-1A Violet Meeting

"Lock, Shock, and Barrel?" The marionette stared at them, puzzled. "Well it's nice to meet you!" She held out her left hand, smiling broadly. Shock shook her hand a small grin, as well as a confused look on her face. Barrel just smiled, shaking her hand politely. Lock, however seemed hesitant, but eventually shook her hand as well. She studied them a moment, all four silent. The marionette girl seemed around five and a half feet tall. "So, where'd you get this?" Barrel asked taking the lolly that Lock had been holding, looking up at her. The question didn't sound suspicious, or rude. Just curious. The girl shrugged taking a seat at the base of the tree. "I'm not sure, I just woke up and had it in my hand two days ago, same with these things," She held her left hand to show the bracelet with alternating charms, then with the same hand pointed to the necklace.

"And you still have the candy?!?" Barrel asked, quite surprised. The lolly didn't even look like it'd been licked once! Shock shot the skeleton boy a look of annoyance; you weren't just supposed to nearly yell in someone's face. Lock just shook his head, eyes closed a moment. The marionette chuckled, shaking her head. "What would I do with it? I can't exactly eat it. Since I don't have a stomach or even a proper throat."

"Oh well, I guess that makes sense…" Barrel muttered looking at his feet, a bit embarrassed. The marionette laughed using her left hand to get her shoes on. "So how long were you hanging there?" Shock asked glancing up at the sky for no apparent reason. "Not long," The girl replied with a shrug. "Few hours at the most." She paused thinking, "Hey, um, Barrel was it? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," The skeleton boy said, really unsure about all this. "What is it? Um… You never told us your name." Barrel said quietly. Lock and Shock nodded as well. "Oh, I'm sorry," She laughed her bluish hair falling in front of her face slightly, "My names Violet."

"Well it was nice meeting you Violet." Shock said, smiling politely. The marionette girl smiled happily, though it disappeared quickly, to a blank expression. "Um, Barrel? Are you always with Lock and Shock?" She asked glancing up at the tree had bee stuck in. "Yeah… Why?" Questioned the smallest trick-or-treater.

Violet was silent, seeming to be thinking. After a moment, by the expression on her face it seemed she had thought of something to say, "Well, about twenty-two years ago I sort of… Woke up." She started, looking just as confused as the three children were becoming. "I'm not sure if any of this is true, I heard it from a strange person somewhere in the forest, but anyways when I woke up I couldn't remember much, just my name and a few…other things…" She trailed off a moment, looking a little distant. " Then I met this person, they said that people sometimes just disappear. But their memories, something happens to them." She paused as if to take a breath, well if she had needed to she would have. "The person wasn't even so sure about this though, they said that. Ah, how did they put it? They said… I can't even remember!" She sighed hitting herself on the head, looking as frustrated as a marionette could.

"Just forget it for now." She muttered before heading off in the direction of the forest. "Sorry for wasting your time…" She muttered over her shoulder. The three trick-or-treaters watched her go, all looking equally confused. "That was…" Lock began and Barrel finished "Weird."

The trio eventually decided to go home; it didn't seem there was all that much to do these past two days. Upon entering they were all shocked to find the strange ghost boy, Shoe, from the other day standing on top of the pipe that led down to Oogie's lair. Of course the three didn't know/remember who Oogie was…

"What are you doing here?" Shock exclaimed, quite shocked. (Heh lame pun) Lock stared, brow furrowing 'Hm, I wonder how he found this place' He thought, though didn't say anything. While Barrel simply stared a moment, still thinking of what the odd marionette girl was trying to remember. "Oh you're that guy…" He was all he said, still lost in his thoughts.

"What am I doing here?" Shoe repeated and seemed to be thinking. Then he simply shrugged, "Standing a suppose. I just wanted to see where you guys lived" A small laugh escaped the ghost boy's mouth. "Sorry for just sorta coming, I was just curious."

"I think you should get down." Lock had kept his voice calm, doing his best to keep his temper. Even if this ghost had just decided to enter their home without permission… That being completely rude and he could justify that there was a right to be angry. But, the little devil boy refrained.

"Down?" The blue eyes widened slightly, a bit of fear etching his transparent features for a moment. Then it was quickly covered, too late at least one of the former pranksters had caught it. Slowly edging off the side of the pipe, the boy floated to the ground, seeming to wince as he 'touched' it.

"So…" The ghost boy started balancing on his heels now, "What did you do today?"

Barrel blinked as if finally coming out of his thoughts, "We met a puppet girl called Violet." He answered quite cheerfully, "She was kind of odd." He admitted with a nod. This got him a sharp look from Shock and mere glance from Lock.

"Violet?" Shoe seemed to think about this a moment, his features darkened slightly, an odd look for the boy. It didn't really seem to suit him. He shook his head, "I don't really like that name."

The trio glanced at each other, wondering what that was about, though they all nodded politely. "Perhaps you should get going?" Shock suggested gesturing the opposite way she was facing.

"Suppose your right. I'll be sure to see you later, maybe even drop by sometime," His face brightening, as he smiling. "Bye!" He waved sinking through the floor and out of sight.

"I wonder why he was afraid of getting down…" Shock wondered aloud as she headed off to her room for some rest.

"Afraid of heights?" Barrel ventured, heading off to his own.

Lock answered him, "If he was afraid of heights why would he be up there in the first place?" He chuckled slightly. Shock and Lock were closing their doors when they heard Barrel, "Sleep well." Was all he said.

----

I'm lazy, I know… Sorry it's such a cruddy chapter, but meh… Sorry I'll try not to procrastinate…