Topic: Pumpkin Festival and PUMPKIN RACE!! October 22-26

Sloane

Date: 2017-10-10 20:38 EST
Nestled in one of those many out of the way corners of Rhy'Din lays the Wise Tree Gardens run by feisty little half-dryad Sloane Greentree. The somewhat (rather) reclusive gardener had a....small....mishap in her pumpkin patch resulting in a plentiful bunch of mammoth orange gourds!

https://i.imgur.com/uUSb9uH.jpg Source And we do mean big!

Since there was only so much one could do with giant vegetables, Ms. Greentree decided to donate the lot (as well as some more reasonably sized pumpkins) for a very special event!

From Sunday October 22nd through the 26th, a section of the Southern Glen will be dedicated to all things pumpkin!

Daily Pumpkin Carving and decorating (Online carving! | Here, too!)

Treats (with more than just pumpkin!) https://www.lenoxhotel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/masthead_cider_donuts.jpg source

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/apple-cups.jpg source

http://tastykitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Tasty-Kitchen-Blog-Pumpkin-Spice-Apple-Cider.jpg source

And of course pumpkin pie, cookies, and everything pumpkin!

Tricks

Pumpkin slingshot! Two sizes available, large for the adults, and small for the kids. Test your luck, see how far you get!

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wd17HUTpLTw/hqdefault.jpg source

Pumpkin rides! Tool around the lake in a giant pumpkin fitted with an outboard motor

http://pressure-drop.us/imagehost/images/88333057772952113873.jpg Source

But what about those big mamma jammas that kicked this all off" Oh, well, there is something great in store for those.

Pumpkin Boat Race—Thursday October 26th

Oh yes, folks! You'll have the opportunity to carve out your very own lake-worthy vessel! Thursday morning they will be launched so the lovely people of Rhy'Din can see who makes the best Captain Jack O'lantern!

http://www.urbanhonking.com/before/actionitems/regatta2.jpg source

Costumes not required, but we heard they make you float better! One lap across the lake and back, the first one to return—or the last to sink—wins! What do you win? Bragging rights of course!

Some simple ground rules though: No magic, and for the race, no motors! All manual power for this.

So come on out, one day or all, and make sure to make it out to cheer on your favorite boat! All are welcome, young or old, but especially those who need to feel young at heart.

—Obligatory OOC—

This is a board/vapored event, including the race. Feel free to post visits, polyvores, pumpkins (decorated, boats), etc here! Boat race "winners" will be determined by random chance.

Have fun with it!

Sard

Date: 2017-10-19 18:05 EST
The crunch of drying leaves, a thin layer of autumn's fire atop the mouldering mulch below. It's a dull, muted sound, wet with the memory of evening fog as the throbbing pulse of the bike's engine whispers through the forest, barely moving, a solid bulk of machinery and man prowling the trail at the lake's edge with no apparent purpose in being there.

Soon, there would be a bustle of bodies swarming the area, booths and tables to set up, massive gourds to haul in and arrange, smaller pumpkins carted in for carving and other festivities. Now, there's just the sleeping forest, settling in for winter. Some of it. Not all. Here, a delicate, pale vine breaks the forest?s floor, weaving upward through the limbs of a tatter-leafed tree. There, another bulges the layers of rotten leaf, grass and wood, the tiny bones of a long-dead mouse crumbling into bits and disjointed pieces as a thick-veined leaf drinks in the cold, slowly spreading to soak in the cold and the light of dual moons. Silence, but for the soft, moist slither of fleshy vines coiling across the forest floor, the sigh of the breeze hissing among the dry leaves overhead, scattering them to form a tiny fleet on the water of the lake nearby.

The bike stands alone, propped on the brace of a kickstand with the tip of some ancient, deeply buried stone to prop it up. Boots crunch dully in the leaves, as thick vines coil around the biker's ankles, pale leaves nuzzling his legs like some fond, neglected pet. Stillness as he comes to a halt on the clearing's edge. Stillness of bone and blood, muscle and viscera. Not of sap and vine, root and leaf. The clearing boils, seething with the beast that wakes beneath its soil. The bits of a shattered seed casing mingle with the forgotten fragments of a long-dead rodent as the vine crawls upward, twisting and twinning around fall-chilled tree limbs. A golden bloom swells, thickens, flares and wilts away in the span of moments, but in those moments there's motion again from the watching figure.

