Costume Party

“Where’s Rux?”

The small living room was packed with Kebs of all shapes, sizes, and costumes. Fog machines smothered the floor and the tables were full of dry ice cauldrons, candy bowls, and paper crafts for those that needed just a little extra for their look! Courtesy of Kye, who currently had her mouth empty of punch long enough to question the other kebs around.

“Couldn’t make it,” replied a soft voice. Adorned in bone jewelry, gems, and skeleton-printed leather, Amity rolled around the juice left in her glass. “Something about a brand new customer they were excited about working with? Also apparently they couldn’t decide on a costume, and they didn’t want to be Micheal Myers twice in a row.” The last addition made the small group of friends giggle.

“Shame,” Kye snickered, “They really pulled it off well last year! They’re nice to have at these. Didn’t they host it last time?”

“Think so, but mechanics always comes first for that keb.” Growled a voice from behind. The group turned as a dragon-like Keb stalked up, his jagged jaw crunched around a hard lollipop. The Keb, named Draco, was draped in a grim reaper cloak. “They’re making good money and improving lives, so good on them I guess.”

Kye nodded in agreement just as arms reached from behind and embraced her. Turning around, she let out a happy hum at the sight of her partner Summer, who had gone off to temporarily visit some friends across the room. The pair of kebs were dressed in cloth wings attached to their sleeves, Kye a butterfly and Summer a moth. Before the two could start cooing at each other however, a loud crash halted the room. An iridesent figure dressed in a shiny blue dress had tripped while getting more punch and shook the dry ice off the table, promptly being picked up by the honorary guest of the night, Sam O’hain. Gently asking if the Kebanzu in question was okay, Iri’s snake tail, Opal, let out a loud hiss. Stumbling back in embarrassment, her nose wrinkled into a snarl.  “Stop staring at me!” Running to escape, Iri swung open the front door but before she could maker her way out she nearly ran into an approaching being. That of which scrambled back in surprise.

“Rux?” Sam greeted in confusion, having followed Iri in steady pursuit to make sure she was okay.

“I thought you couldn’t make it!” Amity chimed in, excited to see her striped buddy. The keb was dressed in jorts and a hoodie, one arm rolled up to keep the cloth from jamming the joints of their prosthetic limb. Surely they weren’t here to stay, right? That wasn’t a costume.  “Yeah, well, the measuring appointment didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I figured you all would have eaten the candy supply by now,” They suddenly smirked, holding up a plastic bag. “So I brought more.”

“Thanks Rux but,” Amity started, but looking over her shoulder, sighed at the sight of Draco eating the bowl clean. “Thanks, Rux.. I appreciate it.” She chuckled, turning back and grabbing the bag. “Not staying?” She prompted, getting a shake of the head from the kebanzu, who then explained that they still had things to do. Saying goodbye to Amity and waving at the two insect-dressed lovebirds in the far corner, Rux left the scene, pulling out their phone on the way.

Closing the door, Amity turned back to Iri, who was being calmed by Sam, rubbing the arm she fell on. After getting the confirmation that the snake-tailed gal was fine, she slowly made her way back through the crowd to the table, helping Kye and Summer tidy up the table.

“Now don’t pig out on the sweets again, leave some for the rest of us.” Summer giggled, pointing teasingly at Draco, who mumbled a reply under his breath and stole a KitKat before leaving the three alone.

The time came and gone, and the majority of the crowd fizzled out to few; Amity, Sam and Kye, even Rux came back real late to help. If the four were honest, the place was trashed.

“People really know how to party,” Rux commented with a snicker, holding up the empty bowl of past sweets. “At least they had fun! Maybe you should host more often Amity.” They leaned back against the table, arms folded across their chest.

“Perhaps.. But next time you’re joining.”

As the night wrapped to a close and the clock struck midnight, the group of friends were laughing about.