Harvest Festival - Open to All - Prizes to Win

[hythlodaeus]

Who: Hythlodaeus, Emet-Selch, Ghosts & You
Where: Egglysium Lodge & Ranch (South of Goldenrod)
When: Mid-October to Mid-November
Summary: Festivities abound! There are games to play, frights to have, shiny applin to win, and ghosts to catch.


Hythlodaeus' sprawling ranch has been all done up for the spooky harvest season- including himself. He's dressed as a Grim Reaper, face paint and all. The premises consists of a large lodge, a couple barns, a stable, and a sizeable lake all positioned on the hilly fields. Bales of hay dot the land. Should you show up as the sun sets, dozens of jack-o-lanterns light the path up to the main area where lights and decorations are strung around. The main decor theme seems to be "skeleton", and the visitors may enjoy the projected interpretation of such pokemon skeletons as spinaraks, gengars, and grimers.

There is food aplenty on the tables, mostly consisting of hot stews, fresh pies, doughnuts, and ciders. For the adults, Hythlodaeus will spike the cider with some spiced rum if asked. There is a modest price tag on these items, though there is a sign stating that wearing a costume earns free food. You did remember to wear a costume, right? Or perhaps there is something in your bag or around you could cobble to convince the proprietor?



Haunted Hay Ride

Once the sun sets, you may queue up with a buddy or dare to ride alone with only the cart driver as your company. The cart driver is, of course, Hythlodaeus. His cart horses are none other than his shiny Rapidash done up quite appropriately in their own skeleton paint. As you ride, ghost pokemon will come up to spook you... And only some of them are trained for the event! There are a rather lot of wild ghosts out here in no small part by Hythlodaeus' own breeding efforts. Hythlodaeus may have befriended them, but he cannot guarantee that one might not attack!

... Not that he warns you of this specifically. Well, in any case, if they're wild, they can be caught, too, right? There are Yamask, Drifloon, Sandyghast, Shuppets, Sinistea, and Ghastly, not to mention the wild swaming Pumpkaboo! There are some Pokemon actors, of course. Will you be harangued by a roaring Zoroark? Perhaps the Gyarados in the lake might jump out to surprise you as the cart slows by the water and the sandyghast form from the sandy banks.

((ooc: Players can ride solo or with a friend. If you would like to ride solo, I can work all the various spooks, otherwise feel free to take control of the ride!))

Bobbing for Applin

((ooc: So, I have a stock of shiny applin that can actually be won here. Please reply to the post below this one letting me know that your character is trying this out so I can keep it all tidy. I will roll a die for you. Depending on how this goes, I'll allow extra tries. Great rewards may follow. Feel free to react to others' fortune or misfortune.))

By the lake, there are four enormous wooden tubs filled with water and by the looks of it, green apples. Hythlodaeus has strung a banner across two trees reading TRICK OR TREAT. Should you try to simply reach for one, they will seemingly just float away... But if you bob for one properly, try not to bite down too hard! As you take the Pokemon from your mouth, you might or might not notice the green coming away slightly.

Only some of these are the genuine article, but they will let you know in short order... in the shape of a Sucker Punch. What has he been breeding these things with?! Well... He might let you keep it for your trouble.

Hay Maze

As you approach the maze built with bales of hay, you realize that all the food tables are on the other size of it, and it looks like the quickest way might actually be to go straight through. I mean, c'mon, it was made for kids, right? It can't be that hard...

Well. That's what you thought twenty minutes ago. You were following your nose to the feast, but that seems to have led you astray. Will you take the right turns to get out, or will the different scents confuse you? As you look up and see all the cutiefly, you note that there might be some foul play at work. Should you take enough wrong turns, you will find yourself in the center, greeted by an enormous Tropius costumed like a pumpkin just eating stacks of pumpkin pies. And by its engorged belly are some pokemon eggs painted like pumpkins... Do you dare approach?

((ooc: those are some pretty special Tropius eggs there! Feel free to play with each other or engage with the Tropius. He will see if you are worthy of one of his kin. Or perhaps a half eaten pie.))

Cutiefly Races

There really is something for everyone, huh? As you approach the little race track, you note the Cutieflies dressed and ready to race. What must this all be about? There are nine cutieflies altogether, and aren't they darling?

1- Werewolf
2- Vampire
3- Mummy
4- Ghost
5- Witch
6- Skeleton
7- Devil
8- Zombie
9- Spider

Who will win, for all the marbles? The marbles being a bag of candycorn, that is. You can buy a bag of candycorn for just 50p or make your own bets amongst one another. Well, until the end.

On 11/15, everyone who has participated in the races will be entered into the final race. The winner will obtain their very own shiny cutiefly.


This is not a mod run event. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to post below, DM me or message me at horsechiffon on plurk or Horse#8008 on Discord. Zorn is also helping with it, and he's Zornsable on plurk!

