It was Darian's absolute favorite holiday. He dressed up every day of the year, but he still enjoyed the permission -no, the expectation - to make a spectacle of himself. What better way than with the hugest, most extravagant, wickedest block party he could manage? Darian only made all this money in order to have fun. It was practically his civic duty to the wizarding world; he'd received the appropriate permission from Diagon officials, sealed the block with sound-proofing spells, jumped all the hoops. Now with all that out of the way he intended to party.

This end of Diagon was open to anyone who wandered by, blazing with light from myriad bobbing lanterns, strung with banners, thronged with voices and wrock music.  The only cost of admission was a costume, and (if they were smart) a compliment to their charming host who'd provided the entertainment, catering, and decorations. He did not empty his coffers alone, thank Merlin. Others had contributed, and some of the bands had volunteered rather than asking to be paid. Darian Morgan's parties, though rare, offered excellent publicity - and free booze.

He himself was like some metal idol, or some fierce elemental god. Jewelry dripped from his ears and encircled his wrists, jewels glinting in his thick curling mane of hair and gleaming in the crease of his nose. He'd drawn his hair back from his face, and makeup threw his features into startling relief - gold-dusted, well-defined, and therefore alien. Remote. His heavy eyes were pale yellow, and slit like a snake's. When he smiled, a stud flashed at his lips.

As for his body, he was every inch burnished with gold. Bare armed and bare chested under a stiffly embroidered vest, a sash knotted low on his hips. Under that were pale trousers silken and smooth. The clothing was rich in texture but relatively simple in design, because the lower half of his body was entirely wreathed in flames. Pink and orange flames licked from his feet up to his waist, undulating, ephemeral, nearly masking his legs. His clothing moved in their breeze and underneath the spice he even smelled faintly of smoke, but the fire was illusionistic - of Darian's own making.

There was no collar, nor suggestion of one, around the gleaming column of his throat. This djinn was a free one... and incredibly mischievous.

Now Darian danced his way to the stage and was promptly hauled up, a stagehand's sturdy grip 'round his glittering forearm. Deftly he turned on his heel to face the crowd, sweeping his arms out to both sides in an eye-catching gesture. The spotlight caught him and, with the help of a quick spell, his voice was guaranteed to reach each and every ear. "Witches and wizards," he cried, "Ladies and gents! The bar is officially open!"

Julie had mulled over a costume idea for weeks, she needed something extravagant. Something extraordinary, something that would make her stand out in a crowd of people, even if everyone there was dressed up as well. She thought of books and storied, popular things that people would recognize in an instant. But then she took the path of something a tad bit more devious.

As she walked into the party, she knew that eyes would be following her at some point tonight. Her dress was a fiery red. The shoulder's of the dress were lower that usual, creating a large scoop neck that showed off Julie's pale skin that contrasted with the bright colors of her costume. The bodice was decorated with a silvery embroidering pattern that curled around the edges and threatened to creep all the way around. It hugged her torso tightly until her waist where it flared out; similar to a Cinderella dress. The skirt was bunched up around different spots, accented with small gems. It's texture was rough to the touch, but it swished elegantly with the model's strides. Her arms were covered almost completely with red gloves that reached her elbows.

She had curled her soft, brown hair, pinning the unruly curls back with a few black and red pins. A few stray strands had escaped the hold of the pins and fell out to frame the mask she had on. It was a red and black mask that adorned her face, reaching to her cheekbones. The red ribbon attached to it was wrapped around the back of her head, held firmly in place with a small bow.  Her lips were coated with a dark lipstick, contrasting to the brighter reds she had in the rest of her costume.

Who was to say the Devil couldn't be a woman?

Julie made her way to the front of the party where the host had just made an announcement pertaining to the bar and its status as being open. She waited until he made his way down to introduce herself and offer a compliment. "This is a fabulous party that you've put together, and an extraordinary costume as well." Julie said in regards to the flames licking at his legs and creating the faintest smell of smoke.

Darian Morgan cut a good set of robes, Edwin could agree on that, and the whole Halloween celebrations were perhaps a little too 'youthful' for Edwin's tastes, but it was where the young ladies could be found. Edwin liked young ladies.

Speaking of... Lafevre passed him, making her way to the front to speak to the host. She looked ravishing, though he knew she was spoken for last time he had been charming to her, so unless she was feeling inclined to take a second look. Edwin glanced over his shoulder again and relished in the view of the dress, his mouth forming a 'ooh' in satisfaction before turning away in search of something a little more accessible. Single in other words.

