Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
CLAIRE
Once Vektal's on board, I recruit Asha and Josie to go with me to each family's hut and explain what we're doing.
"It's going to be four hands of days from now, so everyone has time to get ready," Josie says. "If you can't make a costume for your children, let one of us know and we can help."
"And we will lie about tricking you," Asha adds.
"No lies," I hastily explain to the first person on our list of houses to hit. Maddie stares at me with a blank look on her face as we trip over each other trying to explain how the holiday will work. I wave the skin I've been working on in the air. "I have a list of events, though, and I'll post them in the longhouse. You can choose what you want to participate in, but of course it'd be wonderful if you wanted to be part of everything."
"I love Halloween," Josie burbles, possibly more excited about this than I am.
"I have to make Masan a costume? I can barely sew a regular tunic." Maddie makes a face. "Let me see that list." She scans it. "Oh, an ice maze? That'll be fun. I can help Hassen with that."
"Great—"
"And he's going to want to be part of the football game, too. Been talking about it since last No-Poison," she says with a smile. She reads down the list a bit further. "Bobbing for apples—please tell me we're not having the kids bob for not-potatoes."
"We haven't decided yet?—"
"Wait, what the fuck's a cake walk?"
"It's a bit like musical chairs at a carnival," Josie chimes in again. "Where someone plays music and if it stops when you're on the special space, you win a cake. I always wanted to play that."
Maddie eyes me. "Well, I can make something sweet. I don't know if it'd be a cake, but I can make something."
"It doesn't have to be a cake. Just a prize of some kind," I reassure her. "We're going loose with the interpretation."
Maddie thinks for a moment longer. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll even make a costume, though god knows what Masan's going to dress up as. Do adults get to dress up, too?"
"If you want."
A wicked smile curves her mouth. "Oh, I want."
I can only wonder what's going through her mind.
One by one, we visit each house. Strangely enough, Georgie seems more reluctant than Vektal is. Their kids are excited, though. Both Talie and Vekka love the idea of a costume festival and ask a dozen questions about “trick or treating.” Jorvek just watches his sisters and gets excited when they giggle, and sucks his thumb otherwise. But eventually Georgie gets on board, and when I leave their house, I can hear the excited chatter behind me.
Sevvah and Oshen have no clue what we're talking about, and Sessah just listens while Sam tries to fill in the blanks for him. She seems like a sweet woman, though I don't know her as well as I know the others. She came from Icehome and insisted on returning recently. She says it's so she can be with Sessah's family through her pregnancy, which is sweet and admirable. They all live together in a small hut which seems crowded to me, but Sam has reassured us that she likes having so many people around. It makes her feel safe.
"We'll come up with something," she tells me. "I bet Oshen can make a wonderful drink for us."
The elderly hunter beams. "I will."
"What do you need done?" Sessah asks me. "I have a strong back."
"Maybe you can help Hassen with a maze?" I ask.
"Mayze?" He says the word strangely and looks over at Sam.
She pats his arm. "I'll explain it to you. It's like getting trapped in a series of blind canyons, but for fun."
Sessah looks startled but defers to his mate. "If you insist."
Sam just grins. "Maybe come back to us."
It doesn't get any easier when we go to Kemli's hut. She shares with Borran and Vadren, and Farli and Mardok are right next door with their baby. None of them have a clue of what we're talking about.
Drayan and Drenol, the two bachelor elders, look displeased at the thought of another holiday. "More human celebrations," Drenol says sourly. "Are we all just a tribe of humans now?"
"Come now," Asha says, moving to sit with the two of them near the main fire. "This is an event to make the kits smile. My Shema is going to dress up, and I know she will like the opportunity to do something special. And think of how much fun Lukti will have. That boy needs to smile more."
Drenol's sour face softens a little. "He is very serious for his age," he agrees. "Perhaps he needs a bit of fun."
Boy, Asha knows how to work everyone. It's downright impressive. Josie and I exchange a look and leave Asha to her work amidst her tribesfolk while we continue with the other couples.
Summer and Kate are sitting together, watching as Kate's fat snow-cat, Mr. Fluffypuff, is manhandled by Wrek and Hopper as they play tag. I was initially worried that Puff was going to be a problem as he got older and much, much bigger. He's bigger than a lion now, but he's also the sweetest, laziest creature who adores the children. Even now as we approach, he grabs Wrek between his paws and begins to groom him, licking his messy black hair as Hopper pulls off his cloak and stalks towards the two of them.
"Ew! Puff!" Wrek squeals. "Yuck!"
"Play nice with Puff," is all Summer says, then goes back to her conversation with the rest of us.
Hopper lets out a bellow and dives onto Puff and Wrek, making his friend squeal again.
Oblivious to the noise the kids are making, Kate is excited at the prospect of another holiday. "I absolutely adore any excuse for fun, so I'm in. I've already got an idea for a costume. Puff has these huge wads of loose fur that come free and I've been saving them for Tiffany, but I might use them for his costume instead." She rubs her hands gleefully. "Is there a prize for the best costume?"
"Er, I don't know. We didn't get that far?" I look over at Josie, who shrugs.
"There should be," is all Kate says, and Summer giggles.
"I guess I'll see what I can come up with?"
"All I'm saying is that you know Tiffany is going to make something glorious, and if I'm going to put in the effort to try and beat her, I need more than a back pat."
"How about your kid loves their costume?" Josie retorts.
Kate just grins. "Have you met my kid? If I can keep him clothed for a few hours, I'll count that as a win."
I purse my lips to keep from laughing. I'd forgotten that Hopper loves nothing more than to pull off layers of clothing. He doesn't like the confinement, he says. The kid's gonna be a nudist when he grows up, I just know it. I glance over and Hopper has his pants off at this point, because of course he does.
Maybe Kate is right about not bothering with the costume.