Sweet as Angel Cake

(An RP blog for popular Donk and Sparrow character, Annabel Charity)

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“And there’s always the annual Halloween festival, there’s carnival rides, games, vendors, and a parade!” She smiles, “Last year I went as a ragdoll.” She then presents them with a picture of herself and the others in their Halloween costumes, Tim was absent from the picture however.

“Poor Tim was under the weather though…so he didn’t have the luxury of celebrating his very first Halloween.”

Victor and Whitford move in for a look. “Oh – everyone looks very nice,” Victor says admiringly. Then he squints. “Though – what exactly is Nebby dressed up as? She’s got a tiara, but also a – chef’s jacket?”

“It sounds like a lovely time,” Whitford comments. “Like the amusements you might find on the Brighton boardwalk. I’m sorry that your friend was ill and couldn’t come.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“It’s sort of a mix between the comic book hero, Wonder Woman,” She shows an image of the titular character beating a criminal, “And celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay.” The next image shows a reference photo of the chef.

“She called it ‘Wonder Ramsay’,” Ann giggled, “She was a bit indecisive of what she wished to dress as.”

Ann then looked at Whitford, “Maybe you’d like to attend? The festival is only a few months away, I’m sure you’d like it!”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Yep, long after the Puritans ceased to be, nowadays its reverted back to its original intended purpose, that and drinking,” She laughed at that last part, “Nebby, while I’m grateful to have her as a friend and as a sister figure, drinks like a sailor.”

“My parents indulged in a tipple or two on the holiday,” Whitford admits. “Nothing to excess, though.”

“My parents didn’t – but perhaps only because we didn’t really do anything in Burtonsville,” Victor sighs. “As you might imagine, Pastor Galswells wasn’t a fan. The whole movement toward mysticism seems to have passed us by solely because of him.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“And there’s always the annual Halloween festival, there’s carnival rides, games, vendors, and a parade!” She smiles, “Last year I went as a ragdoll.” She then presents them with a picture of herself and the others in their Halloween costumes, Tim was absent from the picture however.

“Poor Tim was under the weather though...so he didn’t have the luxury of celebrating his very first Halloween.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Oh believe me, our government has only recently allowed them to marry,” She sighed, “Which is good because I think Salem has her eye on a girl that frequents her nightclub.”

“Anyway, do you have anymore questions about Halloween? Or about our town’s love for it?” She tries to change the topic.

“Well, ah – I hope they’re happy together,” Whitford says, with only a little awkwardness. He isn’t used to wishing a couple of the same sex well, but he’s trying to be thoughtful of how different things are in the future. And of the fact Salem is Ann’s friend. (And probably Nebby’s too, in that case, and oh dear Lord he does NOT want to upset Nebby.) It’s odd to him, but – they aren’t hurting anybody, are they? Costs him nothing to say he hopes they’re happy.

All the same, getting back onto the topic of Halloween is welcome. “You were saying before how they held a celebration to annoy those in Salem,” he prompts. “I guess it ended up becoming a yearly event after that?”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Yep, long after the Puritans ceased to be, nowadays its reverted back to its original intended purpose, that and drinking,” She laughed at that last part, “Nebby, while I’m grateful to have her as a friend and as a sister figure, drinks like a sailor.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Well, these days they’re referred to as ‘Lesbians’, and she’s proud of it.” She corrects. Though, she wasn’t sure if bringing up Salem’s sexuality was a good idea.

“Lesbians,” Whitford repeats, getting the feel of the word. “Like the Greek island? Hmm.” He shrugs. “I don’t know anything about it beyond the Boston marriage – if there’s any ladies of that persuasion anywhere near me, they keep it very quiet. People calling it sinful and suchlike. Sounds like things are much different in the future.”

“Very,” Victor nods.

[dream-lover-annie]

“Oh believe me, our government has only recently allowed them to marry,” She sighed, “Which is good because I think Salem has her eye on a girl that frequents her nightclub.”

“Anyway, do you have anymore questions about Halloween? Or about our town’s love for it?” She tries to change the topic.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“I have, and we’ve tried a similar version where we just keep throwing peels until it spells out a word or a name. Salem’s said, I kid you not, said ‘NO’,” Ann snorted, “Later we found out she liked girls.”

“Yes, that was the one Virginia always tried – she was quite annoyed that it was different letters every time,” Whitford chuckles. “And dear me, that was direct, wasn’t it?” He rubs the back of his head. “So, um, Salem is of the – Boston wives set, I believe you call them over here?”

“The what?” Victor says, blinking.

“It’s a reference to a novel about two women living together, I think. Never read it. My father would have never allowed such a thing in the house.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Well, these days they’re referred to as ‘Lesbians’, and she’s proud of it.” She corrects. Though, she wasn’t sure if bringing up Salem’s sexuality was a good idea.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Dressing up in costumes- you can be anything you want, trick or treating, which is going door to door asking for candy, telling scary stories, pulling pranks…” she lists them off.

