[Kylo]

"How about we play a game, Granta?"

Granta looked at Feemor skeptically.

"I promise it'll be fun."

"Okay."

"Alright I want you to imagine the scariest thing you can and tell me it. I'll tell you the scariest thing I can think of. After that we'll keep naming less and less scary things until we can't think of anything else. You go first."

Granta thought for a moment and scrunched up his face.

"Losing my daddies."

"That is very scary, Granta. Good job. For me it's the same thing. I scared of losing them too."

[Treat]

[Kitsumi]

Russell went through a few moments of wordless terror before finally finding his voice. "What the f-" he began to shout, before a glare from his cousin reminded him of the fact that this was meant to be a family friendly event. "What the heck was that?! Why didn't you try to warn me?"

To his credit, Kaden managed to swallow the rest of his laughter. "Sorry, man. I didn't notice until it was too late." When the other man didn't look convinced, he simply shrugged. "Do you wanna argue, or do you wanna get outta here?"

"Let's get the f- I mean, the heck outta here."

[Treat]

[Jaykobell]

"I'm really not interested in the candies," Clovis grumbled. Fine, maybe he was. If there was anything to check out here, it had to be the food. Free food, especially, was always appreciated. But all these people here...the kids, the pets, the people...It was all overwhelming. And he didn't want anyone to walk up to them. If strangers came up and started making small talk, Clovis didn't know how he would react.

Sergio seemed to pick up on his being anxious. "Come with me," he offered, and he extended his arm to put it behind Clovis; knowing he didn't like being touched, Sergio kept it just lightly over his back. "We'll grab a bit, and then we can go somewhere quieter."

[Treat]

[FrostWynd]

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Amid her staring out into the rest of the palace grounds, Tondra would just about quite literally get shaken back to reality by not only the strong familiar voice of her trainer somewhere behind her, but also by the sheer suddenness of getting a pair of hands grabbing at her and hoisting her up off the ground.

Yeeeep!

Everything around her would spin about as she got herself turned around so both Millie and her were facing one another, with their eyes meeting each other. It was clear from the look on her face that Millie was annoyed, but there was also that hint of relief as she'd managed to find exactly what she'd been looking for, and she sighed. "What do you think you're doing, running off like that? You're not supposed to do that, y'know..."

[Treat]

[zapdragon555]

It was difficult to say. The manor seemed absolutely labyrinthine, and a small child could certainly have gotten lost anywhere. It was also eerily quiet. Grimmer was silent for a few beats, then walked further in, stopping by an ornate dining room table with empty chairs and cupping a hand around his mouth. "Sandra? Sandra, are you in here?" he called out, his voice a little louder than usual, not quite a shout. It echoed down a few empty halls as he turned his head and called again, furrowing his brow when no reply came.

Tenma moved towards the stairs and placed a hand on the railing, wincing and frowning as dust caked his palm. He hurriedly wiped it on his coat and glanced down, only to jolt in surprise to see... "Footprints," he said aloud, softly, drawing Grimmer's attention. The taller man hurried over and looked down at the staircase, and the tiny sneaker-prints that ran all the way up. Grimmer nodded gravely and started up the stairs, Tenma trailing behind him.

"Sandra? We're here to help, if you're afraid. Your mother is looking for you," Grimmer called again at the top of the staircase, glancing about the mezzanine only for his eyes to land on a cracked-open door, nothing but darkness beyond it. Wordlessly, he began to move towards it, while Tenma felt a chill run down his spine as the floor creaked loud beneath their feet. In his defense... he'd been in enough situations in his life where silence was vital, and a loose floorboard could mean life or death.

[Treat]

[Lilith Michaelis]

Luce admittedly didn't have much of a goal in mind when he entered the haunted house portion of this whole thing, but that didn't bother him. It just seemed interesting so here he was. He wandered aimlessly through the corridors, waiting to see if anything tried to pop out or startle the next hapless victim, as would be expected.

Nothing.

