I think this is my favorite thing I've ever drawn. Idk what it is ab it, I just like it.

Tilly:
Height: 5'
Hair: dark brown
Eyes: black or deep, deep brown.
Scent: coffee, warm musk, and that specific scent that happens after it rains really hard (this fragrance comes from her hair)

Tilly is a waitress at LeBlanc's Diner. You could compare her attitude to that of Niffty, but she doesn't speak as quickly and is just slightly less energetic. She's more mellow in her mannerism, brought by the charm of being a people person.

She's a bit of a golden retriever in her ways of interacting, very friendly and quick to get along with others. Tilly is here to help anyone she can, and enjoys doing it, too! The statement 'heart of gold' holds a grain of salt to miss Tilly, truly she gives Charlie a run for her money when it comes to her kindness and understanding.

Her relationships with those around her are almost always positive, the only exception being is if she sees another person bullying someone (then she might get a little nasty.)

An angel at heart, her soul is white as snow.

Everyone say hi to our friendly waitress, Tilly!

Alastor's POV

I wore a smug smile as I walked into the studio. Oh that look on her face, so priceless...so precious...

So pretty...

My stomach was buzzing after that small interaction. I watched it over and over in my head, burning her surprised features into my mind.

It makes me want to kiss her in other places to see what reaction I might get.

What if I kiss her cheek? Or her nose?

Her neck...?

Unlocking my office door, I slipped in soundlessly and shut it behind me. Her lips passed through my head...plump and soft looking...

I wonder if she'd let me kiss her lips...just to see what they feel like against mine.

My hand went up to my chest as my heart began to beat faster and faster. Just the thought of kissing her lips makes me feel...strange.

Such an intimate thing...something I've never felt inclined to share with anyone before, but here I am, imagining her connected with me in such a way.

I want to believe it's just because of curiosity...but this warmth fluttering around my stomach is saying otherwise...

Sighing, I grabbed today's reports off my desk and sifted through them.

Same old, same old...

No new murders to report on, unfortunately...I'll have to change that.

The soft smile on my face grew into something wicked as I continued looking through the reports, organizing them properly.

"Alastor!"

My gaze shifted towards the little blur of red skittering towards me. Niffty stopped just beside me, smiling as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

"Good morning! Here's your coffee," she sat a mug of black coffee up on my desk, "and I see you already found your reports...tomorrows reports are still being written, so they might be a little late today. Hey, where's Fawn?"

At the mention of the blonde woman that is ruling my thoughts, I blushed slightly. I still don't understand why she brings such a reaction out of me.

I shrugged, "she's doing her own thing, today...she should be by later today and you can see her then," I said casually, sitting back in my chair.

Niffty was quiet for a second, and I looked down at her. When I did, I froze.

She was wearing the widest smile I've ever seen on her face, her eyes sparkling in an unfamiliar way.

"Oh...my...gosh. Al. You like her don't you!" Niffty exclaimed with a gasp.

My eyes widened and I shot forward, slapping my hand over her mouth.

"Hush you little menace!" I hissed at her, and then sighed roughly, "no, of course I don't...well, I mean, I like her, but I don't like her like the way you are insinuating," I glared at her.

My own racing heart and rose colored cheeks betrayed my words.

Niffty's eyelids lowered and she pried my hand off her mouth, giving me an unconvinced pout before she crossed her arms.

"Oh really?" She challenged, "then why are you blushing?"

Her tone was matter of fact, and I quickly turned away from her to hide my face.

"Niffty, don't you have something to go clean?" I snapped at her, huffing slightly, "I don't fancy miss Fawn, that's preposterous," I added.

She groaned, "Alastor! Come on, I've been trying to hook you up with hot ladies for actual years, and you finally like someone and you won't even tell me?" She said, her voice sounding a bit hurt towards the end.

My annoyed expression faltered and I glanced at her, guilt nipping at the back of my brain.

There was a moment of silence before I sighed, "I...may enjoy Fawn's company more than other females..." I grumbled slightly, my face burning by this point.

Niffty squealed and punched my arm. For how small she is, the hit packed quite a bite behind it.

I rubbed my arm, looking at her as she bounced around happily, "ohmygosh this is great, oh you two are so cute together I can already see the happy little family, oh I can help plan the wedding and..." she cut herself off with a gasp, her eyes getting unreasonably large.

"And I can nanny for the babies!" She practically screamed, making me once again cover her mouth quickly.

"Niffty! Keep your voice down, and please...please don't let any of this slip. This is between us, ok? And there aren't going to be any babies or a wedding or anything of the sort," I said quickly.

No matter my feelings, falling for Fawn would be pointless...she is going to find her way home eventually, leaving me behind.

My mood soured slightly at the thought, and I let go of Niffty, sitting back.

She stopped bouncing and tilted her head, furrowing her brows.

"Do you not think she feels the same way...?" Niffty asked me softly. I looked up at her and then back down, shrugging.

Flashes of moments I've shared with her passed through my head. Especially some of our more recent affections...

