Time: Evening

Status: Open

Mareona glared up at the towering house before her as if she could make it vanish by sheer force of will alone. It must have been a truly magnificent dwelling once, its tiered balconies once overflowing with flowering vines, its ornate window panes catching the light from a hundred lanterns inside. There must have been fine parties thrown there, with wine and sweets and music that lasted into the small hours of the night. It was to imagine what it had once been, but those glory days were clearly long gone. 

Now the house was full of noises of a different kind, poorly imitated howls and groan filtered down through the bustling night air, and small pops of magical light filled the dark opening of the doorway before her with the approximation of lightening. In the upper windows she should see glimpses of shadowed forms lurking. One of them seemed to be having a smoke. 

“This is ridiculous.”  She muttered to herself, watching a young man shuffle past in what was clearly supposed to be guise of an undead thrall. Anyone with eyes could see it was nothing more than paint and charcoal. To her left a group of girls came running scurrying by. The young man made a pitiful lunge in their direction, sending the girls scattering in all directions, shrieking and giggling, like brightly colored petals blown about in a breeze. Mareona shifted uncomfortably. All around her people were having a pleasant evening, eating sweet treats, laughing at their own folly as they exited the house before her, breathless and clutching the arms of the people they loved. It was a time of celebration and all Mare wanted to do was slink back to her little room and hide like a child. Maybe there was real terror at this so called ‘Haunted House’ after all. 

With a little snort of derision at her own foolishness she straightened her shoulders and narrowed her eyes. She was here to get to know this city and its people and if that meant she had to endure a little fun, well, so be it. She gazed around the front lawn of garish decorations and colorful lanterns until her gaze landed on a potential target. Striding over she began to speak.

“Good evening. Would you care to take in this...” She made a face. “Haunted House with me?”