(Backdated) Salem Fall Fest - Rules
Oct. 28th, 2023 07:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsArthur and Jess lay down the rules for Match, Sharon, Shatterstar, Julio, and Liam as they take a van to the Salem Centre festival.
Another trip in which Match was sprawled in the back of the seven seater van, long legs stretched out as their rural surroundings passed by. Currently, he was arguing with the purple housecat which had taken the seat next to him. "Cats, you have to wear the collar. What if someone thinks you're free and carries you off?"
Lacking the appropriate vocal cords, the entity commonly known as Sharon Smith instead expressed her displeasure with a noise like someone dragging a cheese grater over a violin. It was mostly for show; there had, after all, been some negotiation about ensuring the makeshift collar was tied with something weak enough to split rather than throttle her in the event of a shape change. Still, she had a reputation to maintain. Match wasn't getting out of this without at least a little light gnawing.
"I don't think you should worry about someone trying to kidnap Sharon," Rictor offered from the row in front of them. "No one would get far with her if she doesn't want to go. She is probably safest of us all."
Shatterstar was sitting in the row in front of Sharon as well and thought he had made a good decision as he watched Match get chewed on. He wasn't sure Sharon had her rabies shot. "I think Sharon could squirm out of any fixes she is in," he offered in Rictor's support. "But is she going to be let into the event?"
"These are all excellent questions, and I applaud everyone's critical thinking skills." This statement, chipper and upbeat, came from the cow-pattern vested cowboy in the driver's seat. "It is important to remember that the Salem Centre is not District X and we are guests representing the Xavier Institute. But, I made sure to double check that animals are allowed on site."
Arthur's shotgun-seat partner yipped at this helpfully. The golden retriever, Felix, was dressed with a saddle and fringe to match the other man's costume.
"But it is important to remember the first rule we covered before getting into the van. Which is?"
"Wwrowwwwwl," offered Sharon as she gently gnawed the meat of Match's hand.
“Quite right, Sharon! We must stay in sight of our buddies for many reasons.”
Arthur danced his fingers on the steering wheel as they continued. "Now, remember we're an odd group, so Liam is going to everyone's buddy."
Throwing his head back against the seat, Liam groaned. So unfair. The buddy system, really? He even looked mostly normal! He'd chosen to go as Waldo from Where's Waldo, so his ears were hidden under a hat and he'd used a heavy makeup stick to hide his cat marks and make himself less orange. His tail was even hidden in his pants! It was a great costume! But he was sure he wasn't going to have any fun with the restrictions in place. "I've been going to trunk or treat events and stuff my entire life, I don't need a buddy," he protested.
"What the hell is trunk or treat?" Shatterstar asked, slightly disdainfully. In the end he had gotten that white hair spray and dressed up as a very budget version of Geralt of Rivia from things he mostly already owned. He had asked Liam to cover his birth mark for it. He had originally planning on going a ninth year straight as Gaveedra-Seven, but the fact that Arthur was the chaperone had made him feel kinda of self conscious about that costume choice.
Whereas Rictor had implored Alani to help draw scars on his chest and face to complete his Monkey D Luffy cosplay. He had not realized how cold New York usually is this time of year, but unseasonable warmth made it comfortable to wear just jorts and an open vest. He was questioning his choice of sandals instead of proper shoes, though, if he was going to be on his feet all day. Maybe he would be better going barefoot.
"Those words don't make sense in combination. I thought you call it trick or treat in English. Or is 'trunk or treat' another of Liam's Maine quirks?"
"No," Liam rolled his eyes, "Where I lived is too rural for trick or treating house to house so people would gather in a parking lot and give out candy from the trunk of their car. You still say 'trick or treat,'" Liam explained. "There was often like, a bunch of stuff to do, too. Halloween contests and games and music and whatever."
Jessica, wedged next to Felix and certainly not at all enjoying that, gave Arthur a look, then twisted in her seat and pointed a finger at the teens in general. "More rules. No eating garbage - Sharon and Match, that means you, it's fucking weird and you know it. Do not start any fights, and don't get into any fights you can't finish with plausible deniability - we will not be bailing you out tonight, I am not dealing with cops on Halloween. Don't take any drugs from anyone you don't know. Actually, don't get high, it's a corn maze, not a rave." She paused, thinking. "If you're not back here when it's time to leave, you're walking home. And the buddy thing, I guess."
"And remember the most important rule of all: have fun," Arthur added cheerfully.
