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š Everyone hail to the pumpkin song šµ
Nothing but frights in these festive nights!
It's noticeable ā the coming autumn nights are growing dimmer, bats start circling the skies more often, and a lone wolf howling at every occasion towards the moon's appearance. An inexplicable sense of dread permeates your being as you begin to feel the hairs rise on your skin, and you might just chalk it up to only the chilly fall wind passing by. But some take to believing these are signs pointing that the night of Halloween is drawing near. A chance for ghouls and goblins to come out and play, and maybe earn a sweet treat or two along the way.
Somewhere around the outskirts of a small country town, its people gather around to set up shop and open their annual Halloween Fair to all. While they mostly bring in people from neighboring towns to join in the celebration, unbeknownst to the townsfolk their event is about to get a little more festive with the sudden influx of visitors from beyond their borders. And perhaps from beyond the grave as well...?
This is just an open RP post with a sandbox-like setting. While there's some scenarios premade for your roleplaying needs, you can mess around with it as much or as little as you want. Feel free to use it for voicetesting, create cross-canon shenanigans, or develop a ship even further. You can carry the story over to your musebox if you'd like too. And you can re-use this post as many times as you'd like (until it hits the comment limit.) So bring your blorbos, your originals, your AUs, your friends and your friends' friends along for the fun!
- Comment with your character's name and series in the subject.
- Follow it up with a starter, and state your preferences too.
- Label any warnings when necessary.
- Reply to other characters!
- Most importantly, just don't worry and have fun!
Arriving at the fairgrounds, you'll find the whole place heavily decorated with an assortment of spooky-themed ornaments: glowing jack o' lanterns, paper bats lined on garlands, plastic skeletons in comical poses, bedsheet ghosts hanging on a wire, a statue of a famous movie monster or two looming over you menacingly, and so much more. The sounds of whimsical theremins and sinister pipe organs could be heard playing in the background. All the stalls have even installed fake cobwebs to match the vibe. And some of the townsfolk, even the visitors too, have taken to dressing up in costumes for the festivities.
It's fortunate that the fair doesn't charge you for admission. So like a ghost hovering and lost, you can haunt around the grounds as much as you please. Grab a candy apple, try your luck at a pie-eating contest, get lost in the cornfield maze, or maybe go trick-or-treating while you're at it. There's plenty of things to do for you to have a scary good time!
Becoming the Mask ā¦ It's Fair Play! ā¦ Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice ā¦ Lost in the Maize ā¦ Ghoul's Night Out ā¦ Trick or Treat! ā¦ Wildcard!
While it isn't required for everyone to wear a costume for the event, you're definitely encouraged to dress up while exploring the fairgrounds. Besides, wouldn't it be more fun to stalk the grounds as the grim reaper? And you get bonus discounts from food stalls for being in the spirit of it all!
If you were convinced enough to do so, you were then directed to the costume rental store under a large tent and try something from there. No doubt the store has a wide array of costumes in all shapes and sizes from the mundane, to the grotesque, to the avant-garde. You can dress up as a doctor, a zombie, a legally distinct superhero, or even a giant avocado. There's even matching costumes for you and your partner to wear together for laughs. There's no rhyme or reason why some of these costumes are made really, this is all in good fun.
But once you've made your choice, you start to gain this strange unconscious urge to act out as the costume you're wearing. And soon enough your mind is absent, instead fully entranced to play the role as long as the mask stays on. Though not all hope is lost ā if you have enough willpower you can break its spell. Having a friend pull it off is a viable option as well, but it won't be easy with how firmly it's stuck to you.
Like any town fair, there's no shortage of finding entertainment while you're here. After all, the spooky season isn't only just for scares. Sometimes a little laughter and enjoyment goes a long way. If you're feeling competitive, how about you try your hand at Apple Bobbing, or the Pie-Eating Contest if you have a big enough appetite to do it. The Halloween-flavored Ring Toss game is also a good one, where you toss rings around some witch hat shaped pegs instead. Or how about some Haunted BoOoOoOwling!! and find out if you can strike all ten ghostly pins in one go. Winning in any of these games will reward you with an assortment of prizes (plush toys, novelty items, a huge pumpkin, etc.), so it's definitely worth playing them!
