Halloweenfaire Event

[keeperoftales]

HALLOWEENFAIRE—

---

This time last year, there was still a grand Halloween Feast where the denizens of the Index and the lucky refugees who managed to escape their stories were determined to hold onto hope and welcome these new strangers the Storyteller promised would help them. But there had been an undercurrent of true fear and despair that the Story Eater could not be stopped. Now? Not only have the Aspects struck down and slain so many Erasers- even driven back the Story Eater itself when it attacked the Index last year- but they’ve even managed to breathe new life back into the ravaged stories. So where better to celebrate this triumph and the Halloween season than in the first story the Aspects restored: A Hollow Christmas Carol, borne from the remnants of A Christmas Carol and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Aspects who travel the bridge of light and swirling pages through the portal will be greeted with sprawling farmlands and forests right on the cusp of fall and winter. Normally the landscape would be cool and dark and quiet, but today- with tents and booths, red and green steamers and evergreen garlands with orange and black ornaments, motley costumes and festive, sometimes eerie, always loud music- the whole story is a riot of color and sound!

Even though most of the Aspects are already dressed like their Essence, they still might get ushered into a small temporary shop to try on costumes for some extra flair! Or ridiculousness, that’s also a possibility. Try your luck at some of the carnival games, beat up a Story Eater piñata, or try out the delicious… well, mostly delicious Halloween- and Christmas-themed foods! Though there still might be some tricks tucked away in the treats. You might even have been asked to run your own attraction or sell your own food! The presence of the Horsemen of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, the Headless Horseman, and the Ghost Bride have added other influences as well, such as jousting contests and haunted sleigh rides through the countryside. Who knows? Perhaps you might catch a glimpse of at least one of the ghosts as you celebrate tonight.

However, there is a slight chill in the festive air; the slight disapproval from some citizens in the Index and disagreement with their neighbors is much more pronounced in an actual story. It turns out that some of the citizens- called traditionalists if asked- while grateful for the Aspects’ help in reviving their home, aren’t as thrilled about being mashed up with another story, or with the wild deviations from the original text. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Freewriters (name pending), who revel in the changes as a sign of new opportunity and growth. Needless to say, the Aspects’ interactions with the denizens might vary a bit, depending on whom they talk to.

But why let a little philosophical dispute get in the way of a good party, right? Eat, drink, dance, play around with the candy effects if you feel really bold, and have fun!

---

§ prompts.

[Mod Note: Refer to the Game Notes for full details on the event.]

¶ I. A Halloweenfaire. A variety of activities and stalls can be found throughout the town. There are games that range from the traditional fun like ring toss and throwing darts to more specialized sports entertainment such as jousting and archery. There is a live band playing festive music along with other minstrels singing their share of ballads, and there is an area cleared away for dancing. Finally, there is plenty of food about, although the candy may be worth paying attention to.

• Bumper Swan Boats. Grab a friend—or go it alone if you have the strength—for a two-person swan boat ride. Of course, in keeping with the spooky theme of this world, these swan boats are either missing their heads or have pumpkin head replacements. And that’s not the weirdest thing about them, either. After a few minutes in the boat, it becomes clear that these decapitated swans are possessed, and what should have been a calming boat ride is going to be more of a game of bumper cars… Or boats, as the case may be. The boats with pumpkin heads have a trigger that can fire the pumpkin at their target—only one shot, so make it count! Those without pumpkin heads can create smoke screens to defend themselves and create obscuring fog.
  
  
• Santa Claus’ Snow Army. In the vein of things that should be harmless… There’s something wrong with the snowmen around the place. These snowmen are able to move around, but these are no Frosty the Snowmen… They’re quite angry to have people around, apparently, and will attack anyone who gets too close. Fortunately, at least they’re pretty slow as they hop along, and can be destroyed with Essence-based powers; they’re particularly vulnerable to fire and light magic or weapons. Leading the charge is an evil Santa Claus. Not only does he have complete command of the snowmen, but he’s also got a shoulder cannon that shoots pumpkin-sized snowballs with powerful force. Whether naughty or nice, you’d better watch out.
  
  
• Smash the Piñata. Piñatas in the shape of Story Eaters have been hung up for those to try their luck in breaking the goodies they carry inside. Candy! But they're not quite your average candy. Thought sweet and delicious, some of the traditionalist candy makers might have slipped some prank-laden treats in with normal candies, for some light revenge. These effects won't last forever and will eventually wear off. Till then, you'll just have to deal with what your sweet tooth has brought upon thee. [Note: Refer to the Game Notes for all the possible candy effects.]
  
  
• Food Stalls. If you don't fancy candy, don't worry! There are plenty of food stalls offering other carnival treats, from turkey legs to cider. Careful though, some of those turkey legs might actually be candy flavored. There is also a selection of pies to choose from. Some are your usual flavors of pie, like pecan or sweet potato, but a traditionalist baker might be tempted to slip you an eggnog pie laced with crickets or squid tentacles. Meanwhile, some of the more ambitious Freewriters might be trying a bit too hard to please the Aspects, offering creations like whole turgooduckens Wellington and three-story haunted mansions built from gingerbread and fruitcake! Good luck to your stomach. There also appear to be a bit of a commotion by the cider booths too. Apparently people arguing over which is better, pumpkin or apple? Which side will you choose? Or will you try to subdue the tension?

¶ II. Gifts from the Horsemen. The three horsemen of Christmas Past, Present, and Future will randomly hand out small presents to everyone with each gift matching their job. Opening the gift will provide display a brief memory or vision.

• Past: This pale green box rests easily in the palm of one's hand and is topped with a sparkling yellow bow. Upon opening, a bright light shines from within and a brief memory will play before them. This memory will reflect a happier moment in the past of their own life. Of course it may be bittersweet in the present, but at least in the past they were happy.
  
  
• Present: A brilliant red bag tied with a white ribbon. Once opened, a flurry of snow will burst from the bag and reflect a vision that represents how they are now in the Realm. Perhaps it's something they are worried about or an accomplishment they've recently achieved. Whatever it is, it is meant to be a reflection of who they are now.
  
  
• Future: A black envelope with a golden seal. Upon opening, black smoke billows out to wrap around the envelope. In this smoke there is a heavier vision alluded within: their world as it's being attacked by the Story Eater. However, how it ends will vary. It will depict both: first a dark ending where everything is lost and destroyed, and then a happier ending where their world is saved. It is not a premonition but a what if, of what could happen depending on what path they take. Perhaps that is what the Horseman is trying to remind them…

¶ III. Wild "Slay" Ride. Experience Ebegeezer's wild ride from the "Headless Horseman." Featuring a two person sleigh driven by a black horse, one person is designated as the driver and the other is in the back to try and fend off the headless horseman chasing them using an assortment of tricks such as smoke bombs, sticky taffy, and other assortment of silly equipment designed to slow the Horseman down. The Horseman itself is completely fake—an animated puppet created by the Bride—so there is no real threat unless it catches up. If caught, the sleigh goers will have a giant pumpkin smashed over them and dump an obscene amount of pumpkin guts before the Horseman gallops away laughing.

