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After the LCB had fully completed their mission, and somewhat disbanded, days like these where more than three of them could get together were already rare. But, on this autumn day, they managed to get Sancho, Heathcliff, Gregor, Hong Lu, Rodya, and Ryoshu together, though some of them brought along their own people.
Ryoshu had brought Araya, who had managed to get Kira, who kidnapped Albina, who Sora was in conversation with so she chased after, which Ren heard the commotion and stopped training to go look, and Lucio who had followed Ren because he was just sitting there while Valencina was on a Halloween pub crawl.
Hong Lu had simply brought his sister, Jia Xichun, who after hearing that Sancho was going, had requested to go, saying she had some 'unfinished business' to do, whatever that meant.
Sancho, Rodya, Heathcliff, and Gregor didn't bring anyone but themselves, so they were perfectly fine.
Now, they were at the meetup spot, the Mexican restaurant near the edge of Hongyuan, waiting for Gregor and Rodya to show up. Araya and Kira were cheering on Albina, who was attempting to hack the claw machine in the corner, Heathcliff was trying to win said claw machine because Hong Lu had pointed out a funny looking mouse plush that he kept looking at.
Ren was who knows where, while Lucio was strategically positioning himself away from the people who were drinking alcohol on the other side of the restaurant, since he wants no part in that. Ryoshu is simply watching the restaurant, while reading the menu for something to order since the waiter looked like he was about to personally kick them out if they didn't order soon.
Finally, after 20 minutes of standing around and acting like they were going to order, Rodya arrives with Gregor in tow, the group quickly rushes out of the restaurant so the worker wouldn't try fighting them, Ren magically appearing like he had been there the entire time. From there, they go to the Jia residence in Daguanyuan to change into costume.
After a brief walk, they arrive at the gates of the residence, though a random man in the courtyard, at the sight of Hong Lu, begins repeatedly shouting, "Answer me, Jia Baoyu, what does Hongyuan need?" In response to this, everyone walks faster, though Jia Xichun and Hong Lu exchange an unreadable look at the sight of the man. "Mommy, what is that man talking about?" Araya had asked while walking, pulling on Ryoshu's sleeve while pointing. "I.D.K, Araya." Ryoshu replied to the child, in her usual tone.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, this was not the last encounter that they would have with someone in the residence. Halfway to the back entrance, an old woman appears, looking at Hong Lu specifically with malicious intent, as she calls out to the group, "Would the 13 of you like some chicken nug-" at hearing this, Hong Lu finally loses part of his composure, somehow changing his clothes into a black robe, and crimson bandages over his left eye. "No. Never again, grandmother. Heishous, slime her out." Before anyone could see anything more, this odd version of Hong Lu quickly led the group away, before returning to his normal self.
Managing to make it inside one of the buildings, Ryoshu distributes the costumes she brought for Araya and the five apprentices, each taking them gratefully, besides Kira who calls the costume she got "cringe". "S.Y.B.A.U.M.F." Ryoshu had said, though only Araya could somewhat understand it, and had refused to translate. The danger in her tone was enough to make Kira straighten up and go put on the costume.
Meanwhile, Rodya had her own costume, that of a chef, since she always claimed to cook. Gregor, on the other hand, had thrown together a budget cockroach costume that was being held together by 5 year old cardboard, half a roll of tape that he found under his kitchen sink, and hopes and prayers.
Sancho comes out in her very own knight costume (completely expected), with her lance and a cardboard shield. Jia Xichun, with her intellect, had predicted this beforehand, and had decided to go as a princess, which had disappointed Hong Lu, who had brought a ketchup and mustard costume so they could match. The ketchup costume eventually fell into place as Heathcliff's costume, who hadn't brought a costume and wasn't planning on dressing up. "What? It's childish. Besides, the last time I went trick or treating, I was with Catherine-" Heathcliff stops himself from continuing, knowing that nobody would have a single idea of who he was talking about. As expected, Hong Lu pipes up, "Who's Catherine, Heath? She sounds cool to be hanging out with you~, have any of us met her before?" With a heavy sigh, Heathcliff grumbles out, "No, no you haven't."
After a minute of awkward silence, Araya and the nursefathers step out, each in their costumes. Ryoshu had clearly gone with a theme, considering Araya was dressed as Black Widow, Sora was Ant-Man, Lucio was Spiderman, Ren was dressed like Thor, and Albina's costume was Iron Man. Seeing that all the rooms to change were now free, the rest now go to change as well. Gregor's is the fastest, he just puts it on over his regular clothes, and calls himself the 'Roach King', giving Rodya and Kira a laughing fit.
