( 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

[spellslots]

I mean, they have case workers if you're like, legit worried that they're being looked after.

It's cute that you tried to avoid swearing

[viatorius]

i wasn't going to swear!
but that's great actually. i mean as long as the system isn't shitty here like it is back home.

( A pause and then another message. )

fuck.

[spellslots]

I've met a couple of those assholes and they seem alright

You got so close and then ya fucked it up 😂

[viatorius]

they're in space! a space where there's like a weird orgy festival every other day. they can probably take me cussing.

( Hopefully John does not end up buying a swear jar because she will be broke. But she knows the kids aren't allowed in certain areas, it doesn't mean they won't know about it though. )

[spellslots]

You still made a real valiant attempt though

The orgies are only like once every six months, this one is family friendly or whatever and the next one is depressing as shit, no one wants to have an orgy then.

[viatorius]

they're on schedule?

( That she did not know. But now she's going to have to ask. )

what do you mean, depressing?

[video | un: flamel]

[alchemyfreak]

Where I was before kids got taken in by someone, but they have a system in place here. A lot of the kids are already taken care of, and apparently a bunch of the kids you're seeing right now aren't even kids. A friend of mine wound up a little younger than he's supposed to be, so anyone without a guardian probably doesn't need one normally. Hopefully they'll go back to normal soon.

[Not sure how long those kids are going to remain kids, but these things were usually temporary.]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to set up an organization kids can go to have fun with each other and feel safe. What's a big brother... big sister scheme?

[viatorius]

Oh yeah, right. The festival?

( She's so glad she avoided that. Nobody needs a teenager with barely any control of her powers stomping around. She doesn't think she'd live through it. )

It's a scheme back home, or it was. You paired people up, a grownup and a kid, and that grownup would maybe take the kid out once a week? To a park or for food. Maybe they'd meet up to help with homework? I've never been in one, but I've heard about it. It sounded cool.

( Not that she would have wanted to be a part of it. )

But maybe a youth club would be a neat way to make sure that everyone's doing okay?

[alchemyfreak]

The festival? Is that what caused it?

[He's oblivious, mostly.]

We never had anything like that back home, not that I'm aware of anyway.

[If Laura's collection of older brother/father figures was any indication they had an unofficial one going already though.]

I made a place for a friend of mine to go when she needed to get away for a bit. It's kind of secret just for her though, it might make sense to put one together everyone can go to. Have people who can check in and take the kids out or play games while they're there, that sounds sort of like what you're talking about, right?

[ video | un: jkent ]

[supersweet]

[ Jon probably parsed half of that but summarily ignored it for — ]

Dog!

How old are they? Do they like walks?

[spellslots]

They're holidays, not parties, you can google that shit

It's about like grieving or whatever. Boring as fuck, depressing as fuck, I dunno why they do it

video; un: lifewillchange

[phantomqueen]

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?

text @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

It's hard being here...but there could be worse situations. I've gotten used to it.

How old is your dog?

video | @minsu

[foxtrots]

Clarice?

[hold up, that name rings a bell.]

Do you like coffee and food?

( video; )

[athiefalways]

[ Remy can recognize a woman who's nervous on camera, and Blink's always been a bit shy. Of course, after what Rogue went over with him, he's not about to assume she's from his world, either.

In fact, just looking at her, he can tell she isn't. That doesn't mean there isn't a version of him in hers, though.

Or that there hadn't been at some point. He knows he's dead in some realities. Still, the man with the black eyes smiles amicably when the feed clicks on. Because sometimes all you need is a friendly face and a smile of encouragement.

Also, Remy approves of this message. ]

Now this don't sound like a half-bad idea, chere. The Quarantine's got some youngsters, sho' nuff, but that don't mean the ones from elsewhere are feelin' welcome, non? Friends ain't always easy, even if yo' just from out of town.

[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.

[viatorius]

( A very small flicker of confusion crosses her face, but Clarice smiles anyway. )

I do. Is it that obvious?

[viatorius]

( She totally understands that sentiment, but she'll focus on Zingo for now. )

you know what? i have no idea.
i kind of borrowed her from some guys back home.

[viatorius]

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. )

[thestoriesarereal]

So...you’re fostering it? Her, I mean.

[phantomqueen]

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.]

[foxtrots]

[minsu's smile blooms at that. illuminati girlfriend confirmed.]

You're John's Clarice. John's yours.

[viatorius]

i'm not exactly used to either.

( Holidays or festivals. )

huh. that sounds not good.

[viatorius]

( You know what, Clarice is totally okay with everyone just wanting to pet Zingo. She totally gets it. )

I kind of borrowed her, so I don't know how old she is. Or even what kind of dog she is. But I do know she definitely likes walks. And treats. But especially belly rubs.

[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.