Morgan was particular about the dress code, masks were the tradition as usual, and with a book of 'halloween costume charms' which had been on special discount at Flourish and Blotts that week, he had turned his appearing in a dinner jacket and red ribbon trim into a vampire with a charm to his teeth. Admittedly it had taken a bit of work to get them long enough to be noticeable but not long enough to tear his lips to shreds. How did vampires carry this off?

In the jostle to the bar, he accidentally stepped on some toes, and absentmindedly uttered an apology to the owners.

With lucious amber horns adorning her wavy strawberry blonde hair, large black bat-like wings fanned at her back, and a black tail with a sharp spade for a tip curling between her legs--Naila was having a ball with the Wild Being's turn on the stage, mostly because she enjoyed dancing and singing in a low-cut one-piece swimsuit with her band mates.

Once the band finished their round, Darian was hauled onto stage and the bar was announced as officially open. Naila smiled and purred an "Ooh" over the microphone before she abandoned the stage and walked over to the bar. Then she climbed on top of the bar and walked on it while delicately dragging her hand beneath the glasses and mugs hanging from the ceiling. She smiled at the bartender, about to order a drink, but then her eye caught an all too familiar witch with a gorgeous beau.

Naila kissed a mishievous smile over to Bai Li as she gleefully strode over towards the pair and then lowered herself to sit down on the counter in front of them, "Now this is a treat," the half-veela's wings follded at her back as she slid over and onto her stomach while leaning on her elbows,  "Professor Yang, I knew you had good taste in clothes but my..." the witch's blue eyes then flicked over to her blonde companion[1] before they returned to meet Bai's stare.

"What an eye for men you have."

1.	Dietrich, permission from Nuri

Nevermore

Dressed for war, this little bird was, but no one would ever know. He carried his weapons beneath his cloak, ready for battle like the moon was for the night he tried to blend in. Gale didn’t do well at these sorts of events, they were never his place. Once upon time he knew how to dance as they did, his wildfire heritage burned in him like a drum, but it wasn’t the music that pushed him tonight. It was the desire to pass time. And maybe to see Dietrich again. Apologize for the other night, and to see if he could coax a few smiles from the beast before going to meet Izola.

Lord this party…was as suffocating as the man who hosted it, and above all else he could hear Darian’s laughter and the sound made his skin crawl. He felt so old as he cast his judgmental eye on the half naked women about the room, the younger folks fresh from school and sleeping their way to the top, and forgetting that he used to be that age once…

Torn between two worlds, Gale shifted with every new moon phase. A part of him would have loved to join them, but the other truly just wanted to be home curled up with his cat and a book. Dreaming of the day, like a school boy, of when he…would…oh, there he was. The room went silent even with all the faces still laughing around him, and that moved like the sea—he felt like drowning.

It hurt. And it shouldn’t have. Why should he feel this way?

Just because someone is nice to you, doesn’t mean they like being around you. Certainly doesn’t mean they want to… That haunted hissing voice clawed at his face again, and he turned with his broken heart to praise what ever god made him wear a mask tonight. However, on his way he ran right into the person behind him.[1]

1.	This is an open tag to anyone who wishes the spot. Feel free to say Gale knocked you over, or just brushed by. He will most likely buy you a drink. ^.^

Eha licked her lips appreciatively as the bar's opening was announced. With no work in the morning, alcohol was more than welcome, and the host -- mmm -- looked superbly delicious in his own way. To be fair, there was plenty more eye candy to go around, in a crowd like this. Demons and devils and djinni, oh my.

And she didn't look too bad herself, if she did say so. It wasn't every day that Morana, goddess of winter, death and nightmares, walked among the living. Layers of once-beautiful, now-tattered gowns fell around her form like dying leaves while her hair, which had been extended to her waist with magic, held a hint of silver frost. But she was particularly proud of the charm she'd used to add frost to her skin and blend the cloth's color until her clothes seemed to be a part of her body rather than its cover. She might have been a tree given human form to survive the depths of its harshest cold.

She'd been about to make her way to the bar when she ran into The Bird. Or rather, he -- she? It was difficult to tell -- ran into her, nearly knocking her off her feet. Eha stumbled, caught the crow's shoulder, and managed to pivot around to stay standing.

"Ettevaatust!" she gasped, the Estonian word slipping out in surprise. She recovered a moment later, straightened her dress, sighed, and clapped The Bird on the shoulder she'd grabbed. "Careful. Watch where you're going, huh?"

As quickly as he could, Nightingale put out his hands to catch her, correct her, and already started to mumble his apologizes while his brain translated what she said. ’Ettevaatust!’ Oh how he could curse himself for not thinking more clearly, but Gale was already on edge, the coming fight worrying him dearly. With only one eye looking back at her he worried through the right words, and his panic was clearly written inside his silver iris.

