Event Eleven.

[awashmods]

"Four ducks on a pond, A grass-bank beyond, A blue sky of spring, White clouds on the wing; What a little thing To remember for years -- To remember with tears!"

he day is normal. It's a bit chillier than it's been, the nip of fall in the air, but as the new people in the Town settle in... things have gotten peaceful. And yet. When everyone goes out to greet their neighbors, to hug their friends, to shake hands or make eye contact or who knows what -- they'll realize very, very quickly that nothing about today is normal at all, actually. Hopefully nobody minds a little extra sharing today. Welcome to Awash's eleventh event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to start your own posts or logs for this event as well. If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[thinshadowed]

[ Only the most Evil of names, clearly. ]

> "Yes."

[ The boy nods, then his expression turns uncomfortable at the reminder. ]

> "I guess... my shadow is good? For that sort of thing?"

[ There's nothing living in his shadow right now, at least. But it's still something he should keep in mind, with weird stuff happening around town. ]

[allweather]

[None of this makes sense.....]

Is it...? I wonder how that's determined. My shadow has only ever been... there.

[thinshadowed]

> "Um, well, I had to enter a shadow contest. The judges were shadow experts? Also ghosts. From the Diablerie."

[ Ari isn't sure where or what the Diablerie is, actually, but James—that's Stan's horned skeleton butler—spoke of the place as if it was quite prestigious. ]

> "They were the ones who said my shadow is perfect."

[ Y'know, for demonic possession. That's exactly the kind of achievement every parent dreams of, right? Ari's family certainly seemed proud of him for it. ]

[allweather]

[a WHAT]

Now, I'm no expert in shadow-judging, but are you sure you weren't... [ahem] tricked? Into carrying this evil being around with you?

[Because it sounds like you were tricked, lil guy.]

[thinshadowed]

[ Ah, if only. The truth is a lot more ridiculous and maybe a little sad? ]

> "Well, I mean... my parents told him we would do anything if he helped my sister, Annie. And he did, so... since I was picked, I had to do it."

[ Yes, his parents sold their awkward eldest son to a self-proclaimed evil demon to save his younger, more popular sister. Worth it? ]

[allweather]

[It still kind of sounds like a mean trick!! But Reim is pretty familiar with unfair sibling treatment, considering he was handed off to be a servant for the rest of his life at age, like, 6, so.

Hmm.]

I see. And what has he done for you, in all this...?

[thinshadowed]

> "Me?"

[ The boy points to himself, genuinely surprised. ]

> "Um..."

[ He's? Never thought about it before?? ]

[allweather]

[Ah, Reim thinks, another one of these boys. He's still concerned, but he manages a smile that isn't passing any judgment on Ari for his, er... lack of thought.]

Well, if you're offered another shadow king, I hope your first step is to wonder what he'll do for you.

[thinshadowed]

[ Ari smiles sheepishly. ]

> "I kind of hope I won't be?"

[ Like... ideally. He's had enough shadow kings in his life. Also Stan would probably have a thing or two to say about that. ]

> "He did help my sister like he promised, I mean technically he did, so I guess I just didn't really think I could ask for anything beyond that."

[ Stan promised to help break the curse, but he never said he wouldn't turn her shadow hot pink. He actually said that, out loud. ]

[allweather]

In general, [Please, Ari!! Think of yourself!!] Just— you shouldn't let others think of you as easy to convince.

[Easily manipulated, he means, but that would sound mean.]

[thinshadowed]

[ Ari nods. Reim is very smart, so he will try to be better about this in the future. Although technically isn't he just letting himself be convinced way too easily here, too? ]

> "All right. If someone else tries to sell my soul again, I'll ask for something good."