2019-11-03 - Dia De Los Muertos

Elise has been here for awhile milling about the Boardwalk with Graham. She's got on a cute little number, a black skirt and a corseted top with blood red flowers on the neckline. Since it's chilly, she's got on stockings and a tasseled shawl that she picked up from one of the vendors; it's got sugar skulls all over it, and is currently draped over her shoulders. But while she's gained a shawl, she's lost a boyfriend - Graham's around here somewhere, probably smoking. It's given Elise enough of a breather to try and go find Julia.

For her part, Julia helped organize, but she's thankfully not in charge. Anybody remember that tight red vintage dress she wore during the Heritage Festival? It's back and better than ever, with the addition of her candy-skull makeup. She's sitting near an ofrenda propped up against the closed up Fried Fish shack, where a picture of her abuelo is prominently displayed with candles, flowers, and the like. Presently she's laying down a couple of very expensive Cuban cigars on the altar.

Ignacio had things going in preparation ALL morning. God that apartment smelled pretty bad ass He doesn't wear it often but he's got a damn fine plum coloured suit on. He doesn't have the money to have it be particularly outstanding but it's tailored well and doesn't look destroyed by moths. His ofrenda was made and he shows on the boardwalk with a basket looking damn festive. Basket in one hand and Finch's hand in the other as he takes his time to limp-stroll in that manner as suave as possible. First step, "Diga, Julia , Brought you something."

At the outskirts of the crowd gathered, Diana is looking about her with interest, slow gaze taking in everything around her. She's dressed in well-sewn high-waisted pants, a button-up collared shirt, and a thick maroon cashmere sweater. She's gone for fancier shoes than her norm; they're black flats rather than sneakers. Her leggings, barely seen at her ankles, have a print of skulls on them, if that's ever caught. She's quiet for now, making careful not to bump anyone too much, or get into anyone's way.

This is all a little overwhelming for Finch. Only a few days ago, she discovered she is, well, half-Mexican. And that her father lives in Gray Harbor. And is a cop. And may be in danger from her mother botching up ye olde family curse. Sigh. She clings to Ignacio's hand as she looks around, trying to soak it all in. She gives Julia a small smile.

The little woman for once doesn't really stand out for having pink hair (with purple and black flowers in it), and is wearing a simple white peasant-style dress [https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515GhhwPirL._UY445_.jpg]. Ignacio painted her face for her in the sugar skull tradition and it's all in shades of purples and pinks amid the black and white. [http://texaslesstraveled.com/images/dia_de_los_muertos%20banner.jpg?crc=4001854164]

Itzhak is wearing the sleek, black-on-black-on-black suit he wore for the Masquerade. Black jacket and trousers, black shirt, skinny black tie. Around his eyes is dark makeup in the skull tradition, with blue and orange petals ringing the 'sockets'. That's all, though, he wouldn't sit still for more. He trails along after Finch and Ignacio, humming to himself along with the live music. He upnods at Julia with a wry little quirk of a grin.

"I thought I'd find you here," Elise is a little more subdued than she typically, but then again, her parents were shot dead not far from here just over a month ago. Still, she wears a calm smile for Julia as she comes upon her friend's ofrenda, a glance cast to Finch, Ignacio and Itzhak when they come upon Julia at the same time. "Hey," she greets them.

"For abuelo's ofrenda?" Julia's smile is wide as she holds her hands out to accept the the basket. "You all look wonderful. Very festive. I spoke to my grandmother, and she said if any of you have items you want to put out for your loved ones, gifts you want to leave, you're welcome to use our public ofrenda. Because you've all been so kind."

James wanders down the boardwalk in the direction of the festival, a small backpack slung over one shoulder. Given his pale skin and bright mess of red hair and beard, it seems unlikely that he's here to celebrate his own particular heritage, but at least he's trying: he's replaced his usual hoodie for one that has sugar skull motifs around the arms and chest, over a pair of black jeans. His eyes are a bit red-rimmed, after all, it's been a long, weird past couple of days for him. Still, he's smiling quietly- a festival that celebrates the dead by drinking, partying, and eating candy? Hell yeah, these guys have the right idea. He grabs a few sweets from the ones being offered out for free, and pops one in his mouth to chew on as he wanders about, quietly checking out the ofrendas.

Old habits die hard and Erin is fashionably late. Wearing a dress of deep violet with black accessories all in Spanish style, she fits well into the theme of things. For a moment, she texts something while lingering on the edge of the crowd, responding to what had been texted to her before putting her phone away and tilting up her chin and taking a look at everyone in attendence. There are several familiar faces, but mostly her cousin is recognized. With her attention already taken, she distracts herself with some of the free food, a bite here and there.

Graham is not probably smoking. He WAS smoking. But he manages to navigate his way from wherever that was - over where no one fake-coughs at him - to where Elise is. "You got any change, baby? I wanna pop balloons." He quick-smiles at whoever is nearby, but this is obviously just an errand, not a social call.

"'Ey, Julushka. Lookin' fine, girl." Itzhak loiters behind his buddies, acting a little shy, hands in the pockets of his trousers and thus hanging up his jacket funny. "Yeah, I wanna put somethin' on for my pop, and my family in Germany. Even though, yannow." Hand wobble. Even though you're not strictly supposed to do Catholic for your Jewish family, but hell with it, Itzhak wants them honored. He upnods at Elise. "How's by ya. Don't think we met."

At least James isn't nearly the only one who sticks out; if nothing else, Diana is still wandering about the edges of the crowd-- at least, she is until she seems to come to some kind of decision, nodding to herself and walking further in. She smiles politely at people as she passes them, and she's one of the few here without any face paint. She doesn't have a treat in her hands, and doesn't come close to any treat stands, so apparently she's not here for the free food.

"Hey, Elise." Julia air kisses Elise on each cheek, because skull makeup. "Um, I don't know who knows who, but Elise, this is Itzhak, Ignacio, and Finch. Itzhak gets a low-lashed grin and she does a little hip swinging twirl, though she only gets three quarters of the way through the rotation when she sees Erin. "Prima!" She bounces on her heels a little excitedly and beckons her over.

Gray Harbour's intrepid police captain had to actually work tonight, so he turns up a little late for the festivities, dressed in a sleek black mariachi charro suit with gold embroidery about the cuffs, and stitched into the edges of the bolero-style jacket. A red scarf is knotted around his waist, and instead of a hat, an elaborate sugar skull painted on his face, up to his hairline; black and white primarily, mouth stitched closed, a red rose detailed around his left eye. He fingers one of the colourful lanterns he passes, and skims his eyes over the dancing girls he passes.

Ignacio warms a lop-sided smile to Elise as she greets them. The nerve damage making the expression unique not half-hearted. Borrowing his hand (for juset a moment before finding Finch's again) he opens the basket with a variety of sweet bread he's made some in loaves and some in sculpted shapes to look like flowers. "Yeaaaah I got one set up at home but I brought pictures and wanted to pay homage to some folks wihtout a lot of family too. Let them know they're appreciated. Community's family too right?" Looking to Elise he says Elise, this is Itzhak, and this is Finch. How you been doin? Been a minute." Finch's hand, found again, gets a squeeze and his fingers laced in hers.

James is definitely here for the free food. Well, among other things, but the free food ranks pretty high. The short little dude is quickly accruing a varied selection of snacks and food as he wanders about- occasionally looking around in case he recognizes anyone, and looking both relieved and disappointed as he doesn't.

Coming out of the Sweat Retreat with a tray, Everett sets down dixie cups with a healthy ice cream scoop inside of the rainbow of flavours. In chocolate or butterscotch skulls have been draw on to them. The tray it put down in a tub of ice to keep everything cool under the awning of a Sweet Retreat tent, with a spill of those itty bitty spoons for small hands.
Patting the back of the teen waitress wearing her 50's theme'd uniform, Everett murmurs something to her and then leans leaves the booth, pushing his hands into his back pockets, to take a look at the other festivities going on literally just outside his door.

