The scent of coffee permeated the air as soon as the visitor entered the downtown Providence shop. The coffee brewed here was fresh, a hazelnut flavor, based on the scent. Overhead, gentle pop music played for background noise through the store, though at a low enough volume that the lyrics were undecipherable. On the right side of the store, a few younger men in their 20s were huddled around and watching a match of Mortal Kombat X between two people. On the left side of the store, there were several groups in the middle of their TTRPG sessions. One of these tables even had two people playing Magic: The Gathering.

At the counter of the store, the proprietor of the cozy establishment leaned forward with a book in her hands. A collection of works by Edgar Allan Poe, compiled in a thick paperback book with a black cover. When the visitor drew close, she instinctively closed the book, without even looking up at them. She slid the book aside out of view behind one of the many machines behind the counter. She leaned forward, right elbow on the counter, her hand beneath her chin. The woman did not look bored, nor annoyed, but not welcoming either. "Welcome to the Ash & Alloy. I'm Danielle. Everyone calls me Dani, though..." Her words were calm and detached, almost having a wistfulness to them. "Coffee? Renting a computer in the back? Or something else?"