[OPEN]

[aiursfavoredson]

Characters: Tassadar + OPEN
Location: Along the streets of Death City
Rating:G
Time: 31st of Oct. Afternoon.
Description: Tassadar was curious to what this 'Halloween' was all about, so he takes to the streets to investigate.

Comments

For timeline's sake, pretend this is later in the afternoon.

[novelvision]

Tassadar was not the only one who intended to study the intricacies of this festival called Halloween. As it wasn't time for his patrol duty yet, Katsura had decided to wander the streets in order to observe the festival quietly, and he couldn't say if he actually understood the significance of the event even after having had Spirit and Kurapika explain it to him. As far as he could tell, it was a day like any other, only that children were wearing disguises and alternately begging for candy and threatening to trick vendors.

After walking for a while longer, Katsura spotted Tassadar also observing some children. He recalled that the alien had wanted to learn more about the cultures here so he decided to move over to where Tassadar stood to talk to him. "Good afternoon, Tassadar-san!" he called out from a slight distance. "Am I bothering you?" he asked loudly, not quite realizing that it wasn't a normal thing to do.

That is fine by me~ also, I apologise for the delay!

[aiursfavoredson]

He found the exchange ritual a curious one, but Tassadar had been unable to figure out the necessities behind it all when Katsura approached. Catching the swordman's scent on the air, the templar pulled his attention away from the children as he glanced down to regard the young human.

'Your presence is always welcome, Katsura Kotarou,' Tassadar murmured in greeting. Turning to face his companion, his blue eyes momentarily flashed a bright yellow as he asked, 'I trust that this festive day sees you well?'

It's alright!

[novelvision]

"I don't know. It appears to be a good day, but I would not say that it has been festive for me," Katsura replied. The business with Date aside, Katsura had had some issues with children asking him for candy wondering if he was wearing a costume as well.

"Are you observing the traditions of Death City as well, Tassadar-san?" he asked.

<333

[aiursfavoredson]

Katsura's answer was one Tassadar could identify well with. It was a human tradition, after all, and one of many he did not understand. Still, it was an interesting one to consider, and he made a mental note to research it later.

Nodding his head, the templar gestured over to the children who were done and moving onto the next shop. 'The ritual of giving small food offerings to children is intruiging, and yet I cannot discover a reason behind the action.'

[novelvision]

"I know the reason, but I can't say that I agree with it," Katsura replied, frowning at the children with their half-full bags of candy. "I don't know why, but it appears that children who wear costumes are allowed to ask for candy from people only on this day and people give candy to them because the children are allowed to pranks on them otherwise." As he finished his last sentence, one unfortunate scrooge of a vendor suffered the mischievous wrath of three children, a roll of toilet paper and a nicely-aimed toss.

"Personally, I do not like this practice. That much candy will only rot their teeth and they'll grow up to crave sugar." Katsura said as he scowled.

[aiursfavoredson]

When it became obvious that his companion held the answer to his question, Tassadar turned his full attention back on Katsura. It could prove to be a fundamental aspect of human society that he'd been lacking in, and he wished for nothing more than to expand his knowledge.

'Play 'pranks'? Many apologies, but the term is not known to my people,' Tassadar said in regards to Katsura's obvious disapproval. From what he could tell, the reason behind the gift-giving seemed flawed, and less to do about communing with the souls of the dead.

The sight of the roll of white cloth being tossed drew his attention. Eyes widening in surprise, his blue eyes flashed yellow as his muscles tensed. 'Human children attack those who do not fulfil the requirements of the gift ritual?'

[novelvision]

As oblivious as Katsura could be at times, even he could see that Tassadar was clearly taken aback by the revelation that children could play pranks on ungenerous people. He wondered briefly if Tassadar's kind had rituals of their own but he dismissed it after concluding that it would be rather difficult for ten-foot aliens to pose as children.

"Ah, it's not like that at all, Tassadar-san," he said quickly, trying to fend of any possible cultural misunderstandings. "A prank is simply a harmless joke played on a person. It's not supposed to cause any injuries and they do not attack anyone," he finished.

[aiursfavoredson]

He had not considered that human children could act in such a way, for he hadn't had any such experience before coming to this planet. His brows furrowed at the explaination, but the templar could not understand the concept behind such an action. The young protoss never acted in such ways, as they held respect for the warriors who had come before them.

'I see,' Tassadar thoughtfully murmured while his yellow eyes calmed once more to blue. 'And while I do not understand the reason behind such behaviour, I will take your word.'

[novelvision]

"Some of our human behaviors will likely defy all possible explanations, Tassadar-san," Katsura said, looking at the children again. Though it wasn't the same thing, he had memories of following his friends to steal some fruit all while nagging at them and serving as their look-out. He smiled faintly as he recalled how he had gotten everyone into trouble when he had decided to run up to the orchard's owner to tell him that they were borrowing some fruit, insisting that that was his job.

In short, it wasn't something he expected Tassadar to understand.

"The costumes are easier to explain. They have their origins in the earlier centuries; ghosts were said to be released from the afterlife during these few days and people wore these costumes to blend in so that they would not be harmed," he continued on, watching as the children ran away.

[aiursfavoredson]

What Katsura spoke of was undoubtedly the truth, and there was some part of him that knew he could never fully understand human behaviour. He would do what he could, however, and strife to create a better understanding between their two species.

He listened to the information spoken about costumes, while turning his attention back to the young humans continuing on with their search. 'So these outfits are similar to ritual garments?' That was something he could understand, and as the children disappeared, he turned his attention back on his companion. I am uncertain to whether the ghosts you speak of are the same as souls passed on, but with my people, only those with specific psionic abilities are able to properly commune with the souls that have passed on to the Khala.'

[novelvision]

"They're not ritual garments; to my knowledge, these costumes are only worn as a homage to the origins of the festival now. And yes, those are the same ghosts that I mentioned. As it is, only certain people in my world are able to see them," he commented.

[aiursfavoredson]

The material had nothing to do with the ritual? Human behaviour was something that he wondered if he'd ever come to truly understand, but as difficult as it seemed, Tassadar would continue to try.

'Are you one who can see such souls?'

[novelvision]

"I can't, and I'm thankful for it." As it happened, Katsura knew of someone who could see ghosts and judging by Gintoki's expression, it wasn't anything good at all.

[aiursfavoredson]

'Such an ability is seen as an honour among our people, for there are few who possess such skills,' Tassadar offered in return to Katsura's words. He would not even begin to consider just why one would be thankful not to be able to commune with the souls of the dead, but given the answer, his companion must have had reason.

[novelvision]

"It is also sometimes seen as an honor among my countrymen, but that same gift can be a curse," Katsura replied, giving a vague explanation and turning his face away. Even without that ability, he had had enough nightmares of all of the people that had died before him haunting him to last him a lifetime.

He wanted it to stop, but they were the same ghosts that gave purpose to his life, ironic as it was. The topic made him uncomfortable so he made an effort to change it.

"Tassadar-san...would you like to try to wear a costume?" he asked.

Sorry for the delay /clings to!

[aiursfavoredson]

To consider such an honour a curse was unknown to him, but given his companion's reaction, it seemed best not to ask any further questions. That was one of the many aspects he'd learnt, and he would honour Katsura's need for privacy.

The change of topic was partly noticed, but Tassadar didn't mind in the slightest. Katsura's question, however, had him tilting his head to one side curiously.

"Those who are not human can partake in this ritual?" Tassadar questioned in return.