yet another random jump in

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(Hello! Just a paragraph is fine! ^^ I understand that inspiration isn't always reliable. So as long as there's enough to reply to I'm good!)

(Sure! ^^)

Fin had admittedly been debating on whether to catch up to his worryingly enthusiastic friend or stick to the center of the crowd- for safety reasons- but sensing someone approaching with intent to interact, he allowed his steps to slow and tentatively moved to put his hands in the pockets of his hoodie in an attempt to look less...concerned. "Hey," he greeted softly, lips quirking in a minute smile. Fin is more or less known as the introvert that Raf had adopted, but he isn't simply disinterested in others. They're just hard to interact with, sometimes. And Raf tires him out. Still, he pays enough attention in class to know that the girl speaking to him is named Wesley. She isn't exactly close to anyone present, but he figures she tagged along out of boredom like everyone else. Her next words confirm it.

"That's usually how it happens with Raf." His apologetic tone is paired with a wry smile. "There's a supposed haunted house by Talon creek. It's something of a rite of passage for local teens to visit and bring back a souvenir on or around Halloween. It still remains popular to this day despite rumors of multiple deaths and strange events being connected to the place. Police have officially forbidden anyone from going but there's a back way that has yet to be blocked off." He pauses, blushing a bit because he probably sounds like a tour guide. Fin can't help it- he'd been researching the house since Raf brought it up- just this morning- but he's spent most of the day learning everything he could and learned enough to know that this is a Bad Idea. But since when has that ever stopped Raf? Ever?

"Here we are~!" Raf steps into a patch of moonlight and introduces the house with a flourish, practically basking in the spotlight that nature saw fit to provide him. It's a two-story monstrosity with the classic dilapidated 'haunted' look, but the architecture is what primarily contributes to its ugliness. It looks as if several different contractors each went ahead with their idea of what it should look like. There are cracked and crumbling roman pillars supporting the sagging stoop, pointed gothic arches, a single strangely intact gargoyle...and an excess of graffiti covering as much of the exterior as possible.

While Raf whips out his phone to take pictures, their guide steps aside and pulls back a few low-hanging branches to allow the others through. Stephanotis is a local who returned to his childhood home for Halloween and is the source of most of their information. Fin isn't sure what to make of him; he's reticent and polite almost to a fault but there's just something...off about the way he holds himself. Sometimes he's too still. Sometimes the light catches his eyes oddly. And always he wears a white mask that covers the lower half of his face. He'd been asked if he was sick and simply replied with a 'no, thank you for asking'.

Fin thanks him before stepping into the small clearing before the house; he avoids the unblinking russet gaze and instead steps to the side to wait for Wesley to enter. "Raf was just supposed to go in and return with something but he's decided to turn this into an impromptu 'ghost hunt'." He explains in a low tone, "I just hope he doesn't intend to be stubborn about it..." If Raf refuses to leave on the basis of not being entertained Fin might have to drag him home. Again.

"I don't think he'll be disappointed tonight." Stephanotis abruptly appears on Fin's left and the shorter teen makes a soft 'eep' sound as his heart descends from his throat.

"I apologize for startling you!" He awkwardly waves gloved hands as if he wants to physically help Fin recover from his mini heart attack but doesn't know how.

"That's okay!" Fin clears his throat, now more embarrassed than afraid. "But what did you mean by that, exactly?"

"It's an auspicious night." Though his mouth is covered, Fin gets the impression that he's smiling as he says it. His words are perfectly timed with someone yelling, "I saw a face in the window!"

"So, its forbidden yet Raf is dragging along a small crowd with him?" Wesley chuckled, obviously nervous. Before the boy had an opportunity to answer her he was interrupted by Stephanotis...not that she knew that was the boys name. Wesley looked the boy up and down and couldn't quite place him.. she listened to the two's conversation for a bit before someone shouted about a face. A chill ran up her spine, not because she was afraid of the "face" but rather because she wasn't fond of yelling, it never really meant anything good. Wesley leaned towards Fin for a moment, "Now; I'm not stupid, but it seems as though going into that house may be a stupid idea." She said quietly.

( Hello! I don't mind~ Though I might not be able to reply today..! )

Corey:



(Image made on recolor. Still haven't gotten around to drawing her yet rip.
I also can't figure out for the life of me how to spoiler tag an image, I'm sorry. If you can explain it to me, I'll edit this to fix it.)

