no.0002

[glasgowgrin]

[When Rail hops onto the Plane this time, it's with a box of sparklers and a pail in hand, matches ever-present in the pocket of his jacket. It isn't July 4th in his reality nor does he know or actually care what the date is on the Plane, if a date actually exists at all. It only matters that he had sparklers and he felt like coming here to use them. Besides, if he came to this starry whatever-this-place-is, he got to see Christopher who was still missing in action everywhere else. He fills the pail with water at the Kitchen before he sets out, humming a little to himself.

If he sees any of the people he met last time on the way, or if he sees them passing by after he's already started playing with the small fireworks, he stretches his scarred face into a grin and calls their name, raising his free hand to wave them over.]

Hey! Hey, do you want to use sparklers with me? [Look these aren't going to explode like the last ones he used so you can calm your fluttering heart and enjoy explosions too, since he doesn't think you need to have anything better to do than explosions. Come oooooon.

If you're a stranger to him, he may not wave but he's not against getting approached! Until the sparklers run out, he's going to be crouched here in his corner of nowhere enjoying himself.]

[later on]
[For those who he didn't run into during his fireworks adventure, Rail has other questions and things to talk about. Regardless of whether you know him or not, wherever you are or whatever you're, he's wandering the Plane seemingly in search of something, and as long as he doesn't find you particularly threatening (or if you're not someone who looks like a scientist), a blond-blue-eyed boy may approach you with an inquiring look on his face.]

... Do you know anything about skateboarding?

[It's been on his mind ever since Roxas brought it up.]

Comments

[spiritofadventure]

[Alas Castor has missed Fireworks Adventures, but she's still surprised to see a child on his own like this. When he asks his question, she squats down a little to his height.]

Skateboarding? Never heard of it! But uh, are you sure you're okay to be on your own like this?

[The mother senses lie in wait.]

[glasgowgrin]

[He doesn't particularly mind her squatting, although all of his taller friends from home also had no problem just looking down at him. So he blinks once, then stretches his scarred face into a mischievous grin and shakes his head with a small laugh.]

Then you're gonna have to help me figure it out because it's been bugging me for weeks!

[He throws his arms up, the pail swinging a little closer to Castor's head than he intended, and folds them behind his own head as he rocks on the balls of his feet.]

And I'm fine, just fine. It's not like I'd really get lost or anything around here.

[spiritofadventure]

[Castor is, thankfully, fast enough to keep from being brained by the bucket]

I'm not worried about lost, sweetie, I just don't want someone your age getting hurt or stuck somewhere. But, if you say you're alright, then I'll trust you.

In the meantime, I wonder where we should start looking.

[glasgowgrin]

[Did she really just call him sweetie? Rail suppresses a shudder because the only times anybody has ever spoken that sweetly to him, he ended up getting hurt by them. But he knows better than to show that disgust so he grins at Castor again.]

Won't get hurt, won't get stuck. Well, I don't like to read a whole lot but I know people tell me if I wanna learn something I should read.

... I don't wanna read though.

[spiritofadventure]

[YEAH SHE DID. At any rate, his comments make her chuckle, and she shifts a little bit to keep her knees from getting stiff.]

When I was your age, I didn't, either. Unfortunately, those people are right - reading is about the best way to learn anything.

[glasgowgrin]

But reading's such a drag! Hands-on learning is the easiest I think. But it's kinda hard to get hands-on learning if I don't know what it is. You think I'd have to read?

[vengefulagent]

[Wash actually catches Rail walking around with the sparklers and he's definitely all set to scold him about having even more explosives--but then Rail waves and smiles at him. It actually takes him aback for a second. It's not often that someone greets him like that. Okay, that's enough to get him to come over. He eyes the flashing things in Rail's hand.]

So...what do you do with those things? [Sparklers do exist in his reality but he never really played with them growing up--or ever, really.]

[glasgowgrin]

-- What?! President, you've never used sparklers before?? How're you even alive?!!

[It's an exaggerated reaction and Rail is very aware of it, his mouth curling up into a smile even as he feigns shock. Then he reaches into the box in his pocket and pulls out a stick, holding it out to him.]

