar and she bought me a couple of drinks I might have gone back to her hotel with her. But there is just something I can't live with about doing it for money. And yes, I love women, like a lot. So that part wasn't a problem at all. It was just taking money for it that I couldn't wrap my head around."

"Oh, you're a bartender!" Noah says with a playful grin. "Do you know how to make my favorite drink? It's called ice cold bottle of Corona."

Shirley blushes a bit more as he explains and smiles, "Gotcha. Good to know you have a price," which is followed by a teasing wink before she giggles. She he mentions his favorite drink, she snickers and jokingly comments, "I dunno. That's a hard one. I mean, having to take of the bottle cap is sooo hard." She playfully sticks her tongue out at him after. She then asks, "Rando question, ever have something called a kitchen sink cookie?"

Noah furrows his brow at the name. "Hmmm, no never heard of that. Tell me more."

He reaches behind him to grab another swig of his Cherry Pepsi. Summoning the dead really takes a lot out of him. He folds one leg over the other and rests his forearms on his leg. He definitely has a way of focusing in on who he's talking to giving his undivided attention.

Shirley grins as she says, "Its a family recipe that my Grandma from Atlanta taught me. It is a chocolate chip cookie but you add in pretzel pieces and chopped up pieces of caramel and sea salt sprinkled on top. They are seriously delicious. I am making some later today actually. if you are working tomorrow, I could swing some by, if you want."

Noah's eyes go wide when Shirley describes the cookie. "Wow, I guess I must have done something good because I meet a cool girl who makes amazing cookies. This sounds like something that should go without saying but I'm going to say it anyway. Any time you wanna drop by with treats, consider yourself officially invited. Unless you're a vampire, then just leave the treats outside the door in a box."

"Where did you move here from?" he asks, tipping his slightly. "Did you, like, hear about this place and come for the job?"

Shirley blushes as he compliments her and smiles as she says, "I am not a vampire, I can promise that. Not unless you somehow bleed candy. Then you might have a problem on your hands." She briefly bites her bottom lip as she winks at Noah. "Oh me? I am from Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Its alright. And yes, I wanted a change of scenery after my 21st birthday and thought while not a bartending job at an amusement park that can take room and board out of my pay. Win win for me. I was a bit of a loner weirdo back home so it wasn't like I had many people to say buy to, and I am an only child so, now my parents can do that Europe traveling thing they always wanted to. They send postcards, its rather cool that they do the old school thing. Makes me look forward to checking for snail mail."

"Postcards?" Noah says, rubbing his chin as he sits relaxed on his stool. "That's really cool. I can honestly say that I have never in my life sent or received a postcard. I guess I'm gonna have to put that on my bucket list.

Noah peers upward to the ceiling for a moment, thinking. "So. Florida to Michigan. THAT is quite a move and quite a change of climate. Have you ever lived somewhere that gets cold weather and snow before? I mean, I grew up in Wisconsin to Michigan with a magically enhanced climate is like living in the Bahamas to me. Minus the ocean and hot people in bathing suits."

Shirley laughs as she says, "Yeah actually. I think all that heat was making me crazy and a bit miserable to be honest. Here, I can dress is my cute gothic stuff practically year round without overheating, so that is lovely. I still remember my first snow angel and snowball fight. It was so much fun." She laughs softly as she comments, "I love the ocean honestly but it is ok being away from it. But I will say that the lake shore doesn't have the same effect as the typical ocean beach. Has a different smell, feel, essence essentially." She pauses before she asks, "What is Wisconsin like? I heard they love cheese, is that true?"

With a small, mirthful laugh Noah shakes his head. "I don't think people in Wisconsin necessarily love cheese more than...okay yeah, no we LOVE cheese. Cheese dip, cheese curds, cheese sauce, foam hats made to look like a piece of cheese. You name it. But I mean, Wisconsin is nice-ish? It's cold as balls in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. I actually grew up on a hippie commune. So mine was not the typical Wisconsin childhood, I would have to say."

