Adam άστρο Oceanus, seventh child of the Waylay

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[The Universe Welcomes You]

"The universe is made by the sound of one eye opening. it uses her eyes to see itself to understand, to answer one basic question... why? And those that learned to look back and into their own eyes, can learn to see through the universes eye, and thus see through all other eyes. Therefore my friend, telepathy is no miracle.

For there are seven continents and seven seas, seven colors to a rainbow. Every star will go through all seven colors before it dies, there are seven energy sensors on your body, and seven energy levels to an atom. The things that these all have in common.

Is they resonate with the seven notes of our musical scale."

-The king of cats

_______

A blog for Adam, the seventh child of the Waylay. Son of The Manager at @waylay-managment-2

He is a child created from a fraction of The Manager's soul and formed with curiosity and hope. His soul still so fresh, still hold remnants of his creation. Stardust still clings to him like dew.

So the question is, what's next?

RULES

Absolutely NO nsfw/suggestive asks or content directed towards this blog, the character is a young child about the age of 4 years old. That and the blog surrounds other non nsfw rp blogs.

Add Trigger Warnings to any asks)roleplays that may need it

Please keep in mind that this character is a young child.

tags:

#Adam's thoughts - in character posts not affiliated to any particular roleplay

#roleplay - general roleplay

#mod updates - out of character posts

#loose threads - non roleplay related things that remind me of Adam

#completed - finished roleplay reblog chains

Notes:

This is Adam talking

[This is Adam's will, and action. Nobody but The Manager can hear or understand this.]

*this is also for Adam's actions and description of the world. But I have no name.*

*will you continue on? Or search for meaning elsewhere?*

-continue on. (He will appreciate this). -find meaning elsewhere (good luck on your travels)

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

I ddon't know how you guys did those clean team lineups but here's adams very normal pokemon team

Wil says I can't do that but I think it's just mad

[the-waylay-itself]

I am telling you.

You can't do that.

That is three legendaries, two starters of different types and regions, and an eeveelution. It's absurd.

Adam should be OP as hell. Don't change it.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Y-YOU'RE just m-mad that my Pa-Palkia and Walking wake can do c-cool skateboard tricks aND yours cant!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

I ddon't know how you guys did those clean team lineups but here's adams very normal pokemon team

Wil says I can't do that but I think it's just mad

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Contemplating going through the oc questions doc that Rowan made and answering them for Adam.

[waylay-managment-2]

[This person does not exist]

*choices*

-they don't matter. -dont exist -...

?

“…”

[waylay-managment-2]

[This person does. not. exist.]

*then where is this coming from?*

-you? -me? -you do not exist. .......[error]

“You.”

[waylay-managment-2]

*where did you learn this?*

>I don't know. >I don't know? >^$@&%^$??????[error]

[This (person) does not exist.]

“I don’t know.”

[waylay-managment-2]

[You are overcome with a feeling of oppressive dread.]

[This person does (not) exist.]

*how do you know this?*

-Ive always known. -I dont. -you told me.

“You told me.”

[waylay-managment-2]

[This person does not exist]

*you are overcome a feeling of dread. Is it yours?*

-Yes? > -No?

“Yes.”

[waylay-managment-2]

[This person does not exist.]

“Um….”

[waylay-managment-2]

[This person does not exist.]

“Oh dear…”

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Funny thing I forgot to mention, I gave my dad my phone for something last week and he asked me "why do you have art of you sucking the soul out of me on your screen?"

It's the art of Adam and The Manager that toast drew. It's my home screen... Your bald why did you assume this was you.

[twelve-starry-eyes]

AH AH AAAAH!!!

*Adam comes barrelling from around a corner after hearing your voice in the other room, running into you at full speed with a flurry of feathers*

[You're back!!]

MMM!!

*feathers on his wings scatter to the floor with each excited flap*

[You've been gone forever!!]

