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Asking questions of others was an act that Reese, after long consideration, had decided she disliked greatly. She preferred to ask questions to herself and in turn, answer them herself as well. Her tolerance was recently expended with the note to Thezil (terrible) "Who is Tink?" Further questions she would find the answers for on her own.

So it wasn't that she stalked the other, girl. Not really. There was nothing sneaky in her behavior and it was not a constant activity. Reese did not follow. But she did wait and watch with the silent patience that often came naturally to the dead. She didn't want to ask when Catinka could come visit, so she learned her schedule instead. She didn't want to ask where the other ghost's room was, so she found out on her own.

Having spent quite a bit of time slowly and unraveling who she was (a work still much in progress) Reese had come to the conclusion that she was lonely, and might prefer having a friend. Thezil (awful) was not to be considered, but Catinka was perhaps a person she'd like due to their shared interest in things. The grim was also an inch shorter than her, which was pleasing.

The door swung open silently, the hinges that had given a nice spooky squeal having been replaced months ago. Reese sometimes wondered if this was counter to purpose, as she was supposed to nurture her own scary qualities at school. The concern had been shelved for a later date, possibly once she actually started taking classes. The lemure stared solemnly at Catinka for a long moment, her hair lifting to float up as her mood improved. Tink had arrived. She was indeed an inch shorter. This was a satisfying confirmation on both parts.

Stepping aside she gestured for the ghoul to come in. The room was not very large, though it seemed that progress was being made in optimizing what there was. The bed that had come with the room had been dismantled to create some shelves (the springs were also proving useful in a variety of ways) and in its place was a small couch. There was a shelf full of books, many in disrepair as they had all been found around the campus and in junkyards. Some of them had bookplates requesting for them to be returned, along with their former owner's information. But Reese was a firm believer in finders keepers. There was also a small table, upon it a plate of spookies and a chipped teapot with several mismatched cups. This was a new addition, in anticipation of having company and perhaps a friend.

On the other side of the room was her work area, with a desk surrounded by shelved, drawers, boxes, and baskets full of odds and ends that looked like they may be useful, given half a chance. There were no works-in-progress, as Reese worked with a focus that did not allow for disruptions until said work was finished.

Only the walls, here and there, hung picture frames without pictures, small notes and diagrams written across their glass. From the ceiling hung several brass pots, giving every appearance that this was the start of a collection. Shelves displayed odds and ends, a pretty tin here, a decorative bottle featuring a bouquet of various feathers there, mismatched jars full of stones, seeds, folded paper stars, and even dried beans. There was a fanciful display rack made of tiny antlers and gold pieces, and from it hung dozens of charms and keychains. Nearly everywhere were small plastic balls that had been modified and painted to look like little ghosts.

Everything was very clean and cared for and somehow organized, despite the initial impression of clutter that the room gave.

"HELLO," Reese finally greeted Tink, her voice loud and abrupt. It was likely the last thing she'd say out loud that day.

She took the gift and somberly inspected it. The bell was jingled, the ribbon's fabric traced and slid between her fingers, the pom-pom's many charms thoroughly examined. When finished, Reese placed the bow on her belt and smiled at the other girl with brief, brilliant happiness as she floated slightly higher.

Going to the wall, Reese took one of the framed pieces of glass down and went to her desk to grab several markers. As Tink spoke, she took a seat at the couch and began writing answers in that careful, clean script.

The lemur considered the offer with no little appreciation. It would be gratifying not being the only one who didn't speak out loud, as well as a new experience. However, it seemed a bit inconvenient. And what if Catinka had poor handwriting? Reese didn't want to be surprised by illegible writing. She'd have to find samples of it first and see for herself before trying this particular experiment took place.

With a rather somber smile, Reese shook her head and then wiped off the glass with a fairly plain little handkerchief. It should be said that the initials embroidered on it were not R.C.



After she finished, Reese's smile quirked, her sober expression turning cautiously hopeful.

Confusion, then mild alarm filled Reese's expression and the air suddenly gained a heaviness that hadn't been there before. She had observed and planned and thought she'd had everything figured out, but even still, she was behind and unprepared. At least the lesson, this time, was not one of cruelty.

With an almost vicious swipe of cloth, Reese cleared the glass.



Carefully setting the glass aside, Reese went to a bookshelf a pulled out a large book. Half of it belonged to someone else's life, but Reese had begun to fill in the rest of the pages detailing her own days, meticulously writing and scrap booking. She brought it over to Tink and turned to a new page. With a much nicer pen, she began to write.



Beaming, she showed it off, the last of her precious upset eased by the permanence of having written it down. Reese may not have realized they were friends right away, but this way she'd never forget.