avalononline | 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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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.

[Nozomi looked over at Ruby. She hated the idea of so much work, but it was their idea, so she had to keep going.]

Yeah, you’re right. We’ll keep working on this. We’ll make sure everyone is safe and sound.

[And she gets up to sit with Ruby now.]

Thanks for letting me help you...

[ Ruby smiles and nods, moving to pat Nozomi's shoulder. ]

And thank you for offering your help. I was fully prepared to do this on my own if I had to, but it's a great relief that I will have others who can help me. Systems work better when they're ran on a shared purpose than with a single person's vision.

I would never leave someone in a rut! Besides, I liked your idea and I just had to help! I hope others will help out, too...

[She adjusts herself and mutters...]

This bed is soft. I might just pass out on it...

I'm sure some will. If not now, then later down the line. After all, even people who don't like other people often see the wisdom in working with them.

[ Ruby then smiles a little. ]

If you want, you can take a nap while I write some stuff down. I'll be up a few hours more.

[Nozomi blushed at that as she removed her glasses. She was now so conscious about everything!]

Um... thanks. Don’t... don’t stay up too late, okay?

[She sat her glasses down on a nearby shelf as she moved to lay down, her purple eyes looking up at Ruby as she started to doze off.]

[ Ruby smiled at her and nodded. ]

I'll be sure to get sleep before it's too late.

[ Ruby looked back to her notebook and began writing away, the gentle scratching of pen on paper adding to the sounds of the coming evening. For one who looked so small, she seemed so very sure as she went about her work. ]

[And Nozomi slips off into dreamland, her head moved towards Ruby's waist. Once she awakens, she'll apologize profusely for sleeping so late and wanting to make up for this. Right now, she feels comfortable in Ruby's presence.]

[ Eventually Ruby, too, will make her way to sleep. Perhaps Nozomi would wake up early enough to see the girl taking up part of the remaining space, curled around her notebook, glasses still on her face. Or perhaps she'd wake up after Ruby had come to and was getting ready for the day. Either way, for now, Ruby scratched away at her notebook, making plans, deciding what they still needed, dutifully working on this goal that had already seen more positive feedback than she'd expected. ]

[Nozomi would wake early enough to see Ruby asleep, the notebook by their side. She would see the notes scratched down and be in awe over it. She had so many ideas for it...!

She would leave the notebook where it laid before moving to slide Ruby’s glasses off her face and set them beside her own. With a soft giggle, she leaned in to kiss her forehead before she laid back down.]

It’s decided: I’ll help your dream come true...

[And she’ll doze off again, this time waking while Ruby is getting ready.]

Video; UN: Rubitsune

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