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Halloween was just another day for the actors in Dead Bird Studio. While there were some fun decorations that were put up, such as carved pumpkins or hanging skeletons, it practically didn't matter at all. This wasn't exactly a holiday that was important to take a break for, so no one did so.
DJ Grooves was fine with this, as he never celebrated Halloween while growing up. Though he did like hearing the music people made for it, it wasn't his style. Especially the horror movies people watched. He wasn't particularly scared, but the things people would watch were straight up disturbing, to say the least.
Grooves liked candy now and then, but he can have that any day of the year. Truely, this holiday was mostly celebrated by children, at least in his experience. Not that he cares if an adult loves it, like stated, Halloween just isn't his style.
It seemed like everyone in the studio shared the same sentiment. For the past few years of working here, no one admitted to liking it, so Grooves assumed that was the case.
It was still fairly early in the evening when Grooves finished another scene in his movie. It had been a struggling one, to say the least. That was when he decided to let his actors take a break.
Grooves felt confident about this movie. Sure, he'd lost how many times in a row? 4 years? But that's fine, this is still early in his career. Besides, he is confident that the Conductor surely can't stay this consistent. He'll make a blunder at some point, or Grooves will simply make a better movie than him.
Right, the Conductor. Grooves was reluctant to share a studio with someone else, being fairly surprised to find someone else next to the doors of their new place.
Even though they have a slight rivalry, everything was completely fine between them. The Conductor had a short temper, sure, but he kept in his own lane for the most part, or they would go to a bar together. Overall, a decent guy that Grooves is growing a bit more attached to.
As he was heading towards the break room for something to drink, Grooves spotted the Conductor quickly making his way towards the reception while frantically checking his pocket watch. He wondered what was up since it was still early. Because of his curiosity, Grooves followed the Conductor, trying to catch up to him.
No one else was in the reception except, well, the receptionist. As Grooves walked a few seconds after the Conductor, he spotted him giving away some pons to the receptionist.
"Look, I'm gonnae be late if I stay here for much longer. Just tell everybody ye didn't see me or something. I don't want tae be asked questions."
Unfortunately for the Conductor, DJ Grooves was standing behind him with his arms crossed. Seeing Grooves made the Conductor yelp and backup, staring at his watch as he whispered 'peck' under his breath.
"G.. Grooves! I didnae expect tae see ye here."
The Conductor quickly said, the rolling of the R in his name very prominent. This made Grooves frown. Is he nervous about something? Why would he just leave? There is no use in thinking of it.
"Darling, did something happen? You never leave work early. Especially in the middle of filming with no warning. .. Well, it must be important then, right? I'll leave you alone if so.."
Grooves knew how dedicated the Conductor was to his movies, so it wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that this could be an emergency, and he was being too nosy.
The Conductor sighed at Grooves' words before looking back up.
"Um. Well, I don't mean tae worry ye. It's nothing that serious.."
Oh, okay. Good. If that's the case..
"I'm glad to hear that, then. But you did seem to be in a rush."
The Conductor rubbed the side of his neck, shrugging.
"Well.. Yeah. Just.. Didnae wanted tae get home too late.."
He spoke a bit quietly, but his voice was still loud enough for Grooves to hear.
"Conductor, darling. You always get home late."
"Oi, don't be smart with me, peckneck!"
Grooves was taken back from the insult, and so was the Conductor apparently as he immediately backtracked.
"I– I didnae mean tae yell at ye like that."
This was something Grooves has noticed these past few weeks, even the past month. The Conductor started swearing more than usual, even resorting to that foul insult when really frustrated.
"It's okay, darling. If it really is important -"
"Well, it's me daughter."
Grooves frowned.
"I would think that's important, then."
The Conductor checked his pocket watch once more.
"It's important tae her. I.. Well, I've been busy these past few years. So I haven't been able tae go trick or treating with her for quite a while. And at least she usually went with her mom, but ah.. Let's just say she is staying with her parents. Only about a week! I hope.. I promised the babysitter I'd be off at a certain time sae they could go tae some Halloween party as well."
DJ Grooves listened to the Conductor carefully. So, that's all this is? From the way he had been acting, you would've thought something bad happened.
