Britwitch's Annual Hallowe'en Party 2015

[Britwitch]

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It’s almost that time of year again.

With a mischievous smile I pull the large metal gate closed behind me. It creaks, just as it should, the sound loud in this otherwise silent part of the woods before clanging shut.

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My boots swish through the leaves that carpet the ground as I head down the path I’m sure I’ll walk along many times in the coming weeks, although the reason for my visiting won’t become entirely clear until the very end of October. Time always ran away, even more so when there were things to be done, and so I thought it better to get a head start on this year's preparations.

And this year, the venue for my surprise is certainly more than just a building.

The woods in which I’d set up the Autumn Escape camp were vast, far larger than I’d originally thought and during one of my walks through the trees I found a path I was certain none of my friends or fellow visitors had yet travelled and walking down into the mist that greeted me I knew I’d found the best possible venue for this year’s Hallowe’en celebration.

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The previous four Hallowe'ens have a host of spookily brilliant memories related to them, I'm sure this year will be no different, and I want to make sure I give my guests time to work on their costumes if nothing else!

I had already pushed a stack of handwritten envelopes, addressed to any and all who frequent the SRP lounge, into the post box on the outskirts of the forest and I’d left a chalkboard (borrowed from last year’s party) swinging on the wrought iron gate for any passers by to read. The invitation inside carefully written to match the wording on the chalkboard and read as follows…

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Pulling my scarf a little closer around my neck to battle the chill in the damp air I walk deeper into the woods, my mind happily occupied with plans. So many plans.

I need to work out just how many pumpkins I’ll need - besides those waiting at the Autumn Escape for me to collect, how many hundreds of candles and lanterns will be needed to light the way through the trees. Not to mention all the food and drink I will need to arrange and of course, there's my own costume to organise before the time for the party comes...​

 

[Britwitch]

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The party has started!

Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.

Feel free to interact with anyone you meet but please be polite and try not to intrude if it looks like people are already...involved. Unless of course they invite you to, then by all means, enjoy yourself!

 

[toointhebush]

Thank you for the invitation. Do you prefer a trick or a treat?

 

[Britwitch]

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Less than a week until the party starts and there is still plenty to do.

The blade slips into the latest pumpkin she is about to carve and she works on cutting a grin as wide as her own.

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She's definitely getting excited now!

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[saysalice]

She has been a lost - wandering a bit - but at last she sees the great iron gates and breathes a happy sigh of relief. Either she has found this place, or it has drawn her back - it doesn't matter - she's here, and she hasn't missed the party. She wouldn't miss this.

Trying the gates - it's practically expected, isn't it? Curling her fingers around the cold iron and shaking hard enough to make her shoulders ache, she finds them locked, of course. Through the bars she can only see more forest, disappearing into an ever-present mist. She grins at the lovely witch's talent for building suspense, and sighs again, resigning herself to the wait - though it won't be long now.

At her feet is a suitcase, marked clearly in block letters: ALICE, and under that: HANDS OFF.

Unsatisfied, knowing there may be green-eyed goblins lurking in these woods ready to make mischief, she pulls a pair of handcuffs out of the pocket of her long coat (because of course she does) and snaps one cuff to the handle, and the other around one of the wrought-iron bars.

Smiling, having reserved her place at the party, she blows a little kiss through the gates, and turns to trudge home to her busy, everyday life.

She'll be back.

 

[Britwitch]

Beyond the gates it's quiet. Almost too quiet but still you find yourself drawn down the path and deeper into the woods.

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Here and there are lanterns. Eerie smiles glowing at you through the trees and leading you deeper into the mysterious mist.

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Follow the path for long enough and you might find an old and abandoned stately home, or was it a hospital long ago...there's no one to ask but the door is unlocked...

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Who knows who or what you'll find...but isn't that half of the fun?

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[Britwitch]

Inside the cabins and houses are treats to suit every palate and a fully stocked bar hidden away in the shadows, just help yourself to whatever you fancy...

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[Britwitch]

Following one line of pumpkins along a path you'll find yourself beside a lake...

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A lonely jetty leading out into the lake itself and a small house.

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Candles float on the water and the mist creeps ever closer as the sun sinks lower in the sky.

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It is inside that the Witch waits...hoping that all those who venture into the woods this Halloween have fun, even if their paths never cross with hers.

It's a time for wickedness and things that go bump in the night.

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[Britwitch]

The Witch unlocked the gates and passed through to the woods beyond, leaving the large wrought iron doorway open for those that might follow. She smiled seeing the case belonging to her friend, hopefully their paths would cross at some point over the week ahead. There was always fun to be had when Alice was around.

