[A/N: I’m going to be writing my entries, since I’ve been drawing so much, and with Halloween a week away, writing will be faster, as well as allowing me to tell more of the story. I’ve already drawn some Halloween ball-related art prior to this event, I’ll reblog those when I get to those days as well as add more of a narrative. This event is being hosted by @werewolfpopstar.]
The sun was setting over Inkwell City, the heart of Isle 3. Autumn leaves blew in the crisp breeze as they let go of the branches of their trees, scattering carelessly to the ground below. Dead leaves littered the parks, sidewalks, and the streets. Children played in the fallen leaves as small animals hid beneath them, gathering food for the oncoming winter.
Leaves blew past the door of an office building as it opened for a group of employees who were off work for the evening. Each member was unique in appearance - from a human male to a talking peacock, a plant-like woman to a man whose head was a street lamp. This was Inkwell, where anything could be anyone - and anyone could be anything.
“...and with that, have a good night, everyone,” the Peacock said as the group of office workers stepped out the door and onto the sidewalk.
“Goodnight!” chimed in the plant woman. “Get home safely, and I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“You too,” said the man. “Have a good night.”
“Yeah,” nodded the lamp-man. “See you tomorrow too. Goodnight, then.”
The lamp man waved goodbye as the office workers parted ways for the evening. Hands in his pockets, he went in the direction of the nearest bus stop. A chilly wind nipped his glass face as the city around him began to darken and the lights of the stores and businesses around him grew brighter. Having reached the end of the street, the bus stop sign standing proudly, the lamp-man took a seat on the bench next to it when he heard a female voice ask:
“Lewis?”
The lamp turned upon hearing his name. Approaching him was a rosy maple moth woman, his girlfriend.
“Rosie! Didn’t expect to see you here,” Lewis exclaimed.
“Surprise,” Rosie said with a smile. “I decided to come out here to see you rather than wait for you at home,” the moth explained. “Because I got something to ask you about, and I thought we’d talk about it now, what do you think?”
“It’s not serious, is it?” asked Lewis with concern.
“No, no, it’s exciting, actually,” Rosie began to drop the news when the bus came to bring them home. Taking his hand, the couple got on board and paid their fare, gripping the hand-rails of the crowded bus as it started up again on its way.
“Well, as you know, it’s ball season,” Rosie continued, “and there’s many places holding them for Halloween next week. One of these is also running a haunted house as a part of the ball. Would you like to go to that one? If not, there are others.”
“Oh, uh, a haunted house?” Lewis wasn’t sure. He wasn’t the type who enjoyed a scare for fun like Rosie did, but he knew she had fun at them, and it was always good business for the Monster people.
“Um, sure, we could go. I might stay in the ball, but if you want me to come with you, that’s fine.”
“You do what makes you comfortable,” said Rosie. “The haunted house is just an option, there’s plenty of other things to do. Dancing, food, drinks...”
“Yeah, you’re right,” nodded Lewis. “So where is this place?”
“I believe it was called Maryland’s Haunted House? I’ve got the ad for it clipped out on the kitchen counter, we can look it over when we get home, k?”
“That sounds good,” agreed Lewis. The bus had screeched to a halt once more and the couple got off at their stop. It was even darker now and Lewis’ head lit their way back to their apartment.
~~~~~~
After they got back home, they read over the advertisement for the ball. It had the address and the time, listing all the exciting things the ball had to offer, as well as the dress code.
“So, you want to go to this one?” Lewis asked.
“Do you?” Rosie asked in return.
“How about it, then?” Lewis nodded and set down the ad. “I’ll be alright, regarding the haunted house.”
“Okay, my sweet.” Rosie kissed her love on the cheek. “I’m gonna start dinner now.” She flitted off to the kitchen and got started.
~~~~~~
The couple were going together, they knew that much. But they also considered some of their friends. Later that evening, Rosie decided to call some friends of theirs to see if they were interested in going.
“I’d l-l-love to,” replied Moanique, a teenage zombie who worked as an engineer for the Phantom Express when she wasn’t attending high school, “b-but Shelley and I are going to the Halloween dance h-h-held at our school.”
“Oh, you have fun!” said Rosie, knowing full well how school dances were an experience that wouldn’t last. She at least hoped that her young friend would enjoy her dance more than she ever enjoyed any she went to when she was Moanique’s age.
“Thank you, w-we will,” Moanique’s voice rang from the other end of the phone. After she hung up, Rosie decided to call Lady Luck, a rather strange friend of theirs who was harder to get ahold of due to where she lived and worked.
“You’ve reached the Devil’s Casino,” an impish voice squeaked on the other end. “I’m Delilah, your receptionist, is there anybody you’d like to speak to?”
“Delilah? Delilah Demon? It’s me, Rosie!”
The little demon perked up at the sound of the Moth’s voice on the other end. “Rosie! I don’t think I’ve seen you since that beach trip over the summer! How’s you, and Lewis?”
“Oh, just great, how have you been? We’re calling to ask if you and Luck would be interested in Maryland’s Haunted House ball this Halloween?”
“That’d be fun, but I think my dad wants me here for his own ball. Luck’s gotta be there too, she’s part of the staff and all.”
“A Halloween ball in the casino? Sounds like a good time!”
“Yeah, if you’re a heavy sinner,” Delilah giggled. “Besides, I don’t think Luck wants to hypnotize any friends of hers when she sings.”
“Fair point,” said Rosie. “Well, tell us all about it! I’d love to come, but I know you’d rather we stay safe.”
“Me and Luck both!” Delilah agreed. “My dad’s almost had your soul once, let’s not have it happen again.”
“Right,” whispered Rosie, remembering that one time. She shook her head. “Hope to see you and Luck some other time then.”
“Yeah! Catch up with ya later! Have fun at your ball, Rosie!”
“Thank you, you too, bye.” The girls hung up, and Rosie sighed, disappointed but understanding about their friends. Different people were going to different balls, but it was the season, after all.
~~~~~~
“So, how’d it go? Anybody coming with us?” asked Lewis as they got ready for bed.
“‘Fraid not,” sighed Rosie. “Second year in a row, and our friends got their own balls to go to.”
“It is what it is,” Lewis reassured her as they got into bed. “We can’t go to the one Luck works at, but when Moanique and her friends graduate, they’re always welcome to join us. That’s only a few years away.”
Rosie giggled. “I wonder what her friends would think of us, two people in their late 20s, possibly our early 30’s by then, hanging out with them,”
“They’d probably get over it eventually,” pondered Lewis. “The older you get, the more age becomes just a number.”
“Very true,” Rosie yawned. “At least we’re going somewhere together.” She cuddled into him, enjoying the feeling of his warmth and embrace, returning the gesture with her four arms. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she felt his fingers massaging the base of her wings. She would drift off to sleep in no time.
I tried to get this done early or on time, but I simply ran out of time. I drew all day last Monday, and as a result my brain refused to let me draw, no matter how much I tried, resulting in my first attempt at Day 5 looking less than satisfactory. And the fact that the next couple of days would render me unable to draw as I would be travelling about and doing a lot, didn’t help matters. But once the long weekend was halfway through I could finally start all over on this, with a little help from @harvest-honeymoon in regards to Lewis and Rosie cuddling close on the bench.
But this is far from over! Luck and Delilah were having their own outing at the same time, and that’s a story I look forward to telling....
1-hour challenge! I did this to see if I could start and complete a drawing in under an hour. It may not be my “best” but even then, this is still pretty good. The gesture still came across really well.
