maskormenacelogs | Used to be a lovely boy

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Used to be a lovely boy

WHO: Sorey & open
WHERE: De Chima
WHEN: Pull-point plot
WHAT: Sorey has regressed to a much younger age. And isn't sure what any of this is or where it is for that matter. And where did all these humans come from?!
WARNINGS: n/a aside from possible potential spoilers from cast maybe?

Initially:

[Honestly, this whole situation has him both excited and terrified at the same time. Excited, because of course after reading about all those other places and ruins in the Celestial Record, the young boy who isn't yet the Shepherd wants to see them. See all of them, the whole world! But.....this also means he is decidedly not at home. Which means he has no idea where this is or where Mikleo or Gramps is. They're probably mad. And worried, looking for him. But Sorey has no clue where to go, having never left Elysia at all before his sudden appearance here.

But well. The first thing is obviously to find.....er, one of them? Or someone to ask how to get back home. Right? It can't hurt to explore for a bit and take a look around. Only. This means Sorey heads outside. And finds other humans. Excuse him if he might be kind of. Staring in confusion and amazement because he's never actually seen another human before in his life at this point.

It's debatable as to whether he bounds over to tug at them and ask them about a million questions all at once or if he tries to hide, unsure what to make of this. Either option is entirely possible, really.]

Later Days:

[Once Sorey gets more used to things, he's much more enthusiastic, much more likely to be found wanting to explore everywhere, to meet everyone he can. Chances are he is also rarely if ever seen out of the presence of a particular seraph, or one of his other two friends from home. But he's still definitely seeming to enjoy himself and trying to make the most of being in this strange new world like this.

Find him at the library, outside near the parks, or perhaps he's attempting to make some sort of fort, pretending to explore some old ruins or something. Some sort of make-believe game. Join in, ask what he's up to, where the heck his parents are?]

[ooc: So, for reference in his younger appearance: here, here and here.]

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[ It's when Mikleo's making his way to Sorey's when he runs into him. At first, he begins to walk passed him, only to stop when the child catches his eye--

And then he does a double take.

He speaks before he realizes it. ] Sorey?! [ If it wasn't Sorey, it was certainly the spitting image of him. But, how? How on earth could he have changed like this?! No, there were all sorts of powers here, right? But, just what could Sorey have done to someone like this to have this sort of result....?! ]

[Well, the voice isn't....quite the same. But hearing it, hearing his name, that does get Sorey's attention before he wanders off too far, thankfully. He turns, immediately noting the familiar white and blue tinged hair, the violet eyes and blue clothes, even if Mikleo is older. He's still more or less recognizable enough to the younger boy.]

Eh? M-Mikleo....? Is that you? When did you get so big?

[Why isn't he big too then? This is so unfair.....but that doesn't stop him staring. Because he definitely is. Of course he is. Distracted by Mikleo's appearance to notice anything else in this particular moment.]

[ The better question is how did he get so small, but-- right now, he should prioritize Sorey's safety more than anything else.

He crouches down, offering a small smile. ]

It's me. I know this might sound strange, but I arrived here like this. [ A beat. ] Do you remember how you got here, Sorey?

[ Stay calm. Stay calm. He's safe. That's the most important part. ]

Edited 2016-04-02 07:00 (UTC)

How I got here? N-no....but this isn't Elysia.

[Obviously. Both of them can tell that much. Sorey knew from the moment he'd opened his eyes here. Because he and Mikleo had explored almost all of it already. And he doesn't recognize this place at all.]

So you came here all big already? That's weird, Mikleo.

[Ah, but he is pretty! Sorey can't help starting to return that smile as Mikleo crouches down to his level more.]

There's a lot of strange things that happen here, but if we stay together, they won't have to be so strange.

[ Or dangerous. Mikleo just wants to make extra certain that Sorey won't get into trouble or get hurt, thus why he's trying to usher Sorey into making sure they stay close together. ]

Of course we're gonna stay together.

[Said like this is the most obvious thing ever. Because. It's Mikleo. And Sorey. They're rarely ever seen apart. Not that Sorey himself is aware of the housing, that Mikleo isn't actually staying with him, of course. Or, not officially anyway.]

Wait. Where are we staying? With Gramps? Is he here too?

Gramps isn't here. It's just me and you here from Elysia. [ But, he hopes that means Sorey won't panick. ] They're alright. We've been placed in separate houses, but I'll stay with you regardless.

[ Especially now. He couldn't help but smile at Sorey's earlier comment about staying together, however.

That makes him realize -- it's always been like that, hasn't it? It's always been him and sorey. They've never been apart. ]

Edited 2016-04-03 08:52 (UTC)

They're back home then? At least they're okay. You're sure you're allowed to stay with me?

[Why would they be in separate houses? Well, technically, they were back home, but most of the time Mikleo stayed with him anyway so this isn't so different. He just doesn't want trouble if they're supposed to be in other houses for whatever reason.

