"What is your name?" the same girl asked as the giggles of the other girls started to abate.
"M-A-R-R-Y," Ayana spoke into the phone, and sure enough, the letters were spelled out on the board.
"Let me, let me," one of the girls said. "marry, do you know everything?"
At that, Ayana handed the receiver over to the woman. "Thank you, Betty. I just wanted to show Miss Zannah here a little of what you do." Betty smiled and took the receiver and began spelling out another answer for the teens as Ayana led Mifa away from her desk.
"So that's what you do? Party tricks?"
"No, that's not what you and I do," she answered. "But things that are used to make contact with spirits, like those boards, do call into that area and they are the ones who answer."
Mifa laughed. "So you're telling me this area is an Ouija board call center?"
Ayana paused for a moment, thinking it over, then nodded. "In a way, yes. They also monitor haunted locations for signs of trouble. They have a lot of responsibilities, cleaning after any accident but I thought you might find that a bit interesting."
"So if a kid pulls out a board, they're talking to someone here?"
"Most of the time." Ayana nodded. "There are times when something or someone else takes the call before us."
"Like demons?"
"We prefer to call them Non-Human Spirits or curse spirits. Now, shall I show you to your new home?"
"Lead the way." She smiled with a gesture for Ayana to lead the way.
They stood outside of a door in a fairly unremarkable hallway. The door, however, was unique in that it did not have a doorknob. Ayana gestured to the door. "Your touch is the key to opening it."
Mifa reached forward, hesitating only for a moment before laying her hand on the cool, smooth wood of the door. The door swung open and Mifa stepped inside, followed by her new partner. She let out a low whistle as she looked around. "This is mine?"
The main room was very nicely appointed with rich blues and creams and soft fabrics and rich woods. The couch was pale blue suede with darker blue and cream-colored pillows in silk and velvet neatly placed on it. The carpet appeared to be made of a very thick, very soft pile. The coffee table was a dark wood that seemed to have been polished to a high shine. One item in the living room stood out tremendously to Mifa. "We get TV?"
"Not like what you are thinking, no. This is a way you can check in on those you love and watch over them. Now there is the usual two-week ban for the newly arrived, so the screen is useless to you now. When they send me word of your activation I'll be happy to show you how to use it,"
"Two weeks? Who decided that?"
"It's generally the time it takes for us to begin to let go. and move on. Some go through it faster, others slower, but generally two weeks is the time frame we use before we let spirits look back in on what they've left behind."
"Do you ever have any who never let go?"
"Those like that, who never want to let go, are haunting spirits. But that pertains more to work than to home, so we'll discuss that tomorrow."
"Does your place look like this?" she asked and ran her hand over the soft fabric of the couch,
"No, it's different. Our homes tend to cater to our personalities." Mifa looked around at the soft plush fabrics and colors with an arched eyebrow. " I hardly think soft and frilly fits me."
"No more facades are necessary. There is no need to keep up the tough appearance. There's no harm or shame in enjoying the feel of velvet or soft cushions. No need to be ashamed of having a softer side."
Mifa looked back at Ayana and narrowed her eyes for a moment. "Why is it I get the feeling you know a whole lot more about me than you have said?"
Ayana merely smiled and lifted her shoulders in a shrug without saying a word.
"How much do you know?" she asked.
"How much do you wish me to know?"
"Wow, that is so very much not an answer."
"Forgive me. I know a great deal about you. I did have to read your file after all, and This is the afterlife. It had details of everything, so I can best help you adjust." Mifa frowned and shifted her weight from foot to foot. She knows Ayana was lying.
" It's just... I don't know. I have never really opened up to anyone. I know so little about you and yet you seem to know a whole hell of a lot about me. I just really feel flat-footed. At a little bit of a disadvantage," she explained. She didn't like people knowing things about her that she hadn't told them. It made her feel exposed.
"I'm not trying to make you feel like that. I just have to know about you. It helps me to assist you through this transition."
Mifa nodded. giving into her lies. "I get it. I do. It's just weird for me. I'm the kind of person that deliberately doesn't open up to others. Which I'm sure you know since you seem to know so much about me. It's just not something I'm used to. And it's been a hell of a day."
"Yes well, it's not every day that you die, get a new job, and a new home. In that order." Ayana added the last with an understanding smile. she pointed to a darkened archway. "Your bedroom is through there. And yes, you will need to sleep to recharge your energy. Clothing is something of a mental-image matter, as I explained to you earlier. I'm not sure how it will work for you, but I personally have drawers of clothes and change on a daily basis."
"Really?"
"Yes. They try to keep things somewhat normal, especially for those making the transition. And I'd hazard a guess you're not really absorbing information anymore." She looked tired and her eyes seemed to be glazed over. Ayana reached out and took her arm. "Come on." She led her through the darkened archway, the room beyond lit up as they entered.
There was a chest of drawers against one wall and a wardrobe, both of the same rich dark wood that the coffee table was made from. The bed was easily a king size and had a maroon velvet comforter on it. Ayana pulled down the covers and Mifa eased down into the bed.
"My apartment is just across the hall. I'll pick you up in the morning, but if you need me in the meantime, I'll be there, okay?"
Mifa nodded, feeling the wash of fatigue all through her. It had indeed been a hell of a day, and she was feeling every second of it. Her head hurt, her muscles felt like lead, and all she wanted was to just curl up and sleep. She laid back, enjoying the feeling of the soft mattress, fluffy pillows, the cool sheets, and a warm blanket.
"I would say sweet dreams, but I think you would be happier if you didn't dream at all." Ayana let her lie down and then tucked her in before she turned to leave.
"Ayana?"
"Yes, Zannah?"
"Can I call you Ayna?"
"Absolutely not."
They smiled at each other, then Ayana turned and left, and Mifa drifted off to sleep.