snowblindrpg | [network] @igjwerkekhgjghkl; video, morning of 352 [open]

[It's been over a week since Lilly bolted from Kesara, during which time she's stayed entirely off of the network. But she's had a chance to calm down, and so this morning, she's decided she wants to make something very clear.

The tablet is lying flat and facing up, giving everyone a very nice view of the ceiling and no view at all of Lilly. This seems to be more by chance than by purposeful choice, though - she's clearly close by, judging by her voice, and every so often she'll lean into view and give everyone a brief shot of her arm or hair. She, like so many other people, is covered in a mysterious pattern of red lines.

Before starting, she takes a deep breath. This is going to involve more talking than she usually likes to do, but she really wants to get her point across.]

Stay away. Don'wanna go wif you. Don'wanna go wif-- anybody. Stay away.

[What a friendly child she is.]

Don'touch don'grab don'take DON'T. Don'like it. I don't. Like. It. Too many too loud too hard hate it.

[She finishes with an irritable snarl, then bats the tablet away, sending it spinning dizzyingly across the floor. Its films the ceiling and distant sounds of scrabbling for a few minutes before cutting out on its own.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She's exactly like they say children raised by wolves or monkeys are like. She doesn't talk very well either. [which if Lilly were an adult, Kesara might not have seen as a sign of low intelligence. With a girl like her, though, she projects like a lighthouse.]

I've been giving her my food, and I made sure we always got to houses in time - I don't know what else you could do to gain her trust. She only wants to stay in one place and hide and we cannot do it. And there's no explaining to her about the red lines, either, how things get dangerous.

I'd say there's no explaining that to anyone, not until they've gone through it.

[ He sighs lightly, rubbing at his face. This place is hard enough for an adult to understand, much less a non-socialized kid. ]

I'm talking to her about not staying in one place now. She seems to be getting it- I think she's been forcibly kicked out of the school before. But she has to actually understand we're trying to help her, and not- whatever she's been used to happening before. She doesn't know people, so we've got to go at it slow. Understand her and learn to speak her language. And basically hope she doesn't die in the process.

Good job taking care of her while you could, Kesara. I know it couldn't have been easy.

No, I did a terrible job.

[There's a hint of surrender there, as her voice falls low. Kesara lies very well and this conversation has been no exception, but she finds that she lacks the stamina to continue. He's explaining it so patiently. She ought to have been this patient, even with a deficient child, she ought to have been...]

I should have done better. I should have understood her. But I was, I was so - [tired, but that is no excuse. Excuses are unworthy of her.]

Please tell her I'm sorry for what I did.

[ Huh. He hadn't expected her to turn around and admit fault on this issue. He's quiet for a moment and replies with all seriousness. ]

I will, if I get the chance.

But you didn't know what you were up against, here. If you found yourself in this situation again, what would you have done differently, do you think?

[network] @igjwerkekhgjghkl; video, morning of 352 [open]

private

private

private

private