[NEXUS] MaGLoG II: Alcoholic Boogaloo

[happyturtle]

Halloween Night

Elaine looks over Vinny's costume, recognizing him more by the breadth of his shoulders than anything. The rough Viking looked very different from the polite, well-dressed gangster she knew.

"I am well, Sir. Thank you. I was speaking to a fortune teller." She glances over at that table. "I... thought perhaps I could speak to my Henry."

[The Bushranger]

Halloween Night
[Amist, Ivaz, Talia]

Talia, whose costume is, as mentioned, composed entirely of apparently-living thorn-vines sunk into her flesh, in such a way as to just barely cover anything that might cause legal objections to her walking down the street, but not really much else, smiles at Amist, extending a hand to her, presumably for purposes of shaking, which, as might be expected, causes the thorns to bite more deeply into the pyrokinetic, fresh trickles of blood seeping from the wounds as she does.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Though I don't think that Ivaz mentioned your name when she was introducing us?"

This is Amist, who is also as fun as she looks. Ivaz grins, already planning...activities...to do with the lovely pair before her.

Well, ladies, should we see what those rooms are all about? I'm partial to the "Den of Doom" myself.

"Very pleased to meet you," Amist purrs, winking at Talia and stretching a bit. "And you know, the Den of Doom does sound perfectly delightful, doesn't it?" she adds, smirking.


[Crissy and Dorota]

"It won't hurt. Let's find something nice and easy for a start."
Dorota will lead Crissy over to where the party games are held and look for something that doesn't look too intimidating.

Crissy follows, eyeing the games with curiousity and interest. "Something really simple, yeah."

[UncleWolf]

Halloween Night

Vinny frowns slightly and reaches out to take Elaine's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. "Sometimes people here can do tha', but sometimes they're just Conartists. Were you able to?"

[Rebonack]

Halloween Night
Alysha waves her hand slightly. Well, you don't have to worry about me. Yes, I do have to drink blood, but I get mine in bottles from Trog's. That way, I don't have to bite anybody. Which is good, cause I really wouldn't like doing that.

And you surprisingly seem okay with the fact that I'm a vampire. A lot of the people here aren't. Some are, though. I have friends at GLoG that are okay with it.

Aaaaaand suddenly Amil looks rather uncomfortable!

"Wait... You're an actual vampire? I thought that was just a costume," she says, taking a few steps backwards whether thinking about it or not. Seems she isn't so okay with Alysha being a vampire as was initially thought.

How...

Awkward.

Probably would have worked out better just not to mention anything.

Amil's eyes dart around as she tries to decide whether she should flee or try to continue the conversation. After a bit of hesitation she decides that it would be rude to run away. "Ah... well... Aren't vampires supposed to be evil? Like... umm... like Revenants are? Because their soul gets warped and tainted?"

[happyturtle]

Halloween Night

"I didn't do it yet. He said I needed to cross to the other side, and I didn't want to go alone." Elaine says.

[UncleWolf]

Halloween Night

Vinny can't help but raise an eyebrow. "The spirit world, ya mean?" He asks, starting to get a sense of dread about the entire thing, but knowing he won't leave her to do it herself.

[happyturtle]

Halloween Night

Elaine nods tightly, her arms wrapped close around herself. Everything about her body language saying she's afraid. "If it's possible... I know some of these people are frauds. But what if it's not?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Halloween Night - Alysha

Alysha's face falls a little when Amil steps back from her. That hurt her a little.

But then an opportunity arises to inform Amil more!

She shakes her head a little. Not necessarily. I mean, big angry bears aren't evil. Just big and angry. Yeah, vampires have to drink blood to stay alive. And that's probably why people started thinking of them as evil. But that doesn't mean they are.

Some are, though. But then, some normal people are evil. Just depends on the person.

I didn't mean to scare you at all. I'm sorry if I did.

[Shadowcaller]

Entrance

When Michicora trips, Trisha's hand is already out to help support her, and when she mumbles, the Champion can't help but smile warmly at her. "Yes, we are." She tells her before trying to loop her arm around the Huntress'.

