Pumpkin Festival

“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the pumpkin festival before, Pix.” Indigo said, stepping aside as two kids in giant pumpkin hats ran past, squealing and waving candy bags in the air. “It’s almost as fun as trick or treating, plus it’s perfectly acceptable to pig out on all the goodies, even as an adult.” “Perhaps.” Pixel replied skeptically. Above her shoulder Q.T. was taking in the festive chaos. The parking lot of the local elementary school had been turned into a shrine to all things pumpkin. Stalls sold pumpkin cider and pumpkin shaped cookies. Children played games where they could win pumpkin themed prizes. There was a pumpkin pie eating contest, where humans attempted to eat pies without using their hands. Next to that was a ride where one could sit in a giant pumpkin and spin around and around. Indigo pointed at the ride. “C’mon, let’s go.” The trio waited in line for the ride. When they got to the front, the operator eyed them for a moment. “Are you gonna bring that thing on the ride with you?” She asked gruffly, indicating the purple sphere to Pixel’s right. Q.T. recognized an insult when she heard one. She beeped twice, edging closer to the operator. “Uh, you wait here.” Pixel said, nudging the little robot off to the side. She let out a long sad beep. “I know, but we’ll only be a minute.” Pixel handed two tickets to the lady, then she and Indigo climbed into one of the metal pumpkins. The ride started with a disconcerting clank. Pixel held onto the walls. “I’m suddenly wondering if the people who built this ride had the proper mechanical expertise.” She said. “Pro’lly not.” Indigo replied. She reached out for the wheel, turning it faster and faster, making their pumpkin spin more. With every revolution, Pixel saw a flash of purple outside trying to keep up with their pumpkin. When the ride finally stopped, Pixel hopped out before their pumpkin had completely stopped turning. Q.T. rushed up to meet her, scanning her for injuries. “Let’s go get some treats.” Indigo said, dashing off before her friend could reply. Pixel found her at the drink stand. “Here,” Indigo shoved an orange cup into Pixel’s hands. “It’s ‘Pumpkin Spice Coca’. I don’t know what that is, but it’s good.” Pixel took a sip and was assaulted by spices and a big smack of sugar. “It’s... something alright.” “I wanna see the prize pumpkins.” Indigo said, the sugar immediately going to her head. “This one time, when I was seven or maybe eight, they had this pumpkin. It was this big and it weighed more than the guy who grew it. Or so they said. I dunno.” None of the huge pumpkins on display that year purported to be bigger than their owner, but they were quite impressive. Afterwards, Indigo tried her hand at a few of the games. She won a giant pumpkin plush, which she immediately presented to Q.T. “For you. I thought you could use it as a bed.” Q.T. let out a high pitched beep, then whirred around her gift. After a moment, she detracted a claw arm from behind a panel and used it to lift the plush aloft. It was an amusing sight, the little purple ball carefully carrying around the plush that was nearly twice as big as her. Pixel offered to help, but was met with a stern, low boop. As the sun set on the pumpkin festival, Pixel watched her young friend’s eye grow droopy. “You tired?” She asked. Indigo shook her head. “Naw.” She said sleepily. “I am cold though.” “Let’s go home then.” “Okay.” Pixel walked her young friend home, then bid her goodbye. She waited until the light had turned on her bedroom window before she turned towards home. It was dark now. The streetlights popped on one by one. Pixel was glad for them, the light made the Halloween decor in the yards look less spooky. The pair arrived home. Pixel kicked off her shoes and went into the kitchen to put away what was left of a pack of pumpkin cookies. She checked on Q.T. to make sure she had powered off for the night. She smiled when she saw the little robot in sleep mode on the pumpkin plush.