Cass had thought about staying in for the night, not bothering with dressing up or any festivities - after all, he'd been working what felt like non-stop as of late (not that he was complaining) and his birthday a couple nights before had taken a toll on him. However, the idea of celebrating with his friends - as well as dozens of strangers - ultimately won out in the end. He had even put a costume together and managed to look quite dashing, if he did say so himself.

The night had ended up being rather clear overall, which was a nice turn of events. Cass took a deep breath of the evening air as he arrived and saw that there were many people there already, socializing, eating and drinking, and generally having what seemed to be a good time. The buffet table called to Cass like an old friend, after he realized that he hadn't eaten anything that day, having come straight from work to here. He couldn't help but notice that he was not the only one who had gravitated toward the feast; he also realized that many of them were faces he knew, including his best friend who was magnificently dressed as a hot dog.

"Evening, everyone," Cass greeted his friends before setting in on the food; his stomach growled with anticipation and he made a mental note to himself to make eating more of a priority. That was definitely a bad habit of his. The array of foods made it difficult to choose where to begin, when he spotted a pot of fondue amid the mess. And Merlin's beard it smelled like happiness. Well that settled that - Cass looked no further and immediately helped himself to the fondue.

He turned towards the rest of the party while he ate, and his attention was caught by a well-dressed phoenix hovering near the table. Something about her was rather familiar and in a few seconds, it dawned on Cass that it was Maiko. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, knowing that he was bound to be awkward if he spoke to her. He recalled during the summer competing with his usual fantasy quodpot/quidditch league, many meetings of which had been held at Maiko's house and the trophy that they all had fought for had been dubbed The Maiko. She was always very welcoming and friendly, and yet somehow, Cass failed at acting like a normal person.

"Oh, hello!" he greeted her brightly, "Fancy seeing you here!" Cass dipped a bit of bread into his bowl of fondue, as casual as could be, offering Maiko a friendly smile.

She couldn't get over just how cute and absolutely elegant Camille looked. Maiko was determined to get a photograph with her by the end of the night. However, her coworker seemed to be busy socializing with other people. That was fine! They would catch up later. If they did not, Maiko wondered if she would be able to convince the professor to dress up again for the sole purpose of a photograph... Maybe. Camille seemed like the fun sort. She could bribe her with some wine.

"Evening, everyone."  A familiar voice said-- only to be repeated in a good-hearted mocking way by weeniefied Flynn. The hot dog clapped the Skeleton on the shoulder affectionately before going back to his conversation with the red-headed swan.

She picked up a cupcake from the buffet table when he actually addressed her.

To be honest, Mai was surprised. She had always gotten the impression that Cassidy MacQueen was horribly uncomfortable around her. However, he always ate her food without complaining-- and there was a soft spot in her heart for people who allowed her to feed them. To be fair, there was a soft spot in her heart for all sorts of people (like a bruised piece of fruit, her brother would say.)

"Yes, fancy seeing you here! It's almost as if we have mutual friends." She teased, "Lovely costume. A dapper skeleton." Mai grinned when she noticed the fondue in his hands, "A dapper skeleton with fancy melted cheese."

Elliot fidgeted with her glasses. Yes, even at costumed parties, her glasses were still there on her face. Try and remove them and she'd be looking at everyone with furrowed brows and squinting eyes--not exactly the image she would prefer. So, instead of having any kind of mask or headdress that covered her face, she had to get a little more creative. The dress was probably the fanciest thing she could manage, adding in an array of raven feathers to the skirt and train off to the side, almost appearing like a wing that would unfurl. The headdress was a nice touch to it all. Spreading out from the center of her forehead towards her temples was a black, swirling crest that transitioned into another array of raven feathers. It blended right into her hair and hiding her ears, making it seem she had a small pair of wings sprouting from there instead.

Yet, she had gotten herself all dressed up and had come here for what? It was only because of Johann's insistence that she get out a little more that she reluctantly agreed to come to this party.
"I won't know anybody there" she had argued.
"An opportunity for you to get out more," had been his reply.
"I do get out! Sometimes..."
And upon arrival she could already tell that it may not have been the best thing to have agreed. Such a place to have a party, and it seemed that everybody else had better made costumes than she. Elliot guessed that most everywhere was, at least, three times wealthier than she was. Well, she did try.

But she figured that she could, at least, enjoy the atmosphere of the party. The bonfires gave a warm glow in a large area, hippogrifs were being led off,  and there was more than plenty to be served at the food table. Elliot couldn't help but blink at how much there was. How was that table still standing? She made her way over there, feeling that sticking to the food table was probably the safest place to be, and looking around. If there was anyone that maybe she knew, she hadn't found them yet.

