March Catch-All

[bindsthedead]

WHO: Sabriel and some other people
WHERE: All four Porter cities
WHEN: All of March
WHAT: In the aftermath of the invasion, Sabriel tries to deal with things. Prompts will be in the comments, or add your own.
WARNINGS: Discussion of death and violence is likely.

Comments

RISE Headquarters; open to RISE members

[bindsthedead]

[Even with the aftermath of the Helix siege, there's work to do- mostly paperwork and planning. Sabriel's more somber that usual, but she's focused on her work.

As troubled as she is by what's happened, there's still the chance for RISE to do some good.]

I think we need to account for the possibility that some imPorts may still be brainwashed. We don't want a repeat of that incident with the Hornets last year- not if we can prevent it. People are already paranoid about Russian infiltration, the last thing we need is for it to get worse.

Closed to Godot

[bindsthedead]

[Russia's brainwashing had been one of the more odious parts of the invasion, but also one of the easier parts to mend. But any injury to the mind could leave marks.

So as aggravating as Sabriel found Godot, she went back to check on him, rapping smartly on his door.]

Mr. Godot? It's Sabriel?

[abittertruth]

[Godot has, sincerely, seen no one and spoken to no one since his de-brainwashing.

Well, no one who isn't a medical professional and therefore required on a regular basis.

Which makes Sabriel's intrusion upon his self-imposed isolation both unexpected and not entirely welcome.

And to fill all the time left by his personal exile, he's been reading the network. Almost obsessively, in fact--but only reading. Never commenting, never posting. Just reading.

On some level, he doesn't feel permitted to participate. Watching is fine. Reading, listening... he can witness. The world is there, after all. Looking at it doesn't hurt anyone. But participation?

He's fucked that up enough times to know when to call it quits.

Sabriel's knock is both unexpected and a little alarming.

And not especially welcome.]

No one's home.

[bindsthedead]

Very funny, Mr. Godot.

[But Sabriel doesn't sound especially amused.

He has to be twice her age, right? How on earth does he expect that tactic to work.

She raps on the door again, a more forcefully.]

You can let me in, or I can open this door myself. You can't keep hiding away forever.

[abittertruth]

[He's 35 going on 85, Sabriel. Don't question him.

Except that he knows, by now, that Sabriel can probably open his door if she wants to, and she won't even have to break it off the hinges to do it.]

Ha. And I suppose it's probably too much to hope for that you've started up with Meals on Wheels.

[He sighs, heavily--but, finally, rises from his chair. He does it slowly, agonisingly, as though his body now weighs a thousand pounds--but he does get up.

And goes to the door.

And pulls the deadbolt.]

This had better be good.

[bindsthedead]

Do you need someone to bring you food?

[Sabriel looks... less polished than usual. There are shadows under her eyes, and her hair and clothes aren't as neat and tidy as she usually keeps them. Still, she sweeps inside, examining Godot as she does so.]

I'm... sorry. About what happened.

[abittertruth]

[...well, would you look at that.

Godot doesn't say a word as he lets her in--like he could even stop her--but notes the effect on her appearance. And he steps off. A little bit.]

... yeah. Well. Mistakes are something of a specialty of mine.

[Maybe honesty isn't the best policy. Whoops. Too late now.]

But I'm not yet ready for that kind of old folks' home, so don't start baking me any casseroles, got it?

[Even he has to have SOME pride.

Even if he hasn't been eating lately. Except to take the medications that need it. Usually.

...look.]

[bindsthedead]

Well, I don't think any imPort has the power of flawless judgement. But I have been trying to improve my cookery, as of late.

[It's said in what's mean to be a joking manner, but Sabriel just sounds tired.]

Perhaps it was naive of me- I didn't expect Russia to do... many of the things they did. Or for the Americans to respond how they did.

Closed to April

[bindsthedead]

[They'd gone after one of her students. As horrifying as the brainwashing was, the fact that it happened to someone she'd taught hit particularly close to home.

So after things had calmed down, she found herself knocking at April's door with a bag of cookies she'd baked herself.]

April, it's Sabriel- can I come in? I'd like to talk.

Cooking lessons (Semi-open)

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel was proud of the progress she'd made since she'd first arrived- she could correctly identify most cooking implements now, even if most of the food she knew how to make was either things she knew from Ancelstierre, or food that was popular in this world.

Which was why she was eager to expand her knowledge.]

[rassera]

[When Sabriel had mentioned cooking, it was something that sparked Kaneda's interest. After all, with everything that had gone down, cooking had become somewhat of a way to wind down from the crazy. And if Sabriel wanted to learn, he was certainly willing to teach.

But it's easy stuff first, which is why he's only going to teach her what he learned to do first--ochazuke.


