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yumemory[Location: Outside Talbott Castle, evening]
We brought the siblings over to where we were in order to meet up with Larry, who was temporarily back to his human form.
John: Larry! Is that really you, Larry?!
Gwen: I can’t believe that we’re finally able to talk with you again like this…
Larry: My apologies, you two. I didn’t mean to make you worry.
Akira: …Maybe we should leave them be for a while.
Rutile: I agree. Surely there are things they want to talk about in private.
We moved some distance away to give them space, and watched them from afar.
We couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was easy to see how busy they were, pouring out their tears and vexation.
They talked all night, and at the end of their long conversation, we found them laughing together.
Arthur: I see you’re done talking with them.
Larry: Yes, thanks to all of you, I was able to convince my siblings to agree with my decision.
Larry looked over at the two of them, and John and Gwen nodded in confirmation.
John: The three of us talked it over and came up with a decision. Thinking about it, Larry, kind-hearted as he is, has always been the one who compromised for our sake.
Gwen: So now we thought it’s our turn to give him what he wishes for.
Rutile: Mister John, Miss Gwen…
The three of them stood beside each other. Perhaps it was because they were up speaking all night that their voices were hoarse, and their eyes were red and swollen.
They all looked frayed at the edges, but their expressions were clear, as if they’d finally made it through a long night.
Murr: By the way, Larry.
Murr: Were you ever able to talk to the moon?
Larry was all smiles upon hearing Murr’s question. But he didn’t nod or shake his head, and instead replied with a wink.
Larry: I wonder!
(Birds chirp)
Light appeared on the eastern side of the sky. Golden hair fluttering in the wind, slowly turning into fur…
As the sun rose up, Larry Talbott had returned to his wolf form.
[Location: Talbott Castle, hall]
The next evening, a grand party was held in Talbott Castle.
The main hall, the venue for the event, had been completely transformed by the wizards.
Skulls and pumpkin lanterns were scattered about, and the table was filled to the brim with sweets and treats, giving the place a mood somewhere between lovely and creepy.
John: What an odd atmosphere.
Gwen: I think it’s really nice! I like it a lot. It’s just the right amount of fun and scary, perfect for our party tonight. Don’t you agree, Brother?
Larry: Woof.
Arthur: We tried to imitate an event in the Master Sage's world referred to as a Halloween party.
Rutile: It was Mister Murr’s idea. He said he’d heard about it from the previous Sage.
Riquet: A day where you can eat as many sweets as you want without getting scolded for it… Halloween is such a wonderful—no, a truly divine occasion. I wonder who pioneered such an event?
Figaro: Is that what Halloween is? I thought it was a day where you hide your true identity under a costume?
Mithra: Is it not a festival that celebrates the opening of the gate to the underworld?
Bradley: Nah, it’s a day when ya can do all kinds o’ crime and not get punished fer it.
Akira: T-There seems to be quite a lot of confusion out there…
Murr: Trick or treat! Master Sage, here’s some sweets for you!
Akira: Thank you very much. This is the candy you magically produced yesterday…
Murr: Yup! There’s just so much of it to eat!
Murr: If you want more, then just cast the spell!
Riquet: Mitile, it is finally time for the spell.
Mitile: Okay!
Mitile and Riquet: One, two, three! Trick or…
Mithra: Trick or treat!
Mitile and Riquet: Ah!
Mithra: Now, all of these sweets are mine.
Riquet: Mithra, you cannot do that. You’re cutting in line!
Mitile: Jeez, you did that yesterday too!
Mithra: It’s not my fault that you two are lagging behind.
Riquet: We’ll just have to try again. Be prepared, Mithra. Mitile, here we go!
Mitile and Riquet: Trick or treat!
Mithra: Trick or treat!
Akira: (It’s starting to become more like an ultimate move…)
As the party peacefully carried on, John and Gwen remained close to Larry, who had turned into a wolf.
Even though they could no longer communicate with him with their words, the two of them constantly talked to him, all the while stroking his fur.
Gwen: Look, look! It's a moon-shaped cookie Sir Murr gave me earlier. Here, Brother. Have some.
Larry: Woof….
John: What is it, Larry? Is it not to your liking?
Gwen: I’m sure he wants the three of us to eat it together.
John: I see… Then I’ll divide it equally.
Gwen: Brother, you’re as clumsy as ever. What of that is equal?
