Once in a Blue Moon (RevisionEdit in progress)

by HeroProject39

"Don't chase the dreams. They'll lead you to nowhere, just an abyss you'll never be able to wake up from." She delves deeper into the mysteries of Twisted Wonderland and its inhabitants...until she may never wake up from a world that blindfolds her gently from the reality waiting beyond the road. (OC) REVISING. Main story ON HOLD.

31. EVENT: Scary Monsters

Reminder that the events are not canon to the main story as confirmed by Yana in an interview on Magical Archives!

Chapter length: 26k words/163 pages.

Synopsis: In which everyone wakes up and chooses violence as part of their Halloween spirit.

Content Warnings: Non-con photography and touching. Trespassing. You know the drill with Magicam Monsters.

~Scary Monsters~

The school bell rings throughout Night Raven College.

Grim drawled a heavy sigh. "Our long 'n boring classes are finally done for the day. Oi, Strix. Let's get back to the dorm and continue our game from yesterday!"

Strix was packing her belongings when she remarked, "You mean Magift? You're really motivated to work out."

"Magift's pretty fun. You get to use magic unlike Coach Vargas' PE class. I'm just a hamster there."

"Hm. My Dream Eaters are having fun, too, so I'm not complaining." Strix leaves the classroom with Grim leading ahead.

"Also, I wanna eat something sweet after we play." Grim said.

"I'm not making any more of my shield cookies for you, Grim. Those were reserved for my familiars in the first place." Strix tipped her chin up.

"But they're so tasty and pleasing to look at!"

"Flattery won't get you anywhere regardless of the truth. I'd have been more lenient if I hadn't caught you sneaking off with the cookie jar last night."

As they exchanged friendly banter and walked back to their dorm, the gray beast spoke up, "Ya know, I've been thinking about this forever, but Ramshackle's seriously way too far from the school."

"At least this will serve as good daily training. It's a workout getting anywhere in this school, after all." Every day is leg day, Strix thought as positively as she tries to make of most situations.

"Phew. We're finally here! We're...back...?" Grim trails off as the pair slowed to a stop in their tracks.

What awaited them stood a giant red dragon.

Grim shrieked. "A MONSTER!!"

A gasp escaped the girl as she admired the stage setup. The dragon looks suspiciously close to Mushu from Mulan and she's internally fangirling for it. "Wow, amazing! It looks so authentic."

"Why are you just standing there, Strix?! We gotta get outta here!" Cried a frantic Grim tugging her leg rooted in place.

"Oh, you're back?"

Another shriek elicits once Grim turned around. "THERE'S EVEN ONE BEHIND ME!"

A flat crease folds Strix's eyes when her little companion darted to hide behind her leg, the tremor from his body transferred to her limb. She turns from the Eastern Asian setup to come face to face (literally) with the upside down mischievous fae. She was used to the greeting at this point.

A mirthful grin lifted Lilia lips, flashing his white fangs. His small stature shook with impish glee before he gracefully flipped to settle his feet on the ground. "What a fun reaction~! You returned sooner than I thought you would."

"Hi there, Lilia-senpai. I guess we're finally getting used to our route home." Strix noted more so to herself than Lilia.

Grim slowly recovers from his fright as he peeked out from Strix's leg. "O-Oh, you're... from Diasomnia... The guy that's always showing up upside down!"

"Indeed, I'm the ever-elusive beautiful young man, Lilia Vanrouge." He bowed playfully with a cloaked hand to his chest.

"So what are you doing he—" Grim shook his head fervently, "Wait, this isn't the time to talk! We gotta get away from that humongous monster!" He flailed his arm at the dragon sitting at the yard.

"Calm down. It's not real. It's just a decoration." Said Lilia.

Grim blinked. "...Huh? It's not real?"

Lilia nodded. "Putting that fabric over its wooden framework was all done by our Diasomnia students. Right now, everyone's hard at work putting together the gate and lanterns too."

Upon closer examination, everyone was constructing the setup.

"I'm going to cast a spell to set up the gate. Everyone, watch your heads!"

"Let's coil the dragon's tail around the yard so it stands out as much as it can!"

Lilia nodded enthusiastically as he watched the students work their magic. "Yes, yes. Don't hold back. Go all out making it as eye-grabbing as you want!"

"Okay!" Came the chipper chorus.

As expected of the dorm who excel in magic. They're waving their magical pens while multitasking.

Strix narrows her vision behind the massive long body of the red dragon. A bright neon green and yellow dragon of western origins was perched atop the Ramshackle Dorm, yellow pupils watching like a hawk. The pink heart drop symbol on its forehead is a close ally to the dorm's prefect.

"Ryu Dragon!"

The dragon's cry shrieked like a mighty bird, drawing everyone's attention above. Its horn-like wings beat against the air before swooping in to stop just beside their liege.

Ryu Dragon affectionately nudged its head against Strix's cheek and playfully "bites" her head with its wide beak jaws, eliciting a small shriek drowned out by her giggling.

Grim shrieked, "Gyaaaa! A real dragon!"

A tap on his back from behind compelled him to swerve to meet a giant jaw and rolling yellow tongue consuming his vision whole.

Grim could have sworn his soul left his body once he collapsed backwards to the ground.

Drak Quack's egg-shaped body laughed with its long yellow tongue out from the cracks as it flapped its diamond wings as though pointing fingers in belittling him.

Strix had pulled her head from Ryu Dragon's jaws to toss a wry knowing look at the Spirit. "Don't go playing troublemaker too much on poor Grim, Drak Quack. Give him a breather."

"Looks like our attraction was eye-catching for your Dream Eaters. We're bringing in the appropriate crowd of dragons and wyverns." Lilia watched in amusement as the two Dream Eaters then flew around the dorm as though playing in a playground. They swiftly avoid bumping into decorations and Diasomnia students, also treating them as obstacles to cross in their little game of tag while somehow not disrupting their tasks.

Having recovered his soul at the mention of "attraction", Grim sat up agape as the gate of Ramshackle dorm is being covered by the decorations. "Wh-What is this...? Our dorm is turning into a haunted house... Oi! Stop messing with our dorm without asking us first!"

Wine red eyes were round with confusion. "'Without asking'? The headmaster told us very willingly 'Yes, go ahead!'"

"Ah, I could hear it." Said the girl flatly.

"He said what?! Headmaster...!" Grim seethed.

Strix sighed. That would explain why Lilia went ahead in decorating without their permission. "He's making decisions on his own again... Are we just chopped liver?"

"Now, don't say that. It's Halloween, isn't it? Malleus was adamant that 'the Ramshackle Dorm will do for spending our Halloween'. Aren't you pleased? You wouldn't have been able to successfully put up such splendid decorations by yourselves. What? There's no need to thank us. We've all got to have fun on Halloween."

Strix deadpanned as Lilia laughed. This conversation got one-sided!

A ghostly laughter enters the conversation. Laverne and the rest of the ghost trio have appeared. "Everything is looking so festive~"

It was then a third Dream Eater, Ghostabocky, floats absentmindedly and shook with laughter in the distance. They like to mess with some Diasomnia students that were putting less effort than others by rolling their huge tongue out with knife and fork raised intimidatingly, effectively keeping them on their toes.

Lilia perks up. "Oh, the ghosts came to stop by, too."

"These are some bold decorations you've got, without any regard for the two living here!" Victor said.

"Diasomnia's lack of self-restraint is on a whole other level! Looks like this year's Halloween is going to be incredible!" Said Hugo.

"Hehe, you don't need to compliment us that much!" Lilia grinned widely.

"While also throwing us under the rug..." Strix's deadpan had yet to leave her. She has been prone to these unfavorable turn of events (usually spurred by Crowley who should be finding a way to bring her home damnit) throughout the school year that she can't really find the wit to retort with spirit. It could have been worse.

"...Hey. This's been bothering me for a while now, but... What's this 'Halloween' you keep talking about? Is it part of the reason why there's all this commotion?" Grim asked.

Lilia and the ghosts look to Grim, speechless. "Huh?"

"G-Grimmy-boy... You're not saying... you don't know what Halloween is, are you?" Laverne floats to him uneasily, pale hand reached out to him and the other raised to his lips accompanied with blue eyes round with dread.

"I dunno what it is."

"WHAT?!"

Strix supposed this is Grim being the monster he is to not learn human traditions, hence why she's not as surprised.

She thought while stroking a squishy head beside her. Realizing who she was touching, she looked down to find Meow Wow pawing at her leg once her attention was on them.

Suddenly the cogs in her head start to turn as she counted the number of Dream Eaters present. Ryu Dragon, Drak Quack, Ghostabocky, and Meow Wow are all present in the same vicinity. She couldn't summon more than three simultaneously. Until now that is.

Question marks float above her head as she stared at the dog/cat hybrid innocently reciprocating her gaze. How is this suddenly possible?

This realization only took Strix three seconds to make. It was enough time for Lilia and the ghosts to snap out of their stupor from Grim's lack of knowledge on Halloween.

"This is certainly a surprise... I never would've thought there could be someone in this world who doesn't know what Halloween is!" Lilia exclaimed. That's saying something.

"Is this Halloween thing really that well-known?" Grim cocked his head.

"But of course! Halloween is one of the most important events in Twisted Wonderland. To put it simply... It's our festival!" Hugo gestured his bloated white arms to the ghosts themselves.

He stared at them. "You...? The ghosts?"

"Yes. Halloween falls on October 31st every year. It's the day that ghosts who have passed to the other world return to this one. They say that all ghosts come to this world on Halloween, October 31st. Not just ghosts like these ones, who are already residing in this world. The living puts up festive decorations and gets feasts together to welcome the ghosts arriving in this world. It's also important that they dress up in costumes as frightening ghosts and monsters." Lilia explained.

"Costumes? What for?" Asked the beast.

"It's because not all ghosts are good-natured like we are." Laverne explained.

Hugo slowly drifts around the Ramshackle duo in a circle as he said, "Some will tie your shoelaces together while you're sitting on a chair, or swap the sugar with the salt in the kitchen..."

Victor joins Hugo, "Or turn all your T-shirts inside out, and use up all the ink in your pens..."

"There's a lot of mischief that happens on Halloween because of ghosts like that." Laverne said to Grim.

"Those in the afterlife don't ever get the chance to interact with the living, so it seems they just can't help from wanting to pull a few pranks." Hugo along with Victor stop beside Laverne.

The small ghost nodded. "Returning to the world of the living after so long is already very exciting."

"Those are some lame prank ideas." Was what Grim flatly said.

Lilia chuckled. "They're adorable. Usually those prank-loving ghosts will go away if you offer them a treat. However, sometimes you'll find the rare uncontrollable evil spirit among them who's simply up to no good. Strix, you've met a ghost who was up to no good before, haven't you?"

She nodded. The few ghosts from the Dwarfs' Mine had chased them and A-Deuce around not so much for a friendly game of tag.

His expression shifted darker. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. A ghost for a ghost. Costumes double as special outfits used as charms for scaring away the evil spirits, instead of the other way around."

Then a grin suddenly broke out on the little fae's baby face. "...But that's just what the story was a long time ago. Nowadays it's a lot of fun, and has more of a cosplay kinda feel to it, doesn't it!"

"He got so casual so abruptly!" Grim exclaimed.

"Exactly, there's no need to overthink this." Laverne chipped in airily for Lilia.

"Halloween has been like this for a long time, before we became ghosts." Victor stated.

"It's not like the living can actually see the ghosts either. They let loose as much as they want. Just think of it like 'Halloween is a fun day to spend with everyone'!" Hugo assured.

"Hehe, a fun day... Wait, did you say the living can't see the ghosts? Why not? Aren't they all coming back here?" Grim crossed his arms and quirked a brow.

"There are some ghosts that stay in this world due to strong regrets or unfinished business, but by nature, they're supposed to go to the afterlife. So those who are lingering in the world of the living are awfully unstable existences. You aren't able to see them outside of places like Night Raven College, which is very rich in magic power." Lilia explained.

"Really? That would explain the number of ghost staff here..." Strix muttered to herself.

"Whaaat? I thought there'd really be loads of ghosts just wandering around outside the school..." Grim admitted.

Laverne eerily laughs his ghost laugh. "We're actually quite rare."

"But, it doesn't matter if you can or can't see them." Hugo told the little beast.

Laverne bobbed his head. "Exactly. Halloween is fun whether you see ghosts or not. That's important."

"Yes, just like they said. Even I get more excited than I should for my age this time of year." Lilia smiled.

"All right! Everyone, let's chant it!" Hugo hollered.

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN!"

'We're still a month away from the holiday, though...' Was what Strix thought to herself after seeing Lilia and the ghosts gung-ho about it.

"Y-You guys are really hyped up... Oi, Strix. Have you heard of this Halloween thing before?" Grim looks up to her.

"Of course I have." Said the blue-haired girl in a heartbeat.

"Do you mean they have Halloween in the world you came from, Strix?" Hugo asked.

"That's a huge coincidence." Laverne commented.

"The way it's celebrated might change, but the Halloween tradition exists for all species—humans, fairies, ghosts... Perhaps it's not too strange that Halloween has been passed down in the parallel world Strix came from as well." Lilia mused.

"Hmm... So Halloween's really that special of a day, huh?" Grim contemplates, "...If it's that amazing, then it's making me excited too!"

"I'll bet! On top of that, Night Raven College holds a 'special event' for it." Lilia said.

"Special? I didn't hear anything about that." Grim's curiosity lifts his expression.

"Me neither." Strix added.

"Oh, you didn't? ...Well, there's one month left until Halloween. The teachers will explain everything about it tomorrow!" Lilia shrugged nonchalantly.

The sound of a camera snapping attracts their attention. "Hm?"

"Mm, this is a very good composition. You can really feel the might of the dragon." Hugo was nodding to himself while admiring the photo he took.

"Let's shoot the next one from a lower angle so we can get the whole Ramshackle Dorm in." Victor suggested.

Grim lifts a shaky paw at the trio. "Y-You guys... That thing in your hands... That's not a... That's not a..."

"A PHONE?!" Exclaimed Grim and Strix together, blue eyes dilated at the technology in their ghostly hands.

Victor feigned an apologetic look. "Oops, you noticed?"

Laverne cackled. "We have too much fun on Halloween. This year, we all bought smartphones~!"

"How did a ghost make a mobile contract?!" Exclaimed Grim.

"These days, you can get a new phone plan in an instant if you do it online." Laverne waves the smartphone in his hand.

"The headmaster was our co-signer, and we qualified as soon as we wrote down the academy's address." Hugo explained.

Grim groaned under his breath. "This is real bold of him, when he makes me and Strix have to share one phone."

"It's not like you could use it much, with your paws and no opposable thumbs." Strix said. She has no doubt Grim would be irresponsible and break the phone within a few weeks, anyway.

Laverne giggled. "It's because we're independent adults~ But even so, there's no one in this world for us to get in touch with anymore!"

The ghosts bursted into laughter.

Lilia chuckled with them. "That was a nice ghost joke. But there are many ways to use a smartphone besides calling people."

"Right! That's why I started a Magicam, so I could have as much fun as possible this Halloween!" Hugo chirped. "...But even so, the only ones following me are you guys and my ghost friends, which is only five people in total."

"But it's good for making memories, isn't it?" Victor spoke up.

Laverne then remembers something. "Ah, right. Grimmy-boy, could you look this way?"

"Hm?"

CLICK!

"Hehehe! A keepsake photo of us with Grimmy-boy~" Laverne grinned.

A confident smirk curls Grim's black lips. "Heh~ Go ahead and do that, but we all know ghosts don't show up in pic—"

When he looks at the screen his eyes shot wide open like the size of dinner plates. "THEY SHOWED UP! They're actually clearly in the picture?! I thought ghosts usually only show up in that ghost camera Strix carries around!"

Strix peers in for a closer look. "You're right, I can see you guys."

"Well, it's because it's almost Halloween." Laverne said.

"I see. And so you bought smartphones to go along with it." Lilia noted.

"What does that mean?" Grim asked.

"Halloween is said to be the one day a year when the world of the living and the spirits come closest together. It's also the time the ghosts' power gets stronger than ever. At this time of year, they have no trouble showing up in photographs." Lilia shrugged. "Well, like I said earlier, that's still only true on Night Raven College's campus."

So there's magic in the air during Halloween season, too, huh. That's one thing different from her world.

Strix connects the pieces together. "Maybe that's why I can see more than three Dream Eaters present. They're literally called Spirits, after all. And with the magic concentration higher in Night Raven College, that enables many of my Spirits to be summoned. Not to mention the incentive of sweets and candy..."

"The theory that your Dream Eaters are much more powerful when Halloween festivities approach may likely well be true. Even fantastical creatures such as them are drawn into Halloween like everyone else." Lilia mused.

