[Action] Change in Fortune

[lileggplant]

[The little figure is hanging around at the very edge of the town's market square, trying his hardest to be absolutely invisible -- and probably not faring all that well, as a small child in a heavy iron mask isn't exactly subtle. He's also crying softly, audible only at close range -- not full-on sobs, but little shivering, hitching breaths and his one visible eye welling up with tears. This isn't where he was when he fell asleep, and he doesn't know where he is, and after so long spent in dim solitude, the noise and bright sunshine in the market are overwhelming.

He needs to figure out something about where he is -- what has happened to him, where his home has gone, what he's going to do with himself now -- even though the thought of approaching a stranger is frightening.

He looks around, searching for someone who looks unthreatening, or kind, or maybe like they're good at picking locks.

(After all, if he isn't at home, there is no guard with a key who can unlock the lower half of his mask so he can eat. That's important.)]

"U-Um. Excuse me?"

[When he makes his approach, his voice is thin and tremulous.]

"If... if it isn't too much trouble... could you please tell me where this is?"

Comments

I just made up a town name. It's a type of fish.

[babby5]

[Whether she looks kind or good at picking locks is up for debate, but Baby 5 is always happy to help anyone with anything.]

It's no trouble! This town is called 'Parore.'

[But her initial enthusiasm quickly fades into a worried frown.]

Hey.. are you okay?

Sounds good!

[lileggplant]

[Someone his age and size... that's fascinating. There aren't really other children besides his siblings in Germa, and Sanji studies this girl with a quiet fascination that pushes back his fear. She looks... nice. Like a nice person. Like she might be nice to him. And she asked if he's okay. No one does that.]

I'm... lost.

[More to the point, lost with a giant iron mask locked over his head.]

[babby5]

[Lost? Oh! Probably the same as her. Which means he might not know about all the weird stuff going on. She can be useful here.]

Did you get pulled away from where you were before? That happened to me too. It's happening to a whole lot of people.

[She spreads her arms wide to indicate just how widespread this is.]

I was scared too at first, but it's not so bad.

[lileggplant]

Yeah, I did!

[He brightens noticeably with her understanding -- even with the mask hiding most of his features, the crinkle of his eye is visible as the hint of a smile.]

Has it been long since you came here?