Your Character Name: SelSei
Monster/NPC Name: Kafra Esi
Costume/Dressed up as: Kafra Halloween Uniform (Original)
Short Story/Description(has to be more than 100 words): A small sweet story, where halloween is usually perceived to be dark and ghastly, here is a halloween tale that involves not ghosts and monsters, but joy, smiles and pumpkin pies.
Short Story:
Kafra Esi hummed a soft tune to herself, the winds caressed her face as she weaved her way through the evening clouds,
having just dropped off the last of her clients at the Northern Gates of Prontera. With a squeeze of the handle, her
magical broomstick's course angled towards Blyth's store, Prontera's general merchant. She had been tasked with the
simple errand of picking up some chopped pumpkin before returning to the Kafra house just across the street.
Tonight, you see, was the eve of All Saints' Day, Halloween, as it's colloquially known. It was a night where the
children dressed up and roamed the streets, hungry for candy; where the city would be illuminated by carved pumpkin
candlelights.
It was also the night the Kafra house would open its doors to serve the citizens of Prontera drinks and pumpkin pie -
one of the highlights of the day's evening.
As Esi touched down onto the pavement, Blyth skipped out, with him a generous basket of sliced pumpkins.
Esi broke into a smile, still adjusting her flight goggles.
"Thanks Blyth."
"Don't mention it! I'm looking forward to those pies, Es."
"Yeah, see you later!"
Chuckling lightly, Esi took the basket by its handle, hovering at a walking pace towards the Kafra house. The goofy
grin plastered on Blyth's face was one that demanded being fed - the man loved Kafra pies.
With that, the Kafra house spun into action, the room normally used for conducting auctions was converted into a
temporary kitchen, pumping out pumpkin pies quickly and efficiently.
As the evening grew darker, Prontera's lights grew ever more brighter, the citizens were becoming restless at the thought of the
night's festivities. Kafra Esi, too, anticipated the events that would follow. It was a night when all the Kafra's
would be undoubtedly busy, but nonetheless brimmed with joy. Tents and stalls had already been erected along Prontera's main
street along with the Kafra booth, and the pumpkin pies were ready to go.
The city clock sounded, striking the bells 7 times, 7 o'clock had arrived.
With that, Esi, accompanied by Kafra Einsope, took to the changing rooms.
As she eyed the costume carefully, a small smile crawled onto her face. It wasn't the most conservative of costumes, but
it was unmistakable. She huffed once, then donned the uniform.
"Esi, your uniform alright?"
"No problems here", Esi replied, the small smile never fading.
"Blyth would be overjoyed to see you in that. He only comes to the booth to see you anyways."
Blushing, Esi lightly punched Einsope in the shoulder, her face turning a shade of pink.
"N-No he doesn't! The pies! He loves Burette's pumpkin pies!"
"Darling, there's only one place the man stares at while he eats, and that's right here."
Tracing Einsope's arm down to her finger, it led to her chest. Instinctively, Esi covered her torso with her arms, leaving
Einsope chuckling away. She breathed out heavily and thought to herself, "Pies, it's for the pies!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
The festivities came, and the night passed along quickly, the atmosphere continued to fill with joyous drinking and laughter as the ladies
of the Kafra house served free pie. Crowds gathered from all of Prontera, creating quite the squeeze down Prontera's main street.
It was hot and stuffy, but it wasn't an event to miss. The children could be seen scurrying about from door to door, requesting and
receiving candies of all colours and sizes. Some played games for the candies, others would compete to see who could amass the most of
the sweet confectioneries.
Esi looked on with a grin, nothing made her happier than seeing friends, family, and ever strangers come together to celebrate; It was
one of the initial reasons that spurred her to join the Kafra house.
Hours passed, and the night's sky was filled with the moon's watchful rays. By now, most of the crowd had dissipated, some returning
to their residences, others continue the party elsewhere. As Esi packed her bags, ready to head on home after a tiring day, a child
caught her attention. He was simple walking about, glancing carelessly across the near-empty streets. Esi scanned the streets for anybody
that might have looked like the boy's parents, but to no avail. Setting her bag down, she walked over to the kid and crouched in front of
him, meeting his confused eyes.
"Hey there. Are you lost?"
The child eyed Esi for a moment, a glint of weariness refracted off his eyes, Esi noticed. He bid her no reply, his gaze suddenly
dropping to the stone pavement.
"Where are you parents? I can bring you to them if you tell me their names."
Esi offered him a huge grin, but she was only met with an unfazed stare.
"I don't have parents."
Esi almost choked on her tongue, her expression flashed a moment of shock and sadness, only to snap back to the grin she wore before.
They stayed like that for a few moments. Esi couldn't find the right words to console the child, who was obviously all alone on
an empty street. She exhaled, reached out with her hand, and caressed the boy's rough shoulders.
"What's your name?", Esi implored, a plan in mind, one she knew would definitely cheer him up.
The boy hesitated for a moment.
"Ponya.", came the soft reply.
Esi immediately took him by the hand, guiding him towards the now closing Kafra house.
"Ponya, how would you like some pie?"
The boy remained silent, but the faint contraction of his throat indicated a small swallow. They neared, then entered the Kafra
house. It was only then that Esi noticed the ragged clothes the young boy had been wearing: a faded tee and some rough slacks. It
was rather uncommon for there to be impoverished children in Prontera, but once in awhile, the unfortunate does happen. Passing off
the thought to ask questions, Esi brought the boy further in, seating him on a high chair.
Just then, Kafra Burette exited the now cleaned makeshift kitchen.
"Esi? We're closi-"
She stopped mid-sentence as her eyes met with those of the child's. It wasn't a hard decision to make.
"We have plenty of pie left. Stay right there, young man."
With that, Burette left for the kitchen, bring out an orange slice of pie on a paper plate. Esi whispered a quick 'thank you'
through her lips, grateful for Kafra Burette's kind nature.
Ponya took one bite, then two, then he began gobbling the pie down ferociously.
Esi smiled.
"Is it good, Ponya?"
"Mm.", came the muffled, messy reply; the boy's mouth still filled with pie. Esi then brought him a cup of water, that, he also
gulped down.
A few minutes passed and Esi decided it was time to bring Ponya back to wherever he stayed. Though unfortunate, these children
at least had a roof to live under, provided by the city. It was far from luxury, but it was home for these children.
As the young Kafra brought the young boy back to his home, a new glimmer of light came through the boy's eyes. It was that same
glimmer that Esi loved to see in the eyes of the people, happiness.
Setting him down at the doorstep of the small orphanage, Esi bid her farewells. As she was about to take off, the boy waved. As
he did, Esi spotted a small tint of a smile.
"I gave you pumpkin pie, we're friends now, alright? Come visit anytime!", She waved back, adjusted her goggles, then took off into
the glowing night sky.
Humming a soft tune to herself, the winds caressed her face as she weaved through the midnight clouds. Having just dropped off
the last client of the day, she breathed out heavily, but there was an air of content hanging around herself.
With the squeeze of the handle, her magical broomstick's course angled towards the sky. "All in a day's
work", the young Kafra lady thought, finally heading home.
*Attach Concept Art(s):
Edited by SeLcTy, 27 October 2013 - 08:15 AM.