velocette | (no subject)

[As usual, he's smoking. And it's not unusual that he's staring at the smoke like he's been hypnotized, but he's smiling more than he has in the years he's been on board.]

You know, I've been so fixated on these things for so many years. On cigarettes, I mean, Kools if I could get them--and it's funny that these are the greyest thing in my life. The single thing that lacks color now. I sort of expected the smoke to be blue...or pink.

I actually stopped seeing color when I was four. I think that was when I stopped believing in God, Santa, and the American Dream. I assumed for a long time that everyone went colorblind (literally, figuratively, whichever) when they got old enough to be cynical. But I came here and I met a real muse, and I've realized that I was mostly wrong.

I wonder what the rest of you lost when you stopped being kids? I don't expect many of you will answer, since most of you are understandably very sensitive about your pasts, but it's a real question. What did you lose when you grew up?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Is it a rite of passage? Eleven's an important age for us, too.

I'm not really sure. Is a vice something you're not supposed to be doing?

Yeah. One of many; none of them are socially accepted by adults, though. What do you do at eleven?

[He grins, shrugs a shoulder] A favorite habit, yes. Something people probably tell you not to do, or look at you funny for.

We go to Hogwarts and learn how to be witches and wizards.

People are going to look at us funny anyway. Why not enjoy ourselves while they do it?

A dream come true, then. For some, anyway. I don't imagine all witches or wizards get in?

If you're in England, you get in. It's compulsory.

No one would stand for it where I'm from. Too many thugs and criminals mingling with normal, well-adjusted children...but with magic thrown on top.

Not many twelve year olds are hardened criminals.

[He smiles, a little wistful, wondering what her neighborhood must be like. Nothing is perfect but, honestly, hers sounds nice.] They are where I live. They have to be. I was thirteen the first time I stabbed someone. I was eleven the first time I saw a boot party. But I've read about other places where that's not the norm; I'd like to visit them, now that I actually know how to be on my best behavior.

What's a boot party?

It's where you get together, beat each other up. Usually just one person gets the worst of it though.

It's as boring as it sounds.

Yes, that does sound pretty terrible. I'm glad we don't do that here.