#1 video; @waltz

[enveloped]

[The video starts with a tall, bearded man wearing a tailored suit sitting on the edge of a very executive looking desk in an equally executive looking office.

He smiles before speaking in a low, steady voice, his arms by his sides. Purposely left uncrossed. No fidgeting. He's comfortable in front of a camera, but not without practice.]

To be forcibly removed from our homes, support networks, and everything we’ve ever known is no small matter. For some, the experience can be traumatic. You may struggle with day to day life, or find yourself feeling unsafe in your new home. Holding down a job or making connections with other people can feel difficult, or even impossible, when you're uncertain of your environment and place within it. Everyone copes differently.

Very few of us asked to be here, and it's necessary the city is prepared to deal with the very real problems experienced by its displaced citizens, and accommodate their needs as efficiently and empathetically as possible in order to create and maintain a happy, healthy society. My name is Cameron Waltz, I'm a negotiator and cultural mediator from Earth, and I've been appointed the role of public representative to present our needs to the city council, and ensure our voices are being heard.

I'm looking for feedback on how your life has changed for the better or the worse since your arrival. I'll start with a few questions, none of which you have to answer, but would be very helpful in solidifying the case I'm building.

Please answer as honestly as you're comfortable. Anonymous commentary is allowed on this post, and you're welcome to be as vague or as specific as you'd like, without fear of discrimination.

I greatly appreciate any and all responses. With your help, we can find the holes in the existing social services system and work together to close them.

Thank you for your time.

--text attachment

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?

Comments

<anonymous>

[childofaxios]

There isn't nearly enough transitional support offered to those from violent worlds.

[enveloped]

I've heard most people from worlds engaged in conflict are funneled directly into the PG.

Is that true?

video; @citharede

[citharede]

Damn, Mr. Waltz, looking official.

video;

[enveloped]

[That gets an honest laugh out of him.]

The suit was a last minute decision.

I was going to broadcast in my pajamas, but I forgot my bunny slippers at home.

video; un: j.calhoun

[bardish]

[ Oh god, this is his first time seeing Waltz in this context. OH GOD, he's well-spoken and gentle and compassionate, help.

Okay, Jeff, you can do this. Be cool, man! ]

So... I know minors get, ah... case workers? But they're otherwise left on their own, right? No foster families here?

[ Look, Athena volunteering him to dad at other kids got him thinking, okay! ]

[enveloped]

[Cam pensively strokes his bearded chin between his thumb and forefinger.]

That's my current understanding of the situation. Minors are given caseworkers and enrolled in school, but otherwise given free reign.

I believe there are some foster families out there, but none who specifically take in displaced children.

It's better than what happens in most refugee camps, where children are forced into orphanages and referred to by number instead of name, with little opportunity for fostering or adoption-- but there's something to be said for structure.

@det.prettyboy; response-eddie.txt

[causational]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Not always. But I think it's gotten better since I arrived.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
No, but I might if I were in a different situation. I had died right before I came here, and they managed to save me. I would have no life to go back to.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
The ethics can get kind of complicated with so many cultures and so many people who've lost so much, and that can be tough to navigate.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
When I first arrived I was roommates with a minor (around 15). His schooling was taken care of and he was given funds, but there wasn't much other support. He ended up moving in with me, and a couple of other residents made sure he was being taken care of and going to school. I think this is definitely an area that could use a lot of work.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I'm perfectly satisfied. I was given the entry-level version of the job I had back home and was given the opportunity to apply for a promotion really quickly due to my experience.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Not at all.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Probably just finding a way to do more thorough background checks on new arrivals so they can be put under extra scrutiny if they're dangerous.

@det.prettyboy; text

[causational]

Just as an extra note, I'm (obviously) a police officer, and an ex-pat. I have some insights around law and order in the city, but I'd rather discuss that in person if you're interested.

private text; un: hds.goodsir

[bestsir]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
For the most part, yes.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
No Yes
I often wonder how it is that I Alone of all my shipmates came to be here.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
There is a term that I have recently learned: "Culture Shock". I believe that has been my greatest Challenge so far.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I am most satisfied, and do not anticipate a need to change my Occupation.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
I do not.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Of my own Life and Occupation, I have no complaints. But I believe that many Newcomers would benefit from an experienced Guide, particularly one who would understand their origins and the manner of questions they may have.

