nexus_crossings | Happy Naberus! [Party post]

There's a chill in the air and a distant howl, and the sun is nowhere to be seen. On the outskirts of the Plaza, grinning faces carved into squashes tempt passersby to follow their lighted path, leading visitors down twists and turns through darkened streets, fog swirling around their feet. Did you already pass this way before? Are you going in circles, lost forever? Doubling back on yourself will lead to much the same result. And you don't remember when or how, but your clothes have somehow become a costume - whether funny, horrific, or downright bizarre.

Eventually, you find yourself in a small street carnival, tucked away far beyond the beaten path. Lights and lanterns run the length of a darkened street, the smells of fried and baked treats in the air, a light haze of smoke gathering under the awnings of food stalls. Beyond the food stalls, a haunted house beckons the brave to venture into its dark, cramped corridors, the sounds of distant screams coming from deep within. To the other side, a mountain of pumpkins waits to be carved, scoops and wicked-looking knives laid out on a tall table. Further still, wooden washtubs full of dark red wine host a small flotilla of apples to be bobbed, leaving all participants with deep red stains running down their necks from trying.

But before you can investigate the many wonders this strange little celebration has to offer, you must first be confronted by the host.

What looks for all the world like a fleshy flower writhes in the entryway to the festival, already towering over most visitors at fifteen feet high. But then that flower opens, unfolding into the form of an even larger young woman, bloody handprints painted on her exposed skin and shards of glass seemingly jammed directly into her head, and papercraft severed limbs hang in a necklace around her throat. She grins at you with unrestrained glee. "Couldn't resist, right? This is the happiest time of the entire year! Happy Naberus! You do know what that is? The Orokin festival of death, darkness, and deviance." She peers down at those in her presence. "We're all equal on Naberus night now, under our masks. Who's to know who's powerful and who isn't?"

She straightens up and laughs, waving her arms towards the carnival behind her. "Don't say I didn't warn you!"

[ooc: Happy Naberus, Nexus-goers! This is a party post, so feel free to tag around under the activity tags or just with each other! And remember, everyone must have a costume to participate! You can make it as mundane or as terrifying as you like. If you are open to spooky and/or horrifying events happening to your character, please also contact me through DMs here or to Ael on Discord so we can plan it together beforehand. The horror side of this event is opt-in, and threads containing such content should be tagged in the subject line.]

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Aal gives him a warm look and chuckle before replying. "Oh the usual work, kiddos..trying to plan things that hardly work out. " She starts the last wryly and coughs.

Before giving a sheepish smile to the other twin and copying his movements though, in a more doggish way, the girls rooing cutely and doing so in a puppy-like manner. "Roo?"

Aal chuckles, "Ahem, better safe than sorry. " She eyes the wee ones and then scans the area again. Precious cargo and she was rather protective of her 'extended pack 'as well. "Party or not. " Especially when she did not know certain persons so well. She shivers a little thinking of another party or person she'd not seen about lately..Well, Last Halloween hadn't been too bad..granted. Her eyes soften as they land on her little family. For a moment, before her nose twitches never the less.

Let's just say she's used to be the more designated driver' in such cases. She reaches for the semi-pouch/pack on one of her several belts. There had to be something..Non fighting related in these things somewhere.

“Hopefully some will start to work out!” He added cheerfully. Minoru knew the feeling of being busy. If he wasn’t working his shifts at the hospital, he was rigging lights for the Ziggy Stardust tour or training for next year’s American Ninja Warrior competitions. (He was technically also listening to class lectures on his PINpoint, but he was keeping that part a secret from Isamu.)

“The ankle’s completely healed up.” He added. “I’m back running at full speed.”

“Which is hopefully something none of us will need to do tonight.” Isamu added, following Aal’s protective looks.

“Unless it’s through a haunted house.” Minoru grinned. He pointed at the sign, which was close enough to Japanese that it translated perfectly. “They have one over there.”

Aal softy smiles despite herself. "Let's hope so, from yer mouth to Fates' ears." She murmurs lowly with a slight sleepy head tilt. Sometimes just trying over, and over and over again with the same result..Or rather little to none was..just trieding at this point.

Her eyebrows go up and glance down at them both but smiles warmly. "Glad to hear that." With a happy squint.

She hums, with an agreeing nod as she pets her nearest pups head.

Aal coughs wryly at that. Following the eyeline/gaze. "Mmhmm, well you all have fun with that." She murmurs sincerely though not impressed with the activity choice that is. Not her cup of tea.

Her hand as still rifleing through her pouch, when a low familar voice murmurs. "Here ya are darlin.'

