kaiwells

[kaiwells]

Kai nodded, a sense of purpose settling over him as he found himself genuinely interested in Leslie's project. He flipped to a fresh page in his well-worn notebook, the corners dog-eared from frequent use.

"Not difficult," he assured her quietly, his pencil already moving across the paper with practiced precision. "Dimensions help. Heights, widths of each drawer." His focused expression softened slightly as he worked, more in his element now that the conversation had shifted to craftsmanship.

As Leslie detailed her requirements, Kai sketched a rough outline of the cabinet, adding measurements and annotations in neat, architectural handwriting. His fingers moved with the confidence of someone who had drawn countless diagrams before, adding small notes about joint types and material recommendations in the margins.

"Could use dovetail joints here," he murmured, indicating the corners of the larger drawers. "Stronger than butt joints. Last longer." He glanced up briefly to gauge her reaction before continuing. "And felt lining, maybe? For the smaller compartments?"

He turned the notepad toward her, revealing a surprisingly detailed sketch that had materialized in just a few minutes. The design captured everything she'd described, with a few subtle improvements that enhanced both form and function without compromising her vision.

"Something like this?" he asked, his voice still soft but carrying a hint of pride in the work.

Leslie felt much more comfortable in the store just from following Kai's directions, discussing various options for the cabinet. She has been living in Cardinal Hill for quite a while, but just now she has realised that she hasn't actually sought out professional help for, well, anything really. She has always been an independant person, especially after moving out for the first time, but ever since moving to Cardinal Hill she has truly taken to just doing everything herself. Actually having someone who knows what they're talking about, without reading a million books to get a hang of it. Theory work was more her forte after all.

Leslie attentively listened as Kai explained what she will need and why, only speaking to answer a question. As he grabbed his notepad, offering to draw up the design, Leslie's eye widdened. "That would be great, but only if it wouldn't be too difficult. I do have a very specific idea in mind." She smiled politely. A drawing would help her a lot, and probably also help Kai is figuring out what she would need. She prepared herself to give all the details she wanted.

[kaiwells]

Kai took a final sip, draining the last of his whiskey and setting the empty glass gently on the bar. The mention of heights brought a flicker of recognition - he wasn't fond of them either, though his reasons had more to do with a childhood incident on a fishing boat than any innate fear.

"Another," he decided, sliding the glass forward. Something about the quiet bar felt safer than the darkness outside tonight, and the drive back to Upper Cardinal could wait a little longer. His home projects with El would still be there, and tomorrow was his late shift at the hardware store anyway.

He reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against the smooth wood of his pipe again before pulling out a few bills instead. "Different growing up in a big city?" he asked, his natural curiosity momentarily overcoming his usual reticence. Seattle had been large enough, but nothing like Los Angeles. The question wasn't really about the city itself but about what it did to a person - whether it shaped you differently than a small town like Cardinal Hill might.

"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever check it out. Heights aren't really my thing," Paul admitted. While he was fine flying he always opted for an aisle seat so he could be far away from the windows and was able to not think about how impossibly high up he was. Something like the Space Needle where he was confronted with the height was not something Paul would ever be on board with.

"Like I said, don't sweat it," Paul stated. He'd seen much worse behavior in the bar before and he could take it. Paul noticed that his glass was almost empty. "You wanting to close out or do you want another," he asked him. The bar was slow so he was able to give him prompt service for now. Paul really didn't have anything else to do and helping customers beat doing side work.

[kaiwells]

Kai couldn't help but smile at her electric laugh, the sound cutting through the arcade's buzzing ambience like something rare and valuable. He found himself relaxing into their competition more than he'd expected, his usual guardedness temporarily forgotten amid the flashing lights and electronic melodies.

When the victory screen flashed, he felt a surprising twinge of something like regret. Part of him had wanted to see her reaction if she'd won. He nodded at her promise of redemption, appreciating her good-natured response to defeat.

"Cherry Coke," he said quietly, following her toward the small refreshment counter at the back of the arcade. The space smelled of popcorn and cleaning solution, somehow comforting in its familiarity. "Been coming here since July and you're the first real competition."

He studied her face in the neon light, curious about this newcomer who carried herself with such confident ease. Something about her seemed like a kindred spirit - another transplant to Cardinal Hill, maybe searching for something just as he was.

"Higher stakes, huh?" He rolled the pencil between his fingers, considering. "What'd you have in mind?"

For all her forward momentum, he was a quiet pillar in return. Soft spoken in his challenge the way an old friend might be, rising to the occasion && accepting her fire with a gentle spark of his own. It was the kind of presence that left Lorna feeling at ease, welcomed, comfortable. Like... maybe, she didn't need to try so hard. Maybe Lorna, the way she was, without all the extra sparkle, could be enough. The smile that brightened her face spoke to more than a fierce, competitive nature. It spoke on something more private - someone desperate for a friend.

" Loser buys pop? You're on. Get ready to cough up the dough. " The laugh trilled from Lorna's throat like it held electricity, and she settled beside him with fingers curling around the second joystick. The familiar clink clink clunk of the quarters sliding through the slot, and bringing her into the game, marked the start their adventure. Pow, pop, ching! Little sprites zipped && zoomed between the screens, shooting at targets && claiming bonus points. Every so often, Lorna shot a glance to her opponent's screen, but couldn't afford to look away long enough to truly know where she stood at any moment, score-wise.