Outside, the Salem Center grounds came into view. It was a mess of costumed people, bustling booths, and hearty hay rides that promised a fun autumn night to be had for all.
Another trip in which Match was sprawled in the back of the seven seater van, long legs stretched out as their rural surroundings passed by. Currently, he was arguing with the purple housecat which had taken the seat next to him. "Cats, you have to wear the collar. What if someone thinks you're free and carries you off?"
Lacking the appropriate vocal cords, the entity commonly known as Sharon Smith instead expressed her displeasure with a noise like someone dragging a cheese grater over a violin. It was mostly for show; there had, after all, been some negotiation about ensuring the makeshift collar was tied with something weak enough to split rather than throttle her in the event of a shape change. Still, she had a reputation to maintain. Match wasn't getting out of this without at least a little light gnawing.
"I don't think you should worry about someone trying to kidnap Sharon," Rictor offered from the row in front of them. "No one would get far with her if she doesn't want to go. She is probably safest of us all."
Shatterstar was sitting in the row in front of Sharon as well and thought he had made a good decision as he watched Match get chewed on. He wasn't sure Sharon had her rabies shot. "I think Sharon could squirm out of any fixes she is in," he offered in Rictor's support. "But is she going to be let into the event?"
"These are all excellent questions, and I applaud everyone's critical thinking skills." This statement, chipper and upbeat, came from the cow-pattern vested cowboy in the driver's seat. "It is important to remember that the Salem Centre is not District X and we are guests representing the Xavier Institute. But, I made sure to double check that animals are allowed on site."
Arthur's shotgun-seat partner yipped at this helpfully. The golden retriever, Felix, was dressed with a saddle and fringe to match the other man's costume.
"But it is important to remember the first rule we covered before getting into the van. Which is?"
"Wwrowwwwwl," offered Sharon as she gently gnawed the meat of Match's hand.
“Quite right, Sharon! We must stay in sight of our buddies for many reasons.”
Arthur danced his fingers on the steering wheel as they continued. "Now, remember we're an odd group, so Liam is going to everyone's buddy."
Throwing his head back against the seat, Liam groaned. So unfair. The buddy system, really? He even looked mostly normal! He'd chosen to go as Waldo from Where's Waldo, so his ears were hidden under a hat and he'd used a heavy makeup stick to hide his cat marks and make himself less orange. His tail was even hidden in his pants! It was a great costume! But he was sure he wasn't going to have any fun with the restrictions in place. "I've been going to trunk or treat events and stuff my entire life, I don't need a buddy," he protested.
"What the hell is trunk or treat?" Shatterstar asked, slightly disdainfully. In the end he had gotten that white hair spray and dressed up as a very budget version of Geralt of Rivia from things he mostly already owned. He had asked Liam to cover his birth mark for it. He had originally planning on going a ninth year straight as Gaveedra-Seven, but the fact that Arthur was the chaperone had made him feel kinda of self conscious about that costume choice.
Whereas Rictor had implored Alani to help draw scars on his chest and face to complete his Monkey D Luffy cosplay. He had not realized how cold New York usually is this time of year, but unseasonable warmth made it comfortable to wear just jorts and an open vest. He was questioning his choice of sandals instead of proper shoes, though, if he was going to be on his feet all day. Maybe he would be better going barefoot.
"Those words don't make sense in combination. I thought you call it trick or treat in English. Or is 'trunk or treat' another of Liam's Maine quirks?"
"No," Liam rolled his eyes, "Where I lived is too rural for trick or treating house to house so people would gather in a parking lot and give out candy from the trunk of their car. You still say 'trick or treat,'" Liam explained. "There was often like, a bunch of stuff to do, too. Halloween contests and games and music and whatever."
Jessica, wedged next to Felix and certainly not at all enjoying that, gave Arthur a look, then twisted in her seat and pointed a finger at the teens in general. "More rules. No eating garbage - Sharon and Match, that means you, it's fucking weird and you know it. Do not start any fights, and don't get into any fights you can't finish with plausible deniability - we will not be bailing you out tonight, I am not dealing with cops on Halloween. Don't take any drugs from anyone you don't know. Actually, don't get high, it's a corn maze, not a rave." She paused, thinking. "If you're not back here when it's time to leave, you're walking home. And the buddy thing, I guess."
"And remember the most important rule of all: have fun," Arthur added cheerfully.
Outside, the Salem Center grounds came into view. It was a mess of costumed people, bustling booths, and hearty hay rides that promised a fun autumn night to be had for all.
