Halloween/2023/Story

## Hiring Notice

**Me** | As the weather cools, a familiar feeling hides in the soft breeze and the flowing brooks. A certain lightness and emptiness that lingers in my wardrobe as well as my wallet.
A person's fortune is much like the changing of the seasons. Warm weather comes after the cold, and money returns after hard times. That's why I have a feeling something good is about to come my way.
 **Hiring Notice**In preparation for this year's celebration, we are seeking short-term staff with attractive compensation.

* We will provide comprehensive job training to help you better adapt to the work. **Free of charge.**
* We promise that your hard work will be promptly... **And generously compensated.**
* Let's work together to ensure that this year's celebration is full of fun **And surprises!**

**Responsibilities:** Making decorations, venue setup, maintenance, and general troubleshooting.
**Requirements:** Must have excellent communication skills and a passion for the arts. No prior experience is required.

October City Council, October City Art Association

**Me** | A priceless ticket to October City's annual celebration... On top of the money this saves me, I stand to make even more during the celebration!
I've always dreamt of seeing the Midnight Carnival for myself, but I never had enough money... But now, I have a chance to experience its art and splendor with my own two eyes! This really is a dream come true!
I hear they even collaborate[sic] with a certain vampire noble for this year's performances. The Count wrote the screenplay himself and invited the best soprano in the industry...
The right buyer would pay a hefty sum for an autograph from Lady Lorelei herself!
Ahem, but no price could ever be placed on true art. It's been years since Lady Lorelei's last performance, which means something about the Count's screenplay compelled her to take the stage once again. As a devoted fan, I absolutely cannot miss this play!
I wonder if stage staff will be allowed to ask for autographs once the play is over?

## Introduction

**Me** | Once the preparations for the carnival began, more and more people started to appear in the streets. Yesterday, a swarm of people delivered crates full of pumpkins and other decorations to every street and alleyway in the city. I assume this was in preparation for the work we're doing today.
I walk over to the block assigned to me during training. The entire area has been thoroughly cleaned, and plenty of vacant spaces have been left for decorations and other carnival arrangements.)
Excellent. For the next seven days, this will be my stage.

## Day 1

**Lead Consultant** | I received word that your efforts have been... somewhat impeded. There's no cause for concern, as the Art Association has taken ample precautions for circumstances such as these. Your damaged provisions will be reissued to you by tonight, at the latest.
Furthermore, October City is home to a large number of black cats. Should any of them interfere with your work, feel free to notify me directly.

**Lead Consultant** | The people of October City believe that when a person dies, they pass into a realm that the living cannot perceive. The cats of this city are said to possess a mysterious power, one that allows them to act as messengers between the living and the dead.
When a cat enters a person's home, it represents a visitation from the dearly departed, which is whhy they are generally left alone. You may notice this during your time here, as well.

**Me** | ("The people of October City"? Why does the Lead Consultant talk about them like he's not from around here? Is he an outsider, as well?)

**Me** | (That "perhaps" could be a clue. I should go inspect my materials if they bear the same markings...)

## Day 3

**Me** | (Playing tag with a black cat and a bunch of "ghosts" inside of a giant pumpkin... Yesterday's experience was remarkable, to say the least.)
(It was pretty chaotic at the time, but I think my biggest problem was a lack of experience. If there's ever a next time, I'll do much better for sure.)
I wasn't able to tear off their disguises, but judging from their footsteps, I'd say those "ghosts" are alive and well. Their identities are still a secret, but our encounter wasn't entirely fruitless.)
(Despite the overlapping damage on our props, it doesn't appear that the black cat and the "ghosts" are working together. In fact, it seems the cat was willing to take its chances with me rather than let the "ghosts" capture it.)

**Me** | As I walked around, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with another black cat. As it licked its paws, I noticed it was smaller than most other cats sauntering about October City. It appeared to be fairly young.
I couldn't tell if it was the pointed ears, the innocent yet cunning green eyes, or the gently waggling tail, but something about this cat seemed very familiar to me.

**Me** | (My pockets were even emptier than my wallet, so I had to improvise. I squeezed out my best meow, and the black cat's ears twitched at the sound. Aside from that, it didn't react at all.)
(What a shame, I suppose my language talents don't work on cats after all.)

**Me** | With a flick of its tail, the cat got up and took a few steps away from me.
(I don't think it wants me to get close to it.)

## Day 5

**Paper Heart** | Because I still have other matters to attend to.
And these matters are directly tied to my mized ancestry. My mother died of illness years ago, and an accident cause me to lose contact with my father. I've been searching for him for a long time now, and a subtle energy is what led me to October City...

