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Chase approached Demona with a confident look on his face, but that expression did nothing to accurately describe the nerves he felt beating down inside of him. Nerves caused by being unsure what Demona would think of him as her Secret Santa, or the present he had for her.

The simple fact was, his family had very little money. He didn't tell anyone, although his closest friends knew anyway. Chase himself worked at Kroker as a bag boo a couple days a week to earn "date money" as he always insisted on paying for his dates with Glen. Any spare cash from that would earn his baby sister and brother treats every so often.

So he had to be innovative, and at first came up with free hextreme sky diving lessons, to which his best ghouls, Hellene and THE Draconia, gave him funny looks. Draconia then suggested a simple fruit basket from his farm. It was a sweet idea, but Chase just thought a Secret Santa recipient deserved something a little ... more.

So in stepped Whinnie and their mom Marietta. Whinnie was a whiz where crafts were concerned so she crocheted a pretty slick purple shawl with black woven in, and his mom, who had a little side job as a Grave-on lady, threw in a few goodies such as perfume and a little pendant.

All together with Drake's fruit basket idea, Chase approached Demona and held out the elaborately wrapped basket.

He cleared his throat.

"Erm, Scary Cryptmas?"

Demona spun around to face him. She looked at his face trying to figure out who he was, Demona knew of Chase, but after 6 months gone you forget about the people who you never fanged out with.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the shawl.

"How did you- oh forgive me. For a second I thought this was by my good friend St. Laurhaunt he made me something similar to this for a congratulations on walking boo York fashion week and... well, it was ruined by C listers. But this is exquisite! Thank you. I don't know where I'm going to put this I totes don't want this one ruined like the last!"

She laughed although she was being serious. She looked around for maybe Kai to help.

"Same to you!" Kai accepted the gift from Glen with a grin. Inside was a paint set (oils, not WATERcolors, of course). "Oh, wow! Really gnarly!"

Kai gave the little witchling a bro-hug. He spied his cousin, Melody, wandering around looking for something.

"S'cuse me, bro. I have to go give out my gift, too!" Kai waved down Melody near the punch bowl.

"Hey, Mel. By sheer luck, I drew your name in the gift hexchange. What are the odds, right?" He grinned at her. Melody's 'surprise' return had meant that her name was one of the very last in the drawing pool - and he had drawn very last of all.

He handed her a flat, square package. She probably suspected that he'd made her some art - and she wouldn't be wrong, but it wasn't what she hexpected. Inside of the package was a framed photograph...a photo of the two of them from their last Spring Break trip to Clawaii, on the beach. Kai was wearing a pair of mismatched swim trunks and holding his body board. Melody was lounging in the water off of the launch dock, her mer-tail waving at the camera. It was one of Kai's favorite memories.

He'd decorated the picture frame with seashells and sand from the beach by his moms' house, but he was scareful not to let the frame overwhelm the picture itself. He hoped she enjoyed it.

Essi was shocked but returned the hug. She was growing aware some ghouls like physical contact of gratitude. But for some reason the dolling looked sad.
"Oh, do you have else were to be?" Curious Essi face.

Marceline vogued for Spectra's iCoffin, shifting into a new pose every time the flash went off, barely noticing that Draconia, Harry, and even Kriminel were drifting off to do other things.

"Well, charmers..." She smiled coyly. "You'll just have'ta wait and see! That ghoul is full'a surprises and I'm sure she's got somethin' loadin' up in her hard drive for t'night!"

A few more pops of flash and Spectra seemed satisfied with her scoop, suddenly noticing Scarry Styles waltzing on the dance floor behind Marceline and floating off in that direction. Marceline let out a breath she felt like she was holding for an eternity, and turned to where her friends were once standing... to find them gone. A quick scan of the room revealed Draconia and Harry had taken to the dance floor (although it appeared Draconia was dancing with... Jimi Hexdrix?!) and Kriminel had checked in with their parents on the mezzanine, and Marceline stood alone. Perhaps this was a fine opportunity to fetch a drink and a plate of gore-d'oeuvres while everymonster was busy dancing! Yes, Marceline thought to herself, that's a great idea...

"Heh, you're welcome." Kai blushed a little as Melody hugged him. This ball was going so totally clawesome. As Melody gushed to Shad, Kai spotted Demona, and waved her over.

"Hey, bootiful. I thought maybe you'd run off to rejoin Scary Styles." He joked at her.

Rory coughed.

"Wat. No! I don't-" Rory tried to explain to Peggy with some flailing arm motions. "I thought we were following him....you know, because...Woestock? Power Pegasus?!"

Essi followed Cassie's eye toward the dance floor. Did she dislike dancing? Did she want to join....was there something unpleasant there?
Essi grabbed a nearby napkin. "There is no reason to cry at a social gathering meant for celebrating togetherness!"
Essi, not good at this. Were was someone who help?.....She looked around for Draconia.....anywhere....?!