When Grayson first heard of the Halloween Party he was tempted to stay home. But he had overheard one of the younger boys at the stables, while Grayson was taking care of his Carlian horse, saying he had wanted to attend but none of his friends were going and he didn’t want to go alone. So Grayson, being the nice guy that he was offered to take him.
For several days Grayson regretted this decision. Not because he really didn’t want to help the kid out but because he had nothing to go as. Grayson have fumbled around in his room looking for different ideas. Frustrated at one point he sat on his bed and huffed about. “Maybe I’ll just go as a ghost and use a sheet, how charming, right Era?” He balled his left fist under his chin with his elbow in his knee and with his free right hand began toying with the seam on his sheets.
“Don’t be so daft,” she said with snort. “I’m pretty sure we can borrow something from someone else. There’s got to be something in this castle. After all, walking around with a sheet over you sounds….horrifying.” She shuddered at the thought.
Grayson couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him as he grabbed his pillow and threw it at Era, “Scared of ghosts are we Era? I’m pretty sure I could pass you off as a cat, a few long whiskers, a tail extension, I’m sure we can get someone to make you black for the night.”
Era scuffed and she leaned to her left and avoiding the impending pillow weapon, “I’ll have you know yes, I’m scared of ghosts, they are real you know. I’ll go as a cat only if we can dress you up as a girl.” she wrinkled her nose, stood up, flicked her tail in ‘I’m done talking to you’ manner that was famous of her, and padded out the open door to his room.
Grayson could still hear the pads of her feet hitting the ground as he called out after her, “I’ll take that back then Era, how about a baby, don’t woman carry babies? We should go matching!” But by the time he finished last words her feet were no longer echoing down the corridor. Damn, he thought, wishing she had stuck around long enough for him to finish that one.
***
As it turned out, Grayson was able to borrow a suit of armor from the armory. When he tried it on he was surprised how well it fit, except for the helm. They didn’t have any smaller ones, and Grayson found his eye sight constantly obstructed by it. So he decided not to wear it. He didn’t want to look silly. After all, maybe one day he’d actually get some fitted to him he’d be able to be a knight in real life. Era had mocked him about how unoriginal he was, but Grayson retorted with “Every gallant knight needs a good stead,” he found a few old mops and some leather and bound them to her. Era was not pleased in the slightest.
***
The night of the Halloween Party Grayson and the boy left. He had gone as a great wizard or something that was about all he could get out of him that actually made sense. Every other word that came out of him was a mixed-matched mess of words that didn’t sound like words at all.
When they arrived Grayson noted how early they must have been, with dusk barley approaching and few people scattered about. Some were still setting up their booths, others were already playing games. But the décor was aplenty, jack-o-lanterns lined the street way, skeletons hung from trees, scarecrows were placed odd places here and there. Lights laced about above them in a spider web like fashion. Music was already playing down the street, vibrating from an enclosed dance floor. And not to forget the numerous fake body parts, animal skulls, and fake blood that just seemed to be everywhere.
And for a brief moment he was glad he came. Before the boy he arrived with sped past him to a little group of kids were were waving and jumping up and down next to the bobbing for apples barrel. Guess his friends decided to come after all, Grayson huffed, “
Well it looks like were the one’s that’ll be alone then, ‘eh Era?” He glanced down at his little blue dog familiar, he had to admit she looked a little ridiculous as she glared at him from underneath her mop-mane.
“
Yeah, a real pitty,” She scuffed, not wanting to make eye contact with him and further his feeling of triumph over her adorably ridiculous costume.
“
Let’s go grab something to drink,” He said as he began walking towards a little booth that was selling hot apple cider, he was waiting in line as he tried to fumble with his suit of armor trying to reach into the place he had tucked away what few doubloons he had. But it clanked around making so much noise that Grayson wondered just how many eyes were watching. Eventually he was able to pry out the little cloth sack and untied the leather strings and emptied a few of its contents in his hand. Grayson then crouched down and attached the little sack to Era so he wouldn’t have to fumble around like that again.
“
What do I look like to you? A pack mule.” Era snorted, her eyes gazing at him with deep discontent.
“
Nonsense.” Grayson chuckled as he stood back up and moved forward a pace. They were about to be next in line. “
As I said, a gallant steed, it just so happens that you get bestowed the awesomeness that is holding our things.” Era then rolled her eyes which he paid no mind to. Instead Grayson looked ahead, waiting for the couple in front of him to finish with their order so they could get something warm in their bellies.
grayson and era
O infamous city, full of turmoil, I'm terrified at your collapse
The kings, they shudder with horror, their faces distorted with fear
Endless empires gently brushed away in the blink of an eye
All Creation, wilted.
