[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/QIUSezo.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ycOCuCr.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5kOTFmOGIuVkdobElGUnlhVzguMA/thuast.demo.webp[/img] [img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/a_ZXp74cmcnxAvQSBK0nee5IJqvtSKuclfYouJxS7HA/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/231126/fd923e18179d11fb770a1c53aea6dd00.png?format=webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/LRt9Ofi.png[/img] [/center] [right][code]Halloween Festival -> Lila’s House[/code][/right][hr] After Ken went off to deal with Emily G. Reed, Luca, Stormy and the trio made their way off the island. Thanks to Stormy tagging along Luca didn’t have to worry about the Rot coming back yet, using Jasper for support the whole way. The ferry journey was uneventful, and they headed for Lila’s place first - so she could shower and change. They’d hopefully have time to hit a shop on the way to Luca’s, since they didn’t have many snacks left… Then they could have a proper party! Luca couldn’t wait! Luca turned to the two girls once they reached Lila’s house, and got out of Jasper’s car. [color=6B8E23]”Why don’t you two stay at mine for a while? You can have Olivia’s room, she has a really nice double bed! Me and Jasper will figure out the rest… It’ll be safer, y’know, after the stuff with Emily.”[/color] He then turned to Jasper, eyes narrowing slightly. He really wanted to ask who Kikyo was… it had been playing on his mind since they’d seen Ken. Maybe he could ask Ken when he arrived later instead. No, he could just ask Jasper, why was he worried about asking Jasper? She was probably just a friend. A friend he didn’t know about. Or something else? No, no… anyway, he couldn’t ask right now, when they were all there. Instead, he turned to Stormy with a grin. [color=6B8E23]”I’m really glad you’re coming along, Stormy, the more the merrier! Oh- we can crack out the good furniture from Olivia’s room since there’s no risk of me damaging it! She has this [i]really[/i] comfy looking beanbag I’ve always wanted to try out.”[/color] Lila looked to Lynn and raised an eyebrow. Lynn returned the gaze, tilted her head and smiled. The two looked back to Luca as they exited the vehicle. [color=F08080]“A slumber party, at Lucas?”[/color] Lynn laughed as she began to walk towards the door, [color=F08080]“I think that sounds grand!”[/color] [color=DA70D6]“Amazing idea Luca, who knows what floorboard Emily is hiding under. Safety! Safety,”[/color] Lila spoke somewhere between a chant and a drunken slur as she walked over to Lynn and threw her arms around her shoulders, draping her body onto Lynn’s back. [color=DA70D6]“Take me to the shower! Boys, follow. Make yourself at hooome!”[/color] Jasper chuckled at the sight. He knew Lila was in for a night when she downed both of Lynn’s flask on the ferry ride over, and that night was only just beginning. He looked around the area and smiled. He had been in Victorian village over the years but it had been far too long since he set foot at Lila’s. Jasper looked back to Stormy and Luca, [color=98FB98]”I know where Lila hides the good snacks,”[/color] he waved for the boys to follow. [color=DA70D6]“Don’t you dare, Jasper, I want those”[/color] Lila pleaded as Lynn pulled Lila onto her back and carried her inside. Stormy didn’t have a lot to say until now, as they walked inside. He made sure to keep his Phantombane aura up this entire time, so the Rot didn’t do anything stupid, and was mostly focusing on maintaining it for as long as possivle. [color=00ff98]”We won’t eat everything, don’t worry.”[/color] He waited for Lynn and Lila to wander off before speaking up about something. [color=00ff98]”Jasper, you said you could use my help with something. What was it?”[/color] [color=98FB98]”It’s,”[/color] Jasper stated as he looked up to the sky above, [color=98FB98]”super easy to explain,”[/color] he winced as the words were already stolen, [color=98FB98]”we’re trying to fight off a swarm of bee’s and all we have to kill them is our bare hands,”[/color] Jasper sighed as he looked over to Luca, [color=98FB98]” You want to try?”[/color] "I guess," Luca took a deep breath and steeled himself for not being able to say what was actually happening. "Everytime we relax and start enjoying ourselves-" oh so far so good, "- the bees invade my flat and start stinging us! They can even resist the rot- ah, fuck." Luca groaned, leaning in against Jasper and hiding his face in frustration. "Maybe we should just ask Stormy to stay, and drop the aura so the bees…" he whispered. [color=98FB98]”can sting us,”[/color] Jasper sighed as he placed his hand on Luca’s shoulder. An interesting idea, if they could somehow coax the skeleton out while someone was nearby they could possibly get help. [color=00ff98][i]”…What?”