Bonus Art - Supernatural Duo (Plus Short Story)

Halloween. The dead of night. A succubus and a vampire convened under the hazy, amber hue of a street light.

...Okay, they weren't REALLY supernatural beings...but the outfits were convincing enough at a first glance!

With long, flowing, golden hair fitting of a vampire princess and crimson eyes to boot, Cynthia pulled her black mantle in around herself a little tighter as an evening breeze blew by. Not to stave off any kind of chill, though. More...just to ensure nobody saw what lay UNDER said mantle. At least out in the open like this. The plastic fangs she opted to wear to complete the ensemble felt awkward in her mouth, too. But she was committed to the outfit, if nothing else!

"Glad you could make it, grumpyboobs!" her 'partner-in-crime', the 'succubus', cheerfully said as she struck a bold pose to show off her even bolder outfit. If it could be called that, given the scraps of leather fitted around her buxom frame showed off so much skin you might struggle to tell what she was supposed to be at all if not for the telltale horns and tail affixed to her. Devilish accessories that fit Ren just a little TOO well, if you asked Cynthia. Especially when she flashed that cheeky, near demonic grin of hers.

"Yes, well... As promised. I am indeed here. But..." Cynthia fussed with her cape some more as she chewed her lip. Just to be safe. "Truthfully I'm not sure WHY I'm here. Would it not have been more sensible to meet AT the party? Or are you just that afraid of the dark you would need an escort?"

"Oh, c'mon! Use your pretty little head, Cynthia! It's HALLOWEEN! The party is just the icing on the cake! Look--here!" Fishing something out from the depths of her cleavage--of which apparently doubled as some kind of infinite hammerspace--the 'succubus' cheerfully thrust something Cynthia's way, prompting her to blink blankly right back at Ren.

Held in Ren's hand--and still being excitedly waggled Cynthia's way all the while--was a little plastic bucket, moulded in the shape of a jack-o'-lantern. The blonde vampire knew fine well what this was...but it didn't make her any less confused at the prospect.

"This is... For trick-or-treating...?" she said in disbelief, just to be sure. Ren nodded animatedly.

"You betcha! I got one for you, and one for me!" Forcing the bucket into Cynthia's hand, she then produced another from her cleavage and clutched it to herself lovingly. "We're gonna work this block for every single bit of candy it has! THIS is what Halloween is all about!"

Now holding one of the buckets against her will, Cynthia's gaze flitted between both the jack-o'-lantern and Ren before she deflated with a sigh, the sheer outlandishness of it all finally sinking in. "...Don't you think we're just a TOUCH too old for such activities, Ren...?"

"Nonsense! You're never too old to go trick-or-treating!" The buxom succubus retorted, almost offended Cynthia would dare to suggest such a thing.

"I'm fairly certain there is indeed a hard limit before it just starts getting creepy... Though, I suppose if we go by mental age, you still fit well within the range."

"See! That's the spirit!"

"Th-that wasn't a compliment, I--...oh... What's the point of arguing? Once you've got your mind set on something, there's not changing it, is there?"

Ren beamed a childish grin. Yeah. That was about right. For how cutesy and carefree she was, she was also notoriously stubborn when it came to the strangest of things.

And so, the two of them went trick-or-treating. Even if Cynthia would have rather been at the bar by now. Among slightly more sensible adults. Honestly, why did she let Ren rope her into these sorts of situations? Did she even consider the girl a friend...? Well... It wasn't like she had many friends to begin with. So she couldn't afford to be picky and jeopardise the few 'friendships' she had. What a depressing life she lived...

The first house on the block went about as well as Cynthia would have expected when the person on the other side opened the door to find two adult women awkwardly begging for candy. One who was in an incredibly skimpy outfit at that, flaunting her fake succubus charms to make the flustered man give away far more candy than he probably intended to. Now, more than ever, was Cynthia grateful for the many advantages her vampiric cape offered.

"Humm... Not bad, but we can do better!" Ren mused as she weighed her bucket experimentally on the walk to the next house. Already was the plastic jack-o'-lantern laden with candy. More than some actual children might make in an entire night of trick-or-treating. Cynthia's haul was a little lighter, but then she did hang back and let the 'succubus' do most of the work. Not that she was disappointed. She didn't even like candy that much.

"...The buckets aren't even that big. Just how much candy are you hoping for, anyway?"

"It's okay! Once the buckets reach maximum candy capacity, I'll bring out the sacks! And once THOSE get filled up, I've got a wagon parked nearby we can use!"

...An incredulous look was levelled Ren's way. Another weary sigh. Cynthia had MUCH she wanted to say, but unfortunately, they'd already reached the second house. Ren rang the doorbell excitedly.