"Well, I think she does at least a little bit," Niffty piped up, gaining my attention. I looked up at her and she was giving me a sly smile, "when I talked with her she seemed think pretty highly of you," she added.

This information made my heart skip a beat.

"Really?" I said, a bit too eagerly. Quickly I cleared my throat and shrugged, feigning disinterest, "well it's unsurprising, you know most women swoon over me anyway," I added.

Niffty rolled her good eye and shook her head, her red hair bouncing softly as she did.

"No, I mean she seemed interested in you, Alastor. Not your money...not your fame...not any of that other junk that these other broads are interested in. She seemed to like you."

My eyes widened just slightly, the smile on my face quirking up further ever so slightly.

Something about that is just so...nice. It makes me feel nice to know that she feels such a fondness for me.

I feel fond of her as well...

Even so, it isn't to be. She's not of this time, nor does she want to be...plus, in the end who could love a man like me?

Who could love a monster?

**

"And that's a wrap on our morning broadcast folks! Stay tuned and keep your ears open, I'll be back this afternoon!"

Clicking the button on my microphone, the broadcast ended and one of the sound people gave me a thumbs up to let me know I'd successfully gone off air.

Leaning back in my chair, I let out a sigh and spun around leisurely. Again, my brain clouded with thoughts of Fawn.

I wonder what she's up to.

Hopefully nothing dangerous...and hopefully everyone is being kind to her.

If she tells me even one person was nasty to her during her outing, I'll get names and heads will roll.

I don't see how anyone could ever step on such a pretty flower, but if they do then I'll be quick to demonstrate to them the consequences of their actions.

Looking around, I observed all of my recording equipment. Then I thought about how Fawn expressed interest in doing a segment with me...

The smile on my face softened at the thought of having her next to me, going on about whatever. I don't even care what it is she talks about...I just want to hear her voice.

"Alastor, good man, what a wonderful beginning to the day!"

The chipper voice of Thomas cut through my thoughts, ultimately silencing them for a moment as I turned to face the man.

Standing up out of my chair, I put on a broad smile and took his outstretched hand, giving it a firm shake.

"Why, thank you!" I replied, matching his tone.

Thomas overall seems like a good fellow. He's a gentleman, polite and levelheaded. He has a cool temperament, and he's very easy to get along with.

The atmosphere around the office is already a lot lighter than it was with Henry around. Henry brought a sort of dingy cloud with him wherever he went.

Him and I exited the booth together, just chatting about general things. Once we'd made it to the break room, he turned to me and leaned against the wall.

"So, where's that girl you brought along yesterday? Fawn was her name, correct?" He asked suddenly, a casual smile on his face.

My smile nearly faltered as the same feeling I'd gotten in the ice cream shop began to brew in my chest.

Why do you want to know?

That's what I wanted to say. Instead, I grit my teeth and chuckled.

"She's out and about...told me she wanted to check out the town today, so I gave her a little bit of dough and she was off!" I said with a wide smile.

Thomas laughed, shaking his head, "ah! It truly is easy to keep a lady happy, isn't it?" He chuckled amusedly, and I did as well just to hide this brewing feeling inside.

"Anyway...I was just wondering because I was serious about my offer to her. She has a lovely voice, and it would be a shame not to share it, don't you think? Of course, it's your show at the end of the day, so you get the last word," Thomas said, and I was mildly surprised.

In all reality he gets the last say, so I'm surprised he is giving me that authority.

A bit of my brewing resentment settled and I nodded, "I agree wholeheartedly! I've already spoken with her...she seemed interested, so I'll see if she wants to do a segment with me sometime soon!" I suggested, causing Thomas's smile to brighten.

"Splendid!" He chimed, then pulled out a pocket watch. Looking down at it, his eyes widened, "oh! Alastor, I need to step out for a minute and handle something at my house...you're fine running this joint by yourself I assume?" He said and I nodded.

"Right as rain!" I responded, and he gave me a salute as he turned to leave.

"Good man! I should be back in about an hour or so, if I'm not just assume the ol' axeman knocked me off!" He joked, laughing slightly. I laughed as well, waving as he left.

Oh, you don't need to worry about that, Tom.

Not yet, at least.

After he was gone, I sighed, letting my smile fall for just a moment to relax my face.

Being alone, my thoughts casually wondered back to her as I walked over to the coffee pot. Humming softly, I poured myself a mug, my smile returning.

Except this time, it's genuine and natural. Simply being caused by the thoughts buzzing around my head.

Her smile, her hair, her scent, those pretty lips and the way she hugs my arm when she gets excited while we're walking.

I sighed contently as I sipped my drink, enjoying the warm memories.

Then my thoughts were interrupted once more when the break room door opened, making me turn towards it.

There stood our lead reporter, Mindy. She's the one who handles all of my final reports, editing them and whatnot.

Her eyes landed on me, and she smiled.

I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes as she approached. She is insistent on trying to woo me, even though I've told her many-a time I don't reciprocate her affections.

"Good morning Alastor!" She chirped, sauntering over to me with a bounce in her step.