Just the lift of a hand, to brush a pollen-laden stamen across the exposed stigma. Petals fall, and wither, and fade away. Fertility flares, swells and fruits in the span of minutes. Gentle fingers frame the thickening stem, support and guide as the fruit bulges, pale and golden in the moonlight. Supports and guides, leather creaking softly as the biker sinks to one knee, to settle the weight into a bed of broken loam. Milky leaves flare, drinking in the light of a reflected, absent sun greedily enough to suck it from the air around the clearing, drowned in that same darkness until even the sleepy chickadee who stirs on its twig and blinks at the half-remembered presence of noise tucks his beak back into fluffed feathers and settles again without startling. Roots sink deep, sucking in the rich fertility of the soil and the wealth of water from the nearby lake greedily, and the fruit continues to grow. Bulging, rotund and heavy, crushing any memory of bone or seed casing deep beneath its base. Skin thickens, flesh gradually deepens and hollows, and golden flesh darkens to bronze, to brown, finally brightening to a ripe orange.

Leaves fade, dull....crumble and drop away into withered skeletons to meld with the mulch below. vines wither, drying and hardening as they coil and wrap around the treasure they had birthed, flattening gradually into a guided form to frame and shroud the bulk filling the little clearing. The watcher stirs. A black snaps softly as its flicked open, moving with natural ease under the guide of a sinewy hand as the fruit is violated. Sliced, and sliced again....a section falls, heavy and dull, to lay on the ground. Tiny vines boil from beneath it, feasting on rich flesh as the slab crumbles, decaying rapidly beneath the onslaught. The same vines crawl and slither, spilling in a wave through the newly created doorway. In their wake a platform is left, flat and level, leading within. Motion boils inside the gourd.

The blade lifts again, small slivers falling from above the hole, as tendrils of ivy spill from within the plant's flesh to veil the wound. Circling the plant, he opens another rectangular hole, opposite the first....and finally, two more, smaller holes on either side. The dried husk of the stem above hollows, soft tissue nothing more than food for the ivy as it creeps throughout. Two holes, boring down through the floor of the great pumpkin to open access to the root-hollowed pit beneath. Within, a tangled matt of fibrous vines shape a wall across the cavity's center....veil the windows on either side from direct view. Green leaves and tendrils form a solid barrier at either side, though they'll yield to the pressure of a hand moving them aside. Finally, moss crawls across the vine-shaped roof, sealing it beneath a layer of pale, living frost, as white as the leaves of the Winter Gourd vine had been.

The soft throb of a muffled exhaust system barely stirs the night, as the machine drifts off again, threading a twig-thick trail to find the open expanse of a more inviting road. Behind, the pumpkin remains, ingloriously patient, to await its first visitor. Two doorways, one on either side. Above each is carved a single word: 'Men' on one, and 'Women' on the other. Let those who visit determine which door suits them, since all they'll find within is woody, thick pumpkin flesh, and a vine-shaped latrine stall. Just because bears shit in the woods doesn't mean anyone wants to step in it. Hand-washing facilities are their own problem, as is toilet paper, unless they want to risk a handful of ivy leaves. The biker leaves with his own form of wealth - seeds, packed into the panniers of his bike, clean and pale to await the next reason for planting.

https://i.imgur.com/8Iu4Yry.jpg

Mist Gul

Date: 2017-10-20 00:01 EST
Mist could identify with Sloane's pumpkiny mishap — he'd mistakenly believed that one seed equalled one pumpkin, and therefore had ended up with more pumpkins than he could count. Mostly ten pounders, however, and he gaped in wonder at the giants on display.

He didn't come alone the opening Sunday, he had a handful of youngsters from his village, and naturally, the moment they saw all the fun things to do, they scattered like marbles, leaving the hapless elf to go rushing about after them.

Soon, he was carving pumpkins, perfecting, or trying to perfect, happy mew-faces.

It was when the kids gathered back together that Mist realized that he perhaps should be concerned, because they were all covered in pumpkin guts from the chucker, and pointing at the pumpkin boat.

Which meant, of course, they nominated their elf to make a pumpkin boat to participate in the coming race. Mist simply stared at the behemoths.

They would be back.

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2017-10-20 20:56 EST
Jackie spent the longest time staring at the pumpkin outhouse. Inside, and outside. She examined every....place there should be a joint, a nail, a peg....

This was something the little necromancita had to think on. After all, every monster does have a fail point, and hers happened to involve building. She was cute as can be in orange and purple harlequin capris, a fluffy white shirt and fitted vest matching the pants. Pigtails and kitten heels and cat eyes, she was her own little retro explosion.

However, the donuts and cider finally distracted Lil Miss Can't Be Wrong from the structure, and she happily pitched into the carnage. How far could she chuck a pumpkin" Pretty darn far, and more if she happened to build a compressed air cannon.

