The night had barely settled over Poe’s house when the chaos started—quietly at first, a shuffle of feet and distant whispers—but soon erupted into full-blown energy. Baba Chops slouched in the corner, knees pulled close, arms wrapped around herself.

Baba Chops : “I really don’t get why anyone wants to stay up this late.”

She muttered, eyes half-lidded as she peeked at the others. She didn’t move, didn’t join the circle, and yet her friends knew her soft half-smile betrayed some small thrill at being included.

Icky Licky : “Quiet? Really, Baba? You have to play this game with us! No excuses. And if you lose, it’s clearly because the rules are unfair, so don’t even think about it.”

Icky Licky flopped dramatically onto the floor, sprawling across the rug. He shot a pointed glance at Simon Smoke, who was already grinning like he’d just won an invisible trophy.

Simon Smoke : “Oh please. Victory is inevitable when I’m in the room. But fine, I’ll wait while Baba decides if she wants to grace us with her presence. Don’t want to steal the spotlight from the mysterious recluse.”

Rabie Baby : “Speaking of mysterious... did you hear what Allister did earlier? No? Well, I’ll tell you, and it’s totally true—sort of. You might want to sit down for this one.”

Rabie Baby chirped from atop the couch arm, balancing precariously on one knee, Her grin spread from ear to ear as she began weaving the latest gossip into the dimly lit room.

Allister Gator yawned from the beanbag in the corner, arms behind his head.

Allister Gator : “Honestly, I’m just waiting for fortune to come find me. Games, gossip, snacks—whatever. I’ll get around to it… eventually.”

He stretched languidly, unbothered, as Toullie scuttled past with a clatter of empty wrappers and a shiny soda tab he’d salvaged from the trash.

Toullie : “And I found… this! Might be useful. Or maybe not. Just saying.”

He dropped it in the middle of the room, glanced up at everyone, and grinned; All while Maggie Mako waddled in, arms loaded with bags of cookies, chocolate bars, and a suspiciously large whipped cream canister.**

Maggie Mako : “All right, who’s hungry? Because if you don’t eat now, you will regret it later!”

She squatted next to the pile and began dishing out sweets, ignoring any protest about sugar overload. Poe sat near the window, hood pulled low, earbuds dangling as if the night itself belonged only to them. They scowled, but not at anyone in particular.

Poe : “This sunless hour is fine. But can we not destroy the quiet entirely?”

Icky barked a laugh at that.

Icky Licky : “Quiet? There’s no quiet here! You have to participate! Or I’ll—uh, never mind. I’ll win anyway!”

Baba Chops glanced at the assembled chaos and sighed, just slightly, allowing a tiny grin to escape. Despite her love of solitude, she had to admit—there was a strange warmth in the mess, in the voices, in the laughter bouncing off Poe’s walls. Rabie Baby squealed again, Toullie muttered something about “lost treasure,” Simon preened, Maggie shoved a cookie in Allister’s lap, and Poe’s scowl softened just enough to notice the flicker of joy around them. The sleepover had officially begun. And whether anyone wanted to admit it or not, tonight was going to be unforgettable.