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On the edge of town sitting slightly off by itself from the road stands a small wooden house just big enough for a new family to begin building their life together. Despite this there is only one occupant here. Neriah Canderwal glances out the window of her home, sparkling sapphire eyes drawn to the shape of the full moon nestled in its river of stars. The sky is clear making the path up to her home bright and easy to find. Good. She's been looking forwards to this night for months. Neriah loves Halloween. She loves the costumes. She loves the food. She loves the dancing but most of all she loves the scares. Not being scared, of course. Neriah loves being the one to do the scaring. This year will be different though. After everything that's happened she doesn't have the heart to scare the townsfolk away. She has finally been forced to come to the conclusion that she needs people, whether she likes it or not.

The aspiring artist has taken the time to paint the outside of her home in bright oranges and vivid purples. Cartoonish ghosts and black cats waltz across the wooden blanks chased by a few shambling undead. She had a witch with a green and glowing book in her hand all finished on one side of her door but on second thought had painted over it. Given the superstitious nature of the towns folk and the fact that a few already consider her a witch based solely upon the fact that she isn't sweet and quiet and demure like a 'proper' woman ought to be, she doesn't feel the need to give them any more ammunition to accuse her with tonight of all nights.

Nestled atop her riotous red hair she has placed a bow made of ribbon and fur. With the way the fabric and fur curves, half hidden within her curls, it causes her to appear as if she has cat ears sticking up out of her head. Her dress is also lined in a similar fur, wrists, neck and hem all kept warm while the actual fabric of the dress and corset is a mottled white, grey and black. She's even wrapped a long thin ribbon of fur around her waist, letting most of it dangle down the back of her skirt as a tail. Neriah is a fierce and wild street cat, for no matter what she dresses as she can never be anything that isn't fierce and wild.

One last check to make sure her homemade sweets and treats are set near the door. Now all that is left is to wait.

Humans and many dwellers on the lands were such interesting creatures. Vox often found herself enthralled with examining the customs and traditions of planet-dwelling creatures from the stars with Lyanna, though she had come to the surface of this plane, her bio-luminescent body bathing the five-foot radius around her in a soft, warm light as she walked around to view many of the decorations and streamers that were on the homes of the people that lived here.

Approaching one of the houses, Vox was more focused on the paints and colours that were being used to paint up some more of this bizarre imagery that she had been presented with on this evening in particular since arriving on the surface. Of course... she had seen it all before in the past, though she never really understood its significance or why inhabitants had a fascination with these decorations, just that they came up every once in a while in her observations.

Standing there for a moment, Vox simply turned her head to the side, looking at the painting for a long moment before glancing to the woman that was currently working on it.

Neriah is just finishing up the highlights of the ghost she decided to paint in place of the witch when a soft glow begins to wash over the area around her. She turns with a smile at first, anticipating greeting one or more of the local children in their little homemade costumes designed to help scare the night's monsters away. Instead sapphire eyes widen as she instead finds herself regarded by a...glowing...naked...woman?

Well. That's a new one.

Once the initial shock has worn off, the red head gives her visitor a half hearted smile as she wipes her paint smudged fingers on a nearby towel. "Hello. Would you like a bit of cake? And maybe...something to cover up with?" Neriah is no prude, but she knows how the townsfolk will react if they see what she's seeing. She's traveled the land long enough to know that there are things out there, people out there, magic out there, that can't necessarily be explained, nor do they need to be. The villagers...eh. Not so much.

Lea was excited for the annual tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween. She brought her brother, Cian, as well as a few of the Air Flyer children along. The children were excited as well, since this would be their first Halloween ever. Lea didn't dress up this time because she wanted to let the kids have their fun. Cian was the same way. The siblings watched over the kids to make sure they didn't go too far ahead of them.

One of the children pointed to a house with colors and decorations galore. "Dis one, Miss Lea! Dis one!" she cried out. The other children behind her giggled and cheered. Lea giggled with them and followed the children. She turned to her younger brother, who seem spooked by the houses appearance. "It's okay, Cian. Come on," she said as she grabbed his arm.

Standing in front of them was someone already waiting for their treat. Lea and Cian stood there in shock as the children kept running. "Children! Get back here! Let them have their candy first!" Lea shouted. Luckily for them, the children heard her and ran back. They were still giggling at the excitement of getting their first piece of candy.

Neriah smiles at the newcomers. Now this is more what she had in mind as far as holiday visitors. Well, this holiday at any rate. All of these kids are adorable. She casts a side long glance at her first guest's appearance, then at the children's guardians. Well, if they don't mind, she doesn't either. With an elegant shrug of her shoulders she sets down her paint stained rag and moves towards the door.

"Seems to me I'm not doing my job as a good host. No matter your costume, everyone deserves a sweet treat and a good scare." She picks up the bowl she left sitting by the door and pulls out a candy apple. She had been ready to serve the children first, but she heard what their chaperone had said and wasn't about to go over her head on the matter. Thus Neriah turns and offers the apple to her glowing guest.

"I don't suppose you're terribly afraid of the dark, are you?" the red headed cat asks with a smirk.