John: S-Shut up! It isn’t that easy to cut it into three parts, okay. Here, have one.
Larry: ………
John: Haha. You don’t need to hold back and pick the smallest one, Larry.
Gwen: Fufu. This brings back memories. When we were kids, Larry would always let us take the big portions of the things we shared.
John: That’s only because you would get angry if you didn’t get a big share.
Gwen: Huh!? Look who’s talking!
The siblings’ laughter made it obvious that they were having a good time during this intimate moment they shared.
(Figaro arrives)
Figaro: Hm, so you’re here?
Bradley: Ugh… Figaro.
Figaro: What a nice view. The starry sky looks beautiful.
Figaro: I was given a fine bottle of wine, so I thought I’d find a quiet place to enjoy it.
Bradley: This was a nice quiet place to enjoy fine wine. Until you came along.
Figaro: Now, don’t be like that. I’ll share it with you, too.
Figaro: Anyway, I’m glad we managed to keep things under control today.
Bradley: What’s that smug face for? Ya really think yer any different from that wolf?
Bradley: Putting on that disgusting sheep’s clothing ya have.
Figaro: Oh, please, it’s not sheep’s clothing. It’s a brand-new, different side of me.
Bradley: ...Tch.
Figaro: Do you disagree with him, Bradley? With the way he chose to live his life, abandoning who he was, all to become a wolf.
Bradley: …Hmph. If he’s happy that way, then there ain’t no need for outsiders like us to judge ‘im.
Bradley: That wolf guy just stuck ta what he wanted in ‘is own way. It don’t matter if the way he chose fer himself was crooked or some shit. If it's something he wants to stick to, then there ain’t no questionin’ it.
Figaro: ………You know, if the twins were here, they would have given you a loving pat on the head.
Bradley: I’m gonna kill you.
Figaro: Now, now. Come on, Bradley. Cheers.
Rutile: Prince Arthur, how about this?
Arthur: Yes, and now just turn around like this…
Rutile: Wow, you look so much like a prince! Ah, I’m sorry. Was it weird to tell a real prince that he looks like a prince?
Arthur: Ahaha. Of course not. It’s a wonderful compliment.
Akira: Are you two practicing your dancing?
Rutile: Yes. Prince Arthur is teaching me how people dance and behave in the castle. He’s super cool, and very skillful!
Rutile: Plus, his instructions are easy to understand!
Arthur: And you’re a fast learner, Rutile. Perhaps you’ll come to do better than I do.
Akira: You two look like you’re having a lot of fun. I’m not very familiar with dances or manners either, so maybe I’ll ask you both to teach me next time.
Arthur: Of course, Master Sage. I’ll be more than happy to teach you.
Rutile: Why wait for next time when we can teach you now! For our first lesson, here’s how to properly ask someone for a dance…
Rutile straightened his back and faced me.
Standing regally, he reached out his hand to me with a gallant smile on his face, and said:
Rutile: Master Akira, may I have the pleasure of a dance with you?
Rutile: ...How was it?
Arthur and Akira: So cool!!
Murr: A dance! That’s great! It would be a shame to not dance during a party where the moon is dazzling like this.
Murr: ...Ah!
Murr, who seemed to have been suddenly struck with an idea, flew over to Larry. Then, standing in front of him, Murr offered his hand, just as Rutile did earlier.
Murr: I’ve never danced with a werewolf before. May I have the pleasure of a dance with you?
The werewolf in question then jumped at Murr with great force.
Arthur and Rutile: !
Akira: (I-Is he gonna eat him?!)
Murr:《 Eanul Rambul 》!
The tension in the air lasted only briefly as the two of them floated in the air together.
I don't know if I should call it his hands or his feet, but Murr held one of Larry’s limbs, and together they started spinning and dancing in the air.
Murr: In the past, I said you weren't amusing enough for me. And yesterday I said I didn't know you.
Murr: I take it all back. Now, I see you as a fanatical explorer, as well as a precious friend of mine.
Murr: Thank you for giving me such an exciting and wonderful time!
The wolf and the wizard continued to dance. But rather than dancing, it was more like they were playing with one another.
It was a strange sight, but both of them seemed to be having the time of their lives, and that alone made simply watching them delightful.
What a lovely scene, I thought. It was like an odd dream that lingers behind your eyelids after you wake up.
