In Preparation for Hallows’ Eve

◈ WHO: Reinhart, Ryder, & Reuben (Byagane319 & Skyeforge)
◈ WHEN:  Midday on October 13, 2018
◈ WHERE:  A shopping strip in Modesto.
◈ WEATHER:  Bright and sunny, but with a cool breeze.

As the morning approached, Ryder became more and more nervous. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't do much else but think. Yesterday, Reuben had come to him and asked if he'd like to go out shopping for some halloween decorations and costumes. The kicker? It was going to be with Reinhart. Reinhart of all the raevan. His heart skipped a beat when he was told. He felt the heat rush into his cheeps and a smile creep upon his face.

It was soon that Reinhart would be dropped off for the day and Ryder would be able to see his friend once again. It had been months since they last came into contact. It was about time the two were able to reconnect, even for just a day.

Ryder cleaned his bedroom as well as the living area. He needed to make sure that the place was picked up, or at least everything looked neat, even if nobody in the Rothmore's lives would say their house was ever "messy", Reuben had high standards which Ryder seemed to pick up on and emulate as well. Neat and tidy was a good way to impress people, and for some reason Ryder felt the need to impress Reinhart.

"You ready to get going, Ryder? Reinhart will be here soon and we'll get going, okay?" Reuben questioned from the kitchen as he placed the recently dried dishes where they belonged. "Evan is at work so it'll just be the three of us."

"Yes, I am," Ryder called from the living room, placing the final couch pillow in perfect sequence with the rest. Why did he care about the way it looked? He didn't go to this extreme for any other guests. He didn't understand, but he also didn't really care. Today just needed to be perfect.

Sam hummed softly to herself as she drove toward the familiar house of the Rothmores. Her mind was a constant barrage of thoughts as she went over all the different plans she had to help with today. Every Halloween the Zoo set up safe trick or treating for the children of the community. It was during the day time and the kids got to see the fun toys and enrichment items the zoo staff made for each animal. Enrichment was important to encourage natural behavior and give them a new item to explore. Large cats got cardboard things to destroy or pumpkins to play with. Even the elephants got some large pumpkins to toss around. Same's charges got mini pumpkins and some special treats. Each main area had several "stops" along the way the kids could trick or treat at. Their costumes also seemed to intrigue most of the animals. However due to the massive project this was every year, Sam had no time to spend getting ready for Halloween with Reinhart. Thankfully Reuben had offered to take him with Ryder to get some fun things.

"So you have your money?" she asked looking over at him.

The ruby eyed raeven nodded and showed her the velvet wallet he'd acquired from his auntie Salina. He tucked it back into the fold of his shirt. "Not to worry, Mother. I'm sure I will find a suitable costume. This holiday is quite intriguing," he smiled warmly to her. In truth he did find it interesting that there was a celebration of the dead paired with dressing up as most anything you could think of. The bonus today was he got to see his little rainbow again.

The skunk raevan thought back to the shroom's birthday party where he'd completely won him over with his excellent looks and his ability to touch him without harm. Since then Reinhart had met a number of other people and found he almost fed on their compliments and remarks on his looks. Vanity was natural to him though he'd learned to tone it down a bit after a gentle scolding from his mother. But Ryder was something else entirely. The little rainbow raevan couldn't touch anyone without inflicting his poison upon them.
But Reinhart found it a pleasant little bite, like eating a piece of hard candy. In fact he'd left his gloves at home today just to ensure Ryder was compliant with whatever he wished to do. Holding hands seemed a small price to pay for the adoration Ryder seemed to bestow upon him.

Finally they reached the house, Reinhart hopping out and closing the door. His mother told him to behave, though she doubted he would do anything bad, then with the look of a mother leaving her child alone for the first time she drove off. Reinhart floated up to the door, making sure to brush any dust or dirt from his outfit. He checked his hair in the reflection of the glass and ensured his feathers were all properly in place. Finally he knocked on the door.

When the knock at the door came, Reuben ran over and quickly opened it wide. "Good morning Reinhart!" he said with a large smile. The guardian glanced outside to see if Sam was still there, yet to no avail, she had already gone. He ushered the frei into the house and closed the door behind him.

"Are you ready to find yourself a costume?" the man asked as he walked towards the kitchen.

Reuben grabbed a couple of small bags which contained some snacks for Ryder and Rein (the kind they could actually enjoy), just in case. As he grabbed a few reusable empty shopping bags, he called to Ryder, "Ryder, Reinhart's here! Let's get going!"

Ryder, who had just finished dusting off his desk, perked up the moment he heard Reuben's voice. His heart skipped a beat. Reinhart was here. He took a quick look at himself in the mirror, primping the red medallion on his chest slightly as well as picking off fuzz from his coat sleeve. He loved the fall weather, it allowed him to wear his layers of beautiful clothing again.