"Hey," Elise offers up a wave when she gets introduced, before Graham materializes at her side. She gives him a smooch on the cheek, winding her arm around his own. "This is Graham," she informs the group, and then shifts her purse around so that she can dig in for change. "You're lucky I'm carrying cash right now. Are you going to win me something?" Big puppy dog eyes come with stuffing quarters down Graham's pockets.

How do you put up offerings for people who were dead before you were born, and died, you know, horrifically? Finch isn't entirely sure. She brought something though, a handkerchief from Gran's late husband. She pulls it out of her bag and offers it up with nervous eyes. "Not sure how to do all this, yet." The confession is quiet.

Her paint is good and dry by now, thick enough that it's not peeling or anything. It suits her in some ways. Hearing the explanation she shimmies her way over and air kisses Julia before slipping a hand around her waist. "I am glad to see you, I hoped I would." Elise, Ignacio, Itzhak and Finch, those closest to Julia, get a smile and a dip of her head, "A pleasure to see you all." Though those on the outskirts she tries to draw in, when it's obvious they are also here for the occasion. "Community is family," echoing what she had just heard Ignacio saying. "Please, all come join, introduce yourself to someone you don't know." Her voice holds warmth,

Mercedes takes care to arrive as the crowds on the Boardwalk swell with activity, better to be late when it's easier to get lost in the mass celebration and slip away without much issue. She is dressed up as in a custom-made outfit themed after Catrina garb, a flowing off the shoulder dress in colors of black and red with purple accents. Her face is coated in a fine layer of theatrical make-up that gives it a skeletal but elegant appearance with floral designs around her eyes and chin. Her braided hair is adorned with a headband with an attached black veil that seems to be lined with fabric shaped into red flowers. Sometimes it was nice to have a job at the theatre, so long as she replaced the materials later. She's carrying a small satchel on her, keeping it close as she winds her way through the crowds. "Huh?," She looks around as the haunting music begins to fill the air but finds herself getting caught up in it and dancing along as she moves.

"Hey. This is Graham," repeats the person who is Graham to the people in his vicinity. "Cool party." No make-up, but he's wearing black, if that works in his favor at all. "I'mma win you all the things," he promises, flashing a Colgate smile while he pats his newly laden pockets. "I'll find you in... twenty minutes?"

Spotting Erin across the way, and a couple of other familiar faces, Ruiz begins to alter his course to wade on over. It's slow going given the turnout today. A pair of young girls in traditional Zapotec dresses stop him to pluck at the tassel around his waist, and ask him a question. He stops, crouches down, lets them check out his face paint, too, like an old dog grudgingly subjecting itself to a pair of eager puppies.

"Hi." Itzhak is also wearing sparkly nail polish in gold and black, apparently, as he offers a kind of shy little flourish of a wave to Elise, and then he's stuffing his hand back in his pocket as Julia shimmies at him and looking away, reddening. Today is a 'socializing is hard' day but it's important to Iggy and Julushka, so here he is. He squints over at Everett. "Hey, it's that guy from--" From the thing we don't talk about. "Dude is enormous," he mutters, impressed. Then things go green and spooky and haunting, and Itzhak's painted eyes get wide as a shudder rockets up his long spine. "Aw, shit. Don't do this to me."

Diana turns quickly at the sound of gasping in the crowd, following pointing fingers to the Ferris Wheel's green glow. She pauses, then slips a small notebook and pencil out of her pocket, jotting something down before quickly returning it to her pants pockets. It's then that she hears Erin's greeting to all and sundry, and she starts heading in that general direction. And, as she gets closer, she heads directly for the vicinity of those gathered 'round the public ofrenda. She smiles at those whose eyes she catches, and then walks right up to Itzhak for some reason, taking a deep breath and extending a hand quickly, almost nervously. "Hi! I'm Diana. Nice to meet you." The words, at least, are said in a bright and cheery tone.

When he overhears someone comments on the Ferris wheel lights, the very same that keep him awake late at night or early in the morning depending on your point of view, Everett takes a look up in that direction. Silent, so very silent, the giant grunts a reply before returning to looking around. A hand combing his long, shiny hair back over his shoulder, not that it stays there long when it spills back over his shoulder the next time he looks down at something from over people's heads.

"Hey, G-Man. Looking good for a gringo." Julia teases Graham, before turning around to the others. "Everyone looks very sharp!" Her smile for Finch is kind. "There's no particular right way. Putting something on the ofrenda is a way of letting their spirits know they're never forgotten."

James has made his way by now to the public ofrenda, blue eyes looking over the various mini-shrines and offerings. He sighs quietly, then reaches into his backpack, pulling out a few items. A picture of himself with his parents back when he was a teenager, a pack of smokes, a little bottle of whiskey, and some of the candy he's been gathering. He places each of these down in turn as part of the bigger public ofrenda, and gives a lopsided smile. "Alright, you guys be quiet now, ok?", he says- just as there's that change in lighting and things start getting weird, as they usually do around here. He hangs his head, his back to the now-green ferris wheel lights, and grumbles. "... oh, come on, you guys. I just asked you to be quiet. What the actual fuck?" He straightens again, and turns around slowly to take a good look around and figure out what he's about to run away screaming from.

"Nope, I'm coming with you. Who knows what kinda trouble you could get into with a dart and a balloon," Elise eyes Graham warily before she flashes a smile to the group. "Gotta keep him out of trouble. It was nice meeting everybody." Then she grabs Graham's hand and pulls him off into the crowd. Maybe she's trying to get away before things get weird.

Finch shifts from one foot to another uneasily, looking from face to face as it all sort of swims together for her. She nods to Julia and murmurs. "Ok then. This is for my Gran's husband. It turns out this is, um, kind of part of my culture that I didn't have any idea was my culture til a few days ago. I have a whole lot to learn." She squeezes Ignacio's hand and looks towards Itzhak when he seems to be disturbed by the lighting change. "Maybe it's just for the celebration?" she whispers, hopefully.

Julia turns to look toward the ferris wheel, looking over it with a furrowed brow. "Um. I didn't arrange that." And she doesn't know anyone who did. "Mierda." is murmured under her breath, and looks at those around her. "Keep up your guard." She sounds somewhere between wary and resigned.

Ruiz is doing his best not to look over as the ferris wheel's lights turn a ghastly green, and the hidden mariachi band begins to play. He's aware of it, of course, but has the air of having had quite enough of Gray Harbour's shenanigans for a lifetime. Pushing back to his feet as the girls scamper off, he weaves toward the others and flashes Erin a quick smile once he's near enough. "I was hoping you'd be able to make it. I'm sorry I'm late." Does she recognise him? Or think he's some random dude dressed up like a Mexican? Julia gets a spock of one brow for her comment on keeping up their guard, and Itzhak's the recipient of a wink.

Ignacio looks over to the lights and asks Itzhak to help distract him, "I'm packin brass if you want to get your violin from the car, man." Looking back to Finch he murmurs, "Wonder if the guy's here? Either way, Pajarito we'll go leave our gifts. Worst that happens is the people we leave them for come get them and say thank you." He nods for Itzhak and whoever to join them watching the lights go green. "Kinda festive really" If nothing else he can give Itzhak something to do with his hands to keep busy.

Whether Rhys is looking good for a gringo is presumably in the eye of the beholder, but he doesn't have much chance of looking good for anything else, so he's going to have to hope. He's made something of an effort, but not a 'go out and buy things specially' one -- just a simple black suit, with a white shirt and a red tie with a pattern of yellow and orange flowers. Suit's tailored, though! So the trouser cuffs are actually in the right place and not dragging on the ground. No face paint, at least not yet, and he looks around with interest as he strolls into the area, head slightly cocked to listen to the music. Clearly being broadcast through speakers somewhere. Way less interesting than some of the other things around, though it does have him walking to its rhythm.

