The Calling

Chapter 1 - Party Planning

It was the same thing. A black, empty void waiting to be explored—but Skull Boy never had any intentions of touring the void's emptiness, and it was because it always made him feel the same way: Alone. The skeleton could never find another life form in this place, for that was how he felt in his waking life.

If he didn't have a real family out there, how would he possibly have one in his mindscape?

Skull Boy lifted his fingerless, leather-gloved hands to gaze down at them, confused as they suddenly became fuzzy and numb.

"Why does this keep happening?" Skull Boy pondered aloud.

"You have yet to discover who you are," an eerie voice echoed calmly.

"Oh, please. Don't preach to me again. You always say that, and it never gets me anywhere!" Skull Boy exclaimed in aggravation.

"Because you have not found the right path to guide you."

The skeleton rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Oh, really? And what path is that?"

"You shall see soon. They are fast approaching."

"They?"

"Beware, Young One. Appearances lie and there is always more to the story."

Skull Boy was just about to pry about the ominous voice's warning when the darkness was suddenly bombarded with a blinding light. The light grew and grew until...

He woke with a fright.

He panted softly as he sat up in his coffin-shaped bed, taking a wary look around his large room. The skeleton soon grunted in annoyance, having gone through this multiple times for nearly two years now. He still couldn't figure out why he had these peculiar dreams, and he was far more confused and curious than he ever has been; if anything, he just wanted them to stop.

The happiest inhabitant of the spooky mansion was stirring cake batter in a bowl carefully, as she thought deeply about the important upcoming event. Ruby Gloom was always the perfect party planner, especially when it came to her friends, and Skull Boy was no exception. The said skeleton's eighteenth birthday was tomorrow, and Ruby was determined to throw him a party that was just as good as last year's.

She knew she always impressed her friends when it came to this kind of thing, but something worried her this year; Skull Boy had been particularly distant and depressed about his mysterious family line this past year, and Ruby was concerned that she wouldn't be able to take his mind off of that for his special day. But she was going to give it her best nonetheless.

A soft rumble yanked Ruby from her deep thoughts, as a tall, dark figure strode into the kitchen with an angry storm cloud hanging over her head, threatening to soak her at any given moment.

"Hi, Misery!" Ruby greeted her accident-prone friend.

"Hello, Ruby. How's the catering coming along?" Misery questioned in curiosity.

"It's doing great, just like it does every year."

"So, why wouldn't it this year? That's obviously what you're implying by your masked tone, isn't it?"

Ruby quirked a brow in great confusion, "Masked tone?"

"I can tell when someone's in denial," Misery simply informed, "What's eating you?"

"I'm worried I won't be able to cheer up Skull Boy," Ruby sighed in defeat, her stirring finally ceasing as she rested her head in her hand.

"Your parties always cheer me up, and I'm always depressed," Misery tried to reassure.

"Thanks, but you're not an orphaned child with no real family whatsoever."

"Touché."

"Ya hit the nail on the head with that one, Ruby."

Ruby gasped when a new voice joined in the conversation, as none other than Skull Boy walked into the kitchen; his stance was slouched with a flat expression that matched, his hands were buried in his pockets like always, and he was rarely seen without his favorite black beanie atop his head. He appeared nearly as miserable as…well, Misery.

"Skull Boy, I-I'm sorry! I-I-I didn't mean to-!" Ruby sputtered over her words in search of an apology, but Skull Boy was quick to stop her by holding his hand up.

"It's fine, really. You could've said worse, and I know you mean well," he reassured with a shrug, "It's my fault for coming in at the wrong time just ta make a cup of coffee."

The kitchen was terribly awkward and silent, as Skull Boy refused to speak or make anymore eye contact while making some coffee. Neither Ruby nor Misery could bring themselves to talk either, for they felt too plagued with guilt and pity for their skeletal friend. Eventually, the heavy tension was ended when Skull Boy finally grabbed his coffee mug, leaving the kitchen with his beverage in tow.

"I'm gonna need some serious help," Ruby whined in pity, finally unwinding herself after Skull Boy left.

"I wish I could, but I've got work," Misery reluctantly pointed out before turning to leave the kitchen. Recently, the bad luck-ridden woman had found a career where her unfortunate events were accepted; she was able to get a job of "agricultural" sorts due to taking a storm system with her, so farmers paid her to water their fields in seconds flat instead of waiting weeks for natural rain.

Ruby sighed sorrowfully again, "Thanks, anyway. I'm sure I'll figures something out…probably."

Misery suddenly stopped in her tracks at that, her eyes popping wide as she whipped back around, "Wait, I've got it! I know who can help!"

"You do?" Ruby asked with high hopes.

"There was this one dj that performed at a big fall party on a farmer's property I usually work for. It was really fun, there were hay rides and everything. But my point is, her skills are really 'rockin'', as you might say. She might be able to help you plan the party."

"That a great idea! A second point of view will definitely help!" Ruby was practically flailing her arms in excitement by now. "Can you contact her?"

