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So many people, he didn’t spot Aleksy again in the crowd, admittedly there were enough people that his effort wasn’t going as far as it might otherwise have. He wanted, something like a person sized hamster ball just so he didn’t feel quite so smashed in at the moment.

He really wanted to blame that feeling on the Eerie Other Ashdown Hum but, to be fair part of that was just his mood.

What he did see though, was the booth for the 4th wall. His fingers made an agitated tap against his leg but he opted then to wander over. He didn’t frequent the shop really, sometimes ordering books he was interested in via the Bibliophile, which normally meant that he had to wait for collected editions.

But there were a few things he’d read only online, and having a paper copy of things, having a paper copy that he got for himself would be glorious.


He made his way cautiously over to the tattooed, curiously quaffed man who ran the store. “Cid’ he thought he remembered it being.

“Hey…Um…” He waved “Weird hum and all, eh?” he said by means of conversation. But he did cautiously pause before adding. “Um… on a more normal note, ah… do, um… you don’t happen to have the manga for Ghost in the Shell? I’ve read parts online, and I’d love the first anime if you have it but um.”

His cheeks turned hot immediately after asking.

He was really awful at shopping for things that weren’t groceries

He didn't know what he had expected. More questions designed to prove he was reliable, perhaps, to trick him into revealing that this was all a prank. But the vague start to his story had just been accepted without a fuss. There was even the overt implication that Detective Mercer believed in more than was strictly normal. Maybe England was full of dangerous humming fountain women. Or maybe he'd just been around here long enough to know that Ashdown was. What surprised Chester most of all, however, was the comment about his courage. He didn't think he had ever been called courageous in the entirety of his life. He found himself smiling faintly without being able to remember when he had began, and he pressed his lips together to stop it when he realized what he was doing. He needed to hurry up and finish before he overthought everything.

"She touched me right here." He pressed his fingers to his forehead. "And in my head, she said, 'There is a ball in the eighth month. There they will find their quarry. That is where Adoelle is.'" His eyes had closed as he recalled it all, as if he was reading the words from the insides of his lids. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet, hiding the ridiculousness of how it had all ended. "And then she disappeared."

Zac’s eyes did at least light up at the mention of a hard bound copy. That it was potentially obtainable without special order was, pretty exciting.

“Could…um, would you maybe hold it for me?” He said rubbing at his arm, swapping to bite at the edge go his thumb where nail met skin. It looked like he did the latter more than he probably should.

“I mean, if that was ok… I mean I understand if you can’t! I mean it’s a business.”

He thought about it for a moment too, thought about the spending money he had with him for today as well, and the other question he had, because darn if he didn’t always have questions.
“If um… If you had to recommend something based on just…that, cause I haven’t read or seen a lot, what would you recommend?” he asked curiously.

He worried at his lip again and then added quietly. “What was the song anyhow?” He tipped his head curiously.

“Cool” Zac said with a light grin. ‘I’m…bollox with lyrics unless I’m actually hearing them a little, or i spend ages memorizing them.” He shook his head in consternation at his own failings.

He chewed his lip thoughtful. “… could …would you put one of those aside? Just…surprise me, I’d have to come back for more but. “ he waved his hands trying to catch the words to explain his intent and desire but failing to find the right ones.

“Uh..yeah, number right.” He said and started to write the number of the house he’d shared with Jeremiah, before scratching it out, and writing his cell phone number after a moments hesitation.

“I…think the voice mail is set up. It’s a cell phone so um, if I don’t answer I’m just working at the book store, or I’m in class or… things.”

Lucas laughed in a way that said he just might get what Autumn was throwing down before she jabbed him. Wincing and rubbing the poked spot with feigned pain, complete with jutted lip puppy dog pout, he lowered his gaze to the woman at his side with an expression that could almost pass for demure. If he wasn't, you know, being playfully petulant. "I would never lie to or disappoint my lady fair," he said in an almost grave tone, solemn, "a promise to the Princess. My word is my bond."

He was probably having a little too much fun, but truth be told, it was a welcome, giddy relief with that humming gone. Still leading her, he wasn't sure if or when they'd reached a point of turning, but he realized some of the booths were familiar now. Nasir and Wil wouldn't be that far off.

"Well," he resumed his standard partial-smile, relaxed expression, "you've definitely got the cute down. Pretty sure you'll get the second part if I stop distracting you." He chuckled under his breath, lightly sliding his prosthetic hand over hers that looped around his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But it's nice to see you. Can't blame me for trying to steal some of your time, Princess."

Chester nodded. "I came back to Ashdown in late March. The 25th." He'd heard rumors of the fog and the flyers but had attributed them to a stretch of poor weather and someone playing a joke. Even if it had been more than a rumor, he wasn't sure how it was relevant to what the humming woman had said. He watched Mr. Mixlin touch the detective's shoulder, attention shifting from man to hand to other man. This seemed to mean more to them than it would if he was relaying something new, but he didn't pry, just happy to be believed.

"August," he said offhandedly, his curiosity carefully stifled. "It's a long time for someone to be missing."

“Thank’s , I really appreciate it!” He said with a smile.

“I’ll be sure to come by again if you’re right!”

Algie glanced at what Jeremiah's was writing, good boy using proper handwriting, and then back up to Chester. He normally wouldn't intrude on a conversation but it sounded like something that needed to be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later.

"How about now?" He finally interjected, hand again settling on Jeremiah's shoulder. "Before the trail is cold."

Not that he had much hope to find her.