Though true that Vox stood with a humanoid shape and naked, she lacked any real components that most fleshy beings had. She was like a living doll more than anything.

Vox listened to the woman with some interest, though ultimately, the celestial being simply turned her head to the side with a blank smile on her face. Though intrigued by the festivities and some culture found on many different planets, Vox did not speak. There were simply too many languages out there to try and learn.

Though, Vox watched as smaller humans came up and stole away the host's attention momentarily. Watching with interest, Vox saw the lady first offer a treat to her. Enthralled by this, Vox gingerly took the candied apple and examined it, her... hair? flickering rather excitedly as she turned over the sticky coated apple in her hands.

Lea, Cian, and the children then approached the host while she gave the other visitor a treat. The kids were still giggling and jumping up and down.

"Twick-or-tweat!" they squealed with joy. Cian just nodded his head and grinned while Lea giggled.

"Sorry about them, ma'am. This is their first Halloween and have never done this before. They were just so excited to get treats," Lea told the woman inside the house. She then turned to the other trick-or-treater with the glowing body. "This must be your first time too, I assume? Well, it's a lot of fun," she told the glowing woman. She then turned back to the host and smiled. "Love the costume, ma'am."

When the woman...? Yea, Neriah's going to go with that. When the woman doesn't respond to her question and her hair...moves of its own accord, the red head merely raises her eyebrows briefly. She can't really do much more than that however as she is suddenly surrounded by a gaggle of giggling children begging for their treats. Or tricks technically, but Neriah isn't that much of a...witch.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry. Here. I have enough for everyone." The artist's blue eyes sparkle in amusement at the little ones. She reaches into her bowl and pull out little treat bags with cookies and shards of peanut brittle that she made herself by hand over the last few days in preparation. She does so love this holiday.

"Don't worry about it. This is what it's all about," she informs the pretty chaperone and her so far silent companion. "And thanks, but it's just a bit of fur and ribbon. I'm far from winning best costume of the night." She nods her head towards the glowing creature beside her, eyes twinkling before offering a candy apple to Lea and Cian as well.

"Happy Halloween."

Lea smiled and bowed her head while the children cheered. “Dank you! Happy Hawwoween!” they cheered as they skipped toward the siblings.

Cian smiled as he took the apple from the woman. Lea also took an apple and gazed at it. “Ooh. Looks delicious.” She then turned to the woman and waved. “Happy Halloween!” She then glanced at the children. “All right, kids, onto the next house. Stay with us, though. We don’t need anyone running off.”

The children giggled as they followed behind.

It's not often that little Darby can just wander into human society, but tonight is one night that he certainly can. And a good night for it too. Looking rather like a little kid dressed as a leprechaun, he strides up to a well-decorated house whose porch is crowded with children.

He somehow manages to wait for them to each receive their treats. Then he teleports behind the lady of the house and gives a gentle tug on her "tail" while yelling, "Tricks for treats!" He's grinning a wide, mischievous grin when she turns around.

Neriah jumps half out of her skin at the tug on her 'tail' from behind. One paint stained hand presses itself to her ample bosom as she swings around to find the source of this unexpected assault upon her costume. There behind her is...no. No, it can't be. The darkness and the spirit of the holiday must be playing tricks on her senses. There aren't any gnomes living anywhere near by as all the closest settlements are all human and fairly new at that. She's definitely seeing things.

With a shake of her riotous hair, Neriah brushes her suspicions aside and gives the small person behind her a snarky smile. "You know, it's supposed to be trick or treat," she corrects him in an amused tone of voice. As she does she is also reaching into her bowl to fish out another bag of sweet treats. She doesn't hand it to the new comer just yet though.

"However. If you have a trick to show me, I wouldn't say no." Thin eyebrows rise in anticipation along with her friendly challenge. Her eyes, however, spark with a mischievous glint similar to his own.

"Aye, but my version's better, don't ya think?" he quips back with a wink at her correction of his greeting. "How's this?" And he's suddenly gone. Then his voice calls from the opposite direction, "Over here, Silly!" But he can't be seen there either. Little footsteps can be heard wandering about her porch, as he laughs merrily, "Catch me if you can!"

Already large blue eyes widen even more when the person standing in front of her suddenly vanishes completely. A moment later they narrow as the sound of laughter and pattering feet can be heard though no person can be seen. A small smirk plays across the woman's face at the jest. So...it is a gnome after all. No human child would be able to pull off that type of trick so easily unless they were some sort of magical prodigy.

Closing her eyes Neriah concentrates on the sounds her guest is making. There? No. There. Wait...wait...wait... One hand, fingers long and thin with sharp nails meant to emulate a cat's claws, reaches out to grab at Darby. Of course, since she can't actually see what part of him she's grabbing, instead of his arm or jacket she only comes away with his hat. Opening her eyes she starts to laugh a bit herself before dropping the gnome's goodie bag into the hat.

"Well, that trick was definitely worth a treat," she admits without a hint of reservation.