*it has been two days*

-adam @seventhnoteoftheuniverse

Now there's the little chickadee! *I pick him up with a spin and an excited grin* You'll never guess who else is back! *JJ, ever the loyal rodent, peaks out from under my hat. And it seems I have a new canine friend sniffing Adam's foot too!*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WIAH!!

*he excitedly squirms in your arms, waving at J.J. before twisting around to look at the new friend with wide eyes*

[I point at the (canine)]

What?

[what(who) is that?]

[I want to pet her]

*he reaches down to reach her, though he's up too high to reach the coyote from where he's held*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I set him down, where Selena curiously sniffs his hand* Remember what I've told you about new animals? We have to be slow and gentle, even if it's someone's pet.

*Selena sits in front of Adam, tail thumping against the floor. Her hind leg is bandaged

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*a few feathers are stuck to your shirt as you set him down*

Mhm!

[I gently pet her head after she finishes sniffing my hand. Looking down at he bandaged leg.]

*he points at the leg, concerned*

W-What hap-pened?

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*Selena takes his friendliness as an invitation, rushing up to lick Adams face happily* She was born with a bag leg and it was slowing her down, so we decided that for her saftey and happiness, to amputate the leg. now me and her match! *I pull up my left pant to show the wooden shin above my boot*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WOAH!

*he looks between your leg and the Coyote's missing leg with wide eyes*

[That's new]

C-Can I m-match?

[I point at my own leg, I want to be like (you)]

*oh dear*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*Oh fuck.*

Kiddo. It isn't fun, losing a leg. Theres a lot I'd do to get it back, and Selena here never got to know what it's like to have four good legs. Her own family left her behind because of it.

you got... 6? Six good limbs, and you shouldn't be rushing to replace em. *I put his shed feathers into his hair, so they stick out*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Wah!

*he giggles at the newly placed feathers, shaking them out along with a few from his wings. Speaking of, his wings seem to be losing more feathers than usual.*

[I look at my arms and wings, holding my arms out as I count my own (limbs)]

[then I look at Selena with a furrowed brow and a frown]

B-But why wo-would they get rid o-of her?

[I look back up at you with wet eyes]

Y-You aren't g-gonna b-b-be left b-behind??

[twelve-starry-eyes]

No, no, no, honey. Animals can't care for eachother the way we do, they can't heal broken bones, or make crutches. For them... they have to fight to live.

But us? We have all these amazing things that let us take care of everyone else. And trust me, no one here could ever be left behind. Remember right before dad came back, how Wil and I made sure to find you? How you fought me in order to make sure that Wil would be safe?

None of could leave eachother behind.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[nobody left behind (care for each other)]

Uhuh! S-So we help!

*he nods, looking back at Selena to pet her again.*

's good! I care b-boit you!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

I care about you too, Adam. That's the whole point of family. Humans are empathetic, compassionate, and kind. We have the tools and knowledge to help the other beings we share our existance with, Because it is in our ability, and we care enough.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[I have the tools to be (compassionate)]

I help Y-You then!! Wh-When I'm B-BIIIG!!

*he stretches his arms up and out along with his wings trying to make himself look larger than he very apparently is*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

You already are a big help around here. I know that I can trust you to keep an eye on Wil and all of our other siblings when I leave, and to be the cutest thing in the whole pocket dimension!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ah-Ad-doreble!!

I c-can be BIG help!

Mhm! Mhm!

[I grab your hand and tug you down the hall]

Ah! Ah! I sh-show everyone so I know!

See e-everyone!

[show you everyone I know!]

*it's somewhat unclear as to what he means by this, but seems adamant on dragging you to where he's going*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

Ope-

*I follow along, more than happy to humor a child, Selena pressing against Adam. Did I just lose my dog?*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he drags you to his little art place within his bedroom, where he seems to have taped up several dozen drawings up on a blank part of his wall. All of them drawings of people he's met so far.*

[I hope up and point to the (two) pictures of you.]

M-Meet EV-EVERYone!!

*he points to your drawing(s) specifically, two similar in color but different when put next to each other. It's you, and the smaller you who Adam had met. Oh and also JJ and a beetle in a third drawing sitting next to each other*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*My memories of being a little kid here are hazy, but the art makes me smile just the same.* I think we got a little Da Vinci here! This whole place is full of artists!

