Find your apprentice day

History

-Can we go now?

-Not yet.

-Now?

-Not yet!

-...

-What?

-What about now?

-Okay,fine. Let's go.

— A kid eager to show off their powers and their parent.

by Unsplash

After struggling to adapt to their new situation families decided to invent a tradition that helped their kids. They needed to find a new sense of stability in their secluded lives. The younger kids wanted to play with others, learn and discover what they could do. Parents wanted them to be happy and safe. The older kids were conflicted because their powers were fading, going away forever and that caused them sadness.

Kids started to gather around in playgrounds in the summer, and adults noticed older kids tried (sometimes in a kind of jealous way) to advise the younger kids how to use their powers. The little ones were awed a what the others could do and attempted to imitate them. Of course, that sometimes ended up in minor accidents, tears and punches. Does this still happen now that this ceremony was established? Absolutely, but less often. Now they apologize and have more clear rules.

Execution

Remember the rules:

-Have fun!

-Protect yourself and others.

-Be patient.

— Kid's oath

by Unsplash (edited)

This tradition has evolved through the years quite a lot. At first, they tried to be solemn, to be serious about the whole thing. But that was boring for the kids. Conflicts didn't decrease. Paying attention to what kids needed was the answer. Now the tradition is held twice a year at the beginning of summer and winter.

Families pick a playground and get together to pair a five-year-old with a kid nine years old. Sometimes they share the same power, sometimes they don't. What's important is they get along and agree to learn from one another. Always under the supervision of their caretakers. Then families chose when and where their kids will meet.

Components and tools

-Why we bother with all this?

-Because kids love it.

-But they destroy it all by the end!

-Yes, that's why they like it.

— Helpers setting up decorations

Decorations are a big part of this celebration. Although the helpers put some effort into quantity they know not to bother about the quality. Every material used must follow a set of attributes: nothing sharp, heavy, or with hard edges. It's a plus if things can be recycled for another purpose.

All kinds of easily removed and destroyable items are set up in the playgrounds or parks: balls, piñatas, paper figures, cotton clouds, fluffy dolls and soft, bouncy items. Part of these things are donated, reused or recycled. This means that nothings look new, but kids are happy all the same because theyt¿ get to play and (smash) everything.

Food is also a big part of this event. Every attendant brings their meals and shares them with the rest. They use this special moment as an excuse to enjoy some fancy foods that are not for everyday consumption: ice cream, cookies and candy. Parents and caretakers prefer not to give this kind of meal to their superpowerful kids because they have the effect to enhance their superpowers. No one wants a super-fast kid going around wreaking havoc for more time than's supposed to.

People argue that maybe getting together all these superpowerful kids and letting them eat all the sugar they please it's not the brightest idea. But after the event, they don't have the energy to use their power for a couple of days.

Participants

-I'll be your partner. Did you already pick your form?

-Yes! I wanna be my hamster!

-That's too tiny. Your mom won't find you.

-I know!

-I see... We are going to have so much fun!

— Mentor (9) and apprentice (5).

Although the families are very involved in getting a mentor for their child, kids have the final say on choosing who they trust to learn or teach, and everyone must respect that.

Most kids already know who they're going to choose before that day because they share other social groups. But sometimes alliances are broken, betrayals happen, there are tears, reconciliations and new friendships forged.

All in a couple of hours.

Everyone leaves that day with someone to share their learning journey. Sometimes there is one or two mentors or two apprentices, and that's fine. No one is left behind.

This is the reason we are here.

— Every adult living In Nyckaneh

Games in this celebration:

• Tag in the sky
• Seek and hide with shapeshifting
• Jenga with Psychokinesis
• Bounce with force fields
• Super fast treasure hunting

Whatever they can or can't do, there is always someone close to help them.

Almost every kid in the town is an only child. This means getting a mentor, and later on, an apprentice helps them bond with people outside their families.

To have powers, in some cases being in danger because of them and flee their homes, grow up isolated, lose their powers when they are older are all challenging experiences. The whole community wants to make sure they help every kid in this journey.