The Great Cornholio
Who: Eva, Becky, Nica, Juice, Katie, Kyle, Dot, Warren, Jonathan, Andrew, Lizzie, Maya, Gwen, Catherine
Where: The corn maze
When: Halloween, duh
[The Harvest festival was very festive. Decorations were everywhere - corn in stalks, jack-o-lanterns, and paper cutouts of various halloweeny shapes. Colorful signs advertized where things could be found - this way to the pumpkin carving contest, barn dance that way, hay ride, apple bob, corn maze, and so forth. Pumpkin pies, spiced cider, and carmel apples were for sale in booths. The Messianic Faithful were all dressed in harvest colors - browns, yellows, oranges, and blacks - though the outfits had their usual old fashioned charm.]
Katie was cheerfully wandering about, enjoying the festivity of the Harvest Festival.
[The festival was well attended - people milled about everywhere, participating in the various activities. Children in costumes ran about all over over the place, sometimes tugging parents from booth to booth, some older ones alone and unattended.]
Juice parked the car, and got on out with his posse. "Oh man, this is so cool," he said. "What should we do first?"
Dot climbed out of the car and peered around, hugging herself to keep from exploding with festive glee. "Everything!"
"That's impossible," Kyle pointed out.
Eva was in a simple blue dress, and walked up to the booth to buy a caramel apple.
"Unless you're a buddhist," he added thoughtfully. "How about we check out some of the booths first?"
Nica pulled up in her Sentra and opened to door ... she was in her usual black, only her dress was longer than usual.
"Sounds good," Juice said. In defrence to the holiday, he was wearing a t-shirt with a glow-in-the-dark skull on it, and skull shaped earrings.
"Okay! But there must be a hayride. And pumpkin seeds!" Dot was stil fairly quivering with excitement.
"Nica!" Juice called, waving.
Katie, for the record, was wearing a catgirl costume -- well, a tail, cat ears, and cat whiskers, attached to normal clothes.
Kyle, on the other hand, was too lazy/old to wear a costume.
Eva didn't celebrate halloween.
"Judge Juicy!" Nica called out, and headed that way, giving him a hug. "Hey, how're you?"
Juice hugged, and grinned. "Good, good. We're just about to hit the booths- come with us! Is Bex with you?"
Kyle waved. "Nica-chu?"
"Nope, it's just me tonight," Nica said.
Nica grinned. "Gotta catch us all?"
Juice laughed. "I think Dot's leading the way, 'cause she's going to totally splode if we don't let her at the festival, hehe..."
Dot hadn't put much thought into a costume, opting instead for her favorite jeans, sturdy boots, and a comfy plaid pullover. She had her backup walking stick, painted to look like a snake.
"C'mon, you guys!" Slinging her stick over her shoulder, Dot wandered thataway towards the booths.
Juice just noticed this for the first time. "Dude, your sticky has a costume! That's so cool." He followed her towards the booths.
Nica followed along as well.
"Ooh, carmel apples..." Juice spied Eva eating one, and totally wanted one too. "Let's hit that up!"
Kyle grinned. "Totally awesome." He trotted along after.
Dot, to her credit, did not run. She was trying really hard to keep pace with the group.
"Two carmel apples, please," Juice said, handing over the money to buy apples for him and Kyle. He was a good boyfriend.
"Aww, he's a good one." Dot couldn't spare a free hand to ruffle Juice's hair, because she was currently paying for an apple of her own. She bought another, in a plastic container for later.
Kyle snagged an apple and munched happily. "Awesome."
Nica got an apple and took a big bite.
Juice munched, looking content. "Mmm... carmelly goodness."
[Other booths were nearby, selling pie, candy corn, and fall crafts. A sign pointed to Apple Bobbing in one direction, and a Hay Ride in the other. A bunch of kids ran by heading in the direction of the hay ride.]
"This is pretty nice. WHy don't we ever have nice celebrations like this in town?" Kyle asked.
" 'Cause town kinda blows sometimes," Juice said. "And we're not all peaceful like these folks. I mean, I bet the most exciting thing that ever happens here is that someone's livestock gets an ass boil."
"... eww. Dude, I'm trying to eat here..." Kyle complained.
"Sorry hon," Juice said, giving his boyfriend an apologetic look before returning to his own apple.
Dot had inhaled the first apple, then started in on the second. She was polite enough not to talk with her mouth full, but widened her eyes at Juice's comment.
"Ew," Nica commented.
"So where is Beck?" Juice asked Nica. "I thought she'd totally be all for coming here."
"Just recuperating," Nica said. "Hanging with Ethan."
Dot wandered over to one of the booths selling fall crafts, finishing the second apple on the way. She came back a few minutes later with a crown of pretty autumn leaves perched on her head.
"We should totally pick her up a present," Juice said, heading after Dot.
"Ooh... leaf hat!" Juice gave the thumbs up of approval.
"Sweet!" Kyle nodded. "You're all festive."
Dot smiled. "There, I'm in costume too!"
Nica glanced at Evan, and did a doubletake. "Hey. Don't you hangout, like ... everywhere?"
"Can we go on the hay ride next?" Juice asked.
"Yes!" Dot leaned over to hug Juice, careful not to disturb her leaf crown.
"How much does it cost?" Kyle asked.
"I dunno," Juice said. "I guess we'll find out when we get there."
Kyle nodded and started wandering thataway.
Katie noted Nica, and started trying to stealth up on her.
Juice snagged Kyle's hand to hold and followed him in that direciton.
Kyle snagged and trotted.
"GRARRRR!" Katie abruptly announced.
Juice jumped, even though the grarr was directed more at Nica. "Holy crapus, Katie!"
Dot was undisturbed by the growling. She might not even have heard, so focused was she on the thought of the hayride.
Juice laughed once he was unstartled.
Nica shrieked and jumped several inches straight up into the air.
Katie giggled. "Gotcha."
"Now that you've made us pee a little," Juice said to Katie, " you gotta come with us to the hay ride."
"Okay! So what's up with you guys?" Katie asked, adjusting her ears.
"We had carmel apples!" Juice said happily. "And we're going to the hay ride."
"Katydid! Nice ears!" Dot waved, grinning.
Juice peered up at the hayride sign. "Sweet, only a dollar. Amish people rock."
"And they're cheap," Nica said.
Katie beamed. "Thank you!"
"We've got dollars, right?" Kyle asked Juice.
"We do," Juice assured him. He rummaged in his pocket and came up with a couple of ones for him and Kyle.
"I've got change left from my costuming budget, just in case," said Dot.
Katie fished a dollar out to pay up. "This is really nice. And public."
"It really is. They almost look like recreationists, if you don't look too close. But, who cares! It's Halloween!" Dot was quivering with excitement again. Or maybe it was sugar from the apples.
Juice climbed on upthe back of the hay wagon, and offered his hand to Kyle to help him up.
"Yeah, I love Halloween," Katie said, looking cheerful.
Kyle climbed up after, with Juice's assistance. "Why thank you kind sir."
TOssing her stick carefully into the wagon, Dot climbed up, then offered a hand down to anyone else that still needed it, including some little kids that were struggling.
Nica clambered up and settled.
"You're welcome, sexy." Juice tugged Kyle down next to him, making sure to leave plenty of room for their friends.
Kyle settled in and snuggled up to Juice.
Katie climbed on up, and scooted over to let a few more kids on.
[The wagon was full of hay, and drawn by a shaggy horse. The path they took lead through the fields, in which various crops could be seen. Off to one side was a large corn maze. ]
Katie peered outwards into the night.
" ... corn," Nica said.
"This is totally cool," Juice said, cuddling up to Kyle.
"ooooooooooh, corn! maize! Corn maze!" Dot clapped.
"The corn is watchiiiiing," Katie said, cheerfully.
Kyle looked happily mellow.
Eva , who was not on the hay ride, eyed the maze. Sunnydale wasn't bad, right? THe maze wouldn't be a problem, so she walked into it.
[Perhaps because they were in Amish land, no people in costumes were waiting to jump out of the fields to scare people.]
[It was just a nice relaxing ride under the harvest moon.]
[The corn maze/maize also cost a dollar, and consisted of tall stalks of corn with various paths cut through them in a maze-like fashion. Lots of kids seemed to be heading in there, 'cause it looked vaguely creepy and dark.
The 'Amish' person taking money was giving folks glowsticks to help light their way in the corn maze. Guess they weren't against all technology. ]
"This totally rocks... hanging out with my guy and my best friends," Juice said. "This is the best night ever."
"...This is pretty hi-tech" Eva said "Are you mennonites, or...?"
"True Messianic Faith," the man said, and handed Eva a glo-stick.
Dot nodded. "It is! Thanks for putting up with me, I know I get all loopy in this place."
Nica smiled. She was finally starting to relax, for the first time since the weird demon attack (or whatever it had been) last night. Sure, Mandy had said that weirdness was going to happen here, too; but it was safe. Right?
Juice giggled. "Nah, that just adds to the fun."
Dot grinned. "You're such a nice, fluffy-headed boy. I'm gonna see if they'll let me start a garden club at school, next Spring."
"Plus, then we can laugh at you later," Kyle pointed out.
"How can I get more information about your church?" Eva asked "Because I am interested."
The man smiled. "We have an information booth with pamphlets by the food area - you're welcome to stop by there and pick one up."
"Ooh, garden club! I want to do that," Juice said. "Can I help?"
"Thank you." Eva smiled "And you've all done a wonderful job with the Harvest Festival." Eva abandoned the maze, and decided to check out the pamphlets
Dot nodded, grinning. "But if you're not nice to me, you're on mulch detail!"
"Better than being on 'fertilizer production' detail," Katie observed.
"Uh... is mulch anything like fertilizer?" Juice asked, still somewhat traumatized by his experience with pony poop.
Dot smiled. "I hope you never have to find out."
Katie giggled.
Dot looked pleased with herself and stretched out to enjoy the hayride.
After the hayride stopped, Juice hopped down.
"Where to next?" he asked.
Becky showed up, and parked herself on a haybale to enjoy a caramel apple
"Corn maze!" Dot headed thataway.
Juice bounded towards the corny goodness - and blinked, as they passed a familar face. "Becky!"
Nica looked around and spotted Bex. "Becky!" she shouted and headed that way.
Katie followed the others, cheerfully.
Becky waved, and dropped her apple accidently
Kyle cracked his shoulders. "CORN MAZE POWER... ACTIVATE!"
Eva had finshed reading through the pamplets, and realized this was a completly crazy offshoot of the Amish, and decided to try the maze, play a few games, and leave.
"Come with us to corn land, Beck," Juice said, pointing to the maze they were heading for.
Dot dug her own flashlight out of her pocket, cheerfully waving off the guy who tried to offer her a glowstick. She flicked it on and trained the very bright light on the ground while she waited for everyone to catch up.
Becky quietly followed
Katie snagged a glowstick, as did Kyle.
Nica picked up a glowstick.
