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

[unpocoloco]

[He braces. He does so because no matter what he says, no matter how he might want to help, he knows this part is going to hurt.

Starved to death. That's how Avery would have gone. The irony isn't lost oh him. And now he knows why Avery looks so different though he can't fathom eating a demon nor picture it. The imagery his mind conjures is a little too gruesome for him to take.

The parts about his unspoken name, the ruined kingdom aren't much easier.

When the cravat comes off he doesn't do Avery the disservice of averting his eyes. He takes it in with a pained look.

When he can take no more, he straightens up. His jacket comes off but he's got no scars to show. No, instead, he moves around the chair and drapes his jacket overtop of the boy there. He tucks it around and briefly touches a hand to the sleeping child's hair. Only then does he return where he was.]

You know I have no way to compare to you. I don't think you're weak you know. I could never, in a million years, compare to what you went through. I was already ready thinking how you had so much to lose.

But it's not his fault. And it's not yours. And it's not because you gave a damn, Avery, your ex was a monster to you and would have been that way no matter what. You've suffered. It only frustrates me that you do these things like... like you think you deserve it. Like you're going to try to deserve it. Don't you think you've hurt enough?

[He finally lifts his eyes from the boy to the man.]

I'm not going to let you be hurt like that again. You're my friend. I give a damn about you.

[He's said that before he swears. He'll keep saying it if he has to.]

Are you gonna tell him? If these kids are here long enough?

[subconmodo]

[Avery scoffs and shakes his head]

Of course not. Little brat's too young to know about that kind of thing. Love's not even a blip on his radar.

[He leans forward, elbows on his knees and head in his hands, all the fight leaving him. Deflated. Defeated.]

I already told you I don't hate the kid.

[He's not sure how to respond to the rest. He already feels weak and vulnerable enough.]

[unpocoloco]

[There's a flicker of smile, no joy in it but some tired relief. It does say something. Avery's not so set on his path that he actually want to see the hope crushed out of his past. That's something.]

Good.

[He's sorry to see Avery looking so defeated but he really doubts any gesture would be welcome right now. He'll stick to words.]

This could be good, you know? If he stays, there's a lot you could teach him. And either way, you might be able to learn things from him you've forgotten too. I hope you'll give each other a chance.

[And they can both see no one's out to hurt them here. The younger once he clears things up. The older, maybe, when he sees that no one's going to use this against him.]

I mean it, by the way. About not comparing. I don't agree with your methods, as we've gone over before, [A rueful smile at that.] and I worry about you, but I can admire the fact you've made it here. I don't think I could've gotten even half this far in the same situation. And I'm really just glad you're here at all. Wouldn't have ever met you otherwise.

[subconmodo]

[He says nothing for a long time. Héctor's words make his chest hurt in a way it hasn't in a long, long time and somehow the world feels a little less real. It's like something has shattered, but he doesn't know what, doesn't know where or why.

It's like that first step into his ruined kingdom all over again, the realization that he's entered into a world he doesn't know how to deal with after years and years of being sure, of having plans, of having vision.]

I don't want him to know who I am. The less he knows about what happened when he goes back where he belongs, the better.

[unpocoloco]

[That confirms it then. Even if it could change things, Avery's not going to be the one to do that. He smiles sadly. Sometimes he really aches for this guy.]

Alright. I'm not telling Teto anything either. But you should give me a story to work with that isn't "spooky guy in the woods". A name I can give him.

... Was there anything you really wanted to do or be as a kid? That might get his interest.

[subconmodo]

A lawyer, actually. Granted, I'm pretty sure I just thought it was about arguing with people at the time. Not like a kid's going to understand law textbooks or anything.

[He reaches for his cravat and starts putting it back on]

Don't know if that'll be enough, though. I've got my suspicions on what he thinks I am and why he's running off so much, but I can't be sure.

[unpocoloco]

[He's going to resist saying that the kid really does sound like Avery. It's a little soon for that. He does give a look between amused and intrigued.

He gives Avery that minutes to deal with his cravat. He didn't need his secrets exposed all the time.]

I can figure out something more. Worst case scenario, I've got a back up plan. What is it that you think he's thinking of?

[subconmodo]

The Snatcher. Which... he's not wrong but he's not right either.

[He runs a hand through his bangs to get them out of his eyes.]

It's a spirit or creature or something like that that steals anything lost or forgotten. You know, one of those things people tell kids to make sure they pick up after themselves or to explain a lost sock or something.

[unpocoloco]

Oh. Like El Cu-Cuy.

[The boogeyman, essentially.

Dios, if all this magic is real did that mean-- okay, no, another time, not thinking about that.

He thinks.]

Alright. I'll tell him you beat him. You stole his power and stuff and now he's gone.

[subconmodo]

That's... Huh.

[He cups his chin in thought]

That's actually close enough to the truth that he might listen.

[Maybe not for long, and he can't see the kid trusting him much, but maybe a little leeway was all he needed]

[unpocoloco]

[His chin tilts up and he grins, smug.]

Exactly! If there's one thing I've learned about hiding my status it's that the best lies are the ones that are nearly true.

[That's something to be proud of there. Lying ability.]

If he asks you about anything else, you just tell him you're still on a mission to find the snatcher's hideaway. Get him in on it that you could use his help. Kids love that.