When the victory screen flashed, and it was his initials that exploded with fireworks, Lorna felt her eyes rolling in the face of defeat. " Oh, sheesh. I almost got you there at the end, so close. Don't get used to this winning thing - that was your one && only victory. " She was teasing, not truly upset at her loss, but licking her minor wounds anyway. A couple of bucks were procured from her wallet, and she waved them between the pair. " I owe you a pop, but after, we're rematching. Higher stakes. I promise I'll get you the next time. "

[kaiwells]

Kai felt heat rise to his cheeks at River's response, quickly withdrawing the offered book. His fingers instinctively found the pencil behind his ear, spinning it once as he recalibrated. The rejection stung less than the social misstep—presuming someone would share his taste in literature.

"Hardy Boys," he answered quietly, eyes dropping to the worn carpet between them. "Mysteries mostly." He tucked the extra copy back onto the shelf with careful precision.

Thunder cracked outside, making the shop's old windows rattle. Rain now lashed against the glass in angry sheets, transforming the cozy bookstore into an island amid the growing storm. The shopkeeper switched on additional lamps as daylight rapidly faded, casting the narrow aisles in a warm amber glow.

Kai glanced toward the entrance where water had begun seeping under the door. "Storm's worse than forecast," he observed, voice barely audible above the downpour. His dark eyes returned to River, taking in their crutches with a flash of concern. "Live far from here?"

The question hung between them as another thunderclap shook the building. Something about this weather felt wrong—unnatural—stirring the same unease he'd felt during past strange occurrences in Cardinal Hill. Unconsciously, his hand moved to his hip where his grandfather's adze would normally hang, finding empty air instead.

River paused at the other and looked down at the book that was held out for them and they tilted their head, pushing down their sunglasses so they could look over the book "Oh honey, as sweet as that is, it's not my kind of reading." They mused, shifting the crutches that they had ended up on to the side as they leafed over the spines of some books on fashion. "But are you telling me that you are without company? That almost seems like a shame, especially on a night like this..." They pointed out, offering a gentle pout at Kai. "Tell me, what do you most enjoy reading?"

[kaiwells]

Kai's gaze settled on the woman as she emerged from her reverie, feeling a flicker of relief that she didn't seem put off by his abrupt introduction. Her warm smile eased the tension in his shoulders, making him glad he'd taken the risk of speaking up.

"Kai Wells," he replied, voice low but steady as he shifted the book in his hands. "Work at Hill Hardware." Thunder rumbled outside, closer this time, rattling the old windows of the bookstore. His eyes darted briefly to the darkening glass before returning to Stella.

"Maplewood Inn," he repeated with a small nod of recognition. "The Victorian B&B near the park." He'd passed by it dozens of times during his morning runs, admiring the careful restoration work on its wraparound porch. "Moved here in July myself. Still getting to know places." His fingers absently traced the edge of the Hardy Boys book, the familiar cover art bringing back memories of late nights reading under blankets with a flashlight.

A flash of lightning illuminated the shop, followed almost immediately by a deafening crack of thunder. The lights flickered ominously, and the elderly shopkeeper called out from the front, "Folks, I'm closing up. Storm's getting worse—you're welcome to wait it out here if you need."

Kai glanced at the rain now coming down in sheets, then back to Stella. "Been meaning to revisit these," he said, raising the book slightly. "Good night for mystery novels." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "There's a reading nook by the window. If you wanted company while waiting out the storm."

While the past 6 months living in Cardinal Hill, WA had been some of the most challenging and confusing of her life, Stella couldn't deny that there hadn't been a single moment in which she regretted having made the move. While the quiet, laid-back lifestyle found most often in Cardinal Hill was certainly a far cry from the hustle and bustle she'd grown up with in Manhattan, the change of pace had been more than refreshing, and precisely what she'd needed. In fact, Stella found herself settling quite comfortably into her new life, and new role as the owner of the Maplewood Inn.

While the first several months of her new life had been spent coordinating, updating, adjusting, and settling, the past few had proven themselves to be for exploration and acclimation, and had been used for Stella to truly begin to find her footing within the community. More and more she'd found herself venturing out into town, exploring and locating which places might become her favorite in-town haunts. As a lifelong and avid reader, it came as no surprise that the local bookshop- Riverside Books- had quickly emerged at the top of the list. Since childhood books had felt more like friends to Stella than many real people had, and it was that feeling which drew her out to Riverside that evening, despite the impending storm.

Slowly making her way through the rows, she breathed in the familiar smell of new mixed with old books, jumping a bit at the first sound of thunder rumbling through the sky outside. Damn, she thought to herself, having foolishly hoped she might be able to speed up her expedition and miss the storm. Then again, when it came to choosing a book (or two...or three...) speed hadn't ever been a priority. Lost in her own world, Stella continued to browse until the soft spoken words of another pulled her from her trance. "I....I'm sorry?" She asked, shaking her head as she glanced down at the book being offered.

Blinking, Stella gave a shake of her head before allowing a smile to illuminate her face. "Gosh I'm so sorry! I was just lost in my own world, and here you are trying to be friendly and generous." Taking the book from the others' hands, she glanced at the title before giving a light chuckle. "Oh hell, the Hardy Boys! I loved these when I was younger, but I haven't read one in years...." Allowing her voice to trail off, Stella bit her lip lightly before glancing up at the other patron. "Ugh, you must think I'm terrible, just rambling on this way without even introducing myself. I'm Stella, Stella O'Malley. I own the Maplewood Inn. And, you are...?"