A surprised, "Oh!" is heard as the hat is plucked from his head. Immediately thereafter, Darby pops back into view, his eyes wide with surprise and mirth. "Not a bad trick either, Miss," he responds with a chuckle, "I suppose it merits a treat of its own." One hand pulls a side of his jacket open, and the other reaches deep into a pocket - far deeper than seems possible. "Now, one to ten, what's your number?"

Neriah's eyebrows rise and her hips tilt as she considers the little gnomes offer. Well, it is the night, she supposes. After all what's the worst that can happen? That's a terrible question to ask. Quickly she pushes that thought aside and offers the spry little man yet another sparkling smile.

"Alright. I'll play along. I have a soft spot in my heart for the number thirteen. I feel like it's gotten a bad reputation through no fault of its own." The red head chuckles a bit at her own personal joke before continuing. "However, if we're sticking with that particular range, let's go with three, shall we?" She's genuinely curious to see what her guest is going to pull out of his-well, not hat. She's still holding that. Out of his pocket then. His...immeasurably deep pocket? Definitely not a child.

Darby squints his eyes as his host mentions the number thirteen. Perhaps she doesn't know her numbers well... But then she continues with "three."

"Excellent choice, m'lady, and if it's worth anything, thirteen woulda got you the same prize." He winks as he places a shiny gold coin in her hand, "But don't you go trying to eat that now! Ain't no chocolate hidden inside o' that one."

He turns with his head tilted and arms crossed over his chest to observe glowy lady on the porch. With a nod he reaches into another pocket and pulls out a pair of tiny slippers. "Fairy shoes, miss. Don't worry - they'll fit your feet I'm sure." He points toward her obviously-too-large feet. "And they'll not make you dance your feet off." He turns back to the redhead and continues, "Sorry, miss, but you know, humans... magic shoes... not good."

He produces a little packet from somewhere within his coat. A glance would show it to be a list and maps and pictures of all the places he hopes to visit tonight. He flips the top one (a picture of this very cottage) to the back. This is the only night in the year in which he can transport himself to a place he can picture in his head rather than only a place he can physically see.

He reaches out for his hat and treat with a little bow. "Thanks, ladies, for the fun! But I think I must be on my way soon. See you next year?"

Neriah takes the coin with a nod of her head in thanks. She holds the bit of gold up to the light of the lamp she is keeping lit upon her porch so as to encourage holiday revelers to approach. It certainly looks real enough. Feels real between her fingers too, cold and hard and smooth. A whole gold coin? In exchange for a bit of sweets and snatching his hat off his head. That almost seems unfair... Then he informs her that the number had, in fact, been irrelevant and she laughs.

Once he is done making his offer to the as yet unnamed glowing mute woman of mystery, Neriah offers the little man a smile and a bob of her torso in what could be approximated as a bow as she offers him his hat and treats back. "I certainly hope so, sir. I get the feeling that's just about the least of the talent you possess. I'll look forward to seeing what new tricks you've got hidden up your sleeve next year." Her blue eyes twinkle with amusement as she offers him a wave of farewell. "And you were right. I like your version better."

Darby winks a bit mischievously as he takes his hat and places his little treat bag into one of his unending pockets. "Well, then, it's been a pleasure, and I regret to say 'goodbye'. Happy trickery!"

He stares very hard for a few seconds at the next picture before heading down the path with a cheery whistle. Halfway down he spins around to call out, "Until next year then!" and then disappears with a slight blue shimmer to who knows where.

((Thanks, Dndmama! It's been fun!))

((Sorry for the delay on my end. This event is always a busy one for me. :9))

Looking up, Vox watched Lea and her children. She could really only acknowledge the fact that Lea had spoken to Vox, though there was little that she could have done in response. Vox simply held the apple with a smile and then waved to Lea and the children as they left to the next house.

Turning back to Neriah and continuing to hold the apple, there seemed to have been a pause in the celestial's actions before she remembered something she saw in a lot of different cultures. Giving a polite bow to Neriah, this was the best that Vox could do for now to express her thanks before gracefully skipping off, each step she took appearing rather lightweight and float-y as she made her way to the next place of interest.

(( No worries, Vox. It's one of the reasons I decided to host a house rather than hunt treats myself. Just too much to do on top of everything else ))

Neriah waves at the gnome as he wanders away. Then he vanishes in a puff of magic which causes Neriah to laugh. Hopefully he will come back next year. Or even before if he so choose. The artist always approves of anyone that can make her laugh and smile without feeling looked down upon. Not literally. In this case she was literally the one looking down anyways.

With a slight shake of her riotous curls, the woman turns to look at her first and last guest. As Vox bows, Neriah returns the gesture. Her eyebrows are raised in curiosity but she doesn't bother saying anything else to the strangely glowing woman. Nothing she or anyone else has said so far as elicited a response so it was fair to assume the pattern will continue to hold true. That's no reason to be rude though. She watches as the creature, for she is sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was in no way wearing a costume after having stood beside her on the porch for long enough, half floats and half skips off into the darkness. A darkness that refuses to touch her body or soul it seems.

Well, this has been an interesting night so far. Neriah grins, intensely interested to see what else this holiday has in store for her.