[EV-F24] Star & Willow's Beach House

[Morningstar 0]

The home of Morningstar and Willow was hardly ideal for Halloween (or any holiday, for that matter). It was difficult to make a beachfront property look anything other than a Summer vacation home, but they did nothing if not try.

Sunset on the 24th was far later than on other floors, and so the orange lights strung up along the awning wouldn't turn on until half past eleven, when it was dark enough for them to stand out. Pumpkins, which Morningstar had carved with precise detail, were scattered in the sand. A variety of popular quest, field, and floor bosses had their faces cut out of the thick shell of the jack-o-lanterns, as well as a silly carving of Wulfrin (which Morningstar thought was absurdly funny).

While the sun is still out, Morningstar and Willow soak in their porch-side pool. A bowl of candy sits at the edge. Players are welcome to help themselves so long as they follow the house rules, which Star has scratched into a piece of drift wood.

1. Say hello before you steal our candy.

For players who come after sunset, Star and Willow can be found inside, answering the door in shifts. Give it a short knock and see who opens up!

---

MORNINGSTAR | Lv. 100 | P. 65 | True Tier: 10 | Guild Rank: 1 | HP: 920/920 | EN: 128/128 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

[3ulogy 0]

"We're here way too early. Ugh, we're gonna look like losers." 3ulogy's feathers bounced up and down, mimicking his agitation. His voice sounded muffled through the plague doctor's mask. "Maybe we should take another lap or something. At least wait until it's starting to get dark?"

"I asked you this morning if earlier was ok." Acanthus explained patiently. "I told you I had plans to go to a party this evening, and I needed plenty of time to get ready. So when I asked if around dinner was ok, you said—"

"I know, I know. Don't have to rub it in."

"I'm not. And you know, you could go by yourself."

"Pheh." 3ulogy made a noise that threw spit into his mask, and he Immediately regretted the mistake. But he made no sign of it as he continued. "The only thing worse than trick-or-treating early is trick-or-treating alone. Besides, we've got that paired-up costume thing going. Caw, caw, motherfucker." He shook his arm feathers again, emphasizing his point.

Acanthus fidgeted with her sleeves and tied-back hair. "I'm... already regretting this."

"We haven't even started. Where's your mustache, by the way?"

Acanthus turned beet red. Sensing his opening, 3ulogy turned up the heat. "Right now you just like some girl in a Victorian getup. No one is gonna know you're Edgar Allen Poe unless you have the mustache."

"He... he has plenty of other defining characteristics."

"No, you're right. Like his weird, greasy, hair. You could always go for that instead." Her full-body shiver indicated the hair was not an option. Tentatively, Acanthus retrieved the thin mustaches from her inventory and equipped it. 3ulogy cackled. Who looks like a loser now?

"Right, first house. Looks like Morningstar? And some other chick."

"Willow." Acanthus finished. "If you're taking candy from people, at least learn their names."

Bulogy rolled his eyes before bounding up to the door and gently rap, rapping on the chamber door. "It's raven time, Star! And Willy! Open the door and give me some candy!”

[Acanthus 0]

The sun had barely dipped below the horizon when 3ulogy sent his sixth message for the day.

"Hey it's basically dark I want to go trick or treating you promised"

Acanthus thought it best to not complain after being the one to request an early start. Besides, she had just returned from Floor 11 with a haul of suits, but still needed some time to put the finishing touches on her costume for the masquerade. Going early was a much-needed break in the process, and would give her plenty of time before the masquerade's late start.

She found a simple charcoal suit, styled for a moderately wealthy Victorian gentleman. She had requested a simple costume pairing, and 3ulogy had surprisingly obliged. It was unusual for him to be anything other than difficult; it must be something about Halloween that makes him act like a kid again. He had insisted, if she accept the mantle of Edgar Allen Poe, she must wear the mustache.

She looked at the giant black caterpillar in her hand. There was no way she would put the thing on her face. If she had to be a boy, she wasn't going to settle for one of those weirdos with thin facial hair and an concerningly intricate understanding of age of consent laws. Acanthus tucked the mustache into her inventory before heading out the door.

* * *

"It's raven time, Star! And Willy! Open the door give me some candy!"

Acanthus rushed to the door, standing menacingly over the unsociable gremlin. "Oh my *god,* 3ulogy, you need to BEHAVE."

She stiffened straight as the door opened, desperate to appear calm and collected. "Willow. Morningstar, Good afternoon. Trick or-"

"TREAT." 3ulogy rasped in his best raven impression, cutting off Acanthus. She looked down, ready to strangle the little bastard. Her face bounced back up to the hosts, a thin smile stretched over an exasperated face.

"Treat. Trick or Treat.”

Edited 1 hour ago by Acanthus