"Okay, a slight change in strategy this time around!" Upon announcing that, Ren swiftly manoeuvred behind the vampire and gave her a swift push, prompting her to stumble to the front of the door.

"R-Ren! Watch it! You can't just--" Head swivelled around, Cynthia cried out in protest at her boisterous partner, but Ren simply grinned and pointed back to the door. Of which the locks were slowly being undone. She mouthed the 'sacred' words that Cynthia knew she'd need to say the moment that door swung open. And already, her face was boiling over at the prospect.

"T-trick or...treat..." Cynthia said timidly as she tightened her mantle around herself extra carefully, greeting the elderly woman who was on the other side with a strained, fake-fanged smile. All the while, she could feel her heart thumping in her ears. Never in her life had she done something so embarrassing. And the blank look the woman was giving her certainly wasn't helping. Shakily, Cynthia held her bucket out.

"...A little old for this, ain't ya?" The woman said bluntly. Her words cut like knives straight into Cynthia's heart. Cynthia could only manage out an awkward chuckle.

"...Y-yes, well... I'm mostly doing this for HER sake... H-Halloween is her favourite, you see..." Cynthia admitted as she pointed a finger over her shoulder at Ren who was wiggling around excitedly on the spot, her own bucket held out.

...The old woman regarded the pair of them with steely eyes, before finally her expression softened into something...surprisingly sympathetic. "Ah. You're her caretaker, are you? My apologies. It's nice of you to do this for someone like her."

Cynthia blinked. She'd gotten the wrong idea entirely...and yet...yes, sometimes...she really did feel like she was a 'caretaker' for this hyperactive minx of a girl. Ren wasn't even denying it, either, she only leaned in more with her bucket as the older lady dished out generous handfuls of candy.

"Here you go, dear, take as much as you want~" The older woman said, her tone noticeably sweeter now that she'd finally understood the 'situation'. Ren did just that, scooping it in by the armful as her grin somehow got even more childish than usual.

"Heehee, thank you, ma'am!"

...By the time this whole ordeal was over and the door shut before them, both of their jack-o'-lanterns were now straining under the weight of the sheer magnitude of candy stuffed within each of them. And this had only been the second house!

"...You truly have no shame, do you...?" Cynthia huffed as they walked along to their next stop. Ren hummed happily with a giant candy car crammed halfway down her maw. Yup. No shame at all.

"Okay, you take point on this one, too! I think we've got a good system going!" Ren said after finally managing to gulp down the last of the candy wedged in her throat. Her large green eyes were especially bright now, no doubt infused with a dangerous amount of sugar flowing through her veins.

Cynthia sighed. Again. 'Take point'? What was this? A military operation...? Still... She supposed this wasn't as bad as it first seemed. As long as she explained each time that she was simply doing this for Ren's sake, and that they viewed her as some kind of saintly caretaker...it would make a long night just a little more tolerable.

Ringing the doorbell, Cynthia put on her best smile, however strained it was, took in a deep breath, and then when the door opened--...

"Trick or trea--h-hyaaaaa?!"

It happened in an instant. She'd let her guard down. The moment the door opened and she caught sight of the man beyond it with a bowl of candy in hand, Ren was behind her in a sugar-charged flash. Grabby hands seized both of Cynthia's wrists from under the mantle and pulled them both wide apart.

Opening said vampiric cloak in the process, too, and revealing all that lay behind it. Which, paradoxically was both not a lot, and more than Cynthia had ever intended for most to see of her tonight.

"R-Ren--stop...! L-let me go! You're going to make me look like some kind of pervert!" Cynthia protested as she flailed in Ren's surprisingly strong grasp, more than aware of the man's wide-eyed gaze upon her...VERY...scantily-clad form. Ren didn't relent, instead giggling like a madwoman all the while.

"Heehee... 'Look' like one? C'mon! Don't tell me you crammed the girls into that skimpy little thing and DIDN'T want people to see! That's a crime is what that is! I'm just helping you be honest with yourself~"

"I-I most certainly didn't want complete strangers to see, at the very least! N-now unhand me!"

The pair struggled some more in a frantic back-and-forth battle for some sense of modesty to be restored. Which...had the unfortunate side-effect of applying a lot of 'motion' to the very assets Cynthia was trying to cover back up.

Indeed, the scrap of fabric that could only be described as a velvet 'bikini' offered very little support for the immense heft that Cynthia boasted. So little, in fact, that it actively dug into the mountainous mounds in an effort to holster them, only adding further to the alluring image being flashed upon the poor young man standing at the door. Cynthia's trademark well-toned midriff and thick, powerful thighs on full display certainly weren't helping matters much, either, all culminating in an unholy, vampiric spectacle that would fluster even the most pious of men.