Fortunately, she was distracted again by the giant pumpkins. Boats. Racing"! Racing, now there was the thing. She claimed one of the giants and after taking photos and measurements (because of course she kept a digital tape measure in her purse, who didn't?), she hurried home to find her inevitable partner in crime.

Desdenova VonTombs

Date: 2017-10-21 17:52 EST
Desdenova stared haplessly at his sister. She'd lost her marbles for sure this time. His lower eyelid ticked several times.

Jackie had cut a neat hole on one of the huge pumpkins, scooped out the interior, and was in the process of....Desdenova wasn't actually sure what she was doing inside the pumpkin.

Shaking himself, he took out his phone and started texting for help.

Strange Goings On At The Southern Glenn

Madison

Date: 2017-10-21 18:18 EST
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fe/1e/2c/fe1e2cb0a5cddf1049682a402edcddb7—halloween-cat-halloween-pumpkins.jpg

"I'm making it for you." Madison said to the lazy cat sleeping on the carving table beside her.

The jet black cat didn't raise its head, but what it did do is yawn.

"This is why you're an outdoor cat.."

Claire Gallows

Date: 2017-10-21 22:07 EST
https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/i4VpHtwRR7Ig1IbqKUqA/cid/229896582/id/Rh93qqu25xGB1mXnmAc2pA/size/c600x450.jpg https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/fMiMgsLNOiFXsKoegO3Bg/cid/229904440/id/-ICOmMq25xGFWdxNmQc2pA/size/c600x337.jpg

The Pumpkin King

Date: 2017-10-23 18:53 EST
Sunday, the witching hour

Something a little bit funny happens in Autumn around the All Hallows Eve where the veil between the world of living and spirit realms thins just enough. Enough this time for a wayward soul wanted in neither heaven nor hell, nor any other interpretation of the hereafter, to cross over.

The festival with its bright lights and bustle of life was very attractive for a spirit looking to walk the earth again. Lights and candle alike flickered and a cold wind washed through where he swept as he waited for the veil to reach the point where he could make the jump.

Now, time is a funny thing when one is a disembodied soul. A moment can be measured in the blink of an eye or an eon. He aligned himself with a face that glowed with life, but in the instant he made the transition he knew something was wrong.

The pumpkins carved and left the first day of the festival had been left with special candles that would burn until Halloween was over, with a stasis spell to keep them from rotting. Poor soul couldn't tell it was a gourd he was jumping into! You could make the same mistake if you were dead.

It could have been the end. But this is Rhy'Din. And the glen is full of magic. And in fact those pumpkins were grown with magic. So instead something wondrous happened.

The jack o'lantern shuddered on the path where it rest and then it began to change. Its thick skin began to ripple and then bubble like someone squeezing a water balloon. The pumpkin retained its shape, but grew a mass below that slowly took on the body of a man. The figure writhed in the straw covering the ground as it formed until fingers on hands could grasp and toes on feet could flex and everything in between was working just as well.

Finally, the pumpkin deformed again, shrinking and shifting into the shape of a skull, and human-enough features formed. He might count his lucky stars that the magic hadn't left his features carved out like the gourd had been, but there his luck stopped. His skin wasn't human skin, but rather the smooth, orange of the pumpkin he'd possessed. His facial features blackened out in the same pattern that some child had dreamed up with a knife.

He gulped air in with greedy gasps, surprised that this form would even have lung. Why would it' He could feel the beat of a heart in his chest. A Halloween miracle.

Rather than lay there questioning the way magic worked he rolled and with great effort got himself to his feet. The festival was empty, clear of patrons, so there had been none to witness his transformation. Nor his theft of clothing from a scarecrow. It didn't need that flannel and coveralls. The boots were too small.

What was a newly bodied spirit to do, but go explore with what time he had? Perhaps it was a second chance.

Sloane

Date: 2017-10-23 21:51 EST
Sloane was present for as much of the festival as she could be. Her farm still required her touch even this late into the season. She would be mostly doling out the giant pumpkins (and helping to operate the crane that was required to lift the things around!) to make sure everyone got a fair shake. If some of the squash seemed a little wonky shaped, well, after a whisper from her they would sort themselves out! At least until they were severed from their vines (which she had transplanted to the scene) and then at that point the contestants were on their own!

Sometime early Monday after one mishaps with the pumpkin boat rides and the seasonable dip in temperature, she decided to add another feature to the event.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/33/d2/87/33d28775fa17a7ea10bf779e09942b05.jpg

Pumpkin hot tubs? Why yes! To warm up anyone who needs it following an unforeseen dip into the lake. Whoops!

