snowblindrpg | [network] @ADMIN; Arrival

You'd rather leave a kid with a parent that beats them?

[Her curiosity shows in her voice; she wants to understand his thinking more than she's judging it. It's not the first time she's heard this argument, but he doesn't sound like someone who'd appreciate abuse, either.

But then again she could be wrong about that, since he is from the 20's, after all.]

There's usually others in the family who would intervene; sort things out. If not, then that's a special case, innit.

Indeed, it would be. I've seen a lot of different scenarios at work. But whatever the reason is, it's terrible and tragic to take a child away from its parents.

[She's pretty sure the emotions are showing on her face. She's never been very good at poker.]

You do it often?

I, personally, don't. It's not my job, nor my place. I have had to contact child services before, though. They're the ones in charge of finding other family members, or other solutions if necessary. But it's only in extremely rare cases, and it always requires an extensive investigation. Child services do their very best to keep children with their families.

[It's a heartbreaking process. Claire could never do what they do.]

Mm.

Well, I've torn families apart myself, in my own way.

Do you regret it?

There have been times when I wished things had gone a different way, but I still made the choices I did for a reason. If doing something is gonna make me feel regret, then I do not do it.

I wish things were always that simple.

[She's not thinking of herself, but of Matt. He might not regret everything he does, but she knows he does, some of it; guilt eating him up until he can't take it anymore.]

But then again, I was raised Catholic. Guilt is one of their core mechanics.

I was raised Jewish.

[And he's sure she's heard jokes about Jewish guilt, if they still exist in the future.]

Well, aren't you full of surprises and contradictions.

[She grins again, softening the tease.]

I'll have you know I go to temple regularly. My rabbi loves me.

[And he doesn't approve of the criminal thing in the least, but eh.]

Well, you are a real charmer, aren't you? I can't see why your rabbi wouldn't.

[A devout criminal is not all that surprising to her. She's seen many praying to themselves in a multitude of languages while she was applying pressure to their wounds in the ER. Religious rules can be easier to follow than the law.]

Charming, yes, hm. But I'm not at my best at the moment.

[His friend - or possibly more, has died very recently. Of course he's not.]

I'm sorry, Mr Solomons.

I remember being new, and looking at the people who'd been here for months, being worn down day by day.

[And now he's one of them.]

Some still have hope. Do you?

Odds are we're not gonna see our homes again. But low odds are not no odds, and I'm the sort of man who'd rather die fighting, if it comes to that.

[She nods, firmly. She can understand depression hitting you under the circumstances, but she agrees; they have to fight for themselves and to get their lives back.]

Good. [A smile.] I figure, there are worse criminals to fight alongside with.

Worse doctors, too.

[And he coughs, badly, because what an opportune time for it.]

Hm. [She raises an eyebrow. It shouldn't surprise her that he hasn't said anything about it until now.]

Have you spoken to one about this?

The cough? There's nothing to be done about it. It's MN poisoning. Surely you've read about that.

Yes, I have, but still. Some cough syrup would help, even if you cannot get rid of it entirely.

[She sighs softly, but there's a smile at the corner of her lips.]

I don't believe you'll listen to me if you don't wish to, so might as well save my breath.

I'm not being stubborn. I've got medicine, I've got cough syrup, and it's done little.

So you have spoken to a doctor. You could just have said that.

[She chuckles, although sobers up quickly. The fact that it's not helping at all is most definitely an issue.]

I won't mention it again, besides just saying - keep at it. Even if it doesn't seem to help, it might just keep it from getting worse.

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