something that rhymes!

indie kinda-selective rp blog for jack from mary poppins returns! on a semi hiatus. lamps lit by alex (they/them)

[leeriespeak]

i literally haven’t been here in 3 months oops

basically, my laptop stopped working completely and i kinda lost my muse for jack bc i got a new special interest (yay beetlejuice!)

but mary poppins is still a special interest too! and i’ll be coming back here in the next couple days. i don’t know what i’ll be doing with my drafts, but i might delete most of them... it’s just been so long, yknow?

i hope everyone’s doing ok! see u later <3

[leeriespeak]

ok im popping in just to say that im gonna put this blog on a semi hiatus bc school is killing my muse and my laptop situation isnt getting any better

ill probably post once every couple days if i can manage it, but it might be less often. i miss u all! <3

[leeriespeak]

i was researching the history of street lighting because it accidentally became a hyperfixation and an interesting fact i learned:

before public lighting was widespread, people would hire "link boys" that would carry candles to lead them through the night, because they didn't want to run into criminals. although sometimes the link boys would be criminals themselves and rob them. whoops!

but! another name for a link boy was a... glym jack!! because "glym" meant light!

so new headcanon: one of jack's last names is glym! puerto ricans usually have two, so i was thinking... jack glym santana? i like the sound of it. i also like finally having a hc for his original last name, because although i adore him taking the dawes name from bert, i like the idea that he now has one more thing to keep that's from his parents :')

(although maybe he adds on dawes to the end? like jack glym santana y dawes? i'm unsure if "y" is exactly how you'd add it on but i like that idea too)

i still want to hc him a middle name but that's a long-winded post for another day lol

[thisstableground]

get the hell out of here

[leeriespeak]

lovehurried

“Perhaps we’ll have to see what can be arranged, in that case.” His attempt at matching her tone hasn’t gone unnoticed, and seems to have worked in his favour if her response is anything to go by.

Though it may ultimately have been her idea in the first place, Mary Poppins isn’t quite vain enough to ignore the part Jack had played in it. And while, aloof as she is, she’ll never say it in as many words - she’s proud of him for it. She knows how much he cares for those children (it practically shines out of him), and knowing she was leaving them with someone who would watch out for them nearby had helped to lessen the pang that always came with knowing a job of hers had come to an end.

“They remember what they need.” While her face is as unreadable as ever at first glance, if one were to look closely enough then something deep in her eyes would give away what she has never - will never - say aloud. She loves each and every child she cares for, and leaving them is always bittersweet; knowing that there comes a point where she alone carries the memories of each adventure with her is something she had to come to terms with a long time ago. “That’s the important thing.”

"Yeah..." he says quietly, twisting his fingers together. "Guess so." He glances up to see her face— an expression that would be lost to some people, but Jack knows her well. "I'm glad they'll remember to trip a light fantastic every now an' again."

"It's... I still feel sad, though," he says, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Knowin' that one day the kids'll forget... forget the bowl, an' the balloons, a-an' trippin' the lights." His voice cracks and his eyes are shimmering but he ignores it. "Y'know, I remember, back when I was first livin' with Bert, the Banks kids would always stop by an' look at our chalk drawings. But they just— grew up, I guess. Stopped comin'. One o' the last times they said anythin' to Bert about the drawings was when he drew the sunset, from the roof of a building."

"Jane said somethin' about wishing she could go up an' see what it's like on the roof someday. Bert looked as sad as I've ever seen him. But he smiled anyway and said maybe one day they might. I know he took you an' the kids up for a dance on the roof." He looks at the ground so his hat shields his face. "Is that what I'm gonna have to do when they grow up? Tell 'em nothin' about our adventures together?" he asks. Despite the tears pricking his eyes, he laughs. "I dunno how you do it, Mary Poppins. I don't think I could do what you do for all those kids an' not just mope around feelin’ sad about leaving ‘em.”

[leeriespeak]

@litttlebeast liked for a starter!

Jack hums along to a tune he's making up on the spot. He walks like he's bouncing. Occasionally he does bounce, hopping into the next step and then resuming his usual walk. His arms held a tiny bit outwards like he's trying to balance on a tightrope, but he does his best not to bother anyone else on the street.

Well, sometimes his best doesn't work out. His hand smacks into someone's arm and he turns to them. "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" he says. "I didn't mean to—"

He looks up at their face and his eyebrows furrow. "Hey, don't I know you?" Sometimes it's difficult to remember faces, but he recognizes this one. A grin spreads across his face. "Yeah! I've seen you 'round the park! It’s along my lamplightin’ route, y’see, so I pass by pretty often. My name’s Jack, by the way!”

[leeriespeak]

bluuxhalcyon

Bluu’s face scrunched up into a sullen scowl. “I told the teacher but she tells me to just ignore him cuz he’s got a “crush” on me! But he doesn’t! He just takes my things and throws them in the toilet!” She had learned quickly not to read Cinderella in front of Jimmy, though. The least he did was make fun of her. But in one of his meaner moods, was likely to snatch the book from her and throw it in the trash, or into the toilet, and laugh uproariously as if her frantic efforts to save it were the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

Keeping her head turned away so the nice man couldn’t see the tears that burned her eyes, Bluu sniffled and hugged her stuffed panda close. “But I don’t care. I’ve got Moby. I’m gonna’ bring him to school on Monday so he can eat Jimmy!”

