Childhood's End

[incipit]

WHO: De-aged Dick Gansey III, and you!
WHERE: De Chima
WHEN: During the Pull Point Plot
WHAT: Gansey is de-aged to his ten year old self.
WARNINGS: Anxiety and panic attacks, intense PTSD, fear of insects and death. Also, precocious ten year old child. You have been warned.

A - March 27th: Locked to Raven House

[ It's late in the evening when Gansey vanishes. He'd been in the living room, with his De Chima journal in front of him, working through his maps. He'd been near silent, lost in what he was doing. Then his pen drops, clicking onto the floor and rolling to a stop, because the hand that had been holding it is gone.

A few seconds later, there's a piercing scream from Gansey's room. It's really a balcony more than a room, and the scream - high-pitched, childlike - can be heard throughout the house. Ten year old Dick Gansey has woken up in bed, in clothes that are unfamiliar and far too big for him. They're not the cause of the screaming; he hasn't even noticed them yet. Instead he's clawing at his hair and face, as though he's trying to peel something off his skin. He's not able to hear outside voices, isn't exactly aware of how much is wrong, and it goes on like this for several minutes. Then it seems to die, and Dick comes back to himself in stages. He's breathing hard, and his hands are trembling, but the panic seems to be fading.

Confusion takes its place. He stumbles out of bed, tripping at once on chinos that are double the length he needs. He's dwarfed in his older self's clothes, and even his glasses are too big for his face. New fear threatens; he looks around him recognizing nothing. ]

Mom? Dad? [ These calls start out quiet and get louder, and he's running through the house searching for them. ] Helen! Where are you! Someone help me!

B - 28th March: De Chima; OTA

[ Dick does not know this place. He's sure he doesn't know this place. He walks down De Chima's main street, trying to settle the uneasiness he feels. Because something about it is familiar, or he thinks it is. It's like he's seen it in a dream.

The thought makes him almost sick. First voices in his head, and now this. Is he hallucinating? Is he sick, is it some kind of leftover from what happened to him? He really doesn't understand, and he needs to. He's desperate to. So he walks, unescorted. He's ten years old, and should most likely be in some kind of school right now, but Dick knows that his school isn't here. He can't get help there.

But he finds himself outside a library and wanders in. He can be found, hours later, searching through stacks of history books, which he brings to pile up on a study table. If he happens to come across you, he'll ask for help. ]

Hi. I can't find the section on ley lines? [ He says this as if it's an everyday thing that is generally sought out in public libraries. ] Have you seen it? I got world history, but I don't know where to start with that.

C - 29th - 30th March: De Chima; various locations, OTA

[ For the next few days, Dick explores. The longer he's in De Chima, the more curious he seems. The park draws him, although he stays away from both flower beds and trees. When he first enters it, he stares at both for a while, like he's trying to push himself towards them. Then, looking unhappy, he pulls away instead and goes to sit on a park bench. He's holding two journals that his apparent older self had been been writing in, and he opens them across his lap. One is very full, and packed with information on Glendower. It's stuffed with so much that it threatens to spill everywhere as soon as it's opened. The other has had much less work, and it concerns De Chima, and the other Porter cities. Dick's trying to get his head around them, but it's a lot. He's intimidated by his own work. How had he ever done all of this, and how is he supposed to remember it all? He pushes overly large glasses up on his nose and taps his thumb against his lip. Hours pass like this.

Then there's the times when he explores around the porter building, fascinated by the way people move back and forth. He's about to try it, but as he moves forward, something seems to brush past his ear. It buzzes harmlessly - just a fly, nothing that's dangerous to him. But the reaction is instant, and suddenly there's a crowd gathering around a screaming, horrified ten year old. Dick is on his knees on the pavement, hands over his ears, eyes squeezed shut, and he's in a world of his own. It had only been weeks ago. He feels blackness threatening, and he knows, he knows, that this time he will die. He keeps screaming for help, but it feels like his throat is closing over. He doesn't know it isn't real.

Then, finally, there's the garage. He's aware that Adam works here, and he's lonely. He picks his way between cars and tools, quietly fascinated by all of them. Like the city, there's something about this that's familiar - something that feels like a dream. But Dick knows he's never been in a place like this before. He explores like he'd explored the library, fascinated by all he finds. ]

D - Create your own!

[ If you have a scenario in mind, prompt me! ]

Comments

[rathercommon]

[ There will come a time when Kitty Jones lives in libraries. There will come a time when she immerses herself in reading, in literacy, in knowledge. That time will come in a few years. At age thirteen, she considers reading to be, by turns, something she's proud of and something she's bored by - a skill that she has that lots of other people don't, but at the same time something she had to learn to become a secretary which is a job she desperately doesn't want to do.

