riverview | Video. A Friendly School PSA.

[The feed opens with a huffy looking Laura, sitting in front of the screen like it's a PSA announcement or some such — and judging from the glancing up at what must assuredly be a teacher, it's exactly that. Or something. She scowls at the camera again before looking down at the paper held in her dainty little hands that have totally never hurt anyone ever, no sir. She reads it blankly, and it's very clearly she's the worst podium speaker in the entire universe:]

I have agreed.... to read aloud, so that I will not be suspended for the week.

I would like to formally apologize for anyone I have ever stabbed, kicked, punched, or bitten... It was not my intention to hurt anyone and I will try my best from this point on to control my temper, both — in the complex and at school. [She wrinkles her nose, looks deadpan at the camera, and continues.] I am sorry to Tabitha for shoving her nose in the grass during recess. Even if it was because she was being unkind to another student, it does not give me the right to use... 'force'.

And I am sorry for using... Spanish expletives toward Jared, and hitting him in the throat with his own backpack. Even if he was being rude, it does not... excuse violence. [She looks so annoyed, save her.] From this point on, I will do my best to stay in school... for the whole school day. I will try not to leave past the wall.

[She puts the paper on the desk, calmly.]

... And I will not steal the chocolate milk from the cafeteria anymore.

[More gravely:]

But if Susan insults my accent ever again, I will shove her into the trash ca—

[huh the feed ended suddenly how about that

... she's in detention now]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She's sorry! She's trying to be positive about this?]

I would imagine so, especially when muffins can come in different flavors.

Do you want me to pick you up from school?

[Don't apologize, it's the best way to be, Rey.]

Yes. I will tell Linda I'm not walking home today.

So she won't panic and run all over like she does, all the time.

[Apologizing won't be the death of her.]

Is Linda your teacher then?

What time is school done for you? I'll be waiting outside before it ends.

Linda is my social worker. She's not so bad.

I can sneak out of the window soon, if you'd like.

What is a social worker? Is she your care taker?

No, I don't want you leaving early. Or getting hurt. I'll be outside when you're done.

Something like that. She makes sure I am doing okay.

I wouldn't get hurt, but I'll wait. School is over at 3:00.

Ah, so you're on your own more or less.

God, I'll be there waiting for you.

[And indeed, when 3pm rolls around, Rey is waiting outside the school for Laura.]

[And then she leaps out of the window to meet her —

Nah, just kidding; she struts out with her hands in her pockets, all Too Cool for School-like. Which, all things considered, seems like the logical path. She stops at Rey's side with her pink sunglasses and galaxy-patterned cap on, ready to face the world.]

Hola

[There's a muffled chuckle from Rey, watching the younger girl get out of school and head down to her. Laura was strutting, acting like she didn't need to be there, and she can't blame the other for it. The building does look like it's a boring place.]

Hola

[Rey repeats back, thinking she's saying it correctly. Another language that might be beneficial to pick up.]

Ready to go? I think there's a bakery somewhere that has muffins.

[Oh man, if there's any way to get her eyes to light up, muffins would be it.]

They're really good. Blueberry ones. Are they your favorite?

[Laura's favorite muffins are the edible kind.

So. All of them.

... Except banana.]

I haven't tried a blueberry muffin yet, but if you like them, I'm sure they're delicious.

[Baked goods were something Rey hasn't tried just yet, but on this adventure, she would. She doesn't try to reach for Laura's hand or anything. Considering she was a functioning kid, she didn't need to be told (or looked like she didn't need to be told) to follow her. Rey started to walk down the block, briefly pulling out her phone to double check the address of the shop they were going to.]

How often does this sort of thing happen? You defending someone?

I defend myself a lot.

[She shrugs, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets.]

My friends and I were running, in my world; we had to defend each other a lot.

It's the same in my world--defending my friends, people I care about.

[Which is sad that a child as young as Laura had to do the same.]

Were your friends safe before you came here?

[That's a hard question, and she looks torn on an answer.]

... They're okay right now. The people who were nearby trying to capture us were killed.

I don't know if there's more, though.

[Rey hadn't intended for her question to be hard or difficult to answer. Or cause the mood to drop. She is concerned about the people who were after Laura and her friends--the reasoning doesn't matter to her.]

If those people ever come through the portal, let me know. You can always stay with me.

[She would protect her...

But in the mean time, they come across a bakery. Rey holds out the door and gestures for Laura to go inside first.]

[Laura wanders in, glancing back at Rey.]

Thanks.

Are there people I can protect you from, too? If they came through.

[As far as Laura's concerned, you scratch her back, she'd scratch yours.

... Metaphorically.

Not with her claws.]

[There's walls of pastries, muffins, breads, and different baked goods. It all has a heavenly scent to it. Different things for them to try if they want.

The question gives Rey pause. She wasn't going to involve a child in her troubles, especially when one of them was here.]

No, I'll be fine. I would want you to protect the younger ones, they need you more.

[She gives a slight nod.]

... If that's what you'd like.

[She doesn't mind leaving it up to her; besides if she was really in deep trouble, Laura'd leap into it whether they agreed on it or not. That's just how friends are supposed to be, right? At least, that's what she's learned from her friends back home.

Content with her company, she turns and orders — so that their afternoon can be pleasantly filled with carbs.]

Video. A Friendly School PSA.

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