Warren, meanwhile, was leading his merry men along to the festival, dressed up like a bulky robot for the occasion.
Juice paid up and collected a glo-stick
Jonathan was dressed as a hobbit, and had a big cloak on.
Lizzie was wearing a little red riding hood costume, complete with basket and hooded red cape.
"Your puny glowsticks are USELESS!" Dot gleefully waved the flashlight, which was very bright indeed.
"Hmph, I like my glowstick," Katie said.
"Glow sticks are cool," Juice said, twirling his in a circle to make paterns.
"Aw, poor Miss Kittydid," Dot hugged Katie, cheerefully.
Andrew was dressed up as Indiana Jones for Halloween, complete with a real bullwhip.
Catherine...looked completely normal, in jeans, black shirt, demin jacket, and plain blond hair. For her, that was a costume.
"Alright, we're basically looking for a giant scarecrow, possibly attempting to rape someone." Warren said. "So keep your eyes peeled."
[The corn maze was full of corn. Paths twisted in all directions. Happy kids occasionally ran past, shrieking when they made a wrong turn and wound up at a dead end, then running back the other way.]
"I think that'd be hard to miss," Jonathan said, glancing around.
"So far, no rapinous scarecrows," Lizzie said.
Katie giggled. "Looks like everyone's having fun."
"So far, so good," Nica said.
[Gwen and Maya were incidentally, also with the Warren group - though obviously less than munned (Becca sent instructions along, hehe) ]
"I know I'm totally having fun," Juice said. He held Kyle's hand as they walked through the corn.
Becky just shrugged.
"No corn scarecrows so far," Catherine said, looking around. "Hopefully he is not hiding in the corn, waiting for virgin to walk up."
Kyle swung Juice's hand. "So are those the children of the corn?"
"Heh..." Warren chuckled. "Theoretically, they've got virgins to spare, but you never know. Maybe we should head thataway."
Jonathan looked over when Catherine mentioned corn. There was indeed a large corn maze over there. "Uh... you think that's a good place to start, or do you think that's way too obvious?"
Dot nodded. "This is wonderful."
"I imagine corn demons aren't particularly stealthy," Lizzie said. "I say we give it a try."
Juice giggled. "They're nibblets!"
Warren nodded. "Alright then... let's go, team!" He banged his left fist on his chest for emphasis.
"I hope that he's not stealthy." Catherine started toward the corn maze.
Becky sneezed. Allergies sucked, and she didn't think she liked corn mazes.
[A sign proclaimed the cost of the corn maze to be one dollah. An Amish-ish man was collecting the money, and handing out glo-sticks in return.]
"Bless you," Juice said. "Are you allergic to corn?"
"Yeah." Becky grumbled
Andrew dug a dollar out of his pocket and paid Mr. Amish looking dude. "So, what do I do with this?" he asked, looking at the glow stick.
"Just snap it and it glows," the man said. "It'll help you see in the maze."
"Ooh, glowstick," Jonathan said, handing over two dollars- one for him, and one for Catherine.
Catherine smiled and accepted her glow stick. "In clubs back home, they have the little ones that people put in their mouths." She snapped hers so that it would glow.
"Hm, well, hopefully we'll find the exit soon - then we can go do some other stuffs," Juice said.
"In their mouths?" Lizzie asked, wondering if that was safe. She wasn't sure what made glo-sticks glow, but it might have been toxic. She paid up her dollar.
"Little ones," Catherine said, holding up her hand and showing that they were only a few inches long. "Not supposed to chew on them."
Warren paid up for himself and Maya, chuckled, and slotted his lightstick in one of the points of his 'armor', after turning it 'on'. "Awesome. I needed one of these."
"Yeah, it's just a simple corn maze -- we'll be on the other side soon," Katie promised.
Andrew stuck his unsnapped glowstick in the pocket of his leather jacket. He'd snap it later.
[Where Juice, Dot, Kyle, Nica, Kaite and Becky are (let's call them group one for simplicity sakes) - the corn seems to be getting thicker. You haven't seen any children for a while. There's a shhhhh shhhh sound as a breeze rustles through the corn.]
" ... Okay, this is a little freaky," Nica said.
"I think we're closer to the center of the maze," Katie commented.
Dot peered around, training the flashlight on the 'walls' of the maze.
"It doesn't look like any of the kids got this far," Kyle said.
[Group two (Warren, Andrew, Jon, Catherine et all ) - there are throngs of kids running through the maze every so often, laughing as they pass. Little paths are cut through the corn, sometimes leading onward, sometimes ending in a dead end.]
"Wusses!" Juice said. "We're totally going to make it.
"I wonder how long this thing is," Catherine said, looking around.
"Well, it didn't look that big. But stay on your guard anyhow," Warren suggested, "particularly if you've never gone all the way."
Jonathan looked nervous. "Uh... corn demon doesn't swing both ways, does it?"
"Dunno." Warren shrugged. "But I think they're looking for -girl- virgins. You're probably mostly safe."
"Any corn demon comes near me and I'll blast them," Catherine said.
"Now now, they're just kids. Part of the fun of being scared is knowing that after a certain point it can't get you," Dot said.
[Group one - there seems to be a path ahead that's wider than the other paths have been, or there is a narrower path off to the right. Direction?]
"If it comes near me, will you blast it too?" Jonathan asked, hopefully.
"I will send it back to the gods," Catherine promised.
Jonathan smiled. "My girlfriend rocks."
Lizzie giggled.
Juice pondered the paths. "Which way is more likely to be out?"
Andrew smiled. "Women willing to burn things for you always rock."
"The wider path seems too easy! It's never the wider path..." Dot tapped thoughtfully on the ground with her snake stick.
" ... the way we came?" Nica tried.
Juice turned back around to face the way they came... and blinked. "Uhhhh..."
[Where did you just come from? Behind group one seems to be solid corn.]
[Group two: There are getting to be less children, and more corn as you continue into the maze. There is a soft shhh shhh sound as a breeze shakes the cornstalks.]
Nica turned. "This weekend sucks," she said.
"Wow. That's....unnatural." Dot frowned.
"Why are there fewer children around?" Andrew asked.
Katie blinked. "Um..."
Kyle frowned. "Okay, I -know- we came from that way."
"It's all corny," Juice said, scratching his head.
"... that's a good question," Jonathan said.
"Maybe they're going out of the maze in other directions?" Lizzie said, hoping that the corn wasn't eating kids or anything.
"The only way out is through, I suppose," Dot said.
"Kyle, can you pick me up on your shoulders?" Nica asked. "Maybe if I can see above the corn, we can get the hell out."
"Now I worry even more," Catherine said, pulling out her lovely flamethrower to have at ready.
"I hope the kids did get out," Jonathan said. He didn't feel comfortable with setting corn with kids in it on fire.
"I didn't want to come here." Becky said, walking off into the corn, and hoping that it would lead her out
Kyle nodded. "Alright..." He settled down on one knee.
[Becky tries to get through the corn... but the corn seems to be thick and grabby almost. It doesn't really seem to easily allow passage.]
"Maybe they went a different way," Andrew said.
Becky kicked the corn
[Group two: The corn seems to be getting thicker, and the maze darker. The shhh shhh sound of the breeze is getting louder.]
Nica climbed up on the Kyle.
Kyle boosted Nica up as best he could. "Hrrf!"
[Nica climbs up on Kyle's shoulders. You can see corn, corn and more corn. But down the larger path- there's a flicker of light. The way out, maybe?]
Warren hrmed, and glanced around to make sure they were the only ones in sight.
"Do you see the way out?" Juice called to Nica. He was really started to get freaked out, but trying not to panic.
"Can we try doubling back?" Catherine asked.
[Warren: You note two things. Not only do you seem to be the only ones around - but the path you just came down? It's now a solid wall of corn.]
Warren hrmed, and lifted up his chestplate to fetch his machete. He experimentally gave the corn stalks a hacking.
"Well, the path backwards just closed, so I'd say we're heading in the right direction," Warren said. HACK HACK HACK.
"Okay ... there's light down the wider path," Nica said. "No clue if that's a good or bad thing."
[Warren hacks corn with his machete... stalks fall. The breeze picks up.. Shhhh shhhhh shhhhhh]
"Continue onwards, or try to hack it backwards?" Warren inquired.
[Group one: Down the right path, there is a hacking sound. Chop! Chop! Chop!]
"Well, I'd presume the exit's lighted," Katie said.
"Ohmygod, what's that?" Juice said. He grabbed Kyle's hand.
"We could try setting a path by fire if hacking doesn't work," Catherine said. She's not a fire bug. Really.
"Or that's what they want us to think..." muttered Dot.
Becky silently started walking down the wider path. She was not having fun, and she wished she was with Ethan, or back in new york, or at home... anywhere but in more country. That wasn't part her life anymore. And she didn't care about the hacking ound
Lizzie agreed with Catherine about fire most times. But just now, it might be a bad idea. "I don't know.. it could hurt people if they're still in the maze."
"Hmm...very true. Hopefully, hacking works," Catherine hoped that it did, anyway.
[Group one: Becky is wandering off down the wide path. Follow her, go the other way, wait to see what the hacking is?]
Nica followed the Becky.
"I guess we're going that away?" Juice said.
"JUst scream real loud if you find the way out," called Dot. The hacking noise sounded ...familiar.
[Group two: Warren hacks his way though - and onto a path. Up ahead, there are voices. "Just scream real loud if you find the way out" one calls]
"Hey! Who's over there?" Warren called.
Katie followed the Nica, since she really didn't want to be left behind.
"Who is over THERE," Juice retorted.
"Hey! Who's over there?" Dot called back. "If you're gonna try and kill us be warned that I have a stick!"
"That sounds like Juice," Jonathan said. "You know, that kinda dumb kid..."
"We don't want to kill you. We here for corn demon! You see one?" Nerves was making Catherine's english skills go out the window.
[Nica and Becky hear the exchange going on behind them. And up ahead, the path twists left.]
"Corn demon?!" Juice clung to Kyle.
"I'm not a country bumpkin." Becky said, to whever was following her "I don't know why Papa thought I'd have a good time, and I got lost in a stupid corn maze..." she followed the path
Warren followed the voices. "It's me. Warren. We're looking for a corn demon. Are you it?"
Kyle was clung to, and blinked. "Erm..."
".....Corn demon? Nobody here but some fluffy-headed boys and a really adorable earth mother!" Dot yelled back.
"We all did, sweetie," Nica said to Bex.
[The groups meet! Yay for not splitting up the party. Aside from some costuming here and there, no one is an obvious corn demon.]
"No, that Juice and...guy with Juice." Catherine looked at Juice. "Corn demon wants to deflower virgin girl, and we are here to stop it."
Katie frowned. "Um... in the middle of a corn maze?"
"And if corn demon try to deflower me, I set him on fire." Catherine showed her flamethrower. She meant business.
