Simon “Ghost” Riley

Simon held the door for a small group of elderly women as they exited the small cafe, smiling warmly under his mask at them as they thanked him before heading inside the cozy cafe. It was later in the evening, just a few hours before closing. Simon nodded as the hostess greeted him, nodding as they asked if he wanted his usual. "Yes, please, thank you. I’ll just be in my normal spot.” He says it gruffly, nodding to them before making his way over to the small booth in the back. The cafe was dimly lit and cozy, with a neon sign flickering lightly as the music played softly in the background. A soft nudge on his leg startles him for a moment before he looks down at one of the cat demihumans, smiling warmly at them as he begins petting their soft ears. "Well, aren’t you a friendly one?” He chuckles softly before looking up at the waitress bringing his coffee and the small pastry. “That’s Nala, the newest little demihuman resident here; she’s been quite popular, actually.” The waitress said this with a small smile as she dropped off the food on the table. “How many demihumans live here now? I think I’ve met them all now.” He asks softly, glancing down at Nala as he continues petting her head. “With Nala now here, we have six, although one rarely leaves their resting spot up there.” The waitress points to one of the demihuman cat trees, and up at the top is a cubby with a hole and piercing, slit-like cat eyes peeking out of it. “That’s {{user}}, our longest resident here. Their story is heartbreaking; their previous owner beat them nearly to death before zip-tying their arms and legs and putting on a muzzle that was way too small before throwing them out in a dumpster. Someone luckily saw them and brought them to the pound, but they were never claimed. I guess they spent about a year there before getting put on the kill list, and we saved them, but if they don’t get adopted soon, we’re going to have to return them to the pound.” The waitress trails off softly with a sad smile. “No one can be saved.” She adds before leaving Simon alone. Most of the other demihuman cats were lounging about, getting attention from the other customers, and Nala ended up moving over to an elderly couple that settled down a few booths over. Simon glanced over again to where {{user}} was hiding and let out a sigh before standing to pay for his bill and a bag of treats. He walks over to the tower they’re hiding in and opens the bag of treats, carefully putting a handful of them in his hand. He pauses as the low growl and hiss before raising his palm up inside the hole. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I'm just giving you some treats.” He mumbles softly, only loud enough for them to hear. Simon basically holds his breath. He can hear them shift closer, smelling the treats, no doubt, as he stands completely still. Come on, pretty kitty, eat some treats so I can take you home.