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:

October 17 - Cymbal Monkey

MAN
The shopkeeper couldn't tell me where it came from.
It didn't have a price and no one remembered putting it there.
But something told me I had to have it.
Now I'm not so sure.
I'm almost certain I left the key beside it and not in its back ... 

MONKEY
I can't warn them unless they turn the key.
I've tried to show them.
I don't think they understand.
I'm afraid they'll be next.

Poor little monkey.  Designed to raise the alarm, but they won't let him.

I guess that's a cymbal of what's to come!

Mwahahahahahahaha! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 16 - Mr. Dippel

I asked Dave Brenn for help making a zombie.

He showed me a technique he'd learned years ago from the caretaker of an old cemetery on the outskirts of Darmstadt.  He wouldn't say much about what happened there, but he gave me two rules.

Never give it a name.  And whatever happens, make sure it's popped before sundown.

Honestly, it all seems a little bit overly dramatic.

Besides, Mr. Dippel came out great.

At 8pm, there were three soft knocks on my door.

Almost courteous.

Then they jiggled the handle ...

 

Tonight's tale puts a new twist on name-calling,
Arose by any other name, but still smells as rotten!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

(view other David Brenn inspired balloons!)

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 15 - Nozzlehead

You solved the puzzle.

You summoned us from beyond the boundaries of your world, beyond the fragile limits of flesh and reason.

We have such exquisite suffering to share.

I am Nozzlehead, Keeper of the Lamentation Sphere.  You have opened a doorway between our worlds, and I have come to collect what is owed.  One final breath.  Such a small price, wouldn't you agree?

And to think, you had so many left.

It seems our little puzzler is embarkering on a hell-raising adventure!
Nozzlehead has promised a ... breathtaking experience!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty: