1st Stanza Audio UN:Marsh

[gristle]

[The voice you hear is a teenage girl, and she sounds a little disgusted. Whether or not this post was an accident is up for debate. But she'll respond either way.]

What the fuck kind of place is this? I thought the adults were supposed to care. Sure doesn't look like it.

I need a cigarette.

Comments

audio: un; Ragnarsdottir

[like_quicksilver]

Some do..I know some that are trying. Others..there are others who not only don't care, but they see us has a hindrance.

[Between Ivar leaving and what happened to Laura, Gyda's been feeling weary and it shows in her voice.

text; @waltz

[enveloped]

Can you please elaborate?

I'm an adult, and I most definitely care.

audio; un: j.calhoun

[bardish]

We do! I mean. Some of us. The city seems to have a kind of... laissez-faire approach to minors. [ Anyway... ]

Did something happen?

[ He's so not answering that request for a cigarette though, kid. ]

[gristle]

Most adults see kids as a hindrance.

[A beat as Bev stares at her username.]

Are you a viking? Do you know Stan?

[gristle]

Who the hell are you?

[Sorry, Cam, she's not trusting text. It's weird and not what a phone is for.]

[gristle]

Did something happen? Is stuff like this that normal?

[It's scary to show up and just have people getting kidnapped and almost killed on the network, even if (especially if?) you're coming from what she was.]

[like_quicksilver]

My family are viking, but I was never old enough to go on raids or voyages. You are the first person to make a close guess. [That very nearly cracks a smile on her, and her voice lightens just a fraction.]

You mean the Stan who's obsessed with birds and reading? I know him, yes.

voice; @waltz

[enveloped]

[If voice is her preferred medium, he can do voice.]

My name is Cameron Waltz, and I'm a public representative for the imported residents of Riverview.

If you check the history of the network, you can see my most recent post touches upon extending better support to minors who arrived without guardians.

It's my job to see your needs are taken into consideration, and you're given adequate resources and protection.

[bardish]

Stuff like... what...?

[ YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE LESS VAGUE. Jeff's network use is sporadic, plus he's been a bit AFK for his own reasons, so he tends to miss things. ]

un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

Is there a specific situation you're referring to?

[He has not realized that this is one of Stan's friends ... yet.]

[gristle]

He's my friend. From home. He told me he taught you how to ride a bike.

[A beat.]

So what's your name?

[gristle]

[For a minute, Bev doesn't know what to say, and she just frowns.]

Are you like another caseworker then? Cause I met mine and she gave me my money.

[Which Bev promptly blew on cigarettes and candy.]

[gristle]

The girl on the network.

[Cause creepy dude definitely reminded her of her dad in some ways.]

Does shit like this happen often?

[gristle]

The girl on the network. Obviously.

[Sorry adult man, Bev is going to mouth off to you. She doesn't know you're the weirdo who takes care of Stan.]

[enveloped]

I'm not a caseworker. I'm a public representative. That means I talk to people, and listen to their questions and concerns so I can direct the government to provide resources and support to where the community needs it most.

Your caseworker should do more than provide you with money, they should assist you in school placement, ensure you're safe, never go hungry, and always have a roof over your head.

Can you tell me what your current living situation is like?

[bardish]

What girl? I don't-- [ 'The girl on the network' IS STILL TOO VAGUE FOR HIM. Jeff goes days without checking the network, and he usually only checks for posts from his friends.

SIGH. ]

Hang on.

[ Time to go back through and see what she's talking about, annnd... Ah. Yeah. Cam mentioned that incident to him Friday evening. He also told him that it'd been handled already. Not that there would've been anything Jeff could have done, if it hadn't been.

But at least he sounds more sympathetic and less confused when he comes back. ]

No. That kind of thing is very much not the norm here.

[gristle]

I live in a room in the public housing thing. It's private. I don't want anywhere else.

[No strange houses with strange people, thanks. Stan could do it, but Bev wasn't Stan. So, she was going to focus on something more important.]

Can you get me a bike?

[gristle]

Are you sure?

[It's not that she sounds suspicious, it's just that she sounds suspicious. Because Bev doesn't check the network very often, but holy shit this stuff was scary, even if it was handled. The kid looked younger than she does even.]

[enveloped]

Are you healthy? Happy? Going to school?

[A pause.]

I could, but I'm a public representative. Not Santa Claus.

I'll get you a bike if you answer my questions.

[gristle]

Are you sure you're not a social worker? Because that's what she asks.

[A beat.]

I'm fine. And I'm going to school.

[No she's not. She's been staying home.]

audio, un: s.uris

[stantheman]

[ There's a sigh on Stan's end. ]

A lot of people care, Beverly.

Did you already run out of cigarettes...?

[like_quicksilver]

He did. We don't have bikes where and when I'm from. If people wish to travel, it is either walk, find a cart or take a horse.

My name's Gyda.

audio, un: evangelista

[redpumps]

I just arrived here, but I do care.

I also have cigarettes I can share.

[bardish]

I'm not gonna lie and say this place is totally safe for kids-- or adults, even-- but that...

What that guy did to that girl, I've never seen anything like that before.

I'm sorry that was your introduction to this place.

[gristle]

Beverly.

[That's it really. That's who she wants to be here.]

Nice to meet you Gyda. Do you still ride?