[Cukefest] June Event - Vegging Out!

[pumpkinhollow]

VEGGING OUT!

Come on out, the weather's vine!

Happy Summer, Pumpkin Hollow! May the blessings of Kora be ever at your shore and the summer sun bring Serranai’s gifts to life. The days are long and the nights are alive, and the cucumber harvest has arrived. That can only mean one thing--- it’s time for the annual cucumber festival!

2 years ago, in the year 16:53, the festival was cancelled due to all of the cucumbers being turned into turnips by a prankster witch who remains at large. As such, last year the Green King election from the bungled year was honored. But this year, Pumpkin Hollow has opened voting to its newer residents, and with an exciting turn-out! So join us for this beloved summer holiday, and enjoy cucumber-based delicacies, dance at a fancy ball, check out Pumpkin Hollow’s first-ever Pride parade, and honor our new Green King!

This event (ICly) is one week long, running from June 8th to June 14th. It is a brief reprieve from the spooky shenanigans of Pumpkin Hollow and is therefore horror free. Come get a slice of life--- and a few cucumbers too!

Gherkin this party started

Easy Being Green

The first day of the Cucumber Festival is always dedicated to the crowing of the Green King. Last year, this was Theodore “Teddy” Pennyburrow, the foxfolk man in charge of the island’s dormitory house for children without family. This year, it will be his honor to crown the new Green King.

Unlike the airy, floral affair that is Merrymeet, the Green King procession is rustic and raucous, taking place in the cobblestone streets under the fierce glow of the summer sun. Drums beat and cowbells jangle as the sidewalks crowd with cheering neighbors and the members of the Green Court are asked to strut their way to the town square, where each receives a green sash embroidered with vines.

Bringing up the rear are the two runners-up--- Father Mulcahy in third, and Radar O’Reilly in second. Each one is gifted with a pin for their sash (one bronze, one silver) with their names engraved and an enormous jar of artisanal pickles from Miann Farm in their choice of spiciness. Then, it’s time for the man of the hour to make his way forward.

A breeze whips up a fine cloak embroidered painstakingly with cucumber vines, a collar of cucumber leaves adorning his broad shoulders. He is all smiles, and what a winning smile it is. The town’s beloved baker, voted Handsome Offworlder of the Month by the Northwest Hollow Senior Ladies Knitter’s Club for three consecutive months! The man, the myth, the legend, with a name so nice you say it twice--- Max Maximum.

When he reaches Teddy, he has to bend down to receive his leafy golden crown and scepter, but he stands tall to face the crowd as their 16:55 Green King! Congratulations, Max!

From there, it’s time for the commencement party, which is held both inside and outside of the Oak & Iron. Loud and joyful music, dancing, and tons of great food are on the docket for tonight, along with a sacred ritual. It’s time to get the Green King pickled!

The rest of the Green Court is tasked with each buying Max a drink until he’s unable to continue (though Crichton is given permission to present Max with a glass of pickle juice if he chooses). It’s up to Max to earn the right to graduate from Green King to the coveted rank of Pickle King. How much can our fearless leader handle? Can he hold his liquor well enough to beat Archie Brenning’s record? The night is young--- let's find out!

Barrel of Laughs

Once the first day of the festival is out of the way, it’s all fun and games--- literally! There’s a ton of carnival games, tests of strength, cooking contests for pickle-related dishes, and even a contest for biggest cucumber. There’s also some rides, some magically powered and some kinetically powered, as well as “dragon rides” that allow townsfolk to ride on the back of a red, flying leviathan around the island! (It’s just Inspekta in an enormous dragon mask, but he’s hamming it up.)

As with last year, there will be a raffle--- this year hosted by Calloway’s Curios, and with a very interesting selection of items.

• Third prize is a Talking Water Companion. An apparatus worn on one's back that carries a substantial tank of water that it can expel for various uses. The nozzle also talks for some reason. Don't worry, it's friendly. Probably.
• Second prize is a Bicolor Teleportation Circle Cannon. Using one blue magical ring and one orange one, it can be used to designate the entry points of a makeshift teleportation circle, apparently by clinging to the celestial and otherworldly magic lingering on surfaces around town. Can only be used on flat surfaces with enough area to allow entry to an average-sized person standing upright. Use with caution.
• And first prize is a Triangle of True Sight. A teeny tiny triangular arcane construct worn on the ear. The wearer can use it to see monsters through solid surfaces and track their movements, spot otherwise hard to see tracks from animals and people, access a map of the island and receive guidance to specific locations, and translate languages---- including R'lyeah. It also includes a health monitor that can track your heart rate and count your steps. Fancy!
• The consolation prize, given to all players who do not win a major prize, is a Chatty Rectangle, which is a little red object with a panel that opens on the front, which can tell them factoids about the island's Pokemon residents. Calloway has a whole box of them. Please get rid of them. (More will be available for purchase after the festival ends as well.)

Tickets this year have a significant price hike, because of course they do. They are each going for a whopping 300 Brass. Despite Calloway’s protests, Town Hall has asked that the purchase be limited to 5 tickets per person still, in the interest of fairness. If you'd like to purchase any, please use the "RAFFLE TICKETS" thread below to do so!

A Dill-ightful Array of Colors

For reasons some of you may be familiar with, Pumpkin Hollowites tend to be a bit dubious about the idea of parades. So when the idea of a Queer Pride parade was pitched to Town Hall, it was met with no small amount of side-eye from the locals. However, after a thorough explanation of the tradition and its significance, the event was approved wholeheartedly!

On the Wednesday of the festival week, the morning schedule features a parade of brightly colored horse-drawn floats, beautiful men wearing very little clothing, muscular women in heavy knight’s armor, androgynous people in fantastical clothing, and people of all genders clad in symbolic color palettes or different flavors of drag. It’s a splendid display that offworlders and locals enjoy, and the parade leads to the Greymare Library lawn, just off of the main area of the Cucumber Festival that is designated for Pride-specific booths and activities.

Gerry Keay will be hosting a repeat of his popular seminar, “Gay Shit 101”, and various speakers will also be asked to share speeches, performances, art, and poetry about their experience with sexuality and gender. Drag shows will be held on a small stage, the lady-knights will be sparring on a section of lawn for entertainment, and booths will be selling special craft pieces, clothing, and street food themed around the event. This festival will run alongside the main event from Wednesday to Friday, but will close on Saturday to allow the folks running it to attend the closing festivities of the Cucumber Festival.

Town Hall would like to extend a huge shout-out to Pinhole Printing and Binding, the Velvet, Ambrosia, and Silk brothel, and the Bizzyboys for helping to sponsor and organize the event! Pumpkin Hollow is excited to incorporate this celebration of identity and expression into their summer traditions going forward!

A Slice of the High Life

On Saturday, it comes time for the closing ceremonies. Many of the food and game booths are still open in the main area of the festival for the morning and early afternoon, but they close up early to prepare for one final event.

You see, Pumpkin Hollow’s last major celebration was for Merrymeet back in February. The normally delightful spring cotillion was interrupted by Efrain himself, preventing people from fully enjoying the party for the second year in a row. To make up for lost dancing time, this year’s closing celebration of the Cucumber Festival will feature an indoor-outdoor fancy dress party in Town Hall and in the plaza.

