The looming shadow that bumps in the night
PART VII
Summary:
You arrive at Almoral's mansion after receiving an invitation for a Halloween party he is hosting. While you go to visit, another Halloween party is simultaneously being hosted by the famed Count Anastasius. In the meantime, the DPF moves along with their own missions as a peculiar forecast casts a shadow on the dream world…
NOTE: This event takes place on October 31, 2024.
[Back at Almoral's mansion, the party is going well, but there's a clear lack of partygoers.]
DYLAN: Is this party legendary or what?!
RIGOR: Yes, I am enjoying the atmosphere here. It's quite appropriate.
EPSILON: Well as long as you guys are enjoying the tracks I'm playing then I guess this party's okay.
ALMORAL: Yeah, it's…definitely alright… Woo…
YOU: What's wrong Almoral?
ALMORAL: Ugh! I just thought that a lot of people would show up! I sent out an invite in the newspaper and let everyone know that it was an open invite and everyone could come!
DYLAN: Hey, cheer up big guy! It doesn't need a hundred people to party! Just two, three or even six is fine!
EPSILON: It's nice if the party is just us.
ALMORAL: I know, I know… But this party meant a lot to me! I mean, it's the first Halloween we get where nothing bad is going on and I really wanted to have a party like Count Anastasius! I guess people would rather go to his party than someone like me…
YOU: It'll be okay, Almoral. We're your close friends! This can still be the best Halloween ever!
RIGOR: Indeed so. Morticia and I have been enjoying the night thus far.
ALMORAL: I guess… I just wish I had the same amount of people as Anastasius did for his party. Is that too much to ask for!
[There's a knock on Almoral's door]
EPSILON: Visitors?
DYLAN: Jumpscare!!!
YOU: Who could that be?
[Almoral goes to open the door and is surprised to see a few familiar faces]
ALMORAL: Porter! You made it!
PORTER: Hello Almoral! And hello everyone else!
YOU: Hi again Porter!
DYLAN: You made it!
PORTER: Sorry about the delay! Arial and I were covering Count Anastasius’ party for the Tribune! We were going to get here sooner, but something happened!
ALMORAL: Huh? What happened?
PORTER: Just as the Count was giving a speech, the power in the Club suddenly went out! It was really spooky, but apparently it wasn't part of the show?
EPSILON: The power went out at the Club? That's certainly strange.
DYLAN: Yeah! No way they'd cut the power out on purpose if that place is made for dancing!
YOU: Does this mean the party was cut short?
ALMORAL: Wait and where's Arial?
PORTER: That's what I was about to go on with! The party was indeed cut short, but the two of us had a plan to keep it going…
[Porter points to the crowd walking up the path to Almoral's mansion]
ALMORAL: *gasp* You brought them here??!
PORTER: I hope you don't mind, but we figured since we were going to come along here anyway, we thought it would be nice to bring the other partygoers along with us!
DYLAN: Woah, Count Anastasius holding his party at your house, Almoral!
EPSILON: Truly a turn of events.
RIGOR: Are you going to let them in?
ALMORAL: Woah!! Oh my goodness… Uh… Hehe, boy I'm a little nervous now…
YOU: Why's that?
ALMORAL: I just never had this many people at my house before! Ahhh!! Does this place look good?? Dylan, quick! Throw up some more streamers! Epsilon get back on the DJ! Rigor and Morticia just look unalive!
DYLAN: Aye aye, captain!
EPSILON: *sigh* I'm on it.
RIGOR: I think my sister and I can do that.
YOU: What about me?
ALMORAL: You come with me to talk to Anastasius! In case I slip up and say something off putting and drive everyone away, hehe…
[Almoral, Porter and the Traveler walk down to meet with Arial who is guiding Count Anastasius and other partygoers through Almoral's front yard]
ARIAL: Hello all! I hope you don't mind me bringing many friends along!
PORTER: I told Almoral the details! I let him what happened and why we're all here!
ALMORAL: I uh… wow that's a lot of people!
ANASTASIUS: Greetings, Almoral. I believe this is the first time we have met. I apologize for coming on such short and unexpected notice.
HAZEL: So that's Almoral? The guy who helped cure Neapworm?
JIANGSHI: And helped bring the spirits back home.
BETH: Golly, his mansion is pretty big!
ALMORAL: Uh…yes! That's me! I did those things! Well, not with the help of some super awesome people, hehe. I'm just surprised to see you all here! I thought no one else was going to come to my party!