Near the Fortune Teller

Elaine might see a Viking suddenly appear a bit behind and to the left of her, but she'll probably recognize Vinny's tilted smile. "Hello Ma'am. Everything doing okay?"

Entrance

The huntress, currently dressed as a noble of all things nods in response to Trisha's statement, just shivering slightly at the champions touch. "So what are we supposed to do?" She wasn't really good with social events and with these clothes it was is if she was naked. In fact, she'd rather be naked as at least she could move that way.

She wistfully looks around the room, hoping to find some quiet corner where she could be comfortable in for the rest of the night. But that wasn't what they were here for.

[UncleWolf]

Halloween Night

Vinny suppresses another shiver, but he gives Elaine another nod. "I'll go with ya, ma'am. You don't need to do it alone."

Entrance

The "Nymph" smiles back, somewhat nervous herself. "Dance, drink, and be merry I suppose." Trisha says before looking around the room to see if a band is playing. "But I'm not sure I can do the first."

[happyturtle]

Halloween Night

Elaine doesn't answer, but knowing that Vinny is with her, she walks back to the fortune teller. If he's still there.

[Zefir]

[Halloween Night]

KR tilts her head. "I wouldn't know sir. I haven't listened to doors before sir. They do have some strange names though sir. I mean... why doesn't someone cut the hanging thread or sew it back into place sir?" It makes no sense! If there's a problem, you should probably clean it up somehow.

[Halloween Night]

Oh no. There is only one person in the whole Nexus Andy knows and he stands right in front of him. Butler B Butler dressed as a woman? He is the only person ending his sentence with Sir or mam. An inner facepalm appears.

"They are halloween themed signs meaning other things. It could have something to do with a story or else."

[Reinholdt]

[Halloween Night]

Or is it? Perhaps the costumer is playing a double costume. Pretending to be Butler pretending to be KR.
IS THERE NO END TO THE MADNESS?

"What does yarn over a door have to do with a book sir?"

Nope. Probably just Butler.

Obviously the two should just go through and find out.

[Slii Arhem]

Halloween Night

Elaine doesn't answer, but knowing that Vinny is with her, she walks back to the fortune teller. If he's still there.

Halloween Night

Vinny suppresses another shiver, but he gives Elaine another nod. "I'll go with ya, ma'am. You don't need to do it alone."

Fortune Teller

The fortune teller seems to be waiting, hands folded, and points to the Darkened Way, "Walk backwards through the door and always face the light. Never turn from it, for if you lose sight of it you are lost. Once you are inside, walk towards the light and you may find what you are looking for there. Never turn from the light."

Entrance

The "Nymph" smiles back, somewhat nervous herself. "Dance, drink, and be merry I suppose." Trisha says before looking around the room to see if a band is playing. "But I'm not sure I can do the first."

Entrance

The huntress, currently dressed as a noble of all things nods in response to Trisha's statement, just shivering slightly at the champions touch. "So what are we supposed to do?" She wasn't really good with social events and with these clothes it was is if she was naked. In fact, she'd rather be naked as at least she could move that way.

She wistfully looks around the room, hoping to find some quiet corner where she could be comfortable in for the rest of the night. But that wasn't what they were here for.

Halloween Night

There is something like music playing, but it lacks a tune that holds it together. Two people are already dancing in the middle of the floor, one dressed as Reinholdt and the other as Decker. The music seems to be coming from bones strung up on the walls that are beating themselves against each other, and a low howl that makes up the wind instrumentation.

[Simple Pleasures]

"You're probably right. Let's go. I'll let you take the lead, since I've never done this 'trick or treat' thing. It's not a custom where I come from." Or at least, her player thinks they didn't do it in France around the time she was born.

[Halloween Night]

"It won't hurt. Let's find something nice and easy for a start."
Dorota will lead Crissy over to where the party games are held and look for something that doesn't look too intimidating.