To make matters trickier, there will be black, sickly rose thorns that appear every so often on the course. Sometimes they chase the sleigh to try and wrap their vines around it and trap it, other times they're already in front creating a thorny wall barrier. They must use their Essences to defend and break through any thorny obstructions.



¶ IV. Magical Mistletoe. Streamers and ornaments aren't the only things hanging around the festival. If you happen to be walking under a tree branch or a lamp post…or inside a barn…just about anywhere there's something to hang from, you might find yourself frozen in your tracks, caught under a sprig or clump of magic mistletoe! Maybe someone will help free you with a display of affection, like a hug or a kiss! Or you could try to destroy the darned things. Normal brute force will only make the plants grow bigger, but maybe some Essence powers might work. But really, where's the fun in that?

Just be careful when touching it, if you can even reach that high. Apparently there are some sort of thorns growing among the normally harmless plants too, and not only does getting pricked sting…you might start feeling just a little drowsy for a little while.


¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Feel free to this for any who plan to have their own character activity.

Comments

[lifesa_witch]

[It took some convincing, but when she was told the extra clothing would be free, Magica finally agreed to become a black-hearted pirate!]

Santa Claus Snow Army

[Magica's not here saving your butt, okay? She's saving HERS. You just happen to be in the way - or you come across a lion, goat, bear, etc. taking down one of the silly snowmen before she POOFS back into her normal form, snarling at Santa.]

You... I should have known! You're nothing but a lousy, house-breaking, insidious elf! YOU COME ANY CLOSER, I'LL RIP OFF YOUR BEARD!

Smash the Piñata

[All that work, just for candy? Bleck. She hates candy. But she's also noticed a few people having those odd side-effects to these sweets... These could be use weapons, if they stick around. She just needs a guinea pig.

You'll do.

She suddenly sticks her hand out, offering your mun's choice of candy.]

Here, take it. I don't care for these things.

Past

[Magica's happy memories are few and far-between. What pops up is... little Magica, perhaps six or seven, arms crossed and staring intently at a nest on the windowsill. An itty bitty green egg with dark speckles rests there... before moving back and forth. There are a few clicking noises - and then a beak pokes it's way out! LittleMagica smiles, as the beak tries to poke more of the shell out, until finally... a VERY fluffy baby raven makes his way out, stumbling on his feet.

LittleMagica giggles. "You've got a rat face."

Adult Magica's face softens... before she remembers she's in public. Flustered, she quickly closes the box.]

Bah! I want a refund! This wasn't a real gift!

Magical Mistletoe - Scrooges Only

[It's inevitable that she was going to cross paths with at least one of them. Oblivious to the grassy trap above, she snootily sticks her beak up, and intends to walk in the opposite direction...except her legs won't work.]

... Oh no.

[She grabs her leg, trying to make it work. Nope. Tries transforming into animals. Nope. Even the legless ones like snakes and worms don't budge. She POOFS back into her normal form, so frustrated that she's pulling her hair.]

Why can't I ever get a moment's peace in this place?! I bet this is all your fault!

smash the piñata;

[lifleifthrasir]

[A red and white striped candy...what a thing to offer to a stranger. Gwendolyn raises an eyebrow in mild perplexity.]

I'm afraid I, too, have little interest in these kinds of sweets.

[Desserts such as cakes and fruit confits are much more to her liking...not solid rocks of sugar. The last occasion she enjoyed those was in her childhood, as secret prizes from her mother.

The thought makes her nostalgic, and she finds herself reaching out to take the candy despite herself.]

Still, I suppose indulgence is encouraged during this festival. Thank you for your kindness.

Santa Claus' Snow Army

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della has also been fighting off snowmen in her attempts to get to that darn Santa Claus, and she lets out a victorious whooping cry when the bear takes one out.

But when she sees the bear transform - well, it doesn't take a genius to realize who that is, based on her conversation with Scrooge over the journals.]

You! I-

Why do you want to fight Santa?

[It kind of makes sense, given how most people think of the old elf, but... It's still weird.]

Smash the Piñata

[takeittothebridge]

[Bridge blinks a bit as he looks at the offered candy before the one offering them. He recognizes her from Scrooge's journal entry description about her, so he's just a bit wary.]

...Thanks?

[He hesitantly takes the candy, but doesn't eat it right away.]

Past

[bladebabysitter]

What was wrong with it?

[That vision... Elma had caught only a glimpse out of it, but the reaction it had produced seemed incredibly disproportionate.]

You called?

[richestduck]

[Magica isn't the only one unable to walk on. Scrooge's own feet seem to be super glued to the ground.]

How is this my fault?! I was just walking by!

Candy

[ricebird]

[Oh, huh, another duck lady! Wonder if she knows Della (but that might be rude to ask.) Oh wait, she's offering candy.]

Really? [She gives a medium-light bow from where she's kneeling to grab other candies from the piñata.] Oh no, I couldn't...

[Gotta refuse as least once so she doesn't seem greedy.]

Mistletoe | Comes in five thousand years late

[moneymatters]

[He had been considering tripping her when suddenly the trap did its dirty work. And no amount of struggling was going to get him free.]

My fault?! My fault!! How would this even remotely be my fault!

[He flicked her beak, making it twang.]

Hexes are your department, witch! If I didnae know better, I'd say it was your fault.

[sonrises]

(Varian is partially costumed, like so.)

Halloweenfaire
[He thinks the archery looks kind of interesting, and has decided to give it a try - but he's having quite the hard time just getting set up. Upon managing to snap an arrow in half, he lets out a groan of frustration.]

How is this so difficult?

Smash the Piñata
Oh, that's really good...

[Varian's never had a peanut butter cup before, but he likes it! Not that he'd think they were worth it if they knew about the truth-telling magic. But for now, he'll have another, sure.

Alternatively, he will give the gummy worms a try a bit later. He's less partial to those - and not at all fond of the fluffy, cream-colored cat tail he grows upon eating them.]

Great. I really didn't miss this.

Gifts from the Horsemen
[Opening the box, a small scene play out in the air before Varian - it's a memory that may even seem boring to others - a much younger Varian sitting on his father's shoulders, launching a floating purple lantern into the sky.

He's a bit misty-eyed as he slams the lid back on the box, scowling.]

Wildcard
Any other ideas? Go wild or hit me up on Plurk (dolewhip) to plot!

[shslliar]

Speak for yourself, bud.

[Says the donkey with the dragon wings.]

