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When Perpetua suggested a date night “outing” this was not the first thing that popped into mind. But here you are- standing in the orange glowing entryway of Spirit Halloween. You were also not expecting the store to feel quite this alive. It never did any other previous times.
Animatronics are shrieking and yelling from every corner, the thick smell of latex and fog machine fluid hang thick in the air. Beneath the flickering lights stands Papa Perpetua- tall, still and silently surveying the chaos around him like a dignitary at a masquerade. “So,” tilting his head, eyes glowing faintly, he murmurs “this is where mortals gather to honor death…with loud noise.”
“Welcome to Spirit Halloween!” You fight back a grin and twirl with your arms stretching out at your sides.
Perpetua steps forward, slow and deliberate. His presence alone makes the space feel smaller and quieter- as if even the shrieking props are hesitating under his gaze. A motion activated zombie begins its thrashing and maniacal laughter, and Perpetua turns towards it with a measured stare that silences it instantly.
You clear you throat. “You uh…might have shorted that one out with your aura.”
He arches a brow. “Then perhaps it should not mock the dead.”
You lead him down aisles, explaining the strange modern ritual of decorating one’s home with plastic horror. He listens in utter fascination, occasionally picking up items to inspect them closely. A small rubber skeleton now dangles from his long fingers- he holds it out in front of his face studying the painted eyes.
“They mimic our kind so…cheaply.” He murmurs partially in fascination and partially with a hint of melancholy.
“Don’t take it personally!” You tease him gently. “It’s all in good fun!”
He smiles- a slow dangerous curl to his lips that makes your pulse flutter. “Hm. Interesting. This is where mortals… obtain their relics of fright?”
You try not to laugh. “Basically. We call it décor.”
He hums, straightening his coat as if preparing for a ritual. “Very well. Lead on, my love. Let us… décor.”
As you round a corner, you nearly collide into a display of vampire costumes. Perpetua stops short- eyes narrowing at the plastic fangs and cheap black silk. “Blasphemy.”
“Come on!” You say nudging him gently. “It’s cute!”
“Cute?!” He spits the word out like it’s a foreign object on his tongue. Then much to your surprise, he slides a red velvet cloak out of a bag and slings it over his shoulders. The fabric shimmers against his dark clothing, leaving you breathless and making him look -frustratingly- regal.
“Well?!” He asks, eyes gleaming, while he strikes poses like a model on a runway.
After a moment you catch yourself staring and snap out of it, giggling as you step forward to fix the crooked collar “You look like trouble.”
He leans down, gaze piercing “I am trouble cara mia. But only for you.” You reach up brushing a curl out of his face and tuck it behind his ear.
An animatronic clown nearby starts cackling, startling both of you- though you can almost swear it falters when Perpetua turns his head to look in its direction.
By the time you reach the checkout line, you have multiple baskets full of black candles, velvet pumpkins, a fog machine Perpetua claims is “symbolically appropriate” and the velvet cape he claims is for “academic purposes”. The cashier- enthralled by his presence- can barely tear her gaze away from him long enough to finish the checkout process, but she says nothing.
Once outside, while loading your bags into the car, Perpetua lets out a low chuckle. “I see the appeal.” He admits softly. “Mortals honoring their fears, making jest of death… it is strangely holy. Healing.”
You smile and nod in agreement “and lots of fun!”
Later, back at the ministry, he sets up the fog machine on the front steps. Perpetua stands in the doorway admiring the mist curling through the darkness like it is alive. He smiles, sharp teeth glinting faintly in the glow of dusk.
“Next time,” he murmurs gently “we go somewhere truly frightening- perhaps a Homegoods.”