Voice; Request

[singlefaith]

[Ran's not sure she's comfortable with being seen for this one, as it's a subject that's touching a little deeply for her, so for the moment she just sticks to voice.]

[She pulls in a soft breath.]

I . . . need some help.

I know a lot of you have met Conan-kun. He's been here for a while. There's another girl here from my world now too -- Ai-chan. If you haven't met them yet, I hope you get to soon.

What I need help with . . . They're both seven. They're both smart -- really smart -- for their age, but. They're both seven. And not fighters. The train doesn't seem to discriminate about who it takes, and yet the missions that it sends us on are dangerous.

[A pause, wrestling with her words.]

I need them both to be safe. This past time Sera-chan and I were able to be with them. But what happens if we're not able to do that? How does their safety get guaranteed?

I need a better guarantee. Please help me figure out how to keep two kids safe so I can get them back home? I'm teaching both some simpler self-defense, and that will help, but . . . I already know it's not enough.

Comments

[adregem]

[ Seven...He expresses just as much concern as he's internalizing. ]

I guess they're not the type to stay on the train during missions, huh?

[ That's not surprising; the kids in his party back home don't back down from a challenge. But they're different. They're fighters with magic spells and whatever else have you. The woman on the other end of the ICP is pretty clear that the kids here don't have the same skillset. ]

Teaching them self-defense is a great start. If they're determined to go on missions, might I suggest speaking to their individual team leads and asking for some assistance in keeping an eye on them, before disembarking from the train? Depending on the mission, they can even go with another team if their task sounds relatively safer. And if things get dicey on ground, then highly encourage them to use the escape function on the SCA, the one that sends you back to the train when you tap it thrice.

[ Roland wishes he had more to reassure her with; but he can't sugar coat the situation. There was no such thing as a better guarantee, not on this train and not with the things it makes them do. These are the cards they've all been dealt with. The best anyone can do is stick together and assist one another where needed. ]

[singlefaith]

[Genuinely, Ran doesn't expect sugar coating. There's no denying the situation that they're in, unfortunately -- which makes it all the harder, because with it comes the knowledge that there's no way out, no way away from it. It's part of what has made all of this weigh on her hard for some time. If it had just been her taken . . . well, that might be different. Now there are children to protect from dangers she's not sure she can protect them from -- and no way out but to find an imperfect way to adapt. There are no full guarantees, and that fact is eating her slowly even as she tries to piece together as many shreds of one as she can.]

Mm-mm, they're not. Ai-chan maybe. But Conan-kun always finds a way to sneak away, even he promises to stay put. He wanted to follow me this past time, so even though I made him promise to stay, I found him in the group as soon as the train pulled away.

I think notifying the team leads could be a good idea. Conan-kun is normally on Orange Team, which I'm told normally has less dangerous missions -- even though it doesn't sound like it ended up that way this time. I think this time, though, he was worried about me on Purple and followed.

Does the SCA work for that at any time? [If so, that's reassuring.]

[adregem]

Good instincts on you, then. It's best to stick together until the situation off the train is assessed properly, with or without kids coming along.

[ Roland nods, a smile on his face. ]

It does. Please don't hesitate to use it if you feel immediate danger and aid isn't close by. [ It's best he introduces himself since she's part of Purple, and regardless, if there are children that need to be looked after, or at least escorted, he can offer his help. ] My name is Roland, ma'am. I'm currently assisting the Purple team as one of its four team leads. I also help with the Black Squad, which can teleport to any location in case of emergency. Let me know if I can be of service to you and your two friends during missions at any time.

[singlefaith]

[Ran does come onto video for that, because it does seem like the introduction merits a bow, and both the moment and Roland seem appropriate for it.]

Thank you . . . I'll make sure they know about it. And I really appreciate the offer.

I'm Ran Mouri. I'm assigned to the Purple team.

[Even if she's only participated on Purple for one of the two missions she's been on so far.]

[adregem]

[ He responds with video as well, smile confident and reassuring. ]

Think nothing of it, Ran. Please let me know what else worries you during missions. We'll do our best to assist. [ In fact, he remembers something important! Finger resting under his chin. ] On Grasshopper 27, we're holding a general Purple team town hall and party. There's no pressure to attend, it's not at all mandatory. But if you have ideas or concerns you'd like to bring up, you're welcome to do so there, in the company of teammates and friends.

[singlefaith]

[Another small bow, and a little smile with it.] Thank you.

I didn't know that was happening, too, so thank you -- I'll do my best to attend!