[titanus_gojira]

[OOC: For prompts A and B, Godzilla will have bodyswap with either Pidge or Hunk. Your choice!]

A - Out of body experience.
[Godzilla has tolerated a number of things this place has thrown at him, but there's a limit to his patience. Being suddenly forced into a tiny human body is not okay.] Grraargh! [He smashes and kicks the stalls in rage. Some he manages to cause some serious damage to the flimsier stalls, others he fails to knock over and only stubs his toe or hand instead. That only causes his anger to build, as he continues to look for something, anything that he can knock over. That means pushing into people and growling threateningly at them (and failing at it) as he walks by. Someone better stop this mad man!]

B- A taste of humanity.
[By some miracle, he will eventually calm down once he realizes he can't just bulldoze his way through things the way he is. These people can actually overpower him, there are rules he needs to follow and that sucks. What doesn't suck, as he starting to learn, is the food. However pissed off he is, the smell from the human food is rather alluring and he finds himself sampling them. The pie in particular with the squid tentacles is rather tasty, as he has a couple of tentacle sticking out of his mouth in the most unappealing way. He's also bad at the whole pay for what you eat concept and thus walking away, and leaving a mess behind him. Some were just too scared to approach the freaky human to correct him.]

C- Snowman bad. Must smash.
[One of those candies ended up slipping into his sampling and now he's...still human. At least he's regain his abilities, but at this point, he's ready for a throwdown. Thankfully there were these convenient evil snowmen roaming around for him to take out his frustration. At least no one is yelling at him to stop this time. His techniques were clearly more animal than human, breathing fire and tearing at the snowman limbs with his teeth. Evil Santa's snowball cannon doesn't even intimidate him, he just swipes at them with his bare hands. A few of those snowballs does manage to knock him over, but that only just pisses him off even more. In his rampage, he may have conveniently saved you from the snowman's fury, or deflect Santa's attacks in your direction. He doesn't care, he just wants to smash things.]

A

[hatesviolence]

[Shizuo had been in the area when he heard a commotion. From people shouting and things crashing, he frowns and heads on over. When he sees what he assumes to be some teenager cutting up and making a mess shoving things, he clicks his tongue and stalks on over. Although small, there's already a low hum of electricity in the air as he approaches.]

Oi. Quit messing around.

[And just going to reach out to grab the back of the shirt to attempt to raise the girl(?) up.]

[ricebird]

A. Costume... Shopping?

[Kotori came to the party under the impression that dressing like her Essence would be enough costume for today, maybe with a warmer cloak since peasant girls’ dresses aren’t well insulated.

Kotori was very wrong.

Almost immediately, Kotori is ushered by a VERY enthusiastic faire attendant to the costume boutique, and once inside another attendant looks her over… before snapping her fingers and magicking Kotori into THIS very form-fitting costume.]

Wh-what?! That’s-- I can’t wear this!!!


B. Food, Glorious Food!

[Okay, maybe all the delicious food here is worth wearing a curvy witch’s costume.]

Mm! Wow, this is so good~~~!

Okay yeah, this maple-glazed turkey leg is DEFINITELY worth it! And the oyster stew, and the chestnut and mushroom stuffing, and the cranberry sauce, and the candied sweet potatoes, and the pumpkin pie, and—yeah, needless to say Kotori has a LOT of food on her plate! And she definitely looks like she has room for all of it as she chows down at one of the picnic tables near all the concessions. There’s a space nearby if you’d like to sit down. If you do, she’ll likely stop squeeing between bites to say hello!]


C. Viva Piñata!

[Eventually, though, Kotori needs to work off some of that energy… and maybe add some dessert for Round Two, or at least to take home. She’s actually a bit grateful for Della’s club lessons as she approaches and gets blindfolded and spun around. This is a LOT different than a game of suikawari, though, having to hit this giant thing hanging above instead of a melon sitting on the ground. And she can’t tell if the piñata is moving or not!]

A-ah… Where is it now?!

[Maybe shout out a pointer or two, if you happen to be watching?]


D. Mistletoe Time~ (Closed to Previous CR)

[Kotori’s just heading back to the food stands when she passes under a lamppost--

... Passes by a lamppost...

....... Why... can’t her feet move beyond this really tiny circle under the lamppost?]

Oh no... is it the candy again?

[She already has fox ears thanks to those gummy bears, but she hasn’t eaten any of her candy recently enough to just stop her like this. What IS going on?]


E. Wildcard!

[[Got something in mind besides the prompts listed here? Feel free to hit me up on Plurk or Discord to plot something out!]]

B

[shslliar]

[Local clown slightly unnerved by how much food Kotori is shoving in her mouth.]

Uh... You gonna eat all that, Iida-chan?

[shslliar]

This is... Hollowmas? Christmasween? (Human)
[A festival in the middle of one of the rebuilt drafts? And the costume is provided for free? Well, count Kokichi in! He practically bounds through the portal and finds himself dressed as a literal clown... And in a spooky farmyard. Surrounded by jack-o-lanterns and Christmas stuff. In what he guesses is November.

He turns to the nearest person with the most confused look on his face.]

Hey. What's this story supposed to be about again?

Mr. Oma's Wild Ride (human)
[Then again, there was something charming about this crazy story.

Kokichi's cackling with glee as the sleigh barrels down the path, the "headless horseman" hot on its tail. He's having a blast throwing stuff at that horseman... And every so often, he tosses out a handful of bouncy balls that explode into cigar smoke on impact.

Judging by how some of the black thorns wither in that haze, it's safe to assume Kokichi's testing the cooler part of his essence.]

Whoopie!! Go faster, he's gaining on us!

Mule plus worm equals...? (Donkey)
[After that ride, Kokichi gets the bright idea to try and sneak himself into the sleigh ride and replace the horse. Sure, a donkey looks nothing like a big black horse...

Or could it? A couple of minutes after transforming, he noticed some of the cursed candy seems to give people animal parts.]

Huh... Wonder what it would happen if an animal ate that?

[His hope was getting some horse parts and try to pass himself off as a mule or something. Easy enough, right? So he steals a gummy worm from someone else's pinata fun and gobbles it down...

A moment later, he feels two extra appendages growing out of his back.]

What the?! [He turns his head and... Wait. Are those dragon wings and a tail?!]

Seriously? [He flaps his wings... Yep. They sure were wings. Great.]

The gift of Christmas Past (Donkey)
[Kokichi tugs on the ribbon with his teeth, and a forgotten joy from his recent past unfurls.

Kokichi and his classmates were gathered at a casino for some back game. That turned out to be bogus, but there was still fun to be had in watching A guy named Ryoma whoop a blowhard known as Kaito Mamota in a game of slots. Twice!

The present Kokichi is still snickering as the memory fades.] Nee hee hee! Oh, MAN. What a loser! And Mamota-chan calls himself "Luminary of the Stars..." PFFT.

