[center] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuUVdGeWIyNCwuMQ,,/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuVkdodmNtNWwuMQ/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][/center] [center] [img] https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjgwLjAwMDAwMC5WR2hsSURNeE53LCwuMA,,/glorious-christmas.regular.webp[/img][/center] [right][code] Cracker Island - Cracker Town - Cracker Town Vendor Stalls - Cracker Town Costume Contest[/code][/right] Aaron had seen enough. The group in front of him had insulted him and these insults had shook him to his core. Did they not know who he was? Did they realize just how colossal of a mistake they’ve made when they stepped in front of him? The nerve, the absolute nerve of these children among adults. If this was any other place besides the Halloween festival they would be giving them a piece of his mind, right here, right now. Instead, he would be forced to swallow his pride and just deal with this injustice and store it deep inside until a later date when he could let out all this built up, pent up, aggression on a punching bag or some unlucky punk who dared challenge him and his- “Who gets your vote, Aaron?” Jason asked as he pointed to the group of young children who stood before them. The 317 was holding an impromptu costume contest, the prize being a free course of the winners choosing at the 317. Apparently they had met their goal in sales today and were looking to give back. The children were obviously dressed by their parents, with a few cheap costumes bought at the local target and a few even cheaper home made costumes. None of them really fit, and none of them looked particularly good. And Aaron had a problem with that. [color=8A2BE2]“If I had to choose, I’d pick the kid dressed as Goku,”[/color] Aaron lied as he held back the rage. His eyes slid down to his own costume. He had decided to go as one of his recent comic book obsession, Nimona, and had created a faithful adaptation of the live action look to the titular character. Sure, right now it did not fit entirely well because he had made it a few sizes too big just in case he needed to shift tonight. The fact remained that these children had a lot to learn when it came to celebrating this most awesome of holidays. “A surprise to be sure,” Jason chuckled, “another point to Goku!” Great, just great. The kid would probably win. That would mean that every weekend, for an entire month, that kid would be paraded through the 317 and learn from the best artist in the 317 simply because they bought a cheap costume from some soulless corporation. Aaron sighed. He was being to harsh, these kids were just here to have fun. And this costume contest was a way to encourage more young people to get into the arts. He was just grumpy. This night was already turning out a bit more boring than he had hoped, he wanted to check out the haunted house. As the new guy on the block, however, he was asked if he was comfortable manning the fort and he incorrectly said yes. The only thing that could turn a boring night into a fun one would be running into some of his friends. The only thing that could turn a boring night into a terrible one was….. Aaron gasped, [color=8A2BE2]“Emily fucking Reed,”[/color] Aaron whispered as they spotted the chalice in her arms. [color=8A2BE2]“Emily…fucking…Reed,”[/color] Aaron spit through grated teeth. “Hey,” Summer said as they punched Aaron in the shoulder. She looked out into the crowd and saw angry glares from a few parents in the crowd, a few shook their head in disgust at what they just heard, “watch the language bro.” Aaron looked out into the crowd, saw the disappointment rising, and simply mouthed a [color=8A2BE2]“sorry”[/color] with a gentle wave. He slid back behind the other artist as he fanned his neck. “What’s she to you,” Jason whispered as he leaned in. [color=8A2BE2]“One of the old members of sycamore. Pretended she was a part of the leadership. She hated me and I hated her,”[/color] Aaron said as he watched her run off with the chalice. If she had that, that means the cup bearer would not be far behind. Would that mean the rest of the coven would be there? Would Linqian, Sloane, Stormy, and the rest of the cool ones be there? Would they fight? Aaron knew he would want to be there if things went south, but he knew he couldn’t if he wanted to remain with the 317. He was making good enough money for the first time in his life, and he needed that money to pay off the mountain of debt that awaited him whenever he logged into his bank accounts. Damn their rule of not getting involved. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like the 8th street coven could just force them out or defeat them, right? [color=8A2BE2]“I think I saw a few friends out in the crowd,”[/color] Aaron lied, [color=8A2BE2]“imma go say hi to them real quick!”[/color]. He did not leave room for a complaint, or second thought. Instead, he simply slipped out the back of the tent and looked around. He saw not a soul on the other side. Happy, he engaged his power and soon he saw the world around her from a higher vantage point. [center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuUVhKNWFXNC4x/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuVkdodmNtNWwuMQ/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][/CENTER] Aryin looked down at their costume, it fit their form perfectly now that they were taller and had hips. This was perfect. She did not know if she would have had the chance to truly wear it the way she intended tonight, or if this would be yet another costume that she was forced to wear again at a con. The struggles of being known as the artist Aaron but always making costumes for Aryin alone. Aryin looked back at the tent, knowing that they’d left their new friends out to dry. The thought of going back there to judge those awesome costumes was enticing her to stay, forget what she saw. But she knew if Emily fucking Reed was up to no good, she’d want to be closer to either see her get her teeth kicked in or to help a friend if the need arises. Aryin looked around again, hoping no one saw their transformation before they took off in the general direction of Emily fucking Reed. They weaved through the crowd, though as always it was just a bit more difficult to do so. Still, they floated their way down the road, saying an occasional [color=00BFFF]“Opps, pardon me,”[/color] as they did. Eventually they found their target. Emily was standing off with… Ken? Was it Ken? She listened to him speak and the righteous anger found in his words confirmed it. It was her friend Ken, and he was not happy about her stealing the chalice. [color=00BFFF]“Fuck yes, Ken”[/color] was all she could say before she saw Emily erupted in flames and swing a punch towards Ken. A surge in adrenaline, a sudden burst of speed, Aryin sensed their friend in danger and was ready to jump in front to take the hit before they felt a strong hand on their shoulder pulling them back. No matter how they writhed they could not free themself from this unseen assailant nor could they see them. They were pulled back and spun around, coming face to face with Jordan with a stern look on his face. “Chill out,” he said quickly, “we don’t get involved in any of that bullshit.” [color=00BFFF]“Fuck,”[/color] Aryin whispered back as they turned around. She saw the literal grim reaper working some shadow magic. Was that Jack? [color=00BFFF]“Fuck,”[/color] she spoke louder as she gritted her teeth. Her friends were fighting the whore who Aryin hated the most, and she was unable to do anything about it. It was like when Auri put out the call to reform the coven. Aryin wanted to rejoin, to protect her friends once more and to avenge those who were dead. But those in charge of the 317 said she’d have to leave the group. She’d have to pack up her shop and find another job. The debt she was finally paying back would start to run away from her again. And the comfortable life she had now would be replaced by scarcity and boredom once more. [color=00BFFF]“Fuck,”[/color] she said even louder than before, [color=00BFFF]“i hate this.”[/color] “I know,” Jordan said as he watched the fight, “but we’re not here to get pulled into their bullshit. I know sycamore has your friends, but don’t get involved.” [color=00BFFF]“Why do we let that asshole do whatever she wants, she’s not even that strong,”[/color] Aryin whispered again as they stopped trying to wiggle our of Jordan’s grasp. There was no point in trying to break free, and the longer they struggled the less of the fight they would be able to see. Instead, they used their hand to pull out their phone and started to record a video.