Shara kept erratic hours. Fae varied by branch if they were nocturnal or diurnal and Hobs were one of the more flexible ones. They tended to take on whatever schedule the household ran on, and not just mentally, but physically. Fae homes were made of magic, veins of it, so greatly made up of and influenced by the family that occupied it. In turn, Hobs were connected to the house. Whatever schedule that the magic dictated it run on, the Hobs took to it naturally. They were flexible like that.
However, that wasn’t the case here. There was a strange hodge podge of magic and sleep schedules in this town, and Shara was still figuring out which ones she liked best. It was definitely a learning curve, living in the human world rather than her own, or really, living properly on her own at all. The town was a mix, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be at the shop during the day, the night, or a bit of both.
So far she was there whenever she had the want to be, which was very often, considering it was new and she had ideas. That and curiosity! Shara was still getting to know her small staff, the people who were quickly becoming regulars and she was just so filled with inspiration! All the time! Hence the reason she was at the bakery at 10PM, whipping together a whole new array of Solstice themed pastries and drinks that would probably end up lingering well into February unless she came up with enough new things that they had to be bumped off the menu. Not that Shara wouldn’t make them anyway of course.
Of course, she was still learning Mortal taste buds and preferences along with the other races in town, so it was an adventure every day.
They weren’t terrible crowded at the moment, which just meant she could hear her favorite woman’s voice easily even over her huffing and the sound of her dough smacking her cutting board as she kneaded it into the counter.
Eddie wasn’t the type of guy to stay in his coffin. As a kid, the last place he wanted to be was at home and that wouldn’t change no matter how many decades flew past him. With a few exceptions, he made sure to introduce himself to the new business owners in town and give them some kind of gift. Yeah, it was old fashioned as all hell and no he didn’t always get the the gift right, but it usually went over well enough people forgave him for the pointy teeth thing. And, that was good cause it was a pretty big hurdle for most people to leap over.
He walked in looking like a guy who did not belong in a candy store. Black suit with green pinstripes shooting up, a green tie and his black hair slicked back like he was here to shake her down for protection money. He had actually been here before in less on brand apparel, but he made a point not to get any attention from the owner. Eddie wanted to get a feel for the place. A candy shop was easy to love. Eddie had a sweet tooth, chalk it up to all the salt water taffy. But, you know what hit it out the park for him? Lucy on the tube. Who even remembered her name anymore?
Up to the counter, he looked for Shara and watched her press the heels of her hand into the dough, pushing it out, folding it and then slamming it back down with authority. As a kid, he used to watch bread and pizza being made while waiting to deliver a message. Took him back.
“Whatcha making?” Eddie’s voice was soft, ringing with an accent that didn’t exist anymore. It was glitz and old pictures. He smiled; no teeth. There wasn’t anything hiding the pointy ones and he didn’t like to lead with the Vlad act if he could help it. In his hand was a wrapped bottle in festive and glittery paper. She’d know it was a bottle because it was like he made sure the paper kept its shape. Below that was a smaller box, something less easy to guess.
Shara felt him when he walked in. Sure, there was a bell on the front door, but that was for the employees, not her. Her building was already becoming more connected to her and sentient by the day. So, not only did she hear him, she felt him like a ripple, a buzz in her feet. He swirled in her senses, relative youth — but who wasn’t in this town, compared to her — a bit of power, and the bounce of someone in a good mood.
Also not someone she had met properly.
Couldn’t have that could she? She hummed even as she looked up from her work grinning at him as her eyes went from the television to him, a grin stretching across her features as she drove her knuckles into the dough one more time before brushing flour covered hands on her trusty apron so she could lean onto the counter and give him her entire focus. Shara could easily split her attention, but she preferred not to, people were always deserving of her focus. Especially when worse came to worse she could use magic to finish the job, “Why, good evening handsome! Look at you, as dashing as a movie star, and right here in town!” Only she could make such an over the top compliment sound sincere, because it was when it came for her.