[As he lays there snickering to himself, he may have forgotten how he didn't go into detail about his "school."]

Eavesdropping. (Either form)
[On occasion, you might catch Kokichi taking a break from the festivities to spy on the locals. He might be lurking behind a corner, or leaning on a nearby fence... Not too close to the grumblings of the traditionalists or their arguments with the freewriters.]

Hm... [He mutters to himself in a low voice, too quiet for his marks to hear,] Sounds like we might get ourselves a war...

Wildcard!
[Hit me up at nyanka if you got another idea!]

Eavesdropping

[kawkaw]

[He hadn't thought much of the donkey next to his food stall at the end of the line of other stalls, settled around the corner and hidden from sight of the other vendors. And really, it wasn't so much the fact that it was speaking that surprised him, but what he said that had him looking up from the pot he was cooking from.]

...Things certainly do feel strained. That might be a bit extreme, though.

[natation]

[Halloween was harmless fun, right? So Percy won't take much in the way of persuading him to join in the fun, dressed as a pirate because water references are a must with this kid.]

I:

Halloweenfaire: [Well, the whole point of Halloween was candy, right? So yes. Percy will be trying some. He'll also be having a turn at say, archery. Not his usual preferred weapon given Riptide is a sword but still, he can shoot, knows some basics from training at Camp at least, back home. Or maybe he is trying his hand with darts or ring toss.

He might pause after his turn, gesturing for the next person to have a go. Or he might offer some tips if someone looks like they might be having trouble.]

Piñata: [Percy unfortunately at least initially has no idea on the possible consequences for eating the candy that falls out of the Piñata. So he will pick some up to much on, and offer some to others he sees along the way if they want it too.

Or perhaps one might encounter him after he's eaten some of the candy, under the influence of the pranking effects. Oops.]

II:

Past:

[The present opens, revealing a scene of Percy relaxing with his friends. Roasting marshmallows over the bonfire after offering some to the Gods, singing and laughing and joking together. There's seven of them. Frank, Hazel, Annabeth, Piper and Jason, and of course, Leo.

Before everything happened in their more recent confrontation with Gaea to finish their Quest. Even in the middle of everything, they still had their moments. Together.]

Wildcard:

[Any other prompts people might be keen on can go here.]

Piñata

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della also hasn't caught on just yet, so she accepts a peanut butter cup with a smile.]

Thanks, Percy! Hey, how've you been?

[moneymatters]

[You know, he never was much for Halloween. That was more the kids' scene than his, and he was always too busy to really join in on anything. Sure, his candy businesses getting a boost was always nice, but he rarely participated.

Still, it was one night, and he needed to do more than sit in his boat. Especially if Magica is about; SOMEONE has to keep an eye on her. So he goes to the event and, after a quick accosting by a faire worker, comes out with the only costume he could put together that would be acceptable for him, complete with a bit of a wrap around the peg leg, just to match.

He's going to stay well, WELL away from anything remotely Christmas Carol (unless dragged toward something by someone else who doesn't know better), but surely there's enough elsewhere to keep him occupied.]


[A. Smash the Piñata]
[What he IS always up for is a game of skill and luck, and all the better to get a good thwack in with it. There's a few prank options, and different reactions to each one. (1) To be fair, the peanut butter cup's effect has momentarily gone unnoticed, but now wouldn't be the time to ask him any difficult questions, would it? Of course it would. (2) Gummy worms got an... interesting mix. Scrooge will resolutely keep that hat down on his head because there certainly wasn't a pair of floofy, pointed ears that'd grown up, no sir. Less easy to hide is the prehensile, furry tail he also now had...

And (3) was possibly the most interesting one. It hadn't taken him long to figure out that the cinnamon candies caused fire, so what's a person to do with it? Put on an impromptu firebreathing show, that's what. Supplied by more candies as necessary, he goes through several different things: Igniting objects, creating multiple streams, fire-eating, and the occasional gout to singe overhead of anyone who's come close to watch. If people deign to drop coins in his hat sitting on the ground, all the better.]


[B. Food Stalls]
[Scrooge is speaking to one of the stall attendants, who's giving him quite the... odd look.]

You know... [slurp- was that a tentacle supped up like a noodle..?] If you're goin' to try to prank some people with "unusual ingredients," you might want to know your audience. [He smirked, walking away with a laugh.] I've eaten far worse in my lifetime, lad! You'll havetae try harder than that!

[Still chuckling to himself, he shakes his head and keeps right on walking, continuing to dig into what he'd been served. On the surface it seemed like opaque colored gelatin, though digging through (or watching him do so) will reveal the squid that'd been cut up and distributed about. He certainly seemed to be eating it well enough, but it can't have tasted good, right...?]


[C. "Slay" Ride]
[Now THIS was some fun. Scrooge can alternate as either driver- this isn't the first carriage he's ever driven, hell it's not even the fiftieh -or the defender, always quick on the smoke bombs and such to keep driving the Horseman back. In case any vines threaten, his harpoons will fly straight and true to keep them away.

Will the two of you succeed? Or will you see what happens if you lose? Only one way to find out.]


[D. Wildcard]
[Have something else in mind? Hit up this prompt, or ping me at zumidotexe for plotting!]

"Slay" Ride

[noimpulsecontrol]

[She'd been more than happy to let Scrooge take the reigns while she tosses smoke bombs and taffy out behind them - although she might be going through their ammunition a little too soon. She sure seems to be enjoying herself, at least! She laughs as she glances over at Scrooge.]

Come on, come on hurry up!

[rokubro]

[When Rokurou was told about the Halloween costumes and saw his options, he immediately took to what was described as a "demon samurai," complete with horns. Those are interesting to deal with, but he is definitely having fun with this. Helps that his markings fit perfectly with it. Along with going around the fair itself, he gets roped into helping with one of the activities. But it sounds fun and he has ideas so it'll be great.

In charge of a "spooky" version of a scavenger hunt, Rokurou is stationed right outside of town at the edge of the forest. There's a dimly lit trail to lead to the site with several people already engaged in what's going inside. There are definitely a lot of screams but also laughter within the woods, so at least people are having a good time.

Note: Anyone is free to use the basic or advanced level for your own thing with someone else! Rokurou is only participating in the extreme level, but he can also be asked to help for the others if someone wants to do it with him. But he won't cheat so it'll mostly be him watching.]

» haunted scavenger hunt: basic level «
[Since he has to be family friendly, there is one section of the forest that's a bit more on the "easy" and "silly" side. There are plenty of spooky and creepy decorations along with puppets that pop out at various locations.]

This is the easy route. All you have to do is follow the hints and search through the forest to find as many items as you can in half an hour. Seriously, this is the kid level—you sure you want to do this one?

