The Magicians' Realm Chapter 57: Punkie Night, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Chapter 57, everybody! In which we reference a local orchard and my first college's reaction to October as a whole….For the record, what Greg observes is true for the legislation of the United States: the President can veto any bill that comes to his office; however, the veto can also be overturned.

Movies this week are Ice Age: Collision Course and The Secret Life of Pets:

Ice Age: Collision Course….Please don't waste your money. It's the same stuff, different movie, and they've really run the series into the ground. Also, again, I feel it odd that a parent is penalized for being concerned for their child—especially when said child wants to run off into the wilderness with a guy who, if he could wear shoes, would not be able to tie them. :| Honestly, from the second movie onward would have done better as a TV series than a bunch of movies.

The Secret Life of Pets—I had to convince my parents to go to this one, and Mom repeatedly asked me how I heard about it, as she hadn't seen it advertised. Please, go see this movie. Granted, the plot is a little like Toy Story with dogs, but it's fun, and it feels like something was accomplished by the end of the movie. It's definitely more satisfying than the Ice Age movie (which we saw on the same day).

Moving on!

Angiembabe, thanks for the review! Yes, definitely—that is the exact way to describe A.I. Yes! Beware the flora! And I want them too….I did a picture of them over on DeviantArt under my Flowers folder, if you feel like looking at some. :D If not that, then her heart. :) Good question—and this is true. Lil' Stevie lives on in bird Heaven, our hearts, and my stories. TvT Me too—and me too….

FicReader, thanks for the review! That's two! :D I think that may have been the original inspiration for them, come to think of it….Probably true—and why did my e-mail edit the word "snuff"?...

Fromtheashtrees, thanks for the review! Sure—but not in the same box; the poor daffodils would freeze. D: Because the Internet and the computer are against you, that's why! Yes, definitely—Mom told me how Stephen King would write little bits related to his stories after he finished because he had leftover creative juices relating to the story, so if a well-known professional author can do it, why not? Oh dear—and ouch. Yes, I'd say you have nowhere to go but up. :|

References:

Original characters, + setting © Kineil D. Wicks (myself, not the girl in the story)

October was always one of the busiest times of the year.

Punkie Night, the harvest festival, Balefire Night, and of course, Mischief Night and Halloween, all of which involved copious amounts of planning and organizing. The whole month was a celebration, and Greg was more often than not grateful for the relative quiet of the more family-focused November and its turkey-coma Thanksgiving before once again going into hectic overdrive with Frostfeed Night, the winter festival, Christmas, and New Years'.

People complained about how slow and quiet months like January and February were. Not Greg—Greg was too busy catching up on his sleep then.

It was anticipation for such events that made him hyperaware of the fact that it was getting close to the end of September—within a fortnight of such—and no such pertinent papers had crossed his desk.

To be honest, he really should have noticed this earlier, but the curveball Administrator Carter had thrown him had kept him distracted. Hotchner had taken the case, yes, and it would take him a while to get it to his team, but still….It was hard not to think about it.

But his conversation with Jenna last night brought to his attention the fact that yes, the papers that he usually told the time of the month by had not crossed his desk. And now that was what was plaguing his thoughts.

So, deciding to do something about it, he got up and strode out of his office with purpose.

And nearly ran smack into Head Administrator Sumbinix.

"You seem distracted," Administrator Sumbinix observed, patting his white comb-over to make sure it was still decent.

"I was just looking for you," Greg said, not feeling the need to apologize, as he had not been apologized to. "October's right around the corner, and I haven't gotten anything on organizing any of the events."

"Ah. That's right, that's why I wanted to come talk to you," Sumbinix said. "The Administrators were considering phasing out some of the more unnecessary holidays."

Greg blinked, took a moment to digest that. "Come again?"

"Come, sit down," Sumbinix said, leading him back to Greg's office. "Five different celebrations in one month—it's a little much, isn't it? All that planning and organizing is stressful, and then the cleanup afterwards—and don't get me started on what some people do during that time."

Greg had heard the rumors. And to be honest, he felt it was just that—rumor. But on to more pressing matters: "And when exactly were you planning on informing the Head Mage of this decision?"

"That's what I came here to discuss with you."

"But let me guess: the Administrators have already discussed this and passed it, and should the Head Mage veto, they're quite capable of passing it through anyway with two-thirds majority."

"You're sounding vaguely antagonistic there."

"I'm more than a little miffed that this discussion was not brought to my attention."

"Commoner affairs are the jurisdiction of the Administration."

"But this doesn't affect just the Commoners, this affects everyone. Why on earth would you think this was a good idea?"

"If you have an issue with it, just veto it."

"For it to be overturned at a later date."

"You seem to keep coming back to that."

Greg gritted his teeth and forced himself to inhale; he wasn't getting anywhere like this.

"Let me think about it," Greg said. "And that does not mean I say yes."

"Fair enough," Sumbinix said, looking like he had won.

Greg quickly ushered him out before running off on his own errands.

He needed to put a stop to this, and fast.

*\*/*

Teana liked Punkie Night, if for nothing else because Mr. Tern gave her the night off. She was planning to spend it like she had always spent it before: curled up with a few books borrowed from the library and a warm mug of cider and a half-dozen cinnamon donuts (which would last her a day and a half until they became hard, at which point they were fodder for the little Starlings outside).

This plan, however, was doomed to failure when a large and familiar black bird landed on her sill and tapped out "Shave and a Haircut" on her window. As such, she wasn't at all surprised that it spoke when she opened the window.

"Happy Punkie Night!" Yami greeted cheerily. "Is that your costume?"

"It's my bathrobe over my nightgown—are you insane?"

"That would explain a lot," Yami admitted, glancing around her. "Are those from Fifer's?"

"Shoo," she ordered, making the same motion with her hands. "Those aren't for you. Those are for breakfast for me and Lil' Stevie tomorrow."

"For who?"

"It's what I call the little Starling that sits on my windowsill in the mornings."

"He sounds like a nice little bird."

"He's preferable to the big odd bird currently on my windowsill."

"Would you rather I be a tall gangly guy in your room?"

In response, Teana shoved him off the sill and shut the window.

After a count of thirty, he was back at the window.

"So," he said when she opened the window again. "Can I invite you to a night on the town? It'll be fun."

"I try to avoid being out on the town when all the crazies are out."

"Trust me when I say they're not that crazy."

"Unfortunately, I think you know that because you're friends with said crazy people."

"This may be an unfortunate truth. So do you have a costume, or do you need some help getting one together?"

"Is there something wrong with staying inside and reading?"

"No, but you can do that any old night—Punkie Night only comes once a year."

"For which some of us are grateful."

"Come on, it'll be fun."

"Have I yet exhausted all the possible ways I could say no?"

"You'd like it."

"I doubt it."

"And I'll leave you alone for the whole day tomorrow."

Hmmm…."Include your freaky friends in the offer and you have a deal."

"I thought you wanted to avoid them."

"The part they're being included in is the leaving me alone part."

"Ah," Yami noised, as Teana went to her closet and pulled out some clothes before heading for her bathroom. "You know, some people actually like interacting with other people."

"Wonderful!" Teana called as she shut the door. "Then tomorrow you can hang out with them. Now give me a bit to get changed, and I'll meet you downstairs."