maskormenace | [Video] I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town.

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[Video] I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town.

[The feed opens to Betty and Kel in Very Professional button down blouses and office slacks. Kel looking stiffer than normal, which is a feat. There’s a moment of silence, and right before it actually gets awkward, Kel clears her throat and speaks first:]

Hello, some of you might recognize me. I’m Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, and today I’m speaking as a representative of the Ambassador’s office in De Chima about something we’ve come up with to...-to help the community-[Said as if reading off an internal script]-especially the most vulnerable of us.

[She glances at Betty and the camera moves a bit to focus on the other woman. Betty, considerably more at home in business formal, smiles slightly at the camera.]

Yes, hello, uh, network. My name is Dr. Elizabeth Ross and I've spoken with a number of you about this project in the past. With the Lady Keladry's enthusiasm and support, and the blessing of our elected Ambassadors, it's finally underway.

We would like to formally announce the YimCA - or Young imPorts Child Advocacy.

[She takes a moment to look somewhat embarrassed. Culturally-speaking, this is probably her fault.]

As you know, the Porters sometimes bring in very young imPorts, and while, as a whole, they tend to be exceedingly resourceful and capable children with a wealth of world-experience. You know the kinds of worlds some of us are from--the kids are the same. [Smile twisting a little wry, like she's remembering]. They tend to be tough, but their age still puts them at a disadvantage.

So far, we've been doing pretty well as a community. Our young people tend to find their way to one or more... guardian… figures who'll watch out for them. We're not trying to replace that kind of networking system, but to reinforce it. Sometimes people… sometimes people port out without warning. Or are incapacitated for other reasons. This would be a backup, for both sides of the equation.

[Kel nods and joins back in, leaning forward as she does so.]

Our goal is to provide our younger imPorts with resources they might not know exist, and to make sure they have people to fall back on, if their housemates are ported out again...or they’re assigned someone who they may not feel right living around. [YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE]

To apply to act as a caseworker, we'll need you to be Registered. I’m sorry, but accepting government funding means we need to follow this rule. [Look of embarrassment] You need to have no criminal record and preferably have lived here at least a month.

[Betty's been watching Kel as she speaks, at first with an expression of polite attentiveness, but growing increasingly bemused as the other woman’s shirt strains hard at the seams]

And if you're a younger imPort yourself, you're always welcome to contact us at this number [which appears on the screen]. We’re going to be contacted about new imPorts, but any one of you who already lives here is free to choose if you need our help.

[Kel looks back at Betty and nods, then to the camera:]

Thank you for your time, we hope to hear from you.

[As Kel reaches out to turn off the camera, there is a distinct RIPPING sound from her shoulder]

Sarden fuckin-!

[Click]

[ooc: Check out this ooc post for more details about signing up!]

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Having been a younger imPort in my own time, I think the self-appointed "guardianships" probably should be replaced. It has no kind of vetting process, and that can make it far more dangerous than whoever someone's housed with. Something like this, with proper oversight? Probably much better in the long run.

[ And then, on a not wholly unrelated note: ] How strict is the bit about the criminal record? Particularly if you ultimately were found not guilty.

[ Probably not the best question to lead with, maybe? ]

[Betty's the only one on screen right now, although she keeps glancing to the side where Keladry is presumably preoccupied.]

Hmm, without knowing more, it's hard to say. For now let's say.... we'll be reviewing on a case-by-case basis, so someone who was absolved won't be dismissed out of hand. [Betty's own history isn't a shining beacon of virtue.]

As for the guardianship, [a pause as she gathers her thoughts about the existing system, settling on,] We're ultimately going to need to trust the judgement of younger imPorts. If they've found someone they trust, we wouldn't want to do more harm than good, so for now the best we can do is offer alternatives and be available to help.

That said, if you know of a minor in a dangerous situation right now, we're affiliated with the Ambassador offices and can connect you with people who can do something about it. [If you want to do things by official channels. We're all about that here today.]

I think that's a bit...dangerous, frankly. There are rather many imPorts who could manipulate that judgement, take advantage of their naivete. Not all of them will be quite so visible as someone like Jonathan Crane. You should have seen the sort of mentors we'd be collected by in my time.

[ People like Norman Osborn, who, even when they knew they should be careful of, he still managed to put the wool over their eyes. ]

The concerns regarding my criminal record aren't unrelated. Young imPorts are a powerful and vulnerable bunch, I'd hate the same to happen to these as did myself and my contemporaries.

[ There's a pause as he considers whether to acknowledge the end of the video, but eventually decides it's probably best to get straight down to business: ]

I don't have much experience working with children, so I don't think I'd be an ideal case worker. Is there some way I could help?

Children are always in need of better guidance.

[ A lesson that Edmund knows very well, which is why he's drawn to this particular project. ]

I would be glad to help your cause in any way I can.

I don't disagree with you. These sorts of concerns are why this office is being established, because there hasn't been a safety net readily available.

But it comes to limits, and registration and a clean record do not... actually make for a very high bar, you know? [She makes a face; those weren't quite the words she was looking for. Her hands trace invisible tree diagrams in the air.]

It's still a start, but because this program doesn't have the more invasive vetting process and training of a native child protection program. So we also lack the legal authority to decide which guardian-relationships are inadequate.

So I think leaving decisions up to the younger imPorts themselves is still the safest. By helping them stay informed and connected, we can reduce the risk of the sort of manipulation you're describing and, we hope, help them make better choices. And be there if they, um, don't.

[Wryly,] I know the feeling. Kel is the one who's really... [miscellaneous office-type shuffling noises.]

