Isaac pulled up outside Nikki's place (after he finally found a place to park and chuckled to himself. She was really going all out. There were black and red balloons and streamers all over the place. Even a couple of last years Halloween props.
He picked up the present off the passenger seat and headed inside. There were stacks of people already there, but Nikki spotted him the moment he stepped inside.
"Hey sweetie," she greeted.
"Hey," Isaac replied. "Happy birthday."
"Why, thank you," Nikki beamed at him.
"I love what you've done with the place."
Nikki in her wicked witch costome giggled.
"Well, my birthday is today, and what other theme should I have for a birthday party on the sixth of the sixth, '06?"
"I heard the story before."
"I know. I just like repeating it."
"So I noticed."
It was a very Halloween-like party except that costumes were expected to be of more dark fantasty/demonic/gothic style. Isaca noticed a couple in vampire costumes, and - knowing vampires really did exist - wondered how he would ever figure out if there was a real vampire at the party.
"Hi, Isaac, we meet again," Stella said, joining them.
Isaac paused. He knew her from somewhere... a concert maybe?
"Hey," he said uncertainly.
"I helped you guys out with Operation Tube."
"Ah ha! Now I know where I know you from," Isaac chuckled.
"Well, we did only see each other that one day," Stella conceeded. "You probably meet lots of people like that."
"Yeah," Isaac nodded. "And then people get upset when you don't remember them. It sucks a bit."
Stella grinned. She had borrowed some of Nikki's maek up to cover up her own Fudge Gang tattoo. She knew that Isaac would recognise it when he saw it, and had no intention of buggering up Nikki's job by letting him know that Nikki still met regularily with a fellow member. Especially when she was supposed to be 'lying low'. Ahh men. So gullible.