video; after new arrivals

[sos_pilot]

Hey hey, party people! For all you new cats and kittens, the name's Della Duck! And... someday I will think of a less embarrassing way to introduce myself. Not today.

Anyway! I know time's on a big pause button or whatever back home, but if it wasn't, you know what my world would be celebrating later this month? Only the best holiday ever made - Halloween! Dressing up in costumes, free candy, and scaring the pants off everyone! If you wear pants, anyway.

I know world-hopping and all those kinda shenanigans make celebrating holidays harder, but... it's Halloween. We gotta at least try. It'll be on the last day of the month, so, plenty of time to prepare if you wanna chip in! We need to use one of the big carriage, gotta make a lot of sweets, and go to town on stitching up costumes.

Now, for those of you who have no idea what Halloween is... you've got my sympathies, I'm so sorry. But here are some highlights!

One -  Haunted Houses. Again, can't go the extra mile 'cause... train. BUT I'm sure we can come pretty close! Things popping out at you, spooky noises, fear pumping through your veins!

Two - Trick or Treating. Usually this is for the little kids. They go from house to house, knock and say "Trick or Treat!" and then get candy. Still no houses, but I say who needs 'em! If a kid says it on that special day, we should have plenty of candy to go around for the tykes... or for the tykes at heart.

Three - COSTUMES! Be someone or something you're not! The sky's the limit! This year I had planned to go on "matching opposites" costumes with my twin brother, like we did when we were younger - I'd be a devil, he'd be an angel - but since he's not around, what will I be? That's a surprise. Cause I haven't thought of it yet.

If you've got any questions, or suggestions, lemme know! Let's make this the best Halloween the train's ever had!

Comments

[blue_ice]

If that's the time you're synced to...then my bi---

[ He thinks better of it and shuts up. ]

I know what Halloween is, I've just never celebrated. But I can donate some spooky holograms.

[sos_pilot]

That'd be so cool, Kaiba! Thanks!

... Your biiiii...?

[ Yeah, she heard that. ]

[blue_ice]

I'll pull a few cards from the case for options. Skeletons, zombies...maybe I can rig a fog effect.

Uh.

[ Thinking fast....ugh. She might feel the anxiety spike. ]

My big launch would've been in a week or two. New virtual reality. But that's the furthest thing from my mind.

[sos_pilot]

[ urge to mother growing strong. ]

You realize we're still mind-melded, right? You sure that's the story you wanna stick with?

[blue_ice]

[ Oh....that's right. He swallows, thinks a moment longer. He actually likes her, and would rather not lie. And out it comes with a sigh. ]

I chose that date for the product launch because...it's my birthday. And I prefer others' attention to be on my work, not on me as a person because that invites digging. Never had the typical cake and presents parties, not that my brother didn't try.

[sos_pilot]

...

[ Sharp inhale. Clap of her hands. ]

Okay. So. Here's what's gunna happen.

I'm gunna make you a cake, and you're going to eat a big slice, and you're gunna let me hug you. Got it?

[blue_ice]

[ She will get the distinct feeling of embarrassment over the bond. ]

...fine. If it'll make you happy.

[sos_pilot]

It's gunna make us both happy. You just won't admit it.

[blitzcheer]

Biiiiiii?

[ He's helping Duck Mum and being Very Useful. ]

[blue_ice]

Big product launch!

[ He's more confident in the lie having established it, but. ]

A level of virtual reality like nothing seen before. It was nearly complete when I left.

[blitzcheer]

Oh yeah? Sounds pretty important! How were ya gonna show it off? What was the big deal?

[ Give him alllll the deets, Kaiba! ]

[blue_ice]

Lifelike tactile sensation. With safety features to prevent...accidents, of course.

Have I ever shown you our card game? I would've summoned the monsters into reality, and allowed people to interact with their favorite cards in a new way.

...and yes, it was for my birthday. You teamed up with her on this one, so. I'm just not a party person.

[blitzcheer]

Huh. That sounds fun for a theme park. [ Or something they'd have. Not that he has many memories about the ones in Zanarkand. ]

Not a loud guy about it? Hey, that's fine. I was just curious! [ really really really curious- ] What day would that be on the train?

[blue_ice]

Right. It would've debuted at Kaibaland, my theme park.

And the date would be the 25th. But I left in June, and four months....hm. It might sync after all.

But a Halloween party would at least keep many of us entertained and out of trouble for a day. I can rig something up for that.

[blitzcheer]

[ Thanks for sharing the day with anyone listening, pal!!

wait we mean- ]

I bet Della wouldn't mind the help. You talk about it more with her. And I'll help out too if she needs.

[mtsilver_conquor]

'Bi' what?

[She can guess, but she's also gonna give him an out.]

[blue_ice]

She's probably told half the train by now.

My birthday, but it's not important. We have enough to be dealing with, and a Halloween party to keep everyone busy is a much better use of time.

[mtsilver_conquor]

It's important.

How old will you be?

[blue_ice]

19.

I expect I have a noogie to look forward to?

DW ate my notifs :(

[mtsilver_conquor]

Nah. Try when you're twenty.

But then you're going to get two. because you missed your thirteen one.

[She's teasing. Right?]

[goingthroughaphase]

Your bi...?

[ Yes hello, she is also here to meddle. ]

[blue_ice]

Birthday. That isn't important.

I'll help you all with the Halloween party, and that's that.

[goingthroughaphase]

Oh, c'mon. Not even a birthday card or something?

[blue_ice]

...well, a card likely wouldn't kill me.

{ He's joking. A little. ]

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She giggles. ]

Exactly. And homemade cards are really nice.