Twisted Wonderland 2

The Best Halloween

The next day morning, you walk into your homeroom class with Ace and Deuce. You take a seat at your desk and the boys sit by either side of you. Grim sits atop your desk with his pitchfork tail wagging from side to side.

Crewel does a head count of the class. "One dog, two dogs, three dogs... Yes, the whole kennel is here. It's time for homeroom to begin. I have an important announcement for you today. As I'm sure you're all aware, Halloween is one month from now."

Students immediately start to whisper amongst themselves.

"FINALLY. I've waited so long for this!"

"I've always dreamed of spending Halloween at Night Raven College!"

Grim glances around at all the excited students. "Wow, everybody's gettin' excited just hearing the word. Lilia and the ghosts weren't kiddin' when they said Halloween was special."

Ace leans close and nudges you with an arm. "Pssst. Hey. I saw Ramshackle Dorm for a sec this morning. Things are pretty wild over there, huh?"

"Malleus and Lilia must be really going all-out." Deuce adds.

"It's so much fun having the decorations up." You smile cheerfully. "It just gets me in that Halloween spirit."

Ace chuckles. "Glad you're having fun with it. Halloween's all about the spectacle."

"Speaking of spectacles, have you bought a pumpkin for your room yet, Y/N?" Deuce asks. "People are already lining up at the Mystery Shop. You'd better get in quick before all the good pumpkins sell out."

Ace nods. "A jack-o'-lantern's the perfect thing for that ghostly holiday vibe."

"I guess I should try to get one, then." You quietly laugh.

Grim quirks an eye. "You guys are pretty jazzed up about this."

Ace scoffs. "Well, sure. Who DOESN'T get jazzed up for Halloween? I bet even the Ignihyde students will turn out for this, and they're, like, textbook shut-ins. Not to mention Loosey-Deucey over here, right?"

Deuce rubs his neck. "I-I mean, it's nice having a day with slightly relaxed rules. And getting to dress up in cool costumes is fun... I doubt there's a single kid or grown-up in all of Twisted Wonderland who hates Halloween."

You smile kindly at Deuce. "You don't have to feel embarrassed for liking Halloween. I still feel like a little kid whenever the season comes."

Deuce smiles appreciatively. "Thanks, Y/N."

Crewel rubs his eyes with a sigh. "I am reminded that this is the time of year when you pups' giddy yapping becomes downright unbearable." He slaps the pointer against his hand. "Stay! Be quiet! I know this is your first Halloween since enrolling, and I don't care. What I DO care about is you behaving like I've trained you. As I expect you all know, this holiday is a major event at Night Raven College. The week leading up to it is called Halloween Week. For its duration, students are expected to host a stamp tour for visitors from off-campus."

Crewel paces across the room as he talks. "Each dorm will select one campus location to decorate and use as their stamp tour checkpoint. The key is that off-campus visitors must have free and complete access to this event. In short, for the duration of Halloween Week, there will be visitors walking the school grounds. Do you know why it is that we go out of our way to run these labor-intensive festivities?"

Grim raises his paw in the air. "Ooh, ooh, I know! So you can rake in the big bucks with entry fees!"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT." Crewel shakes his head. "The very idea of taking money from participants is absurd! They tour the campus free of charge. How do you whelps think Night Raven College has lasted for as long as it has? Simple: by virtue of the understanding, cooperation, and subsistence of Sage's Island locals. Halloween Week is a prime opportunity to showcase your training to our visitors. I expect you all to look your best at all times. No slacking!"