Daydreams and nightlife

I sit with a sigh and rest my head in my paws, contemplating. I can finally, finally take a break from the frenzy of activity that is the Halloween Town celebrations. I have no need to join the revellers in town, crowds aren’t really my thing, so I think I’ll stay out here for a while longer. I can hear laughter drifting from the streets, it brings a smile to my face.

Thoughts and memories swell up as I daydream; to start the celebration I crafted my fabulous werewolf costume (was it really two weeks ago? It feels like yesterday!) then I went trick-or-treating in town.

That spider bite still itches a bit, but I wouldn’t trade my newfound Spider Speak for anything! My many spider friends back at my tent are wonderful companions, although their grammar leaves much to be desired. It’s always nice meeting new spiders when I’m out and about, as well.

The pumpkin hunt was interesting - I thought I’d missed out, until an announcement swept through town that there were still a few golden pumpkins hidden in the field! That sprint back to the field took the breath out of me, but it was worth it! I really lucked out; found a pumpkin with a very clingy and nervous Cuddlecat attached.

I still need to think of a name for him, he’s pretty cute…

A poke on my shoulder brings me out of my daydreams. I blink and look up, the smile still etched on my face. A young Firstblood is smiling shyly at me, holding out a plate of mini pies. I look around, dusk has apparently descended while I’ve been sitting here. And boy, is it stunning! The horizon is lit up in fiery orange and vibrant fuschia, while wispy clouds fade into purple and cornflower blue. I take a pie and thank the kid, and he scurries off.

I chuckle and glance down at my paws, absentmindedly rubbing the skin where pink blends to violet. Sunset is my favourite time of day, maybe because I blend into it so well.

The fading sun is warm, as is the pie, which fills a hole in my stomach I didn’t realise I had. I’ve been lost in thought for longer than I realised.

Other Eoses, Firstbloods and Phantagrins are starting to grow restless - is there something happening? The crowd turns towards the east and waits as the sky fades to black, families spreading blankets, the elderly folding out beach chairs. I wriggle a bit, there’s a blade of dry grass poking my thigh, but eventually get settled again.

It feels like forever until, with a whizz and kapow, a starburst of red blooms in the sky, and we let out a collective breath. Flowers of fire and sparks explode above us, bringing the night to life. Swirls of smoke light up as new explosions burst and die, leaving their own smoky trails in the night sky.

A cacophony of pops, cracks and thunderous rumbling bangs provide the soundtrack for a dance of fire, and Eoses big and small revel in the light of the fireworks.

There are more plates of food being passed around (those tarts look delightful), and a band is playing from somewhere back in town.

I’m not usually one for parties, but the pie kid is back with friends, they’re sitting not too far from me. I know exactly what to do to brighten their night! I whisper hey could you help me out? to a handful of spiders hidden in the grass near me, and they scurry off to fetch some plastic cups.

I lean over and poke the kid, then silently ask the spiders to lift the cups off the ground. They follow my hand movements, appearing to dance in thin air for minutes on end, and the kids look on in wonder. It feels great to bring a smile to someone else’s face!

I feel like my impromptu magic show has been a success, so I grin at the stunned children and dismiss the spiders. Cups and jaws drop.

The kids scurry off back to their parents, and I lean back even further in the grass, until my wolf mask slides partway off my head, to gaze up at the vibrant display.

The finale is approaching, the frequency and intensity of the fireworks are ramping up. Finally, with a cacophonous roar, a hundred blasts of all the colours of the rainbow explode at once, casting shadows brighter than those of the sun. They fade far faster than the spots seared on my retinas, but nonetheless it’s absolutely beautiful...