"I can't wait for tonight!" Anka squeed happily. She pranced around, out of character, in circles around Nami and Nagi. "How about you?" she asked in singsong.

"Well," Nagi shrugged, "If we can still trick-or-treat I like chocolate."

"We're cute with baby faces," Nami said with a grin, "we can trick-or-treat."

"That's the spirit!" Anka cheered happily. "I made the best costume."

"Oh! I almost forgot," Nami snapped back to reality. "I...uh...well my parents have a Halloween party every year. You can come if you like..." she whispered shyly.

"In costume!" Anka added enthusiastically.

"Didn't expect to trick-or-treat past the age so I don't have a costume," Nagi replied.

"I'll make you one!" Anka suggested.

"I cheated and bought one," Nami said with a nonchalant shrug, "Since sewing isn't exactly my cup of tea and all."

"But...but I can make us all sorts of costumes!" Anka whimpered.

"But I didn't want to burden you!" Nami whimpered back.

"You're not a burden! I love you too much!" Anka cried as she hugged Nami.

"Oh! I love you too, sis!" Nami cried as she returned the affection.

Nagi blinked, "Well, Anka...if you've got a costume that'll fit me...sure..."

"Awesome!" Anka grabbed Nagi's arm, dragging him to her locker.

"I'm confused," Nagi said as he scratched his head.

Anka opened her locker and pulled a tape measure from the depths, measuring Nagi's waist, arm span and height, quickly jotting down the measurements on a tablet with a pen, both of which she yanked out of her locker. "Favorite colors?"

"Blue and black?" he tilted his head as he glanced into the piles of fabric on the top shelves of her locker that were accompanied by several sewing kits and many different types and colors of fabric.

"Wow, you've gone mobile," Nami remarked as she inspected Anka's materials.

"And you're a fire sign..." Anka tapped her pen on the tablet. "I've got it! You and I are going to your house now!" she declared as she poured the contents of her locker into her backpack.

"I'll be at home setting up for the party and getting ready for trick-or-treating..." Nami said as she dismissed herself, starting her walk home.

Nagi sighed yearningly as he watched Nami. "Earth to Lord Nagi..." Anka waved her hand in front of Nagi's eyes.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you're ready to get to your house," Anka stated.

"Oh, sure," Nagi replied flatly, starting their stroll to his house.

---

"So, what are you going to be?" Nagi asked as he settled onto his bed.

"Me? I'm a witch," Anka said happily as she pulled her costume from her backpack.

"Jeez! How deep is that thing?" Nagi asked with concern.

"Oh, you know," Anka made a dismissive hand motion. She continued stitching a few pieces of fabric together while humming.

"Alright, what am I going to be?" Nagi asked.

"A Nazgul," Anka said simply.

"From Lord of the Rings?" he asked.

"You got the reference," Anka smiled slightly. "So, what's on your mind?"

"N-nothing.." Nagi stuttered as he dropped his gaze.

Anka glanced up at him, shaking her head. "She bought a gypsy costume," she said flatly.

"What?"

"Since you're wondering and all, Nami bought a gypsy costume," Anka said more clearly.

"You say that like I'm thinking about that," he said nervously.

"Oh, good, because you are," Anka said dryly, rolling her eyes.

"Erm..." Nagi blushed. "Where'd you learn to sew?"

---

"Are any of your friends coming to the party tonight?" Kelly asked, appearing in her feminine vampire costume.

"Yeah, a few," Nami replied. "Are these candy apples for later?" she asked as she eagerly eyed one.

"Worried about ruining your costume?" Kelly asked.

"Nope," Nami said honestly.

"Then don't let your father see you," Kelly said as she poured a bag of chocolate candy into a large orange bowl.

"Speaking of which," Nami said as she snatched an apple, "What's dad being for the party?"

"Don't know, he's still doing his makeup and he wouldn't let me see or help," Kelly shrugged.

"I'll be in the attic looking for my trick-or-treat bag," Nami announced as she took a bite of candy apple.

"You're still going trick-or-treating?" Kelly sounded surprised.

"We figure we can still go until Nagi grows facial hair," Nami shrugged.

"Not if you make it part of the costume," Kelly suggested.

"Oh...didn't think about that," Nami said with a smile.

"And take what Oso did. Use masks," Kelly added.

"My family are all trick-or-treat geniuses..." Nami realized.

---

"Muwahahaha!" Rick shouted as he jumped into Nagi's room.

"Nice face paint," Nagi remarked.

"You like? I'm being an Oni for candy giving," Rick grinned happily.

"Everybody else being Oni too?" Anka asked.

"No, why?" Rick asked.

"Because Layla has the same face paint on," Anka said, pointing out Nagi's bedroom door.

"What? No! This was my costume idea!" Rick stomped out of Nagi's room.

"Did she really?" Nagi asked.

"Actually, yes. Now put this on," she said, handing him the cloak. "I have to tatter it, now."

"So, what do the parties consist of?" Nagi asked as he fitted the long black cloth over his clothes.

"A couple of games, the adults drink a little, some music is played in the background...dad builds a bonfire and lets us roast marshmallows and make some smoores...and most kids go home I stay the night and help clean up," Anka shrugged.

"Sounds fun," Nagi said as Anka rose.

"There, your costume is ready!" She grinned, "And maybe we'll be able to keep you for the night too."

Nagi blushed as he thought about sleeping over at Nami's, "Y-you think so?" He asked shyly.

---

"Haha!" Nami cheered happily as she held up a pillowcase decorated by pumpkins. "Yay for the attic!" she took another bite of her candy apple and turned around to climb down the ladder.

"Hey, Nami," Dan said as he passed Nami.

"You're a zombie?" Nami asked.

"Yes! You got it first try!" Dan grinned proudly. "Hey! Those are my candy apples!"

"Zombies only eat flesh," Nami said as she continued to her room.

---

Back to - Backwards outcasts