As before, if you would like a custom outfit for the occasion, you will need to foot the bill. However, if you aren’t able to pay for one, there will be 50B rentals available, with one catch---- everything that is available for this offer is in a shade of green, since the clothes made for this purpose are made of excess fabric from the festival decorations. Seems like Yorick, in a distracted state after his breakup from Mayor Poe, ordered double the amount needed, and Town Hall is very much hoping that the rentals will help make up for some of the lost budget.

As usual, there will be an impressive array of food (much of which will still be cucumber-based), plenty of music, and good times with friends! Perhaps a little interpersonal drama for later gossip as well? Time will tell! Let’s end the Cucumber Festival with a bang!

Speaking of bangs, once the party ends, there will be fireworks lit outside, so grab a seat on the Festival Green for a romantic evening or grab a complimentary potion of Deafen on your way home for a good night’s sleep. Happy Cukefest!

| CONTENT WARNINGS: alcohol use |

Comments

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS

[pumpkinhollow]

RAFFLE TICKETS

[pumpkinhollow]

Please post how many you're buying here to enter!

[when_a_grids_misaligned]

Moiré will buy one raffle ticket!

[not_a_traitor]

Gaeta will take 5 tickets! He wants that Triangle of True Sight so bad.

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Qingqiu will buy five raffle tickets!

[hate_gettin_older]

Edgar will buy three raffle tickets!

Gerry Keay [OTA]

[skeletonkeay]

- Green Court -

On the first night of the festival, Gerry is content to ham it up at the large table with his fellow Green Court members. He's even been persuaded to wear a few touches of green in the spirit of the event. He sings along with a few of the songs he knows, plays some cards, buys Max a shot of good whiskey, and raises his beer in a toast to the men sitting with him.

"Some party, yeah? Can't imagine anyone but Alice voted for my annoying ass, but it's fun to be here."

Speaking of Alice, Gerry will definitely be on the lookout for her.

-Thanks for Coming to my TedTalk-

Gerry's glad he has all the notes from the first time he gave this presentation. It was back around the time he arrived on the island, mostly to help his friend Eddie, who's no longer here. But hey, if it helps the new guys.

And so he walks people through the basics of gender and sexuality, openly discussing his own transness as an example, in a cheeky but genuinely informative way.

"On paper, the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality is mostly vibes. Pick whichever label makes the most sense to you, based on how you experience attraction to different genders. Or pick based on the colors of the flags. I'm not your mom. Also don't ever let anyone tell you that non-binary people are excluded from bisexuality. They are stupid and wrong."

"Being non-binary doesn't necessarily have to mean genderless. It can mean that, but it also can mean an in-between gender, or every gender, or half a gender, or six extremely specific genders."

"As you can see, I have no tits. This is optional."

Come check it out, or find Gerry walking around the Pride area afterwards, carrying Gwen Stacy on his shoulders or watching women with swords smack each other around. Good times.

- Fancy Pickles -

Another fancy dress event. Fuck it, why not. It's fun to dress up. And so Gerry puts on something nice and heads on over, meandering into the party at an ambling pace.

Is there someone he's hoping to run into, maybe ask for a dance? Perhaps. But he's not going to make it obvious. In the meantime, he'll be mingling, checking in with friends, and eating the tiny fancy pickles on toothpicks that they have on toothpicks. He also sneaks a few to the Gimmighoul currently hiding in his breast pocket when no one is looking.

He'll also stick around for the fireworks. It's been a long damn while since he's seen any.

Green Court

[xiaoxiuya]

"Oh ho, I wouldn't be so sure about that~" Shen Qingqiu chuckles behind his fluttering fan (a new one he made himself for this very night, a bundle of green pickles painted on the outward-facing side). "I simply had to vote for all my best and wisest friends, you know."

Yeah, he's already a little flushed and tipsy. Good thing he's got that fan to keep the air moving around his overheated head, huh?

Dahlia Leeds [OTA] (just some lil baby prompts to put her out there)

[thethirteenthchild]

-Whiskey Wallflower-

A little known favorite passtime of the town's best-known debutante is going to the Oak & Iron to sit at the bar and drink whiskey. Something she doesn't even bother trying to hide at the Green Court party. She mostly keeps to herself, people-watching or playing solitaire. But perhaps she'll look to a neighbor, be they friend or stranger, and playfully lift her glass. "What should we toast to?"

-All Fun and Games Till Someone Loses An Eye-

Oh yay, there's a knife throwing game! Much to the game-runner's chagrin, Dahlia has been hogging it all afternoon, hitting target after target. There is a large bag on the ground at her feet filled with plush toy prizes. The person running the game looks anxious about their stock of stuffed animals as Dahlia hits another bull's eye.

-Who Needs Another Party?-

Another day, another fancy dress. Dahlia has a million of them. She throws it on as a formality and shows up to the party, way more interested in seeing what her friends are wearing and telling the women in her life how stunning they all look. She spared no expense helping to outfit Patty, her newest friend and favored. And of course she wants to see Anya, Ripley, Fever, Melanie, Alice, Daisy, and Basira looking stunning, not to mention Radar and Laios. She skates through the crowd, looking understated in her slim gown, face hidden behind a fan, dipping in and out of conversations and quietly complimenting the stunningly dressed ladies she sees.

"You look beautiful."

You might catch her here. But perhaps you spot her on the way out, slipping out of the crowd and back up the hill toward her home.

There must be a really beautiful view of the fireworks there.

We need another party!

[coolhatluvr]

"It's all thanks to you!" Patty says, laughing out loud. Even though Dahlia's seen her dress before, even though Dahlia helped her pick it out, Patty still spreads her skirts and does a little show-offy spin. It's only thanks to Dahlia that she had the guts to wear something this fancy out in public at all.

"When Pokey saw me in this, they nearly walked into a wall," she confides to Dahlia, still grinning.

Charon | Hades

[bloodorobols]

Once Again, there is a Boatman at the Festival
The stygian boatman has returned with his boat stacked to the brim with goods and gold. He's set up at the docks with his plinths displaying various wares, from fruit to nectar to a mysteriously shimmering bag that has an aura of power about it.

Charon stands taller than most every other resident of the island, broad-shouldered and lightly jingling whenever he moves thanks to the obols festooned around his body. His hat is decorated with a pink and gold feather and a wreath of flowers, decidedly not his idea. There are glimmers of green around the edges of the deep purple and starry black of his cloak. His face is once more visible to his customers, fair and pallid with high cheekbones, while those more attuned to the nature of Death and the gods would see the truth of him, skeletal with light sunk deep into his visible socket.

Someone approaching would get a whiff of wine and honey and Cretan incense, and the rumbling of his voice would be felt deep in their chest.

Food, 50b: A combo meal consisting of a pita wrap, fries, and a drink. This will energize the buyer and provide some limited healing if they've been recently injured. (Note: cucumber does feature heavily in the wrap, either in the tzatziki sauce or as toppings)

Pomegranate, 100b: Consuming this fruit will empower one of the buyer's abilities until their next death on the island.

Centaur's Heart, 150b: Keeping this glass trinket will allow the buyer to tank more possible injuries, until their next death.

Nectar, 200b: This glass bottle of heavenly concoction tastes slightly different to anyone who imbibes, enjoyable by all, good for use in cooking, consumption, or gifting to someone special.

Daedalus' Hammer, 200b: Using this enchantment will permanently upgrade one of your weapons, imbuing it with a new power, or changing its function slightly.

Godly Boon, 150b: This is a lightly thrumming grey silk sack with delicate embroidery about the edges, gold leaves decorating its circumference. The warning under it states that its contents are randomized, so buyer beware.

