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]