Event Log: The Hope of a Child

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for the The Hope of a Child event
Where: All over the city!
When: January 23rd-Feb 1st
Warnings: Youths

By now, the gods have probably done enough weird crap to you while you're asleep for you to be a little suspicious- but it's not like you can just not sleep, especially when there are a few supernatural forces making your eyes droopy and your body feel heavy.

And now, when you fall asleep, you'll wake up somewhere else and you'll likely have quite a different temperament- you'll be younger, maybe a little more naive and innocent, and you won't exactly remember all the wild stuff that's happened to your adult self. Maybe now you'll be a little more trusting and emotional, hm? The gods could definitely use a little boost in power, and what better way to do it than to harness the power of overemotional kiddos!

Or maybe you aren't affected at all and find yourself surrounded by youths. What are you going to do when your best friend doesn't know how to cook for themselves? Or your bitter rival is throwing a temper tantrum because they broke their favorite toy? Nobody asked for this kind of responsibility, but think about what would happen if nobody was around to take care of these babies...

► This log covers January 23rd-Feb 1st.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you trip over a kid and die, please let us know here.

Comments

Both Twins.

[restinglichface]

i; Out and About

[Deep in the middle of Hadriel, anyone listening may hear the sounds of a child crying. SItting in the middle of the street is a young elven boy, short, dark hair falling around his face, a leg propped up to his chest and hands clasped over his knee. His head is down, but from the sound of his wailing, he obviously seems hurt. If someone approaches, Taako will raise his head, his eyes looking wet and giving a sniffle with his ears drooped.]

Can you… can you help? It hurts…

[For all intents and purposes, this looks like a simple scene. A kid was getting too rambunctious and scratched himself up. You’d be cruel not to help out, right? You wouldn’t leave him out here, would you?

… Except for the fact that this is a setup, and he’s not hurt at all. Should you chose to approach, his twin Lup is close nearby, watching the scene from the shadows and preparing to pick your pocket or make off with your entire bag before moving onto the next unwitting victim. Good luck, suckers!]

ii; Gremlins in Your House

[No one is safe.

Anyone returning home for the afternoon may quickly realize that something isn't quite right with their place. For one, nothing seems to be where they left it. It looks like a living room-sized tornado came twisting through, knocking books off of shelves and dragging chairs from one side of the room to the other. The cushions on the couch have all been pulled to the floor and that nice throw that had been hanging off the back is mysteriously gone.

And secondly, well, there's a pair of high-pitched, squabbling voices floating down the hallway from the nearest bedroom.

Upon closer inspection, the culprits appear to be two young, identical elves, one of which is perched on top of the dresser and tearing through the top drawer, sending the owner's clothes flying as she searches for anything valuable or shiny to add to the twins' collection. The other elf is deep into the closet, making faces at a pair of bland-looking shoes.

Lup throws a pair of balled up socks at her twin brother's head.] Hurry up, dingus! We don't have all afternoon. Get in, get out, remember?

iii; Wildcard

[OOC: Feel free to throw us any prompt you like! We are down for it!]

i I'm goin for it

[hot_mes]

[Sucks to be them, there is literally nothing in Law's pockets right now. But a child looking hurt catches his attention mainly because hey, look, a doctor. It certainly isn't out of pity.]

What's the matter?

[standing over Taako, looming. There's no visible blood, so what's up dork?]

ehehe sucker

[pocketspa]

[He must have something of value, even if it's just the hat off his head. Anything they can grab is one more thing they didn't have previously, and for people who have nothing, it's perfect.

Taako looks up, watery-eyed, and takes his left hand off his knee, shifting the other further over so it's still hard to see if there's a wound. His hand looks bloody, but it's an illusion- a cantrip he picked up on the road. If Law were to touch it, the 'blood' wouldn't come off on his hands at all, and there certainly isn't actually any on his knee.]

It hurts r-really bad... I fell and. I hit it on a rock.

[Just needs to keep this gambit going for a liiiiittle while longer.]

GOT 'EM

[restinglichface]

[While Taako distracts Law, Lup slips in closer from behind on bare feet, giving the man's clothing a quiet and quick look over. It certainly doesn't look like he has a wallet or anything very valuable on him, but maybe it's just deep pockets. Her twin gives him the sad-eyed orphan look while Lup slips a tiny hand into the first pocket she can reach, but ultimately comes up with nothing. Dag.

