Something Wicked This Way Comes

It was safe to say that Aku had never seen Capital Crocus look so... 'unlively' for a lack of better terms. He'd been here for the magic games once or twice, and found the capital to be nice enough for a typical visit, but tonight was its own unique experience. The Halloween spirit was in the air and being his favorite holiday, the young mage couldn't resist visiting at least one of the haunted housed they'd set up this year. It would of been blasphemous if he hadn't!

So with his silver eyes peering at the entrance of the establishment, his face moved into a smirk while his right hand clenched excitedly around the fake scythe he'd brought along. Readjusting his hand placement while his left hand clutched at the dark fabric that draped his entire form, his vision only slightly impeded by the long black cloak he'd opted for. Dressed as the grim reaper for this years festivities, he was a bit proud of the simple yet efficient nature of the outfit.

It was enough to get a few frights from the youngers kids and the enamored gaze of a few older ladies and gents, so it was a win in his book. Not to mention he just felt cool as hell.

Without anymore hesitation, Aku would begin his descent into the madness that was sure to unfollow. After all, there was never anything normal about Halloween in Earthland.

Word Count: 240/2,000
@ noone

Stepping through the doors of the haunted house, Aku's once eager features turned to portray a bit of perplexation at the sights and sounds that inundated his senses. The room was quaking from the demonic sound system that drowned out every other sound in the room, and he almost felt compelled to bring his hands up to his ears. Guarding his ear drums from their impending rupture while his eyes surveyed the room around him, picking up all the little details. There was trash and liquor EVERYWHERE, with cups that appeared to be untarnished despite the obvious party setting.

Clearly he wasn't that stupid.

Attempting to walk forward was a bit of a struggle with the sticky floors holding down the soles of his boots. Only the force of his momentum breaking the hold of the spilled liquor and, what he could only assume, were other foul liquids that tried to keep him in a chokehold. Opting out of exploring the room any further as he'd already begun making his way toward the only visible doorway he could see, all before coming to a rapid halt and gasping a bit.

Despite being a necromancer himself, the presence of so many ghosts here was a bit jarring and the way they quickly closed the open space between him and the exit was ominous at first. However Aku was compelled to chuckle after immediately realizing that they lacked hostility. Instead seeming to be in no short supply of party spirit, pun intended, and with an amused smirk Aku could hear the song changing... to one of his favorites.

Guess he'd have to show these poor, unfortunate souls how to really have a good time.

As if on queue or by some divine command, all the ghastly figures began to throw theirs hands up and down to hype up the young mage while forming a circle around him. Large enough to give him space to bust a move and without any further prompt Aku got busy. Feeling the bass moving throughout his system he let the beat take over, showing off his flexibility and athleticism with each intricate move he let loose. Moving almost like a shinobi ballerina, somersaulting and pop locking with almost professional charisma and sending the spirits into a frenzy of good vibes and amazement. It was at the end of the song and the routine that Aku picked up his scythe and the ghosts made way for him to go onto the next room.

So far, so good.

Word Count: 659/2,000
@ noone

For a moment it seemed his journey had come to an end. Stepping through the door and expecting to find something for his gaze to lock onto, it was only after a few more seconds of walking that he realized there was nothing. Nothing but the pitch embrace around him, disorienting in all it's vastness. Each step feeling a bit gross, as if he were moving through an ocean of bugs and the cold air lashed out at any exposed flesh he had to offer. He could feel himself starting to panic because of his claustrophobia and ended up taking off into a sprint, one that he himself lacked control over.

Only stopping when spotting the presence of an orange speck in the distance. Surely it had to be a campfire or beacon of some sort? Whatever it was, Aku was making a mad dash over to the safety of said light source and hopefully it would give him peace of mind. Falling to his knees when arriving at the stone seat beside the fire, a fairy or something more ancient seemingly awaiting his arrival. The necromancer was still catching his breath, more so from terror than exhaustion, and only looked up halfway through the fae explaining what he needed to do to leave.

Almost getting excited to do something he was good at... telling a spooky story. After all he was a horror buff, it wasn't like he couldn't just make a tale up on the fly; however satisfying the fae was another matter in and of itself. How was he to gauge the way the creature liked to be scared? Screw it, he'd been in tougher situations.

"Ok, so this one is called Who's in My Bed? One night, a father went to say good night to his seven year old son, knowing that his son would have trouble sleeping if he didn't. It was a nightly routine between them and a way for them to bond. He entered the dimly lit room where his son waited under his blanket but with one glance the father could tell there was something... unusual... about his son that night. But couldn’t put his finger on it.... He didn't look any different but had a grin that creepily drew from ear to ear.

“You okay, buddy?” the father asked. The son nodded, still with the same eerie grin, before innocently saying, “Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.” The father chuckled a bit before getting on his knees to check, only doing so to satisfy his son. When there, under the bed, pale and afraid, was his son. His real son. He whispered, “Daddy, there someone on my bed”."

The fae would clap happily at the creepy tale and present a door for the young mage who was eager to get out of this room and onto the next.

Word Count: 1,137/2,000
@ noone