recolle | Closed {help is always available

WHO: Minako Arisato & Aria Rylan
WHERE: Tribunal Terrace; mostly around ReVA
WHEN: August 8
WHAT: Helping out a city in disaster
WARNINGS: None so far!

[It's been a long few weeks involving monsters, conventions and people disappearing. Aria's managed to avoid most of the dangers, not getting roped into a team or disappearing all together. The most she's had to deal with is monsters roaming around, dealing with debris and helping other people out.

Man, life felt simpler months ago when all she had to worry about was getting up in time for practice at the pool. Now? It feels so much different.

For the past few days, she's found herself around Tribunal Terrace, mostly around the ReVA's building. She's been here before, but Aria hasn't nearly been frequenting it as much as Terra has. But it seems right for her to be there, and she's texted Minako (finding out she's someone she can contact) a few times to offer up some free labour.

And once she gets to the building, she pulls out her phone again.]

Hey Mina. Here now. Ready whenever you are.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Minako had been busy with solving puzzles and fighting monsters in the forest bunker up until now, but with a few days of freedom until their next task is issued, Minako is back in the city, helping with the protection of the city people, distribution of rations, and all other sorts of emergency aid things.

A minute after the text is sent, she steps out of the community center, shooting Aria a tired smile.]

Hey there. Thanks for coming.

[How Minako is dealing with all the tasks and puzzles and whatnot will be a mystery to Aria. She figures the other girl would be exhausted from everything and want a break from... well everything.

...Although from the looks of Minako's smile, she could really use one. Is it super necessary for her to be here today.]

No problem. [She smiles back and follows her in, concern written all over her face.] You look like you really could use a hand today.

Heh. I can't deny we're really short staffed right now.

[Seems like she took that 'you' to be the universal 'you'. She weaves her way through a busy crowd of people darting this way and that, usually loaded with some box of supplies or a sheaf of papers with updates. Eventually they reach the community center's huge gymnasium, where a lot of people have pitched tents, camping out here because their homes have been destroyed in the monster attacks.]

So thank you for offering to help. [She offers Aria a clipboard.] You ready?

[Minako, that is not the universal or even royal "you".

But... Aria doesn't comment on that. She may just stare at the other girl for a few moments, worry written all over her face, but she can't bring herself to mention how worn down she looks.]

Well, I just hope everyone's been taking their breaks...

[NUDGE NUDGE NOT SO SUBTLE HINT.

It really is distressing to see so many people pitching up tents and looking so... displaced. You really don't know how to deal with disasters like these until they happen. Until then, images on a screen just don't feel real.]

Not a problem! There's... still a lot of people still missing, aren't there? [A sullen smile. For the most part, she's been able to get into contact with most of her friends, but there's still one or two that have vanished without a trace.]

What do you need me to do?

[...oh. Now she gets the hint. She just shoots Aria a wry smile, raising a shoulder in a half-shrug.]

The volunteers are too worried about everyone else to take breaks...but I'll make sure everyone takes a breather after lunch time.

[The clipboard she hands over has a long list of families.]

Yeah. We're doing what we can for those people too. [A pained smile.] But it's not just Retrospec people...we're trying to connect family members and friends from the normal community too. If you can walk around and talk with each family, make a note of who they're looking for and what they'll look like, we'll send the list to the community center across town to see if anything matches up.

If they need anything else too, like more blankets or rations, write that down too. Can I leave those two rows of tents to you?

[It's a bit of reassurance, and Aria feels better for it, but she still can't help but feel like Minako's taking herself away from the exhausted equation.

Whatever. She'll just have to make sure she does take her break a little later. She nods.] Good idea.

Not a problem. I'll handle them. [And then takes the clipboard with another nod. Seems like a simple enough task, but some of the expression and faces of those left stranded here, well... it's a bit heartbreaking. Aria's lucky enough that her apartment is relatively in one piece and that Miki is safe.

When she's done with those families, she tracks Minako down, clipboard under one arm that holds two bottles of water as she carries two sandwiches in the other. If she hasn't taken a break yet, someone's about to force her to have one.]

Got your list ready for you. Sounds like most people are just looking for essential supplies. Had a couple of requests for cases of bottled water, and just four for blankets now. [Here. She's holding out a sandwich and water to the other girl.]

...How are you holding up?

[Minako is in the middle of setting up a tent for yet another family coming into the gymnasium, still working as she listens to Aria's report.]

That's good, we're stretching our supplies thin right now...if there's a break in the monster attacks later, we might be able to get more from the community center's storage house nearby...

[She glances up to properly look at her friend, and then blinks in surprise at the sight of the sandwiches.]

I'm. Holding up. How long has it been since you wanted me to take a break, again?

[And of course she's busy with things. That's okay with Aria. She's more than patient enough to wait for her to bw finished or have a moment to spare.]

If that's the case, I'll go with whoever is heading there. Just in case you get pulled away again. [The thought sets a frown on her face that Aria can't help. With all the people that have already disappeared completely, she doesn't want anyone else she may know to vanish without a trace.

Ah, caught her off guard, did she? Aria smiles a little, a mix of sheepish and mischievous. But again, she'll wait until she's done.]

At least an hour. Which is way too long already. But I can wait for you to finish up first.

I was actually thinking of going with the group myself...

[She trails off and then laughs a bit.]

Alright, meet me over by those tables? This should only take a couple of minutes.

[She blinks before sighing and laughing softly.]

Why am I not surprised... Guess I cant force you too.

I'll be waiting but take your time. Tents aren't always the easiest things to deal with. [And with that, Aria moseys on over to where the tables are set up, securing them some chairs and space.]

[She shoots her a sheepish smile and then waves as she leaves before devoting her attention back to the tent.

IT TAKES TWENTY MINUTES because people try to pull her away even though she finishes setting up the tent in seven, but eventually she wanders over and flops into the chair.]

Oh man it feels good to sit.

[Good thing she's got a couple of games on her phone. She was just trying to finish of a level of Pastry Press when Minako comes over.]

You should have sat down long ago. [Putting her phone down, she nudges a water bottle to her.]

So I keep telling myself! But then things come up one after the other, without fail.

[She takes the water bottle and drains half of it.]

Thank you for this. I need the reminder to take care of myself sometimes.

You work with a team, right? I know there's a lot to do, but you can leave things to them for a half hour.

[Hmmm, maybe she should have picked up another one just in case. Taking a bite out of her own sandwich.]

You're welcome. Everyone's been so busy with... everything, but we still need to take care of ourselves. Even just the basic, simple things.

[A sheepish grin. Aria is entirely right, especially considering all their work today has been exactly that-- taking care of basic needs.]

Yeah. I promise I'll try and do better.

[Try being the operative word.]

You're right about the team, though-- they've been doing most of the work while I've been gone. I'll probably have to go back to the forest bunker sometime soon, but if you have the time, we'd be grateful if you could keep helping out here.

Closed {help is always available

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