#i like making dolph a psuedo-father figure to agata

[psychicdreamfriendoperator]

Not me sending an ask but then ignoring the ones in my own blog 😳umm.. how about some Halloween headcanons with agata? Like what he would do, how he feels, his costume, etc. anything else you’d like to add too 🧙‍♀️🦁

All’s well — I’ve been sitting on an ask since Nov 2021 myself haha

Hope you enjoy! Agata’s fun to write for because he's the youngest lion pspsp

— Psychic

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General Halloween Headcanons

Halloween is one of the bigger holidays in the Beastars world: there's something very captivating about being able to just dress up and pretend you are someone else, if even for a little while.

It isn't uncommon for smaller herbivores to dress up as stronger herbivores, and vice versa.

For carnivorous animals, Halloween is one of the only days where it's acceptable for them to be scary and threatening — claws and fangs are sharpened.

Halloween also serves as a fun way to pick on social norms, and give commentary on pressing social issues: it's not uncommon to see herbivores dressed up as the most recent predation victim as a sort of statement.

In spite of all this, the Black Market doesn't really do Halloween; or at least, the gangs don't. (Not officially, anyway)

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Agata’s Feelings on Halloween

Having been raised outside of the Black Market, Agata had some exposure to Halloween.

When he was younger, his mother liked to dress him up as the ‘threatening lion’ Agata’s father never quite was.

But outside of that, Agata has never participated in any sort of Halloween event, but by God, he wants to change that.

It's just his luck that this year, the Shishigumi isn't as busy around Halloween. It gives him a good excuse to leave the Black Market and explore how people celebrate the holiday.

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Agata’s Exploration [Prose]

Agata wasn't used to riding in the back seat, but Dolph insisted that he did. Something about how the passenger side seatbelt was broken, and how he didn't want to be pulled over for something as stupid as that.

With a low sigh, Agata rest his head against the hard, leather seat. He and Dolph’s eyes met in the rear view window.

“Kid,” Dolph said. “Your stop is coming up soon.”

Agata nodded at that, and Dolph’s eyes drifted back onto the road.

Looking out the car window, he could see that the storefronts were decorated with all sorts of things: paper cut-outs, fake skeletons — one store even had a fake re-enactment of a predation.

It was almost frightening how looser everyone became when Halloween was involved; doing something like that was a major no-no any other time of the year.

Catching his reflection on the window, Agata began to stare at himself. Really stare at himself, and look at everything from his face to his dark mane. Idly pulling at his mouth, he lamented that it was too late to grow out his fangs.

But that was fine — it wasn't like he was going to get a costume or anything. No, he was just going to look around and see what was for sale…

“Uh, Dolph?” Seeing the older lion not stop the car made Agata lurch forward. “You missed my stop.”

Dolph made a low noise of disapproval. “I can't park in the middle of the road, now can I?”

“Park?”

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Agata + Dolph’s Exploration

Dolph really didn't plan on sticking around with Agata.

At most, he planned to give Agata some extra cash (nothing much, just an extra $200 or so — Halloween costumes could be expensive, and what if Agata got hungry along the way?) and then return to the Mansion.

That being said, Dolph is glad he decided to walk the streets with Agata: the younger lion’s curiosity is infectious.

Agata never got the chance to grow up properly, and it's so obvious that Dolph can't help but feel guilty whenever Agata stops walking to stare, or examine or touch a Halloween display.

It's mostly due to Dolph’s insistence and not-so-subtle nudging that Agata considers getting a costume at all.

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Agata’s Costume

Agata wants something simple: so, no fur-dyes, or styrofoam horns, or anything of the sort.

He’s metaphorically dipping his toes in. Even though he wants to have fun this Halloween, he’s still the youngest member of the Shishigumi. And while the other lions probably wouldn't say anything, or even care ... well, what would they think?

Agata’s low self-esteem threatens to get in the way, and while Dolph can't handle the root cause, he can try to make Agata feel a bit more confident in his decision.

Dolph winds up dragging Agata to different stores, and encouraging him to try on simple costumes: the ones that are just outfits with as few accessories as possible.

In the end, both Dolph and Agata wind up paying for mobster costumes. They already dress like they're part of a gang (because they are), and it just feels "right".

(Agata thinks it's hilarious that they went to so many stores, just to wind up dressing up as themselves. Dolph finds it more amusing than hilarious)

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Conclusion

As Agata and Dolph walk back to the car, they receive many compliments on their realistic mobster costumes.

Neither of them were wearing their store-bought costumes yet.

All in all, it's a successful outing. Though it isn't discussed, both Agata and Dolph agree that they'll be doing the same thing again the following year.

Agata believes he’s too old for trick-or-treating, so honestly, maybe he could hit up a club next Halloween? Or go to one of those adult costume parties? Either outing sounds like fun to him.