Her own faint Indian dialect brought out some of her words in an uncommon order for this part of the world, the accent flavoring her words faintly with a tint so old even people who lived in that region now would be squinting at her and second guessing what they were hearing. The Fae changed glacially, to say the least, and that included languages. Not near as fast as humans. Her eyes dropped to the bottle, “Oh, I like you more by the moment, what shiny thing did you bring Aunty Shara then?” And she grinned with glee, waggling her eyebrows at the wrapped things in his arms, all unmasked welcome and genuine warmth that radiated from her into the building that echoed it back at her.
Eddie couldn’t enjoy sunbeams anymore. No more warmth on his skin without eventually bursting into flames. He still had comforts like good booze and delicious food. But, none of it compared to a warm smile, a nice compliment, someone welcoming him in. He knew Shara was kind, ask anyone who had stopped by her shop, and for lack of better term sweet. He didn’t realize that it was from a genuine place until she showered him with a compliment or two with the sincerity to almost make a vampire blush. Almost.
“My name’s Eddie. I run the arcade down the street. Didn’t seem right missing introductions being that it’s Christmas and all.” Eddie set the gifts on the counter and held his hand out for a shake. Skin chilled like the cool side of a pillow. Fingers rough from years of working lock picks even before he contracted the undead thing. “Wanna open this up with me?” He pointed to the obvious bottle in wrapping paper. “Once you’ve had a few you can have this one.” His finger tapped the smaller box near it. If she agreed, the bottle was a nice American whiskey, old and smooth.
“It is isn’t it, what a delightful little holiday it is.” Quaint, more like, but that was probably because it was still a little new to Shara. It wasn’t one the celebrated in the Summerlands, celebrating their king and queens rather than any of the human religious leaders. “Oh the Arcade, how fascinating, I ‘ve never played any arcade games.” Her eyes lit up with genuine interest and curiosity, because she had seen the arcade when she was looking for where to open up her shop. It was on her list of things to visit, but she had just been so busy since she had arrived. Just in case, she wiped her hands off on a kitchen towel before extending her hand to shake his, still beaming even as she grasped his cold one. Shara, of course, was warm. Hobs were always warm, like the ovens they used, the soup they prepared, and the attention they doled out, as if their bodies were making up for the fact that they gave so much of themselves away. “A pleasure to meet you, so kind of you to come by.” And such good timing too! The bottle was grabbed, tilted this way and that as she peeled away the wrapping, a slow grin stretching across her features as she took in the label, “We can keep you Eddie, this is a lovely gift. Why don’t you take a seat, I’ll grab some glasses, ice or no?” Because of course she was fully prepared to drink during shift in front of everyone. You can take the Hob from the Summerlands but eh.
“Not even a pinball machine?” Eddie asked, amused. “If you ever stop by, I’ll give you some free tokens.” His arcade didn’t mesh with the aesthetic of the rest of the town. Neon lights, pixelated chimes and dark corners. Teens gathered around the Street Fighter machines for tournaments, nerds waited for the Japanese imports to get rolled in and pinball heroes tried to beat each other’s scores. Eddie liked the constant noise, anyone who basically grew up in a casino would, and he liked providing a place to escape for the afternoon without leaving the island.
“Glad you like it. Merry Christmas.” He smiled, glad he guessed right. Eddie figured anyone who worked in a sweets shop didn’t mind getting boozy either. Walking over to the couch, he unbuttoned his blazer to get a little more comfortable and waited for her to join him. He was impressed she didn’t mind drinking while the shop was still open. Sure, most people would forgive her since it was the holidays, but it was still a power move in his opinion. He wondered who would have even complained? Anyone as genuine as Shara probably didn’t take any shit. Didn’t matter how sweet she was.
Once she got the glasses, he gestured to take the bottle to make the first pour, which was customary among wise guys, and then held his glass up for a toast. “To new business and friends.” Was there anything better? Clink.
