๑ third encounter / sixth step ♚

[polarization]

—hand's cold. [ Plane, say hello. Today there are two people appearing at once, one possibly a bit familiar, while the other possibly a bit... tinier. Chivy has the smaller, younger boy's hand. The child, about eight or so, has a white, stuffed rabbit (with a blue lace ribbon around its neck) clutched between his other arm and chest. However, he cuts off when he sees the surrounding area, eyes going almost ridiculously wide. ]

Wh-whu—?

I told you it was cool. It's called the Plane.

[ Kid kind of drops to his knees, using his occupied arm to reach down and feel at the 'floor'. His expression and voice is half-scared-out-of-his-wits and half-awe. ] But we're not in a plane...

[Chivy bends so that they're not in a completely awkward position.] No, it's— That's just what it's called. There's people here, too.

Space people?

Not really. Well, I mean, maybe some of them. [It's tough to answer questions you don't actually know the answer to.] You can ask if we see anybody?

[ Standard boyo disclaimer applies, now with child experiment addendum! ]

Comments

[oliverplus]

[stares at Chivy incredulously for a moment, though whether he's more confused by the fact that Chivy's brought someone to the Plane or simply by the new arrival's age is up to interpretation] You brought a kid to the Plane?

[polarization]

[ Sefton pouts. Are kids not allowed to come here, or is this guy just being mean? ]

Who are you?

[oliverplus]

[raises an eyebrow at the kid, but smiles for him, leaning forward slightly and giving him a friendly wave] I'm Oliver. What about you?

[polarization]

[ The pout remains for a moment. ] I'm Sefton... Did Chivy do something bad?

[oliverplus]

[the pout on that kid's face is rather eerily familiar, but Oliver can't for the life of him think of why it would be] Nice to meet you, Sefton. No, not bad. But this is the first time you've come here, right? Did your friend warn you how...uh...weird this place can be?

[polarization]

Nice t' meet you too, Oliver. [ Nodnod. Since it seems Chivy isn't in trouble, Sefton gives a small smile, as if about to let Oliver in on a secret. ] Uh-huh! He said there were weird people here. Like a circus!

[oliverplus]

[laughs] Did he really? I've met a bloke like that. He's got really spiky red hair--like this! [motions with his hands, imitating Axel's hair] And get this... [leans forward, imparting a secret back] He can make fire appear in the air!

[polarization]

[ And his eyes go wiiide. He also leans in, unsure if this sort of thing is common knowledge or whether he should try to keep it on the down-low. ] Fire? Really?

[oliverplus]

Yeah! He can make these weapons appear in his hands with a big burst of flames. Poof! Just like that! [waves a hand, imitating a spurting flame]

He's nice, but some people here can be mean, so you be careful, okay? Stay with Chivy.

[polarization]

[ A gasp of excitement as his imagines things simply appearing in flame, like magic. ] Weapons?

Mean? [ His brow furrows and he sits more properly on the 'floor', wordlessly looking up at Oliver like he expects to be joined. ] Why?

[oliverplus]

Yeah, like these fiery...disc...things! I bet he could throw 'em around and make fire appear in the air. [swirls his hand]

[frowns, taking the hint and sitting down next to him. why not?] I don't know why, but! That's because we're both smart enough to stay away from them...right?

[polarization]

Like fireballs? [ He's enjoying the hand-swirling, so he starts imitating it. ]

Uh-huh! 'Cause if they're mean, you just shouldn't talk to 'em at all.

[oliverplus]

[laughs] Yeah, just like that! [continues swirling his hand. leave it to a kid to bring out his inner-geek]

That's right! And you go find a friend right away, too.

[polarization]

[ Sefton continues the mimicry, clearly enjoying himself. He's also adding some silliness into the mix, but what else can you expect? ]

Like you, Oliver?

[oliverplus]

[gets both hands into it, complete with sound effects. it's a fireball show! between the laughter, of course]

[stops at that, glancing at Sefton in surprise] Yeah. [smiles] Yeah, like me. And if I'm scared, I'll go find you! How's that?

[polarization]

[ Totally getting into the make-believe fireball stuff, now also trying to imitate Oliver's sounds. But, he's giggling over on his side, too, so it's not so easy. ]

Okay! [ He puffs up, proud at that. ] You can count on me!

[oliverplus]

[grins, directing a fireball toward Sefton] Oh no, watch out! [makes fireball noises, getting louder as it "gets closer"]

[smiles] I knew I could do!

[polarization]

Wuaah! [ Sefton ducks low, bringing his hands over his head, "scared". His head may or may not bump into Oliver's legs, but he's giggling too much to notice. ]

[lamb_of_gold]

[Oh hey a kid]

[polarization]

[ Oh hey a woman. Or... is that a dude? Sefton begins to stare in an effort to try and figure it out. ]

[lamb_of_gold]

Are you new to this place, little one?

[oliverplus]

I'll protect you! [grabs Sefton, pulling him into his lap. he's having way too much fun with this kid]

[polarization]

[ Definitely a dude. There's more staring going on, because that's even weirder than before. ]

Uh-huh.

[polarization]

[ Sefton squeaks, squirming around until he's actual comfortable, and continues his laughter. ]

But now s' coming for the both of us!

[oliverplus]

Oh, you're right! [clearly this requires spinning out of the way] Lean to the right! Lean to the right!