[kaiwells]

Kai picked up a putty knife from the display and added it to Devin's growing pile of supplies. "Those old step ladders can be tricky," he agreed with a knowing nod. He'd fallen from his share of rickety ladders while working on his Victorian's high ceilings. "This stuff's pretty forgiving though," he added, tapping the spackling compound. "Just press it in, let it dry completely before sanding."

His gaze drifted to the windows as Devin mentioned the weather forecast. The clouds outside had darkened considerably since the customer had first entered the store, and the familiar anxious tightness started creeping into Kai's chest. There had been too many "bad weather" incidents in Cardinal Hill lately that felt wrong in ways he couldn't quite explain.

"Snow was rough this year," he said, pulling his attention back to the conversation. He reached for a small painting kit on a nearby shelf. "Might want this too - helps blend the repair with the wall. Even under art, sometimes shadows show through." His fingers brushed absently against the adze at his belt, a habit that had grown more frequent during Cardinal Hill's strange weather patterns.

Devin reached for the small tub and read it. To be honest he'd never used the stuff before. He lived with his mother until he made the move down to Cardinal Hill and he hadn't done many repairs or made many holes in the wall until today. He turned it over glancing at the instructions printed on the back-- it seemed easy enough. "Thanks, I've never busted a hole this big in a wall before. I'm usually pretty careful but I was up on a cruddy step ladder that was unsteady," he explained confessing to his accident. Not that the employee asked.

Devin grabbed all the items that were set out before him. From how deep they were in the store he could just barely make out the weather through the windows. "Yeah, I heard we're expecting some bad weather for a while," Devin confirmed. At least that's what he'd heard on the radio over the last couple of days. Devin was no stranger to gloomy days though having grown up in the Pacific Northwest his entire life. "I'm just glad it seems like we're over the snow for the year." He'd take rain and thunderstorms over snow any day.

[kaiwells]

Kai looked up from his sketch, taking in the concern in Clover's expression. He appreciated the honesty about budget - better than those who committed to projects they couldn't afford and then blamed the store when the bills came due.

"Could start basic," he offered, flipping to a new page in his notebook. "Frame and lid first, add compartments later." His pencil moved swiftly, outlining a simpler design. "Around fifty for materials, maybe less." He tapped his pencil against the paper thoughtfully. "Could show you how to build it too, if you want. Easier than explaining."

The offer surprised him even as he made it. It wasn't like him to volunteer his time to strangers, but there was something about Clover that reminded him of himself - someone figuring things out as they went along.

"Got scrap wood in back too," he added more quietly. "Sometimes we sell it cheap."

The pause was noticeable, but Clover didn't say anything. Kai started moving again, and he hoped maybe he was imagining things. It always sucked when his humor was ill-received. He didn't actually need anyone to think too hard about the things he said; nothing worse than when someone suddenly felt bad for him. Clover didn't feel bad for himself, life had happened and there wasn't much he could do about it. People pitying him was just going to make it worse.

"That'd be awesome. I don't know what I'd hide in it, but still, sweet," he said, nodding and leaning closer to Kai to look at what he was sketching. "Shit, that makes sense. I don't know how to cut things. And I'd rather just get all the things I need, instead of askin' my roommate. But, um, how much would that all cost? Like, before you start doin' too much for me. This is more of an inquiry than, like, a sale-day for me. I don't actually have a lot of disposable income right now," he explained, shrugging.

[kaiwells]

Kai watched the shifting expressions on Aviva's face with quiet interest, noting how she reacted to his mention of "unexplainable stuff." There was something in her hesitation—a careful consideration of her words—that felt familiar to him.

"Some things just don't fit neat explanations," he elaborated softly, careful not to say too much. His fingers traced the edge of his grandfather's adze at his belt, a habit when thinking about the peculiar occurrences that seemed to follow him. "More of that in Cardinal Hill than I expected."

He nodded at her introduction, committing her name to memory. "Laundromat... Cauldron Bubble?" The corners of his mouth turned up slightly at the clever name. "Haven't been yet. Still adjusting to town."

Another flash of lightning illuminated the windows, followed by a rumble of thunder that seemed to linger longer than natural. The lights flickered again, and this time the power stayed off for several seconds before humming back to life.

"South Carolina..." Kai muttered, trying to imagine the distance. "Long journey." His dark eyes studied her with newfound curiosity. "What changed? About the town?" He found himself genuinely interested in her perspective—another newcomer's view of Cardinal Hill might help him make sense of the strangeness he'd been experiencing since moving here.

The wind howled outside, rattling the window panes with unusual force. "El—my friend—she says the town has secrets," he added quietly, watching her reaction carefully.

Aviva supposed that Seattle wasn't too far away, but even so, she couldn't help but wonder how the other had come to find himself living in Cardinal Hill of all places. She wondered if his journey was anything like her own, wondered if there was a reason why he had left, and found himself here. Perhaps Aviva was only projecting, though, paranoia having ruled most of her thoughts for the past few months.

"Unexplainable stuff?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. Her immediate thought was witchcraft, the most common unexplainable thing that others spoke of, but it wasn't something that she could freely speak about until she knew how much the other knew. Despite knowing that Cardinal Hill was dubbed a safe environment for humans and witches alike, Aviva knew to still be wary until she had confirmed whether or not her company was a witch or a knowing non-magical human themself.