"I'm sorry 'bout your teacher," he says, scratching the back of his neck. "That's a pretty dumb thing to say, 'specially if he's bein' such a jerk to you."

Her head turns away and by her sniffling, he suspects she's crying. It makes his stomach sink unpleasantly. Jack's always been so empathetic. But he chuckles at her words. "Well, I dunno if Moby'd like eatin' Jimmy," he says gently. He holds the back of the panda's head and moves it like it's talking. "Mean kids taste gross!" he says in an overexaggerated silly voice. "Don't make me eat 'em, Bluu! Gimme some pizza instead!"

[leeriespeak]

whew ok im sorta-back! my laptop is still acting up but i’ve been getting more energy to write!! i’ll be posting some drafts tonight!

[leeriespeak]

update: i've been either busy or too exhausted to write these past couple of days. plus, my (5+ year old) laptop keeps acting up and crashing so i'm trying to use it as little as possible, meaning i won't be able to format and publish rp posts more than like, once a day.

i don't know when i'll actively be back here, tbh... my apologies to everyone who's waiting on me for drafts!! i'll try to reply as soon as i can <3

[leeriespeak]

just a lil notice: i’ll be busy for the next few days (and i’ve been busy lately, sorry) because!!! i’m seeing beetlejuice the musical on wednesday!!! i’ve been putting all my time and creative energy into drawing a big poster for the whole cast!

plus, i have a lot of summer homework i need to start soon. rip. i’ll be back thursday or friday!! <3

[leeriespeak]

drecmcrcfters

Another thing that she is very amazed about. He can grab a book just like the other living human. Then her curiosity reminds her of the answer from the psychic she knows of before: sometimes they could use their energy to create a strength to do something. Though, it feels a bit strange since she could see them and communicate with them like an average human. Her mismatched eyes gaze at their hand, holding the book as if it is the most essential object in their life. Then she walks towards the seat beside them as they instruct her to, and sit on the couch.

Bert? First friend? She blinks her mismatched eyes until she hears a whisper of the wind. How they led Bert when they were young (fascinating that they remember their childhood) and how their appearance changed and stopped as they are now. Listening to their story about Bert, she realizes how important he was to them. Then Marzena’s gaze turns to soften from curiosity when they tell her that she is the first one since Bert. So suddenly… They couldn’t have a friend like Bert. Then her hues land onto the book they held. Bert… Might have gone far away, a long time ago. “Was he lost too? Were you all alone after Bert, he…”had gone? At that time, she regrets asking a question.

Jack o’ Lantern? Will o’ the wisp? Her mismatched eyes shine at those terms she knows. “So, then, you are Jack. That’s really wonderful that he gave you a name. I like that name. Some say Will o’ the wisp is the guide of those who lost their ways,” Marzena says softly with a smile, shifting her eyes from the book to them. “I’m Marzena. Some say I’m…—”The nightmare. Though, she swallows those words. “—I’m just… Yeah. I’m just Marzena. So call me Marzena, instead of the lost one, Jack.” Her smile lingers on her lips with a pause. “Then, this book is about you. What was he like? Bert. Did he stay with you for a long time?”

Jack’s eyes brighten when she says their name. They tilt their head at her apparent uncertainty at her own name, but they keep a small smile on their face. They might not be the only one hiding something, after all. Hello, Marzena! the wind sings happily.

I met Bert the same way I met you... He was lost at night, and I guided him here. He was so kind to me, when no one else was. Even when I was a child, people were afraid... They fiddle with the corner of the notebook. I don’t blame them. But I was still lonely... until I met him.

He stayed with me for years. He left sometimes, because he had jobs and other friends, but he was never gone for more than a few days. Jack flips to a page that’s halfway full. All of the following pages are blank. But one day he... left. And he hasn’t returned since then... The lamp’s flame is just a flickering ember, but they turn to Marzena, smiling despite the sadness in their eyes. But... I have you now! You’ll be my friend!

[leeriespeak]

i still have few drafts to do, but like for a starter! or message me if you want to plot first!

[leeriespeak]

i still have few drafts to do, but like for a starter! or message me if you want to plot first!

[leeriespeak]

ofteaandmagic

Oddly enough for a day in London, the weather is rather calm, peaceful even. Usually, everything is dark and gloomy, rain clouds that range from semi-heavy to heavy in grayness take up the very skies; a sight that Mellie has grown all too accustomed to. Yet just because she isn’t a natural-born Londoner, doesn’t mean that the young woman isn’t one. Nevertheless, she enjoys when the sun does decide to peek out from the clouds, pushing any hint of fog to another day.

A black cat that usually keeps himself hidden prances about on the floor by the front window, eventually settling himself down to sunbathe. Just like a cat would. From the blonde’s spot at the counter, she just happens to take notice, smiling a bit as she does so. “Sunnin’ yourself are ya?”