"Maybe if I find Johann I'll feel a little better about all this," she mumbled as she grabbed the nearest treat to her hand and popped it into her mouth, chewing awkwardly as she stood there awkwardly.

Johann left them to it and Camille nodded her head for Angus to join her. There were many more people to meet. They headed up towards the house, and encountered a familiar face. Dressed rather beautifully in black, Elliot Blair took a second look to be sure it was her. The Flourish and Blotts manager looked incredible.

"Could it be?" She asked Angus, not elaborating but peering curiously as she approached the table bursting with food which Maiko had been at when they'd exchanged a wave. "It is!" She spoke brightly, with a warm smile. "Blair isn't it?" She extended her hand towards her, phoenix feather patterned cloak sliding back from her arm as she did. "Camille, we met over summer, you put through an enormous order of arithmancy books for you ahead of me teaching at Hogwarts." She tried to explain how they had met, blue eyes keenly searching the other witch's expression. "Johann's mother?" She added, the pitch of her voice raising with the comment.

"Your outfit is magnificent my dear, it must have taken you ages. Angus, let me introduce you," she reached her other hand to the great bear of a man beside her, who she'd only just met. "Angus McBoid, meet Elliot Blair, manages Flourish and Blotts has the most delightful accent." Considering Camille spoke English with a Belgian accent, she felt she was able to comment on other non-British accents with compliments.

"You're not here by yourself are you?" She asked Elliot with surprise, "Johann's about, you know how it is I'm sure. Come on, I'll introduce you to my colleague -" Camille let go of Angus and raised her hand, calling ahead of them to another phoenix costumed witch, "Maiko! Maiko, darling…"

Elliot had just popped another desert item into her mouth when she saw a woman approach her, draped in the warm tones of a flame. It didn't take her even a moment to realize that she was dressed as a phoenix; the woman herself had a posture that made her more fitting for the creature she was dressed as.

"Blair isn't it?" she asked in a bright tone and a smile, extending her hand.

Somebody who knows me?! Oh ff-- Elliot nearly choked on the desert, having half swallowed it when she was approached. But, thank Merlin, she managed to get the rest of it down, giving a single, forced cough. She reached her own hand out and took a gentle hold of the one extended to her, giving the cordial shake.

"Camille, we met over summer, you put through an enormous order of arithmancy books for you ahead of me teaching at Hogwarts." The mention of the books made Elliot give an expression that was first looking quizzical before it became remembrance, her brows rising. Yes, she had remembered a staggeringly large order of books that were needed some time before the start of the actual school year at Hogwarts. How could she possibly forget the stress of those days? "Johann's mother?" the woman added. Wonderful! Somebody who knew somebody she knew! Her expression brightened considerably.

Johann's mother, Camille. Elliot kept repeating between the two identifications of this woman in her head,  memorizing her facial features so that she would remember far better and far faster the next time they ever encountered each other. But her expression shifted again when Camille turned to a tall, broad creature beside her. Elliot didn't even catch what else spoken as her eyes widened ever so slightly. Was that a man or a bear?! It couldn't possibly be an actual combination of both, could it? She found herself staring, even if she didn't intend to do so in the first place. She was thankful that she still had enough of her wits to keep her mouth from opening and staying there like a fish glubbing at you from it's bowl.

Thankfully she was snapped out of her staring contest with this man-bear-person as Camille called out for someone--someone that Elliot remembered. Maiko? Mai is here? Even better! More people I know! Okay, maybe this won't be so bad...

Cass did his best to ignore the fact that Flynn was making fun of him, instead focusing his attention on the fondue and Maiko. (Even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with the way he had greeted people, and really, Flynn was in the wrong for mocking him. But Cass was ignoring it.)

"Oh, thank you," Cass smiled in response to Maiko's compliment, "Your costume's brilliant. More put-together than mine, too." Cass hadn't really planned to dress up since he hadn't originally planned on going out - luckily he had worn this costume before and it had been in his closet, ready to be thrown on last minute.   "The melted cheese is indeed fancy. And delicious," Cass informed her, "Did you make it?" Somewhat to his surprise, Cass was having a pretty normal conversation with Maiko and he was keeping the awkwardness to a minimum. Then again, fancy cheese was a pretty simple topic - it would be pretty difficult to mess that one up. "I thought I tasted a familiar chef." There it was.

