they took my boot!

For all he was new to the human world and the social intricacies that came with it, there were some things that matched up quite well with what he’d known from back in his life with his hoard. In example, the way that Jane glanced off to the side and quickly decided this wasn’t a discussion to have here and now felt eerily similar to how his mother and aunts would behave whenever he asked a question they felt ill prepared to answer or were worried his father might overhear and disapprove of him knowing. Tarzan doubted that was the exact case for this situation, but he knew well enough to let the topic be dropped. Though he made a mental note to bring it up again, still quite interested in just what the humans considered to be dangerous. Besides, he much more enjoyed hearing what she loved about this holiday instead. “A sweet tooth?” he echoes back, head tilting to the side ever so slightly in his confusion. “Why would your tooth be sweet? And how would you know that? Do you… do you eat your teeth?” It seemed like a ridiculous answer, and he was almost certain that was not the case, but he couldn’t imagine what else the phrase could mean. “Can children not buy their own candy as well? Is Hall-oh-ween the only time they are allowed it?” That also seemed like it couldn’t be the case, for Tarzan had seen far too many different types of candies in the grocery aisles for them to all only exist for this one holiday.

It was difficult to explain the intricacies of the autonomy of children versus adults, though she supposed the main driver of the two was in fact that adults had much easier access to the money to drive their decisions. "They can, I suppose, but it's more of a matter of if they can convince their parents to buy it for them, or if they have enough money to buy it themselves. Also, and this is getting a bit advanced here in our human lessons, but there are different types of candy for every holiday. For example, when Christmas comes around, you'll see these curved, red and white striped candy canes, they're called, and they taste like peppermint. I don't know if you know what that tastes like, but sort of similar to the mint of toothpaste."

Listening to the explanation of the holiday and the clarification that it was the only one that involved costumes like this, Tarzan nodded along, trying to understand as best as he can. “Do the children no longer need to hide from the dangerous creatures? And who declared them to be dangerous to begin with?” he asks, unsure if he actually wanted to hear the answer to those questions. From what he had learned of the human world so far, he had a bad feeling there were plenty of creatures that were actually perfectly peaceful and kind that the humans would likely see as a threat. Like his own family and hoard back in his forest. His next question though was said with more excitement and a smile. “This is your favorite holiday? Do you enjoy the dressing up and candy?”

It was a loaded question, even if Tarzan couldn't quite comprehend just how complicated the concept of what was considered dangerous nowadays could be. "Well, back when the island was first being inhabited--" Jane began, cutting herself off the moment she caught eye of another partygoer. "You know, that may be a history lesson for another time. It's rather complicated, but all you need to know for tonight is that it's all in good fun in modern times." Her smile matched his with his next inquiry, answering with an eager nod. "It is. I do have a bit of a sweet tooth, I must admit, it's one I can't seem to shake. Children go from door to door to collect candy from their neighbors, but, as an adult, you can certainly buy as much candy as you'd like. One of the many privileges of independence, if I do say so myself."

The blonde straightened his posture, standing tall beside the girl he had startled. While it wasn't his intention, it came naturally for Jack to lurk amidst the shadows and be as quiet as a mouse in his approach. A smile formed at her accusation, even a laugh tumbling out as it spread across his face. "My apologies, miss," Jack apologizes with his arms out to show he comes in peace before they settle interlocked behind his back. "You can keep your head today, it's not what I am after. I have one of my own, you see." He fights the temptation to take it off just for show, believing that would certainly scare her off and he'd be unable to get the information he sought. The man's eyes referenced down to her notebook before he spoke. "Something in your book, I can't recall how I know but I was wondering if I could take a look if you don't mind." Perhaps he could get away without explaining but Jack feared he would need to reveal more for the woman to understand his situation.

While the herd he had been raised in had special days that were sacred and celebrated, almost all of them had to do with the phases of the moon or the alignment of the planets - and the celebrations were usually nothing more than a festive meal and a prayer circle, nothing like what he was seeing now. This Halloween holiday had at first seemed similar to All Hallows Eve, a traditional day of mourning and respecting passed loved ones in his herd, but the way in which the humans celebrated it was completely different from what Tarzan was used to. A party, costumes, candy - it was all so new to him. Not even the centaurs’ most exciting of holidays compared to this. It was a bit overwhelming, if he were to be honest, so bright and loud - but he wanted to experience everything that the human world had to offer, so he stayed strong and followed Jane through the hotel, letting her navigate through this new scene in the same way he’s let her guide his entire journey into humankind.

“Are all holidays this… exciting?” he finally asks once they stopped at a table lined with different bowls of liquid and cups to drink them from. His eyes scanned each of the options, all bright and colorful, but he didn’t quite dare take one for himself just yet. He’d let Jane take the lead on that, drinking whatever she poured for herself out of fear that there was a right or wrong choice to make here. “Do you always dress up as someone else for every celebration? Or is that special just to this Hall-oh-ween.” The holiday name came out slowly as he tried to test it on his tongue, still not used to all of the new terminology he’s been introduced to over the past few weeks living on the Isle now.

She stopped in front of a table with drinks, both with and without alcohol, figuring it best to model sobriety for Tarzan as she poured two cups of a bright purple concoction. "Let me know what you think of this one. If you hate it, we can try another one," she offered, handing him the glass. "Definitely not this exciting, no. This is also the only one with costumes, though some people do dress festively when other holidays come around. During Halloween, though, children used to dress up so that they'd be unrecognizable to dangerous creatures for one night of the year. Now, I think adults simply participate to feel like children again," Jane explained. "If it's too much, we can go home whenever you'd like. But, I didn't think I could pass up an opportunity to properly introduce you to my favorite holiday, at least."

Jack had come out of his pumpkin tree and back into the world of the living. The man straightened out his suit vest and pushed his blonde locks out of his face. "Ah," the man sighed in relief, happy to be back in this form where he could feel the sun kiss his cheeks. With that, he headed back toward town while already pondering what all was left to be explored. Perhaps today he would stop by the bookstore he saw or poke into the casino to see his chum Oogie. Before any of Jack's plans could get too far the man's attention was grabbed by the shape of someone between the foliage. He hadn't even noticed himself drawn to her until he stood behind her to catch a glimpse of what she worked on. "Pardon me, miss," Jack started with a gentle cough beneath his breath to catch her attention. Whatever it was she sketched in her book had looked an awful lot like something he recognized, something that might've been from his part of the world. "Could you happen to tell me what it is you're working on?"

He was overdue for a meeting with his favorite anthropologist. Clayton had been a few minutes late for the time that they set, assuming that she was early as usual and would be waiting for him either way. "Did you order without me?" He asked abruptly while throwing his things onto one chair before taking the other across from her. "Kidding," the man reiterated in case she missed it from his deadpan delivery. He was in fact not kidding but Jane wouldn't have found that as amusing as the man. Besides, they had work to do which was why he had come not to enjoy a cup of mediocre tea. "How are you enjoying the Isle so far? Are you finding what you came for?"