Gotta go for pocket number two. Keep up the act, Taako!]

i.

[fracturedbeauty]

[Little Yukari had managed to get his hands on some good rolls of brightly coloured fabrics, buttons, ribbons, and baubles. He hadn't planned on much of it, but everything was so amazingly beautiful, he hoped his mother would find it beautiful, and maybe teach him some more sewing with it. He loved his mother's designs when it came to these things. And the time they spend together was always the best. She always went out of her way to make the times she wasn't busy dedicated to loving her son.

Except, little Yukari can't seem to figure out where he's at. Or where his mother is. He's trying to find the way to his mansion, but... none of this seems familiar. Maybe he can find an officer to ask directions from.

Except someone... a boy? Seems to be hurt, crying. And is asking him to help.]

It hurts? Let me take a look.

[He sets the bags nearby and gets closer to Taako, hoping to get a closer look at the injury.]

I know some first aid. Maybe I can help if it isn't too bad.

[pocketspa]

[Some kids would feel bad about fleecing other children; this is obviously a trap designed for wealthier adults, people who won't miss some gold from their pockets or a scarf from their bag. But kids aren't free from this either. Initially, the twins thought that other children might be useful, taking a stand against the adults who obviously didn't care about them. But it never worked that way; cousins they were passed to treated their biological children better, or pretend only they existed. So if no one will cut them any slack, they won't, either.

For a moment, Taako's eyes dart to the bags he's carrying, and knows Lup sees the same. He's got something. Something they're absolutely going to make off with.

Taako presses his hands against his knee a little harder, suppressing another sniffle.]

I tripped and scraped it... if I let go it s-starts bleeding...

[restinglichface]

[Lup and Taako's eyes meet right over Yukari's bag.

It's true that there'd been a time when the twins had seen other children as allies, thought that they would always have friends and confidants as long as they were around others their own age. But the world had shot that idea down, quickly teaching the two that they only ever had each other and no one else to rely on. It was just Taako-and-Lup against everyone else.

It had been a harsh truth to realize, but one the pair had taken to heart.

Lup steps closer, bare feet silent on the pavement while Yukari sets his bags aside to tend to Taako. She'll wait for the stranger to put their full attention on her twin before she grabs for them and runs.]

ii.

[outofthefire]

[Laura returns from the bakery wanting to just sit back, kick her feet up, and relax. instead, it looks like a tornado went through the place. she just stands there for a moment, mouth slightly agape, before moving through the rest of the house.

it's a mess everywhere and she hears voices coming from her room. she sighs and goes on in only to find a pair of elven twins going through her stuff. and there is nothing wrong with pennyloafer shoes!]

...it's a little late for that.

[pocketspa]

[There is everything wrong with pennyloafer shoes, lady, and the elf in the closet would tell you so if he didn't look so absolutely panicked right now, half his head visible in the doorway. He had meant to poke his head out to answer Lup, but...]

Oh shit!

[He drops the shoe in his hand and presses his back to the closet door, eyes immediately looking to Lup on how to get out of here quick. They hadn't even found anything fun yet, damnit.]

[outofthefire]

[there is nothing wrong with pennyloafers. that is a hill she is prepared to die on. and instead, he finds Laura. sorry she's not sorry.

despite herself, she laughs] "Oh shit" is right. Just what d'you guys think you're doing in here?

[she peeks around the closet door to see him. and clearly, they haven't found her lingerie collection]

i. gimme dat 2 for 1 cr

[nowherewolf]

[The crying elf kid ruse would probably be more effective if Tucker weren't in the habit of using it himself from time to time. Well, minus the elf part. He doesn't have a partner, (and therefore hasn't noticed Lup yet,) but getting people to feel sorry for you so that they give you things or take you places is like, the oldest trick in the book.

He crosses his arms in his too-huge hoodie and rolls his eyes.]

You could at least use fake blood or something.