*I pull out a near finished carving. It's a squirrel!* Watch this. *I make the last few cuts to define the face, before holding it out to Adam* And there ya go. Your own JJ.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he gasps and takes the little wooden squirrel in his hands, looking at it with wide eyes*

's lit-tle!!

*he says this as he holds the wooden squirrel up next to the real one*

Friends!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*JJ looks at the carving, before trying to reach to grab it. I tha fully pull him away* Now you know that ain't food! I'm trusting Adam is just old enough that it isn't a choking hazard for him either.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ch-Chok-ing?

Naww

*he sounds very confident in this, and makes his way to set the little wooden squirrel next to his bed. I don't think he understands what a choking hazard is despite the toddler confidence he speaks with*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

now that's very good to hear. *Selena is definitely taken with Adam, jumping on the bed as soon as he hears it, tail thumping loudly against the covers.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ah!!

[giggling, I hope up onto the bed too to pet her.]

P-Puppyyyy!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

She's a coyote! They're like the smaller, more wild cousins to Coco! they're out in the prairies

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Oohh

C-Cyotee!

*Adam wraps his arms around Selena*

I-I small t-too!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

She's only four months, so she's even smaller than most!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

I-I'm fourr!!

*he holds up his hand, showing five fingers*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I curl his finger down to match* she's basically four in dog years! you two match!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WOAH!!

*he pats Selena on the head and whispers*

We match!!

*he buried his face in her fur, hugging the small Coyote close.*

F-Fluffy.

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I need a camera like Wil's, so I can show dad the cutest thing I've ever seen.*

*Selena leans back to lick Adam's head* I'm starting to think you need to meet Coco soon.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[have I met (Coco)?]

*no*

C-Coco?

Ah!

*he makes a face at the wet dog tongue licking his head, ruffling his feathers with a giggle. He then also tries to lick Selena's head, only to recoil at a tongue full of fur.*

Bleegh

[twelve-starry-eyes]

So I think you learned a new lesson, dogs have hair! *i probably did the exact same thing at one point as a kid, honestly. But its hilarious watching it*

Coco is a Rottweiler I brought here a long while ago, she's as smart as a pillow and just as soft.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Rotweeler.

[I like soft things]

S-Seleena p-pillow!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*My back hits his bed, where I can see Adam and Pet Selena's chest. JJ uses the oppertunity to get closer to Adam, watching him to see if he'll get attention too.* Most animals are

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*Adam doesn't hesitate to share his attention between the two animals, petting Selena while giving JJ little scritches.*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*While he is distracted, I take the time to get out the molted feathers still tucked into his wings. Has no one else noticed yet, or has it just started?*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*in the small bald patches where feathers have already fallen off, there are tiny spiky pin feathers starting to emerge from his wings.*

[I look back at you curiously to see what you're doing, wings shifting with my movement]

Mm?

[twelve-starry-eyes]

Preening you, buddy. Making sure yer new feathers grow in nice and comfy! *I start breaking the thin membranes with my nail, like I did chickens back at me and mama's house.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*the ones that are ready crack and pull off easily, this seems to have started a bit ago considering how many have grown in.*

P-Preen? Mm!

*his wings flutter as the first sheath is pulled off the new feather, he's still trying to twist around to see what you're doing*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

Mhm, most brids need help when their new feathers come in because they can't reach them, so they ask their family to help them get the little sheaths off of them because it gets really itchy and uncomfortable!

I don't think anyone's seen ya start molting yet, or has realized you would.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ohhh

I 'on wanna b-be itchyy

Y-You molt I can P-Preen!!

*he twists around fully to reach up towards your head*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Fun fact for anybody who doesn't know, I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself I don't know if/who I've mentioned this to

But anywho, fun fact, I started writing Adam (or I suppose the anons that proceeded his actual character) amidst a mental spiral at stupid late/early at night and it's a miracle he turned out this way (as in, not really an angsty character)

[twelve-starry-eyes]

AH AH AAAAH!!!