But if you prefer something more chill, then show your creativity and carve a funny face onto a pumpkin of your choice over at the Pumpkin Carving corner. Your creation will be featured alongside many others like an art piece in an exhibit. You'll also be rewarded if your pumpkin is the most presentable of the bunch, so you don't get to leave empty-handed.
A couple of rides are built for the Halloween Fair as well. The Drop Tower is a favorite amongst fair-goers looking for thrills, Or the simpler Ferris Wheel if you'd like to view the whole fairground and the cornfields surrounding it from above. They even have a huge Inflatable Bouncy Haunted Mansion for everyone to hop into and embrace their inner child. Yes, it even comes with a ballpit!
There's likely more that hasn't been mentioned ā as there are other horror-themed games and rides you can try. So at least nothing will keep you bored while being here.
If you aren't up for gaming excitement, or you just happen to have more to spare in your wallet, then there's plenty of shops to check out in the Fairground Market.
Much of them sell local produce from this town and neighboring communities ā apples, pears, carrots, corn, the like. And each of them come with their own unique varieties too. But you can also grab a cup of Bewitching Pumpkin Spice Latte or a slice of Monstrous Pumpkin Pie, or even some Scarily Spicy Pumpkin Glazed Donuts if you're feeling peckish. Of course, if you're not the biggest gourd gourmet, there's always the usual savory fairground treats like corndogs and burgers you can find along the way. Food carts are pretty much scattered everywhere, so you are spoiled for choice.
Food isn't the only thing the fair has to offer. There's an assortment of trinkets and oddities on sale if you look around, it's not too dissimilar to that of a flea market. There's a tent selling secondhand clothing of the retro and modern kind, while another showcases curios from around the world if you fancy spotting some forgotten family treasure or a cursed relic from a distant past. You'll even find a stall featuring spellbooks and occult paraphernalia that would spark curiosity. There is just about everything here you can find in the market area. Why not buy a rare novelty or two to take home with as something to remember by?
It might not sound like the most thrilling attraction in the fair, but getting lost in a corn maze can be quite harrowing especially for the directionally-challenged out there. At every side all you'll find is towering cornstalks that spread as far as your eye could see. Corn here, corn there, corn everywhere. You'd soon realize how hard it is to discern which way to go when the maze is surrounded by... well, maize. Luckily there are a few distinguishing markers that will help you on your way such as a jack-o'lantern or a scarecrow, just as long as you keep your feet on the trail that's laid out for you to traverse.
While normally it's best played during the day, no one is stopping you from going through the maze at the darkest hours of the night however. Unless you have a flashlight with you, it isn't the most ideal way to do it. But whether you were dared to or just felt like it, the pathways still remain open for you to explore.
"Be careful." the owner eyes over you, "Strange things lurk in the night y'know."
According to the owner, apparently there's a local legend about creatures that skulk in the fields at night, preying at the undiscerning and appear to them in the form of their worst fears imaginable. You may get a sense that the old farmer is just trying to persuade you to think it over and visit the maze while the sun is back up, however the choice to pursue this challenge is ultimately left up to you.
Maybe you're the type who just wanted to get away from all of that cheer, and decided to make your hauntings around somewhere quiet, and perhaps a little bit somber. The town's cemetery is a little ways off from the fairgrounds, but it's worth visiting if you're not in the mood to partake in the festivities. Surely you'll find yourself at peace just like those who lay six feet under your feet.
However the dead think otherwise.
Much to your surprise (or not), there is in fact a morbidly grand party being held here of all places. Apparitions of lives once lived are seen dancing, communing, rough-housing, having a ball of a time. Some of them are playing music, using their precious strings and brass they carried with them to the afterlife. It's like death never bothered them. Or perhaps the unbridled joy of having to be on this plane of existence again is just a distraction from that. Who's to say? What is certain is that they seem unbothered by your presence. In fact, one of them even welcomes and persuades you to join in the fun.
It's not too crowded though, some take to floating above instead to leave more space for others. Many of them are former townsfolk who knew each other from long ago. Old friends, distant relatives, long lost rivals, all reunite in the spirit of the season. There's no buffet table around if you're looking for something to snack on, but there had been some weeks-old food lying on graves that only the spirits could enjoy. A few would be willing to share, but there's no guarantee they would be edible.
