epidemiology | EVENT ★ ALL HALLOWS' EVE

ALL HALLOWS' EVE ( OCT 31 )

In Chantes, they say All Hallows' Eve is the night where the veil between this world and the next thins, allowing the souls of the dead to walk the streets. To disguise themselves from vengeful spirits seeking to carry out their last deeds, the cityfolk wear (sometimes outlandish) costumes, allowing them to revel in peace. Lanterns all around the city are lit to ward off evil spirits; wine and soul cakes have been left out as offerings. The civilians ask that you please don't steal them... or do, if you don't care what they think.

The festivities are more extravagant this year than ever before, despite the fact that supplies are lacking. The cityfolk need something to take their mind off of the ever-growing unease. There's a wonderful feast to behold in the city square, if you're willing to spend the coin. Locally grown meats, autumn vegetables like pumpkin and squash and turnips, and — of course — delicious baked sweets of all kinds. There's dancing and singing and general merriment, the people seeming relaxed now that the goblins have been confined into one area.

The revelry is open to all, but the food costs. Those who don't wish to pay can try their hand at begging door-to-door for sweets with the children, make some trades, or literally steal candy from babies.

The goblins celebrate the holiday in their own way, too. In their house of worship, the elder leads a prayer for the lost souls of the dead. There's copious amounts of alcohol amongst the outskirts, although they're somewhat lacking in food — it's difficult to get humans to sell to them these days. Even Graldia and her men are out enjoying the festivities, but they're also on the look-out for outsiders, ready to fight if need be.

All in all, the night goes swimmingly. With everyone on their different sides, it seems they can't fight. Then, like clockwork...

All the candles in the square go out, just as they had at the Festival of Illumination. For a moment, only darkness. Then the flames ignite again to show two bodies in the center of the square, side by side: one goblin, one human. Closer inspection shows they're dead, but they have no signs of wounds or anything that could suggest they were killed. It comes with no symbol, no words this time; it seems the culprit felt they had already conveyed a strong message. The square erupts into chaos as law enforcement pushes them back, away from the square. Word travels fast as they run back to their homes. Only one man looks on, unsurprised. His costume is scarce, and those who were jailed may recognize him, the suspiciously silent prisoner. The moment he notices someone looking at him, he turns his back and walks away towards the outskirts.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, sorry. It's just, in Japan back home I always use honorifics. Sort of as a way of showing respect? Or the relationship between people? I guess 'sir' or 'ma'am' is kind of similar, but not quite.

[It's sort of an explanation, anyway. Regardless, she's happy enough to try help. And to see him again, of course. Candy is just a bonus, she can't help giggling a little at that as she gives a nod.]

What did you have in mind?

( he hasn't heard of using san in particular but using titles and honorifics itself isn't that odd to him. he's just never really had one himself. no sir or respect for the Huntsman.

calling him sheriff wasn't quite the same.

he decides he doesn't mind it, and nods at the explanation, jumping into his idea for a game instead. he shows her a coin, then tosses it behind his back and catches it in the other hand. his coordination is better than one would expect, looking at him. )

Guess which hand it's in.

( a simple game, yes, but it isn't as if he was planning to withhold her treat anyway. )

Oh! Which hand? Um.....Right?

[It's a guess, of course. Even with her magic, she still can't exactly see through people. Nor would she want to use it for something so trivial as this, even if it is fun and potentially involves more sweets added to her haul.

Either way, if she guesses right or not, she'll still get a laugh out of this. Most others have simply given the children sweets, so this has an added game and element of fun to it with Graham in comparison.]

Right is right.

( the palm comes back, opens and reveals the handmade candy he's taken care to buy. they do remind him of the things he used to see in the Enchanted Forest. he never really ate anything sweet back then, but he saw them and smelled them. his fondness for sweets could have been motivated by never having them until after he was cursed.

the other palm comes out, opening to reveal another. this game was at least slightly rigged in her favor. )

Trick or treat, that's how it goes, isn't it?

( nobody said his trick had to be mean-spirited, right? )

[Sakura stares, wide-eyed and initially rather pleased when she sees both hands with some. Before reaching for some and giving him a knowing look. Okay, she isn't mad, more amused if anything as she tries one.]

Right. But I guess there are worse tricks.

[Like ghost stories. Or Toya telling her about the ones he sees in general. She doesn't like scary stories or jump scares, to say the least.]

( he's seen all sorts of tricks in his lifetime, he could probably be better at it if he wanted to be. that's just the point, though; he doesn't want to be. he'd like to make Sakura a little happier, in a place that could be difficult on anyone, but especially a young girl.

he even manages a smile when she takes her treat. )

Let's try and skip those.

( he likes the treat part of Halloween a lot better. )

Y-yes. I think everyone here prefers treats! There's a lot of them being given out to all the children.

[Of course, certain fears and scares are healthy, even. It's just that Sakura especially has plenty and plenty of fuel for said fears and dangerous situations after her time back home collecting the Clow Cards. She pockets the other treat from him into her basket with the others, gathering quite a pile by now.]

Spirits do seem to be high today.

( and that makes him frown a little. the last time spirits were high and things looked a little less grim than usual, it all fell apart. he'd really like for that to not happen twice, but there's no way of being sure. unrest is still prevalent between the natives, and so far there had not been much progress in shying them away from it.

he offers the rest of the treats he brought for her, suggesting, )

Perhaps you can treat someone else.

[She can't help noting and recalling that as well. But then, just because things fell apart earlier, that doesn't necessarily mean it will this time. Perhaps the warning wouldn't be applicable just yet for all they know. If nothing else, she does strive to be optimistic and focus on the positive. It's enough that everyone is enjoying themselves, for now.

Sakura does pause, looking to her hands when he offers her the rest before her gaze raises to meet his, giving a smile that seems to light up her whole face and being.]

I will!

( even if things go south, having made this moment of hers a little brighter is enough to make the night a success for him. Graham sometimes feels like overcoming his past is like an ant climbing a mountain. it seems like he'll never make it, even if he strives the rest of however long he gets to live.

and then in moments like this one, making amends for his mistakes doesn't seem too hard at all.

he smiles back, crosses his arms, and nods. )

Have fun, then. And don't eat too much at once. A toothache won't be worth it.

I learned that years ago with Valentines. Besides, if I don't eat it all tonight, I can save most of it for later!

[Valentines is a bigger celebration and event, along with White Day, than Halloween really is in Japan anyway. She can't help but smile as she tries another, savoring it. For all that some things are rather different and strange, the candy and chocolate still seem similar enough that she takes some comfort in the treats all the same.]

( it's good for her to have something, even a little thing, that makes her feel a little comforted. he finds that this place is not full of those... or perhaps a man without a heart isn't quite capable of comfort. it's hard to say, isn't it?

once he's sure she's happy, he nods and heads on his way. he's glad to see her in high spirits. that means more to him than the little candies. )

EVENT ★ ALL HALLOWS' EVE

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