Although he doesn't recognize Ruiz in that mariachi outfit and full face makeup, for some reason Itzhak glances over at him, just in time to be winked at. Which makes him redder. "Heh. Check out de la Vega." Then, mechanically, Itzhak shakes Diana's hand. His hand is big and calloused and inked with words; it's decorated even when he isn't wearing glittery nail polish. "How's by ya," he says, looking at her, but not really. More looking through her. "Itzhak. These're my buddies Finch, Iggy, and Julia. Listen, you keep close to us and don't wander off." He doesn't even know her, but here he is giving her orders on a festive occasion. The music floats close and Itzhak takes in a deep breath, sidling close to Ignacio. "I don't dare, not with this going on," he murmurs to him."

Erin takes the moment to add her own things. A photograph of herself with her parents, a small card to the greatest aunt ever as well as several other assorted things for all of her cousins. There are many in the Addington family and she was adamant on remembering each and every one of them. Before she steps back she does the sign of the cross and sniffles once, "I love you Papa, I love you Mama." Adding that at the last moment. Grateful for the approach of Ruiz, she slips an arm through his and smiles. She recognizes his build and his smoky voice more than anything. "Better late than not at all. I was late myself." She enjoys the music, and is about to say so about the band when she realizes there isn't one. "Where is the music coming from?"

Mercedes isn't familiar with almost anyone in the group gathered around Julia's public ofrenda but the building it's propped up against catches her attention. Her eyes widen slightly in recognition as she wanders closer. However, she's not entirely paying attention to her surroundings and almost bumps into Ruiz as he's addressing the group. "My mistake," She murmurs in Spanish and offers a respectful nod to the group before moving in the direction of the ofrenda again to find an unoccupied space.

Finch stares into the nothing that is where the band appears to be playing. "Yeah, that's not creepy. At all. Nope." She stands closer to Ignacio, as if she isn't the one who can chuck Fireballs and break legs with a thought. Then Itzhak says 'de la Vega" and she goes as pale as her makeup. She looks towards the man and swallows hard. The girl on his arm can't be much older than she is. "Captain de la Vega, I think we met once or twice. That tree that came down and stuff," she says. "Finch Celaeno." She seems to want to say SO MUCH MORE, but the lights and music mark it as a bad time.

James tenses up a bit as that music grows louder and yet there's no sign of a band. "... nope.", he mutters under his breath, and ever so casually pulls out a joint while everyone's attention is on the slowly escalating weirdness. He lights it, takes a long drag, lets it out slowly, and his shoulders slump a bit. "... ok, better.", he murmurs, eyes drooping a bit as he pops a candy into his mouth.

"Descansa en paz, tia y tio." Julia murmurs, though she is admittedly distracted by the spooky ookiness of it all." Finch's comments are noted with some surprise, but - later. "Feliz D�a de los Muertos, capitan." this to Ruiz, though her mouth is a little tense for obvious reasons.

Diana smiles politely at Itzhak, and her eyes widen just slightly, though she doesn't comment on whatever may have caused that. She's just watching him in silence for a moment, and then shakes her head gently, seeming to have been lost in thought. "Of course. And I'm doing well, thank you. Nice to meet you, Finch, Iggy, and Julia!" She nods to each of them in turn, clearly trying not to forget which name goes with which person. And in case they didn't hear, she adds, "I'm Diana." Her head tilts to the side as she listens to the music so very close to them, a frown replacing her smile.

Ignacio pauses at the ofrenda and sets the bread out and stops. There's music and that damn name. One eyebrow arches slowly and he takes in a lot of information silently and says and does nothing on the surface with it. He sets the breads out and then sets the basket out leaving it open with a sign taped to the inside For you to share. His right hand pulls out a trumpet that's not seen the light of day in many a minute. His other hand finds Finch's back; the side of her head a smooch. "Oooooh youre' the cap'n Itz told us abotu?" This. Guy. "Me alegra que tengamos la oportunidad de encontrarnos Capitan."

Ruiz gives Erin's arm a squeeze when she loops it through his, apparently happy to play the gentleman that he totally isn't. Then Mercedes nearly walks right into him, and his hand comes up, closes around her shoulder ever so briefly. It's a reflexive thing, to ward people out of his personal space. "De nada," is murmured in return, dark eyes trailing after her for a moment, brows furrowed. Finch's words to him disrupt his thoughts, and he draws a breath, shadows her a distracted smile. "Si. Hello, again." And to Julia, "Feliz día de los muertos para ti también."

It's a sad state of affairs when lights change colours and a band plays a song that might be a little macabre and everybody starts throwing their heckles up. That state of being a citizen of Gray Harbor has yet to leave Everett jaded, while he examines the other pavilions, keeping his hands in his back pockets after the hair collection.

Julia suddenly lets out a laugh. "You know what? Fuck it." Her arms lift, curving gracefully, with her fingers held out like delicate feathers. Turning her skull face up to the greenish light, she takes a step out onto the boardwalk and twirls, doing her best to compete with Shakira when it comes to truthful hips. Her eyes are closed, and she lets the music carry her.

"Actually I was kind of needing to talk to you about something, when you have time, Captain de la Vega, if that's all right?" Finch requests. Then she is feeling compelled to dance. She's not a dancer. Not really. Certainly not in this style. "Um...I think I need to dance? Really? Dancing?" she blurts out in frustration as her feet begin to move of their own volition.

Is now a good time to put his family photos on the ofrenda? There might not be a better time. Itzhak takes a moment out from everything else to set down a faded wallet-size photo of a beaky man holding a little boy. Both boy and man have mops of curly black hair. He adds a few cigarettes shaken out of his pack. "Miss ya, Abba," he murmurs. The other picture doesn't make it, however, as suddenly all he wants to do is dance. Diana is conveniently close. He takes her hand and pulls her to him, other arm going around her waist, and blushing to beat the band. "Uh. Sorry, but, uh..." Dancing time! At least Itzhak is pretty good at it.

And so Diana dances! It's really more of a rhythm-less shimmy, but the poor girl doesn't seem to know any real dance moves, so it'll have to do for now. Really, what more can one expect from someone wearing high-waisted pants? She blinks several times as she shimmy-dances with Itzhak, and just barely manages not to step on his toes. At least one of them can dance! "Nothing to be sorry for," she says though, polite as she seems to have been since showing up. "I mean, when the urge takes one to dance, one... dances. ...right?" She gives a nervous smile.

That music, it's pretty infectious. Nice beat, cheerful, quick. It's just made for dancing. James, however, is very much not made for dancing, so it's a good thing that the body high from his joint is starting to sink in and it just seems like too much of a bother to start dancing, nah. He'll just stand there and keep eating candy as spontaneous dance erupts. "... ok. Weird, but, ok."

Under no such compunction as to dancing this time at least, Erin watches the others with a bemused look, a smile given to Ruiz as the two of them stand there and watch the others start dancing one by one, or even two by two. She remains at the Captain's side and gives Mercedes a light smile with a curious look at her approach. The music was interesting, in that the origin of it is secret, but she enjoys it without moving her body along to the beat.

Dancing! That seems to be what satisfies Julia for the moment. "Capit�n!" A hand extends to Ruiz, even though she's still moving. "Venga a bailar conmigo"!

It's a celebration, right? Breaking out in spontaneous dance seems fairly on-brand -- there's already those wide-skirted dancers swirling about, after all, so why shouldn't people join in? It also happens to make them stand out more among the general crowd, and Rhys glances that way from where he's paused by a stand to accept a tiny sugary skull sweet or two when they catch his eye. Hey, he recognizes a couple of those people! He takes a moment to watch them from where he is and eat the candy, then starts in that direction.

Returning from his excursion, Everett holds a sweet roll shaped like a bun to his mouth, tearing a piece from it and sending sugar cascading to the planks that make up the boardwalk and a light rain on his army green tee-shirt. Pausing in stride, he glances around at the dancers with a moment of confusion, then shrugs a large shoulder. Casting a glance down, so down and into the crowd, Everett meanders towards the little red-headed man and stands next to him. For company, for shared be wonderment over the flash mob's dancing. Or for the ridiculousness of the size comparison.