Each thing may only be purchased once per character, with stock to be refreshed from the boat in which his wares are held floating just behind him. Attempts to take more, to haggle him down, or to shoplift, will be met with a very firm smack with the broad end of Charon's oar, hard enough to send one into the water on the opposite side of the dock.

There Is A Boatman At The Parade
Charon is not necessarily one for crowds. He stands at the borders, looking out at the displays going by. None of this is particularly new or interesting by his reckoning; the clothes are only different in their styling, but the amount of skin shown is honestly about as much as would be considered normal in his time unless referring to himself or his kin. The colors are a bit more eccentric though, and remind him very much of his few dealings with the Olympian gods. Dionysus would be right at home here. As would Hermes, he thinks. Perhaps one day he would convince his associate to come in his stead.

Feel free to spot him looming. He may not necessarily be one for conversation, but he won't turn anyone away.

At the Festival

[huntingtruths]

Sam hadn't really been thinking he'd attend but he really wanted to actually get out and maybe make some friends. Besides, festivals were fun right? Here's hoping this one didn't end as bad as the last one he went to. Or well, the ball he went to.

Seeing the otherworldly merchant Sam has to blink and take a step back. He knows his mythology and this...this feels pretty familiar aside from the obvious wares he seems to be selling.

"Uh...hi?"

Radar O'Reilly [OTA]

[incomingchoppers]

easy being green

So Radar hasn't felt a whole lot like celebrating anything lately. Too busy, too sad, too tired, pick one. Only then he got nominated for Green King, and he came in second place (and Father Mulcahy came in third! and Max won the whole darn thing!!) so he doesn't have much of a choice whether he goes to the first day of the festival, and...

Well, that's the thing about doing something even if you don't feel much like doing it. When it's fun? Pretty soon, you forget why you didn't wanna do it in the first place. Everybody's cheering, all the other guys on the Green Court are having a ball, he's back downtown, he knows Johnny Boy can look after the ranch just fine while he and Edgar are gone for the day -- by the time they all crash into the Oak & Iron, whooping at the top of their collective lungs, this might be the most Radar's looked like his old self in weeks.

Of course Max gets a hollered congratulations! and a cup of wine ("something with flowers in it," Radar suggests to the bartender, kinda unhelpfully). Then, once Radar's downed a drink of his own, he goes back to the bar -- where perhaps to the mild alarm of anybody who's seen him after a beer and a half, he walks away with a truly enormous number of shotglasses.

They're not all for him! (Phew.) Instead, he starts distributing them to everyone else in the tavern; there's even nonalcoholic ones set aside for the people who don't drink. "Here, it's good, I promise!" he says as a plunks a glass down in front of each person. "The bartender said so!"

Hopefully the bartender's actually right. Radar forgot to taste-test first.


a dill-lightful array
[note: threads for this prompt will probably bring up mild period-typical/internalized homophobia throughout]

If you've known Radar for a bit, odds are high you've heard mention of an army buddy: one Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger, who makes and wears his own dresses to try and get out on a Section 8. He's a swell guy. And a great seamstress to boot! Radar's probably told you just how great. He always looks real good in everything he makes, he'll say eagerly, like it's obvious everyone thinks Klinger looks amazing. Which it is. Because he does.

Right?

(Does this hypothetical "everyone" also, on rare occasion, have dreams about Klinger in a dress that make them stare up at the ceiling in confusion for ten minutes? Who knows. But... probably, right? It makes sense if they all think he's pretty already, even the guys who, you know, aren't normally into that kinda thing. Sure.)

Smash cut to right after the parade. Radar sits off to the side, wearing a flower-chain necklace somebody chucked into the crowd, staring into space like... well, a lot like he just woke up from one of those really confusing dreams. Plus a little bit of dawning realization-slash-panic. Just because he covered his eyes when the really almost-naked people turned up doesn't mean he missed the whole thing, and. Well.

Look there's only so much one kid from rural 1950s Iowa can process and he's about at his limit. Help.


a slice of the high life

At the closing ceremonies, Radar doesn't wear anything near as fancy as he wore for Merrymeet, but he has fun putting on something that isn't his barn clothes for the millionth day in a row. If the start of the week had him fidgeting a little, unsure if it was a good idea to spend so much of the Cucumber Festival away from the ranch, by the end of the week he's relaxed into it like you'd relax into a warm bath. Knowing it's back to work in earnest tomorrow makes him more eager to catch up with all his friends -- and even ask some folks to dance, despite his middling foxtrot skills. Especially if he spots you being a wallflower, he'll probably come over and try to coax you onto the dance floor.

There's still life. There's still people. And even if he's at more of a remove out in Northwest Hollow lately, Radar's still a part of it.

Green Court

[thethirteenthchild]

When Radar comes by with a shot glass for her, Dahlia's already a bit tipsy herself, on a second glass of whiskey. She snags him before he can run off, lithe fingers catching a handful of his shirt. "Well there's my busy bee," she teases playfully. "You didn't think you were going to run off without a toast, did you? Especially since you've been at the ranch so much lately."

father mulcahy | M*A*S*H

[lovethyneighb_or]

brave little wings! ah, not in vain [easy being green]

It's a good thing they all knew what awards they were getting before they marched, or Mulcahy would have had a heart attack at the crowning. Either way, he accepts graciously, and retreats quickly into the crowd for the rest of the procession. Radar comes after him, and Max Maximum--both, he can agree, are very, very well deserved. What he's doing just behind them, he has no idea.

At the Oak & Iron, he mostly stays on Gaeta's arm. He doesn't eat much. He drinks even less, which is to say none. Though it's in his habit, it's still not a surprise to see him withhold, especially when on one or two occasions he can be seen scurrying about getting the most wasted of them back onto their feet and a glass of water--including some of the now-very-shirtless members of the Green Court.

There's an undercurrent of tension to him for much of the night, and he looks a bit like a plant that hasn't seen sunlight in three months (not actually true, he spends a lot of time in the cemetery and his garden!), but about halfway in he seems to ease into it. He fields a lot of congratulations. Once in a while he leaves Gaeta's company to go circulate. There's a new nasty-looking impalement scar on his hand, but that might be rude to bring up. Come say hi to a friend?

you beat into that bit of blue; [closed to gaeta]

That "halfway in" is when Mulcahy comes back from circulating and taps Gaeta on the shoulder. He looks... strained.

No. Scared. His bronze pin is missing.

"Are you busy? I--I need help."

lo! we who pant in war's red rain [a dill-ightful array of colors]

(( note: like radar's, this prompt has a chance to bring up period-typical homophobia, misogyny, and/or transphobia, largely inre: himself and misunderstandings. he's still chill. ))

It may seem a bit odd to see the Catholic priest hovering about the area, but he is. Very, very shyly. He hasn't been looking at everything--the things about sexuality naturally haven't been holding much of his interest, especially having seen quite a bit of it in his decade since leaving Earth--but he does listen, especially when relationship dynamics come up. Polyamory and the works. Something called 'queerplatonic?' He's not sure he understands it, but it sounds wonderful.

But when he really seems to be paying attention is when the discussion around gender starts coming out.

