Halloween 2023

[indigo_league]

The last few hours before dusk sees you all arriving at a large, stately home just outside of Lavender Town.

Unlike previous years, where Halloween had you visiting dilapidated castles, this manor home is in perfect condition. Age hasn't crumbled the walls or worn away the dark roof, but rather it sits on the manor like a heavy, proud crown, a testament to the many long years it has stood here while everything around it changed but it stayed forever the same. Candlelight flickers in its many windows, while it casts a dark shadow against the slowly setting sun. The gravel crunches under your feet as you make it up the long drive and a cold wind chills you to your very bones, even through the layers of whatever costume you've chosen to wear.

Then the manor's large double doors fling up. Two long shadows stretch down across the driveway towards you, light spilling around two silhouettes standing in the opened door, beckoning, inviting. Soy doffs his hat, while Riegfried bows deep, his hare ears nearly brushing the ground.

"Welcome to our Halloween Feast."




Inside the Manor

Not all of the Manor is available for you to explore. In fact, it's really just the ground floor that has been decorated and made available for your use. And even then, what rooms are available to you depends on the time of evening.

Contest portion

Early in the evening, several large rooms on the left of the Manor are open to your character.

The largest of these rooms has a stage and chairs set up, clearly where the contest will be held. Soy can be found in this room, in case you need to discuss some things with him ahead of your performance like lighting cues or other things you might need.

In addition to this, a dressing and prop room have also been made available. Need some last-minute adjustments on your costume? Desperate to find one final prop to really make your performance shine? Why not peruse the items Riegfried and Soy have brought with them for you to use? This is also a good place to have a chat with some others -- perhaps you like to scope out the competition before the performances start, or you are a newbie looking for some advice. Either way, this is the best place to find it!


Haunted Ball

Once the contest has concluded, and night has well and truly fallen, characters will be able to enter the large room on the right of the Manor.

The Ball Room has been decked out in enough black lace and dark velvet to make any classical vampire quite jealous. The ceiling has been decorated with spider silk that sways ever so slightly, casting flicking shadows on the walls in the candlelight. And while there are some seats and benches along the edges of the room, most of it is left free for people to dance and mingle. On a small podium in the corner of the room, a band of ghouls and zombies (costumes, we hope!) plays the kind of spooky tunes that are still, somehow, upbeat enough to dance to.

As folks dance and make merry and the evening carries on, one might note a spectral shape gliding around the dance floor, observing, before finally nudging its ghostly nose against a hand here and there and suddenly the ballroom floor is a lot more crowded.

More details about this part of the event can be found here

Outside the Manor


If you run out of interesting things to do inside (or you need some fresh air), why not visit the sprawling yard behind the Manor? It too has been decorated for the occasion -- carved pumpkins sit everywhere, candles burning merrily inside and on top of them. As night falls, a trained flock of zubat swoop low over the garden, adding that extra hint of spookiness to the air. Don't worry, they've been trained not to get caught in anyone's hair!

Food

The garden is clearly where Riegfried and Soy have put the less formal Halloween Activities, starting with a fair few food stalls. There is a stand where you can get drinks, offering things like tea and coffee, hot chocolate for the kids (or the young at heart) and mulled cider for the adults. No one shall go parched tonight!

Food is also available in various flavours, from various sorts of candy (cotton and otherwise) to more hearty snacks. No need to worry if your character isn't into all of this sweet stuff! There is piping hot soup and other common festival foods available as well for those seeking a break from all the sugar.

One stand in particular draws attention though, not for the food on offer --though those Candied Apples do look mighty tasty!-- but rather for the unusual pokemon that sits both proudly on the booth itself as well as the sign above the stand. Rumour has it that if you feed one of these Syrupy Apples to your Applin, you might just see something amazing!


Maze

A large corn maze has been grown towards the back of the sprawling yard. Riegfried and Soy have made sure to make it a little more exciting than your average maze though.

A small warp pad will transport you to the middle of the maze, from where you'll have to find your way out, guided only by lantern light (please remember to pick one of the lanterns before warping in!). And as if that isn't spooky enough, the maze has been stocked full of Pokemon ready to give you a little fright. Try not to run towards that dead end now!

The pokemon in the maze are available for capture. In fact, Riegfried and Soy encourage you to make a new friend or two in their haunted maze.

Available Pokemon: Zubat, Gastly, Murkrow, Misdreavus, Shuppet, Duskull, Drifloon, Yamask, Galarian Yamask, Litwick, Phantump, Pumpkaboo, Sinistea, Impidimp, Greavard, Gimmighoul

Bonfire

Set a bit away from the food stalls, and very safely away from the maze, is a large bonfire. October nights, after all, can get quite cold, and it will be nice to warm yourself up next to the fire. And maybe put all manner of things on a stick and roast them above the fire.

