Corvus handed Crystal a wrapped sandwich, which she eagerly unwrapped and began eating. She was so hungry that she was almost able to look past the strangeness of the pumpkin bread used for it ("Really? Pumpkin? It's June!"). In between bites, she continued conversing with the portrait and Corvus.
Herbert, it turned out, was the original owner of the property they now owned. He explained that the shop previously specialized in selling magical jewelry and gemstones, but that maintaining a reputable business in such a trade was difficult.
Herbert swished his thick hair out of his handsome face, his light blue eyes looking wistfully off into the distance as he spoke. "It was tragic to watch the business fall into disrepair, particularly as my living counterpart grew older. Eventually, they abandoned the business, and me, all together."
"Poor thing." Crystal patted the frame of the portrait sympathetically, accidentally leaving a sandwich crumb. She quickly dusted it back off. "You must be so lonely."
"Well, there will be plenty of people here soon. Hopefully by this time next week! You'll never have to worry about the business being empty again." Corvus was cheerful, sipping on a bottle of butterbeer. "Coffee brings people in like nothing else."
"A week? Do you think we'll be able to get that much done?" Crystal thought of her foot going through the stair, and the banging noises in the walls. "I mean, this place is kind of a dump. No offense, Herbert."
Herbert sniffed proudly at the comment, but did not respond otherwise.
Corvus patted Crystal on the shoulder, "Have a little faith in my vision, Crys. It will happen."