[Maybe the kids are the ones they have to watch out for... There will be a lot of extra pranks in place, so be on your guard!]


================
» haunted scavenger hunt: advanced level «
[Now this? This is the fun one that Rokurou may have had too much of a hand in and may have met with some protests from the locals. But it's fiiine. Not only is he a daemon, but also a Huntsman. Totally fiiiine.

As Rokurou explains this route of the hunt, his eyes are gleaming a little more than they probably should.]

For those after some real game, this is the one you want. There's a lot of people attending this festival and that means a lot of hungry mouths. To help the cooks, we have a regulated "hunting" zone where you track down and hunt any of the following animals on this list. Don't worry, they're all game and won't be wasted. I heard that some of the animals need to be culled, and some will be stored for their winter. The big game will be deer and boar, but gotta stick with the numbers listed. If you hunt more than you should...well I'm sure you don't one of the Horsemen to find you.

[A devious grin.]

That said, this is the wilder section of the woods. There are other wild animals out there so don't head out too far. And who knows. There might be something else out there hunting around.

[OoooOooOoOh.

There are other dangers to keep an eye out for, which are all listed on the list and the map provided. Pitfalls, some spooky traps early on, etc. But this is mostly hunting focused. Types of animals are the classic, like rabbit, pheasant and other fowl (especially turkey), deer, etc.]


================
» haunted scavenger hunt: extreme level «
[This could happen anywhere in the woods. When you're sticking close to the shadows focusing on finding the next item on the list, or even if you're just going through the outskirts of the faire or by the forest and not even part of the scavenger hunt. But before you realize it, the light has grown dim, the shadows deepen, and an eerie silence fills the air before its broken by an ominous sound...

Clop clop clop clop

Should you turn and look, someone in dark armor riding a black horse is suddenly there. At first they just stand staring at you before the horse suddenly moves forward. It starts at a walk, but then it quickly turns into a fast canter. The rider leans forward, reaching back to pull out a sword and it's then that you can clearly see—there is no head.

If not frozen in fear, perhaps you will run. Should the rider catch up to you, it will swing that sword—but the aim is at various well placed prop pumpkins which will dump orange and black confetti and silly string all over. At that point a maybe familiar laugh will be heard.

Should anyone try to fight, however, they will be met with a force so strong and full of energy, it's like the "headless" horseman is excited to have someone challenge it.

So which will you choose?

(Spoilers: the horseman is Rokurou. It won't be easy to tell at first as he's using a different sword for the runs, but if engaged in battle it'll be more apparent.)]


================
» wildcard «
[Rokurou will be up to pretty much everything the faire is offering when not being part of the scavenger hunt, so feel free to hit me with any of the other prompts!]

advanced.... psyche! it's a wildcard

[shslliar]

[Kokichi expected an actual scavenger hunt. While there is an option for just a normal scavenger hunt, he is also kind of stuck like this at the moment. Not good.

So ya know what, he's gonna trot right up to the guy running this mess and pester him.]

Hey, wise guy. How are you gonna keep the hunters from shooting any aspects who turn into animals?

[gobetween]

[Honestly he has NO idea what Halloween is, and it's only thanks to a couple friends that he's aware of Christmas. To his- extremely limited -knowledge he didn't think they were ever mixed, but any excuse for a party to a Fraggle! He enthusiastically agrees to the costuming, coming out with a rather dapper, spooky look.

From there, it's on to the faire!]


[A. Wildcard I - Travelling Minstrel]
[Every party needs good music, and while Gobo might be spotted hanging out with some of the more stationary players, he can most often be seen travelling through the faire on his own. He's playing either his Essence-given lyre or a guitar he's fashioned himself that, despite being made out of a dried gourd and string, sounds just as much like a full guitar as any you might find off the shelf. And what he's singing is a small assortment of songs he knows from home, whether his or from one of his friends. Your character can catch him singing any random one, whether it be quick and upbeat or serious and somber (and the occasional song that's both).]


[B. Food Stalls]
[While he readily tucks in to just about anything vegetarian that's offered and thus can be find parked somewhere to eat, the focus of this prompt is his misguided attempt to quell the cider-fighting.]

--Look, all I'm saying is, I don't know what's the problem! They're both perfectly fine-

[Which does absolutely nothing but start the two people arguing again, mostly way over Gobo's head because he's so small, but the volume makes it easy enough to hear them anyway. He looks helplessly between them two or three times, then growls in his throat-]

ENOUGH! Stop fighting, they're both good, and you two are being dumb about the whole dang thing!

[-and only gets a pitcher of apple cider dunked over his head for his efforts, before that vendor storms off. The pumpkin vendor must've thought that was a good idea because before Gobo can even shake any of the apple cider off, he's doused again by the other option, who also then stalks away.

Sighing, he shoved the now soggy hat up off his face and squeezed out the coattails.]

I tried to tell them...

[A moment spent to lick off each finger in turn, then he sets off to find a towel before this starts to get sticky.]


[C. A Past Gift]
[A gift wasn't exactly expected, but it's certainly always welcome. This one is particularly nice, and though the memory displayed is relatively recent for him, it was a nice surprise to get to experience again.

One can find him sitting somewhere with the box, one hand idly playing with the ribbon still, and even though he's wearing a mask and hat that somewhat obscures his face, a quiet and warm smile is easy to see. The memory itself might've even been seen, if one was with him at the time he opened it.]


[D. Wildcard II]
[Something else in mind? Reply with anything, or feel free to hit me up at zumidotexe for plotting specifics~]

Food Stalls

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Luckily for Gobo, here comes a knight in shining armor. Della's still wearing her recently-reobtained scarf, and doesn't hesitate to take it off and offer it to Gobo as a towel of sorts. She'll need it back, of course, but it's seen way worse than a bit of cider.]

What was that all about?

[twilightskey]

A - Easy To Find What's Wrong, Harder To Find What's Right
[Roxas remembers the first time he entered this story back when it was a draft, and how they had all worked together to bring it back to life. Seeing it teeming with people who are celebrating Halloween is a stark contrast to the dead, desolate landscape it once was, and the restored life within has him smiling.]

[Like the others, it's not long before he's ushered away and given a costume to change into. It's a simple vampire costume, but it fits well with the aesthetic of this story and isn't terribly cumbersome. Plus, it's technically his first Halloween costume, so Roxas is pleased by it.]

[He can be found at the various attractions, from the carnival games to the spread of food from the stalls, even standing by and singing with some of the minstrels not currently entertaining on the dance floor. It's a festive affair, and Roxas is enjoying himself.]

[There are times, however, when he catches the tail end of a conversation, or sees a cold glare sent his way, and that smile falls some. It's not enough to detract from the event entirely, but on occasion he may linger at the edges of the festivities, a thoughtful look on his face.]

