TIMEWARP: Midnight Circus (Elaine)

[Ethan White]

Set in 2001.

Adam and Lauren don’t usually need babysitters on a daily basis. For one, them being educators meant that ‘late night at work’ doesn’t usually apply to them (though Adam has stayed in school into the wee hours of the morning for a few times already, usually to help a new student adjust or do a quick test review for his soon-to-be-graduates). Also, Lauren works in the school where their two boys study; they basically go home together all the time.

However, them not needing someone to look after their kids frequently doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen from time to time. Take the present weekend for example. Adam was out of the country for two weeks as he participated in a teacher-exchange program of sorts between Hammel and its sister schools. It would’ve been great, had Lauren not been advised the last minute that she had to replace the teacher-proctor for a team of students that they’ll be sending to Chicago for a robotics conference (apparently supposed teacher-proctor caught the flu).

Lucky for them, they’ve built quite the network around town already (they’ve been living in Pilot Ridge for four years already anyway); it also doesn’t help that the town consisted of their former teachers and classmates anyway. Since Lauren leaves early Saturday morning, the three kids were shipped off to Elaine’s house Friday evening. Not that the kids mind it too much; Brea was far too young to disagree (or care much about anything at that), Chris loves being around Morgan and Ethan enjoys Elaine’s cookies. And besides, they’ve been at the Tonaya household a number of times that it’s become a second home to them really.

The White kids fell asleep quite easily, with the two boys curling around each other as their sister slept quietly on the side. In the middle of the night however, Ethan suddenly began moaning and grunting. It continued on for a while, until he finally woke up, his face rather terrified as cold sweat poured down his cheeks. Once his breathing returned to normal, he promptly stood up and walked towards Elaine’s room. (He would’ve gone to the kitchen to grab a glass of milk, but he was rather scared). He knocked three times, hoping he wouldn’t be much of a bother, then spoke, “Mama Elaine. May I sleep with you tonight? I…I…h-had n-night-bad dreams.”

[Elaine Tonaya]

Elaine was happy to take in the three White kids. She'd become good friends with the whole family since they'd moved to town a few years back. Not only were they nice people, but they were also good teachers at her son's school. Morgan hadn't necessarily liked that she was on good terms with his teachers, but it made her feel safer about his education.

It was also fun to watch Morgan around the younger children. He was still such a sweetheart with a heart of solid gold. He simply melted most times around children, and even when he was tired he still tried to find time to play with them at least a little. It gave her a lot of hope for his future as a happy adult.

She didn't want everyone to get too worn out, though, so she fed everyone a nice meal of homemade pizza--always a favorite--and sent the little ones off to bed so that Morgan could go off and do his own thing. She herself only stayed up for a short while watching television before the long day caught up with her and she went to bed herself.

When the door opened in the middle of the night, Elaine's first reaction was to wonder about Morgan. The second instant of awareness made her remember that Morgan was a teenager now and no longer needed her help at night, which made her wonder about burglars. It was only when she heard a tiny voice that she awoke enough to remember the three extra children now in the house.

Glancing at the silhouette in the doorway she thought she identified Ethan. Chris was still a bit shorter, and he had longer hair. But in order to make sure, Elaine stretched across the bed to flick on the lamp on the nightstand.

"Ethan?" she said, sitting up and yawning. "Nightmares, huh? All right then, I suppose you can join me." She flipped back the covers on the bed.

"Would you like something to drink before you go back to bed?" She was already rising, putting on her slippers and standing up to get a drink from the kitchen. "Are Chris and Brea still all right in their room?"

[ooc: sorry it took so long to respond]

[Ethan White]

It wasn’t really much of a nightmare, at least if Ethan had experienced it three or four years later. It involved him running away from a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and in an act of desperation, he jumps off a cliff. He was fairly confident in his dream as apparently he can fly back then. But as the ground gets closer and closer, he just kept on falling. No powers whatsoever. Seemed like he was going to die.

He woke up even before he touched the ground, luckily.

“S-Sorry Mama Elaine,” said the boy, rubbing his nose and promptly sniffing what he thought was snot back to his nasal cavities, “I’m don’t usually have nightmares. It’s usually about me being a Power Ranger. I don’t know why the T-Rex showed up tonight.” He especially loved the Blue Ranger. Mostly because he has a Triceratops with him. Everyone knows ceratopsians trump tyrannosaurids any day.

The child perked up at the mention of a drink. “May I have some cookies too?” Mama Elaine’s cookies are to die for, that’s for sure. He kept bugging his mom to try baking cookies Elaine’s style, but she could never get it right, even if she has like three duplicates helping her. Just one of the reasons why Ethan loves staying over. “I promise I won’t tell Chris,” he grinned.