“Scary stories and pranks sound familiar, at least,” Whitford says, smiling. “When I was younger, I liked to do things like replace my mother’s hair powder with flour. And my cousin Virginia never missed an opportunity to figure out who her future husband was going to be. Have you heard of the apple peel divination?”

[dream-lover-annie]

“I have, and we’ve tried a similar version where we just keep throwing peels until it spells out a word or a name. Salem’s said, I kid you not, said ‘NO’,” Ann snorted, “Later we found out she liked girls.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“There’s even a play based off the events, just as sad though. I wouldn’t bother with it.”

“The history lesson has been sad enough,” Whitford agrees. “I’m glad we both live in more civilized times…so what is Halloween like in the modern era? I know it mostly as a time of playful fortune-telling and bobbing for apples.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Dressing up in costumes- you can be anything you want, trick or treating, which is going door to door asking for candy, telling scary stories, pulling pranks...” she lists them off.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Well, for Puritans, the only thing they could do was work and pray. No weekends, no parties, and definitely no Christmas,” she frowned, “I can see why the trials started up; a bunch of girls getting bored and wanting something exciting- shame it had to be that.”

“Galswells would have loved it,” Victor says, grimacing. “Now I am surprised he never attempted to have me officially tried for witchcraft. I think the villagers would have gone along with it.”

“Maybe he didn’t consider any mortal court of law sufficient to judge you – count your blessings on that,” Whitford told him, shaking his head. “It does sound like a harsh society, but nothing justifies the death of innocent people just because you were bored.”

“The worst part is, the people they killed were the ones who said they were innocent,” Victor says, hugging himself. “If you said you were guilty and helped implicate others, you were spared. The man pressed to death refused to say one way or the other – they were trying to force him to speak.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“There’s even a play based off the events, just as sad though. I wouldn’t bother with it.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Oh! You’d be amazed, but Dallington is especially crazy for the holiday, come on, I’ll show you!” As she led them in the direction of the exhibit.

There the exhibit held large displays of Quakers, Witches, and demons. Each display held an explanation at the bottom, plus a few smaller displays with artifacts. One was a case containing a very ancient witch’s costume, belt buckle on the pointed hat and all.

“So, Halloween was first celebrated as a way to honor the dead and make merry, that was until the Salem Witch Trials. Now, Dallington consisted of Quakers, former slaves, and Native Americans living in harmony, so they weren’t particularly fond of Salem, Massachusetts,” Ann then put a finger to her lip, “Then again, the Quakers never got along with the Puritans simply for their very different ideologies. It was said that after the trials ended, the whole town gathered to give their respects to the victims.”

“Shortly afterwards, a large festival was held to basically further anger the Puritans…the women dressing as witches and the men as demons.”

Victor and Whitford follow, curiosity piqued. Whitford starts a little as they enter the room and come across the displays with their demons. “Goodness me…”

“I think they’re just supposed to be costumes,” Victor assures him, checking out the explanations beneath each display. “Not actual demon-summonings.”

Ann’s explanation puts the truth to his words. “I see,” Whitford says, taking a closer look at the ancient witch costume. “I’m not that familiar with either Quakers or Puritans…or the Salem Witch Trials, come to think of it. But I don’t imagine the Puritans took kindly to the festival.”

“Me either,” Victor agrees, making a face. “I have read some on the Trials – essentially a group of young ladies started having fits and claiming they were bewitched, accusing people in the town of cursing them. The townsfolk panicked and started having trials to determine who was a witch. They hung nineteen people, and pressed one man to death under heavy stones.”

Whitford covers his mouth. “My God…suddenly I think you should count yourself fortunate Pastor Galswells never called for you to be tried.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Well, for Puritans, the only thing they could do was work and pray. No weekends, no parties, and definitely no Christmas,” she frowned, “I can see why the trials started up; a bunch of girls getting bored and wanting something exciting- shame it had to be that.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

The drive towards downtown was silent, for the most part. Ann would’ve opted to play some music, but she feared that the sounds and lyrics would confuse Whitford.

Upon arrival, Ann got out and headed inside, the man at the desk was polite and quick, handing her three tickets and a map of the facility. They detailed several sections;

- Salem Witch Trials

- The First Halloween

- World Wars

- Mythology

- Fossils and Geodes

Whitford, who doesn’t even know about radios and other music players yet, doesn’t feel like he’s missing anything. He amuses himself by watching the other cars on the road, marveling at the speed at which they travel. “Truly amazing,” he murmurs, patting the door. “We’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

They arrive at the museum in good time, and Whitford and Victor let Ann take point, picking up their tickets and the map. Victor peers over Ann’s shoulder at the various exhibits available. “There’s a whole section on Halloween?” he asks, surprised and intrigued.

[dream-lover-annie]

“Oh! You’d be amazed, but Dallington is especially crazy for the holiday, come on, I’ll show you!” As she led them in the direction of the exhibit.

There the exhibit held large displays of Quakers, Witches, and demons. Each display held an explanation at the bottom, plus a few smaller displays with artifacts. One was a case containing a very ancient witch’s costume, belt buckle on the pointed hat and all.