[ There is a LOT going on between the lines, to wit: Harry's survivor guilt, shame and remorse over the things he did before he came here, his utter disorientation amongst a new set of technology and societal mores. For some reason he's decided to be diplomatic about it. Probably because he feels uncomfortable complaining about anything, seeing as how the alternative is that he'd be dead. ]

[enveloped]

First of all, I want to thank you for responding to my questions.

Would you mind telling me a little more about yourself? I will redact all identifying details when I present my findings to the council. Feel free to refuse if you're not comfortable.

It must be difficult being here by yourself. I was lucky, there are two people from my world here who I knew previous to my arrival.

Have you been able to build relationships with other people, or do you find yourself feeling isolated?

In what ways is your culture different from Riverview's, and were you given any briefing of what those differences may be upon arrival?

You may be on to something with that guide idea. I wonder if people would volunteer to be paired up with new arrivals, almost like a social sponsorship program.

private text; pnwsalex

[11calls]

--text attachment

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
For the most part, yes. Occasionally it gets frustrating when we don't know things that are happening though. What became of the woman who released the virus for example. All we know is that she was taken into custody, and I'm the woman who caught her and I can't even get any information. But that might have to do with I'm a reporter.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?

Not anymore.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?

I know they don't know, but I wish we had better information about how close they are to finding our homes, honestly. Even if it's just a "we're working on it still."

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?

My partner and I are guardians to a minor [Two, sort of, but Simon's 20. Even if he was raised by a cult and locked in an institution for most of his life.] who was basically left to his own devices. I think that we need more foster families and things of that nature. Also maybe volunteers who are willing to maybe do a Big brothers/big sisters/big siblings sort of thing to mentor a kid who may or may not need it. If nothing else, I think they need better support from their caseworks. It's hard enough for adults to transition here. Leaving a kid without a real honest to god support system sucks.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?

Nope, not at all. I'm doing what I'd do at home.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?

No, and I wasn't before my partner's house arrived here either.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?

Better access to information, honestly. In all respects.

[enveloped]

Your insight into how minors are supported is extremely valuable for my work.

It sounds more and more likely that voluntary foster services and mentorship programs are necessary for the support of displaced minors. My hope is the government will be cooperative in both facilitating and financing those programs.

What kind of information are you most interested in being made public?

The case you mentioned is... interesting to say the least. If you'd like, I can try to look into it for you.

private; mer.aisava.txt

[secretarialhand]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
We admit to feeling somewhat out of our depth. Everything here is very strange, as the place we come from has advanced as far as pneumatics and steam, and we had to learn computers and phones and cars very quickly, lest we lose our footing.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
We do. Save one, all of our friends are at home, and while we felt out of place at home, in that moment, we do wish to return, so long as our Emperor returns with us.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
As we wrote before, the technology is difficult to adapt to. Beyond that, though, there is a drastic difference in how people behave and comport themselves. Were we at home, we would not see people half-dressed nor participating openly in lewd indulgences, nor would we see such mixing of the classes. This is not to say we think these things are in poor taste, they are simply very different.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
We do not know any children here.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
While we do not feel ill-used, we were quite left to our own devices when it came to learning the computers. However, we adapted quite quickly.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
We have not yet lived here long enough to know.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Perhaps to provide more training and adjustment to those whose homes are so very different from this place. Were we and our Emperor less adaptable, we may have become lost and overwhelmed.

[enveloped]

We appreciate your candid response, Mer Aisava.

Do you think being partnered with a citizen familiar with local customs and technology upon arrival would have eased your transitional period?

@lightemup heyosmartguy.txt

[umbrastaff]

Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Yeah, sure. I mean they could be a little better at explaining shit, especially for people that do not know stuff like phones but I've been here for over a year now and I'm good.

Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
Nah, I'm used to this stuff . It just sucks when people you've grown close to leave.

Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
See above. Also the random kidnappings and cult stuff can be pretty shit.

If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I haven't seen any kids that seem to be struggling in any way. Someone usually ends up helping caring for them.

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
Got myself my own job with my brother, so it didn't really apply to me. Seems easy enough to start your own business, though.

Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Nope. Rolling in cash thanks to being an epic chef.

If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Less exploration stuff going tits up and releasing weird shit over the city, please.

[enveloped]

First of all, I'd love to know where the epic chef works. I'm always on the lookout for new restaurants, now more than ever. I don't have my old favourites to fall back on anymore, so there's no excuse not to experiment.