The music continues, though the tempo increases just a touch. Now James, Mercedes and Ruiz feel the sudden desire to join their friends out there on the dance floor. Erin must be feeling preeeetty left out right now.

"I'm not usually like this, I swear," Itzhak says with an anxious half-laugh to Diana. He's beet red under the makeup. "Okay, just step back when I step forward, like this." He shows her, graceful enough despite having the proportions of a giraffe. "And forward with the other foot when I step back. Now step back and I'll spin ya, hold my hand and turn in a circle..."

Ignacio sets out a Senior picture of a young woman, medium-tan skin black hair down in a blue and white varsity jacket. The music picks up and there' s a pause and he flinches putting it women with one load of bread in front of it and another for the other of a Puerto Rican young man also in his senior picture. His fingers twitch on the trumpet unplayed. There's a murmur of a "Lo siento, amigos." He catches himself swaying. His good foot taps and while walking is always a challenge for him,the rest is fine. Finch mentions dancing and he grins to her, "C'mon, jsut because I am no good at it anymore don't mean I'm any worse, Pajarito." Looking to DIana, he says unhelpfully, "El es, te lo aseguro, y grande en eso."

Ruiz watches curiously as a few others peel away to start dancing, dark eyes flitting amongst them, settling on Itzhak for a long moment. Then Finch for an even longer one. I was needing to talk to you about something, she said. Then left. He looks vaguely irritated, and murmurs to Erin, "We should see if we can find some ch-" Fuck churros. He is going to dance. "I'll be back in a minute," he tells the brunette, turns a quick kiss to her lips, and reaches for Julia's hand as she swings past him. Whether she likes it or not, she's being tugged in close to the captain until they're right in each others' personal space.

Finch is pulled into a dance by Ignacio and she looks exasperated. She's agile enough all right, she just tends to not do this stuff, at least not in public. "Maybe after all this, Captain de la Vega!?" she calls over towards Ruiz as she spins and does moves she honestly doesn't really know.

Julia lets out a yelp of delight as she's swung around. "Nuestro hombre de nariz grande me tiene miedo." She smiles up at Ruiz with sly charm. "Me alegra que no lo estes." She lets him take the lead, because that's how you do, and seems confident he will know what he's doing.

Mercedes casts a glance over her shoulder in Ruiz's direction with a thoughtful frown as he turns his attention back to the group. She catches that smile from Erin and returns a small but genuine one of her own. She brushes off that feeling of deja vu and continues on her way as the music picks up tempo. She doesn't seem too bothered by the music initially, haunting it may be. The sight of other people joining in with the dance isn't that strange with such a celebration going on. They must have hired a really good band! She almost lets it carry her away again but stops short as she remembers just what she came here for, however. Before that second increase in tempo, Mercedes reaches the ofrenda and offers a few quiet words before placing her own offerings, pictures, and other pieces of memory. "I'm sorry I didn't come visit you sooner. I wanted to." She seems to be about to go on but that infectious music picks up once again and draws her in completely this time. She falls into a graceful rhythm as she moves into the open to dance.

As others move to dance around her, Erin just watches with that same bemused expression. Even as the music gets louder. She smiles at Ruiz, until he kisses her and then excuses himself to go dance with her cousin. With a laugh, she moves to keep watch over the offerings the others had given and even finds some churros among the free food stuffs. She picks up a few and munches happily as she watches the others. "That's right, pretties, dance! Dance until you die!" Okay, she's getting into the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus too much, but it's funny being on this end of it.

At first, James seems to have escaped the urge to dance. He even takes another hit off of his joint, watching with vague interest as folks dance and spin and shake their hips, and that music rises and falls. But there's another sound too. A... tapping. Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap. He looks down to see where it's coming from, and, to his horror, it's coming from his foot, which is tapping along to the beat. "... aw, fuck.", he mutters, before his feet suddenly carry him out and into a cheery dance. His expression is resigned as he's led into a solo dance by his traitorous appendages.

Diana can't help but laugh softly at Itzhak's claim not to usually be like this, so it's not clear if she believes him or not! He's not the only one beet-red, though it shows up even more on her without any skull makeup to conceal it. For all that she was practically stepping on his feet, it seems to have been from a lack of knowledge rather than talent, as she's picking up his instructions fairly quickly. She even manages a breathless laugh once more, this time as they turn in a circle. "Okay, admittedly, this isn't half so bad when at least one of you knows how to dance. But the tempo... it's a little too fast, don't you think?" She tsks, shaking her head, and mutters, "Learn to play a slower song, wouldja assholes?" And then there's another polite smile to Itzhak. To Ignacio, she says simply, "Uh, uhm, hablo poco español! Lo siento!"

De la Vega's painted face is split wide in a toothsome grin, when Julia meets his eyes with that sly look of her own. "No lo culpo. Eres muy aterrador." His fingers weave with hers, his hand pressed firm at the base of her spine, and he leads like a man born to do so. Nothing so special in the actual dancing department, but he he knows well enough how to direct a pretty girl in his arms and let her shine.

When Julia's abuela comes to dance with her, he's gracious enough of course to hand her off - with a kiss to her knuckles, no less. Such a gentleman!

Julia laughs at - no, with - Ruiz. "I am!" she agrees gleefully, and is whirled away by a new partner. "Abuelito?" Her delight is evident, and she can't even think about how weird it all is. "Abuelito misses you so much. I missed you." Her eyes get glassy, but she doesn't cry. She can't ruin her makeup!

James' fancy feet pull him out to dance, and at least for a few moments he has the relief that no one's tried to come dance with him, so he can experience his shame by himself. Until suddenly he feels someone take his hand. Around him, the other dancers are joined by their dearly departed: brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, maybe even a few cousins. James blinks, thinking perhaps he'll see his mother, but when he turns to see who's taken his hand and joined him in the dance, his eyes go wide. "... crazy Uncle Dan?!" A pudgy middle-aged dude with male pattern baldness, a wifebeater, pajama bottoms, and a pair of crocs is there, smiling at him. "Oh come on.", James protests.

Ruiz turns away from Julia, and comes face to face with a tall blonde, blue-eyed woman who's smiling at him like she knows something he doesn't. He simply stares at her for the longest time, while the other revelers whirl and spin past them. He stares at her, unmoving, until she slides her arms around him and presses in close. "Dance," she tells him, and he does.

Itzhak doesn't know how it happens, but Diana isn't in his arms. Instead-- "Pop," he breathes, eyes wide. His father, shorter, his black curls going grey, smiles at Itzhak with love. "Ikh bin shtalts mit dir, meyn boychikeleh." The ghost whispers to him in Yiddish, and Itzhak smiles back, helpless, eyes going glossy. "Abba," he murmurs. But Yusef Rosencrantz doesn't stay long, cupping Itzhak's face to draw him down for a kiss to his forehead, and then he fades into the green otherworld light. Itzhak's left standing there stunned. When he stirs finally, he looks for Ignacio, his eyes wide and lost.

Finch blinks as someone approaches to take her out of Ignacio's arms and dance with her. Unlike the others, she doesn't recognize this person at all. They are no one she's ever laid eyes on in person or on paper. She blinks in confusion. Someone ELSE, however, recognizes them. Ruiz does. Because it's his father, dancing with the little pink-haired woman. "Hi um, Do I know you?" she asks the man dancing with her.

Okay, so now Erin is jealous. What she wouldn't give to dance with her father. Cry a river and play some Luther Vandross. She watches and listens and glances towards where she had left the offerings. Maybe they weren't good enough. Maybe her loved ones weren't happy with them. Not that she knows everyone dancing is dead, but hearing the words and the sudden appearances sort of clues her in. Her face is going to get ruined if she sees anyone out there crying or anything.

