Here You Are, Stick Figure and a Busted Grin [Open to All]

[applesaucemod]

The first thing that the dreamers of Manhattan might notice is that the ground is a good deal closer than it normally is. The second thing they might notice is that their surroundings are larger than they might expect. The playground looks almost daunting. Of course, there are other ways for the dreamers to occupy themselves on this hot summer day: a charming fountain bubbles away a little distance from the playground. There's an ice cream stand with treats free for the taking. Beyond the paved area is a meadow, covered in wildflowers and dominated by a huge, sprawling tree, perfect for climbing.

It's all prime entertainment for children. So really, it's just as well that 'children' is what the dreamers will find themselves to be - once more, for those who had childhoods, or for the first time, for those who didn't.

Perhaps you'll remember everything: the Rift, Manhattan, the friends (and enemies) you've made since your arrival. Or perhaps you'll only remember who you were when you were young, and find this an opportunity to forge new friendships - or new (and probably pettier) animosities. Run around, get dirty, have a good time. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.

[ooc: usual dream party rules apply. All are welcome, whether they've been apped to the game or not. Characters will remember or forget the events of the dream at the players' discretion. Mental and emotional regression is optional, but physical regression is mandatory: your character is in the body of a little kid - human, or human-ish - regardless of who or what they are in the waking world.]

Comments

[postictal]

The screams and yelps of kids having fun feel really distant from here, but that's okay. That's better, and safer. Tim's used to sitting alone all on his own for long stretches of time, and as long as the tall man doesn't bother him, that's okay. So when some kid yells he jumps, genuinely startles, and automatically shrinks away from the kid who's suddenly come looming over him.

"I'm fine," he says instinctively, how are you today timothy very well thank you doctor because that's how it goes. You're always supposed to lie. No one ever tells you that, but it's how things have to go.

[singthesong]

His brows furrow. "No, you aren't." Anyone could tell that just from looking at him.

He doesn't like it when people lie to him; he ALWAYS knows when they do. He hadn't meant to scare him like that either, though, so he backs up a little and sits down on a tree root. "Why're you sitting over here all by yourself?" he asks, a little quieter this time. No one really wants to be by themselves. There's probably something wrong.

[postictal]

He quails a little. He can't help it, but if the other boy can read a lie then Tim's not good for anything. Can liars always see what lurks behind him? He figured, maybe, that might be the reason he can always see it - he must have done something really bad, and it's gonna follow him forever because of it.

But he can't lie, he can't, or the other boy will tell. He looks at him, drawn up and nervous, then looks at the scattering of leaves over the ground and gnaws on his lip.

"It's better this way," he says softly. "Safer." It's not a lie. Maybe it's enough truth that he'll understand and go away.