As Corvus's voice faded into half verbalized mental checklists, Crystal tried her best to visualize the new coffee bar, tables, and register that would fill the room and replace the overturned couch, empty display counter, and general detritus that littered the floor. She sighed and leaned against the nearest wall. A series of loud bangs ran up it behind her. She jumped back, her wand drawn, eyes wide.
Corvus raised her eyebrows at Crys, who mouthed silently, "What if it's ghosts?"
Corvus laughed. She picked up an empty sack with an unidentified label from the floor and threw it at Crystal's head. "Then we'll have extra eyes to watch the building for us. Now stop moping and help me pick up."
Crys shivered at the idea of ghost eyes watching her. She'd never quite gotten used to the normality of hauntings in the wizarding world.
She raised her wand and absentmindedly spoke a few words to get the smaller pieces of trash airborne, then netted them with her empty sack as she walked. Work continued as the day dragged on. They finished disposing of the smaller trash, then moved onto the couch. It took both of them concentrating and several failed attempts before successfully casting Evanesco on it, making the ratty old thing vanish.
They bemoaned the lack of takeout options ("Surely we can get pizza somewhere?") before Corvus agreed to venture out and see what she could scrounge up for them.
Crystal decided to stay and investigate their new lodgings. The storefront had several rooms above it which the two planned to stay in. As she ascended the stairs her foot went through a rotten board, and Crystal quietly regretted buying site unseen. She cast a Reparo charm before finishing her trek up the dark stairwell.
"Lumos!" The upstairs landing filled with light, illuminating three doorways. The door directly across from the stairs opened into a dank creepy looking attic. A bang echoed inside of it as soon as she opened the door, so Crys quickly slammed the door shut. "Nope!"
The next room she opened was the door to the right of the stairwell. A tall bookshelf, old bed frame with no mattress, and small writing desk waited for her. There was even a functioning window with all of its glass intact.
She smiled and took off her moss green jacket and tossed it on top of the desk, revealing her heavily tattooed arms. She looked over the pictures of intertwining vines and other flora curiously, searching for something.
"Artie? Where are you hiding?" She lifted the top of her sleeves, revealing a sleeping python tattoo curled on top of her shoulder. She covered him back up and gently patted the snake tattoo. Probably jetlagged, she thought, Best to let him sleep.
It was then that she heard someone gently clear their throat. Expecting it to be Corvus, she turned to the doorway only to find it empty. There was another polite cough, followed by a voice.
"Pardon me, madam. Would it be presumptuous of me to ask what you are doing in my home?"