The next strike of lightning admittedly scared Aviva. She had been feeling like a right scaredy cat for some time now, and while she knew that the weather posed no threat similar to what she had experienced before - clearly naïve to the happenings of Cardinal Hill - she remained jumpy. Thankfully, Kai's company actually did do wonders for Aviva's nerves.

"Aviva Abrams," she introduced herself, reaching to take and to shake his hand. "Ah," she hadn't made it to the hardware store in Cardinal Hill just yet, but she knew that if she got settled in better, and comfortable looking at her stay there in a more permanent light, she'd certainly be heading his way for the many projects that she often found herself undertaking. "You can find me down at the laundromat."

"Uh huh, only blew into town at the start of the year - hell of a gust, taking me all the way from South Carolina," she chuckled, trying to ease her nerves further with the help of some humour. "It's just me and my brother; we used to have family up here, visited once as kids, but my gosh, it's awfully different from what I remembered."

[kaiwells]

Kai was immediately grateful for Copper's animated response about the pineapple, feeling a quiet connection form over something so simple as pizza toppings. It was nice seeing someone else get enthusiastic about the sweet-savory combination that El always teased him about. He watched with appreciation as Copper pulled out the pre-prepared bowl of pineapple, clearly having hoped for this outcome.

As the conversation shifted to the strange occurrences in town, Kai's posture changed subtly. His shoulders tensed, and his eyes grew more focused, almost relieved to hear someone else acknowledging what he'd experienced. Each detail Copper shared made him nod slightly, recognizing similar patterns in his own encounters.

"Same night as that first storm," Kai said quietly, "saw my grandfather. In my room." His voice dropped even lower. "He's been gone three years." His fingers drummed lightly against the counter. "Then he... changed. Became a woman I've never seen. Laughing at me." The memory made him uncomfortable, but sharing it felt necessary somehow. "The whispers in the wind too. Saying things only I would know."

He looked directly at Copper now, his dark eyes intent. "It's like the town itself is..." he searched for the right word, "...testing us? Watching us?" He shrugged, embarrassed by how it sounded. "When Avalon Rivers died, things got worse. Been keeping a journal of it all. Trying to find patterns."

The timer for the oven beeped, providing a momentary distraction from the heavy conversation. Kai glanced toward it, then back at Copper, his expression softening at the mention of what Copper had left behind. "Sometimes wonder if Cardinal Hill chooses who comes here," he said, the most philosophical he'd been yet. "Like it knows who needs..." he paused, "...something different. Even if that different is complicated."

When he heard Kai’s response, Copper broke into a wide smile. For one thing, Copper was glad he could put pineapple on the pizza, but for another, he was glad to see Kai like this, to see him more excited for something than Copper thought he’d seen him before. And it supported something Copper had long suspected: that making pizza with someone was a good ice breaker. “Great, that’s awesome!” Copper exclaimed, and he grabbed a bowl from the counter behind him full of drained pineapple pieces. He’d been ready in the event that Kai was pro-pineapple. “That’s what I’m saying, the sweet and the savory together is just -“ Copper did a chef’s kiss, laughing as he did so; he knew that Kai understood. 

Once the pizza was in the oven though, conversation turned more serious, and Copper felt that sense of unease he always experienced when talking about the strange happenings around town. Kai seemed to understand exactly what Copper was saying though, which felt foreboding, but it would at least make the conversation easier to have. “I’ve had those experiences too,” Copper told Kai. “I had this like…incredibly vivid dream. It felt so real, and it was so disturbing, and that was the night we had that first wild storm. And since then we’ve had more storms and voices speaking directly into my mind it feels like and deaths and attacks and visions. The newspaper changed once, showing my face and saying…well something personal. And I saw someone in my bedroom, and then that person changed into him, and it’s just…really hard to get my head around it all.” When he was finished, Copper looked at Kai and smiled sheepishly, apologizing, “Sorry. I get carried away sometimes. It’s just a lot has been happening.”

“It can’t hurt to check the locks twice or three times or even ten,” Copper went on, trying to laugh a little, but his heart wasn’t really in it. “Yeah, I’ve definitely seen things,” he reiterated. “And you too? Like similar things, or totally different things?” Copper didn’t know which answer he’d prefer. Laughing a little now, Copper nodded. “I wonder that too sometimes, but you know…it’s still better than what I left behind.” That didn’t mean it was good, it just meant everything back in Maine was worse.

[kaiwells]

Kai listened intently, his dark eyes focused on Dimi's face as the man described his daughter's experiences. Outside, the rain continued its assault, but it seemed almost distant now as Kai absorbed what he was hearing. The words "We're not hidden. We will be found" lingered in the air between them, making the small hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"I understand," he said softly, and he meant it. Without explicitly saying so, he recognized what Dimi was telling him about Ozma, and it brought a certain comfort to know there were others in town with such gifts. "El... my friend who moved here with me, she's similar. Has moments," he explained, the admission feeling both dangerous and necessary. "Sometimes she says things that only make sense later."

He reached for his pencil again, spinning it once between his fingers before continuing. "'It watches us,'" he repeated, the phrase echoing uncomfortably in the quiet bookstore. "That's... observant of her." The deliberate understatement felt safer than acknowledging the chill it sent through him.

The storm outside seemed to pause for a moment, an unnatural lull in the downpour that felt more threatening than the noise had been. Kai leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper now.

