nexus_crossings | 2nd Annual Halloween Block Party!

The leaves have turned gold and orange, the air has grown crisp, pumpkins both carved and uncarved have begun to crop up. It's time to don your costumes, light your candles, pray you don't see any spectres (or do!), rev up your sweet tooth. Why?

Halloween is Here!

Inhabitants of the Nexus may recall the festivities from last year, but even if you're new or your memories are foggy, the fliers and invites have been floating around for the past two weeks or so. They urge anyone who wishes to celebrate the spookiest time of the year with friends, food and festivities over at The Crossroads Café. The entire block is sectioned off for the shindig, in fact! Black and orange streamers festoon the café and trees, along with hanging (plastic!) skeletons and bats, plenty of jack-o-lanterns and candles.

Welcome, one and all, to the Nexus 2nd Annual Halloween Block Party!

Costume Loan: If you don't have a costume ready or are lacking access to one, the Café staff has you covered! Next to the coat closet is a rack of various options for dress-up with a sign simply stating: Feel Free to Borrow! Outfits, hats, accessories, masks; anything a person needs for a perfect last minute costume is there for the taking.
Inside the Café: The doors to the Crossroads Café are propped open and awaiting your arrival! Seating inside the Crossroads Cafe comes at a bit of a premium, though for those who need the warmth and enclosure of inside there are certainly several tables inside, as well as couches and seating areas all around the bonfire outside the cafe.

The lights have been dimmed for this special occasion and the display cases as well as the counters are laden with foods and treats from all over the Nexus. The far counter has been converted into a bar area for anyone in need of some liquid courage. On one table sits a large table set aside for people to share their own Halloween themed treats should they so choose. For now it's mostly empty, save for a large bowl in the center with a sign reading: Candy Exchange Program. There's sure to be something in there you've never seen before if you dig around long enough!
The Bonfire: Out in front of the cafe in the middle of what is usually the street is a large bonfire in a rather large fire pit. Plenty of tables are set up near the fire, showing off pumpkins carved in all manner of spooks and designs. Seems like folks are welcome to bring their own jack o'lanterns and other festive creations if they so please.

There's plenty of seating on one side of the large fire, though the other side gives way to a large, open area.
The Dance Floor: On the far side of the bonfire where usually the outdoor seating goes is a marked off area for a dance floor. The large speakers ensure anyone walking by won't be able to miss the fact that there's a party going on. Several floating lights bathe the area in a golden light altogether separate form the light and heat the bonfire provides.

Music from many different worlds plays continuously throughout the night. It beckons one and all to let loose and enjoy themselves on this night of celebration.

((Check out the OOC post here!))

EDIT 10/31/17: Something's gone wrong. [Phase 2: NIGHTMARE has begun!]
((Here's the OOC post regarding Phase 2!))
Here's where people go to wonder what the heck just happened. [Left Behind thread!]
EDIT 11/28/17: The Nightmare is over. [Finale thread!]
((Thanks for playing, everyone! And happy holidays!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She's moving forward while Reynard's gathering himself up again and wrapping her arms around his waist. Burying her face into his side and stifling the urge she's feeling to cry. Tina may not have been abducted anywhere, but this is her nightmare. Waiting indefinitely for a Guardian who is never to return.

Tina won't let him see her face until she's sure she's smiling properly.

"Naw, son." It's a forced attempt at her normal way of talking but it's a start. "I stayed here like a good girl an' waited for you guys to come back."

There's so much going on his own head that the sudden small arms wrapped around his waist comes as a complete surprise. He freezes, a wave of strange emotion washing over him, warmth mixing with fear, fondness conflicting with uncertainty. It takes him a minute, but he forces his smile wider and strokes the top of her head.

"Good." He pulls out of her grip so that he can crouch down, a hand on her shoulder, and look her in the eye. It's easier to look serious than it is to smile. "Remember, if anything like that ever happens: Take care of yourself first. That's the rule. Always take care of yourself. Understand?"

He's so serious. Tina remembers a voice laced with pain telling her to run. A woman's voice agreeing and telling her to hide. Not to look back. Take care of yourself. It makes her sad. Makes something inside her chest squeeze tight at the idea of Reynard or Blaze or Ghost getting hurt to make sure she's alright.