"Why didn't you just say something? At the very least could've, like, told us. It's for your daughter. The owls would understand."
"Ay.."
The Conductor had a slightly embarrassed look on his face. Without saying anything else, he walked past Grooves. Without even saying goodbye? Oh no. He followed him.
"Now, now, it's rude to just walk away during a conversation."
"Don't want tae be late."
That wouldn't explain his embarrassed look, though. Unless..
"Oh, darling! Are you sure you also don't just like Halloween, too?"
His reaction was a grumble. That should be confirmation enough. DJ Grooves doesn't care, of course, so he wondered why the Conductor would feel that embarrassed about it. Once they got outside, he finally replied back.
"..Yeh. I do. It was me favorite when I was a wee lad. I thought it just seemed embarrassin tae it like that as an adult."
"Nonsense, darling. No one would ever judge you for something like that. I don't care much about the holiday myself, but I didn't grow up with it. If it means so much to you, then celebrate it as much as you want!"
The Conductor shrugged.
"Aye.. Thanks. It's not like me daughter is getting any younger anyway."
Grooves laughed.
"Of course. Cherish your time with the little one."
"Aye."
Grooves realized that they were walking out of the parking lot, going to the Conductor's train. Well, it makes sense as he runs it in the mornings so other people can get to work, but..
"What are the owls supposed to do when the train is gone? When *you’re* gone."
"They'll figure it oot."
Grooves wished the Conductor cared more about his actors. He started off kind enough, but he is prone to getting very angry at them for simple mistakes.
"An ye need tae get back tae work. .. Unless ye.. Nevermind."
"What was that darling?"
DJ Grooves looked at the Conductor, who clearly had something on his mind.
"I never.. Done this on me own. But..- I know ye never done this sae forget it."
What was he.. Ohh.
"Aw, were you asking me to help you trick or treat?"
"F..For me daughter! Now I don't want tae be more late then I already will..–"
Grooves, who knows how rare it is for the Conductor to ask for help, decides this on a whim.
"I don't mind helping!"
The Conductor froze, turning to him.
"Eh.. Really..? But the penguins.."
"I can just warn them. Stuff came up, all that?"
Normally, Grooves wouldn't do this, but he would just like to hang out with the Conductor, especially since he was the one who wanted it first.
"If yer sae sure. I'll start up me train as I wait."
"Can't we just use my car to drive you home?"
"And leave me train here by itself? I don't think sae!"
Oh, the Conductor, ever so protective of his train.
————
It was about 6:30 in the evening when they arrived at the Conductor's house. This is actually Grooves' first time being here. They only ever saw each other at work or at the occasional bar. They weren't THAT close yet.
This wouldn't be his first time seeing the Conductor's daughter however, since he had been forced to bring her to work a few times. He wouldn't think she would remember him, though, as it's been quite a while. She was still a tiny baby at the time.
The Conductor unlocked the door, seeing the babysitter he had been talking about sigh of relief.
"Gosh, you're late."
"The owls were giving me a hard time, I'll give ye bonus pons."
Grooves watched the exchange, the babysitter quickly walking out after the payment. He heard footsteps running towards them now, so he assumed that was his daughter. She hugged the Conductor's leg, smiling up at him as she held her costume in hand.
"Trreat?"
"Yes, Amelia. We'll go in a minute. Just need tae get ready."
"Who's that?"
Amelia, which is her name that Grooves felt dumb for forgetting, pointed at him. The Conductor answered.
"That's um.. Me friend from work, Grooves. Since yer mom is busy, he'll be helping us."
Grooves waved at her, she was a bit shy, but waved back. The Conductor held her in his arms.
"Okayy, let's go put yer costume on."
————
Amelia had dressed up as a character that Grooves didn't quite recognize, but it wasn't any sort of ordinary princess like young girls her age would usually wear. More like a superhero, he was sure.
"Are ye ready tae go? She sure is."
Grooves glanced down at the girl, who was holding the Conductor's hand in one hand and her trick or treat basket in the other.
"Suppose so."
With that, they were off. It was obvious it had been a while since the Conductor had done this even with his daughter, because he was struggling trying to remember all of the good spots. Amelia was actually more or less the one guiding them, somehow knowing the layout of the town well. For someone so young, she was smart.