"There's a journal I'm keeping," he admitted. "Things people have noticed. Things that don't add up." He hesitated, wondering if he was saying too much. "If Ozma ever mentions anything specific... I'd be interested to hear it. Could help us understand what's happening."

The lights flickered more insistently this time, and for a moment, Kai thought he saw a shadow move unnaturally along the far wall – not cast by either of them or any object in the store. He deliberately didn't look directly at it.

"Not sure how long this storm will keep us here," he added, glancing at his watch. "Might be a while."

If it hadn't been for the storm outside, Dimi might have found this whole situation rather cozy. It was nice sitting here with Kai surrounded by shelves of books; it felt safe, at least as safe as he could feel lately. There was just a sense of foreboding about the town, Dimi had realized, subtle most of the time (until something wild happened), but there nonetheless. It unsettled him, and Dimi was relieved to find that he wasn't the only one who felt this. He wondered if witches experienced that more acutely. It was a downpour outside, and if they were closer to the windows, Dimi thought that it would be harder to hear Kai. "To be fair, I don't think it takes long to 'notice things' around here," Dimi replied with a little laugh, though it wasn't really funny. It just meant that something strange was happening, though Dimi didn't know if it was in the sinister sort of way.

Laughing a little, Dimi nodded and said, "Yeah, people are usually surprised to hear that I'm from Minnesota. I don't...really look like what they'd expect." Dimi was well-aware of how some people perceived him, though he'd gotten used to it, and he knew that wasn't what Kai was getting at anyway. "My mother was from Venezuela," Dimi explained simply, leaving it at that.

Thinking of Ozma, of how much she had thrived since coming here, Dimi couldn't help but smile, and he nodded in agreement with Kai's words. "The good different in her case, at least mostly," he replied. Different energy was right. At Kai's question, Dimi paused, considering how much he wanted to say. Kai was new to him, but he had a kind energy, and Dimi felt like he could trust him, at least to an extent. "She notices a lot of things I don't," he began. "She...sees things differently, senses things in ways I'll never be able to." He was essentially revealing she was a witch without actually revealing it, though if Kai was a witch too, he would understand. "She says things," Dimi went on, "things that don't totally make sense sometimes, but if you can unravel the words, you can find the meaning. The other day for instance, Ozma said something like, 'We're not hidden. We will be found.' I wasn't quite sure what she meant, but it unsettled me." In actuality, Dimi thought he knew exactly what Ozma was getting at, but he didn't tell Kai that. "So yeah, I think she sees things, and she keeps talking about storms now," he elaborated. "She was looking out the window last night and said, 'It watches us.' I looked outside and told her I didn't see anything, and she looked me dead in the eyes and said, 'You will.' That...well, frankly scared the shit out of me." Dimi laughed, but there was no humor to it. "I'm probably making her out to sound creepy, but she's really now," Dimi assured Kai. "She just has these moments. She can't really control it."

[kaiwells]

Kai picked up the slight shift in Paul's demeanor at the question about ending up in Cardinal Hill. Everyone had their stories, their reasons - and not everyone wanted to share them. He understood that better than most.

"I'm good," he replied, declining the offer of peanuts with a small shake of his head. He took another sip of his whiskey, feeling the familiar burn travel down his throat. "Yeah, Space Needle. Tourist trap, but..." he shrugged, "decent view." Seattle held complicated memories for him - some good, others better left undisturbed, much like Paul's apparent history with L.A.

The jukebox switched to a Johnny Cash song, the low, rumbling voice singing about falling into burning rings of fire. Kai glanced around the bar, noting how the handful of other patrons seemed lost in their own worlds, their own drinks, their own secrets. Cardinal Hill collected people like that, he was beginning to realize - people with histories they'd rather not discuss.

His gaze returned to his nearly empty glass. "Thanks for the drink," he said, his voice soft but clear. "And sorry about before. Not your fault." The apology felt necessary somehow, a small gesture toward normalcy in a town that felt increasingly anything but.

"Oh, I haven't made it up there yet but I've heard good things," Paul said. Admittedly traveling around and exploring his new home hadn't been high on Paul's priority list. He was trying to lay low for the most part and nothing had compelled him to take the two hour drive up to the city. "You guys have the Space Needle, right?" He added. Paul really didn't know much about Washington until moving there and in a town full of locals not many people talked about the city.

"Not really, no," Paul confirmed. "It's definitely a lot different up here," he confirmed. It was neither different in a good or bad way or maybe it was both all he knew. Paul's life was very different now and it likely didn't matter where he wound up. He was a changed man and he was still working through this new chapter of his life. "Can I get you anything else? Some peanuts, maybe?" Paul asked mainly to avoid talking to much about his circumstance. He didn't really need customers poking into his personal life.

[kaiwells]

Kai felt an inexplicable relief wash over him when the woman accepted his offer, her lilting accent adding warmth to the otherwise chilly evening. He shifted his weight, tucking his own copy of the book against his chest as thunder rumbled outside. The storm was intensifying faster than forecasted, sheets of rain now slashing against the windows.

"Hardy Boys never disappoint," he replied, his voice soft but steady. A ghost of a smile crossed his face at her comment about ambience. "Perfect weather for mysteries." His dark eyes flicked to the window where lightning illuminated the empty street, then back to June's face, cataloging her features. Her slightly flinched response to the thunder made her seem more human, more approachable.

"Kai," he offered simply, adjusting the pencil behind his ear with his free hand. The store's old heating system rattled to life, pushing warm air that smelled of dust and aging paper through the vents. "Just passing through or..." he gestured vaguely at the weather outside, "...looking to wait it out too?"