And so Kitty Jones is not here to read. She is here because this place, this library, ought to be off limits to her. She oughtn't be able to go in here without a special pass, special permission. And so she is wandering around, a look of vague fascination on her face, straightening every time someone comes near in the expectation that they're going to kick her out. But none of them do. ]

What?

[ She turns her distracted, fascinated gaze towards the little kid who's chatting at her. ] Where to find the - what?

C;

[inmyothertights]

[Billy is in a Bad Mood.

First off, this is the second time in a year this has happened. Kitty is a kid again, and Kitty as a child is pretty much unbearable, except he has to bear it. And now he can't seem to find Gansey, or at least, his usual locator spells keep going wonky. He knows Gansey is around but something is weird.

He's in De Chima, then, looking on foot like a fool, when he hears the scream, and the muttering of a crowd, and Billy can't help it. He goes to investigate.

That's when his spell goes off, finally working.

Oh.

Oh, crap.]

Gansey-

Gansey!

[He's pushing people out of the way.]

Come on, nothing to see here, everyone out of the way, hey-

Gansey-

[His hands go to tiny shoulders.]

[incipit]

[ Dick draws himself up, squaring his shoulders like his father does when he's talking to someone important. He has to sound, unequivocally, like he knows what he's talking about and like he is in no doubt at all that this is an actual real thing.

And definitely not just something he imagined. It's not that. It can't be that.

Especially not in front of this, a girl. He can't lose face. ]

Ley lines. Books, on ley lines.

[ If he says it with enough confidence, that makes it believable. Right? He blinks, his face all innocence. ]

They have those here, right?

[incipit]

[ Dick doesn't know who it is. He doesn't know where he is. In his head, he's back in the trees at the foot of the garden, and there are hornets all over his skin and in his hair and in his ears, in his ears -

His fingers claw at them and tear at his hair, and then instinctively he's pushing at the hands on his shoulders. He's afraid of them, too. His eyes are squeezed shut and his whole body is tense and trembling.

He hears his name only distantly. ]

Help, help me, get them off! Get them off they're everywhere I can't -

[ And his words slide back into panic again, fear radiating from every part of him. ]

come here small son

[aberth]

[ When the screaming starts, Adam flinches so hard he almost punches a hole through the door he was just closing. It sounds muffled and panicked and awful even with his limited hearing and it's something he recognises on a base level. So he's moving towards it without concern or care for his own safety. ( It does not help that it sounds like a child, and while Adam can sometimes be callous about other people, he couldn't stand by while one cried. )

The house is a maze, but eventually he finds himself in the main room, staring at the wide expanse of it. It feels rich, opulent, suffocating. But hiis attention is not caught for long, because then he sees the tiny, shaking figure in the corner. Adam holds his hands out, aiming for as nonthreatening as he can. ] Hey.

[ Did he hear right? Did he hear Helen? ] Hey, it's okay. You're all right. [ His soothing voice is heavily accented, he can't control it when he has to control this moment. ]

[inmyothertights]

[Billy's confused; there's nothing here. But what Billy does know is that Gansey is having a panic attack - he recognizes that particular brand of horror right away. Billy Kaplan is nothing if not savvy to panic attacks, as a sufferer himself.

So he picks Gansey up - he's small enough now, that's weird, this is weird and holds onto him, and there's a crash of thunder. The crowd dissipates quickly. That's definitely an imPort problem.]

Hey, look, they're gone. Nothing's there. I took care of it.

[incipit]

[ Dick wheels around. A pair of familiar hazel eyes will fix on Adam, but the fear on Dick's face is real. He still feels at the edge of panic. There's never been a time when his mom or dad hadn't come when he woke up. It happens every night, and they always come.

Except for today. They hadn't come today, and now he can't find them, and he doesn't know this boy. ]

Who are you?

[ He takes a step back, wary and not trusting his own eyes. Is he imagining this? Is he still dreaming?

But there is something familiar about the older boy's face - something that would almost be soothing, if he could trust that instinct at all. Dick shakes his head. ]

Where's my mom? This isn't my house.

[incipit]

[ What just...

What happened? The sound is loud enough to be jarring, and makes Dick spasm with fear. But there are arms around him, and the suddenness of the thunder breaks through his screams. Slowly, the trembling eases, and he starts to come back to himself. He's breathing hard, almost hyperventilating, and his hands close into fists in the material at Billy's shoulders.

