[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] Lucas headed into the cafe, the little bell making a cheerful tinkling noise despite how gloomy the outside seemed. He wasn't sure exactly what time of day it was, given how dark the sky was. He glanced around before looking up at the menu to try to decide. After a moment, his eyes widened behind his thick-framed black glasses and he turned quickly. "Kia?" Lucas asked, disbelief coloring his voice. It couldn't be that easy to find her, could it? "Wow - you look amazing," he said with absolute honesty, nearly tripping over his own feet.

Kia looked over at teh sound of her name and smiled brightly seeing Lucas there. "Lucas!" She beamed and took her order before walking over to him. "I thought that was you, but I couldn't quite tell with hat and glasses." She blushed at his compliment but didn't' say anything "I'm glad you could make it! How are your parents? Is you dad doing better?" The two of them had been trading letters back and forth every week since the masque, slowly getting to know each other and their lives. A few letters back Lucas had written that his father had broken his leg. Kia hadn't met them yet, but from Lucas' letters she felt like she knew them.

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "He's right as rain, aside from the cast." Lucas half-grinned, a wry sort of expression that didn't quite fit his face. "It'll be another few weeks before they can take the cast off, then he's got physical therapy for a while after that. I'll be staying with them until he's back on his feet - literally - and then I've gotta try to find another long-term job." He pushed his glasses up on his nose, looking away awkwardly. "I was...let go. From Starways. They couldn't give me the time off that I needed - it became a matter of decision between my job and taking care of my father, and...well, the decision had to be made." He was clearly embarrassed, not willing to meet Kia's eye. "Thank you for the letters, and the books too. I'm sorry I can't send any back right now."

Eliyon froooowned at Kai's refusal of candy, narrowing her eyes. "Are you saying the cultural traditions of my people aren't good enough for you?" For a moment, she's deadly serious, but then, no, she's back to normal. "Ah, I'm just messing with ya! Commercialism's warped the holiday pretty much past recognition, but I still try to observe some of the old ways. Like costumes! And dining with the dead!" She grinned, apparently not offput in any way by the possible states of unlife of those around her.

"Also, don't pay Jaxon much mind. He's a big ol' stick in the mud, but deep down he just wants people to enjoy themselves. Whole point of this holiday, really. Well, that and not angering countless spirits that would like nothing more than to suck the warmth right out of the living. And candy." She nodded. Gotta have candy.

"Seems your... Sister? Has found something else to do." She turned her attention to Cheshire and Shylarah. "Whadaya say we introduce Dreds here to the magic of pumpkin carving? If we pay for it, Jaxon won't mind. Too much. Probably."

Kia's mouth opened and closed several times before any words came out. "I'm glad that you're father is much better, but... they FIRED you, for wanting to go home and help him?! That's terrible!" She wasn't yelling but there was definitely some emphasis to her annoyance and angry at the company. She took a few deep breaths and gave Lucas a smile. "Well I'm very glad that your dad is doing better and don't worry about getting the books back to me. Are you working at the restaurant again since you aren't at Starways?"

"The so called 'magic' of pumpkin carving is a little more messy than it is magical," a voice came up behind the group and chuckled. The voice came from a tall, hooded man, his elaborate outfit spoke of money, but also screamed 'Don't 'F' with me". The stranger moved next to Kai and put a gloved hand on his shoulder. "You're more difficult to find than I thought you would be Kai."

Cin's tail gave a really realistic flick as his eyes followed after the ballerina mime lady. He hadn't exactly been paying attention as to what was being said and for a second thought that maybe he had contributed to her departure. Something in the back of his mind told him to get over himself. A moment later the aroma Kia had picked up on reached Cin's nose and caused him to suffer a twitch. Whatever it was, it didn't interest him nearly so much and he quickly put down the idea of following along. Instead he turned to take another look out over the pumpkin patch as it had been mentioned.

The crowd had thinned somewhat, it looked like a group of -probably tourists- had stopped in the middle of everything to talk and the rest just sort of got sucked in by their obnoxious gravity causing a massive clog. Now people were starting to get a clue and were beginning to go around the circle of middle aged, super confused adults and their -exasperated from having to explain everything twelve times- children. Cin couldn't help but smile. The smile turned to a laugh when some one said something about paying off Jax. "You can count me out of all that." He wasn't going to explain about how he owed the unpleasant man a great deal already. Besides, this was a group of strangers and he wasn't trying to intrude on anyone's good time.

Turning back towards the rag tag group of party goers Cin noticed that in the mime lady's place a tall dark rogue had been spawned. Apparently he knew the dread-headed guy, or maybe he was just a very friendly type of person the way he made himself at home on the other mans shoulder. Suddenly Cin felt very much out of place. "Anyway thanks for the conversation." If you could call it that the way he tuned out every five seconds. He gave a small wave and finally let the poor sapling he had been leaning on have some peace. Decidedly heading in the direction of the graveyard he once again lit his previously pocketed cigarette. The odd scent lingering after him in the evening air.