So on arrival, he's removing that jacket of his, taking in her kitchen. Nonah housing was different when it was individual. Everything was so..open.]

Whoa...this place is huge!

[bindsthedead]

I know- and when you don't have any roommates, it always feels like you have more space.[Sabriel smiles a little awkwardly, pulling a saucepan out of a cabinet.]

Sometimes the swear-ins have giveaways. That's how I got this condominium, and my car. [And all she had to do was participate in a dinner-party murder mystery.]

Do you want to get started?

[rassera]

[He had to agree on that front. This place was huge--and he didn't even live here to notice that. Everything here was Sabriel's and everything was so spread out. The little townhouse of Nonah 05 seemed like a cramped apartment in comparison...

He meanders about, hands stuffed in his pockets as he gets a good look at that kitchen.]

Guess they gotta talk people into coming SOMEHOW after all the shit that goes down!

You have to let me look at your car.

[But her last statement calls him to attention, hurrying over.]

You betcha. Don't worry, this stuff I'm gonna show you's almost too easy.

[bindsthedead]

Just promise me you won't break it.

[But Sabriel shifts her attention back to the business at hand.]

So, what are we going to need for this?

[rassera]

Hey, I've got a good track record with my bike. Your car's fiiine.

[More importantly, he wants to look at the paint job.]

Let's see...rice, green onions...

[Where's his bag of stuff he brought...he fumbles around through it, digging until he pulls out a box of green tea and some miso paste.]

If you've got any meat, that's good in it too--doesn't really matter what kind.

[bindsthedead]

Well, I think I have some leftover chicken- would that work? And I'll put the kettle on.

[Sabriel was ambivalent about a lot of modern tecnology, but electric teakettles? Definitely a good idea.]

[protagerrant]

[It had been a really good thing that most of the ingredients Yuri was used to cooking with were very, very simple. Potatoes did not vary a whole lot from world to world, a fact that Yuri was more than willing to take advantage of with. Learning everything else had been enough in a pain in the ass. But by now, he was at least as competent as he was back home. Apparently just in time, because his skills seemed to be in high demand.

He was looking forward to this, though. Cooking had always been good for clearing his head, and Sabriel seemed like good people.


Yuri shows up at Sabriel's door, looking more or less like a local except the sword he has slung over his shoulder, grocery bags hanging off the end.]

Hey.

[bindsthedead]

[Considering Sabriel's tendency to wear a sword with all of her outfits- even her local attire- Yuri's appearance didn't faze her.]

Yuri! Come inside. I see you brought the ingredients too.

[Sabriel led Yuri to the kitchen, where she'd already layed out some pans and cutting boards.]

I had croquettes occasionally back home, but I never actually made any.

Nonah (open)

[bindsthedead]

[Nonah's the city Sabriel spends the most time in- she lives there, and has part-time work at a local cemetery.

And given Nonah's love of imPorts and Sabriel's paticipation in the Rebellion, she's found no shortage of fans... in fact, after the seventh person in one day asked for a photo and an autograph, she was starting to feel downright uncomfortable, though instead of frowning, she offered a polite, polished smile.]

I'm sorry, I really can't- I'm busy. Lots of work to do!

RISE headquarters

[protects_the_small]

[Two days after the conversation she'd had with Sabriel, Kel makes a trek to RISE HQ. Though she is hesitant to throw her lot in with either of her apparent options, staying out of things has never been her strong suit.

Better to make a choice than to let it be made for her.

Unfortunately, she's still not all that skilled with the might of Receptionists]

I don't know if I have an appointment, but I was told to meet her here.

Re: RISE headquarters

[bindsthedead]

No, no, let her in, she's interested in joining.

[Being the Commander's personal aide has it's advantages... like the receptionists being willing to listen to you.]

Here, sit by my desk- this is the office, but we also have an armory, and space to train.

Now, I understand you'd like to know more about RISE?

[protects_the_small]

Yes, I-[She takes a seat, somewhat awkwardly]-I know I haven't been here that long but...that doesn't seem to matter very much all things considered.

And...

I'm not used to being without work to do.

[bindsthedead]

I know. I was here for less than a month when some lunatics decided to set a large part of Heropa on fire.

Things... don't stop here. And if you want to protect people and don't mind working with the government to do it, RISE is an excellent way to help.

[protects_the_small]

My only problem is what sort of oath is required, I... Have my own, even if I can't fulfill them at this time.

[bindsthedead]

RISE members are required to register, but the organization itself... you're expected to follow orders, to protect people and not endanger them, and not break the law, or allow others to- not unless you have an excellent reason, the Major-General might let it slide then- but we don't see Registration as more than a promise to follow the rules- and since we're all from different worlds, with different loyalties, no one expects anyone to just abandon the oaths they made and the loyalties they possessed when they arrived.