His eyes open, and they're a familiar shade of hazel, but they're also glassy at first. He's white-faced and his throat feels raw, but he's slowly realizing that there's nothing on his skin. Nothing crawling, nothing buzzing. Just...a person, who bears a familiarity like something from a dream. Just like the rest of De Chima.

Dick looks suddenly miserable. He wants to go home. ]

I don't...

Um. I'm really sorry. [ For the panic attack. He knows that they scare people. He's had them for weeks now, and they scare everyone, and he hates that. ]

I...thought it was a hornet. [ That sounds so stupid. His eyes drop away, humiliation already working to replace fear. ]

Sorry.

[aberth]

[ The eyes.

Adam knows those eyes and yet he's sure he can't possibly. He rubs the heel of his hand over his ear in a fitful gesture then crouches very carefully. He's too tall for this. ]

I'm Adam.

[ He knows Gansey lives here. And Blue, Ronan, Noah, Matthew too. It was all written down in a nice, neat list for him. But he likes to think if anyone adopted a child he'd have mentioned it. ]

This isn't my house either. [ He says it like it's easy, a way to make the frightened boy realise they're on the same side. ] But we can figure it out together.

[incipit]

[ Dick considers that proposal. He takes another wary step back when Adam crouches, but -

But those blue eyes are sincere, and they trigger something fuzzy in his memory. Dick still doesn't trust that impulse. He doesn't believe it's real. He can't trust what's in his own mind. It's like ley lines and Glendower, he can't be sure of what's real. He can't be sure that he's not crazy.

But those blue eyes remind him of something good. Even if they're part of a dream, he thinks they're part of a good dream. At length, he nods. ]

I'm Dick Gansey. The third, [ he says helpfully, as if this makes all the difference. Maybe the Adam attached to those blue eyes would know his dad. ]

I need to go home. Will you help? I can't find a phone.

[ A landline, he means. He was sure there would be one somewhere, but if there is, he doesn't know where. He needs to call his dad as soon as he can. ]

[rathercommon]

[ Her answer is a little embarrassed, and a little aggressive for her embarrassment. Her chin juts out a little, and she crosses her arms. ]

I haven't got any idea what a lay line is.

[ Which is an invitation to explain - though, of course, she's not going to indicate that this is what she wants. ]

[aberth]

[ Adam sucks in a breath, sharp and shaking when Gansey introduces himself.

Either his best friend has been turned into a child, or Adam is losing it. ] Gansey. Or, wait, Dick? [ The revulsion usually given by his friend in regards to his name was not there, and so he assumes that's what he'll have to go use from hereon out. ]

I don't know where it is. [ The phone, he means. But he also doesn't think they can just phone home. His notes had been sure on that, but he doesn't want to frighten him. ] Listen, it's early. Why don't we get breakfast and then we can make a plan? [ And then. ] Your family knows me though, so they'll know you're safe.

[incipit]

[ Faced with a prideful, know-it-all girl, Dick does what any self-respecting ten year old would do.

He channels his prideful, know-it-all boy, and folds his arms over his chest. His overlarge glasses slide partway down his nose, ruining this image. ]

Well, that's why you read about them. To find out what they are.

[ So there. His chin lifts, matching hers. ]

I'm going to find out, and I'm going to find Glendower. That's how libraries work.

[inmyothertights]

It's okay. I used to get them too.

[He stands up, sets Gansey upright. God, he's so small. He looks afraid and a little embarrassed and Billy reaches for his hand.]

Hey, I'm Billy.

[He knows how this works already. He's aiming to shake hands, here.]

[incipit]

[ Dick frowns, but nods at his name. He doesn't like this. He doesn't feel right about any of it, and his chest still feels tight from his panic attack.

But Adam says that he knows his family, which maybe lends some credence to Dick's instinct that he knows him. Maybe he's seen him around the house before. Adam doesn't look like the right age to be friends with his dad, but -

Oh. Blue eyes, sandy hair. He looks like one of those old-fashioned photographs. Dick's shoulders relax. ]

Are you Helen's boyfriend?

[ Because he's exactly her type. That would explain a lot. ]

I guess we can get breakfast. But whose house is this? We can't eat a stranger's food.

[ Dick sounds kind of scandalized. His mom would be horrified. ]

[rathercommon]

Oh, yeah?

[ She does not like his smug little look. She crosses her arms a little tighter, tucking them in further to her chest. ]

Know a lot about libraries, then, do you?