Please feel free to use this as a backdrop for your own purposes as well! The pumpkaboo and gourgeist swarm should be overlapping with part of this.

Comments

Questions/ Comments

[hythlodaeus]

Please feel free to ask stuff!

Available Pokemon

[hythlodaeus]

There are a number of available pokemon and eggs for participating in this event! If you post a top level or tag in, these different pokemon will be available to you as catch, but shinies will be available as a prize or random encounter. There are 8 shiny applin to win and one of each other shiny pokemon that might run across you. I will update/reply to this as needed.

Haunted Hay Ride: Yamask, Drifloon, Sandyghast, Shuppets, Sinistea, and Ghastly.
Haunted Hay Ride Shiny Chance: Magikarp, Yamask, Sandyghast

Bobbing for Applin: Applin
Bobbing for Appling Shiny Chance: Applin

Hay Maze: Cutiefly, Bellsprout, Yamask, Tropius, Pumpkaboo
Hay Maze Shiny Chance: Cutiefly

I will DM you egg move sheets if you win or catch anything. If I miss anything, feel free to drop me a line! If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at horsechiffon on plurk and Horse#8008 on Discord.

Hay Maze

[cyan_maid]

Jane would like to be judged by the Tropius friend to see if she is worthy of egg.

hay maze

[chirpier]

also trying for tropius eggs!

Haunted Hay Ride + Hay Maze

[vrdantwind]

In his post, Claude will end up in the center of the maze at some point and would be happy to get a Tropius egg if judged worthy! And on the hay ride, he'll be keeping an eye out for any Sandyghasts in particular, although he might be potentially interested in others if they appear.

Bobbing for Applin

[hythlodaeus]

Please reply to this post with a link to your top level with Bobbing For Applin so that I may generate a roll for you.

Re: Bobbing for Applin

[broken_sword]

https://victory-road.dreamwidth.org/536219.html?thread=50653851#cmt50653851 Raphtalia‘a link here!

Cutiefly Race Entrants

[hythlodaeus]

If you decide to race cutieflies, please respond here with a link to a toplevel or a post so we can keep you on the list.

Cutiefly Race Entrants

[cyan_maid]

Also bet on Skeleton Cutiefly jsyk

The Final Bet

[hythlodaeus]

For the grand prize draws on November 15th, please place your final bets here. In the event that there are more winners than shiny cutieflies, there will be one more race.

OTA, throughout the event pick a day

[amaure]

Much like the host, Emet-Selch is present and dressed up—though without the second pair of arms and crystalline staff. Not that he couldn't make robotic replicas of those arms, powered by rotom, he rather not have to deal with all of that. And besides, he only made this costume because of Hythlodaeus' insulting version that he made for him. All the same, it still has a pretty menacing look even without the extra arms. Certainly the look of something one would assume evil. Or, at least, that's what fools would assume, as far as he's concerned.

Those who are not familiar with this look will not know its relevance, which is practically everyone! For all anyone knows, this is merely some theatrical and well-made costume with no relevance to anything whatsoever. At least that's what Emet-Selch is banking on. Should some find the courage to ask about it, well, perhaps he might tell, but for now he is merely overseeing the events at the ranch.

Perhaps you are attempting to participate in bobbing for applin, and find yourself distracted by this looming and foreboding figure in the corner of your eye.

Or maybe you're trying to do some cutiefly races, but you find the cutieflies themselves are a little bit distracted by this haunting presence. Maybe even you too are a little unnerved. Or just annoyed!

Whatever you might be doing, it seems as though you are being watched—and not merely by one set of eyes, but two! Well, not really, seeing as Emet-Selch only has the two eyes, but the mask's eyes certainly are convincing with its craftsmanship and glowing eyes!

But perhaps it's not Emet-Selch crowding in on you, but you having come to hassle him. After all, even the most dedicated of workers need a break, and he can be found taking said break near the tables, his mask removed as he sips some of that sweet, sweet apple cider. Pointedly ignoring anyone who tries to get his attention without verbally addressing him.

Maybe even those who do. Anyway, good luck, Emet-Selch is pretty talented in tuning out unwanted noise when he's set his mind to it.

[motivenotfound]

Mari did not come with a costume, but she's making do with the one she came in with. If anyone asks (or attempts to separate her from her hard-earned cash), she'll merrily inform them that she's a spy!

Which is not technically untrue...

Even if what she's spying on right now is a cider pitcher to go with her pie... and a gigantic convention cosplay blocking her path to it!

Maybe if she just--

No, maybe she can just step around--

Okay, you know what.

She's just going to--

To--

Uh.

Wait she knows this guy.

"You!" She points right at him, all dramatic energy and no heed to the brisk cold over her thighs.

This holds for like a whole second before she drops her hand adopts a less ridiculous posture.

"....are in the way, actually. Can I get some cider, or are you taking the whole pitcher? And if you are, do you take bribes? I'm so thirsty."

