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“Daddy! Hold still!”
“Oops, sorry.” Guts, fully dressed in his Halloween costume, sits on a small stool from his daughter's desk, patiently enduring a very special makeover.
Isolde's tongue pokes out in concentration as she delicately brushes some more red eyeshadow to his eyelids, a touch of blush to his cheeks, and a dab of lip gloss to his mouth. She steps back to assess her handiwork, casting a critical eye. With a definitive nod, she reaches for the multicolored glitter, carefully shaking some on the top of his head.
“There,” she declares. “You're done. A little fairy dust was all you needed.”
Guts stretches to pick up the hand mirror sitting on her desk, eyeing the work that's been done. He squints. “Ya know, I'm not sure how well all this goes with my outfit.”
“Your cape and wings are red! Your eyes match them now!” Isolde replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
“I dunno. Shouldn't I look a little more scary instead?”
“Mercenaries don't have to be just that. They can also be pretty too! Just look at Mama!”
Guts tilts his head to the side, considering. “M'kay. Can't argue with ya there. Mama does always look pretty. Do ya think she's a princess in disguise?”
Isolde's expression turns very serious. “Oh yes. She's actually the very first princess mercenary.” She looks around her room, then bends down to whisper in Guts’ ear conspiratorily. “We can't let her find out that we know.”
He nods gravely in response. “Yeah. It'll be our own little secret.” With the linking of two pinkies, their pact is sealed.
“...And what exactly will be your little secret?” Casca asks, coming into the bedroom, grinning and adjusting the sword and scabbard at her left hip. She's also sporting a pair of sparkly fairy wings, pink to go with the long sleeved tunic under her armor.
Dad and daughter exchange a quick glance before immediately feigning innocence. “Nothing!” Isolde chirps, Guts nodding a little too vigorously in agreement.
“If you say so.” Shaking her head, she looks them both up and down fondly. “I have to admit, these might be your best Halloween looks yet.”
“You think so?” Isolde adjusts her tiara and gives a twirl, modeling her sunshine yellow dress of shimmering tulle and matching wings.
“Oh yes. And I think putting some makeup on Daddy was the best idea. He looks even more handsome now.”
She puffs up proudly, beaming.
“Alright alright,” Guts interjects, standing, glad that the blush conceals his embarrassed flush. “We gotta get goin’. The candy won't trick-or-treat itself.”
They gather in the foyer, Isolde grabbing her big, bright pink pumpkin bucket which holds her foam sword – made up to look like a fairy's magical wand – while Casca helps Guts figure out how best to strap on his own sword and adjust his cape with the costume wings in the way.
“Thanks, boss,” he says, and she rolls her eyes affectionately at the old nickname before kissing his cheek lightly, careful not to smudge his makeup.
Isolde is the first out the door, giving the pumpkin she carved all by herself a fond pat before almost sprinting off the porch and down the path to meet one of her most favorite people in the world.
Judeau is waiting expectantly, dressed in an elaborate minstrel's garb, all finely crafted fabric of emerald green and grey with detailed gold embellishments and brown boots, complete with a real lute – one of the many instruments he plays expertly.
“Your Highness!” He crows as Isolde approaches. “Just when I think you couldn't look any more beautiful!” He tips his feathered hat and bows with an exaggerated flourish, causing her to giggle before she remembers herself and tries her best to stay in character. She gives him a proper curtsy in return and clears her throat.
“Why thank you, Sir Bard,” she giggles, putting on her best snooty voice. “May you accept this token of my gratitude.” She then delicately waves her sword-wand at him, causing glitter to sprinkle around everywhere.
“You are always so generous. And I see you have brought your finest bodyguards!”
“Yes! So there will be no candy thieves tonight!”
“And for that, the kingdom shall rejoice,” he exclaims, looking to his two best friends. Judeau smirks, nudging Guts good naturedly. “I gotta say, red's a good color on you. And, I'm kinda jealous. Think I can get my own makeover and fairy wings next year?” He waggles his eyebrows.
Guts rolls his eyes and grins crookedly. “I dunno. Maybe try asking the Fairy Princess herself. But I warn ya, these make wearing a cape…difficult. And I can't really draw my sword.”
“Ah, a true sacrifice.”
“Anythin’ at all for Her Highness,” he says, looking down at his daughter who smiles delightedly. “So we'll have to rely on Cas to keep us and the candy safe.”
“I am up to the task,” she affirms, tilting her chin up confidently. “My new wings will make sure no thief can outrun me.”
Judeau chuckles. “Tonight's tricksters better watch it.” He pauses. “You all look so good, though. I really wish I could stay and help out.”
Isolde's face falls. “You can't come trick-or-treating with us, Uncle Judeau?” she asks, tugging at his hand.
