video; un: otoproxy [backdated to August 22, before the rainfall]

[ends]

[ as tempting as simply using text would be to send out what amounts to little more than an advertisement, Otonashi comes to the inevitable conclusion that the subject requires more care than a faceless message. despite sporting the “perpetually exhausted” look, the redhead on the video feed offers a warm, weary smile. ]

Right, hey... I figured this is as good a time as any. I pitched an idea a while back about an informal, survival support group. I know for some people, this place is a respite... for other people, it’s hell.

[ those parameters, too, are subject to change from month to month. taking a deep, steadying breath, Otonashi forces himself to maintain focus on the video. ]

No matter how you see it, one thing is true for everyone: you have to connect to survive. That’s easy for some of us, but all of us have stories from home, and not all of them ... make this whole “hey, go touch other people” thing very easy.

I want to hold meetings around the 20th of each month in the Level 2 community center, after the moons’ effects are gone and before anything else starts up, since... that seems to be the trend. There are no requirements to join. This is a way for people to look out for each other... either as friends or as a mutual way to get needed chroma, no strings attached if you’d prefer that.

[ brushing at one of his eyes, he glances over to a small, paper enclosure with a few origami animals in it, deliberately placed in the feed: a paper bunny, a frog, a cat, and a few others that are more difficult to distinguish. ]

But I want everyone to know that they don’t have to fight alone. We’re all sharing this world whether we like it or not. I’ll be offering “SSR club patches” for anyone who wants them, and... origami animals in honor of someone who isn’t with us anymore. And food! A season’s end meet-and-greet picnic, maybe with marshmallow toasting and campfire stories. Something easy to start. I’m open to having one this month if people are interested, even if it’s a bit last-minute...

So, please consider it. If you’re alone and you’re feeling lost, then... come, and don’t be for a while.

Comments

video; un: otoproxy

[ends]

I’ve got my own hangups about the way the world works, but... I figured most of us do.

[ but the world is unforgiving and cares not for people’s backgrounds: it’s comply or suffer the consequences. ]

So I wanted to do something about it. I’d be happy to have more people on board, it’s kind of an undertaking for just me to run. [ him, with his multiple jobs and engagements... ]

Just curious, you think trying to have an opening meet-up even if it’s last minute is a good idea?

[sleepinglotus]

Some thrive in this environment. Others, less so, and I do think they get forgotten sometimes.

[Ren thinks it's a fantastic idea.]

I do. Last minute is better than nothing and it seems like you've put a lot of thought into this.

[ends]

Some people come from uglier worlds than others... But even if this is a break for them, they could still use support. The world and experiences they left are still part of them.

[ speaking from a place of experience. ]

Alright, I’ll see what I can do! I feel a bit bad that I’m late for the date I announced, but there’s... there’s a saying about that, right? Fashionably late? Hah... Since you’ve adjusted, do you have any advice for newcomers? From personal experience?

[sleepinglotus]

Of course.

[Ren knows that well.

It certainly colored his view on this place after he arrived.

Still does, in smaller, harder to break away from ways.]

Something like that, yes. Let me know if you need any help in setting things up.

[Advice, though. Hm.]

Allow yourself to make friends with no pretense of anything but friendship. If things move organically towards moonlacing and more then you'll feel much less pressured to rush out and find a partner or feel like you're just "using" people with nothing to give back.

[ends]

Just having people stop by and check it out is helpful, but... if you want to help me carry food over and set it out, I could always use extra hands for that. I guarantee I'll get some people who might just stop in to eat something, and I don't want to turn anyone away.

[ his smile turns a little sheepish, as he's certain the request sounds a little too casual for the gravity of the situation he's trying to address. ]

You don't have to, though. If it's alright, I'd like to pass your advice along. It sounds self-evident, but it's... hard, sometimes. When you're being asked to just jump in and accept a strange world...

[ another thing he has some previous experience with, but recognizes that not everyone does, nor should they. ]

[sleepinglotus]

I can do that. I can also bring some treats as well.

[Ren is an excellent chef, even if people still think his best dish is pancakes.

His teammates are kind of weird.]

It does sound like it would be obvious at first blush but even I panicked a bit when I arrived. Sometimes it helps to have the perspective of someone who doesn't jump into things head first. It's a little more grounding, I think, and lets people take things at their own pace if they understand it's not a do or die situation.

[ends]

That’d be great, if you’re up for it!

[ any amount of help is welcome, and people offering it freely means further engagement with the community on top of the aid itself. win-win.

he’d accept Ren’s cooking even if it wasn’t great, really. ]

Yeah... That’s just it. I think your perspective is valuable because you’ve been here and seen how things work. You’re a success story, so people know that they can pick up and adjust... even if it takes time. So... thank you. For continuing on even in this strange world, and for your help.

( ahh, late because last week was rough/I was spotty but I do have a log here if you’d like! handwave is also fine too, no pressure! )

[sleepinglotus]

It's not a problem at all.

[He enjoys sharing food with others. Not enough to go full blown business with it, but enough that he'll often bring some really good offerings to parties and the like.]

I never really thought about it as a 'success story', especially considering how difficult it was for me at the beginning but... thank you. It's actually nice to hear that.