( video | o1 ) un: blink.

[viatorius]

( 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!

Comments

[viatorius]

( There's no real recognition, but Clarice's shoulders do relax a little either way. It's the eyes, as ridiculous as it is to sum a person up into one feature. The eyes make her feel better. )

Yeah, like, I know there's a system and everyone's fed and watered and has a roof over their heads. But that doesn't mean it can't be lonely. And they're just kids. They've got all that other stuff to deal with. Growing up is the worst, through universe travel on top of that and it sounds insane.

( Letting out a breath. )

I just don't know where to start to help. This isn't exactly what I'm good at.

[athiefalways]

[ Remy nods, fully following her point. ]

Oui, and I ain't been to a city in the U.S. that doesn't have a homeless shelter, non? It's the same: food, water, a place ta bathe, place ta sleep. Not much else.

[ He smiles though, and it's a reassuring thing. she's on the right track. ]

I've also been a lost orphan who remembers how lonely it was ta make my own way and how much it meant when somebody started carin'. What's important ain't gettin' it right, chere, it's bein' there. That's the first step. Looks like you got that one covered.

[ He pats his chest by way of virtual introduction. ] Remy leBeau, at yo' service, an' I mean that. They gave me a job as English Teacher at the High School, which suits me just fine on account of I was already doin' that back home.

[viatorius]

Yeah. And like, I'm sure nobody's complaining about having a place to sleep, but --. I don't know. This place is pretty much a second chance for a lot of people, which means they should be able to have an actual life.

( She nods, when he mentions he's an orphan, it makes sense in Clarice's fucked up little world. Before she can stop herself she blurts out a question. ) You're a mutant, right? ( Goddamnit, that was clumsy. She doesn't recognise his name, but there's something that makes her believe it. ) You're like me. We know what it's like to be on the outside, I mean. And I don't know, I kind of want to make sure nobody else has to feel like that. No matter who or what they are.

( English teacher, good to know. ) Also, I'm going to pick your brain one day about books. My boyfriend, he likes to read, and I want to get him something but I haven't exactly got the widest of educations.

[athiefalways]

[ Remy nods at her question. ]

Sho' nuff, chere. Bonified X-Gene and everything. [ And now he's going to take a shot in the dark, seeing as the X-Men aren't exactly private anymore. ] You heard of de X-Men? Most people know me as Gambit.

[ He pauses for a moment before nodding. ]

I can do dat, chere, maybe find you something you'd like too, non?

[ But he's still thinking about this idea of hers, too. ] Maybe...a rec center...some place for some extracurriculars? Maybe a basketball team, or...I don't know. Chess club.

[viatorius]

I have.

( There's a little flicker in her expression at the X-Men. She's still coming to terms with the fact that there's a world out there where Professor X and his team don't straight up abandon all of mutant kind, and it's taking a while to digest. Yet, she remains friendly, because she's not going to split hairs about something she can't change, they're in this together now. )

I think I was talking to someone that's probably from your world too. Rogue?

( Multiverses, so fucking weird. )

Well, we're going to have to find someone other than me to help with the chess thing because -. ( She mimes something flying over her head. ) But something that involves teams would be a great idea. Get people together. I'll ask John, he's probably done a whole bunch of those things. But we'll make it kid friendly.

[athiefalways]

[ He nodded. ]

Dat'd be her, oui.

[ He smiled. Chess had, of course, merely been a recommendation. He'd suggest a camping trip first, but not in this neck of the woods. There were monsters out there no kids should have to deal with. ]

John? Don' think I've had de pleasure.

[viatorius]

Thunderbird.

( Clarice doesn't know if that will make anything clearer, really. But she's just getting used to the whole code name thing. )

He was a Marine, so he's probably done the whole build a fort, run over some tires, work together kind of deal. And if we have kids who hate the outside or whatever, they can still get involved. Command or something.

( Actually, it's not a bad idea. )

[athiefalways]

[It does, and it's not a name he's heard in a long time. He frowns, actually, but discards it pretty quickly. He didn't know Proudstar well when he died, after all.]

Oui, and Marines ain't all bad. Ain't exactly the Boy Scouts, neither, though.

[But he smiles slightly at her.]

Maybe we talk to him, eh? See what he thinks?

[viatorius]

( Actually, that makes her laugh a little. Because John's definitely the Boy Scout type. Maybe she should make him a badge. The smashing through walls badge. )

Honestly, it kind of all goes over my head but I'm pretty sure he'd help out. He looks after a lot of mutant kids back home, so he's got the experience. Leave it with me, I'll pick his brain a little, see what we can come up with.

[athiefalways]

[He nods.]

Sounds like a plan, chere. You keep in touch, eh?

[viatorius]

Will do! And thanks again for the ideas. I've definitely got a lot to think about.

( At least people seem to think she's not a headcase. )

[athiefalways]

My pleasure, mon cher. Bon chance, eh?