Did he accidentally wander into a different part of the palace? It hadn't been as if he'd been paying attention to where he was going. Or perhaps whatever illusions or critters or actors this Metha had acquired for this were just biding their time? Maybe they sensed he wasn't so easily scared? If that was the case, Luce couldn't help but applaud them internally.

Glancing down at the rat skeleton still perched on his shoulder, he asked, "Which way d'ya think we oughta go, lil'guy?"

[Treat]

[amapup]

Moonlight shone down through high windows into a large, extravagant ballroom. Dainty figures dimly illuminated dotted the floor, motionless.

A discordant waltz broke the quiet and the figures whirled into life, moving swiftly across the floor. Skirts flashed, hats bobbed, and partners separated and joined again as they danced. On they stepped and twirled through the dark, with only the sounds of the music and the rustle of fabrics.

As the music swelled gas lamps flickered to life along the walls, filling the room with blazing light. And as the dancers continued their waltz, it became clear that something was off. The texture of the skin, strange ridges, and when one turned around to offer a view of it's face...

These were not humans.

In a room not far away, a man who looked like he'd stepped out of a Victorian gothic photoshoot was slumped over a bar, nursing his fifth 'spook-tail' of the night. Metha had put a lot of effort into badgering Venoir into the use of his puppet collection for tonight's haunted festivities. At first he'd adamantly refused that his darlings be used for anything of the sort, but she had provided some creative freedom and James had done a wonderful job setting up the rigging, and Venoir had to admit he'd been moved when he first saw them all dancing in concert. Even so, their purpose was not to be some public fear-spectacle.

"My poor dears... I'll make it up to you..." Venoir slurred into his drink. He was too despondent to notice the drakel and fenref that had pulled up two stools down with a pile of 'Tac-o-Lantern' tacos.

"Can I get one Trick or Treak cocktail please?"

[Treat]

[Adelie]

She had been driving for two or three days straight at this point, stopping only to nap and stretch her legs. It wasn't that she was trying to get somewhere specifically - that would defeat the purpose of the road trip, after all - but rather that nothing had simply caught her eye. Trees and meadows and trees and meadows and farmland - after a while, all of that started to look the same. Like the view at 80mph out a car window, really. It all blurred together.

In theory, then, this Halloween party should be the perfect thing to make her feel better. Like eating a piece of pickled ginger between bites of sushi, for example. Something bright to cleanse the palate. There was nothing remotely pastoral about the event; it was all bluster, all wild decorations and impractical costumes and a whole lot of sugar and alcohol and snacks. You didn't get any of that in the wilderness. Maybe the alcohol, if you were lucky.

[Treat]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Ichabod had had enough of the celebration, and the room was slowly filling with more and more guests.

"Have you had enough?" He asked, turning his head to look at the Rattegan on his shoulder. The Rattegan looked around with its sockets, and nodded its head, pointing towards the door that said 'Farewell'.

Ichabod made his way over, and was greeted by another pretty witch, though this one had green hair. "Leaving so soon?" She asked, as she put her hand on the door. Ichabod nodded his head in reply, and the Rattegan waved his paw at her.

She pointed at the little Rattegan and grinned; "I think you've made a friend - are you taking him with you?"

Ichabod nodded again, but all he said was "Trick or Treat", as she opened the door for them.

[Trick]

[SpringsSong]

"Well, may she rest well and find peace in Ashla's light," Xyshari said. "If I could have ended it any other way, I would have, you both know that right?" she asked.

"I have no doubts that you would have," Senya said. "But this is not the time or place for such discussions. Let's enjoy what time is left in this party, shall we?" she asked.

"I think that's an excellent idea, Senya," Lana said, looking back to Xyshari. "And we can start planning for whatever inevitable winter party comes around. You know the children are bound to enjoy whatever happens come the winter season."

"Of that, I have no doubt," Xyshari said.