OTA any time!

[shiro2hero]

Well - Halloween was not his favorite holiday. And big parties even less so. Though, this one didn't seem like it would be too terrible, and people had been nagging him to get out of the house more often - not just to work. Or for workouts on the beach. He'd cobbled together a fairly decent costume out of the various closets in the house. It's not half bad, really. And riding in on his Mudsdale, Terra completes the look.

But hey - it can't be too bad a party if there's Free Food - which is where he'll start off. Sharing the snacks with his pokemon (either Mudsdale, Umbreon, or a barely visible Gengar), accepting regular cider for himself. He'll chat with anyone who stops by. And probably share his food, too.

The Hay Maze seems like a lot of fun, and you can catch him there, as well. Probably staring at a dead end in mildly irritated confusion. "I swear this was the right way..." Oh well. Maybe he needs your helping hand? Or maybe he comes upon you being lost as well. Who can say no to a space cowboy?

Or there's the Hay Ride. Shiro doesn't really plan on riding with anyone in particular, but his Gengar is insistent on going. He'll happily climb on with someone in need of a partner. "It's supposedly haunted," he'll say to whoever happens to be in the cart too, grinning. His Gengar, hovering on his other side, will nod, vigorously. "Think we'll be okay?"

... or maybe you want to choose your own adventure? He'll be here all night, folks.


((ooc: anyone is welcome for any prompt whenever! Shiro's open to any kind of thread, new or old CR! ))

foods

[wrappedwarm]

[Or not... Because while Mikasa was wearing an outfit there was so much food she couldn't pick. She'd brought her Poliwag out to see if anything caught his eye, but Poly had the same dilemma. His large round eyes staring at everything.

For now she was on her tiptoes, leaning up to look at a display of candy apples. So many toppings.]>

OTA!

[sassymaru]

Where there's a party, there's Shadowmaru.

In this case, there's Shadowmaru dressed as dramatically as possible. Even his hair is newly dyed, and styled up, special eyeliner applied. He's not about the miss an opportunity to look stunning, after all. Especially when it involves a cape. He marks his Arrival with a little flourish of, what else, glitter, strutting onto the ranch with a few pokemon in tow - namely his Growlithe, Frogadier, and Oricorio, perched on his shoulder.

The Hay Ride looks quite appealing. Shadowmaru's only companions here are his pokemon, and so, he'll line up with the first available single person he meets. He nods to them, sweeping into a bow of greeting. "It seems we shall be partners this eve," he says, putting on a theatrically deep voice. "Fear not the monsters, I shall endeavor to protect you."

Just... roll with him. He's always like this.

Unfortunately, when investigating the food offerings, spiced cider and spiked cider swap places in his vocabulary. Which is how his poor pokemon end up attempting to support a wildly laughing Shadowmaru, lounging leisurely on a hay bale, as if the straw and bindings were some kind of plush fainting couch. How many drinks did he have? Half of one. That's how many.

"Welcome to my humble parlor," he calls out to passersby, all but giggling at the end of the sentence. "Would you like to interview a vampire?" And then promptly flops back laughing at his own wit.

... Or choose your own adventure!

Raphtalia | OTA

[broken_sword]

[Bobbing for Applin]

[Raphtalia is dressed up as a black cat for the Halloween festivities. She’s never celebrated Halloween before, and the idea of dressing up and getting candy is a kid’s dream come true.

She carefully dunks her head in the tub, but is surprised when she’s smacked backwards.]

The apple… hit me!

[Hay Maze]

[Raphtalia looks a little distressed as she navigates the hay stacks.]

I thought it was this way…. Did I go the wrong way again?

Bobbing for Applin

[hythlodaeus]

[ That familiar tall figure stands by, leaning forward to examine the plight of this hapless participant. ]

Ah, yes. That might happen from time to time. Please, do try again if you so desire. Are you alright? Anything broken, bleeding, bruised?

Jane Crocker | OTA

[cyan_maid]

[You know, it's actually kind of nice to have a normal thing to look forward to for a change. Normal being "autumnal activities with a friend", of course, which is the very broad descriptor for inviting Dirk along to check out the event happening at his friend and his friend's friend's ranch. She's dressed like she expects to get messy, flannel shirt and jeans and sneakers, but inspiration strikes early in the day, and...well, she's always got a mustache in her back pocket in case of emergencies.

So! While she won't insist it's a costume, she'll pretend she's "Autumn Festive Ron Swannason", at least in her own mind, and can be found with Dirk pretty much anywhere on the ranch. It's up to him if this is a fun development for you, though.

She'll definitely take a peek into that Hay Maze of course, curious about the twists and turns. You're free to run into her there as she tries to work out which fork in the path to take, or maybe you've found her at the center, talking sweetly to the snacking Tropius. She won't try to take one of its eggs, but I'd like to see if it would deem her worthy of one just by being friendly and curious, oh I like your costume, you must love pies huh? Perhaps she might suggest baking a pie for this Tropius in the future?