"Whew, I'm neither a virgin nor a chick," Juice said. He was so not being deflowered.
"Beltaine's not for months...someone's got their festivals wrong," muttered Dot.
"Question," Nica asked. "Is *anyone* here a virgin?"
Catherine raised her hand hesitantly.
Jonathan kinda raised his hand, too.
Katie did likewise.
"Huh," Nica said, and kept walking.
"Oh, I've left a trail of broken hearts from the Rockies to ...." Dot trailed off, then raised her hand, just a little.
Warren shook his head. "Knew we should've checked that before coming out here. It's not that hard to fix."
"Try to fix me and you won't be fixing any women anymore," Catherine said with a glare.
[How far ahead are Nica and Becky getting from the rest of the group? Are they kind of waiting for the others, or getting out of sight?]
"What? This certainly isn't the time for that," Warren pointed out.
Becky started walking again, sh was pretty pissed off and anti social for the moment
"We should probably get moving," Andrew said, "you know, before Catherine lights something on fire."
"Well, considering we're in the center of the maze, that might not be terribly practical..." Warren added.
"Probably," Lizzie said, noting that two people were already a good distance ahead. "Before bad things happen."
"Um... where'd Becky and Nica go?" Katie asked.
"Is that a machete?" Juice asked. "I say we stick close to the guy with the machete. Oh crap... did the corn eat them? BECKY! NICA!"
"They blazed a trail right into the arms of certain doom," Dot nodded down the wider path.
"Then maybe we should follow before the corn have its way with them," Catherine said. "Although I not going first, for obvious reason."
[Speaking of certain doom... tendrils of corn seem to reach towards Nica in an almost arm-like fashion. Shhhhhhh shhh... the wind picks up.]
" ... yeah, not a good weekend," Nica said, pulling away from the tendrils.
Dot shouldered her stick and headed down the path. "Please don't set me on fire," she said over her shoulder.
"As long as you don't become corn demon, we good," Catherine told her.
Juice followed Dot, still clinging to Kyle's arm.
Warren grumbled, and advanced, machete at the ready.
Lizzie started walking, cautiously, sticking close to her friends.
Katie scuttled along after quietly.
Jonathan stuck close to Catherine.
Catherine followed Lizzie, and Andrew brought up the rear.
[The tendrils of corn narrowly miss Nica. The corn on both sides of the path seems to be swaying pretty wildly now, with the stalks wiggling in a definately animate manner.]
"AHHHHHH!" Nica shouted. "Damn corn ... "
"I hate it." Becky grumbled, ready to kick it again
"Nica!" Juice called, hearing the ahhh, and hurried to catch up the rest of the way.
"Crap," muttered Dot. Stick held ready, she made her way forward.
Warren hurried along.
"Damn," Catherine said, walking faster toward the screaming.
[The corn surrounding the group on all sides seems to be somewhat animate, with the stalks threading like snakes now. But fortunately, it seems still rooted to the spot.]
[So sticking to the middle of the path is likely safe. The group catches up with Becky and Nica.]
"What happened?" Juice asked. "Are you okay?"
"Stupid robotic corn scared her." Becky said
"Robotic?" Nica asked.
"It's a lame attempt at horror." Becky added "What? The cornfield is alive, and going to attack us? Yeah right. It's just a trick."
"THat doesn't seem robotic to me. Who'd make robotic corn?" asked Dot.
Warren looked to his companions. "Anyone want to tell her?"
"I dunno, but theswe people are too backwards to be really evil." Becky said
"I thought they were Amish? Don't the Amish frown on robitics?" Andrew asked.
"Corn demon," Nica said.
"These aren't amish." Becky said "These are lamish."
"And why didn't anyone tell me about a corn demon? If I told my papa that, I could have STAYED HOME. Or gone over Ethans."
"I don't think this is robocorn," Lizzie said.
"Try cutting one of them, to see if it's robotic or not," Catherine suggested.
"Well ... the full depths of Mandy's vision failed to sink in until ... you know ... " Nica waved her hand and the corn. "Corn demon."
*at, not and
"I wasn't around for that." Becky said "Because corn demons are not on my to do list."
Warren shrugged, and slashed at a cornstalk.
Dot sighed. "Thank goodness this is only my backup stick, seeing as how it won't help much. Anybody have a spare knife?"
Becky reached into her jacket pocket, and tossed Dot a knife
Nica reached into her bag and pulled out a knife. *snick* ... actually, a switchblade. "Well, at least we came prepared," she said, sounding only a little sarcastic.
"Ethan always wants me to be armed." Becky said "But I can't have a gun permit yet."
"I can set things on fire," Lizzie offered. "But that's about it."
Jonathan reached under his cloak for the magic bone.
"I have gun that sets things on fire, because I'm not lucky enough to get that power," Catherine said.
Dot shrugged. "You knew about this? This is the first I've heard. I thought we were just going to, you know, have some fun, bob for ...damnit. We didn't get to bob for apples." Dot grumbled.
"I've got a machete and a bullwhip," Andrew offered.
Warren nodded. "Don't worry. We came prepared."
"Nothing ever goes right in Sunnydale," Andrew said. "Not even Halloween."
Katie merely remained quiet, since everyone else seemed either confident or bitter.
Kyle commented, "Um... anyone happen to have a spare thing?"
"I could use a spare thing too," Juice said nervously.
"Knife!" Dot handed Kyle the knife.
Lizzie offered her basket over to Juice. "You could whack something with it."
Juice took it.
Kyle snagged the knife - it was defintiely better than nothing.
Dot whacked at cornstalks with her snake stick.
"Do you think a gun would do anything meaningful against corn?" Nica asked thoughtfully.
Juice whacked some corn with the basket. The corn wasn't particularly impressed.
"Probably not," Jonathan said. For his own part, he shook the magic bone at the corn, and tried to push it back out of their way with a bit of a forceful -push-.
"Not really." BEcky said "But I'd feel better."
"You'd feel guilty if the bullet passed straight through and killed a kid, though," Warren pointed out, between whacks.
"Which is why I have to be careful with fire," Catherine said. "When can I use it?"
Andrew took a whack at some of the corn tendrils with his machete.
[The corn is beat back enough that the group can continue forward, if they so desire.]
Nica reached into her bag again and handed Becky a pistol. "I don't have a permit, either," she admitted.
Juice blinked at Nica handing Becky a lethal weapon. Something about this struck him as a Bad Idea.
Becky smiled as she took the saftey off, and got a feel for it in her hands
Warren started heading forward again once the path was clearer.
It wasn't huge, just a short-barrel .38 revolver. But it would make holes in stuff.
"Eep, here we go..." Lizzie said, and followed Warren.
Becky thought the little gun was cute. She carried it along as she followed Warren.
"I don't like the Amish," Juice confessed as he followed the group, still hanging on tightly to Kyle.
Dot gave Becky a very wide berth.
"Technically, they're not Amish," Katie commented quietly.
[Up ahead... the path seems to widen out... it looks like it opens up into a clearing. And in the clearing, you can see a most peculiar sight.]
[Up ahead in the clearing, you can see what looks like a wedding cerimony. A group of Amish-ish folks are sitting in roughly carved wooden pews on each side of a long aisle. At the end of the aisle is a scarecrow with a pumpkin head and cornstalk arms and legs, propped up on a stick. Next to him, holding one of the cornstalk arms is a veiled bride. A priest is in front of them, reading from what looks like a bible.]
"Ah, crap," Nica muttered.
"Bloody hell," Catherine mumbled.
"I OBJECT." called Becky, rather stupidly
"I don't think that will work here," Andrew said.
"I think I love you," Nica said to Bex.
"..okay, this is not what I expected at all," said Dot.
"It works in the movies." Becky said
[As Becky yells 'I Object' , every head turns towards the group. Including the scarecrow's.]
"So much for the element of surprise," Catherine said.
Warren looked to Becky. "If we get killed, I'm kicking your ass when we get to hell."
"How dare you profane our cerimony!" the man with the bible growls, glaring at the group. "Be gone with you from this sacred place."
Katie commented, "Um... your corn maze led us here. We CAN'T get out."
Becky spit on the ground. "I got lost."
"But we paid to come here," Nica protested. And waved a glowstick.
"Guys...they're technophobes, right? So they're not gonna have guns? Sanctity of the church and all?" Dot was peering at the scarecrow.
"I brought them here," the scarecrow said, his face grinning.
"That not good," Catherine said.
Becky shrugged, and aimed the gun at the preacher. "Why? I don't want to be here."
The Amish-ish people gasped, and the Elder turned to stare at him. "But why?" he asked.
"Because he crazy corn demon! Who care why?" Catherine shouted, prepping the flamethrower.
"Corn demon," Nica said, and cracked her gum.
"Because your offering is pale," he said, shoving the bride away from him. "I desire that woman." He pointed a corn stalk arm towards Katie.
"So we give him Katie and we get to go home?" Juice pondered this.
Katie smacked Juice on the back of the head. "No!"
" ... uh, no ... " Nica said.
Becky aimed for the scarecrow.
"Hey! What are you Doing?" Dot stared from Becky to Juice, incredulous.
"Come to me and I will gift you with great riches," the scarecrow said to Katie.
"Ow! I was kidding," Juice said, rubbing his head.
"Juice, you idiot, giving them what they want is ..just dumb. You are so on mulch duty. "
"We not giving Katie," Catherien said.
"... I'm not marrying someone made of corn," Katie said, testily.
"But Corn Lord, we have chosen our finest girl..." the Elder protested.
"I'm going to shoot the ugly scarecrow." Becky said, "Because I DON'T like scarecrows."
"And we're not letting you," Andrew said.
"You lie," the scarecrow said. "This offering is insufficient."
"And you," Dot went on to Becky, "better be a damn good shot, or you're ...oh, I don't know what you are."
Warren commented, "Their finest girl doesn't want to marry you, sir."
"She kinda rocks," Nica said.
Catherine looked at Jonathan. "When can I go 'flame on,' Jonathan? I don't like corn demon."
"Emphasis yours on the kinda, right? Guns never solve anything," muttered Dot.
"Soon, I hope," Jonathan muttered. "Wait for Warren's signal."
"I grew up using shotguns." Becky said "And Ethans been teaching me how to use other guns."
"I'll bet," Nica said.
Becky stuck her tounge out at Nica
The corn demon tapped his chin, considering this.
"This girl is nearly as good," the Elder insisted. "She'd make you a fine wife."
Dot just sighed, ready to whack somebody with her snake stick.
"Can I just shoot him?" Becky asked
"I definitely don't want the gun-happy one," the corn demon said. "Are you sure that she won't marry me?" He eyed Katie again. "There is much potential with that one."
"I don't want you either, straw face." BEcky said
Warren murmured, "Just start flanking and get ready to fire -- that way he can't just dodge out of the way."
Catherine nodded, and started to inch her way into a flanking position.
Lizzie did likewise, as did Jonathan.
Juice just stayed the heck out of the way.
