the magic of the fading day, satellites on parade;

[archier]

WHO: clint & gil, tiny editions
WHERE: central park or thereabouts
WHEN: a day into age swap plot
WARNINGS: idk
SUMMARY: boys with casts attempt walk in park; chance encounter occurs.
FORMAT: w/e.

_{( It really sucks, being short again. But that's not even the worst part. After years and years of careful training, all of sudden Clint is back to square one. He doesn't have the strength or arm-span to properly use his bow, his hormones are a jumbled mess, and he's down one leg. He's beginning to remember why being fifteen sucked so much, and that's why his head's spinning. Still, he can't just stay cooped up in the mansion. So he finds himself a crutch and wanders out into the world--the park is as good a place as any for a walk. )}

Comments

[alostraven]

[ Enter Gilbert, approximately nine years-old-- or ninety-something. Time runs at a different speed in the Abyss, not that Gil's aware at all. He's barely even grasping the current situation.

It's hard to anyway, his thoughts focused on Oz. He really wants to go back to Reveil already and see Oz, Ada, and Oscar.

The pain in his arm is no longer much of a bother. Jesse really did tend to it well and it's wrapped safely and neatly up. He'll do his best not to hurt it, though maybe he should watch where he's going. He nearly trips over Clint's crutch. ]

Eeeee!

[archier]

_{( On any normal day, Clint would've just side-stepped. But doing that while balancing a crutch and a casted leg is distinctly impossible. So he tries, but really ends up shuffling a bit and trying not to fall over, himself. )}

Hey! Watch it.

[alostraven]

[ Gil moves rather quickly (though clumsily) away to give Clint space. He clutches his shirt with his good hand, face red. ]

I'm sorry!

[archier]

_{( Clint has to just pause and stare. )}

Don't... have a heart attack or something.

[alostraven]

I'm... I'm sorry. [ He sways a bit, where he stands. ] I... [ He's lost.

Again.

Damn it, Gil. ]

[archier]

<sub>( So here's a spoiler for you--Clint's not all that awesome with kids. The last time he tried the whole hero thing on one of them, he ended up carrying the kid into the sickbay where his mother had just died. He's really, really not good with kids, even when he thinks he is.

At fifteen, he was even worse. Used to being the youngest person around, he pulsed back and forth between being petulant and eager to please. His smiles were saved for use as bargaining tools, more often than not he was angry as a reflex.

That attitude has come back in force, now, but something about this kid doesn't let him lash out. )</sub>

Uh. Are you okay?

[alostraven]

Yes. [ It's not a lie. At least, Gil doesn't think so. He stares long and curiously at Clint, almost with the sense they've met somewhere before.

But that's impossible. He's never been to this world. ]

Um, the MAC. [ He looks side to side. ] Do... you know where that is?

[archier]

<sub>( Eyes the color of Gil's are definitely unique, but Clint's mind is really too jumbled at the moment to place them. He pauses, though, and takes pity on the kid.

Or something like that. )</sub>

Sure. It's...

_{( He pauses at the directions. He hasn't ever really been to the MAC; he went straight to the mansion after arriving. After a moment though, he points )}

Over in that direction. I think.

[alostraven]

[ He turns his head in the direction Clint points. Though he looks uncertain, he nods anyway. None of the streets are familiar and he hasn't seen any proper roads since he's arrived. Those horseless carriages drive between the crowds; it's so bizarre. ]

Did I really come from that way?

[ Talking to yourself? Totally normal. ]

[archier]

_{( Clint's brow furrows at the question, which he thinks is directed at him. How should he know? He wouldn't have noticed Gil at all if the kid hadn't practically slammed into him. )}

I don't know... did you?

[alostraven]

[ He just looks stumped. ]

I'm not sure anymore...

[archier]

_{( He drags a hand across his face. )}

You're hopeless.

[alostraven]

I'm sorry... [ And just so he's not bothering Clint anymore, he starts walking away.

In the wrong direction. ]

[archier]

Hey, wait! Don't... do that.

_{( Clint scuffles up behind him. )}

You really lost? Or are you just always this hopeless?

[alostraven]

I can find my way back. [ He doesn't sound confident at all, though. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, playing with the fabric of his shirt.

Almost nervously, actually. ]

I remember what the building looks like.

[archier]

Oh, yeah? _{( Clint's not buying it. )}

What color was it? The building?

oh my god the MAC photo is in b&w cries

[alostraven]

Uh... [ No, he remembers this! He can prove it! But being put on the spot like this actually makes him feel small and more nervous. ]

White? Um... Miss Jesse lives there. So I should go back.

bwahahaha

[archier]

Yeah, probably. If you can find it.

_{( Still doesn't believe he can! )}

cursessss

[alostraven]

[ He'll be inching away anyway!! ]

I shouldn't trouble you anymore...

[archier]

It kinda seems like you're more trouble to yourself.

[alostraven]

[ Should he apologize again? Not sure. ]

But I'm not!

[archier]

...you sure about that?

[alostraven]

Yes! Why wouldn't I be...?