But. Well. If Gramps isn't here, and Mikleo is older, he probably wants to make sure Sorey is alright, in the old seraph's stead. And because they're friends. Even if Mikleo is suddenly about ten or more years older.]

I don't want you to get in trouble or something.

[Besides. Even at this age, Sorey was fairly independent. It's just this world that's kind of overwhelming.]

Sorey, do you remember what Gramps told the both of us about other humans?

[ That other humans couldn't see other Seraphim like Sorey could. That the two of them were special. He hopes that Sorey was taught that by now, anyways. More than that, he hopes that this doesn't make him feel strange or different from other humans.

It's the last thing he wants. ]

Edited 2016-04-11 03:23 (UTC)

You mean how they can't see or hear you?

[He does remember that. It's just not really something he's been faced with yet, obviously. Since it's still years for him until he meets Alisha. So he's still probably not quiiite grasping the implications and consequences of this just yet.]

That's right.

[ He's glad that Sorey is the kind of child who would listen to adults around him. ]

Others won't know that I'm there with you, so I can stay by you. But, there are some people who can see me here, just like you.

Oh. So it'll be okay then! We won't get in trouble if they -- huh? Some people can see you? Really?

[It's....not just him? That's kind of amazing, actually! Considering what a huge deal it seemed to be to the other seraphim that Sorey could do so. Sorey can't help but almost light up at this prospect. Of finding others. Heck, seeing any other humans full stop would be amazing.]

Some can only hear me, but it seems as though there are people here similar to you.

[ He knew that this would be good news to Sorey. Sorey, who has been told that other humans were a little different then him. Sorey, who the Seraphs tried hard to make sure he was welcome in the village.

He's happy that little Sorey can realize that he's not strange or different. ]

But that's amazing, Mikleo! You'll get to meet other human friends too?

[And Sorey himself. He's not sure if he's more curious, excited or nervous at the thought of finally meeting another human. Perhaps it isn't quite yet sinking in, just how unusual it is for him to be able to see and hear the seraphim, not having noticed anything otherwise around Elysia. Not having experience yet the staring or confusion of most humans when they can't see or hear his seraphim friends.]

That's right.

[ he'd mention that he could introduce Sorey, but right now it's-- not a good idea. Sorey is too small, and if more word gets out - it could be bad for him, potentially. Mikleo's one to rather be safe than sorry. ]

There's still numerous people who can't see me, but there's a handful who can communicate with me.

So lot--er, some other people here are reson--resonant like me too then.

[Sorey is more amazed than wary or jealous that such status is no longer his alone. Probably part of his personality and being so young at present, really. Either way, he's really nowhere near so paranoid and wary as Mikleo. Not yet anyway.]

I think it's great that you can make friends. Especially if they're older like you too....

[He's still not sure what to make of that. But is probably still staring regardless.]

I know that this is likely strange for you, but I'm sure you'll be back home with little me soon.

[ Though, he does catch Sorey staring. There's a beat on Mikleo's end when he nearly feels the gaze of green-colored eyes on him. ]

What is it?

[Sorey gives a nod at Mikleo's reassurance, before blinking and giving an easy smile in response to the question.]

Mikleo's pretty!

[Oh, the honesty and lack of filter of children. Or, well, of Sorey in general, too. But he really does think Mikleo is pretty. More so, when he's all older. Besides the obvious adjusting because for him, Mikleo is suddenly so much older than when he last saw his friend.]

[ Mikleo stops at his tracks at that. ... Shouldn't he have expected this? This was, after all, Sorey. Sorey, who often said what was on his mind. Perhaps now that he was a child, he was just more outspoken now...

He covers his face with his hands, as though to cover his expression. ]

... Thank you. [ He says the words quietly. ] Let's-- keep going.

Wh-...? Okay.

[Mikleo seems so flustered. So unsure. But Sorey isn't quite grasping anything wrong with what he just said. He barely hears the thanks between Mikleo's hand covering his face, but he gives a nod, still following along. It's only once they keep going that he then can't help asking.]

Did....Did I say something wrong?

No, that's not it.

[ Mikleo quickly shakes his head. ]

You simply caught me off guard. That's all.

Ha! So I surprised you? But Mikleo is pretty. And you've always been my friend.

[So surely by now he is used to Sorey simply blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Or he just forgot how much stronger that impulse was at such a younger age. Either way. At least Sorey now seems more amused by it than worried at Mikleo's reaction.]

[ Once again, Mikleo raises a hand to his face to cover his expression. Pretty... Isn't something he's been called before. It was surprising the first time Sorey said that, and it's surprising the second time, too. Did Sorey think that when he's older, too...?