Katie, for her part, had the sense to stay behind Juice -- just in case Corny decided to come after her personally.
Becky started inching her way into following directions too.
Nica stayed more or less behind Becky.
"Oh that really is too bad," the scarecrow said. "Well, better luck next year, I suppose."
Dot kept herself between Juice and ..whatever might come at them from up that way.
"But... our crops," the Elder said. "How about if I give you two lovely girls of our villiage?"
The corn demon pshed. "What do I look like, some sort of polygamist?"
Catherine was really fighting the urge to give the corn demon a long and impassioned speech on why giving corn demons virgin brides was realy a bad idea. It would give away her position.
He was quite civilized, for an animate scarecrow, and looked as insulted as a being with a pumpkin head could look.
"Sorry..." Katie quietly apologized, still making a point of staying behind Juice.
"Oh, it's quite alright. I understand. It's the pumpkin head, isn't it? Really not a turn on for humans from what I understand," the corn demon said.
"... plus I already have a girlfriend," Katie added.
"No problem, Kittydid. I'm itching to hit someone and they'll have to get through me to get to you guys." Dot scowled.
Warren, on the other hand, merely waited for everyone to get into place. Keeeeep talking, pumpkin man...
The Elder pushed the bride towards the corn demon. "Please sir.. I know she isn't up to our usual standards, or up to the special gift I promised you this year... but we need our crops. And she is willing to marry you."
"Why is it always virgins, anyway?" Catherine mumbled. "Why virgins important?"
Warren probably would've had an answer for that, if he'd heard, but he was busy quietly removing the flare launcher from under his 'armor'.
The corn demon folded his stalky arms. "Maybe I want your crops to fail, how about that? I mean, I show up here every year- do you know what I'm missing on television to be here right now? And this is all the thanks I get..."
Andrew thought that, for a corn demon who demanded virgin brides, he seemed normal.
Warren took out his flare launcher and took aim. "FIRE!" And he did. What? Let him leave and go through this NEXT year?
Lizzie made a fireball and flamed it towards the corn demon when Warren gave the command.
Becky fired. SHe'd obviously been spending a lot of time with guns
Jonathan shook the bone, and helped the flames to rise.
"Plamya na sukya demona zerna!" Catherine screamed and aimed her flamethrower and fired.
[This roughly translates to 'flame on corn demon bitch']
Nica blinked against the glare, and watched the cornfield turn into a path of hell.
[A few things happen simultaiously - first, there is a shrieking, flmaing corn demon. He runs into the corn... which of course, catches on fire. Not that many things aren't on fire at this point... considering all the flames. The Elder looks horrfied, and calls from the pulpit "Kill the infidels!" The Amish-ish folks get up from their seats, wielding pitchforks and clubs.]
[Also, did we mention nearly everything is on fire?]
"And now maybe we should run!" Andrew yelled.
Warren threw off the armor 'costume', revealing his jetpack (and the belt his weapons had been hanging from) and promptly started the jetpack up. "Screw running, I'm flying!"
Katie yelped and bolted back the way they'd come.
Becky looked around quickly for a way out.
Kyle considered the same -- but hadn't the path out been blocked?! -- and just backed up. "Um, crap?"
Dot shook her head and ran, looking back over her shoulder to see if anyone was actively chasing them.
"What about us?" Lizzie said, noting Warren ready to take off.
"Jonathan? Can you make a non-flamy path for us?" Catherine asked, shouting over the random chaos. She kicked a Amish person who tried to attack her, sending him to the ground.
Jonathan tried to shake the bone to put out flames in a direction that would allow them to retreat. "Come on, magic bone, don't fail me now... "
Becky aimed her gun at the amish people. "Pitchfork, meet gun." she said
"Fuck!" Nica yelped, and ducked behind Becky again.
Andrew ran over to Jonathan. "Maybe we could work together on this. I don't use a bone, but I don't suck at magic."
Warren started the jetpack and flew upwards -- but, to his credit, did use this more to see if he could see a way out for the others than just to fly the hell out of here. Those Amish people had to have gotten in here somehow, after all.
"Okay, buddy... let's do it." Jonathan nodded in agreement to Andrew.
[Okay, pause for GM to untangle things...]
[Katie and Dot jump back the way folks came in - which will at least take them away from some of the flames, if not provide a perminant escape solution. Catherine kicks and pummels the Amish-ish and Becky shoots at them to keep them at bay, while Andrew and Jonathan work on a spell together to clear a path. Warren flies up to see if he can spot the way out. Nica, Juice, and Kyle are trying to stay the heck out of the way. Did I miss anyone?]
[Warren: You see that the way the Amish got in is the way the corn demon was attempting to get out. It is now on fire. But however, you do notice that where Jonathan and Andrew are trying their spell - with a bit of hacking on a diagonal, they would eventually make it out that way.
Katie and Dot - if you hack your way through the corn where you're at, you might be able to make progress outward. At least, it isn't flamey there. Becky/Catherine: There are a lot of Amish, but they are not very combatant, so kicking their asses is pretty easy.]
Warren called back down. "Hey! Go THAT WAY!" He pointed in the direction of the diagonal. "Just hack straight through, it's the fastest way out without burning!"
Katie didn't have anything hackly, but did start trying to tear things out of the way with her bare hands. "This is really, really not good..." she muttered nervously, looking back over her shoulder at the flames.
[Jonathan and Andrew work well together - they have a nice, non-burny path ready for retreat.]
"Come on everyone, this way!" Jonathan called.
Lizzie didn't have to be told twice, and started heading thataway.
Catherine started toward Jonathan and Andrew, pushing Amish-y people out of her way.
Kyle knew opportunity when he saw it, snagged Juice, and headed thataway, swiping knifily at anything that got in the way.
Juice hung on and admired his brave boyfriend with the knife swipeys.
Dot had been whacking cornstalks, but stopped when she heard the shouting> "C'mon, sounds like they've got a better way out." She followed after Juice and Kyle.
Katie turned and followed Dot, hoping that the better way out was... well, just that.
Nica followed, and tried to tow Becky along.
Becky followed, still holding the gun out to keep the amish away.
[The group manages to make it out of the now very flamey corn maze. Angry Amish-ish people are not far behind. Chaos is errupting at the Festival, as everyone can see the obvious flames. People are running for the parking lot, snatching up children out of harm's way, and so on. Chaos!]
Warren stayed in the air, somewhat near where his crew was, and took a few potshots with the flare launcher at angry Amish frontliners.
Dot flinched. Those were falling kind of close. She kept moving, keeping an uneasy eye out behind.
[That helped to keep the Amish at bay - the whole flare business.]
"To the parking lot!" Jonathan called. "We have a van there."
He didn't know who had cars.
Andrew headed toward Jonathan's van, as did Catherine.
Becky didn't have a car- Her Papa had dropped her off.
Kyle snagged Juice and headed for Juice's car.
Nice towed Becky towards her car.
Katie didn't have a car, either, and invited herself to follow Nica and Becky.
"I want to go over Ethan's." Becky said
Dot trailed along with Juice and Kyle.
Warren reloaded, and fired another salvo in the general direction of the Amish before retreating and trying to come in for a landing. "Ow, ow, ow, ow..."
Juice loaded up his crew into the car, and drove like fuck when they were in.
Jonathan helped get everyone in the van.
"Is Halloween always like this?" Catherine asked Jonathan.
"... well, it -was- a happy Halloween," Katie commented.
"Are you okay?" Lizzie called to Waren.
"... not usually," Jonathan said. "It's usually really quiet..."
"I just want to gto the fuck away," Nica admitted, opening her car dor.
*door
"He doesn't live far from here." Becky said
Warren quickly took off the jetpack as soon as he was on the ground, then took off his jacket -- which was starting to smoke. "Okay, maybe it still needs some work... Ow!"
"Agreed," Katie said, and scrambled into the car.
Kyle let out a breath. "... omigod, we're criminals."
Lizzie hurried over to help Warren.
"Halloween is weird," Catherine said. "I thought we get candy or something."
"Are we going to get arrested?" Juice said, panicy.
Dot shook her head. "Stupid boys. We didn't do anything. It was that nut with the gun. Where do you find these people?"
Becky got out her cell phone, and dialed Ethan as she got in the car,
"I think Kyle cut a few," Juice said. "But.. to be fair they were totally trying to kill us at that point," Juice said.
"In corn," Kyle answered, "apparently. And yeah, I kinda... yeah."
"Guys... come on, in the van, hurry..." Jonathan said, nervous about being the last group to leave.
Catherine hopped into the van.
Andrew was already inside.
"This is Ethan."
"C'mon," Lizie said, helping to grab equipment so her and Warren could get in.
"I shot some people." Becky said "I'm going to have Nica drop me off there."
"Gunshots! Did you cut anything major? They'll put some cotton on it and it'll get better. Guns are terrible things." Dot ruffled Kyle's hair.
"Where should we go?" Juice asked Dot and Kyle.
"You ... wait, what the hell?" Ethan asked.
Warren hauled the jetpack into the van, then put it down hastily -- it was hot stuff, after all. "Let's go!"
Lizzie climbed on in with Warren.
"... I didn't mean to make the corn demon want to marry me," Katie commented from the backseat, cat-ears adroop.
"To the lair?" Jonathan asked, taking off once everyone was in.
Andrew nodded.
"My papa made me go to some stupid harvest thing, and the amish people didn't like that we tried to kill the pumpkin demon who wanted to marry Katie."
"Sounds good to me," Catherine said.
"Sunset. I really want some eggs but I guess eggrolls will do. Besides, Mike likes us," Dot said.
" ... yeah, okay, so you're coming over?" Ethan said.
"Nica, are you dropping me off?" asked Becky "Where are we going?"
"Sounds like a plan," Warren agreed.
"Yeah... Sunset sounds good," Kyle agreed.
"Okay, to the Sunset it is," Juice said, taking off for there.
"I'm not sure where they're going ... probably the Sunset, but I can drop you off if you want," Nica said.
"Is everyone okay?" Lizzie asked. "Warren, you didn't burn your hands, did you?"
"Nah... just a little," Warren said.
"Can you come to the sunset and get me?" asked Becky, as Nica continued driving to the Sunset
"I got to burn corn demon who has a weird virgin fetish," Catherine said. "I think I did good today."
"Yep, I think we did alright. Not entirely sure if we killed it, but I think that'll convince it not to come back again anytime soon," Warren said.
"Let me see," Lizzie said.
Warren did indeed burn his hands somewhat. Stupid jetpack.
"I'm so glad we got the van in time for this," Jonathan said. "And Andrew -we did great together! Did you see that?"
"That was totally cool! We were like 'go back flame' and it totally did!" Andrew was having to try to not bounce from giddyness.
Jonathan noticed Lizzie looking at Warren's hands. "There's first aid supplies when we gget back to the lair."
"Yeah, no problem," Ethan said. "I'll be there in a few. You okay?"