Rodya only takes about two minutes, she just struggled with not ripping the card costume. Heathcliff looks very unhappy when he comes out, because the ketchup bottle costume doesn't let him rest his metal bat on his shoulders, in which Hong Lu tries to comfort because "at least they're matching". Jia Xichun exchanges a look with Sancho, like "are these two serious right now?" After everyone is changed, they begin planning out the route to where they could hit the most houses. Reasonably, if they started at the House of Spiders, they could easily score a lot of candy at the beginning because 1st, it's a dense neighborhood with other houses, and 2. Rien and Matthias had purchased a lot of candy in preparation for the holiday.
From there, they could track the path that had the most houses, so they could get as much candy as possible in the least amount of time.
After the plan is set, they go out and begin their walk. At the House of Spiders, the numbers of the group unfortunately get cut down. When arriving, Valencina is also arriving, and safe to say, she's pissed that Lucio left, and so she makes him stay at the house. Shiomi Yoru also isn't happy that Ren left, though it's just because he didn't inform her first, so she also keeps him from leaving. On the other hand, Albina's sensors give out, causing Callisto to take her so she can have maintenance done. "Tis' foul villainy, keeping thy apprentice indoors when the festivities are out!" shouted Sancho, who proceeded to attempt to ram the door after it was closed, only to be held back by Ryoshu and Araya.
Moving on, things only get weirder from there as they realize just how odd this neighborhood is.
The group eventually comes up on a large library, with multiple floors, and a quadrio giving out candy at the front. Or, moreso, it was three people giving out candy, and one guy dressed up like Spongebob, and laying drunk in two chairs. One of them was a man with black hair, wearing a suit. Ryoshu looks at him oddly, asking Araya and Sora, "D.T.M.L.L.R, Araya and Sora?" Araya quickly translates to a very confused Rodya and Sancho, "Mommy asked if that guy over there looks like my grandpa!" Unfortunately, Araya talks loudly, which catches the attention of the drunk guy with green hair, who then points out the group to two women, one with long white hair, and the other with short blue hair. "Oi, you wanker, why are you-?!" Heathcliff is promptly cut off by Jia Xichun, who kicks him, while Hong Lu takes the lead of the conversation, waving to the group in his characteristic happiness.
The man notices, and grabs a... black fencing mask(?) from his pocket, putting it on, and then of all things, he turns invisible. The woman with white hair sees this and chuckles, reaching out and grabbing once at the air, somehow catching the man with perfect accuracy. Only Kira catches what she says to him, "Roland, it's Halloween, let people have their fun." The man, apparently named Roland, backs down at the woman's words.
For the fourth time that night, the trick or treating group quickly runs off, not looking back once.
Once stopping, Jia Xichun especially is out of breath, breathing heavily for a few moments. This catches the attention of Sancho, who asks in her loud tone, "Dear Xichun, pray tell, dost thou have asthma? I heard from the most valiant stories that if you engage in mouth to mouth contact with the person nearest, you will be cured of all breathing problems that ail you!" Slowly, everyone turns to look at Sancho, who sees nothing wrong with the sentence that just left her mouth. Kira is the first to say something, whispering to Sora, "Ayo, is this yuri?"
Gregor, hearing the last word, begins looking around, "Yuri?" Rodya places her hand on his shoulder, catching his attention, "Not that one, Greg."
Xichun slowly looks up, getting a suspicious look on her face. She stands up, turning to Hong Lu, "We should split up to try and get more combined candy. I'll go with Sancho, goodbye." With that, Xichun grabs Sancho by the sleeve, and they both walk away very fast.
After a solid thirty seconds of disbelief and silence, Ryoshu does a quick headcount to see who was left. Herself, Araya, Kira, Sora, Gregor, Hong Lu, Heathcliff, and Rodya. Though, Heathcliff is staring off into the distance, at two children playing in a patch of violet flowers, a boy and girl. Hong Lu waves his hand in front of the other's face, asking if he passed out and was just standing upright. Quickly, Heathcliff wipes his eyes for nonexistent tears, not even answering the question correctly, "Uh, yeah, allergies are killing me."
