bakerstreet | The Childhood Meme

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

[ Mike ends up missing the school bus thanks to getting trapped in one of the bathroom stalls with a jammed door. After shouting for help and no one coming, he takes matters into his own hands by sliding out from the gap under the door. But by the time he makes it outside, the buses are gone. What few kids are still around are the ones being picked up in cars by their parents.

Mike sighs to himself. He should find a teacher and get them to call his mom, but he's always been independent, or likes to think he can take care of himself. He figures he'll just walk home. He hears thunder in the distance, but he's not scared.

Hitching his backpack higher on his shoulders in preparation for the long walk ahead, he's about to set off when he notices a boy (or so he thinks) with a shaved head standing in what looks like a hospital gown. It's the oddest sight he's ever seen, but unlike the kids around the stranger who give her weird looks and keep walking, some of them ushered quickly into cars as though they might catch whatever disease she has - Mike feels compelled to act differently. He walks up to the stranger, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. He's never seen the kid before. He clearly didn't go to this school. ]

Hey... Do you need help?

[Eleven turns to him blankly. Someone her age is speaking to her. He actually seems really friendly. It's something she's not used to; Papa can be kind to her, but usually it's immediately before he wants to conduct another experiment on her. She wonders if it will be the case with this boy, but he's in no position to poke and prod her, so he should be harmless.

She does need help. She has no idea where to go or where to hide, she has adults bent on dragging her back to her hell of a home, and she doesn't know who to trust. But how can she vocalize all that? There doesn't seem to be any other options, so she decides to accept his help if he offers it.

The best she can do is nod, so she does meekly.]

[ No vocal response, but she seems to understand Mike at least. ]

You must be cold... [ He takes off his jacket and holds it out to her. He's got one of his knitted sweaters on which is more than enough layers to keep himself warm. ]

Where are your parents? At the hospital? [ He makes a guess judging by what she's wearing. Why else would she be dressed like that? Was she sick? ]

[Eleven looks at his jacket and then back up at him. He's offering her his jacket? Why would he do that? Isn't he cold? Well, she's cold. When he doesn't immediately change his mind, she slowly takes it from him and holds it in her hands. It's still warm from his body heat. With hesitation, she pulls it around her shoulders and sticks her arms through the sleeves. It really does help a lot. It covers much of her hospital gown, and she's noticed that fewer people are staring at her now.

Her parents? Hospital?]

No.

[Her mood sours, though her expression barely changes. She's momentarily forgotten that she needs to hide from Papa. She looks behind her nervously as if she's expecting to be jumped. How does she express that she's in danger?]

No hospital.

[ He wants to ask where her parents are, but the way her mood darkens at the mention of them makes him worry she doesn't have any. ]

You're not from the hospital? [ That confuses Mike. Then why was she dressed the way she was? How odd...

He focuses on getting her help, looking around the school parking lot for a car he recognizes, belonging to his favorite teacher. Where Mr. Clarke parks - his designated spot - is empty. ]

Mr. Clarke must have left already... He's one of the cool teachers. [ The teacher Mike felt most comfortable to ask for help and who he trusted the most. He thinks what to do next. ] Um... maybe you should just come back to my house? Then you can use our phone to call... whoever you need to call. [ Whoever looks after her? ] I think a storm's coming so we should really get a move on.

[He's right. If he and Eleven are going to avoid the rain, they'd better hustle. His house sounds like a much better option than home or a hospital. Honestly, it's the only real option she has.]

Yes.

[She steps closer to him as a sign she's ready to follow him wherever he needs to go. One thing must be clarified, though:]

I don't want to call anyone.

The Childhood Meme

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oh crud now would be a good time for Young Eleven icons

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