"Why are virgins so important anyway? Things always want virgin sacrifices. It's weird." Catherine crossed her arms.
Where: The corn maze
When: Halloween, duh
[The Harvest festival was very festive. Decorations were everywhere - corn in stalks, jack-o-lanterns, and paper cutouts of various halloweeny shapes. Colorful signs advertized where things could be found - this way to the pumpkin carving contest, barn dance that way, hay ride, apple bob, corn maze, and so forth. Pumpkin pies, spiced cider, and carmel apples were for sale in booths. The Messianic Faithful were all dressed in harvest colors - browns, yellows, oranges, and blacks - though the outfits had their usual old fashioned charm.]
Katie was cheerfully wandering about, enjoying the festivity of the Harvest Festival.
[The festival was well attended - people milled about everywhere, participating in the various activities. Children in costumes ran about all over over the place, sometimes tugging parents from booth to booth, some older ones alone and unattended.]
Juice parked the car, and got on out with his posse. "Oh man, this is so cool," he said. "What should we do first?"
Dot climbed out of the car and peered around, hugging herself to keep from exploding with festive glee. "Everything!"
"That's impossible," Kyle pointed out.
Eva was in a simple blue dress, and walked up to the booth to buy a caramel apple.
"Unless you're a buddhist," he added thoughtfully. "How about we check out some of the booths first?"
Nica pulled up in her Sentra and opened to door ... she was in her usual black, only her dress was longer than usual.
"Sounds good," Juice said. In defrence to the holiday, he was wearing a t-shirt with a glow-in-the-dark skull on it, and skull shaped earrings.
"Okay! But there must be a hayride. And pumpkin seeds!" Dot was stil fairly quivering with excitement.
"Nica!" Juice called, waving.
Katie, for the record, was wearing a catgirl costume -- well, a tail, cat ears, and cat whiskers, attached to normal clothes.
Kyle, on the other hand, was too lazy/old to wear a costume.
Eva didn't celebrate halloween.
"Judge Juicy!" Nica called out, and headed that way, giving him a hug. "Hey, how're you?"
Juice hugged, and grinned. "Good, good. We're just about to hit the booths- come with us! Is Bex with you?"
Kyle waved. "Nica-chu?"
"Nope, it's just me tonight," Nica said.
Nica grinned. "Gotta catch us all?"
Juice laughed. "I think Dot's leading the way, 'cause she's going to totally splode if we don't let her at the festival, hehe..."
Dot hadn't put much thought into a costume, opting instead for her favorite jeans, sturdy boots, and a comfy plaid pullover. She had her backup walking stick, painted to look like a snake.
"C'mon, you guys!" Slinging her stick over her shoulder, Dot wandered thataway towards the booths.
Juice just noticed this for the first time. "Dude, your sticky has a costume! That's so cool." He followed her towards the booths.
Nica followed along as well.
"Ooh, carmel apples..." Juice spied Eva eating one, and totally wanted one too. "Let's hit that up!"
Kyle grinned. "Totally awesome." He trotted along after.
Dot, to her credit, did not run. She was trying really hard to keep pace with the group.
"Two carmel apples, please," Juice said, handing over the money to buy apples for him and Kyle. He was a good boyfriend.
"Aww, he's a good one." Dot couldn't spare a free hand to ruffle Juice's hair, because she was currently paying for an apple of her own. She bought another, in a plastic container for later.
Kyle snagged an apple and munched happily. "Awesome."
Nica got an apple and took a big bite.
Juice munched, looking content. "Mmm... carmelly goodness."
[Other booths were nearby, selling pie, candy corn, and fall crafts. A sign pointed to Apple Bobbing in one direction, and a Hay Ride in the other. A bunch of kids ran by heading in the direction of the hay ride.]
"This is pretty nice. WHy don't we ever have nice celebrations like this in town?" Kyle asked.
" 'Cause town kinda blows sometimes," Juice said. "And we're not all peaceful like these folks. I mean, I bet the most exciting thing that ever happens here is that someone's livestock gets an ass boil."
"... eww. Dude, I'm trying to eat here..." Kyle complained.
"Sorry hon," Juice said, giving his boyfriend an apologetic look before returning to his own apple.
Dot had inhaled the first apple, then started in on the second. She was polite enough not to talk with her mouth full, but widened her eyes at Juice's comment.
"Ew," Nica commented.
"So where is Beck?" Juice asked Nica. "I thought she'd totally be all for coming here."
"Just recuperating," Nica said. "Hanging with Ethan."
Dot wandered over to one of the booths selling fall crafts, finishing the second apple on the way. She came back a few minutes later with a crown of pretty autumn leaves perched on her head.
"We should totally pick her up a present," Juice said, heading after Dot.
"Ooh... leaf hat!" Juice gave the thumbs up of approval.
"Sweet!" Kyle nodded. "You're all festive."
Dot smiled. "There, I'm in costume too!"
Nica glanced at Evan, and did a doubletake. "Hey. Don't you hangout, like ... everywhere?"
"Can we go on the hay ride next?" Juice asked.
"Yes!" Dot leaned over to hug Juice, careful not to disturb her leaf crown.
"How much does it cost?" Kyle asked.
"I dunno," Juice said. "I guess we'll find out when we get there."
Kyle nodded and started wandering thataway.
Katie noted Nica, and started trying to stealth up on her.
Juice snagged Kyle's hand to hold and followed him in that direciton.
Kyle snagged and trotted.
"GRARRRR!" Katie abruptly announced.
Juice jumped, even though the grarr was directed more at Nica. "Holy crapus, Katie!"
Dot was undisturbed by the growling. She might not even have heard, so focused was she on the thought of the hayride.
Juice laughed once he was unstartled.
Nica shrieked and jumped several inches straight up into the air.
Katie giggled. "Gotcha."
"Now that you've made us pee a little," Juice said to Katie, " you gotta come with us to the hay ride."
"Okay! So what's up with you guys?" Katie asked, adjusting her ears.
"We had carmel apples!" Juice said happily. "And we're going to the hay ride."
"Katydid! Nice ears!" Dot waved, grinning.
Juice peered up at the hayride sign. "Sweet, only a dollar. Amish people rock."
"And they're cheap," Nica said.
Katie beamed. "Thank you!"
"We've got dollars, right?" Kyle asked Juice.
"We do," Juice assured him. He rummaged in his pocket and came up with a couple of ones for him and Kyle.
"I've got change left from my costuming budget, just in case," said Dot.
Katie fished a dollar out to pay up. "This is really nice. And public."
"It really is. They almost look like recreationists, if you don't look too close. But, who cares! It's Halloween!" Dot was quivering with excitement again. Or maybe it was sugar from the apples.
Juice climbed on upthe back of the hay wagon, and offered his hand to Kyle to help him up.
"Yeah, I love Halloween," Katie said, looking cheerful.
Kyle climbed up after, with Juice's assistance. "Why thank you kind sir."
TOssing her stick carefully into the wagon, Dot climbed up, then offered a hand down to anyone else that still needed it, including some little kids that were struggling.
Nica clambered up and settled.
"You're welcome, sexy." Juice tugged Kyle down next to him, making sure to leave plenty of room for their friends.
Kyle settled in and snuggled up to Juice.
Katie climbed on up, and scooted over to let a few more kids on.
[The wagon was full of hay, and drawn by a shaggy horse. The path they took lead through the fields, in which various crops could be seen. Off to one side was a large corn maze. ]
Katie peered outwards into the night.
" ... corn," Nica said.
"This is totally cool," Juice said, cuddling up to Kyle.
"ooooooooooh, corn! maize! Corn maze!" Dot clapped.
"The corn is watchiiiiing," Katie said, cheerfully.
Kyle looked happily mellow.
Eva , who was not on the hay ride, eyed the maze. Sunnydale wasn't bad, right? THe maze wouldn't be a problem, so she walked into it.
[Perhaps because they were in Amish land, no people in costumes were waiting to jump out of the fields to scare people.]
[It was just a nice relaxing ride under the harvest moon.]
[The corn maze/maize also cost a dollar, and consisted of tall stalks of corn with various paths cut through them in a maze-like fashion. Lots of kids seemed to be heading in there, 'cause it looked vaguely creepy and dark.
The 'Amish' person taking money was giving folks glowsticks to help light their way in the corn maze. Guess they weren't against all technology. ]
"This totally rocks... hanging out with my guy and my best friends," Juice said. "This is the best night ever."
"...This is pretty hi-tech" Eva said "Are you mennonites, or...?"
"True Messianic Faith," the man said, and handed Eva a glo-stick.
Dot nodded. "It is! Thanks for putting up with me, I know I get all loopy in this place."
Nica smiled. She was finally starting to relax, for the first time since the weird demon attack (or whatever it had been) last night. Sure, Mandy had said that weirdness was going to happen here, too; but it was safe. Right?
Juice giggled. "Nah, that just adds to the fun."
Dot grinned. "You're such a nice, fluffy-headed boy. I'm gonna see if they'll let me start a garden club at school, next Spring."
"Plus, then we can laugh at you later," Kyle pointed out.
"How can I get more information about your church?" Eva asked "Because I am interested."
The man smiled. "We have an information booth with pamphlets by the food area - you're welcome to stop by there and pick one up."
"Ooh, garden club! I want to do that," Juice said. "Can I help?"
"Thank you." Eva smiled "And you've all done a wonderful job with the Harvest Festival." Eva abandoned the maze, and decided to check out the pamphlets
Dot nodded, grinning. "But if you're not nice to me, you're on mulch detail!"
"Better than being on 'fertilizer production' detail," Katie observed.
"Uh... is mulch anything like fertilizer?" Juice asked, still somewhat traumatized by his experience with pony poop.
Dot smiled. "I hope you never have to find out."
Katie giggled.
Dot looked pleased with herself and stretched out to enjoy the hayride.
After the hayride stopped, Juice hopped down.
"Where to next?" he asked.
Becky showed up, and parked herself on a haybale to enjoy a caramel apple
"Corn maze!" Dot headed thataway.
Juice bounded towards the corny goodness - and blinked, as they passed a familar face. "Becky!"
Nica looked around and spotted Bex. "Becky!" she shouted and headed that way.
Katie followed the others, cheerfully.
Becky waved, and dropped her apple accidently
Kyle cracked his shoulders. "CORN MAZE POWER... ACTIVATE!"
Eva had finshed reading through the pamplets, and realized this was a completly crazy offshoot of the Amish, and decided to try the maze, play a few games, and leave.
"Come with us to corn land, Beck," Juice said, pointing to the maze they were heading for.
Dot dug her own flashlight out of her pocket, cheerfully waving off the guy who tried to offer her a glowstick. She flicked it on and trained the very bright light on the ground while she waited for everyone to catch up.
Becky quietly followed
Katie snagged a glowstick, as did Kyle.
Nica picked up a glowstick.
Warren, meanwhile, was leading his merry men along to the festival, dressed up like a bulky robot for the occasion.