*Adam comes barrelling from around a corner after hearing your voice in the other room, running into you at full speed with a flurry of feathers*

[You're back!!]

MMM!!

*feathers on his wings scatter to the floor with each excited flap*

[You've been gone forever!!]

*it has been two days*

-adam @seventhnoteoftheuniverse

Now there's the little chickadee! *I pick him up with a spin and an excited grin* You'll never guess who else is back! *JJ, ever the loyal rodent, peaks out from under my hat. And it seems I have a new canine friend sniffing Adam's foot too!*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WIAH!!

*he excitedly squirms in your arms, waving at J.J. before twisting around to look at the new friend with wide eyes*

[I point at the (canine)]

What?

[what(who) is that?]

[I want to pet her]

*he reaches down to reach her, though he's up too high to reach the coyote from where he's held*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I set him down, where Selena curiously sniffs his hand* Remember what I've told you about new animals? We have to be slow and gentle, even if it's someone's pet.

*Selena sits in front of Adam, tail thumping against the floor. Her hind leg is bandaged

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*a few feathers are stuck to your shirt as you set him down*

Mhm!

[I gently pet her head after she finishes sniffing my hand. Looking down at he bandaged leg.]

*he points at the leg, concerned*

W-What hap-pened?

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*Selena takes his friendliness as an invitation, rushing up to lick Adams face happily* She was born with a bag leg and it was slowing her down, so we decided that for her saftey and happiness, to amputate the leg. now me and her match! *I pull up my left pant to show the wooden shin above my boot*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WOAH!

*he looks between your leg and the Coyote's missing leg with wide eyes*

[That's new]

C-Can I m-match?

[I point at my own leg, I want to be like (you)]

*oh dear*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*Oh fuck.*

Kiddo. It isn't fun, losing a leg. Theres a lot I'd do to get it back, and Selena here never got to know what it's like to have four good legs. Her own family left her behind because of it.

you got... 6? Six good limbs, and you shouldn't be rushing to replace em. *I put his shed feathers into his hair, so they stick out*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Wah!

*he giggles at the newly placed feathers, shaking them out along with a few from his wings. Speaking of, his wings seem to be losing more feathers than usual.*

[I look at my arms and wings, holding my arms out as I count my own (limbs)]

[then I look at Selena with a furrowed brow and a frown]

B-But why wo-would they get rid o-of her?

[I look back up at you with wet eyes]

Y-You aren't g-gonna b-b-be left b-behind??

[twelve-starry-eyes]

No, no, no, honey. Animals can't care for eachother the way we do, they can't heal broken bones, or make crutches. For them... they have to fight to live.

But us? We have all these amazing things that let us take care of everyone else. And trust me, no one here could ever be left behind. Remember right before dad came back, how Wil and I made sure to find you? How you fought me in order to make sure that Wil would be safe?

None of could leave eachother behind.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[nobody left behind (care for each other)]

Uhuh! S-So we help!

*he nods, looking back at Selena to pet her again.*

's good! I care b-boit you!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

I care about you too, Adam. That's the whole point of family. Humans are empathetic, compassionate, and kind. We have the tools and knowledge to help the other beings we share our existance with, Because it is in our ability, and we care enough.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[I have the tools to be (compassionate)]

I help Y-You then!! Wh-When I'm B-BIIIG!!

*he stretches his arms up and out along with his wings trying to make himself look larger than he very apparently is*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

You already are a big help around here. I know that I can trust you to keep an eye on Wil and all of our other siblings when I leave, and to be the cutest thing in the whole pocket dimension!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ah-Ad-doreble!!

I c-can be BIG help!

Mhm! Mhm!

[I grab your hand and tug you down the hall]

Ah! Ah! I sh-show everyone so I know!

See e-everyone!

[show you everyone I know!]