Mm, okay, so we're hoping to start small, but since we intend to be involved in at least our four cities, I know we can find a use for an extra set of limbs. [Paperwork. It's probably gonna come down to paperwork.] What do you have experience in?

[ Shepard has experience filing mission reports, but combat debriefing is probably different from "dropped Bob off at school and made sure he's doing his homework. ]

I've been a patrol officer in Heropa for about two years, give or take. Before that, I was a soldier. [ Though that's probably not the kind of skill set she's looking for ... unless she was looking to get someone's ass kicked. ]

["located optimum parking space to evade 3pm bus traffic" okay no, maybe not.]

That sounds like at least you must know Heropa very well, but otherwise... Hm, how about: what sort of work would you be interested in?

I don't have much experience working with children this young either, but imPort kids could have very different needs. [And then there are the Pines twins.]

As long as it doesn't preclude keeping an eye out for warning signs. We cannot, perhaps, make decisions for them, but I should think that would be a part of keeping them informed.

What if you been arrested, but no charges were pressed and you were released the same day?

[Betty, you know exactly what incident he's talking about.]

[Leaning into the camera,] Assuming you're applying and that the process goes smoothly, would you like to work with us on this?

We need something official to help caseworkers spot traditional red flags as part of orientation. Maybe something for the children too. These materials already exist, but don't take into account powered individuals and I think you could improve on them, offer insight we don't have.

I would say it's worth applying. [Especially in your case, but she's typing for the benefit of anyone reading, too.] Defending yourself from a belligerent local isn't the kind of thing we're screening for.

As far as background goes, we have what the office passes down to us and would follow up individually if something seemed off.

[The one who would recognize him can't come to the screen right now, although Kel should be able to hear everything they're saying. Betty just nods, pleasant and polite.]

Guidance or at least someone invested in their well-being. We all could use that, but imPort kids come in with a lot of disadvantages.

[It was a belligerent imPort that Daryl happened to be pretty damn fond of now, but Betty didn't need to know that.]

Okay.

What if there's a kid you're already watching out for? You gotta list them?

[He kind of took responsibility for Carl and Enid even if nothing official had been put down between them. They were part of the group and Rick was gone.]

Oh, you can take for granted that I'll be applying! You couldn't pry my cold dead hands from it. Even if I don't pass your screening process, I'll still be very invested in your success, and would be glad to offer whatever insight I have to offer.

[ The easiest way to get on Kanaya's good side is just to tell her that her insight is valuable. That possibly comes from having years of being a dismissed imPort teenager who had to fight for her own independence. ]

[Betty didn't know anything about that encounter, barely spoke to the front desk, and mostly remembers it for clearing up the household mystery of the week.]

We're not requiring disclosure of existing guardian relationships right now, but if you do, it will make it easier for us to check in on them sooner if you port out or are temporarily replaced by an alternate.

[Or whatever bizarre happening comes up. This place...]

[Wait, you couldn't pry... what now? Bemusement flashes across Betty's face, but she likes Kanaya already. She can't be much older than Kel (who she also thinks of as rather young if very self-possessed).]

Well I'm glad to hear that. Honestly we [gestures off camera] were anticipating some resistance from the younger members of the network.

[ She might be surprised to learn Kanaya's actually a year younger, but most people are. Kanaya's been working to project an image of mature adulthood since she was fifteen, at least. ]

And you might yet encounter it! Young imPorts can be a very proud sort, they don't think they need any sort of looking after. I'm just old enough to have the benefit of hindsight.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if we encountered a bit of resistance, as the scattered spheres of this undertaking begin to roll.

Not sure if they're both registered. They got to be registered?

You've got a pretty good project here, Betty.

[Clint's not even trying to hide his approval over this idea; even if he wasn't a father, he's still seen so many kids whom the system has failed, if there even was a system to begin with. Hell, he'd kind of been one of those kids, in a way. He's got a kind of small, lopsided smile on that makes him look a hell of a lot less grim than he does in his serious moments, like he's glad to see her more involved with the world and doing something helpful at the same time.]

Need a hand?

Nope, just you. We're more worried about their safety than yours. :)

Also the records we keep on them will be kept in our own office; we're not required to report on their doings as participants of this program.

[But one day a minor is going to do something ridiculously out of proportion and the paperwork is going to be incredible.]

[Kanaya does come across as someone thorough and level-headed, although Betty is also incapable of estimating ages, even among humans, and especially on the younger end of the spectrum.]

You would be in a stronger position to convince them, in that case. I've seen a little first hand how self-sufficient they can be [Cadel had been thirteen and bought an apartment somehow?], but even if it's just having an adult mouthpiece to help give their words more weight, I'm sure we can offer something.

[Meanwhile: predators. Betty opens her mouth as though to ask something, then reconsiders. First she might need Kel's help switching this line to something more encrypted.] Even a weak connection would be better than none, [she concludes instead.]

[ Fifteen is when Kanaya had to start working to support a household of other teenagers, dropped out of school to work multiple jobs. How anyone could just produce an apartment out of nowhere, that's still beyond her. ]

I think that could be a major help. Looking out for them is one thing, the sort of thing adults will go for easily, but the young will have a harder time accepting. If we could give them an exchange, offer an advocacy to allow their voices to be heard, that may make things smoother.

[Carl's already stabbed someone. At the imPort School. In the hall. Between classes. He got suspended for it, so the individual incident's been dealt with. But uh... no guarantee it won't happen again.]

Okay. The paperwork got a place to list them or I just need to tell you?

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