And if he's paying especially more attention when the topics circle around to transgender women, and butch women, and butch transgender women, then. Well.

lift shining eyes, see Heaven too. [wildcard]

[ got ideas? hmu! ]

Red Rain

[elvaquerito]

Pokey's world may not exactly have Catholicism, but it isn't absent of priests. When Godpoke sees a man wearing similar trappings to that of one Saul Boggle, they recognize a religious guide when they see one. Moreover, they recognize the skittish demeanor of someone who wants to belong somewhere but still feels like they don't. The way his eyes light up with interest around certain topics.

They trot over, their replica westernwear decked out in bright colored stripes. The band around their hat is replaced with one in black, white, yellow, and purple, and there's a little pink, white, and blue heart patch pinned to their breast pocket. Plus their normal grinning bandana is replaced with one in shades of sunset pink and orange.

They tug at Mulcahy's sleeve gently, offering him a folded piece of paper. The note inside reads,

is this your first pride festival?

Max Maximum | OC | OTA - PICKLE KING

[maximumcake]

Green King!

Rustic and raucous perfectly describes how Max feels today. He makes quite the spectacle of himself in his flowing cloak parading through town. Beneath the cloak he's wearing a lovely light green suit in a shade that matches Valdis's dress, but don't count on him keeping the whole ensemble on for too long in this summer sun.

As he steps forward to accept his leafy crown, his whole chest is full to bursting with gratitude. Of everyone here, the town chose him and it feels like he's really, finally, found a place to call home. And, like any good king, he's willing to defend his home with all he is. That's why, as he gathers himself to say a few words of thanks to the crowd, there's one person in particular he'd like to put on notice.

"Thank you all so much!" he says, blowing a big kiss for the crowd. "I'm truly honored to call so many of you friends and family! Before we get to all of the fun and festivities," he throws a wink out at that one, "there's just one more thing I'd like to say."

Max pauses for the dramatic effect, as as he does the expression he wears hardens into something closer to pride than gratitude. "Who's the King now, Aster!"

No one else may know what he's getting at, but he's sure Aster will. That's all he needs.

"Now, Let's get this party started!"


Pickle the King [Excessive drinking + Spontaneous clothes stripping]

Hope the rest of the court brought a lot of brass, because Max is no lightweight. He may not aspire to record breaking levels, but he downs two straight shots of whiskey back to back and doesn't even flinch. Then, just for fun, he takes the jar of pickles from Crichton and chugs that, too.

"A-ah..." he says, with a slight wince this time, "nice and--urp--salty."

It's only going to get more chaotic from here. At around the seventh drink, Max finds that it's Just Too Hot in all of this clothing. Clearly, the shirt must go! (The jacket came off much earlier.) That decided, he (randomly, and without warning) rips open the front of his shirt like he's cosplaying as Superman in a phonebooth, sending buttons whizzing off into far corners of the bar.

Thankfully (or not) Valdis intercepts him before he manages to pull his pants off too, but for the rest of that night Max will be running around like the shirtless wonder, still wearing his cucumber cape and shouting, "I'm the pickle man!"

He's having a great time.


Pride, Pickles, & Pretty Dresses [Wildcard / Choose your own adventure]

For the remainder of the festivities, Max finds himself pinging from place to place, activity to activity, like a hyperactive bumblebee. He joins every food contest he can fit into, using them partially as a way to advertise for his soon to be opened cafe. (The final renovations will be complete soon and he's finally found his sous chef!) As a special treat, he's set up a free samples booth of cucumber themed small bites as a preview for what his new cafe will have on offer besides pastries and bread. He's glowing with pride just at the thought.

And, speaking of? His heart leapt for joy when he first heard the rumors going around that Pumpkin Hollow will celebrate the tradition of the Pride Parade. He's only ever gotten to attend one before, and only as a spectator, but he's always wished he could join then fun. So, consider this another thing crossed off his After-the-Bucket list. He attends it, once again shirtless and wearing his cucumber cloak, which he has pinned other scraps of rainbow colored paper to, so he now looks like walking rainbow piñata.

After all the emotional pain of the previous months, it feel great to let loose, to dance with unashamed joy, and love with fierce passion. He'll be pouring his heart out on the dance floor that final evening all the way until last call. If you ask him for a dance, the answers is bound to be yes.

[ooc: feel free to wildcard other scenarios too.]

pride

[closureisformovies]

"You are absolutely loving your pickle king cape aren't you?"

Alice stands with her hand on her hip giving him an exaggerated once-over, dressed in her own pride fit which is clearly a bunch of different outfit pieces layered to hell and back and matches the pink part of her double-dipped dye she's had since she arrived back from her trip home nicely.

Agent Carolina / Catherine Church | Red vs. Blue | OTA

[cyansoldier]

A Dill-ightful Array of Colors / Sweat & Chainmail

’Celebration’ isn’t a word Carolina typically fits within her repertoire, as it junctions too closely to relaxing, letting go, enjoying oneself by abstaining from work, of which she does none of these things regularly. What time she does spend sitting still is in support of Gerry Keay, whose presentation— to no one’s surprise, including her own— is a smash-success. It’s the first time she’s hearing him speak openly about being trans. It’s also the closest she’s felt to him while being sat a distance away.

(The thought is one she’ll go to the grave with. Hides wanting behind lock and key.)

There comes a point in the day where the Lady Knights march across the grass. Carolina is among them. Her chainmail shivers; breast and shoulder plates bend and refract light in miniature attacks. She’s happy to parade herself around, accepting challenges from her fellow armor-clad butches, twirling her sword in showy displays for the audience. Has never felt quite so at-home as she does weighed down by metal. Should you choose to take her on (whether it be in an honest attempt to best her, or get your ass handed to you by a masculine queer woman), she won’t go down without a fight.

Those who blow kisses or wave from the audience might find her sauntering toward them. Between spars, Carolina can be found peeling sweat-plastered bangs from her face and drinking large glasses of water. A knight’s got to replenish herself, and she looks starved.

A Slice of the High Life / Party-killer

For reasons beyond her mortal comprehension, Carolina has allowed a certain lanky goth to doll her up for a party she has no place being at.

She fits into dark opulence the way one forces themselves into kevlar under-armor— by struggling until the damn thing’s on. But there’s something to be said about black. The way it compliments her white-hot core. Turns her into a prehistoric, feathered killer who controls the skies. She's somehow rendered more intimidating in this than she’d looked clad in armor.

If you choose to ask her to dance, there's a fifty percent chance she'll bite your head off. Care to test those odds?

For the most part, Carolina keeps to herself; a thorny wallflower. Aimless, drifting anomaly. She picks at food, indulges in the occasional drink. When the social noise builds to sharpness, she sees herself out onto the front landing for a breath of fresh air. To roll her wrists.

Party-Killer

[skeletonkeay]

Gerry finds her outside, under the summer moons. Three of them hang overhead, one of which is full, and the crickets cry to the heavens as the air slowly cools.

"Surprised you actually wore that thing," he jokes as he steps up beside her to join her at the stone railing. "I thought you were just humoring me. But you do look good."

She looks like some kind of raven queen. A dark goddess. Touch-me-not. The slender cut makes all that muscle look compacted, spring-loaded. Dangerous and beautiful.

fever | baldur's gate 3 | ota.

[abhorrently]

northern pickling.

A year ago, she had been almost frantic to be part of the event, taking it all in with the desperation of someone who was still adjusting to living in an actual town as well as someone who'd never attended a festival, only read about them. This year, she is more subdued - it has only been a few months since Merrymeet, since the opera, and Fever's more alert than anxious. Hidden knives close to her, and to the rest of it, she'll try to have at least some fun.

