savetheearth

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[It had been a few weeks since her last encounter with the snake attack in downtown but she never could have thought that everything would end up like this. Nevertheless, now that she was on the network?

Looks like she didn't have a choice. With a heavy sigh, she finally responded.]

So I got a quick question. Is there anyone here who doesn't want to be a part of this?

No offense but this isn't the type of thing I would go for. If you want to, then go ahead but I'm not suited for this. Between that snake attack and those aliens, there's got to be something else for those who can't handle it. Yeah, yeah, I can go help at the hospital but who wants to deal with seeing that everyday? That's a lot for an adult or even a kid to handle don't you think? What can a 10 year old do here?

[And not die in the process? However, there was some tapping noises coming from her other end.]

Whatever, I just want someone to get the numbers out of my head! I don't need another snake attack destroying the city or killing me!

[But she did have to admit, she was a little curious about whoever that person was that saved her.]

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I'm sure there are a lot of numbered people who feel the way you do, and I really do wish I knew of a way to help you, but so far there doesn't seem to be much of a choice.

When I first got my number, I didn't want it either, but now I am not so sure. Yes it's an annoyance, but it has also brought me closer to some friends and family.

[There was a heavy sigh] This is the last thing I needed. I just want to go back home and pretend that this whole thing never happened. I never wished I was in that stupid snake attack or even lived in this city anym-

[...Then something pinged her.] Your friends and family? Now that's something I haven't heard of before!

[Ariel is sympathetic towards the girl. Especially since she also recently discovered she had a number herself.]

Really? I'm surprised. Anyway, yeah a few friends are numbered as well as some of my family. Not my immediate family though. Just some cousins and my uncle. I'm pretty sure there are a few other families like them who are numbered as well.

I'm still new to this, I haven't heard too much about this thing outside of past lives and some random aliens going on!

Some cousins huh? How does it feel then to have your family members being stuck with you now?

[What no, she's not jealous at all. What are you talking about? ...And a tad bit curious.]

Honestly? I don't know that half of my family all that well. My family did a lot of moving around before we settled here in Locke. So it's been an experience getting to know them as family and as numbers.

I think it does make it a little easier, even if the chances to echo off each other is even higher. Maybe you'll have someone in your family or even a friend echo off you? It might make things easier.

Have you told your family yet that you're numbered?

But you still got to know them and now you get to know them again. Isn't that wonderful? You get to be together again!

[Yup, she's jealous]

Yeah, well, I doubt it. I don't even want these echoes to begin with and I don't even want anymore of them either!

[Still, she was curious. Hm...]

Besides, how reliable will it be to find out who would rescue the same girl twice anyway?

[Also don't mind her not answering that last question there]

Except I don't know if some of the people I knew in the past were hardened criminals, or just people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[The pulses hadn't been too clear when she got them.]

Chances are that if the same person rescued you twice, then they care about you.

Still, they're part of your family! There's a big difference between that and knowing people who you were in the past!

[Pause]

...Or maybe they're in it for something else. [Her echoes weren't clear either but she doesn't want to admit that]

True... and at least the pulses make for an entertaining dinner conversation. [She smiles softly in understanding some of the girl's frustrations over being numbered.]

Either way, it can't have been too bad if they saved your life? [She is the hopeful sort.]

[With that, that got a smirk out of Katie] I'll bet, it'll make family reunions all the more interesting and see what will happen from there!

....But how do I even know that if I don't even know them personally? That's quite a jump you're making.

[Since she is the only Elf among Dwarves, not including friends of the family, it could very well make future family reunions a spectacle to behold.]

I try to be optimistic? It might be foolish, especially with what is going on, but for me at least it is better to be an optimist than a pessimist, even if it means things disappoint me from time to time.

[PPAARRRTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY-

Okay no]

Then how does one become more optimistic? Because no matter how I see this, it just seems like a whole lot of nonsense and especially when there's so many people getting killed. I just want to save myself [and anyone else she cares about] before anything else can happen.

[You're all invited!]

[Ariel frowns as she thinks about the best way to actually provide some comfort to the girl. She starts of speaking slowly as her thoughts gather.]

We all want to save ourselves and many of us want to protect the people we hold dear, but you're right it is scary when people are dying, and bad things are happening. I guess... I guess the reason I can stay optimistic is that I know I am not alone? I know there are others out there who are like me and it is my hope that we'd all stick together in order to help one another.

[Insert An Unexpected Journey Parody here]

[Katie was never really one to think optimistically. As much as she tried, it all came back to that pessimistic view. In the end, everyone was more interested in their own self interests. Even so, she just sighed.]

That is true, we aren't alone but we're all strangers here. How could strangers even possibly help one another? We don't even know each other, what's the point?

[Ariel smiled suddenly having an idea.]

Well here is a start: I'm Ariel Boisvert. I work outside of Locke City most days at Gateway Recreational Park but if you need someone to talk to I'm pretty easy to get ahold of.

You don't need to tell me who you are however.

[....Okay, she wasn't expecting that.]

Yeah, whatever. Good luck finding me there, I doubt any sane person would let a kid go out alone to those parks without someone to look over me! Or any sane person be willing to out alone in those parks after those snake attacks.

[Pause]

But I'm Katie and I'm an elementary student. [And that's all you're getting!]

I don't expect you to go anywhere Katie. I was just telling you where I worked. I also don't expect you to tell me more than your name. In fact I didn't expect that. I won't abuse the knowledge though.

[Ariel's smile grows just a little bigger.] I just wanted you to know there was someone out there you could contact if you needed to.

I think I will be fine, Ariel. You don't need to worry about me, I'm 10. I can take care of myself easily with no problem.

[Mumble mumble] I got my grandparents and my parents, I got people to talk to.

If you say you can, I believe you. [Doesn't mean she won't look out for her still.]

Not to poke a sore point, but how many are numbered? Family is great to have, really. But they don't always understand and being numbered scares a lot of people who aren't.

[Knowing Katie, she probably might. Probably.

Still, she gave a pause.]

That's none of your beeswax. I said that I was going to be fine and I'm sticking to it!

[In other words, she's the lone one in her family]

Okay, I'm sorry. I won't say anything else and I won't doubt you at your word.

[Plus she also won't tease her if it turns out the kid does need help at some point. Ariel remembers being very independent when she was Katie's age as well, and she wasn't even numbered then.]

[...Now you're making her feel bad]

No, it's fine, you don't need to say that. With those snake attacks, we don't really know what's going to happen next and especially out in the parks. So...

Just be careful out there.

[That's the closest thing you're going get Katie saying she's sorry!]

[Ariel smiles softly, She perhaps senses that Katie made an apology of sorts and isn't about to press her any further. The last thing she wants to do is to drive the girl away.]

I know what you mean Katie and I'll do my best to stay safe, promise!

[Meanwhile, Katie was still mumbling all about before waving her hand in front of her face.]

You better, I don't you to just suddenly start dying after I said not to,

[Okay, slightly morbid there but still]

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