Halloween is something really celebrated in Asian countries. However, it has picked up attention in Japan, particularly with the spooky theme. And considering that Animalian colonies carry an American influence with them, it was little wonder that Halloween ended up being celebrated on Heiya Island as well. But not to the extent of Lyre or Dinosaur City. There were costumes and trick-or-treating, but not too much more than that. Though the biggest attraction was the Hall of Yokai, which depicted many of the strange creatures of Japanese mythology.
The Five Elements were looking around the Hall of Yokai, each of them dressed like a Japanese mythological creature. Huoxing had a fake mouth attached to the back of her head to make herself the futakuchi-onna. Muxing had a fake head attached to a long but flexible wire to put it above her real head, which was being hidden in the shoulders of her costume. For she was being the rokurokubi tonight, possibly the completely headless nukekubi variety. Jinxing had donned a white kimono and added a liberal amount of white powder to her face so she would resemble the infamous yuki-onna. Tuxing and Shuixing were both basically dressed like oni, including wearing caveman-like pelts and carrying large clubs. But Shuixing was claiming she was an ushi-oni, namely due to her bovine head and the cowbell she was wearing.
"Boy, the Japanese sure are weird," said Huoxing as she looked at some of the depictions of different kinds of yokai.
"Huoxing, just because the Japanese have different customs doesn't make them weird," said Jinxing, "There are plenty of things that may seem strange to others, but are respected in their own cultures."
Huoxing pointed at one yokai depiction and read, "Akaname: a spirit that lives in bathhouses that licks up the filth using their elongated tongues."
Jinxing blinked before saying, "The Japanese are weird."
Meanwhile, Shuixing was talking about her plans for the rest of the year. "It shouldn't be a problem if I go to Nate's farm for Thanksgiving, would it?" asked Shuixing.
"I don't think that should be a problem," said Tuxing, "Though I think it would be easier on everyone to meet halfway in Lyre for Thanksgiving."
"But I will be going to his farm on Christmas," said Shuixing, "They're expecting me there."
"Well, I don't begrudge you that," said Tuxing, "As long as you don't spend the entire Christmas season there. I just want you back by New Year's."
"As in the calendar new year or the lunar new year?" asked Shuixing, a little coyly.
"The calendar new year, you silly cow," said Tuxing, lightly bopping Shuixing on the head, "You're not going to spend most of January in Wisconsin."
"Uh, pardon me, but would you mind if I invited someone over for Christmas?" asked Muxing, coming between the tiger and the water buffalo.
Tuxing gave Muxing a mildly surprised look. "Well, finally found a guy you're interested in?" she asked.
Muxing flicked out her tongue and said, "Don't be silly, I'm not that easy to impress."
"It wouldn't be the worst thing," said Shuixing mildly, "Someone could make you very happy."
Muxing sighed and said, "If there was a man, he'd really have to prove himself first. But this isn't about a guy. I was wanting to invite Sylvia over."
"Sylvia? The rattlesnake lawyer?" asked Tuxing in confusion.
"She doesn't really have anywhere to go since she left her family," said Muxing, "And she'd rather spend winter someplace warm."
"It's not going to be that warm here," said Tuxing pointedly. She, Jinxing, and Huoxing were already growing their winter fur. She wasn't sure if it would actually snow on Heiya Island, but it wasn't going to be balmy like Mieni Atoll.
"We have hot springs at least," said Muxing, "I just want to make the offer so she won't feel alone on Christmas."
"I think that's a nice thought," said Shuixing, "I'm just glad you've made a friend outside of our group."
"Well, if she does want to come, I won't be against it," said Tuxing, "Though this might be her idea of a winter getaway."
Muxing shrugged and said, "It might not be my idea either, but I'm not planning on being outdoors very much now."