Squid Ink

A small bookstore sits at the corner of 8th Avenu and West 34th Street. It is a real hole-in-the-wall style place, the store itself barely over 150 square feet, including the basement. But what it lacked in bulk it made up for in community. The surrounding blocks loved the little bookstore and its quiet but gentle owner. It might not carry all the latest releases or best sellers, but its inventory is curated for its customers. Kids books for the daycare a couple of blocks over. A small but dedicated manga selection for the teenage cafe clerk down the street. Even a small section downstairs dedicated to occult books and tarot cards for the local group of self-proclaimed witches. And if they didn't have what you were looking for, well the owner was all too happy to order it.

The store would receive the occasional passerby, curious about the quaint shop or the black and white cat that could be seen sunning itself in the window or napping on the front counter. The store wasn't glamorous or lucrative. Usually making just enough to stay open. Which suited the owner just fine.

Name: Rowan Murphy
Nickname(s): Ro, Murph, Red, Coffee Bean, whatever struck Mateo's fancy

Race: Caucasian
Sex | Gender: Male | Non-Binary
Gender Pronouns: He/They
Age: 27

Rowan inherited the Book store when his grandmother, who raised them, passed away. His great-grandmother had opened the store as a cafe and speakeasy back in the 20's. His grandmother turned it into a bookstore in the 60s and Rowan had been loathed to change much of anything since he inherited it. Diagnosed with Autism when they were twelve, running a store hasn't been easy. Especially when property and income taxes came easier to them than interacting with customers. But they managed, and it didn't hurt that his grandmother left them with enough savings for him to survive on the interest alone. All in all, Rowan was living their best life. They were surrounded by books, they had their cat Squid, and they wanted for nothing. So why did they feel so lonely?

Name: Mateo Moreno
Nickname(s): Matty, Teo,

Race: Mixed Hispanic
Sex | Gender: Male | Cisgender
Gender Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 28

Rowan's childhood best friend turned flatmate, Mateo and Rowan had known each other since pre-school. Mateo is used to Rowan's quirks and habits. Even helping the redhead grow past many of them and learn to cope with a world that cares little for his needs. Ever since they were kids the bookstore had been a place to escape their own family that had too many people in a too-small apartment. After Grandma Murphy passed he had practically moved in with Rowan to help his friend cope. He just never seemed to get around to moving back out. During the day he runs deliveries for the florist next door or other stores on the block. Sometimes he picks up food delivery orders in his downtime or works on his electric motorcycle. By night he usually stays home with Rowan, but on occasion, he has been known to drop in on the party or nightlife scene. If Mateo shows up, people know it's gonna be a great night.

Name: Squid Ink
Nickname(s): Squiddy, Squids

Breed: Domestic Mixed Breed
Sex | Gender: Female
Gender Pronouns: She/Her
Age: ~5

The titular Squid Ink herself and the mascot of the bookstore. So named for her coat which looks splattered with splotches of black ink. Rowan adopted her from a nearby shelter after his grandmother moved into foster care and they've been inseparable ever since. Squid has become something of an emotional support pet for Rowan. Almost always somewhere nearby when he needs her and Mateo isn't around. A bit on the lazy side she spends most of her time napping around the store. But she is incredibly friendly and eats up attention just as fast as she eats treats. Even willing to cope with the occasional rough child or photo session. But Rowan will always be her favorite human, even if Mateo spoils her a bit too much.