... Probably not. Children are much more outspoken and prone to say things like this. ]

... Anyways. Do you want to see the place where you're staying at? [ Going off topic seems like the wiser thing to do right now-- ]

Sure I do. But you mean where 'we' are going to be staying. You said you would. [Of course, Sorey would pick up on that. Mikleo had indeed said that he would stay with him. But all the same, he gets the idea. Kind of like how he has his own place back home at Elysia, even if Mikleo and Gramps and others still check in on him all the time. Something like that.]

That's right. I did, didn't I? Then, let's go to the place that we're staying at.

[ He tugs at Sorey's hand, leading him to the direction of his current home. There's no way he'd leave Sorey's side. But, it's now more than ever that he won't. ]

Yeah! Let's go!

[Part of him wants to race, but the other part kind of figures Mikleo would automatically win since he's so much taller now. And that the other might not like it if he rushes off ahead without actually being sure where they are going exactly. Beyond probably in the general direction he came from.]

[It's the park that he sees the boy in. Riku is sitting quietly on the wide, stone-block rim of the fountain, unwrapping a sandwich from a nearby cafe. He's found he actually has munny in this world -- he's not sure where it came from, and the currency is not something he recognizes (mostly because it's a debit card), but at least he has it, so he doesn't have to risk his butt stealing stuff. He might have if he had to, but... this is easier.

He takes a bite of it, chews quietly, eyes scanning the park. It's been a while -- and he hasn't heard from Maleficent or her lackeys. He hasn't even seen a Heartless, this whole time. It's really weird but it's kind of nice, too, having a break. Even if he's worried about Kairi, and can't do anything about it. All he can hope, even if it's going to be unwelcome for him, is to go back there soon. He'll figure out how to leave this world -- he has to.

Riku's eyes settle on a brown-haired little boy nearby and he nearly falls into the fountain.

As it is he chokes on his sandwich and he has to set it down, coughing hard, eyes tearing up. Once he's recovered he rubs at his face and gets up slowly -- it can't be Sora, because he knows where Sora is. But -- that kid is so similar that he thought it was, for a second. Younger than Sora now, who has skipped ahead of him in age somehow. No, this little boy is -- about the age Riku was when he met that stranger. But he's going to get up from his spot and he's going to leave -- because he doesn't even really want to look at him.]

[Okay, so Riku's hair doesn't have the blue tints of colour at the ends the way Mikleo's does. But it's still that hair which draws Sorey over to him, perhaps following him a bit before catching up to him. At least by now he's become more accustomed to the presence of other humans, not being the only one.

Once he catches up, there's a tug at Riku's pants, or the bottom of his shirt if Sorey manages to reach up quite that high.]

H-hey! I um. I like your hair. It's kind of like Mikleo's! The colour, I mean.

[....what. You're saying he needs more of a reason to approach random strangers? And er. Not. Actually introduce himself?]

[He nearly jumps out of his skin when the little boy actually catches up and comes to talk to him. Isn't this what he was just trying to escape?]

... What?

[His hair... it's not really something he thinks about very often. It's different, it's always been, but beyond getting teased a little as a kid over it, it's really not something that crosses his mind all that much. So getting a compliment on it is very strange.]

... Mikleo, huh...? [He knows that name. Doesn't he?]

You hair! It's pretty!

[And long. Well, longer than his own or Mikleo's anyway. Sorey doesn't seem to notice how much his initial tug at the older boy's clothes startled him, or he'd probably apologize. As it is though, when Riku asks about Mikleo, he gives a nod and his smile widens.]

Yup! Mikleo's my best friend! Only he's all older now or something. It's weird. Usually he's my age.....

[Which is why said best friend has now obviously taken it upon himself to keep an eye on Sorey. Or, he's trying to.]

[Riku frowns quietly. He does know that name. But... from where...?]

Hm.

[So far, every person he's met has had a name he's recognized from... somewhere. So...]

What's your name?

I'm Sorey!

[Because clearly if he isn't already giving off similarities to Riku's best friend, even his name is similar. At this point, since it has been a few days since he initially ended up so small, he's not so entirely blank on the idea of introducing himself.

Hey, introductions just weren't necessary when he stayed his whole life up until the age of seventeen in Elysia. Where everyone obviously knew him and he them.]

What's yours?

[areyoufuckingkiddingme

This is a joke, right? Riku can't help the look he gets on his face at the knowledge -- but after a moment he sighs.]

... Riku.

[Of course, Sorey is oblivious, simply remaining smiling, but it does falter slightly as he blinks, considering this. A new name he hasn't heard of before. He pauses, tilting his head slightly as he sounds it out, repeating the older boy.]

Ri~ku. Riku! Got it! Hey, did you want to play?

[Can't hurt to at least ask? Mikleo doesn't seem to mind, but maybe Riku and some others might not so enjoy playing with a child so much younger than them. Sorey can't be sure. But it doesn't stop him from at least asking.]