[subconmodo]

Wouldn't it be better to just mention Nightfall instead?

[unpocoloco]

[His head tilts up.]

Maybe. But you don't want to make the kid actually worry and think that he's actually in danger. I'm sure we could work that in to the story too. You are technically here to save the world.

[And kids do love that too.

He straightens up, making his way back to the other chair, where his younger self sleeps. He settles upon the arm of the chair.]

And if that doesn't work, plan b's right here. When kids don't listen to adults, they listen to other kids.

[subconmodo]

[Avery looks down at Teto, then back up at Héctor]

All right. I'll give it a shot. Maybe this'll at least convince him to stop being such an annoying escape artist.

[unpocoloco]

[He laughs softly.]

That, I'm afraid, is a fat chance, my friend. Teto's just as bad and he's not even a little afraid of me. But he might listen as long as you're around.

[He reaches down and gently shakes Teto awake. The kid's face scrunches up a moment.]

"Mmhn... Que?"

Hey, Teto, need you to wake up. Don't worry, nothing bad, just want you to meet a friend of mine. A real friend, not a fake friend.

[He doesn't elaborate to Avery what a fake friend is, but the reassurance is the difference of the sudden startled wide-eyed look and the curious glance across the room. Teto blinks at him.]

"...Hola."

This is him here. Mi amigo is a teacher at this school.

"...Are you in costume? You look like un vampiro."

[The elder Héctor snorts and presses his knuckles to his mouth to muffle laughter.]

[subconmodo]

[It's not the first time he's been asked that, though it makes him wish he'd altered his appearance a little before Teto woke up.]

Oh no. I just happen to think the old styles are more fashionable than the new. The real vampire's probably off working on his lessons or grading finals or something.

[Or finishing another goddamn study on sardines.]

[unpocoloco]

[Teto's eyes go wide.]

"There's a real vampire?!?"

[Héctor shrugs at the boy, helplessly. Teto gapes, but no one else seems particularly concerned by this bit of information. Maybe it's a joke? Or maybe not...

Teto shifts about until he's sitting upright, legs hanging over. He looks the other man over with uncertainty, those eyes and ears and teeth. But, well, he doesn't much like it when people make fun of his ears or teeth so he decides maybe not to say anything.]

"...I like old stuff too. Like suits and records and weird old photos. But it's hard to find record players. Or suits that are small. Harder than finding guitars."

[Slowly, hesitantly, he pushes himself from the seat and walks forward to Avery. He holds out his hand like a kid who doesn't actually know how to shake hands but has been told to do so.]

"My name's Héctor. But people call me Teto sometimes. What's your name?"

[subconmodo]

Professor Atchison.

[He takes Teto's hand and shakes it, grip firm but nowhere near as tight as he might make it were he dealing with another adult.]

Nice to see some kids around here have manners.

[unpocoloco]

[Héctor muffles a laugh. Don't count on those manners forever, Avery.]

"M-mucho gusto, Professor."

[Teto meanwhile looks somewhere between pleased and embarrassed by the praise.]

"A lot of care workers say it's good to make a nice first impression and the adults in town do it a lot too. So... so I learned! Even if the other kids think it's weird."

[subconmodo]

All the more reason for their opinions not to matter, eh? Lesson of the day, kiddo: peer pressure just isn't worth it.

[He can give good advice and be responsible sometimes.]

Now, that said... I could use your help with that kid over there.

[He points at his younger self on the nearby armchair]

You met him yet?

[unpocoloco]

[There's a kid who's going to learn absolutely jack about the dangers of succumbing to pressure. Except for the man sitting behind him folding his arms and giving Avery a look.

Teto blinks at Atchison before his eyes slide on over. He gasps, and immediately grins wide.]

"Avery!" [Then winces. From there he speaks in a half-whisper, but his grin is still somewhat present.] "I know him. He's my friend. We've been hanging out a lot. He's nice to me and knows all kinds of things."

"...What do you need help with?"

[subconmodo]

[Wonderful! They've met after all. That's not a terrifying thought.]

He keeps running off on me and causing trouble. Won't even let me get a word in edgewise. Apparently he thinks I'm something scary from his home country. Something kind of like, uh...

[He looks to Héctor]

What was that word you used again?

[unpocoloco]

[Teto listens with a contemplative frown. Causing trouble? Oh no. Did Atchison know that was him too? He keeps his mouth shut.]

Cu-Cuy. El Cuco. [Héctor supplies that. And Teto looks back wide-eyed. Then looks slow back at Atchison. He stares a long moment.]

"...Are you?"

[subconmodo]

[He holds up his hand and wobbles it from side to side in a "kinda" gesture.]

Took out the guy who was and ended up the inheritor of a bunch of fun powers for it. I can see where the kid would see a resemblance.

[unpocoloco]

[Teto's jaw drops slow. Héctor leans right back, looking smug. He holds up his fingers to countdown behind the boy. Three, two, one...]

"What!!?! That's so cool, that's so cool! [Teto bounces, fists clenched tight with excitement.] You beat him up!? You--"

[Héctor's gotten up and stuck a hand over the boy's mouth. He lifts his hand after a second.]

Teto. Sshh. Calmése.

[He jerks a thumb at the sleeping boy. Teto looks sheepish.]

"Oops. Sorry."