[He'd normally pretend to be polite, but there's no adults in sight, and anyway, this kid probably wouldn't fall for it, since he's acting too.]

u got it fam

[pocketspa]

[Taako presses his lips into a line when Tucker speaks, ears still low, looking up with his best approximation of puppy-dog eyes. Would he lie to you? Does he really look like he's capable of being that nefarious? Look at his face. His adorable little face.]

It hurts t-too much to move... do you have a bandage? Or something?

[He concentrates just a moment, and tries to cast Minor Illusion to make his hand red... but it doesn't work out so well, and it ends up blue. Like, bright blue. Damnit. He slaps it back against his leg quickly, kind of hoping he didn't see.]

[restinglichface]

[Just as Tucker's attention falls on her twin, Lup's already stepping lightly into place behind him, giving his too-huge hoodie a glare for just how well it conceals this guy's pockets. But whatever, that's just fine, she's getting better at this whole pickpocket thing. She's got this.

What she isn't prepared for is for her brother's hand to suddenly go Slurpee bright blue instead of injured red.

Lup's just dipping a hand into the closest pocket of Tucker's she can find when Taako's hand changes color and she snorts out an immediate laugh. The second after, she's throwing a hand up to clamp over her mouth to muffle the rest of her giggling, but it's definitely way too late.]

i lmfao I got not babby icons so here we go

[wonderland_vogue]

[Oh come on now, she's not stupid. Lydia's frowning to herself as she watches this for a moment, keenly aware that this is very much probably a con and she's not about to find herself getting caught up in it. Besides, what good is there in conning another kid out of what they don't have, right? Right.

She's huffing softly, pulling the salvaged bright blue cloak further around her to hide her shabby looking clothing, ears falling back in turn.]

Got nothin' you want to steal, trust me. [She's probably around the same age as Taako is, though her features are less baby fat and... sharper than they probably ought to be at this point in time.]

But this is a pretty pathetic con you're running here, if you want to get money from people, it's easier and more profitable to give them a game they can't win. Or rig one~ Maybe you could learn something if you watch me instead. [Why is she even offering help.]

ur fine fam

[pocketspa]

[He looks up, ready to make a whole show of it, and... oh. It's another kid. Damn. She doesn't look like she has much either, but his eyes fixate on that cloak. He wants that. And if she's gonna try to tell him his con isn't good enough, he's gonna con even harder, thank you very much. He's giving his best puppy dog eyes, and tries to cast Minor Illusion to make it look like there's some blood there... but nothing really happens, and he looks a little frustrated before addressing her again.]

It's not-- I'm not learning anything! I just want some help...

[He eyes her cloak again.]

Or, uhm... maybe something to wrap it with, if you're not using it...

[He's not very subtle yet. Or ever.]

ii, kind of

[knockthemdead]

[It's not his home, but wandering places he probably shouldn't be, Kravitz can hear a commotion coming from one home in particular. He wanders in the already open door, and keeping himself pressed against the wall, sneaks closer and closer, until he can see someone rooting through an open drawer.

As if that wasn't enough, he hears the not too distant call- get in, get out.]

Hey!! Are you stealing stuff?

[He proclaims it loudly, sounding indignant and completely unaware of the trouble he could be getting himself in. Until, a second later, he realises he recognizes this elf.]

Oh. Hello.

[Yeah, he doesn't so much care who this junk belongs to anymore. It's like he never really cared in the first place. (He didn't. He just likes catching people.)]

sweet boy

[pocketspa]

[His ear twitches as soon as he hears the voice, getting ready to cut and run, except-- oh no. Ohhh noooo it can't be. Not him not him not--

He pokes his head out, just a little, from the closet, hoping he's remaining unseen for now.

Ohhh noooo it is him fuck kill him kill him on the floor.

Taako motions a bit, now hoping Lup isn't looking his direction, and tries to give a little shoo-ing motion, like maybe he'll leave, along with a harsh whisper.]

Get out of here!! This isn't yours!!!

i. hope you guys aren't too swamped already!!

[glacius]

[Glacius is... admittedly not entirely sure how qualified he is to handle children. While he does alright with his own species, who trend towards being naturally quiet and calm, they are still small and often confusing, and the rambunctious sort that he's seen from other species are a little more confounding still. It's hard for the stoic warrior to know what to do with small beings that possess so much energy... but he is gentle and he is compassionate, which will hopefully serve him well.

