When You Made Wishes: start! (player plot)

[deuteranope]

Imagine Wist's surprise when April rolled around and their plan for a great prank was foiled on account of all those students just...leaving??? Truly, they have become the April fool... It's what they wanted, of course -- for the pitiful humans to find freedom -- and sure there are some stragglers around, but...in the end, they decide to take the win and enjoy a short break of their own. Good thing, too, or they might have pulled out all their hair in frustration when Spring Break comes to an end and the swarm of students and faculty willingly return to their prison.

While settling back into the academy and resigning themselves to a routine, the people of Daybreak will be soothed by a gentle tune rising up from the forest. It isn't a song they've heard before, and yet, somehow...it's nostalgic, isn't it? The soft notes of the pan flute stir up something in their hearts, tugging at old memories and drawing forth a feeling of dissatisfaction and longing out from under them. Let the song lull them into taking a moment to withdraw from the hustle and bustle -- hey, turns out they sort of need it. Maybe they're coming down with a cold, or just some quick little bug...
--
>> user M3G4M4G1CH4XX posted on April 6th, 2019:
Why did you come back? You don't have to live like this.

Weren't things better back then? Try to remember what it used to be like.
--
The odd message from an iris account that doesn't exist isn't up for long before the spell kicks into the next phase. However they manifest and from when differs from person to person, but those affected will all have the bizarre experience of watching some ghost of themselves from their past be born from their soul's memory. Don't think there are those that can escape this fate just by returning at a later time, either -- Wist can keep up this panpipe nonsense all day, every day if they have to. If that what it takes to get their point across...

Good luck trying to comprehend whatever point that may be, because now Daybreak is the new home to a bunch of familiar-looking rugrats and has to contend with whatever complications they may bring along with them.
---
[For more information on this plot, please see this ooc infopost!]

Comments

[yokeye]

[Oh shit. He's afraid and trying to hide. Toki knows what that's like and he can't be the one to make tiny Maverick feel that way. He moves back slowly, to give Ricky more space, but not enough for him to run away.]

Uh, Maverick? I'm sorry, okay? I'm not going to hurt you.

[He sucks at volume control, but he's trying. He also hopes Ricky speaks French at this age.]

[deuteranope]

[He does, luckily, having been born in France and absorbed the language before Ramona ever picked him up -- or, you know, at least he understands it. Even as he meekly peeks out around his sleeves again, he doesn't seem too keen on replying back. Sorry was good, and a promise to not hurt him was even better...so he gives a tiny nod in acknowledgment even as he takes a couple more steps back, mostly because he hasn't figured out that the "mave" before the "rick" was also intended to be him. What's probably more encouraging than that tiny nod, though, is how he moves one of his arms to gesture over at the slim space Ricktoria's got herself into. Save the kitty, save the world.]

[yokeye]

[Progress.]

Over there?

[Ricktoria's still mewling, and Toki knows she's stuck there, but he's more concerned with Ricky. It's hard to keep them both in sight when he has a limited field of vision. He's just going to trust that Ricky won't run while he's dealing with the cat. He seems to want Ricktoria and maybe he'll wait for her.

How did she get in there? Cats were liquid. It's a long, narrow space and there's no way Ricky's short arms could reach all the way to grab the cat. Toki gently grasps her fur and drags her back. He can't be rough and have Ricktoria screech or hiss and scare Ricky. Cat obtained, he will hand her to Ricky if he hasn't run off.]

[deuteranope]

[He can't run, he's on a mission. But he does keep some distance between them as he shuffles about, waiting anxiously for the kitty to be rescued. Ricktoria isn't overly keen on being grabbed, even if it's to save her from this hell of her own making, but her complaints are more pathetic than aggressive, and the boy perks up when he can see Toki's got her safe. Not too sure about accepting this cat offering, but hey, what else is he supposed to do... Gingerly, he wraps his tiny arms around her in a way that says he has No Idea how this cat should be held, so it's a good thing Ricktoria can put up with a lot of shit. Her tail flicks with quiet agitation. Ricky buries half his face in the now-dusted up fluff of the cat, eyes wide and trained on the cat savior. Things still chill?]

[yokeye]

[Ricky looks a little less panicked, so at least he's doing something right. Ricktoria is obviously displeased, but apparently she'll deal with it. Toki doesn't know what to do now. It's easier when they're happy kids who just want to have some fun. He'd just walked away from Akechi and that was probably a mistake. So, he'll stay with Ricky even if it's awkward, until someone else comes around or he finds Maverick.]

See? She's okay now. Her name's Ricktoria. It's a weird name, right?

[deuteranope]

[Ricktoria -- yeah, that's what that other boy had called the cat, too. So this one probably knew him...? Maybe he'd been so happy to see him because he was sent to search for him, the way Ramona had been, by her visions? Except by that guy, obviously, not a vision. Ah, but he should answer the question. ...with a shrug. Because he's not really sure. It's close to his, so did that make his name weird, too? Mmm... He lifts the cat as much as he can while still hugging her as if to prompt Toki to take her back. The other boy probably wants his cat back...]

[yokeye]

[Toki's pretty sure Ricktoria is better off where she is.]

Why don't you hold her for now. Is there somebody you're looking for?

[He means Maverick, but he doesn't want to say something like "your older self" or "the other Maverick" or anything along those lines that might bring on some existential nightmare here.]

[deuteranope]

[Well... If he's not taking the cat back, then...yes? Well, even outside of returning Ricktoria to her home, he needs to find Ramona, so he nods. He is looking for somebody, mister. Two somebodies.]

