video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on with a very pensive looking Lucy.]

Okay so....I know it's a bit early to think about this--but, better to get a head start on this than to have it sneak up on you.

Does this place do anything for Halloween? Or for the month of October? I know it could be different in other worlds, but where I'm from there's trick-or-treating, people dressed up in costumes, and loads of candy.

There's also spooky and scary stuff, but I'm not really thinking about that.

[No, she's just thinking about the candy, and the costumes and the other fun things that can happen--but mainly it's the candy.

Oh, and movie marathons about wizards and witches.]

If anyone could let me know, that'll be great! Thanks!

Comments

un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

[Richard is not a person to ask about Halloween, but he'll say something anyway.]

Couldn't you just dress up and get candy any day?

[thestoriesarereal]

[Lucy just stares at Richard, then back at the text, and slowly back to Richard.]

That only works if you're three, but even then you only get like one or two pieces. I'm talking a pillow case full of candy--or a bucket.

[nobasisinfact]

That sounds like it would make you sick.

[They didn't celebrate Halloween at the Strand house, not after a certain point.]

audio un:pnwsalex

[11calls]

[Lucy, you remind Alex so much of herself it almost hurts.]

So does this mean you know what you're dressing up as this year?

[thestoriesarereal]

Only if you eat it all in one sitting! [Lucy said matter-of-factly.

Come on, Richard, she's 10, she's not 5 and impulsive...

Much.]

If you spread out the candy over a month, then you won't get sick.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Finally! Someone who gets it!]

I don't know yet. I was thinking of going as someone from my favorite book series...

Or maybe going as a God? [Because Loki is pretty cool.] I mean, last year I went as a skeleton, so I wanted to do something different this year.

[nobasisinfact]

It's been my experience that children rarely have the self-control to last a month.

[He may be talking about Charlie.]

[11calls]

Which God were you thinking? I'd bet you'd make a great Artemis. You can borrow Apo for one of your hunting dogs if you'd want too.

[Now you've got Alex thinking, Lucy. This is dangerous.]

[ video | un: trickster ]

[dothelokimotion]

Ah, I enjoyed that holiday.

[ For . . . one particular reason, not safe for work. ]

Is it not a while away?

[thestoriesarereal]

I have some self control, you know. [Huffing.]

[private]

[thestoriesarereal]

[Making this private because she needs to. She can't let a certain God find out.]

Artemis is cool...and same with Athena, and I could have Oona be her wise owl, but...

I was thinking Loki? I mean, I'm not as tall as him, and I can't sew, but I could do other things--or try to be a female viking!

[thestoriesarereal]

Because you got to trick everyone?

[That's what she's guessing.]

Yes...and no. It's about two months or so away, I think? That is, assuming this place celebrates anything like that. But, better to get an idea now than scramble for something later.

video; un: kirk

[winscenario]

But the spooky and scary stuff is half the fun of it!

[ Okay not really. Jim's as big a fan of dressing up and the treats as much as Lucy is. Although... ]

We could decorate our front lawn to fit the theme. Would you like that?

[dothelokimotion]

No, I believe that is saved for the Day of Fools.

[ He mulls it over. ]

I believe October celebrates the dead.

audio; @altin

[bringbackgold]

I threw a party at the club I work for. Something more 'everyone friendly' might be good, though.

[jolting]

Well, you know you can come to me if you need help with the spooky and scary stuff.

[nobasisinfact]

So did my Charlie.

[private]

[11calls]

I can sew, actually. If you need help.

[A beat.]

But don't tell anyone I can sew, okay?

[Anyone here meaning Richard.]

I'm sure Loki would be amused, but there's other gods too. Valkyrie maybe? She's pretty fantastic.

[Alex may have been the tiniest bit smitten with her for a little while.]

[thestoriesarereal]

So you really think I'll eat ALL of my candy in one sitting?

[nobasisinfact]

Not all, but enough to give you a stomach ache.

[thestoriesarereal]

I won't! It'll be our secret!

But...could you teach me how to sew? Please?

Don't you mean a Valkyrie? There isn't someone with that name..

....Right?

[thestoriesarereal]

Well...you could do both, you know.

In some cultures, yes. A day for the dead, of remembering them....honoring them.

But, I do enjoy it more for the candy.

[thestoriesarereal]

You think you're so sure about that?

Enough to maybe...wager a bet?

[thestoriesarereal]

[There's a long stare at you, Jim.]

Not if it gives you nightmares!

[Huff, puff.]

Mmm, we could...depends on the theme though. What do you have in mind?

[thestoriesarereal]

That's what I was thinking...something friendly where everyone would be okay with it and remember how much fun they had rather than screaming and being terrified.

Did you dress up?