Would you mind elaborating on 'weird shit'?

I've heard of strange events happening within the city, but have yet to experience them for myself.

text; un: d.pavus

[tevinteraltus]

How can I deny such a dashing address?

[ Look, Dorian can flirt, too. ]

Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Considering they have no reason at all to house us and provide us with employment, yes. I believe they've handled the influx of refugees from a nearly uncontrollable portal to multiple dimensions quite well.

Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
A tad more difficult to answer, as I've experienced "expatriation" as you say more than once in my life. Do I miss Thedas as a whole...? Yes, I suppose I do, and there are things to which I should like to return, given I'm slightly in charge of them, but my stay here has proven those managing the portal have spoken true: when able, they will return us to the exact point from which we were taken.

Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
Out of necessity, grant you, the Quarantine is rather large and growing more so by the day. The needs of the people dictate a mass transit system which plays hell with my nausea, but I hardly believe that is a fault of the management.

If you're a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
While loathe to admit it, I've not spoken to the minor in question about those who manage his day to day life. I should remedy that.

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied int he career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I am thoroughly satisfied with the profession provided. I'm given free license to explore the boundaries of magic for the betterment of the Quarantine. It's brilliant.

Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Certainly not. I'm well compensated for my services.

If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
I have no complaints, really, except perhaps a more aggressive attempt to route these cultists who seem to be making a mess of things. Have you heard of them?

[enveloped]

Much obliged. The first step towards opening up a dialogue is creating interest.

[Innocently, of course.]

I've heard of the cultists, but not in any great detail. The situation was more or less under control by the time I arrived. From what I understand there was a large number of casualties, and many civilians suffered severe physical and emotional trauma.

How do you feel the crises was handled?

un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

--text attachment

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
N/A

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
No

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
No

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I would argue that minors are not supported at all. This is true for both mental and physical needs.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I have no issues in regards to this.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
No

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
The assumption that one wishes to be attacked with forced frivolity is annoying.

[enveloped]

Would you mind detailing your experience regarding the care of minors? It's helpful to bring specifics to the council's attention.

Forced frivolity? It sounds like there's a story behind that remark.

video; un: b.rocks

[billyrocks]

What's a cultural mediator?

[He can guess based on the words themselves, but there still hadn't been many of those in Billy's time.]

[enveloped]

That's a good question.

[Cam takes a sip from a glass of water before answering this one.]

A cultural mediator facilitates mutual understanding between peoples by providing two-way verbal translation, and helps to overcome cultural barriers by interpreting not only language, but cultural differences, attitudes, and behaviours, so all parties are able to communicate in a respectful and empathetic fashion.

A translator can translate a conversation word for word, but may not understand the cultural context of those words, which can greatly change the meaning of what is being said, and why.

My work was mostly in areas of conflict or crises, where people often feel most vulnerable, or defensive, and must be listened and spoken to very carefully in order to avoid needless bloodshed or trauma. A lot of the people I worked with were at some of the lowest, or most vulnerable points of their lives. Many of them had very little reason to trust help from foreign aid workers, and were at high risk of being exploited.

It was integral to understand their needs, and how to administer treatment without trampling on their personal boundaries, which for women in many countries can involve very specific protocol in regards to men, and require female doctors, or entirely separate facilities, to be assisted in a way that isn't detrimental to their emotional state or mental health.

I hope that makes sense, and I apologize if I went on for too long.

[A slightly sheepish smirk as he takes another sip.]

I'm very passionate about my line of work.

text; un: o.grady

[alfa]

not sure my answers will help much, but here goes nothing. glad to elaborate on some points if you think it'll help?


-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
not particularly but I haven't needed a lot of support.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
no. I'm used to moving around

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
not really. the city could stand to be bigger. not a lot of breathing room.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
n/a

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I looked for a job on my own, so I'm good

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
no

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
get me a damn trailer and a way to get it beyond the walls

[enveloped]

Any response is a good response.

What's stopping you from purchasing/building your own trailer and leaving?

text; un: kirk

[winscenario]

Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
When I first got here, yes. They answered my questions, let me look around, provided me with a place to stay for starters, and gave me a base income. I'm not used to sitting around so I started working pretty quickly after getting here.

Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
It fluctuates. I didn't come here alone, I had someone else from my world with me. That was my primary support. But when he left it was pretty jarring, luckily I'd built a solid network that served as great support during the short though difficult while it took me to adjust to the reality of not having him around anymore. But mainly, what I mean by this is that the support I've gotten has come mostly from other people who were brought here, rather than the city or its representatives.

Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
It's not always safe here. Sometimes it's too easy to forget that, and we're caught off-guard when some disaster happens, natural or otherwise. I'm used to dangerous and unexpected things happening, but that's not the case for everyone else here.

If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I don't think the level of support is very extensive. I know one little girl who often roams the city and goes beyond the walls at will, and the social worker assigned to her usually can't keep track of her. She's a very unusual girl, though, so I don't know if that says much about the social services here. The only other minor I know more closely is my adoptive daughter, and she always had someone from her world here with her that took her in as family.

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
Joined the Perimeter Guard the moment I got here, and now I lead the Aerial Unit. I'd say I'm pretty settled, yeah.

Do you struggle to make ends meet?
No, and I never have.

If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
I'm pretty content right now, actually.

[enveloped]

I'm glad to hear you're content. It's all too easy to forget the good things in life and focus solely on the bad.

To be honest, I'm still adjusting to life in Riverview. It's encouraging to know people have overcome their initial struggles, and were able to find fulfilment on some level.

Improved support for minors is at the very top of my list. That's one topic nearly everyone has agreed on. That people care for children regardless of relation or origin is a great sign. I think it's safe to say a voluntary fostering program would have plenty of volunteers.

text; @ryo.asuka666 ; asuka.txt

[apt666]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Yes.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
I frequently moved around and resided in various countries at home.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
The creatures beyond the wall are frustrating as they limit individuals who are not skilled fighters when they want to explore.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I'm a College Professor, and I've interacted with a lot of minors. I find that it varies from individual to individual. Having a safety net is necessary so the option is present. But I think for some, too much interference can impede on their individual growth. While some may need more support, others... the current situation works fine for them. I'm just barely eighteen, and if I had arrived here before I was eighteen, I would have been upset being treated like a minor since I'm an independent person at home.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I have the same career here that I chose for myself at home.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
No.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Nothing.

[ He's been displaced before, forcibly even. So this place? A piece of cake. ]

[enveloped]

You're a college professor at eighteen?

Is that common where you're from?

private text; un: unbeatablesg

[partiallysquirrelblood]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
I've only been here a little while, but so far so good?

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
...not really? I miss the heck out my friends that aren't here, but there's a lot of my friends that actually are here, even though some of them are a little further behind time-line wise than I am.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
Not so far, no.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I can only speak for one case, and I'm not sure they really know how to handle that one case. There's not many people who really do, all things considered. I'm sure they're trying their best, though, but there's probably things they can do to improve on that?

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I'm satisified. I'd like a comp-sci job, but I'm still studying that, and the park security job's pretty solidly in my skill set. Plus the squirrels there are pretty helpful.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Nope.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
I can't think of anything right now? I've only been here a couple of days, and my personal Maslow's Hierarchy triangle is being pretty solidly met so far for the most part.

[enveloped]

I love that you referenced Maslow's Hierarchy, and I'm glad to hear you're doing well.

... Can I ask about the 'squirrels'? Is squirrels slang for something?

[Cam really hopes her cheerful demeanour isn't due to drugs.]

text; stark

[inebriety]

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Sure. I'd say it's about the same as I'd expect from my Earth, but don't quote me on that. I've never had to use social services.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
Nope, my issues are unrelated to that.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
I miss certain people and not being recognised makes some of what I want to do harder, but nothing I can't work around.

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
I'm not a minor, but they seemed to have it pretty good. I'd have killed to have that kind of freedom.

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
I didn't take their offered job and decided to run my own business. It's much more satisfying that way and I don't feel like my skills are wasted on menial tasks.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Nope.

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
Offer more of us a chance to return to our home worlds.

[enveloped]

May I ask what job the city offered you, as well as your current business?

As a minor I also would have killed for that freedom, but what kid wouldn't? What kids want isn't often why they need. Because they're kids.

Do you feel negatively, positively, or neutrally about your chances of going home?

video; un: son.ova

[massivesword]

Wait, what's all the questions for?

[enveloped]

For you. To better gauge the needs of the people, and how best to represent them.

How are you doing?

[Maybe he needs to speak... in smaller sentences for his very handsome roommate.]