[yokeye]

[The silence is getting to him. He's going to start talking about stupid shit and unimportant things soon, just to dispel the awkwardness.]

Yes? Can you tell me who you're looking for? Maybe I know them.

[deuteranope]

[Ah... Ricky shakes his head. He knows that this guy probably knows at least one of the people he's looking for, but he can't...tell him. Heck. Maybe if he points to the cat...?]

[yokeye]

[Maybe he understands French, but can't speak it or not enough of it. Ricky wanted him to take the cat earlier, and now he's pointing at her. Does he want to take Ricktoria back to Maverick? Toki reaches out for the cat. He'll take her now.]

You want to find the boy who owns the cat?

[Still trying to avoid name confusion.]

[deuteranope]

[Oh, it worked. What a relief...even if he has to hand the cat off. With an exhale that suggests he'd been holding his breath to see what Toki's response would be, he gives another nod. That one would do... That one had a picture of Ramona, too, so he can use it to communicate the next step of his needs.]

[yokeye]

Okay.

[Toki takes Ricktoria and holds her against his chest with one hand. The other he offers to Ricky.]

We'll take her home.

[deuteranope]

[Ricktoria meows a few more complaints before settling into her misery against Toki, tail continuing its flick back and forth. She wants to be free, she wants food, what's wrong with all these people!!! Ricky stares at the offered hand and several beats pass. Then, tentatively, he drops his own tiny hand into Toki's. It's still wrapped up, hidden in the hoodie's sleeve. Let's go...! They don't have to get all the way back to the dorms to find Maverick, looking frazzled and annoyed. He's out and about. Searching.]

[yokeye]

[Toki refrains from small talk while they look for Maverick. They need to find him soon before he can't hold back anymore and assaults poor Ricky with a tsunami of words. But there he is. He wants to shout for Maverick, but he approaches silently until he's just a few feet away.]

Maverick. Help.

[Okay, so now they're both Maverick. Whatever. He's done here. Take this child.]

[deuteranope]

[Oh my god, Toki, he does not have the time for -- ] There you are! Fuck, kid. [Ricky's feelings on the reunion are a mystery, with his face remaining as blank as ever and him neither shrinking away or moving to greet his older self. He's content where he is.] What, did this guy convince you to take Ricktoria for a walk, or something? [Mm. He shakes his head. If it was like that, it would probably be better...] Right. Anyway, thanks, mousie. He wasn't supposed to leave my room. And give me my damn cat... [No offense, but uhh...he doesn't trust you lmao.] Ricky, you want to thank mousie too, right? [The boy looks up to Toki, still holding onto his hand...and nods! He does want to. Thanks, Mr. Mouse. No wonder he was good at getting the cat, they love mice.]

[yokeye]

[He awkwardly hands Ricktoria over to Maverick, because the child still won't let go of his other hand.]

Ricky!? That's what you call him!? Okay! I called him Maverick at first, but I didn't want to refer to you as Maverick too, well until right now, because I thought there would be too much confusion at the very least, but there also could have been that time paradox thing where everything in the world just implodes because there's two of you, but that doesn't apply exactly in this case, though something similar could! Anyway, I really tried not to upset him, but he won't talk! I hope I didn't scare him too much! I think maybe Ricktoria tried to escape or something because he was trying to get her out from behind this bookshelf or whatever it was and he couldn't reach her and then when I got her out, he wanted to take her home and I think he was looking for you, but first he kind of wanted me to just take Ricktoria, so maybe he wants something else!? Did you feed him enough!?

[deuteranope]

[Good fucking god, Toki. Ricky's definitely letting him go, now. That was...so much talking, and loud, and fast, and he's just going to trot over to Maverick's side, now, thanks.] Would you shut the fuck up? How am I supposed to answer that? [IT'S JUST SO MUCH TO ADDRESS, DUDE] I didn't start going by Maverick until I was, like, twelve or thirteen, of course he fucking doesn't respond to it. And I think he's five, so -- [Ricky tugs the hem of Mav's shirt and shakes his head.] No? Six? Six. Either way, he can't fucking talk, it's not just you scaring the crap outta him.

[yokeye]

[Oh shit. Sorry, Ricky. He was doing so well too. At least Toki brought to him back to Maverick unharmed. It was a success.]

I thought Maverick was your name. It's not?

[Ricky not talking at six confuses him, though.]

He hasn't learned how to talk yet?

[deuteranope]

[maverick mentally shakes his fist at whichever jackass it was that started all this nonsense because people weren't supposed to know about his secret shame.] It is. I'm fucking Maverick. [just ignore it!!!!] No, it's -- he knows how, he just fucking can't, okay?

[yokeye]

[He's still confused by the name thing, but whatever.]

Okay.

[He accepts that as is and he's not going to ask why Ricky doesn't talk. He crouches down to say goodbye before he leaves.]

It was nice to meet you, Ricky. You're a good boy.

[deuteranope]

[Ricky blinks his large eyes up at Toki as he comes down to his level, relieved that he's accepted his odd condition without a fuss, even if the cat's owner was all agitated about it now. A...good boy? While Maverick huffs and turns away in an attempt to pretend his slight blush doesn't exist, Ricky has no qualms about sharing a happy, grateful smile and a hug.]

[yokeye]

[He happily returns the hug for this adorable child. He waits for Ricky to let go first before standing and waving to Maverick.]

I'll talk to you later~!

[And he has a new goal; to one day make Maverick smile like Ricky.]