#casper.starter

It had never been Casper’s favorite holiday or really favorite time of the year, but there was something about the blanket of snow and sound of wind chiming holiday bells that shook loose the holiday spirit. Halloween, since youth, was the one he and his family always went all out for. Mostly with the encouragement of his father, but the absence of himself in Rome and work taking over his mind— it seemed more than fitting to put more of his efforts into this one. A large tote hung on one side of his shoulder as he made his way down the market path, the smell of milled wine and cinnamon filling him as he sauntered. The start of the solstice hung in the air as his emerald hues bounced from sparkling jewelry to holiday gift baskets, excited for what the artisanal crafts might bring and who he might bump into during the bustle. “They’ve overdone themselves,” his lips muttered as he gazed on another storefront window display, triggering a snicker, “can’t even tell what they sell anymore.”

While Casper had every intention of just living out of a hotel room until the production was over and he had to go back home, the thought of having a solid space within the bay started to grow on him. He had never truly had his own space, his own apartment or even condo. Back in Louisiana, it was the family home and a room plastered with posters from his rebellious youth. California, roommates and dorm rooms— while New York was friends couches and luxury hotel suites. He was starting to get a bit tired of that, especially with the amount of money he could now toss in the direction of something more stable. More personal to his needs and why not do that with another set of eyes. “There is a place around the corner here,” he pointed in the general direction of the main street that held Caffeine & Caffeine, a frequent spot for the jackal as of late and flashed a grin towards them, “We can grab some fuel and head out.” The open house was said not to close until later in the evening, but the location seemed to be a hotspot for new buyers, “That is— if you still plan on checking the villa out with me.”

“My mother’s spicy old-fashioned,” the words gently fluttered off the vampire’s lips as his emerald hues grazed upon the growing crowd around him. It was nice to be surrounded by so much magic and to feel as though he still had some of it within his grasp, looking back down at his glass to see it had refilled all on its own. While the whole idea of a funeral procession usually gave him some small excitement, he continued to play back the sound of Marcella as she said ‘but it’s only been three months’. There was a lot of truth in her statement and this brigade of games, bringing awareness to the missing— each still brought an air of mystery and suspicion to his gut as he found himself closest to the market. 

The den seemed intriguing and reminded him of the days he would get lost within the swamps, trying his hand at the illusion magic that led him to the creature he was now. Casper would more than likely find himself messing around with that kind of escape later on, maybe after the competitions, just to lay an eye on at least one hellscape. “Quite the crowd,” he stated to anyone close enough that would listen, wondering if perhaps the newly changed vampire might find his runaway sire, “would be pretty hilarious if the missing coven popped out like a game show prize. Could they be hiding behind curtain number four or maybe six?” A small chuckle broke from behind his teeth, though he knew there wasn’t much humor in it.