001. [@m.murdock : video]

[trustinthedevil]

[The camera is pretty evenly focused. The man sitting on the screen is less so - even behind his glasses it's obvious that, while he's looking at the tablet, he's not really looking at it. In fact, it's almost as if he accidentally pressed 'video' and meant instead to go for 'audio' - which is a likely scenario, honestly.

Matt will learn what to press and when over time.]

I think I've got my floor mapped out, and a little bit of the surrounding area. I'm not really sure if the 'welcome to Riverview' video shows the layout of the place. A lot of you are probably a lot more familiar with things than I am already.

[A pause as he smiles, ducking his head to laugh and shrug. He doesn't really realize that everyone can see that.]

I don't mind exploring but I'd hate to get lost a few days out of the gate. If anyone's free to show me around, it would be appreciated. I'm a quick learner once I get a feel for things. I promise I'm very independent.

Comments

voice; [un: actualwizard666]

[noassgardian]

If no one else has offered, I can show you around, no problem.

[It's not like Billy has too much on his plate yet-- and he'd rather keep busy, anyway. If he can give someone a hand while doing that-- well, not so bad, right?]

[trustinthedevil]

[The term 'show around' is probably not the most applicable, all things considered, but it sounds better than 'lead me around so I can touch things and count steps.' In any case, the response and the offer is greatly appreciated.]

That would be great. Really. I especially need to know how to get to work, I think.

[noassgardian]

Where do you work at exactly?

[Either way, Billy doesn't mind showing him to wherever he needs to go or anything.]

I have a feeling a lot of us are still trying to get settled in around here.

[burntbridges]

Pardon... if it's not too bold to ask, are you blind?

[She's sharp with noticing the little details... but less so with the social graces involved.]

[trustinthedevil]

I am. Don't worry, it's not that forward of a question.

[He prefers people being outright and forward anyway. There's nothing worse than people who feel they need to not say anything at all.]

[burntbridges]

Sorry. I haven't met many people with deformities, so I'm not sure exactly how to approach them.

[Well... Letha's nothing if not forward.]

@cjk [ audio ]

[signifies]

Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go?

[trustinthedevil]

Everywhere. I think the courthouse and the law firm take priority, but I need to know how to get around eventually.

[signifies]

I'd be happy to take you there, as well as the city council. We can apply for tactile paving.

[VIDEO]

[dust_of_life]

[Oh. Oh, wow. He's...hot. And also blind? That somehow seems royally unfair. Not that Fatima thinks anyone deserves to be stuck in this place, but at least she can take care of herself. This guy's just been screwed over.]

Hey.

[She flashes a warm, gentle smile. And then remembers he probably can't see it. Whoops.]

I've started to plot some of the wildlife outside. I don't know if that's of any use to you, but I can at least tell you where different plants are.

[trustinthedevil]

I can't say I ever did much of anything with plants back in New York. That could be interesting.

[dust_of_life]

Some of them are very...aromatic.

[That's a thing right? Blind people have heightened senses of smell?

Or maybe it's just a bad cliche.

Shit, maybe she just insulted him. It's all she can do not to immediately facepalm.]

voice; (@ellie)

[pundemic]

Dig the glasses. Very chic.

[She's never met a blind person before. It doesn't even occur to her that's what his problem is and those context clues? Right over her head for now. She just sounds pleased to be talking to New People Not Trying to Kill Her. These devices are great for getting someone's measure without having to be close enough to lose a fight.]

Why wouldn't you be independent? I promise, it's not that scary outside.

[trustinthedevil]

I can only assume they look all right because no one's told me otherwise.

[Matt laughs, and he's trying to think of how best to say it without possibly offending her or making her feel embarrassed.]

People seem to assume that people with disabilities can't hold their own very well.

[pundemic]

[It's okay, Matt, Ellie has zero shame. She gives her viewscreen a very incredulous up-down, as if she's somehow able to inspect him and his so-called 'disability' through the Magics of the Internet and then she glances back up.

Privately, she doesn't think anyone with a disability can handle themselves very well either, but she's well aware her standards for handling oneself are a hell of a lot higher than most people's. Unless the community is willing to rally around someone and look after them-- nobody who can't fight or fend for themselves lasts very long.

Yet, he'd said I can only assume. She almost opens her mouth to tell this guy about the wonders of mirrors and then stops abruptly with her mouth half-open. Oh. He's blind.]

I mean... I guess it depends on what's wrong with them.

[That's about as neutral an answer as she can have. She doesn't care about offending people at the best (worst) of times, but he seems nice and so she tries to be.]

voice - un: s.rogers

[starspangled]

What floor are you on?

[trustinthedevil]

The sixth.

[starspangled]

I can help you familiarise yourself with the second floor, if that's a thing you think you'll need. I'd also be glad to help you with anywhere else you need to go.

voice; (@outis)

[prisonking]

Would a raised texture blueprint of the city map help?

[trustinthedevil]

That would help a lot, actually. Is that something that exists?

[prisonking]

It will when I make it.

I have access to the city planning materials. Give me a day.

@terrific ↪ voice

[mrterrific]

I know it's not what you were asking for, but I figure since you've already got a lot of tour guides, I might offer something else. Is that rude? Hopefully that's not rude. But, uh, anyway... if you want me to look at your phone sometime and see if I can get you set up with some kinda automatic text-to-speech program, so you don't have to mess with it anytime there's a text post or group email or whatever, it might save you a little bit of time down the road.

[trustinthedevil]

You would do that for a complete stranger?

[Matt does seem a bit surprised by it. Maybe he's just gotten used to people around him being stand-offish, and, well, he's never really bothered asking anyone for anything like it. Siri did it well enough but that was never very perfect, either.]

Thank you. That would be amazing.

@sg.rogers; video;

[livingsymbol]

I can explore with you, if you like. I've been checking the place out.

[Because of course he has. He likes his runs and needs to find good routes.]

[trustinthedevil]

Have you found anything good?

[Matt laughs, even though it's a bad joke.]