October 24 - Nozzlebeast

Usually by the third night of a balloon convention, nozzlebugs have formed.

These invasive little creatures thrive in the warm, humid conditions of a crowded jam room, where poor sanitation and hygiene provide an almost limitless supply of raw material.

Their digestive systems can't distinguish between synthetic and organic, and their bites can be quite painful.  Fingers are particularly vulnerable, but the creatures are otherwise relatively harmless.

Fortunately, infestations are usually limited to the convention itself.  An occasional specimen will take refuge in a balloon bag if left unattended, but rarely survives long once separated from the nest.

Unless, of course, it's already begun transforming into a nozzlebeast.

It seems that conventions are a real infest-ment opportunity!

A clean jam room is a safe jam room!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 23 - The NeverEnding Toy Story

They look like such small, flimsy, weak hands, don't they?

I never thought that's what they were.

Oh, my little friends...

The little potato-headed man with his wife, the dinosaur, even the stupid pig.

I tried to keep them close, as if somehow the physical connection would ... 

I couldn't hold onto them. the No Thing pulled them right out of my hands.

I failed.

Listen, the No Thing will be here any minute. I will just sit here and let it take me too.

They look like such small ... flimsy ... weak hands ...

🎵 You've got a fiend in me! 🎵

Ah, childhood! Such a magical time ... while you remember it!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 22 - Origin Story

He was buzzing when he left Hero Academy.

For the first time, he thought maybe his parents had been right. Maybe this really was where he belonged. He couldn't wait to get home and tell them.

"Hey, Bug Boy!" someone shouted. "Who let the cockroach into Hero Academy?"

The laughter hit harder than it should have.

By the time he got home, the buzzing had stopped.

He decided his parents didn't need to know about his day.

Sometimes you don't get the hero you need, you get the villain you deserve!

I believe his new friends are about to become a rather captive audience!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 21 - Mourning Rook

Have you ever woken up feeling really sad?  If so, you might have a Mourning Rook.

A Mourning Rook affects your dreams, but not with nightmares, they are sadder .. crueler.  A loved one tells you they never cared. Your friends turn away. You are forgotten.

Even when you wake, the sadness lingers.  It nests.  And once it has settled into the corners of your mind, it only has to wait. 

Because everyone, eventually, dreams of loss.

It looks like another of our Dark Menagerie has come to roost! 

I hope if tonight's fowl little tale gives you bad dreams, they're nightmares!  

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 20 - Monster Mash

Every year I swear I'm done, but somehow we're hosting the Monster Bash again.

And of course, I'm in charge of the Monster Mash.

Where vampires can't stand garlic, werewolves want everything practically raw, mummies won't eat anything messy since the BBQ night fiasco.  Zombies don't want to chew, and witches ...

... someone had better keep those witches out of my kitchen this year.  Not everything needs more eye-of-newt, Dolores!

And after all that, do any of them bother to help with the dishes?

Still, it does end up being quite the graveyard smash.

Ahh, the Monster Mash - a dinner party you can really put your heart and soul into.  Make sure to serve mine up ... medium-scare!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 19 - Tooth Goblin

A bit of bone for a bit of treasure.  For centuries the Tooth Goblin had collected teeth according to the pact.

But the humans had developed all sorts of prejudices, so something had to be done.

A pair of costume wings, a sprinkle of glitter, and a rebranding to "Fairy".   Soon, parents were placing teeth beneath pillows themselves.  They even encouraged their children to look forward to his visits.

And every night, the old goblin returned to his lair, emptied his pockets, and carefully pressed the newest acquisitions into his gums.

He had the most beautiful smile.

Sometimes the tooth hurts, dear fiends!
But our goblin's never had trouble finding someone to put a smile on his face!

Mwaheheeheheheee! *snort*

(view other Sam Cremeens inspired balloons!)

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 18 - The Tell-Tale Toe

I awoke with a start. There it was again! That dreadful pounding, as though some hideous little heart had taken residence beneath my sheets.

Throb. Throb. Throb.

I dared not move. Even the slightest stirring of the sheets brought unimaginable agony.

For seven days and nights the terrible pounding tormented me. Then, as sudden as it had begun, it ceased.

So tonight, I shall celebrate my deliverance. A fine steak, a bottle of wine, and perhaps a second helping.

I deserve it.

A tale of woe and toe (and Poe, don't you know), dear fiends!
But will our poor victim ever figure it gout?

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty: