maybe i just gotta wish harder

“It certainly has its uses,” he agreed, straightfaced. He got more from Gomez’s friendship than from his profession, but he was likely a minority there. “Pleased to meet you, Lottie. Were you looking for something in particular before you were nearly impaled?”

“It’s fun when you find friends like that, right?  Like, my bestie runs a diner, and her food is amazing, and I throw parties, so I’ve got that to offer.  What’s your thing, Jack?” she asked, smiling brightly.  Lottie treated every new meeting as an opportunity to make a new friend.  “Not really.  Just seeing if anything jumps out at me.  I find the prices in here a little more reasonable than at some of the other stores in town.  I may be new to this budgeting thing, but I have always been an excellent shopper.”

“Oh no, don’t be silly. It’s just… good business,” she smiled softly and shook her head in denial. Sometimes those damn voices of people telling her she shouldn’t or couldn’t like to sneak up on her before she could catch them. “Yeah, I think I am. I’m excited and sick all at once, but I think the excitement is winning.”

“Not everyone has that sort of sense though, Tia.  You do.  It’s okay to be proud of that.  I know I’m proud of you for it,” she assured her, shooting a playful wink her way.  “Yes, embrace the excitement.  It’s normal to be nervous when trying something new, but if it’s like any of your other business ventures, it’ll be a huge success,” she pointed out.  “And I’ll promote the hell out of it whenever I can.”

“I’m certainly not a lawyer. But I know a very good one.” He allowed a small smile at the mention of Gomez. If she was looking for a hero, she’d picked the wrong story. He offered a hand. “Hardly. Jack Skellington.”

“Do you now?  That sounds like the sort of person you’d want to have handy.  At least if I ever need one, I’ll know who to talk to,” she mused, her smile unwavering.  She took his hand earnestly, giving it a firm shake.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Jack Skellington.  I’m Charlotte La Bouff, Lottie for short.”

“Breakable as well. That could turn expensive very fast.” He nodded toward a sign notifying customers that they were responsible for broken items. Jack had his doubts about whether that would hold up in reality. “Perhaps they would have gone easy on you if you were injured.”

“You think they would really make me pay for something I injured myself on?  Surely they’d be more concerned with a lawsuit, don’t you think?” she mused, shaking her head anyways.  “Either way, better to avoid that whole mess altogether.  You’re my hero,” she declared, smiling sweetly up at him.

Jack was a regular haunt in the pawn shop to see what new books were available, but his mission today was slightly different. Gift-giving was not one of his specialties, and he preferred to get a start on ideas for Christmas shopping. It was a busy season for the council, and he may not have time for it later on. He reached out to steady the woman who had bumped into him, his expression unchanging. “Quite alright.”

She was relieved he grabbed onto her, as she probably would have fallen over if he hadn’t.  “I really should watch where I’m going.  Especially with so many sharp items around,” she pointed out, making a face when she noticed a very pointy sculpture nearby.  “That would have made for quite the hospital visit,” she added, laughing softly.  “Thank you for the save.”

“It was certainly an adjustment for many of us,” he said sympathetically, though it was unclear if Piers was capable of feeling something like sympathy. He wasn’t entirely sure he cared for this world, but he was too prideful to let it beat him. He matched her smile, nodding a goodbye. “Do let me know, won’t you love? It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“But I suppose we all find our way eventually, right?” she mused, ever the optimist and dreamer.  She liked to think that everything happened for a reason.  After all, she wouldn’t have gotten that job if she hadn’t decided to go to Oktoberfest.  “I absolutely will,” she promised.  “Likewise, Piers.  I hope to see you again soon,” she added, smiling brightly before continuing on to the police station.

Tia curled her arm around Lottie firmly, snuggling into her in return with a happy smile. She missed her friends when they all got busy, Lottie most of all. “Really,” she nodded before letting out a laugh. “I”d hate to miss out on your face too. Eventually, I’d have to get a car for my delivery driver to use, and probably hire on a permanent driver, where that’s about all they do. More like two or three drivers.”

“You know, every time I think you couldn’t get any smarter, and then you come up with some new brilliant idea,” she commented, openly amazed by her best friend.  “So you’re like really expanding your business then.  I think it’s a great idea.  A lot of people will definitely take you up on that service.  As if you’re not already the town’s favorite restaurant.”

“That does sound like an opportunity that was too good to pass up.” Piers could appreciate a good party, and he had money to burn. He would have to keep her in mind if he ever had cause to do something like that. “I was much more interested to hear about you,” he returned smoothly. “But of course, if the local police fail to turn up any leads, I may be of some help.” For a reasonable fee, of course.

“I never had to work back home, so needing a job when I got to town was a bit of a shock for me.  Being the hostess at Landlocked was lovely, and my boss was an absolute gem, but I think this fits my skills much better,” she explained.  If she had known planning parties was an acceptable occupation, she would have started doing it much sooner.  “Oh you’re a charming one, aren’t ya?” she retorted, shaking her head at him, even with a smile firmly planted on her lips.  “I will definitely keep you in mind.  All that matters to me is that Richard’s found, not who finds him.”

“Oh? What are you doing now?” He nodded. He was already familiar with both places, but he filed the information away for later use. Knowing her connection with Tiana might be helpful to him at some point. “Of course. And should you change your mind about that drink.” He smiled, offering her a card with his business contact information on it.

Piers Halloway Private Investigator xxx - xxxx

“I was recently hired as the event coordinator at Chateau Tremaine,” she told him.  “I love throwing a good party, and when I met the owner of the hotel at one of their events, I told him so.  He must have seen something in me he liked, because he had me come in to interview.  It’s a perfect fit.  I get to make people’s dreams come to life, and I’m doing something I know I’m good at,” she explained, smiling brightly.  She took the card, looking down at it before glancing back up at him.  “You’re a private investigator?  Why didn’t you say so sooner, sugar?”