This was a pleasant story with believable characters. The ennui of former art students is effectively drawn.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking of Shadow Over Innsmouth. It's as if the author replaced the bulging eyes and tiaras with a pointed elfin chin and hemp jewelry. And included happiness. Bonus points to the author for successfully resisting the urge to use the word "elfin" in any of their descriptions.
I also thought of this comic: (spoiler tags to minimize screwing with the page size) (http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20131224.png)
Anyone else notice how Dave's hyperbole usage seems to be following a hyperbolic curve? ;D
I would say it more closely resembled an inverted parabolic curve with an offset, but we never do the pedantic thing around here.