[[HW2024-B]] Slime Baby's Halloween

A cold chill fell across the neighborhood as autumn began to crawl up and out of hiding again.

This time of year was one particular mantla's favorite time - not just because they liked to scare others, but also because it allowed them to have a little break from their usual life.

Typically, when a mantla met another, they would greet them kindly, or simply wave. Not when they met this one, though. This mantla was not just made of slime, but also had two portruding horns coming from the top of their head - making even just their silhouette quite frightening to others.

In good situations, other mantla would simply regard them with unease and slight disgust, while in the worst scenario, others would scream, run away, or even sometimes become aggressive.

Halloween, though, made all of that go away. Other mantla would compliment them on their appearance! Sure, they would think that it was just a costume, but... it was the thought that counts, right? It felt nice to be appreciated.

Today, they were hoping that it was close enough to Halloween that it wasn't suspicious for them to be going out in public without any kind of disguise hiding their true nature. Some people might think that they were a little too early, but... maybe someone would think they were cool!

Their smile faltered a little as they began making their way across the neighborhood. A mantla gave them a weird look as they passed by. That was ok. This one was walking with their child, anyways. It hurt to see the parent tug at their child's arm to walk a little faster away from them, but that probably wasn't because they thought this friendly slime was a monster! They probably just thought their "costume" was a little... over the top!

They just had to chin up, and keep going. Yeah... chin up and keep going!

Soon enough, something did happen to lift their spirits - a mantla zipped by on a skateboard so fast that they almost fell over as they flew by. However, this stranger left them with something better than gold - a quickly shouted "nice costume!" Before they were gone once more.

This picked up the slimy mantla's mood. That was more like it! That was the Halloween spirit they were looking for!

"Woah! Neat costume!"

They paused. These next mantla in front of them weren't zipping by. They were, in fact, just smiling and examining their supposed handiwork. Other mantlas weren't... supposed to stop for a full conversation. How did they help them? How did they actually talk to someone else?

"I've got a Halloween party tomorrow!" The other mantla continued, handing them a card. "You should come! My friends would all love your costume!"

They took the card, examining it with care. It was hand-made... and they just gave it away? To a stranger, just because they like their costume?

That was so kind of them! They felt like they were about to cry tears of joy.

"S-sure! I'll be there!" They said, hoping they weren't smiling too wide.

"Yay! I can't wait!" The other mantla said, giving them a wave goodbye - but just for now.