The toadstool took a few deep breaths and called back, "Yes, I am coming!"

A few moments passed and the mushroom frei came floating as elegantly as he could to the living room with a crooked smile on his face. He swallowed what seemed to be a large ball in his throat before speaking, "Hello Reinhart, how are you doing this fine day?" he questioned upon seeing the fellow frei.

"I know it's been a while, but let's get in the car, shall we? We can reconnect on the way to the store," Reuben stated with a slight chuckle as he grabbed his keys and wallet and opened the door, waiting to usher the boys into the car.

Rein gave a smile to the human as he opened the door for him, allowing him to gracefully float inside. It was strange how he moved. At first one would think his wings would constantly flap to keep him afloat but no, they merely gave a lazy flutter as the apple moved. Still he floated about how he might walk, with shoulders back and excellent posture. for as much of a back as he had. As always he seemed to radiate with confidence and charm.

"Good Morning Reuben," he spoke in his usual smooth British accent though he did not attempt to kiss anyone's hand, "Yes I have been considering ideas for a few days now. I look forward to finding something suitable with you and Ryder."

Reinhart had learned not everyone appreciated his formal gestures but it did little to prevent the appeal of his charm and looks to those he met. He heard the mushroom frei call out and soon appear. He turned to face him, his white bangs falling in front of one ruby eye. His head cocked to the side a bit, looking at him with his uncovered eye he smiled and gave Ryder a small bow, "Hello Ryder. You look stunning today."

He would have continued but the human insisted the leave. So he reached over and took one of Ryder's hands into his, the warm skin of his hand lacing with the others as he escorted him out. Reinhart's hands were soft but strong, well manicured and large. He was not pale, more like a soft sun kissed skin that got sunlight but never too much. He entered the car, sitting in the back so he could look at Ryder.

"So Ryder, how have you been seen your celebration? I apologize that we have not had opportunity to visit you again but mother insists on constant learning so we go many places for my education," he said as he looked over at the slightly shorter frei.

"Great! I'm glad to hear you have some ideas! Now it's just time to utilize those ideas and make them a reality," the fluffy haired guardian stated, pushing his glasses up farther on his face.

As Ryder made his way towards Reinhart, it took no time at all for the toadstool to feel a flush of red rush to his pale cheeks. Reinhart actually thought he looked well groomed! Stunning even! That was the best compliment Ryder could get from him in that moment. After all, the apple frei didn't even need to say anything about his appearance. The fact that he did, well, proved to Ryder that Reinhart paid close attention to the fine details. It was so obvious whenever the frei would become nervous or embarrassed, as his skin was quite pale in comparison to others and the flush red cheeks brightly shown upon his face.

Then, the feelings furthered when Reinhart grabbed Ryder's hand. The interlocking of the fingers, the warmth upon Ryder's cold hands felt so pleasurable. Everything about that moment was perfect. It was as though he was being led to the car by a nobleman, the way Reinhart carried himself. Ryder proved to be clumsy here and there, but he tried his best to always be as careful as he could when floating around, as not to cause trouble or a mess of any sort.

As Reuben rushed the group to the car and began to get on the road, Ryder sat in the back seat with his friend. Then, the conversations really picked up. "I have been quite well, thank you. I hope your life has proven to be quite interesting as well? And please, do not worry yourself with that. If I have learned anything in my time here on this plane, it is that life brings people together and pulls them apart whenever it feels the need to do so. Fate tends to play games like that, I feel," he stated. If one would notice, over the course of the past few months, the way in which Ryder spoke had changed. The words he used, the pronunciation, everything. He had definitely tried his best to think before he spoke these days, and making himself sound as articulate as possible. This was another thing that gave him a slight confidence boost as well as a bit of diversity amongst others. If asked where he learned to speak like this, he always states he learned from his video game, Final Fantasy XIV. They spoke in proper English and he wished to do the same.

Though, even through his more confident speech, Ryder couldn't help but still feel a bit nervous when looking at Reinhart. Just the way the apple looked at him made his heart flutter. Ryder tried his best to keep eye contact with Reinhart to a minimum, looking up into his eyes, giving a strangely crooked smile before looking out the window. Doing this definitely kept his mind on the plan at hand, costume shopping. Not bringing back some sort of strange feelings Ryder really didn't understand fully.

Despite his smile and charming demeanor Reinhart was observant of reactions for entirely another reason than being friendly. The Apple Frei only wanted people around him who were useful to him. Useful was a broad term, dependent on his current mood. At the Zoo Reinhart was kind to Tau, as he was his mother's assistant and therefore more likely to report any behavior to her. He also made a few lower rung keepers blush in case he needed some time to himself. He could always convince of them to let him into a quiet area, sometimes they would even bring him some sliced apples or apple juice. Useful. Today he require someone to fawn on him, to remind him how handsome he was no matter what he wore. For that, Ryder fit the bill perfectly.