And then something catches your eye ā a certain someone you know who shouldn't be around, or alive at all. Maybe that frightens you, whether they be friend or foe, to see them among the lively dead. And to what reason they have for being here, you'll just have to be brave and ask.
If the fair itself is too much for you and prefer something that's a tad simpler, then there's always the old classic Halloween tradition of putting on a fun costume, knocking on strangers' doors, and hope for some sugary delights to fall in your hands as a reward. And if they don't hand the sweets over... Well that's where the "Trick" comes in, doesn't it?
Although don't expect everyone offering candy as you stand on their doorstep. Some neighbors would rather treat visitors with granola bars, bags of chips, jars of play-doh, toys, or even packs of PokƩmon cards instead. Maybe a kindly old woman offers you some freshly-baked muffins or chocolate chip cookies just for stopping by. If it's not to your liking, you better take your complaints to them. Though they'll probably slam their doors in your face as a result.
Then again, you don't always have to follow tradition to a T. You could loiter around in the streets, watch the Halloween parade and marvel at everyone's costumes, or gaze at whatever stars you can make out in the inky darkness above you. Maybe you can disregard the "Treat" part entirely and jump into the "Trick" at full-force ā pulling pranks like a livestreamer causing mayhem around the neighborhood. You might get arrested for that, but it's worth it if you're in it for the thrill of it all, or just enjoy being a complete jackass during this night of all frights.
If you're not feeling any of these prompts, or have some other ideas in mind, then go wild!
You can mix and match scenarios or come up with your own. Swap roles where you play the villain and your partner would be the hero or the other way around. You can even expand the setting with new locations, or AU it up and rebuild it into your own version of the setting if you'd like. There's no limits to what your imagination can create. It's free real estate here, and the world is your oyster!
cw: snakes
(A man who is not in costume like most people shows up on the streets, screaming for his missing pet snake. This mention of snakes makes Harry unusually twitching towards them.
Normally if this is normal Harry, he would have been neutral towards them het willing to help. He isnāt sure if he still had the Parseltongue ability to make things easier but he wouldnāt decline to offer help. But the costume antics are taking such a grip on him that it might take a while to snap him out of it.
The man then turns to him and Marik to ask if they have seen any signs of his runaway snake, not noticing that Harryās paranoid reaction towards the snake mention right away.)
Oh hello. Have you two seen my pet snake in this area? He couldnāt have gone far away from my house a couple of blocks away.
Um, did you just said s-s-s-snake, sir?
Yeah I sure did. Have been looking for him for a few hours now. Iām worried that he might have gotten lost by now. Will you guys help me find him before the night is over?
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You can leave it to me. I'm afraid my friend here isn't... fond of our serpentine friends. They aren't... poisonous, are they?
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Anyway, as for how poisonous Marvin is, thankfully his species isnāt very dangerous enough to hurt anybody. He is just a harmless and friendly garter snake. But he really likes to play escape artist way too much. Whenever I try to leave the house, I would make sure that he is well fed and his cage is locked so he wouldnāt try to escape.
Unfortunately tonight, I was very forgetful to take precaution before I gave out some candies to the kids in the neighborhood that he just slipped away under my nose.
S-s-snakesā¦ Not the snakes, not the snakesā¦
Donāt worry, guys: aside from that escape artist streak of his, Marvin is a pretty chill guy.
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[Marik pats Harry on the back with a sympathetic smile.]
I'll handle it. Why don't you go sit down and rest somewhere?
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(He nods in return as he does find a bench to sit on and stays put in there.)
Phew, thank you so much. We should get started on trying to find Marvin somewhere near this area as he was slithering towards this way before he went missing from my sight. Come on, letās go find him.
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Right. Lead the way.
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The man tries to see for any signs of the cheeky snake among the bushes and trees, being mindful not to run into a bunch of people and young kids on the street. Then the sight of a shaking snake tail out on one small bush alerts him of Marvinās presence.)
Hey! There he is! Come on, letās catch that snake.
(As it turns out though, Marvin proves to be a tricky snake to chase after. He darts away from the bush and attempts to slither to a new hiding spot as his owner is running after him. Apparently he is not done with this extended game of hide and seek just yet.)