[incipit]

[ Dick settles a little, glad to be on his own feet again. Now that the attack is passing, his pallor is starting to fade, and the beginnings of an embarrassed flush is working to his cheeks. His eyes flick uncertainly around. He feels like everyone is looking at him.

He hates when this happens outside.

Pay attention, though. He has good manners; they've been drilled into him. He holds out a firm hand to shake, just like his dad always did with businesspeople. ]

Hi. I'm Dick Gansey.

[ He even manages an almost-smile, although he's still kind of shaky. ]

You, um. You really got them too?

How did you stop them? [ Because he's desperate to. Especially the ones that happen on the street. ]

[incipit]

[ Yeah. That'll show her. He gives a sharp little nod. ]

Sure do. I just don't know this one because I'm new here.

[ He draws himself up, trying to look important. ] I'm an import. Pretty cool, huh?

[aberth]

[ The sudden heat to his face and neck is embarrassing, considering that Adam has harbored the strangest crush on Helen since the day they met. He doesn't think Gansey - his Gansey - knows that, anyway, and it's never become anything but part of his strange appreciation of all things to do with his best friend. ]

Uh - no.

[ He's Blue's. Which makes him wonder if he should go and look for her. Maybe she'd have more of an idea of what to do with a child --.

No. No, she'd kill him for suggesting it. ]

It's okay. I'll replace it. [ He just hopes that a house full of teenagers has food in it. ] Come on, I think it's this way.

[incipit]

[ Dick doesn't look convinced, and a little frown line has appeared between his eyebrows. He follows, though. He'll find out if Adam will help him, and if not, well...

There's more than one way to find where home is. He just needs to find a phone. Or a computer, even. He'll work it out.

After breakfast. He hurries to keep up with Adam. ]

Okay.

Do you, um. Do you know how we got here? [ He says this carefully, with precision, because he doesn't want to look as though he doesn't know. He's already made a terrible first impression by having a panic attack. Adam probably thinks he can't take care of himself.

He'll show him differently. ]

I woke up in that bed. [ He points at the balcony. ] And, these aren't my clothes.

[ He waits, curious to see what Adam has to say about all of this. He looks perfectly fine in his clothes, after all. He's not having a problem with fit. Dick pushes his glasses firmly up his nose, determined to keep them in place. ]

[inmyothertights]

A lot of work. Breathing. Therapy.

[He kneels down, so they're eye to eye.]

But hey, I'm better now.

You'll get better too.

How old are you?

[incipit]

[ Dick takes those words in. Breathing and therapy.

Therapy. He knows what his mom and dad would say about that. They couldn't have their son talking to a doctor. He has to keep his chin up and be strong, get through it himself. And anyway, he thinks, he can't tell a doctor about ley lines, or Glendower. No one would believe him.

He barely even believes himself.

So he just looks unhappy, and his eyes fall away. ]

I'm ten.

I...I was going to go in the porter, until...

[ He blinks, as if something has just occurred to him. He looks sharply up at Billy, frowning again. ]

Hey, it's not raining. There was thunder, right? You heard it?

[ Please don't let him have imagined that, too. ]

[inmyothertights]

It's okay. Do you want me to walk you over there?

[He's willing to fly Gansey over there, but he also thinks that maybe Gansey might not trust a stranger right away. That it might be scary. Not that Billy would have been scared but Billy was a spectacularly stupid child.]

Yeah, I made it.

Do you want to see some lightning? I can make it really small.

[He holds out his hand, and opens it, and lightning plays between his fingers.]

[incipit]

[ Dick's frown deepens at that suggestion. People can't just make lightning. He's about to inquire as to why Billy is making fun of him, when suddenly Billy does exactly what he'd said.

Dick's eyes widen. He stares down at the sparks, and his bright hazel eyes flick between Billy's hand and his face.

This...this is impossible, this can't be -

But what if it is? What if it's really - ]

Magic. [ He whispers it. His hand lifts, and he almost touches - but doesn't, understanding that it's electricity, and will hurt. Curiosity burns in his eyes, and the heat of embarrassment starts to leave his face. ]

It's...it's really magic, isn't it? Magic is really real.

[ Widening eyes find Billy's face. ]

Are you a wizard? Like Harry Potter?

[inmyothertights]

Yeah, real magic.

Here, hold your hand out-

[And when he's sure, he moves the lightning over to Gansey's hand. With Billy's spell it's warm and buzzing but not painful. He smiles a bit, and very kind.]

Yeah, I'm a wizard. See?

So as long as you're with me, I promise, no hornets or wasps or bees.