She reassured interested parties that she'd have plenty of towels just in case. And now they had an outhouse to get changed in!

Mist Gul

Date: 2017-10-24 18:42 EST
Mist showed up once more, knife and various kitchen instruments as he thought might be helpful. He diligently set about hacking at a giant pumpkin only to realize quickly that the kitchen knife, while sharp and keen, just was not hacking it.

That's when he noticed a few others using chain saws. Golden eyes wide, he regarded the whirring tools of destruction before realizing that he enjoyed having all of his original parts in their original form and in their original positions in his body. So, he simply called out to Jackie when she came up for air from her carving, and paid her to cut open his pumpkin.

As he watched the young woman wield her chainsaw with plenty of buckled swashes and an inhumanly gleeful verve for the splatter of gooey innards, Mist soberly realized that he'd likely have been safer doing it himself.

But, it was done, and he got down to the task of emptying the huge pumpkin of its contents. He saved the seeds, naturally, wondering if they would grow more giant pumpkins.

Eventually, Mist had entirely bailed out the pumpkin innards, and he regarded the hollow tub of a pumpkin critically. He turned and picked up one of his mew-face pumpkins. Cutting a slot into it, he mounted it proudly on the side of the pumpkin boat. A figurehead.

The Good Ship Kitty Cat was nearly ready to sail.

https://i.imgur.com/ihLvfzE.jpg

Nile

Date: 2017-10-25 21:13 EST
As to whether or not Nile was "help", that could be debated, for sure. Still, she tried to help Desdenova and Jackie scoop out the truly massive amount of pumpkin guts that were encased within the massive gourd.

And, of course, got thoroughly filthy in the process. Her parents might just have conniptions later, but for the moment' She just didn't care!

https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/krHgvs57Chlp8wpEeDng/cid/229985433/id/frXM5yW45xGPIxLEWc0rKw/size/c600x600.jpg

Goshen

Date: 2017-10-26 16:05 EST
https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/lRsYVjdA8FJ1bcpMkaN9g/cid/230104592/id/6kCobVy65xGif19aoDbrPw/size/c600x381.jpg

Fox let him have the truck again. He got to pick Eddie up at his apartment building like he'd seen in the movies: pull up, ring the bell, wait outside. Only there weren't any parents for him to woo beforehand. The only real adults in Ed's life were the Howard's, but they only saw them on Sunday evenings for dinner every week. He'd been convinced to dress up for this little outing; the S.S. Pumpkin would need a crew. Since costumes were more Ed's thing than his, Goshen agreed to wear whatever Eddie came up with, which just so happened to be a pirate getup. He found Ed's sailor outfit far more appealing, leading to an interval of making out against the truck. Unfortunately, they couldn't get distracted for too long because the rest of the family was already waiting for them at the glen.

They arrived to find the gang at a pair of picnic tables laden with cider and donuts, pie and cookies and several other treats that smelled divine. Abby was dressed as a Ghostbuster, gleefully posing with tiny Polly who looked like a fluffy marshmallow in her baby Stay Puft costume. Jameson stuck around long enough to crack a few uncouth naval themed jokes with regards to Goshen's and Ed's costumes. He dropped words like 'seamen" and "booty' and after painting a red X on Ed's shorts asked Goshen if he planned to 'dig for treasure." He ran off cackling after Ed threw the paint brush at him and went back to building their "boat."

Pumpkin carving is an autumnal rite of passage. Goshen had made a handful of them over the years he could recall at Windy Oaks with his parents. More recently he'd shared the experience with Ed on the kitchen floor of his studio apartment in New Haven, the tile covered in brown paper bags so the mess would be contained. And while he enjoyed the social aspect of spending quality time with people he held dear, the physical act of divesting the poor gourd of its innards was in no way appealing to him. Goshen was not a fan of messes, especially the slimy sort. So when faced with an enormous pumpkin that was probably large enough to squeeze three grown people inside, Goshen wanted nothing more than an excuse to be exempt from the festivities. He was certain that the flimsy protection his pirate costume provided would not save the clothes he was wearing underneath should spillage occur. Not even the cheap plastic rain ponchos Ed had brought along could persuade him to participate.

That was how he came to volunteer to hold little Polly; because if he was holding the baby, then no one could ask him to help.

Having only recently surpassed her original due date, the seven week old was still just a tiny little thing in Goshen's arms. Pert seemed reluctant to leave him alone with the baby, but Polly continued to snooze peacefully all wrapped up in her costume bunting, pillowed snugly against Goshen's chest. It wasn't at all as terrifying as he imagined it would be. He'd always been afraid to touch her for fear of igniting some terrible memory from the night she was born, or that he'd accidentally drop her because of how tiny she was. For right now, at least, while she was fast asleep, Goshen knew he could handle it.

