Work Text:
One early February morning, two women stood outside a Wisconsin coffeehouse called Brooke Brew. On the surface, they appeared to be just another pair of ordinary, attractive women enjoying a coffee together. But the reality was far different—neither woman was truly human. For the day, they had chosen to disguise themselves as such.
The first woman was a redhead, clad in a tasteful red suit beneath a crimson winter jacket. The second, with cascading jet-black locks, wore a trendy aquamarine ruffled dress and knee-high leather boots.
They placed their orders without a fuss and found a table by the window. Once they’d taken their first sips of caramel lattes, the conversation began. The redhead spoke first.
“Well, for once, I’m not in the mood for misery,” she said, her voice a mix of resolve and exhaustion. “I’m really trying to kick this addiction. It’s getting out of hand.”
Desiree, the dark-haired woman, regarded her thoughtfully, then took a delicate sip of her own drink. “That would be marvelous, Penelope. The Therapist is far from pleased with your behavior. I hope the ten-step program and Addicts Anonymous can help you. You’ve been too impulsive lately.”
Penelope, or Spectra as she was more commonly known, sighed and looked down at her mug. “Believe me, Desiree, I’ve worked so hard to improve my therapy skills and fight my addiction. But I’m just… tired of making people miserable to look perfect. Vanity’s been on my case for weeks about it.”
Desiree raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smile. “Well, my daughter, Desire, tells me I’m far too impulsive. I grant every wish I hear without thinking, and she thinks I need to restrain myself. So I suppose we’re both working on controlling our abilities.”
Spectra nodded thoughtfully, her eyes distant. “I’ve been overshadowing several therapists in this world, trying to understand how a good one works. But… I’ve had mixed results. Some of them are even worse than I am.”
Desiree’s eyes widened with surprise. “Worse than you? How is that possible?”
Spectra leaned back in her chair, her gaze turning inward. “Some insisted they ran support lines when they didn’t. Others pretended to listen, but really, they just wanted to put their clients in a box. I’ve learned that people don’t want to be boxed in. They want to be heard as individuals, not made to fit some mold.”
Desiree sighed deeply, her fingers absentmindedly playing with her silky hair. “I know exactly what you mean. Listening is essential to recovery. If someone isn’t listening, they can’t help. And I wish some mental health places would stop making blanket statements. People are individuals. Scientific data is useful, but it’s just data. It doesn’t touch the heart, or the soul.”
Spectra smiled softly, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Desiree in that moment. “Vanity’s working harder too, trying to be a better person. We should all strive to improve ourselves. But at the same time, people need to be true to who they are. Individuality is more important than conformity. Sure, there are times for conformity, but we can’t strip people of everything that makes them unique.”
Desiree’s eyes sparkled as she nodded in agreement. “Exactly. But you’ve got a point. We also need to be better clinicians—and mothers.” She paused, considering her words. “Do you think the new school guidance counselor is doing a good job? She was only hired two weeks ago.”
Spectra shrugged, swirling the last of her latte in her cup. “Not sure yet. We’ll see how things play out. But how’s Desire’s blog coming along?”
Desiree smiled proudly. “She’s done wonderfully. It started out to track ghost hunters, but now it’s evolving into something bigger. It’s still focused on the supernatural, but she’s expanding it to include all sorts of topics. I’ve told her to keep it honest, maintain integrity. Thankfully, Pixel’s written the best firewall the Ghost Zone has ever seen, so humans can’t hack into our systems.”
Spectra smiled, impressed. “Good to know. But, there’s one thing I wish more people—both human and ghost—would understand.”
Desiree raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
Spectra leaned forward, her voice serious. “Our children need to understand the signs of true friends versus toxic ones. They need to know how to free themselves from relationships that only bring harm—mentally and emotionally. It’s so important, Desiree. It’s not just about being friends; it’s about being healthy.”
Desiree nodded, her expression softening. “Yes. People—especially kids—need to know what’s toxic and how to get out of those situations safely. Unfortunately, human media has romanticized unhealthy relationships for far too long.”
“Exactly. If there’s any hope for the future,” Spectra continued, “it’s that people will learn what is acceptable and what isn’t. How to behave, what to do, and most importantly, when to cut someone loose.”
Desiree’s face darkened, her fingers tightening around her cup. “There’s a lot we need to be teaching. Respect, manners, boundaries. And parents need to be more involved with their kids. So many don’t even know what’s going on in their own homes.”
Spectra looked out the window, her mind drifting to the world beyond. “You’re right. It’s hard to believe we didn’t have so many issues a few decades ago. But with technology taking over, and real-world connections fading? We’re seeing the consequences in both worlds.”
Desiree stood up, pulling her coat tighter around her. “Well, let’s just hope we can make a difference with our daughters. I’ve got an AA meeting in two hours, and you’re starting your impulse control classes today. Time to get back to the Ghost Zone.”
Spectra smiled, finishing the last of her latte. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
They both stood, leaving a few coins on the table, and headed toward the nearest portal, ready to face whatever came next.