"Sure. I'll send a carrier pigeon for her," Misery replied with a shrug.

"Good! Now, hurry! Normally, it only takes me less than half a day to plan a party, but I'll need more time than that and Skull Boy's birthday is tomorrow!"

"Don't worry, she always replies quickly."

"Awesome! Oh, and don't tell Skull Boy. I want it to be a surprise."

That afternoon, Ruby had moved her agenda to retrieving party decorations from the supplies closet; she made multiple trips to bring out all of the best decorations, and she placed them on the long table she set up in the backyard.

Doom Kitty had followed her outside in hopes of playing with decorations, and she got her wish when her claws snagged onto a loose streamer dangling outside of a bag.

"Doom, that's not a toy," Ruby giggled while carefully removing the said cat's claws from the streamer, and threw a yarn ball across the yard. Just as Ruby planned, it easily got Doom's attention, and she ran after it in hot pursuit.

Ruby's kitty reminiscence was suddenly interrupted, though, when a flash of lightning danced across the sky followed by a crack of thunder. She knew it could only be one of two things: A thunderstorm was starting or Misery.

"Hello, again," the dreary voice of the latter followed soon after the thunder, as she strode up to Ruby, "I've got good news and bad news."

"What's the good news?" Ruby questioned with smile.

"The good news is that the dj will be coming to help with the party."

Ruby's smile instantly disappeared, "A-And the bad news?"

"She's here."

"What?!" Ruby didn't have time to react before a different figure came walking up the hill; the redhead then began to really panic when she saw Skull Boy, with the utmost inconvenient timing, walk out onto the back porch, and he seemed interested when he saw the decorations.

"Oh, no! Get down!" Ruby whisper-shouted at the stranger while shoving her behind the clothed table. Luckily, it seemed Skull Boy never noticed, and merely examined some of the decorations.

"Hiya, Guys," Skull Boy began dryly, "Listen, I wanted to apologize for making you feel guilty earlier. The whole family thing—or lack thereof—is really no big deal. I don't want you guys to feel bad, especially since you're trying so hard to plan my party. And I appreciate it."

"It's alright, Skull Boy. And we're sorry, too. We should've known better not to talk about such a touchy subject behind your back," Ruby apologized with a subtle sulk of her head.

"Yeah, next time we'll talk about something that embarrasses us," Misery added in hopes of lightening the mood, but the others only gawked at her.

"Right—well, see you guys later. And lemme know if you want any help on deciding what to do for my party!" Skull Boy informed before retreating back into the house.

"We'll keep that in mind!" Ruby called back while waving her hand.

"So, that's our Debbie Downer, eh?" the stranger pondered aloud as she came out of hiding, giving Ruby a better look at her appearance; she was quite tall and lanky, clad in a navy blue hoodie and black sweat pants, along with matching flats; and most her of her face was covered with her hood being pulled over her head, and a vibrant blue and white bandana over the lower half of her face. What Ruby could see was her pale complexion and sparkling amethyst eyes.

"Yup, that's Skull Boy. I'm normally the miserable one around here, but if we don't act fast, he'll end up taking the cake," Misery pointed out.

"Don't worry, Misery. As a favor for saving me from getting struck by lighting at that farmer's communal party—twice—I'll do what I can to lift your sulky skeleton's spirits," the stranger vowed with a respectful bow of her head.

"Thanks! You have no idea how much I appreciate this, Miss…?" Ruby began with a sigh of relief, but then realized she didn't know the newcomer's name.

"Scullianna Amore Hortense III—but you can call me Sculli, and I go by DJ Amore sometimes. Whichever's easier for you," Sculli politely informed, "Now, back to the task at hand. Does Skull Boy like music?"

"Of course. I mean, he doesn't play, but he listens to some a lot—although, it's usually edgy and depressing," Ruby replied, her tone becoming flat with realization towards the end.

"Interesting—which of you is the best singer?"

Ruby and Misery exchanged awkward glances for a moment before the latter spoke up, "I can sing pretty well when I'm asleep."

"Is it dangerous?" Sculli asked with a quirked brow.

"Not as long as you don't wake me up with sugar."

"I'll keep that in mind. Right, so, we have our singer and I have my equipment," Sculli paused to smirk with pride, even though the others couldn't see it under her bandana, "Ruby, you handle the décor and catering, and Misery, you're coming with me. We meet back here tomorrow evening."

"Got it! But what're you planning?" Ruby couldn't help but ask.

"I find that the best surprises are when I'm the only one who knows about them. Trust me," Sculli whispered with a wink, "By the way—how do you feel about a laser light show?"

First thing's first: I'm sorry if I offend you RubyxSkull Boy shippers. I, myself, enjoy the ship, and I have no intention on ruining it. But for the sake of this story, let's pretend that Ruby doesn't have feelings for Skull Boy. Again, I'm not trying to ruing their relationship, just trying to do something different.

Until the next chapter, I'm TRikiD, bye-bye!