PANEL 1

Nighttime. DARIEN is looking to his left, downward, at the person he is speaking to, finishing his side of a one-sided conversation. He has a big, happy grin on his face.

DARIEN: … but enough about me. How about you?

PANEL 2

DARIEN continues grinning down at CAT, who appears out of sorts, judging by the curling pink lines emanating from her head.

CAT: Huh?

PANEL 3

The duo have been walking down a dark streetway. The space is narrow, giving a claustrophobic feeling to the oppressive dimness. From this view, the night sky is barely visible. A few lights indicate doorways or nearby shops; of considerable note is an illuminated coffee cup with a Celtic-style steam rising from it above a neon Celtic-style green and gold salmon.

DARIEN is in mid-step while CAT pauses, startled by the seemingly sudden appearance of the nighttime outdoors.

CAT: Hey, how’d we get outside?

PANEL 4

DARIEN looks a bit embarrassed. CAT regards him blankly, unsure of how to react to this new development.

DARIEN: Sorry about that. People tend to lose all sense of time when I start talking.

PANEL 5

CAT and DARIEN stand at the top of a set of wide stone stairs that lead down to an unseen lower level behind a stone wall covered in vines. An illuminated sign, featuring a simple medieval Celtic design of salmon, trees, and a puddle, reads “The Puddle”. Overhead lights create a warm glow over the sign, accentuating the surrounding greenery.

DARIEN: But you mumbled something about getting a coffee after your pint, so I offered to show you my favorite coffeehouse.

PANEL 6

We now have a view from the area of the door. CAT and DARIEN head down the stairs, with DARIEN taking the lead. The vines are more prominent, positively covering every surface except the stones.

DARIEN: I think you’ll really like this place!

PANEL 7

On the other side of the door, vines drape over the stone wall, adorned with glowing white and teal blossoms. DARIEN, holding the door open, gestures for CAT to enter first.

DARIEN: After you!

CAT: Thanks.

PANEL 8

The same view, only CAT is closer to the viewer and DARIEN is striding after her, beaming as if he’d known that she would be astounded by what lies ahead.

CAT: Oh, wow!

PANEL 9

A single-story coffeehouse with floor-to-ceiling glass windows stands near a pond with lillies, ponds, and a water creature poking out from the surface. Behind the building is a series of rock, part of a short shale mountain that has been carved over the centuries. All around in the air are glowing particles and refractions. Some kind of magick is hovering in the air.

DARIEN: Pretty neat, huh? The enchanted no-see-thru windows have a leak, but the shop is still open.

PANEL 10

Through the glass windows, DARIEN guides CAT to a cozy corner with chairs and a coffee table. Patrons occupy stools at a nearby bar. Outside, two kobolds in sweater vests enjoy takeout cups on a bench.

The see-thru windows, while clear, are adorned with glowing specks, making the view somewhat obnoxious. The earlier leakage has multiplied, dispersing particles in the air, obscuring both the inside and outside.

DARIEN: Oh, good! The usual spot is available! Take your pick.

KOBOLD 1: The sparks are getting in my drink.

KOBOLD 2: Yeah, it adds a spicy vanilla kick!

PANEL 11

Inside, we see that the no-see-thru enchantment has worked in reverse; the particles make viewing outside virtually impossible.

CAT sits in a chair, setting her purse down on the floor.

CAT: So coffee’s really taken off in Ireland in a big way.

PANEL 12

DARIEN sits across from her, his hands on his knees.

DARIEN: Where hasn’t it taken off in the world? Some folks here are still a bit wary of it.

PANEL 13

CAT: How so?

DARIEN: Okay, you know the stories how we’re not supposed to eat or drink anything supernatural because it’ll lock us to their world?

CAT: Yeah.

DARIEN: Total exaggeration. The worst that’ll happen is that we’ll be morphed or our clothes will change.

PANEL 14

A tall woman in the background waves to DARIEN. He looks over his shoulder at her.

CEIBHFIONN: Darie!

DARIEN: Cay! Come over when you’ve got a moment!

PANEL 15

DARIEN keeps looking over his shoulder, a knowing grin on his face. CAT watches on, not knowing what to expect.

DARIEN: Watch! You’ll get to see what I mean.

PANEL 16

CEIBHFIONN reaches for a coffee cup on the counter. DARIEN and CAT watch from the background.

DARIEN: The food and drinks here don’t affect mundane people. But they do affect Otherworlder and supernatural people.

PANEL 17

CAT: How is that?

DARIEN: The owners won’t say. But it’s fun to watch.

PANEL 18

CEIBHFIONN, post sip, stands in a haughty pose, one hand on her hip while the other still brandishes the drink. Her traditional Celtic clothing has transformed: the headband is now a green knitted floppy hat, her robe has turned into an oversized mustard yellow sweater. In addition to all this, she’s wearing a pair of orange jeans, a green scarf, and round glasses.

In the background, DARIEN smiles, amused. CAT is astonished.

CEIBHFIONN: Um, this coffee doesn’t taste like it’s fair trade.

PANEL 19

CAT: Oh, my god. Hipsters are still a thing?

PANEL 20

CEIBHFIONN has made her way over to where CAT and DARIEN are sitting. CAT suddenly seems nervous in the presence of the tall goddess, and begins shaking her legs.

CEIBHFIONN: A bit late for you, Darie. Did a student give you trouble on the N8 again?

DARIEN: Nah, it’s a free day for me. I thought I’d spend it rambling around.

PANEL 21

CAT waves weakly at the goddess, but her eyes are on DARIEN. She’s still shaking her legs.

DARIEN: And look who I met along the way! This is Cat Modean. She’s from the States, Virginia, specifically.

CAT: Hi. Nice to meet you. Wait. When did I tell you where I was from?

PANEL 22

DARIEN appears sheepish.

DARIEN: Yeah, sorry about that.

CAT: (Off-screen) About what?

PANEL 23

CEIBHFIONN has helped herself to a seat between CAT and DARIEN. She’s set her drink down on the table.

CEIBHFIONN: Darien’s useless superpower is being able to put sentient beings in a trance simply by talking.

PANEL 24

For whatever reason, CEIBHFIONN picks up her drink again. She gives CAT (off-screen) a condescending smile.

CEIBHFIONN: So what brings you to our fair island, Cat?

PANEL 25

CAT: I, uh, inherited an estate from someone I’d never met.

PANEL 26

CEIBHFIONN’s smile becomes even more condescending.

CEIBHFIONN: Oh, the classic “my Irish distant relative left me a crumbling castle or pub” trope.

PANEL 27

CAT: Actually, I’d never met Barty Griffin before.

PANEL 28

CEIBHFIONN leans forward. Her blue eyes have turned into stars.

CEIBHFIONN: You inherited Barty Griffin’s estate?

PANEL 29

The entire coffeehouse has come to a standstill. Everyone is looking in CAT’s direction: the barista, a woman holding her leprechaun companion in her hand, a man throwing away a cup, a dwarf stopping in mid-step, and others sitting nearby.

PANEL 30

A man stands on either side of CAT, eagerly leaning forward. The leprechaun hops up and down in front of her, his arms in the air. People outside on the deck press their hands and faces against the glass, yelling to the inside. CAT looks absolutely nervous and miserable.

RANDOM 1: Was he your father?

RANDOM 2: Does the house have a secret passage?

RANDOM 3: I run a deer thwarting service if that Chancer comes round again!

RANDOM 4: Do you give tours?

RANDOM 5: Give the place a fresh paint if you let me see his office!

RANDOM 6: Is the van still there?!