[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

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken suddenly stopped petting and yelped.

"H-Huh???????"

[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.

[vessel_ken_amada]

What was going on??? Ken panicked.

"Are- are- are you all right? Are you even coherent? Can you speak like this? If you can't but still understand me, err... tap three times your right paw in my hand!"

[fledglingcrow]

He opened his mouth but what came out what a "murr" type of sound. So he tapped his paw as he tried to figure out how to talk again.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"Okay so you can still think and understand me. That's good."

No no no that wasn't good what was Igor thinking?????

But he had to keep his cool in front of Jay. If he visibly panicked that'd only make things worse for his friend who had to face the worst of it.

[fledglingcrow]

He looked up at him, a chittering sound. What were they going to do? Could he turn back? It would be nice to turn back. He'd rather be big and human and not this.

Ken was obviously rattled too, trying to keep calm for his sake, which was kind of him, but he didn't blame him, he'd be kind of freaked out if his best friend turned into a fox too.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken took a big breath.

"...let's just go straight to Igor and ask him about what's going on. Is that fine with you?"

[fledglingcrow]

He nodded. Yeah that's a good idea. The source of everything might have a few answers. Maybe. Igor spoke in riddles, but it was better than nothing.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken led the way, while checking that Jay had no trouble to follow him in his new form. Thankfully, the Velvet Room was neither far nor hard to access.

Unsurprisingly, Igor was at his desk, as he always was.

Ken tried to hold in the urge to scream at him.

"Hello, Igor," he instead settled on. "Is this your idea of a joke? Because if so, it isn't very funny."

[fledglingcrow]

Jay well, his legs were small. But he could bounce, and it wasn't too hard to keep up. The velvet room was just as he remembered it, but it didn't make that any less creepy.

Ken was angry, he could tell that much. So he stood up on his hind legs and placed his paws on him for support. I'm here. It's okay.

"This is all in an effort to further bonds." Igor replied.

[vessel_ken_amada]

He tried to stay calm, he really did, but it was hard. So he chose to channel his anger into sarcasm instead.

"Sure, because everyone knows robbing people of their ability to communicate does wonder to improve their relationships."

[fledglingcrow]

"He is not unable to communicate." Igor responds plainly, that smile stuck on his face as he gestures to Jay.

Jay tilted his head in turn. Riddles. Like he thought.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"I don't care if he can mime what he thinks! You have no right of doing this to him!"

Ken looked like he was about to pounce.

[fledglingcrow]

Ken was getting really upset. Jay patted his paw. It was okay, he didn't mind, he'd figure it out. Things would work out.

"All will be clear soon." Was the only thing Igor said in response.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken was about to escalate further, but then Jay seemed to want him to back down, so he begrudgingly obliged.

Before leaving the Velvet Room, he still gave Igor some parting words.

"Jay was not having trouble making bonds... I don't care if we learn something in five minutes that wraps this all up with a neat and tidy bow. This is arbitrary and cruel. Some people here have been trying hard to convince me this place isn't a torture chamber... but I suppose they were wrong after all."

He then left, still shaking with rage, but trying hard to contain himself.

[fledglingcrow]

Jay looked up at him, his eyes big, sad. But how would I have met you? He spared Igor a glance who seemed not phased by anything he said. Maybe he was used to these outbursts.

Jay followed behind Ken. He headbutted his leg. He murred at him, trying to get his attention.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken did turn his attention to Jay, looked at him, and felt a little bad.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that..."

[fledglingcrow]

He shook his head. He bonked his head against him. A soft murr. Pick me up, ken.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"Do... you want something? I'm not sure of what you're trying to tell me..."

[fledglingcrow]

He figured he might as well resort to small child like behavior. He stood back on his hind legs and stretched up as high as he could on Ken. Reaching up.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken still took a few seconds to understand.

"What? Are you trying to climb on me? I'm not sure what... oh!"

He looked kinda embarrassed.

"Do you... want me to pick you up? Are you sure that's what you want?"

[fledglingcrow]

He nodded. That wasn't too hard. He didn't think he was going to be too heavy since he was smaller. Unless the weight carried over. He did have multiple tails to think about.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"I mean... if you're really sure..."

Ken had zero idea why would Jay want this, but he didn't feel like saying no to him when he clearly needed support.

So... well... he picked him up. It's not like it was difficult. But he felt awkward.

[fledglingcrow]

He nuzzled in, closing his eyes, doing a strange purring sensation. It felt so weird coming from his chest.

[vessel_ken_amada]

It felt... nice.

"...Oh. So that's what this is about."

Still keeping Jay in his arms, Ken went back inside the house and sat down on the couch, to make them both freer and more comfortable.