Shirley sighs wistfully before she utters, "Mmmm cheese curds. Have you ever had 'em breaded and deep fried? They are delicious." She looks curious, "Hippie compound? Are you talking like, peace, love, smoke a lot of trees? Acid? No drugs? Sorry just, not often I hear the words hippie commune."

"I'm sure there must be some acid there, but honestly I never saw it or knew anyone who used it," Noah says with a casual shrug and a tone that doesn't sound even slightly judgmental about using acid. His hair has been slowly creeping across his forehead threatening to ambush his face. He casually glides it away from his face by running his hand back through it with the practiced ease of someone who has always had long hair. "Now weed? I mean there is a pretty big pot field there. I will very occasionally partake if I'm at a party or something, but I never really got that into it."

Noah stands up and stretches his back before moving to one of the tables to sit in an actual chair. "Mostly it's a group of really, really close people working to support the community. The unattainable goal is complete self-sufficiency. But really the commune sells crafts and stuff in town to raise money for things it can't do for itself like electricity and internet and the fees associated with doing home schooling for all the kids. It's a lot of people who work really hard, care really hard, and play really hard. Honestly, it's a damned nice way to grow up. And if I were ever to have kids, I would want to talk to whomever my partner is about maybe moving back there."

Shirley laughs softly, "Fair. You did say childhood. At least that means they kept it hidden from you kids if it indeed was going on. So I think that is at least a win in that regard. And I am a massive pothead. But I smoke so much I don't really feel it anymore, it is more to maintain my mental health. I miss the feeling but I enjoy my sanity more." She blushes as bit, "Sorry, that is probably a little bit oversharing, isn't it?"

"It is a nice idea, trying to be self sufficient. And, it doesn't sound like a bad plan for raising kiddos, I know I am a few leaps and bounds away from thinking about that stuff in the long term though. I'm only 22 and well, not ready for all that responsibility. Kids are a lot, I used to baby sit tons. I love em but, I can wait, ya know?" She laughs softly and bashfully looks away while her cheeks brighten.

"So um.. did you have any questions by chance?" she asks, attempting to shift the subject as she tries to quell that coloring in her cheeks.

If there are any undertones going on here, for sure Noah doesn't seem to be aware of them. He comes across as an is-the-way-he-seems kind of guy. "My mom was 20 when she had me. I always thought I was gonna have kids that young, but honestly I just haven't had the urge. Or a long-term partner for that matter. But I figure I'm 26. I have loads of time. And maybe I'll never have kids, who knows."

Noah crosses one leg over the other and gets comfortable on the chair. "Do I have any questions? So many questions. Why can't we all get along? Why do billionaires exist? Why don't we ever see baby pigeons. When you take a bite out of a donut where does the hole go?"

Shirley blinks a few times as she utters, "Wow, I. That's brave. I would be terrified of being a parent right now. And yeah, we both have plenty of time before that has to really be a worry or anything like that. Its time to more or less date and figure out who you are right now, in my opinion. My parents were much older when they had me, probably why I am an only child."

She laughs softly as he lists off a ton of questions and better clarifies as she looks back to him when she says, "I mean more about me?" She then giggles a bit before she comments, "As for the donut holes, they usually make them into other treats instead of wasting that dough. Some places call them munchkins."

The door to the shop opens and a man and a woman enter. They look to be in their late 30s or early 40s. They seems hesitant, almost timid. "Hi," the man says. "We heard about this place." He doesn't explain more. He just holds up a photograph of a girl who can't be more 10 years old in the picture. When his gaze falls on the picture a sadness comes over Noah's face but he is every inch the professional. He stands up quickly and puts on a bright face.

"Yes, sir!" he says approaching the couple. He gives Shirley an apologetic glance and silently mouths 'Tomorrow?'

"Why don't you folks have a seat and we can talk. My name is Noah. Welcome to The Spectral Pen!"

Shirley was about to ask him something but the customers come in. She begins to slowly slip out and offers a nod as he mouth tomorrow to her. She wiggles her fingers in goodbye before she quietly slips out the door, making sure to not cause any distraction from Noah.