Chapter 19: Probably Just Jealous

Meanwhile, in the school library, Ignihyde's venue, everyone is very amazed by the special effects and colors of the room.

One of the women says, "Look at this gorgeous light show! The way the colors undulate is so magical and romantic."

"I can hear birds chirping. It's like we're really in a forest! So relaxing," The man says.

Then says, "And look, don't those pumpkin vines projected on the bookshelf look like they're making a heart.

"Where, now?" The woman says.

Then she notices two of the vines kind of form a heart.

The woman says, "Oh! yYou're right! That's so cute!"

However, in a distance, Idia could hears what the couple are talking about from a short distance, and can see how relaxed and calm they are.

"'Romantic'? 'Cute'?" Are we even looking at the same foggy forest?" Idia says, confused. "It's just like the highly-regarded horror movie 'Creepy Hollow'! It's CLEARLY meant to be scary. The vines only look like a heart by sheer coincidence. And it's NOT a 'light show.' It's projection mapping. Get it straight people."

Suddenly, he hears the man say, "Ooh! A jack-o'-lantern just popped out to talk to us."

"Awww, how precious!" The woman says.

Idia is in shock, "Gah! You normies and your indiscriminate gushing! If you're so into cute stuff, what are you doing in a dark library full of books?"

He evilly grins, "Go home and make trendy food hack videos for Magicam, or whatever it is you casuals do!"

Just then, Jade and Azul walk in.

Jade asks, "Idia, do you have something against those people?"

"Doubtful. He's probably just jealous," Azul says.

"Ex-CUSE me? What is there to be jealous of?" Idia asks, confused and offended. "All I'm saying is that my incredible tech is completely lost on these bozos. I keep popping out in costume at the end, and all they say is… 'Awww, look at the widdle pumpkin ghost! Isn't it totes adorbs?' Can you believe it?!"

"There's a… somewhat justified complaint, but…" Azul says.

But then Idia says "See? It's an embarrassment to the films!" sounding upset.

Then wonders, "What if someone only hears of it through this Halloween set? What if they get this idea into their heads that Creepy Hollow's a bunch of cutesy nonsense? I'd be doing a disservice to the original film! It would be an offense to film aficionados everywhere. I'd be better off shutting the whole operation down!"

"Pardon?!" Azul and Jad ask in shock.

Then Azul says, "You know, I had a feeling that with the extra Halloween crowd this year, the other shoe was bound to drop somewhere."

"You made the right call checking in," Jade says.

Just then, Ortho walks in, "Azul Ashengrotto. Jade Leech. Thank you for coming by to check on my brother. You were worried about him, huh?"

"I most certainly was!" Azul says.

"Well, we're heard Idia's stance," Jade says, "What's your, Ortho?"

"Hmmm. I haven't told my brother this, but…" Ortho says.

Then softly says to them, "I'm not actually all that big into Halloween."

Then says normally, "I do want to share memorable experiences with Idia, but if he doesn't like something, there's no need to force him to keep doing it. We can keep running the stamp tour spot without the projection mapping. REmoving it wouldn't harm anything. I think this year, my brother and I can spend Halloween relaxing in our dorm."

However, Azul sternly says, "Out of the question!"

"Huh?" Idia and Ortho react confused.

Then Orthol asks, "Um Azul Ashengrotto? Why are you clenching your hand into a fist?"

"You mustn't say such things. This is Halloween we're talking about," Azul says, "Jade and I both know just how much work Idia's put in as a management committee member. He went above and beyond. To simply cast it all side would be such a wa-ah, that is, it would be utterly heartbreaking."

"I know exactly what you were about to say," Idia says with a frown.

Then Azul says, "I just want every member of the Night Raven College student body to enjoy Halloween together. Wouldn't you agree, Jade?"

"Yes, sir. Without both of you present… We can hardly call it a proper Halloween Week, can we?" Jade responds

Then says, "We've got so many visitors this year. We should enjoy the experience for what it is. Surely then you'll develop more of an appreciation for the event, Ortho."

"You guys are clearly working an angle here…" Idia replies.

Then says, "And it's not gonna work. What kind of fan would I be if I gave people misconceptions about the movie? I refuse to do it!"