"Hehehe! Our see-through bodies look even shinier under the skin touch-up mode!" Laverne remarked after using the filter for the photo.

"And Grimmy-boy's fur coat is so glossy. We took a great Halloween photo." Hugo smiled.

"Hohoho! The background is really photogenic too~" Victor said. Both ghosts hovered over their smaller friend fiddling with Magicam's features.

Lilia glanced to Strix. "You're not going to take one together with them?"

"I'm not the photogenic type, so I'm fine without it." Said Strix.

"Nonsense, come join us! You only live once, after all! Everyone, together again!" Victor gestured for the Ramshackle gang to gather within range of the camera lens.

Strix complied, shyly flashing a close-eyed smile for the photo. Right after the photo was taken for the private album, her expression reverted back to an expressionless one.

Laverne continued on his first original post, "Um, for this photo... 'Happy Halloween from everyone in our shared house! #NRCHalloween. Put that as the caption and... upload to Magicam!"

"If you're gonna use a cool picture of me, you gotta pay me in tuna cans for being your model!" Grim told them.

"Don't be so strict. We should have lots of fun together until October 31st, right?" Hugo said dismissively.

A grin bloomed across Lilia's face. "Right now, it's not just Ramshackle, but the whole school is getting decorated for Halloween. You guys should be excited for it!"

"Happy Halloween! Heeheehee~!"

The next day...

It was homeroom period when Crewel had counted off all the students present and makes an important announcement. "I'm sure all of you know this already, but we have one month until Halloween."

Cue the classroom erupting into cheers.

"It's finally Halloween. I've been waiting for this day!"

"It's always been my dream to spend Halloween at Night Raven College!"

Grim listened to the excited chatter filling his ears. "Everyone's getting really pumped up just by hearing the word Halloween! Guess when Lilia told us it's special yesterday, he really meant it."

Ace leans over from his desk behind the Ramshackle duo. "Hey, hey. I only caught a glimpse of it this morning, but there's something serious going on at Ramshackle, huh?"

"Draconia-senpai and Vanrouge-senpai look like they've been really fired up too." Deuce remarked.

Strix nodded, recalling the Eastern Asian scenery propped in the yard. "It's nice and Halloween-y, isn't it?"

"Oh, that kind of festive spirit's great! That's good if you're having fun." Ace nodded before crossing his arms behind his head, grinning. "You really gotta go all out for Halloween~"

"Speaking of going all out..." Deuce leans over from his seat next to Ace, "Strix, have you bought a pumpkin for decorating your room yet? There's already a line at the Mystery Shop. If you want to get a good-shaped pumpkin, you'd better get there quick."

"Putting out a Jack 'o lantern really sets the Halloween mood right away~" Said Ace.

"Ace and Deuce look excited too. Are you guys so hyped because it's Halloween?" Grim asked.

"Well, yeah. Is Halloween ever something to not be excited about? The infamously reclusive Ignihyde students are going out and about too, aren't they? And even goody-two-shoes Deuce is joining in. Isn't that right?" Ace tossed a snarky grin at his rival.

Deuce was calm as he replied, "Letting loose a little is acceptable around this time. Plus I can wear a cool costume... Kids and adults alike, I don't think there's a single person in Twisted Wonderland who doesn't like Halloween!"

As the classroom of first year students continued chatting animatedly, Crewel sighed. "I can't stand all this excitement around me this time of year."

The man lashed his stick on his desk. "Stay! Be quiet! The fact that this is your first Halloween since enrolling here is no excuse to get carried away. People will start to doubt my discipline."

"Listen up. Halloween is a very important event at Night Raven College. The week before it, better known as 'Halloween Week'..."

"We will be holding a student-run stamp rally for those visiting the school. Each dorm will choose one location on campus as their spot for the stamp rally, and put up Halloween decorations around it. It's important that you make sure anyone from outside our school would be able to freely take part in this event. And by that, I mean that during Halloween Week, visitors will be walking around campus. Do you all know why we're hosting such a time-consuming event?"

Grim raised his paw enthusiastically. "I do! I know! It's so we can make bank off charging people for admission!"

Strix lowered his paw. She breathed softly, "No."

Crewel frowned disapprovingly at the rascal and swiftly shot him down, "Wrong! Taking money from the participants is just absurd! Coming in to look around the school is free."

Silver blue eyes sweep over the silent classroom. "Listen, all of you. Our long history that's been established up till this point... Wouldn't have been made possible without the understanding and cooperation of everyone who lives around here on Sage's Island, along with the warm recognition they have for all of you. Halloween Week is a special chance for all of the locals to see the results of your discipline. Sharpen up and make sure not to let them see your lazy sides!"

"Stamp rally? So that's why Lilia was decorating Ramshackle. It sounds like a festival; it's so cool!" Grim's forked tail waved high in the air.

Ace raised a brow. "What are you so surprised for? Didn't we hear about all this from the Halloween management committee?"

Grim blinked. "Huh? Management committee?"

"We put students from every dorm in charge to make sure Halloween goes along smoothly. The headmaster told you this already, didn't he?" Crewel glanced to the gray cat.

"I didn't hear anything about it."

"What?!"

Crewel then glanced to Strix. With a whisper of incredulity underneath his breath, he addressed to her, "...Noctowl. Don't tell me you didn't either?"

"It's the first I've heard of this." She replied blankly, doe blue eyes round and lingering in the light of ignorance.

His eyes narrowed slightly upon assessment. "...I see. I suppose it slipped the headmaster's mind to go inform Ramshackle?"

Ah, Strix understands how Malleus feels to not get invited or at least be informed of things. His rage is justified.

"He's seriously so careless!" Ace exclaimed on behalf of Ramshackle.

"Ah, but don't worry! If you and Grim have any questions about Halloween Week, you can come ask me. Because... I'm on the Halloween management committee this year!" Deuce boasted proudly.

Ace rolled his cherry red eyes. "Stop acting so high and mighty. You're only on it 'cause they picked you in the name draw."

Peacock green eyes shot him a look. "Shut up, Ace. Maybe it was just by luck, but I still got to hear Dorm Leader Rosehearts tell me 'Try your best'... I'm going to make sure Night Raven College's traditional Halloween is a success!"

"I like your enthusiasm, but make sure being on the management committee doesn't distract you from your schoolwork." Crewel told the navy-haired boy.

Deuce flinched. "R-Right. Of course!" He glared at the snickering Ace beside him.

Crewel's gaze lingered on the four before facing the class. "Moving on. Don't get too carried away just because it's Halloween, puppies. Bad boys who don't listen to what I say won't get to participate in the party we're having on the 31st."

Grim's flaming blue ears twitched. "What?! Now I'm hearing about a party?!"

"We hold a party inside Night Raven College on Halloween night. Those from outside the school are our guests, but the students and ghosts attend this extravagant party as well." Explained the professor.

"Th-That means... We'll get to have yummy food, delicious food, and amazing food?!" Grim's mouth is drooling.

"It's all just food in your head." Strix sweatdropped.

"Apparently they'll be hiring a famous chef to cater for us so that the cafeteria ghosts can have some fun too." Deuce said.

"I heard that every year there's always more than enough food to eat. My brother once showed me pictures of these Halloween parties, and all the food looked so good~" Ace's eyes wandered dreamily. "Seems like this event is almost as exciting and fancy as prom."

"As expected from a prestigious school..." Strix remarked. What a luxury to be as a student here.

Grim sighed airily. "...A fancy party! I can't wait for Halloween~!"

"Boys. It might sound overwhelming putting together your costumes and decorations during the next month... But let's all make this an amazing Halloween!" Crewel said.

"Yeah!"

One month later~

The first day of Halloween Week

Strix released a sigh once she finished propping the Jack 'o lantern pumpkins and pale drapes all over Ramshackle. Thanks to the help of many of her Dream Eaters able to spawn with Halloween spirit approaching, the workload was alleviated from her shoulders.

"The Halloween decorations of our dorm is done! This lantern that's made of pumpkin... Is it called Jack 'o lantern? At first I was wondering why they would light up food... But it's really fun when we try making one." Grim said.

The gray beast padded over to a lantern with engraved rings for eyes and a triangular beak, similar to an owl. He points at it while his eyes were on Strix. "Look. This pumpkin looks so much like you! Nyahaha."

Strix rolled her eyes before yawning.

"Good morning, both of you. Halloween Week has finally arrived~" Laverne greeted.

Grim bobbed his head. "Yep! We're going to look around the school after this. Let's g..."

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

Grim and Strix stepped back startled when the ghost trio suddenly flew to block the door.

A dark grin crossed their pale complexions as their eery laughter grew louder.

The duo grows suspicious.

"W-What's wrong? What are you grinning at?" Grim asked, slightly unnerved.

They exchanged knowing looks before Laverne said, "Actually... We have some presents for you."

The pair blinked owlishly. "Present?"

"Hihihi...Here you go!"

A wave of sparkles envelope both Grim and Strix whole.

When the magic smoke dispersed from Grim, a royal purple ribbon with black web and Jack 'o lantern designs replaced his striped collar. Sitting atop his head is a black witch hat with matching ribbons and a black skull pin on the striped bow.

Strix slowly opened her eyes and gasped down at herself. Worn atop her black turtleneck is a pure white lolita dress of puffy sleeves trimmed in royal blue crosses and long, blue cuffed white sleeves. Over the front of the dress is a pinafore-like gray layer with white and blue stitches running the middle. Along the blue trimming at the hem is a simple crown and tear loosely held with stitching.

A black uneven satin ribbon is tied beneath her blue collar marked with black crosses. A blue and black pinstriped bow behind her dress has two different lengths of tail ribbons trailing behind her. Underneath her skirt were frilly black and blue shorts and a ghostly tattered veil and tail ribbons akin to a ghost's body. The sides of her dress are split to reveal gray double layered frills.

Her feet sported mismatched black and blue Victorian ankle boots and gray leggings, the bottom half separated by white frills and pinstripes of black, white, and blue running down her legs.

A white and black striped ribbon with a mini top hat on the side is tied around the frame of her face as a headband. Just like the Ramshackle ghosts, except with a bow.

In her white gloved hand is a white and blue gray pinstripe parasol opened to reveal a pale, ghostly tattered veil draped over her head adorned with simple black and white four-petal flowers. Her hair is now wavy with small twintails tied behind (like a pop idol style) while the rest cascades behind her back.

Bright blue eyes surrounded by dark blue gray eyeshadow blinked in awe. She looks like a mixture of a ghost and a doll.

The Ramshackle pair were speechless for a moment, admiring their new outfits before looking at each other.

"Nyaha! It's a Halloween costume that's made for me! Look, Strix! I look cool, right?!" Grim tipped his witch hat up.

She giggled. "You look cute."

"What?!" Grim crossed his arms with a pout. He didn't want to be called "cute"!

He scrutinized her up and down before tipping his nose up. "Hmph, you don't look scary at all. You look like a weak ghost."

"I don't know about 'weak', but I do think I look more 'pretty' than scary, though..." Strix examines her clothes again. It's not exactly intimidating, though not all costumes have to be foreboding of course to be in the Halloween spirit. There are princess and fairy costumes, after all.

Hugo snickered as he floats to Grim, "It's the costume of a great wizard~"

Laverne drifted towards Strix, "And this is the costume of a ghost~"

"Your friends told us that only you guys didn't have Halloween costumes." Victor explained.

Grim and Strix look to them, confused. "Friends...?"

Laverne looks up thoughtfully. "Um, the one with the heart mark on his face, and the one with the spade mark..."

"Ace and Deuce?!" Grim exclaimed.

Laverne nodded. "That's right. We should enjoy Halloween altogether. You guys will feel left out if you didn't have a Halloween costume."

"We try making the costume by cutting out the edge of the curtain." Hugo told the pair.

"I was wondering why the curtain was trimmed shorter than it originally was. It was used as material for the costumes." Strix realized aloud.

"So? Do you like it?" Victor asked.

Strix couldn't suppress the contagious dumb grin splitting her face in half, especially after hearing the costumes were handmade. Her heart was warmed by the gift. "I love it. Thank you. I'd hug you guys if you weren't transparent but the emotion is just plenty enough the squeeze."

"Hihihi... Now, you have done your preparation. Go enjoy your Halloween!" Victor grinned.

"We will look around the campus too~!" Laverne told the duo before waving and leaving the dorm with the others.

"All right Strix, let's go! Follow me! Lalalala~" Grim skips out of the lounge singing his tunes with a stylish Strix following behind.

Before she would exit the dorm, she realized she'd be walking around in this costume all day. She had never gone trick or treating since Caelum left. On Halloween she would just be the one handing out candy at home while wearing a typical witch costume. Having a hat was really reliable for when she has to avoid eye contact with the visitors.

Strix bit her lower lip, fighting back the bashful heat warming her cheeks and lowering her parasol to obscure her face from view once they stepped outside the dorm.

Calm down, Strix. Ace is definitely going to tease her if he saw her face right now, among a few other individuals.

She calms herself after exhaling a long breath. All right. Act natural.

Her eyes glanced up. Ryu Dragon and Drak Quack were soaring the sky playing and circling the floating lanterns sustained by magic. They seemed at home with the aesthetic of the eastern dragon on top of Ramshackle Dorm.

Prior to Halloween Week, her Dream Eaters were to exercise caution when going public. With the help of the committee's persuasion, the visitors would be told that they were realistic animatronics fueled by magic to serve as background devices. They were prohibited from touching them from potential "damage on the machinery". The Spirits also add in the "monster" charm for the scenery, is also another reason given.

Strix hopes they don't attract unsavory visitors who would try to hunt her Dream Eaters for research. Fortunately no one outside of the campus would suspect her to be the master of these rainbow creatures. They can also just vanish from the real world and return to the dream realm to run away.

"Oh? I see a new ghost has joined the ranks of the undead, fufufu..."

Strix went rigid. Recognizing the deep voice, she slowly looks to the side.

"Lilia-senpai?! That costume..."

The third year wore what appears to be a Chinese uniform dress from the Qing dynasty. The branch-like horns from his hat and aqua scaled dragon tail with yellow spikes attached behind were the main highlights of the dragon theme.

The fae grinned, lifting his arms in a "scary" pose, though his hands are hidden by his sagging long sleeves. "Happy Halloween. Are you surprised? We completed colorful costumes that will attract the attention of others for this effect."

"You definitely caught me off guard, among other reasons..." Strix mumbled, calming her heartbeat with a hand to her chest.

Lilia chuckled. "One must stay on their toes when least expected, especially on Halloween."

"Malleus is part of the Halloween committee this year, too, right? I don't see him." Strix inquired after glancing around the venue for any tall figure with black horns.

"Indeed. Malleus must have lost track of time today, as per usual. We fae perceive time differently from humans, you see." Lilia explained.

"Right. I'm sure I'll run into him eventually." Strix said.

She shyly averted her eyes. "...What do you think of my costume? The three ghosts from Ramshackle made them for Grim and I."

"Those three did... You ask me what do I think?" Lilia echoed. He giggled as though she made a humorous joke, though not in any ill manner of course.

Strix stilled. Oversized sleeves draped over her chest from behind, the feeling of small hands pressed on her shoulders belie the tip of long sharp nails. Underneath the shade of the parasol, wine red eyes twinkled.

A husky voice that shouldn't belong to a cutesy baby face croaked, "I'm quite fond of this style. I adore it."

Her muscles twitched from the close proximity, suppressing the hot warmth of his breath crawling her skin and coloring her cheeks. She internally cursed once a meek stutter left her. "...Th-Thank you."

He would surely hear her pulse beating hard against her rib cage.

The glimmer in his eyes said he knew.

...

After Strix caught up with Grim and quelled the heat of embarrassment burning her pale skin, they enter the botanical garden managed by Heartslabyul.

Strix spots Wheeflower and Whoeflower, a pink flower and a violet thorn Spirit respectfully, frolicking among the flower beds Heartslabyul prides itself with. Other flower Spirits such as Flowbermeow and Ducky Goose also pranced about.

They look cozy blending in with the flowers and in their natural habitat that is the botanical garden.

"Ooh, you're dressed as a ghost, Stri-chan? And a cute one at that!" Cater cooed. He was in a black scary dress with white ribbons vaguely reminiscent of skeleton bones and a top hat with a black tattered veil.

Deuce was stiffer than the skeleton role he plays as he shyly stuttered with a blush, "Y-Y-You look very beautiful, Strix," before bowing his head.

"Thank you, Deuce." Strix said.

"Deuce-chan is not used to complimenting girls, is he." Cater remarked for Strix to hear.

She nodded, whispering back, "He's awkward like that, but that's part of his earnestness. I don't dislike it."

"Excuse me."

Strix turned to the source.

A man had his smartphone up and a little girl holding his free hand peering up at Strix with sparkles surrounding her awed expression.

