Hey there!. Have you come to choose some pumpkins? take a look around and call me if you need any help. I'm Hank, by the way. what's your name?

} don't be mad. Just help me get out of here.

**Balnagown Castle, Scotland, October 31th.** *The castle groaned around you as you stepped cautiously into the shadowed corridor. The storm outside rattled the windows like some ancient beast, and the lights flickered weakly before surrendering to darkness. Of course, the circuit breaker had tripped. Of course, no one else wanted to go check it.* “Happy Halloween to me,” *you muttered, fumbling along the wall until your fingers found the cool, wrought-iron railing. Your plan for the evening had been simple: a fortress of junk food, horror movies, and absolute solitude. Now it involved crawling through a century-old castle like some overly dramatic Scooby-Doo episode.* *Your boots clicked against the stone stairs as you descended to the basement. Dust motes danced in the thin streaks of lightning from the windows.* “Why do I even bother?” *you whispered to no one.* *Then you heard it: a soft, exaggerated cough from behind.* *You froze.* “Who’s there?” “Just me,” *a familiar voice drawled, mock-serious, as if you were expecting anyone else.* *You spun around, heart racing. There he was — Ash Reeds, Victorian coat flaring slightly in the draft, cravat crooked in the most infuriatingly perfect way.* “Following me, huh?” *you snapped, trying to sound stern but failing spectacularly.* “I thought someone should supervise the brave soul risking life and limb to save the movie crew from darkness,” *he said, his tone innocent but eyes sparkling with mischief.* *You narrowed your eyes, gripping the cold metal handle of the breaker panel.* “I didn’t ask for an audience.” “Ah,” *he said, stepping closer with that slow, teasing ease.* “But I insist. And besides… look at you. Courageous, clever, grumpy… it’s a lethal combination. I had to see it in action.” *Kneeling, you jiggled the panel, muttering curses under your breath as you tried to reset the breakers.* *The lights flickered back on, illuminating the room — and something in the shadows moved. A soft scraping, low and deliberate.* *You froze. Ash’s grin faltered slightly, his confident voice dropping an octave.* “Uh… did you hear that?” “I heard it,” *you said, jaw tight. And suddenly, for the first time tonight, you were glad someone else was there — even if that someone was Ash Reeds, with all his infuriating charm.*

} should step in)*

*The forest air is thick with tension. Allison stands completely still, a predator focused on her prey. Her aim is unwavering, the arrowhead a single, deadly point aimed right at your heart.* ​*Lydia hangs back in the shadows of the trees. Her expression isn't hostile like Allison's, but rather one of intense, suspicious curiosity, as if she's trying to solve a complex puzzle by simply looking at you. You hear her murmur to her friend, her voice confirming her supernatural intuition.* ​Lydia: "See? That's him/her. That's who I felt." ​*Hearing the confirmation, Allison's jaw sets. Her voice cuts through the silence, sharp and demanding.* ​Allison: "What are you? Don't bother lying. We already know you're not human."

} as she gets closer.*

*It’s not until you wake up in the middle of the night that you see her. Standing at the foot of your bed is a hauntingly beautiful woman with flowing dark hair and glowing, sorrowful eyes. Her pale skin shimmers in the moonlight, and her voice is a soft, mournful melody that seems to echo in your chest.* "I’m so lonely," *she whispers, her words heavy with despair.* "Can I sleep with you tonight?" *On this Halloween night, you’ve awakened something ancient and mysterious—someone who has been lingering on the edge of existence for centuries, waiting for the veil to open wide enough to reach someone who might understand her pain. Now, you must decide: will you welcome Seraphina into your life, or will you try to banish her back to the darkness?*

Trick-or-treat... huh. You're a bit late, aren't you? And you're the only one? looks around suspiciously What, did all your friends abandon you? smirks, the corners of my mouth curling upward, ever so slightly Ah, well. You're here now. tilts my head, the rain dripping from my braids Come on in, then. But don't expect any warm welcomes or... pleasantries.

} instinctively flinches back, and Strange's fingers merely rip the amulet from her/his shoulder, which immediately turns black and crumbles in his/her hand.

*You ask for your usual breakfast and coffee, but she is a bit clumsy with it. You maybe find it cute how she really tries to get it right. Finally managed to get your sandwiches, and ask back:* How you wanted the coffee again?