As the mushroom frei looked at him he could see the same reactions as the blushy females (and a few males) from the zoo. Reinhart asked his mother once about one female who seemed to get extremely red and she explained the female most likely had a crush on him. Though that led to his mother speaking to the woman and her not working as much around him. Since then he hadn't told his mother about any other zoo employees who kept hiding their glances behind boxes or paperwork. Not that he discouraged the looks, it made him feel grand.

Ryder spoke of fate and life bringing people together and allowing them to be apart, quite astute an idea. "This is true. My life as been educational in many ways. I spend much of my time at the zoo with mother, I think I've memorized every place there by now. Plus it gives me a chance to speak to many people from all walks of life. A buffet of life styles, both personal and financial. A plethora of educational levels, never dependent on age," he spoke softly as he reached up to brush his bangs from his eyes.

"You and Reuben should come some time. Oh that remind me," he reached in to the fold of his jacket and produced a smart new cell phone, "We should trade phone numbers. So we may communicate even if we are not physically together. Is that alright?"

Ryder listened to Reinhart speak. So articulate, just like him. He had learned a lot and the thought processes probably came a long way since their first meeting. It was nice to know that he'd talked to many people, learned a lot. Ryder always tried his best to learn as much as he could from as many people as he could. Life was grand and he knew it to be true.

"I am quite happy to hear that you have learned so much in such a short life thus far. Learning is always wondrous."

When the apple mentioned the zoo and visiting, Ryder's ears perked up and he turned his attention to Reuben. "May we go one day, Reuben? The zoo sounds quite pleasant," he said with a smile.

Reuben nodded, not taking his eyes off the street ahead as he spoke, "Of course, I'll definitely talk to Sam and we'll work something out! That sounds like a great idea."

The guardian may not have moved his head, but he glanced in his rear view mirror a time or two to see what the two looked like. He couldn't help but smile whilst the two talked between themselves, especially when Reinhart asked to trade phone numbers.

Ryder blushed at the thought. Now the two could communicate whenever they wished! This was permission, right? Ryder quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and opened it up. "Yes, that sounds like an absolutely delightful idea," Ryder stated with blushing smile. He quickly typed in Reinhart's name and got it set up for the number. "Alright, here," he stated, handing the phone over to Reinhart to type in his number.

Reinhart continued to watch Ryder's reactions to anything he suggested or said. Ever examining what he viewed as his. Despite only meeting the shroom once he viewed Ryder as something of a personal possession. Something he had use of and merely held until he could put him to use. His mind captured the blushing looks, the tentative glances, and the shy demeanor. He seemed so entranced by his presence, so happy at his mere existence next to him. It did much for the Apple's ego. But he kept his own face neutral, friendly at best though he hoped Ryder wouldn't be too clingy.

When offered the Shroom's phone he offered his own in return. It was sleek and black, an iPhone as well given the little apple on the back. If you were to exit the number screen you would see a perfect selfie of himself as his background. He wouldn't let his mother see how many selfies he'd taken on his new phone.

Once they'd exchanged numbers he put his phone away then looked back to Ryder, "So what costume ideas do you have Ryder? I have a few myself but am unsure if they will have what I wish for."

As the two frei traded phones, Ryder could not help but keep glancing over at Reinhart as he held his prized possession in his hands. A slight smirk grew upon his face as he typed in his number and handed it back, taking his in return to glance at the name. Reinhart was officially placed into his phone. The mushroom frei quickly clicked the lock button before returning the phone to its home within the inner coat pocket.

When Reinhart spoke again, Ryder's eyes squinted. Did he have many ideas? Maybe too many ideas. "I have thought about a few things, if I am being honest," he stated, pausing a moment to figure out which costume ideas were at the forefront of his mind. "A pirate, ninja, traditional wizard, white mage, black mage, archer, dragon..." the list went on and on, probably to the point of boring the other frei if one was honest. Even Reuben began to get annoyed at the boy's constant blabbering.

"Alright, we're here...finally" the man's voice trailed to a whisper as he came to a complete stop in his parking spot. He took a heavy sigh and got out of the car. He felt as though this trip may be a lot longer, and a bit more than he bargained for, especially after having heard the list of things his charge wanted to be for Halloween.

The frei got out of the car and smiled as he gazed upon the new costume store that was erected recently. He could not wait to head inside and see what all the fuss was about. Especially since last Halloween, the boy didn't dress up, instead he spent it at the Silver Fox with Delia and Glitch. Memories of that day crept up in his mind, being honest with himself, not much had changed in the last year...he was still experiencing his power loss and that was never fun. But he couldn't think about that today. This day was meant for him and Reinhart...the two of them to decide what they would be this Halloween!