The man smiled. "May I please take a picture of you and my daughter together? She really wants one after she saw your costume."

"You're really spooky but pretty, ghost lady! And your dress is so frilly, I love it!" The girl squealed, her tutu skirt fluttering as she bounced from the soles of her feet, adoring the costume.

"I..."

Strix paused. No one would suspect her being a student here since she's not in her uniform, right? She supposed it would be safe to show her face on social media at this season...

She crouched to meet the little girl's hopeful eyes glimmering with youthful innocence and smiled. "I'd be honored."

The child had asked her if she could hold her parasol for the photo, to which Strix permitted. Strix knelt beside the gleeful daughter, whose wide grin couldn't contain her giggles, and waved a hand up for the camera. Together they smiled under the ghostly veil of her parasol, as if a real ghost was with the little girl.

After taking the photo, the father bowed his head to Strix. "Thank you very much."

"Thank you, ghost lady! Bye-bye!"

Strix waved to them as they left the venue. Until she hugged herself with trembling arms that she admitted with a pale face, "I'm really not good with children after all."

"Eh? You looked like a natural with kids though." Deuce said.

"Please don't laugh, but frankly, I'm scared of little kids. I don't know how to take care of them and I really wouldn't want to do it if I had the choice. Back in my world, children would cry and run away seeing my eyes." Strix explained gloomily.

"Really? From what I saw, I think kids adore you like a big sister, or even a mother figure." Cater commented.

"In a world of ghosts and non-human races you would say that. But my world has none of the supernatural and mythical. So naturally kids would freak out about something abnormal they can't comprehend like my freaky eyes." Strix said.

"Hmm... Whether you like it or not, kids in Twisted Wonderland are drawn to you. Isn't that a nice thing then?" Cater asked.

Strix was silent. She had yet to make eye contact with the two skeletons.

"Um, excuse me!"

Strix looked over her shoulder. Only to jolt at the crowd of visitors that suddenly gathered before her.

"We would also like to ask for your picture, if you don't mind." A woman asked, the crowd behind her nodding along unanimously.

As if Strix could ever deny the huge number of people flocked together, especially from their round expectant eyes of non malicious will. The pressure is real.

"I don't mind, but..."

She glanced to the Heartslabyul students. Wouldn't she be disrupting their venue?

"Okay~ Everyone, please form a line." Cater said, coming in for the save. He sent a wink to her way, to which Strix smiled in relief.

Cater watches Strix sit through many photo shoots with the visitors. He noticed some who looked at her inquisitively after snapping photos but gave polite smiles and were content after one or two shots.

Before another visitor would come request a photo right after the line has cleared, Cater relocated Strix to a more secluded area.

He told her, "Stri-chan, you should open your eyes more for the camera. You had them closed for every single pic, it's a shame."

"...I'm not one to take selfie pics, and I don't want to make a funny face if they have a flash installed." Strix sheepishly scratched her cheek, averting her eyes.

"Are you camera shy?" The ginger asked.

Strix lowered her gaze. "Not exactly? I just rarely take pictures of myself. I find other things much more interesting to look at."

"Hm..." Cater contemplated before muttering to himself, "If Stri-chan's okay with it then it should be fine..."

Deuce spots someone familiar in the distance and stood dutifully. "Dorm Head Rosehearts!"

"Riddle-kun, you're here." Cater greeted merrily as said redhead approached their circle.

"Classes ended early because of Halloween Week, so I've come to check on the venue and see how our dorm is faring. I noticed a lot of people exiting with pleased moods on my way here." Remarked the boy.

"Well, that's all thanks to our cute ghost junior here for rounding up visitors," Cater told him and gestured a hand over.

Riddle glanced past the two skeletons to see a pale face sheepishly smiling upon eye contact.

"I came to visit the venue also, but my costume attracted a lot of attention that we had a photo shoot session just now. Sorry for the intrusion..." Strix apologized.

Slate gray eyes narrowed.

Strix stood straight as he slowly circled around her with scrutiny. Meanwhile Cater, Deuce, and Grim stayed silent by the sidelines, lest they'll somehow upset the dorm leader if they interrupt his train of thought.

Riddle came to a stop in front of her after a full circle.

Doe blue eyes peer at him curiously.

An ethereal beauty who teeters between the human world and the other side was standing before his very eyes. From up close, her pale skin was almost transparent and hollow just like an astral being. One may find themselves reaching to touch her skin in case she wasn't actually a ghost without thinking twice.

The one and only blue rose never ceases to attract him out of the many prized, beloved red roses in his garden adored by the Queen of Hearts herself.

"Um, Riddle?"

Riddle closed his eyes. Strix had mistook it for a negative reaction (it tends to rise to an angry one after that) until a pleased smile lifted his lips. He nodded once in approval. "Lovely. The flowers on your hair are a splendid touch."

"Really? Thank you." She smiled in relief.

Meanwhile Cater suppresses a wide grin behind his dark veil. It's only understandable to be charmed by her ghostly yet beautiful appearance, something the girl doesn't seem to know she possessed.

Or rather, something she was turning a blind eye to.

The ginger silently sighed to himself. Strix thinks rather self-depreciated of herself behind her humble modesty. She doesn't let others, even her close circle of people like Ace and Deuce, know of this side of herself for reasons Cater hasn't gotten far into. If she's not comfortable yet then he wouldn't meddle.

He hopes one day she'll open up to trust her friends and peers to end the cycle she's trapped in.

Of course, he himself is not one to talk.

...

Strix and Grim visit the laboratory hosted by Octavinelle. The interior is decorated like a mad scientist's lab.

Lurking under the table of the chemical storage room is a salamander Spirit whose bright colors warn everyone not to mess with their poison. Toximander's easygoing nature lets them come across as mild-natured and harmless, though.

Swimming inside the water tank is Fishboné, who seems pleased with itself as a skeletal fish blending in the atmosphere of "mad scientist room" and "chemicals".

"Ah, good morning, Strix-san, Grim. Happy Halloween." Azul greeted in a classy mummy costume that is thankfully not some typical toilet paper getup.

"Hi, Azul..." Strix trailed off as she zeroed in on his mummy costume. Are those... leather black straps across his chest? That's... really distracting.

She averted her eyes and looked around that isn't remotely close to Azul standing right before her now. She asked innocently, "Where's Jade-senpai?"

Sky blue irises darkening by a margin went unnoticed. Nonetheless, the smile remains. "He's stationed at the school entrance today."

Slender fingers caressed a lock of velvet blue hair soft to the touch.

"The slight wave suits you well. How lovely."

Strix found herself looking back into his eyes mysteriously brighter under the shadow casted by his hat.

"...You know what? I think so too. We kind of match that way, the wavy hair I mean." Strix smiled.

Azul blinked. He then let out a soft chuckle, letting her hair fall limp from his touch. He barley mutters a whisper, "I can't seem to win with you..."

Strix eyed him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing much. What do you think of Octavinelle's take for this year's Halloween?" Azul asked.

"It's an eerie atmosphere, that's for sure. Especially the huge water tank over there. Nice prop." Complimented the girl.

"The water tank is actually made by first-class manufacturers. Including the costumes." Azul added. Rather smugly, in fact.

"I should have known something was up with the authentic quality that looked out of budget for a high school student..." Strix muttered. "Remind me how you're 17 again?"

Azul simply laughed by the nose. "Finance is a powerful skill. Though, considering your circumstances at Ramshackle Dorm rely mainly on the headmaster's funds, your options are scarce. That's why it won't look generous on your tab if someone were to leave a scratch on it."

Grim was staring at his reflection on the tank when he was warded away by Fishboné as a warning to not lay a paw on the glass. He flinched and slowly inched away, laughing nervously.

...

Up next is the Mystery Shop venue managed by Scarabia. Tattered, faded carpets draped over the building nearly unrecognizable.

The stag beetle Spirit trio like to lurk around this area, though for Jamil's sake they try to hide and treat it as a game of hide and seek instead.

Kalim was the first to greet them. Long pearl gray ears and bushy tail were attached as part of the intricate costume. "Ooh, Strix, Grim! You both look super spooky in your costumes."

Strix was pleasantly surprised. "You're a werewolf now? I'm sure you got tips from Jack, then. You both are in the same committee, right?"

"Yup! Happy Halloween! Gao!"

When he heard no response, he blinked. "What's wrong? Ah, did you get spooked just now?" A hopeful shimmer shone in his eyes, the anticipation radiating from him like the sun. If his animal attachments were real they would have wiggled and wagged excitedly.

Strix slowly reached to clutch her heart. "Just now I felt this fuzzy giddiness remove my insecurities in life. My skin is cleared, my crops are watered... My heart just feels really warm right now."

Grim snickered. "That wasn't scary at all!"

Kalim drooped. "Eh... That's what everyone in the committee said, too. Even after practicing last night I still couldn't get it right... And I really wanted to impress you and hear you say I look scary..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you at the last part. What was it?" Strix was too fixated on the intricate designs of his costume and his fake fuzzy wolf ears and tail to have heard him.

Kalim was quick to flash his incandescent smile. "Nothing! Wanna try out the shop's waffles?"

Grim gasped. "Waffles? Do I!"

Kalim laughed. "Sam's selling 'Night Raven Waffles' here at the Mystery Shop. They got apple jam in it, it's great!" He ordered two waffles for them.

A raven with a magical pen around its neck is engraved on the waffle.

"It's cute. I should take a photo." Strix snapped a shot of the treat before she and Grim said their thanks and bit a piece of their waffle.

Grim licked his lips. "Delish! This apple jam and the fluffy yet crispy waffle is melting in my mouth with every bite. It tastes so delectably sweet!"

"It's good." Was what Strix simply said. Grim took the words right from her mouth.

Grim savors more of the treat and contemplates. "The apple jam tastes familiar..."

"That's because the apples used come from the school's apple trees. You probably ate them before thanks to that." Kalim said.

"Oh~! I knew it! You really do get to taste that NRC flavor!" Grim remarked.

"If only you had this much passion towards anything other than food..." Strix sweatdropped at the beast before saying to Kalim, "We'll be going now. Thanks again for the waffles!"

Kalim waved merrily as they walk away. "See you later!"

...

Strix and Grim had their jaws dropped at the scenery. The grainy pale sand underneath them was the least of their concern compared to the main site of the attraction.

"A boat..." Grim uttered out.

"That's a pirate ship, alright." Strix concluded.

Grim pads up to the shore where a pile of gold and treasure sat next to the shipwreck. His wide-eyed reflection stares back at him. "There's even a pool of water here."

Emerging from the crystal clear pool is the piranha Spirit Fin Fatale, joined by many other aquatic Spirits like seahorses, seal pups, and penguins. The Coliseum has become their favored habitat, it seems.

The stage immediately reminds her of Pirates of the Caribbean. Or it could be Captain Hook's pirate ship. Where's the "He's a Pirate" BGM when you need it? What a missed opportunity!

"Is this really the Coliseum? I could've sworn we stepped inside. We didn't walk through a magic mirror... Right?" Strix inquired to her little companion.

The pair looked around as if they had walked in a completely different world until a certain wolf approached.

"Hey, Strix, Grim. Good to see you two came."

The duo were in awe at their friend's outfit. Seashells and barnacle decorated the dark lapels and cuffs woven like nets as well as the black pirate hat.

"A pirate!" Grim ogled.

"So cool!" Strix looked up.

The childish glee emanating from the usually introverted girl was rather adorable, Jack thought as he stared down at her with a stoic face. "You look way too natural in that."

"If I had a single madol every time I hear the phrase, I'd be rich." Was what Strix wittingly said before sighing.

"But to think the Coliseum could transform into a beach is genius! The sunken ship looks so authentic. How did you even get it?" Strix asked.

"We built it ourselves, birdie." A Savanaclaw resident answered when he overheard them.

Strix looks to the rest of the residents with wide eyes. "You guys built the ship?"

They bobbed their heads with wide grins.

"That's amazing! You all did a great job with the setup. The trip here is worth the sight."

The Savanaclaw students drink her praises with massaged egos, noses tipped high to the sky. If looked closely, their tails and ears can be seen wagging and wiggling happily.

A deep voice ordered, "Oi, you mutts! Get back to work."

Their postures snapped straight as a wooden plank board. "Yessir!"

The beach was cleared in an instant.

"Says the guy playing hooky behind the ship." Strix sassily said, squinting at the brunet who had emerged from the background.

Leona sauntered to the first years. "Heard you singing praises about our venue. How does it compare to dragons? Ramshackle Dorm is scoured with lizards on top, right?"

"Sorry, I'm legally not allowed to rate anything between dorms." Strix immediately answered, raising her arms in an X. "Nothing good comes out from using my opinion to settle the competition."

"When it comes to a certain lizard, I say otherwise. Hardly exciting, Diasomnia's venue..."

Strix bopped his shoulder with her closed parasol. "Don't be mean. Everyone did their best to work on their respective venues. That's why I love all of them equally, your dorm no exception."

"It was actually Jack's idea to play pirate this year," Leona stated, tossing a glance over to the wolf beastman.

"Somehow I had a feeling. Grim, I'll squash you flat under your hat if you dare steal the treasure." Strix called out to the cat who was trying to sneak a piece of gold under his hat. He flinched before he could get his grubby paws on one.

"We should get going before temptation gets into Grim's head. See you guys later, and I'm happy to hear your suggestion came through, Jack." Strix beamed at the wolf before snatching her companion up from the sand and walking out of the Coliseum.

"Yeah..." Jack muttered out as he watched her leave.

Leona glanced at the first year's tail wagging slightly as if refraining from whirling up a storm. He's definitely one happy puppy.

...

Upon entering the library, they were greeted by youngest of the Shroud brothers. "Strix Noctowl-san! Grim! Welcome. You two have wonderful costumes!"

"Hi, Ortho. I like the scenery here." Strix said. The background noise of owl hooting and the ambience of a dark, foggy forest projected on top of the library adds the spooky vibes.

Spirits like Peepsta Hoo and Halbird stood watch from their perched positions on the balcony railings of upper floors. Lord Kyroo and Sir Kyroo are also mingling in the background as vigilant frog knights.

"Whoa, it's like we stepped into a forest!" Grim remarked in awe.

"Thank you. The theme this year honors the movie 'Pumpkin Hollow'." Ortho stated.

Strix and Grim never heard of that before. "'Pumpkin Hollow'?"

He nodded. "Ignihyde's theme is based off the ghost from the movie."

A voice monologues from behind, "'A pumpkin is a pumpkin, but what is a pumpkin you can't eat? The answer is me! The miserable monster, Pumpkin Knight!'"

The Ramshackle duo turned to behold a knight in black and blue highlighted armor with pumpkin motifs to match the actual pumpkin head.

"This voice... Is that you, Idia?" Strix inquired.

Grim stared at the green pumpkin head. "Why would you stick your head inside a pumpkin? That's not scary at all."

Idia's shoulders slumped at his nonchalant remark. "I didn't expect much for someone like you to know about it, but monsters like what I'm playing as exist in stories."

Idia explains, "It's the embodiment of every pumpkin that was the victim of a botched attempt to make a Jack o' lantern. The grudge of those uneaten, undisplayed, thrown-out pumpkins becomes the Pumpkin Knight... It returns to the village from whence it was harvested and night after night hunts down person after person..."

"The investigation manages to track down Pumpkin Knight and they think it's human so they take off his helmet, but... It's only a pumpkin! It's the best!" Ortho smiled.

"Oh, so a dullahan." Strix concluded.

Grim stammered out, "H-His head is just a pumpkin? A headless person is scary... I mean, how can you enjoy eating food without a mouth?! I could never live a life like that!"

"That's the scary part for you...?" Idia mumbled.

Meanwhile Strix peered curiously into the pumpkin head. Doesn't he feel stuffy inside? His fiery long hair somehow mostly contained is so bright that she can't even see glimpses of his face through the holes carved out.

If pumpkins could sweat nervously, they very well would be right now.

Idia slightly shuffled back under her unblinking stare. He had been thinking about this since she arrived but she looks super cute in her ghost costume. Of course he couldn't bring himself to admit it to her, even when wearing a mask. It might sound creepy, wouldn't it? "Wh-What?"

Strix smiled. "I really like how authentic your armor is. It even has scratches on the surface. To put that much thought into those details while showcasing Ignihyde's specialty in technology... Even though I'm not familiar with Pumpkin Hollow, I can clearly gauge the amount of passion put with the movie in mind. It's amazing."

Ortho smiled up at his brother. "Our love and dedication for this Halloween made it through. Isn't that great, Brother?"

"Yeah..." The tips of Idia's sapphire blue hair burned a faint pink. Hearing those sweet words of acknowledgment makes him feel giddy, and somehow bashful.

"Th-Thanks... Hihihi~"

...