“Um…Andke andeks?” Gale worried his bottom lip between his teeth realizing he was quickly failing at this as he searched for the right word. His mudblood ran deep, and the cultures inside it deeper. However, the languages were hardly used anymore and it was easy to forget when you didn’t have to make deals with the devil in whatever language he spoke that week.

“Forgive me.” He straightened as stiff as he could, as formal as his petite frame would allow and his sing song voice as commanding as he could make it as he tried to make over his mistakes, “I beg your pardon, Madamosielle” The French endearment sounded as sweet on his tongue as it did natural, and the little Picardy Charms Professor was as red as he could be beneath his mask.

“I did not see you. I…” He brought his hand to his lips as the other came to remove the covering from his face, and a few strands of his pale hair fell free from it’s holding, “Please. Oh I am so sorry.” Maker, she is beautiful. Quick Gale think…think… The room was spinning, and his knuckles turned white from clasping the mask as he gave it a glance around. Fighting a war both with the people and his heart, Gale quickly cast a rather dark serious look, and said without hesitation.

“Come. I’ll buy you a drink.” And with that he shouldered past her towards the bar.

Darian hopped down and was immediately set upon by a beautiful woman, which only meant the world was as it should be. Her dress was large and enveloping - not his style - for such a slender woman, he would have designed something more streamlined. Alas, he was not in charge of everyone's costumes. The night would have been awfully boring if he had. Nevertheless the line of her shoulders was strong and clean, her mouth lovely, cheekbones model-sharp under a red lace mask. She was somewhat familiar, too, though he wasn't sure how.

"This is a fabulous party that you've put together, and an extraordinary costume as well."

"My thanks," he said, paused and pleased. He gave a quick bow and came up smiling, the expression turning his gleaming face from distant god back to mortal. "I jump on any chance to bring people together, and can only hope your night doesn't disappoint. In such a stunning color, I can't imagine it would be otherwise."

Having Jesse Payne[1] walk with her from the Little Record Shop That Could down to the Halloween festivity had been a smart move.  It was still wise to be careful when she was moving around Diagon Alley, even though the majority of neighbors seemed to finally be growing bored with her return.  Whether in the muggle or wizarding world, Halloween was one of those holidays where people were more prone to do things they wouldn't.  Or, what they really wanted to do.  Though people were quieter, Jacoba suspected there were plenty who weren't pleased with the return of 'The Diagon Muggle.' 

Also, having (by far) the most level-headed of Three Owl Standard stop by the little retrofitted flat in the attic of Reducto Records had prevented Jacoba from whiling away the hours fretting over a  recycled costume.  With some urging from Jesse, Jacoba had finally accepted that there were probably going to be few at the gathering that would remember her from last year - let alone remember what she wore.  Only a few moments behind schedule, Jacoba's barefeet padded out of the record shop behind Jesse, pausing as the young woman locked the record shop behind her.

The simple, understated Pandora[2] costume seemed fitting and that, in the end, had helped stem some of the frustration of not being able to find an equally agreeable costume within her budget.  It had been at the last Halloween party that Jacoba had first met Tilly and had first found a way to worm herself into the wizarding world.  Given the reaction of many in Diagon Alley, they very well might have believed she'd opened a box of sins. 

Jesse moved off to find the rest of the band once they reached the end of Diagon and Jacoba scanned the group gathered.  The host was the only one she recognzed but he was already engaged in conversation.  She approached the bar where several were already gathered and ordered a drink. 

1.	Jesse Payne - Keyboard player for Three Owl Standard
2.	Costume

The problem with finding a costume for Dolly St. James was, well, she regularly wore them. Her clothes were opulent by nature, throw backs to by gone eras with garters and fringe. It wouldn't even be a stretch to find a discarded glittering leotard and tail feathers from a Burlesque-type ensemble. The trouble was everyone would be expecting that, and Dolly didn't like to do the expected thing. So instead she'd gone Muggle Flapper, circa 1920, in a peachy pink fringe dress, ropes of chains and pearls dripping from her neck, black curls quaffed just so, and her ever present lazy smirk twitching at the corners of her mouth.  Her companion for the evening had also been last minute - but he'd do in a pinch. Roiser[1] wasn't her favorite standby but he had a certain charm. Of course he was being a complete spoiled sport about the need of a costume for admittance (it was in these instances that she missed Darian because he understood how to get into the spirit of things - but he had a new plaything so what was a Dolly to do?

