riverview | ( video | o1 ) un: blink.

( The feed starts with a wobble, Clarice ignoring the swoop of fear and nausea that washes through her to tighten her grip on her phone. )

Hi.

( She smiles, and it looks easy even though it's not. She's made no effort to hide her mutation, unnaturally green eyes bright in the light of her apartment, pink mark over one of them. The only thing that isn't obvious are her ears, and the fact that she can rip holes in space. But she's trying to look approachable. She's sitting cross-legged on the floor, her back to the couch. Her free hand moves restlessly, seems to be petting something off camera as she gears up to speak. )

Um, my name's Clarice. I got here a couple of months ago, and I figured now would be a good time to say hey and maybe ask some questions. ( Blowing out a breath. She can do this. ) I've noticed that some of us - the displaced - are a little young, and it got me wondering if anyone had set up something to make sure they're being properly cared for? Not like a foster home, because we've all been given beds and sh --. Stuff. ( Motherfucker. ) But more for emotional support? One of those big brother-slash-big sister schemes. Making sure they're safe, or uh, that they're eating proper food instead of candy bars. Or even just to talk. Because it's hard enough for anyone ending up here, but I know I would have been freaked out as a kid.

( Another pause, and then --. )

Actually, I've been through the whole world turned upside down high school thing, so even if there's not and anyone wants to talk about it, or just have someone to rant to? My phone's always on me. And if I'm not good enough then there's always Zingo. ( She angles the camera now to take in the dog sitting at her side. ) Who is definitely a good judge of character and requires so many hugs. You'd be doing me a favour. My arm's getting sore.

( There, she's done, she's made it through the broadcast and can now panic a little off-screen. ) Okay, thanks!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You know, even with the case workers, I'm not sure it's a bad idea to think about setting up something more informal. I mean, I'm sure they're very good at their jobs but getting used to this whole other world thing is rough enough even without being a kid.

[After all, who's to say the case workers are even trustworthy and even if they are, that's not to say kids from entirely different worlds are going to trust them.]

So I guess...it seems like you've got this covered but if I can help at all, let me know?

Actually, I have no idea what I'm doing.

( It's said with a slight huff of bewildered laughter. )

I'm pretty sure I just accidentally signed myself up for it though. Which is fine, I'm not complaining, I want to help as much as I can? I just don't know how to go about it.

( It might not be that hard. There could be a club. Or a group. Or one of those pair-up schemes, but she'd definitely have to work it unofficially. She doesn't have any qualifications. )

Oh! Well then maybe I can help. I don't have a lot of experience in dealing with kids but strategy, I can do. Maybe if we figure out where the case workers are struggling that might give us a better place to start?

[She's young, but she was student council president and strategist for the Phantom Thieves. She figures that has to be of some use at least.]

Yeah, tracking them down might be a good start. At least they can tell us what not to do, if I get the go ahead with this thing. I want to make sure it's safe. But also pretty chill. I would have hated anything that felt like the adults were watching or judging me. Maybe just something where there can be a weekly activity, and then getting to know everyone so if they have problems and need help they know who to talk to?

( That feels the most important thing. )

Mmm. That doesn't sound like a bad idea. Especially if we can get some more of the older teenagers on board too. I could ask around at the university, maybe?

[She knows technically she's an adult now but maybe she's still young enough, even if she was never much good at being a kid even when she was one.]

My name's Makoto Niijima. Once you get some more information or if there's anything you need help with, please let me know.

That'd be really great. Like I don't want it to be overbearing or feel like a school? I just want to make sure they have someone to turn to.

( And if it's just Clarice being pseudo-aunt to everyone than so be it. )

But thanks Makoto, I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully it'll be easy enough. And it's nice to know it's not a completely crazy idea. Which helps.

Not at all. It's one of the most sensible ones I've heard since I got here, honestly.

[There's a reason she tends not to hit up the network very often.]

But you're right. We make it too serious and it'd just be like having more case workers on their backs.

Right? And I want to avoid that as an adult, so it definitely needs to be something more chill. People are more likely to open up without pressure attached to it.

( But score one for her being sensible, she guesses. She just wants to help, and this feels like a good place to start. )

That's true. It's...something I've been trying to work on, actually. The whole, not coming down on people too hard thing.

[And she'd like to even think she's getting there, bit by bit.]

It's definitely a fine line. I just hope I seem like someone who people can tell to chill.

( She can go from extreme to extreme anyway. She knows that. )

Well, you seem approachable enough to me. Maybe we just need a buddy system so we can keep each other in check.

[If they're both worried about the same thing, that seems a way to resolve it, at least.]

A buddy system for the buddy system. You know, I'd be down for that. I'm also trying to do the whole making friends thing while I'm here, so two birds one stone, you know?

( She's so awkward. )

Sounds like a plan. I know that kind of thing isn't always easy.

[She's never been very good at connecting with her peers, but this seems like a good place to start here.]

It's like, the worst.

( She's so goddamn dramatic. )

But I think we'll do all right. And at least now I've got some things to think about and work on now, which is great. This might actually not be the world's most awkward failure.

I think it'll be just fine. It's always nice to have something to focus on.

[She believes in them.]

Thanks. Again. I'll be in touch, yeah?

( Because friends. )

Then I'll wait to hear from you.

[Friends are good.]

( video | o1 ) un: blink.

video; un: lifewillchange

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