It's that compassion that draws him over to the source of the wailing immediately, despite the fact that there are surely other people around who might be a bit more used to dealing with children. Glacius approaches slowly, not wanting to scare the young elf any more than he already seems to be; he even hunkers down, trying to look smaller himself.]

I can help you, yes. I can numb the pain and have a good friend who works in the clinic and can patch you right up. What is hurt?

[The last thing he's expecting is a set up-- trickery and dishonesty are other qualities discouraged in his species from a young age-- but it's also not something he'd really have to worry about anyways. He doesn't have a bag on him or pockets to pick, just two hearts sometimes too big for his own good. Perhaps the elves can find a way to play off of that instead.]

you're fine!!

[pocketspa]

[Okay, this is not who he was expecting to find here. Humans? Sure. Elves? Maybe. Dragonborn or tieflings?? Would have already been a stretch. But Glacius is huge and made of ice and definately, definately monstrous. He can't stop his eyes from going a little wide as he looks up at him, pressing his hands harder into his knee just out of panic moreso than anything else.]

I... you... I h-hit my knee.

[Oh god can he even do this con convincingly what if this thing takes him off to eat him in his cave oh jeez--]

But it's, uh, really gross! You don't want to see it.

GREMLINS

[murderpotato]

[Normally, Gren would know if someone's in his house before he even got to the door. This is not normal, though, because Gren's deaf as a goddamn post and doesn't realize that anything's amiss until he opens his door and sees that it looks like a hurricane went through his living room.]

[This worries him less than probably most people. It's hard to be afraid of burglars when you can punch somebody so hard that their goddamn head pops off. And, you know, he's been kind of stressed lately? Having a legitimate excuse to beat the fuck out of somebody might be kind of nice. Therapeutic or whatever.]

[He opens the door to his bedroom-- next logical place to go if you're looking for the good shit-- and there's... children? Is he getting robbed by children?]

[Well, he's not going to punch a child. Not unless the little shit really deserves it, anyway. Gren leans against the doorframe, casual-like.]

So, found the good shit yet?

HERE THEY ARE!!!!!!!

[pocketspa]

[Taako immediately freezes at the sound of someone's voice, holding still inside the closet. There's a chance he hasn't been seen yet- if whoever it is thinks there's only one of them, they have a better chance of getting out. He has the element of surprise.

Very slowly, and very quietly, he puts the shoe he was holding down, and tiptoes to the door, just barely peeking around to get a look at who's found them.

Okay. Just a guy, a human. Skinny guy, too. They can take him together. They have to be able to.]

ii

[badchoicesmadeeasy]

[ Okay, so waking up to an entire town of kids wasn't enough for today, she has to burgled too.

She mumbles a startled "What the fuck" under her breath, but is soon cut off by the sound of voices, deeper into the apartment. Carefully, she makes her way down the hall, stopping just short of the open door.

She peeks, and, even if the voices themselves should have given it away, she still didn't expect two little kids to be rooting through that little stuff she has in her room.

What the fuck, kids. ]

What the hell are you doing?

[pocketspa]

[Immediately upon being discovered, Taako ducks back into the closet, hoping maybe he hasn't been seen. He can-- if Lup can distract whoever just came in, maybe Taako can find something to throw at her and they can escape. Dang, they should've been faster.

He stays as silent as possible, shrouded in shadow, trying to get the jump on this person if worst comes to worst.]

2, GET OUTTA HIS ROOM

[hellosirs]

Oh my god not again.

[ Angus is frozen in the doorway, watching in horror as two scrappy elf children who he'd last seen in a dream tear through the contents of his bedroom like a tiny, thieving hurricane. The only thing of value he has in here is the magnifying glass under his pillow (for investigating night-crimes!), but he winces as one of his argyle vests goes sailing through the air. ]

C'mon, you don't even like sweatervests!

NO

[pocketspa]

[Normally, if caught, Taako would run from someone coming to get them. Unfortunately, Angus is a child, looks very not intimidating, and is also a nerd, so he gets to deal with both twins right off the bat.]

What d'ya mean again? And sorry your sweatervests are bad.

[... Taako may have taken one of his hats though. It might be on his head. Oops.]