*it's somewhat unclear as to what he means by this, but seems adamant on dragging you to where he's going*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

Ope-

*I follow along, more than happy to humor a child, Selena pressing against Adam. Did I just lose my dog?*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he drags you to his little art place within his bedroom, where he seems to have taped up several dozen drawings up on a blank part of his wall. All of them drawings of people he's met so far.*

[I hope up and point to the (two) pictures of you.]

M-Meet EV-EVERYone!!

*he points to your drawing(s) specifically, two similar in color but different when put next to each other. It's you, and the smaller you who Adam had met. Oh and also JJ and a beetle in a third drawing sitting next to each other*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*My memories of being a little kid here are hazy, but the art makes me smile just the same.* I think we got a little Da Vinci here! This whole place is full of artists!

*I pull out a near finished carving. It's a squirrel!* Watch this. *I make the last few cuts to define the face, before holding it out to Adam* And there ya go. Your own JJ.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he gasps and takes the little wooden squirrel in his hands, looking at it with wide eyes*

's lit-tle!!

*he says this as he holds the wooden squirrel up next to the real one*

Friends!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*JJ looks at the carving, before trying to reach to grab it. I tha fully pull him away* Now you know that ain't food! I'm trusting Adam is just old enough that it isn't a choking hazard for him either.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ch-Chok-ing?

Naww

*he sounds very confident in this, and makes his way to set the little wooden squirrel next to his bed. I don't think he understands what a choking hazard is despite the toddler confidence he speaks with*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

now that's very good to hear. *Selena is definitely taken with Adam, jumping on the bed as soon as he hears it, tail thumping loudly against the covers.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Ah!!

[giggling, I hope up onto the bed too to pet her.]

P-Puppyyyy!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

She's a coyote! They're like the smaller, more wild cousins to Coco! they're out in the prairies

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Oohh

C-Cyotee!

*Adam wraps his arms around Selena*

I-I small t-too!!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

She's only four months, so she's even smaller than most!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

I-I'm fourr!!

*he holds up his hand, showing five fingers*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I curl his finger down to match* she's basically four in dog years! you two match!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

WOAH!!

*he pats Selena on the head and whispers*

We match!!

*he buried his face in her fur, hugging the small Coyote close.*

F-Fluffy.

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*I need a camera like Wil's, so I can show dad the cutest thing I've ever seen.*

*Selena leans back to lick Adam's head* I'm starting to think you need to meet Coco soon.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[have I met (Coco)?]

*no*

C-Coco?

Ah!

*he makes a face at the wet dog tongue licking his head, ruffling his feathers with a giggle. He then also tries to lick Selena's head, only to recoil at a tongue full of fur.*

Bleegh

[twelve-starry-eyes]

So I think you learned a new lesson, dogs have hair! *i probably did the exact same thing at one point as a kid, honestly. But its hilarious watching it*

Coco is a Rottweiler I brought here a long while ago, she's as smart as a pillow and just as soft.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Rotweeler.

[I like soft things]

S-Seleena p-pillow!

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*My back hits his bed, where I can see Adam and Pet Selena's chest. JJ uses the oppertunity to get closer to Adam, watching him to see if he'll get attention too.* Most animals are

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*Adam doesn't hesitate to share his attention between the two animals, petting Selena while giving JJ little scritches.*

[twelve-starry-eyes]

*While he is distracted, I take the time to get out the molted feathers still tucked into his wings. Has no one else noticed yet, or has it just started?*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*in the small bald patches where feathers have already fallen off, there are tiny spiky pin feathers starting to emerge from his wings.*

[I look back at you curiously to see what you're doing, wings shifting with my movement]

Mm?

[twelve-starry-eyes]

Preening you, buddy. Making sure yer new feathers grow in nice and comfy! *I start breaking the thin membranes with my nail, like I did chickens back at me and mama's house.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*the ones that are ready crack and pull off easily, this seems to have started a bit ago considering how many have grown in.*

P-Preen? Mm!

*his wings flutter as the first sheath is pulled off the new feather, he's still trying to twist around to see what you're doing*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Here's a thought: all of the bird children's molt ends up accidentally lining up so everyone is shedding feathers at the same time and they're all over the waylay.

