[Kallile]

Roux

He wasn't really sure why he had decided to stay home and hand out the candy this year. True, the Estate had gained a few new little ones recently but his housemates were the only ones to ever visit...couldn't they just get the candy from the kitchen themselves? He supposed it didn't matter, it made some of the others talk to him more nicely so it was a plus. And he got to see all the youngsters dressed up and having fun.

A smile touched the blindingly orange Lucain's muzzle under his sheet. He was a ghost--an old school ghost comprised of an old white sheet with eye holes cut in it--and that was good enough for him. He was too old to trick or treat, what did it really matter for the candy-hander-outer anyway?

His cauldron of candy at his side, Roux sat by the door and waited for that first ring of the bell. His tails even wagged ever so slightly in anticipation.

[Kallile]

It didn't take long for the first trick-or-treaters to arrive..though not as Roux was expecting them too.

He could hear the sounds of giggles and laughter echoing through the halls of the Estate...which was unfortunate when one trio in particular decided to take advantage of his unassuming vigilance. They were upon him so suddenly the male let out a ghoulish howl and jumped as two voices yelled out "BOO!" as they tackled him to the ground. An older voice laughed in the background.

"Did we scare you Uncle Roux?"
"Did we?"
"We're the scariest right?"

When Roux finally found his feet under him again and righted his sheet, he looked to the young siblings Jocelyn and Tobias in full costume. Jocelyn was...something of a pink fairy punk. He wasn't really sure what to make of her more...unique approach to her outfit. Tobias, too, was dressed a little oddly in a rubber mask that Roux had never (and didn't want to ever again) seen before.

"W-who are you supposed to be?"

"Gothic Tinkerbelle!"
"The Boogie Man!"
"And I'm a starving artist." Xander said as he finally came into view, covered head to toe in black clothing with rubber bones glued in their appropriate spots carrying an art easel under his arm. "I see you went the vintage classic route."

Roux nodded, his sheet trembling as he tried to calm himself down and laughed nervously. "Y-you got that?..."

He shook his head, pulling his cauldron closer. "O-oh! Right. H-here kids, here's your candy. Going out to meet the rest of the family?"

Xander nodded as the two pups dove into the cauldron to pick out their treats. "Yup, meeting Ianthe and Oliver somewhere more populated. Doesn't mean we can't haunt the house a little before we leave though."

The children were back to Xander's sides in moment, chocolate delights abound in their bags and paws. Jocelyn already gnawed on a piece while Tobias held a piece rather woefully as he silently lamented wearing a rubber mask to trick or treat in.

"Well we should get going if we want to get some good family time in. See you later Roux! Don't let too many ghouls get to you or you will be a ghost by the time we get back!"

And then they were gone out the door Roux should be answering, but someone else was already there. Xander and the kids politely squeezed by, leaving Roux to face his next batch of haunts alone.

[Kallile]

As the families gently edged past one another, Roux felt rather touched by the next group that stood before him. It was hard to miss the massive Paragon and his Lucain mate; and they were harder to miss now. Zeake had tied back his long Nago whiskers and painted careful lines onto his wings so that when spread they looked like the wing blades of a Lucain. His claws were covered with hoops of leaves to look like fur, same as his chest and hips.

Kaitori on the other hand had spent a good deal of time smoothing her fur down until she looked almost plastic-coated and shiny. Her wing blades had been draped with fabric to make them look more like Paragon wings and she had bound her tri-tails together to make them look more like a single tail.

Mika had adorned herself in feathers and had a dark yellow hued pine cone tied to the front of her face, making her look like a tiny woodland bird next to her rather giant family. Roux gave them a nod, inching the cauldron closer to Mika as he spoke.

"Been a l-long time since you're been back Z-eake. Nice to see you all ag-gain." It had been a long while since Zeake's disapproving father had left the Estate for bigger and better things. It made sense to start seeing the family again now that their greatest obstacle was no longer living on the premise.

"It was time to come back, Mika needs to learn that she has somewhere other than a cave where she can feel safe. We...would like to start coming back to live here for the winter months. If M'lady would allow it."

Kaitori nodded, smiling gently at Roux as she watched Mika select her candies from the corner of her eye. "It would be nice for her to have somewhere to truly call home again. And I know she'd love playing with all the other kids. Oh, Mika, what do you say sweetheart?"

The little Myu, her beak-nose pushed up between her eyes to allow her to hold a rather large jawbreaker in her mouth, grinned from around her prize. "Tick or 'eat!" She mumbled from around her mouthful. Kaitori gave a defeated sigh and shook her head softly. Roux chuckled.

"She's fine, she'll g-get it!" He said happily as Mika retreated back to her parents. "B-but it's still early...you s-should go enjoy yourselves. I'll a-ask lady Kallile about you m-moving back in when I see her next."

[Kallile]

It was several minutes later before the bell was rung and for the first time at that despite the candy cauldron having already taken a hit. He was just about to get comfortable when the sharp sound overtook the foyer and made him sprawl out a little in a mock-jump of surprise. The giggles had faded long ago, surely there were no more kids left in the Estate. Someone actually came all the way out here? That was exciting...and terrifying. But Roux had been given a job and despite his fears he nosed the door open.

Before him stood a rather familiar cast, as many young ones at the Estate were obsessed with the movies. The Lucain leader was dressed all in black with an extra long grey and black scarf wrapped around his neck. The oldest looking Candycane Teigu wore a pair of glasses, plaid skirt with red high top chucks, a white t-shirt and olive green cardigan. The middle Chocomallow wore pink in varying shades and a wooly toboggan to go with her skin already looking streaked with mud. The final, tiny Gum Teigu wore blue jean overalls over a yellow striped shirt, her ears pulled to make a funny little topknot on top of her head.

The three smiled sweetly, all holding out their candy bags with massive reptilian paws.

"Trick or treat!" They said in practiced unison as Aressian grinned broadly behind them despite his character.

"Good evening, good sir...or madame. We're from the Bright Tomorrow's Orphanage--priding ourselves in giving the children of today a brighter and happier tomorrow. We do hope you'd indulge the children in this fun holiday but if you have extra KS around that you would like to donate to keep trips like these possible, that would be the only treat or trick I would ask for tonight."

The three Teigu girls still stood, patiently, with bags gaping open. The Chocomallow fidgeted and bumped into the youngest, causing the two to start hissing arguments at each other under their breath. Roux pulled back his sheet a little to give the orphanage patron a true smile. "Oh, yes...I-I'm sure the lady of the house would be interested in do...do...helping the kids. Hang on."

Three little Teigu faces fell as the giver-of-candies disappeared back into his house for a moment though the moment Roux reappeared those smiles were back shining like thousand volt light bulbs.

"Here...for the orphanage," Roux said as he handed over a modest bag of KS to the Lucain. "And here, little girls. Candy."

Roux pulled his paw back quickly as the offered cauldron was attacked by the three girls--all pawing and pushing until each came up with a desired treat. The youngest claimed a large lollipop that could barely fit in her mouth while the pink-clad Chocomallow proudly clutched onto a handful of warheads. The oldest held a few pieces of chocolate, but she remained a moment longer to smile at Roux.

"Thank you, sir. For the treats and the donation." She offered sweetly before skipping back to Aressian's side. Clearing his throat and offering up his best Gru impression, Aressian announced their departure.

"Light buuuhlb! Alright, lettel gurls, now that we have the sweets from this house we are in need of moving to the next. Forward! March!"

All three giggled a little as they fell in line behind him...though it didn't take long for the young and small Gum to find her way up onto Aressian's back to put her massive mits on top of his head and dribble sugary slobber down his fur as she tried to make short work of her lollipop.

[Kallile]

The next trio didn't take too long to arrive, and Roux nudged the door open to be greeted by two sweet faces. The older Learf wagged his tail happily which made his mobster boss outfit look rather silly. His Lubshi companion stood beside him in her Little Red Riding Hood outfit, holding her candy bag in front of her shyly as she swayed back and forth.

"Go ahead and ask the ghost your question." The Lucain behind the pair was dressed in an all black three piece suit with a pair of red horns on his head and a red tail sticking out from between the tails of his jacket. He leaned casually to the side on a carved onyx cane with ruby inlets, seeming rather bored with the whole thing.

Vicar jumped forward first, nearly knocking his fedora loose from between his ears. "Trick or treat, see! Gimme your candy and no one gets hurt, see?" he laughed. Arche was slower to come forward, barely speaking above a whisper.

"My, what a big candy basket you have...trick or treat to share some with me please."

Roux scooted the cauldron forward and watched as the Learf dove right in while the Lubshi carefully selected herself 2 of the more expensive candies. Rev nodded his head once, picking up his cane to lift an imaginary hat in thanks.

"Alright, you lot. Next house, time's wasting."

The two children took off happily after their guardian, calling out for him to wait up. The man did slow and reluctantly took the paw of the Lubshi as she reached out for him.

[Kallile]

"Come on, come on! Next house is right over the hill!"

Roux could hear the next batch of treat-seekers before they even reached the door, so he just went ahead and opened the door to watch the next crew roll in. He could see them from some distance even in the twilit sky. A Palowockee dressed in greasy black wig and trench coat, a Neowockee dressed in her finest black and white pinstiped suit, and a little Haunted Kuhna with....a sheet with holes cut out for better vision? Aw man.

Quickly abandoning his 'costume', Roux slid it behind him with a paw just in time for the trio to bound over the last few feet separating them from the doorway.

"This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Trick or treat til the dead of night!" Skellington beamed, hoisting her candy pail all but directly under Roux's nose. Zero stood beside her, placing his own basket down as he did his best to mimic the bark of the ghost dog from the movies. W.K. came up last, a lollipop already in hand.

Roux didn't even notice the spider from the Kuhna's tail creeping into the basket to begin pilfering his owner more candy that he had earned.

"Oh, ah...t-that's from Nightmare B-before Christmas, right?"

"Sure is! Only movie that's ever been worth making!" Skellington chimed back as she gave her loot another wiggle. "So, trick or treat! Just like I already said in my song."

"Oh, ah, it's free choice. Here. T-take whatever you like."

Skellington and Zero attacked the bowl with gusto while W.K. hung back rather oddly. "Sup dude. Awesome of you to stay and house sit for the lady so she could go enjoy the holiday too." He offered awkwardly before popping his lollipop into his mouth to avoid further conversation.

As the trio left the crinkling of wrappers caught Roux's attention. There was a trail of candy stringing along behind the Haunted Kuhna and there, perched right atop the cat's back, sat the spider reeling it in!

Stomping on the remainder to break the chain of web holding the candy hostage, Roux looked with dismay into the almost empty bucket. Well, he'd have to go to the kitchen to get some more...

[Kallile]

Hurrying on his way, having grabbed up costume and cauldron as best he could manage, Roux tossed both onto the counter and began hunting for the spare candies he knew his mistress kept. She always stocked up for this season, there had to be some. Not this cabinet, nor that one. Maybe this? Nope, no luck. A gruff cough from behind him sent the poor man leaping onto the counter and nearly crashing his head up through the bottom of the very cabinets he was looking through.

"Looking for this?"



"M-m-madeline!" Roux managed to cough out as he rubbed his sore head with a paw. She sat nonchalantly on the floor with a brown sack filled to the brim underneath one lazy paw. She flexed her toes, looking at the claws on them as if boredom had simply overcome her.

"What are you supposed to be anyway?"

"G-ghost." Roux answered eyeing the bag. He needed to get back to his post! "W-what are you supposed to be? I-I thought this was your favorite day?"

"Oh, I'm the scariest thing of all." Madeline growled as she stood and sashayed over to Roux. He shrunk as she approached--nearly able to feel her fangs along his ear as she came close enough to snap his neck with a single harsh word. "Myself."

Roux gathered all the courage he had within him to slide underneath of her, grabbing the cauldron and candy bag as he raced back towards the door. "Very convincing! H-happy Halloween, have some candy!" He yelled over his shoulder as he dropped some treats from the overflowing bag.

"Have to get back to the door!"

Madeline scoffed but plucked a Twix off the floor with a shake of her head. "What a freakin' chicken..." she laughed to herself as she popped the chocolate into her mouth and skulked back towards her room.

[Kallile]

When Roux came back to the door, still standing wipe open, he found himself skidding to a halt at the sight of red scaled, golden-clad legs. That's right, legs. Peering out as he trembled--forgetting all about his costume hood still being pulled back, he beheld the massive paragon and his trio of golden dragonesses that stood at his gates.

"Oh wonderful, someone is here!"
"It's a very small someone..."
"He'll hardly have enough to offer you, Jael!"

The trio of Hollowhearts twittered among themselves as the massive red Voidbringer stared Roux down. He was dressed as a warrior king and very obviously had manipulated pieces of his own golden collection to fit the task. All three Hollowhearts were garbed in white gowns like brides.

"His offerings will suffice." Jael rumbled. "Sigma, step forth and collect his wealth. Small dog, this is your taxation to ensure I do not plunder your home this night."

"Actually it's just trick or treating there dear-heart. We're just here for the candy."
'Right, people don't actually give us anything of value."
"Well, I value a good sweet every now and then..."

"Fine fine, so be it. Hand over the golden treats and we shall leave you in peace."

The Hollowheart, Sigma, that he had summoned stepped forth with outstretched claws. "That's Jael for 'trick or treat', m'kay doll? Just give me some gold wrapped ones and he'll be happy."

Roux quickly scooped out all the gold he could see from his bag and shoveled it into the Hollowhearts paw. The paragon rumbled pleasantly.