Simple Pleasures

"Oh, hi Sophie! It's been a while. Um, this is Mintbalm, she's a pixie, and she's probably right about having to finish down the street before we go back." Kate will start walking, willing to take the lead of their merry band of misaged trick-or-treaters.

Simple Pleasures

The trick or treating goes surprisingly well. All the grownups in the houses are pleasant and willing to toss massive handfuls of candy into their bags, and a fair few just divide up the rest of their bowls into the three pillow cases that the girls have as spare candy sacks once their baskets get too full. As they move steadily uphill though, it appears they're coming to the last house of the night. One that, despite the porch light being on, hasn't seemed to have gotten much traffic judging by the undisturbed thick coating of leaves on the front lawn.

The street light nearest is on its last legs, flickering and dying, and the house looks to be in ill repair. The old apple tree in the yard is completely bare of leaves, and the jack-o-lantern's candle has long since guttered out.

Beyond this house, the road ends in a cull-de-sac. There's nowhere else to go from here.

Halloween Night

Ivaz

This is Amist, who is also as fun as she looks. Ivaz grins, already planning...activities...to do with the lovely pair before her.

Well, ladies, should we see what those rooms are all about? I'm partial to the "Den of Doom" myself.

Krystal

The mutant dressed as another mutant seems to be warming up to the people here. At least enough that her initial hesitation is gone. Her pale cheeks are starting to blush slightly from all the compliments she's receiving. Part of her wishes more of the men would be giving the compliments, though.

When the tray arrives, and the bowl is offered, she hesitates one more time. As long as the bowl and whatever is in it doesn't seem too suspicious, she will take them with a word of thanks.

Alysha

Alysha waves her hand slightly. Well, you don't have to worry about me. Yes, I do have to drink blood, but I get mine in bottles from Trog's. That way, I don't have to bite anybody. Which is good, cause I really wouldn't like doing that.

And you surprisingly seem okay with the fact that I'm a vampire. A lot of the people here aren't. Some are, though. I have friends at GLoG that are okay with it.

Strange Delights

The bowl is engraved, but there's nothing obviously wrong about it. After the cover is removed, what's inside is revealed to be lime gelatin with a bit of heavy whipped cream on top.

Seeing Krystal's gaze, one of the well oiled young men comes over on his knees, bowing at the waist and mumbling slightly, "Would milady like to be fed?"

Halloween Night- Outside

A very late arrival, Jacen, (currently a young man in deep blue armor decorated with flying wyrms) walks towards to the lighted building, drawn to the sounds of the gathering inside. A matching helmet is tied to his belt, a satchel at the left side of his back, and a spear is clutched in his right hand. A small green dragon wearing a tiny saddle perches on his shoulder, which promptly swats him on the back of his head with its tail. In his mind, he hears the normally welcome chime of his familiar's telepathic voice.

If we've missed the whole thing, I blame you

Jacen smiles as he responds, quietly but out loud:

ME? We wouldn't be late if you hadn't spent two hours trying to figure out a "unique" costume idea. I don't see how a Dragoon is that original, anyway. Ah, well. I suppose it's fine. In all honesty, this wasn't a bad idea, Zebes; we haven't been to a party in...ages. And if we've missed too much, well, I'll owe you a fish head.

So, not hesitating, the pair goes toward the front door, with Jacen using his spear as a walking stick and Zebes gently swishing his tail behind him to some unheard rhythm.

Halloween Party

There is plenty to see and do at the party, including a bobbing for shrunken heads table that no one seems to be interested in. There are also six doors which most of the party guests seem to be congregating around, and card tables set up for those just interested in casino games. One wall is taken up by a snack table full of chocolate, hard candy, jellies, and other things that are bad for your health.

Halloween Party --> The Darkened Way

Kayla shakes her head ready to go. She obviously isn't carrying anything, hiding it in the dress would be all but impossible. From her physique, well muscled, she doesn't look like she would be to helpless in a fight though.

