Author's note: While I do find the Sewer Rat arc very interesting, could we please work on these Halloween chapters before they become too out of season?
PS, can we agree that 'Mary Piper' is an acceptable name for the Rat Queen?
As people age, Halloween start to lose its appeal. For the elderly, plenty were more prone to gripe about how Halloween was in 'their day' in contrast to what it was today. But thanks to the youthening properties of the Animalian Virus, there were plenty of former senior citizens were able to enjoy Halloween again for the first time in many years.
Two such couples were having a quieter time than going to the rowdier part at the Slaughterhouse. One pair was the O'Farrels, Shamus and Shannon. The two of them were dressed up as ghosts from their native Ireland. Shannon was dressed up in white with dark tear stains painted on her face to imitate the infamous banshee. Shamus was wearing what could easily be mistaken for a literal headless horseman's costume, though specifically he was supposed to be a dullahan. The other couple were the Robinsons, Vivian and Zeus. They were dressed more fancily as they were wearing ballet costumes from 'Swan Lake', with Vivian wearing the black swan outfit of Odile while Zeus wore the eagle-owl mask and cape of Baron von Rothbart.
The two couples were taking a tea break from handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. "I must say, you make a very good pot of tea," said Vivian, sipping from her cup.
"Well, we're not as crazy as them Englishmen, but we Irish do like our tea too," said Shamus.
"So, how have your eggs been doin'?" asked Shannon.
"Should be hatching any day now," said Vivian.
"Well, at least ye don't have to carry yer young for months," said Shannon, rubbing the small bump of her stomach.
"Ye've carried plenty of foals before," said Shannon, "And you won't have to carry it for eleven months like you used to."
"Thank heaven for that," said Shannon.
"I thought you two were holding back on children," said Zeus.
"Only until I finished with me hurdlin'," said Shannon, looking over at the mantle where the gold medal for winning the hurdle race of the IAC was kept.
"Aye, after that it was off ta Erin for an overdue honeymoon and conceivin' our foal," said Shamus.
"Sounds romantic," said Vivian.
"Say, there's been something I've meanin' ta ask ye," said Shamus.
"What's that?" asked Vivian.
"Well, as I recall, Zeus, the thunder god Zeus, took many forms ta seduce his lovers," said Shamus.
"Yes, that's the subject of many a...performance at the Meat Market," said Vivian in a tone set with disapproval.
"And as I recall, one of those guises was as a swan. So I wondered if you and Zeus might have-" started Shamus.
"What?!" snapped Vivian, "Me? A ballerina of a long, respected line performing a...a farcical of a shamelessly sexual nature? I have never heard such an outrageous accusation in all my-"
"If you mean 'The Seduction of Leda', we've done that," said Zeus calmly.
"Zeus!" snapped Vivian.
"Vivian was insistent on us wearing masks so no one would recognize us," said Zeus, "She's very sensitive about tarnishing her reputation."
"Well, I've never!" snapped Vivian.
"Vivian, relax, ye're not gonna become a pariah," said Shamus, "Everyone knows we Animalians are a little oversexed. So ye've done a dirty performance at a nightclub. So what? I bet there are plenty of ballets that are considered scandalous."
"Well...that's true," said Vivian.
"Ye've got a chance to reinvent yerself," said Shannon, "Don't feel like ye have to relive the same exact life."
"Don't worry, no one is judging us," said Zeus, grasping Vivian's hand, "You're still a great dancer, no matter what kind of dance you're doing."
Vivian sighed, looking a bit mollified. "Well, don't spread it around, please. I'd rather be remembered for my more artistic performances than my... overly-passionate ones," she said.
"Mum's the word," said Shannon. Just then, the doorbell rang. "Aw, more darlin's," she said, getting the candy bowl and heading for the door.
"So would ye like to hear some of the ghost stories we tell back in Ireland?" asked Shamus.
"Better wait a while," said Zeus, "Vivian gets scared easily."
Vivian smacked Zeus lightly with her wing and said, "Don't push your luck."