[EVENT] 'Tis the Spooky Season...

[vrdr_mods]

Autumn is drawing on in the Velvet Room and its environs. The days are colder, the nights are crisper, leaves are a riot of colour ready to fall from the trees. And (besides all the pumpkin spice popping up for some reason) that means only one thing: Hallowe'en!

As the season approaches, you may undergo a mysterious transformation. Perhaps you wake up with wings, or hooves, or gills! Or perhaps your transformation will change more, go deeper... perhaps to your very soul. Who can tell? You might wake up as an animal, or a mythological creature. Or as anything at all.

Transformations will reverse on the morning of November 1st. Probably.

In the meantime, Destinyland is celebrating the holiday. Cheerful Jack-o'-Lantern Shadows have set up on street corners, handing out flyers advertising the park's seasonal festivities. In the days leading up to the 31st, Destinyland will host all the usual fun: Hallowe'en games, Trick or Treat for the babies (and the not-so-babey), the Gorb fortune teller, Shadow-run food stalls serving spooky meals and treats, and, of course, the haunted house with its array of friendly, candy-giving Shadows. Or maybe they're not so friendly.

On the night of Hallowe'en itself, there will be a parade at the park and a grand party out in the main square with food, music, and plenty of space, though characters are not obliged to attend. However, if you wish to show off your new form, see what transformations have been wrought on your fellow guests, or simply take the chance to celebrate, it may be a good opportunity...

Who knows? Perhaps you'll even see some special guests.

[ooc: Welcome to our second Halloween event! This post will serve as a mingle for the duration of the event. Feel free to invite friends to play as guest characters, too! There will be a toplevel, and guest characters are simply whisked into the setting to engage in festivities, with a slight ghostly aura. For an example, see the thread here from last year!]

Comments

[seekerofjustice]

I wouldn't want to trouble you. I'm certain I'll find my way out soon enough.

It is a fascinating experience though, the ability to send messages has become absolutely seamless. I simply need to think of what I want to to say, and then the words appear on the screen.

I can clearly see the screen as well, it's very surreal.

[seekerofjustice]

So Raven does know more than Dove does... That puts Dove into a bit of a predicament.

Raven's still young and has his own share of problems. To get him sucked into Dove's would be thoughtless and selfish.

"...I would like to know the truth regardless of how painful it is. That is, only if you are comfortable sharing it, Raven-kun. I can simply ask someone else, if they are willing to share it."

[seekerofjustice]

Ah, yes, that sounds about right. Dove can imagine a lot of the affected people want to do something along those lines...

On the subject of the phones though...

"Perhaps I can help you both? If you need to send a message or make a call, I may be able to possess your phones and assist with it."

At the very least Hannei is having fun, he guesses? He supposes he can see the appeal, getting into the Halloween spirit... But is it really fun when it's a forced transformation, he wonders?

"I'm glad you're having fun, at the very least. I may not be enjoying my time as a ghost to its fullest, but I'm certainly enjoying the Halloween festivities."

It's nice seeing Destinyland like this. It really does make him feel strangely at home... Nostalgic, even. All those times with his mother, enjoying the holiday events at Destinyland as he was growing up...

For just a moment he forgets himself, forgets it's all a lie.

[seekerofjustice]

"...Hmm? A prank? I'm afraid I don't know what you're..."

But he stops as Kira continues, getting a frown, seeming... worried?

"...? Wait a moment, please calm down. I'm not sure what you think I am, but I--"

His attempts to reach out to Kira go silent as he whips out the gun.

Dove hardly has a chance to react before the shot strikes true... If Igor hadn't made him into a ghost, then that shot could have been fatal, but instead it just phases through him and his widened eyes as he slowly tries to recollect himself.

"...Ren-- Akira. Listen to me. Whatever you think I am, I'm not here to cause you harm. Please..."

He moves slowly, raising his hands up to reveal he has no weapons (Not that he could in this state), and does his best to remain calm.