It was, perhaps, cosmic karma that sweet, adorable Polly threw up all over him (and herself) while the rest of the family was waist deep in pumpkin guts. He looked a little like a deer in headlights. Jameson laughed at him, clapping a slimy hand to his back while praising the baby for "getting him good?. He did not offer to help. Thankfully, Ed came to his rescue. Together they took Polly to Jameson's car where the diaper bag was located and got her changed into something clean. Goshen ditched the pirate duds, too.

When they returned to the party, Goshen refused Ed's offer to take the baby. He rather liked holding her, even with the threat of a repeat performance. There was just something about the feather-light weight of her ragdoll body cradled against him that he liked. He didn't want to give her up. Not until much later, after the boat race, when she started to cry, did he pass her off to someone else.

Penny Escobar

Date: 2017-10-26 16:51 EST
https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/yUv8o21fdbUM8WBR5Yvg/cid/229834473/id/9GRPzK_15xGCdieFmAc2pA/size/c600x725.jpg

Stepping out and ready for an early day of manual labor and likely hilarity, Penny met Trick out near the castle which she currently called home tucked away in the woods of Battlefield Park. Of course, she wasn't the one who owned the castle after all, and merely rented the tallest and western most tower from her landlord, but she was growing fond of the old stone structure. And the humor in the fact that she was a wizard living in a castle provided her with a certain level of amused satisfaction.

The fact that she was in costume wasn't readily apparent until she brought out the props, specifically the large red rescue can she held to her side. The red hoodie was noticeably oversized for her, befitting for someone well over six feet tall and with shoulders wide as a large refrigerator. It had stood the test of time though, the color only fading slightly from sun and age, with an authentic Lifeguard patch from the county of Honolulu. The best part of her costume was that (provided she didn't have to strip down to the swimsuit underneath, though she did lift the edge of the shirt and hoodie to show that she was wearing one) it was warm.

While a familiar face or three were spotted in the crowds at the festival, Penny was preoccupied with Trick and how to manage to rig up a pumpkin carved catamaran. Before they had gotten started she muttered something to herself about how she was glad she hadn't broken her hand on Saturday. The fact that they were working together on a project she had only bits and pieces of experience on (she'd been on a catamaran before and carved a pumpkin before, but that's about the extent of her knowledge) was both thrilling and engrossed her full attention to the various tasks at hand.

Her blinders had been on so tight that she looked up with sudden surprise when it was apparent that her date was clearly not enjoying himself and looked pained to admit he had to leave, but if she came with him then he would explain. Penny's furrowed brow showed her obvious confusion for a breath, but it was when the feeling of his distinct discomfort flooded over that she let go of the ropes she had been tying. "Of course," she said and got up to follow him away from the festival. Just, you know, not before wisely snagging at least two apple cider donuts as they passed a food table on their way off.

****

Notably, the pumpkin catamaran wasn't completely finished and was without its pilots (or captains?) when the races were about to start, but those last series of knots Penny had been tying before she left had apparently loosened over a short span of time and it was bobbing in the water seemingly ready to go. The judges were more than welcome to check that magic wasn't being used (which there wasn't), but the pumpkin catamaran did appear to catch the wind and joined the race once it went underway. But hey, this was Rhydin. Stranger things have happened!

Ed

Date: 2017-10-26 22:16 EST
https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/fBXTenno2zz8gMA6lcatYA/cid/230110897/id/lhDFcXS65xGfDQmsWFI-UA/size/c600x856.jpg

"I could get used to this," Ed remarked with a sinfully sweet smile, backing away from the apartment door.

"Get used to what?" Goshen asked. After twirling around, Ed could feel the hungry weight of his gaze on him as he moved toward the truck. An exhilarated tingle coursed up his spine, putting a bounce in his step.

"You picking me up," he said, pulling his fingers along the seam of the hood. Ed loved this truck. Though it was not his absolute favorite model, it was a Ford and had come from an era he was as equally fond of as the year of his dream vehicle. What he liked most about it, though, was that Goshen drove it, was permitted to by people who adored him maybe even as much as they did their adoptive son. He had never dreamed of winning their approval, but keeping it was now high on his list of priorities.

Just as he turned his head to look slyly over his shoulder, fingertips brushing against the passenger side rear view mirror, Goshen was upon him. He squeaked in surprise at the strength of the older boy's grip on his hips. Goshen turned him roughly so that they were nose to nose. Lifting Ed off his feet, he pressed him to the door of the cab and pinned him there. Ed's gasp spilled across the older boy's lips.