“They’re good. I looked over them before I went here.” He did check on them before he ran to Elaine, but mostly to see if they’re awake and can help comfort him, not to see if they’re still good. “Brea’s tucked in with Mr. Grumble and Chris’s happily grinding his teeth away.” Apparently he forgot to make him eat a carrot before he slept.

“Did Morgan get nightmares when he was young too?” he asked as he was led out into the kitchen. Like all little boys, he looked up to his teenage peers and admired them religiously. Darryl and Morgan were not exempt from such worship.

ooc:
It's all good. I'm not a fast poster either anyway. XD.
- Jam

[Elaine Tonaya]

"Power Rangers and Tyranosaurus Rexes, huh? Sounds like an eventful evening for you. And a healthy imagination." Which always seemed to meant a person with a lot of potential to get into trouble. Elaine reminded herself to keep an eye on this kid to make sure he didn't get into anything. She also made a mental note reminding herself to get him a Power Rangers toy for his next birthday.

"Sorry, no cookies. It's bedtime. Cookies are for snacks, not for bed." At least, that was her policy with young children who were liable to get hyped up on sugar. Elaine was not opposed to having a few cookies herself before bed. Just none for people who had energy to spare on their own. "A glass of milk will be enough, I think."

She was glad to hear that the other children were still doing well. She nodded and left to go pour Ethan a glass of milk. Her actual intention was that the kid would stay back in the darker bedroom instead of walking around the house, but he trailed her into the cold kitchen. Quickly she poured a glass of milk, slapped a lid on it and tried to usher Ethan back toward the bedrooms.

"Yes, Morgan used to get horrible nightmares. Especially if he didn't have his nightlight. He doesn't like the dark." Yes, there was the potential that Morgan would be upset at her sharing his fears all the time, but she was his mother. She was entitled.

"There you go, just go ahead and finish that up and you can head back to bed."

[Ethan White]

“It is! Before the aliens and the T-rex came along, I was looking for a Blastoise,” exclaimed the ten year-old, happy that Elaine was more than willing to indulge his tales. “You know, the blue turtle Pokemon with big guns that shoot water from his back.” Since his mom has difficulty imagining what a Blastoise looks like and Mama Elaine was roughly her age (at least he thinks she is), Ethan bent just slightly and tried to imitate what a Blastoise looks like, shaping with his hands where he thinks the cannons would be if he were the said Pokemon. “I always wanted a turtle. I love them. But Mom says I can’t have one. Even if I tell her I would take good care of it. I’d give it a pillow and a blanket so he can sleep properly, and even swim in the lake with it.”

Upon hearing Elaine’s decision about the midnight snack, a slight whine escaped Ethan, pouting slightly and looking at Elaine with pleading eyes. “Please? Just one?” He batted his eyelashes and gave Elaine a big grin. It doesn’t really work with his mom, but with his dad it does so might as well give it a shot. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

The boy made a quick sprint when the kitchen came into view, hopping into one of the chairs and playfully moving his legs back and forth as Elaine poured his drink. A small yawn escaped him just as Elaine led him out the kitchen, making the boy rub his eyes as they walked.

“Mama Elaine, did Morgan or Darryl smell funny before their powers appeared?” he asked as he held the glass in his hands. He doesn’t really know what Elaine’s powers are, only that his mom said that she can easily smell if Ethan’s thinking of making trouble. “Do I smell funny to you?”

ooc:
It's a little off. I'm sorry. D;
- Jam

[Elaine Tonaya]

Elaine had no idea what sort of creature Ethan was trying to be, but she humored him. "Wow, you look very menacing. I'm very glad you're not a Blast Horse, or I'm not sure I'd be able to take care of you anymore. I wouldn't let something like that in my house." She patted him on the head. "It's probably for the best that you don't have a turtle. While you would love it very much, it is probably happier being out in the wilderness, eating lots of lettuce instead of being smothered by heavy blankets."

She was used to the puppy-eye attempt and was able to resist it easily. She had to learn immunity to that particular attack with Morgan in the house. "Sorry, no cookies tonight. Ask me in the morning. We'll see if we can make time for you to have one after lunch."

She carefully herded Ethan back toward the bedrooms, though she started a bit at his question. "Well, I wasn't really around when Darryl came into his powers. Morgan didn't smell any different at all until after he manifested. What I smell is not so much about any particular thing about you but more about how you see yourself. That's what defines you, after all. Whatever you think is important, that's what really is what matters. If you spend all your time thinking, though, that the most important thing about you is something that is missing, then you'll miss out on enjoying all the great things you already have."

She had said this last part while paused outside the bedroom the three kids were sharing. "Now, are you done with your milk? I can go ahead and take the cup now. And you should head on inside and go back to bed."

[Ethan White]

“It’s a Blastoise Mama. Blas-toys,” chuckled the boy as he mouthed his favorite Pokemon’s name off to Mama Elaine, “And you’d like it if you see it. I’m sure of it. It can give you a bath even if you’re not in the bathroom!” Oh how Ethan would love that. He could just imagine all the adventures he’d have if he had his own Blastoise. Why can’t ten year-olds go on journeys in real life too anyway? “Lettuce grow on the wild? Mommy buys our lettuce from the supermarket. Are they the same?”

