The Neverywhere Inn

>Rattling noises.
>Smile again, wider. Wider. A little bit of inky black drips from the torn flesh down the next, before hardening

NAME responds with a chuckle, which manifests as a rattling sound. Jagged teeth glint as the smile splitting their buttery, tight skin spreads.

NAME
y o u ' r e
w e l c o m e.

GRETEL markedly pales when a glob of tar dribbles down NAME's chin. It crystallizes and crumbles to the floor in dark shards.

>Yes, it will be beneficial to work with you. Come, the customers are waiting. So begins our dark work.

GRETEL
That's... an interesting way to describe saying hello to visitors.

She throws VESI a nervous look. VESI doesn't seem to notice, preoccupied as she is directing DRAK and MAU to the lounge.

DAKN tilts his head at NAME. The blackbird's lack of expressive features has NAME struggling to read his mood.

DAKN
So.
If you don't mind my asking--which I hope you don't, colleagues ought to be open with one another--what, exactly, are you?

NAME
h u n g r y.

DAKN
Er. Allow me to rephrase: what manner of creature are you, dear, faceless friend?