**Paper Heart** | Thank you. I honestly believe that my father is still out there somewhere, searching for me. As or my mother, it's very possible that I won't see her either.

**Paper Heart** | Probably not, but who knows? In any case, with the October Queen lying at the heart of the entire ceremony, it's possible that she might know more.
If I do manage to see my father, though... I plan on staying in October City for a while longeer, and asking the queen for advice on how to see him more often.

**Me** | As Miss Paper Heart's eyes flashed with steely resolve, Mr. Quinlan merely smiled at her side, apparently keeping his wordss to himself. Out of respect for their circumstances, which were far beyond my comprehension, I did exactly the same and kept silent.

**Fenix** | Much like its legends, this city's attitudes towards death and the supernatural are quite different from those of the outside world.
You've noticed it too, yes? The way they discuss supernatural occurances as if they were perfectly mundane... Even ghosts and vampires can be readily accepted as part of everyday life.

**Fenix** | I haven't had the chance to inspect their bodies up close, but one thing is certain—these black cats are no ordinary animals. If anything, I would say these strange entities are only pretending to be cats.
And if they can assume these feline forms, I'm certain they can assume other forms.
As for being able to deliver thoughts and messages from the dead to the living... I'm afraid that's quite impossible.
From my own understanding, the dead have no rationality, much less the capacity to express kindness.

**Paper Heart** | Yes. My father disappeared shorty after an accident... If I'm unable to see him during the Dance of the Dead, it only confirms my belief that he's still alive somewhere.
Aren't you looking forward to dancing with someone you lost?

**Me** | (The reason most people fear death is because death is aboslute... A dance that promises otherwise will only hurt hopeful people even more when it all turns out to be a lie.)

**Me** | (My heart always gets a stop ahead of my brain in situations like this.)

**Quinlan** | Unfortunately, yes. I've lost sight of so many people in my life, but if I can confirm the presence of even one of them here... It would be a tremendous help.
So please do your best, and try not to let those vandals interfere with your very important work.

## Day 7

**Me** | The carnival was held as planned, and started with a week-long costume parade that circled around the city. Once the parade reached the city square, a new October Queen would be chosen for this year.
Jack-o-lanterns shone in the darkness, and the smiling faces of October City's carnival-goers dispelled the loneliless of the night. The air was full of merriment, as well as a peculiar aroma. Satisfiedd with my completed work, I was ready to enjoy the festivities to their fullest.
But no sooner had the team left for the celebration than our old, trouble-making friends appeared once again.

**Me** | The scene was too chaotic for one person to control, and attempting to do so would have attracted the attention of those cultists. Intimidated by their audacious attack, I decided not to get involved cautiously stepped away.

**Me** | Raising my voice as high as possible, I tried to convince a nearby group of people to compose themselves while also dodging the "Spirits." However, it struck me as strange that their sheets hadn't fallen off in spite of the chaos.

## Epilogue

A perfect day to begin my journey.
Although I went straight to bed after last night's performances, my body still feels a little stiff today. However, with the carnival being over, October City no longer welcomes outsiders through its wall. I am exhausted, but it's time for me to leave.
Before leaving, I wanted to say goodbye to my friends. Unfortunately, even after searching the entire city and speaking to the vendors as they packed up their wares, I found no sign of Miss Paper Wish. After inquiring with the locals, I learned that the "October Queen," once crowned, is afforded a noble status and a grand mansion to call her home. From that moment on, her every whim is fulfilled by dedicated servants; even requesting an audience requires her butler's facilitation.
They pointed me towards a statue I had never noticed before, one that appears to have been made after the festivities. The sculpture of Miss Paper Wish wears a crown on her head and an easy smile on her face. A truly lifelike statue, indeed.
They say these sculptures are changed out annually, as they represent the "October Queen" of the current year. Those who aren't fortunate enough to see the queen in person can visit the sculpture to make their wishes. Since I can't say farewell to her in person, I'll just have to make do with the statue.
I was so tired last night, and Miss Paper Wish was surrounded by so many people. I could only wait until the festivities were over before saying a few words to her. Now, I have no choice but to whisper my wishes for her and her recently reunited father to these statues.
The "October Queen" cannot leave the city for the duration of her reign. Dawn is coming and I must be going soon.
Even the wind carries a sad tone of parting.
I used the last bit of my coin to buy a fish. Hopefully this will sate its hunger.