Having conversations, even if they were one-sided–meowing back did count if one really did–were perfectly normal. Any pet owner could very well tell you so. Nevertheless, Mellie would admit to such a thing, that was if anybody that she came in contact with would go about asking. Did they though? Not really ever. These thoughts ran away, along with the black cat at the chime of the bell above the door. “Hullo there! Welcome to The English Garden.”

Jack gives the girl at the counter a big smile and then lets his eyes roam around the shop. “I’ve never been here before,” he says, walking up to the counter. “I’ve passed by lots of times, though. Figured today should be the day I check it out!”

He rocks back and forth on his heels. “Also, there was a cat outside. That’s part of the reason.” He laughs. “He’s a very polite cat. Good with words. Just doesn’t like me, I guess.” Not catching the strangeness of what he just said, he chuckles and gazes at everything behind the counter.

[leeriespeak]

drecmcrcfters

Did her action making them upset? For some reason, Marzena senses their gaze on her hand that tries to touch their upper arm for comforting them but holds it since she realizes they are not a living human. Now her fingers dig into the hemline of her shirt for a moment, she stares at the light after she promises that she would stay for the night.

What surprises her is the light from the lamp after she made her promise. Her gaze glances at a roaring fire before she looks back at them who seems very excited at her word. They seem so happy about my word. Then she thinks how lonely they might have been until they brought her to their home, the home that tells a lot of different stories. Their excitement brings her smile more broaden, glad that she could make them excited at least.

When the wind swirls around her excitedly and ruffles her hair by delivering a message from them, Marzena couldn’t resist but giggle. Then her mismatched eyes lift to see them once again, finding their bright smile with their welcoming phrase. Well, she still needs to get used to their movements and their way of conversations soon since their half-walk and half-glide movement startle her at that moment. With a second of hesitation, she moves her steps to follow after them, towards the bookshelf that contains the old books—covering by dust. Now she wonders if they are reading those books while they are staying here all by themselves?

The lamp dims as soon as their smile drops. “Hey—” She calls them cautiously, not to make them feel upset. Come to think of it, she doesn’t know their name, and they call her ‘a lost one.’ “—Are you all right?” Marzena asks as she follows their gaze to the object—a battered old notebook. Perhaps it is something that contains their memories? “… Is that your notebook?” A pause. “What is it about? Would you like to tell me a story about it?”

It's not mine... They take the notebook carefully. If they lose concentration, they could drop it, and this book is one of their most important possessions. They move over to sit on the couch and pat the seat beside them, gazing at her with unblinking eyes. This belonged to a man called Bert... He was my first friend...

And only friend, they think to themself. But they’re not going to tell her that.

I led him here when I was just a child. My appearance has aged since then, somehow, but then it stopped once I became an adult... They're getting off topic. No use telling her how many years they've been lonely. Bert was kind. He wasn't afraid... He wanted to learn about me and how I worked, because back then, even I didn’t know. He wrote here things that might help me or others who might find me. You're the first one since him to... to be my friend.

They avoid looking at her as they open the notebook. The first page is scribbled on all over, words like "ghost" and "will o' the wisp" and "lamp." One phrase in particular catches their eye. "Some people call it a jack o' lantern." The word "jack" is underlined multiple times. Their eyes soften and they smile a little. He used to call me Jack... I'd never had a name before he gave me one...

[leeriespeak]

me: it’s 1am, i should probably go to bed right n—

my muse, rising from the dead after days of being nonexistent: yes hello i’m back

[leeriespeak]

lovehurried

“If I didn’t know better,” She begins, her tone somehow arch and teasing all at once. “I’d wonder whether you were fishing for another adventure.”

It’s different, with the children she cares for. They forget - they always do - and Mary Poppins knows that is as things should be. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate there being a handful of people with whom she can reminisce; not that she would ever admit to that aloud. To her, being able to speak with Jack (or Bert, even if their visits with one another have been few and far between in recent times) about things past serves as a reminder not only of adventures, but of a job well done.

Adventures always come with lessons, after all.

“Of course I recognise them. I don’t forget things that easily, even if certain others might.”

“Oh, I’d never fish for anythin’ from you, Mary Poppins,” he replies, trying to match her teasing tone. He gives her a bright smile that slightly resembles a smirk. “O’course, I wouldn’t object to receiving some more inspiration.”

His gaze travels to his drawing of the abandoned park. An adventure he’d led himself, a show put on for the Banks children with a lesson packed in for good measure. True Mary-Poppins-style. Not that he’d ever consider himself to be as good as her at leading adventures. And not that he didn’t realize it was all her idea to begin with. Still— it’s one of his fondest memories, leading a parade of leeries down the streets of London, watching the kids follow with wonder in their eyes, knowing that’s it’s him causing that wonder.

Her comment reminds him of those same children. He knows what’s going to happen to their memories. He’s seen it before, in their father and aunt. “I wish they didn’t forget,” he says, his voice more somber than it was a few seconds ago. “Doesn’t it... I dunno, upset you, sometimes? Showin’ them so many wonderful things, then they grow up an’ forget it all?”