[Treat]

[GrayGriffin]

"Ray!" called the Lucain, stumbling out the door. HIs fake camera had gotten lost somewhere in the house, but he looked quite happy as he paced up to his companion. "I did not know your holiday was so fascinating! This house is full of surprises and scenes I have not seen for many years!"

"Really?" asked Ray. He glanced over at Metha. "Well, I guess I found him," he said, shrugging slightly. "Thanks for the candy, by the way."

"Oh yes, the candy!" said Caldera. "It was delicious!"

"Wait-you ate it all already?"

"Should I not have?"

"Well, it's not quite the tradition..."

[Treat]

[Sarah]

"Should we go inside now?" Sanarel pondered. The excitement of the bone beast had soon passed, for them, upon the lack of reaction. The dragon continued to sweep its head slowly as if to keep careful watch on the proceedings.

Silthael shrugged. "May as well, although I imagine there's plenty we've missed out here," they said. They turned their eyes skyward and wondered if this sky was meant to replicate another, or if it was just aesthetic. Though it didn't much matter, they supposed, as they followed Sanarel into the house.

[Treat]

[Wyvern]

The Temple Fellox sat down besides their companion, enjoying the chocolate and fruit punch given out by the figures in costumes and by magical, translucent ghosts. Kumara looked towards their general direction, then back at the ancient wooden building that stood intimidatingly a few dozen feet from their sitting spot. "There's a haunted house nearby, but, I have been worried about leaving you alone out here. I did not want to bring you into a possibly traumatic experience for you." They spoke up softly, then took a little sip from the mug that the two were sharing a drink from. "Oh, I've always been fascinated by ghosts, apparitions, and the supernatural..."

"Is that what's held your attention so firmly like that? Well, what are you waiting for?" The Tundragoon raised their voice, excitingly, persisting on the notion. "I can just stay here by the candy and drink bars. The people around here are very friendly. Some of their costumes look quite authentic, and a bit scary must I add, but... I can manage." Jace shook their head with a soft motion, before chewing on a bright red, sweet cherry-flavored candy bar. "B-but... but, are you so sure? Will you be alright?" Kumara's tails curled up around their dark body. They pouted, with their front paws held against their body. "Oh, of course! I don't want to ruin your fun, Kumara. Go on, and enjoy yourself!" Jace gave a wide grin, reaching out to nudge on Kumara's shoulder, prompting them to move along.

[Treat]

[FrostWynd]

In response to her statement, the pup let out a couple of short barks. What it could've meant, there was no way of truly knowing for sure. But Millie's best guess was that it was somewhere along the lines of; "I know... There's so much cool stuff to see though!" And... she wouldn't be wrong. Had that been what she'd actually said.

Millie would stare at Tondra for a few more moments, watching as she stared back while wagging her little tail, and otherwise making no efforts to escape. Finally she relented, and adjusted Tondra so she'd be resting comfortably against her side, and they kept moving. Even Millie couldn't really fault her for her rather strong curiosity.

What better way to satisfy that curiosity, than to go right into the palace?

[Treat]

[Firetra]

The spirit stopped her chanting, listening to the small man offering his help. She paused and thought for a second, the chilled air hanging between them. On one hand, she will probably return to the great beyond by nights end anyways. On the other hand, if this man can truly figure out a way to bring her back to the living world in a more permanent manner, it might just be worth it.

She slid in closer to Awyn, whispering in a raspy voice, "you have a deal. I give you one year, prepare me a suitable vessel and I will plague you no more. However, give me nothing and I will take over your mind instead!" She cackled loudly to add a dramatic flair to the whole ordeal, completely bluffing on the whole possession bit. "In the meantime, I will keep close watch over you!" And with that, the ghostly creature passed through Awyn's body, attaching her soul to his heart in order to tie herself to reality. "I do hope you made the correct decision." She said as her body faded away.

Awyn stood in shock for a moment, still standing in the fountain. His feet were soaked, people were staring at him, and now he was possessed by a spirit until he could figure out a way to give it a body. All-in-all, a pretty exciting Halloween night it would seem.

[Treat]