"I...I don't really know what's going on here...but... You can...take all the candy you want..." the man at the door said, almost as if in some kind of trance. He lay the bowl down before the squabbling pair as if in offering, before pushing yet more candy out from inside, then bowing once more in thanks before closing the door.

"See! I knew what I was doing!" Ren said cheerfully as she finally let go of Cynthia, letting the furiously blushing 'vampire' hide away in her cloak once more. The 'succubus' produced a sack from her cleavage before she began happily stashing away all of their 'earnings'.

All the while, Cynthia had to stagger off to the side to cool down. Her heart was still thumping rapidly. Her face felt like it was on fire. Every breath she let out came as a steamy puff of air. To be exposed like that...for so long...all to someone she didn't even know... What was Ren thinking?! She clenched a trembling fist. The desire to thump her senseless was strong.

...And yet... At least some small part of her...however miniscule it was...wasn't entirely put off by just how flustered the man had gotten in turn. The trance her body had put him in. The candy it had earned. That was...something to be proud of, right?

Gah--no...! She shook her head frantically, sweat glistening against her brow. That was exactly the sort of mindset Ren wanted her to get into! This wasn't how trick-or-treating was supposed to be! In fact, she wasn't even supposed to be out here. She was supposed to be at Anna's by now... A nice drink in hand, as she mingled with sensible, like-minded adults. Not...whatever this madness was! This had to end, now!

"Okay, I'm all set now for the next house, my sultry little vampire princess~" Ren cooed happily as she joined Cynthia off to the side with a giant sack of candy slung over her shoulder. It was getting absurd now. "If this keeps up, I'll be set for candy for at LEAST a week!"

Hand still balled up into a fist, Cynthia stomped Ren's way, her teeth bared in a scowl. If she kept letting herself get pushed around, there was no telling what she might make her do on the next stop. "No! I'm done with this. I'm going to the party. You can fleece the rest of the neighbourhood on your own."

Ren's grin faltered ever so slightly. "Aw, c'mon, grumpyboobs, don't be--"

"You crossed a line back there! I'll be lucky if I don't get a fine for public indecency!"

"I don't think he minded all that much, if the puddle of drool left by the door was anything to go by, heehee..."

"Th-that's besides the point! I've...I've never felt so humiliated in all my life! And that's really saying something, given all the mischief you've gotten me into! I'm done with it all!" Cynthia hurled the bucket she was still carrying right back at Ren. Candy exploded everywhere. And as Cynthia's shoulders heaved with anger, Ren only looked at her with a frown.

"...You really mean it, then?"

Cynthia said nothing and stomped by in a huff, black heels crushing the candy scattered all around them.

"It's just... Okay, maybe I went a LITTLE bit too far there, I'll admit..." Ren continued on, remaining where she was as Cynthia marched further and further away. Neither girl was looking at the other. "But I was just...really excited, y'know? 'Cuz I never really got to do this sort of thing when I was younger, because--well...you already know."

Cynthia stopped in her tracks. She hadn't turned around just yet. But she was listening. Why did Ren have to bring THAT up, of all times? That wasn't fair...!

"And I don't really have many people I'd consider a 'friend'. Beyond you, Cynthia. So if I've messed things up tonight...I'm...I'm sorry, okay?"

...Cynthia blinked in disbelief. She craned her head around, to see Ren still standing exactly where she'd been before, her expression unreadable. But from the tone of her voice, she really did sound remorseful.

"...Ren..."

"I just wanted this to be a Halloween we'd both really remember. 'Cuz there's no telling if we'll ever get to do this kind of thing again, right? It's...not even really about the candy...mostly...heehee...I just wanted to spend as much time with you tonight as I could. 'Cuz there's nobody else I'd rather be with at a time like this, than you."

...Cynthia felt a sudden pain in her heart. Guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders. Perhaps she HAD overreacted just a little, throwing the candy back at her like that. With a sigh, she dragged herself back to where Ren stood and knelt down to start the arduous task of putting the candy that wasn't completely crushed back into the jack-o'-lantern she'd discarded mere moments ago.

"Ugh... I didn't realise it meant THAT much to you... Fine..." Cynthia huffed, unable to look Ren in the eye as she continued to shovel gravel-infused candy back into her bucket. "I won't leave. Yet. But we're not doing the WHOLE street!"

"...Cynthia..." Ren sniffled. Had she actually been crying? Chancing a look up at her revealed the 'succubus''s large green eyes were indeed glistening, contrasting against the wavy smile she bore.