Causing her to look up and beam. "Hello, there Handsome..and mmh thank ya." She murmurs as her eyes land on the stream-curling cup of hot cocoa, in the hand of her tall drink of water Mate. "Mmh yum." She murmurs as she reaches for it, and aims a peck at him as he comes within range moving to carefully sit next to her Gawain in his Bijon. Some sort of cake pop in hand.

"Your very welcome." He near purrs as his arm goes round the back of the bench and her as he throws the twins a warm wolfish grin. "Ello there boys." His tone was warm, before gently nuzzling his beloved and sipping his own drink and setting the drink caddy nearby but out of reach of little hands. A plate of goodies floated not far from that.

“See, I am not alone in finding that sort of activity unimpressive.” Isamu nodded toward his brother, before turning back to Aal and her family. “I personally never understood the appeal.”

“It’s a fun little rush?”

Granted, as a freerunner, Minoru could - and literally did - turn things as basic as a walk to work or a stroll through the park into a fun little rush, so… his opinion might be a little skewed.

“I could debate three of the four words in that sentence.” He looked to Aal for backup here.

Aal chuckles softly bemused by that Dor gives a wee warm but lopsided grin.

"Well if there were horses or some sort of water feature involved..it'd be another matter." Ooh, perhaps they could find out if anyone had a hay ride going..Her mind wanders toward some folks she met last Christmas time etc. She tilts her head toward her Mate. "That's Mister Water Bugs fave sorts of things." She murmurs fondly.

Dor shoots her a wolfish grin as he loosely wraps a bit of his jacket around her before rubbing her shoulder lightly. "Aye," He chuckles again, before sipping a bit of his own drink before setting it safely out of reach of the wee ones before checking on Gawain's nomming on his treat.

"Ahem, I only run when it's absolutely necessary these days." Wolf speed and energy aside. Emergencies were one thing. She twitches her nose. "And that place gives me.." She pauses for a moment to find the compatible words. "The Uber Hebee Jeebee vibes."

Minoru scratched his head. “It does?”

“That is precisely what she just said, yes.” Isamu added, knowing full well the question was intended to learn why, not just provide confirmation. (He, on the other hand, found that confirmation more than reason enough. He couldn’t agree more.)

"Cha,, ahem I mean Aye." She murmurs with a small nod.

Dor's lips twitch slightly bemused at the antics before glancing toward the 'House's' way. He imagined it was 'supposed' to be safe for those that wished to do such like the apple bobbing but one couldn't be too cautious around. He subtlely scents the air, he still couldn't place what exact kind of being they were dealing with. Which made him uneasy though they'd been to their share of festivals and fairs in their day.

So the same safety rules applied but also be careful what one verbally and otherwise agreed to.

"Just be mindful of your surroundings alright lads." He murmurs in a warm fatherly fond sort of tone. As he strokes one of his daughter's heads reaching for a soft bit of treat to feed her.

"And use the buddy system," Aal adds with a nod as she checks one of the bottles from the bags and then stares them straight in the eye. To highlight her seriousness on the matter.

We most certainly will.” Isamu nodded, but then retracted it slightly. “Well, I certainly will.”

Minoru, he was probably going to throw caution to the wind. In very much the same way he physically throws himself into the wind.

Aal squints pleased and nods. "Good." before turning to the other brother and giving the slight puppy eyes with a wee almost pout.

"And ahem if ya must..and get yerselfs in or with some scraps ya can always come running ta me." She reassures but does a wee knock on wood hoping such won't be necessary.

"Aye." Dor murmurs in agreement and a nod. "or Holla for me." His tone is low but firm. He was not above carrying and running them to safety and 'kicking' in doors etc if need be. Though Aal was likely to try and smoke or knock out bomb the place if they couldn't find a way to sneak in safely.

He might have been too nonchalant about the dangers that could go bump on this particular night, but he did appreciate his friends’ willingness to look out for them.

“It’ll be fine.” He insisted. “But just in case, I know where to come for backup.”

They both hum, not a hundred percent convinced. But willing to let it slide..for now.

"If ya say so.." Aal murmurs softly rubbing one of their little's back as she picked them up and rocked a little. "Good. " 'Aye." There's a murmured almost in unison chorus of agreement. They had one too many friends who had the bad habit of rushing/running into trouble and danger. Though granted it was sometimes necessary or on accident. It was the times that it was not that grated on them.

Both of their ears were up and furred, one of Aal's was wiggling in scanning concern. She made a low uncertain canine like sound in the back of her thoart.

Happy Naberus! [Party post]

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