“Not this time, kiddo. I've gotta play at the lounge for their party tonight. I just wanted to see you all dressed up before I left.”
“Awww,” Isolde pouts, pushing out her lower lip.
“Hey, next year, okay? We can even do matching costumes.”
Her eyes light up, pout vanishing. “You mean it?”
“Promise.”
He serves up a quick hug for Guts and Casca, before kneeling down to embrace his niece.
“I'll be sure to save you some candy,” she whispers.
“Thank you,” he murmurs, giving her an extra squeeze. He's covered in glitter when he pulls away. Standing up, he admires the new shine on his clothes. “This'll make sure I don't fall victim to any tricks tonight,” he teases Isolde with a wink, then salutes them all with his lute before leaving.
They wave until he's out of sight, and then the best part of the evening can begin.
The night is cool and bright, the air full of the comforting nip of autumn, the neighborhood alive with colorful and elaborate decorations and the unbridled, carefree laughter of trick-or-treaters. Spooky sound effects and music permeate from the driveways of many of the homes, and glowing jack-o-lanterns peer from countless windows, fully embracing all the residents in the spirit of the season.
Isolde skips to each lit up house, gleefully accepting her glorious confectionery bounties and compliments with polite thank yous as her mom and dad watch, ever amused, from the sidewalk. She's particularly enthused when one house is found to be handing out king-sized chocolate bars she claims are as big as her head, and that it will be the first thing devoured.
Neighbors periodically stop them on the journey from house to house, offering praise and comments for Guts and Casca's well-crafted costumes – of which they are well known for – this year bringing great amusement with the addition of glittering fairy wings and unexpected makeup. Isolde never fails to delight, always melting hearts with her enthusiasm, charm, and equally impressive festive apparel.
Once every house in their block has been visited, they move on to the neighborhood closest to theirs, determined to maximize the candy plunder and surpass last year's record. A very successful hour or so later – with a bucket that's now too full and heavy for Isolde to carry by herself – they make their way back home, chattering excitedly between bites of sugary goodness about all the wonderful things they've seen tonight, and how this will most definitely be the largest haul yet.
“Mama, can I stay up later and watch a movie with you guys?” Isolde immediately asks after they walk through the door. “Maybe have some snacks too? And more of my candy? You know, since it's not a school night? Pleeeease?” Isolde's eyes are huge and pleading, her lower lip wobbling for extra dramatic effect.
No one would be able to resist her.
Casca laughs. “Of course, baby. Just get changed out of your costume, but you can leave the makeup on if you want. And…how about we set up a blanket fort too?”
“Really?” She claps excitedly before rushing up the stairs, almost tripping in her haste.
Guts and Casca exchange a smile before following her.
After they are all properly changed and comfortable – sporting spooky shirts and matching long black pajama pants with bright orange jack-o-lanterns – they work quickly to construct the ultimate fort, rearranging the furniture and bringing out as many extra linens that would be of good use. It's a team effort, with Casca directing Guts on the placement of chairs and the sofa and then helping Isolde carefully lay sheets over them, trying their best to secure everything well.
Pillows, cushions, sleeping bags, and blankets are then brought inside, the girls arranging everything to make the perfect nest. Guts heads back to the foyer to grab Isolde's candy and then into the kitchen to prepare popcorn and the leftover pizza from dinner. Returning a few minutes later, goodies in tow, he hands out the food and makes himself comfortable.
Their TV and game system are on the floor now, perched on top of an upturned laundry basket. Isolde is shuffling intently through a stack of movies she's pulled off the shelves.
“I think...we should watch this!” She holds up a copy of Creature from the Black Lagoon. It's one of her favorites.
“Good choice,” both Casca and Guts say in unison.
“It's like Beauty and the Beast,” she states matter-of-factly. “But a little scary and sad instead.” Inserting the disc, she grabs the controller and nestles between her parents and under their shared blanket, hand already reaching into one of the bowls. It's full of kettle corn, another favorite of hers. They all clink their glass bottles of orange soda together before settling back to enjoy the film.
Amidst bites of pizza, popcorn, and candy, they comment on the scenes they love most and how cool the creature himself looks, Isolde periodically yawning as the movie goes on. By the time the ending title card appears, she's fast asleep, hand loosely clutching a large unopened lollipop.
It's a bit of a mess in the aftermath – empty bottles, plates, and bowls strewn about – but really nothing that can't wait until morning.
Casca looks to Guts, who's smiling at her in that way that always makes her heart skip a beat.
They both give the top of Isolde's head a quick kiss, before sharing one between themselves, the taste of chocolate still lingering.
“Happy Halloween, Cas.”
“Happy Halloween, Guts.”