She's had enough of that for her life already.

"You too. Okay? I want you to be safe too. Promise?"

The palm of his hand thumps against his chest he moves it so fast, eyebrows lifting again so that it looks and sounds almost like he's joking. "I always take care of myself." The hand rests on his knee then. "But you mustn't worry about me. If you put yourself first it will put my mind at ease. You'd be doing me a kindness."

"I..I know, okay? I just. Too many people have told me to do that and then never come back." Tina doesn't tear up or cry, but the jovial tones have left her voice. She reaches up and brushes her hand against Reynard's cheek gently.

"I know how to survive, Rey. I just don' wanna lose anyone else I care about along the way."

Reynard sighs, his face relaxing out of the playfulness he'd been trying to put on. "Tina. Do you remember when I told you I was a Winter spirit? Now, don't judge me too harshly, but... that means I'm old. Very, very old. Hundreds and hundreds of years old." He takes her hands in his and squeezes it gently. "I'm good at surviving. And I promise you, I intend to live for at least another hundred hundred years."

"I'm gonna hold you to that, yo."

This time her smile carries a lot more life to it. She hugs him again, throwing her hands around the back of his neck. There's no guarantee she'll see anyone she cares about on Pandora from one day to the next, but it's really nice having people she can rely on here to offset that.

"I don't think I can do that, but I'll be awesome an' explosive every step of the way."

This might be one of the best reactions to his explaining his longevity he's had. The surprised lift of his brow soon passes and he smiles gently, wrapping his arms around her to return a warm hug. Here, where she can't see him, his expression wavers with the memory of the Nightmare. What if Winter abandons him? What if he becomes mortal?

"I don't doubt it." His voice isn't as strong as it should be, but maybe that can be blamed on the stranglehold hug. Clearing his throat he continues, "But you have to live for at least a hundred years. Who else will light up my life?"

In time, Tina may become more somber to the revelation of Reynard's longevity. But it's hardly something that's unique to him either. Blaze is crazy old too being a living robot from a bygone era and all. Tina's mortality means she won't outlive either of them but to her it's a blessing that they aren't likely to pass while she's alive.

It's more trouble for them than for her.

"Aww, you're sweet Rey. I promise t'be the best friend you can have as long as I'm here. You're always takin' care of me, but I won't be some kid forever."

"Being a kid isn't a bad thing, Tina," he tells her, surprising even as he says it. The laugh that follows is a little forced, but it helps to keep him in a better frame of mind. He leans back to look at her and his voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, "How would I make sure I don't act my age if I didn't have you keeping me 'cool'?"

He chuckles and ruffles her hair. "You're taking care of me just as much as I take care of you."

"Iseewhatyoudidthere, mister."

This time her grin is her own again. Huge and full of life. She pulls back and giggles when he ruffles her hair, mussing it up and making it even more wild than it usually is. Though Halloween is traditionally a night to be reminded of mortality Tina has had enough of it for one night. She has her friends back and for now that's the only thing important to her.

"It's gettin' late though. I oughta pack up my candy an' head back home."

It's impossible for him not to smile back broadly when he sees her so happy, so herself again. He lets her pull way, but the mention of her going back home gets his smile to waver.

He strengthens it again. One thing at a time, Reynard. "Of course, but next time we see each other I want to ask you something, okay?"

"Is it a surprise? Why can't you ask me now? When should i come back?"

He's smiling so maybe it'll be something fun. Something or someone to blow up! Mischief to make! Winter preparations and all that jazz. She did say it was getting late though. This might be better for another time.

"Alright! I'll come back soon to play again, okay?"

"It is a surprise. I have to sort out a few things before I ask you. I promise I won't leave you waiting too long." He pats her shoulder reassuringly. The agreement to part makes his smile waver, but he nods, pulls her into one last hug, and then pats her shoulder again. "You take care of yourself, Tina."

2nd Annual Halloween Block Party!

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Don't taunt a kid with a cliffhanger Reynard :O

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