The next day she got him sorted at a kiosk and had him ready in no time. "I've already asked some favors from the food court to bring some stuff over. Just call the number there when you're ready. Some of them owe me so they'll tell you when you're at the limit for orders. I need to hurry and cancel some of the wedding venue stuff while I can still get back a deposit." She smiled a bit. Worry, there was a lot of worry she wasn't talking about. She headed off before he could ask about it…. She needed to go get things sorted.

Within an hour, a young man with messy hair, crooked nose, and looked kind of like a human rat to be honest. walked over. "...who are you?"

"The person running this kiosk. Is there something you would be interested in buying from us?"

"I was expecting Melody to be here. What are you? Her new plaything? She doesn't take off unless her boyfriend covers."

"From what I understand, I would be a vast improvement over the person she used to trust with her shop... Now are you interested in our wares, or just harassing the artist?"

"I had papers to deliver to her. Some bills she still needs to take care of. You might want to remind her she needs to take care of them since the lien is on her business... you know... your job." He dropped the papers on the register. "Oh and if she wants to sell the house she needs to split the sales with me."

"And if I pass on these papers to her, what will you do for me? You will be the one inconvenienced if you have to come back to give them to her later."

"Fine don't give them to her. I'm not paying the mortgage on that place. I'll just move out and she can have her business taken. I don't care what happens to that mutt."

"Well, that really is too bad. I find her art to be quite divine... No, I don't think she will be losing her business. Of course, I can't have her supporting such a freeloader either.... You have two months to start paying on the mortgage yourself or move out. After that... you won't like the consequences if I get involved."

His eyes narrowed. "You just have your fun now with her while you can. You'll see soon enough... when she stops doing all her little tricks to make herself act human? You'll see what a monster she is." He headed off. After all what could some part time min wage lil twerp do?

By the time Melody came back, she looked less worried and more just stressed. She smiled at Lukas. "I'm back! Thanks again. Did you get your food?"

"Mhmm..." He was munching on a container of fries. "Got a few sales. Also had some jerk drop off paperwork. Wanted me to pass on a message too. Something about how he's the scum of the earth and plans on being a freeloader for the rest of his life."

She looked at the papers and her face fell. She looked like she was trying to control her rage and pain. "...I couldn't get myself removed from the loan.” She paused before deciding to go further. “I have to work on selling the place and he says he can't pay the mortgage. So I'll need to until it sells." She looked at the paperwork and sat in her chair. Luckily it was quiet right now. "I only did this because he wanted us to have a house; for our kids one day. And he said his family wanted a big wedding. Half the places let me cancel and get the deposits back but I'm not even getting all of that money because some of it he paid with his debit card not mine. It was money I transferred in though." She rubbed her eyes a bit. "I-I think I'm going to close up early."

"I can keep watching it so you don't have to.” His smile tried to be warm and comforting. “You need the sales, right? I'll do it for another art piece like the heart. Really, just some little thing that you make."

"I can do that... I need to work out some feelings anyway."She smiled. "Who knew demons liked art so much. Maybe I need to send delivery down there." She chuckled a little.

"Beauty, like flavor, is hard to come by in the underworlds. Some don't care. I personally enjoy such things."

She smiled a bit. "Well, I'll try to make it nice then." She headed off, Luk worried about her as she went on her way.
**

By the time he got back she was coming off another rage creation and this time just laying in the grass quietly by herself. Near her was a wooden cage with a person laying down, rattling free but unable to be removed without breaking.

Lukas grins at her. "I got you six more sales after you left, and there was also one guy who was looking for a gift for someone. He said he'd stop by after his payday as he was just browsing today."

She looked up slowly, her eyes still mostly black. She got herself into a kneeling position, her legs looking odd right now. Melody smiled a bit, rubbing her legs getting them back to normal a bit. Her hair looking more wild, raised up like an angry orc. "Thanks. It means a lot. I hope the art is ok." She picked it up and handed it over slowly. "My rage art always feels sad. It's why I never sell it."

"Sad art doesn't make it bad. Some of the prettiest art comes from places of deep hurt. Art is about emotions and for many is one place they don't have to pretend to only have positive emotions...."

"I can see that I guess... I just... I like making people feel brighter. Seeing them smile, I like that." She carefully stood up looking wobbly. "Plus being in touch with my darker instincts is.... difficult." She gently started smoothing her hair and clothes, rubbing her arms and face so they looked softer. "Any case! What food court restaurant did you like best?"

"The one with the burgers. They had so many options, it was hard to decide what to try."

"I rather like the river burger myself. Fresh sliced fish, left raw and just some seasonings put on it" Melody licked her lips a bit. "It is amazing. But then I can always eat raw fish without much worry." She started to gather the other art pieces and head inside. "I'm sorry I kept you from job hunting today. I really hope the art is enough. You looked happy coming back."

"Of course. I did a good job at my task, and now I'm going job hunting. Just stopped by for my payment and to hand over the keys to your kiosk."

Mel smiled more, a real smile not one hiding her hurt. "More people should be like you Lukas." She took the keys and made sure the art piece was properly in his hands. "I'll save some dinner for you."

"Thank you. I probably won't be back until you've gone to bed, so pleasant dreams, Songbird."

**

So the routine went on for a week. He'd help at the kisok and job hunt. Meanwhile she'd try to run her business, deal with everything, and end up raging against some stone or wood. At the end of the week, she was writing out a check for the mortgage and her share of the rent. Bob was arguing with her about it. "No, I know we had an agreement but this isn't right."

"I can handle it this month... and if I'm lucky it'll sell fast. It's a nice house."

Bob threw his hands into the air, throwing his suit coat on a nearby chair in the process. "Lukas PLEASE talk sense into your summoner?"

"And what do you expect me to do? It's not like anything I can say will change her mind." He gets a glance of the amounts on the checks. "Though the wizard is right. The amount for the rent is incorrect....."

"Huh? No, I pay that much..."

"It's three ways now remember... at least do that much for yourself."

"Oh right." She started voiding the first check and writing another. "Anyway, what am I supposed to do? Cain isn't going to pay the mortgage and my business is on the line. It's just until the house sells."

"And then you said he's taking half before the fees.” Bob slammed his hand on the table. “Woman, please! See some reason?"

"Well... Cain was supposed to be my mate, so again. I'm in the mess and I'm dealing with it."

Lukas takes out a stack of cash and puts it on the table. "There's my part of rent. I have a job to get to..." He seemed a bit upset as he ignored the conversation and walked out.