video;

[neatniks]

[ Hello, gang! Have an image of Wasabi, sitting as primly as a large fellow can manage at his kitchen table. Beside him, there's a small organizational tote. He smiles and offers the camera a quick wave. ]

Yo. It's Wasabi, here to present an opportunity for us imPorts to give back to the community around us.

As I'm sure you're all aware, winter is coming up, and, while the weather stays pretty mild here in Florida, it gets pretty cold in other places. While this is par the course for most people, there are people whose circumstances make winter a big problem. Those without homes, those without steady incomes or reliable means... You get the idea.

Now, I-- [ Hang on. He reaches into the bag to pull out a nearly-finished, knitted hat, made with thick yarn and with quite a few needle point sticking out haphazardly. ] I knit, see? And, back home, I always try to crank out as many extra pieces of winter wear as I can. There's numerous charities that organize and collect donations like this, and this world is not exception to this practice. I've looked into it.

So what I basically want to do is to rally as much imPort participation as possible. Then we can work up whatever we can and make sure they get to where they need to be. Simple enough, right? So... What do you say? Would anybody be interested in doing that kind of thing?

Oh! And don't worry if you can't knit. I'm definitely willing to teach, if it'll help. I can do crochet, too, if you'd rather learn and work with that.

Comments

[video]

[timecapture]

That sounds great! I'd love to learn how to knit.

[Good luck getting her to not stab herself with the needles, Wasabi.]

And... Wasabi?

[What kind of nickname is that? Maybe he just really likes the stuff.]

I'm Max.

[neatniks]

[ It's special. That's what kind of nickname it is. ]

Nice to meet you, Max.

Like I said, I'd be more than willing to teach. It's a good hobby and a good cause to get started on.

[timecapture]

Great! It'll be good to give something back to the community. I'm already volunteering for Thanksgiving, but I feel like I could be doing more.

[Aside from the whole "hero" business Max is apparently supposed to be doing here.]

[neatniks]

It's a good attitude to have, if nothing else. No better way to spend your free time, right?

With determination like that, we'll be extra glad to have you on board.

[timecapture]

Thanks! I'm trying to stay positive about this whole thing, even if it's really weird.

[neatniks]

Oh, gosh. I know, right? This place is crazy. I really hate it a lot of the time.

But, yeah, this is... This is something nice and normal. It helps in more than one way like that.

[timecapture]

You're right! I've just been trying to help out when I can, but that actually helps a lot. Thanks.

[neatniks]

No problem.

So... Let me get started in arranging lessons. Do you mind me asking which city you're in and when you're free?

[timecapture]

I'm free after school and in the afternoon on the weekends. [Luckily, her job's only part time.]

And I live in Heropa, at least for now. I'm thinking of doing a transfer to Xavier's, though.

[neatniks]

That lines up pretty nicely then. I work during the day and I'm also in Heropa.

[ As for Xavier's... He only knows one thing about it, and it's not getting a mention. ] We can meet in town, if you'd like. How about the Lucky Cat Cafe? Ms. Cass probably won't mind if we take up a corner for a little while.

[timecapture]

The Lucky Cat Cafe? That sounds cute. I'd like that.

[neatniks]

It is pretty cute. My friends' aunt runs it. If you haven't been, I hope that this will prove a worthy discovery.

[timecapture]

I'm sure it will be. Does she actually have a cat?

[neatniks]

She does! Mochi.

He's very fat.

[timecapture]

[Sold.]

I'm so there.

[neatniks]

I'm not sure he visits the cafe, but yeah. If you get in with Cass good enough, maybe she'll let you be a backup babysitter or something.

[timecapture]

Think maybe I can get a good photo in?

[neatniks]

It's possible, though I cannot personally confirm or deny the chances. I'll talk to the Hamadas and see what can be done.

[timecapture]

[That sound? Is the sound of Max squeeing over the possibility of meeting a kitty.]

[neatniks]

Cat person, I take it?

[timecapture]

Animal person in general.

[neatniks]

That's fair.

There always seems to be an excess of animals available to loving homes, if you have the time and finances to spare. Just don't go overboard.

[timecapture]

Sadly, I can't afford one just yet.

But once I can, I fully intend on getting one! It'd be nice to have some company.

[neatniks]

Yeah. I lucked out, but a lot of people seem to get brought here without anybody else that they know.

If that's the case, then I'm sorry to hear it, and I'm glad you're waiting on getting a pet until you know you're in a good place to be responsible for it.

[timecapture]

I don't really have anybody here. I'm glad to hear you're not alone in this place.

I'm fine, so far. I'll manage. Besides, maybe I can get something small when the time comes, like a hamster.