How Itzhak stopping dancing with her mostly happened is that Diana just... let go, standing still for one brief moment before taking the hands of the man in his mid-50s who's come to greet her. He has a mischievous light in his eyes that's not echoed by one in hers. If anything, she looks saddened, perhaps even hurt, by who's come to see her. Still, she begins to dance with him, and the look on his face turns kinder, more gentle. "I had a lot going on," he says simply, and she nods. "I'm sorry," is added, and she nods again. Then they dance in silence for a bit.

"Querida nieta, no te dejes caer en la oscuridad y dile a tu abuela que la espero." The man Julia dances with bends his head, and kisses her forehead, not even leaving a mark. And then he releases her and whirls away into nothingness, leaving her standing there. Julia looks like she doesn't know if she wants to smile or cry. Maybe a little bit of both.

The man dancing with Finch is a little older, a little greyer, but bears some resemblance to the cranky police captain over there making googly eyes at his dead wife. He gives Finch a spin, and instead of answering her question, a raspy chuckle and a kiss dropped to the top of her head. He's in military uniform, though the livery isn't American and the rank isn't visible. His nametag reads: 'S. de la Vega'. Something is whispered to the pink-haired girl, and should she look up at him to reply, he's simply.. gone.

Rhys only gets a step or two before it's clear the people he knows are pretty busy with their dancing, and-- whoa, hold up, did someone say churros? Or is that thought (and scent) just on the wind? Nope, definitely churros. Right by him. The combination has him standing there and eating a couple as Everett comes to loom beside him with his own baked goods and join in the dance-watching. Rhys glances up (and up) to the familiar face, pausing a literal beat before greeting, "'Sup." In the traditional manner of the holiday. Clearly. Glancing back to the crowd of dancers that seems to keep increasing, he looks tempted to join, but, hmm, everyone seems to be partnered. Another glance to Everett, and it's funny how well one can sometimes hear a silent '...nah'.

All around, tearful, touching reunions are happening as people dance with their dearly departed. As for James, he stares into the eyes of the uncle who's very recent death is the reason he came back to this mad, insane little town- the house he inherited calling him back to his old hometown. In a way, it's crazy Uncle Dan's fault that he's here at all, and that he's gone through all this weirdness. Maybe... maybe James can finally get some answers as to why he's here, and what this all means! Let's listen in: "-nd you left the house a disaster area! I had no idea you were a damn hoarder, I literally have to climb over multiple piles of old newspapers just to go take a piss!", James is yelling at his Uncle, who spins him around, dips him, and replies, "Oh, sure, jeez, excuuuuse me, next time I have a massive fatal heart attack I'll be sure to tidy up first!" And then they're out of earshot as they continue their dance. Truly, Family is everything.

Finch stares, wide eyed, at the name tag on the man's uniform. The resemblance was enough, but that just cements it for her. Any doubt she had about who her father is, has been dispelled. She feels tears well in her eyes at the kiss to the top of her head, and at the whisper they spill over. She only understands a little bit of it, and memorizes it to ask Ignacio. She looks up, streaks being run down through her makeup, but he's gone. "Thank you," she whispers to the air.

Mercedes joins in a circle of dancing girls as they're caught in the frantic music as well, skirt flowing as she moves along with them at an energetic pace. She catches sight of Julia as she and Ruiz engage in their own dance, focusing on the other woman but seeming uncertain due to her concealing make-up. She doesn't have much time to dwell on it before someone gently takes her hand and spins her around to face them. Any words are caught in her throat as she stares in shock at her dancing partner. The elderly woman that resembles her gives the lost girl a small nudge to move her along in a more traditional dance, one usually reserved for parents teaching their children. The dark-haired woman smiles gently at Mercedes as they move in silence.

Erin gasps when she notices the not-gone-long person drifting through the crowd. It's her father after all! As soon as he is close enough she races into his embrace and holds him tight as they dance. She says nothing. The million things she'd thought to say if she had one more day with him are all forgotten and she just wants to be with him. To exist. So many things to share but she says none of it, none of her problems, wishes, regrets, hopes, dreams. Her father rests his chin on her head and holds her close and they sway together, the rest of the world forgotten in this timeless moment.

Ignacio is standing there and FInch is whisked off and there's alarm, and fear and concern but she's not in danger and he says nothing. He watches she, Julia, Ruiz... (watching you there buddy), and Itzhak having a very surreal moment. His eyes close for a moment and then a hand tapping him on the shoulder. She's festive and a bit younger than him as he remembers her at her passing. There's a quiet, "Que esso?" And he looks up.

It's a moment where the world is knocked into tilt and there is Marissa saying nothing, btu smiling at him. His breath chokes in his chest and there's a rapido murmur of apology. THems some tears from the generally cavalier and aloof writer. The ghost's hand finds his face and brushes his cheek putting a kiss to it and pulling his arm up. She bids him play. And with no air in his lungs it's hard tfor him to believe he can. Still as they dance he brings it up and failing to really be able to himself, joins the Mariachi as they play while she dances. Itzhak knows this woman damn well, and when his little buddy is spied nearby, man Ignacio is a mess, but he's playing again. He's not practiced in a while but it's making him play better than he should.

It's a festive moment and Marissa spins and dances as he plays laughing in the music and then turns and turns and turns in a ruffle and flurry of skirts and a wink to him, and a bright smile to Itzhak with a wave, a very excited wave. She lays her hand on the bread taking it, or an effigy of it while the loaf stays put, and points to it looking to Itzhak look what he did! he music shifts and she turns into vapor. The trumpet is lowered in trembling hands and held to his chest as he stares at where she was.

Ruiz closes his eyes and presses a kiss to his wife's mouth. There's longing in it, but also something else; something that's been decades in the making: the beginnings of acceptance. When he opens his eyes again, she's gone. And he's standing there under the swaying lanterns, and the memory of her like a sigh on his skin. He's dimly aware of Mercedes nearby, and Erin distracted by her father's appearance. And that pink-haired girl who had something to tell him. But they're like smudges of ink on a canvas; indistinct and not fully-formed. He looks down at his hands, a little lost.

Not knowing any of these people, well hardly none of these people, and the people they're finding new dances with, Everett assumes what he has all along. Flash mob business. With dull interest, he watches on, taking another bite from his pan de muerto and chewing slowly while the dancing progresses. Rhys' acknowledgement turns Everett's attention so many downs in that direction, and for the second time, Everett grunts, this time up nodding his head to return the attention before returning it to the crowd. With his usual basso tone, Everett murmurs, "Weird."

Finch looks over to Ruiz, tear-streaked, then moves to find Ignacio. She grabs his hand in hers and tugs on it to get him to look down at her face. "I need for you to translate something for me," she whispers to him. Then she repeats it as carefully as she can, a word at a time. "No tengas miedo de �l. Es un buen hombre, a pesar de las cosas que ha hecho."

Like all good things, this, too, must come to an end. Erin becomes aware she is dancing alone when her arms fold over nothing. Her steps stop and she turns, wanting to share the moment, and it's Ruiz' face she finds after seeking him. She approaches and she looks revived, refreshed. "It was like nothing I've experienced before." The words are soft, and she reaches for his hand. "The music, the dancing.. it was my father. I wish you could have met him. He was a good man."

Itzhak calls, "Mariska!" re-animating with startled delight. He waves back at the ghost, and nods eagerly when she points to the pan de dolce, smiling wide at her. Look what Iggy did! They share a moment of silent kvelling over Ignacio, who is playing again, and to Itzhak that's as good as a visit from the ghost of his father. He runs a hand through his curls as she vanishes, kinda overwhelmed. And then he sees Ruiz, standing there lost, and--and he steps up to him, and takes his hand. "Dance with me, Cap," he tells him, eyebrows up, smiling, tears ruining his makeup.

