Not quite halloween, but preparations must be made!

[awakebothsides]

[ Ethel is very aware that a Halloween is coming up soon -- a few days, actually -- and she's taken it upon herself to try and make something vaguely Halloween-y, since there's nothing better to do on the island anyway

Comments

[minirans]

[Pumpkins!!

...Really, that was all that's needed to get her attention right away as the little girl races up to the table, attempting to stand on the tips of her toes so she can get a better look at all the pumpkins on the table.]

Wow, there's so many...

[awakebothsides]

[ The voice distracts Ethel from cutting and she nicks her finger, again. She puts the knife down, a little annoyed at it -- see, this is why fists are so much better -- and waves at the newcomer. ]

Yep! You're meant to cut faces in them and then put a light inside for Halloween.

[minirans]

[Ohhh, just like some of the pumpkins that the neighbors put outside on trick-or-treat night!]

That's so cool! D'you think I could try to make one?

[Actually that would probably be a bad idea because...you know, little girl with knives is never gonna end well.]

[awakebothsides]

Ye--

[ Ethel stops herself before giving permission. This kid is really... a kid and somehow, handing her a knife seems like a bad idea to her. ]

I'll help you make one, how about that? [ She wipes the cut on her shorts and pulls them up while she's at it before lifting Winter up on level with the table. ]

How about you choose a Pumpkin first, girlie? [ Okay, so it's not the best nickname, but it's not like Ethel knows her name. ]

[ghosberlass]

Pumpkins? Are these for carving Jack o' Lanterns or something?

[Alas, curious Plassica is curious.]

[awakebothsides]

[ Ethel turns to Plassica with a smile on her face, but continues to carve. Probably not the best idea. ]

Yep! Want to join me? I'm a little bad at it myself... [ And just to prove her point, the knife slips and nicks her fingertip. Oh, hands, why can't you just wield a knife properly without cutting into skin?

Ethel's smile turns sheepish and she turns the pumpkin around so Plassica can see the fine mess she's made of it -- jagged lines with small smudges of red where she'd cut herself and bled onto the pumpkin. ]

[awakenreplica]

Pumpkins, huh? [Not that Leaf is really interested in them, but hey. It's something different.]

[awakebothsides]

[ Oh, this is interesting company. Ethel was wondering when she'd meet this one. She smiles and puts down the knife before she causes herself any more damage. ]

Yeah. Thought it was close to Halloween and all.

[awakenreplica]

Well, Halloween is an interesting holiday, after all. [No lie. It makes her easier to actually blend in with other people sometimes.]

[awakebothsides]

I think it's fun, pretending to be monsters and stuff. I've never carved pumpkins before, though.

[ Ethel holds out her hand. ]

I'm Ethel, by the way.

[awokemptyheaded]

[The sight of pumpkins bring about a wave of nostalgia. Mika comes from Ethel's right, observing her work. It's not the most creative, but it's unique and at least she's trying.]

I never seen that kind before.

[awakebothsides]

[ Ethel laughs and squints at her pumpkin, turning it upside down as she does. ]

I suppose it starts looking decent once you look hard enough.

[awokemptyheaded]

[Good to look at things positive. He kneels down, studying the face.]

It's not down and out yet. I can see something, maybe, if you were to sharpen this corner of the eye for example.

[awakebothsides]

[ This guy is alright! Ethel likes him, she decides. ]

Alright then! I'll take your word for it. [ She does as instructed and manages it all without cutting herself. Ethel stares at it for a moment longer before making her smile wider. ]

You're right! It's on the way to recovery. [ She laughs, patting the face. ]

Why don't you join me and make one yourself? There's plenty to go around.

[ Aand just because she likes talking a lot, she'll introduce herself belatedly -- before they've had a long conversation and exchanging names becomes awkward. ]

Oh, I'm Ethel, by the way.

[dormantveils]

[What. in. the. world. is that?]

That looks gross. [Just passing by.]

[awakebothsides]

[ Another one? Lucky day! ]

Thanks, I know. [ She stabs the knife into the pumpkin again, trying to neaten up on eye. ]

Can't help it though -- I'm not cut out for carving pumpkins. [ She doesn't sound too upset about it though. ]

[dormantveils]

Oh, uh..

[Oh snap, why didn't he notice her? Well least she doesn't sound offended. The stabbing makes him jump a little though.]

Why's that? Looks easy enough.

[awakebothsides]

Knives and I don't get along. [ She doesn't bother pulling the knife out of the pumpkin and holds out her hands to Noel with a sheepish smile. ]

See?