The Cutiefly Races are of interest, definitely. While Jane's not much for candy corn, she'll buy a bag and bet on the Skeleton, considering the theme of the event, and wish the little darling good luck!

She's less interested in bobbing for Applin on her own than she is watching y'all do it, though. It's kind of amusing to see how the shinies are hidden amongst the group, and then when one is found, and someone gets a Sucker Punch to the face? Holy hell, she hopes you're okay? But it's in a "I am laughing at the absurdity of this" kind of way. What mad lad put this together? This is a long con in pranking shenanigans, can she shake the hand or hand-like appendages of the Pokeparents?

Jane will climb into a Hayride when it gets dark! She'll just hop on with whatever group might be going, so feel free to chill with her in the wagon while we get spooked!]

[wrappedwarm]

[She'd only gone into the maze to look. To take part, the same reason she was in costume. But then she'd gotten lost, even when she tried to double back the way she'd came, she met a dead-end. Then another, it didn't matter which way she went.

Eventually, she gave up. Bringing out her Luxio to try and sniff the way out. Except he was stuck, spinning in slow circles at a crossroad. Mikasa waited, patiently watching him. In the hopes, he'd work it out.]

hitoka yachi | ota!

[chirpier]

ʙᴏʙʙɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴀᴘᴘʟɪɴ

[ yachi started the night screaming, of course— because everything scares yachi, from gyarados jumping out of the water to ghastlies indulging in their jumpscares. something a little more yachi-friendly were the apples. bobbing for apples, to be exact! dressed to compliment her mimikyu (at her heels; tsubaki is quite shy!), yachi ties her hair back and prepares to nose dive for one of the apples. ]

Okay . . . Steady.

[ she tries for strategy after thinking: be gentle, slow-moving, and try to bump the other apples together for more grasp on just one. tsubaki the mimikyu cheers for her trainer, along with a dedenne wearing fairy wings that will take the liberty on climbing onto anyone's shoulder nearby to bring more people to cheer for the wet blond girl over there. judging by the insistence, she may need it! you know? (yes hina always knows and has no shame). maybe you might just be lucky enough to see her get punched . . . or struggle with the apples floating away just in time. ]

ʜᴀʏ ᴍᴀᴢᴇ

[ mazes were also yachi-friendly, and it didn't take long to realize something was amiss (to be fair, she hardly trusted a straight line for a maze, by all things). whether you've arrived with her or have been here before (of after), the gasp the girl gives upon seeing the tropius is more than audible. with her this round is ume, the meganium, already a flower but also deciding on wearing some wings and carry treats. there's something wrong with yachi, though? her eyes are so wide. did someone scare her? was it you? the flowery dino already gives the closest person the stink eye, but soon . . . it's all very clear. ]

Ohmygosh—

[ her fists clench close to her face and she could only watch the elegant tropius with excited flush to her already painted cheeks just underneath the hood of her mimikyu costume. another grass type! and this one . . . !

guh!!! ]

It's gorgeous—?! Y-you're gorgeous!

[ suddenly, ume the meganium is clearly very miffed at the attention, along with very jealous, to the point that the drink he was holding in his vine gets crushed— and probably splatters all over your vicinity. ]

Applin Time

[hythlodaeus]

[ The tall, looking figure of Hythlodaeus leans forward slightly to watch the unfolding drama. The Applin turns in the water, the slightest smear of green coming off from red as it is lifted from the water by Hitoka.

It summarily punches her. Hythlodaeus fakes an empathetic recoil.]

My, oh my! That looked like it hurt...

[The applin lands back into the water, little angry eyes poking up from the stem as it floats. ]

Would you like to try again?

OTA

[breakyourlife]

Repeating a costume two years running isn't exactly original, but then no one would be likely to accuse Steve of originality anyway. By now his Miltank hoodie is a little ratty thanks to frequent use as casualwear, but with the hood pulled up it still counts as a costume. Maybe.

Just to make sure he doesn't miss out on the opportunity for free food he sits still to let his Ditto (also currently doing their best imitation of a Miltank) paint his face to complete the costume. They look like they're doing a pretty good job! Perhaps if you ask they'll paint your face for you too?

At the Cutiefly Races Steve will cheer repeatedly for Spider, no matter what their performance is like. How can he not with his own Galvantula by his side? Perhaps she'll act as a lucky mascot for their chosen Cutiefly!

He will definitely need some help if he's ever to make it through the Hay Maze. He'd thought having his trusty Arcanine by his side would make this easy, but alas that has only made their troubles worse. They might be good at following their noses, but neither of them have had much luck solving the true puzzle of this maze.

Later, once the dark has truly set in, it's time to brave the Haunted Hay Ride. Or it would be if his Espeon (who definitely stands out with her bright green fur) would stop trying to hide behind other people to avoid having to climb on board the spooky cart. It seems despite her advantage when it comes to ghost types she does not want to take her chances.