"It is now abundantly clear… that your dedication to Creepy Hollow is hollow indeed," Azul says.

"Uh. What?" Idia says, confused.

Then asks, "How did you figure?"

Then Azul states, "'I'll put on a live action show using projection mapping to help everyone appreciate the masterpiece that is Creepy Hollow.' That was what you did to us before Halloween Week began. If you're shutting it off, that implies you've given up on promoting the movie.

Embarrassed, Idia says, "W-well, I mean… the visitors are out here calling anything and everything cute, so-"

Then Jade questions, "Isin't advertising supposed to appeal to those without a predisposed interest in what you're promoting?"

"Grk," Idia responds, "That's some harsh real-world truth. Too real, in fact."

Then Azul says, "The point we're trying to make is that your installation still has room for improvement. And if you were to quit now… Then I would have no choice but to call your status as a Creepy Hollow fan into question!"

Idia screams upsetly, "WHAT?!"

Then says, "Dude, I've got the regular edition, the special edition, the steelbook reprint… the director's cut, AND all the toys. I'm a diehard, okay?! You'd better check yourself before you question MY cred."

But Azul says, "But if you can't demonstrate that, then you may as well not be one at all."

I can too! I can totally demonstrate it!" Idia says, taking it very seriously, "And I'll prove it! I'll make it compelling and scary in a way that even non-horror movie buffs can appreciate." then shows his sharp teeth grin, "I'll create the ultimate Creepy Hollow Halloween!"

Then turns to Ortho, "Ortho, we're gonna work with the rest of the dorm and tweak the projection mapping data. I was so hyper-focused on depicting key scenes that I neglected the story that led up to them. We'll start with the movie intro that shows how scary Pumpkin's Knight's supposed to be and use it to make a video primer. We need to be more faithful to the movie. We need more horror. And we need to be compelling enough to make people want to see the rest. This is gonna be a show to remember, mark my words! Oh, and lety's fix all the parts where the vines accidentally look like hearts. As for me, I'll practice my acting and perfect my surprise appearance at the end." He then grins, "Let's all do our part, together!"

Ortho is surprised, "Wow. I've never seen Idia so motivated to take part in a school activity before."

Then happily says to his brother, "I'd be happy to help!"

"Excellent. It sounds like we'll be sharing Halloween together after all," Azul says.

"Right! Thanks, both of you," Ortho says.

"You hardly need to thank me. But if you really want to, you could leave this sample product at the library entrance for me," Jade says.

"What is this, now?" Ortho says, confused.

Jade then presents the pamphlet.

"A… pamphlet?" Ortho says, confused, "Let's see here…"

Ortho takes the pamphlet and looks at it, and reads it, "'Night Raven College Halloween Tour Tips & Tricks'?"

"We're getting a large influx of non-islanders visitors this week. They can hardly enjoy everything our school has to offer just going by the stamp tour map," Auzyl explains.

Then Jade explains, "As soon as we saw attendance numbers from day one of Halloween Week… We had some volunteers from our dorm who[ up a guidebook. Sixteen pages, twelve thaumarks. And it's on sale now."

"Y-you're charging money for it?" Ortho questions.

"Two of those siteen pages are a spread showcasing the projection mapping Idia set up. I was going to be quite distressed if he shut it down," Azul says.

Then Jade says, "If we had to amend that part, it would mean letting the money we spent on a large print run go completely to waste."

Then both Azul and Jade say, "Crisis averted!"

Ortho simply says, "Ah. Now I see why you were so hung up on Halloween as a group experience."

"You made a spread? You couldn't make it a foldout poster instead," Idia replies.

Then says, "Azul. Jade. You'd better take responsibility for lighting fire in me and getting my craftsman's blood boiling. Sell a ton of those guidebooks and get folks positivity BURNING to check out Ignihyde. And I'll promote Creepy Hollow!"

"Absolutely. You can count on us," Azul says. "And I'm sure if you can rework the projection mapping into something more compelling, the visitors will appreciate it."

"This year's festivities are sure to please students and visitors alike! How wonderful," Jade replies.

Then all three say, "Happy Halloween!"

Ortho is a little confused, "Oh, um…" And says, "Happy Halloween!"

Then asks, "...Did I do it right?"