"Onward, treasures, to the next point of looting on this most glorious night!"

The Hollowhearts followed along and Roux could hear the chains hidden by their gowns as they moved. He really, really hoped that was part of the costume...

[Kallile]

"My my, those four were enough to scare someone to death! Wonder how they ended up coming out of their cave..."

"AHHH!" Roux sprawled on the floor as the head of yet another Paragon dropped down from somewhere on the roof. Four eyes blinked at him casually as he hyperventilated on the ground, a smile coming to rest over her face in the most unsettling way.

"Well I see it was a good thing someone with such steel-clad nerves was at the door to greet them. Just think of what that brute might have done." The whole front of the Estate creaked and groaned as the Voidbringer climbed down to lounge in front of the doorway. "Bless the Gods you are the wrong shade, or he might have taken you. You're welcome for that, by the way."

Finally as composed as he was going to get, Roux sat and stared at Deadpool as she loitered on the front lawn. "W-what d-d-do you wa-ant you crazy...!"

"Such language on a family friendly night."



This time the Khimera materialized behind Roux and the Lucain felt tears yanking at his eyes as the fear became too great. He was done...so done...

"Want? Roux, that stings. What makes you think we would want anything?"

"I couldn't agree more, we're but simple, model celestial citizens. I'm...crushed that you would think we were here because we wanted something..."

The pair looked to one another and shared a smile.

"Although if you're looking for a favor..."

"No! No. No favors from you. E-either of you!"

"This is a simple favor though my dear little Lucain. Simply...meet with a friend of ours. Two weeks time."

"And then what?"

"Just meet. We think her appearance will...help bring the house down. Maybe even bring you to hold some of Madeline's respect?"

As much as Roux would have loved for the hateful female to get off his back...he highly disliked the idea of meeting with anyone Deadpool and Cat suggested. "...Ok. But you have to send them here. My home, my rules."

"Fair enough, my boy. It can be so."

"Oh, just one more thing." Cat purred as he plucked a chocolate from the loot bag before Roux was able to cinch it closed. "It's a surprise. So don't tell a soul."

"Or I'll just have to kill you. Anyway...goodnight Roux! Happy Halloween!"

Deadpool was gone into the night sky before Roux could blink and when he turned there was only the slowly fading mechanical grin left of Cat. Shivering, the timid Lucain vowed then and there to never babysit the home at Halloween ever again.

[Kallile]

The night was almost too dark now, the time of trick-or-treating nearly at it's end. Roux had handed out candies to a few more children and now stared at an almost empty cauldron. Of course, after the meeting with Deadpool and Cat he had eaten a few himself just to help his nerves. He was shaken, but overall he was sad. So many happy children with caretakers, so many families. Jande had tried to show him the joys of that once...but it wasn't meant to be. Just as he slid out from under his costume and was preparing to retreat back into the depths of the Estate to binge on the leftovers (and possibly ice cream) a final, faint knock came from the front door.

Roux nudged it open tiredly and just...stared and blinked at what he saw standing on the front lawn.



A giant pink Paragon, a tiny quiver of arrows on one shoulder and a tiny bow hanging around his neck, fluffy white wings attached to his otherwise flightless sailfins, and a diaper over his lower half. Roux was...not expecting that from such a large and terrifying creature, but after a visit from Deadpool and Cat is was hard to be much more afraid.

"Hey you didn't run! Alright, awesome, oh, are you Roux? I'm looking for Roux." The Paragon sounded fairly young or at the very least terribly enthusiastic. Roux nodded feebly, still trying to overcome the shock of a giant cupid-clad Voidbringer.

"GREAT!" The paragon boomed, knocking an arrow out of the quiver so that it fell at Roux's paws. "Ok, here's the deal. I'm a really awesome matchmaker, and I've found someone just perfect for you! They just don't know it yet! So, here, you'll need what's inside that arrow later and I'm going to be setting up your secret date. Is that cool? You two are gonna fall so in love, I promise!"

Roux just kept nodding, slack jaws, tired, and overwhelmed. The Paragon reached out to pick up his whole front leg with a single claw to shake it. "Oh my gosh, my first match! I can't wait to tell the rest of the guys...oh! Don't forget, bring the arrow with you! I'll leave a letter with the place and time!"

And then the Paragon was off running back down the same path Roux assumed he came in on, laughing and 'whoohoo!ing' all the way until he was out of sight. He finally looked to the arrow and pulled it closer with a faint smile. Well, maybe this evening wasn't all bad.

At least he got a treat out of it too and who knew? Maybe that crazy pink guy really was a matchmaker.