"Er, that is, not a familiar chef, um," Cass stammered, trying and failing to back-track and not go down the accidental route of 'guy who makes cannibal comments', "I meant a familiar chef's cooking. Of course, obviously, that makes more sense, uh." He let out a sheepish laugh and gingerly scratched the back of his head. This was going well.

He suddenly heard someone calling Maiko's name and his eyes followed the voice to another phoenix, with a couple of non-phoenixes beside her as she headed toward Maiko and Cass. As far as Cass could tell, he didn't recognize them, but it was a large party with plenty of costumed people so that was no surprise. He had a feeling that he'd be introduced to them shortly, anyways. And perhaps they'd save him from further embarrassment.

After Balfour’s timely departure, Margo had been left to dance with the other Spectre men, which, of course, was its own special recipe for fun.  Unfortunately, wearing the long, pirate coat and drinking a strong, steady stream of alcohol, her cheeks were rosy and hair was probably frizzed at the roots because of the thin sheen of sweat that was all over her. 

Excusing herself from the mayhem, Margo sauntered away from the crowd of dancers and slid the coat off of her shoulders.  The only thing obstructing her two shoulder tattoos were now the straps of her tank top.  She reached up to flip her eye patch away from her eye – vision fully restored and she stretched her arms above her head. 

She could use another drink, that was for sure, and when Margo turned her head around to look for the refreshment table.  Wasn’t it around here somewhere?   She rubbed the back of her neck as she did another cursory glance around the clearing and was immediately distracted. 

“Maaaaaiko!!” she bellowed and threw her arms up before picking up the pace toward the other woman.  Margo couldn’t put her hand on exactly where they’d met but they’d definitely run into each other more than once and Margo couldn’t remember a time where it wasn’t fun, so that had to mean something! 

“You look bloody fantastic,” she called across the field as she scaled the distance with long, uneven (and frequently less human and more halted, stunted deer style) strides, while it appeared others had a similar idea and a group was converging.  Perhaps alcohol would be brought to them if their group was big enough?  “Great party, eh?” 

Angus chuckled, following after Camille. It would be a contest indeed to see who could out-drink the other if it came around to it. He drank at least a glass every night, usually when going over finances and other paperwork, and he was not afraid to use his weight in his favor.

Of course it wasn't long before Camille found someone else she recognized, though they apparently weren't a regular of the Spectre estates either. The poor thing looked highly uncomfortable, and upon introduction Angus thought she looked rather bewildered on seeing him. Really he couldn't say he blamed her any.

While Camille called out to the other phoenix he had seen before he offered the other witch a hand. "It's a pleasure, lass." His grip, as always, was firm however it did not crush another's hand as one might expect.

Angus offered Blair a smile before turning to face the others they were joining. They weren't the only ones grouping up, of course. Throughout the area witches and wizards were doing the same while others mingled about everywhere in no shape or form. Samhain was wonderful.

Suddenly, she was surrounded by people.

Cass was saying he could taste a familiar chef in her cooking and she couldn't help but laugh out loud at that, "What an amazing skill." She commented, "Tasting whoever made the food in whatever you're eating." She meant it in good humor-- Cass had always said awkard things. He tried so hard to be suave and charming, but instead he was just a little weird. Mai couldn't fault him for that. Everybody had a weird streak.

She welcomed Elliot with a smile-- recognizing her from one of her favorite bookshops. "It's great to see you here!" Maiko exclaimed, not knowing what else to say, so she blurted out-- "You're so cute!"

Camille was talking to her and Margo made an appearance. She gave the tawny woman a startled grin before hugging her back. Maiko had safely apparated Margo home from the bar multiple times before. "Your costume is wonderful too!" it was very... Margo.

Then, Mai focused back on Camille. "Us two, we need to get a photo together."  She raised her eyebrows at Angus, "Do you have a camera?" He looked like the sort of guy who might.

"Us two, we need to get a photo together." Maiko insisted, "Do you have a camera?"

Sadly, Angus did not[1], so the hunt was on to find one!

"Someone is bound to have one here tonight." Camille insisted, "Angus, darling, use your superior height, I am sure you can spot someone who might oblige to help us here?" She reached out and laid a hand gently on the taller man's arm as she spoke kindly.

"I'm not sure we're acquainted," She reached out a hand to Margo, who was dressed as a pirate as far as she could tell. "You're just missing a parrot atop your shoulder my dear. Camille." She gestured to herself, listening to Margo's response. "We were heading to the kitchen to have some whiskey as it happens, but you don't have a camera with you by any chance my dear?"

1.	Checked with Lyn