Beside her, Lily was arranging a magnificent flowers and fruit display for the upcoming convention events, her gentle presence a calming counterpoint to Evangelina's growing unease.
"I should follow them," Evangelina stated firmly, beginning to drift in the direction the three had taken.
"Be careful," Lily whispered."There's something about tonight that feels...unsettled."
"Agreed."Evangelina raised an eyebrow."I'll return as soon as I'm sure they are not causing any trouble."
Evangelina moved toward the forest path, the monotone speech fading as she glided away from the clearing.She paused near a cluster of ancient oaks when two voices engaged in what appeared to be a heated but subdued conversation caught her ear.
"I'm not finished," came Evelyn's quiet voice, barely audible above the distant drone of Madame Grimm's lecture.
"But you have to be," Cornelius replied, his pleasant tone carrying an edge of impatience.
"You're rushing me," Evelyn protested, her voice gaining a hint of desperation."This will compromise everything."
"It doesn't have to be perfect," Cornelius said smoothly."Just better than the last."
There was a pause, and when Evelyn spoke again, her voice was barely a whisper."That wasn't my fault."
"What wasn't your fault?"Cornelius's tone sharpened slightly.
"You know exactly what I mean," Evelyn replied.
Evangelina drifted closer.
"The arrangements are final," Cornelius continued."Everything depends on tomorrow's presentation."
"I just need more time—"
"Time we don't have," he cut her off firmly.
"Mr.Lennox!Ms.Marsh!"Evangelina suddenly called out.
"Oh!How wonderful to encounter a representative of our delightful host town," Cornelius's tone shifted to one of pleasant surprise as he spotted Evangelina's approaching form.
Evangelina materialized more fully, studying the pair with keen interest."Good evening.I trust you're both settling in well?"
"Absolutely," Cornelius replied with that magazine-cover smile."Though I'm afraid we're dealing with a small logistical issue regarding tomorrow's book reading.Some confusion about the arrangements that we're trying to sort through."
Evangelina's gaze shifted to Evelyn, whose mousy form seemed to radiate tension despite her attempt to appear composed.The smaller ghost was wavering which Evangelina recognized as distress, while Cornelius maintained the steady, controlled emanation of someone accustomed to managing tense situations.
"I see," Evangelina said carefully."Well, if there's anything our town can do to assist with your...deadline concerns..."
"Most kind," Cornelius said."I'm certain we'll have everything resolved shortly."
Something in the interaction struck Evangelina as off-balance, “she looked toward the woods where the three ghosts has floated.She needed to see what they were up to, but she also felt compelled to keep an eye on the pair in front of her.“Tell me more, let me see if I can help.”
Cornelius raised and eyebrow, and began to weave a tale of microphones, and projections.Talking about lighting and floral arrangements.All the logistics of his upcoming spotlight speech, which had nothing to do with the true concerns floating between he and Evelyn.He expertly guided Evangelina back toward the clearing and away from his assistant, unknowingly keeping her from her spying expedition.
Meanwhile, the three truant spirits had made their way through the dark forest and back to the cemetery, giggling like schoolboys as they emerged from the tree line.
"Freedom!"Finn announced, spreading his ghostly arms wide."No more lectures about proper ectoplasmic etiquette!"
"I vote we explore this delightful little graveyard," Beau declared."Perhaps find some local spirits to dig up."
"Look there," Chet pointed toward a large mound of fresh earth near one of the older headstones."Someone's been doing some late-night gardening."
The trio approached the disturbed ground curiously, only to hear the unmistakable sound of deep, contented snoring emanating from beneath the soil.
