As the sun sat upon the land, Kalfu and Rarity walked arm-in-arm along the path that led to the forest. They were making small talk and simply enjoying each other's company. Kalfu even cracked a genuine smile as he genuinely enjoyed his time with the posh mare, which he thought he'd never ever enjoy doing. But, she was far different from the snobbish nobles that he had come to learn about. And it drew him to her.

As they crossed into the portal to his home, Rarity clung to him tightly as she wasn't sure what had just happened. One minute, it was a tunnel in the woods; now, they were in the swamp lands. However, once his little cabin came into view, she loved the design he went with. It looked rather cozy and inviting. Even the patio furniture and firepit he had burning with an ever-burning green fire looked like it would be nice to sit in front of for a while.

"Oh my. This lovely place is your home? You maintain it so well, given the surroundings. Never in my wildest dream could I imagine a swamp could look so..inviting." she said as she watched all the fireflies fly about. The sun was now barely visible from the large canopy of leaves above the area, with only a few rays shining here and there. Kalfu was rather pleased to hear that his home appealed to her. He was confident that she wouldn't be able to handle being in a swamp. But she continued to surprise him pleasantly.

Once they got to his door, Kalfu noticed a rolled-up scroll nearly placed upon his favorite chair, which had a royal seal. Given that it had a lunar design, it must have been from Princess Luna. Now, what could she want with the voodoo man? Another reading may be possible. Rarity peeked curiously over his shoulder at the scroll as she leaned in close, pressing her relatively soft and large chest against his arm.

Greetings, dearest Kalfu

Enclosed in this scroll is one invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala, which is held within Canterlot Castle once a year. I never did repay you for your kindness that night when you first appeared in our land. This will make up for my lack of courtesy. While I will not be able to attend myself, I do hope you will come and enjoy yourself.

Warm and fond regards,
Princess Luna

As he reads the scroll, a golden ticket slips from the lower rolled-up end and starts to fall to the ground; a glowing floating skeleton hand that seemed to come out of nowhere catches the ticket before it places it in his coat pocket. As much as Kalfu hated going to big fancy get-togethers like this, Luna did go out of her way to invite him. It would be rather rude to turn down the invite. However, this only made Rarity even more happy as she wiggled and excitedly danced on her hooves. "Oh, my sweet Celestria, you got an invite to the gala! This is so exciting! My friends and I will be going as well. We received our invitations just last night.".

Kalfu sighed lightly before tossing the now-read scroll into the firepit and opening the door to his home, allowing Rarity in first. "If you remember correctly, I told you I don't do so well at fancy shindigs like this. But, if you and Pinkie will be there, I suppose I will be alright. It is a generous offer for the princess to make, after all." Rarity went inside and clicked her tongue, dismissing his claim dismissively. "Oh my dear, you will be just fine~! While we go separately, find me or the other girls. I am sure we'd love to keep you company. I know I would~." she said as she blew a playful kiss at him.

With that, Rarity went over to the couch and sat down, placing her bag next to her before grabbing her stationary drawing pad and drawing concepts for the outfit she would make for Kalfu. She had already started the costumes for her friends, but she was even more excited now that she got to draw one up for Kalfu. It had to be perfect for him. "Hmmm. Kal, how do you feel about tailcoats?" she asked as she knew he had just stepped into his kitchen.

Kalfu was busy making tea when he heard her question. He pondered on it for a moment before answering, "I suppose if it is a full-length coat, I don't mind it. ANd yes, this top hat will be coming with me." he assured. "Oh, of course! That top hat has to be part of every outfit you wear! Well, unless maybe you go on a tropical getaway or some exotic locale like that." she said before continuing her sketch. "He is going to look even more wickedly dashing than he already does; I am going to make sure of that~," she whispered with determination.

A week goes by, and the night is finally upon Kalfu as he makes his way toward the rather large castle he had hoped to avoid going to. But it was only a matter of time before they gave him some reason to appear or two. He stood at the entrance of the gala area as he straightened up his silk black tie; a long raven tail coat adorned his body, along with a black buttoned-up shirt and black slacks with buckled boots that went up slightly past his knees. He wore his hair thoroughly slicked back rather than the usual wispy and wild style he usually let flow in. Perhaps in voodoo tradition, he should dread it? It was a thought. And on top of his new outfit, he wore his signature top hat. He was looking rather dapper this evening, indeed.