I nodded to her, "good morning, Mindy," I replied in a friendly tone. She giggled as if I'd said something funny and a blush dusted her cheeks and nose.

The feeling I get whenever Fawn blushes because of me was no where to be felt. Instead, I was a tad bit annoyed with this broad and her games.

It's not that she's a nasty girl or anything, she's generally good looking and smart... I just don't connect with her the way she thinks we do, and it's getting bothersome that she won't just let this little crush on me go.

"Your reports were great! Perfectly delivered as always, a top notch broadcast," she complimented me, nudging my arm slightly.

Immediately I shifted away from her, a subtle warning to keep her hands to herself.

She must not have picked up on it, because she followed my movement and got a bit too close to me for comfort.

Casually she reached up and undid some of the buttons on her collar, exposing her cleavage.

"Oh boy, it's warm in here...say, that girl you were with, who was she?" She asked suddenly, looking up at me.

My smile was slightly strained as I looked at her and then I looked away and sipped my coffee before answering her.

"She is Fawn, a close friend of mine. She is staying with me for a bit until she..." I paused, thinking about how she's going to leave me eventually.

My smile dampened, but I quickly recovered from my small stumble, "...until she has to move on somewhere else," I finished.

Mindy tapped her long, black, claw-like nails against the counter, her lips formed in a thoughtful pout.

"She lives with you...?" She almost mumbled, and I nodded. Mindy was silent for a moment before she drew in a deep breath and shrugged, "no offense to her, but she acts just a bit strange," she chuckled slightly.

My eyebrow raised and I looked over at her quizzically. I tell her Fawn is my friend, and she insults her right in front of me?

"I mean," she snorted softly, "what lady wears pants? And the way she speaks? I had a conversation with her and she is an odd one that's for sure," she said.

Although she made sure to keep her tone light, there was a clear condescending undertone to the way she spoke about her.

The smile on my face curled up as I lowered my eyelids, letting my eyes darken and my friendly mask crack just slightly.

"At least she has some flare to her, and a beautiful personality as well!" I said, watching Mindy's expression change at the overly honeyed tone of my voice, "unlike some women I know who are bland...not a single unique bone in their body."

With that statement I finished my coffee and put the mug into the sink, turning to her with a wide smile. The shocked expression on her face was delicious, and I felt that itch bubble up inside me.

Something about her insulting Fawn just made me want to hurt her.

Alas, she's our best reporter and I do respect her as a worker at the end of the day.

That doesn't stop me from humbling her slightly.

"Oh! And did I mention that Fawn will be joining me for a segment soon? Ah, yes, she has just the loviest voice. Make sure my reports are top notch for when she does!" I chirped, giving her a snakish grin as I passed her.

She's been asking me for months if she can co-host with me and I've turned her down every single time...I'm sure the realization that she's been passed up by someone who doesn't even work here hurts more than any nasty thing I could say to her.

There was silence, and then just the tiniest "yes sir..."

My grin widened at her dejected tone and I nearly chuckled. Then when I was about to leave, Niffty burst into the break room.

Man, this break room is popular this time of day.

"Oh, there you are!" She chirped, "Fawn just came in, she's waiting for you in your office," Niffty said before zipping away.

My mood brightened instantly and I left the break room without another thought.

I found myself to be walking quickly to get to my office, my chest feeling fuzzy and my brain buzzing with excitement.

The moment I stepped in, I spotted her sitting in my office chair. She was spinning around in leisurely circles, but when she heard me she stopped and looked towards the doorway.

A bright smile lifted on her lips and she waved at me.

"Hey!" She called.

I sped walked over to her and held my hands out for her to take, which she did immediately.

Pulling her up, I gave her a twirl and she giggled.

"Well hi!" She giggled, "I guess someone missed me," she joked, but her words made me freeze.

My eyes widened slightly when I realized...she's right.

That's what this feeling is...I missed her.

Huh...

"Al?"

I blinked and focused back on her.

"Ah! Yes, darling, I apologize...anywho, I suppose it was quite boring without you around...I can't wait for you to do your segment with me, it'll be so much fun!" I said with enthusiasm.

Her soft smile brightened and she nodded, then she got a weird look in her eyes and they fell to her feet. Her smile faltered.

That was strange...

"Darling? Everything alright, mon petit faon?" I asked her softly, putting my fingers under her chin to raise her head. (My little Fawn)

Immediately her dampened expression brightened and she brushed my fingers away from her face, chuckling.

"Yea, I'm fine...just a little tired is all," she explained, and I smiled, feeling relieved that it's nothing too series.

"Ah! A day out will do that...did you eat enough?" I questioned her, giving her a slightly stern look.

She rolled her eyes, "yes, mom," she said, chuckling. I laughed as well, going to sit in my chair as she hopped up and sat on my desk.

I then proceeded to tell her all that she missed while she was out and she listened with a content smile on her face, her feet swaying slightly.

That warm feeling settled in my chest as we talked, and I felt myself relax fully into my chair,
feeling completely comfortable with her.

A strange feeling that I still don't understand, but with her it's welcome nonetheless.