"-and no, I will not introduce you to any of my 'cute friends', first of all because you're dead and second of all because dude, ew, no.", James is shouting at his undead uncle as the pair comes back into earshot. "Oh, what, they're too good for ol' Dan, is that it? I go through all the trouble of coming back from the dead to have a good time and you can't even help me get some action? This is why I sent you away, you know.", crazy Uncle Dan replies. "Oh. My. God. You are the fucking worst, you know that, right?", James shouts back before once more they twirl out of earshot. Apparently he's not getting the answers to the mysteries of life and death he was hoping for.

"I remember when you used to dance on my feet," says the older man to Diana. He's dressed in rumpled clothes that don't fit him well, particularly around that beer belly and his arms. "I remember that too," she replies with a soft smile, still not looking him in the eyes. He frowns, and the moment stretches while they dance in silence again. Eventually, she looks up at him, meeting his gaze, and gives a nod. "If-- if you were dealing with a lot. Then I hope things are better now," she says at last, and he gets a great broad grin in response. "I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for very long. I'm dead and EVERYthing. You could stop me from going to my rest in peace, y'know!" His tone is teasing. She smirks in response, hand aiming to smack at his shoulder-- and passing right through it. "Now that's just unfair," she murmurs. "Don't tempt me," she adds, smiling now with tears in her eyes. He winks, and she leans in to kiss his cheek-- whereupon she's all puckered up and kissing the air, Uncle Louis having gone back wherever he came from. "Figures," she mutters, but she's smiling. She stands there, hands clasped around her sides, and then casts a sympathetic look in James' direction.

Julia takes a deep breath and walks back to the ofrenda once her grandfather has disappeared. She leans against the shack, silent and trying not to cry, but there's a smile on her face. She seems content to remain quiet and watch the others.

Itzhak approaches him, and Ruiz looks up sharply. Dark eyes slightly narrowed, crow's feet aplenty at the corners, creasing his makeup. His gaze flicks to the approaching Erin, and he holds up a finger to indicate just a minute before turning back to Itzhak. "Si. For a little while." He accepts the hand, listens for a moment to the music to find the rhythm, then (predictably) tries to take the lead.

Ignacio is a bit checked out right now. His eyes seem wet and fixed on the flowers in bright marigold around the ofrenda. He doesn't look still getting his feet under him, but oh when Finch takes his hand his fingers animate and find hers giving her hand a squeeze letting her know he's very must aware enough of her though the words so come quiet. Means... "Do not be afraid of him. He is a good man, despite the things he has done." The words bring a mixed reaction to speak out loud. He looks to Finch, eyes wet, "I said I was sorry." Wincing he un-clutches the trumpet from being held tight to his chest and hugs her instead. Too many emotions for the fledgling Mentalist; not bad just much.

And look at that. Itzy is dancing with the man who is 99%% likely to be her father. This has been the weirdest fucking day of Finch's life. The translation from Ignacio has her tears running freely again and she throws her arms around him for a tight hug. "It was my grandfather. My paternal grandfather. I think," she explains.

Rhys can't really make out much conversation over the other sounds from where he's standing, but the area getting way more crowded and then starting to empty out again is easy to see, at least. "Huh," he says, in a tone that sounds a lot like agreement with Everett's murmur. "Maybe it's part of the celebrations," he decides with a shrug, and pops the last of the churro into his mouth, eyeing what remains of the dancing group consideringly. Music's still pretty good, though, so he shrugs and glances back up to Everett, giving him a light mock-salute of, apparently, farewell, before he starts moving through the thinning crowd toward the dancers again.

"Oh, right, before I go, I was supposed to deliver a message to you.", crazy Uncle Dan is telling James as the two of them execute a side by side softshoe routine. James' expression brightens a bit. "Wait, really?" Uncle Dan gives him a wide, beneficent smile. "Of course, we're family. Now, let's see here, what was it, I've got it in my pocket somewhere...", he says, and releases James' hand to dig in his pocket. The dancing slows as James watches expectantly. "Aha, got it.", Uncle Dan says, before pulling his hand out of his pocket- there's nothing in it. He's just flipping James the bird. "Oh, you asshole!", James shouts, and winds up to take a clumsy swing at his erstwhile Uncle, but his fist passes through nothing but air as Uncle Dan is gone, only the sound of a distant '... haw haw haw!' carried off by the wind to show he was ever there at all. James slumps, and sighs. "... goddamit I hate this town.", he mutters. Given how his past couple of weeks have gone, the feeling might be mutual.

Mercedes looks guilty for some reason as she stares at the woman in front of her. She leans forward as if to speak but the elderly woman gently shushes her as she guides them through the final steps of the dance. She lets herself move along with it in a subdued manner, quietly hoping it wouldn't end. Her grandmother gives her twirl and holds her in a soft embrace before vanishing into nothingness once more. She steps back, finding that she's alone among the crowd again. There's a stricken look on her face as she drifts away from the dance floor entirely.

Itzhak lets Ruiz go after not too long, looking at him with an indecipherable expression made even less readable by the holiday makeup. He steps back, bowing one of his little stage bows to him, and goes to Ignacio and Finch to hug them both at once. "Naishka, you played! I'm gettin' my fuckin' fiddle, don't you put that trumpet down."

Amid telling Ruiz about it, Erin gets the just a minute finger before watching him dance away with Itzhak. There's nothing to be said for it, so she doesn't. Pressing her lips together she steps away from that immediate area only to notice a familiar face from her graduating class. Hesitating, she smiles tentatively, "Rhys?"

Rhys' explanation is met with thoughtful introspection from the gorilla. So much so that before the sound of gears turning or smoke being seen issuing forth from Everett's ears he misses Rhys' salute goodbye. "... maybe?" he offers, and then turns to look down beside him. Just like the dancer's phantasmal partners, Everett's partner too, just vanished. Army green eyes lift from the empty spot Rhys once inhabited before wandering away, leaving Everett to ponder if Lil' Ging was his own, special visitation. This whole time.

Julia hears a familiar name, and turns toward the voice uttering it. Erin. And she follows her cousin's look, only for it to lead to, "Rhys!" Beaming, she heads in his direction.

Diana stands in place, arms still around herself, and watches poor James' interaction with his crazy uncle. She winces as the punch goes wide, just watching with a sympathetic air about her. Without a pause, she walks closer to James, watching him for a moment. She's looking for something good to say, no doubt, but her wit seems to have abandoned her in this moment.

Itzhak's unreadable look is returned by de la Vega's usual intent stare. Not a word's spoken between them for the minute or so that the dance takes, though there's plenty going through the captain's mind at least. Then he's released as the tune changes over to something livelier, and his dark eyes trace after the man in the dark suit and bright makeup. It doesn't take him long to pick Erin back out of the crowd, and he begins prowling back toward her like an animal on the hunt.

James stands where he is as the dance with his least favorite dead relative ends, and he frowns, digging around in his pockets for another joint- which he finds, but then... "... oh goddamit that asshole stole my lighter." Another deep breath, and he shakes his head. "... I guess if I needed proof that it was really him, that cinches it." He then notices Diana standing nearby, looking like she wants to say something to him. He looks to his left, then to his right, just to be sure that he is in fact the one she's looking at, and he tilts his head to the side. "Uh. Don't... suppose you've got a light?"

Ignacio holds on to Little Bird looking surprised enough it reanimates his face into looking a bit amazed, "What wait, no shit? He here? can I see em?" Now he's looking curious and confused and being squished by Itzhak. He murmurs to Finch, "We should get him when he's, ya know, done visiting with family. This is all... a lto. I think... I think it's good though." Looking up to Itzhak there's a totally other conversation in that glance that speaks volume of DUDE! But he says something about his fiddle and Ignacio looks down ot the trumpet in hand and swallows, "Raf made me do this." Looking to Diana his head tilts curiously trying to figure out who she is and how Itzhak knows her and then Ruiz trying to sum up some things. His breath shakes in his chest but he smiles to Finch, murmuring something to her in Spanish she doesn't even know yet. Doesn't sound like it's bad though.