“So, Halloween was first celebrated as a way to honor the dead and make merry, that was until the Salem Witch Trials. Now, Dallington consisted of Quakers, former slaves, and Native Americans living in harmony, so they weren’t particularly fond of Salem, Massachusetts,” Ann then put a finger to her lip, “Then again, the Quakers never got along with the Puritans simply for their very different ideologies. It was said that after the trials ended, the whole town gathered to give their respects to the victims.”

“Shortly afterwards, a large festival was held to basically further anger the Puritans...the women dressing as witches and the men as demons.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Safety is top priority these days, give it time.” She smiled.

“I would hope so – I wouldn’t want to know what would happen to a person if they had to suffer a sudden stop in one of these.” Whitford taps the glass windshield, grimaces, then – after a bit of fiddling – buckles himself in. “I suppose there’s nothing stopping me from installing them in my own personal conveyances…”

[dream-lover-annie]

The drive towards downtown was silent, for the most part. Ann would’ve opted to play some music, but she feared that the sounds and lyrics would confuse Whitford.

Upon arrival, Ann got out and headed inside, the man at the desk was polite and quick, handing her three tickets and a map of the facility. They detailed several sections;

- Salem Witch Trials

- The First Halloween

- World Wars

- Mythology

- Fossils and Geodes

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Just as long as you’re not uncomfortable, I’m okay with you sitting anywhere,” She reassures him, “Also as long as you put on your seat belt.”

“Oh, yes, Victor told me about those,” Whitford says, going ahead and taking the front seat next to her. Victor climbs in the back. “I kind of wish carriages back home had them. Our family driver is good, but a sudden start can fling you right off the seat.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Safety is top priority these days, give it time.” She smiled.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Hm? I’m assuming you both took a cab here? Oh, some vehicles don’t let you do that.” She explained, getting into her car and starting it.

“Yes, we did,” Victor confirms. “He nearly got into the front before I told him we had to use the back.”

“I wasn’t sure if the etiquette was the same as a carriage, or if you just took the first available seat,” Whitford defends himself. “I’ll sit wherever you want me to sit – I don’t mind either way.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Just as long as you’re not uncomfortable, I’m okay with you sitting anywhere,” She reassures him, “Also as long as you put on your seat belt.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“Hm? I’m assuming you both took a cab here? Oh, some vehicles don’t let you do that.” She explained, getting into her car and starting it.

“Yes, we did,” Victor confirms. “He nearly got into the front before I told him we had to use the back.”

“I wasn’t sure if the etiquette was the same as a carriage, or if you just took the first available seat,” Whitford defends himself. “I’ll sit wherever you want me to sit – I don’t mind either way.”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Just as long as you’re not uncomfortable, I’m okay with you sitting anywhere,” She reassures him, “Also as long as you put on your seat belt.”

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“And besides, wearing pants- depending on the material, can be real comfortable. As much as I like skirts!” She laughs, grabbing her keys and heading outside to start her car.

“I wouldn’t know the difference – I’ve never tried a skirt,” Whitford says with a little laugh of his own. 

He and Victor follow her out to the car. “You can have the front seat, if you like,” Victor tells him, figuring he’ll want to sit next to Ann.

Whitford blinks. “Oh – I’m allowed to sit up there now?”

[dream-lover-annie]

“Hm? I’m assuming you both took a cab here? Oh, some vehicles don’t let you do that.” She explained, getting into her car and starting it.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

Ann returns in a nice blouse, jeans, comfortable shoes, and her hair all fixed up. She sighed in relief, “Oh that feels much better.”

She went over to Wayne’s terrarium and gave him some food- which were several crickets, she had to wash her hands after that. “Okay, I’m ready!”

Whitford vacates the bathroom, letting Victor take his turn, and spots Ann. “Oh – you look very nice,” he says, nodding at her. “Though it is a bit funny to see you in trousers…just another future thing I’ll have to get used to, I guess.”

“I think more ladies wear some form of trousers instead of skirts these days,” Victor says, coming back in. “At least, it certainly seems that way from what I’ve seen of the future…are we all ready to go?”

“I am,” Whitford confirms.

[dream-lover-annie]

“And besides, wearing pants- depending on the material, can be real comfortable. As much as I like skirts!” She laughs, grabbing her keys and heading outside to start her car.

[thevalicemultiverse]

A Visit From The Past -- Literally

[thevalicemultiverse]

dream-lover-annie‌:

“It’s just down the hall to your left!” She called.

“Thank you!” Off Whitford goes to take care of some business. At least the toilet isn’t too different from what he’s used to – though the plumbing definitely seems improved. He likes that.

[dream-lover-annie]

Ann returns in a nice blouse, jeans, comfortable shoes, and her hair all fixed up. She sighed in relief, “Oh that feels much better.”

She went over to Wayne’s terrarium and gave him some food- which were several crickets, she had to wash her hands after that. “Okay, I’m ready!”