[So many people were happy to have their worlds restored, but the words of those traditionalists... some of them have him thinking.]

B - Close Your Eyes, So Many Days Go By
[The three horsemen duck and weave around everyone, delivering a variety of presents. They're pretty interesting to watch when they ride by, and Roxas soon finds himself with a pale green box in his hands. He's surprised when he gets it, but grins in delight; he's still a kid, and knows enough about Christmas to look forward to receiving gifts.]

[Upon opening the box, he's surprised by the bright flash of light that bursts forth from it. Once it settles, his eyes widen as he's granted a vision of a familiar golden sunset atop a very familiar clock tower. And before his eyes, a memory plays out.]

[It's a simple memory from a simple time, of two friends enjoying some ice cream and exchanging some banter. And, eventually, a query.]

"Hey, Roxas. Bet you don't know why the sun set's red."

[Anyone standing nearby will be able to view this memory as well; if not, they'll just see Roxas staring into a faint light, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. When the memory fades, he blinks, before lowering his gaze to the present in his hands, chuckling softly.]

Man... time really flies. Heheh...

C - Feeling Your Cold, Dead Eyes Stealing The Life Of Mine
[The sleigh ride actually seemed like a fun idea at first, hence why Roxas got on in the first place. But once the ride actually began, and he hears the first unhallowed, haunting laugh of the Headless Horseman, he began to see what the ride actually entails.]

[Whether up driving the coach or in the back, Roxas is ready to do what he can to fend off the horseman. Whether that be pointing out encroaching vines up ahead, helping to pass supplies and 'weapons' if his partner needs it, or hacking off thorns that try to grab at the coach itself with his swords. He's not near water so his Essence powers are limited, but he'll do what he can elsewhere.]

[Regardless if they're caught or escape, by the end of the ride, Roxas has a grin on his face.]

That... was actually pretty fun! Wow...

D - Say Goodbye, As We Dance With The Devil Tonight
[The festivities carry on well into the night, and for those who have taken to the dance floor, they'll be treated to a surprising sight indeed. As part of the night's festivities Roxas has been sampling various candies and has been lucky enough to avoid too many awkward effects, but after consuming some innocent-looking dark chocolate, his luck finally seems to run out.]

[He can be found on the dance floor after eating the offending chocolate, and to anyone around him, he is dancing up a storm. He sways and moves with surprising fluidity and grace, completely enraptured and lost in the throes of the music. It's probably surprising since outside of this night, he hasn't done much dancing in public. However, anyone who takes a close look at him will notice his eyes are glazed over, as if possessed.]

[Anyone who happens to be nearby better watch out, though, as if he catches your eye he will reach out, grabbing them and pulling them into his revelry. He won't have any qualms about who he grabs, and he actually makes a fairly decent dance partner. However, after a few minutes of dancing with a partner, his eyes will clear and he'll blink, regaining his senses and finally coming to a stop.]

Huh? Wha-- oh. Not again... did I pull you in to dance? Sorry, I think it was that chocolate I ate...

[He'll be able to talk and be in control of himself for a little while, but if he lingers too long the effects of the chocolate will take over again; his eyes will glaze and he'll be swept up in the dancing and fun once more. This will go on for a couple hours, so he'll have room for multiple dance partners.]

E - Wildcard
[Got any other ideas for Roxas? PM me or hit me up on Plurk or Discord, we can work something out!]

A

[kawkaw]

[While attending his food stall, Crane could hear some of the whispers from the other vendors nearby. And he could certainly feel some of the tension in the air, though he wasn't sure of the reason. He only had a passing knowledge of each holiday, so he wasn't familiar with either of them to know why the Traditionalists were so upset.

All he really knew were the looks he received from some of the natives passing by. He tried to pay them no mind, but he kept his guard up, just in case.]

[kawkaw]

[He had never heard of neither Halloween nor Christmas, and to be honest he had considered not attending. It took a lot of convincing by a particular someone, and eventually he found himself joining the festivities.

He was very unamused by the costume he received, though. He's also still wearing his rice hat on top of it.]

A. Food and Mending Stall

[It turns out that the endless rice that kept pouring from his hat was finally being put to good use. Among the row of other food stalls, he had set up a stall of his own on the end where he sold a Ginger Vegetable congee, served in paper cups for easier carrying. The warm porridge seemed like it would be good for the cool weather.

There was another side of his stall, however, advertising something different from the congee. When he'd heard about the dressing up part of Halloween, as well as the potential mishaps with the costumes, he felt that having a place to mend them up would also be useful. So at a different side of the stall was a sewing station, on the off chance that people needed a quick touch-up.]

B. Gifts from the Horsemen

[He can't help looking over the bag he'd received suspiciously. He had been told about the exchange of gifts on Christmas, but he still wanted to be wary, just in case.

Then, carefully, he undid the ribbon to open the bag. He can't help dropping into a fighting stance as snow whooshes out from the bag, but he relaxes when nothing seems to attack him.

Though he frowns deeper when an image appears in the snow; it seemed to be a bird of some kind, being chased by something...or several somethings.

Quickly reaching for the bag, he hurriedly tried to tie it back up to cut the snow and vision of.]

C. Peanut Butter Cups and Magical Mistletoe - Closed to Della

[He hadn't really planned on doing anything besides working at his stall. Someone, apparently, had other plans.]

I'm not really sure about this.

D. Wildcard

[A bit later on, some people might catch a glimpse of a crane here and there around the fair. The bird seemed to be doing its best not to be seen by people, but some people might notice it hiding somewhere nearby.

People might also notice it's wearing a rice hat that could be familiar to some.]

Peanut Butter Cups and Magical Mistletoe

[noimpulsecontrol]

[She'd explained Halloween to him, and touched on Christmas - but that had only been half the job. Now, Della had to make sure Crane had some fun. Which she is currently doing by pushing a plate of gingerbread-slash-fruitcae into his hand.]

Trust me, it's pretty good!

[noimpulsecontrol]

(Della's picked a knight costume to wear to the festivities.)

Bumper Swan Boats
[She would've written off the boats as boring... But she'd seen some other Aspects taking the wild ride, so she's hyped. Whether you're hopping into a boat alongside Della - or being dragged along, perhaps? - or you're going up against her in a game of bumper boats, it's bound to be interesting. Every time her boat bumps another's, or is bumped, she laughs.]

This is even more fun than I thought!

Santa Claus’ Snow Army
[In this activity, however, Della is rather serious. She's taking down the snowmen with determination, but the real target is the Evil Santa. After destroying one of the snowmen, she pauses for a second to point out:] You know, it's nice to have other people in on this, for once.

Food Stalls
[Okay, so eating a pie with pecans and crickets is a little gross, but it's still not black licorice gross. And honestly, once she realizes just what she ate, Della has to laugh.]

Man, I wish Donald were here to see this!

