text;

[bluelilyblue]

So, hypothetically speaking:

If a few teenagers in costumes knocked on your door in about a week
would you provide treats or some sort of spooky amusements for their trouble?

I know this isn't exactly prime ground for trick or treating
no mcmansions giving out full sized candy bars

But I was thinking it'd be fun
even if there's only a few adults willing to volunteer.

And I was thinking fun would be good, you know?

Comments

[deal_me_in]

Huh. Well, I'm all about treats but all I've got are ramen packs and knives. I'm sure there won't be any complaints from the recipients though.

[bluelilyblue]

can confirm that the recipients would be most appreciative regardless!
I know this place isn't exactly creature-comfort central.
so it's the intention and all that.

also knives are cool.

[deal_me_in]

Excellent.

And agreed, knives are very cool

and useful!

[crystalmaster]

Sure, I'd be up for it. It'd feel like home.

[bluelilyblue]

you sir, are a gem.

and yeah, that's sort of the vibe I was hoping for.
I thought it would be nice to do something familiar after all the volcanoes and monsters.

[crystalmaster]

Familiar would definitely be good. I'll see if I can replicate any candy or make some myself.

[butterfly_kiss]

So let me get this right.
Monsters nearly ate a lot of people here.
Because of portals to another dimension.
We don't have costumes, candy, or decorations.
And you want to trick or treat?

[bluelilyblue]

That is what the post said, yes. Is that somehow confusing for you?

And just because you don't have a costume, doesn't mean that applies to other people.

[butterfly_kiss]

Of course it's confusing to me. It seems like an unreasonable goal to achieve right now.

[bluelilyblue]

so because bad things happened that means no one should ever do fun things again?

I mean if you want to mope and whine like some emo goth kid feel free
but if all you have to offer is trying to ruin people actually doing something
find a better hobby

[butterfly_kiss]

Didn't say that. Saying this is a weird thing to suggest right now. Especially when we don't have what is needed for it.

And I'm not goth. Geez.

Just saying maybe be realistic. We don't have candy.

[bluelilyblue]

Except we do, clearly, or else people wouldn't be volunteering.

You sure sound like one.

And we have a freaking replicator, genius
if you're that put out about not having candy.

[butterfly_kiss]

Replicators with limited uses each month. But yeah I can't keep you from doing sensible like replicating something a bit more longer lasting than that.

Good luck I suppose.

[bluelilyblue]

fine, I'll bite:
so what precisely are these supposedly sensible things that I'm supposed to be doing instead?
if you're struggling, ask for help.
I'm actually doing pretty okay, not that you ever asked, despite all the fake-concern

instead you just try to shoot down my attempt at doing something normal and enjoyable
and that takes very little effort from anyone that wants to get involved.

if you don't, that's fine, but next time do everyone a favor and just shut up.

[butterfly_kiss]

Winter's coming. You should be using those replicator uses for warm clothes. You should be making sure you have somewhere secure to stay that is suitable for the winter. Maybe even figuring out if you can help people that were hurt.

And maybe accepting there isn't a 'normal' here like that.

You'll definitely bite, that's the right term for it. All teeth. Someone points out your goals might not be possible and you snap.

Do what you will. I cannot and will not stop you. I will donate a limited number of the lollipops I replicated to help patients with anxiety, blood sugar issues, and lingering oral fixations from nicotine withdrawal to your project.

But only the lime ones.

[Because the lime ones aren't the good flavor anyway. Even the lemon ones are better.]

[bluelilyblue]

and you know that I haven't done any of this how, exactly?
you don't. you're just making assumptions.
maybe it makes you feel better to put other people down while playing the realist
but these things aren't mutually exclusive.

pushing what works for you on other people isn't a good look.

and if you think saying your opinion isn't wanted because you offer nothing but negativity is snapping, then I'm not the one being unrealistic. not to mention that I have a costume and people have already volunteered, so your 'concerns' are pointless.

you can keep your lollipops. if you're using them for medical purposes then I wont take from that. not to mention I was looking for people who were actively interested, and you've made your opinion very clear.