At the bonfire, you'll also find Riegfried. You've only ever seen him in his role as a contest or prom host, but today he's here to show you he's got one more hidden talent. Yes, by the light of the bonfire, Riegfried will be telling ghost stories. Why not sit for a spell, drink some hot choco and listen to the frightening tale of man door hand hook car door.

(Of course, Riegfried cannot be there the whole night. He still has contest duties to attend to too, so whenever he is absent, why not try your hand at telling a spooky story yourself? Tell people what goes bump in the night back in your home world)

Contest submissions | Shiny draw | Witches' judgement | Greavard event info

Comments

[nightyorb]

Now that he has gotten over the first shock of the situation, Riz is brimming with a frenetic energy, an almost harried excitement as he tries to take as much advantage as he can of this undoubtedly limited opportunity. He wants his dad to know the people he cares about here. And he wants those people to actually meet his dad. Pok, after all, is objectively a badass. He's a cool angel spy who hasn't even let death stop him from putting in the work -- not that they can talk too much about that, what with Kalina's maybe presence in his body. Why wouldn't Riz want to introduce him to folks?

When he spots Boober, he immediately veers in his direction. Okay. One of the most important, if not the most important person found.

"Boober! Dad, this is Boober. He's my best friend here. And--" A cough, his voice dropping lowering and slightly softer, as he very deliberately doesn't look at either Boober or Pok. "My uh-- myboyfriend."


Pok has been following in Riz's wake so far, his expression one of amusement, softened by a clear and fierce love for his son. When first introduced to Boober, he gives him a nod and a curious once over, but when Riz drops that other tidbit of information, Pok's slit eyes go wide as they flick back to Riz, then narrow with pride and joy and back to Boober again, studying him with a renewed interest.

[soupguy]

"It's so good to meet you, Pok."

Is there something he should say? He is, all things considered, still new to the whole "parents and their kids" in this manner. Is there a way things are meant to go when you meet your boyfriend's father, as a ghost or otherwise? He doesn't know what would be best to say... But he knows exactly what he wants to say.

"It's really been an honor to help Riz take care of your vest."

[nightyorb]

One small advantage of Pok not being able to speak is that Riz is certain he isn't going to start talking about sex again, even if he did just hear that Riz has a boyfriend now.

He fusses at the cuffs of the doctor's coat he is wearing, glancing up just in time to catch Pok's proud, delighted expression. It warms his cheeks and while it isn't bad to be looked at with pride, it does make Riz feel a bit like he's got a spotlight centered on him, which is not a pleasant sensation to him.

Luckily, Boober is talking more, drawing the attention to him.

"He did. He's the best at fixing stuff and doing laundry."


Pok tries his best to divide his attention between both Riz and this new... Boober, was it? He recalls, of course, the conversation he and Riz last had, so this is a big development. He wants to gauge Riz's emotional state as he tells him, wants to telegraph that he is so proud of him -- for figuring out a mystery about himself, for being confident enough to tell him, for just existing.

But, of course Pok wouldn't have made such an excellent spy if he wasn't a naturally curious person. So while he wants to study his son, he also wants to study his son's new boyfriend and find out all he can about him. What kind of person has Riz let into his heart? Does he look dependable? Kind? What sort of person is he?

Helpful, Pok decides upon hearing his words. Someone who wants to be seen as helpful, as that is the first way he is introducing himself.

Pok tries his best to keep both his expressions and his gestures a little over the top. He can't speak after all, so body language is all he has.

He smiles at Boober, then makes a face of enquiry as he gestures a little towards Riz, inviting Boober to expand either on that statement or maybe just their whole relationship. Tell him everything!

[soupguy]

"Thanks, Riz." It's a soft murmur, coupled with a very warm smile, before Pok starts communicating as best he can. Boober blinks a couple of times at the gesture. He can tell Pok wants to hear more about these things - about all of this - but goodness, where to begin?

"Um... Yes. Where I come from, that's what I do, the laundry. Everyone's laundry, it's-- Well, it's my job. I take my work very seriously, and I love doing it. I'm like Riz, that way. And some other ways! We both miss being smaller and not humans. And we both love our friends a lot. A-And we're both weird," he explains, looking down with an amused smile, "although Riz is also pretty cool, even if he doesn't believe me about it. He still knows what it's like to be different, and it's- it's nice to be weird and different together with him."

[nightyorb]

When thanked, Riz reaches over to shyly brush the backs of his fingers along Boober's, shooting him a very quick sideways smile.

Pok notes the quick little exchange --and yes, it very nearly kills him. Again-- but mostly he focused on Boober, trying to coax more and more out of him with inviting little nods. And thankfully, everything he hears is downright adorable.

Pok spent a lot of time (both when alive, and when dead) sussing out when people are lying, but everything this Boober is saying rings of the truth. And what a sweet truth it is. Which is good. Not that Pok mistrusts Riz's judgment, but emotions and hormones (if those are involved here) have a way of turning even the smartest people into utter dumbasses. Good to see that this other boy Riz had fallen far was truly quite sweet. Perhaps not what Pok would've imagined as a partner for Riz, had he ever entertained those kind of thoughts, but strangely fitting nevertheless.