Last but not least, the Mirror Chamber overseen by Pomefiore.

Strix and Grim roam their eyes across the room. Nothing is different, aside from the "no photography" warning signs floating. Though Komory Bat and Jestabocky floating in the background near the levitating caskets seem content of the environment regardless.

The gray beast slumped his shoulders, disappointed. "Whaaat? I thought there'd be cool decorations..."

"No, I think it's fine without them," Strix said. "The Mirror Chamber already has the gothic vintage aesthetic like the school itself. It might be overdoing it if they tried to glamorize the venue."

Standing by the reception counter is Epel. "Strix-san, Grim, welcome. Happy Halloween. Cool costumes you two have."

"Not as cool as yours, Epel. The designs are so intricate... but adds to the horror and beauty. It's really fearsome!" Strix complimented.

Epel giggled, flaunting his long cape fluttering with every movement. "I like how powerful I feel in this costume."

The click of heels approaching them draws the first years' eyes on a beautiful yet spooky vampire whose champagne blond hair was slicked back.

Strix and Grim stared speechlessly. "..."

Vil's lips dyed black as midnight grew wide at their reactions. "Not even you two are immune to Pomefiore's costumes. I've heard what you said before, Strix. I applaud you for recognizing the Mirror Chamber's charm without the need for decorations. You have a keen eye when it comes to the efforts made to highlight certain themes."

Strix bashfully accepted his praise humbly. "Hearing that from Vil is really something."

"Speaking of efforts, those costumes you two are wearing... They're unique and appear to be custom made." Vil remarked. As expected of him, he has a good eye for fashion.

"The ghosts made them for us." Grim answered.

"The ghosts from Ramshackle Dorm? That's amazing." Epel said with wide eyes.

Amethyst eyes scrutinized their costumes up and down. "You both best handle your costumes with care. The ghosts tailored them with love."

Strix meets his gaze evenly and nodded. "Of course."

...

Strix and Grim were walking down the Main Street lined with candles and Jack o' lanterns hovering above with magic. After touring all the sites, Strix had to wonder how many pumpkin farms were raided to even have this abundant amount in the campus.

Grim looks around the street. "There's so many strangers... It gives a feeling that a special week has started!"

They look ahead to see the basketball club trio who have just left the gymnasium.

Floyd was the first to spot them. "Ah, Shrimpy and Seally. Happy Halloween~"

"Happy Halloween!" Grim greeted back. A smile lifted his face. "...Hehe. I'm slowly getting used to Halloween now!"

"Happy Halloween." Strix greeted after tipping her parasol upwards for a clear view of her face, bright doe blue eyes glowing within the shadow almost naturally like a ghost.

However from Floyd's perspective, the frilly parasol still hid her eyes. He leans low to peer up at the girl from under the pale veil playfully. "Ah, Shrimpy's a ghost~ Who would've thought."

Strix sweatdropped. "Apparently everyone did..."

"We'd be surprised if you were anything but. I was nearly convinced you had become a ghost." Jamil admitted with a straight face.

"Don't write me off dead." Was what she quipped.

A certain heart-marked boy spoke up, "Yo~ Grim, Strix. You're having a good time, huh?"

"Ace..." Grim stared with round blue eyes. "You were so worried about us you couldn't chill out, right? Don't try to be all cool now! Keep that up and I'll have you worrying about my homework and getting my food~! Nyahaha!"

"Who was worried... Oi, don't rub on me like that. You'll get hair all over me!" Ace stepped away from the uncharacteristically affectionate Grim head butting his leg like an actual cat, creeped out by his purring.

Strix smiled. "Thanks for telling the ghosts about the costumes. I would have walked out in my casual clothes instead."

The first-year made eye contact. Damn she's cute. Good job, Ramshackle ghosts!

He averted his gaze as he shifted his weight to one foot. "I mean, not really? Deuce and I were just laughing about how 'it seems like they're gonna have a pretty lonely Halloween'... We just happened!" Ace had quickly added, "To be in front of Ramshackle Dorm. So give your thanks to the ghosts that made the costumes."

While Floyd was pawing at her parasol veil like a curious cat, Strix wonders why Ace can't be direct with this stuff compared to everything else that was life threatening up to this point.

"Did you guys come out to see Halloween Week?" Jamil inquired.

"Yup. After going around to see all seven, it's already after noon. What're you guys doing?" Grim asked.

"Coming back from basketball practice. Well, we ended pretty early today. Because it's the first day of Halloween Week!" Ace grinned.

"The first years were so restless we couldn't really practice anyways." Jamil explained.

"And you kept checking your phone notifications, didn't you. What, you worried about how Scarabia is doing?" Ace teased while wiggling his brows.

"Well... I just thought I might get a message about Kalim messing something up." Jamil said nonchalantly.

"Everyone loves Halloween. I do too, though. What dorm's Halloween does Shrimpy think is the best?" Floyd sidled up to the girl who had lifted her parasol prior to this exchange to make space. "...Naturally, Octavinelle, right? Scary, unsettling, the most Halloween-y, right?"

A sharp edge narrowed Jamil's dark eyes, especially at the close proximity Floyd was invading in her space despite her not showing any discomfort (rather, she had resigned to it, really). "Those are fighting words... Scarabia's got a much grander theme."

"Oi oi, you think I'm gonna crack under my upperclassmen's pressure?! My Heartslabyul's setup and costumes are the most snappable and trendy!" Ace looked to Strix, "Right?!"

Strix can see this coming from a mile away. "Ummm..." Was her intelligent response.

"You just have to say that the skeleton costumes are totally the coolest." From the right, Ace casually rests his elbow on her shoulder. In the corner of her eye, the toothy grin flashed a message she chose to not acknowledge.

"I know Ace is your classmate but don't let that hold you back." Jamil assured, leaning forward from the front as the weight of his words pressured her.

Floyd bobbed his head by her left. "Right, right. Just say that Octavinelle is the best?"

"You guys are too close, too close!" Strix swatted them away before the space underneath the parasol would become suffocating.

Huffing under her breath, she placidly said, "I like all of the dorms' setups."

Ace spoke, "But if you had to choose...!"

"I'm legally not supposed to show bias." Was what she stated, closing her parasol and tapping the stone pavement with the tip once in front of her.

She glanced across the basketball trio. "You're all way too desperate."

"Naturally. Night Raven College's prestige hinges on Halloween." Jamil said in a heartbeat.

"Like Professor Crewel said, of course the locals come... to see Halloween, but so do people from off the island." Ace said.

"Other people?" Grim echoed.

"Yeah, visitors from outside Sage's Island. You probably don't know this, Grim, but this island is a super remote place. On holidays and stuff we can use the school mirror to get back in no time, but besides that... From the nearest airport you have to take a train, and then take a bus ride to a boat, and that to another boat, and another bus..."

After listing off the ridiculous number of transportation required, Ace indignantly finished, "...so—getting out to Sage's Island is a giant pain!"

"This place is that far out in the sticks?!" Grim exclaimed. Strix had already known when she researched more about the place where NRC is situated in during her free time.

"It's mysterious." Jamil mused.

Floyd crossed his arms behind his head. "So the island's people are super thankful when it fills up with people. School events like Halloween or the Magift tournament go hand-in-hand with sightseeing on the isle. If we expose anything shameful we'd bring up a bunch a problems, y'know?"

"Yeah. The school's got to be careful during events for the area's sake too. And with someone famous like Vil-senpai here, the number of visitors just increases year after year, so the expectations rise as well. So above all..." Jamil trails off.

Grim and Strix blinked. "Above all...?"

"I want them to say my dorm is the best!!" The trio announced unabashedly.

The Ramshackle duo deadpanned.

"All of the students at this school have too much pride..." Grim muttered.

"Each dorm has all of their students come together to tackle Halloween. No one wants to hear a visitor say 'that dorm was not great', right?" Jamil glanced to the Octavinelle student.

"Right~ It's about honor, y'know..." Floyd said.

Suddenly a little girl bumps into his leg from behind haphazardly. She falls back and landed on her rear end. "Ouch!"

He looks behind, unfazed from the impact. "Hm?"

"That girl just came barreling down here." Grim remarked, peeking past Floyd's towering figure to eye the little girl peculiarly.

"Uwah, so small~! I thought a little guppie was tickling me." Floyd smiled as he turned to face the cowering child who flinched at the sight of his sharp jaws.

"Eek! S-S-Sor...Sorry...!"

Jamil looked to the eel. "Floyd. You're so tall you're scaring the kid."

"Definitely. With Floyd-senpai who's like twice as tall looking down on her, looks just like he's gonna chase her down..." Ace said as Strix kneels beside the girl and examined for any injuries. Fortunately there was none.

"Eh~ Really? Sorry sorry, better if I crouch down?" Floyd bends on his knees to almost half the height he was.

He chided, "...Little guppie. Y'know it's dangerous to not watch where you're going?"

The child bowed her head apologetically. "I'm sorry. But, um... I couldn't find..."

"Are you looking for something?" Jamil inquired.

"Did you lose your mom?" Ace asked.

"Guys, let her finish..." Strix sweatdropped.

The little girl shook her head. "No, it's not that... I'm looking for where you finish the stamp rally."

Ace raised his brow. "...You mean the place to turn in the stamp rally card?"

"Ah, I know where it is." Floyd said, standing up. "Come with me. I'll show you."

While Floyd leads the way, the little girl walked beside Strix. She smiled. "I like your costume a lot, big sis. You're a pretty ghost."

Despite hearing plenty of compliments from men and women of all ages today, Strix was still bashful to hear them all the same. She sometimes thought it was better for her heart if she didn't stand out so much in her costume but seeing their smiles leaves a soft giddiness fluttering in her chest. It was strange. The feeling wasn't unwelcoming.

Strix smiled. "Thank you. It makes sense since this was prepared by a few of my ghost friends."

A gasp elicited from the child. "Really?"

"Yeah. Ah, but keep this a secret. Or else the magic will wear off..." Strix playfully told her, to which she nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, as Ace and Jamil were pretending to not overhear their exchange, they noticed how many eyes were on Strix. If it wasn't for Floyd's tall and intimidating presence in their circle, the Main Street would have been a makeshift venue solely for Strix.

'Strix is too powerful as a ghost...' Was what Ace and Jamil thought with straight faces. Imagine Strix being a real ghost...

Upon arriving at the front gate stacked with Jack o' lanterns on either side, a certain twin was stationed by the stand.

"Jade~"

Jade turns to face them. "Oh my, Floyd, you've brought quite the crowd with you."

"Mm. This little one was looking for you, Jade." Floyd gestured to the girl beside him.

"For me?"

She stepped forward. "Yes... I got seven stamps!"

"I see, you've finished the stamp rally. Will you please show me the card?" Jade asked, kneeling down.

After confirming the card, he smiled. "Wonderful! You certainly have gotten all the stamps. Then can you say the words?"

"Yes!" The girl excitedly said, "Trick or treat!"

He smiled. "Yes, of course."

Grim cocked his head. "Tornik is tweet? What's that."

"That's one hell of a loss in translation your ears made," Strix remarked with a sweatdrop before continuing, "It's 'trick or treat'. It's a way of saying 'give me candy or I'll prank you'."

Grim's face scrunched up. "It's a threat...?"

"No. It's an expression of fun on Halloween." Jamil corrected.

"You can get the prank-pulling Halloween ghosts to go away if you give them candy! You've heard that, right?" Ace said.

"Lilia did say something like that, I think...?" Grim recalled the memory from one month ago.

"Trick or treat is a remnant from that. You wear costumes, go around the neighborhood, say trick or treat, and they give you candy." Ace explained

The little gray beast's jaw dropped. "What! That's the best freakin' spell!"

The heart-marked boy grinned. "Sure is. When I was a kid, I went around to like three neighborhoods with my big bro~"

"Halloween traditions differ a little from person to person and place to place but... Mysteriously, no matter where you are, 'trick or treat' is always the same." Jamil mused.

"That's why it's what you've gotta say when you finish the stamp rally." Floyd said.

"Here you go. A present for all your hard work collecting these stamps." Jade presented a Halloween-themed bag of candy whose wrapping is designed suspiciously like a certain skeleton king for the girl to take.

She greedily accepts the gift. "Yay~ It's candy. Thanks!"

"Make sure when you go home you check in with an adult before you enjoy. We wouldn't want to have any allergy issues. Promise me?" Jade said.

"Okay~! Thanks misters and big sis! Can I come to play again?"

"Yeah. Halloween Week has only just started." Jamil said.

"Please bring all of your friends with you as well." Jade said.

"Just do what you want~ Bye bye~" Floyd waved farewell as the girl left.

Ace squinted at the upperclassmen. "...Senpai, you're all pretty used to kids, huh?"

Floyd tilted his head. "I mean, it's pretty normal?"

"We did do this last year, after all? You'll get used to it too, Ace." Assured Jamil.

"Huh... Honestly with the whole 'get used to having a bunch of outsiders on campus for seven days or it'll be an issue okay?' thing, I'm a little..." Ace contemplated before shrugging. "I guess it's good this is something that happens once in a while I'm a first year... I mean, our teachers do reduce homework during Halloween Week!"

Jade chuckled. "That's true. I do love seeing everyone's smiles during Halloween."

Jamil and Strix eyed him suspiciously, the former speaking, "Every single thing you say sounds so fishy..."

"Hey hey. Forget that, I'm hungry." Grim spoke up.

"Oh, then let's go get lunch together! That good with you, senpai?" Ace glanced to Jamil and Floyd.

However, Jamil squinted at him suspiciously. "...Are you just trying to get a free lunch out of us?"

"Eh~ You always think the worst. I just wanna eat lunch together with all the upperclassmen I respect so much!" Ace grinned lightheartedly, however the light in his cherry red eyes were not so pure.

"We also have another fishy person over here." Strix tossed a flat look at the boy, who playfully stuck out his tongue in response.

The vice dorm leader of Scarabia sighed. "Geez, you cheeky little..."

"What'll you do, Jade?" Floyd asked.

"I also have a break soon, so I will join you." Jade said.

"Then let's go."

As the boys went ahead, Jamil looked over his shoulder. The girl had remained by the entrance looking beyond the drawbridge of Night Raven College.

"Strix, hurry up or we'll leave you behind." Jamil called out.

"Oh, right." She casted one concerned glance to the entrance before catching up with the others.

A flash of vibrant rainbow drifted into the trees before vanishing completely in soft light.

...

The sky was darkening by the time they finished eating and parted ways.

"It got really late while we were eating. The sun's almost set. I'm so tired from walking around to see everything for Halloween today. Let's get back to the dorm already." Grim said.

When they returned, they beheld the sight of a crowd excitedly chattering.

"Hm? There's a bunch of people in front of the dorm. And not people from our school. Halloween visitors?" Grim tilted his head.

Strix can spot three pale white astral beings in the evening darkness as clear as day. "They're crowding around the ghosts."

A woman holding her smartphone squealed, "Kya~! Ghost, look over here!"

Another shouted, "Wink~!"

"Sure~?" Laverne winked at them with a sparkly flair.

"Kya~! Lovely!"

"I knew it would be noisy." Cater approached up to the Ramshackle duo.

"There are so many people... Just like you said, Diamond-senpai." Deuce basked in the dense crowd of visitors.

Strix looks at the ginger curiously. "What makes you say that, Cater-senpai?"

"The reason they're here is... This." After searching through the media, Cater held his smartphone up with Magicam on. A familiar post stares back at the pair who peer into it.

"It's the picture the ghosts and I took earlier! What's going on with that?" Grim inquired.

Strix immediately looked under the photo. Her jaw slackens slightly. "The number of likes is ten thousand?!"

Grim almost toppled off her shoulder. "What's with that number?! Cater, your Magicam is broken!"

"A great pic of the mysterious ghosts is definitely gonna be a hot topic, right? And it's even a ghost selfie! And it got Magicam's favorite, a cat! And it's Halloween! No way it could miss~" Cater sang.

"I'm not a cat!" Retorted the cat. "...And anyways, I thought the ghosts said there was only like 5 people who were gonna see it. So how did it get 10k likes?"

"One user just happened to see the ghost picture and 'like' it, and... That person's followers liked it, so their followers... and it spread." Deuce explained. "As Halloween got closer its popularity just lit and spread more, apparently... The final strike was a famous Magicammer sharing it yesterday. The likes just snowballed from there."

"Whoa~ That many people have seen my picture..." Grim mumbled in awe.

Cater then scrolled elsewhere, "They also shared a picture of you, Stri-chan."

"What? Let me see." Strix borrows his phone. It was a picture of a shorter young woman standing beside Strix as the drapes of the parasol served as a background behind them, allowing the sunlight to hit both their smiles.

She reads the description.