The Green Court gets her applause and cheers, a nod and a bright smile to those she knows on it, and more than enough appreciative staring when it comes to them showing off. The kickoff is important, and past that, Fever merges into the crowd to take in what the event has to offer. The festival games draw her in - for she has a few hideous prizes she has to win, and she's not above a few sneaky tricks to make it happen. The rides are spared any interference and simply enjoyed, and she's content to watch the colorful parade, posting up at a point afterwards to simply watch the knight battles and soak in joy by proxy. One can observe a lot from other battles, or they can be simply admiring displays of strength. The event is meant to be taken in, and she intends to do so.

greensleeves.

That isn't to say there isn't a newcomer's delight at the event. Intermittently, there is a blue companion with Fever as she goes about the place - the small wyvern that for all her complaints about, she's never actually gotten rid of. Chills is prevented from being too much of an excited menace by a soft harness of green ribbon, keeping him near while allowing some flying room, and if not perched on her shoulder, he's gathered in her arms somehow. This is to limit how many times he tries to bite things at booths or stalls, clearly trying to indulge his questions of what is edible and what he can carry away before he is made to give it back.

The little guy is curious about people, though, and will crane the neck and stare, sometimes letting out a screech of pure contentment. Or if someone is standing a bit close, he might even dare to fly over, swerving near and then back to his person to try and gauge the other. No biting, not yet.

summer dance.

It's the last day of the event. Last day, and nothing's gone and happened to threaten everyone. No demons, no fae pranks, no unspeakable horrors. A success by all accounts. So, at some point during the dancing, she decides that she'll try again, as she had intended during Merrymeet. Her heart might still be a little heavy, but it's hard to be ruminating while lost in song. The music flows, and Fever dances, light on her feet and taking all partners.

Though she's pacing herself tonight, and occasionally making herself stop to sit down, drink water, and recover her energy. All very sensible. All in the name of being ready if something else happens again.

But by the time the fireworks start, it truly seems fine. And watching the bright bursts, a knot in her chest lets go. Just for tonight. Just for a moment.

wildcard.

[got a different idea? come at me.]

summer dance

[stoneoftherose]

As the fireworks begin, someone sits next to Fever with a quiet sigh, a long and skinny hand offering her a glass of wine. "I got a few good sketches in while you were dancing," Pyotr says conversationally, his own glass held close to his lips. "You were very graceful."

Godpoke | Great God Grove | OTA

[elvaquerito]

- A Cowpoke in King Max's Court -

Kelaiah is overjoyed with the results of the vote for Green King. They were under no illusions about winning, new as they are, and are just happy to be here among the members of their found family, their friend Radar, and the hot baker who gives them snacks on their mail run sometimes. It's no wonder that guy won. A big smile like that always on his face and he makes good snacks? This dude is the GOAT.

In any case, they picked up a nice green vest on the last day of the yard crawl, adding their own tassles to it, and throw it over their brown linen shirt that they arrived in along with their nice trousers and their replica boots from the opera. A silk cucumber leaf pinned to their hat, they sit happily listening to conversations at the Green Court table with a hard apple cider despite not really looking remotely old enough to drink. It's a little loud in here. Good thing they stuffed their hat with some extra cotton fluff! If anyone needs someone to listen to a bar joke or drunken ramblings, they're your bat.

- Dragon Tamer -

Pokey spends a fair bit of time around the festival grounds, playing games and riding rides. They're particularly fond of a mechanical bull type ride that flings people around called the Whirling Wyvern, firing Radar's "YEEHAW" into the air from Megapon as they go flying into bags of flour. But anytime Inspekta is working the dragon rides, Pokey is there.

They sit up front, right behind the big collar of his jacket, pretty much every time. Is this favoritism from their dad? Absolutely. Are they taking advantage of it? A little bit. But if you ask them for a turn up front, they'll surely budge. Or maybe they've simply enticed you to ride, as an adorable little cowboy waving you over to ride on a giant flying "dragon" is pretty good advertising.

- Bandana Code -

Pride! Pokey loves Pride. They used to go every year to the festival in Galveston, a beach-side town in Texas not far from the Brazoria Batfolk Community off of Chocolate Bay. It's typically pretty modest compared to the big shebang in Houston, but that suits Pokey just fine. And with the sea air and small venue of Pumpkin Hollow's first Pride festival, it feels a bit like home, too.

Their normal face bandana is replaced with one patterned with sunset oranges and pinks, with a grin painted on in white after the fact. Their hat bears stripes in black, white, yellow, and purple where the sepia-toned band usually sits. A pink, white, and blue heart is stitched to their breast pocket. And, from about lunchtime onward, a rainbow cape adorns their shoulders. They even eventually acquire a wooden nametag pin with "THEY/THEM" burned in, which they're quite proud of as well. Who needs to be able to talk when colors can answer all your questions? (Unless, of course, you don't know them yet.)

Either way, they seem pleased as punch as they scurry about to the various shows and dart along stone half-walls on paths so that their flag-cape will billow out behind them like a superhero. They move with purpose, so following them will surely lead to something fun, although they don't always seem to be looking where they're going...

- Swing Your Partner -

Ahh, the fancy dance! They hadn't gone to Merrymeet, something they still very much regret. But this time, Patty is not only here, but she's not working either! She gets to come and have fun and be beautiful.

Their jaw nearly fell out of their bandana and clattered onto the floor when they saw her in the elaborate dress Dahlia bought for her, looking like a pastel rococo princess made of icing and candy pearls. They helped her put up her beautiful curls into a loose bun, put on a matching powder blue suit and hat. And now that they've arrived, they've spent the evening parading her around for all to see like she deserves.

After all that Patty's been through, she deserves to be beautiful. She deserves to be seen as herself. She deserves to dance.

Sometimes, though, they can be found lurking by the food table for a snack break while Patty checks in with her new friends. They're currently hogging like the whole platter of these funky little hors d'oeuvres that are like... cucumber slices with piped cream cheese on top with a grape tomato stuck in there and some seasoning on top? They're great.

Oh sorry, did you want one?

Bandana Code

[stoneoftherose]

Tucked in a back corner, Pyotr is once again offering sketches and caricatures to passerby. Only a few people have discovered him so far, but that suits him fine. He's most interested in drawing the strange outfits people are wearing today anyhow.

But he does smile when Pokey shows up. Waving them closer, he comments, "You're very colorful today. What does all this mean, hm?"

They had their own signals in the Capital, when Pyotr was still in school, but nothing as eye-grabbed as all this.

Edgar | OTA

[hate_gettin_older]

Easy Being Green

Edgar didn't expect to be nominated for Green King, and once he found out who else was in the running he definitely didn't expect to be chosen. (Sure it would have been an honor if he had been, but one that would have paled next to his outrage at the honor not going to Max.)

So he's here for the raucous parade in an outfit intended to look fancy but not stiff: dark green pants and a loose white silk shirt, embroidered around the neck and wrists with green knotwork in several shades, none of which quite match the vine-embroidered sash but he's fine with how it looks together. And he's among the loudest to cheer for the winner, beaming with a pride in Max so intense it verges on smugness.

(He's a little surprised at how proud he also is of Radar being a runner-up. Almost like he's part of his family or something.)

He's even louder, if you can imagine, at the carousing at the Oak & Iron, even before he's a few glasses in himself. Laughing, pounding the table during the chants of pickle! that! king!, and careening around the dance with abandon. And, at some point late in the festivities, raising his voice and climbing up on his chair to get the attention of the nearby revelers.

