Chapter 18: Too Noisy, if You Ask Me

The Next Day: Halloween Week, Day 2

Outside of the Mister S's Mystery Shop, Leona and Ruggie walk over to notice something's up.

They question, "What in the world…?"

They see people talking loud, and chatting, and it appears something has gotten them excited.

A man asks, "Have you hit all seven stamp tour spots?"

"I haven't started yet! I wanted to visit the Mystery Shop first," A woman says.

"You're missing out if you don't grab a souvenir from this place!" Another woman says.

Everyone continues to talk in excitement as many are going inside the Mystery shop.

Curious, but not fully interested, Leona asks, "What's with all the hubbub?"

"There's a whole crowd around the school store," Ruggie replies. "None of 'em are wearing uniforms. Guessing they're all Halloween Week visitors? Still, a gaggle this big SCREAMS 'fire hazard…'"

Just then, Kalim walks over, "Ah it's Leona and Ruggie! Happy Halloween, guys."

"Right back atcha, Kalim," Ruggie replies.

Then Leona says, "Oh right, the school store is Scarabia's stamp tour spot."

"Yup! I'm on the afternoon shift, so I'm just about to switch places with the morning stamper. Are you here to shop together? What good friends you are!" Kalim says with a big smile on his face.

But Leona says, "Yeaaah, no."

"Harsh, but true," Ruggie says, "Usually, I'm the one who gets stuck running Leona's errands. But today, we figured we might as well pick up some refreshments for the Savanaclaw guys working their tails off for Halloween Week. So quoth the magnanimous Leona!"

Leona shows a frown in response.

Ruggie continues with a grin, "Anyway, he tried to pawn the whole thing off on me, so I dragged him along."

"And I've regretted every second of it," Leona points out.

"Oh, don't act so put out. You could stand to do something other than sleep all day," Ruggie says.

"Refreshments, huh? That's a great idea!" Kalim responds, "I know Jack's been working hard as part of the management committee. He'd definitely appreciate such a considerate token of the housewarden's appreciation."

"Guess it IS a boss' job to keep his pack's morale high," Leona replies.

Then crosses his arms, "I'm lucky their brains are in their stomachs. Makes payroll as simple as can be."

Ruggie snickers, "Shyeheehee. Can't you just admit you wanna do something nice? Not that I care either way, as long as I'm gettin' fed at the end of the day."

Then Leona questions, "But what's the deal with the pack of meerkats? I don't wanna go anywhere near all that racket.

"They're all Halloween Week customers," Kalim answers.

"Seriously?" Ruggie asks, shocked.

Leona is just as shocked.

Then Ruggie says, "Kinda hard to do an accurate headcount, but… There's gotta be at LEAST a hundred folks here."

"We didn't even have a like outside the store last year. What changed?" Leona questions.

"Well, see, this picture of the Ramshackle Dorm ghosts got a ton of publicity on Magicam. Now talk of our school's festivities is making the rounds online. I'm guessing all these people came by to see what all the fuss is about after they saw the pic." Kalim explains.

"Ahhh, now I get it. We went viral," Ruggie replies.

"Are you kidding me" Leona says, annoyed, "Of all the birdbrained -"

Suddenly, a lot of people come out of the store and are excited.

One of them is holding a waffle with the school crest as he says, "This is the limited-edition Night Raven College Mystery Shop Waffle. I just HAD to get one!"

A woman says, "Isn't the raven shaped adorbs? Looks great with a dollar of apple jam on top."

Then another man says, "The inside of the store was creepy, but in, like, an adorable way. Not to mention the werewolf costume those kids were wearing - talk about high-quality!"

"Right? They were that perfect blend of cute, stylish, and a little bit hair-raising," The woman says.

"Ooh, I see another guy in costume over there," The first man says.

Kalim notices the man looking at him and asks, "Hm? Who, me?"

Then the man says, "Hey, is it cool if I take your picture?"

"Sue, go ahead! In fact, why not take a group pic? I'd make for an even better memory, I'd say" Kalim says.

"You don't mind? The man asks, and gets excited, "Awesome! Thanks!"

The woman says, "Okay, pose for me!"

Kalim poses and the man takes the picture.

Then the woman asks, "Mind if I make a request? I'd love to get a picture of you striking a werewolf pose."

"Sure thing!" Like this!" Kalim says, posing as werewolf.

He makes himself look vicious and shows his black gloved claws.

The woman is excited, "Ooh, nice! I'll copy you."

The woman does the same, and the man takes the pictures. Leona and Ruggie can see Kalim is having a good time.

Ruggie says, "the front of the store around Kalim is bursting like crazy. These Halloween crowds remind me of back home.

"It's too noisy, if you ask me," Leona says.

Then a man calls out, "Look, another werewolf!"

"Oh, is someone else from Scarabia with Kalim?" Ruggie questions.

However, Ruggie notices the people are looking directly at him.

Ruggie eyes wide in shock, "Wait. Are you talking about me?"

"Who else?" The man replies, "Can I take a picture of you?"

Ruggie quickly says, "This isn't a costume, buddy. And I'm a hyena, not a wolf."

But Kalim says, "Don't sweat the small stuff, Ruggie. It's close enough, right? Let's get a shot together!

Ruggie says, "They're not even remotely close! And free labor for visitors ain't my M.O." Then something sparks, "Wait.. inspiration strikes!"

He snickers and says, "If you want a pic with someone who'll blow up on Magicam, I know someone way better than me."

He snickers, "Shyeheehee. He's buff and tough, AND he's from a royal bloodline…"

Ruggie soon looks around, but notices his potential target is missing.

Ruggie screams, "Wait, where'd Leona go?!"

"Heh. Having fun with your new buds, Mr. Popular?" Leona speaks out, and already in front of the store.

Ruggie looks to see Leona is, "When did you get all the way over there?! You can't just ditch me, Leona!"

"I'm gonna buy what we need and leave. You stick around and keep having a blast," Leona says.

Ruggie grows frustrated, "Tch. Don't use me as a decoy just because you can't be bothered to talk to people!"

But Leona says, "You were about to use ME as a decoy Turnabout's fair play. Later. Happy Halloween."

And with that, Leona walks into the store, leaving Ruggie behind.

Kalim turns to Ruggie with a smile, "I should get a picture with you too, Ruggie. Could you take one with my phone?"

The man asks, "Give me your best wolf roar!"

Then the woman asks, "Could I get you guys to stand with the store in the background?"

Another woman says, "I'd like a picture, too!"

Ruggie mutters in defeat, "It never ends…" and screams, "I'm never gonna get my free meal now! Don't leave meee!"