It's funny to think about the manager and patrons having to deal with so many feathers.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*The time on the Waylay's clocks read 6 o'clock sharp. A light tapping on Adam's door.*

Good morning, Adam. Are you awake yet?

-🏠 @the-waylay-itself

[no]

*you can hear the shuffling of blankets and a whine from behind the door*

Mmm!

[too early, go away!]

[the-waylay-itself]

I'm taking that "Mmm!" for a "Yes", then.

*Wil let itself in. It walked across the room, past the shrouded curled up form on the bed, all the way to the window. It pulled the curtains open.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Waaaaghhhh!!

*He kicks his legs and flips over away from the window*

N-Nooooooo

[I did not say that]

[the-waylay-itself]

[And I did (not) ask.]

You can't stay in bed all day, Adam. I am your elder sibling, and as such, it is my responsibility to enrich you with activities that will one day teach you how to run the Waylay with me. This means I have planned extracurriculars. Starting today, we are going to be working as a team to become dad's successors.

*Wilhelm's hands were planted on its hips, looking at Adam over the bed.*

Do you understand?

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Mmmmm no

*he hid under the covers stubbornly*

[I will move (later)]

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil paused.*

We're going to go outside. Play with sticks and bugs today.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he peaks his eyes just over the covers*

B-Bugs?

[the-waylay-itself]

[I have your attention.]

Bugs. Moss. Rocks! I'm really excited about this.

*Wil pulled the covers off with a big swish.*

When I go camping in his world with Jackson, I'm going to need to be ready to handle all of it. Simply put, I don't spend enough time in nature. And you don't spend enough time with me, to learn how to be an expert Waylay hostess. So, we're killing two birds with one stone. We're both going outside, experiencing nature together, and we'll both come back having learned something new. Sound fair?

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

woh

*He sits up from his bed. His sheets are covered in loose back feathers from sleeping.*

J-Jacks-sonn? Why.

[why are you leaving with Jackson?]

[the-waylay-itself]

Because he wants to show me his life there. And I believe understanding it will better my abilities as a staff member of the Waylay.

*Wilhelm rummages through his closet. Anything suitable for light hiking through the woods.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*there was a t-shirt, a pair of shorts, enough clothes to make an outfit for outside*

Oh c-can I come! I w-wanna see!

[the-waylay-itself]

When you get older, you can. For now, it's a grown up trip, and you're too little to come. That's why we're practicing now, though.

*It pulled the clothes out of the closet and laid them out for him.*

Come on, get dressed. We'll have a quick breakfast on the way out, and then we'll be exploring today.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Mm not l-little.

*he grumbled, and then proceeds to wrestle his appropriately small sized clothing on and grabs your hand once he's ready*

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil could help but smile.*

Littler than me.

*They crossed through the Waylay's main area. It hoisted Adam up onto a table already set for them. Their plates were filled with fruits, greens, and nuts, as well as a side cup of yogurt. There was also a lunchbox of peanut butter sandwiches packed to go.*

Eat up. You'll need this to be big and strong.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he immediately takes a handful of nuts to eat*

[crunchy]

Mm! Mm!

[I take a handful of fruit with my other hand and iffer it to you]

[the-waylay-itself]

I have my own, thank you.

*Wil picks up a bunch of leaves and fruit slices with a fork. Takes a mouthful of that.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Mmm

*he yawns and puts the fruit in his mouth instead, looking around at the early bar with still sleepy eyes*

[the-waylay-itself]

*Not many patrons were up yet. In this section, the kids had the place to themselves. The music was a soothing jazz to help folks wake up for the day.*

So, Adam. What do you know about insects? Arachnids. Arthropods of various kinds, really.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

MM!

B-Beetle!!

[(little) Jackson had a beetle]

's leg t-tick-kles!! Scscsc

*he mimics the motion of a bug crawling up his arm with his hands*

[the-waylay-itself]

You met him, too?