[Grossing out her twin was always a fun time, ever since they were kids. That said, she's definitely not finishing that pie.]

Wildcard
If nothing strikes your fancy, hit me up for something else or plot with me on Plurk! (dolewhip)

bumper swan boats

[flamekthunder]

[Della may be having fun, but she's going to notice something rather odd about one particular swan boat. Being of the headless variety, it's only "weapon" is the smoke screen, but whoever is driving it seems to be utilizing it fairly well, deploying the smoke to "disappear" from potential incoming boats and then stealthily making its way through to avoid them completely. It doesn't seem to be trying to engage with the others, but its quickly being rumored as the "Phantom Swan Boat."

WILL DELLA BE ABLE TO CATCH THIS ELUSIVE SWAN BOAT!? The driver obscured by the costume, the moment Della is within range the smoke will deploy.]

[takeittothebridge]

[If there was one holiday that Bridge loved, it was definitely Halloween. He didn't need to be asked twice to find a costume, and eventually decided on dressing up as a witch, complete with a wig.]

A. Garden of Shadows

[Bridge was pleased to see that there were plenty of stages around, some of which didn't have a set performer. Yet.

So he was more than happy to fill in, performing a few shows a couple of times. He certainly had several different songs to sing that fit the general atmosphere.]

B. Smash the Piñata

[While Bridge was usually one who ate just about anything, he generally tried not to indulge in sweets too much. But Halloween was always the exception. Plus, hitting things with sticks was fun sometimes.

After breaking one open and gathering the treats inside, he takes stock of the different candies that he received. Then, glancing around, he approaches the nearest person.]

Hey...wanna trade?

C. Gifts from the Horsemen

[Gifts are definitely not part of Halloween, but Bridge is hardly complaining. Christmas was another holiday that he enjoyed, and he wasn't going to turn down a free gift.

...unless it was dangerous. Then he'd try returning to sender.

Still, the green box was pretty small. Carefully he opened it, watching as the light shone from inside the box. And then from the light, there is a picture of a child, dressed as a cowboy, walking down the street beside a man - the man in the picture looks pretty identical to Bridge himself, though older and with lighter hair.

He stares at the picture for a moment, and can't help a small smile, even though it doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

D. Magic Mistletoe

[Honestly, with all the things that were happening tonight, he really should have expected this.]

...Welp.

[He apologizes if you're stuck with him. If you're not...help a guy out?]

E. Wildcard

[While he mostly sticks to the stage, Bridge can be seen wandering around, taking in the sights and enjoying the festivities.]

C

[twilightskey]

[Roxas happens to be nearby when Bridge receives his present, so he’s privy to the vision that plays out. It looks like a man and child... and the child looked like Bridge.]

[When it fades, he turns to Bridge.]

Was that you?

[detectiveforhierophant]

1: Here comes a new Challenger!

[Dojima wasn't a man without a competitive streak, now and again. After all, he'd been on the track team back when he was in high school and wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

[He tried to keep a handle on it most days (to various degrees of success), but upon hearing that the Halloween Faire would have a Jousting Tournament...]

[His essence wasn't about to let THAT go, and he knew 'Arthur' would just drive him nuts till he joined in. So before he was dragged in to dress up in a Halloween Costume, Dojima made sure to sneak off to the tournament, in proper plated armor with helmet and Llamrei in tow.]

[So do you cheer Dojima on, challenge him in the contest or scold him for doing something dangerous? Either way, he's going to give it his all in the competition.]

2: Amoung the Stalls

[Well, he couldn't help but explore the games and stalls, being reminded of the summer festival back home at the Shrine.]

]Dojima didn't have much of a sweet tooth, so he made a point of avoiding any of the candy. However, if someone was to ask him to try some, he might not be able to refuse. ]

[As well, he seemed to be on the search for 'something', looking at some of the stalls with small trinkets. He was never good with gifts.]

[But, he was a police detective, and thus couldn't help but over hear some... interesting conflicts, or notice how some of the residents giving him and others dirty looks. You might catch him making notes in his journal in a quiet location.]


3. Are these seriously gifts?

[If you happened to be standing near Dojima when the 'Horsemen' approached him, you'd get to see him open one of two gifts-]

[The Green one would show Dojima-- in a normal brown suit pants, dress shirt and red tie-- standing on the side of the river at night, with a young girl in a pink dress with pigtails, and a young teenage boy with silvery grey hair in a school uniform, laughing and enjoying themselves. Dojima couldn't help a smile upon seeing it, and you might be able to hear--]

"This town is my town. It's the place where you and Nanako live. That's why I'm gonna live on, protecting this place. As a detective... as a father."

[The image disappears, and Dojima is left staring at where it was for a little longer than he would've liked.]


[But, the black evenlope... the thick mist would wrap around, and you'd see--]

[A small rural japanese town... or what was left of it. The buildings were falling apart, the roads completely wrecked, red and black dying the earth. Everything had been swallowed up by fog, and there wasn't a human to be seen. Dojima's eyes were wide, his face pale as the image fell upon a particular house... his home-- the door opened, no one inside, everyone gone---?!]

[But the next scene came to view, and he saw... his daughter, with her hair down, practicing the piano. Souji sitting with his friends in the living room, chatting like nothing bad had happened, and he preparing some coffee in the kitchen.]

[When the vision faded, Dojima... dropped the envelope, and would immediately be heading to the nearest open bar without a word. He needed a few drinks to deal with THOSE images...]

2

[chatwithdeath]

[A festival like this really wasn't something Naomi would normally participate in, but considering it was taking place in a previous completed Story, she might as well have a look. A mash-up between 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'A Christmas Carol'? And she thought 'The Little Mermaid' had gone so far off base.]

[Walking in her costume, she's someone not so easily found, but people are seeking her out. And from observance, she could understand why; and of course the candy would do something for the holiday in this land. A few drops and she could cure them, but holding up the gummy candy she'd manage to trade for a cure, well...]

[... Why not have fun while in costume? She didn't see what these candies did yet anyway. What luck; a certain detective that owed her a favor was approaching.]

Good evening.

[richestduck]

[He's not a fan of parties but he is a fan of free food. So he's going to do this on the cheap: re-purposing a long coat, a waist coat, a collared shirt, and his trusty top hat. Add to that cane with a crystal sphere on top that he bought at the costume shop and his two ravens, and he makes a decent-looking Victorian Era mage.]

Bumper Swan Boats

[Scrooge doesn't like parties, but competition? That he likes. And he's going to win it. The ravens are waiting on shore since they don't want any part in this mess.]

Let's sink us some swan boats, aye?

Santa Claus Snow Army

[Santa Claus. It had to be bloody Santa Claus.]

[Scrooge wielded his cane like a sword, teeth gritted into a cruel smile.] I'm going to enjoy this.

