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; (@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.]

[trustinthedevil]

It goes both ways, I guess. People either find incredible resilience or they grow to depend on pity. Where there's a will, there's a way, right?

[It's fine. Matt can sort of hear the vague suspicion in her voice, if only because he's heard it in the tone of so many others in his life. He doesn't take it personally anymore.]

[pundemic]

[Awh, she likes that. Good philosophy. Sounds like a different way of saying 'endure and survive'. She is oddly more inclined to trust someone (she perceives as being) helpless, mostly because the odds of a blind guy posing a threat to her is about nil.]

Yeah, something like that.

[She hmms faintly.]

Looks like you've got the tour guide business handled, but is there anything else you need? I don't know... groceries, bad puns, I do a little bit of everything. No pity, I promise. I just like helping out.

[trustinthedevil]

Yeah, it was a bigger response than I anticipated. I'll keep you in mind, for sure.

I'm Matt, by the way.

[pundemic]

[She'd be cautious about giving out her name if it wasn't, you know, her username, so.]

Ellie. It's nice to-- you know, phone-meet you.

[trustinthedevil]

Likewise, Ellie.

[pundemic]

Well.

[She's not so good at conversations anymore, not with normal people. The idea of trying to find some common ground is suddenly exhaustive, and she sort of just shakes her head at herself.]

I guess I'll [don't say 'see', don't do it] -- catch you around?

[trustinthedevil]

I guess you will.