Canterlot has never been much of a place to cause a ruckus, or doesn't like to think of itself as such.  It's a town with considerable reputation for class and refinement, rather well justified in it if its residents do say so themselves.  Many of Ponyville's quaint little customs don't translate well into the posh environment that Canterlot lends itself to, seen as fit for ruffians and rubes who can't appreciate the finer pleasures of life.

Tonight...is a bit of an exception.  Though its tone is somewhat subdued compared with the happy-go-lucky Ponyville festivities, Canterlot's own Nightmare Night could hardly be labeled as less than the small town's.  Though some turn up their noses at actually participating in the fun, even the most wet blankets can't deny that it's a wonderful night to show how "in" they are with the latest Nightmare Night fashions or pioneer a few, compete with their neighbors to have the most expensive and elaborate decorations surrounding their domiciles or places of business, or rake in the bits from those who did so appreciate the spirit of the night.

Tonight, the main streets are lined with vendors, stalls, and various stations where goodies can be bought or earned by enterprising young or not-so-young colts and fillies.  Large public spaces and parks are filled with ponies wheeling, dealing, or showing off their goodies and costumes.  Themed costume contests advertise their prizes, and even a few haunted houses have been set up boasting things even scurrier than the prospect of the hoity-toity Canterlot elite letting their flawless outfits gather dust.

There is also plenty of entertainment for those who consider themselves too highbrow to participate in those boorish activities, though.  What Canterlot citizen doesn't like a good excuse to throw a dinner party?  Several public ones are set up in various venues across the city, and invitations were sent weeks or even months in advance for some of the private ones.  Thus all ponies, regardless of their penchant for paying more than they ought for a name attached to their couture, can find some enjoyable activity in the night when the shadows come out to play...

Woodwind stops for a moment to take in his surroundings, pushing up the brim of the big floppy pointed hat upon his head. He's been wandering for a while now, more or less aimlessly, just taking in the decorations and various costumes on display. His own wasn't that impressive, simply an old, purple robe and matching hat, along with a long stick to use as a staff. He doesn't recognize where he's managed to end up, but he's not particularly worried. Being a pegasus, he could easily just fly up and find his way home, even with the robe somewhat hampering his wings. He watches the other ponies pass on by for a few minutes, none really paying him any mind as he stands off to the side. After a couple more moments, he decides he'll get back to wandering, and turns to head off down a nearby street. Something, or rather, somepony catches his eye though, and he stops again to look around for the orange coat of a pony he thought he recognizes. He spots the orange coated zombie quick enough, and smiles slightly. He thinks that's Gladius under the makeup. The brown pegasus trots after the off-duty guard. Thankfully, Gladius doesn't seem to be in particular hurry, and Woodwind soon catches up to him. He waves once he's close enough to be sure it's the right pony and catches his eye. He takes a moment to pull out his notebook and write in it. "Hi. I like your costume." He smiles as he shows the guard the notebook. "Have you had a good night?"

"Thanks." Woodwind writes at Gladius' compliment, and adjusts his hat slightly. While he's satisfied with his costume, the floppy brim of the hat does get in the way a little bit. He nods at the larger pegasus with a smile when he suggests that watching a bunch of horror movies and reading books taught him how to do zombie makeup. "Definitely." He shifts a little bit nervously when the guard mentions that he's looking for a good haunted house. "I haven't been out very long either." She writes, shaking his head. "I do know of a haunted house my sister wanted to go to though. I'm usually too scared to go to them though." He looks away for a few moments, feeling strangely sheepish about it. "I could take you there though. And maybe it wouldn't be so bad if somepony else was with me."

Woodwind gives a sheepish smile at the guard's teasing, though it does get a silent chuckle out of him. He nods when Gladius asks him if he knows where it is, and takes out his notebook. "I think I should be able to find it from here." He writes, taking a look around the area they're in. He had been there not too long ago, but hadn't gone in with his sister and had chosen to just wander on his own instead. Still, it had been long enough that Starlight had likely been through it and gone off to find something else to do. There was no telling where she could be now. "I don't know where she'd be by now. I think it's this way though." Woodwind puts his notebook away and points down one of the streets before starting off in that direction, though he doesn't keep far ahead of Gladius.

Woodwind smiles at Gladius' joking assertion that he'd keep any creepy crawlies away. There certainly were plenty of ponies dressed as things that could count around, in varying degrees of realism. It ends up being only a few minutes walk to the haunted house, and he didn't even have to stop and think about the direction at all. The big old house was certainly impressively decorated, the windows even kinda creeping Woodwind out a bit with their vague shapes peeking out. He nods at Gladius' question, turning to watch the group that's just leaving. He has no doubts he's going to end up being much like the one being teased. He glances over at Gladius. Well... He might as well give a try, it can't be that bad right? It's not like anything in there is real after all. He looks back at the house and starts heading for the entrance, though he grows more nervous the closer they get. Still... He can't really turn back can he?

Woodwind eyes the house as they approach, still a bit unsure about the whole thing. The wailing and screaming coming from within is probably mostly just for the sake of being spooky. Mostly. Probably. He at least hopes there's nothing in there so bad as to make ponies scream like that. As they approach the door, Windy turns his attention to the showman, who seems to have seen them as well. His costume is pretty well put together, though Windy's not exactly sure it fights the theme the haunted house seems to be going for. He turns away and moves to catch up with Gladius, when the showman gives a shriek and jumps in front of Woodwind, green flames flaring up around him. Woodwind jumps, snapping his wings out wide instinctively, and is halfway to taking off and booking it into the night sky when his brain catches up with his actions. He gives a sheepish smile and bends over to retrieve his notebook, which he'd dropped in surprise, and folds it back under his wing where it belongs. That done, he gives the showman one more wary look before hurrying over to Gladius, sticking close to his side as they now stand before the entrance.

Woodwind looks uncertainly at the door, opened into the dark interior and with a few cobwebs draped across it. He glances over at Gladius, nervous about entering, but follows the guard when he walks inside. The lighting is dim as they walk through the door, and Woodwind stays close to Gladius' side. The first rooms seems normal enough, besides being made to look run down, at least until a scrabbling noise draws Woodwind's attention to a hole in one wall. He can barely make out a face with wide, staring eyes in the darkness, and scurries around to Gladius' other side as they continue on into the house. Unfortunately in his haste he almost runs right into a shadowed shape that he had at first take for an old coatrack, but which reaches out for him with grasping claws. He ducks down and hurries forward as the disguised griffon withdraws their paws to await the next "victim", pulling ahead of Gladius a little as they move into the next room.