(Ah! Got it! Thank you so much for the explanation, that really really helped a lot.

I'm sorry about your notes! D: That sounds frustrating! I totally understand, please dont worry or rush yourself at all. I'll still be around whenever you figure things out. ^^ I hope the rest of your day goes better for you!)

( Trigger warning for mentioned suicide! If it bothers you I'll take it out! )


"Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?" Ah, he accidentally let some sarcasm slip out. Fin waves a sleeve-covered hand with an apologetic smile.
"It does." Stephanotis agrees with a little nod. He doesn't seem to be joking, or else he just doesn't understand sarcasm?
Fin's manners abruptly kick in upon noticing Wesley trying to place the man. "Oh, my apologies. This is Stephanotis, he's a local here to show us around. And this is my classmate Wesley."

Stephanotis dips his head toward her. Again, the smile shielded by the mask is hinted in the crinkle of his unsettlingly red-tinged eyes. Paired with the incredibly pale skin, Fin might have been under the impression that he was albino if it weren't for his pitch hair. Maybe it's dyed, but it looks too dark, somehow. "You may call me Stephan, if you'd like. It's a pleasure to meet you, Wesley." He extends a gloved hand, just like he had upon first meeting Raf and Fin. It's kind of an outdated practice more often associated with job interviews than midnight dares, but Fin finds it charming regardless. It might be his southern roots influencing his fondness for politesse. Their interaction is unceremoniously disturbed by someone's excited yell, and Fin can see that Wesley feels the same about the interruption. She proves it with her next words, "I couldn't agree more. We could wait outside..?"

"It's likely you'll be safer inside the house tonight." Stephan opines, still smiling.

<><><>

While Fin tries not to frown at Corey's words, Raf responds with an answering grin. "Could be both~" They share a reputation for being delinquents and he recognizes her from a popular tagging site he'd visited on a tour of the town. He hasn't been in Raven's Rest long, but he found in the girl a kindred spirit despite their sparse interactions. Raf had invited her personally when he'd first been challenged. If nothing else, Binder couldn't doubt her veracity as they tended to run in the same circles.
"There's only one way to find out, of course~!" Raf claps his hands together and spins on his heel, again facing the assembled crowd with an anticipatory glint in his steel blue eyes. He can't help a few excited bounces before he manages to get his words out. "Stephanotis, tell us what we're looking for."

There's a pause as everyone looks to one of the oldest members of their group, who stares back in confusion until he manages to process the question. "This house was once owned by a widow accused of being a witch. It's said that she went mad after the death of her third child and so killed her first two before taking her own life. The ghosts most often seen here belong to the first two children, a girl around ten and a boy around eight. The boy is found in the music room and the girl in the attic. The occasional appearance of unrelated ghosts is believed to be connected to her previous 'victims'. The witch has never been seen. Not here, at least."

Huh. For someone who apparently unprepared, that certainly sounded rehearsed. Particularly because there was no inflection in his soft voice; the words sounded as if they were read off a cue card. Raf actually glances behind him just in case some unknown person was holding one up. Okay, he'll have to keep an eye on that one, then. Raf doesn't believe in judging people by anything other than their actions, but he can't completely rule out the possibility that Stephanotis was hired by Binder in some elaborate scheme of some kind. Especially when he's repeatedly heard that this usually sleepy town 'gets crazy' around Halloween. Okay then. Noted!

Raf circles a finger in the air as if physically bringing their attention back to himself. "Naturally, those are the places we'll be focusing on. Technically I just need to get one thing from each room but where's the fun in that~?" His next words are delivered with a bit of a snort as Fin is giving him a 'bitch face' and he's trying not to laugh. "And don't worry about any ghosts following you home, I have an exorcist on speed dial!" He really needs to avoid Fin's accusing gaze now. His friend is of the opinion that 'real' 'professional' exorcists don't write their numbers on bathroom stalls in public parks but times are hard so Raf understands~

Corey doesn't seem bothered at all by Stephan's odd little monotone recital. Rather, her eyebrows perk up with interest at his tale of witches and dead kids. Sounds aesthetic. She laughs at Raf's words. "What's a little ghostly possession among friends, anyway? C'mon, what are we waiting for?" She's rocking back and forth with eagerness, and she adjusts her bag into a more secure and comfortable position. "These ghosts aren't gonna find themselves."

(That's ok! No worries~)