Video; UN: Willow

[frogfear]

[The feed turns on and Willow gives a little wave.]

Hi everyone. So, uh, I was talking to one of the younger Sleepers here about Halloween. She's never been trick or treating before - and I bet she's not the only one.

[She pauses for a brief second.]

Huh. I guess I should probably explain what that is - since we're all from different places, and I bet everyone has different traditions.

So at home, on the thirty-first of October, kids usually dress up in costume once it starts getting dark, and go around and knock on doors say 'trick or treat!' and people give them candy, or other treats. There doesn't really seem to be a shortage of kids around, and a lot of them are here without their parents - and there's the orphanage to think about too. I bet they've have never been trick or treating before in their lives, since it doesn't seem to be a thing here.

Anyway, I wanted to suggest that maybe we can put something together for them as a community - we'd need people to hand out candy and stuff, and probably people to make sure everyone stays safe too. I mean, from what I've heard, this isn't a regular Deerington October, but that doesn't mean we should totally let our guard down, right?

I figure it's probably a good way for anyone who knows about Halloween to get to do something that feels familiar for a night, and for anyone who doesn't know about it, it's a fun way to get out for a night and get our minds off... Well, everything else.

[Cloverfield's curse. She means Cloverfield's curse.]

So what do you think?

Comments

[frogfear]

Halloween at home was usually pretty quiet, but with October in Deerington being so crazy, I can see why lots of people aren't exactly big fans.

Thanks for stepping up. Hopefully we can make it a good night for a lot of kids.

[frogfear]

You lost your blood? That doesn't sound good. At least you got it back here, though? This place seems to have a lot of weird effects on people. It's good to hear some of them aren't bad, though.

Glad to hear you're adjusting okay, and you haven't come across anything too dangerous yet.

[frogfear]

Yeah, I've been doing the same thing. I've been spending a lot of time at the Archives, and at the school. There's a lot to learn about... Well, everything here! Makes it pretty easy to stay out of trouble for the most part.

I've checked out a few other places around town, but yeah, I'm staying away from the seedier seeming parts too. It just seems safer that way.

[kyley_b]

Me too! I'm surprised I haven't seen you, I tend to notice other redheads.

You learnt anything really useful?

video | un: OZ

[swornto]

So that's what this 'Halloween' is all about...

[Oz does feel some childish awe at the sound of it. It sounds sort of silly to dress up and go get free candy, but then again, there is a lot of silly stuff in life. At least this one has candy to go with it.

Still, he doesn't quite feel like enough of a child to participate himself.]

So the participating children would need costumes? Sort of like what they're giving out for the parade?

[hauntedsavior]

It's fine, robots aren't supposed to have blood anyway.
Or whatever I am now. God, who even knows anymore.

Just waiting for November to fuck me over a barrel. Don't wanna say that part too loud, though.
Feels a little like tempting fate.

[wiseass]

Innocence is already dead here, but if I can prolong its inevitable collapse for a few seconds it's a good calling.

[possessum]

Yeah, I made it! ( Peter says, like he checked into the right vacation hotel and didn't swim his way up onto the beach in squid form along with the rest of them. Adjusting is still... a weird process. He's honestly been trying not to think too much about the... squid bit. )

It's awesome of you to try and make that a reality for her — and the other kids. God, I haven't done the trick-or-treating thing since taking my little sister around for it back home... I'd definitely be down to help.

( Talking about Charlie at all is still an ache in him, but it's one he's able to voice aloud, now. )

Do you know where the orphanage is? Like which district?

[frogfear]

Yeah! I mean, they don't have to be the same ones from the parade. You can dress up as anything you want. But the ones from the parade would work too.

[swornto]

Anything?

[So this isn't simply a matter of formal wear, is it? It sounds much less stuffy than the events that he's used to.]

Would you have any suggestions? I'm afraid I have never heard of this kind of event. Is it like a masquerade?

[lightinside]

Were you in the place before here then? A few people have mentioned it to me already. It was some kind of dream?

[That's all she has been able to find out so far.]

Pretty sure my sister was there too.

[opress]

It has seemed less stressful than the world coming apart.

[He had been there for the tail end of Deerington, so he hadn't been around during the height of the madness or the plague. This month might not include death and blood, but he was struggling to make it through.]

Children are strange if they will only accept sugary food. That's bad for them, since they don't focus well if they eat too much.

[frogfear]

Bad timing, I guess! Feel free to join me any time, though. I'm always happy to have a study buddy.

I think just about everything can be defined as useful at this point, still. Or at least, interesting. New place and all.

[frogfear]

You're a robot? Or were? You know, however you want to define it, I guess.

And yeah, please don't jinx us into an awful November.

[frogfear]

That's the spirit.

[Or... you know, not.]

There's a lot of new people here too, so I mean, if we can give some people something to enjoy, why not, right?

[frogfear]

All kids should be able to have one night a year to go ask all their neighbours for free candy, right?

[Willow grins briefly, but her expression turns sympathetic as Peter mentions his little sister back home.]

I'm glad you're up for helping. It must be tough, being here away from your sister. The orphanage is over in Crenshaw, I think?

[frogfear]

Anything you want. If you want to keep it simple, maybe stick with the costumes the locals are giving out, and I'd still stick to their advice about keeping your face hidden, but other than that...

[She shrugs.]

The limit's pretty much your imagination.

[frogfear]

[And there he goes jinxing it.]

Hey, hey, don't say that too loud.

[The end of Deerington had been... bad to say the least. This month is still pretty miserable, but at least it's not life or death miserable.]

It's Halloween, and they're kids. It's a once a year thing, not an every day thing.

[frogfear]

I was, yeah. It was a dream. Well, nightmare. It seems better here so far?

[Willow's eyebrows lift when Laurel mentions her sister.]

Oh yeah? What was her name?

[kyley_b]

Awesome. I will.

Okay, point. Is it super rude to ask your blood type?

[opress]

Fine. Everything is awful and we're all going to die horrible and painful deaths or be corrupted beyond recognition.

[Well, he perhaps wasn't wrong on that, but time would tell how things went with the blood magic and the strangeness of this place.]

I've never heard of Halloween before this. It seems strange for kits to dress up as monsters and plead for sweets.

[hauntedsavior]

Yeah, dog. Mostly robot girl since 2018.
Well, early 2019 I guess was the mostly part. Before that I was just halfway.
Listen, either way, like.
If I had the power to change things by talking about them too loudly then I'd be having a way different time here.

[possessum]

Definitely. It's a kid's right to have some free candy. ( Peter gives a soft laugh. This place may be new and weird and pretty scary, but the people here seem, for the most part, pretty... okay? Different from back in Deerington. The kids definitely deserve to have a nice time. And a safe one.

His smile softens at that — a little sad, but also warm. )

I don't think I've been there yet.. Crenshaw... No, I definitely haven't. But if you decide to head out that way and need some people to go with you, I'd be down. Safety in numbers and all.

[kingofsarcasm]

[He counts on his fingers.]

Survey all routes, Safety in numbers, and the Sheriff... uh [He blinks, his brows furrowing together as he belatedly realizes] that last one's more just my Dad, so we'll go with "Security detail."

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[munchie]

...Oh my God. You would be advocating for giving candy to kids.

(It was lowkey endearing as hell, but Jennifer's not going to admit that.)