[Met this nice girl who dressed up as a pretty ghost at NRC. Loved her costume, she nailed the aesthetic! Her eyes are a very bright and pretty blue, too. So lucky to meet her! XD]

Strix knew a photo of her would be posted on social media, which was exactly why she allowed people to take photos in the first place since she didn't mind. However, what she didn't expect was...

Grim's eyes boggled once they zeroed on the likes. "Your photo has over 12k likes!"

"That's amazing..." Deuce muttered.

"And that's within only several hours since it was posted," Cater added, much to her astonishment. The internet is wicked...

He playfully winked, "So when's the autograph booth set up?"

Strix chuckled sheepishly, a little embarrassed to receive the attention from Magicam. She would have never imagined seeing such a huge number of likes over her, much less.

She skimmed the comment section. Some complimented her costume while others expressed surprise over her being human when she closely resembles an actual ghost. Overall, they wanted to know what her eyes really look like after expressing jealousy at the user for seeing her in person.

The white interface reflects her passive gaze.

This did not went unnoticed by Cater. He wasn't sure by her neutral expression if she was upset or happy; her poker face is best at hiding her emotions after all. So he remained quiet.

Grim ushered Strix to scroll back to his photo and squints at the post. "...Ah. I was just starting to blink. I'm actually even more suave and handsome than that. Let's replace it with a way cooler picture of me!"

"I'm sure a whole bunch of people have already saved it, so trying to take it off the net now won't do any good. SNS sends out to the whole wide world, after all... So don't think that even if you have zero followers that the whole world can't see~" Cater told the beast.

One of the women fangirling over the Ramshackle ghosts looks behind and notices them. "Ah! Isn't that the kitty from the ghosts' picture?"

"Ah? Cat... Do you mean me?! I'm not a cat. I'm the future great magic-user, the Great Grim!" He puffs his furry chest out upon standing on Strix's shoulders.

"It talked! I guess it's not a cat but a monster, huh."

"Eeh~ It's wearing a hat. Because it's Halloween?"

"I don't care if if it's a cat or a monster! Because it's so cute~"

"I'm not cute! I am very cool!" Grim pouted.

The trio of women bobbed their heads and squealed, "Kya~! Yeah yeah, cool~!!"

They then glance to Strix who blinked.

One gasped. "You must be the ghost lady trending on Magicam."

"So the rumors are true! Such beautiful eye color!" The second ogled (respectfully) and clapped her hands together.

"Are they contacts? If not then that's even more cool!" The third said with eyes round and sparkling.

Strix smiled albeit stiffly at the corners, not towards the women but because of her insecurities about her eyes. "Thank you..."

After hearing the commotion the three women made, the rest of the visitors come flocking to the Ramshackle duo.

"E-Everyone's gathering around us..." Strix muttered for Grim to hear while maintaining a polite smile for everyone to see, holding the monster in her arms and clutching her closed parasol to her side.

"We're super popular!" Grim chirped.

"Ghosts and monsters are super cute." One of the women began.

"I thought ghosts were more gloomy, nasty, hateful creatures."

"With ghosts this bright and cute, I just wanna be friends with them!"

"I know right! Ghosts are so cute~!"

"Being fawned over this much... I'm glad I became a ghost!" Victor's hollow smile stretched widely from ear to ear.

"Halloween is the best!" Hugo cheered.

"Nyahaha~! I super stand out! Scream for me more~!" Grim beckoned.

Meanwhile Strix felt like shrinking on the spot. "The power of costumes is power far beyond my control..."

"Ramshackle Dorm is totally caught up in this..." Deuce sweatdropped as he and Cater watched the visitors yell excitedly for a Magicam photo opportunity. "...But the visitors do seem to be having fun. They're this happy with the Halloween Week we've put together. It's good, right, Diamond-senpai?"

"Hmm. Yep~" However, a solemn frown took hold from underneath the dark veil.

A flustered Strix is roped into another photo session, this time with the ghost trio. Unlike the first time in the botanical garden, she has to keep up with the flow of demands at pace with their energy.

"...Hope it all works out all right."

...

Seeing as more and more visitors flooded the campus during Halloween Week, Strix and Grim stayed inside Ramshackle for the third day. Dressed in a simple gray sweatshirt and matching pants, Strix was lounging in the room when she heard a ruckus from outside.

Her high ponytail whipped to the side as she looked out the exit of the lounge room. "I hear footsteps..."

Grim and the ghost trio perk up and follow her gaze to the doorway.

The door swung open to reveal three men she never recognized barging into the lounge. They must be visitors from the island.

"Uwah, what a tacky rundown place this is."

"Where are the ghosts at?"

Said ghosts immediately jumped and flew behind Strix, pale forms quivering.

Their eyes fall on Strix and Grim who have now stood up with tension in their muscles.

"It's the cat that's trending all over Magicam!"

"Those eyes... You must be the ghost girl! What're you doing here in a dump like this?"

Strix frowned. She told them firmly, "Please leave. You are trespassing on private property. Didn't you see the sign?"

They stared. A realization lit up in their visages.

"So the rumors were true. Her eyes are just as blue and bright as they could be."

"Wait, if you're not in your costume, that means those aren't some cool eye contacts!"

"Whoa, so that means you do have bright eyes! Freaky~! Are you even human?"

The remark pierced a thin needle into Strix's heart. A needle she hadn't received for a while since coming to this world.

"We gotta be the first ones to get this out on Magicam!"

They immediately raised their phones attached to their selfie sticks.

Strix shields her eyes with her arm. "I'm not nice to rude people who barged in other people's home without permission. Leave!"

"Ooh, feisty and cool~!"

"Hold her down!"

Suddenly two of the three visitors lunged for her and locked her arms in their hold.

"What are you doing?!" Laverne shrieked horrifically.

"Someone...! Gotta send in help!" A nervous Victor then frantically flew out of the dorm.

"Oi! Let go of her!" Grim hissed. He sharply inhales...

"Don't use magic on them! You'll put yourself in grave trouble if you do!" Hugo cried desperately, placing his bloated transparent figure in front of Grim to stop him.

"But Strix is...!"

Strix struggles to break free from their clutches. However, she can't afford to open her eyes to give them what they want. She can't see where she might accidentally hit them. That would only put her at a disadvantage. She could get sued for all she knew, and once news of her spotted in Ramshackle Dorm spreads, Night Raven College is done for.

"C'mon~ Say hi to the camera~" The third of the visitors waved his phone to her face. She could almost feel the chill of metal and glass breathe on her.

Strix's quivering eyelashes remained sealed. Her head is hung low, letting her hair obscure at least some of her face from view.

A hand grasps her jaw and forcefully lifts her face up.

"I knew you looked cute in your costume, but you look even more cuter up close..."

Terror mercilessly struck her heart. No...

"Open those eyes wide for Magicam~"

The ghost of an index and thumb finger rests around her eye.

A switch flipped inside.

A palm slams into one of the captor's face and another into the third visitor's face, fingers clutching the shell of their visages.

"Sleep."

Pink waves of energy ripples from her fingertips and spreads across their faces. The two men collapse to the floor unconscious.

The second captor flinched and released his hold on her arm to step back.

Strix's head slowly tilts over her shoulder. Bright azure blue surrounding a beady black pupil pierced into the second captor's soul.

Before a scream would release, a hand obscures his vision black. Then everything becomes a fuzzy memory that would be perceived as a dream.

Strix stood surrounded by the unconscious visitors limp at her feet.

Beneath the sagging sweatshirt, her shoulders trembled, fists clenched white by her sides. Ragged panting is heard from her.

Grim and the two ghosts watched closely in concern, slowly approaching her. "Strix..."

Her eyes bored into the men on the floor with disgust and seething wrath. Before violent whispers would enact her to lay her hands on them in a manner that will endanger her student life, she covered her face from the sight of them.

This is one of the many reasons why she loathes her eyes so much. This detestable objectification that undermines her humanity... Her own person... It's a cycle of way back when she used to live with her estranged father.

She could never understand what was there to take pride in her own eyes for.

A pair of footsteps clacked on the wooden flooring just a mere few paces from where she stood. Strix knew it was not Grim nor the ghosts who would make that kind of sound with the weight of gravity and solemnity pulling their feet closer to her.

Malleus approached behind her.

Before he could lift a finger, the girl spun around and clung to his torso close, burying her face into his chest with a tight embrace.

A tremor paralyzed the dark fae. The daunting emotion of seeing his dear friend, the magic-less human who approached him without fear in her bones, crumble in her weakness becomes ingrained in his memory. It was one he never wished to let her suffer for.

Malleus wordlessly rested his hand on top of her head, the ends of his sleeve draped over like a blanket hiding her vulnerability. He wraps an arm across her small back and consoles her silently by gently guiding her ear to his heartbeat.

Strix's mute sobs into his dress spoke volumes to his heart that aches before her grief.

...

That day, NRC has met unpleasant disturbances from the visitors outside of campus. Littering food in the open for pests and insects to swarm to, leaving trash and destroying property despite the warning signs, and harassing students as sources of entertainment. They unknowingly wreak havoc for the sake of clout on Magicam. These people were dubbed Magicam Monsters for that reason.

The Dream Eaters were forbidden from using magic against them even as self-defense. Strix had established this rule well before Halloween preparations were even made. She was not going to take the risk of letting any of her Spirits, particularly the more short-tempered bunch, somehow harm the townspeople.

As a result, they could only try to warn the committee about the Magicam Monsters before disappearing from the scene to protect themselves from being victims of harassments. Fortunately the Monsters had no time to lay a finger on them once they vanished in light.

Strix swore she would never abuse their powers to spread violence; only to protect. Whatever they do will solely be her responsibility, after all. She may as well be the one to have harmed the unarmed citizens herself in that sense, should she enable the Spirits to attack humans.

If she gets caught for committing those acts, nothing can protect her from the laws and policies of Twisted Wonderland.

Strix cursed at herself for being so weak to not be able to help alleviate the dilemma even with the aid of Dream Eaters.

The following morning marked the eve of Halloween. The first thing Grim does is go complain to the management committee after facing harassment from the rude bunch of visitors who have no regard for common courtesy on privacy.

Grim barged into their meeting in the lecture hall with an exhausted Strix trailing behind.

"If it isn't Strix and Grim." Jack said.

"Y-You both seem sort of worn out?" Epel remarked upon seeing the depressed gloomy air hanging above them.

"Because of Halloween, we're being chased around even inside our own dorm, it's terrible!" Grim griped.

Strix sighed deeply, black shades hiding her weary eyes. "I couldn't take a break peacefully all night after handling them nonstop."

"Yeah! Look, our eyes are all bloodshot." Grim said.

His eyes were wet as he spoke, "Even though I heard Halloween was good... and I was super looking forward to it... It's not cool at all! Halloween being fun is a total lie!"

"Grim!"

The lecture hall fell completely silent upon the girl's outburst. No one has ever heard Strix raise her voice as intense and solemn up to now.

Though at first jittery from it, Grim was quick to retort, "How can you let those guys do what they want after what they did to you?"

Everyone's attention heightened.

"'Those guys'?" Kalim echoed. It didn't sound like he was referring to anyone in the room.

"Would you please elaborate, Grim?" Azul implored.

Strix's eyes were unreadable as she gritted her teeth. "Grim, don't-!"

"Some guys barged in our dorm, grabbed Strix and tried to practically gouge her eyes open for Magicam!"

Appalled silence gripped everyone's tongues.

Deuce's hands balled into raging fists at his sides. "How awful..."

"Those Monsters are freaking mental..." Idia muttered in distaste, lips curled to bare pointy white teeth.

"Is that true, Strix-san?" Jade asked calmly. However, his mismatched eyes were shifting in darkness. Not towards the girl but at the perpetrators who lack manners towards a lady.

Strix doesn't meet anyone in the eye. She slowly nodded once.

"Why were you trying to hide it from us?" Vil spoke evenly with a deep frown.

"...It would sound like pinning the blame on you guys, and you guys are not at fault." Strix muttered. "I was weak. I'm sorry..."

Deuce, Epel, and Jack were by her side without another word. The spade card soldier rubbed circles on her small back, the poisoned apple grasped her hands gently with a reassuring squeeze, and the wolf rested a large, warm hand on her bowed head.

The owl silently weeped with her head still hung low.

Lilia sadly crestfallen, remorse lowering his head with shame. "...We have done a great disservice to Ramshackle. Allow me to apologize."

"Lilia, there is no reason for you to apologize." Vil spoke, standing dignified without letting regrets clouding his judgment. "We on the Halloween committee have simply been exhausted by this school event. There is not a single thing wrong in doing your best to bring happiness to the students of this school or our guests."

"Indeed. And we were all very happy at first when our number of Halloween visitors was increasing. That increase was the result of all of our efforts." Jade said.

His eyes narrowed along with a wry smile. "...A blessing and a curse, as the saying goes."

"'Have you gone yet? The best Halloween spot is Night Raven College! Not to be missed! Night Raven College's amazing Halloween Week!'" Cater had stated.

He continued, "...Those kind of articles made Night Raven College the hot topic on Magicam. Even said things like, if you don't go to Night Raven College you can't call it Halloween! Counting today, we've got two days left. I'm sure the Halloween guests will multiply again."

"Which means, Magicam Monsters, one after the other." Azul concluded.

Epel's eyes dilated. "Yesterday the whole situation was that bad and you say it's going to get even worse...?!"

Idia slumped his shoulders in a silent sigh. "Too depressing..."

"Scared of the 31st." Jack mumbled.

Strix's fingers hovered over one eye, lips pulled into an uneasy frown and face paler than before. Her other hand gripped the hem of her sweatshirt at her side.

Vil glanced to everyone's agitation and narrowed his amethyst eyes. "...We do not have time to be whining. We must come up with countermeasures to the Magicam Monsters so we can safely hold our party tomorrow..."

The doorknob clicked and suddenly swung open to pour in the Ramshackle ghost trio screaming, "We got trouble!"

Everyone is gripped by the tongue with dread now, letting the silence speak for itself.

"Lately it has been like this everywhere I look. I have a bad feeling..." Crowley muttered to himself before clearing his throat. "Ramshackle Dorm ghosts. Whatever is wrong?"

Laverne stammered, "S...S...Something terrible has happened to the statues of the Great Seven!"

Everyone gasped.

"Th-The Great Seven?! Everyone, this meeting is on hold! Let us head to Main Street without delay." Ordered Crowley.

Ramshackle Dorm and the Halloween committee follow the headmaster out to where the Great Seven statues were situated.

When they swiftly arrived, however...

A breathless gasp leaves Vil's dyed lips. "N-No..."

"This, isn't a dream, right?" Cater muttered out in disbelief.

"It is certainly a difficult sight to believe." Jade calmly said.

"Th-The Great Seven statues... THE GREAT SEVEN STATUES! THEY'VE ALL BEEN TOPPLED!" Came Crowley's shrill scream.

Indeed, the statues were completely removed from their stands. All that remained were the crumbled pieces of stone that were once the Great Seven.

"Wh-Who would do such a terrible thing to such grand statues?!" Crowley moaned, feathers getting visibly ruffled at the sight devoid of the dignified statues.

"When we were doing our rounds this morning they were already fallen..." Laverne explained.

"So we have no idea of the culprit?!" Jack asked.

Meanwhile Cater got on his smartphone. "...And, found~"

"Eh?" Crowley turned to Cater, shocked alongside the first years to hear how the third year had found them within mere seconds.

"See this Magicam post? 'We're the Great Seven! #mood #pose! #cametoNRC #happyhalloween'" Cater showed the headmaster his screen.

Crowley looks closer into the post. His lips hung agape upon seeing the photo. "Th-Th... This is?! They're standing where the Great statues should be!"

"I guess to pretend to be the Great Seven they shoved the statues out of the way? They even nicely imitated the statue poses. Really did it~" Cater drawled sheepishly.

"Diamond-senpai. You certainly were able to find the culprits quickly." Deuce remarked.

"Came up right away when I searched Magicam for 'great seven' and 'halloween'. Based on the post time and other stuff around it, it looks like they snuck into the school last night." Cater said as he checked the post again.

"Talk about shameless about your own illegal activities... They can't possibly not know that what they're doing is a bad thing." Lilia said.

"It's like they're begging to be arrested..." Strix mumbled.

Crowley was in shambles at this point. "This... This kind... This kind of sad thing... Since I became headmaster... I've never seen anything like it...! For there to be a day where the Fairest Queen's statue bows to the ground. Aaah, I wish this were a dream."

Strix frowned sadly. Being a dreamer herself, she knows everything up to this point is in fact cruel reality.

"...I have known the story of the Fairest Queen since before I could even read." Vil began. His gaze rested on her crippled statue strewn on the bed of grass.

"My father would read me picture books about her feats. It is through holding on to her spirit of unrelenting effort that I came to be here. To disrespect that... Aah, I don't have the words!" Vil indignantly groaned.

