"you know..." his voice trails off, wistful smile wavering as he goes on, "the tadpoles at tadpole pond used to tell stories around this time of year. i wasn't... — i wasn't scared if that's what you're gonna think!"
he's quick to get defensive over it, a spark starting in his eyes for just a moment.
"but... i guess by the time i had to go to sleep, i would always somehow convince myself the stories were real... i'd think some monster would pop out and get me!" nervous, forced laughter follows suit.
"did the other stars ever tell you stories like that?"
it's so precious how much mallow plays up his bravery when his strongest moments always come naturally. there is no helping a melodic laugh at his outburst. did geno give any indication that he'd assume he was scared? he doesn't think so, but... whatever the case, it doesn't matter. it's not like he's about to place mallow as someone so skittish. yes, he's a little timid, but he refrains from noticing just how courageous he himself is. alas, mallow just doesn't give himself enough credit.
❝ people can tell very convincing stories, so i wouldn't blame you! those tadpoles must have had some creative bones to pick, eh? must've been that holiday spirit. ❞
his fluffy friend's inquiry, however, gives him pause. the other stars? well... his elders certainly didn't, but he does recall a time that star road had its own army, all under his own command. alas, he'd long lost that due to his own tomfoolery, but before the big-wigs caught wind of his mischief, some memories were able to be made. were they ever spooky stories, though? not really. stars don't really celebrate halloween... or anything beyond the star festival and tanabata, for that matter.
❝ well, that's... ❞ he trails off. he doesn't want to dwell on the negative. it'd suck to be the guy to dampen the festive mood. cleverly, he swerves around the subject. ❝ oh, merle did tell us star kids plenty of stories back in the day! the tall tales he would tell about forever forest would have everyone terrified of going into the surrounding woods of starborn... except for me. ❞
his eyes dart sidelong, clearly embarrassed of his childhood self. ❝ i... actually plowed right into those woods — so i could fight ghosts. i wanted to punch a ghost in the face and live to tell the tale. ❞ with a sheepish titter, he says, ❝ silly, isn't it? what was i supposed to do? punch it with what fists? ❞
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