video; un: d.larusso

[miyagimagic]

[ Though the video feed may be started with Daniel’s username, it seems like the man isn’t the only person visible when the message starts. Robby is right there next to him, the man with a friendly smile on his face and the boy smiling, though not as brightly. ]

Hello, everyone! As I’m sure many of you have experienced yourself, suddenly arriving in this place on the train can be more than a little disorienting. And though many people here are incredibly kind and willing to help, Robby and I thought that it would also be nice to have a place where new people can be directed to in order to get some information, a warm welcome, and some equally warm food. So we’re planning on clearing out a space somewhere near the main train station to turn it into a welcome diner of sorts.

We know people are arranging clubs and have regular meet-ups, [ speaks up Robby this time, ] so we thought they'd be a good place to advertise them. Let them know who's running clinics, who to ask about the kiosk or the city. Share what's happened here, too.

[ There's the faintest shift in Robby's tone at the mention of that, but he quickly adds: ] Oh, yeah, and we know there's been talk about how supplies are doing. The food's gonna be packaged and good to take out if people want it–if you wanna help with recipes, or help out with the idea in general, let us know.

[ Daniel is definitely smiling like a proud dad sensei the entire time he’s listening to the boy speak. Please don’t mind a man being very embarrassing, even ruffling his hair once Robby is done speaking. The highest form of humiliation a teenager can suffer. ]

Really, Robby deserves all the credit. He really does always have the best ideas. Everyone, make sure to befriend him, alright?

[ There's a very teenage huff from behind Robby, and the video feed is moving as: ] Okay, I think we're done.

[ Yes, that's Robby reaching for the phone to end the post. Freedom!!!! ]

Comments

video; un: Hob

[100more]

[ The relationship between the pair is endearing. ]

I think that's a fantastic idea. I'm not much of a cook, but I can lend a hand with cleaning up or doing the dishes, if you'd like. Or packing supplies. Call on me for whatever, really.

[miyagimagic]

[ Oh, it's a voice Daniel recognizes. Not too well, sure, but-- he does remember having thought Hob seemed pretty reasonable, considering his smart observations from before. ]

Thanks, it's really kind of you to offer. It probably won't be too big a thing, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to hand the cooking. [ The upside of already being used to cooking for an entire group of kids, really.. ] But extra help with anything else sounds great. I really don't want to be stuck washing dishes all the time.

I mean, have you seen how much some kids can eat?

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

This is the man talking who I remember making leftovers for days when I stayed with him.

[ Is this Robby feeling the need to pipe up after Mister LaRusso's 'have you seen how much some kids can eat?' up there? Yes. He's even looking over at the man off-screen. ]

He just loves to cook and hates the washing up.

[ The sass! ]

video, un: thevampirelestat

[perfectdevil]

[ He's learned how to use the video setting without cropping himself out of the viewfinder, hurray! He has his hand to his chin as he speaks, the device clearly propped up on something. ]

This idea could certainly work. No-one knows what the residents of this city need more than its actual residents, non?

However, on that train of thought. Have you given any consideration to how you'll prepare for the arrival of anyone not human? Anyone who might not have the palate for your food, or need some very specific information about sleeping arrangements or decorum when it comes to living with mortals?

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Hi, it's the younger guy from the video here--clearly holding it from the way it shakes a little, and his eyes not always looking at the camera, but not avoidant. ]

That's where the help comes in. If they need something we don't know about, we can point them to the restaurants that make the food appear. But if we want to cover more about other people-- those people are gonna need to put that together. Having that around isn't a bad idea.

[ Even if it's slightly weird to talk about, but--Robby's getting used to it! ]

[miyagimagic]

[ .. there's something about the phrase 'living with mortals' that will forever make Daniel feel vaguely awkward, though he's trying his best here. He's slowly learning to cope with the reality that things that don't exist in his world are just a thing here.

But since Robby seems to have the more general idea covered, Daniel can't help but ask-- ]

Were you thinking about any kind of non-human in particular..?

[ You know, just so they could already brainstorm for one specific scenario. ]

I imagine you're implying that you are not one yourself as well. [ You know, given the.. 'living with mortals' thing. ]

Video: Koromaru

[whatsamada]

[Ken didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he was more focused on the person whom he had met before. Still, he does want to help out…]

I know I’m new but I wouldn’t mind helping out. I can do the more simple things.