"...Stop with the waterworks. I haven't forgiven you COMPLETELY yet, you know." At least outwardly. Internally was a different story, but she never could be completely honest with her feelings regarding Ren. Because, yes...whether she wanted to admit it or not, just like Ren, she too viewed the mischievous girl was one of her few, true friends. No matter HOW annoying she got.

"Heehee... I knew I could count on you! Yay! The dream team is back in action!" Ren jumped for joy. Literally. "I promise I'll behave this time around. Or at least ask for your permission before opening the curtain on the twins! See, I'm learning?"

...Cynthia straightened back up with a groan, bucket of slightly tarnished candy now hanging on her arm once more. She wasn't going to regret this, was she? But still... Just seeing that large, childish grin on Ren's face in place of the heart-rending frown of before... She knew she was making the right choice.

"...Thinking back on that melodramatic moment, though...why do I get the feeling you manipulated me?" Cynthia pondered aloud as the pair were back on the path once more. Ren shot her a sly look. Nary a trace of that miserable, moping girl of before could be found.

"...Maybe just a little. I added the tears for dramatic effect, but...most of what I said was true! I really do want to spend the night trick-or-treating with you--my favouritest person in the wholleeeee world~" She sidled up against Cynthia and hooked an arm around her for good measure. The 'vampire' could only sigh.

--

Against all odds, the trick-or-treating finished without any more dramatic incidents. Ren was indeed true to her word. No more 'surprises' lay in wait for Cynthia as they went door-to-door. Though...in her stead, Ren dialled up her fake succubus charm instead, really emphasising her busty nature whenever it was a man on the other side of the door, to syphon as much candy as she could from them--as if it were in lieu of life energy.

And when it was a woman, like the first elderly lady they'd encountered? Well... She changed tactics, and fell into a far more immature, childish state, whereby Cynthia became the 'caretaker' once more. Effectively, they were manipulating whoever came to the door in the best manner possible for maximum candy gains...which...Cynthia, who was typically so straight-laced...had mixed feelings about. But if it kept her mantle firmly closed, then she wasn't going to raise a fuss. Not when they'd already had one round of drama that night.

And finally, the night culminated at Anna's bar, where the Halloween party was already in full swing. The fiery-haired owner in question could be seen donning a pirate outfit, 'yarr'ing heartily and waving a plastic cutlass around as she served out drinks.

Cynthia and Ren claimed a table for themselves with their candy haul in tow. Just as Ren promised, they had several buckets stuffed to the brim with the sweet stuff, a good couple of sacks...and the wagon parked alongside them, carrying yet more. It was honestly ridiculous.

And yet, at the same time, even as ludicrous as the sight was...Cynthia couldn't help but feel some small semblance of pride at their haul. Not that she'd admit it aloud. But...knowing it was their combined efforts that bore such immense fruit...it really was something. As far as Halloweens went, this one hadn't been so bad in the end.

"Here's to a successful trick-or-treating!" Ren chirped happily as she sloshed her mug Cynthia's way. The 'vampire' reluctantly clinked it in turn with her own drink before taking hearty gulps of the stuff.

"I-indeed... It's frightening what we can achieve when we put our minds to it...isn't it?" Cynthia admitted. "I'll just...remember to wear something slightly more modest if we ever do this again..."

"Ahh... I sure hope we can!" Ren beamed, cheeks flushed after having already downed her drink. "IF we can...heehee..."

There was an awkward pause--an unspoken uncertainty in the air--before Ren slapped her palms on the table and roused Cynthia out of though.

"But hey--it doesn't HAVE to just be limited to what might be in the future! Why don't we strike while the iron's hot, and do carolling come Christmas, too? There might not be candy in it, but I hear some places pay out big! All we gotta do is get you in a nice red bikini with fluffy white trimming--you know, Christmassy--and we'll be raking in the cash!"

"W-why do I have to be the one in the bikini? You have a perfectly serviceable body yourself!"

"Awww, thanks~ But don't worry, I was still gonna be in something skimpy, too! I just wanted to maximise our chances! Especially because I'm terrible at singing anything that isn't my own theme song."

"A-and you think I'M any better at singing?!"

"Oh, nonsense! I've heard what you're capable of when you're in the shower!"

"...We don't even live together! How have you heard me when I'm in the--ohh... You know what, I don't want to know the answer to that. I'm sure I know already..."

...And so, the night went on like this. Filled with many a drunken, boisterous laugh as the pair squabbled, drank, and of course, mainly squabbled together long into the early hours before staggering out arm-in-arm as the most impressive supernatural duo of a succubus and a vampire the town had ever known.

A good few lucky men also went to bed that night with the images of said supernatural beauties imprinted forever in their minds, large grins plastered across their faces, hoping that maybe...just maybe...they'd be blessed by them again next year.

Happy Halloween!