Wouldn't help living people to see me, then.  And I don't get cold.

"Your call, I think I'd get tired of not... having... possessions... after a while."

Clothes show up back on your body after a while, if you take them off.  I've already got two shirts; I don't really want to add another top to the ensemble.  If it would stick to me the same way.

Or maybe you meant something broader.  To which I say:  Now I have some batteries.

"I suppose you have, at that. Happy Halloween."

Cheers.

The arm of the jacket raises as if with a glass.

I really do think I'm probably going to let you at the book.  I just—can't— tonight.  Do you understand?  I can't.

"...It really seems like the best time for it since it will be so much harder for you to answer clarifying questions at basically any other time, and I do not understand you to be unable to do so, but I acknowledge that you really really don't wanna."

The spell I've been working on is for giving ghosts more juice—more fuel for interacting with objects.  It's been really limited by me not being able to run to the store for birthday candles (metonymy).  But with you helping it could be a lot easier / more powerful / faster to write.

"I am not planning to cast any spells until I have read the entire book."

Good.

He doesn't ask where the in-progress spell is. It might not even be written down.

Has anyone close to you died?

"Not yet."

That's good.

"Yes, but it means I'm going to be doing so much talking to strangers."

Hahahaha yeah.

"Not that this hasn't been delightful."

Sure.

It's been pretty stressful for me and I'm not even learning anything worldview-shattering.

"Sorry about that."