#also obsessed with the pointiness of his ear in the last gif

[longingquiet]

ASSAD ZAMAN as Armand

Interview with the Vampire, AMC - Series 2, Episode 6

[cabinofimagines]

The Automaton Mash

Last part from Halloween of the year! Hope y'all enjoyed our brainwaves. Pairing: A lot platonic, both MCGA and TOA, x gn!reader Word count: 2.9k Warnings: only our humour I suppose Happy Halloween! - Danny & Asnyox

Lester is the next guy to come up to you in a frantic state. “Have you seen Hecate?”

You stare at him without understanding. “Yeah, plenty of times. Not today though.”

“Very funny. Seriously, I thought I had handled that yesterday but I could’ve sworn that I saw her like three minutes ago and I keep hearing these scratching noises coming from the vents…”

Your heartbeat picks up at his statement. “Eh, what now? Are you sure it isn’t the music echoing through the vents? We’d never held a party indoors before, maybe that’s it?”

“No, no. I tell you, Hecate is here,” Apollo winces. “Maybe I should stop using her name. Anyway, if you see her tell me right away. Gods, you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to keep her from showing up at your parties since the one you held years ago at her house, now she keeps saying how she’s so eager to see it first-hand but if she realizes there are no large campfires with dancing witches all over and that you’ve also invited people from other realms she’ll be so disappointed that she’ll forbid you from making parties!”

You frown. “Is that the reason why you’re always around during Halloween? Wait, what do you mean other realms? Is this about the undead, because I don’t know who invited those guys, Nico didn’t.”

“Klaus is literally right there.” He gives you a look pointing at the entrance. “Why else would I be here every freaking year?”

“Because you love and miss us?”

Lester brushes it off. “Yes. Lots and lots. Anyway, we must find Hecate—”

“It’s not Hecate,” you sigh heavily. “I know what the noises are, but I don’t think we can do much without halting the party. I could use your help, though.”

“Oh. Doing what?”

“We need an expert at dressing up to judge the costume competition and you are our guy,” you smile. “So in about twenty minutes or so go meet Calypso in front of the stage, pretty please?”

Lester glances at the hallway again but gives in. He hopes nothing bad happens while he sits back and enjoys the party.

Percy was looking for Alex. He felt bad for whatever Klaus and possible-real-santa had to put up with on a yearly basis. Starting the preparations for Christmas during Halloween? That’s just insane. But he also knew that he had approximately 20 dollars, a half pack of gum, and a pharmacy receipt in the pockets of his costume. 

If only he could recall what Alex was dressed as- he hadn’t seen her yet, but he knew that Annabeth told him before, in one of her costume planning rambles. With a little chance she might have more money on her, and if not he could try Piper too. 

In Percy’s searching frenzy he wasn’t really looking out where he was going, until he bumped into someone. Percy quickly looked and saw blonde hair, pointy ears and-

Oh gods there were three of them. Did all the elves have to go to this party? Did they have nowhere left? Was the world that far gone? Without a second thought he blurted out a quick “I’ll get you money!” to the closest elf, before running off in a different direction. Said elf turned to his two fellow Legolase’s. 

“What’s Percy’s problem?” Magnus asked, as Jason shrugged. “I think it has to do with Klaus again,” Will said, and Jason seemed to understand. Magnus, however, was left in the dark, for only a moment, before Will sighed and started explaining the saga of Klaus and Percy’s obsession with Christmas.  

Percy figured he would simply give his earthly possessions to Klaus immediately- he can always do a fundraiser next Christmas for the elves. With this mindset he went back out to meet with Klaus and his friend. Before Percy could come close enough to see what they were doing, Klaus’s friend pointed at him. Klaus turned around and smiled widely. 

“Ah Percy, found any gifts?” He said, as he made sure that Percy stood in front of both his friend and him. Percy squinted his eyes as Klaus seemed to be using sign language, but he didn’t question it. 

“I have twenty dollars and some gum-” he said and he felt himself get flustered. Klaus’ friend was staring intensely at his face while he was talking. Percy sighed, “I couldn’t find Alex, but I promise I’ll raise more funds soon!” 

“Oh, but twenty is plenty right now,” Klaus said, “Let’s go get some resources for our workers- I know just what candy they need.” 

And without question, Percy followed the two elves to the nearest store. 

Alex saw her newest target- a Latino on the smaller side. She simply knew that he would be an easy scare- he was already looking extremely anxious. Besides, he was clearly dressed as some sort of dwarf appropriation, and Alex figured he should get a good scare for daring to do so. 

She also figured he was probably unaware of his crimes, but that didn’t matter to her.

So, slowly, she stalked her way to the boy. She didn’t need to try too hard to be silent, as the noises from the party would cover any footsteps.  She was hovering right next to the Latino’s shoulder as he turned around and screamed, high and shrill, for only a moment, as the ghost in front of him started cackling. Leo regained his breath for a moment. 