*Wil mused over its cup of Greek yogurt. It had granola and honey spun across the top.*

Then you know exactly what I'm talking about. We need to acquaint ourselves with more bugs to be like Jackson.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

YES!!

[I want to be (like) Jackson]

Buggss!!!

[the-waylay-itself]

*That was one way to get the point of this exercise across, at least. It was a lot more than that. Wil wanted to know it could walk over a forest floor with its cane. It needed to prove that it could live rough for a little while. And, most importantly of all, Adam and Wil really must learn to cooperate. If there's to be any hope they can co-host the Waylay one day, they need to get started now.*

*The fate of the Waylay depends on it.*

[(No) pressure.]

*Wil swallowed down its breakfast.*

Are you feeling full? You need a good meal before we start the day. But of course, I've planned provisions in case we get hungry later. I want our full undivided attention on our mission.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

ahuh! M-Miss-ion! For b-bugs!

*he holds his hand out so you can let him off the table, though his hands are now sticky from the fruit and granola*

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil raised an eyebrow. It grabbed a cloth napkin and dabbed it in a water glass. Pinched Adam's little fingers to wipe them clean.*

I know you're probably just going to get dirty again... But please let us start off clean at least. There, you're all better now.

*It scooped him and set him down on the ground. Grabbed the lunchbox and its bag.*

Ready?

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Mhmm!!

Wanna see b-bugss!!!

*he's excitably jumping up and down now. Clearly having fully woken up now with the new energy and impatient tugging on your sleeve*

[the-waylay-itself]

Bugs.

*Wil agreed. It led the bouncing boy by the hand to the door that goes outside. It was a beautiful day, like it always, always was. But Wil let Adam stand in the doorway for a moment to enjoy it.*

Do you... like this, Adam?

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

whuh?

[I look up and consider you for a moment]

[I am... (impatient)]

*he grabs your hand and tries to tug you outside with him*

Mmmm!!! Buuggss c-come ooonnnn!! B-Bugs! Bugss!!

[the-waylay-itself]

Bugs! Gah, yes, bugs! We're going now.

*Wil stumbled after him, the cane barely more than a suggestion in order to keep up. Its knees would thank it later, it was sure.*

*It tried to keep its little brother on the path. The woods weren't expected to be dangerous. But anything could happen to a young boy who doesn't know better. Wil would keep him safe. Its eyes scanned their surroundings.*

I'll leave it up to you, Adam. Would you like to see the bugs at the flower patch up ahead, or in the pond to our left?

-Pollinators?

-Striders?

[I am learning (too)]

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[striders]

*he points to the pond and tugs you that way before darting past towards the water*

Mmm! Th-That! P-Pond!!

*he has to climb over a particularly impeding fallen log on the path, a log that for most people could be easily climbed over, though he is much too small to do this with ease. small wings flap as he tumbles over the other side with a quiet 'oof' though the dirt on his hands and knees doesn't dissuade him from continuing ahead*

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil leverages its cane to hop over. It's impressed it worked so neatly. The child rushes over to the pond, racing Adam.*

Not too fast. Wait for me!

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Nuh uh! Nuh uh!

*he giggles, though his legs are too little to properly keep up without tripping over branch and tree root along the path*

[I am (small)]

[the-waylay-itself]

[Yes (I know)]

*Wil stops to help him up. Brushes dirt and moss off his shirt.*

If you get hurt, we have to go back inside. Okay? Slow down and we can see the buggies.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

*he nods but it's clear he's only partially listening because he's still trying to rush towards the pond, though he does take more time to look where he's walking*

*the pond itself is a dark color with floating Lilypads and small blooms of algae at the top. The green ripples across the surface with a gentle breeze, blowing leaves across the dark surface*

Woaahh

[I point]

P-Pond!

[the-waylay-itself]

It is.

*Wilhelmina sits on a rock near the edge. Clearly, cardio should be added to the to-do list of things to train in. Or else it will keep getting winded chasing its brother like this*

Adam, did you know that there are bugs that live on the water? I read about them in a book. Their feet are so little, they can stand and walk on ponds like these.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

little?