[miyagimagic]

Hey.

[ Don't mind Daniel smiling warmly. Sure, he already did it in the initial message, but he had to get more serious for some of the replies here..

But at seeing Ken? He's definitely giving the boy a fond smile again. ]

Of course you can come help out if you want. How are you settling in so far? Everything going alright?

video | un: P.Graham

[possessum]

[ It's still pretty rare that Peter pipes up here publicly, but his next-door neighbours are two of his Safest People in this place, and therefore this feels safe... Besides, the general vibe is just nice, seeing some open displays of affection and normalcy. (Sorry Robby, he's giving a little smile to himself at watching you get Dadded....) before he turns on his own feed.

Really, though. Both Daniel and Robby have been helping him from the very start; it's no surprise they would present something like this. ]

Oh man. Having a place where you don't have to worry about like... creepy ghost food would be really nice.

[ One less big, weird worry to have to be concerned with. Normal food. He remembers how freaked out he got about the food, when he really thought about it. How freaked out other people got. Plus, having a welcome center so that new people don't feel so lost.... yeah, this is a big thing.

(Plus, Daniel's pasta is Supreme.....) ]

If you guys need help clearing out the place, I'm down.

[miyagimagic]

Really? [ It's not a disbelieving really, but there is definitely some surprise in the way Daniel says that single word.

It's a good kind of surprise, though. Especially if you go by how much he's smiling as he's saying it. He's seen Peter's state vary for sure over the past few months, after all, so it just feels good to see the boy offer something like this. ]

If you're feeling good enough for it, we could definitely use the help. Getting set up is probably going to be the biggest challenge. [ Since it's so much work at once.. ] And of course you're always invited to come eat there, Peter.

video; un: mightiest

[fanstheflames]

Offer to help, extended! Robby, already befriended!

[ Well, here's someone who looks like she wasn't traumatized from the mall At All. Yep. Nothing happened, she's all good. ]

How'm I doing so far?

[miyagimagic]

A perfect score! [ Look, of course Daniel is going to go along with Tsuruno's shenanigans. They're cute. He's very fond of how energetic she always is - it kind of reminds him of when he was still young. ]

I think you might just be my best student here, Tsuruno. Make sure to not tell Robby.

[ You know, the boy who's definitely within earshot. Who can hear all of this. ]

You're sure you wouldn't mind helping out? I'm sure someone like you already got plenty on her plate.

video; un: louis

[deathoftheauthor]

( A small, warm smile from the pale gentleman in the turtleneck sweater. )

It's a marvelous idea. Please, tell me if there's any way I can help. I don't know how to cook, but I'm willing to learn. I've found myself with an abundance of free time on my hands since arriving here.

[miyagimagic]

[ .. oh. The view and the voice might be new, but the username is simple enough that Daniel definitely recognizes it from just the other month. Daniel remembers having thought the other rather sensible - and it makes him smile easily, especially with his mood still being pretty pleasant. ]

I think we all have. [ It's said with some amusement, even though it's.. really not necessary a good thing, given what this city has been like..

But, ssh, Daniel doesn't want to think too hard about that right now. Mall incident? What mall incident? ]

Learning how to cook is a good skill to have in general, you know. I'm aware that you can get meals from the restaurants around here, but I'm still not sure how to feel about the food appearing out of nowhere. Hence.. this idea, I suppose.

video; un: Liebing

[zewu_jun]

[ Just two guys proving that they really are good people. He's happy to see that holds true. ]

This is an excellent idea. If I can help, I would like to assist you.

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

Oh, hey. [ Robby recognises this guy! So get a familiar 'oh hey' there. Oh, but also more: ] You wanna help on the diner side or welcoming side? Mister LaRusso knows how to make food, but getting suggestions on what we should be thinking of, have mentioned somewhere--

Another guy brought up a good idea about people having special diets and living arrangements. [ It's an example, and he pauses before: ] You got any thoughts?

[ Along the welcome suggestion lines? ]

video; un: mr. chandler

[lupusintus]

[ Oh, look, Daniel. It's the guy who scared the life out of you. And now he's about to blatantly call you out on your embarrassing behavior. ]

Looking like a proud father over there, Mr. Larusso. Don't smother the kid.

Seeing as how I owe you one for what happened at the graveyard.. [ Nobody else needs to know exactly what happened, what is context? ] Least I can do is help you clean the place out.

