15 [video]

[horrible_penny]

[The video begins with a dizzying shot of Penny's room (the perceptive may notice a number of slumbering ducks and a rather whimsical blue giraffe mural) before the camera comes to rest on a Penny who looks like she has spent the last three days worrying nonstop. Which is essentially true.]

This is one of those raise-your-hand-if-you're-still-alive

Comments

[horrible_penny]

It was... yeah. Definitely not the stuff of dreams.

You're okay, though? Besides being a chronic insomniac for the rest of forever?

[horrible_penny]

Did you get any sleep in? You can't worry too much without a few hours' sleep here and there.

Oh, thank you! No, every bit helps more than you can imagine. Cleaning out your friends' things, though... that can't be easy.

[spiritofsorrow]

[Sorrow enters in his usual silent way; he realized some time ago that it's the camouflage that does it, so he generally wears it as much as he can to give him the element of surprise. He stands and watches her painting for five or so minutes -- she's diligent. After that, he pulls off his heavy black cloak, folds it over one arm, and leans against a part of the wall that isn't wet with paint.]

So, this is the welcome center.

[horrible_penny]

[Penny is entirely oblivious to Sorrow's presence until he speaks. If she's surprised, though, she doesn't show it. The painting roller is promptly bagged and Penny waves towards the only piece of furniture in the large room--a chair that looks like it has been around longer than the City itself--with a smile.]

Indeed it is! Have a seat? It's not much--not yet, anyway--but it's something.

[She hops up onto a built-in counter, rubbing at a spot of blue paint on her nose.]

There's a back room, too. I'm hoping to get a few beds back there so people can crash here if they show up too late to get an apartment lined up. Um... there's a storage closet, too, but I haven't started cleaning that out yet. Scary stuff. Spiders the size of kittens.

What brings you around? ...Not that you need a reason! It's nice to see you.

[spiritofsorrow]

Spiders the size of kittens...reminds me of The Fear. He was an entertaining sort of fellow who had a bit too much fun with insects, spiders, whatever creepy animals he could get his hands on.

My eyes are tired from reading, so I thought I would take a walk, and I happened to see your Network video. Since you were out and about, I decided to come here.

[He raises a brow, peers at her face, and taps on his own cheek where she has another smudge.]

Are there many homeless or generally displaced here? I'm afraid I don't stay in the metropolis, so I don't see most of the traffic.

[horrible_penny]

I might've exaggerated a little. They seem a lot bigger when you're not expecting to see any spiders at all. The Fear sounds like a blast to have at parties... y'know, if you're not afraid of crawly critters.

[She scrubs at her cheek. She needs to work on getting paint on the wall rather than herself.]

It's good to see you out. Things can be kind of crazy in the middle of the City, but it's nice to be around people. Even if they don't come in, just hearing them and knowing that they're here...

[Penny slides off of the counter to put the lid on her paint bucket, losing her train of thought entirely.]

No one's homeless, really. There're enough apartments for everyone, and most people find roommates to keep the ticking down. Things happen, though. Roommates fight, new people can't find anyone to stay with, other people can't find roomies and just want to be somewhere where they don't need to be alone.

[primrosella]

How is the Welcome Center coming along, Penny?

[horrible_penny]

Really well! The back room is painted, and the main room's almost done. The storage closet still needs to be tackled and I think I need to work on finding furniture and staff pretty soon, but it's definitely coming along.

How're you doing, Rosella?

Yeah, she's lying. Big time.

[primrosella]

Good, I'm glad to hear it. If I hear of any spare furniture turning up, I'll be certain to let you know about it.

Oh, I'm...fine. Just fine.

Whyyyy. ;-;

[horrible_penny]

Thank you. That'd be amazing.

Just fine?

[backseatangel]

You know what you might need once you get settled and up and running is a printed copy or seven of the guides and the map.

I've seen that not everyone who arrives here is tech-savvy enough to understand the network devices and even then some might just prefer a paper copy to hold.

[horrible_penny]

There are some very, very vague plans along those lines. I think Angela's going to make a map, and a short guide and maybe a how-to for the network things would be great. That'll all go on the 'To Do Eventually' list!

[backseatangel]

I'm going to be starting a news service of sorts, if you need anything along those lines, let me know.

[horrible_penny]

If you ever want to contribute anything, I definitely wouldn't refuse! Oh, but don't feel like you need to?

[horrible_phd]

I spent all weekend trying to break into the jail. It was a lot harder than I expected.

I just hope Ellington is all right.

[horrible_penny]

You were trying to break in? Why?

[horrible_phd]

Well, I had a really good escape plan, and friends who were stuck there. I'm not really sure why I didn't end up there in the first place. I really should have, being a villain and all.

[horrible_penny]

It was dangerous, though. With the guards and all?

Billy. You haven't done anything to deserve that. People were being tortured, you know?