[ She looks down at her now slightly darker shadow, giving it a nod. Off to cabin 116 they go then!

Once they get there, she goes inside the room and digs through a dresser, pulling out something white. It's her rain poncho, with a pair of eyes on the hood, making it look like some sort of white sheet ghost. She never had another chance to wear it after the rain last year. ]

Sparkles? [ Looks down at the shadow. Still there? ] Wanna try this on?

There's ghosts that look kind of like this on some Halloween decorations. [ Also in The Cage, but she's not at that canon point yet in this thread. ...Sparkles could probably resemble the black sheet ghosts like Carrier or Tutie if only she had a cap and mail bag to provide. She giggles and holds out the poncho. ]

Hold still. I'll help you put it on.

[ If it lets her, she'll just drape it right onto Sparkles. ]

[ She pulls the hood over its head and bends down a bit, tying the bow on the front into a ribbon. ]

...It's good. You look cute! You can take a look for yourself, in the mirror.

[ She stands next to Sparkles, looking into the mirror with a smile, pleased with how they both look. ]

You can wear all sorts of things, if you want! Not just for Halloween. I've always thought playing dress up was tons of fun. [ And she has more of a selection to play with here than back home. ] The Tommy Bahama place has a bunch of colorful stuff with fun patterns. Hats, too. Or maybe we can get someone to make you some nice formal clothes.

For parties! And dances. Some of the parties here have a dress code. [ Sways her arms a bit, giving her skirt a little swoosh. ] The outfits are really nice...

[ ...And she kind of wants to drag Sparkles onto the dance floor like they're in a princess ball. ]

[ Stops swishing her skirt, a small frown crossing her face. Worried she may have unintentionally dug up a painful memory... ]

Because your master made you do those things, right? Who's... "them"? [ She mostly only knows of its relationship with its master and Amma. Not so much anyone else beyond that. ]

That's... awful. You know, you don't have to do those things anymore, for someone else's fun. No performing or just standing there if you don't want to.

[ She looks up at the mirror. ]

You looked cute as a birdie. I think you look really cute just the way you are right now too! But, um... if you don't like those clothes you're wearing right now, it's okay to tell me. Or if you don't feel like going trick-or-treating together. I won't be mad. I just thought you should give it a try so we can figure out what you like and dislike. It's no fun if I'm the only one having fun...

[ Reading its... lack of expression is difficult. But she stares at it in the mirror, trying to note any signs of tension, fear, or anything. Like back then, when it looked like it was afraid of saying the "wrong" answer. ]

Um... how do you feel?

[ ...With the long pauses and responses, there's a worrying feeling that a similar conversation from before is repeating itself. She reminds herself that she needs to be patient. ]

...

I want you to learn to be able to do things for yourself. Be... happy for yourself. Not just for me. Do you understand, Sparkles?

...

You didn't answer my question.

[ Watches it quietly. She doesn't know if she should ask the question a second time... ]

...Yeah. You're you. [ A pause. ] You can keep that poncho, you know. A gift from me.