1st Annual Halloween Block Party!

[iam_senpai]

Perhaps it's the leaves of fiery golds and oranges drifting on the breeze, or the sight of various hard squash being mangled into festive ornaments, or even still the bowls of candy left out simply everywhere in the Nexus that signifies the import of today. Regardless of when you take heed, Halloween has come to the Nexus.

Neat little handmade signs and fliers of all kinds lead to a particularly festive sectioned off block with the Crossroads Cafe at the center. The brick building has more than its fair share of decorations hung from every available windowsill and door. Hanging skeletons, jolly Jack-O-Lanterns, orange and black streamers cascading down and blowing to and fro in the crisp breeze.

The doors are propped open just waiting to beckon you inside. What are you waiting for?

((See the OOC post if you have any questions! Backtagging and threadhopping are fine. Come on in and have a blast :D ))



Coats and Costumes
The Cafe
Bonfire
Dance Floor
Haunted House
Side Halls and Storage

Comments

[sumarusfinest]

It's incredibly difficult to arrange pastries on a cupcake stand with those prop guns readjusting themselves every time Katsuya leans forward, and the hat is really just impractical.

Still, this is one officer vampire determined to set up as many Halloween themed desserts as the counter will hold.

[bestdadinamestris]

"Katsuya! Your costume looks great!" Hughes grins at his friend as he strides up to his friend. "Told you it was a great idea."

He reaches out to offer a hand when he realizes his friend is having some trouble. "Need some help?" He's more than happy to help set up before he snags one of those treats for himself.

[sumarusfinest]

Where in the seven hells did Hughes get so many tacky--er, gaud--uhm. Interesting accessories? He certainly didn't have those when they went to get their costumes. He'd remember that. And would have outright refused to wear such a costume. Katsuya is suddenly very, verrrry glad he agreed to the one he's in.

"Thank you. You look...well, no one's going to miss you in a crowd." His smile is a wee bit forced but he is trying so hard to be polite.

"Yes, please." At the offer to help finish restocking the dessert station Katsuya moves to the side to allow him to work.

[bestdadinamestris]

"I know, isn't it great?" He's... actually excited about that prospect. How or why isn't obvious yet, but there it is.

He's quick to help with the restocking effort, though. And oh, look, there's just one treat that won't fit on the tray! Someone should help out by taking it and eating it right now.

That someone would be Hughes and as soon as he's popped out his fake teeth, he's popping the cupcake into his mouth.

"So," he asks after finishing the cupcake, fake teeth still in his hand, "how did the rest of the preparations go after we picked out costumes?"

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya gives his friend a knowing smile while he helps himself to one of the cupcakes. As though he needed an excuse to eat sweets. That's what they're all set up for!

"I have to say, Radio and Ice Bear have really come through for this. Radio and Ice got a local young man to manage the decorations, Radio got all the permissions and rentals handled, Ice and I spent this last week preparing the food. It's really just gone so smoothly."

He looks around the cafe and gives Hughes a huge smile.

"I think we're actually going to pull this off."

[bestdadinamestris]

His friend's happiness is infectious and Hughes finds himself smiling right back at Katsuya, fake vampire teeth and all.

"It's great, Katsuya. Thank you for putting this on for everyone."

[sumarusfinest]

"Well, I enjoy seeing everyone come together."

They can have matching pointy smiles and everything. Katsuya's grinning too. He likes seeing people happy. Enjoys running into old friends. He spends far too much time alone for his liking.

"I'm sure you'll be bringing plenty of sweets home to your family. I'll set aside a few tupperware dishes under the counter so you can help yourself once the party winds down."

[bestdadinamestris]

"And everyone's enjoying the hell out of it, as far as I can tel - I know I am. There's drinks, treats and candy, dancing, a fire outside for anyone willing to brave the chill, and a place to be scared silly. All of you pulled something amazing together for us." It feels like they've covered all of the bases for the holiday and it's damn impressive. He hopes they all realize that.

He chuckles softly at the offer. "Thanks. My wife might be unhappy with everything I bring home, but my daughter and I are going to enjoy overeating together for the next few weeks."

[sumarusfinest]

"Perhaps she'll forgive you if you say they're from me and I wouldn't hear you turn them down."

The officer gives Hughes a wry smile, one eyebrow raised as if to say 'why yes, I'm conspiring to spoil your daughter but I won't admit it'.

[bestdadinamestris]

"You know, I think that might just work. Can't say 'no' to a good friend, right?"

Hughes grins broadly. He's glad for any and all help to spoil his daughter.

[the_faceless_one]

Awww. Look at all the cute cupcakes. It seems like these adorable baked goods have attracted different children from around the Nexus. But there's one who stands out from the rest, a small girl wearing a sweater that seems to be fraying in spots. It's definitely not a costume, just a well-worn out pair of clothes with a sparkling red heart necklace.

Katsuya might notice the child smiling at him, while standing in front of the counter. She isn't reaching for the treats, just content with staring at the policeman's costume blankly.

