DM Entry: Acacia Dreams, Night 2

A small halfling child not yet old enough for schooling, sits alone, playing with toy figures of warriors. As he plays, he mimics voices of the different figures.

An obviously male voice, with overtones of jealousy, "She took it so we couldn't have it."

He picks up another figure, this time creating a snide female voice, "I told you we couldn't trust her."

And again he picks up another figure, making a smug female voice, "I told her if she picked it up again, she'd get a spanking."

Back to the previous toy figure, and the snide female voice, "If she takes it from us again, I'll just kill her. Why did we bring a stupid thief with us anyway?"

Now picking up still yet another toy warrior, with an overly judgmental male voice, "It may come to that. First I'll restrain her with my magic." At this he makes a noise simulating magic powers. "That should hold her still. I agree, she should be punished for trying to steal from us."

Now with the first toy figure again, and the jealous male voice, "Let's see if she tries it again. Dismiss your magic, holy man."

He picks up the judgmental male figure, and gestures with a noise, "There, she is free again. But I'm telling you, she will try again."

The jealous male toy again, "If she tries it again, just kill her. She's not taking my dagger."

Picking up the smug female figure, "It will be my pleasure to kill her. She deserves to die."

The child suddenly stops playing, realizing that Acacia is watching him. He drops his toys and springs to his feet with a big smile, "Hi, mommy! I didn't know you were watching me. I sure can't wait until I'm born. I'll make sure nobody messes with you. They just don't understand. You need that dagger, mommy. I know you do. You love it. There's not another one in the whole world like that one. It's the best dagger ever." He flexes his small little biceps, acting tough, growling like he's trying to intimidate someone. "I won't let them hurt you mommy. I promise."

Then he relaxes and smiles again, "Do you think we can play together when I'm born, mommy? I'll let you play with the girl ones, since you're a girl. And I'll be the boy ones."

He picks up one of the female figures and holds it up to Acacia

Then he bring it back to himself before she can grab the toy, making the smug female voice again, "No, please." He makes a mocking cry with that female voice, "Please, Lucifugus. I promise I'll never hurt your mommy again."

And now with his own voice, a voice too deep and mature for a child of his age, and  certainly not the voice of a halfling, a fiendish menacing voice coated with the heavy tar of wickedness, he squeezes the toy tightly, "You will suffer a thousand ways, mortal. You will learn to respect me when I'm the new Overlord of Hell." At this he breaks the toy in half.

Acacia startles awake.