bakerstreet | (no subject)

THE CHILDHOOD MEME

Childhood. That magical time between infancy and adulthood where you feel invincible. Where you haven't a care or responsibility in the world. It's a time where imagination runs wild and every day is a new adventure waiting to be had.

While there's plenty of fun out there in the world of adults, there's nothing that quite compares to the innocence of those early years. So, grab your juice box, your favorite toy and remember to be back before the streetlights come on.

HOW TO PLAY:

○ This meme is targeted toward the younger end of the age spectrum (15 and under), but that doesn't mean older characters aren't welcome. Does your character have a soft spot for children? Are they typically the type to be the babysitter? Or maybe they're the older sibling being dragged along to keep an eye on the younger one? Aging down is also an acceptable option, haven't we all wondered what our characters would have been like as kids?
○ Comment with your character, canon, preferences, and any other info you'd like to include.
○ Reply to others.
○ Thread and have fun!

1. PLAYGROUND/PARK : The spot where all the best childhood memories are made. Are you playing a game of tag? Are you hanging upside down on the jungle gym? Are you getting into trouble while your mom is catching up on the latest gossip?

2. SCHOOL : The place where 75% of your day is spent and lifelong friendships are forged. Maybe you're in art class, maybe you're at recess, or maybe you're on a school field trip. The possibilities are endless. Just don't be that kid eating paste.

3. MALL : For the kids on the older end of the spectrum. Whether you're at the arcade, whether you're meeting with friends, or whether your parents gave you twenty bucks to get out of their hair, you've got the entire shopping mall at your disposal.

4. CIRCUS : It's the greatest show on earth! Lion tamers! Acrobats! Elephants! Feats meant to stun and amaze you! Cotton candy the size of your head! Are you watching the show from the stands? Or is your family a part of the show?

5. THEME PARK/AMUSEMENT PARK : It's a classic vacation that's fun for the whole family. Are you the roller coaster type? Or are you the type to shy away from the thrill rides and stick to the carousel instead? Keep a hold of someone's hand, though, the only thing that can ruin a day is a lost child in the park.

6. FAIR/FESTIVAL/CARNIVAL : The theme park on a smaller scale. Sometimes the rides are a little shaky, but there's plenty of good deep fried foods and games to be played. Go out and win yourself a goldfish!

7. NEVERLAND : Yes, you read that right. Just like in Peter Pan, it's the magical place where no one has to ever grow up and adults aren't welcome. What kind of adventures will you get into? Remember, it only takes a little bit of fairy dust and good thoughts to fly.

8. WILDCARD : None of these work for you? Go ahead and created your own!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She doesn't normally socialize on the job unless she is going out of her way distract some poor idiot while she robs them blind or, occasionally flirt, but... it's a room full of antiques and she doesn't mean that in the fun way. It's just a bunch of old people and... this kid, apparently. ]

You look like you're having all kinds of fun...

[At first, Dick had thought going to Bruce's parties would be fun: staying up late for non-crimefighting reasons, trying all the food...well, actually, those were the main draws from the start. But he's quickly seen the errors of his ways. The food is good, but otherwise, it's a lot of standing around and pretending you aren't bored. Alfred always seems to tie his bowtie a little too tight, and his shoes start to pinch, and staying up late for non-crimefighting reasons is actually really boring when you aren't allowed to do anything.]

Huh? [Usually, when people stop to talk to him, there's a lot more exclaiming and cheekpinching, and a lot less of that funny little smile the woman's wearing, like she just told a joke only she understands. Dick shrugs, trying not to look as bored as he feels.] It's a pretty good party.

[No, it isn't. But he's trying.]

[ She can't really blame the poor kid. It's stuffy and uncomfortable and the only people even close to his age are her and freakin' Bruce Wayne who appears to be busy being chatted up -- or cornered -- by some lonely middle-aged women. (God, that poor bastard, she almost feels sorry for him. Almost.)

Still, she finds herself curious and -- in casting a quick glance at the burner phone tucked away in her clutch, both disposable for a fast getaway if necessary, and seeing she has time to kill -- she finds herself moving closer.

Who knows? Maybe he'll say something useful. ]

It's a bore, but sure. If you say so.

[His eyes go wide for a moment as he stares up at her. There are a lot of rules for fancy parties that he hasn't completely figured out, like which foods you can eat with your fingers and which you can't, but this is one of the really basic guidelines: You don't complain about the party when you're at the party.

Maybe nobody ever told this lady that. But the way she smiles, he has the feeling that she just doesn't care. (Detective work, figuring that out--somehow, he's doing it here, too, and it makes the party more fun.)]

You really think it's boring? [Next, she'll tell him that caviar tastes as weird as he thinks it does.] I thought adults liked this stuff.

[ Truthfully, she's all still figuring this all out herself -- trying to blend it, trying not to draw too much attention to herself, trying to look the part with a stolen gown and wig, but hell, that's the easy part.

The rest is a lot of Monkey See, Monkey Do.

Selina shrugs her shoulders in response. ]

I guess I'm not a very good adult.

Me, neither.

[He sighs, swallowing back a yawn. (He's also getting tired in a way he never is in what Alfie calls his other evening wear. Doing nothing is way more exhausting than doing something.)

After a moment, he remembers his manners--or rather, Alfred's manners, passed down to him quite seriously--and holds out a hand to shake.]

I'm Dick Grayson.

Give it time, kid. You're still growing into it, after all. Maybe it'll suit you better than you think. I hear some people actually like it.

[ The polite smile she's kept plastered to her face for the majority of the night spreads into something just a bit more genuine as she reaches her hand out to meet his. ]

Irena. Irena Dubrovna. [ Tonight, anyway. ] It's lovely to meet you, Mr. Grayson.

You, too, Miss Dubrovna.

[These are the rules of shaking hands: One firm pump, maybe two. Try to be the one in control. But don't squeeze too hard, especially if you're shaking hands with a girl. It doesn't yet come naturally to him, but he's trying. (He didn't shake hands with many people in the circus. Mostly Elinore the elephant, and that was her trunk.)]

I would ask if you were having a nice time, but it sounds like the answer's 'no.' [Now that he knows there's someone he can tell jokes to, he can't resist.] Do you have to stay long?