"Which ones are made of chocolate?" And she points to the cupcakes, all covered in orange icing, her voice contains no emotion. In fact, the tone is very similar to a white polar bear Katsuya knows: stoic and straightforward. Chara has no intent of taking a treat until Katsuya says something back.

[sumarusfinest]

"Oh! Hello there."

Katsuya's quick to remove his hat and set it aside on an empty table before he bends down so that he's closer to the child's level. The officer does so love children and is glad to see a new face here for the party---albeit a little bit worried that she comes unattended in rather worn looking clothes.

Operation: send child home with plenty of leftovers is a go.

"All of these on the bottom tier are chocolate." Katsuya points to them before straightening back up to go get a small plate. "Would you like one?"

[the_faceless_one]

There's no return greeting from Chara, rather she just gives him a smile that seems strangely forced. Or maybe she's just a horribly awkward child who has no idea what to do in social settings? It's probably not the latter. There's definitely an unsettling feeling about her that might trigger some subtle resonations with a Persona user. Nothing evil (she's hiding that well enough), just very mysterious, as if her soul is filled with brimming energy and determination.

"Yes." She doesn't ask politely at all, just points her plastic knife at the dessert counter, then directly at him for a few brief seconds. "So what kind of character are you dressed up as?"

[sumarusfinest]

It's strange to have Helios thrum with interest at someone so young, but it does make Katsuya take a second look at the young girl. He had thought the student from Iwatodai had been young. This one is even younger still. It's unfair how many children get sucked into these sorts of things.

He'll grab a pumpkin cupcake making a scared :O face and set it on a plate before handing it to her. The hat goes back on when she asks about his costume.

"Oh, me? A friend asked me to dress to match him. He is going as a vampire of sorts, and I am a vampire hunting vampire. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the story, but that was what the shop clerk told me."

[the_faceless_one]

Unfair? If Chara heard that directly, she'd probably laugh herself to death. She's one of those people who wished for power, for the ability to destroy without a second thought. But to Katsuya, she's trying to come off as a relatively normal child.

Those were the orders from him, and if she wants the chance to kill without hesitation, she has to listen.

"Are you brave enough to be a vampire hunter?" She takes the cupcake, putting down her fake prop onto the countertop in order to run one finger over the icing. It's actually not that bad, but Chara isn't the type of person to give compliments.

"You don't seem very strong."

[sumarusfinest]

"Brave enough?"

The question makes Katsuya chuckle, though not for any reason he'd ever share with a child. He's faced down far worse than a simple vampire before. A single demon when compared to the fate of a world? No, Katsuya is not afraid of vampires, nor any other sort of demon. He's seen things far more gruesome.

"I'm strong when I have to be, but I prefer to be here, baking treats for people like you."

[the_faceless_one]

"Wow. Baking treats isn't something vampire hunters do."

The cupcake is a good way to distract Chara from getting angry or saying something that would get him mad at her. She's following directions tonight: don't get into trouble and don't get caught. And, to be fair, she's not going to bite the hand that feeds her, especially since it's been so long since she's had full control over the fallen child.

Her next comment sounds like something a skeptical child would say, but the tone is misleading, as if Chara is being dead serious with her words.

"What would you do if something really scary shows up though? Kill it with cake and cookies? Pretty sure those aren't valid weapons."

[sumarusfinest]

"Hm...well, if something scary showed up to wreck the party, I'd be sure to protect everyone from it. That's my job s the host."

Not to mention consummate boy scout and do-gooder. He'd throw himself into danger even if this wasn't his place. Katsuya takes a moment to mix up a spooky hot chocolate before setting it down in front of Chara as well.

"I know how to shoot. How to fight. I'd fight anything scary. Don't you worry."

[the_faceless_one]

"How would you protect everyone though? Guns don't always work." Oh how she wants to taunt him about Maya and Tatsuya, but he would be angry and take away her own freedom for straying from the plan. The hot chocolate is taken once she finishes the cupcake, giving the drink ample time to cool off as well.

"I'm not worried about myself. I'd be concerned about everyone else who's here who might not be able to fight for themselves."

[sumarusfinest]

"...That is true."

More true than this little girl thinks. He's seen firsthand what can happen when bullets are as effective as a mosquito bite. Thankfully, he has a lot more than just his handgun. He has his fists, for one. And...there's always Helios. It's more dangerous now that it's only him. Sometimes fire doesn't work, either. But he makes due. Gets creative. And every now and again, when he can track his friends down, recruits other Persona users to fight things he cannot defeat alone.

Though unless they're immune to fire and gun he can usually win a battle of attrition. it's not clean, and its not efficient, but he's never been a man to back down.

"You're very brave, aren't you?"

[the_faceless_one]

"I'm very determined."

She doesn"t know everything, but enough to undertand that Katsuya is a threat to the Eldritch God she works under. Instead of continuing the conversation, she's done her job in getting to know her future enemy.

"It was nice to meet you. Hopefully we'll see each other again in the Nexus." She gives him a smile, but inside is completely hating it.