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "Taking two months off all at once was too much to ask," Lucas said, shrugging uncomfortably. "Right now I'm on a double shift at the restaurant, and I'm part-time at a coffee shop on my days off and in the early mornings." Taking off his cap, he scruffed a hand through his auburn hair. After a moment, he replaced the hat and pulled the brim low over his glasses. "Anyway - thanks for inviting me. It's good to see you. Did you want to, you know, do some Morostide things?"

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] Kai tensed at the touch. There was no recognition at first; the ensemble, particularly the hood that darkened the man's face, did an excellent job at concealing his identity. "Is that so?" he asked, looking up under the hood and smiling warmly, unable to remain serious once he recognized those shaded green eyes. "I think you're better at the art of disguise than I am, Archer. But you give yourself away." He reached up, twining his fingers with Archer's in a small, intimate gesture. "How did you know I'd be here?" For the moment, Kai's attention was completely captured, drawn away from the people he'd been speaking with. It wasn't his intent to be rude, but tunnel vision had a way of setting in when Archer was around.

"Oh lookie. customers... or something" Ruby murmured to herself, she readied her little candy bag and approached the Tehb and those around her.

"Prick your feet~" she cooed, holding the bag up in front of her with both hands. A grey wolf-tail lazily wagging behind her.

((you get a 90's kid high-five if you get the line she's quoting))

Platina blinked rapidly as his eyes became used to the new contacts he was using. He wanted to try something new this year, and that was definitely contacts... and finding a way to hide his wings. He made them into little devil wings instead, which fitted the Morostide time of the year. He ran his hands through his black hair, happy to be back in the dark locks again, even if it was temporary. The blonde hair was too much sometimes; it was time for a dark change. Morostide allowed him to get out of his 'goody-two-shoes' place in the world; it was a breath of fresh air. Platina smiled to himself, pausing at the sound of voices not far away. Curious, he made his way over to the darkly dressed people. He recognized 's voice, and Ruby () and even . What a fantastic gathering. He stayed his distance though, smile fading.

Kia's eyes widened in disbelief at the number of jobs that Lucas was currently working. "If this is the only time you have to relax and take time for yourself then yes," she said as she grabbed the drinks for Kai and herself and then looped an arm around Lucas'. "Thank you for choosing to spend your time off with me," She said smiling up at him since he was just slightly taller than she was. "Makes me feel pretty special."

Archer kissed Kai's hand and grinned. "Ask your sister, wherever she may be," he said glancing around to see if she was in the near vicinity. "She let me know that you would me around." He looked up at those who were still there after the skeleton wolf man left and nodded in greeting to the other two.

"I'm afraid while you two do look familiar I am horrible with names. Archer Desmond, a pleasure to meet any friends of Kai." He said as he grinned, putting an arm around Kai's waist.

Platina stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Archer. Oh... Well, that wasn't exactly what he wanted to see. He sighed and flicked the long spade tail, "Platina Valentine." Not that the man needed to remember or care. Platina smiled though the gesture didn't reach his eyes. It probably didn't help that they were scarlet at this time. "We met last year at the ball." Now where was Daniel? He glanced around, mostly to keep his eyes off the obviously happy couple.

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "You are special," Lucas said, impulsively kissing the top of Kia's head - and narrowly avoiding poking himself in the eye with her decorative little hat. "Do you need me to carry something for you? Give you a free hand?"

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] Kai laughed, leaning into Archer for the moment and just savoring the closeness. With his job and Archer's, it had been several months since they'd last seen each other. "That sounds like Kia, all right," he said under his breath, sparing a thought to wonder where his sister had got to. It took him a few seconds to recognize Platina, not at all expecting the angel's current look. "Platina! It's good to see you looking well," he said with a genuine smile, leaving Archer's side to give Platina's hand a squeeze. "Archer - I know you remember Platina. He's the good friend I told you about. The last I heard, you were enjoying the company of that nice young man we met at Masquerade," he said, the last bit directed to Platina again.

Kia smiled and handed Lucas Kai's drink. "Thank you that will help immensely," She said and moved her hand down to hold his with her now free hand. "How long before you need to get back home?" She asked, not asking how long before he needed to get back to work... it just seemed too sad to her that he had to work all most constantly to get by, or that he felt that he had to.

Archer smiled in recognition. "Ahh yes Platina, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. This look is different, I like it." He nodded looking the former blond up and down with a playful smile. "I guess with the boyfriend though, a threesome is out of the question?" It was difficult to tell if Archer was joking or not as he kept the same expression on his face.

At the mention of the messiness of pumpkin carving, Eliyon grinned. "Well yeah, that's half the fun, innit?" Her smile faded as Kai's attention is drawn elsewhere, obviously favoring the hooded man's company above everyone else's. With a roll of her eyes, she speaks up again. "You are, evidently, uninterested in the cultural traditions of my people, though." Shrugging, she turned to the others. "Ah, whatever. I still wanna carve pumpkins and tell ghost stories. You folks up for it? Hmm, that looks like a good one." She wandered over a few feet, indicating a large orange gourd.