[/i][/color] Bees? Stormy could see it on their faces that something was off about this. [color=00ff98]”Is this some kind of metaphor for something?”[/color] "Yes!" Luca got immediately excited and popped back up from his hiding place against Jasper, nudging him multiple times. Maybe they could explain it like that, without directly mentioning it. But how could they get it across? "It's a metaphor for something that's really been bothering us. It's as painful and as annoying as bees, it's…" Luca's face visibly screwed up as he tried to say something about skeletons or bones or even ghosts. "... Unresolved sexual tension!" No! Luca turned bright red, shaking off Jasper's shoulder and distancing himself so both him and Stormy didn't get the wrong idea. Jasper’s face went beet red as Luca said something that was somewhat correct, for him at least, but not what was intended. [color=98FB98]”Oh wow is it hot out tonight? It feels hot out tonight”[/color] Jasper paused as he took a deep breath in, and flashed a quick look towards Luca before going back to Stormy. [color=98FB98]”The bees may not be the best metaphor, this is more like a hornet,”[/color] Jasper started as he spoke plainly, [color=98FB98]” one that liked to show up and sting us,”[/color] he groaned as his words were changed again, [color=98FB98]” basically we can only talk about the bees and the hornets and not about the crazy clown that likes to pie us in the face.”[/color] Stormy’s eyes narrowed at both of them. “Hornets” was one step away from this sounding awful, but then “pie us in the face” was two steps back to it. [color=00ff98]”Luca… Has the Rot made you so intolerant to alcohol that you’re going delusional?”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”I haven’t even-”[/color] Luca cut himself off, hanging his head. There really wasn’t any point in explaining it, was there? They’d just have to hope Skelly appeared at some point tonight… then they could point them out to everyone. [color=6B8E23]”Yeah. There’s a lot of things I can’t handle anymore because of the rot, alcohol being one.”[/color] [color=00ff98]”So, you can be straight with me about [i]that,[/i] but not about… Whatever it is you’re talking about,”[/color] Stormy was picking up that [i]something[/i] was up here. Were they trying to keep a secret? [color=00ff98]”Are you being spied on by something?”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”Oh, sort of! It’s more like-”[/color] being hunted, is what Luca wanted to say, but it came out as- [color=6B8E23]”a parent walking into the room whenever you’re trying to kiss.”[/color] What the fuck, why were all of his forced lies ended up like that?! Why did Jasper get to talk about clowns and he was being forced to talk about kissing, something he really would love to do with Jasper but Jasper wouldn’t want to do with him and… Not the point right now. Luca sighed. [color=6B8E23]”Maybe if you stay over at mine tonight we’ll be able to show you? The bees, not the kissing.”[/color] Not the kissing? Jasper frowned a little at those words. [color=98FB98]”Hopefully Luca and I can hold hands while the bees come out to sting us,”[/color] Jasper said honestly but winced to sell the fake out. [color=98FB98]” That way if we get dog pilled by clowns you’ll be able to see it for yourself,[/color] Jasper winced again as his words were stolen from him. [color=98FB98]” Let’s get some snacks, I think some snacks are in order.”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”Yeah there’s no point talking about this,”[/color] Luca waved a hand, looking around Lila’s house curiously. He hadn’t actually been properly inside before… and he could without worry since Stormy was there and the Rot wasn’t! [color=6B8E23]”So where does she keep her secret snack stash?”[/color] [color=98FB98]”She needs to hide them from her grandma, and from the crows,”[/color] Jasper pointed to the murder which dotted the landscape, [color=98FB98]”so she puts them in a spot where neither can get to it,”[/color] Jasper spoke as he led the group into the house and then into the kitchen. The kitchen was outdated, and it looked like the group had walked into a kitchen that belonged four decades prior rather than modern times. It was neat, and clean, but it had a certain rustic charm to it. There were cabinets and a pantry on the one wall, and cabinets that filled the one corner along with the sink. Jasper walked over to that corner and leaned down. [color=98FB98]”If you grab onto this corner just right,”[/color] Jasper said as he pulled on the edge of the corner, pulling open a hidden cabinet, [color=98FB98]” you’ll find treasure inside,”[/color] Jasper paused as he pulled out a variety of fancy European chocolate in a bowl. There was more snacks in there, mostly stuff that Lila bought from the various Asian and European food stores in the area. [color=6B8E23]”Whoooaa,”[/color] Luca looked at all the fancy snacks with wide eyes. The hidden cabinet was super cool. [color=6B8E23]”Are you sure we should be taking this? It looks kinda expensive, we could just hit up the shops on the way…”[/color] Stormy followed them in. He made sure to keep near Luca. [color=00ff98]”Or both.”