"I do like picking you up." There was a growl to Goshen's voice. Heat flushed through Ed's entire body. He was certain he was blushing. Goshen kissed him, hard, making him moan. It took all of his willpower to turn his head forcefully to the side a minute later.

"We should go," he said breathlessly. His heart was pounding. Leaving was the very last thing he wanted to do, but they did have somewhere else to be. "They're waiting for us."

Gripping his jaw with strong fingers, Goshen forced him to turn back his head and look at him. Fire kindled in the older boy's remarkably enchanting golden eyes. The heat of his desire ignited Ed's own when he pressed another ravenous kiss upon him.

This time it was Goshen who broke the kiss. He helped Ed into the cab, just so he could grope his behind. Ed rewarded him with a squeak and a giggle, and then they were off.

—-

Seeing the way Goshen handled Polly filled Ed with a surge of emotions he didn't even know existed. A fluttering sensation of hopeful joy swelled in his heart. It never occurred to him to think that Goshen could be so, so' paternal. For the better part of the day, his imagination ran wild with future fantasies that consisted of living a more domesticated life.

They had talked about how big a commitment it was to move in together the way Mallory and Eri were. It was a big step, one that Ed wasn't at all certain he was ready for. Unlearning a century's old way of life proved difficult. His childhood conditioning had thick roots. He struggled to chop them to bits and move forward into the more progressive era of the now.

And now, here he was getting swept up in daydreams about church bells and white tuxedos and an older baby Polly gripping their hands, swaying between them as they strolled through the park. Now he dreamed of creating his own family.

More than once he tripped over his own two feet thanks to the fog of his distracted thoughts. Jameson was merciless in his teasing, even though he wasn't at all psychic and had no idea what was really occupying Ed's mind. He was close enough with his assumptions that it involved Goshen, just not so much on the mark about the imagined scenarios.

After helping Goshen clean up himself and the baby, Ed offered to take her off the older boy's hands. He was surprised by the fact that Goshen sternly declined. For a long minute he could only stand there, smiling, and admiring the way the older boy cradled Polly against his chest. He had to bite his tongue to keep himself from saying anything absurd, like telling Goshen that he was a natural or at all complimenting him on how well he handled her. Ed didn't want to jinx it! Instead, he gifted the older boy with a sweet kiss that held silent promises of further rewards later.

Back to work on carving out a hollow cradle in their giant pumpkin! In the end there was just enough room for two to pilot their merry ship. Pert had taken the liberty to cut some pumpkin chunks into the round shape of ears and affixed it to the lip of the prow of their vessel. Abby had rolled some guts into a ball and somehow got it all to stick together (no magic involved). Plastering that to the front, she gave their boat a nose. Noodle painted on whiskers and eyes. Jameson planted a flag on the stern that doubled as a tail and their proud pirate colors. The cartoon rat face he'd painted on was giving everyone the finger, double time.

The lot of them decided by unanimous vote that Abby and Jameson be given the honors of piloting the vessel. The rest stayed ashore to cheer them on. Pert took Polly off Goshen's hands, giving Ed an opportunity to wind his arms around the older boy's waist and snuggle up with him as they watched their creation sail, or, paddle its away across the lake.

Asharra

Date: 2017-10-26 23:16 EST
Halloween was one of the few human/Earth/whatever holidays that Shar actually was familiar with and remembered when it came due. Not that it's super hard to miss, because advertisements and all of that. But whatever, guys, this elf is not up to date on the haps.

She had visited the festival early in the week to carve a couple of pumpkins (and maybe fling the guts at people she knows, especially Mist) and eat lots of sweets, but then she made sure to make it back for pumpkin boat carving.

For the race itself she arrived decked in pirate gear.

https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/UEdywymMeV2cu8j7FmHCg/cid/230131772/id/roVpx8S65xG3hF6I2hAMMQ/size/c600x745.jpg

Which was totally appropriate, considering what her boat ended up looking like.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5d/a4/a5/5da4a57995780259ce3b8f8640c5107c—pirate-halloween-decorations-halloween-pumpkins.jpg source

Only you know. Giant pumpkin size.

Having gotten an idea from the pumpkin launcher, she armed herself with water balloons and a sling shot, prepared to do battle, because she expected to sink pretty quickly.

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2017-10-27 03:35 EST
Saila could only stare as Jackie finished off her creation. She supposed that at the moment, her costume as The Bride of Frankenstein was just perfect, because Jackie had her Mad Doctor on. The dark haired girl capered around the huge pumpkin, wearing a spiffy bathing suit from the dawn of time, or the Edwardian Era, whichever, and Saila simply clapped encouragingly. What else could she do"!