"Let's go then."

The Darkened Way

Like the two who entered this door before them, Gertrude and Kayla are greeted by utter darkness, a spongy floor beneath their feet, and nothing more but the sound of their own breathing and heartbeats. Nothing around them reflects any light for their eyes to capture, nor sound for their ears to pick up. The lack of echo is most disturbing of all, as it ruins the spatial reasoning of creatures who are used to having their sounds reflected back at them.

If someone with knowledge of medical experimentation were around, they might comment that similar tests of extreme sensory deprivation have driven people to distress within mere minutes. Of course, if Gertrude and Kayla could hear anything but each other, then they would probably be more comfortable, even knowing what might lie ahead for them.

Card Tables

Candy? There is a momentary pause as an eyebrow is raised, invisible behind the spell of disguise but still very clearly implied. What kind of candy? The voice is deep and perfectly monotone, sounding as if it had echoed up from some fathomless abyss... All part of the enchantment. The gold coins vanish back into the unseen pocket they came from, but the wraith doesn't touch the card dealt to him just yet.

Card Tables

"Whatever you've got. If you didn't take any from the tables, go back and get some. For whatever reason, the mistress of the party thought it'd be best if you guys were well supplied with wagers."

-----

While the shark talks to the wraith, a much more pleasant looking naga lays languidly on the table that Dorota and Crissy approach, smiling at them and revealing her long fangs for a moment.

"What's you pleasure darlings. Poker, black jack, cribbage? This is an open table, and I know most all games well enough. Except for old maid, I hate old maid."

[Lost_Deep]

Simple Pleasures

"I'm not sure what to make of this... oh, wait, this is probably just the stereotypical one creepy house on the block. Probably nothing to worry about."

Kate walks toward the house. It's not even all that creepy...

[Earl of Purple]

The Darkened Way

"Kayla, can you hear me? This is like one of the pods for meditation at the Temple. Only, normally that fills with invertebrates after about four minutes. I don't think it can hurt us." Gertrude has some experience with sensory deprivation, it being involved in minor rituals and meditations within the Cult of Dalachrech. But this is still quite unnerving.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Strange Delights

Well...that sure turned Krystal's face red in a hurry.

She stutters for a moment as her mind tries to make a decision. Finally, she gives in to the spirit of the party.

Sure, why not. I mean, it's a party, right? She'll give a slightly awkward grin.

[McBish]

The Darkened Way

"Kayla, can you hear me? This is like one of the pods for meditation at the Temple. Only, normally that fills with invertebrates after about four minutes. I don't think it can hurt us." Gertrude has some experience with sensory deprivation, it being involved in minor rituals and meditations within the Cult of Dalachrech. But this is still quite unnerving.

"Oh my that is creepy. I guess I am glad it is just dark and quite here, the bugs would put me over the top."

Her chuckles sound a bit strained though. Her senses are normally so sharp the contrast is a bit jarring. Being a doctor she knows of experiments like that, though that isn't what she is thinking about right now.

[Rebonack]

Halloween Night - Alysha

Spoiler

Show

Alysha's face falls a little when Amil steps back from her. That hurt her a little.

But then an opportunity arises to inform Amil more!

She shakes her head a little. Not necessarily. I mean, big angry bears aren't evil. Just big and angry. Yeah, vampires have to drink blood to stay alive. And that's probably why people started thinking of them as evil. But that doesn't mean they are.

Some are, though. But then, some normal people are evil. Just depends on the person.

I didn't mean to scare you at all. I'm sorry if I did.

Amil seems... Skeptical. It sounds like this woman is saying vampires are pretty much just like normal humans. ...that have to drink blood. For some reason. On the other hand she was around int he Nexus back when there were vampires all over the place killing people and making more vampires that were also killing people and making more vampires.

Sort of colored her view of them.

But hey! This is the Nexus, right? There might be dozens of different things called vampires that have no real similarity aside from the whole disgusting blood drinking thing.