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”Oh, yeah, both sounds good,”[/color] Luca tilted his head back to grin up at Stormy, then Jasper. [color=6B8E23]”We’re gonna need to grab some alcohol to keep the girls happy, we don’t have any in the flat, since Jasper and I don’t really drink.”[/color] He paused, cheeks heating up slightly. He was speaking as if he and Jasper lived together… Which they temporarily did, but it was a flatmate situation! Sort of! Definitely not a domestic, cute living together that he’d like… [color=98FB98]”How much could they possibly drink,”[/color] Jasper wondered aloud, [color=98FB98]” they’ve had so much tonight,”[/color] Jasper turned to Stormy, tossing him a chocolate before he tossed one to Luca, [color=98FB98]” but who am I to judge.”[/color] he paused as he heard a shout from upstairs. He fixated his hearing on the source, and it appeared to be coming from the shower. He turned back to the group and shook his head as he opened the wrapper on the chocolate in his hand and tossed it into his mouth. [color=6B8E23]”Well, we don’t have a single bottle at home, so if they want anything to drink we need to buy it,”[/color] Luca shrugged, catching the chocolate. He popped it in his mouth with a grin. [color=6B8E23]”It’s [i]so[/i] nice eating food without having to worry… Oh, we never got proper food! Maybe you could cook us something, Jasper? Oh, oh, can we have something with loads of fresh vegetables for once, since I won’t rot them!”[/color] Stormy caught the chocolate thrown his way. [color=00ff98]”I don’t have a spell to protect anyone against a hangover, fair warning.”[/color] He probably [i]should[/i] have made a spell for such a thing. But then again, how often would it be used? [color=00ff98]”It’s getting late, most places will probably be closed.”[/color] [color=98FB98]”We can still grab some from a gas station,”[/color] Jasper whispered as he walked over to the fridge, [color=98FB98]”or we can have the girls supply it with what they already have,”[/color] he paused as he opened the fridge, spotting an entire shelf filled with beer. His eyes lingered for a second as a singular eyebrow raised. [color=98FB98]”I think we should still stop for some variety, I don’t know if Ken will join but he seems like a wine kinda guy.”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”That’s a lot of beer,”[/color] Luca had followed Jasper, and peered around him to stare into the fridge. He hoped it was between the two girls and not just Lynn who… seemed to be drinking more often than not. [color=6B8E23]”Oh yeah, I have no idea what Ken drinks… wine is probably right. Or some fancy Japanese alcohol? What’s it called… Dunno, I’ve never drank before, so I don’t know this shit. What I [i]do[/i] know is we’ll need popcorn and ice cream if we’re going to watch movies.”[/color] He grinned, looking at Jasper and Stormy. [color=6B8E23]”This is really great, you know. I haven’t been around so many people in [i]years[/i], and having a whole party in my place… well I’d never really imagined it.”[/color] [color=98FB98]”All will be in hand soon,”[/color] Jasper said with a smirk. He knew that Luca had missed out on much that life could offer due to his condition, and he knew that Emily Reed robbred him of a good night away from it. Tonight would need to be special still, and if that meant he cooked the best meal of his life and bought a lot of popcorn and ice cream than so be it he would cook the best meal of his life and buy a lot of popcorn and ice cream. [color=98FB98]”I don’t know how long it will take to get beer out of her hair but I don’t imagine we’ll be here for much longer.”[/color] The sound of the water turning off upstairs echoed through the kitchen and it was soon followed by the sound of a blow dryer being used. [color=00ff98]”I’m always grateful for a chance to spend time with my friend,”[/color] Stormy grinned at Luca. [color=00ff98]”Maybe I should start teaching my spells to others so you can have people over more often,”[/color] he joked. "Start up the Stormy School of apparition banishing," Luca laughed, smiling brightly as them both. He was truly happy and grateful to be able to spend time with them, and honestly didn't mind if it was the only time he ended up with a larger gathering at his house. Though, even with the rot around he could have people over… there was just some distancing required. "Or you'll just have to come along every time." He glanced towards the stairs. "Should we start gathering Lila's snacks and the beers then, so we're ready to go when they're done?" [color=98FB98]”I can teach you a spell or two in return, and I think that’s smart,”[/color] Jasper said as he walked over to the sink and opened the cabinet underneath it. He reached in a grabbed a few plastic bags and returned to the group. [color=98FB98]”Let’s fill these up with the beers, i think Lila is almost finished by the sounds of things.”