And then, a wild trick or treater appears! Eliyon blinked at the woman, a wide grin splitting her features again. "Oh hi there, wandering spirit!" She began to dig in her pocket, chuckling. "Tricksy one, aren'tcha? I'm not at my house, unlikely to even have candy! You're probably just looking for someone to trick." She pulls out a small packet of gummy organs. "Will you still haunt me if I share these with you?"

Platina smiled at Kai when the man approached and let him take his hand. "Yes, well... We split up, more or less, once he had to go back to school." The young angel was about to brush off whatever Archer was going to say but the man took him by surprise. He blinked, "Uh... I beg your pardon?" Since when did the man have any interest in him? Besides, Kai seemed more like the... traditional type: to only want one mate at a time. Platina wasn't about to make a fool of himself like he did last time.... but he couldn't think of a single thing to say.

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "I only took tomorrow," Lucas said apologetically. "And today, of course." He didn't add that he didn't think he could afford a hotel room for more than one night, nevermind the missed wages. "I'm sorry it's not more. I just really did want to see you, even if it was only for a little while."

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] Kai opened his mouth to speak before Archer's words had quite sunk in. He then shut it with a snap, feeling his entire face - even his ears - flush scarlet. "A-Archer?" he finally asked, briefly proud of himself for even managing to form words. To talk about something like that in public-! It completely overturned Kai's polite little world. He wasn't actually sure what he felt about the content of the suggestion; his real reaction was based entirely on the fact that Archer had brought it up in a public setting. After a wide-eyed look between Archer and Platina, Kai rubbed his hand over his face and finally settled for covering his eyes. The blush wasn't fading at all.

Kia tried not to look dissapointed. "Oh well.. I suppose that's better than nothing," she smiled at him and gave his had a squeeze as they left the cafe. She glanced over at where Kai was, seeing that the group had grown a bit to include Archer.. and good lord Platina. She winced slightly not really wanting to be in teh middle of that. "How about we make the most of the time that you have and just spend it with the two of us?" She ventured. "After I give my brother his drink of course."

Archer laughed genially at the two men and kissed Kai's temple tenderly. "I'm joking I'm joking." He assured them.

The sun was beginning to dip into the horizon casting a warm orange glow over the pumpkin patch and surrounding lands. If you looked from the right angle it looked like half of all the buildings were on fire. From his position atop a crumbling tombstone Cin had a pretty good vantage point. Exhaling a plume of smoke into the evening air he smiled. At night he really felt alive, maybe it had something to do with how he was practically nocturnal choosing to sleep away most peoples waking hours. Nightlife invigorated him, under the cover of darkness he felt the possibilities were endless. Perhaps a homage to his old way of life. Truly this new way was was much easier on everyone involved. Cin wasn't just taking money from peoples pockets, now they were willing giving it up in exchange for a fairly reasonably priced product. On a good night the profits even afforded him a stash of his own and enough money to have a little fun among the honest hardworking people of the world. It was surprising the kind of people Cin ended up seeing regularly while he was at 'work'. In some strange backwards way it sort of gave him hope for humanity as a whole.

Shrugging off the sappy feelings he slipped down the tomb and landed with a thud among a few nocturnal flowers. If he was lucky, really, really lucky, maybe he would even run into Bio. His tail flicked and his ears twitched as he took in the sounds of early evening. Now that work had been taken care of and he had a little spending money he thought that perhaps the group he had met earlier may still be lingering around. They seemed friendly enough, better to distract himself from missing his friend than to sulk about it all alone for hours. Stuffing his hands into his pockets he shuffled past the rest of the tombs opening himself to the possibilities of the night. Many more costumed denizens had emerged into the fading light. Children laughed and chased each other with brimming bags of candy, shop keepers shouted their wares from the doorways, and booth vendors doled out sticky sweet treats to the growing lines of sugar crazed young and old alike. On his way Cin purchased a coffee and enjoyed the warmth it afforded his insides.

Sui had closed the shop for the day and started her way home. She had to go across the central square (if that can be said about the space) in order to get there, beside Jaxon Skelly's mansion and up the street. It was when she heard familiar voices and saw familiar faces, so she decided to approach them.

"Hello, everyone! Fancy seeing you all here!"

There were some new faces as well, but that only made her smile even more warmly. She could always use new friends!

(( ooc: not sure if day or night, but I'm assuming night? xD Yaaaay nice having new RP! 8D ))

"If you pet me I'll stay~... or so I've heard" Ruby grinned lazily, though wide enough to strain the sides of her face. "Any edible's good though, will there be pumpkins? And Pie? And whipped topping?" She gave her bag a small shake, insisting on the candies being put in it.