"Stop scowling Love, gives you wrinkles," she winked at the Head of the DoMLE before giving him a light slap to the backside, her expression coy, "Be a love and fetch us a drink. I am fully aware you're here for the booze and a chance to take me home and have no interest in in socializing with our host. I, however, am obligated because I have manners," her voice was teasing as she stretched to drop a playful kiss on the corner of his mouth, blue eyes fluttering up at him, "Now, don't forget you're mine for the night. No running off with eighteen year olds," and with that she departed from his side for a moment to find Darian. Merlin but that man was a spectacle. It was perfect, she loved it. Next year she'd made him design something just for her... though she'd probably end up in a skintight catsuit. "Darling! You're absolutely glorious. I'm almost sad I didn't give in and try the enchanted peacock feathers. Gold really is your color," she spoke breathlessly, in gleeful tones as she dropped a kiss on either of his checks, dainty foot raised behind her as she braced herself on one of his rather impressive biceps.

It was then she realized that someone else was standing there, engaged in a conversation with her beloved golden god and her fingers flew to her lips, "Oh you'll have to excuse my terrible manners Darling! I see gold and all sense of decorum flies out the window," her hand was still on Darian's arm, some would say almost possessively, but really it was just how they were with one another - extremely handsy. "Don't you look lovely? It's so refreshing to see people getting into the spirit of the night. I had to badger Roiser to even wear that gawdy little crown," there was a little pout that formed on her lips as she gave a huff, turning her eyes back to Darian, "You've ruined me on all other men Darling, none of them appreciate my dramatic zeal the way you do. Save me a dance or two yes"? It wasn't actually a question, but  then Darian would know that. She got so very bored at these things when he wasn't being her partner in mischievous crime. Cam was probably going to set up shop at the bar after making the rounds and she wanted to be on her a-game if a certain couple showed up.

1.	with permission from Nika

Rosier was exhausted after a particularly annoying day at work (a 7 am inter-departmental meeting was definitely not a good start of the day) and an even more annoying incident in Knockturn Alley the day before. But he was fond of the young tailor and promised him to attend his Halloween event. However he also promised someone else - a certain Dolly St. James; a young woman who talked too much about fashion and other things Rosier scarcely understood and wrote some nonsensical novels. But he liked her - she was amusing and witty enough, which was something he couldn't say about most young ladies these days. Also, he secretly thought that anything Dom Wiedman thinks is good must be good by default.

When it came to costume parties or any kind of similar fancy dress events, Rosier really lacked creativity. He would feel too silly wearing a costume...the idea was ridiculous! Dolly was however insisting on one, but he wouldn't give in. He really forgot how it felt to have someone to tell him what to do and what to wear.

Despite himself, he planted an ugly, ostentatious plastic crown on top of his head (the only 'costume' piece he actually owned) and hoped that will somehow qualify as a Halloween costume and make Dolly shut up about it. The cut on the side of his face which he earned yesterday while snooping around dusty shops of Knockturn Alley with Trevelyan was still there...and it still looked horrible even though it was covered with bandages. Maybe people will think it's all a part of his disguise...he could only hope.

He didn't stop scowling. He felt stupid with that crown - at least she looked beautiful enough for both of them. "I'm here only for the booze, darling." He ignored her little taunts and the slap and simply smirked at her before leaving in the general direction of the bar.

He walked through the venue, barely recognizing anyone, maybe because of their elaborate costumes and maybe because everyone was decidedly younger than him. But then he spotted Glass, his colleague from the Catastrophes. What was that old codger doing here? Ah - and here was Morgan! Rowena's knickers..., he thought, realizing why he hadn't recognized him earlier. The man's disguise was an eye-stabbing array of gilded cloths and enchanted flames!

He returned with a glass of pink champagne for his companion. "Here you go Dolores. Great party, Morgan." His arm casually found its way around Dolly's waist.

Myth and monsters were all about Diagon tonight.

Dietrich was no exception- even if dressin' up wasn't his thing, there were bashes worth this price of admission. 'Course it meant closing up The Inkwell earlier than the Knocturnites were used to after the final appointment that evening. It didn't cross his mind, what Bai Yi Lang must've thought when she showed up at the parlour to find him in costume- red cape and all.  Some'un a few weeks back had mentioned in a passing that he could pass for an interpretation of the Nordic god without much trouble but fuck these were some heavy threads. It was a good thing that old Hallow's eve came around in the fall or he'd be sweltering.

Convincing Bai Yi to let him whisk her down here instead of doing tattoo touch-ups... well, it hadn't been easy but he was pretty damn sure she didn't hold anything 'gainst having a good time.

They hadn't been punctual though it didn't matter nothing, the bar was just openin' and Dietrich made a beeline for it in the way a magpie hits home with a glittering prize. He held his Mjolnir[1] in the crook of one arm, while the other found itself slid tactfully around the good professor's enticing waist (careful to avoid tentacles).