Juice paid up and collected a glo-stick
Jonathan was dressed as a hobbit, and had a big cloak on.
Lizzie was wearing a little red riding hood costume, complete with basket and hooded red cape.
"Your puny glowsticks are USELESS!" Dot gleefully waved the flashlight, which was very bright indeed.
"Hmph, I like my glowstick," Katie said.
"Glow sticks are cool," Juice said, twirling his in a circle to make paterns.
"Aw, poor Miss Kittydid," Dot hugged Katie, cheerefully.
Andrew was dressed up as Indiana Jones for Halloween, complete with a real bullwhip.
Catherine...looked completely normal, in jeans, black shirt, demin jacket, and plain blond hair. For her, that was a costume.
"Alright, we're basically looking for a giant scarecrow, possibly attempting to rape someone." Warren said. "So keep your eyes peeled."
[The corn maze was full of corn. Paths twisted in all directions. Happy kids occasionally ran past, shrieking when they made a wrong turn and wound up at a dead end, then running back the other way.]
"I think that'd be hard to miss," Jonathan said, glancing around.
"So far, no rapinous scarecrows," Lizzie said.
Katie giggled. "Looks like everyone's having fun."
"So far, so good," Nica said.
[Gwen and Maya were incidentally, also with the Warren group - though obviously less than munned (Becca sent instructions along, hehe) ]
"I know I'm totally having fun," Juice said. He held Kyle's hand as they walked through the corn.
Becky just shrugged.
"No corn scarecrows so far," Catherine said, looking around. "Hopefully he is not hiding in the corn, waiting for virgin to walk up."
Kyle swung Juice's hand. "So are those the children of the corn?"
"Heh..." Warren chuckled. "Theoretically, they've got virgins to spare, but you never know. Maybe we should head thataway."
Jonathan looked over when Catherine mentioned corn. There was indeed a large corn maze over there. "Uh... you think that's a good place to start, or do you think that's way too obvious?"
Dot nodded. "This is wonderful."
"I imagine corn demons aren't particularly stealthy," Lizzie said. "I say we give it a try."
Juice giggled. "They're nibblets!"
Warren nodded. "Alright then... let's go, team!" He banged his left fist on his chest for emphasis.
"I hope that he's not stealthy." Catherine started toward the corn maze.
Becky sneezed. Allergies sucked, and she didn't think she liked corn mazes.
[A sign proclaimed the cost of the corn maze to be one dollah. An Amish-ish man was collecting the money, and handing out glo-sticks in return.]
"Bless you," Juice said. "Are you allergic to corn?"
"Yeah." Becky grumbled
Andrew dug a dollar out of his pocket and paid Mr. Amish looking dude. "So, what do I do with this?" he asked, looking at the glow stick.
"Just snap it and it glows," the man said. "It'll help you see in the maze."
"Ooh, glowstick," Jonathan said, handing over two dollars- one for him, and one for Catherine.
Catherine smiled and accepted her glow stick. "In clubs back home, they have the little ones that people put in their mouths." She snapped hers so that it would glow.
"Hm, well, hopefully we'll find the exit soon - then we can go do some other stuffs," Juice said.
"In their mouths?" Lizzie asked, wondering if that was safe. She wasn't sure what made glo-sticks glow, but it might have been toxic. She paid up her dollar.
"Little ones," Catherine said, holding up her hand and showing that they were only a few inches long. "Not supposed to chew on them."
Warren paid up for himself and Maya, chuckled, and slotted his lightstick in one of the points of his 'armor', after turning it 'on'. "Awesome. I needed one of these."
"Yeah, it's just a simple corn maze -- we'll be on the other side soon," Katie promised.
Andrew stuck his unsnapped glowstick in the pocket of his leather jacket. He'd snap it later.
[Where Juice, Dot, Kyle, Nica, Kaite and Becky are (let's call them group one for simplicity sakes) - the corn seems to be getting thicker. You haven't seen any children for a while. There's a shhhhh shhhh sound as a breeze rustles through the corn.]
" ... Okay, this is a little freaky," Nica said.
"I think we're closer to the center of the maze," Katie commented.
Dot peered around, training the flashlight on the 'walls' of the maze.
"It doesn't look like any of the kids got this far," Kyle said.
[Group two (Warren, Andrew, Jon, Catherine et all ) - there are throngs of kids running through the maze every so often, laughing as they pass. Little paths are cut through the corn, sometimes leading onward, sometimes ending in a dead end.]
"Wusses!" Juice said. "We're totally going to make it.
"I wonder how long this thing is," Catherine said, looking around.
"Well, it didn't look that big. But stay on your guard anyhow," Warren suggested, "particularly if you've never gone all the way."
Jonathan looked nervous. "Uh... corn demon doesn't swing both ways, does it?"
"Dunno." Warren shrugged. "But I think they're looking for -girl- virgins. You're probably mostly safe."
"Any corn demon comes near me and I'll blast them," Catherine said.
"Now now, they're just kids. Part of the fun of being scared is knowing that after a certain point it can't get you," Dot said.
[Group one - there seems to be a path ahead that's wider than the other paths have been, or there is a narrower path off to the right. Direction?]
"If it comes near me, will you blast it too?" Jonathan asked, hopefully.
"I will send it back to the gods," Catherine promised.
Jonathan smiled. "My girlfriend rocks."
Lizzie giggled.
Juice pondered the paths. "Which way is more likely to be out?"
Andrew smiled. "Women willing to burn things for you always rock."
"The wider path seems too easy! It's never the wider path..." Dot tapped thoughtfully on the ground with her snake stick.
" ... the way we came?" Nica tried.
Juice turned back around to face the way they came... and blinked. "Uhhhh..."
[Where did you just come from? Behind group one seems to be solid corn.]
[Group two: There are getting to be less children, and more corn as you continue into the maze. There is a soft shhh shhh sound as a breeze shakes the cornstalks.]
Nica turned. "This weekend sucks," she said.
"Wow. That's....unnatural." Dot frowned.
"Why are there fewer children around?" Andrew asked.
Katie blinked. "Um..."
Kyle frowned. "Okay, I -know- we came from that way."
"It's all corny," Juice said, scratching his head.
"... that's a good question," Jonathan said.
"Maybe they're going out of the maze in other directions?" Lizzie said, hoping that the corn wasn't eating kids or anything.
"The only way out is through, I suppose," Dot said.
"Kyle, can you pick me up on your shoulders?" Nica asked. "Maybe if I can see above the corn, we can get the hell out."
"Now I worry even more," Catherine said, pulling out her lovely flamethrower to have at ready.
"I hope the kids did get out," Jonathan said. He didn't feel comfortable with setting corn with kids in it on fire.
"I didn't want to come here." Becky said, walking off into the corn, and hoping that it would lead her out
Kyle nodded. "Alright..." He settled down on one knee.
[Becky tries to get through the corn... but the corn seems to be thick and grabby almost. It doesn't really seem to easily allow passage.]
"Maybe they went a different way," Andrew said.
Becky kicked the corn
[Group two: The corn seems to be getting thicker, and the maze darker. The shhh shhh sound of the breeze is getting louder.]
Nica climbed up on the Kyle.
Kyle boosted Nica up as best he could. "Hrrf!"
[Nica climbs up on Kyle's shoulders. You can see corn, corn and more corn. But down the larger path- there's a flicker of light. The way out, maybe?]
Warren hrmed, and glanced around to make sure they were the only ones in sight.
"Do you see the way out?" Juice called to Nica. He was really started to get freaked out, but trying not to panic.
"Can we try doubling back?" Catherine asked.
[Warren: You note two things. Not only do you seem to be the only ones around - but the path you just came down? It's now a solid wall of corn.]
Warren hrmed, and lifted up his chestplate to fetch his machete. He experimentally gave the corn stalks a hacking.
"Well, the path backwards just closed, so I'd say we're heading in the right direction," Warren said. HACK HACK HACK.
"Okay ... there's light down the wider path," Nica said. "No clue if that's a good or bad thing."
[Warren hacks corn with his machete... stalks fall. The breeze picks up.. Shhhh shhhhh shhhhhh]
"Continue onwards, or try to hack it backwards?" Warren inquired.
[Group one: Down the right path, there is a hacking sound. Chop! Chop! Chop!]
"Well, I'd presume the exit's lighted," Katie said.
"Ohmygod, what's that?" Juice said. He grabbed Kyle's hand.
"We could try setting a path by fire if hacking doesn't work," Catherine said. She's not a fire bug. Really.
"Or that's what they want us to think..." muttered Dot.
Becky silently started walking down the wider path. She was not having fun, and she wished she was with Ethan, or back in new york, or at home... anywhere but in more country. That wasn't part her life anymore. And she didn't care about the hacking ound
Lizzie agreed with Catherine about fire most times. But just now, it might be a bad idea. "I don't know.. it could hurt people if they're still in the maze."
"Hmm...very true. Hopefully, hacking works," Catherine hoped that it did, anyway.
[Group one: Becky is wandering off down the wide path. Follow her, go the other way, wait to see what the hacking is?]
Nica followed the Becky.
"I guess we're going that away?" Juice said.
"JUst scream real loud if you find the way out," called Dot. The hacking noise sounded ...familiar.
[Group two: Warren hacks his way though - and onto a path. Up ahead, there are voices. "Just scream real loud if you find the way out" one calls]
"Hey! Who's over there?" Warren called.
Katie followed the Nica, since she really didn't want to be left behind.
"Who is over THERE," Juice retorted.
"Hey! Who's over there?" Dot called back. "If you're gonna try and kill us be warned that I have a stick!"
"That sounds like Juice," Jonathan said. "You know, that kinda dumb kid..."
"We don't want to kill you. We here for corn demon! You see one?" Nerves was making Catherine's english skills go out the window.
[Nica and Becky hear the exchange going on behind them. And up ahead, the path twists left.]
"Corn demon?!" Juice clung to Kyle.
"I'm not a country bumpkin." Becky said, to whever was following her "I don't know why Papa thought I'd have a good time, and I got lost in a stupid corn maze..." she followed the path
Warren followed the voices. "It's me. Warren. We're looking for a corn demon. Are you it?"
Kyle was clung to, and blinked. "Erm..."
".....Corn demon? Nobody here but some fluffy-headed boys and a really adorable earth mother!" Dot yelled back.
"We all did, sweetie," Nica said to Bex.
[The groups meet! Yay for not splitting up the party. Aside from some costuming here and there, no one is an obvious corn demon.]
"No, that Juice and...guy with Juice." Catherine looked at Juice. "Corn demon wants to deflower virgin girl, and we are here to stop it."
Katie frowned. "Um... in the middle of a corn maze?"
"And if corn demon try to deflower me, I set him on fire." Catherine showed her flamethrower. She meant business.
"Whew, I'm neither a virgin nor a chick," Juice said. He was so not being deflowered.
"Beltaine's not for months...someone's got their festivals wrong," muttered Dot.
