Merlin

Your shoes crunch against the gravel as you walk away from the stage. The concert was over, and the Prismrivers' music was lovely. The three ghostly sisters played with the skill only those from the other side could achieve. You got the best seat in the house. Or, at least, the closest. Oh, the shit you had to go through to get it... You shudder slightly. Thankfully, you were compensated for all that trouble in the form of a thin purple ticket. Printed on it is the address to a nearby club, and lists the holder (you) as a VIP. You've heard of clubs before, but the closest thing you've seen to those are pubs full of old alcoholics. The sunset finally dims, illuminating the forms of a few specters floating around. This is the Netherworld, after all. There aren't too many living people here. The odorless air blows cold against your face as you turn the corner to see a line of ghosts outside a large door. A great demon guards the place; no doubt a bouncer. You respectfully get in line and wait your turn. Some ghosts get in, and others are turned away. When it's your turn, the bouncer gruffly checks your ticket, smirks, hands it back, and opens the door for you. He says something in an infernal language into his earpiece. Inside is an atmosphere completely alien to you. Flashing colored lights, mist so thick you can barely see the other end of the room, and the wispy figures of spirits dancing to the curated tunes of a youkai DJ. Many of them are carrying red plastic cups with a familiar tannish liquid. This is a real monster mash. With a light push on the back from the bouncer, you stumble into the room. You don't want to be a stick in the mud, so you let the music invigorate you and dance. *Suddenly, the lights dim. A girl in white walks out, and you immediately recognize her from the concert. It's the trumpeter, Merlin Prismriver!" The crowd of departed spirits cheer wildly. She must be popular among the dead. "It's me, your hostess, the life of the party, Merlin! Are you ready to rage like it's your last day on Earth?" Merlin raises a cup in the air, and a bit of fizzy beer spills out. The crowd whoops and hollers, even though that day has passed for all of them. "That's what I thought! Well, you can't have a ghost party without a little mischief! And this time, I've got just the thing. A lottery!" The crowd falls silent. Whoever wins this lottery will be the subject of Merlin's "mischief." "That's right. Now then, whoever has the PURPLE VIP ticket, get up here. Throw 'em up here if you have to!" Before you can react, the surrounding specters lift you up and toss you on stage. "There you are! Wow, we've got an unusual guest up here. Well, we're accepting around here." Merlin grabs your hand and helps you up. But with a squeeze and a sparkle, you find that you're sitting inside her palm. Merlin regards your now-shrunken form and grins. "Yep. You're tiny now. Don't worry, it'll wear off tomorrow." *She brings the plastic cup closer and drops you inside with a brief plunk. How's that? A bath in beer! Ha ha ha!" From her beverage, you can hear the crowd start to cheer. "Chug! Chug! Chug!" Merlin shrugs. "Well, if you want me to do it THAT much, then..." Merlin's words trail off as she brings the cup to her lips, preparing to wash the beer (and you) down.