A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 5: Ready to Go?

A Month Later, Eight Days Until Halloween:

In the lecture hall, Crowley and those who are a part of the Halloween management committee talk about the seven day event for Halloween.

Crowley calls out, "Are all halloween management committee members present?"

The ones involved with the committee are Deuce, Cater, Jack, Kalim, Jade, Azul, Idia, Lilia, Vil, and Epel.

Vil says, "All Pomefiore members are here."

"Heartslabyuls account for!" Cater says.

Then turns to Deuce, "Deucey got here an hour early, even."

"Wow! That's some dedication. I'll have to kick it up a notch. Ha ha!" Kalim happily says.

"Speaking of dedication, it's not every day I see you in the flesh and not by way of video call, Idia," Azul says.

With a sharp grin, Idia says, "Whee hee hee... Yeah, I've got something to show you guys after this."

"Is this everyone?" Jack asks.

"Malleus is ostensibly a committee member, but... Silver and Sebek are out searching for him as we speak. I'm sure he'll be here any minute now," Lilia says.

Vil then says, "Someone forgot to invite him, I take it. Again."

Just then, Malleus walks in, "Hello. Sorry I'm late."

Lilia smiles to see him and says, "Ah, there you are. That was quicker than I was expecting."

"I think that's actually everyone," Jade replies.

"All right, then -" Crowley says.

Then he announces, "I hereby bring this Halloween management committee meeting in order."

Hearing that, everyone turns to Crowley and begins the meeting.

Then Crowley says, "Let's start by hearing the progress report from Committee Chair Schoenheit, shall we?"

"Certainly," Vil replies.

Then says, "We've got eight days to go until the main event. Halloween Week begins tomorrow. I'll give an overview of the stamp tour one last time."

Vil then presents a grayscale colored folded paper with light gray circles on it.

Vil explains, "Now, this will continue every day until Halloween itself. Visitors who collect all seven stamps can stop by the front for a sweet treat as a prize."

"We're gonna get tons of locals coming in, and we're giving out prizes to them?" Cater asks.

Then turns to Cater and winks, "You're one generous guy, Headmage!"

"Considering how much we rely on the locals' goodwill the rest of the year, a small token of our good will is the least we can offer," Crowley says with a smile.

Then Jade says, "It's nothing fancy, mind you. Just little bags of candy cost less than a thaumark each in total."

"It's the thought that counts, really. It's all about the sentiment!" Crowley sternly says.

Vil them calmly and sternly says, "Cease this derailing and let me finish."

Then explains, "The stamp tour will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Your booths are NOT to be left unattended during this time for any reason. We must be available to provide stamps to all visitors. Students on stamp shifts will be excised from class. Twelve hours is a long stretch, so I expect each dorm to manage things in shifts."

"I'll have to shower as soon as I get back and rush to bed, or I won't last a week with this schedule," Jack replies, rubbing the back of his head.

Idia mutters, "Man, 10 p.m.? That's when I usually START my day."

"This month's been busy enough as it is..." Deuce replies.

Then says, "But I guess we'll have to buckle down and be ready to get even busier next week, huh?"

Then Lilia says, "Managing venue preparations and putting together costumes were already quite daunting tasks."

Epel sighs and says, "That last part especially."

"I should think so," Vil says, "I've been acting as management committee chair, and I'm Pomefiore's housewarden. Expectations are naturally high. Our dorm embodies the spirit of beauty. I wouldn't stand for anyone calling our attire 'cheap.' But all our travails were worth it. The costumes come out splendidly, if I do say so myself."

"Well, judging by the look on everyone's faces..." Crowley calmly smiles. "I take it you're all satisfied with your work?"

"Absolutely!" Epel, Deuce, and Lilia answer.

Jack crosses his arm with a smile, "Savanaclaw's setup is incredible. I don't think anyone but our dorm could've pulled it off."

"Octavinelle sports highly unique decor. I'm sure you'll all find it quite enjoyable," Jade says.

Kalim is just as excited, "I can't wait to show off our costumes."

"Please," Idia replies with a big smirk on his face, "There's no way any of you are outdoing our dorm' getup. We were attentive to the max, down to the teeniest little detail."

"Heh. Good hustle, boys," Vil says. "And on that note... I say we take a tour and inspect each dorm's stamp tour venture and costumes. And I had BETTER not see any substandard."

Then asks, "Is everyone ready to go?"

"Yeah!" Everyone cheers.

Crowley smiles and says, "Ahhh, there's nothing quite like seeing my little fledglings so full of pep! Every Halloween, our whole student body gets a surge of motivation."

Then begins to feel a little down, "If only we could maintain that enthusiasm for the rest of the year..."

Cater speaks up, "Shouldn't we get going? The venues are all over campus, so it's gonna take time to hit them all."

"Ah, yes, you have a point," Crowley says.

He crosses his arms and says, "Let us start by inspecting the locations that Diasomnia prepared for this occasion. According to the documents you submitted beforehand, Diasomnia's selected venue was..."

"Ramshackle Dorm," Malleus answers. "I've always considered that old abandoned house to be the best-suited place for Halloween by far.

"Abandoned?" Deuce says, confused.

Deuce softly says, "I feel bad for Briar..."

Then Crowley says, "All right, everyone - time for a Halloween tour!"

And with that, the Halloween Management Committee and Headmage Crowley leave the Lecture Hall to see the venues for the drom.