Another few minutes go by before they finally get back on the road, this time arriving at a quiet house that almost looks like nobody's home. But, Araya runs to the door, ringing the doorbell anyways. After a few seconds, a familiar pale man with black hair and really bad eye bags answers the door, in his pajamas. Heathcliff and Hong Lu both yell in unison, "YI SANG?!". What really gets them is five seconds after, when a woman appears behind him at the door, aloof demeanor, white hair in a decent wolf cut, which makes only Heathcliff yell again, "FAUST TOO?!"
Ignoring their shock, Yi Sang pulls out a bucket of about two dozen Kitkats left in it, distributing it equally to the group with a slight smile, saying "It's a bit odd that you guys are trick or treating in the area, but I suppose that life has an ideal way of making things play out." Faust also speaks up, "Heathcliff, the Gesselchaft has instructed me to inform you that you would have been better off with no costume, they are specifically saying... that a woman named Catherine Earnshaw would pass out if she saw you like this. Faust would like to know who Catherine is." At this, Heathcliff loses it, throwing his bat (which he had been dragging along) and knocking Yi Sang out.
Faust sees this for a moment, simply picking up Yi Sang, turning to Heathcliff, "Faust would like to inform you that your luck is high today, she does not feel like getting her weapon. Leave." Everyone takes haste in her words, running away for the fifth time of the night.
Most of the other houses were average and very boring. Hong Lu, Kira, Sora, Rodya, Gregor, and Araya all get their candy, which makes everybody else happy.
About an hour later, they arrive in the rich neighborhood, which Kira claims has the best and largest candy. The first house they approach in the new neighborhood clearly has people in it, Hong Lu counts three silhouettes in the window. Sora goes to the door, nervously ringing the doorbell. After about forty seconds, a woman answers, dark braided hair, and a calm expression, holding a basket of what looks like hard candy, the wrappers having Greek writing on them. When saying trick or treat, Hong Lu shouts it a bit louder than the others, causing the second person in the house to come to the door. At the sight of him, Ryoshu, and Heathcliff, the person says, "Executive Manager stated that I'd never have to see Ryoshu, or these two buffoons ever again. My love, if you would shut the door please." Outis looked at her wife, who blatantly ignored her, holding out the basket for each of the trick or treaters to take a few.
None of them had ever seen Outis look so betrayed, except maybe when the Manager had told Outis that glazing someone doesn't do anything. "Well, I guess I'll go find another victim for my allegedly shallow emotions. Anyways, Telemachus wants to know if we have any pepperoni to put on the sandwiches, so I must go check." With that Outis walks away, sighing dramatically. After the candy is handed out, the woman with braided hair wishes everyone well, and shuts the door.
Gregor and Rodya catch up, having lingered behind at the last house, but heard the commotion. Rodya was laughing hysterically, while Gregor was awkwardly trying to get her to chill out, which he wasn't doing a very good job at.
Now reunited, the group walks to the next house, where they see a set of games in the front, including a literal karaoke machine, which was already being used by a man with slightly spiky crimson hair, while a woman with long black hair, though part of it is tied up in a bun, is filming him. Gregor actually passes out from how much he dislikes the guy's voice. Heathcliff covers his ears only after the man sings, "Like a black, black sorrow, story of such woe," before yelling to Rodya, who was now lifting Gregor and planning to go home early, "This bugger sounds tone deaf!" Unfortunately for everyone yet again, Heathcliff is too loud, and the woman turns around, now suddenly holding a lighter, sounding very serious, "I am the Maiden of Iron. Apologize to my husband now." Since he doesn't feel like getting set on fire, Heathcliff begrudgingly apologizes, though only after Hong Lu encourages him to.
The couple leaves a little bit after, causing the group to notice another pair, the ones who were running the games. A man who is dressed like a king, with long white hair, and a woman who's dressed like a royal knight but blue, with a sword at her side. The man notices them and approaches quickly, seeming very happy, but the blue haired knight holds him back. Ryoshu grabs Sora, Kira, and Araya, before gesturing for Heathcliff and Hong Lu to follow, since it's late and she wants to go home already.
Overall, it was a good day, later, Araya counts the stats of who was left.
Ryoshu: 9 pieces of candy.
Herself: 62 pieces of candy.
Sora: 47 pieces of candy.
Kira: 56 pieces of candy.
Hong Lu: 31 pieces of candy.
Heathcliff: 15 pieces of candy (gifted by Hong Lu)
Araya is already looking forward to next Halloween.