Diana gives James a polite enough smile, tinged with sympathy. "What an asshole," she says simply, shaking her head. Apparently she doesn't mean James though, since she begins patting her pockets for a light. "I think I-- oh. No. I forgot to bring one today. I don't usually smoke. I just like lighters." THAT'S not creepy at all. Still, her smile lifts slightly higher. We could ask some of the people over there? I even got introduced and *every*thing. At least, to most of them anyway. One of them's certain to be packing fire."

Oh, hey, that's him! Rhys looks over and then slightly up toward the question, taking half a second to mentally strip away the make-up and combine it to the memory of that voice, and breaks into a swift grin. "Hey, Erin! Nice makeup, I almost didn't recognize you," he replies, but gets derailed before the inevitable so-how've-the-last-few-years-been portion of things by his name again! In a more recently refamiliarized voice, which has the grin brightening a touch further even as he's turning his head to see the approaching Julia. Brows go up a tad. "Niiice dress," he remarks by way of greeting, "...and makeup." He glances from one cousin to the other. "I feel under-decorated."

"Thank you. It's really good to see you again. You look really good." It had been forever, even if they had lived in the same town. Erin definitely needed to get out more. "I think I'll take that as a compliment, unless it means I'm getting old." As her cousin approaches as well, she smiles at Julia. "We know all the same people it seems, except I don't know your group of friends over there," all of the Finch, Ignacio, Itzhak, Diana crew. It also brings her attention to the approaching Ruiz and she turns to face him a little. "Rhys, have you met Captain de la Vega?"

Itzhak, for those who know him, has been mysteriously sans fiddle since Gohl's funeral. Raf made Ignacio bring his trumpet, and Ignacio made Itzhak bring his poor neglected rental fiddle, and now for the first time in weeks the lanky cranky guy is eager to play. "That's him," he says, pointing at the mariachi in full makeup prowling towards Erin. "Did you guys see my pop too?!... But, uh yeah, maybe we should just ...play a while. Whaddaya say, tateleh?" He kisses Finch on her colorful hair, wipes a trickle of makeup from his cheek (which just makes a big smear). "C'mon, let's make some fuckin' noise."

Julia does another pirouette with a shake of her hip for Rhys' gratification. "You might be just a little. You know Erin? Of course you know Erin. But you need to come and meet my other friends."

James raises a brow as Diana explains she 'just likes lighters'. "... this is clearly a trap, but..", he replies, with a shrug, and takes a step towards her. "Lead on, I guess.", he says, falling in beside her. "You're, uh, not secretly a giant frog or anything, right? I mean, I know it should go without saying, but I've hard a rough couple of weeks and I'm not ready to get hurt again." He's charming, our James.

Since the dancing has all but halted, and the dancers by and large are going back to milling around, Everett shrugs a shoulder again, looking nonplussed before heading his way back to Sweet Retreat where he confers with the waitress there. Slipping his hand into his jacket inside pocket, he checks the time on his smartphone and numbers, dismissing the teen to go back inside while he mans the booth. Big bad biker dude, casually chewing a bun and distributing ice cream scoops decorated to look like skulls. Not creepy at all.

Finch nods silently at Itzhak, leaning into him when he kisses the top of her head. She's too emotionally overwhelmed to use her words right now. She just smiles at her friend, and her boyfriend, and looks for a place to settle to listen to them play. Her eyes sweep, now and then, to where Ruiz has gotten off to. Tomorrow. She'll talk to him tomorrow.

Julia looks over her shoulder at Ignacio, Finch, and Itzhak. "O la gente que pensaba que eran mis amigos." she murmurs thoughtfully, and then looks back to Rhys and Erin.

Diana turns just slightly reddened at the lifted brow. "They're handy, I mean," she says quickly. "Need to light a candle? Grab a lighter. Need to light a torch for some reason? Also a lighter!" She grins nervously, now seeming more uncertain of herself. But then he says to lead the way, and she nods firmly. "Sure! I'd assure you it's not a trap, but that's JUST what a trap would say... so I won't. Because... reasons." She smiles, and then adds, "And nope, not a frog, last time I checked. I mean, it's always possible as a bit of time's passed since I directly saw a mirror, but I'm holding out hope." She pauses as she reaches Julia and the rest of the crowd. "Hi again!" she says brightly, waving her fingers. "Anyone have a light? This fine gentleman," ...surely she doesn't mean James. And yet, there she goes pointing to him, "...could really use a smoke."

James nods cautiously along as Diana chatters away at him, blinking here and there, and even nodding at her answers. "... clever amphibian.", he murmurs, mostly to himself, but he's at least willing to go where she leads him. Odds are 50/50 that it's back to her lair where she will disembowel him, but in this town, that's pretty good odds and he's willing to take them. And then they've arrived at this group of hers, and all 5'4" of him looks up and around, waving a hand that's holding a nicely rolled up (but, sadly, unlit) joint at them. "Yo."

Erin's shoulder is given a squeeze as the mariachi'd captain sidles up beside her. His eyes shift askance to Julia for a moment, and he speaks to her in a stream of husky-voiced Spanish, "Sabes cómo mover tu cuerpo." A hint of mirth; his smile is slight, and made even more wolfish than usual by the makeup he's wearing. "Eres cubano?" And then he switches back to English for Rhys's benefit, a hand offered for the man to shake. A hand with ink running up to the backs of his knuckles, notably. "Hello."

Erin looks between Julia and the trio of Finch, Ignacio and Itzhak before settling her gaze back on Julia. She does speak Spanish well and squints a little at what her cousin says. "I am sure they are your friends. Do you feel they aren't?" Feeling the squeeze, the Addington smiles at Ruiz, smirking at the words he has for her cousin. "This is Rhys, a friend of ours from high school," careful to include her cousin in there. "Rhys Evans."

"Definitely a compliment, 'cause if you were getting old, that'd mean I was getting old, and that's clearly a ridiculous concept," Rhys assures Erin. Julia's momentary modelling gets an appropriate degree of attention and appreciation, which is to say no one needs to slap him for anything today, or at least not at the moment. "Suits you," he says, before following Erin's look toward Ruiz. Hmm. "Not properly. Definitely seen him around, though."

And there he comes! Rhys is briefly distracted by Julia's murmur, brow furrowing faintly, so hey, maybe it's all for the best that Ruiz switches back to English? "Hey," he replies, accepting the hand and giving it a proper shake, accompanied by another grin. No ink on his own knuckles, though a flicker of a glance suggests he may have noticed the captain's, "Nice to meet you. Great suit, now I feel even more underdecorated. Guy could get a complex."

Julia smiles warmly at Erin. "Thanks. So do you." Looking back to Diana. "Hi. I'm Julia, good to meet you. Sorry for the weirdness."

"I'm Diana," Diana says for those who hadn't caught it yet. "And this person is--" she pauses. "...I have no idea who this person is, go ahead and introduce yourself. He could use a lighter for his-- cigarette or joint, I can't tell which." She waves a hand vaguely. "I didn't bring mine today, but I do often carry a lighter." Pause. "For appropriate purposes. Like lighting candles. Or torches!" Nope, that's not getting less suspicious whatsoever. "And don't be sorry," is said to Julia. "Weirdness is my middle name." Another pause. "Well, that's a lie, actually it's Nicole, but you get the idea." She grins.

"James.", James says, giving a bit of side-eye at Diana, who, despite it all, appears to be the least weird thing that's happened to him today so far. He waggles the joint. "Just need a light and I'll be out of your collective hair, don't worry.", he offers, his other hand in his pocket as he looks around hopefully.

Rhys is given a long, thoughtful look by the cop currently grasping his hand. Who, to be fair, looks absolutely nothing like a cop at the best of times, with the amount of ink he sports. And even less so in that costume and makeup. "Encantado de conocerte también," he replies, meeting the younger man's eyes steadily. "Y gracias, eres muy amable." Then a sharp sniff as if to clear his nose, a sudden, dimpled smile, and he releases him. "Shall we go look for those churros?" he asks Erin.