Shara shook her head at his question, “I’ve been rather busy since I left home I fear, but I will definitely take you up on that.” Her movements stopped as her face lit up, snapping her fingers at him, “Oh! Like the song Pinball Wizard?” Honestly, references were rather old, not because she was listening to rock music in 1969 but because she was still catching up on human culture, at least that didn't make her too abnormal in Summerview. There were a number of, for instance, Sea residents who were also a little lost.
“A gift is given with a full heart should always be accepted with one.” it helped, of course, that this one was alcohol related. Even if it was weaker human alcohol, booze was booze. Instead of proper whiskey glasses she grabbed two Mason jars originally purchased for lemonade come summertime. Liquor glasses made her laugh and frankly she really had no patience for them. Before she walked back around the counter to join him she checked one of the ovens to see some tarts in the early stages of baking. A wave of her hand and a handful of them finished cooking just right, which earned them a pleased smile as she plated them with a practiced ease, grabbing two forks and carrying her loot over to the table near the couch he had chosen.
She pulled her legs up on the sofa, eyes bouncing from him with undisguised curiosity to the glass he was pouring. This was undoubtedly a human tradition, though he himself wasn't human, but it was rather close to a Fae one. Greeting a new resident with gifts was a lovely tradition, and the fact that it was alcohol? Very Hob, she approved. “Cheers to that!” The whiskey was of a very nice quality and strength but that didn't stop her from tossing it all back in one go, reaching out for the bottle again, “You have lovely timing, I haven't had a drink in hours!”
Eddie didn’t mind old references. The Who wasn’t his generation, but his generation was dead so what did it matter? Pinball Wizard was something that had been blaring over his arcade speakers since he bought the place. “The Who are one of my favorite openly nerdy musicians.” He chuckled. Eddie wasn’t a witch, so he couldn’t sense other magical beings with ease. He knew Shara had to have something running through her blood and he wondered silently to himself what that might be. She could see the gears clicking in his head for a moment, dark eyes watching her with amusement. He liked people easy and she didn’t make it any more difficult.
Eddie laughed when she said she hadn’t drank for hours, smoothing his hand down his tie as he took a drink. The point of his tooth flashed and he didn’t seem to mind. The vampire was relaxed and the booze just made everything easier. He took a sip, enjoying the smooth taste, the smell of trees even if he didn’t know an oak from a cyprus. This was about as close as he’d get to a forest. “I figured booze and sweets go hand in hand.” Another sip, he rolled the whiskey in his mouth and then swallowed. “Wanna tell me a little about yourself? Why’d you open a sweets shop?”
Shara refilled her cup generously, because honestly she wouldn’t know expensive Mortal booze when she tasted it, even if her taste buds automatically broke down the ingredients in the drink. It was of fine quality, sure, but drinks and food were meant to be enjoyed. Not put on a shelf to gather dust. That being said, her second glass was handled with a little more care, taking the same sort of sips he was. A flash of teeth and the look in his eyes gave her a good theory as to what sort of blood flowed in her veins, not that it bothered her. Everyone was welcome at her table.
The tarts should have cooled down by now, so she picked up one of the forks and sliced herself off a bite while gesturing for him to do the same with a sweep of a flour dusted arm. The the sweets — the one she had indulged in was cherry, the other kiwi and raspberry — had come out just right so far, even though she was already thinking of ways to tweak it. “Oh yes, especially the nice kind like this. You brought me a real treat.” Shara gave a pleased hum around her food, washing it down with another sip of whiskey before answering him, “Oh I just couldn’t believe this town didn’t have a bakery or a coffee shop yet! Obviously I had to do something with food, and I wanted to make a place that could serve as a refuge for anyone that needed it so,” A shrug as she grabbed another bite, “This seemed ideal. Why an arcade?”