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”I can only offer my wonderful company when you guys learn spells!”[/color] Luca laughed, taking one of the plastic bags from Jasper. His fingers gently brushed against Jasper’s before he withdrew his hand. He turned to the fridge and stuffed as much beer as he could into the bag, wincing a little as it got heavier and heavier. His arms still ached, wounds scabbed but unhealed. But he could totally carry this bag! He had to show that he was perfectly fine and strong! [color=6B8E23]”We better grab some of her snacks quick, then, before she gets down!”[/color] [color=98FB98]”Oh yes,”[/color] Jasper said as he walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a few of the snacks and put them in a bag, [color=98FB98]” I’ll replace them, of course, but tonight they’ll make quite the treat!”[/color] Stormy walked over and helped to put things in a bag, raiding the cabinets with Jasper. [color=00ff98]”If I thought we were going to have a party at Luca’s house, I would’ve just gone straight there and skipped the festival,”[/color] he joked. [color=6B8E23]”You gotta go through the festival shitshow to truly enjoy a Luca party,”[/color] Luca laughed, eyes lighting up and scrunching up in sheer joy. He’d finished putting the beer into a bag, stepping back and lugging it with a grunt. [color=6B8E23]”Next time we’ll just skip the rest and start the night at mine!”[/color] Ah, but there might not be a next halloween festival… but it didn’t just have to be for that. [color=6B8E23]”No more coven meetings, just Luca house parties.”[/color] [color=F08080]“You got my vote,”[/color] Lynn said as she appeared from around the corner. Gone was the costume, instead she simply wore leggings and a cropped hoodie, [color=F08080]“we should be ready in a minute or so. Just gotta pack some supplies for the sleep,”[/color] Lynn’s eyes narrowed at the snacks in Jasper’s hand, [color=F08080]“-over. Dangerous game,”[/color] Lynn said with a laugh, [color=F08080]“just like ten years ago.”[/color] [color=98FB98]” You know it”[/color] Jasper said with a wink. [color=98FB98]” And you know I’m down for that Luca, as long as we don’t invite Sloane!”[/color] [color=6B8E23]”Pack for a few days,”[/color] Luca said, smiling at Lynn. [color=6B8E23]”Just in case. Honestly, you guys can stay as long as you like- And hey. I wouldn’t invite Sloane if it made you uncomfortable but…”[/color] Luca trailed off, trying to think of how to say this. [color=6B8E23]“You need to stop dwelling on that negativity so much, Jasper! Sloane isn’t that bad! Why bring it up when talking about something fun?[/color] [color=98FB98]” You’re absolutely right, Luca,”[/color] Jasper said as he smiled genuinely. As long as Jasper could see Lucas’s beautiful smile it did not matter who was there, that was the lesson, [color=98FB98]”I doubt I’d even see her with you by my side,”[/color] nailed it. [color=F08080]”Gay,”[/color] Lynn thought with a smile. [color=F08080]”I’m good to go, Lila is finishing up selecting the wardrobe. I’ll go help her finish!”[/color] [color=00ff98]”Luca’s right. Sloane isn’t so bad when you try and get to know her,”[/color] he hasn’t spoken to her much since their reunion. Though, most people in the coven didn’t seem to change much at all, and he remembered thinking she was alright back then. Stormy hefted some bags of pilfered snacks and drinks up and stood near the others, keeping close for safety reasons. [color=00ff98]”Ready when you are.”[/color] Luca was standing there, holding a bag and staring at Jasper. His cheeks were burning again. Did he really mean it? That having Luca there would be enough to ignore his hatred for Sloane? Of course it would be, since they were such great friends! It wasn’t anything else! No point getting embarrassed. [color=6B8E23]”Yeah, everyone deserves a second chance, anyway! Especially after two years.”[/color] He held up the bag he was holding with a grunt. [color=6B8E23]”Should we get these in the car and meet the girls out there then?”[/color] [color=98FB98]”Sounds like a plan!”[/color] A few minutes later they were in the car. Jasper made sure all the bags containing the high value treats were placed up front, away from the prying eyes of Lila and her crows. The crew did not have to wait for long. Jasper opened the trunk allowing two women to put their bags and stuff in, and a moment later they were in the car. They quickly found the open seats and got buckled in. [color=98FB98]”Alright, let’s go!”[/color]