“Geez, are you one of those undead that are visiting?” he eyed the ghostly figure in front of him, which casually nodded. “Sure am.” she answered, like a normal person and not at all like what Leo imagined La Llorona to sound like. At his scrutinizing gaze Alex felt like she should elaborate, “This is just a costume though.” 

Leo nodded slowly, before properly looking at the costume. 

“Sick costume! Did you have help from Blitzen making this?” he asked. “How do you know Blitzen? Either way, this is all homemade by yours truly.” she answered and Leo whistled. 

“I just met the dude, uh, are you joining in the costume contest?” he asked and Alex shook her head. “Why not?” “If too many people see the costume I can’t freak anyone out anymore.” Alex shrugged, “Besides I have seen what Blitzen has made and there’s no way I am winning, it’s unfair.” 

Leo eyed La Llorona for a moment, before casually looking to the side. 

“If it’s unfair, you know you can bust the awards ceremony.” he suggested, “I live here, I know exactly where you could come from to scare everyone in the audience, if you aren’t a pussy at least.” It barely took a second for Alex to answer.

“I’m in.”

As you sit down between Calypso and Lester at the judges table, you look around searching for Jason or Leo, but neither is within sight. Holding back a groan, you put on an easy-going smile and signal to Calypso so she goes upstage and speaks to the crowd, announcing the costume competition.

As the contenders quickly gather backstage, Calypso explains what they’ll be basing their ratings on and how the crowd is allowed to interact with the process. The prize is, of course, a bag of drachmas and the opportunity to host next year’s Halloween party if the winner wishes to.

Calypso goes back to her seat giddily and calls out through the mic. “First contestant, you may come out now!”

While the competition comes through, you have one eye on the costumes and the other on the vents. If only you had a set of security cameras set up on this stupid table to switch channels every so often and see if the animatronics are getting closer or further away, now that would be helpful and certainly not scary at all.

When Annabeth comes up on the stage she’s holding a large, worn cloak over her body, and you all stay silent whispering about her strange choice and why she deemed it competition-worthy. That is, until she swirls the fabric with a dramatic flare and twirls, tossing the large cloak aside and revealing a highly realistic armour underneath. 

Gasps are heard everywhere, and in the back you hear a girl squeal. “Oh gods, she’s Chappell Roan!”

Annabeth sighs. “I knew that would happen,” she raises her voice. “I’m Joan of Arc, guys, not Chappell! Love her music, though!”

Calypso, Lester, and you lean your heads closer together and whisper. “Okay so that is a pretty cool costume,” Lester starts. “I love Joan of Arc! She was super funny.”

“Mhm, not to be that guy, but if Annabeth wins she’ll get to host Halloween next year and you guys weren’t here to see that, but let me tell you, if she hosts that means Percy and Grover host, and you do not want to see how things go when they’re left in charge.”

“Yeah? And how’s it going for you tonight, hm?” Lester raises a brow.

“What?” Calypso looks slightly concerned. “Is something happening that I don’t know of?”

“Nothing, my sweet, stay in your bubble.” You pat her head distractedly. “Now, Lester, in my defense I’m not hosting, Leo and Calypso are. And the bad side of things is all Leo. However, you may’ve noticed Leo is nowhere to be found, so maybe he already fixed things while everyone was gathered here in a safe space!”

A dreadful high-pitched scratching comes from the ceiling and the vents when two dozen automatons fall out in a cascade of rusty old bodies. You wince, staring at the chaos as three of them fall too close to Annabeth.

“And that’s our queue to stop arguing!” You claim already halfway out of your seat and jumping over the table to fight the machines.

Lester makes his bow appear and Calypso pulls out a dagger from her ankle. You have no idea if she’s got any more hidden and if she also had them on while chilling and watching movies with all of you, but now there are worse things to worry about.

Annabeth stumbles back in shock when the automatons all start crawling towards her, and then a male voice shouts her name, getting her attention. “Your costume!” Blitzen shouts. “It works as real armor, you can fight!”

Annabeth seizes the banner she’d carried to the stage and twists it. It splits in half, creating two medium-sized spears with shiny silver points. “For le goulash!” She shouts before stabbing one of the robots in the head.

Your eye catches a glimpse of something squirming over your head just as you decapitate an automaton and you gasp. “Holy shit, is that a ghost bride?”

Lester squeaks out. “It’s Hecate!” 

But you pale when the girl falls directly over an automaton and cuts right through his middle as if it were made of butter. “That’s not Hecate, that’s one of the undead!”

“That’s my friend Alex!” A short man runs past you smiling from ear to ear. “Mess them up, my friend!”

“Isn’t that…” You squint, but Lester tackles you before you can finish your thought.

From the ground you watch as a large guy dressed up as a bear tears the costume off his body and, in what can only be described as an act of pure madness, sticks a pumpkin over his head. A lit, real-life pumpkin.

You get up to help him but a guy, looking extremely similar to Jason but speaking in a more high panicky voice, urges you to run to the other side. “He’s fine he’s just excited, keep moving!”