ANASTASIUS: Truth be told, we were going to remain at the Club, but an unexpected power outage cut the party short. I'm afraid it would've taken a while to restore it and the party would've been a bust…
HAZEL: Until Porter and Arial here recommended we move it here!
JIANGSHI: I must say this is a rather striking home you got here.
BETH: It's pretty spooky… but it really fits the atmosphere!
ALMORAL: You…you guys think so… I'm so happy! Hehe, see? I knew there'd be people who would find this place to be cool!
ARIAL: We were all hoping if we could move the party here, I mean, if that's okay with you?
ALMORAL: I…uh…
YOU: Almoral!
ALMORAL: Oh right! Well, you know, I was jealous that everyone seemed to have gone to your party, Anastasius, but to see you guys actually wanna come over to some old necromancer’s Halloween party…
ANASTASIUS: Almoral, you are no mere old necromancer. You have made headlines for your acts to help the dream world out in times of need. No one could've thought of a cure for a parasite and perhaps how to bring all the lost spirits back home. Whether you like it or not, you are well known by many or at least seen in a good perspective.
HAZEL: It's true! I couldn't believe you were the one who had such a cure!
BETH: And you safely got all of the spirits back to their rightful home. You have a very kind heart.
JIANGSHI: We would be happy to come along and partake in your own Halloween party. At least, if you'd let us in.
ALMORAL: You guys… No! No no… I mean, I won't cry- Nope, nuh uh. I'm a big boy! I won't cry!
YOU: It's okay, Almoral. You really are incredible for what you've done to help out!
ALMORAL: Anastasius, I appreciate you agreeing to come here. I've heard a lot about your parties, but never went to partake in them. I guess it's just funny you're the one partaking in mine!
PORTER: So, you'll let us in?
ALMORAL: Psh, heck yeah! It's a party after all! Everyone's invited in!
HAZEL: Huzzah! Come on Beth! Last one in is a torn old doll!
BETH: Hey wait! I'm already one!
JIANGSHI: I'll go make sure Beth doesn't trip and fall again.
ARIAL: I'm right behind you!
PORTER: Ditto!
[Everyone heads inside as Almoral, Anastasius and the Traveler stay behind]
ANASTASIUS: Thank you, Almoral, for your understanding and cooperation.
ALMORAL: Bah, it's nothing. I'm just being a good person! I'm just happy people came to visit!
ANASTASIUS: And you, you're the esteemed and famed Traveler from afar who has been a tremendous helper in getting the dream world under control these last two years or so. It's a pleasure to meet you in person. There's been a lot of good talk about you, you know.
ALMORAL: Heck yeah there has! They're the coolest ever! Well, not cooler than Lucid, but definitely cool!
YOU: It's a pleasure to meet you too, Count Anastasius.
ANASTASIUS: You've helped stop so many awful things from happening to our world. It's been a while since the last anomaly though, so I'm sure you're glad to have a break to just enjoy yourself without having to worry about the dream world going down.
ALMORAL: Yeah, you know, it's nice that we haven't had to worry about any bad things lately! Heh, that Francis guy probably gave up for good! Ugh, but that means Lucid might be most wanted now… On one hand, Francis gave up but on the other, Lucid could be the main target again…
YOU: He's still out there. Chief Daiki said to still be careful.
ALMORAL: Bah! The DPF has been atrocious in capturing Francis and finding his whereabouts! If you ask me, he's the No Fun police! Yes we'll be careful, but we got bigger fish to fry! Francis has been quiet and will remain quiet until hopefully fifty years from now!
ANASTASIUS: I partially agree, though the chief is right. Maybe we have been a bit complacent as of late. We should never let our guard down. I'm just glad this Halloween came and went without anything awful happening.
YOU: At least we can still party!
ALMORAL: That you're right about! This Halloween will definitely go down in history! Wherever Francis may be, he can stay in the shadows- but he better not ruin Christmas!! That reminds me… I need to talk to Rainier soon…
ANASTASIUS: Hahaha, yes. Let us party and take our minds off of Francis for now. A bit of “lightening the mood” so they say.
ALMORAL: Indeed they do! Come on, you guys! We got some Halloweening to do!
YOU: Let's party!
[The three of you walk back into Almoral's mansion where the party has picked up. It seems this Halloween will be Francis free and certainly one to remember.]