I Wish I Had a Castle in the Sky ( OPEN )

[sidecars]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: All over America
WHEN: Nov. 14th-24th
WHAT: The Cosmic Cube is creating multiple realities for all the imPorts. Where are these "universes" coming from and who is wielding it? Are you strong enough to withstand the temptation of a new reality and thwart this misguided attempt at happiness?
WARNINGS: N/A

Hey, Davis! Did you move anything? I've got that Barnes kid's stuff logged. [ He has a digital tablet propped up on a clean, steel table full of plastic bags and baskets filled the different paraphernalia. It's rather reminiscent to an experience in the American security line at the airport. One such basket belongs to James Buchanan Barnes. ] Think something's missing. Says six item's logged, but only—Davis?

[ The man was right there a second ago, wasn't he? Looking around there's no signs John Davis had been there at all, except for in his memory. Shit, has he been talking to himself this whole time? Well, it isn't anything important. The string bean isn't going to miss one dumb little paperweight or whatever it was.

Little does he know just how powerful it is... ]


[ John spares no time or energy leaving Cap Canaveral. He doesn't even put up his cleaning cart before he's zipping through security at the blink of an eye. People've been calling him crazy for so long it's isolated him from the regular rhythm of society, but it's all been worth it for this chance. He will be a hero finally, just like the rest of the imPorts he idolizes. People will start to think twice about him and everyone else with powers. They will have the rights they need to protect this country and keep the Commies out.

This is the energy driving him to hold a dangerous item in his possession. He doesn't know a whole lot about it, only what he's gleaned from gossip rags and conspiracy theory websites. But it's worth the chance to find himself in prison, or worse. In the security of his lonely little apartment he holds the Cube in his hands as it pours out tremendous power. Without words it becomes in tune with his inner self and his wishes. It feeds off of it to create something more than itself. In his world imPorts will have just what they want, whatever it is, however contradictory.

But in truth, what good can come out of a thief too wrapped up in his own fantasies? That is no hero, and John cannot truly control the power he is playing with. As it feeds, the air around him turns hot—too hot to even breath. It's like the oxygen is burning up before it reaches his lungs. The world around him begins to fade as he holds on for dear life, but in the end his consciousness is snuffed out; a small sacrifice for a new world. ]

Comments

[dejerate]

I--I'm getting through class, okay?

[Okay, so Yuu isn't the best student and tends to get distracted and would obviously rather be active doing something outside most of the time. But he's improving, with Mika's support and Akane reminding him about homework at least.

(Or, rather, he's improved in comparison to his canon deficit regarding his eduation a lot.)

And well. Yeah, he's usually the one helping keep the kids entertained otherwise while Mika does his homework. Still, it doesn't help the small pout at his lips as he shovels another mouthful in.]

[allforyuu]

They all look up to you, Yuu-chan.

[He doesn't finish the thought, because he knows his friend will understand what he means. The kids will do what you do. Be a good example if you love them. But it's not said unkindly; Mika understand why they love him.]

If something is difficult, I can help you.

[dejerate]

Hm? Wha--where did that come from when you're pestering me about school?

[But. Well. Mika isn't wrong. Yuu's always been the one to reassure and encourage them even if they haven't been adopted yet, that they still have a family and will figure things out regardless. Not wanting to see any of them get as bitter as he was in the initial aftermath of his parents dropping him at the orphanage.]

But....I know you would.

[allforyuu]

School's important. We can't take care of them all if we're not smart.

[Yuu inspires the people he's around so they want to become better, kinder versions of themselves. Like when he protects them from other kids who bully them, or openly reminds them they have a family. That's how Mika likes it. That leaves it up to him to try hard to keep their lives running smoothly, like making sure everyone treats each other fairly and eats enough. And speaking of eating:]

How's the food?

[dejerate]

I know. I'm getting through it though, same as you.

[Though Yuu probably doesn't quite get as good grades as Mika, he's passing all the same. Which is enough for him for now. He's content enough to get through school and then move on, focusing on the kids. Though there are times he does get distracted and might otherwise forget to eat, without Mika reminding him.]

Mm. It's good!

[allforyuu]

I'm glad. I got some help to make the omelettes.

[Which is to say, kids like to break eggs and they gladly did that part once he asked them to. Smiling to himself, he starts on his own lunch. He doesn't mind making sure Yuu eats. Someone has to take care of him, or else he'll forget about himself.]

[dejerate]

They like helping you or Akane cook. I'm not surprised they wanted to help with this.

[Sometimes the presentation might be lacking, but the taste works out - most of the time, given they're supervised anyway. Usually by one of the older teens, or at least one of the staff at the orphanage.

Yuu sits and eats, not seeming to mind if it might not necessarily look the most appetizing given the younger children's assistance in making it, as he watches them play.]

[allforyuu]

They're such good kids.

[Practice makes perfect. In the end, the kids will get better, but that's not the important part as far as Mika is concerned. What the children will remember isn't the messy omelettes, but that their big brothers appreciated everything they did and cheered them on.]

Huh. Sit still.

[A brightly yellow leaf is caught up in Yuu's hair. Mika runs his fingers through the dark strands to catch it.]

[dejerate]

They are. I know our family isn't perfect, but....hm?

[He glances over to the blonde, blinking when Mika tells him to stay still, feeling the other's hand brushing through his hair to get whatever it was. At least it only turns out to be a leaf and not some bug in his hair that might have been harder to find given it's darker colouring.]

[allforyuu]

It doesn't have to be perfect as long as everyone's happy.

[Mika's evidently thinking in the same lines, because as he lets the leaf be carried away by the wind, he says:]

At least it wasn't a spider.

[dejerate]

That's what I was gonna say before you told me to sit still.

[At least it wasn't for hours, like in the classroom. Yuu's always been the more restless of the two of them, to say the least. As distracted and focused as he can get if something does catch his interest, for the most part, he's usually indifferent depending on the subject, at school.]

I can deal with a leaf, Mika.

[allforyuu]

Great minds think alike.

[It's not shocking that they think alike. They're both proud of the children and the make-shift family they've made.]

You say that now, but before you know it your head will look like a bird's nest.

[dejerate]

O-oi, it isn't......that bad.

[Okay, maybe once he at least runs a brush through it in the mornings. But immediately after waking, sometimes it can be pretty impressive. Though by now, Yuu's given up attempting to tame his mop of hair.]

[allforyuu]

[Considering Mika's own mop of hair, he has no leg to stand on in criticizing Yuu's. Still, it's fun to see his reactions.]

Not saying it's bad. Baby birds would suit you, Yuu-chan.

[dejerate]

Ba-hey!

[Okay, so pouting and pointing the chopsticks at Mika probably isn't nearly so threatening as Yuu might hope. But it is happening. And the two of them chatting and teasing/bickering is nothing new, the other kids barely notice if they look over at all from their game.]

[allforyuu]

[The challenge is gladly accepted. Mika lifts his on chopsticks in preparation for the great ChopStick Battle that is sure to occur, and thinking that attack is the best defense, he snaps them forward, trying to catch Yuu's chopsticks with his own.]

[This is just a game. Just like the kids are playing their game, Mika and Yuu have their own fun. Mika is even grinning.]

[dejerate]

[The most mature supervisors of the younger children. Clearly. But Akane does watch out for the kids, even as one or two might stop and laugh at the elder teens antics.

Which Mika will win, though not for Yuu's lack of stubbornness.]

i have no blue eyeed icons left so let's just pretend he looks human

[allforyuu]

[This time, Mika wins mostly because he cheats: when Yuu goes in for the attack he captures his wrist with his free hand and pulls it to the side. Pulling him away from their lunches easily forces the other boy to lose balance, which he's quick to take advantage of.]

[And well, straddling him just seems like common sense.]

It's okay. Mika is still a cute human.

[dejerate]

Ack -- Mi--oof!

[Well, ensuring their lunch is safe is obviously important. But Yuu still isn't sure how it ended up like this. With Mika straddling him as a couple of the younger kids watch and giggle. But they are used to the elder teens bickering and playing over the years to know this is pretty routine, quickly returning to their own game.]

Mika.

so is Yuu <3

[allforyuu]

You let your guard down, Yuu-chan.

[Speaking of letting your guard down, Akane and one of the younger boys gathers up all the leaves they can carry. Safely out of Mika's field of vision, they quietly begin to creep up on them. One step. Two step. It's hard because the leaves beneath their feet crackle ever so often as they walk, but it seems like Mika's focus is entirely on their conversation.]

[dejerate]

You always do this. Gerroff!

[Only, that last is muffled as he attempts to sit up some and gets his face buried in Mika's shirt, thus also not noticing the others sneaking up on them. Oblivious to what is coming, both of them distracted by the other as they are.]

[allforyuu]

Only because you make it easy.

[What can he say, it's easy to get distracted when Yuu's acting like he does. Mika laughs gently, looking down at him.

That is all Akane and her little accomplice needs, and they descend on the boys with a delighted battle cry. Mika sits up in shock, letting go of Yuu's wrist in the process. Red and yellow and brown leaves rain down on them until they're both halfway covered by them.]

[dejerate]

I do not!

[He kind of does though. Mika pinning him on his back since the day they met all those years ago right from the start.

Still, he gives a squawk of surprise at the sudden downpour of leaves, using the chance when Mika releases his hand to try bat some of them away from his face at least. Probably not so successfully. Some are also probably in his mop of hair too.]

Akane!

[allforyuu]

[He can't help but laugh. Now they truly look like a mess. He gets off of Yuu, finally, looking over his shoulder to call after the quickly retreating kids.]

We'll get you for that!

[The little boy squeals in joy at the new game. Grinning brightly, Mika offers Yuu his hand.]

[dejerate]

You're in for it now!

[Okay, so Yuu isn't really near so riled up as he might act to put on a show for the kids. But he does shake some leaves from his hair before reaching to take Mika's hand. Before then getting back to his feet to start chasing after them with him.

He's not even quite thinking as far ahead as to what to do when he does catch up yet.]