“And who are you?” You demand, feeling like you’re suffering some kind of mass hallucinating from smelling Leo’s half-baked goulash.

“I’m Magnus!” He responds while his sword flies all around him slashing robots. You’re not very sure, but every time that thing flies past you, you could swear its humming the Monster Mash.

“Oh, Annabeth’s cousin! Didn’t know she invited you! So you must be the undead Nico sniffed!” You retort after tripping an animatronic and slamming it’s head against the ground.

The human Jack O’Lantern runs past you with the remnants of his costume now also on fire, but he really must have some thick skin, because it doesn’t seem to bother him. Next to him a red-haired girl dressed as Merida shouts instructions at him so he knows where to hit next, given that his vision sucks at the moment.

“Demigod life, am I right?” Magnus says with a hint of dry humour. 

You smirk. “Dude, and you didn’t see our last year’s competition of cabin decorations for Christmas.”

“You guys celebrate Christmas? Aren’t you pagan and stuff?” Magnus pauses. “Oh no, am I the racist Legolas?”

“Duck!” You exclaim, slashing your sword just an inch above his head and cutting through a robot’s arm.

“Here’s the elf candy!” Percy comes through the main entrance holding a tote bag.

Hearthstone and Klaus stop behind him, the three of them coming to an abrupt halt when they see the carnage of metallic limbs and oil stains scattered across the room. 

“What the hell happened?” Percy scowled, locking eyes with Leo. “Dude, I know your waiters were glitchy but you didn’t have to butcher them!” He walks up to one of the bodies and picks up the head. “The off switch is right there!”

You and Jason share the same infuriated look. “Would you like me to hold the goulash while you strangle him with your wig?”

“No need, I’m gonna choke him with the goulash,” he grumbles, walking away to get to Leo.

“Your prize,” Calypso comes up to Annabeth holding a small bag of drachmas. “Your costume is awesome. Good luck hosting Halloween next year, don’t ever ask me to do it again.”

“I don’t wanna host Halloween,” Annabeth scrunches up her nose. “I share a house with Percy!”

“Leonidas Valdez.” 

Leo gulped- he had really hoped that Jo and Em wouldn’t notice anything amiss. They said they would be gone for most of the party week out of respect, but here they were, at the end of the party. He turned to his moms, trying to not look as guilty as he felt. 

“What is the one thing we said you were not allowed to do?” Jo’s voice was strict, and Em was standing next to her with the same look on her face. “Go see the automatons, lest they activate.” Leo admitted, knowing there was no way out of this. “And what did you do?” Em asked. “I went to see the automatons, and they activated, BUT-” Leo took one second to see no interruptions from his moms, “We dealt with the problem now! Nobody got hurt, and you don’t have to worry about the automatons anymore!”  Em and Jo looked at each other for a second, before looking around the mess that was the Waystation currently. “You’re off the hook for tonight, but you will face consequences Leo.” Jo said, before she and Em joined hands and walked off, probably not wanting to see the aftermath for much longer. Leo hoped he could convince the party goers to help clean up. 

“Wow, I’ve never seen them that strict, even with me.” “HA!” Leo jumped up, only to come face to face with Lityerses, “Ah, sorry Lit. Didn’t hear you coming this way.” Lityerses shrugged. “Anyways, Jason is looking for you, something about wanting to dump goulash on your head. I would go to him before he gets to you.” 

As the chaos settled down, Blitzen reunited with Hearthstone, asking why Hearthstone was here. 

Klaus is a childhood acquaintance of mine. He also hates Alfheim. He invited me.  

Blitzen nodded as he looked around the room, only to be interrupted by Hearthstone getting his attention and pointing at Leo- still dressed as a dwarf. Blitzen turned to Hearthstone with a questioning gaze, as his friend had mischief in his eyes. He’s just like you. Hearthstone signed. Blitzen glared at him, as he pointed to the guy dressed like an elf next to Leo, holding a pot of food. He’s just like you. Blitzen signed, and Hearthstone hit him softly. I don’t even like goulash. His friend signed back. 

Before Blitzen could react, Halfborn, still partially on fire with the jack-o-lantern pattern, went up the stage. Somehow this sight of him alone quieted the room, as a manical grin was on his face. “HEY,” He started, loudly, “IF THIS IS HALLOWEEN EVERY YEAR, Y’ALL ARE INVITED TO VALHALLA NEXT YEAR.” 

Nobody cheered, and the next sound was TJ, still impeccably dressed as Sherlock, getting on the stage too. 

“Uh, Halfborn, love the enthusiasm, but most people here are not dead. So maybe Boston will do?” he suggested, and it took a split second for Halfborn to nod. Before he loudly made a new statement. “Y’ALL ARE INVITED TO HALLOWEEN IN BOSTON NEXT YEAR. NOW CHEER.” 

That seemed to do the trick, as reluctant cheering broke out in the crowd. What just happened? Hearthstone asked Blitzen, who seemed a bit disappointed. We’re hosting Halloween next year. Blitzen answered.