As he made his way up to the royal guards taking the tickets, he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the invitation before showing it to the guard, who stared at him with a confused expression. "Where is your guardian, young one?" the guard asked with his arms crossed. Kalfu was getting tired of being called that. Could he find a spell that would make him look at least of age? While his appearance was young, he had the mental mind of a fully grown seventy-year-old man!

"I am here of my own accord, thank you, good Sir. As you can see from the invitation, Luna invited me herself. My name and her seal are on the ticket, " he said as he pointed out those two things. The guard looked at the ticket again, starting to sweat, when he realized he was telling the truth. "Ahem…forgive me, Sir. I didn't mean to offend. P-Please, enjoy the party…" he said nervously before letting Kalfu pass. He could only imagine what was in store for him this evening. He will probably be called a child more times than he could handle.

As he stood at the table trying to find something to eat, he felt someone tugging at the back of his coat; judging where the tug was coming from, it was someone either very short or a foal who might be trying to get his attention. He turns his body entirely to who it might be before suddenly dropping the plate. Who stood before him was a small filly with a twin tail wearing a tattered dress and holding a teddy bear with one missing eye. But that isn't what startled him. She had burns all over her body, and both of her eyes were missing.

"C-can…see..m-me..?" she asked, reaching out again before grabbing his sleeve. He looked down at her before closing his eyes to make sure he wasn't simply seeing things. But when he opened them, there she was. He secretly took the little filly by the hand and led her away from any prying eyes that may have been watching him. Given her question, he was the only one who could see her.

Once in a quieter and secluded place, he dropped to a knee before slowly bringing a hand up towards the filly's left cheek before closing his fist in anger as he pulled it away and lowered his head. "Who…?" he asked. "Mister headmaster and headmistress of the orphanage..they had scary adults set the building…fir. It was…so hot at first…then I got freezing and sleepy. They…said something about…life insurance. Can't..remember.." she said as she held onto her teddy bear and started sobbing.

Kalfu wanted so badly to reach out and comfort her as she sobbed into her arm. He reaches up again for a second attempt at cradling one of her cheeks, this time coming into contact. She felt so cold, but responded to his touch by taking hold of his hand and holding it against her cheek, still sniffling but calming down. "Are they here? And are any of your siblings here with you as well?" he asked calmly to not frighten the little ghost, taking to her more like a big brother than a stranger.

She gave him a couple of nods before she wiped her tears away. "Can..show…come..with me…" she said as she took Kalfu's hand and led him through the main ballroom and into one of the gardens outside. When a few nobles came into view, the filly stayed hidden behind Kalfu's legs but pointed them out to him. All the orphans whom they had killed were floating around them, crying out in anguish as they tried to grab at their murderers but failed in doing so to their spectral forms.

Kalfu took a deep breath before putting on a fake but convincing friendly smile before approaching the couple. As he examined their souls, it nearly made him vomit to see such kind and warm faces possess such foul and poorly treated souls. They even almost gave off a stench of sewage. But he would grin and bear it for now as he stood next to them and tipped his hat in greeting.

"Ah, so you are the ones the children in the orphanage in Ponyville spoke of. I am sorry to hear that all of your hard work went up in flames," he said as he placed a hand over his heart. The stallion nodded with a rather fake look of regret and sympathy. "Indeed, those poor children have no place to go now. Hopefully, we can get another home for them. One that is far nicer and less prone to catching fire. I thank you for your condolences, Sir." he said as he offered his hand to Kalfu. "My name is Gold Digger. And this here is my wife, Silver Digger. Our families owned several mines before we retired and started opening orphanages many years ago.".

Kalfu was about to go off in anger as this stallion dared to even think of offering a hand to him. But, he took it to maintain his covers for now. "My name is Kalfu. It's a pleasure to meet you as well—both of you. You are so selfless to share your wealth with those less fortunate than yourself, especially with children who have lost their families. You shall truly continue to be blessed for such admiring work."

They continued to make small talk for a bit longer. All the while, Kalfu took little pieces of info out of them both about their past orphanages and business deals. This little filly behind him squeezed his pant leg before pulling at him timidly. He subtly places a hand on her head before leaving the couple, looking to the other ghost foals to follow him away before he is entirely alone with them again.

"You no longer have to suffer, little ones. You can now rest in the paradise of my creation. No more pain, no more torment. Nothing but peaceful days and love for all of you. Leave these two to me." He said as he held his arms out before the souls before him started to flow around him and into his body. Once he had taken them all in, his eyes shifted from their usual green to a wicked dark purple, which had never happened.

"Time for a little old school Louisiana punishment…".

Just a heads up, the second part of this is going to get very dark. You have been warned.

May the darkness grant you peace.