[linkclickakira]

"Don't lecture me~!" He cries out in annoyance as he leans back on the heels of his palm- crossing his legs over with the gun still gripped in his right hand. "Seriously- I have had a long night."

Then he falls short and raises a brow at him. "I was being an ass on purpose but to be fair~ I wasn't wrong. Aside from simply ruining the festive mood, I was attacking a shadow. Not you."

"Also I didn't control my hunger or anything," he smirks at the glare aimed at him. "I fed off from both you and that shadow."

[vampirethief]

"Being an ass is not being festive. That's just you being an asshole."

It's the principal of the matter. When Ren hears the real reason Akira stopped, he rolls his eyes. He doesn't care that he got 'fed' off of. Better him than anyone else, but that doesn't mean his opinion improves in any way.

"Is that supposed to impress me? Because it doesn't."

[linkclickakira]

"No I meant-" He starts but sighs. "I meant I was ruining the festive mood. That's the only wrong thing I see."

He rolls his neck and shakes his head. "And your Batman act doesn't impress me either." Whatever. Clever ploy or not he got what he wanted. "I was going to vapourize out of existence if I tried to get the train, genius. If you are such a saint about containing hunger or what not- you don't get to lecture me with your hypocritical ideals."

"Ugh, who am I even talking to," he leans forward and palms his face with his free hand. "...of course you would be stubborn."

[vampirethief]

"At least you have some self-awareness."

Funny how Akira mentions Batman considering Ren's wearing a cowboy costume. It wouldn't surprise him if there's been a time where Batman dressed like a cowboy somewhere in the franchise.

"It still doesn't justify you gleefully saying you'll strap it to a rocket to kill it, and torturing it."

Even if it was meant as a joke, it was a terrible one.

Ren adjusts his cowboy hat. "Took you long enough."

[mirrorgirl]

She notably sits up when dove offers to help with their phone troubles.
“Oh! Yes that’d be really helpful thank you! If you see akechi-kun you should let him know. He definitely wants to tear shadows apart in mementos right now” she can just tell, he’s got that ‘I want to kill something’ look to him.

“It’s a new experience. I always look forward to those” she says that so easily like that explains everything.
Maybe it does.
“Well, I don’t think I can ride all the rides in this form, so we can hang out if you want!” She gives her best grin. “Dogs are known to help with stress relief!” Well, she’s a wolf dog but close enough

[mirrorkechi]

Well, that doesn’t sound pleasant.
“Perhaps it’s some cosmic joke at our expense” it sure does feel like a joke to him.
If it was for some fun festive event they could have at least been able to choose to undergo a transformation!
Or at least kept him bipedal.
“Well, regardless, I intend to do something during the festivities. Better than wallowing around” he’d really like to go to mememtos but… well he can’t exactly use his phone right now.

[gorobo]

"Isn't it?"

Raven is really enjoying this, isn't he?

Falcon can't deny it's... relaxing, if nothing else. There's a small smile on his face as he continues to pet behind Raven's furry ears, fascinated with the way they occasionally twitch. Even without a proper sensation of touch, he can tell they're extremely soft. Kitten fur.

[fogboundcrow]

Mmm. Comfortable. He's not entirely sure why, but he has the strong urge to just... curl up and get cozy.

"Honestly, I should consider myself lucky. My balance hasn't been thrown off as much by the tail as Hiro's has by his new wings, and Joker outfitted Crow with heels to try and offset his now digitigrade legs. Hiro's horns also have caused him to get caught in the doorway a few times."

Humorous as it is, it's hardly convenient.

[gorobo]

Falcon heaves out a sigh at that, feeling his frustration rise once more. Seriously?

"What a pain," he says, "I can't believe you're all just... okay with that. Igor changes you all on a whim, and you still consider him benevolent?"

