currents;

“I want to buy everything.” Homer slightly beamed. Alright, she was moved by the new energy bustling around town as well. It had been so exhausting, but the month was over and once more KF could breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s perfect timing, I think, and you’re giving me ideas for my shop. Not bad at all. What do you recommend?” The loaf of cinnamon raisin bread was tempting to toast first thing in the morning and the bagels too. Of course she would need to pick something to try right now as well.

“Please, do,” Thaleia pleaded as she glanced into the interior of Rockin’ Rolls. A crowd was just beginning to pick up, and though it was small, it was more people than she had seen in a few weeks. At least she knew the poster was working, to some degree. “Ooh, well,” Thaleia raised her eyes to the clouds above as she worked out an answer. “If you wanted a quick bite to eat, our cookies have always been really popular - especially with the college students who need a bit of sugar on the go. I recommend oatmeal chocolate chip, it’s one of my favorites.”

Lee nodded her her head as she looked at the petite brunette. “I’m so happy about it too. I think it’s high time we start celebrating, I mean it makes everyday seem like such a gif.” She bounced lightly as she spoke. She couldn’t help but smile, and the color in her cheeks finally started to return. “I think a pun is a much needed way to lighten things up.” 

“At least one person thinks so,” Thaleia replied with a nod, smiling at the blonde next to her. “Celebrating is my favorite thing to do, and hopefully this will bring in the customers my bakery so desperately needs.” Thaleia let out a breath, her eyes wandering to the streets of Klamenth. She noticed how many more people were out and about than in the days before, glad to see the gradual return of the good ol’ days in Klamenth Falls.

Lila moved to sit, thankful that the woman was being so nice to her. “Thank you,” she said as she rubbed her temple. Lila was not a fan on depending on people but in this moment she was relieved that the brunette was around. She felt so strange and dizzy, how had she been so confused. It really made her scared. 

Thaleia took quick steps to the counter in the bakery. After grabbing a glass cup from the rack, she opened a bottle of the uncontaminated water and poured it into the cup until it was close to full. She then made her way back outside, bringing the water bottle with her, and handed the glass to the blonde. “Here, and don’t worry, it’s good water.”

“It seems our misfortune might be lightening up,” Thaliea explained as she plastered up a poster on the front window of the bakery. On in it, the phrase “Let the Good Times Roll!” was surrounded by various icons of bread and pastries on a teal background. It marketed half off discounts in celebration of the cure, and also, because the bakery needed the business. “I know it might be a little too early to be celebrating - but I couldn’t resist the pun.”

“Awful? Pfft, now you’re probably on your way to being arrested for blasphemy and verbal assault!” Brushing the wisps of bangs from his eyes, Lincoln beamed with pride at the concession that he was at least funny. “I’m taking offense to the idea that I”m not mysterious, but I’m okay with being funny. So per say, is your ideal man like James Bond or Voldemort? Both mysterious men.” 

“By the pun police, maybe, but I don’t respect their authority enough to let them arrest me - I’m pretty rebellious,” Thaleia joked and sent a playful wink the werewolf’s way. “How did you know? Voldemort is the exact man I’ve been dreaming about. The fact that he’s missing a nose is what really seals the deal for me.”

Lila looked around as she looked down at the smaller female. She felt so lost and though the woman spoke with an even tone, it was taking everything for Lila to keep from being alarmed. “Um,” she heard the quiver in her own voice as she shook her head. “I think I’m just a little confused is it Wednesday?” She asked carefully. 

“Yes, it is Wednesday,” Thaleia answered, mentally sighing in relief that the woman before her was coherent enough to know the correct day. She quickly pulled a chair from the outside table and scooted it toward her. “Here, take this seat. I’ll go get you some water, okay? I’ll be right back,” the mermaid replied and got up to go into the bakery.

“In the wise words of our former president - hurting anyone named Lincoln is truly a heinous crime.” Lincoln snickered, a mischievous smile taking a strong hold over his face. He wiggled his eyebrows at the challenge, despite knowing he was on a train to solo island. “Oh gee, Paw always told me to make my own gosh darn luck! I was hopin’ my boyish charms would make you swoon.”

“I think I can live with being a criminal if it’s for the good cause of keeping those awful jokes at bay,” Thaleia retorted with a devilish smile. The next response had the mermaid giggling a bit louder, though she brushed it off with the shake of her head. “I’m less of a ‘boyish charm’ kind of gal and more of a ‘mysterious charisma’ kind of gal. You’ve got a decent sense of humor, though, so I can give you props for that.”