This party was exactly what Rae had been needing. True, it catered to everyone and anyone who wanted to join in, but the decorations, the candy, the Halloween spirit? Rae had needed that outlet. Elliot had once been friends with a psychiatrist, who would've called this sudden drastic change in Rae's appearance "acting out" in response to her mother's death. Elliot didn't know if that was true or not, but he honestly could've said that he hadn't seen his friend look so happy since her mother had passed. If anything, she needed this as much as everyone else did.
One side of his mouth quirked into another smile when she voiced her dislike of needles. "I guess a tattoo is out of the question, too, huh?" To this day, he couldn't get over how un-stripper-like Rae seemed. She broke the stereotype of the over-pierced over-tattooed class-less high school dropout, and that was what made her so charming.
"I never said I wasn't a Mr. Greedypants, but at least I can say I'm a Mr. Greedypants who has Pop Rocks, an awesome Halloween costume, and an awesome best friend." He gave a nod that clearly added so there. His eyes went to the Starburst bag when it peeked out of her purse, and he nodded appreciatively. "I'm actually surprised there was enough candy left that wasn't out of date by now." Not that that would really have stopped him from enjoying his Pop Rocks, even if it was less pop and more rock.
Elliot's jaw dropped when Rae mimicked him asking for something absolutely absurd. And awesome. "Oh, I'm such a dumbass! Why didn't I ask for a twenty-four-karat-gold, bedazzled guitar?! It would've gone perfectly with the wig and jacket. Aw, man." He slapped his thigh as if completely disappointed himself. The act might've been more believable if he were able to hide his grin.
When the woman said she'd custom tailored the vest just for him, Elliot looked up at her in disbelief and wonder. Sewing had never held any appeal to him, but the time it must've took to do all this was astounding. You went to all that trouble just for me? The words were on his lips, but instead he said, "In that case, it's even more perfect."
It clashed a bit with his blue t-shirt, but Elliot couldn't have cared less at that moment. With the vest and the wig and the candy and all the people gathered around the party area, it really felt like a real Halloween party. Rae remarked about Bret Michaels being jealous of him, and Elliot almost came back with a response about if Bret Michaels were still alive, but he didn't. Tonight, ironically, wasn't the night to think about zombies. Tonight was a reprieve.
"A deal's a deal, I guess. You ready for that air guitar solo?"