"Question," Nica asked. "Is *anyone* here a virgin?"
Catherine raised her hand hesitantly.
Jonathan kinda raised his hand, too.
Katie did likewise.
"Huh," Nica said, and kept walking.
"Oh, I've left a trail of broken hearts from the Rockies to ...." Dot trailed off, then raised her hand, just a little.
Warren shook his head. "Knew we should've checked that before coming out here. It's not that hard to fix."
"Try to fix me and you won't be fixing any women anymore," Catherine said with a glare.
[How far ahead are Nica and Becky getting from the rest of the group? Are they kind of waiting for the others, or getting out of sight?]
"What? This certainly isn't the time for that," Warren pointed out.
Becky started walking again, sh was pretty pissed off and anti social for the moment
"We should probably get moving," Andrew said, "you know, before Catherine lights something on fire."
"Well, considering we're in the center of the maze, that might not be terribly practical..." Warren added.
"Probably," Lizzie said, noting that two people were already a good distance ahead. "Before bad things happen."
"Um... where'd Becky and Nica go?" Katie asked.
"Is that a machete?" Juice asked. "I say we stick close to the guy with the machete. Oh crap... did the corn eat them? BECKY! NICA!"
"They blazed a trail right into the arms of certain doom," Dot nodded down the wider path.
"Then maybe we should follow before the corn have its way with them," Catherine said. "Although I not going first, for obvious reason."
[Speaking of certain doom... tendrils of corn seem to reach towards Nica in an almost arm-like fashion. Shhhhhhh shhh... the wind picks up.]
" ... yeah, not a good weekend," Nica said, pulling away from the tendrils.
Dot shouldered her stick and headed down the path. "Please don't set me on fire," she said over her shoulder.
"As long as you don't become corn demon, we good," Catherine told her.
Juice followed Dot, still clinging to Kyle's arm.
Warren grumbled, and advanced, machete at the ready.
Lizzie started walking, cautiously, sticking close to her friends.
Katie scuttled along after quietly.
Jonathan stuck close to Catherine.
Catherine followed Lizzie, and Andrew brought up the rear.
[The tendrils of corn narrowly miss Nica. The corn on both sides of the path seems to be swaying pretty wildly now, with the stalks wiggling in a definately animate manner.]
"AHHHHHH!" Nica shouted. "Damn corn ... "
"I hate it." Becky grumbled, ready to kick it again
"Nica!" Juice called, hearing the ahhh, and hurried to catch up the rest of the way.
"Crap," muttered Dot. Stick held ready, she made her way forward.
Warren hurried along.
"Damn," Catherine said, walking faster toward the screaming.
[The corn surrounding the group on all sides seems to be somewhat animate, with the stalks threading like snakes now. But fortunately, it seems still rooted to the spot.]
[So sticking to the middle of the path is likely safe. The group catches up with Becky and Nica.]
"What happened?" Juice asked. "Are you okay?"
"Stupid robotic corn scared her." Becky said
"Robotic?" Nica asked.
"It's a lame attempt at horror." Becky added "What? The cornfield is alive, and going to attack us? Yeah right. It's just a trick."
"THat doesn't seem robotic to me. Who'd make robotic corn?" asked Dot.
Warren looked to his companions. "Anyone want to tell her?"
"I dunno, but theswe people are too backwards to be really evil." Becky said
"I thought they were Amish? Don't the Amish frown on robitics?" Andrew asked.
"Corn demon," Nica said.
"These aren't amish." Becky said "These are lamish."
"And why didn't anyone tell me about a corn demon? If I told my papa that, I could have STAYED HOME. Or gone over Ethans."
"I don't think this is robocorn," Lizzie said.
"Try cutting one of them, to see if it's robotic or not," Catherine suggested.
"Well ... the full depths of Mandy's vision failed to sink in until ... you know ... " Nica waved her hand and the corn. "Corn demon."
*at, not and
"I wasn't around for that." Becky said "Because corn demons are not on my to do list."
Warren shrugged, and slashed at a cornstalk.
Dot sighed. "Thank goodness this is only my backup stick, seeing as how it won't help much. Anybody have a spare knife?"
Becky reached into her jacket pocket, and tossed Dot a knife
Nica reached into her bag and pulled out a knife. *snick* ... actually, a switchblade. "Well, at least we came prepared," she said, sounding only a little sarcastic.
"Ethan always wants me to be armed." Becky said "But I can't have a gun permit yet."
"I can set things on fire," Lizzie offered. "But that's about it."
Jonathan reached under his cloak for the magic bone.
"I have gun that sets things on fire, because I'm not lucky enough to get that power," Catherine said.
Dot shrugged. "You knew about this? This is the first I've heard. I thought we were just going to, you know, have some fun, bob for ...damnit. We didn't get to bob for apples." Dot grumbled.
"I've got a machete and a bullwhip," Andrew offered.
Warren nodded. "Don't worry. We came prepared."
"Nothing ever goes right in Sunnydale," Andrew said. "Not even Halloween."
Katie merely remained quiet, since everyone else seemed either confident or bitter.
Kyle commented, "Um... anyone happen to have a spare thing?"
"I could use a spare thing too," Juice said nervously.
"Knife!" Dot handed Kyle the knife.
Lizzie offered her basket over to Juice. "You could whack something with it."
Juice took it.
Kyle snagged the knife - it was defintiely better than nothing.
Dot whacked at cornstalks with her snake stick.
"Do you think a gun would do anything meaningful against corn?" Nica asked thoughtfully.
Juice whacked some corn with the basket. The corn wasn't particularly impressed.
"Probably not," Jonathan said. For his own part, he shook the magic bone at the corn, and tried to push it back out of their way with a bit of a forceful -push-.
"Not really." BEcky said "But I'd feel better."
"You'd feel guilty if the bullet passed straight through and killed a kid, though," Warren pointed out, between whacks.
"Which is why I have to be careful with fire," Catherine said. "When can I use it?"
Andrew took a whack at some of the corn tendrils with his machete.
[The corn is beat back enough that the group can continue forward, if they so desire.]
Nica reached into her bag again and handed Becky a pistol. "I don't have a permit, either," she admitted.
Juice blinked at Nica handing Becky a lethal weapon. Something about this struck him as a Bad Idea.
Becky smiled as she took the saftey off, and got a feel for it in her hands
Warren started heading forward again once the path was clearer.
It wasn't huge, just a short-barrel .38 revolver. But it would make holes in stuff.
"Eep, here we go..." Lizzie said, and followed Warren.
Becky thought the little gun was cute. She carried it along as she followed Warren.
"I don't like the Amish," Juice confessed as he followed the group, still hanging on tightly to Kyle.
Dot gave Becky a very wide berth.
"Technically, they're not Amish," Katie commented quietly.
[Up ahead... the path seems to widen out... it looks like it opens up into a clearing. And in the clearing, you can see a most peculiar sight.]
[Up ahead in the clearing, you can see what looks like a wedding cerimony. A group of Amish-ish folks are sitting in roughly carved wooden pews on each side of a long aisle. At the end of the aisle is a scarecrow with a pumpkin head and cornstalk arms and legs, propped up on a stick. Next to him, holding one of the cornstalk arms is a veiled bride. A priest is in front of them, reading from what looks like a bible.]
"Ah, crap," Nica muttered.
"Bloody hell," Catherine mumbled.
"I OBJECT." called Becky, rather stupidly
"I don't think that will work here," Andrew said.
"I think I love you," Nica said to Bex.
"..okay, this is not what I expected at all," said Dot.
"It works in the movies." Becky said
[As Becky yells 'I Object' , every head turns towards the group. Including the scarecrow's.]
"So much for the element of surprise," Catherine said.
Warren looked to Becky. "If we get killed, I'm kicking your ass when we get to hell."
"How dare you profane our cerimony!" the man with the bible growls, glaring at the group. "Be gone with you from this sacred place."
Katie commented, "Um... your corn maze led us here. We CAN'T get out."
Becky spit on the ground. "I got lost."
"But we paid to come here," Nica protested. And waved a glowstick.
"Guys...they're technophobes, right? So they're not gonna have guns? Sanctity of the church and all?" Dot was peering at the scarecrow.
"I brought them here," the scarecrow said, his face grinning.
"That not good," Catherine said.
Becky shrugged, and aimed the gun at the preacher. "Why? I don't want to be here."
The Amish-ish people gasped, and the Elder turned to stare at him. "But why?" he asked.
"Because he crazy corn demon! Who care why?" Catherine shouted, prepping the flamethrower.
"Corn demon," Nica said, and cracked her gum.
"Because your offering is pale," he said, shoving the bride away from him. "I desire that woman." He pointed a corn stalk arm towards Katie.
"So we give him Katie and we get to go home?" Juice pondered this.
Katie smacked Juice on the back of the head. "No!"
" ... uh, no ... " Nica said.
Becky aimed for the scarecrow.
"Hey! What are you Doing?" Dot stared from Becky to Juice, incredulous.
"Come to me and I will gift you with great riches," the scarecrow said to Katie.
"Ow! I was kidding," Juice said, rubbing his head.
"Juice, you idiot, giving them what they want is ..just dumb. You are so on mulch duty. "
"We not giving Katie," Catherien said.
"... I'm not marrying someone made of corn," Katie said, testily.
"But Corn Lord, we have chosen our finest girl..." the Elder protested.
"I'm going to shoot the ugly scarecrow." Becky said, "Because I DON'T like scarecrows."
"And we're not letting you," Andrew said.
"You lie," the scarecrow said. "This offering is insufficient."
"And you," Dot went on to Becky, "better be a damn good shot, or you're ...oh, I don't know what you are."
Warren commented, "Their finest girl doesn't want to marry you, sir."
"She kinda rocks," Nica said.
Catherine looked at Jonathan. "When can I go 'flame on,' Jonathan? I don't like corn demon."
"Emphasis yours on the kinda, right? Guns never solve anything," muttered Dot.
"Soon, I hope," Jonathan muttered. "Wait for Warren's signal."
"I grew up using shotguns." Becky said "And Ethans been teaching me how to use other guns."
"I'll bet," Nica said.
Becky stuck her tounge out at Nica
The corn demon tapped his chin, considering this.
"This girl is nearly as good," the Elder insisted. "She'd make you a fine wife."
Dot just sighed, ready to whack somebody with her snake stick.
"Can I just shoot him?" Becky asked
"I definitely don't want the gun-happy one," the corn demon said. "Are you sure that she won't marry me?" He eyed Katie again. "There is much potential with that one."
"I don't want you either, straw face." BEcky said
Warren murmured, "Just start flanking and get ready to fire -- that way he can't just dodge out of the way."
Catherine nodded, and started to inch her way into a flanking position.
Lizzie did likewise, as did Jonathan.
Juice just stayed the heck out of the way.
Katie, for her part, had the sense to stay behind Juice -- just in case Corny decided to come after her personally.