"Listen," he says, waving his half-finished beer for emphasis. "Got a story, don' I. About Max and cucumbers. And the funny thing is, right, the funniest thing ..." Leaning forward precariously. "He dun't know it yet himself."

Please encourage him. He hasn't lost his shirt yet.

Barrel of Laughs

Once he's gotten past the hangover, Edgar is delighted to join the continuing festivities -- though he's going to try not to get drunk again this soon. He's got a contribution to one of the cooking contests: a jar of home-pickled foraged vegetables, including ramps, wild carrots, slices of puffball mushroom, and dandelion buds. He buys a couple of raffle tickets, with his eye on the teleport device. And he tries every single ride at least once.

Array of Colors

He's never really been directly involved in a Pride event before. There was no place for it in the Tail, no real point to it at Milliways, no reason for it at Ainmhian, and no time for it in the few months he spent on the Serena. But he's picked up the basic gist, and the joy of it is contagious.

So you can find him at the parade and after, in black jeans and a black brocade vest with no shirt underneath, countless multicolored strands of beads around his neck, eye paint in peacock colors, and gold glitter in his hair. He’s not seriously considering taking part in the drag show, but he'll watch with considerable admiration, and he’s laying down a good chunk of brass at the stalls -- especially any that offer more beads to add to his collection. Maybe he’ll branch out into bracelets.

High Life

He could rent a fancy outfit, but almost all the ones up for rent are too Front for his tastes. So he goes for a pick-and-mix approach: the same clothes he wore for the first day of the festivities, with the addition of a forest-green tailcoat and what he is assured are a very nice pair of black shoes. (They look like just any shoes to him, but whatever -- they fit fine, that’s the important thing.)

While he doesn't know the steps to any formal dances, that will in no way stop him.

[Feel free to wildcard -- discuss it first or surprise me!]

Barrel of Laughs

[flower_language]

Festivities are not for Basil. He stuck to anything that wasn't alcohol related the day before and he tried to steer clear of most of socialization because things felt like 'too much', especially considering his death still is so fresh.

The carnival, though? It definitely got his attention. Basil has been walking around with a candied apple (with a single bite taken off it) for a while, mostly studying the various games and wishing he had time to try making pickles. Not that he would join any real challenge but... he likes pickles.

When he sees people stepping down from a giant red dragon? He stands there, blinking in their direction. "wow..." Has he tried any game yet? Absolutely not. Not enough brass to indulge in stuff like that, but watching things is... nice. When ha approaches Edgar? He doesn't recognize him from the celebration.

"May I ask what... it's like? From up there?"

He's never been on a plane before and a Dragon sounds so much cooler than anything he ever imagined anyway...

Felix Gaeta | OTA

[not_a_traitor]

easy being green

Trying to do more than exist is still pretty frakking difficult most days, but Gaeta remains a soldier at his core: if he's trying to exist for the sake of something -- someone -- else, it gets easier.

So despite getting concussed by a zombie, fighting through another round of regrowing his feelings, and the general... well, everything, he's been remarkably present in the days leading up to the festival. Even if Mulcahy hadn't won third place in the Green King competition, Gaeta would've wanted to be there to celebrate with him. Maybe he's a little wary, a little jumpy (more, Mulcahy correctly surmised about how the feelings regrow, not worse), but mostly, the good outweighs the bad. He does his own circulating, he talks, he takes a couple shots of whiskey once the booze really starts flowing, he eats his fill. It's a nice night out.

Mostly.

At one point, while Mulcahy's off chatting with someone else, Gaeta and Hawkeye appear to be having a quietly heated conversation in one corner of the tavern. When they part ways, Gaeta looks stricken, a little shaken up, jaw tight with the effort of keeping all those newly-reformed emotions in check. Deciding it'd be best to take a few minutes to himself to recover, he grabs another drink and moves toward the edges of the crowd.

Find him there if you'd like to talk. Or later, if you'd prefer, at another point when he and Mulcahy aren't arm-in-arm.

[also feel free to wildcard me! just holler in the usual places if you wanna plot <3]

[tehilim127_1]

Over by the edge of the crowd he'll spot Zivia, who's got a tall glass of some brightly colored drink that's maybe 0.2 percent booze. She spots him, waves and smiles, and starts making her way in his direction.

"Hey," she says cheerfully. "How's your night going?"

Shen Qingqiu | SVSSS

[xiaoxiuya]

A Slice of the High Life

Shen Qingqiu's date to the Cukefest formal is Bronwyn, the lepidopterian fortune teller (that means 'moth-like', to all you plebs), and in order to complement his partner's striking beauty, Shen Qingqiu has modeled his own outfit on the Luna moth. His outermost robe is a diaphanous green, with the white layer beneath it showing a pink lining at the sleeves and hem. Black eye-like circles have been embroidered on the sleeves and skirt, and over the outermost robe he wears a black stole, with black ribbons in his hair.

"How do I look?" he cheekily asks Bronwyn when the two of them meet up before entering the dance. Later they'll meet up with Lev and Anzu to enjoy the party together, but for now Bronwyn has Shen Qingqiu all to themselves.

[withthemooninoureyes]

"Stunning, obviously," Bronwyn agrees, draped in a chiton and wrap combination made of semi-sheer purple fabric. "Where I come from, Lunas are royalty."

Drelasa Veloth | Morrowind

[misbegottendreamer]

Easy Being Green

She can't think of a more fitting trio for such an honor. Father Mulcahy, Radar O' Reilly, and of course, the ever-courteous, ever-empathetic puppy nix of a man that is Max Maximum. She cheers them with all the zeal she can muster, and when the drinking challenge begins, she starts a rallying song to try and boost the Green King's resolve- with maybe just a hint of an inspiration spell woven into her vocals. She encourages those around her to chime in- it's a repetitive tune and an easy set of lyrics, a classic Nord drinking song she learned while traveling through Skyrim.


Barrel of Laughs

There's maybe a bit of an unfair advantage in being impervious to fire, when one enters a cooking competition. Just like with her metalworking, Drelasa can make up for her lack of sight through touch, using the warmth of the pots and pans and even contact with her gloved hands to gauge when something is ready to be moved off the heat or set on a simmer.

Of course, she's only doing a little competitive cooking- most of her efforts are going into maintaining the island's very first popup of the Caldera Carnival Culinary booth, with the assistance of Sally Boyle, local alchemist Aeryn, and, of course, the grillmaster himself, da Capo. The booth offers a complimentary shot of fire resistance potion with every order, and offers an array of Dunmeri style barbecue delights- that is to say, lightly charred, generously spiced, and going directly from grill to mouth. Come on by, see if you can take the heat!


Rising on the Summer Breeze [Closed to Inspekta]

Drelasa Veloth had only ever flown once, before coming to Pumpkin Hollow, and that was a long, long time ago- another lifetime ago, even. Ever since she danced on that hilltop, however, she's loved the idea of flying. Despite her lack of sight, despite her hesitancy to trust others, the offer to fly on the back of a "dragon" is just too tempting.

"Have you a moment to give this old womer a ride?" she asks politely, approaching Inspekta in between rounds.

Rising on the Summer Breeze

[carefulinspekshun]

When Inspekta first catches a glimpse of someone approaching, he's braced to have to tell another kid, no, yew gotta give the dragon a break, he wants lemonade just like yew guys. No vibrating child to dissuade this time, though - in fact, he doesn't know if he's met this woman before. (Her voice sounds so familiar, though. Why does it sound familiar, where does he recognize it from...?)

