What causes this noise?

Super prominent after first starting the car. Still not sure what causes it.

Got a Polaroid photo stuck in the steering wheel part… had no idea it was that deep, does anyone know a good way to fish it out maybe?

Hello, I'm a guy who's not great with car things. But my "service engine soon" light came on, and there's this dark black stuff leaking from this area. It's probably oil, but i've heard there are other things that look like oil, but aren't, I guess. And the guys who did my oil change semed to think it was transmission fluid. But I don't know. All I know is that this part is wet, and it probably shouldn't be. Any advice or clues?

I'm not sure what this is, but i'm hoping it's minor so that way I can fix this. I'm really hoping it's not an expensive repair. But I also love this car, and I don't want it to quit on me. I tried to take pictures of where it was damp, but I couldn't quite get a good angle. Sorry if that makes it harder to identify