The First Times

First Hallowe'en

"So, Ana... What do you want to be for Hallowe'en?"

Before everyone knew it, Hallowe'en was around the corner.

Ana was more or less excited for the holiday, but not in a way that everyone should expect. She didn't want a costume or going door-to-door asking for candy. Both Will and Nico had spent the month wanting to know what kind of costume she wanted, to buy it or even ask 'Aunt Rachel' to do it- she had too much free time in her hands.

However, Ana was having a really hard time deciding on what to wear. She would constantly change her mind on what to be, not giving the adults time to buy or even order something. She would also change her mind about going trick-or-treat with the neighbors' kids. It was as if she wasn't excited about it.

"Papà, why do we celebrate Hallowe'en?" She ended up asking from her stool in the kitchen, when the question came up again. Nico shared a glance with Will, both of them who were cooking, who was as confused as he was. "You're Italian, right Papà?"

"Technically speaking, yes Principessa... Why?" Nico raised an eyebrow upon the question.

"Did you guys celebrated Hallowe'en too there?"

"Uh, not that I remember, but I left Italy very little, so I wouldn't know..."

"It's a stupid holiday." Ana finished, surprising the adults.

"Watch your mouth, young lady and explain why you think is a silly holiday." Will scolded her, pinching her nose gently to break the tension. Ana huffed-not because of the nose pinching -and crossed her arms over her chest.

"At school, they say it's only for dressing up and give candy to kids, but that's not true, right?" She wondered, looking up at them. Nico rubbed his neck, trying to remind his old history lessons.

"Not entirely... The tradition comes from an even older one in the Celtic culture that allows the spirit of the dead to join the living, for a short time..."

"Like Día de los Muertos? There's a kid at school that celebrates that..."

"Yeah, more like that..." Will intevened, leaning on the counter of the kitchen. "Let me guess... You wanna celebrate the original instead of the commercial holiday?" Ana nodded, a little more cheerful than before. "But, there's a problem..." Ana frowned a little "We don't know how were the traditions back then!" Ana kept frowning, thoughtful.

"Can't we do some of our own?" She finally questioned, not very sure of it.

"But then, they wouldn't be the ancient one..." Nico pointed out, before mentally scolding himself for that. Ana nodded in understanding and left to her room. That she understood it didn't mean she liked it. Meanwhile, Nico and Will were discussing in whispers. "I didn't mean it!"

"I know you didn't." Will sighed, not angry at him. "I just don't know from where she got that idea, I mean... We encouraged her to get a costume for Hallowe'en..."

"You think my father could have any original texts of the time?" Nico suggested, earning a shrug.

"We don't lose anything with trying... Hallowe'en is tomorrow and I don't want her to hate the holiday just because we introduced her into a different world..." Will said, trying not to think about it. Nico placed a hand on his shoulder before smirking at him. "di Angelo, don't you dare-" Will never finished his threat as Nico had shadow-travelled away. "Bastard."

Ana ignored what had happened until the next morning. She had ignored her Papà had slept on the couch because of his reckless impulse. Or that both adults had spent the night and early morning making preparations for the holiday. So, she was really surprised when she saw everything like a... like a cave? Why it was so dark?

"Our last member is already here..." Nico spoke, making his voice more thick. That was more funny, cause he couldn't make it correctly. Ana watched as her parents were wearing cloaks and hoods and the whole apartment was dark. "Ana, you have been chosen for the rebirth of an old tradition known as Samhain... Please, wear this cape." Behind her, Will placed a cloak with hood that was too big for her. However, she giggled and looked at them.

"Ana, do you swear to celebrate Samhain with respect, honoring the traditions of it, no matter what other people may think or say?" Will had placed a book in front of her, as if it was the Bible. Ana looked very serious while placing her hand on the book.

"I so swear!"

"Without further ado, we welcome you to the Samhain rebirth celebration!" Will announced, turning on the lights. The whole place was decorated with pumpkins and red leaves and other things Ana couldn't recognized.

"Alright, people! We have lots to do!" Nico called their attention, pulling out a scroll and reading it. "First order in business is breakfast... Unfortunately, Ana then you have to go to school, but once you get home, we have to honor the ones that are not with us, maybe we get a visit from Grandfather Hades and some spooky tales, before taking this young lady trick-or-treating."

Ana didn't care that she was going to wear a costume or going trick-or-treat later. This was even better than she could expect! She had heard all the kids at school talking about costumes and candy and... well, that was it! She would have something to look forward to once she came back from school. Immediately, she went to dress in her uniform while she left her parents smiling in the living room.

"She looks very happy now..."

"Yeah, it was worthy to stay up all night. I might need a nap before my shift..."

"You're still sleeping on the couch for the stunt you pull!"

----

Good morning/afternoon/evening!

I can't believe we're on the last day of September... I was wondering myself where did it go all the time, but the answer would probably will not be of my own like, so I'll skip it *wink wink*. Anyway, tomorrow we start October and the next thing we want to know, we'll be making lines for Christmas' trees and last-minute-presents!

For today, these are gonna be my present for you...

The First Times: 1 chapter! I wanna say thank you to all the reviewers out there! Keep me going, knowing you like it!

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with ReeReeWthAngst): LAST 2 chapters! I wanna say thank you to all of you who stayed during the ride and read and liked this story, thank you! Proper A/N on the last chapter.

I'll see you all in October then!
xoxo, SilverHuntresses.