[wrappedwarm]

Dress up - Closed to Yachi
[Mikasa had no idea what was going on. When they'd said harvest festival, her farm child brain had thought they'd be going out into the fields. Not browsing stalls and being dressed up.

Not that Mikasa had much to dress up in. She had a few clothes, more here than back home. It was cheaper, the weather more varied.

That still didn't mean she had a custom, as much as she'd tried to just pull the hood of her coat up. But she'd obediently followed to the costume stall, looking at the racks of strange clothes with plumes of feathers and the like. The section dedicated to pokemon outfits.

Sorry Yachi, She was very helpful. Just standing there but not reaching for any particular costume. Not sure what to do.]


Hay ride
[Maybe, if Mikasa had really known what this ride entailed, she might not have gotten on the cart. Or the driver wouldn't have let her on.

But here she was, impassively sitting in her Yachi acquired mismagus outfit, kicking her legs as she watched the scenery. Kicking her legs, almost smacking people with her hat when she turned her head. Tensing as something neared. Then she ran at poor actor pokemon, kicking it in the shins. This ten-year-old had no fear.]

Cutiefly Races
Oh, that one is dressed like me. [She pointed at Cutiefly number five. Look at them, small pokemon, small girl, in their giant witch hats. She kept watching them dart around. Her head snapped around to keep up. Look at them go, she was absorbed.]

[chirpier]

[ yachi probably took all their time getting to the costumes section at the goldenrod department store only trying to explain halloween to mikasa— children get candy and get to dress up, ghouls, witches and anything spooky gets spotlight, and she supposed adults had just as much fun, as she could see! it’s the day before all saints day and meant to remember the dead. she won’t bore her with more historical details or macabre dwelling, but does in fact try to get into the spirit of things after learning about the harvest festival. it’s the perfect chance to introduce her to the holiday, and yachi is already sifting through the rack of dresses and pokémon look-alikes.

mikasa seems lost, but she’s trying not to let that deter her, amping her enthusiasm just a tad to make sure she had the chance to fit in with her. girl time, you know? not only that, but free food if they came dressed for the occasion! ]

Ah— look at this one, Mikasa! [ very cute! very orange. ] Did you like it? It’s a Pumpkaboo, like the ones we saw on the way here!

[ she holds it up to get an opinion, then holds it just in front of mikasa, who should be in front of the mirror. ]

Legosi | OTA

[bigsadwolf]

[Bobbing for Applin]

[For the majority of the fall season, Legosi has been traveling from one city to the other on his own. Admittedly, after making it all the way to Ecruteak and beyond, he's been feeling...a bit lonely. Maybe, he thinks, it's high time he finds a town to settle in to wait out the winter. Goldenrod, as it turns out, is a good place for that...and it just so happens to be close by to some festivities going on. His Pokemon are immediately interested in going, and who is he to tell them no?

Plus, he'll maybe get to see some people he's come to know here. It feels like it's been a while.

Legosi, even as a human, still has canine instincts that run deep in his veins. And seeing barrels full of ball-like objects, apples or no...it's impossible for him not to immediately want to approach and try his hand at getting hold of one.

Oh, he is not even going to try to go for it with his hands. He's going in head first pretty much immediately- albeit gently- nearly dunking his entire head into the water to get at the apples. It is a comical sight to behold, seeing as how he has to completely get down on his knees to reach and even then he's almost too tall.

If he had his tail, it would be wagging right now.]

[Hay Maze]

[Okay, the maze definitely didn't seem that difficult at first glance. Normally as well, Legosi would have been able to...you know, actually literally follow his nose to the exit, but no. No...he is well and truly lost. The Cutieflies are a very welcome sight if nothing else, a Pokemon very close to his heart at this point.

...literally, in fact. His own Cutiefly, Amai, is settled in one of his button holes with all of her legs wrapped within it to hold on, watching their surroundings warily as he pets the top of her head with a finger to reassure her.]

Don't worry, we'll find a way out.

[Oh, she's not worried for herself. She's worried about YOU, big boy.]

[Cutiefly Races]

[This place just has it all, doesn't it?

It's so...cute, holy shit. Legosi decides to bet on Werewolf because of course he does, though he's not in it to win necessarily. He just wants to watch the cutieflies...]

Applin. You rolled a near miss!

[hythlodaeus]

[ As Legosi dunks his head into the water, all the surrounding Applin squeal and fret, and so Legosi is hit by three separate sucker punches and they have all crowded to the far side of the barrel. But it seems like maybe he got a glint of a real one? There are slightly higher odds the next one will succeed.]

Oh dear! You've troubled my apples, young man.