Her cloak billowed around her as she headed for the lake...of all the spooky places she'd scouted in the woods this year, she knew that was where she wanted to start her Halloween adventure. Her boots swishing deliciously through the leaves as she continued on her way.

Her boots sounded oddly loud as she crossed the wooden walkway that led out over the water but she didn't falter. Each step disturbing the otherwise still water and sending ripples dancing outwards over the surface of the lake.

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Once inside the slightly dilapidated house she didn't remove her cloak. Not yet. What lay beneath would be kept a secret until she had company, she had to have some surprises after all.

 

[jc199123]

I walk into the grounds finding what looks like a house on its on little island I were this (see photo link below) with pair of old black military style R.A.T. boots.

The walk up to the house was a little shaky I'm not use to walking on such a structure.

I peek into the windows to make sure this is the right place.Peering in I see a figure in a clock standing there alone.

I sneak in and go up behind giving the figure a hug and say "hello Brit" hoping I haven't walked in on a cult meeting.

 

[Mac380]

Did one of those lanterns move?

Surely not, ‘The Witch’ has done such a good job of cutting out the individual faces she would not leave to chance their falling over.

Hey where’s it gone I’m sure there was one with big teeth over there……? Oh no, there it is just a little further down the path by the junction.

Hmm which way to go? There seems to be a lake with mist rising and lights dancing on the water’s surface down one path, while the other line of lanterns leads towards a giant monolith of a house, creepers framing the windows and bats circling the chimneys. Looks like a good place for some ghost hunting, perhaps some others will join in the search for the spirits.

‘The Witch’ must have been getting tired designing all those lanterns, she seems to have repeated the pattern on that lantern over there it looks just like that one by the junction.

 

[Britwitch]

Footsteps on the jetty announce the arrival of the first guest long before the door creaks open. The witch, who has been tending to a small fire in the fireplace, smiles. Her black velvet cloak is still closed around her, concealing the rest of her outfit beneath, but the hood now down around her shoulders, revealing her short hair and the dark, smoky make up that highlights the bright blue of her eyes.

The house is relatively small - tiny in comparison to some of the previous venues she's used for her Halloween parties -but there are plenty of rooms to explore and there is a definite air of the tardis about the building. Definitely larger on the inside than one would assume. There is a small kitchen to the rear, several bedrooms upstairs and the main room downstairs is filled with candles of various sizes and colours.

She is just debating getting herself a drink ready to toast the first arrival when arms hug her from behind and she jumps slightly. Turning in her boots to see an interesting costume standing before her.

"Well, hello to you too, glad you decided to drop by! It's only me so far but I'm sure more people will turn as the week wears on. I hope you found the place ok. Can I get you a drink?"

 

[jc199123]

I remove the face wraps form around my mouth so I could talk better and Brit could tell who it is.

“Sorry for scaring you Brit…. Sure what will do you have to drink?”

 

[Mac380]

I do hope more guests find their way into the grounds tonight

 

[Mac380]

Reaching the front door of the mansion house Mac pushes open the front door, totally expecting the groan of unoiled hinges.
He was sadly mistaken!

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Stepping inside he is greeted by a dusty hallway with a grand staircase leading up the centre which then splits and leads up to the rooms that overlook the entrance.
On a table just inside the doorway someone has left some candlesticks and matches, Mac lights the three candles in the first candlestick and leaves the matches behind for anyone else who may venture into the depths of the mansion.
Turning to the right he sees a large set of double doors sitting slightly ajar (When's a door not a door? ........ When it's 'ajar'..... boom boom!).
Pushing this set of doors open he is rewarded by the high pitched squeal of dry hinges, up in the dark hights of the entrance hall something stirs releasing a few motes of dust which drift down through the musty air.
The flicker of the candles reveal a large reception room with tables and chairs scattered around as if the last guests had left in a hurry.

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Walking further into the room he finds some old cupboards behind what seems to be the remains of a bar. On the bar are some old candlesticks which still hold the candles from the last visitors to the room. Lighting a few with his own candles, Mac can see more of the room and some of the oddities that are lying on the tables.

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Turning to the cupboards, he tries the handles, the cabinets wood has swollen with age, but a good tug persuades them to reveal the goodies that are contained within.
'Oooh this could be interesting!'
Inside is an array of bottles and glasses, along with various bar paraphernalia, taking a cloth from the pile of bar cloths, Mac turns his attention to the bar. 'Hmm lets get rid of some of this dust first, then we can get the thirst quenchers out.'
Mac takes a few minutes wiping down the surfaces and arraging the items scattered around the tables, lighting a few candles along the way.
Going back to the cupboard he starts to bring the bottles out of their hiding place.

