The autumn season felt strangely disruptive in a lush environment.  While the jungle seemed little altered, hazel eyes caught little signs.  A number of neighboring treehouses sported new decorations, ranges of simple to elaborate.  An old memory lingered in his mind's eye, of trees thicker and higher, lit up like stars in the night.  An entire kingdom among the canopy.

Ardis transformed during autumn -- nothing stood untouched by the festivities.  The time before winter's cold brought harvest and entertainment.  Accustomed to the change, Gael almost forgot to register the signs spreading across the Pitt as the subtle announcement of All Hallow's Eve.

The moment he did someone may have punched him square in the gut.  The vulpine faltered where he stood, conducting his weekly survey of his child's garden.  He found the likelihood of Aine recalling her first Halloween slim.  A worthy question for a later time.

The faerie felt he should encourage some holiday festivities from their end.  This way the child experienced the proper traditions.  While Gael found the overall concept of Halloween on the foolish side of things, he acknowledged the appeal of such an entertaining holiday, embracing the supernatural.  In that spirit, the Irishman sought out his child, returning her to an open patch of grass close to her garden.

In the dirt he had planted a staple of Halloween.  Great orange pumpkins to arise.  Indeed, with steady encouragement Gael observed his daughter cause many of the plants to sprout forth from the ground, flourishing with unnatural pace.  Once he dictated they'd done enough and Aine to be worn-out, the fae set to toppling the pumpkins on their sides and rolling them through the jungle.

He could hear his daughter giggling behind him through the repeated journeys, until he'd amassed a number of pumpkins in the central marketplace.  "Here we are," he murmured, taking a seat beside the pseudo-patch, regarding Aine affectionately. "Good job, Lottie.  Why don't you pick one for the two of us? I'll show you how to carve it."

Only a gentle quirk of his brows announced the vulpine's curiosity, running through the possibilities Aine may not be familiar with the tradition since she was so young.  Halloween traditions hardly prevailed in conversations prior to the season.  Gael supposed he had not considered his daughter's affinity for plants before informing her of their next step.  An unfortunate strategic oversight.

His head tilted lightly, a kind smile playing on his lips.  "During Halloween, pumpkins are often carved... It's an old tradition, Lottie.  By carving a face and setting a candle inside a hollowed out pumpkin, we ward off evil spirits." An old, somewhat odd practice, but Gael considered the thought behind it.  The 'spirits' being warded off must not have liked the light, nor faces.  "... It's art, Lottie.  With a purpose.  'an we can make any sort of face you like, okay?"

His thoughts paused, taking a break as another voice infiltrated the air.  A steadily more familiar face known as Redvox. "Just givin' away actually," the faerie offered simply, shrugging his shoulders.  A shop presented interesting possibilities, yet reluctance to grow too comfortable in one place held him back. "Aine 'ere helped grow 'em; just in time if you like decorating for Halloween."

i'm the treasure

code by spacexual

holidays were typically something the dog watched from afar. just as his duties had called before kydobi's claim on the lad, august's nose was sent out to ensure everything was in tiptop shape. food was not expired or old. anything stale was thrown their way and sometimes, if he was paired with someone sympathetic enough, would be thrown a stray piece of good food. though lately he had been able to forget about all of those things. he got to eat food without even asking or sneaking it around. he didn't have to work for anything anymore...

coming up on the pumpkins, he recognized them from last year. he didn't really have much involvement in autumn with pumpkins, as anyone could tell when they were ready to be disposed of. nothing hid their rotting whatsoever.

he lifted a small white paw onto one about twice his size, pressing down onto it to make sure it was nice and strong. okay... it was alright. nothing gross on it save for a few lumps.

he heard vox say something about carving, his ears folding back as he looked at his pumpkin once more. okay. maybe his ego got a bit too big here...

i'm the prize