Gifts From the Horsemen

[Scrooge watches the Horsemen somewhat longingly. Okay, they're not the same but...this will be the first Christmas in ages without his three friends. The three Ghosts had helped him avoid becoming a wendigo year after year.]

Wild "Slay" Ride

Can you drive a sleigh?

[Scrooge is already swinging himself up into the driver's seat, but he can jump into the back if necessary.]

Food Stalls

[One probably isn't supposed to pocket a good portion of the food they pick up. However, he's not about to let it all go to waste. He can take that home and save a little money.]

[However, as the night comes to a close, he's starting to sample a bit. Particularly after coming across two bowls of cider, one apple and one pumpkin, that each team decided to spike their opponent's. He's had a few glasses and it might be time to get this old duck to stumble on home...and hope he doesn't break his neck climbing the ladder to his loft bed. He's holding onto his three gifts from the Horsemen but he refuses to open them.]

Food Stalls

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Maybe not the first time she's seen this, Della walks up alongside her uncle with a soft smile.]

How are you doing, there?

[pidgeypidge]

Faire

As far as she was aware, one of the dresses she'd found in a closet in her home was enough to count for the costume portion of this event. It's not exactly her style, but the dress isn't completely terrible, either. Certainly not the worst thing she's had to deal with.

At first, she's just wandering around, trying to see what she can see. There's a lot of activity and it's all kind of overwhelming if she's being honest, so for the time being she's a free agent.

It'd probably be pretty easy to drag her into something.

Pinata Smash

There's just something about the promise of candy that's too good to pass up. While she's not terribly fond of candy in general, there are absolutely some things she prefers more than others. The peanut butter cups, for example, are a particular favorite and she sees no issue with finishing off at least three in a very short amount of time. Perhaps she might've thought twice if she'd known about the truth magic.

The gummies are also a particular favorite, and she polishes off a handful without really thinking about it. At first, it seems like they might be normal candy, and then when it seems as though she's lucked out, she discovers that she's sprouted a fluffy little bunny tail - to match her ears! "... Oh."

The licorice, candy corn and assorted chocolates all go into a pocket for now.

Wildcard!

Feel free to drag her into something else if none of the above suit your fancy. I'm easy to get along with. I'll also match whichever format. You can hit me up on plurk (doodlebuginette) or discord to work something out~

Pinata Smash

[gobetween]

It's been an interesting evening, but Gobo is still up for a party, even if at the moment he's sitting to himself playing nothing in particular on his guitar. He does look up in time to see Pidge pocket a few candies, including one sort in particular; the tail gets hardly a glance, if only because he doesn't know it's not supposed to be there.

"Hey!" With an extra strum on his guitar to catch her attention if the word doesn't work, while he rocks up to his feet. "I'd be careful of those little white chocolates if I were you. I had one earlier, and couldn't speak a single word for a pretty good while."

Yosuke Hanamura | Persona 4

[dj_jiraiya]

[ Yosuke was forced to wear to be Strawberry Shortcake it seems. He’s not happy about it. But he’ll survive. ]

I- Smash the Pinata

Oh, c'mon, you've gotta be kidding me!

[ Yosuke had eaten some gummy worms and when he went to go sit down, well...]

First I turn into frog and got I got a friggin' tail?!

[ A very large, plush fox tail to be precise. There was a set of fennec ears to match on his head and he sighed in exasperation. They were comically large. He just hoped it wasn't permanent. ]

II - Brilliant Red Bag

[ Yosuke wasn't quite sure what to do with the red present handed to him. It took a moment to realize that this whole fair was just a mish-mash of Christmas and Halloween but he didn't think he'd get a present out of it.

With no other course but to just open it, Yosuke did just that. He pulled the white ribbon and he pried the bag open. He jumped when the flurry of snow burst forth and suddenly he saw...]

J-Jiraiya?!

[ His Persona stood before him, red scarf billowing in that snow flurry. Suddenly, he glowed and changed. He reached out this time when Susano-O appeared before him. Anxiety and worry filled his stomach with a cold dread and his breath hitched when his hand passed right through Takehaya Susano-O and his Personas disappeared. The last of the snow disappeared with him, leaving Yosuke feeling cold. He dropped the bag.

This wasn't fair. Yes, he chose this path, to help with the Storyteller but... could he really do it without his Persona? ]

Wildcard

[ Wanna do something else? Hit me up or just post whatever! c: ]

I

[bloodinbloom]

Oooh, what a cute tail!

[She had heard the literal tail-end of his exclamation and her own snake tail was wagging. Meanwhile, several of her snakes watched him while she gasped. His ears looked so fluffy! Could she ask if she could touch??]

[blazeoflife]

Pinata Smashing!

Baaaatter up!

[Junpei might have been spun around and blindfolded, but he could still swing a bat like nobodies business! ...Of course, he missed the first two times, but the third time's the charm, and he cracks opened that Story Eater Pinata with a mighty SMASH!]

Alright! Awesome!

[The candy goes everywhere, with kids scooping it up-- Junpei manages to grab some too after pulling up the blindfold, but he'll still turn to who's ever with him.]

Heey, grab some too before it's all gone!


Food Stalls

Aw man, this is great...!

[Junpei you probably shouldn't talk with your mouth full of turkey. But there was just so much to look at, and stuff he's never tried before. Like the turkey leg he's currently devouring.]

This place has more stuff and stalls than even our summer festival!

[Except of course, Yukata or Kimono. He'd kinda like to see that, but oh well, can't have it all. The Halloween costumes were fun too, though his mummy costume was kinda simple.]

Ooh, hey, wanna try a few of the games? Bet I could win something cool!

[Junpei, all those games are rigged... Well, they might be if a Traditionalist is running them.]


Mistletoe

[Now, Junpei, a few years earlier, definitely would've been all for getting magically stuck under mistletoe to get a kiss from a cutie to release them from the spell, even if his knees would start to shake as he leaned in.

The current Junpei, however, was not so keen on the idea anymore due to... reasons he rather not get into.]

H-hey, what the heck is this?!

[The young man leaned one way or another, trying to unstick his feet before noticing the hanging plant.]

...Y-you gotta be kidding me...!

[It seemed to be really agitating him, because those bear ears of his were popping out from under the mummy wraps...]

Mistletoe

[cookingmechanic]

[Fuuka had been enjoying herself with Junpei, though she still wasn't sure how to move around in this puffy princess dress. It was in a moment where she was struggling with in, trying to get unstuck from a bush, when she heard Junpei in distress.]

"Junpei-kun...? You okay?"

[Finally getting herself free, she hurried towards him, then paused when she realized he was stuck!]

"W-what happened? Are you stuck in something?"

[She knelt down to examine his feet. At a festival like this, there were bound to be all sorts of sticky substances everywhere!]