Eddie nodded a thank you for the treats and reached for a slice of the raspberry tart first. That one tasted more like home. Not like mother’s cooking, because he was lucky if there was gruel on the table, but the boardwalk. The city. “When I was a kid, I worked at a Deli. The owner’s wife made all kinds of Italian sweets. You know, creamy stuff straight from the homeland. But, she knew I was a mutt American boy and we like raspberry better than anything.” Eddie took a bite and closed his eyes with a nod. “That’s the point of food to me, to put you someplace or some time. Whether you know it or not.”
He liked her reasoning for the bakery. “Felt the same way about the arcade. People need a place to feel like they can be comfortable. Bakery is good, warm, like a grandma’s couch. Arcade,” Eddie took a sip of his whiskey, thinking over the types who frequented his place. “People need a place they can forget about putting up a front. You don’t have to pretend to be anything to a pinball machine.”
He considered the kiwi tart, moving his finger towards it as if to ask if it was any good. Which seemed to imply he hadn’t really had kiwi before. “Plus, I like fixing things. Helps keep me busy. I always gotta keep busy. You know what I mean?”
As he spoke her eyes fluttered shut almost automatically. Forming a picture in her mind of the places and sensations as he described them, senses and magic tuning into the emotions he radiated as he spoke of them, as if they were tangible things. Food was an experience, it was different for everyone along with what they enjoyed and why, and Shara was a firm believer that there was no such thing as poor taste or unrefined taste. Food was meant to be a comfort, an experience, more than just something to fill your belly. But her eyes snapped open when he finished, “Mutt American Boy? Is that an insult, or a term of endearment?” Suddenly focused on him with an intensive curiosity.
Creamy treats...It took her a moment to pull up the details for that in her mind, bringing up images of canolis among many other things, all the while trying to picture a younger version of Eddie with an apron on and stuffing his face full of fruit behind the deli counter. It was enough to bring a giggle out of her, “ I rather like that. We may believe that we have forgotten things, but food, like memories, have roots we can never understand.”
Grandma’s couch, hm? That was an interesting parallel to draw. She wondered if that was where he had sought refuge during times of chaos in his younger days. Where people went when they had no where else to go, emotionally or physically, was a thing that was fascinating to her. Perhaps because she had never faced such a situation herself, “Now I am even more interested in it. Perhaps that can be your slogan, yes? Come to the arcade, your Nan may judge you but the pinball will not!” Shara, being herself and a person who never did anything just a bit when too much was an option, waved her hands in the air where the sign would be, even digging about for a bit to accompany it. Like most Fae she could spin a few little harmless illusions, most of them — like Julius’s kin probably — used such tricks to be cruel to mortals, but Hobs were more like to use them to entertain children.
Colored mist like fog formed between her hands until it came together like fireflies to form the ridiculous slogan in the air in bright, see through letters. An intangible little illusion, hardly more than a parlour trick really. Was a bit of fun though. “I do know about keeping busy. My family has always lived where we worked, and this is by bar the smallest kitchen I’ve ever run. But hopefully it’ll keep me out of trouble for awhile.” She grinned at him as if it was a shared inside joke between them before grabbing herself a bite of the cherry tart instead, “I think this one goes better with the whiskey, but the Kiwi may be my favorite in general. But if you don’t like either I can grab you something else.” Although there were really few foods that she didn’t like, food was a lot like people in that way, there was always something to appreciate if you just took the time.
Eddie leaned his cheek in the palm of his hand, elbow balancing on the back cushion. He watched, black eyes twinkling as she performed with color and humor. He smirked, delighted. Didn’t matter to him that it was some kind of parlor trick or that it was mild compared to what some of the witches could do. He was new to Summerview and new to different kinds of magical beings that existed out there. For the longest time, all he knew were witches and vampires. Even that felt absolutely amazing. “I wish I got bitten by whatever lets you do that.” He joked.
