A Guide for What You May Witness this Season
You have been here long enough, I should hope, to know that things get strange in the Here and the Now; when the space around us opens up just enough to let things through.
A contorted shape has been sitting on your steps for the past three days. It speaks only to itself, shouting every now and again at something hiding in the trees, and in its hands it twirls and tugs at a piece of thread. When it sees you looking it offers you a trade; the thread for a glass of wine. Make the trade.
You step into your local café because naturally pumpkin spice lattes are back. Before you can give the barista your name, you hear it spoken from behind you in an awful, croaking voice. The barista thanks you and writes your name on the cup. There is no one behind you when you look but a coin lies at your feet, about the size of your palm. You must take it to the grave that has been dug for you and put an end to this nonsense. Whatever it was has your name and you must get it back.
The sea turns wild in these autumn months, dark clouds hovering almost constantly and the waves piling one over the other, threatening to overwhelm any boat which may brave the water. It is on the shore that you see them, flocked and turning mindlessly in a circle. The Pelicans, with their horrible glass eyes, tall bodies draped in silks, gold, and pearls, and the pouch of their bills overflowing with fish, meats, bread, and honey. Do not go near the Pelicans, do not call out to them. Indeed, if you hunger they will share their catch but they do nothing for free and often what they demand in payment far exceeds what you are able to give.
The laughter and screams from the park down the street from your home is best left un-investigated. Most likely it is children, seeking the thrill of using the swings at night, or a sleepover that has left the safety of a living room. Yes, I'm quite sure that is what it is. Ignore the deep chants that send your flower beds thrumming or the bleeding of the earth beneath your feet. It is most likely just children.
It is well known, in some circles that this is the time of questing and courtship, when those wretched and lazy things behind the stars can employ an adventurous and gullible human to fix their problems. Burn any maps left on the steps of your house, block out any song sung at your window with cotton, accept no rings or crests or armour, for acceptance seals contracts. Hang bottles filled with rum and silver in the branches of your trees, ten or twelve should do nicely. This will tell any beast that may come seeking you that you are NOT interested.
This is also the season of parties and gaiety! With this in mind, it is not unusual to be propositioned every now and again for the use of one's face. Masquerades are so popular among those wondrously grotesque courts and your face is such a strange and lovely one. If you allow some young horror to wear your face for the night, be sure you receive collateral and an assurance of its return to you. But do not be surprised if it is not quite the same as when you lent it out. See the parts they lined with lace and adorned with gemstones? See how they removed your eyes so that their own could fit through? See how your lips are embroidered with roses? Isn't prettier? Isn't it beautiful?
Of course, there will be parades through your streets. In the dead of night, illuminated only by the streetlamps, you will hear them coming. They stamp and scream, sing and frolic, laugh and shout and rage. Do not get too close for they are as interested in you as you are in them. Watch only from your window and do not let yourself be seen for some of these Things have memories as long as time itself and wither so easily from boredom. They will call you out, serenade you and plead with you to come, come look at the splendour. Do not. You know not where they come from and to where they may go. Stay in your home and let nothing in.
gummygunk
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
areudirty