Everyone's house they went to was kind, complimenting her costume and giving her a good amount of candy.
After their 4th house, Amelia looked up at Grooves with a confused look.
"Do ye nae want candy?"
Grooves chuckled.
"Oh no, darling. This is all for you."
She looked even more confused.
"But.. ye are wearing a costume.."
Grooves blinked in response. It was now his turn to be confused, wondering what she was talking about. He looked down at himself. It was just his normal work outfit. He could hear the Conductor snicker from behind them.
"But daddy said ye are dressed like a flashy disco qween from a movie. Ye jacket and heels are a part of the costume."
Grooves glanced at the Conductor who was now laughing. He glared at the other, but it wasn't like it was that serious.
"Oh really?"
The Conductor gave him a smug smile.
"What? It's what ye get for wearing that blinding outfit."
"It's not like I had time to change."
He shrugged, walking to the next house with his daughter in hand. Honestly, Grooves doesn't normally get to see this fun side of the Conductor often. He is definitely much different when near his daughter, which is a good thing. He only smiled, walking behind them.
They walked around for a while, going house to house. Amelia would get excited by all of the candy she would get, compliment other kids' costumes, or hide behind the both of them when she sees a decoration that's too scary.
Like when they walked up to a house with a clown decoration. Once she saw it, she immediately hid from it behind the Conductor, holding onto his leg.
"Eh, what is it, lass?"
She pointed at the decoration, the Conductor only tilting his head. Grooves chuckled.
"It seems like Amelia is afraid of clowns."
"I was never intimidated by em. Sae I wouldnae know."
Amelia didn't seem to budge at all. Thankfully, the bird who owned the place saw and walked over to them instead.
"Aw, I told my partner the decoration would be too much for smaller children. Here though."
They grabbed some candy out of their bucket and handed it to Amelia. She took it, still behind the Conductor. She thanked the bird.
The Conductor checked his watch as it was starting to get really dark. He hummed and looked at Amelia, who seemed to almost have a full bucket of candy.
"Aye, I think it's gettin quite late now. We should probably start headin back."
Grooves nodded in agreement, but Amelia shook her head.
"Noooo. I'm havin fun!"
The Conductor just smiled at her, before picking the girl up. Grooves was glad she at least had some fun for a day with her dad, especially since he was busy with work so often.
"It's okay, lass. Ye have plenty of sweets tae last ye weeks. I'll let ye pick out a movie when we get home, okay?"
At that, she nodded and gave in pretty quickly.
On the way home they stopped at a couple houses they missed but other than that the night of trick or treating was pretty much over. Once they got home, the Conductor sighed, watching Amelia immediately dig in her basket.
"Aye.. She's goin tae be bouncin off the walls every night for the next week."
The Conductor sat on the couch as Amelia went through one of their cabinets that held all of her favorite movies.
Grooves decided to sit next to him on the couch, not quite sure what to say now. But he was glad they were able to casually hang out like this, instead of stressing over their movies. Getting to know the Conductor while not thinking about work was an experience, but not negative.
"Grooves, um.. thanks. For hangin’ out. I've just been a little stressed."
He lowered his voice as much as possible.
"I didnae want tae tell ye, but it's better tae tell someone. And I dinnae want tae worry Amelia. I had a bit of a fight with me wife, and it's why she is stayin’ with her parents for a while. Its supposed tae just be a slight break but a'm worried."
Grooves had figured, but it would be rude to say anything out loud. The fact he helped the Conductor with his stress by just being there was enough.
"I'm sorry to hear that, darling. I'm glad I could be a help, I had fun. I'm sure everything will be fine in the end, from everything I've heard, you're a great husband."
The Conductor hummed, staring forward to watch Amelia.
"Suppose yer right. Thanks. It was just a wee fight.. Everythin’ will be fine in the end. Yeah."
It won't, but neither of them knew that yet.
"This one!"
The Conductor and Grooves stopped their conversation, seeing Amelia hold up a halloween special of a series she liked.
"Aye, this franchise again? Alrrright, put it on."
Grooves looked at the Conductor. He looked back, smiling at the penguin as a last appreciation. He smiled back.
Perhaps he really can have a long lasting friendship with his 'competition' afterall.