[butterfly_kiss]

[They've both been a bit harsher than needed no doubt, and caught up in their own experiences and expectations, but Tae has definitely been worse here. Not that she'd think it.]

As you will then.

Still don't understand why you would even want candy for this. This is the time of year for costumed street fairs. Or I suppose some of those subway costumed party trains that end up making transit around the city annoying back home.

[Listen, Halloween didn't really come to Japan as heavily in her youth. It was basically just starting to show hints, and Tae was not part of the generations starting to embrace it. All of this was just strange.]

[stitch_witch]

I apologize, but I find I must ask a few questions of you.

Why would one go to others' doors to ask for candy?

What are these spooky amusements?

What is a mcmansion?

What is a candy bar?

These are all concepts I am unfamiliar with.

[bluelilyblue]

So:
It's tradition! Where I'm from about 2/3rds through autumn you have a holiday called Halloween, where kids dress up in costumes and go around and knock on people's doors. They say "trick or treat" and are rewarded with candy. Things like haunted houses and spooky hay rides and bobbing for apples and stuff like that are also pretty popular.

A mcmansion is a huge, ugly house, owned by the exceptionally wealthy.

A candy bar is... do you have chocolate where you're from? They're bars of chocolate with nuts and other good things. It's the sort of thing that you really have to experience. I can show you, if you like!

Though they're really bad for dogs, so you should be careful Little Bear doesn't steal any.

[stitch_witch]

[Oh no. She has even more questions now. Like how does a hayride become spooky and why is that desirable, and what is bobbing for apples and so many other things.]

We do have chocolate, yes. It is a hot beverage, and a touch bitter. Very rare and very expensive.

I believe your 'mcmansion' may equate to grand merchant houses, though clearly with reduced aesthetics. And while we have some festivals pertaining to the autumn they are unlike what you're describing. How intriguing.

And I shall take caution not to allow Little Bear chocolate. Thank you for that information. He knows he is not allowed table food of course, but I am highly cautious around dangerous things such as that.

Is there a way that someone unfamiliar with these traditions can assist you? You mentioned costumes. Maybe I can help in that manner?

[newmemorywhodis]

What Lark asked, please.

Except asking for sweets at doors.

[That bit that makes perfect sense. He'd do that.]

[bluelilyblue]

[Does she copy from her text to Lark? She absolutely does.]

So:
It's tradition! Where I'm from about 2/3rds through autumn you have a holiday called Halloween, where kids dress up in costumes and go around and knock on people's doors after dark. They say "trick or treat" and are rewarded with candy. Things like haunted houses and spooky hay rides and bobbing for apples and stuff like that are also pretty popular.

A mcmansion is a huge, ugly house, owned by the exceptionally wealthy.

A candy bar is... do you have chocolate where you're from? They're bars of chocolate with nuts and other good things. On Halloween mostly you get little candy pieces, but the rich folks would sometimes hand out full size candy bars. But it was just fun. You dress up and you meet people and people give you sweets.

[newmemorywhodis]

Thank you

[The reply might be lazy, but Link isn't fussed. He appreciates the info.]

We don't have chocolate

You want me to make sweets?

text

[daddy_longlegs]

I know a certain kiddo who wants to dress up and get her daddy some candy.

Let's make this a thing.

text

[bluelilyblue]

wait, do you have your kid here with you?
I'm sure that's both terrifying and reassuring.

But yes! The more the merrier! We're absolutely making this a thing!
No way I'm putting together a costume and not knocking on some doors. :)

text

[daddy_longlegs]

Yup. To both.
Hoping they're right about us sliding right back when we were lifted from or my wife is gonna kill me.

We're in.
Haven't made a costume in a while, hopefully I still remember what I'm doing.