Dirk "Ultimate Self" Strider | OTA

[uber_marionettist]

Dirk is indeed here with his only friend good friend Jane, and while they're not exactly joined at the hip, he can usually be found within shouting distance of her. This is more to your benefit than his, probably--if you find yourself in one those conversations with him, you can just... call for help? Maybe? Or maybe he'll actually behave himself because he's here with someone else.

One certainly hopes so.

He does get separated from Jane in the Hay Maze, and can at a couple of points be found pacing up and down along one of the longer walls inside of it, muttering to himself. Later, he gives up on the 'maze' part, climbs to the top, and starts leaping from bale-stack to bale-stack like a fucking stuntman, adding some obligatory sick flips and front- and back- handsprings into the mix before landed on the other side, way after Jane actually found her way through there.

At the pie table, he runs into some trouble, though. He's only barely wearing a costume, which appears to be branded merchandise for... something. Maybe that movie he was talking about? You know, the one with Nicolas Cage? Definitely not a real costume. He has to pay for pies at a festival hosted by his own boyfriends. Humiliating. He can't even complain because his stoicism is the only dignity he has to hang onto in this terrible new low point in his life.

At least he seems to be enjoying himself on the Hay Ride with Jane! He's even brought a ghost of his own... unfortunately, it's this guy. You... uh, probably don't... er, do you really want to sit with them?

Vinegar Doppio | OTA | will match format

[epitaffio]

Work has been pretty busy lately, but it's nice to get the chance to unwind like this, isn't it? And although Doppio arrives with no intent to participate in any particular activity - in fact, he can often be found taking in the sights or eating just about anywhere - he does end up involved in the following, to differing degrees of deliberateness:

The Hay Maze catches him off-guard. Which is to say, his guard was barely up at all and that is why he just sort of wandered in on his way to the food tables. After realising that he's lost - which takes at least ten minutes of denying that he is - he remembers that he might very well have an easy solution to the problem. The food is on the other size of the maze, and since he has Cristina with him, as always... If he sends her out, she can lead the way!

So he does just that.

And after a few mere seconds of sniffing, she proceeds to cut straight through the hay and make a beeline for the tables, with impressive agility.

"Hey, wait! Not like that! Cristinaaaa!"

... But eventually, by luck or with help, Doppio finds his way out. Which is great, because as it turns out, he's also interested in the Cutiefly races. It might just be fun! And the little guys look so cute, too...

"Let's see... I don't know about my luck, but they do say the number 7 is lucky, don't they?"

Hmm... Yeah. Maybe he will go for Devil.

ota | whenever go nuts

[scourgingstars]

Ardyn hadn't brought a costume himself, though one might have been forgiven for presuming he did; he'd shown up in the outfit he'd arrived wearing, all a mess of layers and clashing patterns.

Accompanying him was a pair of Misdreavus...or so it seemed. Only one of them would vanish and reappear behind the occasional unsuspecting partygoer with a sharp trilling reeeeaaaaa to startle them, while the second trailed behind with a laugh that sounded suspiciously like that of a Zorua.

Their trainer himself seemed more than content to play the usual wallflower game with a drink in his hand; this particular take on a harvest festival was one he felt he was better off merely observing. For now.

OTA, multiple prompts available~

[vrdantwind]

[Did Claude get over-excited when Grant told him about a foreign holiday? Claude may have gotten over-excited when Grant told him about a foreign holiday.

Claude's been slowly but surely bouncing back from his Sylvain-disappearance-induced depression; his natural inclination towards hope makes it hard for anything to keep him down too long. And a fun holiday that he gets to participate in even as he gets to learn about it is just the kind of pick-me-up he's needed. Not even Emet-selch's involvement in yet another event with Yamasks - god, the man must be doing it deliberately, that level of cheek can't be an accident - can deter him.

(If anything, it makes him all the more resolved to accompany Chip and Grant...not that he wouldn't have gone for his own sake.)

His excitement shows itself in how he immediately went out and got himself an elaborate costume to match Grant's pirate deckhand outfit. Claude, having far greater reserves of audacity than Grant, has gone not just for a pirate captain, but a sexy pirate captain. Complete with his hair left curly and a few small braids (weaved with beads and decorations, of course) dangling from beneath his hat, a wide open coat with no shirt, and the most convincing costume jewelry he could lay his hands on - including a fake lip ring. He opted against an eye patch for his costume, however; two of his boyfriends have real eye patches, and it just didn't sit right to fake one.

He'll be prowling all over Hythlodaeus' ranch for the day, absolutely pumped up and endlessly curious about the festivities, sometimes accompanied by Grant, Felix, and/or Chip but just as often wandering off on his own to investigate things. You can find him just about anywhere, such as...]

Bobbing For Applins

[As fascinated and excited as Claude is by this weird, apparently traditional game, he's nonetheless a little concerned. He turns to the nearest person with a frown of concern.] I mean, obviously there's the whole worry about biting a pokémon, which...I'm not even really clear on if the apple is part of the Applin or not, but is it okay for them to just be submerged in water like that? They're not water types or anything...

