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

Yusuke Kitagawa | OTA

[wantsnudes]

[De-aged journal is foxpup! Feel free to plot with me at moonsilver or via PM if you want a specific starter/scenario.]

smol

[foxpup]

[There's a confused, scrawny-looking boy wandering the streets, gazing around at everything in a mixture of awe and fear. He's nowhere he's ever seen before except in paintings or stories, and while at first it's interesting, the heat, the unfamiliarity, and the fact his mentor is nowhere to be found are all starting to get to him.

There are people around, but he's not supposed to trust strangers, right? They're dangerous.

So instead of asking for help, Yusuke does as he's been taught if he gets lost. He finds a place in the shade to sit and wait, because he knows if he wanders, he risks getting lost even further.]

I'll wait here, Sensei... [He mumbles and draws his knees up to his chin, trying to be braver than he feels.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

[It's been... a little embarrassing, so far. Julie has been waking up with just enough recollection of her wanderings as her younger self to feel awkward looking some people in the eye, and she's spending the time that she is actually awake getting some exercise and some time in the sunshine.

She spies the boy sitting in the shade and pauses mid-step, observing him for a moment. There's something familiar about his features and as she draws closer, she hears him mumbling.]

Hey... [Julie crouches beside him, wrapping one arm around her knees.] Hey, are you lost?

[foxpup]

[There's nothing familiar about Julie to Yusuke, however, so as she approaches and crouches beside him, he only watches for a moment with a wary, uncertain expression, before looking away and staring at his knees.]

No... [He sounds like he's trying to convince himself, more than anything.] If I stay where I am, Sensei will find me.

[redwinekindofgirl]

[Is this... Yusuke? It's hard to tell when he's so young, but there's something about the face making her think she has to be right. She doesn't come too close, and doesn't move closer, just smiles in a small, encouraging kind of way.]

Who are you waiting for? Maybe I can help you find them.

[foxpup]

My teacher. He takes care of me.

[He looks up again still unsure, but... she seems kind of friendly?]

... His name is Ichiryusai Madarame. [His hopeful expression says he's clearly waiting to see if she recognises the name. He's famous in a lot of places, not just in Japan, so it's the best chance he has.]

this is going to be terrible

[hot_mes]

[It's not a helpful adult who approaches, but a ten-year-old wearing grenades. What a trustworthy face that is.]

Adults can't help you. They'll all just kill you. You should forget about your sensei.

oh god

[foxpup]

[Fortunately (or not), Yusuke is both too young and too sheltered to recognise grenades, and just assumes they're some unfamiliar toy. He flinches at being addressed by the scary-looking boy, however, then looks indignant.]

N-no... You're wrong! He isn't like that at all.

[hot_mes]

[fortunately, this is just some weird inner vision of Law so it's not like they'll explode anyway...]

Oh? Is he kind? Gentle? Naive? [sneering that last word] Then maybe he's the one that's going to die.

[foxpup]

[The boy's eyes well up with tears, but he quickly wipes them on the back of his sleeve. He can't get upset in front of a bully.]

He's very kind. Why are you saying such cruel things?

[jocoeur]

( he hadn't even heard yusuke leave the house this morning. but once he was wandering the citypools proper, something wasn't sitting right with akira. there seemed to be... a lot more kids around than usual. had hadriel brought more children in on an off-day than when arrivals usually made their appearances? maybe investigating this phenomena and tracking down his friend could be accomplished in the same trek, but... as he scoured the area for yusuke's usual shaded spots, he didn't know just how connected the two things were.

the hairstyle was the same, which is how he spotted him in the distance, but as he approached... the size difference was glaringly obvious. with a confused— )( he slowed his steps as he closed the distance, standing a little ways away from... )

Yu... suke?

[foxpup]

[From where Yusuke had huddled against the wall, he looked up with wide eyes, slightly intimidated by the Scary Teenage Delinquent coming towards him. But Madarame wouldn't allow himself to be cowed by unkempt ruffians!!! So Yusuke tries to imitate that, sits up a little and tries to look dignified and unafraid.]

Y-yes? Do you know me?

[jocoeur]

( not only had his friend regressed into a child like state but his memories had been affected too? akira tried to keep his expression neutral, he didn't want to show is concern so openly... when surely yusuke needed support now, perhaps more than ever. )

Yeah. We met before... It's okay if you don't remember. ( especially since it's about ten or more years in the future... ) Is it all right if I sit with you?

[foxpup]

[Yusuke gives him a long, distrustful look at that vague response.]

Why? ['What do you want?' is what he really wants to ask, but he's trying to be at least somewhat polite towards this stranger.] Do you know Sensei, too?

ADOPTS IMMEDIATELY

[odinbolt]

( It's one of the sad facts of this event: the planet they're on isn't exactly the most hospitable to adults with the extreme temperatures, never mind unprepared children. Serah takes to walking through the city, trying to keep an eye on the randomly appearing younger versions of people here. She also takes to carrying a flask of water with her, just in case. )

... Are you okay?

