♕ 09 - Shrinking

[wishmadeinfire]

[In the lobby there is a child. A familiar child, perhaps to some, and to others a stranger. He's sitting in one of the singular chairs, back straight, feet dangling a bit above the floor. He's dressed in red shorts and a red tank that's cut to show his belly, but he has a white wrap that cuts across half his body in a sort of semi-toga, belted at

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[i_barnabas]

[Barnabas is just walking through the lobby, when he sees the child. He certainly looks like Ashura. He's sure Ashura would have mentioned a son. Perhaps, this is one of those temporary losses he's heard about?

Up to now he's been standing across the room, observing quietly. He approaches the boy and speaks hesitantly.]

Ashura?

[wishmadeinfire]

[Okay, that was weird. If his bodyguard was here, then maybe he hadn't been kidnapped?]

Barnabas? Barnabas what's going on? Where are we?

[i_barnabas]

[This is very strange. Ashura remembers him, but not where they are? He kneels down so that he's on the boy's level, doing his best to assume a comforting tone.]

It's all right, Ashura. You're in Paradisa-it's a kind of magical castle-but you're safe. What is the last thing you remember?

[wishmadeinfire]

[He looks right at his 'bodyguard', pouting fiercely, but relaxing some as the other reassures him.]

I went to bed. Mama and Papa said good night, Subaru and Kamui left, and you went to your room.

[i_barnabas]

[He frowns, furrowing his brow. Something very strange is going on here. He wants to figure out what, but he doesn't want to upset the child further.
It's clear the castle is manipulating Ashura's memories.

Wait a minute.

Ashura doesn't know where he is, so he last remembers being at home. Which means he thinks Barnabas is from his world...]

Ashura, if you'll humor me for a moment, how do we know each other?

[wishmadeinfire]

[He blinked, kind of scared now.]

What do you mean? You're my bodyguard. Papa and Mama chose you for me.

[i_barnabas]

Bodyguard? [He attempts to hide a small smile. The castle certainly has an odd sense of humor. A Collins as a bodyguard? It was an amusing thought. He realizes, though, that he's probably freaking out mini!Ashura. The truth might just upset him further...]

I'm sorry, Ashura. The castle has a way of manipulating people's memories. I'm afraid I don't remember that.

But I will do my best to protect you. I give you my word.

[Better to have the child think Barnabas is confused. It's less frightening than the thought of having one's own memories toyed with.]

[wishmadeinfire]

[He bites his lower lip, hands gripping the journal hard, knuckles white, trembling a little.]

O-okay.

T-then get me home! I wanna see Papa and Mama!

[i_barnabas]

[Oh, dear. Barnabas is now anticipating a full blown kid-breakdown. He's so not used to dealing with this. He puts a hand on Ashura's shoulder.]

I would if I could. This castle...it keeps people here. We can't leave, not of our own volition, at any rate. I don't know when you'll be able to return home.

[Preparing for royal kid meltdown...]

[wishmadeinfire]

[And 3.... 2... 1....

Cue hiccups and tears.]

N-no! I-I wanna see M-Mama and P-p-papa!

[i_barnabas]

[adsf;hfkfh. Hasn't dealt with a crying child in two hundred years. Panic first. Then, Big brother instincts kick in...

Both hands are on Ashura's shoulders now and he's looking directly at him.]

I know you do. And I'm sure they want to see you. But you'll just have to be brave, for now. Imagine how proud your father will be when you tell him how well you did here!

[wishmadeinfire]

[Okay. Control, calming down as he nods... and then he's throwing himself against Barnabas, small body clinging to him as he tries to stop crying.]

W-when do we get to go home?

[i_barnabas]

[And, rather uncharacteristically, Barnabas hugs him back, letting little!Ashura cling as long as he needs to. Little kids are different, OK?]

I wish I knew.

[Sudden idea.] Would you like to go get some tea?

[wishmadeinfire]

[He stands back, rubbing his eyes and nodding.]

Y-yeah. A-and those little cakes? The ones with powdered sugar?

[i_barnabas]

[Oh, great. He has no idea what little cakes Ashura's talking about. Then, idea!]

You remember I told you this was a magic castle?
You should wish for them and see what happens.

[wishmadeinfire]

[He blinked, hiccuping and then squeezed his eyes shut - wiiiiiishiiiiing and...

A plate plops down between them, piled with soft white cookies with a sign of nuts inside them and powdered sugar atop. He lets out a squeak of pleasure and takes one, instantly biting into it and smearing his mouth with the sugar.]