Happy Halloween! [Hyvää pyhäinpäivää!]

[hullu_kitaristi]

Time to party! Niko is happy it's finally Halloween and he's put on a party at Jake's house for everyone to attend, decking out Jake's apartment in Halloween decorations, making it even more gothic and spooky than usual. Why not have a party at a vampire's house while travelling on tour? It would be fun. Niko had help from some of the other musicians and wanted to surprise Jake with his special costume which he got from a decent store. The Finn dressed in a rather fetching Viking wolf costume which he hoped Jake would like.

There is party food, drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, cakes, sweets and small trick or treat bags for people to take away food if they wanted back to the tour buses.

"Hyvää pyhäinpäivää!"

That translated into "Happy Halloween for the non Finnish speakers.

"Happy Halloween!"

Traditionally, Niko's country celebrated All Saint's Day by lighting candles and remembering the dead that way. Yet, he was here in America and wanted to join in with the customs of many of the others, including dressing up and having a party. As well as food, drink and costumes there is also pumpkin carving available outside the apartment with the pumpkins lined up for people to have a go at.

"Everyone is free to have food, booze, carve pumpkins, party and have fun!"

He had heard that Bjorn had hosted the last Halloween party in LA and this one would be even better, now that there were more people.

Comments

[willoftheblackbird]

"Dia de los Muertos means Day of the Dead in Spanish." Jay explained. "But it's more like a celebration of life than of mourning."

There were places to be respectful - as in, don't touch the altars - but there were also plenty of sweets, shops and sights everyone in the family could enjoy.

"I've gone a few times. You don't have to speak Spanish to enjoy the music or watch the big procession... or eat the free sweet bread."

Jay could also translate if there was something there Johan and the others didn't understand.

"I think Mom and Dad just really want to meet the whole band." Jay laughed. "Even if all out faces are painted up like sugar skulls."

[alskar_musik]

"Day of the Dead. I think I've heard about such a tradition with the black and white skulls?"

Johan wanted to experience other cultures while on tour with Dee and Jay, who knew about Mexican traditions and festivals. There was going to be food and drink available which made it all the better.

"Who else will be coming to the festival with us? Anyone else on tour?"

Fredrik would want to come if he knew his brother was going.

[willoftheblackbird]

"Mom said to bring the band." Jay smirked. "I don't think she realizes how many people might come along."

It wasn't a problem, though. The festival was open to the public. This was a large community gathering, taking up several blocks. The more the merrier.

"It'll be the first time I don't have to try to push you through the crowds."

"No, I'll be driving myself through them... don't remind me." Dee gulped slightly.

"You navigated around the Paralympics." Jay tickled Dee's back, since his hand was already up his shirt. That made him wriggle and smile. "You'll be fine."

[alskar_musik]

"All of Kuro coming along? Sounds good to me."

If there were more people tagging along like boyfriends of the band members then it shouldn't be too much of an issue if it was a large gathering. Johan could sense slight nerves coming from Dee, which caused the guitarist to put a hand on the singer.

"We'll help guide you through the crowds if need be. Right, Jay?"

The Tiger would make a path for his band mate and he knew Jay would take good care of his partner in such a busy setting.

[willoftheblackbird]

"I know, I know... and I need the practice still." Dee admitted. "And you need your hands free for more sweet bread."

"Hey, now. Can you really blame me? It's not like you can get that year-round." Jay laughed. "You know, speaking of good food, I should ask Mom about having the band over for a few dinners when we get back from Canada."

They weren't sure what everyone's plans were for the break between the North American and the European legs of the tour. Kuro would be in the studio for the vast majority of it. But surely, they could use a break every now and then.

Who knows, if there aren't enough people staying stateside to rent out the apartments, there might be more people in Jay and Dee's townhome (or the Andrews family orchard) than expected.

"Though fair warning, Dad will probably try to take you on a big tour of the orchard if you've never been to one before."

[alskar_musik]

"What is it Erik calls you? Speedy wheels?"

Johan gave Dee a playful wink because he knew the man could steer his chair with skill the way he'd seen him drive. As for visiting Dee and Jay's town home the guitarist was up for that.

"I'd love to see your home and your orchard. It's been a while since I've seen any countryside."

Most of the Swedes had come from rural areas of the country before moving to the big cities.

[willoftheblackbird]

"Well, the orchard is my family's." He replied. "But you, Ansgar and Rex are more than happy to stay at our townhome with us during the recording sessions."

If they needed more space, Jay would ask his parents about using some of the guest rooms.

Dee nodded. "Kuro is definitely my family."