riverview | #1 video; @waltz

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#1 video; @waltz

[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?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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

Edited 2018-08-11 02:43 (UTC)

Damn, Mr. Waltz, looking official.

[ 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! ]

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

Is that true?

-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.

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.

[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.

I was. But that's a separate issue, in my mind.

I arrived here directly from the battlefield. I was injured. They knew where I'd been. I had a brief hospital stay, and then I was turned loose and alone in the middle of a festival. People celebrating. Fireworks. When I wasn't expecting to take enemy fire I was

[ A delay. She's getting angry all over again, and how long has it been since this happened? It doesn't matter. She can't let her feelings get in the way.

(Her feelings are very much in the way.) ]

As far as the Perimeter Guard is concerned, their "training" can be called preliminary at best, and the experience of its fighters varies so wildly as to be dangerous.

Edited 2018-08-11 03:00 (UTC)

[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.

Edited 2018-08-11 03:11 (UTC)

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful response.

Insight from an ex-pat working within law enforcement would be extremely helpful, and I'm free to meet in person at almost any time. Whenever and wherever is most convenient for you.

May I ask how long you've resided in Riverview?

[ Stop stroking your beard, you handsome angel. ]

Yeaaaahhh, that seems... lacking...

[ Jeff winces, visibly bothered by the thought of overcrowded orphanages and numbers for names. ]

Okay, I'm gonna call that a low bar to clear.

Maybe the city could start recruiting foster parents. I mean, you know, with vetting! A lot of vetting! And training. Best practices, uh... That... that kind of thing... would be...

...cool.

[ Gosh he's so articulate today. ]

Edited 2018-08-11 03:19 (UTC)

-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. ]

This may be too personal a question, but would you say you have PTSD? If you're unfamiliar with the term (I don't know your locale) that's short for post traumatic stress disorder.

I've copied some symptoms. I'm not a doctor in any capacity, but I've spent many years working in conflict zones with both soldiers and civilians experiencing varying degrees of PTSD.

-Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares.
-Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma.
-Increased agitation such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, and being easily irritated and angered.

Upon your arrival interview and medical intake, were you asked any questions regarding your mental health or emotional state, or was your examination purely physical?

I've noticed the recruiting for the PD seems very unstandardized. Would you say they hire new arrivals at risk to their own (or one another's) physical or mental health?

Edited 2018-08-11 03:29 (UTC)

I'm fine.

The examination was physical.

And yes, I would.

It's a very low bar. So low you could step over it.

[See what he did there Jeff?]

That's a good idea. At the very least we could gauge interest.

In many ways, it could be very therapeutic for both parties. Contrary to popular belief, humans aren't inherently selfish, and often function better when they are put in a position to care for someone more vulnerable than themselves.

It creates a sense of emotional fulfillment and agency.

[He's smiling now, still stroking his chin. You can practically see his brain ticking behind his eyes.]

Edited 2018-08-11 03:36 (UTC)

[ He lets out a laugh-- STARTLED, ACTUALLY, because he hadn't expected Cam to refer back to that particular line of conversation. ]

Did you just say I had a good idea? You might want to repeat that for [ Raising his voice, BECAUSE YOU CAN BET JEFF AND ATHENA ARE IN THE SAME ROOM OR APARTMENT OR WEV RN. ] a certain Athena.

[ But all jokes aside, Jeff's smiling, warm and genuine, because god, he agrees. He agrees so hard with that optimism!

(How had he misjudged this guy so much? Well. He supposes it's kind of hard to see the kindness in a man while he's verbally eviscerating you for doing your job...) ]

Yeah... And it'd really, y'know. Foster even more of a sense of community here. Like we're not all just cosmic debris that wound up here accidentally.

[ Same room, or rather she was in the kitchen raiding the shelves like she do, so she leans back into the living room and yells: ]

FLUUUUKE.

[ Before she goes back to making a peanut butter and banana-ish sandwich. ]

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.

Edited 2018-08-11 03:56 (UTC)

[PTSD? Check.]

Are there any measures would you like to see in place in regards to the handling of those coming directly from conflict, or the PG recruiting and training system?

On a more personal note, it sounds like your arrival process was particularly stressful. How are you finding life now? Has it settled at all?

I do hope you're feeling better.

Edited 2018-08-11 04:11 (UTC)

[ She has no answer for that first part, the question about those coming straight from conflict. She doesn't know how to fix it. They can't just stop the festivals, cancel the fireworks. Besides, now she's worried about outing herself somehow. That this man will somehow insist she isn't fit to serve based on his own assumptions about what she thinks and feels. ]

If it were up to me I would expand the PG's boot camp to twelve weeks, not two. No one unable to complete a thorough training process should be entrusted with the health and safety of the city in case of emergencies. Training should be supplemented with teaching of tactics and how to deal with the types of terrain found in the city's surroundings, not just physical education.

Postings and promotions should be standardized, based on testing, previous experience, and a clear record of excellence within the Perimeter Guard itself. Someone offering their rank from back home could mean a lot or nothing here. We have no way of telling what the interuniversal equivalent to any given rank might be. Promoting from within the ranks encourages excellence in the existing troops, as well, rather than pulling in round after round of strangers to command them based on qualifications that are potentially meaningless outside of their own universes.

[ A long pause. ]

I told you, I'm fine.

No problem. It's the least I can do. I've been here for a year and a half now. Since February of last year. Wow, it's been a while.

I think my fiancé is going to be working late tomorrow, so we could talk then, if that works for you.

--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.

-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.

-Have you felt adequately supported by the city, and its representatives?
Mostly? But I'm also an old man so I'm used to adapting to life's ~~shit~~ curveballs.

-Do you struggle mentally or emotionally with your expatriation on a day to day basis?
Yes - emotionally I guess? It got easier with Athena here, but I miss my daughter, and I don't think that's about to go away anytime soon.

-Are there aspects of life in Riverview you find more difficult than others?
Are there support groups? There should be support groups. Maybe online so people can do the anonymous thing. Unless these things already exist! Admittedly I didn't look very hard for them because I keep putting it off for later.

[ STOP RAMBLING. ]

-If you’re a minor, or know a minor, have you found the social services offered adequate?
Adequate, sure, in that it covers the basics. But we can do better! Which I guess we already talked about...

-Are you satisfied or dissatisfied in the career provided for you? Do you find yourself changing jobs often?
Very satisfied, don't see myself changing jobs.

-Do you struggle to make ends meet?
No. But I wouldn't say no to a raise. Can you abuse your power to make that happen? It's for Athena's sake!

(kidding!!)

-If there's any one thing the city could do to improve your life, what would it be?
I'm good, no complaints. I mean besides any complaints I already made in this survey. No ADDITIONAL complaints. How are you?

Wait this isn't the place to ask that.

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.

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