[soupguy]

Feeling encouraged from Pok looking pleased - and that gentle touch from Riz - Boober continues to talk with a warm smile.

"If I'm being honest, sometimes I'm still not sure I understand everything about having parents, because before coming here I didn't have any. Oh, but not in a sad way, that's just not how fraggles are always raised-- Ah, and see, a fraggle is... Well, I can come back to that. The point is, even now that I have a dad, I'm still learning what that means. But even so, I can really tell how important you are to Riz. And that makes it really nice that I'm getting to meet you."

[nightyorb]

Pok has no idea what a Fraggle is exactly, but it doesn't matter. Clearly, it is a race of people or creatures, with their own social mores and culture. That is clear from Boober's words and really the only part he needs to understand.

That and the part where he is important to Riz, something which he already knows but nevertheless delights to hear. You have to have done something right in your life when your teenager likes you.

Pok gives Boober a smiling nod, before pointing at Riz and giving him a thumbs up. Nice choice, kiddo. Dad-approved.

[soupguy]

Boober is watching Pok's gestures carefully, to make sure he catches any cues since it's quite obvious talking isn't an option. And when he sees that thumbs-up of approval, there's a tiny gasp as Boober turns to Riz.

"Does that mean he likes me?"

[nightyorb]

Riz flushes a little at the thumbs up. Obviously, he's very happy that his dad seems to approve of Boober --not that Riz had even doubted that for a second; why would anyone object to Boober?-- but having it all be so open and focused on does make him a bit embarrased.

"Yeah," he says in response to Boober's question and delighted gasp. "Yeah, I think he does."

Pok nods very enthusiastically as if to underline Riz's statement. He has only known Boober for five minutes, but they've been five good minutes.

He waits until he has both their attention again before he points between them, before making a very exagerated questioning face. How did they meet? Or hook up? Whichever they want to tell.

[soupguy]

"Cool." Boober ducks his head, blushing with a sheepish but very proud smile. It feels really nice to know that.

"We started dating near the end of winter, so it's been a few months," he explains, not quite hitting the mark but at least coming close. "but we've been best friends for even longer. When I got here, Riz was a big help and he looked out for me."

Though Boober is not going to get into the missing memories aspect of that, because it still makes him feel nervous to think about. "He invited me along with him and Mando, who's my dad now. It took me a while to figure out why I felt so happy whenever I made Riz smile. And even then, I-I was scared to tell him for a really long time."

He shrugs, smile growing warmer still. "Though that's nothing new for me, really. I'm not brave, but... Well, Riz is. And it makes me worry, but it can also be admirable."

[nightyorb]

Against all odds, Pok manages to find a new level of pride in his expression when Boober tells about how they met, and how Riz had helped him and taken care of him. He wouldn't have expected anything less of his boy, of course, but hearing it confirmed is still nice. He takes a moment to send Riz a big thumbs up, getting an embarrassed duck of the head in response.

At Boober's comment that Riz makes him worry, Pok points to himself with a nod, as if to say 'me too, buddy', and then follows that up with a small shrug. What can you do about it? Sometimes Pok also worries hearing Riz retell his party's stories, he is also doing so much good that Pok is endlessly proud of.

[soupguy]

Boober finds himself laughing. "Yeah! Yeah, there's no stopping him when he gets his mind made up to do something. Not when he believes in what he's doing. I know a lot of people like that, here and back home, so it's not exactly new. But..." He ducks his head again in that bashful way. "...I guess I just worry about Riz most. He can take care of himself if there's danger, though! Knowing that helps."

[nightyorb]

Pok's laughter is silent, but no less clear. He then gestures at himself with a slightly abashed expression though, hopefully getting across that Riz gets that from him. Pok knows he had been a pretty stubborn bastard too.

Though, admittedly, while he had taken the job to do good in the world, there was a small part of him that revelled in the adrenaline of it all, the thrill of the chase and the showmanship. That is something he hasn't noted in Riz as much. No, he is his mother's son, inheriting her earnest drive.

"You know, it's really rude to gossip about someone right in front of them," Riz grumbles, mostly embarrassed.

[soupguy]

Boober shrugs, glancing at Riz without his smile faltering one bit.

"I don't know if it really counts as gossip if we both already know how you are," he points out.

[nightyorb]

Pok nods enthusiastically at Boober's words, before miming giving him a pat on the shoulder. He gives Riz a smile, one that wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, before mouthing 'The truth is an absolute defence'.

Riz huffs slightly, though not by any means too put out. "I can't believe my boyfriend and my dad are ganging up on me."

[soupguy]

Boober gives a rusty laugh. "I think it's entirely fair! Like you and my dad don't gang up on me with... with eating meat and things like that."

[nightyorb]

[Riz lightly jabbed at the soft, squishy part of Boober's side.]

That's not ganging up. Don't misrepresent me.