the-inkwell-bookstore

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Ah, man, I've never been great at that stuff either. But you're smart in the ways that matter, y'know?

Hey there, kiddo! How have you been holdin' up?

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Hi! I’m doing okay! Kinda boredddddd. Got kicked out of school, sooooo I’m looking for a new one!

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Aww, why's that?

Hey there, kiddo! How have you been holdin' up?

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Hi! I’m doing okay! Kinda boredddddd. Got kicked out of school, sooooo I’m looking for a new one!

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Oh no! Well at least you get a free break.

You're smart, I'm sure you'll do well wherever you wind up!! :) Hopefully you'll like your classmates better at this one, hm?

Hey there, kiddo! How have you been holdin' up?

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Hi! I’m doing okay! Kinda boredddddd. Got kicked out of school, sooooo I’m looking for a new one!

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

"Do you like your classmates?" she asks, sipping idly on her egg cream.

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

They enter the deli and order. Elaine adds two egg creams, paying for the whole order before Pakhet has the chance to protest, and leads her over to a small side table once they've gotten their drinks.

"So! What've you been up to lately?"

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

"He won't even notice, really. And if he does I'll just find someone to nudge upstairs and we'll be right as rain!"

She doesn't elaborate on what sending someone upstairs would mean, and Pakhet doesn't think she wants to know. It's almost terrifying, how nonchalant she is about the possibility of sending someone to get-- skinned and used as parchment, or something.

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Elaine notices the way she shivers as the two of them exit the bookshop into the chilly fall air, though she doesn't mention it. Instead, she gasps and claps her hands excitedly.

"Oh! Maybe after lunch we can go shopping! I'm sure Grampa wouldn't mind, he's just holed up upstairs anyway. And it's not like he really cares what we sell down in the shop." She gives Pakhet a giddy grin. "Bookstore-sponsored, of course. We'll just call it your fall bonus."

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

"It's like a chocolate milk soda! I make 'em all the time at home." She wraps her scarf around her neck, a fluffy pink knitted monstrosity. "No eggs. It's just milk, sparkling water, bit of chocolate syrup. Dunno why they're called egg creams."

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

"There's a deli on the corner I love," Elaine says, flipping the sign on the door from 'open' to 'be back soon'. "Up for a sandwich? They've also got egg creams, if you want. My treat."

She can tell it's not quite a joke- the girl is far smaller than her age would suggest, and from what she remembers of Vic, it's likely she doesn't have much to eat at home. Elaine considers her kin now, in that strange way predators and prey can be the same thing. She's going to make sure Pakhet is fed if it's the last thing she does.

Business at the Inkwell is slow, and Elaine has shelved and re-shelved the new arrivals one too many times. "I'm bored," she announces to Pahket, sliding off the counter she'd been sat at. "You hungry?"

@the-inkwell-bookstore

“always.” pakhet grins. its only half a joke. she isn’t sure if elaine knows that. “should we get somethin’ to eat?”

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“That doesn’t surprise me. Dogs don’t like the supernatural the way cats do. Dogs won’t go into the Inkwell, some of the time.” Maybe that’s not only because of the supernatural, but they’re almost certain it’s part of it.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“I hope its owners find it,” Mallory hummed, giving the cat a small scratch behind the ears. “Cats have no regrets. If you were wondering. They’re just evil like that.” It was a joke. A deadpanned one, but a joke.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Mallory couldn’t help but smile slightly at the sight. Cats are cute. They’re not much of a pet person, but she can appreciate them.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“Someone must’ve lost her.” Mallory commented as she watched Amelie, wondering who the cat belonged to. Amelie had cat hair on faer clothes, they weren’t surprised they’d call for the cat.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

Mallory gave the smallest hint of a smile before simply watching Amelie. Not Watching, just… normal, everyday, human watching. Still weirdly intrusive, like someone who is very good at parsing out secrets, but not to the extent of a more typical Watcher.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“Not fully. But I’d like to avoid that outcome.” Mallory would much rather tell Amelie things of their own volition than refuse and get controlled.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“I can’t compel you answer. You can.” Mallory retorted. Although she was speaking almost accusatorially, their voice stayed pretty flat throughout the the conversation, monotonous and low.

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."

[the-inkwell-bookstore]

“Sure I can.” Mallory replied, letting out a soft hum, hoping for the questioning to be over soon. That was her job. Why was Amelie the one doing it?

Mallory wasn’t intending for her life to turn into a soap opera. But when they first started working at the Inkwell, they also expected it to be much more temporary. Not anymore. In the past several weeks, she has gleaned with her ghost-seeing ability that Elaine still has no regrets even after getting thrown off a bridge, that Jasper’s ghosts have been so vigorous recently that she’s almost tried to talk to them, that the newest hire has incredibly similar ghosts to Jasper, somehow, that their boss is, for all intents and purposes, a ghost himself, and that Blue is really trying and rally failing to understand humans.

To put it simply, she was glad to have a day off, even if she was just spending it taking a walk and trying to avoid other people’s ghosts on the edges of their vision. Of course, their eye was still drawn to the unusual, and Amelie was definitely unusual. Unusual and slightly familiar. “I’ve seen you before,” they noted, walking over to them.

@the-inkwell-bookstore

Amelie tilts faer head slightly, fixing faer hat so it stays on their ears.

"I'm sorry¿? I'm not sure I have met you before."