He took the cherry tart and gently washed it down with the whiskey. Eddie swallowed and nodded appreciatively. “Perfect.” Food didn’t make him feel the ecstasy of blood, but the tart and booze made him as close to warm as he could be. “What’s your family like? Big? Tight-knit?” Eddie asked, not prying but interested. Family was a thing he couldn’t have. It was something that wasn’t good when he did have it. That didn’t mean he was jaded against it. Looking in from the outside, family seemed strange and precious to him.
Shara gave a full bodied laugh at that even as she waved her hand through the sign, making it fade into nothing as easily as it had come, leaving only the vague smell of brownies and paprika behind. Shush. She couldn’t control what her magic smelled like. “Bitten! What an amusing thought! I wonder what it would be like if one could be turned into anything with a bite.” She contemplated that for a moment, trying to picture what it would be like going from Human to Hob, or even Vampire to Hob. That second one was truly ridiculous thought
It would not be entirely inaccurate to say that she puffed up like a pleased hen who had just laid an egg at his compliment, and she wasn’t ashamed of it a bit. “My family is large, for a Fae family. Or maybe it just seems that way because we stick together for the most part. We’re a rambunctious sort. Even for Hobs.” Not that Shara looked particularly wild right at the moment, but she certainly had her moments. “What about you? Any long trail of descendents for you to look after?” The question was asked in a way that managed to be both casual and comforting, just in case he had a sad story — but was letting him know he had no obligation to share. This was such a lovely conversation, just like the one with Julius, though without the high emotion, thankfully. Needn’t go through that twice in one week.
“Well, if we’d turn into whatever bit us, you’d have a cat sitting across from you right now.” Eddie chuckled. He thought he’d make a pretty wonderful little cat. Especially if he could still strut around in nice suits. Plus, cats came with their own set of powers. Taking over an entire blanket without making anyone mad, for one. Being so cute he got free treats for another. He finished his drink and set it down so she could pour them another, feeling a slight buzz. Faint memories of being alive kept him going.
Eddie nodded. “Fae, of course.” He was still learning, but the word suited her. The treats, the warmth. Eddie almost asked if she had wings, but he was still trying to make a good impression. “Don’t know what a hob is, but if they all bake like you I hope there’s more of your family in town.” He wondered what it was like to have a large, wild family. He couldn’t even fathom it. Instead, Eddie took the refreshed drink and took a sip. He shook his head. “No. My mother died when I was young, my father died an abusive drunk and all that’s left is me. I almost had a wife, but since I can’t have kids and I’ll live until the sun burns out, she changed her mind.”
He didn’t like being a drag, so he shrugged and smiled at her. “That’s why I love making friends. Hey, you want to open your other present? I think we’re feeling good enough that if you hate it, we can laugh it off.” Eddie waggled his eyebrows.
A cat? Now she was confused and even more intrigued than she had been before, were there Vampiric cats? Or was she simply wrong in thinking he was a Vampire? Shara loved a good mystery! At least one that had no negative possible results, like a missing child or some such. This mini-mystery and untold tale was so captivating that for a moment, Shara stopped eating, which was saying something, that was for sure. Her fork paused halfway to her mouth, bits of cherry perilously close to falling off, “A cat? You can’t just say something like that, don’t be a tease!”
That was common enough with the other magical species that she met since leaving The Summerlands, and most Fae she met were just surprised to meet a Hob that was out and about travelling without a member of the family she was sworn to or more of her kin. Especially one who was near the epitome of a Hob, like Shara was. “That’s fine, many non-Fae are unfamiliar with us, we tend to not travel much. We are tied to house and home, hence — “ The bite was finally popped enough into her mouth even as the other hand reached out to tap the table, causing the few crumbs to disappear, and the wrapping paper from the bottle suddenly vanished to reappear over one of the trashcans near the front door, falling in with a plop..