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'This is more like it' he thinks to himself as he reveals yet more bottles with colourfull and exciting labels attached to them. 'I'm sure folk should be able to create some interesting concoctions from these ingredients.'
Just something else missing.....
Prying a few more cupboards open Mac hunts for one more thing to create the right atmosphere.
At the end of the bar he finds it, mounted in a plinth almost like a lectern he spots the familiar little green symbol with three striped lines in it.
Tapping the symbol a low humm starts to emit from around the room.......

Spotify Playlist (Web Player)​

Feeling the dust catching in the back of his throat, Mac decides it is time for a drink himself, shaking up a bottle he takes a glass and pours some of the contents into it, fishing in a jar he finds a cherry to top it off, 'Damn no umbrella' he mutters.
Taking a sip he is plesantly surprised that he is still standing and not wrything on the floor.

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[Britwitch]

It had been a quiet affair so far but that didn't mean the party was over...far from it in fact. If nothing else, she hadn't shown anyone her costume yet!

She knew there were those wanting to come, hoping to make an appearance, and there was still time to do so before the time would come to lock the gates and end the festivities for another year.

A few faces had drifted through, a few laughs shared and conversations enjoyed. The lanterns in the woods still flickered and glowed, waiting to guide new guests towards the fun.

Sipping something clear and fizzy, with a wedge of lime floating in amongst the ice, Brit waits to see which of her friends might be the next to arrive.

 

[TinyDuchess]

Time had been playing tricks again. What else could explain why hours seemed to pass by like minutes, when the opposite is more often true?

Having chosen the path through the woods, she made her approach with gentle steps on the soft earth. A still night for the most part, with only the sound of leaves rustling in the hem of her skirts for company.

Could the ambiance of the evening be any more fitting for a night such as this, she wondered. A smile came to her as the thought flashed across her mind; and only deepened as she came to a sea of orange faces, their eyes dancing with flickering light. Anot her thought came to her then ... The pretty Witch had certainly outdone herself this year.

Wading gingerly along, she took extra care to ensure her dress did not find itself suddenly alight. She was closer to her destination now, and her steps though more purposeful still did not disturb the graceful way she seemed to glide towards the manor in the distance.

She stopped short just before the gates, only for the briefest of moments to run white gloved fingers along the wide brim of her white hat drawing it further down above her eyes. Her other hand smoothed what might have been a wrinkle, had it been left untended, from the silken folds of her gown. With that she made her way to the large doors, pushing them open and stepping inside.

It's time to party.

 

[Mac380]

If things didn't start going 'bump' in the night; Mac decided he would pay a visit to that little cottage on the lake.
Maybe "the Witch" would show off her costume to the lucky few.

 

[Mac380]

Putting the bottles back in their hiding places, Mac tidies up the bar and snuffs out the candles on the tables, maybe next year someone will make use of this grand hall for some sort of celebration. With a final glance round he taps the ‘stop’ button on the music, not the best mix he had ever done but it had been not too bad, silence returns to the halls, still no bumps in the night but just a faint rustling from the roof space as the creatures reclaimed their territory.

Stepping out of the main door Mac pulls on the large brass handle letting the momentum swing the door shut with a satisfying thud which echo’s through the building.

Hands in sporran he turns and tramps down the path towards the crossroads again, most of the pumpkins still lighting the way, though some have gone out, making the path all that more eerie. Pausing at the junction he looks towards the gate to see if anyone else is approaching, but mist obscures the entrance way and he cannot see anyone on the path.

MWaHahahaha! (Yeah all right Steven King could do surprise better I know!!)

As he turns towards the lake path, Pumpkin Head with eyes aglow springs out of the trees brandishing an axe which unfortunately gets caught in the branches as it tries to wave it menacingly in Macs direction.

Pausing to raise his eyebrow, give a shrug and say “You and me both mate”, Mac walks on down the path “if you’ve not got anything else planned I believe The Witch has something that might make the evening go a bit better” he calls over his shoulder.

Pumpkin head seems to pause for a moment as it watches the figure traipse past, the axe drops dejectedly by its side as it to follows Mac along the path and onto the walkway across the lake. Taking a second Pumpkin head drops the axe into the box at the end of the walkway under the sign that reads ‘Please deposit all Knives, Axes and miscellaneous weapons here. Our staff will service them and have them ready for you when you leave.’