Merrymaking was galore, lights in the eyes of passing guests whose faces either hidden by masks or revealed in decoration to the avarice of scathing eyes. It was more than a party, what the tailor Morgan had gotten together was a damned festival.

Now Dietrich didn't have eyes for much other women at the bash. He'd decided from the start- Bai Yi was the only lady worth looking at in the crowd and she was right next to him, lucky bastard that he was. But when those pale long legs came sauntering along the counter surface, when they stopped and lowered right next to the pair...

Naila Ferrari wasn't the kinda woman you ignored. And she was talking now, to his escort, of all people. An acquaintanceship between two formidable witches was somethin' to behold in a way that kinda made him want to shudder. There'd be no crossing either of 'em on a bad day.

"Looks to me like she don't have a bad eye for the fair sex either," Dietrich grinned at the winged vocalist; forgetting that he'd not had nearly enough lager to justify the quip. "Dietrich Eisenberg. Good t'meet ya."

1.	Thor's mythical hammer.

Unlike a few different staff members, Maiko had not been forced to chaperone. She had many different ideas in mind, and she even considered dressing up like a mini Hagrid and following him around if she attended the Hogwarts dance. Darian’s little party sounded much more interesting, and it gave her a chance to socialize with adults, actual adults. After quite a bit of debate (Hagrid  giant banana, or something else?) she had decided to dress up as her favorite creature, one of the most misunderstood, eerie types of winged horse: A Threstral[1].

Her already dark hair was transfigured black for the occasion, was braided up the sides elegantly, leaving her hair looking almost like a horse’s mane. The dress she wore was black and flowing, and over it she wore a robe with sheer sleeves that connected the area between her arms and the rest of her body, resembling wings. Her favorite part of the costume was a skeletal, dark horse mask, completely see through, almost like a veil. It attached to her face in such a way that she could flip it up and rest it on top of her head so that her face was exposed, showing smoky, angular dark makeup around her eyes. 

As she entered the party, she raised her eyebrows and smiled. It was so Darian to go all out, though she really didn’t expect anything less.  On the state was Darian, looking fabulous as ever in gold. Others at the party she saw were Dolly St James (Dolly, she hadn’t seen Dolly in years!), a beautiful woman in a red dress, presumably dressed as a devil (Maiko hoped that she was single),  a few other young women and even Kesali. Among the women, she thought she saw Jacoba Schlagenweit, Sasha’s older sister by the bar and headed over there to order a drink as well, though she stopped to do a bit more people watching.

Darian’s parties apparently, seemed to have good turnouts. Her eyes focused back on Dolly and Darian, and she couldn’t help but stare. They looked so cute and coupley, though Maiko knew better. But then, oh—an older but unmistakably handsome gentleman brought Dolly a drink and put his arm around his waist. The sight was amusing—Dolly on Darian’s arm, another man with his arm around her waist. She simply couldn’t help luring everyone towards her.

Then she decided the bar could wait. She doubted she could get another opportunity like this. It was too perfect. Mai gave the bar a longing look before pulling up her dress  so she could rush over to Dolly and her men-- "Darian, and-- you!" She pointed towards Cameron, giving him a mildly apologetic look for not knowing his name. "Save some of Dolly for me."  Mai flashed the author a flirtatious smile, followed by a wink. Up close, Dolly was much more stunning. No wonder the men flocked towards her.

1.	With permission from Elle. Thank you, Elle! <3

James sauntered into the party, fixing his helmet and his red cape before he headed into the pit of people that were dancing and drinking, free alcohol, how could he refuse. Tina was hooked around his arm, her dress just above her knees. He lloked around excitedly, she didn't go to as many social events as Jim did. "James this is amazing, remember, take it easy on the cider, hmm, hon?"

James laughed. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." He looked around for anyone he knew. Julie was their, dressed as the devil, so angelic Mark couldn't be to far away. He found came up to Julie and introduced her to Tina. "Hey Julie, this is my girlfriend, Tina, Tina, this is Mark's girlfriend. Say, where is that son of a bitch anyways?" James looked over the heads of the many dancing people.

"Well. Aren't you polite." Mark replied to James, walking towards him. He strode to them, slipping his hand into Julie's. He was proud of his costume as he pulled it together, and was able to coordinate it with Julie's. "And your costume is, well," He smiled. "Very James-ish." Mark flashed his smile at Tina. "And you are looking as lovely as ever, Tina."

Mark glanced around with his eyes. "If anyone sees any aurors, you are to let me know, okay?" He said, somewhat serious.