He moved toward the reading nook in the corner where two worn armchairs faced each other, separated by a small table with a brass lamp. Its warm glow created a pocket of sanctuary against the growing darkness outside. "Rooney usually lets me stay after closing when it storms," he explained, nodding toward the counter where the bookstore owner was tallying the day's sales. "Said something about ghosts needing company."

The words had slipped out before he could catch them, and he glanced at June, wondering if she'd think him odd for repeating such a thing. But there was something about her that suggested she might understand that kind of talk - the kind that most people in Cardinal Hill seemed to avoid until recently.

A bank of nearly motionless grey clouds hung behind the sharp peaks of buildings as Juniper passed, windless rain hitting the pavement and creating a luminous blush. It hadn’t been raining when she’d first ventured out, but the skies had been threatening it all day. Another warning gone unheeded in favor of escaping the slow suffocation of the funeral home. An exaggeration, obviously — except for the fact that ever since her mother had passed it felt a little closer to the truth than she'd care to admit.  

      In a bid to get out of the weather, June moved hurriedly towards her favorite bookstore. A shopkeeper's bell signaled her entrance, the redhead fussing with a bright pink umbrella as she crossed the door's threshold and wiped her boots on a makeshift cardboard mat. It's in the process of discarding her raincoat on a nearby rack that she notices another coat hanging from it. Clueing her in to the comforting knowledge of someone else's presence. Despite the amount of time she spends around d e a t h and things that would unnerve most people, it's lonely stormy nights like the one currently brewing outside that have her seeking the safety of a cozy communal space.

Making her way down the aisles in search of a recently deceased local author's novel, her attention was soon pulled towards the approach of a stranger. Once she's assessed he wasn't just another one of her apparitions she flashed a warm smile in acceptance of the friendly gesture, reaching for the book on offer.

“ I think my company might pale in comparison to these lads , ” she joked, holding the book up to her chest and tapping a finger against the cover. “ Hardy Boys. Always was a sucker for a good mystery, y'know ? ” In more ways than one, but she's careful not to elaborate further. “ Besides, it'd be a shame to waste tonight's ambience, don't you think? ” Almost as if on cue a flash of lightning brightened the night sky, punctuated by the reverberating whipcrack of thunder. To her credit, June managed to flinch only slightly at it. “ I'm Juniper, by the way. Everybody calls me June, but I'd answer to just about anything so feel free to get creative if you want. ”

[kaiwells]

Kai felt a subtle warmth at Leslie's willingness to accept his help, her foot-tapping and flustered response making him feel less awkward about offering suggestions. He nodded at her question about cutting wood, grateful for a straightforward part of the conversation.

"We cut wood here," he confirmed, tucking the pencil back behind his ear. "No extra charge if you buy it from us." His eyes widened slightly at her detailed description of the cabinet, impressed rather than deterred by the complexity. This wasn't just a basic shelf anymore—this was a serious organization system.

"That's..." he paused, visualizing the structure, "a lot of compartments. Smart design though." He gestured toward the lumber section. "Let's start with the wood. Plywood for the body, hardwood for the drawer faces?" As they walked, he grabbed a shopping basket, mentally calculating what they'd need.

"For drawers that small, you'll want drawer slides. Makes opening smoother." He pulled a sample from a nearby display. "And wood glue. Stronger than just screws for the smaller parts." His voice remained quiet but grew more confident as he discussed the technical aspects.

"Could sketch the design if you want," he offered, already reaching for his notepad. "Make sure everything fits together right." There was genuine interest in his eyes now, the craftsman in him engaged by the challenge of her ambitious project.

Leslie wasn't one to get offended whenever someone corrected her, especially when they're being helpful like Kai. However, she does have a tendency to get flustered, she dosen't think she knows everything, but usually she knows quite a bit more than other people in certain subjects that she has studied and works in, so it's a bit of an untrained muscle. "Well, I guess..." she muttered, gently tapping her foot on the ground, unsure of what to say, "I would like some help please. I also need a lot of wood cut for the shelf, is that possible here?" She smiled at Kai. She doesn't struggled to ask for help, but sometimes her brain forgets that it's an option.

Leslie looked up and down at her corrected list, "I did try to find a flatpack cabinet, but it didn't quite meet my needs." She explained, "I want the shelf to have 14 small drawers, 6 medium drawers, and 1 large but segmented into 8 sections. That's not including the actual cabinet part of the cabinet." She chuckled slightly, it did seem a little abusrd when she explained it outloud, but she was confident that was necessary for her storage plans. "Alright, we're do we start!" Leslie was excited to learn a little something new in the hardware store, but even if she didn't, she was excited to get the items for her cabinet.

[kaiwells]

Kai shifted his weight slightly as the rain intensified, the sound creating a constant drumming rhythm overhead. He listened attentively to Aviva's story, his normally guarded expression softening at her mention of "the Abrams Boys."

"From Seattle," he confirmed with a nod. His fingers traced the edge of the book cover, contemplating her question about theories. "Think the Hardy Boys miss things sometimes. Overlook the..."—he searched for the right word—"...unexplainable stuff."

A particularly bright flash of lightning illuminated the store, followed by a deafening crack of thunder that made even the shelves seem to vibrate. The lights flickered again, longer this time, plunging them into momentary darkness before stabilizing.