[Though, inwardly, he's already considering whether that can be used to his advantage in this game - because Claude's naturally suspicious nature suggests to him that festival games are often a lot harder than they appear, if not outright rigged. If he watches, maybe he can detect which are real Applins by seeing if they come up for air...they have to, right?

Listen, concern and scheming don't have to be mutually exclusive activities.]

Haunted Hay Ride

[Claude's chosen to ride this one alone! He's actually quite interested in what this sort of experience has to offer, and...honestly, he may be too excited and curious to be easily spooked. Hythlodaeus, you're probably going to get pestered a lot on this ride. And woe betide any wild Sandyghasts that might spring up; Claude's definitely got an interest in catching one if he sees it.]

Hay Maze

[A maze is just a big puzzle, and Claude loves puzzles. Of course he dove right in. The thing is, he has no intention of trusting something as misleading as smell to get him through this; no, he wants to use logic and his sense of direction for this. Will that serve him any better? Time will tell.

For now, though, he's musing.] I wonder...is the goal to get to the center of the maze, or to get out?

[HEY, CLAUDE, MAYBE THE LOGICAL THING TO DO WOULD HAVE BEEN TO ASK THAT BEFORE YOU WENT IN. Oh well, he's having a good time regardless. The question is, are you?]

Cutiefly Races

[Claude is shamelessly cheering for Werewolf, for no particular reason. He may or may not have his boyfriend Grant beside him, facepalming and/or blushing, also for no particular reason.]

We've Got Ourselves A Mystery Prompt, Gang

[Perhaps you have your own idea for a prompt? Go wild!]

Haunted Hay Ride

[hythlodaeus]

[While it absolutely seems like Hythlodaeus is in the rider's seat— for who else could be his height, or have his thin white hair, or be driving this thing-

Another rider boards the cart, and it is also Hythlodaeus, dressed precisely like the carriage rider. He sits beside Claude, only barely containing his smile.]

Let us be off, then.

[The Rapidash start off gently enough as not to throw the passengers with their beginnings. The cart heads for a barn, open on both ends and decorated with webs. Skeletal spider props drop down to either side as they go, but Hythlodaeus is not looking at the props, merely Claude.]

OTA

[feathersfly]

[Listen, Hawks doesn't often get holidays where he doesn't actually have to do any hero work. (He doesn't make much effort to take them off, either, frankly, because who exactly would he celebrate with?) It's been awhile since he could go to a Halloween celebration, and the sheer novelty of it - combined with having nothing better to do - is enough to get him interested. Enough that he puts together a costume...and goes to great lengths for it, too.

Honestly, the fact that he's a part-time model back home shows in the results. The actual clothes aren't too significant, and easily obtained on a budget, but he makes sure to invest in good accessories. He even goes as far as getting earrings for his little wolf ears. (Which, you know, he may wear himself later. Why not invest in things you can repurpose?) The gloves, he thinks, are an especially nice touch.

He can't go with any kind of theme around his wings, unfortunately, due to not having them, so he decided on a fairly simple (and cheap) concept to execute that he could still make look good.]

Bobbing For Applins

[Hawks has been studying the tank, and the people making attempts at the apples within. Honestly, he's not interested in winning any Applins - they're not birds - but he has to admit that he's developed the urge to at least see if he can do it...despite how gross the whole activity comes off. Besides, he's never done anything like this before; he ought to give it a shot, right?

If he does win, he supposes he could give the Applin to Shouto or something.

So he approaches the nearest person with a smile.] Hey, I don't suppose you'd mind holding my ears for me while I give this a try? [He says this while taking off the headband holding his wolf ears.]

Hay Maze

[Okay, Hawks has to admit this is frustrating. It's not like he can't deal with mazes - he's sure he can get out of this one eventually - but for a man used to going fast, and used to having a birds-eye view...well, this feels slow and aggravating. All he can think of is how easily he could handle this if he could see the maze from the air, and thinking about his missing wings isn't exactly a fast track to a good mood for him.

Besides, the food is on the other end of this, and he's hungry.

He's got his arms crossed, fingers drumming with irritation at the inside of his elbow.] This is taking too long. You think the pokémon would just let me climb over the walls...?

Cutiefly Race

[Hawks has gone with pure gut instinct and is betting on Zombie, while...sir. Sir the candy corn is for betting. Sir why are you eating it -]

Hot Prompt French Fries

[Have a different idea for a prompt? Hit Hawks with it!]

For Jaskier

[lovelybottom]

Jaskier wanted to go to this... harvest festival, and in costumes. As far as harvest festivals go, witchers are rarely invited to them, so just being at one at all is something of a novel experience. Geralt thought, though, that the idea of dressing up in uncomfortable, ridiculous clothes just to walk around on a ranch is a foolish thing to do, so naturally he's wearing a fucking costume.