Marvin, you silly snake! Get back here, please.
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[At least, he assumes that's why the snake is "running away." Marik follows at a brisk pace but keeps his footsteps quiet, so hopefully Marvin won't be able to sense him following. Just need to get close enough...]
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(The man soon switches gears through following Marikās example, going from screaming and running to slowly and quietly walking as not to give Marvin too frights in one night.)
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[So he continues to follow as best he can, hopefully Marvin slowing down after a bit. It takes a few minutes but eventually Marik spots the tail slithering into the nearby bushes.
He doesn't want to startle the thing so he opts to walk around, trying to get the snake to see him approach. Then the Egyptian kneels down and holds out a hand.
He's a bit afraid of snakes himself, having been bit by one as a small child, but with this one being nonvenomous, it makes it a little less daunting.]
I'm not going to hurt you.
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The garter snake took a while to warm up to the Egyptian but eventually he decides that the man is not too scary to approach to, so he eventually comes out of the bushes and lets him to carry him back to his owner.)
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One runaway snake, back safe and sound.
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(The man happily reunites Marvin as he gives him a gentle pat on the head. Marvin in return hisses to his owner in joy in response, forgetting for a moment that he had been a pretty naughty snake a while back.
By the time they and Marik came back, Marvin happily hisses at Harry and waves back at him with his tail. He does freak out for a moment upon seeing the garter snake when the hat soon falls off from his head and onto the ground. Is it possible that the hat is responsible for him losing himself to the Indy character?
Hard to say right now, but as if he has awakened from a long slumber, Harry starts to feel more like himself once again, especially when he gets to speak in his normal voice after who knows how long.)
Whoa. That was a long strange trance I was inā¦
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[After parting ways with the man, Marik blinks as he returns to his friend, noticing the return of Harry's natural accent once he approaches him, as well as seeing the hat on the ground.]
... You doing alright?
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(Clearly, he has forgotten about the whole mean teen scarecrows or being terrified of Marvin the snake who is currently clueless of what is going on with Harryās weird behavior.)
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... Harry, I think... the hat might have been enchanted.
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He should have known a little better than underestimate magical items regardless of their appearance even in costume form.)
What?!? The hat might have a spell over it? Oh my, this is very scary: I should have known better than not think twice about putting it on my head. Maybe it is for the best that I donāt wear it again for the rest of the night.
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It's Halloween. You wouldn't think they'd enchant costumes. That's kind of bad for business.
You don't remember anything at all?
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Yes. I canāt seem to remember a single thing while that hat was still on my head.
(Marvin and his owner are still there, looking more confused and concerned upon learning how deep the hatās magic had over Harry and hoping for an explanation.)
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At least I hope.
[He frowns.]
You thought you were Indiana Jones. I played along because I thought you were just acting the part but... well, you know.
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(Harry is so embarrassed that this one hat got him acting like Doctor Jones and not realizing it until the hat fell off. Though to be fair on his part, Harry hasnāt been following up on films frequently due to his studies in Hogwarts and his relatives not being the type who would go to the cinemas often and never bother to take him with them if they really did.
But he does hear about the Indiana Jones films from some people in his neighborhood and from some fellow Hogwarts students enough to have some idea about the main character himself.)
Gosh, I was really under that spell for a good amount of time. I think that we might need to warn folks about not checking for any enchanted costume pieces before this gets out of hand.
Ah, so he was cursed to act like Indiana Jones by that hat, eh? That explains why he panicked when Marvin saw and greeted him after you got him back. The good doc is very much scared of snakes throughout his films.
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[Marik smiles at the snake owner.]
I initially thought he was just acting but... that was genuine fear he displayed. I'm glad it was just the hat.
[He cautiously picks up the hat but doesn't put it on.]
We should definitely warn the store about this.
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How this managed to slip under their watch is going to be quite alarming and terrifying at the same time.
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[Marik isn't sure how the Wizarding World works.]
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For most of them, any magical spills are considered as a bad thing and they will try to cover up it as much as possible as not to let the Statute of Secrecy to be broken. And even Iām still in shock by their overblown reactions to them on a frequent basis.
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