VIDEO + ACTION.

[nippy]

( VIDEO. )

[ the background is of the woods just outside Union and— oh, look, it's the boy who was causing the huge scene at the public discussion about Sanctuary. he seems completely different in demeanour now to the way he was then; his expression and body language are open and friendly.

there is also a Phantump in his lap, with Jack's arms wound loosely around it, and a Pidgey comfortably perched on his head. ]

Suddenly thought about something and I thought I'd open to the public for an answer, since that seems to be the done thing around here. Yes? Am I right?

Okay, so I know I'm a little bit out of the loop with what "the norm" is— uh, pretty much everywhere. [ this is still an understatement. ] But does everybody seriously name the Pokémon they're hanging out with? Why? Isn't it weird? How do you even come up with all those names?

( ACTION #1. )

[ somewhere just outside of Union, Jack is... attempting to practice. it sounds like he might be sticking around for a while, between the people he's been meeting and the Sanctuary troubles. he wants to help all the Homunculi stuck there; and just as much as that, he wants the information the Mages are hiding, because maybe he'll learn something about himself. maybe he'll find out how to get back his memories - and every time he thinks about that, there's ice crackling all over him like jolts of electricity.

but staying in Union means that he's going to be near lots of people, and for long periods of time. he can't go accidentally making blizzards and causing huge explosions of ice spikes - that's fine out in the middle of nowhere, but somebody might really get hurt here.

so he's gotta get himself under control. but by the gods, training is boring.

and also not very successful at the moment, judging by the way the ice that Jack was gathering in his hands just blew up in his face. the blast radius is enough to hit anyone that might have come near to investigate the noise, too - they get front-row seats to a blast of icy wind and a faceful of frost. Jack's hair is blown back and frozen in place, and there are ice crystals all over his face. ]

Oh, come on! I had it that time! [ a Duskull is doing giddy loops around his head. Jack snatches a wooden shepherd's staff up off the ground to jab playfully at the Pokémon. ] Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just you wait - next time you're sleeping I'm gonna freeze you to the wall.

( ACTION #2. )

[ this is less of a singular event and more of an "any time a character happens to notice it" thing, because - did you know Jack's been sleeping on the streets?

well. Jack's been sleeping on the streets. on the nights when he stays in Union rather than the surrounding woods, he tucks himself into alleyways and corners, anywhere it seems likely he'll be able to sleep shielded from the morning sun. this doesn't always mean he ends up in the most unnoticeable spot he could find, and with his Pokémon lingering around him, he could certainly be caught at night or in the morning before he wakes. feel free to question the dirty homeless teenager.

he's tried to convince his new friends to go to the Pokémon Habitat, because even if it feels too awkward for him to sleep there, it's a place meant for them. they have refused. so the boy can also be found with a Phantump cradled against his chest, a Pidgey sleeping on a rooftop overhead, and a Duskull keeping vigil over him. ]

Comments

Action 2

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna remembers speaking with Jack at the meeting about Sanctuary. She didn't address him directly in regards to his status as a Homunculus, but he certainly said it loud enough for anyone to hear. And unlike some nobles, she is absolutely willing and eager to literally put her money where her mouth is with regard to helping people in need.

Approaching slowly so as not to startle him, Lenna crouches down and gently places a hand on his shoulder.]

...Hello?

[nippy]

[ touch is a thing that is unfamiliar enough to Jack - something that, in his experience, usually means wild Pokémon shit shit shit move - that it wakes him up quickly with a jolt. in a move of pure instinct, part of his body goes intangible, and his arm slips through the ground; he catches himself with his other hand, still solid, before he can sink any further. ]

Uh— [ now that he's awake, his mind takes a moment to reorientate itself. sleeping in Union, right. but the reason he likes sleeping here is because he doesn't normally get woken up. ] Hi. Can I... help you?

[ he takes a moment to focus on pulling parts of himself out of the ground and trying to get them corporeal again. ]

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna's hands come up to cover her mouth as she lets out a brief gasp at the sight of Jack's arm phasing through the ground. She's clearly worried, but he seems not to be in any pain, so she does her best to politely overlook it.]

I... ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. We spoke before, at the meeting. My name is Lenna Tycoon.

[She very briefly extends a hand for a shake before realizing that's probably not a great idea when one of his is stuck in the ground, and quickly drops it again.]

Did you... sleep out here all night?

[nippy]

Yeah, um... I don't actually live here?

[ okay, he's out of the ground, now to make sure that all of his friends are calm. mostly Phantump, timid enough as it is and easily frightened. jeez, he really shouldn't have overslept; normally he gets up early enough to avoid these kinds of encounters... ]

Plus, I can't get cold or anything, so sleeping outside isn't a problem.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Ah... yes. My mistake.