The things he does for this family traveling party.

The bard wants to do everything, one of which is a supposed 'haunted' hay ride for two. This might be one of Jaskier's attempts at getting him to go along with something romantic, but the prospect of an actual haunting is enough to pique Geralt's interest. And, of course, he becomes much more amenable to the whole thing once he spots the cart horses-- some very lovely and well-bred Rapidash, appropriately painted as skeletons for the occasion.

(They're excellent horses. Geralt admires them for probably longer than is necessary before starting the ride.)

And that's how he ended up here, sitting in a hay cart with his bard, waiting for the actual ghosts to show up. Go ahead, try to scare a witcher. This is a test, you will be given a grade at the end.

[rollstoseduce]

Jaskier will never stop being amazed at how different this realm is from theirs yet so similar in many aspects - like the holidays. Sure, there's the Valentine thingy that has taken him by surprise (and what a delightful surprise it was!) but they also have Yule, and now, Samhain.

Well, actual Samhain is still a couple of weeks away, but harvest celebrations have already started, and that's the kind of festival Jaskier can get behind. He should be familiar with them, but many of the traditions are different - he's not complaining though! Game, candy, and costumes? Sign him the hell up!

After agreeing on a group costume (and wow isn't that another wonderful concept?) and teasing Geralt for it because yeah, isn't he becoming such a softie?, the family is here to have some fun... and perhaps a bit of a romantic moment, as well. Jaskier wants to, indeed, try it all, but he'll always jump on the opportunity to have some quality time with Geralt.

That is, if he ever stops staring at the horses. Some things never change.

"Don't worry, my dear horse prince," he says as he uses his gear to take a couple of pictures of the Rapidash. "I'm getting you something to remember them by. Gods forbid you ever forget the sight of every equine friend you make."

He sits on the cart as closely to Geralt as possible, the sides of their bodies pressed against each other and arms intertwined. A selfie of the happy couple is in order - they already took a group picture with Kiri, but this is totally different. No, really.

"So we should be expecting ghosts trying to scare us, correct?" he asks after putting the gear away. The view is nice at least, he'll give the ride that. "Do you think they can do better than your dear Jenny?"

Hay Ride, this one closed to Elidibus

[sweetbrohellayiff]

[Dave had definitely just been stuck here since earlier helping out with shit. So he knew that free food was only for those who dressed up... So his and Elidibus' choice to just go as each other was definitely a last minute, sort of lazy move.]

[Whatever. It was all in the name of hot cider and doughnuts. And in the interest of not standing up anymore...]

Hey, let's go take a hay ride. It definitely looks lame as hell, but we'll have a minute to ourselves.

Re: Hay Ride, this one closed to Elidibus

[zodiheart]

I do believe that you and I have quite the difference in opinion as to what may be considered 'lame,' my dearest Dave.

[His hair is smartly pulled back into a tail, and he pulls off all of the red and black as well as he does his usual white. The aviators on his face, however, are a touch more strange. Still, it covers what he wishes, and that is enough.]

Lead the way, though I must compliment the fit of my mask upon your person.

[And his gloves. And boots. And robes. He rather enjoyed his raiment being worn by his beloved.]

OTA

[woofdad]

Grant probably would have wanted to check this out even if he didn’t have an eleven-year-old who had decided that this being their Birthday Month meant he had to take them to every public party happening for the whole month. But, hey, the fact that he does have one of those works out pretty well here!

Though he and Claude went with kind of a theme on their costumes, he couldn’t bring himself to be quite as bold as his boyfriend; even after telling himself he was basically done fiddling with the laces of his pirate costume’s shirt, he finds himself tightening it a little further on arrival, making sure that his chest is mostly covered. He’s really doing his best to loosen up on this stuff, honestly, but… there are pretty solid limits to how much skin (and hair) he can bring himself to show in public.

Self-consciousness, however, can’t quench his excitement about just… being here, at a Halloween party, with his kid and boyfriend and friends. With how rough everyone’s been feeling lately, it’s nice to be able to just… do something fun.

Applin

Grant stands some distance away from the tubs, arms crossed and brow furrowed as he struggles with some internal debate… which he eventually decides to go ahead and make external, when he resigns himself to his conclusion. “Alright, I… probably shouldn’t do that one. Dang.”

Listen, his whole fang situation is… he suspects probably a bigger risk than the average person’s teeth, he is really not sure about using them on a living animal.

Cutiefly Races

Okay, well - obviously he’s got to buy a bag of candy corn to cheer for Werewolf. Yes, this would be at best incredibly tacky where he’s from, but he suspects that the person who set all this up didn’t know that… so instead it’s just. Kind of extremely cute? It’s so cute.

Also extremely cute is that his boyfriend has also chosen to cheer for Werewolf, and it’s a safe bet that Grant will be somewhere in Claude’s vicinity by the race track, trying and failing to hide a fond, flustered smile behind one hand.