... Why?

[He can't do that anymore. He has too many things that need to come ahead of any kind of activities. And... his eyes are the wrong colour, but this kid, if he let his eyes unfocus, might as well just be Sora. Sora from before, though -- not the Sora that abandoned him in Traverse Town so he could play hero. His Sora.

Which makes him totally uncertain as to what to do.]

Well, you're alone, aren't you? That's no fun. So I figured, if you wanted to, you could come play too!

[It's really. Just that simple. At least, it is to Sorey anyway. Probably due to his younger age, but also in just how naive, trusting and sheltered he has been thus far in his life. The idea of playing with most anyone besides Mikleo is something of a revelation, a novelty for him yet.]

Ah....d-do you?

[Riku sighs, and then admits it:] I don't know.

[But... it seems like this kid is alone. He doesn't see anyone around watching him, at any rate. As much as he'd like to just leave him, he kinda feels bad. Which... is pathetic.]

... what do you want to play?

Maybe tag? Or explorers! I haven't found any actual ruins to explore here yet. But we can pretend.

[Mikleo is probably multitasking, trying to read while keeping an eye on Sorey, not immediately and constantly hovering over the kid. Which is probably both a good and a bad idea, in not smothering Sorey but at the same time being aware that Sorey has no real concept of danger, the potential risk in talking to strangers like this.

But it's obvious he's just as much of a daydreamer, just as adventurous as the younger Sora Riku knew in the past.]

[Ruins?]

There's nothing like that that I've seen here.

[If there were such a thing, it'd be like in a museum, or cordoned off for tours. This world is very big on keeping things one way, it seems.]

... Are you by yourself?

No...maybe not. But we can pretend there is! Mikleo and I explore around Elysia all the time! And there's books and all sorts about all the ruins people have found so far!

[It's pretty amazing, really. Finding stuff so old it really does seem like it's from another world, being from another time entirely when things were so different it almost might as well be another world.]

By myself? Ah, no. Mikleo's here too.

[He has some supervision. Mikleo's told him to keep close.]

[He has absolutely no idea about ruins. But at least he's used to a world whose technology is much closer to this than the world Sorey comes from -- so he's got that under control, more or less.]

... Okay. Someone from your world, then.

[Which is more than what he can say for himself. Because at the very least the person who's here... doesn't want to speak to him, and he doesn't really want to speak to him.]

Yeah! Like I said. It's still weird how he's all older now though. But it works out, cause he's staying with me!

[You know. To keep Sorey from running off, getting in trouble trying to explore on his own or something. Which Sorey wouldn't end up doing intentionally to worry anyone but. Well. He's still a child, at the moment.]

What about you? Your friends, are they here?

[Riku hesitates at the question -- it's too complicated for simply yes or no. But he knows also that Sorey probably won't really get it if he tries to explain. So he simply shrugs.]

I don't know.

[It's not a lie, not exactly -- what he doesn't know is whether he should call this weird Sora his friend.]

You're not sure? Maybe I can help you find them!

[Evidently the concept of Stranger Danger eludes him. Or he just wants to help and that's over riding that initial instinct to be wary around people he has just met. It's hard to say with Sorey, exactly. But he still puts out the offer all the same.]

Or we can use the thingies?

[He means the phones. Which he pulls out of his pocket to demonstrate what he means.]

[He's just digging the hole deeper and deeper, isn't he...?

Riku sighs quietly, then shrugs, taking a step forward.]

... let's just walk.

[He doesn't want to find him. He does, but he doesn't.]

Walk? Okay.

[So long as they don't go too far. Sorey might get lucky and be able to help find Riku's friend or friends, if anyone else is here. At the park, anyway. Because he's pretty sure Mikleo won't let him go wandering off with strangers without stepping in or coming with.

Sorey is quick to follow, almost instinctively reaching for Riku's hand to help him keep up with the teen's longer strides.]

[Sorey's tiny hand curls around his own and Riku looks down at it like it's something he's never encountered. He's not alarmed, he's just -- confused. First of all, they've barely met. Second -- no one has tried to hold his hand for a very long time. He and Sora used to, when they were smaller, and the two of them and Kairi, though she still liked to position herself between them and do that on occasion, even -- well, not now. She can't do anything now. But... before everything changed.]

Not outside the park. Just -- around.

Okay!

[Even just around the park is fine with Sorey. And probably best, that Mikleo keeps him in sight and doesn't have a heart attack with Sorey wandering off. He of course doesn't register how potentially significant this simple act is, of reaching for Riku's hand. Something he barely has to think about, since he does all the time with Mikleo, especially at this current younger age.]

Just around the park there's a lot! We didn't have parks back home.

[Well, maybe the humans did but not around Elysia. Though Elysia in and of itself is pretty open and green anyway, really.]

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Used to be a lovely boy

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