Shara may not be a mother, but she was a very good Aunt, bursting with enough warmth to put the ovens back home (worthy of banquets) to shame and more compassion than one could shake an industrial broom at. So, naturally, she stood up, walked over so she could seat herself next to him and pulled him in for a good old fashioned Sharma family hug. That sort of all encompassing embrace she threw her whole heart into because she truly felt, down to her core, he deserved no less. She kept an arm around his shoulders even when she pulled back, “Stories like that make me believe a bit more in the Unseelie habit of whisking away human babies.” Anything was better than being alone, then again, even that was better than being raised by abysmal family members. That smell was back, brownies and paprika, rising to meet her anger just like it did when she was happy.
“I would never hate a gift given in good spirit, Eddie.” Somehow it was both chastisement and reassurance, and she stayed on his sofa as she unwrapped his other gift. An undignified (not that she cared) squeal came from her as she uncovered the ornament, holding it up to better catch one of the lights and peer at it, “It is absolutely delightful! Almost as much as you!” The fond elbow nudge was necessary, even if it only momentarily distracted her from examining the ornament with a beaming grin that took over her features.
“Well, obviously I was bitten by a vampire a long time ago. But, more recently I was bit by my own cat because she was in a bad mood. Which should make me a vampire cat.” Eddie lifted his finger in the air like a know-it-all. With a waggle of his eyebrows, he clawed the air and hissed convincingly. The difference between a vampire and a cat hiss was minimal at best. The two had a lot in common, which explained why most vampires he had come across had a pet cat roaming around somewhere.
Eddie was used to people letting him sweep things under the rug. He’d change the subject, divert and the escape was easy. Of course it was an old habit, both because he was raised by tough guys and he didn’t like to be an unpleasant vampire. He didn’t completely expect the same from Shara. She was genuine by default and didn’t seem the type to immediately get awkward when someone else expressed pain. Still, his dark eyes went round when she walked over to him and wrapped him up into a hug. He didn’t resist, slowly stretching his arms around her middle. It felt like his heart was glowing for a moment, even though that was more impossible than a vampire cat.
He leaned back and gave her a sheepish smile, pointy teeth looking absolutely harmless. “When I was a kid, I dreamed about some magical god fairy stealing me away.” Most kids who grew up with nothing and bad parents did. “But, the good news is all that bad meant I got to be here to try your tarts. Ain’t a terrible trade off, you know?” Eddie leaned back and took her hand to squeeze it as a silent thank you for the hug.
Then came the present reveal and Eddie leaned back, dark eyes excited to see if she liked the little bundle of merriment. The squeal made him laugh, loud and throaty. He relaxed back on the couch, watching her admire it in the air. “Yeah, you like it?” He grinned. “Figured even if you ain’t the type to put up a tree, you’ll find a place for it.” Eddie finished his drink and gave a little happy sigh before putting his hands on his knees and standing up. “Well, time for me to get back to the arcade. Thanks for the desserts.” He buttoned his blazer back up and ran his hand through his hair. “Let’s get coffee sometime. I’ll show you the weird shops around town that you might have missed.”
Eddie may not be aiming for cute, but Shara thought it was as endearing to sway the very least, and she clasped her hands over her mouth in further glee at the hiss. “You have a cat! That is wonderful, you just become more fantastic by the moment. I’ve considered getting myself a goblin perhaps, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea in a town like this.” The cat part, specifically, definitely made sense. She had heard that among the animals kept as pets in the mortal world, cats tended to be the least unphased by magical folk of one sort or another — including Vampires.
The fact that he relaxed and returned her hug gave her a warmth in her belly that had nothing to do with the alcohol or the warmth of the room. Eddie probably didn’t get enough hugs, and she didn’t give enough. Never enough hugs. “Yes, you were lucky enough to meet a tart who sells tarts.” Shara threw back cheekily, and with a wink to boot. Because she could play just as easy as she could hug, besides, she wanted to hear him laugh again.
“I love it. I’ll find a place so it hands up year around.” She assured him even as she stood, tucking it into a pocket safely so she could pull him into one more brief hug. That was something he was going to have to get used to, because personal space was a thing that happened to other people in her mind. “I would like that, Eddie, perhaps after I stop by the arcade. Because I definitely will.”