[Oh good, he's out of the ground. Her posture relaxes a bit as she coughs into her hand.]

But since you're new here and most likely don't know, if you're planning to remain for a while, I can help you find a place to stay.

[Jack may not be used to warmth and compassion, but Lenna's smile is full of it at the moment as she extends her hand once again, offering to help him to his feet.]

My family has always done our best to help people in need, and I've been working to set up a charity fund to assist the poor of Union as well as those from elsewhere looking to make a fresh start. Including refugees fleeing from unfavorable situations elsewhere.

[She's not going to call him out as a member of that last situation out loud, but the implication is there.]

I had said some of this before at the meeting, but I do want to help. I don't know anything about science or magic, so unfortunately I can't make any promises about that... but I do have my family's money and political connections. I'm much better at fighting with words than with fists, and the negotiating table is my preferred battlefield, but I'll use what resources I have to help whoever I can.

[nippy]

Oh - [ he cradles Phantump in one arm and takes her hand; he doesn't weigh too much, at least. ] It's cool, I got an offer to stay with someone. I just... hadn't decided yet if I was sticking around. City-living isn't really my thing.

[ it's so strange to think about someone having that much money and power to throw around. he's glad that she seems to want to use it in a good way, but - what good are those things, anyway? if they can't make the important things happen... if all they're good for is picking up the pieces, then what's the point? it can give people shelter, sure, but only once they're actually freed. and all the money in the world won't fix what's been done to the Homunculi. ]

Thanks? For offering to help, but I... don't think I need anything like that, and I'm not good with even thinking about any of that stuff. I'm pretty much only good for fighting.

[ and maybe he was made to be that way, some bitter part of him thinks. ]

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Oh.

[She seems disappointed but relieved at the same time, smiling softly and nodding.]

Well, I'm glad you have a place to stay. The streets of Union are very safe even at night, but no one should have to sleep without a roof over their head if they don't want to.

[The smile does fade a bit at that last remark, and she shakes her head.]

I'm sure that's not the case. No one has just one thing they're good at. People are more than that.

[nippy]

And what about those of us who aren't people?

[ he says it with a smile, but it's sharp, the words bitter and wry. Jack seems to catch himself a moment too late, startled by his own response, and he jerks back a little, shaking his head. he doesn't want to get into that with anyone, much less a total stranger, even if she is well-meaning. he's quickly finding that it's just impossible for anyone else to understand his feelings when it comes to being a Homunculus. ]

Ah, you probably have somewhere to be, right? Anyway, thanks for checking that I was okay. It was nice of you.

[ and it was, he's been woken and told to move a few times in the past, but mostly people pretend not to notice him. as long as he's breathing, it's not their business. ]

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Them too.

[The retort comes quickly and honestly, and with the return of a small smile. Lenna may not understand completely, but it goes against the very core of her beliefs to treat anyone as less than human. That just isn't how the Savior's teachings go. Even so, she doesn't want to force the issue. The implied kindness will do for now.]

I'm glad you're all right. And if you ever need a warm bed, a hot meal... or just a friend, please don't hesitate to find me. At the very least, I can listen.

[nippy]

Thanks. I'll try to remember it, but, uh...

[ he runs a hand through his dirty hair. he's grateful, really, but man this is awkward. it's so jarring, too, to go from seeing a handful of kids about once a month to everyone suddenly paying attention to him and getting all concerned to the point that it feels almost... invasive. this has never happened before - and he's only been here for, what, a week? it's such a bizarre shift. he isn't sure which is worse: knowing that he could have had this already if he could just control his stupid abilities, or the fact that having it means it's possible for him to lose it too. ]

Don't blame me if I forget. Being in a city with other people around is gonna take some getting used to.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Yes, of course.

[Lenna closes her eyes for a moment, nodding back at Jack before opening them again.]

I'm sure you'll find some friends here.

[nippy]

This is a pretty friendly place.

[ he stretches himself out now that he's awake and on his feet, cracks his joints - his spine and neck are unpleasantly loud, but he doesn't seem to mind. ]

Guess I should get up since I'm awake and everything, huh? I can't exactly lie back down and doze off again in broad daylight.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna winces a bit at the sound. He seems fine, but that definitely sounded painful.]

Yes, the morning bustle is starting - I'm not sure you could stay asleep out here even if you tried.

[nippy]

I don't know, I can sleep through a lot. But alright, I'm up, I'm up.

[ no sense in wasting the day, even if there isn't anything that needs to be done. ]

Now I just have to think up something to actually do today.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Well... what are your interests? There are a lot of things to do and see in Union. If you don't know your way around very well yet, I'd be happy to show you some of them.