"Kai Wells," he offered quietly when the lights returned, extending his hand. "Hardware store." The introduction felt necessary now, as though the shared experience of weathering this strange storm had shifted them from strangers to allies.

He glanced at the darkening windows, where the rain now fell in sheets so thick they obscured the view of the street entirely. "You're new too?" he asked, recognizing something familiar in her demeanor—the slight hesitation of someone still finding their place in Cardinal Hill.

Aviva glanced at the windows closest to them, her face lighting up underneath the flashes of the lightning, her brow furrowing slightly at the way that the storm was only intensifying out there. While she hadn't been around in Cardinal Hill for long enough to know that something arguably suspect was happening there, she still couldn't shake the feeling in her gut that something was off. All she could do in that moment was turn back to Kai, and hope that he would provide ample distraction.

“Seattle rain?” She raised a single eyebrow. "You from Seattle?" She asked, hoping that her question wasn't a silly one. Being new to Cardinal Hill, there was a lot to catch up on - more than she could ever know, in fact - and considering the fact that she wasn't as social as she had been in what felt like a past life back in South Carolina, Aviva still had a lot of people to get to know.

She glanced back at the book in her hands, but only for a moment before she looked back up at her new friend. “I have," she nodded. "It's been a while since I have, but my brother and I - we called ourselves 'the Abrams Boys' when we were little," Aviva couldn't help but laugh as she told Kai, even despite the embarrassment the story caused, and even despite feeling that strange feeling of unease that she couldn't quite place. "So embarrassing, I know, and it really doesn't have the same ring to it, but we used to go around town collecting clues, trying to solve non-existent or unimportant mysteries."

Aviva looked down at the book for another moment, thinking back to her childhood, when everything felt so much easier, even despite the fact that her upbringing wasn't exactly simple and wasn't always easy. "I can hardly remember them, to be honest. Feels like a lifetime ago," she shook her head, as if to dismiss the thought. "What kind of theories do you have?"

[kaiwells]

Kai's eyes widened slightly at the pineapple question. "Pineapple's good," he said with a nod, looking more animated than he had since arriving. "El thinks it's weird, but I like the sweet and savory." He watched as Copper worked the dough with practiced movements, appreciating the care that went into the preparation despite it not being fully homemade. The kitchen smelled good - warm and inviting - and Kai felt some of his usual guardedness melting away.

When Copper mentioned feeling off lately, Kai's expression shifted to one of quiet understanding. "Yeah," he murmured, leaning against the counter. "Think everyone in town's feeling kinda off lately." He hesitated, weighing whether to share his own experiences thinking back to their prior conversation about ghosts. "Seen things at home," he finally admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Shadows moving wrong. Dreams that feel too real." His fingers traced absent patterns on the countertop. "Found myself checking the locks twice. Sometimes three times."

He glanced toward the window where the fog continued its eerie dance. "El says the town has... history. But this feels different." Looking back at Copper, his dark eyes reflected a mixture of concern and curiosity. "You've seen things too?" The question came out gentle, cautious - not wanting to pry but also seeking confirmation that he wasn't alone in his experiences. "Sometimes I wonder if moving here was..." he trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Despite the unease, something about Cardinal Hill felt right, like he was meant to be here, and that contradiction troubled him more than the strange occurrences themselves.

Yeah, it was definitely spooky outside - that was the perfect word for it. For a moment after answering the door, Copper lingered in the doorway, just watching the fog, but only for a second, and then he closed the door and followed after Kai. It was much more pleasant inside, that was for sure, and it felt a bit like closing out all the weird things that had been going on in Cardinal Hill; nothing felt quite so unsettling here in his house - well at least not with Kai here. Some of the creepy things had happened in this very house, but it felt like a whole different place with company. It was one of the reasons that Copper was glad Clover lived with him now.

Laughing once they were in the kitchen, Copper assured Kai, “Don’t worry, no peas or strawberries. But how do you feel about pineapple?” In Copper’s experience, people fell into one of two camps when it came to pineapple on pizza: they either loved it or hated it. Copper fell into the former camp, though if Kai was in the latter, he would forego his favorite pizza topping. “And noted, not too much cheese,” he added. As he began spreading the toppings and sprinkling more cheese on the pizza - but not too much - Copper began to feel more relaxed, but he still wished this were easier. He used to be so social, but for years he had his better half with him, and it was like Copper sometimes forgot how to do it alone. But he was settling in; Kai was easy to feel comfortable around. 

“You know, sometimes I use a pre-made crust, but I pulled out all the stops for you,” Copper replied, though he then admitted, “Alright, I used one of those canisters of dough, so it’s not quite homemade. Close though.” Once the pizza was in the over, he stood there in the kitchen with Kai, just trying to think of something to say, and then he sighed. He might as well come clean. “I used to be a lot better at this,” he told Kai. “I’ve been feeling kind of…off lately. I don’t know what happened to me.”

[kaiwells]

Kai nodded slowly as Dimi described the foreboding nature of the storms, relief flickering across his face at finding someone who understood. The lights overhead flickered again as another roll of thunder shook the building, this one lasting longer than seemed natural.

"Been here since July," Kai answered softly, settling into the chair opposite Dimi. "Long enough to notice things." He left that statement hanging in the air, unsure how much to share with someone he'd just met. The rain hammered against the windows with increased intensity, drops hitting the glass with such force it sounded almost like tiny fists pounding to get in.