[miyagimagic]

[ At least being called out on his embarrassing behaviour isn't really the embarrassing part here.

No, it's mostly just the assumption, considering it's just the tiniest bit off. It makes Daniel duck his head a little before answering: ]

Oh-- no, I'm his teacher.

[ Not his dad!! (Unfortunately, honestly.) ]

But thanks, we could really use the help. Getting the entire thing set up in the first place is probably going to be the biggest hurdle, even if I've got some DIY experience.

[Video] un: Capsulecorp

[fashionably_strong]

That's a great idea, and a much better welcome than just showing up and having to figure stuff out yourself.

[She pauses for a moment.]

Maybe we could make a reference guide that could be sent to everyone's phones.

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

Sure, a reference guide couldn't hurt. [ Though... ] What were you thinking could be on there?

[ Because man, is there a lot people could bring up about this place. ]

video; un: cyclops

[laserguy]

[Scott finds himself smiling slightly as he answers the feed, not even really trying to hide it.]

Looks like you already have a lot of volunteers, but I'll be happy to lend my support if you need it.

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ ...Hi, guy with the most futuristic shades Robby has ever seen? No, he's no asking. Though, there is a curious tone the moment he speaks up. ]

Thanks. You new? [ A beat. ] Don't think I've seen your username around.

[ Not that Robby makes a habit of tracking them, but! ]

video

[aceslow]

Good to see you talking again, Daniel. And good to meet you as well, Robby.

[ He's already heard all about Robby... but he chooses not to embarrass the kid and point out that his teacher was going around waving his picture like a proud father. Kim may not understand teenagers, but he understands that much. ]

That's a fine idea. Fostering a sense of community straightaway will do a lot in helping others get adjusted -- and be less likely to want to cause too much trouble, [ he adds with a crooked smile. ]

Directing them to empty units might be a good addition.

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Well this a well-spoken kind of guy, isn't he. Robby notes that, but he also notes the good point brought up. ]

Finding out what apartments are crowded or still have places would be good. I dunno if we could get volunteers from the buildings to help us figure that out, or maybe if someone minds being a door a new guy could knock on if they want help picking a room? Some people like the company.

[ He's looking off as he says that last part, a furrow to his brow--thinking it out, the process of someone arriving new and then eventually wanting to find somewhere to live.

Really, he says 'some people like the company' but means 'people find the process of taking a free apartment weird (and being in the city weird)'. ]

video; un: broca

[broca]

It's not a bad idea...

[ Since it seems like new arrivals will be a regular thing that's easy to time... ]

What kind of space are you setting up?

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Are those....animal ears on screen....

We're not saying anything about them!! ]

A literal diner. [ Which, after a beat: ] You seen them around?

[ Kind of trying to gauge if they know what a diner is, by that word... ]

text; un: TeslaCoils

[codenametesla]

[Too many people she doesn't know, so she's sticking to text, but this is SUCH A GREAT IDEA, she loves it, and she's already been trying to help the new people she sees, so this is a great way to make that more helpful and not just.. her awkwardly trying! Yes!]

Once you know more about what you need and who you have volunteering for what, I'd love to help out as well. We can try to make updated maps for the places people have opened up or are helping run, the best places to find any specific supplies/food that might be needed by those with other needs, mark out the apartment complexes and other things that are most heavily occupied if they want to have neighbors, or even set up a sort of 'tour' path to show people around better. I know the people who don't come from cities like this might be a bit overwhelmed or might struggle to read some of the maps so putting a place to the diagram could be helpful?

text, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Oh, you know, this is good to see as text. It takes a moment for Robby to read with the video messages happening, but at least Mister LaRusso's dealing with them too. ]

hey. robby here

the map sounds good. we can have a full one outside the diner and then minimaps if you and whoever wants to help can make them

if there's things people don't get because they're not used to cities like this, we thought it could be good if someone who dealt with that could write about too. we don't know the backgrounds of everyone coming here.

but some don't know how to use phones

[ That's been made evident....a few times. ]

Video : UN; willthewise

[willtheunwise]

[ the phone is propped up and Will looks a little less like garbage than the last time either of them will have seen him. He has yellow paint on his face and a paintbrush tucked behind his ear. ]

So I still can’t cook, sorry Daniel, thanks for trying to teach me.
[ he set off brand Kraft Mac on fire and hasn’t used the stove since ]

And I’m not good at manual labour but if you want some paintings or something to make the place a bit more welcoming or visual design stuff I can provide that.