"I... see... Umm... There's more than one type of creature in the Nexus called a vampire, right? Because what you're describing doesn't sound quite like some of the creatures that I've met before."

Like that time a mob of vampires attacked when she was at a small corner grocery store. She ended up staking one of them with coconut. She still isn't sure how she managed to pull that off.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Halloween Night - Alysha]

Alysha thinks for a moment, then shrugs. Maybe. Or, at the very least, different kinds of vampires. The girl that turned me into one was pretty nice. She just didn't quite have the need for blood under control. But I do! Hence my always carrying bottles of Ichor Liquor from Trog's. Just in case.

There is indeed a canvas shoulder bag on her person. She would be more than happy to show that it does indeed contain the mentioned drink, if such a request was made.

[Beans]

Carrie was staring at "person she totes 4realz knows" but follows Kyne as they head through the portal!

Carrie is a little confused as she follows Kyne, still looking over her shoulder at someone she's sure she recognized.

[ThirdEmperor]

[Card Tables]

Funny way to run a table, giving away the stakes you're playing for. But the wraith is still willing to play. Something about the card shark's mention of 'betting against your life' has caught his interest. And something about this place in general seemed a little... off.

One moment. Rising from his seat, the wraith sweeps up a heaping assortment of sweetmeats in his arms and returns, setting them down in one corner of the table. Alright. What will the game be? He asks, pushing a handful of colorfully wrapped candies into the betting area.

[Lady Serpentine]

Halloween Night
[Amist, Ivaz, Talia]

"Very pleased to meet you," Amist purrs, winking at Talia and stretching a bit. "And you know, the Den of Doom does sound perfectly delightful, doesn't it?" she adds, smirking.

Talia grins as well, obviously quite willing to go along with whatever Ivaz has in mind for them in the way of post-event partying, and nods, stretching a little as well, likely for much the same reasons Amist did.

"Indeed it does. So since we're all in agreement, shall we get going?"

----

[Outside]

Meanwhile, there appears to be a rather pretty - though most inhuman, as well - elven androgyne, with ice-white hair, wearing a shimmering golden suit, covered in constantly changing strings of silver-and-blue code, standing just up the street, apparently waiting for someone.

[The Alexandrian]

[Outside]

Ah, this wouldn't just so happen to be Trium waiting for Spec to dramatically make her entrance now, would it?

Spec drops down from an abnormally large gyrfalcon roughly the size of a small truck circling MaGLoG high in the sky. She lands on her feet in a crouched position, one arm held out in front of her that she might stabilize herself and steer clear of eating the pavement. Dust clouds billow up from her impact site as she rights herself and gains her feet, neck-length naturally blue hair (braided into a short ponytail and fashionably laced with black ribbons) drifting from side to side as she shakes off the shock of her fall. Strapped to her back by twenty or more strips of black leather is a ludicrously enormous sword that is twice her height and just about as wide as she is! It is, as a matter of fact, one of those anime blades forged with the express purpose of enabling crazy masters of the art of swordplay to chop tanks in half and fell towers in a single mighty slash. It is humming, possibly hinting at the inclusion of a power source in the normal-sized hilt and/or mystical/sci-fi blade ability. Spec is clad in polished black work boots, a checkered black and blue miniskirt, a button-up baby blue dress shirt with the top button unfastened, and a tar-black annular cylinder rotating about her head, filtering the light of the outside world which attempts to annihilate her eyes.

Vile light!

She'll attempt to stroll on over to Trium and greet her with a kiss on the lips and a warm, cuddly hug. There's also the traditional exchange of words to be had!

"Good evening, honey! It's so wonderful to see you! You look great! Your costume is really cool!"

[Deathkeeper]

Halloween Party

Jacen is mildly surprised by the decor, but he's seen stranger. Zebes, meanwhile, is busy paying attention to his nose and his stomach, and heads toward the snack bar.
This is glorious, Boss.
Zebes sniffs out one particular bean, and scarfs it down.
Bacon flavor. Gotta love when they've got those.
His familiar's obsession with salted meats always amused Jacen.