... Though he can't deny that it's nice to pet behind Raven's ear. He scritches juuuust below it, before smoothing the hair out, and repeating the process. It's very... calming. The purr is such a nice sound, too, resonating with his systems in a very soothing way.

"Well, at least you seem to be enjoying it," he hums.

[fogboundcrow]

"I wouldn't say I approve per se, but there are far more malevolent things he could do. Plus, he kept his word, and Wagtail's life has improved significantly due to the knowledge he gained here."

Mmm... Soothing scritches. He relaxes further, getting into a comfortable position. "Hiro is the least resentful person I know besides my Shadow, and Crow..." His nose wrinkles a little. "I just know he and Joker have... ideas."

[gorobo]

Well, good for Wagtail, but Falcon's still not convinced this whole thing is a net positive. Just because one person's life improved doesn't mean the rest doesn't suffer. How is that fair? He holds back a growl. Fucking Igor, meddling with people who didn't ask for it.

Though Raven continues, and Falcon's nose wrinkles, cringing. "Please don't mention that." Gross. Gross gross humans. Eugh.

But Raven seems otherwise relaxed, his purring loud and happy, and Falcon can't help but relax himself.

"At least he's left me alone," he sighs, "if I got changed... I don't know if his guard dogs could contain me, come hell or high water."

[fledglingcrow]

His mouth was open as he looked up at his friend. He was a fox. He was an actual, no human. He didn't know what to do here. He was so little now.

[linkclickakira]

"Oh I have plenty of self-awareness," he lets out a wry chuckle. "I will admit this demonic costume clouds my judgement though. Don't blame me for that." He points up at the sky. "Blame the guy who can probably smell a flower from a meter distance with his long nose."

He shrugs as the other makes a rather good point. "I was drawing fear from it as I was drawing anger from you." He cleanly explains. "The plan worked."

Now that he's finally calmed down and more sustained, he can actually focus on his doppel's costume. "I...I did read about a vampire Ren here but your outfit is giving me mixed signals. Unless you are supposed to be human turned vampire wearing a cowboy look."

He squints at him, humming in approval as he clasps his chin with an index and thumb. "Looks pretty cool."

[unfoggedlotus]

Sniffsniff the other Special Friend. His mouth. Lick the lips.

[fogbornphantom]

"Only for you, Ren." Goro opens his mouth, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of his situation.

"And me," Hiro adds with a chuckle.

[unfoggedlotus]

Licklicklick hihihihi!! He immediately licks inside. Good...hello!! Hello!!!

He gives Special Friend a nice face bath and then returns to nudging them to den.

[fogbornphantom]

"Does this make us mates?" Is that how it works with wolves? Either way, Goro goes along with it, as does Hiro, though he has to turn his head a little to account for his horns, and it takes an extra moment for him to get all his wings folded.

[unfoggedlotus]

Ren looks confused, then snorts in distaste at mates. He just said hi! To his Special Friends! Either way, he keeps nudging them forward.

Once they're all in the den, Ren jumps onto the bed and makes sure to thoroughly check it for Bad Things by stamping his paws around! Circlecirclecircle, get all the Bad Things Out for Maximum Comfort...stampstampstamp...

...and then finally, floomph. Ren drops and curls up on the bed and has a biiiiig strecth. He is their pillow tonight, by the way, and they can put their heads on his side. He Is Around Them. Come. Sleep.

[fogbornphantom]

It's so surreal seeing Ren act so dog-like. If anything, Goro always likened him more to a friendly cat, but this... this is adorable, and he can't help but slowly make his way over, arms spread just to better keep balance. Hiro moves close behind, though he doesn't get in just yet.

"Shall I fetch a blanket?"

[unfoggedlotus]

Ren snuffles and wiggles, thumping his tail as Special Friends approach.

[fogbornphantom]

"You're our loyal protector." Here, just let Hiro grab one of the blankets to drape over Goro before he finally crawls in.

...But not without giving a little kiss to Ren's fluffy cheek.