It was a weird contraption, and every time Saila tried to talk Jackie down, it just got worse. There were parts of a bicycle in there, and bellows and " Really, Saila tried to just remember that Jackie had gills and was a champion swimmer.

Jackie beamed as her pumpkin bobbed to the surface of the water. It captured enough air to float at about half mast, but it was wonky. Ballast should fix that. She dove under the water with bags of pumpkin innards and secured them to the opening.

"Jackie, seriously..." Saila tried, then she just laughed, and started taking pictures. It was time to roll with the crazy!

"I wanna see some Monster cheering out there!" Jackie called to Saila, scrambling out of the water to get a quick hug from Saila and take a moment to make sure Desdenova and Nile weren't turning turtle before she went bounding back to her turtle.

Part of a bike was jammed into place in the pumpkin, and Jackie climbed to the seat. Pedals turned paddles. A smaller pumpkin mounted on top of the main pumpkin acted as periscope and fresh air collector. She squeezed her bellows and a stream of water spouted from the periscope. She cackled triumphantly. She couldn't really aim it, but anyone in front of her would get hosed with lake water!

Jackie steeled herself and started to pedal. The entire thing was unwieldy and heavy and just bizarre, but it moved along through the water throwing up foam and occasional belches of bubbles as the sides came up when she started picking up speed. That would cause the whole pumpkin to dip down and nearly spin over.

Bright side, no one could hit her with slushie, pumpkin guts, water balloons or whatever. Down side...

Somewhere along the line, that thing was sure to go tits up.

https://i.imgur.com/50FdIEj.jpg

Mist Gul

Date: 2017-10-27 03:40 EST
The crew of the Good Ship Kitty Cat showed up in kitty kigurumi pjs. One was a ginger tabby, the rest were gray, tuxedo, white, black, and seal point. The ginger led the processional of cats to the pumpkin boats. It made for a strange sight, the baggy cats solemnly bobbing around the cat-fronted boat and slowly easing it into the water.

Ginger Cat turned to its fellows and saluted smartly. The cats returned that with everything from a salute to a double pawed wave. The seal point hugged the ginger, kissed him on both cheeks, and then turned him to the boat floating in the shallows.

"I shall win this race in the name of the good knight of Bears, in the name of the good knight of Belladonnas, and the Mistress of Cheeseburgers!" Ginger Cat boomed out, striking a heroic cat pose. He assured himself that his ship was properly provisioned, as in fact, there had been a horrible Piratita flinging pumpkin guts at him when he wasn't looking over the past few days.

The enemy must be dealt with. Ginger Cat brought along a large Super Soaker water cannon. He provided himself with an ice chest full of orange slushie to take the place of the Greek Fire Mallory had suggested. He added a bucket full of wet pumpkin guts, just in case he was boarded.

Despite a cats usual aversion to water, Ginger Cat bravely hopped aboard the boat and carefully settled his and the boat's balance. Once the ginger had sat, he took out a paddle and rowed out to meet the rest of the craft.

The Good Ship Kitty Cat unfurled her sails made from stupidly large leaves, and Ginger Cat prepared to race the other craft. He was going to be relying an awful lot on his skills with the sail, as the Good Ship Kitty Cat didn't have a keel or a rudder.

He eyed the competition, ready to do battle and hopefully not end up swimming for shore in an oversized kitty costume.

Desdenova VonTombs

Date: 2017-10-27 03:43 EST
Desdenova and Nile managed to get their own, less great spirits above insane pumpkin boat built and into the water for the race day. By virtue of Nile's sharp nails and Desdenova's skills with the scalpel, they took a bit more pumpkin off than they really intended, and as they eyed the admittedly creative carvings, they realized that they were going to get wet.

No magic meant more improvising, and Desdenova noodled together a hand pump to act as a bilge pump, and Nike seated a six foot long staff through the boat's center. It really was pretty much a canoe at that point.

A quick trip to the costume shop later, and both returned dressed as Alcatraz Island prisoners, complete with plastic leg irons. They would also work as floatation devices, they reasoned, really without any basis other than plastic floated.

But happily, they spotted a life guard! They didn't notice that she left early, and that was their story, they were sticking to it.

Finally, as the boats were set to race, the two little convicts got their escape on. Desdenova paddled for all he was worth, and Nile cautiously got to her feet, grabbing the mast, and flapped her wings. No one said no wings!

Once Desdenova noticed the flying guts and water balloons, he quickly repurposed the pump, and started hosing down all challengers to their little canoe.

"Hey! Now we're a douche canoe!" Nile yelled.