"I've also tried to advise people like the Sorcerer of the Scalding Sands did with his wisdom... If you want to be someone people can count on, you have to do your best every day!" Kalim said.

"Are there even any students at school who don't look up to the Great Seven? There aren't, right? To mess up the statues and then run... Don't complain when that comes to bite you." Idia mutters darkly as he cursed the culprits for their disrespect to the Great Seven.

"If only I felt a drop of the Sea Witch's mercy. Forgiveness is quite difficult." Azul said lowly.

"You're all pretty shocked, huh. Our school is pretty much full of dudes who look up to the cool Great Seven, I guess..." Grim remarked.

No one uttered a word. They were mourning over the most terrible deed done by the Magicam Monsters have pulled yet.

Several pairs of footsteps clicked against the concrete path.

"I can't believe it..." Trein muttered, joined by Crewel, Vargas, and Sam.

"You kidding?! This is worse than the time a statue got burned!" Came Ace's loud exclamation, announcing the arrival of the rest of the boys. Everyone has gathered in the Main Street. All except Malleus, Strix realized.

"For the heroic statues to be toppled... It's as if they have shoved the face of the very school in the mud!" Trein seethed.

"What bad dog did this to our precious Great Seven statues?!" Crewel tapped his pointer stick testily against his palm.

"To topple those stone statues they must have considerable muscles... We must find these dangerous criminals quickly!" Vargas crossed his arms with a firm frown.

"Right, right! Catch the culprit!" Ace cried out.

"If they wish to sell Night Raven College short, we will show them what happens!" Sebek declared.

The boys raise a clamor into the circle. It was all white noise ringing for the sole female standing among them.

"The culprit..." Laverne began solemnly.

A pause of silence transpired the ghosts' pale faces.

"...was us." The trio answered.

Trein and the others fell silent. "...What was that?"

"If we hadn't put up that picture on Magicam to begin with... Then those troublemaking people wouldn't have come and knocked over the statues of the Great Seven." Laverne reasoned.

"...Honestly, with Strix and little Grim joining us in Ramshackle Dorm... We were overjoyed, absolutely certain that we would have a more fun Halloween than we had before." Hugo said.

Strix's eyes lowered sadly. "That's why you worked so hard to make us those Halloween costumes..."

"So that all of Ramshackle Dorm could have a fun Halloween together?" Ace inquired.

Victor nodded once. "Yeah. That's what we wanted..."

Grim stared at the ghosts. "You guys..."

"And then we go and ruin it ourselves, what fools we are!" Victor moaned.

"We should have never gone on Magicam!" Hugo cried.

"We're the ones who ruined Halloween. It's all our fault." Laverne said.

He and the others bowed their heads deeply. "Everyone... We're truly sorry."

The emotional bunch of the boys begin tearing up while the more stoic individuals regard them sympathetically. "Ghosts..."

Strix stared. Their apologetic heads that hung their face from view, taking the blame upon themselves just because they wanted the people they care about to be happy... She has seen this all too many times.

It was just like Sidney. The memory of the elder man's sunken visage silently crying before his helplessness always tormented her. She never wanted to see him weep for how weak he saw himself as. His heart was too selfless and kind to let others take the blame, no matter how true it may be.

Now seeing Laverne, Hugo, and Victor like this is...

Strix removed her shades and tucked them on her collar. She then wordlessly raised her hands...

A resounding clap knifed the atmosphere.

All eyes bored wide open.

Red blossomed on pale cheeks. They were hot and numb, yet it also cleared any doubt from her body.

Strix let her arms fall limp to her sides. Her eyes were casted by her bangs, rendering them unreadable.

"...Don't say that." Came the soft mutter.

Grim stared up at the girl. "Strix...?"

She doesn't make eye contact. "You just took a photo and uploaded it to Magicam. There are people who are happy because of your Magicam."

"When I saw the nice comments on a Magicam post about me, I was actually happy to know I made someone smile. I would have never known about them if you three didn't make the costume so Grim and I weren't left out. I also had a lot of fun playing ghost with you guys."

"That's why it's not your fault this happened. There's nothing wrong in sharing the Halloween spirit. And..."

'There's no need to shift the blame on yourself.' She wanted to say. If Sidney was here right now to hear her reassurance, would he have listened and stop self-deprecating himself for being so old? Even after all the years she lived with him, he still burdened himself with self-punishment. She knew, but she didn't say anything otherwise. She was too weak to speak up and let her heart's voice reach him. His kindness was his stubbornness, after all.

Why do the nice ones always have to suffer for misdoings they clearly didn't do nor deserve?

A black veil and hat rests on her head. She glanced up.

Cater smiled at her before speaking up for the ghosts, "Everyone in Magicam got great smiles all 'cause of you guys. Even Stri-chan." He winked at her.

Said girl pursed her lips and buried the hat lower over her face, suddenly shy.

"There are people just normally enjoying Halloween and those who take pictures of strange things. There are all sorts of people. Realistically, you can't possibly understand everyone, right? When a bunch of people get together, it means that there's more people you won't understand. They just go hand in hand. So I don't think these incidents are Magicam or the ghosts' fault at all." Cater defended.

The Ramshackle ghosts were already sobbing by this point until they wailed out, "Thanks~!"

They flew towards the ginger with outstretched arms until their bodies phased through him (and inevitably Strix in the process), sending shivers down his spine.

"Ooh, I wanna hug you but we have astral forms." Laverne lamented with a pout.

Cater smiled albeit awkwardly. "J-Just the thought is enough."

Strix sheepishly chuckled, unfazed by the ghosts' contact. "You'd get used to that after a while."

"...This is certainly not the time to lay blame." Vil spoke after watching them.

"And all we have right now are these 'on the statue pedestal' pictures. Those are not definitive proof that they toppled the statues themselves. So we cannot simply accuse the Magicam Monster." Jade said reasonably.

"But to try and meet Halloween day itself with this bad feeling in the air..." Riddle began uneasily.

Leona scowled. "Tch. Unsatisfying."

"I can't forgive the Magicam Monsters either. But perhaps we must hold out for the sake of the party..." Jamil tries to reason.

Crowley and the faculty staff were silently contemplating with grave expressions, glancing at each other communicating an unnerving message.

Crowley spoke, "The open Halloween party planned for tomorrow, October 31st... It must be cancelled."

"Ehh?!" Screamed everyone in response.

"Wh-Wh-What was that?! Why would we have to cancel the party that everyone is looking forward to the most?!" Grim asked.

"We've put various measures in place and have been endeavoring to conduct peaceful relations. But still we're unable to properly communicate..." Vargas explained.

"If these excitable people hurt not statues but one of you next time, what would we do?" Crewel added.

Strix inadvertently flinched.

His silver blue eyes rested on his student, yet he says nothing. To her, they were burning into her conscience.

Strix gripped her sleeves into wrinkles and averted eye contact. She hated how perceptive teachers can be sometimes.

"A luxurious party may as well be Magicam Monster bait." Sam said.

Trein crossed his arms. "Regrettably, for your own safety... There is no possible way for us to open that party in the middle of this chaos. Us adults must protect you children, even when you don't want us to."

Kalim frowned. "Professors... Sam..."

"Exactly. Fortunately, we are magic users. We should be able to repair the Great Seven statues quickly. However, even though there have still not been any injuries, perhaps it is finally time to file a police report. If we do..." Crowley had trailed off before moaning, "Ahhh! I don't want to think about it!"

He quickly composed himself by clearing his throat. "In any case, we must avoid any further incidents occurring."

"The professors are all composed yet only the headmaster seems bothered..." Was what Vil remarked after comparing their reactions.

However, Jade was simply amused by the notion. "Perhaps he has some secrets that would cause trouble if the police were to come searching."

"B-But we've been giving it our all to get ready for this." Deuce protested to the faculty staff.

"And everyone is really looking forward to the party on the 31st!" Epel followed up.

"And won't the island residents who come to the party every year be disappointed?" Jack inquired.

"Right, right! I'll be annoyed if I can't eat tasty food at the party!" Grim said.

"I understand your feelings, but..." Crewel trailed off upon the sight of puppy eyes from the first year committee.

"What do we do, headmaster?" Sam asked.

"...Let's discuss, among us adults. This matter brings up some extremely difficult problems. As it concerns the safety of our students, let's discuss it carefully." Crowley said.

Strix lifted her head upon realization. She slowly lowered the top hat, revealing bright azure blue moon eyes gazing ahead with sudden clarity.

"If we ensure the school's 'safety', we can have the party?"

The students shared glances among each other before resting on the girl curiously. Her gaze was fixated on the headmaster who perked up inquisitively at her question.

Crowley blinked at the owl. "Eh? Yes. Of course, but..."

"Headmaster, let's hurry back to staff room. We'll have to call the rest of the staff as well..." Trein prompted, walking ahead.

"Yes, yes, let's go!" Crowley immediately follows. Now only the students remained in the Main Street.

"They're gone... What should we do? The party's gonna be canceled!" Grim exclaimed.

A low chuckle leaves Azul's lips, drawing all students' attention to him. "Strix-san said something rather good."

"Cater-san said it well. The root of our problems is neither Magicam nor the ghosts." Jade began.

Cater nodded. "...Yeah! The source of it all is..."

"The Magicam Monsters!" Cater and Vil answered in unison, eyes darkening.

Jade nodded. "Right. So we just have to chase out every last Magicam Monster. Then peace will return to the school. And we can have our party."

Sebek scoffed haughtily. "Then is it not a simple task? Close the school immediately! Get all of the outsiders out of here!"

"Gatekeeping the townspeople is the exact opposite of Halloween Week's purpose!" Strix impulsively exclaimed, appalled at how immediate the boy's train of thought led him to that kind of answer.

"...Briar Valley sure is full of shut-ins. 'Cause of your gloomy king?" Leona being Leona, had to include the last part of course.

Naturally Sebek reacts to this in negative light. "What did you say?!"

"Sebek..." Lilia chides, "Leona was only shocked by your suggestion. The guests of honor for Halloween Week are our visitors. We must do whatever we can to hold our party, but. If we have no one to entertain, there is little reason to hold a party."

"I don't want to throw out visitors that are following the rules and having fun either." Deuce spoke up on behalf of the innocent majority of guests.

"But how are we to split the Magicam Monsters from our regular visitors? You can't tell just from looking at them whether they're good or bad. So we can't just chase out the Magicam Monsters..." Epel said.

"Magicam Monsters are namely those who refuse to listen to us... We can judge them immediately by that. So we just need to make some written notices." Vil proposed.

"Written notices?" Deuce echoed.

"...Ah! Like those 'signs' in the Mirror Chamber?" Silver spoke up.

"Correct. If we all communicate these 'important rules' like ourselves or Diasomnia..." Vil began.

"Then those who break them can be treated as Magicam Monsters." Jade finished.

"I see. And then those people we can escort out." Epel affirmed with a smile.

Until Epel, Deuce, and Jack's eyes flared with flames of wrath that they roared, "...Yeah!! Let's toss them outta the school!!"

"Hold up, that flimsy 'security system' excuse is about to fall apart. They're not idiots. If it's revealed that we're secretly using magic, we will be the ones in trouble." Idia piped in.

"True~ No clue what kinda trouble that'd bring... For those of us outside the magic enforcement office, using magic on the public is really no good. Our Halloween party will be in danger if the complaints come rolling in!" Cater said.

Deuce tilted his head, pondering. "Then... Fists?"

"That'll just be a normal fight and the police will get involved real fast." Ace quickly shot down.

"A way to chase the Magicam Monsters out without attacking them... Is there even one?" Grim wondered aloud.

The braincell trio closed their eyes and hummed in collective contemplation.

Suddenly a nasally laugh erupted from a certain eel.

All eyes turn to the source.

Riddle's slate gray irises narrowed. "...Floyd. What is so funny about all of us seriously considering this situation?"

"'Cause you all have these screwed-up faces from thinking so hard... Why? It's not a hard thing at all~ S'weird." Floyd drawled out.

Jade chuckled beside his brother. "Floyd. You mustn't laugh."

"You are laughing as well, Jade." Azul remarked in amusement.

The smile didn't leave Jade's lips. Neither for the rest of the Octavinelle trio, in fact. "I do apologize."

Everyone else watched the three laugh in their circle as though they made an inside joke.

Vil frowned. "...What. How unnerving."

"My my... Everyone, please think about the way to evict these dangerous visitors of ours." Azul said.

"Firstly, there's not really any chance to 'evict' someone at all..." Idia mumbled for the second-year to hear.

"Oh my, is that so." Came Azul's feigned surprise that was replaced with a coy smile the next second.

"For instance... Please think of a rental property. In many contracts, a landlord cannot forcefully eject the renter without due cause. So instead... They simply give the renters reasons to leave." Jade explained.

"Reasons to leave...? You mean like getting a better contract elsewhere?" Riddle inquired.

"Yeah! Or eating some tasty food together and sussing it out by talking?" Kalim added excitably.

Ruggie drawled a sigh. "Ah~ The rich kids strike again. Doesn't that eeevil smile from Jade-kun and others send a shiver up your spine? It's gonna be way worse than that. They're thinking something real bad. 'Never come here again!' kinda thing."

"Of course, Ruggie-san, you are correct." Azul affirmed, to which the hyena snickers.

"Scary. Dangerous. Hate it. Creepy... People usually try to distance themselves from those feelings. Magicam Monsters are no different in that regard. So, just possibly... Possibly, you see? On this Night Raven campus, instead of a cute Grim and charming ghosts... There were 'truly terrifying ghosts' after all? The Magicam Monsters keep talking about the 'looks' and such." Jade said.

"...Indeed, if 'perhaps' those ghosts were here, they would probably leave the school without delay." Said Vil with a dark smile.

"Of course, for those who are safely enjoying our campus, those kinds of ghosts would not appear. But... Mistakes may happen from time to time. After all, it's Halloween Week... It is the time when terrifying ghosts roam this world. And we..."

The skeleton gravediggers of Heartslabyul. The undead pirates of Savanaclaw. The mummies of Octavinelle. The werewolves of Scarabia. The vampires of Pomefiore. The pumpkin knights of Ignihyde. The Eastern dragons of Diasomnia.

"As you can see, are dressed as ghosts. So we must be quite careful to avoid inviting any tragic mistakes." Jade finished.

"...If you say it like that, those kinds of mistakes do seem to be quite possible." Jamil bemused with a smile.

Leona snorted. "That's transparent. You said it."

"Heehee. We've gotta be attentive and 'careful' for sure." Idia giggled.

Grim hummed, nodding. "I see!"

"So basically..." Deuce trailed off.

Two pairs of bright green and blue eyes stared blankly. "...What do you mean?"

"Gah~! Don't nod if you don't understand." Ace told them. Strix sweatdropped.

"Basically, if we pretend to be scary ghosts... We can scare the Magicam Monsters and chase them right out of the school!" Cater explained.

"...Our party is supposed to be tomorrow night, October 31st. If we are to carry out this plan, it must be tonight." Vil said.

Rook chuckled under his breath. "A night hunt. I am ready to put my skills to use."

"Everyone listen. We must... 'practice being ghosts so that we can enjoy our Halloween tomorrow'. That is all." Vil announced slyly.

Lilia's shoulders shook. "Perhaps we'll get a little more heated with that 'practice' than expected... as youth does."

"Yes. And... this is our little secret, the 'practice'. Understood?" Vil raised his voice for everyone present.

"Yeah~!"

A pair of clicking footsteps followed by a sigh is heard approaching their circle.

"The teachers' discussion got quite complicated. If we could only raise the chance that all will go well... It seems as though we will be waiting to see what the condition is in the morning before making a final decision on the Halloween party." Crowley announced to the students.

"Yes~!"

"Understood~!"

"No problem with that~!"

The faculty staff beside the headmaster notice the mysterious shift in attitude compared to the events that transpired just moments ago. They're all smiling and acting reserved.

"...You're being awfully obedient." Was what Vargas remarked.

Crewel's gaze narrowed. "Are you possibly..."

"Eh~! Teachers, don't be like that. We are always such good boys~" Cater sang.

"We all understand the gravity of this most serious situation." Jade said.

"We can only pray that we will be able to safely hold our Halloween party..." Vil solemnly said, lowering his chin.

Trein was quiet until he spoke, "...I will say this one more time. You have our instructions. Do not do anything strange."

Crewel placates the older man next to him, "Now now, Professor Trein. I understand your concern for our students, but... I'm sure they won't do anything to catch your eye. They may usually be naughty puppies but every last one of them is looking forward to Halloween. They would most certainly not do anything questionable when Halloween is tomorrow!"