Mercedes was lost in her own world like many others who were mourning but she was still quite aware of that nagging feeling of deja vu. Hazel eyes trail after Julia and Ruiz both as they move off into the crowd but she finds herself looking back at the Fried Fish stand after a moment. She returns to the adorned ofrenda and hesitantly pulls something out of her satchel. She takes a breath and sets what seems to be a page of a book down like a treasured keepsake. Anyone that looks will find a detailed sketch of an elderly couple with words written in Spanish beneath them. 'For Carmen and Miguel de Soto, all my love'. "I'm sorry." It's all she can think to say after everything that's happened tonight. She departs into the evening with a troubled expression.

Ignacio swallows and is trying to get back to okay. He hugs the shiny brass instrument to his chest. Taking a deep breath he tries to find his confidence looking to teh faces around Dianna looking for a lighter. Julia and Rhys whom he's not met, and Everett he's seen from his shop all getting a nod and seeing more, if he can scan and find the ghosts still there. A trace smile as he thinks he kinda does. When Itzhak brings his fiddle back he looks to the living musicians with an arch of an eyebrow lifting it and greeted by the older fellas with a slow nod and waits to find the place. Looking to Finch sitting and watching them he can't help but laugh, "Don't hate me, I'm a lot out of practice. Blame Raf." Though the enchantment on the Veil is helping everyone along, and maybe it's his primo playing through him. Who knows but it's a good time with some high brasss that's as flashy as he is. Figures.

"Hi Diana, it's a pleasure." Erin greets her while Ruiz greets Rhys, then introduces herself to both Diana and James. "Erin Addington, so nice to meet you both." She has no light to offer.. well she does, in a way. There's a brief glance around and she arches a brow and suddenly the joint flares to life. Maybe a bad idea, who cares right now? She waggles her fingers in parting to her cousin, Diana and James. But to Rhys, she smiles. "We'll catch up again soon, okay? I still have the same number I've always had. Shoot me a text?" With that, she'll smile at Ruiz, "Lead the way to sustenance. I'm hungry."

"Hi, I'm Julia." she offers to Diana, and looks over her shoulder again at Ignacio, Itzhak, and Finch. She seems a bit wary. "I don't play anything. But I can sing." It's not phrased as a question precisely, but there's an offer there. "Rhys? Want to meet the others?"

Diana sideeyes James right back, though who knows why. He's acting a lot more normal than she is. She turns back to Julia and the others, though, once Ignacio pats his pockets. She blinks once, and then she's looking to Erin's raised brow, trying not to react to the joint flaring to life. She smiles, at least, rather than seeming shocked and dismayed by it. "There we go. Toldja someone could help you out," she says to James. "And a pleasure to meet you, Julia. And Rhys." They're both nodded at again, in turn. She looks back to James, tilting her head. "Still not a giant frog, I'm pretty sure. Thought I'd give you an update." A bright smile lifts to her lips.

The nod tossed in Everett's direction is returned, a short bow of his head, before the giant figure assists a mother and her two children. While the eldest is old enough to help herself, already spooning strawberry ice cream into her mouth and savoring it, the imposing figure that is Everett selects some chocolate and a little spoon for the mother's toddler. Coming around the booth, the giant drops to a knee, looks up to Mom first to make certain he has concent, before offering the shy little boy the dixie cup of chocolate ice cream and a smile, offering, "Feliz Día de los Muertos," with the same sort of tone a valley girl uses English. That is, poorly. Once he gives the little boy the ice cream, Everett watches with a happy smile while they enjoy and leave.

If Rhys is at all bothered by the examination, he does a pretty good job of hiding it considering he doesn't have any skull makeup to help out. It leaves it pretty clear he's returning the look, though maybe a touch less thoughtfully. Does he understand the Spanish? Well, he doesn't look confused, at least, and there's a smaller smile than the earlier grin as he inclines his head in reply before the hands are released. "Rhys Evans," he informs Diana and James who might have missed it, "Nice meeting you. Sorry I don't have a lighter right n--"

The joint flares alight and he breaks off, blinking at it, brow definitely furrowing. Did that just... nah. He must have missed someone's lighter in there. "--but I guess you're set anyway, so that works." Erin gets a mild 'aw' kind of look as she takes her leave, and he nods. "It's still in my phone, I'll shoot you mine."

That music is really good, and he glances toward it right about the time he's invited to meet more people. And... that horn player looks kinda familiar, doesn't he? "I don't play anything but the fool and possibly the ponies, but I sing. Badly. Listen well, though. Shall we?" That seems to include everyone, as far as heading-musicward goes.

Ignacio sits in the background with the band and finds that quiet place to be part of the community. The music is festive and infectious and it's hard to feel sad celebrating the moments and the opportunity to be connected and remembered by the notes of one's story. Slowly over time, not that he's talking and maybe playing so he can find his feet eventually smiles more freely.

James jumps as his joint magically lights itself- but at least he doesn't drop it. He narrows his eyes a little, then sniffs at it lightly- smells alright. "... this goddamn town.", he mutters, then louder, to Erin, "Uh.. thanks!" He brings the joint to his lips and takes a slow drag, then sighs as he releases it up into the air above him. "... ahhh. Better." He gives Rhys a 'I know, right?' look. "Well met, Rhys." And then he hears Diana speaking to him again, and he turns to her, looking surprised. Most women don't usually continue conversations with him of their own accord, so this is odd. "Yeah, I noticed that. Though you're still not off the hook. Just because someone isn't a giant frog now doesn't mean they might not be one later." He crosses his arms, and nods to himself. Pretty girl, talking to him? Suspicious. Probably a frog. Still, despite this, there are laws in place that must be obeyed, regardless of situation, and this is one of them: puff, puff, pass. He holds the joint out towards Diana. "Want?"

Ruiz is going off to get his churros so Erin opts to remain behind after all, watching him go for a moment she shakes her head. He looked good, he knew it, she says nothing. "Looks like I have some time after all. "Let's go listen to the music, I'd like to hear too." A nod to Rhys, however brief. "Sure, shoot me a text I'll save your number." She just hangs around there for the moment, a brief wave to Everett, but she mostly listens to James about the frog. "You have this town pegged pretty good."

"That's actually a really good point," Diana says to James with a serious nod and no hint of teasing whatsoever. "It's worth keeping an eye out for that kind of thing, then." Then her smile's back, though it fades somewhat as she's offered the joint. Even so, she ends up saying, "Oh, uh. Yeah. Of course!" She nods to herself, reaching out for the joint and holding it like one would a cigarette for a quick puff-- one that leaves her coughing afterward for several moments until she's able to give a thumbs up and say, "Awesome. Great!" Her voice is a bit hoarse from the coughing for now. She gives a wave to Erin politely.

James chuckles a bit at Diana's reaction, but the smile he gives her as she offers the joint back is almost fond. "You, ah, want something to drink?", he asks as she's still catching her breath from the coughing. Rhys' comment, though, earns him a blink and a look before he smiles and shrugs. "Well, y'know. I'm a writer, s'sorta my job to see the truth of the world and distill it onto the page.", he replies, taking another hit from his joint before letting it out, away from the group, his whole body relaxing. "... or some such bullshit, anyway. Point is this town is weird. Can't even buy chips in peace, which is pretty rough when the munchies hit, let me tell you." He looks back to Diana again, checking on her.

That look from James is weirdly reassuring somehow, which is weird since there's clearly nothing odd going on except possibly discussions of woman turning into frogs, and he's definitely discussed weirder. "I think it's supposed to be safe unless you kiss her, right?" he says, adding to Diana, "No offense, I mean, I'm sure it's a sacrifice, but the frog issue's a big one. No, wait, hold on, it's the frog that's supposed to get kissed. Well, in that case I have no idea how to prevent these things. You might need waders." One or the other of them. His phone gets slipped out meanwhile, and he glances at it now, tapping through a screen or two in order to send Erin that text. Or order an Uber. But it's probably Erin.