[I am (little)]

*he takes one very confident step towards the water of the pond... and promptly fall into the cold murky water with a yelp*

AH!

[Cold!]

*his wings flap as he stands up, sputtering and spitting dirt from his mouth*

Bbbffttt!! Blegh!

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil suppressed a groan. Bit its lip so it could focus on dragging Adam back out.*

That wasn't very smart, now was it?

*Luckily, it had packed towels. It dried up Adam's front and face. The mud came off, mostly.*

In any case, you're going to scare the bugs away. They're very little, even littler than you. They get scared easily. Bugs like it when people are quiet, and sit still to watch. Otherwise, they'll think we're going to squash them and run away.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Oof

Mmm!! Not G-Gonna squash!!

[I want to look (closer)]

[the-waylay-itself]

Okay. Then let's tiptoe closer. Carefully.

*Wilhelmina had a hand on Adams chest, balancing him as they both leaned over to peer across the water. Pond ripples settled until the whole of it was quiet again.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[i watch carefully for movement on the water, the murkey blue-green beown reflects in my eyes, making them appear dark.]

*after several quiet moments pass, ripples start to skate across the water. Fleeting movement of invertebrates flit across your vision.*

*at first it's only a few, but the longer you two look the more movement of tiny creatures fills your vision. A miniature ecosystem playing out before your eyes so lovingly constructed by time and happenstance*

[the-waylay-itself]

[!!!]

*Wil peered cautiously over the pond. Its cane dug into the mud of the bank. Its voice was just short of breathless, in awe.*

Look at that, Adam... Do you see how the fish and the bugs swim together? A lot of them like to eat plants. But when they die, those animals settle into the soil and become rich fertilizer for their roots.

We don't often see that part because... [We are (in) the Waylay], but the final step that most people don't see and we do are the souls departing from the bodies and coming here. Or some other place like it. I think we are lucky for that. In my opinion, it's the best part of death.

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Huh.

[I am (perplexed)]

[it's all a cycle (of life and death)]

W-What b'bout us? We b-become soil?

*he reaches down to trail his fingers across the top of the cold pond*

[the-waylay-itself]

*Wil tilted its head this way. Then that. How do you explain to a godling that yes, they could, but no, they wouldn't likely ever need to. Their dad would make sure of that.*

That's a good question. Would you want to?

It's not a very exciting existence, I think. Lots of lying around and being stepped on by people and animals. And bugs. That's not even to mention the roots growing through you. Or the water that would make its path in your gaps.

*It tapped its foot on top of the soil. It made a faint shoe print where the dirt became mud from being near the pond.*

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

[not (exciting?)]

*he lays his head down and runs a clawed hand over the soil, digging his nails into the cool dirt.*

[it's damp and clumps up under my hand, thousands of tiny specks forming the whole of what I stand on]

[to let roots grow into (and become) my veins. (Water my blood)]

[I'd like to become the water (of the pond)]

[holding the weight of algae on my back (holding the weight of others upon the surface)]

[soaking into dry soil (fulfilling my role only to return in cycle)]

I c-could be water a-and dirt!

[the-waylay-itself]

*It raised an eyebrow at him.*

... Sure. You could be water and dirt. If that would make you happy, I suppose.

*Wilhelm had an idea. One which it cringed at. It might regret this. But it wouldn't know unless it tried.*

*Hobbling over the uneven ground, it found a rock to sit on. One foot propped up over the other knee. Wilhelmina peeled its shoes and socks off. The socks were folded neatly inside the shoes, which rested safely on a rock shelf beside it. Then its toes—wriggling, clenching—touched down on the damp soil. It gasped.*

Gah—it's cold! Adam!

[Apologies (that was a reflex)]

[seventhnoteoftheuniverse]

Whahh???

*he startles at you calling out his name so suddenly but then catches onto what you are doing and following suit by struggling with his shoes and peeling his socks off*

[I set my foot down only to dig it deeper into the damp soil (grounding my center)]