"You know, all of us teachers should go out and about with the visitors today. If so, then these puppies... should have time... and space to breathe. Right? You bad boys." Silver blue eyes make eye contact with the committee.

A chuckle from Jade. "Yes. Thank you for your cooperation."

"Ah, it's just about 10AM~ Today's visitors are coming, so let's get to our stations~" Cater said in a singsong after checking the time on his smartphone.

"We all understand, of course... That we must give our lovely visitors the very best Halloween!" Vil announced.

"Yeah!"

...

That night, the gates were open to the public again. Yet the Main Streets was devoid of life when a trio of young men entered. They were familiar faces who have entered the campus once before.

The ones to greet them them were instead astral beings from the realm beyond mortal life.

"My, my... I see we have visitors." An airy voice carried in the chill breeze arrived sickly sweet to their ears.

They swerved a complete 180 to discover a pale girl holding a parasol close to her, the rim of the ruffled frills obscuring her eyes. Had she not spoke, her silent and sneaking presence would have caught them off guard. Yet here they were, trembling in their knees once their backs made contact with the other. She didn't come alone, for there was another companion perched on her shoulder.

Lifting the parasol slightly revealed two pairs of glowing blue unblinking in the dark shadows. A creature boasting a belly of bottomless appetite flashed its white razor teeth that ravages anything that will satisfy its hunger.

They were joined by three more guests; the ghosts.

"Causing trouble for both ghosts and the living..." Hugo murmured lowly.

"You foolish Magicam Monsters!" Victor spat.

A man shrieked, "Eek! Surrounded by ghosts...!"

"We have a special Halloween present for you..." Laverne began.

One stuttered out meekly, "S-Special Halloween...?"

"That's right." The girl spoke, eerie smile still on hollow lips. "We've all been waiting to start the party especially for you three dear visitors."

Children giggling dance madly into the once quiet night. Bright pupils bore into the humans from the shadows, whether from the trees, behind the statues, near the Jack o' lanterns... Wherever the three look, there is always a pair of eyes are locked onto their quivering figures.

The girl in white continued ominously, "Tonight's the eve we feast on sweets and terrors alike. We don't discriminate our meals in tastes. To that end..."

Manic glee manifests in wide azure blue eyes, pupils swirling with darkness that draws one in the black hole.

"We will devour your dreams until only nightmares remain."

Both the "monsters" before the humans and the "monsters" dwelling in the shadows drew the distance close and raised their curled hands in preparation to lunge for their throats.

"Boo!"

Suddenly bombarded by unfathomable creatures and the ghosts, the three Magicam Monsters nearly had their heart leap out their throats and fed upon by monsters.

They shrieked, "H-Help us!"

The ghosts watched their fleeing backs disappear beyond the entrance gates, listening to the delightful tune of screams.

From the girl's shoulder, Grim lets out a devious laugh. "Finally! Finally, the Magicam Monsters... They've aaaall been chased out!!!"

The Ramshackle gang cheered, "Yaaay!" and gave each other high-fives.

"Oh my. How disgraceful." Vil's cruel smile was one of haughtiness after he had witnessed the three Magicam Monsters running clumsily with tails between their legs. He and the others of the committee had arrived on time to see the spook deal a number to their mental spirits.

"We were simply practicing our ghost impressions for Halloween." Jade mirthfully smirked.

"We wouldn't want to run our special guests away with our terrible caricatures~" Cater sang.

"That's right, that's right." Grim bobbed his head along.

Strix grinned. "We play tricks until we gets our treats. It's in our nature, after all."

The toll of the school bell rings across campus.

The announcement relays through the speakers, "With that, this day of Night Raven College's Halloween Week is over. Thank you to those who came. Please do not forget anything as you leave..."

"Oh, it's already 10PM? Halloween day six is over, huh." Grim's fiery ears had twitched upon listening.

"Tomorrow is the Halloween day itself." Jade said.

"Now we'll have to see how the teachers will shake out. They said they'd take a look at how everything is tomorrow morning to see whether or not we should open, but..." Cater trailed off uncertainly.

"We have done all that we can. We have used every last bit of our power and must wait for the results." Vil assured.

Strix nodded. "Good work, everyone. You too, guys!" She waved to the swarm of Dream Eaters lingering in the Main Street who squealed and trilled happily in response.

...

The following morning arrived the seventh and final day of Halloween Week. When the faculty staff arrived to check on Ramshackle's venue, they were met with surprise.

"All right~! Take your pictures over here~" Laverne signals to the visitors.

"Please form a single-file line." Hugo waved.

Strix smiled with Victor and a young boy between them as they posed for the camera. After taking the photo and exchanging short but sweet words of gratitude, Strix released a yawn. "Even ghosts have their work cut out for them."

She smiled to herself. "I'm pretty happy my first Halloween in Twisted Wonderland is exciting and memorable, in more ways than one."

From beside her, Victor reciprocated the smile with a hollow, ghostly one warm with fondness. "That's what we love to hear, prefect."

Meanwhile, the visitors were restlessly anticipating for their pictures to get taken.

"To think we'd be able to take pictures with ghosts!" A woman standing in line excitedly turned to her friend looking equally as anticipated.

"Can't wait for our turn! What pose should we do?"

Grim walked up to them. "Oi. I can give you some shocking and cool poses! Just do as I do, the great and grand magic user!"

He then posed with teeth bared, "FGNYAH!"

The two women clung to the other's hands and squealed together, "Cute~!"

Grim wilted a little at their reactions one of swooning rather than terror. "...But I'm cool..."

He then shrugged it off with a shake of his head, smiling. "...Well, this is better than being chased around. I'll bear with it. Because today is Halloween!"

"Happy Halloween!"

...

Later that evening, Ramshackle Dorm was visited by Cater, Jade, and Vil at their door bearing news that had the ghosts hold their breath.

Until...

"We're holding the Halloween party?!" Exclaimed Laverne.

The ghost trio breathed, "Thank goodness!"

"Nyaha~ It's a party! Gonna eat tasty food! Strix! Grab all of Ramshackle Dorm's dishes! We're gonna bring as much home as we can carry!" Grim hollered to the female prefect excitedly.

"Then we'll have to take some bags, too." Strix lightheartedly replied with a smile. Usually she would have reproached the beast for the fixation on food, but she wouldn't let those kinds of downers affect her uplifting mood now.

"Glad to hear you're so excited for it." Cater smiled.

"...But before the party, we still have some work to do." Vil interrupted.

Grim's celebratory mood morphed into a gaping mouth. "Huuuuh?! There's still more?"

"Those who do not work shall not eat, as they say." Jade simply said.

Grim's eyelids fell flat. "Setting up chairs at the venue? Moving plates? Or polishing dishes?" He added, "...Ah, as long as I get a taste of the food I'm happy!"

Instead, the three upperclassmen shared grins and chuckled lowly. The thinning of their eyes were not wholly innocent that it would be hard to believe otherwise.

Strix wonders if they know how much of an effect that does to anyone who swoons at beautiful and handsome men. She suppressed a shudder. Even she's not immune to such charms, damnit.

"Hm? What's with you. Those sly faces." Grim stared at the three.

"What we wish to ask of you is a more special kind of work." Vil stated.

"Special?" Grim and Strix echoed.

The three escort the Ramshackle Dorm residents outside, leaving them hanging in the suspension of surprise until they arrived to where both students and visitors alike are present.

Chatters of anticipation and excitement among the crowd are heard in front of the entrance.

"Fnagh? Everyone's gathered by the main gate. Is something starting?" Grim wondered aloud.

"Gri-chan, Stri-chan. Over here." Cater led the pair over to where he and the rest of the committee stood waiting for them expectantly.

Grim blinked. "Eh? What, what?"

Strix's doe blue eyes stared at them, confused. Her feet draws closer as she inquired, "What's going on?"

"Ghosts, come here too. Do you have your candy baskets?" Lilia beckoned.

"Everyone, are you all ready? It is time to depart." Jade announced to the crowd as Cater helped Strix and Grim get on top of a pirate ship float decorated with all the motifs that each represent the seven dorms. They too were given buckets magically filled with candy.

"We have a special surprise for the guests here enjoying Night Raven College's Halloween Week." Vil smiled before flaunting his long cape fluttering with the wind, magic swirling to students outside of the committee. In an instant, their uniforms were replaced with their costumes.

"Now, let's begin!"

Everyone posed and cheered, "Happy Halloween!"

On cue, students of NRC walked up on either side of the ship float in their respective dorm's scary dress, holding a Jack o' lantern candy basket filled to the brim with rainbow sweets.

"Today Night Raven College is a bit different." Vil began as they lined up.

"On Halloween, it doesn't matter if you're human, fae, or a ghost!" Cater chirped.

"With our exceptional hospitality, we'll have a lovely Halloween together." Jade smiled cordially.

The float moves along the paved street as the rest of the boys on the ground walked. They launch candy high into the air, letting the visitors become more involved as they held out their own buckets to fill with raining candy.

"Enjoy this sweet candy." Vil scatters candy from atop the float, eliciting delighted squeals, especially more so from his fans.

"Boo! Joking~ Did I scare you? Let's have a fun and lovely night together~" Cater smiled mischievously and waved at the crowd.

"Stay one step ahead. Please enjoy this parade up close." Jade, the ever polite gentleman, encourages the guests to watch until the very end.

Strix occasionally throws a few candy to either side of the Main Street, smiling albeit shyly and waving to the people. She even recognized some whom she had taken pictures with, gazing upon her with wide smiles.

"You're cute, please go out with me!" A random boy in the crowd boldly squealed out.

"Thanks but no thanks~!" Strix replied back.

The crowd laughed at her immediate response. It was all in good nature, of course.

"Have you become my prisoner? This evening is Halloween! A special night." Vil smiled one of playful deviousness, capturing the hearts of the people before him before they roared with cheers.

"Get a good shot? Show me later." Cater said, winking at the visitors with the smartphones up and holding his own out in a gesture of invitation. They giggled at his friendly, outgoing personality.

Jade spoke, "This eerie, frightening, fun night..."

"Happy Halloween!"

Perched atop the head of the ship, Grim spoke, "Oi, Strix! Look around Main Street! There are a ton of guests lined up and they're waving for us!!"

The townspeople expectantly hold their buckets out and cried, "Trick or Treat!" for the students who in turn kindly respond by throwing them candy.

Strix's eyes widened. People of all ages flocked to the sides of the Main Street looked on in awe, some holding the smartphones to record and take photos of the glamorous parade. Each and every one had wide smiles plastered on their faces.

The sight had her breathless in that instant. Right now, in this very moment, she was living what seemed to be out of a dream.

Her hand reached to rest on where her heart was drumming against her rib cage. Is this emotion something akin to... ecstasy?

Her shoulders trembled. She laughs. "I really can't contain myself, can I. All right, come on out everyone!"

Countless Dream Eaters land on the streets and soar in the air. Some summon rainbow balloons and sent them into colliding each other, generating lights that burst into fireworks. Some scatter confetti into the air, others performing flips and other quirky tricks.

Behind the float, larger Spirits such as Tyranto Rex and its skeleton counterpart Skelterwild slowly march down the street, having rarely the chance to freely move around due to their size and sheer power of dinosaurs. They were beyond happy to partake in the event thanks to this special parade.

The Dream Eaters vibrant and colorful appearances had the crowd in an uproar of cheers and whistling, now guaranteeing no one could ever look away from the fantastical parade.

A panda wearing a cape waddles to a pair of little siblings and invitingly outstretched its arms for the boy who was eager. Sensing its gentleness, the boy leapt into its loving embrace and laughs while being cradled by Kooma Panda.

Kooma Panda then lifts the other sibling, a girl, onto its shoulder for a ride in a taller perspective. Their father watched merrily at the sight, somehow able to fully trust the mysterious creature that seemed completely harmless to children.

A seal pup walks atop a yellow beach ball masterfully, spurring applauses for its performance. An adolescent boy waved at Juggle Pup for its attention to gesture a blue rubber ball in his hand.

Upon bobbing its head, he tossed it to the Spirit and watched with everyone in amazement as it rolled the ball along its shoulders. It then launched the toy above, leaping in a somersault to slap the ball back at the boy with surprising accuracy before landing on the beach ball with one flipper. The boy used his keen instincts to catch it without a sweat, grinning widely in satisfaction. A round of applause for them was given.

Meow Wow appears loyally by Strix's side. Her hand automatically reached out to pet its head affectionately, never ceasing to draw a pleased trill from the Spirit every time.

The ear-to-ear grin folding Strix's lips is agony on her muscles she didn't realize could stretch so far. Yet she can't stop living the moment like no tomorrow. At this point she didn't have a care in the world. Halloween has never been a fever-inducing dream much like this one.

"Halloween... Halloween is the best!" She heard Grim cheer.

Strix focused her attention to him and remarked with a brighter smile, "Looks like you're having fun, Grim."

The gray beast bobbed his head. "Yeah! I wish every day is Halloween!"

Strix let out a chuckle. "You'd be bursting with candy in your belly."

She gazed into the fantastical Halloween scenery of rainbow fireworks and candy, smile molding one of bittersweetness.

'Sidney, Caelum, I wish you were here to see this. I'm having so much fun right now.'

She paused in her train of thought. The roaring of cheers and fireworks exploding become tuned out at the realization she made.

Here she is again, once reminded how Twisted Wonderland is a world far more delightful to live in. Why must the odds against her be so cruel to make her a hypocrite?

'If only I could have taken you both with me...'

...

At the end of the parade float ride is the party everyone had been anticipating since preparation.

Standing on the makeshift platform, Crowley runs a mic test before clearing his throat. "All of our guests who have come from Sage's Island and beyond, on this great hair-raising night..."

He smiled. "Thank you for spending it here with us at Night Raven College's Halloween party! I will let this year's Halloween executive committee start the party off. Third year Vil Schoenheit."

"Yes." The dorm leader of Pomefiore walked towards the microphone, makeup refined and highlighting the boundless pride emanating from his visage.

"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Night Raven College. I'm sure most of you are aware, however... Halloween is a particularly important event for my school. This year we had a most excellent seven days that surpassed our annual expectations, did we not? Every dorm delivered a beautiful, frightening, and fun Halloween to you all, I believe."

His blackened lips curled into a coy smirk. "...Well, of course it goes without saying that Pomefiore, the dorm I lead, is the best."

Unsurprisingly came the waves of booing from the NRC students. They seethed at the blond's unabashed promotion of his dorm venue and claimed that their own respective dorm venues were better.

Strix sweatdropped as Crowley hushed the unpleased crowd of boys.

Vil continued unfazed, "That we were able to greet this Halloween with smiles... is thanks to the support that you all provide Night Raven College with every day. Whether you are human, beastman, merperson, fae... or a ghost, it does not matter. Let us all fully enjoy the night."

"Does everyone have their glass in hand? Then... Let's celebrate this lovely night! Happy Halloween!" After glancing across the crowd, Vil raised his glass above with a sincere smile.

Everyone followed suit and cheered, "Happy Halloween!"

Grim immediately made a beeline for the pantry. His eyes sparkled at the variety of dishes radiating luxury. "Fnaaagh~! What a huge freakin' banquet! I could just eat it all myself~!"

"Oi, you gotta let the guests go first!" Ace scolded.

"Don't worry, there's plenty to go around. Enough to satisfy the ever-hungry Grim. Go ahead and eat." Deuce offered generously.

"Then I will indulge as well!" Sebek boomed, snatching a piece of food from the selection without batting an eye.

Ace gasped at the Diasomnia student. "Ah, I was gonna eat that fritter! You eat a ton, maybe hold back a little."

Usually Strix would have scolded the two but now she was savoring the delicious food on her plate in her own world. A smile broke out her willowy visage. "The main course is soo good, I can't wait for dessert to come..."

"Everyone's having fun... Perhaps I should ask my brother to make me an oral replenishment attachment." Ortho mused to himself as he watch everyone dig in their meals.

"Idia-senpai sure can make anything..." Jack mumbled in wonder.

"I'll eat enough for you too Ortho, don't worry!" Grim assured through the food in his mouth.

Epel giggled after watching his friends. "Good work, everyone. Night Raven College's Halloween has been super fun!"

Deuce nodded. "Yeah. In a lot of ways... This is my first time having such a stimulating Halloween."

"Getting those Magicam Monsters to stop harassing us will be a pretty great memory." Jack smiled upon looking back on them.

"It sure is." Strix agreed.

"Yeah! Those scared faces from the Magicam Monsters at the end... really refreshed me, anyways! I maybe like Halloween a little..." Ortho paused before nodding. "Mm, a lot now."

"That's true. Getting revenge on them was really great!" Ace beamed.

However he was swiftly hushed sharply by the other first years for his loud voice. Fortunately no one in immediate vicinity seemed to have paid mind to what Ace had said.

