The burst of laughter from below and outside the window, down in Diagon Alley, was what brought Arc out of his book and lamb giouvetsi, and give a wondering look towards the windows. Apart from Rustle stretching luxuriously on the rug in front of the fireplace, he was by himself tonight. Not that he minded.

He shut his book and, keeping an eye on the kneazle, went over to the window. Little orange pumpkins had been enchanted to float the length of Diagon above people's heads, and no doubt Knockturn was in on it as well but probably with scarier pumpkins, but otherwise the street below looked no different than any other night.

The Hollingburys never celebrated Halloween. His family were more likely to keep sweets and give them to trick-or-treating children, but never participated outright. Dressing up just wasn't his idea of having fun, and Allie found it boring as opposed to running around with a (non-magical) broom. But tonight there were adults down there having a laugh as they headed down to the Leaky Cauldron.

Arc smiled at their merriment, before remembering his giouvetsi. He turned around to find Rustle stalking towards his plate, and was halfway across the living room in one stride.

"RUSTLE!"


Later, he stood at the window to watch, leaning against the frame as he continued to finish his dinner. There were children playing in the street, knocking on the doors of the shops below to get their owners to come and entertain them. The parents minding their small charges were hanging back, close enough to keep an eye but not close enough to be an overbearing presence on their children's persuasion for sweets. Good skills for the future, he thought.

He glanced back into the flat. Rustle was sulking by the fire, but otherwise the flat was quiet. He remembered the conversation that he had with Elixa a few days ago, as she sent the dishes to the sink after dinner.

"I'm heading off to Samhain on the 31st." Elixa looked very concerned when she said this. "Um, would you be okay if you're alone?"

"I'll be fine," he said casually as he cleaned up the table.

Perhaps that answer had been a little too casual, because Elixa was still gazing at him with the same concerned look when he was done. He smiled to try and reassure her. "No, really, it's fine."

"It's just that...I wouldn't want to leave you alone if you don't want to be by yourself--"

"I'm used to being alone." He saw her face change and hastily added, "No, I didn't mean it like that. I meant...sometimes I choose to be alone. Don't deny yourself some enjoyment on my behalf."

"After everything that's happened?"

"Maybe after everything that's happened I'd be much happier to be alone for a bit." Arc gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Go and party."

Elixa still looked unsure. "I don't know, it doesn't feel right not bringing you along."

"Elixa, I will be the sulkiest, most sober wet blanket ever." He gave her a wry smile. "Parties are really not my thing and I'd rather not be everyone's killjoy. Don't worry so much."

It had taken her a little more convincing before she finally agreed, though not without some reluctance. He had wished her a happy holiday, given her some praise over how she looked in her costume - some very flattering  praise and lower-lip biting, which she did not miss - and then shooed her off to go and enjoy. Now he had the flat for the night.

Rustle leapt up onto the windowsill next to him and sat down, clearly having gotten over his sulking. Arc went back to looking down at the street below, where the children were playing in the street, as he ate his last mouthful of pasta.

One of the small beings below noticed him and waved excitedly. Arc waved back as the others looked up to see what the fuss was about. As they all waved at him, a thought struck and he casually removed his wand from the wand-holder about his arm and flicked it. A minute later, sweets from his own personal store flew out the window and down into the children's buckets. A chorus of "thank you!" floated up from below; Arc gave a little laugh seeing the children's faces and waved back as they continued down the street perfecting their skills of the art of persuasion.

"Hey, what about us, mister!" someone shouted from below. The healer looked down at a group of young adults looking somewhat plastered. Usually he'd be annoyed, but he grinned at them as he leaned out of the window. Their costumes ranged from warty crone (who appeared to be male) with a spectral aura that clung like cobwebs to giant, somewhat lopsided, rooster.

"Children only!" he shouted back.

"We're kids, right?" shouted the warty crone of the group. "Right guys?! C'mon, badger!"

Arc shook his head as he grinned and disappeared back inside. There was a collective "awww" from the drunk group before sweets sailed out the window and showered on them. As they picked the sweets up, the healer appeared back at the window, and they hollered their thanks at him before wandering off down the road. A wavering "I love you!" floated up from the warty crone as an afterthought, making Arc laugh.

He looked down at Rustle, who proceeded to give him the usual judging look that only a feline can give. It was only broken when he set his empty plate down on the floor; Rustle leapt down and went to lick his plate clean. Arc watched the kneazle happily lick his plate clean for him.

"Happy Halloween, Rustle," he said, as he leaned on the windowsill and let the cool night breeze caress his face.