The boy’s shoulders dropped while his cheeks puffed up and his snout became more pronounced when Elaine announced that no cookies would be given to him at such a time of night. Guess he has to think of a different way to entice old women to do his bidding. “Fine,” he grumbled, taking a sip off his milk.

Ethan just looked blankly at Elaine for a bit, rather lost with all the philosophical-esque stuff she’s suddenly told him. “B-but, b-but,” muttered the ten year-old, sniffing his nose for a bit, “Mom can make many Mommies. Daddy can lift cars. They’re awesome. I want to be awesome too.” Morgan can things brighter. Darryl can change and copy things. James can see things. Chase can make you do things. Mama can smell everything. He just feels…weird around all them. “I want to grow wings. Or breathe fire. Or even just crawl on walls.”

The boy obediently tilted his head up to drink up until the last drop, a milk-mustache forming on top of his lips. “All done. Thanks Mama,” grinned Ethan, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

[/justify]
ooc:
Should we start wrapping this up? .
- Jam[/font]

[Elaine Tonaya]

"Mm, sounds like a very useful creature." Elaine knew it was far easier to agree with children, that way the conversation couldn't turn into a debate. Debates could last for hours, and she just wanted to get Ethan back to bed so she could get some more sleep. "Yes, lettuce that grows in the wild is some of the same stuff they sell in the store. But the stuff you mom buys is especially good for people, and there are some grasses in the woods that are very bad for people. So you shouldn't go eating everything you see." Nip that one in the bud. She'd hate to be responsible for the kid chowing down on a poisonous mushroom.

It was apparent to Elaine that Ethan really wanted a superpower someday, but she was careful not to guarantee him something that might never come. It seemed likely that he would have a metahuman power, since it tended to run in families, but nothing could be guaranteed.

"You are awesome, Ethan. With or without the ability to fly or climb walls, or breathe fire--" She hoped he didn't suddenly get that ability, since the clean up was a nightmare-- "you are an awesome kid. Who will be incredibly tired in the morning unless you head to bed now. And tired children have to take naps instead of going on adventures in the woods."

She took the cup from Ethan's hand and wiped his mouth absentmindedly with a thumb. Then she eased open the door to the bedroom. "Shush now. Bedtime now. I'll see you in the morning."

[ooc: Yup, let's get these guys back to bed.]

[Ethan White]

A smug grin crept on the boy’s face when he heard Elaine’s agreement. True, debate with a ten year-old wouldn’t be productive, mostly because Ethan would only have one argument (‘Blastoise are awesome!’) and would not back down ‘till the wee hours of the morning. “It sure is! I’m planning on hunting one when I’m big. Like…when I’m as big as Morgan. I’m sure it’s just hiding around somewhere,” nodded the boy with much conviction. “But turtles don’t get poisoned when they eat those things? How? Are they part Steel-type too?” Because everyone knows Poison-type moves don’t affect Steel-types.

Ethan happily hugged his Mama Elaine when she said he’s awesome. He still wishes he can transform into a twenty-foot dragon once he turns twelve, but as of tonight, he’s good. “Heehee. Thanks Mama,” he chuckled, rubbing his nose lightly on her waist, “I like adventures in the woods. Francis, Ryan and me are going to the lake tomorrow!” He has to remember to grab his bike from his house though; walking from here to there would be hell. Not to mention it’ll take the whole afternoon.

The ten year-old tiptoed a bit and puckered his lips, hoping to give Elaine a good night kiss before he goes to bed. “Good night Mama. Thanks for the milk,” he said as he entered the room, “I can have cookies tomorrow right?”

ooc:
Wrapped for Ethan, I think. Thanks Penneh. <3.
- Jam

[Elaine Tonaya]

"Turtles are shell-types, which means they are immune to most kinds of attacks. They are also wild-types, which means they know what foods are okay to eat and what isn't. You, on the other hand, are a person-type, and also a small-type. When you become a big-type, then you will also know what types of food are okay to eat." She still had no idea what a steel-type was, but that was all right. She had learned long ago to field questions she didn't completely understand.

She smiled as she thought of the three adventurers heading out to the lake the next day and reminded herself to wake up in time to make up some sandwiches for lunch. Then she bent down and let Ethan plant a kiss on her cheek, returning one to him on the forehead.

"You are welcome. And yes, you can have cookies tomorrow, if you go to sleep now." Sandwiches and cookies for lunch, and some juice boxes. And probably some fruit. She closed the door behind Ethan as he went back to bed, and she herself went back to her room to finish off her own sleep. In the morning she still had to look forward to more children to care for, but then, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[OOC: Wrapped]