[PROMPT] Halloween Hysterics

The streets were aglow with jack o’lanterns and crooked orange-purple string lights. Decorations of all sorts hung from every awning and window. A late autumn breeze drifted through the village, swirling the fallen auburn leaves in its grasp. It was the thirty-first of October, Halloween.

Four orkii trotted merrily along the cobblestone path, pillowcases and plastic pumpkin-shaped buckets in hand.

“Which house should we go to first?” the first stopped to wonder aloud; a blue, yellow, and pink orki doused head-to-toe in glitter. She wore a silver tube top and skirt, both made of the same shimmery fabric and covered in reflective panels.

Excited chatter arose from the group, discussing their next move.

“Ooh! Maybe that one?” the second, a much smaller girl, answered. This one was dressed in a large puffy jacket that was as colorful as her hair and much too big on her. On her head were round plastic horns and a sheep bell dangled from her neck. She pointed towards a large hut, its windows adorned with cobwebs and a large cackling jack o’lantern sitting on the porch.

The third nodded in agreement, the bells on her antennae jingling with the motion. She wore a gown that reached the ground with long silky sleeves that draped over her hands. White plastic wings peaked out from behind her crimson fluff, and a fuzzy halo adorned with silver tinsel sat upon her head.

The fourth orki grumbled, “This is stupid, why’d you guys have to drag me out here?”

“C’mon Diaemus, I thought you liked Halloween!” Shimmer pouted, though her big round eyes and oversized tusks made it hard to take seriously.

“I do. Or at least I did before you guys made me wear this stupid dress!” Diaemus retorted, crossing his arms and huffing.

Pomelle chuckled, “Shouldn't have lost that bet, then. You know nobody can beat Jolly at Uno.” Jolly nodded again, her antennae still jangling, “Y’know, that pink looks good on you!”

Not sure if she was being sarcastic, the batty orki rolled his eyes, “Ugh, whatever. Let’s just get candy already.”

Our quartet of orkii stepped up to the stoop. Though Shimmer had pointed it out, she was too short to reach the door bell. Pomelle quickly stepped in to ring it.

*Ding! Dong!* the bell rang, and soon the door opened. A larger orki dressed in a simple devil costume stepped out, a bowl of treats in one arm.

“Aww, what a cute little group!” they fawned.

“Trick or treat!” the four chimed in unison, holding out their bags.

The red-clad orki happily dropped some candy into each bag, though Diaemus’ scowl made them hesitate for a moment.

After some quickly muttered thank you’s, the four retreated to the main path to plan their next move.

As the hours passed, the group made steady progress across the village, soon enough, they were more than halfway done. In spite of this, Diaemus’ mood only worsened. The girls’ jokes didn’t stop. His grimace could curdle milk, and those giving out candy took notice.

After a few more houses, they regrouped under a buzzing streetlight to show off their growing haul.

“I got a popcorn ball!” Shimmer cheered, failing to resist the urge to preemptively nibble on it.

“I got a fudge bar!” Jolly followed, taking care to make sure it didn’t get squished as she placed it back in her bag.

“And I got a pack of gum!” Pomelle chimed, checking to see which flavor she got, “Aw sweet, strawberry!

“I got a rock…” Diaemus muttered as he proceeded to chuck it angrily, nearly smashing a window. That was the tipping point.

“Dude! What is your problem?” Pomelle scolded.

“My problem? My problem is someone gave me a dang rock, on Halloween!”
“With your attitude, maybe you deserve a rock!” Shimmer chimed in, her typical tiny voice now near shrieking. Jolly said nothing but tugged on her antennae nervously, not sure how this could de-escalate.

“Well I wouldn’t have an attitude if you didn’t make me look like an idiot!” Diaemus finally blurted out.

“Is this seriously because of the dress? Let it go, man.” Pomelle said, dramatically rolling her eyes.

He huffed, “It’s not just the dress, it’s you making fun of me the whole time!”

“Come on, we were just playing! Right, girls?”
Jolly shrugged, “Well, you did lay it on a bit thick…”, Shimmer held her hands behind her back guiltily.

Pomelle’s shoulders dropped, was it really that bad? She sighed, “Look, I’m sorry if we.. I razzed you a bit too hard. Do you wanna call it a night?”
Diaemus smirked, “Nah, I think we missed a couple houses, and I wanna fill my bag to the top!”
The girls nodded, each dumping a portion of their candy into his pillowcase as an apology.

Now back in high spirits, the four trekked once again along the cobblestone path, the chill of the autumn evening breezing through their antennae.