( Her students may call her Meanie Miss Farron, but it's not like she's always, or even often, a meanie. She's just strict when necessary. And there's no reason to be anything but gentle with this kind who's closed in on himself in the shade. She holds out the flask in her hand as she crouches down next to him/ )

Are you thirsty?

yaaaay ;w;

[foxpup]

[He stares at the pink-haired girl cautiously for a long moment like he's not sure he should even answer. But she looks friendly, and at her offer, his eyes go to the flask...]

Y-yes.

[He reaches as if wanting to take the flask, but hesitates. He's not supposed to accept things from strangers. On the other hand, his throat feels completely parched, and if he doesn't drink something...]

[odinbolt]

Go on.

( Her smile's encouraging and her outstretched hand doesn't falter, waiting for the child to take it. To that end, she even shifts onto the floor, crossing her legs carefully.

Hm. Maybe she should try talking some more. )

My name's Serah. What's yours?

tol

[wantsnudes]

[Never being an especially conventional child himself, Yusuke finds it difficult to relate to or have an interest in children at the best of times. Now, however, the sheer amount of them running around is overwhelming, and even he can't avoid making at least some effort to contribute to the mass babysitting attempt.

Which is why he's offered some crayons, sketchbooks, and even a few blank canvases out of what little he has left of his supplies for the children to play around with, and is trying (with varying success) to supervise them.]

Ah, I don't mind if you use my paints, but please be careful! They are the tools of an artist, not toys.

[...Despite being a stick in the mud, he's not trying to stop the kids raiding his art supplies too much, though. He's actually curious more than anything as to what they might produce.]

[fracturedbeauty]

[The child pauses in his hunt of the shops to observe the offer of artist's materials.

Yes, yes, crayons and sketchbooks are all fine. For your typical child who needs some form of amusement. But he notices those paints and canvases. And, well... he's not about to let years of good teaching go to waste.

He looks up with the warning from Yusuke, in mid-reach for a paintbrush. Then gives a simple nod, along with a playful chuckle.]

Don't worry, I know they aren't mere toys.

[And careful, he is. Gently taking small dabs of paint to blend on a board before pushing them in gentle strokes on the canvas, just so. It's not perfect, but it is actually well done for someone of his age. The gentle figure of a woman with long, purple, wavy hair smiling beside a cup of tea at the viewer can be seen steadily coming into view.]

[wantsnudes]

[For some, the warning is most likely patronising, but with art supplies as limited as they are here, Yusuke can't be too cautious. He largely observes in silence, watching as the painting takes form. He's not interested in critiquing, only watching.

As the painting becomes something recognisable, Yusuke finally speaks up.]

This woman... Is she a product of your imagination, or someone you know?

[He peers over the child's shoulder, curious.]

So sorry for the delay.

[fracturedbeauty]

[Yukari can't help but smile up at him for the question, before giving another stroke on the painting.]

She's my mother. She works very hard, but when she's not working, we do everything together. She's the best mom ever.

I'm sure she'll come and get me soon so you can meet her.

[That's his hope, anyway. He doesn't really seem to have a problem with where he's at. He figures it's just a matter of time until his mom comes to pick him up.]

no worries!

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke smiles softly, touched a little by that.]

It sounds as though you love each other very much. I'd very much like to meet her, if you have the opportunity to introduce us.

[Which Yusuke realises is unlikely, but he's not about to say so when Yukari seems so happy.]

[hoperulesdespairdrools]

[Komaeda and Yusuke said goodbye in very bizarre circumstances. As far as Komaeda is concerned, Yusuke is wrong about his views on life on talent. And yet despite that, he didn't throw the picture away. In fact, it hangs on the wall in his house. And while it IS very beautiful and he would not refuse such a kind gift anyway, Komaeda cannot help but feel that's not the whole reason he put it up.

Not only that but he cannot help but be curious about what picture Yusuke wants to paint of him now. If Yusuke still wants to do it that is. He might decide it really is a waste of time.

But hey. Is that Yusuke over there, talking to children? He looks kinda busy. Komaeda isn't sure if he should bother him when a little girl comes up to him holding tons of crayons and a sketchbook.]

Look what I've got, Mister!

Ah, be careful with those. You don't want to drop them and trip over them. You might actually end up with one down your throat.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke was watching one child enthusiastically scribble all over his page, and he was beginning to wonder if this was what it was like being an art teacher-slash-babysitter when he hears a familiar voice.]

Komaeda-san? [He feels an odd sense of guilt and shame when he thinks about Komaeda and his own failures as an artist. Though Komaeda liked his painting, what he wanted to convey to him did not succeed, and now he's back to square one. Still, he pushes those matters out of his mind when he realises the girl Komaeda was talking to looks quite upset, so he addresses the other teenager.]

Your warnings are appreciated, but please don't frighten the children... There's nothing dangerous about art materials in ordinary circumstances.

[hoperulesdespairdrools]

[And he looks up, his attention drawn away from the little girl. He doesn't seem aware of this.] Ah, Yusuke-kun!

You're right. There's nothing dangerous about art materials in ordinary circumstances. When I'm around, you never know what might happen though. I'm sure once I leave though everything will probably be fine. You should be careful too for the same reason.

[Meanwhile, the little girl glances at Yusuke, looking quite distressed and worried. What does this weird white-haired man mean?

However awkward you might be with children, Yusuke, you're certainly better at handling them than a certain person.]