His gaze moved from the windows back to Dimi, studying him more carefully now. "Minnesota's different," he acknowledged, curiosity softening his guarded expression. The mention of Dimi's daughter caught his attention, and something in the way the man described her situation resonated with him.

"Sometimes a fresh start helps," Kai offered, thinking of his own move to Cardinal Hill with his best friend. "Different place, different..." he paused, searching for the right words, "...different energy." Thunder crashed again, and the lights dimmed momentarily before stabilizing.

Kai leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping even lower. "Has your daughter noticed anything... unusual about Cardinal Hill?" He wasn't sure why he asked, except that children often saw things adults missed, and he'd begun collecting accounts of strange occurrences since moving here.

The storm's wail outside intensified, wind howling through the eaves of the old building like a living thing. It sounded almost like whispers, if he listened too carefully. Kai tried not to listen.

Even though he was relatively new to Cardinal Hill, and even though he hadn’t experienced most of the strange occurrences in town for himself, Dimi had heard stories about them and knew that something was very strange. And judging by Kai’s subtle yet still noticeable reaction, he too felt unsettled by it. “Yeah…different,” Dimi replied uncertainly; he knew there had to be more to it though. He might not have been a witch, but Dimi still had his intuition, something he believed everyone could tap into to some extent, magical or not. As if on cue, thunder crashed outside, causing Dimi to jump, hand on his chest as he chuckled, feeling awkward and a little embarrassed. “Sorry,” he said, “storms don’t usually bother me, but sometimes they just feel…foreboding, you know?” Dimi thought that was a good word for it. 

With the shopkeeper nowhere to be found (likely in the back of the store or something), the bookstore would have been even creepier without some company, so Dimi was glad he wouldn’t have to wait out this storm alone. Nodding, he smiled at Kai’s hushed tone, as though they were in a library or something, and then he adopted the same tone of voice as he replied. “Yeah, I’m new here,” Dimi answered softly. “But already I can tell Cardinal Hill is…” Dimi trailed off, wondering how to phrase what he was thinking, and he smiled when it came to him: “Cardinal Hill is different too,” he stated. 

Kai’s suggestion was a good one, and Dimi followed behind, sitting in a cozy chair. “Some hot cocoa would be great right now,” he remarked, settling in. At least the chair was comfortable. “What about you?” Dimi asked, thinking back to their conversation from a moment ago. “Have you been in Cardinal Hill long?” He wondered if Kai had more experience with the strange happenings. Trying to sound casual, Dimi told Kai, “I moved here from Minnesota. I’ve never really lived in a quiet town, but my friend lives here, and my daughter needed a change. Ozma is…well I feel like I can’t use the word different now because it’s not the same kind of different with her. I guess she just needed a home that was more…encouraging, I guess? I can’t always help her with certain things, even if I really want to.”

[kaiwells]

Kai's hand relaxed as she accepted the book, relief washing over him at having someone to share the stormy evening with. The steady drumming of rain against the windows created a cozy backdrop to their conversation, though each crack of thunder made his fingers twitch toward the pencil behind his ear.

"Work books have their place," he offered quietly, understanding in his dark eyes. His own shelves at home were filled with woodworking manuals and boat-building guides. He glanced down at the Hardy Boys novel in his hands, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But sometimes..." he trailed off, distracted by a particularly bright flash of lightning that illuminated the shelves in stark shadows.

The old floorboards creaked beneath them as Kai shifted his weight, unconsciously moving closer to the warm circle of lamplight they shared. "These are good for stormy nights," he continued, voice barely above a whisper as another rumble of thunder rolled overhead. "Simple. Safe." He paused, realizing how that might sound. "The mysteries, I mean. Always get solved in the end."

His fingers absently traced the worn edge of his book's cover. "I'm Kai," he added softly, the introduction feeling necessary in the intimate atmosphere of the near-empty bookstore. "From the hardware store." He left out that he was still relatively new to town, still learning its rhythms and secrets. Though tonight, with the storm raging outside and strange shadows dancing at the edges of his vision, he wondered if some secrets were better left undiscovered.

Emie had been nearly soaked through by the time she found shelter inside Riverside Books. The storm had come down harder than she expected, and after a long day at Romano’s, she hadn’t exactly been looking forward to trudging home in the rain. The warm, musky air of the bookstore immediately pulled her in, offering a much needed escape from the chill outside.

Her boots stomped softly against the floor as she wandered through the familiar aisles that she instinctively made her way to. Her fingers brushed lightly over the spines of books in quiet contemplation, most of them manuals and technical guides, books that helped her sharpen her skills. She hardly read any other books, could hardly justify taking the time to do so, but today Emie continued on past them.

It was while browsing the aisles that she was less familiar with that she noticed the stranger. She wondered if he was in the bookstore to escape from the rain, too, or if he was more familiar with the expanses of Riverside than she was herself. His sudden offer surprised her slightly, but the gesture was kind, even if a little unexpected.

Emie hesitated, glancing down at the mystery novel in his hand. She couldn't remember the last time she gave fiction a chance, but the company? She could appreciate that with ease, especially while waiting for a break in the rain to make it home in better shape.

She reached for the book. “To be honest, I can't remember the last time that I gave a book like this a chance, something other than work related stuff.” She inspected the book in one hand while the other casually leaned on the nearest shelf. "It's hard to find the time," she justified. She was slightly embarrassed to admit that she didn't read much fiction. "Maybe that's why the rain pushed me in here, though," she shrugged.