"Ohhh, I s'pose I could take ya for a spin 'round the green! Might save ya from the squirts askin' me to do loops," Inspekta jokes with a little grin, lowering himself down like he's done so many other times already. The magic innate in his body will help with the stabilization enough, all on its own - all it needs from her is to be seated. "Yew just gimme the go-ahead when yewr all settled, n' we'll get dis show on da road!"

Sorceress | Dragon's Crown

[bedknobsandbroomsticks]

[Sorceress is mostly with Wizard for the majority of the festival but you can catch her by herself from time to time. Dressed in a cream colored low-cut, off the shoulder blouse and a long teal skirt with her hair tied up in a ponytail, until the last day at least.]


[The Green King]

[At the announcement of the winner of the festival being Max Maximum, Sorceress claps enthusiastically, still very much grateful for the broom he gifted her, as well as having someone to geek out over baking with.

Whether she's eating and drinking or attempting to drag Wizard in to dance, she's more than happy to socialize with others.]


[Carnival Games]

[The witch has been to festivals and fares and the like back in her world but it's certainly interesting to see the differences between places. The games, the stalls, the peculiar prizes. The rides in particular are quite fascinating to her, Sorceress wanting to see what makes them tick.

Of course, it would probably help if she rode them. Which she probably should do. She's less than keen to fly on a red dragon, whether it's real or fake though.

The redhead seems more fond of the games of luck, excelling quite well at the various toss and catch games. Whether it's because she's using magic to enhance her skill or she's just naturally talented remains to be seen. (It's her natural luck.)]


[The Last Day]

[Green isn't her preferred color. Not by a long shot. But she managed to find a lovely pale green dress in the Arcanium's upper floor closet thanks to the giantess that used to live there, and got it tailored to fit her properly. Mostly. The dress is struggling to contain her but isn't that how all of her outfits are? How does she not burst out of all of them? Magic.

With the array of food, Sorceress has been studying the dishes, trying to memorize the taste and textures to add them to her magical repertoire of recreating food, as well as expanding things she can make for Wizard and herself.

And of course, any gossip she might hear she keeps to herself. The witch has done this song and dance before when she served as a fortune teller and entertainer for the nobles back home.]


[Fireworks - Closed to substitutiarylocomotion]

[The necromancer sits with her legs tucked to the side next to Wizard as the two gaze up at the night sky and watch the fireworks show. In between the explosions of light, she smiles at the man, leaning in a bit closer. It's so he can hear her better, clearly. Nothing else.]

This was fun... A much needed reward for that tiring undead matter.

Carnival Games!

[huntingtruths]

At first Sam was glad he had come out and decided to have fun at the festival...that is until he decided to try his luck at a ring toss game only to lose.

And lose.

And lose.

Apparently noodle-y arms like his are not great for something like this, that or he just has incredibly shitty aim. Both are viable options. Then there is the lovely lady next to him who seems to be doing better than anyone. As she loops another ring around one of the pins he claps and laughs.

"I mean, at least I know it's just my shitty skill and not that I'm getting hustled."

Capochin | Great God Grove | OTA

[staybizzy]

-Green Court Party!-

Frankly, Capochin didn't want to win Green King. Even if it would have been funny due to his being legitimately green himself, he voted for Hector and for Max, and ended up pleased with the result. Hector not actually being king means that Capochin can be on his arm all night, rocking their matching green outfits.

He can be found at one of the tables, laughing too loudly, drinking too much, smoking a cigarette. "Man! I haven't been to a party like this in years! I'm gonna miss day 2 from my hangover, I bet," he jokes, nudging the person beside him. "Whaddaya say? 'Nother round?"

-Fairgrounds-

The carnival is probably the only time when Capochin isn't some degree of glued to his partner, who is busy hamming it up at the dragon rides. It gives Capo some time to do his own thing, playing some games, checking in on Spamton (who has been charged with running a booth for the Burger King selling chicken sandwiches with pickles on them, which has hopefully not exploded), and cooking with Drelasa. He also pops over to Pride for a bit to grab himself a few flags for business windows.

He's taking a break now, having found a place to sit with his little cucumber mojito and watch Inspekta give dragon rides. He seems cheerfully pensive.

Perhaps you're taking a break, too? Seeings someone else looking for a seat, Capochin scoots over an inch or two.

-Havin' a Ball-

A version of Capochin from like a year ago would never have vehemently disagreed, but fancy parties? Are pretty great, actually. At least here in Pumpkin Hollow, where there's not all that high-society bullshit with eight million rules on how to be proper. The most high-society lady here seems to be Dahlia, and even she doesn't seem fussed about that sort of thing.

No, these parties are just a nice excuse to dress up and eat really damn good food.

"I made the cucumber pasta salad," Capochin will gladly tell anyone who's willing to listen, pouring himself another glass of prosecco. He's taking his new aesthetic very seriously and is wearing far too many rings. His shirt was buttoned all the way up but is no longer so, necklaces adorning his chest and partially obscuring his large scar. "Made the pasta from scratch, too. Family recipe."

Havin' a Ball

[tehilim127_1]

"That was yours?" Zivia beams at him. "Don't suppose you'd be willing to share that pasta recipe? I've been wanting to try making my own noodles for a while now, and I keep chickening out."

Ellen Ripley | OTA

[2onostromo]

Easy Being Green...

A little partying never hurt anyone, right? Ripley doesn't think so, and after hunkering down for a multi-day zombie infestation, she's eager to let go a little. Seeks relief in shared space; in collective alcoholic buzz and the company of friends whose safety she can never be fully certain of. They’re alive— that alone is worth celebrating.

She makes her rounds, checking in on friends, narrowly avoiding spilt drinks. She's even managed to rope CT into the mix. You might spot Ellen arm-in-arm with the Chief Constable, sliding through the mob, recovering from social fatigue in quiet corners.

She listens to conversations in pieces, radio transmissions with beginnings and ends she'll never know, and doesn't need to; I'm the kind of person who loves to... Key is not to over-season, unless... Isn't that great? Practically speaking, a god's...

At one point she's playing the equivalent of beer pong, winning a matter of life and death. "Are you trying to throw the game for us?! I can feel a disk slipping with how dedicated I am to carrying your ass."

And later, the air too damp and the music too loud, you might find her outside with eyes trained up at the night sky. "It's strange, really— this is the longest I've spent on one planet... Usually I'd have taken up ship. Moved on to the next contract."

By the end of the night she's tipsy and ready to make it your problem.

You have parades for that?...

The idea of Pride perplexes her. Not in that she doesn't understand celebrating the richness of queer history or the importance of expression, rather that her own culture is such a homogenized one, and as a result queerness is given only cursory acknowledgment. Not a consequence of shame, but of mundanity.

It means this is her first real Pride, and she's happy to participate. From cheering on the parade to adorning herself in sunset colors and witty pins to watching armored ladies brawl on the grass (wait, that's her? Seriously?), she does it all. Want to pull her aside for brightly colored dessert? Nod sagely from one lesbian to another? The world is your gay oyster.

Wildcard...

_{Have an idea? Hit me!}

easy being green

[not_a_traitor]

Gaeta, taking a breather of his own, nods a hello to Ripley. His leg needs a rest pretty badly; with a small grunt, he sits with his back leaning against the nearest wall, arranging his cane and his prosthetic limb to get comfortable. Like her, his eyes drift to the stars within moments.