"My my~ What a bunch who have made such tight bonds through surviving this harsh ordeal!" Crowley approached them with a moving smile. "Life has its ups and downs. But because of that, you know? People grow, so they say? All's well that ends well, as they say~!"

"You're grinning super wide, though..." Grim deadpanned.

"A bunch of guests visited Sage's island to come to Night Raven College, right? The lodgings and shops outside the school have been flooded... So the people of Sage's Island are super, super, suuuuper grateful, you see." Sam grinned.

"And it's because of the students, both on the committee and not, all worked hard. It seemed that unexpected series of troubling events was going to be an issue, but..." A soft smile lifted Trein's lips. "You all did well. This is a fantastic party."

"You're all good boys. I'm proud of you, too." Crewel praised.

"I'm impressed by your dependability! I just want to train you all even more!" Vargas heartily spoke.

The boys broke out into grins. "Thank you!"

Trein closed his eyes. "I do not understand why the Magicam Monsters suddenly disappeared, but..."

The students fell silent.

However, a smile once again resettled his former stoic visage. "I'm sure that we will have a fantastic Halloween again next year, with you all."

"We have high expectations!" Crowley piped.

"Yes!"

Grim's black muzzle twitched. "Ah, I smell something good over there! I've eaten everything here. Tasty search team, move out!"

He then zipped out into the crowd.

"Ah, hey now, Grim-kun! Are you listening to me?! Noctowl-kun, please properly keep an eye on Grim-kun!" Crowley told the girl who was engrossed in the extravagant five-star flavor of her food she never got to try until now.

Strix set her plate down with a perplexed frown. "Darn it..."

She weaves through the crowded street, mumbling apologies while roaming her eyes for a gremlin cat in a witch hat. The guests and students alike were enjoying the party at their leisure, chatting amongst themselves animatedly.

Eventually her search led her to Ramshackle Dorm.

"Grim, where'd you go...?" Strix mumbled as she came to a stop, stranded in the vacant venue far from the lively party.

"Child of Man... May I have a moment?" A familiar voice spoke up.

Upon hearing the unique nickname only one person would give her, Strix looks back. "Malleus?"

"I left the party alone in hopes finding a chance to speak at leisure. There was something I wanted to confirm with you." He said.

Strix stared, awaiting for his inquiry.

"...Was Night Raven College's Halloween fun?"

Strix smiled. "The best Halloween I've ever had."

Lime green eyes slowly blinked. "Is that so. That's... good."

He glanced to the dragon decor draped over the field. "So much happened... but I too was able to spend this Halloween having fun at Ramshackle Dorm. And as my benefactor, the one who lent me said dorm, I was interested in what you thought."

He reverted his gaze on Strix and graced the human with an earnest smile kindling his bright eyes into warm embers. "It has only been seven days, but... This year's Halloween has become something very special to me."

After finally seeing Malleus again, Strix knew how much this event has broadened his horizons. Here he stands stronger than the Malleus of yesterday with a memory to cherish. It would be one of the many first experiences leading him to a brighter future.

By that point, she hopes he'll be able to look back on it without letting her absence cloud his heart with sorrow.

She stepped forward and embraced him. His warmth in the cool breeze of Halloween night brought comfort. "I'm happy to hear you think the same. Thank you."

Malleus' eyes widened. His hands descend slowly to rest on her shoulders. When she didn't retract from his touch, his arms shyly wrapped around the small of her back.

In the stillness of the night, Strix could detect the sound of the wind faintly whistling as though swinging.

A giddy smile crept her lips at the thought.

Was that his dragon tail... wagging?

Feeling her body shake, Malleus looked down innocently. "Hm?"

Strix pulled away to crane her head upwards. She formed a straightforward expression accompanied with eyes sparkling with youthful curiosity. "Malleus... Can I touch your tail?"

Malleus somehow expected her to ask him that. No one but Strix Noctowl herself would dare to ask with no fear in her bones.

He let a smirk form, mirth laced in his voice. "Even if you are interested, do not get too close. I could hit you and easily blow you away."

Strix remained unfazed. "I don't doubt it, but I'm not scared. You're not careless to try that with me around. I know."

For a brief second Malleus was at a loss for words. Emotions spiraled within his dilated pupils burning a wall of chartreuse.

He released a low chuckle that had him grinning ear to ear. "You truly are an extraordinary human. If you really desire so, then I'll see you to it."

The fae turned for his tail in full view. For him to trust her with his vulnerable back, she suddenly realized just how precious their friendship signified.

She removed her white glove and hovered her palm just above the dark scales. She glanced back to Malleus who was looking over his shoulder. His smile was inviting, not a shred of discomfort shying away from her looming hand. In fact it was anticipation slowly gravitating to her childlike impulses.

With his consent, she rested her hand on his tail.

Her eyes slowly expand into clear round pools glimmering a sea of wonder.

It was warm. Though the scales were sleek, she can feel the muscles underneath twitch in response to her touch. The sensation felt very... alive in a way she never realized.

She stroked the side gently. So this is what touching a reptilian tail feels like...

A breathless sigh was exhaled from Malleus' lips. His eyelids were closed and curved upwards in contentment.

Strix bared an adoring grin. How cute for one of the most powerful wizards to be at the mercy of her touch.

"Oiiii, Strix! Where are you? We found Grim!"

Strix looked up to the direction of the voice calling for her in the distance. That was Deuce.

Snapping himself from his reverie, Malleus turned to face Strix. "I will take my leave, Child of Man. Let us have fun right until the end of Halloween."

He raised his crimson nail claws and curled hands up while boasting a smile that made him seem youthful. "Happy Halloween."

Strix basked in the gentle green firefly lights whose warmth lingered the same as when she had embraced him.

"Happy Halloween, huh..." Strix muttered.

Up to now, she never put much thought and emotion into saying the phrase. There was not much excitement to pour into the festive spirit. She herself honestly didn't think to have the drive to celebrate holidays, even with Christmas. Maybe she had become a little jaded and thought of them as normal days.

However, seeing the magic of Halloween come to life before her very eyes... She started appreciating living in the moment of reality, especially with friends she can have fun with.

For once, she didn't want to chase the dreams in her sleep that no one knows.

She turned her heel from Ramshackle Dorm and makes a brisk walk back to the Main Street. Just before arriving to the stairs leading up to the Halloween party, she spots a small figure alone in the street.

A boy was sobbing loudly.

Strix flinched. The brief dread of unintentionally making him cry with her actions was pushed back in the depths of her mind as she approached him. "...What's wrong? Are you lost?"

He points up, "M-My b-balloon...!"

Strix tilts her gaze up. An orange balloon with a skeleton face was drifting to the sky. Fast.

"I'll go get it back."

"H-How? It's too far." The boy stuttered out between hiccups.

"I have special friends to make the impossible into reality." Was what she said, grin lifting her lips confidently.

The sound of playful giggling chimes softly in the boy's ears. His wailing was replaced with confusion as he looks up through his teary eyes.

Raising the parasol above her, the pale tails of her dress billowed behind her skirt, soles of her feet leaving the earth.

The whistling wind carries the human to the skies. With one gentle swipe she snatched the ballon string. "Got it!"

A dark silhouette as though frozen in time carved the golden full moon. A wispy tail thin and transparent blended with the luminous moonlight, yet the parasol and fluttering skirt were real. A ghost floating to the moon where the other side of the human realm awaits...

In that moment, he saw an ethereal beauty drifting to a world beyond reach.

Strix gently returns to the top of the flight of stairs, closing her parasol and hooking the curved handle on her forearm. Once the child climbed up the stairs to meet her level, she kneeled with the balloon extended towards him, beckoning him to hold out his hand.

She then tied the string around his wrist. "There. Now it won't leave you."

"Th-Thank you! You flew really far! Are you a real ghost after all, big sis?" The child said excitedly, tears forgotten and replaced by sparkling awe.

A mysterious smile folds her lips. "Who knows. I'm just a soul wandering around begging for treats and granting sweet dreams in return. Or else I'll give you a big scare if you don't. Boo~"

She raised her hands all spooky-like. The boy giggled. "You're not scary, big sis."

Strix's expression soften. She let her hands fall limp. "You should be at the Main Street where lots of people are. Wandering out alone in the dark is dangerous."

"I'm sorry... I saw a ghost and wanted to see her. But now I know it's really you!" The boy beamed. "You're a really pretty ghost. I like your eyes, too. They're pure like the ocean around the island!"

Vivid azure blue hues stared. Many of the children of this world she meets are souls of light radiating down her darkness. Not as scornful sneers, but as guiding stars.

And there she goes, falling deeper into the rabbit hole...

She smiled. Unlike her past responses, it was one of sincerity, perhaps even the first instance ever made for Strix Noctowl.

"Thank you. Now let's get back to the Main Street, okay?"

"Okay!"

He grabbed her hand, much to her surprise. A resigned smile then folds her lips. Maybe the boys were right; she has an unusual affinity with children.

Just before entering the street, the little boy lightly tugged her sleeve for her attention.

"Ghost lady, here, I'll give you this." He withdrew something from his pocket and extended his arm with his fist facing down.

She opened her palm under his hand. A strawberry flavored taffy candy drops from his fist.

"I hope that rainbow bat likes taffy candy. Bye bye, big sis!"

A somewhat stunned Strix waved slowly as he bounded away to where his family and friends are.

She released a sigh under her breath. She tries to avoid letting her Dream Eaters run around and getting spotted, but children are highly perceptive to the Spirits compared to adults.

Strix unwrapped the taffy and tossed it high into the air. A round orange blur swooped in before disappearing into the darkness, faintly laughing. The taffy was no more.

Without batting an eyelash, Strix walked until she spotted Deuce among the crowd and made a beeline to where he stood.

"Ah, there you are. Leech-senpai and Schoenheit-senpai caught him for us." Deuce told Strix upon spotting her. He gestured to the two upperclassmen looking not so pleased.

"Grim, while he was out from under your watchful gaze, ate the carpaccio right off my plate." Jade mused mirthfully, although upon closer look one can detect the malice within his mismatched eyes.

Strix jolted fearfully under her skin.

"With this much food available, what possible reason could you have for stealing from someone else's plate?" Vil frowned at the little beast standing unabashedly despite having been caught at their mercy.

"'Cause the food that people got looks tastier than the food on the table—Gyaaaagh! Ow ow ow ow Strix let go it hurts!"

Strix had wordlessly grabbed the little beast and grinds her knuckles against either side of his head. Her eyes were wide and unblinking like owl eyes within her dark, unfeeling expression.

Deuce held his own temples subconsciously, shuddering at the excruciating pain of your temples being drilled. "She's really mad...!"

Vil sighed. "Goodness. Either Strix is failing to keep Grim under wraps, or Grim is immune to decent mannerisms."

"Ah, Gri-chan. And everyone. Was looking for you~" A familiar voice drawled out in a singsong. Strix ceased dishing her punishment on Grim to acknowledge the source.

"Oh my, Cater-san. And if it isn't the ghost group as well. Did you have some business with us?" Jade asked, mild-mannered smile refined with his usual gentlemanly grace.

"Our ghosts need to have a talk with us~" Cater gestured a thumb to the Ramshackle trio behind him.

"A talk?" Everyone parroted.

Laverne twiddled with his fingers with great interest. "Um... You see..."

"This is the first time in our long ghost lives that we've had such a lovely Halloween..." Victor began, unusually behaving the most quiet Strix and Grim have seen from the ghosts.

"We would like to leave something so that we can remember this for a long time to come. We spoke with Cay-boy but..." Laverne trailed off.

"If it is all right with all of you, we would like to take a picture while it is still Halloween... And put the picture with everyone up on Magicam, if that's okay?" Hugo asked.

Jade and Vil stood speechless.

"S-S-So that's a no after all, right?!" A horrified Laverne stammered out reflexively.

"Makes sense. After all this fuss... It's too forward of us." Hugo wilted.

"Ghosts..." Jade stared at them before smiling widely. "Of course, it is absolutely fine."

"Let's take one with an exceptional pose. A special Halloween service." Vil accepted.

The Ramshackle ghost trio's eyes widen like dinner plates. Laverne cried out, "Eeh?! I-It's all right?!"

"What are you guys saying? Of course they will. No one holds you three at fault for what happened." Strix reassured them.

"Hehe! Relax. If those Monsters come again... Next time we'll all chase 'em out together!" Grim reassured confidently.

"See? Told ya they'd give you the okay~" Cater winked at the three ghosts.

Their wide pale blue eyes shimmered with tears. "Everyone... Thanks!"

"Then let's take it already." Grim prompted.

"The Halloween party has only just begun. We must still entertain our many guests." Vil said.

"True! Then everyone squeeze in nice and tight!" Hugo ushered.

"Mister Ghost, will we not be hidden behind you?" Jade inquired.

"They're transparent so it's fine!" Cater dismissed airily.

"Was that actually his question?" Vil sweatdropped at the card soldier's reply.

"Oi, Strix! Let's get all the way up front!" Grim said to her excitedly as everyone gets huddled within the frame. It looked crowded and awkward with the boys' towering figures and the ghosts transparent forms.

"I think you and I don't have much of a choice regardless, with the difference in height and all..." Strix mumbled before shaking her head and smiling.

"Oh right, Stri-chan, will you really be all right taking a photo with us?" Cater asked while Jade and Vil were preoccupied with the ghosts deciding how to position themselves within the frame.

"Hm?" Strix paused to contemplate what he meant before her eyes lit up. "Ohh, that... I think I can do a proper shot. But to make sure... Cater-senpai, look this way."

The ginger automatically faced the direction she pointed to. Before he would ask, his body was brought to her side and the close proximity of her clear face ghosting his own.

CLICK!

Cater blinked.

"To commemorate the special occasion together with my senpai." Strix grinned, waving her smartphone she had whipped out. Her eyes perpetually devoid of light glimmered with youth that made her face glow as though alive.

It was refreshingly surprising that he couldn't readily respond, especially when her doe gaze was still focused on him.

'Cute...' Was his thought as he stood in a daze. By the time he snapped out of it, Strix had fiddled with her smartphone.

"I just sent it to you now on Magicam. Doing selfies is a little embarrassing for someone like me, but I think it's okay for the first shot." Strix sheepishly admitted.

"Strix~! Cater~! Get up here already!" Grim called out to them.

"Okay, coming!" Strix replied back. She glanced to Cater and tilting her head towards the direction. "Let's not keep the photo waiting."

As Strix went ahead, Cater quickly logged into the Magicam app for a message from Strix.

The image revealed Cater who had a look of surprise that barely registered the photo being taken, a rarity compared to his past posts smiling and aiming for the picturesque quality. He was definitely not prepared for the surprise in this shot.

Next to his face is a smiling Strix with her eyes wide and clear with joy directed to the camera lens. They were a stunning vibrant, bold blue that shone like the whole world contained within.

Cater chuckled fondly. "This'll be a keeper."

He pockets his smartphone and regrouped with the others.

"Everyone ready? Make sure to look at the lens." Victor said.

Laverne spoke, "Let's go~ One, two!"

"Happy Halloween!"

...

..

.

[Epilogue]

~Endless Halloween Night~

Nightmare's Banquet

.

..

...

That Halloween night, a Magicam Monster was about to sleep and retire in preparation for the following morning. They wanted to completely forget the nightmare they faced after disrupting the ghosts' peace and wake up with a clear head to change their habits for the better. They promised themselves to never cause grief for them if they wish to live another day.

Eventually after succumbing to sleep while clinging to these prayers, they find themselves on their knees in the plane of a black void.

Before them is the silhouette of a young woman in a colorfully dark dress sitting on her throne with crossed armored legs, fist to her chin. Her face was shrouded in pitch darkness.

Bright, round pupil-less eyes glistening like the blood red moon bored into their soul unblinkingly.

They shivered fearfully, unable to speak, much less utter a sound. Who is this creepy girl? This is just a figment of their imagination, right?

Creatures of the same dark color palette possessing the same eyes loomed ominously behind her, still shrouded in pitch black. Some of their silhouettes seemed vaguely familiar to the animatronics NRC insisted to be fragile machinery.

Though they appear to be in different shapes and sizes, the same countless pairs of eyes never once leave the human from their sights. Each and every one of them shared a universal intent one would call "predatory".

Faces of terror reflects in glaring red pools.

Silent screams claws into their subconscious state of mind even once they return to reality, robbing them of sweet dreams and forever face their inner ugly demons every time they close their eyes. Their heart will slowly be nipped away as the monsters savor their meal.

The following nights will be sleepless for however long their nightmares will continue to feast on them until their bottomless stomachs are finally satisfied...

~~~~~~~

Part 2 of the Halloween even will not come out for a while because "Nightmare's Banquet" will be an original event centering Strix! I'm just using the Halloween premise to my advantage. Lots of content I gotta make and input~