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Robby kind of wants to ask a few different things (so how did the cooking lessons go, what's he making, etc), but let's focus on what the call is about! ]

Actually, that'd be helpful. We were looking at a building, and maybe you can come help us stare at it and see what it needs? [ There's a wrinkle of his nose, and then a small laugh. ] --we can use all the artistic eyes we can get.

[ A hand can be seen as he starts listing off. ] I know we're gonna need to make flyers for this, a sign for the building so people know it's the place, and an outdoor board people can read for stuff going on. And a whole lot more we haven't figured out yet.

[ Always the best part. ]

video; un: yesod

[wordchain]

[ The plans announced here are indeed a good idea. ]

This city will gain a true information center, then. Are you seeking additional volunteers for any particular task?

video, un: displayname

[strongroots]

Well, sounds like we have volunteers for the restaurant and manual labour side. [ So far! ] Help on the info side would be cool? People have been figuring out the city for a while, and then there's the stuff people come in and have problems with we wouldn't know about, 'cause of where we're from.

If you have ideas or wanna brainstorm with us, we won't say no. Better this is a group effort anyway.

[ For a lot of reasons, really. ]

un: mantis

[uglybug]

I would be happy to help in whatever way you need.

text, un: displayname

[strongroots]

cool, thanks. this is robby.

you been around long? we could do with more help on the info side and how to help newbies. what are you comfortable with?

un. dimitri.

[stubboarn]

How wonderful. If you need any more help, please let me know. I have another friend with me I could probably drag with me for morale, as well.

[ throwing his roommate under the bus for this, but hey. it's for a good cause. ]

text, un: displayname

[strongroots]

hey, this is robby. what are you and your friend okay with? figuring out what info to have at the diner and putting it together would help. about what's going on or what's good to know for being stuck here

helping out with flyers or helping us grab stuff from the shops.

[ Throwing out ideas!! Robby will use anyone and anything happily!! ]

video | @stray

[kampfgeist]

[ it is such a testament to how much heine likes daniel that he's doing this on video instead of by text. not that there's much to the video besides heine seated on some random curb in his neighborhood. ]

Sounds like a pretty good idea. [ he might be the wrong candidate for it, but there are surely a lot of newcomers who would appreciate something like that. a slightly more human touch than the welcome most of them had gotten to the city. ] I'll volunteer Badou for cooking.

[ this is revenge for badou volunteering him for mapmaking, never mind him ]

If I cook I'll kill someone, but I'll help with other stuff if you need it.

[miyagimagic]

[ You're being such a good boy, Heine. And Daniel appreciates the help, but there's something about what the other is saying that he just can't help but comment on first, seeming vaguely amused. ]

You two seem to be getting along well.

[ Heine and Badou, he means, of course.

Is there a little something more to his tone when he says that? Who knows! Maybe you're just imagining it, maybe you're not. ]

un: hidden | audio

[matermali]

A kind idea. Something of great value when idle entrapment and dwindling supplies can so easily threaten a man's good will.

audio, un: displayname

[strongroots]

The supplies coming back slower doesn't sound like a big deal yet. And the idle entrapment part is really boring.

[ So clearly, this project is a good answer. ]

text; un: The Seventh Crown of the Seventh Demon King

[unrequite]

[ Aw. How very charming! Is that Mr. LaRusso's son? That... well, Midnight's not happy about the eternal truth of kids being trapped here, but at least this kid has someone keeping an eye out for him. ]

I'll be sure to attend. I can't say I've ever worked in a restaurant before, but I'll be glad to help out wherever I can.

text, un: displayname

[strongroots]

[ Dude. That username. ]

thanks, this is robby from the video. what kind of skills are you comfortable with? meeting people's also something. we'll need help setting up the building and making sure we get all the info we need.

@samsa, text

[anthropophagite]

That's a really nice idea, I think many would appreciate it.

I'm not sure what I can do, but if you need further help, I can try.

text, un: displayname

[strongroots]

i was talking with a few other people about meeting up and talking about the best way of sharing info. figuring out what people need to know, how to share it

you wanna come and talk about it? it's just about covering all our bases. we need to check what buildings are full and empty too (for people to stay in)