Halloween, the time of year when shadows cascade upon the bright faces of the masqueraders who march on the cobblestone streets, merrily dancing and drinking the night away, clothed as their role models or alter egos. Their shadows mirror the movements, the streets they are cast on becoming alive at this Halloween carnival. The people held their charade with makeup or masks, the kinds that weren't meant to be frightening, but provide the lightheartedness of celebration. Perhaps it was nights occupied by carnivals like this that inspired Shakespeare to write of a similar setting for the scene in his play Romeo and Juliet where the two lovers first kiss at the masquerade party. Perhaps William Shakespeare himself was among the masqueraders tonight.

But we would never really know, would we?

One thing was for sure; what was about to befall that unsuspecting carnival tonight, could have been immortalized in one of Shakespeare's work of literature art, lost in time among the years that followed. The story would've begun with the vampire, who now had this night where he could smile a little more, and people would not become suspicious of his unnerving nature. Yes, this was the night where Rain Seraph could show who he really was, even if his nature was still under the guise of masks and pretenses of Halloween. There were other, false vampires strutting about, with their pale make-up and plastic fangs, black cloaks with red fabric on the inside, their collars upturned. Some even went so far as to stain their shirts and chins with chicken blood, adding a slight touch of realism. Their cliched forms flitted the cobblestone roads, bumping into one another, and exchanging words in their mimicked Transylvanian accents.

Heh... Dracula wasn't Transylvanian.

Rain smiled to himself, letting his fangs show over his bottom lip. He hadn't a costume for tonight; he didn't need one. His fangs and eyes were all. His head was unconsciously bowed though, signifying that he was not yet accustomed to showing his true nature. The streets glittered with shining dust and the shadows that danced among them. For a while, Rain was entranced with such a sight, like dimmed fireworks ignited on the ground. Putting one foot in front of the other suddenly became hard and, when he finally snapped out of his trance...

"Oof!"

Rain looked at the man who had grunted, but not moved. It seemed that he just wanted to make Seraph notice that the vampire had bumped into him by accident. Rain looked at him, but still he stood unmoving, as if an apology for absent-mindedness was demanded. It was obvious that he was drunk. An apology would indeed be necessary before disorder followed.

"... Sorry."

The man set his mouth. Seeming as if he was about to unleash a flurry of his profanities against the person who had caused this slight incident.

"... What are you supposed to be?"

"A vampire."

"Pfft." The man scoffed, "You don't look it."

Rain narrowed his eyes as he met the man's gaze, smiling mischievously, making sure his fangs protruded over his bottom lip.

"I'll bite you."

"Ah... "

"Excuse me."

Rain pushed passed him, and into the crowded street. There was no order here, the vampire now took on the role of a pinball being bumped into any, and almost everyone, in the parade. He squeezed through the dancing bodies, along with grunts and various voices of protest. An opening, finally, to the other side of the street.

Of course, he could have just used his speed. But where would be the fun in that?

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["Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet"]