When she speaks, he glances her way, mildly startled. "Even when you were a kid?"

Valdis | OTA

[redlightgreenlight]

Easy Being Green

Valdis does everything she can to help Max get ready and steps aside to let him shine, for the rest of the festivities she continues to play the part, though she does feel like she’s been stabbed by ice when Max openly challenges Aster. None of that will show on her face, and she adjusts quickly.

Later, as everyone is trying to get Max drunk, Valdis is busy making sure he doesn’t overdo it, including convincing him to not remove his pants at one point, the rest of it she is laughing and drinking with the rest. Eventually she vanishes from the forefront and can be found at a corner table. There’s someone sitting slumped over across from her, snoring loudly and smelling heavily of alcohol and several dozen shot glasses on the table between them, far more in front of her than him. She’s currently nursing a glass of wine.

“Enjoying the party?”

Dillightful Array of Colors

Valdis celebrates along with everyone else, pleased to attend such an event with all her friends. She tries her best to put together a colorful outfit and mostly succeeds. She flits from booth to booth, supporting everyone she can. She appreciates Gerry’s lecture, finding it perfect and fun, along with everything else the event has to offer. At one point she settles to watch the lady nights spar, she doesn’t join them, much as she would like to. She isn’t like them, doesn’t wear armor, doesn’t need it, doesn’t present the way they do. She wants to let them shine as brightly as they can as who they are.


A Slice of the High Life

It almost seems impossible that they could reach the end of the festivities without interference, but here they are, on the final day, surrounded by dancing and friendship. Finally a chance to relax and enjoy life. She fills her dance card as full as she can, not turning anyone away, happy to just have fun with her friends. She offers compliments to everyone, being sure to take breaks as well.

As the day turns to night, she finds a place to sit in order to enjoy the fireworks.

Easy Being Green

[bedknobsandbroomsticks]

Ahh, the drinking reminds her of the fun nights they'd have at the Inn after an adventure back home. As she walks past, Sorceress sees the poor sap passed out, clearly having been drunk under the table.

At first, she doesn't realize who the woman is but at the sound of the familiar voice, she stops to converse.

"I am. It's been quite fun. Ah... it was Valdis, correct?"

Given she's only met her as a wolf. But that voice is unmistakable.

Major Margaret Houlihan | OTA

[soldierslikeus]

Easy Being Green

With both Radar and Mulcahy as runners up for the title, of course Margaret attends the commencement event. It's all rather more raucous than she's often in the spirit for, reminiscent of some of the most chaotic nights at Rosie's, but for today she's more than happy to come and enjoy the festivities.

Mostly, she sits near the bar working her way through a few glasses of brandy throughout the course of the evening. But as the alcohol loosens her up a touch and the atmosphere gets a little more infectious, you may find her butting to join into games of cards or darts—and being rather competitive about it, she's not really the lose quietly type.

A Dill-ightful Array [cw references to period-typical/internalized homophobia]

To say this kind of event is something Margaret is unfamiliar with would actually be an understatement. It's only since arriving here in Pumpkin Hollow that she'd even realised that Hawkeye's jokes about and toward men weren't, in fact, just jokes, let alone been surrounded by so many people who are so— queerly inclined? It's all quite alright, of course—for everyone else. Just because she's been raised a certain way doesn't mean she can't now acknowledge that people have a right to live their lives how they please—other people, that is. Of course other people, why would it apply to her? Ridiculous notion. As frustrating as men have proven themselves to be, women are still— well, women. And she's not attracted to women.

Anyway, she turns up to pride.

All the colours and words mean very little to her, nor does she entirely understand all the flavours of presentation she sees, but the parade is exciting enough. She doesn't sit in on any of the talk, but she catches bits and pieces as she loiters and drifts around. Really, she doesn't intend to linger long—it isn't her scene, after all.

Instead, she somehow ends up standing watching the lady knights sparring for... well she's not actually quite sure how long.

Which could mean nothing.

A Slice of the High Life

Margaret re-uses her dress from Merrymeet, to be economical and because the day itself was of course ruined by the end. So she dresses up, does her hair, and comes to spend some time dancing and socialising in the more composed atmosphere. Find her milling around inside, maybe ask her to dance, or catch her outside enjoying the summer night with a drink and some food.

She stays for the fireworks. It's a nice change of pace to hear explosions that only mean something beautiful, instead of the cacophony that shelling is. So she watches the colours in the sky and reminds herself, quite firmly, that she's alright with being alone.

Wildcard

Hit me. She'll be around for some of the general festival stuff too, though probably not every day.

Talking Water Companion!!! OTA (Caution, you may get wet!)

[ss_buttcrack]

Crichton ducked out early from the revelry in the bar after bestowing his pickle jar, just to keep himself from further temptation. But, now that he's won the best (in his opinion) item from the raffle, he's got all the distraction he'll ever need. When you can have this much fun with water, who needs beer?

Getting to know you [Onlookers/Reactions welcome]
Upon coming to collect his winning, he is presented with a strange jetpack like backpack.

Strange, because it greets him in a slightly nasally monotone! "Powerup complete! Preparing to register customer information, scanning and classifying subject data..."

"You're doing what now?" Crichton responds in alarm, but his facial structure is already being scanned by F.L.U.D.D.

"Subject identified as John Crichton, Former resident of Florida, Earth; Moya, Uncharted Territories; Serena Eterna; Whitestone kingdom--"

"Okay, okay, we get it, I've been a lot of places can you zip it??"

"--And current resident of Pumpkin Hollow," FLUDD finishes undeterred "I am FLUDD, Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dowsing Device. I hope to be of assistance." With that introduction finished, FLUDD suddenly attaches to his back as a fanfare plays.

"O-kay..." Crichton says with some trepidation. "Glad we got that out of the way, right...Fludd?"

FLUDD answers with, "Proceeding with user instructions," so... not actually done yet. (But this writer doesn't want to write all that out.)

By the time Crichton has absorbed the instructions and completed the tutorial practiced a few times, he's feeling confident that this is going to be the most fun he's had all summer. The people nearby who got wet when his first attempt at flight literally went sideways may not be feeling the same.

Getting the hang of it?
"Hey! Watch this!" That's the most warning anyone gets before 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF. Cackling like a maniacal fool, he goes whizzing straight up in a font of water spray. That's unfortunate for anyone below, because it's going to feel like getting hit in the face with super soaker on steroids.

"Perhaps you should be more cautious," FLUDD tries to insist.

"What?" Crichton pretends the water is deafening (it is not.) "Can't hear you over this spray!"

"Water pressure low, please refill," FLUDD advises instead. Just before the water runs out and Crichton starts to drop like a stone.

"Oh, craaaaaaaaap!" Crichton probably should have listened.

[ooc: he's fine, it's not THAT high.]

[ablativeholopleather]

Runt's head has been swaying as he tracks Crichton's flight here and there after retrieving his prize, a hunk of watermelon given to him by one of the people in charge of the giant fruit doing a good job of keeping him from stealing others' lunches (for now.) He had been spritzed in passing as Crichton got the hang of flying around, and as a result had been vaguely following after him because hey, that felt pretty good.

And then his custodian starts to lose altitude, and Runt wamps in concern as a rough landing is executed nearby. He's got his bowl with his melon secured on his head, and he's trundling his way over to investigate.