Alright. Let's take some for the road; I'd like to look around a bit more than just the snack table.
He drops a large assorted handful into a side pocket of his bag, taking a bite out of a small chocolate.
Still, you weren't kidding when you said this stuff is universal. It gets everywhere.

The two walked past the tables. There's something inherently amusing about seeing undead gambling, but Jacen's luck was always far too terrible to gamble, even if it was just for candy tonight. Instead, he headed towards the doors which seemed to have gathered a significant crowd. Zebes needn't have worried; no one was dressed in anything remotely similar to anything he had thought of. He tries his best to get a look at the objects of attention over the others' eyes.

[Zefir]

[Halloween Night]

Or is it? Perhaps the costumer is playing a double costume. Pretending to be Butler pretending to be KR.
IS THERE NO END TO THE MADNESS?

"What does yarn over a door have to do with a book sir?"

Nope. Probably just Butler.

Obviously the two should just go through and find out.

[Halloween Night]

"We never find out if we stay here and look at it."

He stops to argue with Butler. This is a never ending story and Andy is sure that in the end Butler won't learn anything from him.

[happyturtle]

The Darkened Way - backwards

"Never turn from the light." Elaine repeats. Once Vinny is ready, Elaine takes his arm, and the two step through the door backwards. (Per Wolfy's request, Vinny is godmodded for this post.)

[Reinholdt]

Halloween Party

Jacen is mildly surprised by the decor, but he's seen stranger. Zebes, meanwhile, is busy paying attention to his nose and his stomach, and heads toward the snack bar.
This is glorious, Boss.
Zebes sniffs out one particular bean, and scarfs it down.
Bacon flavor. Gotta love when they've got those.
His familiar's obsession with salted meats always amused Jacen.

Alright. Let's take some for the road; I'd like to look around a bit more than just the snack table.
He drops a large assorted handful into a side pocket of his bag, taking a bite out of a small chocolate.
Still, you weren't kidding when you said this stuff is universal. It gets everywhere.

The two walked past the tables. There's something inherently amusing about seeing undead gambling, but Jacen's luck was always far too terrible to gamble, even if it was just for candy tonight. Instead, he headed towards the doors which seemed to have gathered a significant crowd. Zebes needn't have worried; no one was dressed in anything remotely similar to anything he had thought of. He tries his best to get a look at the objects of attention over the others' eyes.

[Halloween Night]

"We never find out if we stay here and look at it."

He stops to argue with Butler. This is a never ending story and Andy is sure that in the end Butler won't learn anything from him.

A Hanging Thread

'KR' shrugs and is just about to head through the door when Jacen and Zebes arrive. "Oh I'm sorry sirs. Did you want to go through this one too sirs?" KR asked. "We could go together sirs." Sharing is totally ok!

[happyturtle]

Halloween Party

A new challenger arrives!

Decker, in costume as a candy corn, roller skates into the party, flinging candy around her as she goes.

"HAAAAAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEN!"

[Rebonack]

[Halloween Night - Alysha]

Spoiler

Show

Alysha thinks for a moment, then shrugs. Maybe. Or, at the very least, different kinds of vampires. The girl that turned me into one was pretty nice. She just didn't quite have the need for blood under control. But I do! Hence my always carrying bottles of Ichor Liquor from Trog's. Just in case.

There is indeed a canvas shoulder bag on her person. She would be more than happy to show that it does indeed contain the mentioned drink, if such a request was made.

So they DO still transform people? Weird. Usually monsters that turn people into more monsters are universally horrific or dangerous in some way. Losing one's humanity is a pretty nasty fear amongst many peoples.

"So, umm... are you technically dead then? Because-" and then Amil sputters rather loudly and flails her arms when she gets a handful of candy corn to the face!

After the initial shock is over she stoops down and picks up a piece of colorful candy, looking at it skeptically. "Is this... food of some kind?"

Most people would say no, Amil.