avalononline | Video; UN: Rubitsune

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Video; UN: Rubitsune

[ The video starts and the girl on the other side of the camera looks... Concerned. ]

Just how many of us are there? [ She starts, almost tripping over her words to elaborate. ] Kids, I mean. Just how many of us here are kids?

Are we all staying at the inns?

[ She pauses, biting her lip for a moment before speaking up again, her voice a little more sure this time. ]

I think we should look out for each other. [ Because adults can't be trusted to. Even the ones who mean well. ] A lot of us are small, I'd bet. And a lot of the other kids I've seen don't really seem like fighters. Those of us that are, we should help them.

Those of us who don't know how to fight can learn from those of us who do know, and those of us who don't want to know how to fight can be taught how to keep a better eye out for themselves and the rest of us.

The more of us that know how to defend ourselves, and the more of us that can keep an eye out for each other, the better chance of survival we have in a situation where we are at a noticeable disadvantage.

[ She wasn't quite suggesting a gang of feral children, but close enough. ]

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If it's easier that way, then I sure won't be the one to tell you to stop. [ She can't help but giggle juuuuust a little. ]

[ At the hand motion, Ruby tilts her head a little. ]

What's that mean?

You weren’t sure how good a friend you were, so I wanted to make it easier on you. I... wasn’t sure if you wanted affection because I can be really affectionate!

[ She looks stricken for a moment, then smiles brightly. No one had ever asked her before being affectionate, and she can't help but appreciate that Nozomi thought ahead. ]

I don't mind affection if I'm warned ahead of time. A lot of people don't warn, and then they get surprised when I jump. [ She laughs a little. ] I'm told I'm very tightly wound, but I think that's what makes me mature enough to look after even kids around my age, not just the little ones!

Being tightly wound is good. It means you're ready for anything! I have to admire that, Ruby!

[She blushes bashfully as she adds in]

Would you be okay if I were affectionate?

[ Oh, Ruby can't help but smile a little at that. ]

I'm okay with it. Just give me a warning if you're coming up from behind me for a hug or something. I don't want to accidentally hurt you! Broken ribs are not any fun.

[ The little giggle she gives really seems a little out of place with what was basically an admission of having broken someone's ribs... But she seems oblivious to this fact. ]

Gotcha!

[And Nozomi's hand moves to take Ruby's as she pulls her into a hug.]

...I miss doing this. I miss my friends.

[ Ruby is still for a moment, then hugs back, perhaps a little tight. She's missed physical closeness, too. It's weird to hug adults, but the kids around her age or younger were fairly affectionate to her, and it hadn't struck her just how much she benefited from it personally until Nozomi hugged her. ]

It's okay. Maybe some day they'll come here, too. And, well, it won't make up for not having them here, but you can count me as a friend now, I think!

[ She felt a little bad - friends knew each other better than she could offer to another living soul, but at least she could do her best. ]

I hope so. Until then, I know I have you around...

[Sorry, Ruby, Nozomi's hand is going to start brushing your hair.]

Just... let me know if there is something you don't want me to do... o-or even want me to do!

[ Oh, oh no that's so comfortable. She relaxes just a little bit. ]

I'll let you know when I know. [ She pauses for a moment. ] You know, one of the older kids would do this when I was younger, too. Petting my hair, I mean. She looked after me when I was new to the forge and still kinda fighty with everyone.

[Nozomi giggled, noting how relaxed Ruby was getting, especially with the explanation.]

I can see. It certainly makes you a little more calmer. Heh, I didn't expect this coming here - from wanting to help you expand your ideas to being affectionate to a new friend.

[ Oh that makes her blush just a little. She resists the urge to hide her face in the older girl's arm - that would be even more embarrassing! ]

The best part is that now you can do both. [ Ruby certainly will not be complaining! ]

[ At that moment she pauses, then looks up. ]

Oh, right! I have paper and stuff we can write things down on! I can also tell you all I have in mind so far.

Oh, good idea! Make sure we have everything down so we can plan better!

[She'll let go of Ruby so she can get what she needs.]

Want me get a chair and you get the bed?

[ Ruby nods and goes to the desk long enough to pull out two notebooks and two pens. She places one pair on the desk and then goes to sit on the bed. The crow croaking out a complaint while Ruby mumbles 'go back to sleep, 'rasu'.

Then she looks up at Nozomi. ]

So, first thing before we get started, I'd like to get things started properly in early April. But in the mean time I'm going to be introducing people to those who can possibly help ahead of time, too.

[Nozomi took a chair and sat it near the bed before sitting in it and taking the notebook and pen.]

April? That gives us a bit of leeway. Maybe less than two weeks before the next arrivals? At least from what I hear?

[ Ruby nods. ]

I'd like to make the meetings regular, but having the first one before the newcomers start coming in will give us the ability to reach out to them with a little more ease. We'll also have an idea of what we need to change in that time, too. I am hoping to be able to learn to cook from Dawn so I can provide meals for the first meeting at least, even if we can't do so regularly for a while.

Things will go smoother if we all have the energy to do what we intend to.

That makes sense. We’ll need to refine this over time. I don’t think it’ll work out day one, yes?

Exactly, [ Ruby points her with the pen for a moment, ] it's going to be a lot of trial and error. First thing though..

We should make a list of skills we and others have offered, and make a game plan. Our first priority should be helping people to be safe, of course, but knowing what we can offer over time will help us expand at a natural pace.

I would think the first thing we should let them know of is places they can stay at. Perhaps suggest staying with roommates, too?

That's a good point. Archimedes told me that the inns here would take us in, and give us a free meal at breakfast time, but it's possible that younger kids may not know how to handle that. [ She tapped the back of the pen against her chin. ] If nothing else we can help them check in. And then...

We may want to get a list of people who are willing to check in on the younger arrivals. I think that most of the teenagers would be fine, but the younger kids may be scared. I'm not sure the inns will let us have multiple people per room, but I think younger kids would appreciate knowing who they can go to if something's wrong.

Hmm, I agree. At the very least, it'll let them know that there are others willing to look after them in their time of need.

[Her eyes go wide]

Oh, we should take care not to upset certain people. Not everyone will be human and may actually look like kids in size despite being older. Believe me, I know.

Exactly. People who know what it's like to be small.

[ Ruby then nods. ]

I've talked to one. I think it will be a good idea to accept those who are children in body, if not in mind, too. Society isn't going to treat them like adults without a bunch of information about them first, so at least among us they may not have to deal with as many questions.

Good idea.

[Nozomi gestures to herself as an example.]

That's gonna be a lot of info to get down, though...

It will. But we'll find ways to make it easier. If nothing else we can keep a roster of everyone in the group and how old they are and have it available for anyone who asks. As much as that feels like a safety hazard, it would likely be worth any risk.

We can keep it as light on the details as needed, just a check mark for 'adult mind', 'adult body', 'child mind', 'child body' or something. That way no one has to give their exact age!

[Nozomi nods at that]

Okay, I think that would work out. It would be beneficial to everyone and we don't have to pry too much into everyone's private business.

[And she leans back and groans]

So much woooooork...!

[ Ruby can't help but giggle a little at that. ]

Oh and this is just the start of all the work! But, I think it'll really be worth it. And so long as we share it, it won't be too overwhelming.

Video; UN: Rubitsune

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