Becky started inching her way into following directions too.
Nica stayed more or less behind Becky.
"Oh that really is too bad," the scarecrow said. "Well, better luck next year, I suppose."
Dot kept herself between Juice and ..whatever might come at them from up that way.
"But... our crops," the Elder said. "How about if I give you two lovely girls of our villiage?"
The corn demon pshed. "What do I look like, some sort of polygamist?"
Catherine was really fighting the urge to give the corn demon a long and impassioned speech on why giving corn demons virgin brides was realy a bad idea. It would give away her position.
He was quite civilized, for an animate scarecrow, and looked as insulted as a being with a pumpkin head could look.
"Sorry..." Katie quietly apologized, still making a point of staying behind Juice.
"Oh, it's quite alright. I understand. It's the pumpkin head, isn't it? Really not a turn on for humans from what I understand," the corn demon said.
"... plus I already have a girlfriend," Katie added.
"No problem, Kittydid. I'm itching to hit someone and they'll have to get through me to get to you guys." Dot scowled.
Warren, on the other hand, merely waited for everyone to get into place. Keeeeep talking, pumpkin man...
The Elder pushed the bride towards the corn demon. "Please sir.. I know she isn't up to our usual standards, or up to the special gift I promised you this year... but we need our crops. And she is willing to marry you."
"Why is it always virgins, anyway?" Catherine mumbled. "Why virgins important?"
Warren probably would've had an answer for that, if he'd heard, but he was busy quietly removing the flare launcher from under his 'armor'.
The corn demon folded his stalky arms. "Maybe I want your crops to fail, how about that? I mean, I show up here every year- do you know what I'm missing on television to be here right now? And this is all the thanks I get..."
Andrew thought that, for a corn demon who demanded virgin brides, he seemed normal.
Warren took out his flare launcher and took aim. "FIRE!" And he did. What? Let him leave and go through this NEXT year?
Lizzie made a fireball and flamed it towards the corn demon when Warren gave the command.
Becky fired. SHe'd obviously been spending a lot of time with guns
Jonathan shook the bone, and helped the flames to rise.
"Plamya na sukya demona zerna!" Catherine screamed and aimed her flamethrower and fired.
[This roughly translates to 'flame on corn demon bitch']
Nica blinked against the glare, and watched the cornfield turn into a path of hell.
[A few things happen simultaiously - first, there is a shrieking, flmaing corn demon. He runs into the corn... which of course, catches on fire. Not that many things aren't on fire at this point... considering all the flames. The Elder looks horrfied, and calls from the pulpit "Kill the infidels!" The Amish-ish folks get up from their seats, wielding pitchforks and clubs.]
[Also, did we mention nearly everything is on fire?]
"And now maybe we should run!" Andrew yelled.
Warren threw off the armor 'costume', revealing his jetpack (and the belt his weapons had been hanging from) and promptly started the jetpack up. "Screw running, I'm flying!"
Katie yelped and bolted back the way they'd come.
Becky looked around quickly for a way out.
Kyle considered the same -- but hadn't the path out been blocked?! -- and just backed up. "Um, crap?"
Dot shook her head and ran, looking back over her shoulder to see if anyone was actively chasing them.
"What about us?" Lizzie said, noting Warren ready to take off.
"Jonathan? Can you make a non-flamy path for us?" Catherine asked, shouting over the random chaos. She kicked a Amish person who tried to attack her, sending him to the ground.
Jonathan tried to shake the bone to put out flames in a direction that would allow them to retreat. "Come on, magic bone, don't fail me now... "
Becky aimed her gun at the amish people. "Pitchfork, meet gun." she said
"Fuck!" Nica yelped, and ducked behind Becky again.
Andrew ran over to Jonathan. "Maybe we could work together on this. I don't use a bone, but I don't suck at magic."
Warren started the jetpack and flew upwards -- but, to his credit, did use this more to see if he could see a way out for the others than just to fly the hell out of here. Those Amish people had to have gotten in here somehow, after all.
"Okay, buddy... let's do it." Jonathan nodded in agreement to Andrew.
[Okay, pause for GM to untangle things...]
[Katie and Dot jump back the way folks came in - which will at least take them away from some of the flames, if not provide a perminant escape solution. Catherine kicks and pummels the Amish-ish and Becky shoots at them to keep them at bay, while Andrew and Jonathan work on a spell together to clear a path. Warren flies up to see if he can spot the way out. Nica, Juice, and Kyle are trying to stay the heck out of the way. Did I miss anyone?]
[Warren: You see that the way the Amish got in is the way the corn demon was attempting to get out. It is now on fire. But however, you do notice that where Jonathan and Andrew are trying their spell - with a bit of hacking on a diagonal, they would eventually make it out that way.
Katie and Dot - if you hack your way through the corn where you're at, you might be able to make progress outward. At least, it isn't flamey there. Becky/Catherine: There are a lot of Amish, but they are not very combatant, so kicking their asses is pretty easy.]
Warren called back down. "Hey! Go THAT WAY!" He pointed in the direction of the diagonal. "Just hack straight through, it's the fastest way out without burning!"
Katie didn't have anything hackly, but did start trying to tear things out of the way with her bare hands. "This is really, really not good..." she muttered nervously, looking back over her shoulder at the flames.
[Jonathan and Andrew work well together - they have a nice, non-burny path ready for retreat.]
"Come on everyone, this way!" Jonathan called.
Lizzie didn't have to be told twice, and started heading thataway.
Catherine started toward Jonathan and Andrew, pushing Amish-y people out of her way.
Kyle knew opportunity when he saw it, snagged Juice, and headed thataway, swiping knifily at anything that got in the way.
Juice hung on and admired his brave boyfriend with the knife swipeys.
Dot had been whacking cornstalks, but stopped when she heard the shouting> "C'mon, sounds like they've got a better way out." She followed after Juice and Kyle.
Katie turned and followed Dot, hoping that the better way out was... well, just that.
Nica followed, and tried to tow Becky along.
Becky followed, still holding the gun out to keep the amish away.
[The group manages to make it out of the now very flamey corn maze. Angry Amish-ish people are not far behind. Chaos is errupting at the Festival, as everyone can see the obvious flames. People are running for the parking lot, snatching up children out of harm's way, and so on. Chaos!]
Warren stayed in the air, somewhat near where his crew was, and took a few potshots with the flare launcher at angry Amish frontliners.
Dot flinched. Those were falling kind of close. She kept moving, keeping an uneasy eye out behind.
[That helped to keep the Amish at bay - the whole flare business.]
"To the parking lot!" Jonathan called. "We have a van there."
He didn't know who had cars.
Andrew headed toward Jonathan's van, as did Catherine.
Becky didn't have a car- Her Papa had dropped her off.
Kyle snagged Juice and headed for Juice's car.
Nice towed Becky towards her car.
Katie didn't have a car, either, and invited herself to follow Nica and Becky.
"I want to go over Ethan's." Becky said
Dot trailed along with Juice and Kyle.
Warren reloaded, and fired another salvo in the general direction of the Amish before retreating and trying to come in for a landing. "Ow, ow, ow, ow..."
Juice loaded up his crew into the car, and drove like fuck when they were in.
Jonathan helped get everyone in the van.
"Is Halloween always like this?" Catherine asked Jonathan.
"... well, it -was- a happy Halloween," Katie commented.
"Are you okay?" Lizzie called to Waren.
"... not usually," Jonathan said. "It's usually really quiet..."
"I just want to gto the fuck away," Nica admitted, opening her car dor.
*door
"He doesn't live far from here." Becky said
Warren quickly took off the jetpack as soon as he was on the ground, then took off his jacket -- which was starting to smoke. "Okay, maybe it still needs some work... Ow!"
"Agreed," Katie said, and scrambled into the car.
Kyle let out a breath. "... omigod, we're criminals."
Lizzie hurried over to help Warren.
"Halloween is weird," Catherine said. "I thought we get candy or something."
"Are we going to get arrested?" Juice said, panicy.
Dot shook her head. "Stupid boys. We didn't do anything. It was that nut with the gun. Where do you find these people?"
Becky got out her cell phone, and dialed Ethan as she got in the car,
"I think Kyle cut a few," Juice said. "But.. to be fair they were totally trying to kill us at that point," Juice said.
"In corn," Kyle answered, "apparently. And yeah, I kinda... yeah."
"Guys... come on, in the van, hurry..." Jonathan said, nervous about being the last group to leave.
Catherine hopped into the van.
Andrew was already inside.
"This is Ethan."
"C'mon," Lizie said, helping to grab equipment so her and Warren could get in.
"I shot some people." Becky said "I'm going to have Nica drop me off there."
"Gunshots! Did you cut anything major? They'll put some cotton on it and it'll get better. Guns are terrible things." Dot ruffled Kyle's hair.
"Where should we go?" Juice asked Dot and Kyle.
"You ... wait, what the hell?" Ethan asked.
Warren hauled the jetpack into the van, then put it down hastily -- it was hot stuff, after all. "Let's go!"
Lizzie climbed on in with Warren.
"... I didn't mean to make the corn demon want to marry me," Katie commented from the backseat, cat-ears adroop.
"To the lair?" Jonathan asked, taking off once everyone was in.
Andrew nodded.
"My papa made me go to some stupid harvest thing, and the amish people didn't like that we tried to kill the pumpkin demon who wanted to marry Katie."
"Sounds good to me," Catherine said.
"Sunset. I really want some eggs but I guess eggrolls will do. Besides, Mike likes us," Dot said.
" ... yeah, okay, so you're coming over?" Ethan said.
"Nica, are you dropping me off?" asked Becky "Where are we going?"
"Sounds like a plan," Warren agreed.
"Yeah... Sunset sounds good," Kyle agreed.
"Okay, to the Sunset it is," Juice said, taking off for there.
"I'm not sure where they're going ... probably the Sunset, but I can drop you off if you want," Nica said.
"Is everyone okay?" Lizzie asked. "Warren, you didn't burn your hands, did you?"
"Nah... just a little," Warren said.
"Can you come to the sunset and get me?" asked Becky, as Nica continued driving to the Sunset
"I got to burn corn demon who has a weird virgin fetish," Catherine said. "I think I did good today."
"Yep, I think we did alright. Not entirely sure if we killed it, but I think that'll convince it not to come back again anytime soon," Warren said.
"Let me see," Lizzie said.
Warren did indeed burn his hands somewhat. Stupid jetpack.
"I'm so glad we got the van in time for this," Jonathan said. "And Andrew -we did great together! Did you see that?"
"That was totally cool! We were like 'go back flame' and it totally did!" Andrew was having to try to not bounce from giddyness.
Jonathan noticed Lizzie looking at Warren's hands. "There's first aid supplies when we gget back to the lair."
"Yeah, no problem," Ethan said. "I'll be there in a few. You okay?"
"Why are virgins so important anyway? Things always want virgin sacrifices. It's weird." Catherine crossed her arms.