It was close to midnight as they neared the manor. After getting permission from both, the Wood Wailers and the Twin Adder, Pax, Ham and Sinclair had set about preparing a 'treat' for their friends. Pax feline like ears twitched in anticipation as he led the 3 recipients behind him. Ragnar, another Miqo'te looked this way and that, while beside him, Disco, an Aura stayed close at his side. Wolfi on the other hand, walked at a leisurely pace her tail swinging back and forth behind her.
As the group reached Haukke Manor, a blinding light pierced the sky above and let loose a resounding crack. Ragnar and Disco screamed as they clung to each other. Wolfi hid a chuckle behind a hand.
"Why couldn't we just stay in Gridania and eat the cookies"
Disco complained.
"you wanted to check out the rumour"
Pax reminded her. In actual fact the rumour was his, placed amidst the reports and papers he knew Disco would see that morning. It mentioned the appearance of an apparition, a headless man, appearing at midnight in the cellar of Haukke Manor.
Inside the manor, Sinclair and Ham hurried to finish their preparations. Already, they had set fake Ahriman and Imps as a haunted house style jump scare. Now, they prepared the smoke bombs and lamps, before getting into the main part of their scare, the costume of the headless horsemen itself. The 2 froze a moment as they caught a sound, but it was too distant and indistinct to make out.
"hurry I think that's them"
Sinclair said hurrying with her half of the costume. Ham followed suit.
Pax and Wolfi were both laughing as Ragnar and Disco clung together a mumbling mess on the floor. Pax took note to commend the 2 Midlanders on a job well done.
"come on, it's almost midnight"
As soon as Pax had said this, a streak of lightning let loose another crack. Again the two screamed. Turning away, Pax could see the entrance to the cellar. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of movement in the dark ahead.
"RUN GET OUT"
Shouted someone from the dark. A moment later, he could make out Sinclair, half jumping half running, still in her part of the costume. Ham was close behind, moving in a similar fashion.
"I don't know whats better, this or that"
Wolfi laughed looking from the floor, to the 2 in front of them then back. From the cellar came the neigh of a horse followed by an echoing cackle. Pax eyes widened as a large, dark figure began to emerge from the cellar, partly illuminated by the fire from within a large pumpkin where its head should be.
"seven hells"
He said, catching Wolfis attention, the laughter gone now as she realised the joke was over and the situation had turned dark. Including Ham and Sinclair, everyone hid behind Pax, and Wolfi, screaming and crying behind them as the figure bore down on them all.