"...What?" Desdenova responded, baffled.

"Douche! Water Douche! You know! Squirt!"

Desdenova eyed the pump, the spewing water, and made a horrid face. Then he owned it.

"DOUCHE CANOOOOOOOOOEEEE!!!"

Sloane

Date: 2017-10-27 17:47 EST
One has to truly wonder what goes through a person's head to look at a giant gourd and go, "hm, I think that would be a fantastic boat if I just hollowed it out". But that's surely what happened.

Sloane was happy to officiate the race, helping to direct the boats into the water with help from their handy crane. Other volunteers would go into the water to help contestants into their boats to at least hold them steady so they wouldn't tip over before the race even began.

The redhead herself perched on top of one of the unused pumpkins, armed with a huge smile and a megaphone.

"Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities! Good luck to all of the contestants. I think there is at least one lifeguard on hand so you don't drown." Just then someone informed her that Penny was a contestant. "Oh, well I'm sure we can get you out if you sink."

"Everyone on their marks?"

"Ready?"

"Set!"

"GO!!"

Whatever else might happen out on the lake, it was determined by the gods of random.org that the contestants would finish in the following order:

Jackie VonTombs

Ed/Goshen (Or whoever in their party ended up in the boat. Abby and Jameson?)

Penny/Trick

Shar

Desdenova VonTombs/Nile

Mist and co

(A note to anyone who wanted to post a boat and forgot: Feel free to post a reaction still!)

At the finish line was the hot tubs for anyone who needed a warm up and a bunch of fresh towels.

Cianan

Date: 2017-10-27 18:29 EST
Cianan wasn't going to participate in any boating! But, he would still show up to carve something!

He would also take all the insides of his pumpkin, and plop them on Sloane's head after she called out, "Go" for the race, and carefully design them to be a rather nice hairstyle, or at least design it as much as possible until he was shoved away.

He would still carve a monstrous pumpkin! And then, put a little enchantment on it.

The pumpkin he carved would call out for the parts of other pumpkins. Or small children that lurked near. It would eat the pumpkins! Sadly, it would just barf seeds and pumpkin guts on the shoes of anyone that got close enough to it.

https://i.imgur.com/RG5SDW8.jpg (Pumpkin by Villafane Studios. These are super awesome. http://villafanestudios.com/gallery/)

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2017-10-28 13:39 EST
Jackie couldn't actually see what was going on, just that she came churning past an empty pumkin-aran, and someone hosed her through the pumpkin periscope with ...orange slushie" She shook herself and pedaled all the more furiously. The heavy pumpkin shell lifted more and more, belching and farting bubbles and froth all around her.

That's about when she got hit from behind by who knew what, but the thunk! To the back of the pumpkin startled her. She paused in her pedaling. The pumpkin lurched forward, then it dipped....and rolled.

Jackie yowled as she found herself upside down under the water, feet bicycling uselessly on the pedals. She exhaled a flush of air and bubbles. Well now she was sunk! She folded her arms over her chest and had a good sulk for a few moments.

The pumpkin shell jerked around violently, and Jackie peered up through the water to find a lot of really hot guys had rushed into the water to rescue the turtled turtle. That made everything a lot better! She beamed as she was pulled out of the pumpkin and chose not to mention that she breathed quite well under water.

The guys cheered and she ended up on some hottie's shoulders, and learned she'd won! She whooped and did a little bootie dance on the guy's shoulders, then paused to make sure her little brother and his friend were okay. Once she spotted them, she cackled and went back to exulting.

"I win! I win! Who's the crazy pumpkin queen now?"!"

Well, she was. But you know. She made it sound like a good thing.

Mist Gul

Date: 2017-10-29 18:09 EST
Mist turned just in time to get a face full of water hosed from the Douche Canoe. He flailed back, and caught plenty of friendly fire with the big sails. Next thing he knew, the Good Ship Kitty Cat was swamped, and he was cursing up a storm in elegant Sindari.

The ground crew helpfully fell to their asses and keeled over laughing at their mighty captain, save for Artem in the Siamese cat kirugumi. ...He was laughing, of course, but had the foresight to pitch a life preserver tied to a rope to Mist. Once Mist had caught the tube, Artem humorously towed the half sunk boat for the finish line.

The team applauded Jackie's win as they helped Mist stumble out of the water. He shed the ginger cat kigurumi to reveal a sodden white t-shirt and cut off sweat shorts. The runes cut into his skin were bright and crisp against the last of his summer tan. He waved away the offer of towels, instead cheerfully hauling Artem along to the pumpkin hot tubs. Time for a good long soak!