Chapter 6: To a Fantastic Halloween Night
Later in the night, the Halloween Party is about to begin.
Crowley checks the microphone, "Mic test, mic test, one, two… Ahem!" Then announces, "I bid a warm welcome to all our guests from Sage Island and beyond. Allow me to thank you for joining us here at Night Raven college on this hair-raising Halloween night! The Halloween management committee has a few words to share with you before we get this party underway. Vil Schoenheit, junior and committee chair, you have the floor."
Vil speaks up, "Sir."
The rest of the committee watch as Vil walks to Crowley.
Kalim smiles, "Check out how regal Vil looks! He's so cool!"
"Heh. He's put even more work into his makeup than usual. Now hush, the speech is starting," Azul says.
Vil takes the microphone and announces, "Good evening to all of our visitors, and welcome to Night Raven College. As I'm sure many of you are aware, Halloween is a very special event at our school. This year is no exception, of course. This year's Halloween has been simply incredible. I hope every dorm on campus has given you an experience that was beautiful, scary, and fun. It goes without saying that under my leadership, Pomefiore delivered the finest in all categories of course."
Soon, everyone jeers, "BOO!" mainly from the students not in the Pomefiore dorm.
Briar and the others from Ramshackle are dumbfounded.
"Looks like Vil is trying to give his own dorm some praise," Jasper says.
"And it looks like the other students don't appreciate that," Sereia says, worried.
"This could get ugly," Briar says.
And she's right.
Leona frowns, "You're delusional if you think Savanaclaw wasn't the best."
Sebek is just as angry, "The committee chair has no place showing such obvious bias! Clearly Malleus and Diasomnia did the best job of all by FAR."
Crowley calls out, "Now, see here! Quiet in the audience!"
Then Vil says, "We've made it to Halloween in much funner form than we might have otherwise, thanks to one special group. I want to thank everyone who supports Night Raven College. I expect us to have a blast tonight - that goes for all humans, beastmen, merfolk, fae, and even ghosts present. Does everyone have their glasses ready? Then allow me to lead a toast - to a fantastic Halloween night!"
He raises the glass and cheers, "Happy Halloween!"
Everyone cheers, "Happy Halloween!"
And everyone purpose a toast to have a great Halloween. After that, everyone soon begins to grab some of the Halloween food from the feast. Everyone is excited, but Grim is the most excited.
Grim happily says, "Myaaah! Look at all this fancy grub! I've never seen half of this stuff! I call dibs on EVERYTHING!"
"Don't you have any restraints?" Jasper questions.
"Yeah. Save some for the rest of us," Tanzanite says.
Ace also says, "Hey, guests get first dibs!"
Then Deuce says, "Don't worry. There's plenty of food to go around. Not even Grim could eat it all. Just relax and enjoy the meal."
"He's right. There is plenty of food, and we'll be here late at night so it will be best for us to enjoy ourselves and have fun," Briar says.
"I suppose, but I can't wait to chow down. There's even some cupcakes, cakes, and maybe even tuna," Grim happily says.
"I would like some cupcakes too," Sereia says.
"Let's have some food first before we have any deserts," Taznantie says.
Jasper laughs, "I can't wait."
Then Sebek says, "Then, I too, shall eat without reservation!"
And soon, everyone begins to approach the table to have some food.
Ace shouts, "Hey, I was gonna have that fritter! Could you leave a little for the rest of us?!"
"Everyone's having so much fun. Maybe I should ask Idia to make me an oral energy supply attachment," Ortho says.
"Idia really can make anything, huh?" Jack replies.
Meanwhile, Grim is already stuffing his face, "Nom… nom nom nom…"And swallows his meal, "Don't worry, Ortho. I'll eat plenty for the both of us!"
"Careful Grim, you don't want to get a stomachache," Sereia says, worried.
"Don't worry, I don't get full that easily," Grim says.
He then notices something, "Hwy, wait a minute. What happened to the costumes you were sportin' at the parade?"
"Now that you mention it. How come you're wearing your robes and not wearing the costumes you were wearing at the parade?" Briar asks.
Then Ace says, "Let's see, what was his spiel? 'Those are show costumes. They look fine at a distance, but the poor stitching is obvious at a glance up close.' 'We absolutely cannot let the guests see the proverbial mage behind the curtain. You are to change out of yours the MOMENT the parade ends.'"
"Vil told you that, did he?" Briar questions.
"Yep," Ace answers, "Long story short, Vil gave us a turbo-scowl and took 'em back ASAp."
"I can still hardly believe they had costumes put together for every single student. Vil's got serious chops," Jack comments.
"We couldn't have pulled it off without help," Epel says, "Tailors and volunteers from the city at the foot of the hill chipped in to thank Vil for giving the island more exposure. We still had to deal with measurements, fabric, selections… You name it. It was really rough.
"No kidding," The boys reply.
Then Epel says, "But, uh, it all paid off in the end. And you guys did your part, too. Halloween at NRC turned out really fun!" and smiles.
"It was spine-tingling in more ways than one, that's for sure. I've never had a Halloween like this before," Deuce says.
"The Magicam Monsters were a huge pain to deal with, but maybe it'll be a fonder memory in highsight," Jack says.
"Despite all the hitches, it was a real blast, all right," Briar says.
"For sure. Seeing the terrified look on those last Magicam Monsters' faces was positively cathartic for me!" Ortho happily says. "I kind of like Halloween now… No, I REALLY like it."
"Y'know, it DID feel pret-ty good getting back at all those jerks," Ace says.
Everyone quickly shushes them, "SHHH! Not so loud!"
Ahhh, yes… You know what they say - the strongest bonds are forged in fire!" Crolwey happily says, walking over, "Or was it that life is full of highs and lows, and that only by experiencing the lows can we soar higher? Ooh, or maybe the best adage to apply here, all's well that ends well!"
"He's downright giddy," Grim says with his arms crossed.
"No kidding," Briar says.
Then Sam and Trein walk over to Crowley. Trein is also holding his pet cat, Lucius. Crewel and Vargas are with them too.
Sam says, "And why wouldn't he be? All these guests came to Sage's Island to visit Night Raven College. And while they were visiting, they spent QUITE generously at the local inns and shops off campus. The islanders have been positively beside themselves with gratitude."
"The management committee certainly did their part, and really, so did every single student on campus," Trein says. "None of us were expecting the string of unpleasant incidents that plagued the festivities. You all handled it quite well, and now we have a splendid party to show for it."
"Good boys, each and everyone one of you. I'm proud of you, too," Crewel says.
"I was awestruck at how dependable you all were. If you're this good now, just imagine how much better you'll be with more training," Vargas says.
All the students around say, "Thank you very much!"
Then Trein says, "I'm still puzzled as to why the Magicam Monsters disappeared overnight…"
Everyone remains silent.
Then Trein says, "But regardless, I have little doubt that you'll make next year's Halloween just as superb as this one."
"We expect the best from all of our student body!" Crowley happily says.
"Thank you, sir!" The students happily reply.