You just light them up! They don't make loud noises or break anything unless you set something on fire with them I guess, but that's pretty cool too don't you think? You wanna try?

[vengefulagent]

[How's he even alive? "Clearly by not using them," he thinks to himself, but after a moment, he realizes the kid is just teasing him.]

Sure, I guess. [He takes the sparkler, looking the thing over. It definitely reads as being completely normal, if his suit's sensors are anything to go by.] So what now?

[glasgowgrin]

You light it, of course. But I guess I can't blame you for not knowing that if you didn't even know what sparklers were. [That doesn't mean Washington can get away without a sigh and a shake of Rail's head before the child pulls the matches out of his pocket, holding it out to him too.]

Here.

[docinawall]

Oh wow, sparklers! [there would be no need to call out to Doc even if Rail did know him--he's already making his way over, drawn by the fireworks. in fact, he's now admiring Rail's stash of them] That's a lot! Are you going to light them all?

[glasgowgrin]

Of course I am. If I don't, that'll be a waste! [You recognized them. He's impressed, Doc, although frankly everyone should at least know about sparklers. He picks one up and holds it out.] You wanna?

[docinawall]

Yeah! Man, I haven't gotten to use sparklers since the incident with the shed. [Doc accepts the sparkler eagerly] Do you have anything to light it with? I mean, I might be able to use my scanner? But I'm not sure how well an electrical spike would work.

[and you really don't want him to experiment with that. really]

[glasgowgrin]

The what what? I dunno what you're talking about but I sure do have some matches. Here!

[He shoves his hand inside his hoodie pocket, pulling out a box of them and handing it off to Doc. He figures the guy knows how to use them.]

[docinawall]

Oh, last time I used sparklers I burned a shed down. And caught my brother's sleeve on fire, too. [his tone is terribly nonchalant as he shares that tale. in fact, he chuckles at the thought] It was pretty exciting! Good memories.

Great! [Doc accepts the matches, pulling one out and fumbling a bit as he tries to light it] You must have a lot of matches on you! Have you lit any yet? [he glances around for spent sparklers]

[glasgowgrin]

Who do you think I am? Of course I have. [He points to the ground by his feet where some sticks lie in a pile.]

A shed and your brother's sleeve though? That's pretty cool but it'd be cooler if you could tell that like you did it on purpose.

[desertdaggers]

[…that's. a lot of scars on a kid. Hawk heads over, eyebrows raised, hands in his sash.]

Sparklers?

[glasgowgrin]

[Indeed that is a lot of scars, Hawk. Rail looks up at him, eyes twinkling just a little because he's so pleased to hear the small explosions from the lighted thing in his hand, and nods, grinning and stretching some of those stitches.]

You heard me. Honestly I'd be find using them all up on my own but Chris would scold me if he found out I wasn't sharing. You wanna join?

[desertdaggers]

[that doesn't seem like it'd be too comfortable. still, he's not quite rude enough to ask.]

Sure! How do they work? [crouching down beside him]

[glasgowgrin]

What, you don't know? Geez, that's a shame! I'll show you, here take one--

[He shoves a stick out toward him almost forcefully. You're missing out!!!]

[desertdaggers]

You'll make sure I know how to use them properly, right?

[he's mostly teasing. he starts a little- he didn't expect quite that much force!- but he grins and takes the stick.]

[inhumanity]

[He will find Christopher looking through a book of flowers, flopped on a stray couch.]

Hm? Is it something from the future?

[glasgowgrin]

[Rail flops right on top of Christopher, lying on his stomach to peer at him.]

Maybe. Roxas was talking about it and he said it's something where you put wheels on a board and you can move around with it?

[inhumanity]

[Christopher makes an 'ooph' sound on impact. He puts a hand on Rail's head.] Who is Roxas? Is he your friend? You'll have to get him to teach you to skateboard! Friends who won't teach each other are hoarders of knowledge.

[glasgowgrin]

[He smiles. He likes it when Chris puts his hand on his head, so he puts his hand over Christopher's to keep it there.]

Well, that's what I thought but when I asked he said he didn't know what it was so that's why we're having this problem here!