EVENT LOG 007 | PART TWO

[larkers]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: New Beijing (for the most part!)
WHEN: January 20-January 26(-ish)
WHAT: Arriving in New Beijing, picking up newcomers, playing tourist, and then going into a military base. In the eternal words of Gabriel Reyes, "What could possibly go wrong!?"
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Coercion, loss of autonomy, mentions of circumstances around removing an IV. Further notes at end of log.

> EVENT #007 | PART TWO

Previously on The Days of Our Displaced, a lot of the Displaced decided to hop on a train for New Beijing to help out a murderous AI named Cassius. Just two months ago, Cassius killed thousands of people in New Amsterdam proper, claiming that he did it because the world was ending. Two months later, Cassius is out to find his old friend Judas: a military AI who was once bent on eradicating humanity entirely. Getting to Judas won't be easy, so Cassius intends to deliver on favors for everyone's efforts. That's why they're on the train now: Judas is likely held within the UNA's HQ in New Beijing, the world's capital. The base itself is certain to be secure, and the soldiers guarding the location won't be easily beat.

The train to New Beijing was meant to only have brief stops along the way, but one daring and reckless Displaced is going to decide to try to break the highly advanced maglev train during one of those brief stops … Let's see how that goes:

Trains between the megacities of the world rarely stop to pick up new passengers as they're meant to only hit major stations. As a result, most of the stops are temporary and meant for dropping off shipments and supplies. There are three stops between New Amsterdam and New Beijing: two are at research outposts shockingly staffed by actual scientists and the third is New Kyiv.

New Kyiv is one of the smaller megacities of the world, numbering only at about three million people. Compared to New Amsterdam, its architecture is newer and modeled after most of the current trends. The stop at New Kyiv was meant to be temporary. Several large-bodied robots surged forward to remove large metal boxes full of supplies, and everything went as planned right until it was time to leave. That's when the conductor of the train announced that there were some technical difficulties and everyone would need to remain seated.

The delay itself clocks in at around two hours. No one is allowed off the train to get some fresh air because of the rigid travel sanctions. After all, no one declared that they would be going to New Kyiv, so they can't clear customs to head into the city itself. The only upside is that everyone will get a free beverage of their choice to enjoy during this time.

Once the delay is over, the conductor gets the train moving with a brief apology for the extended stop and no announcement about what was wrong.

> LOST IN NEW BEIJING | NEW ARRIVALS

About fifteen minutes after the Displaced arrive in New Beijing—which is a solid two hours after the original ETA—an alert comes in from Gaby, not unlike how they do from El any other month. It scrolls across everyone's vision as if it's being written while they're reading it.

We got a tip about a surprisingly large group of people in white scrubs being rolled into an old hotel about a mile from the train depot. Get there quickly. The "eyes" we've got on the place tells us they're still out, believe it or not. Check both rooms 303 and 304. Keep them calm. Get their names. We'll get their IDs set up ASAP. Nothing fancy. We can't do fancy when it's fucked up like this.

The hotel isn't very far on foot, so the Displaced may want to get headed in that direction quickly.

Once they get to the hotel, everyone will meet little resistance in getting to the rooms themselves. In fact, anyone who passes through the hotel lobby asking for rooms 303 and 304 will be granted permission to get inside. The elevator up to the rooms is tidy and recently cleaned, though there's a spot on the floor with a stain that doesn't seem like it wants to let up.

Inside, the rooms may seem larger than expected, even with all the new arrivals inside hooked up to IVs and kept sedated. There are no beds present to make room for the hospital gurneys that were brought inside to help get everyone setup, and there is also none of the other usual furniture. Each of these new arrivals has hair recently cut but at different stages of growth. There won't be any instructions for how to handle these new arrivals, but given their level of sedation, it may be apparent that the IVs will need to be removed.

Once the IVs are pulled out, awareness will come to each of the new arrivals in blurred snatches. Chaos and uncertainty, maybe even an ache in their arm from an IV hastily removed. A dim light cast around the room, shades pulled down and a door opening and closing. There will only be faint memories of how they got here: rolled up a ramp into the hotel, crammed into a stinky elevator, waiting for the chime for the next floor. Any sign of stirring would be met with a hushed whisper and a jolt of fatigue, putting them back under.

Whether they like it or not, these new arrivals will have to listen to every order, every command that's given. Hopefully their "saviors" are up for the babysitting task.

◉ Though entirely capable of independent action and thought, new characters will find themselves completely, unquestioningly compliant to any verbal statement which could be taken as a command or request.

◉ Morningstar in New Beijing won't be equipped to take in these new arrivals. The Displaced will need to exercise discretion to get them from this location to wherever they've chosen to stay to hunker down until they get their IDs made. Going out before then will put them at risk of arrest. All of the new arrivals will have their IDs set up within 36 hours, but there won't be any fancy backstories or certifications. El will supply each of them with a basic, positive work history, with an appropriate number of apartments for their age to get them started. Since none of the new arrivals will have access to a Morningstar safehouse to be added to the network, they won't be added to the network until that 36 hour period is done.

◉ All new arrivals will be given a stipend and some new clothes to get through New Beijing (compared to the raggedy old scrubs they typically have on hand if they first show up in New Amsterdam, these will be new and freshly delivered). That doesn't guarantee that they fit perfectly or are fashionable, and what anyone gets can either be determined by Gaby, El, or one of their Displaced new friends guessing at their size and what they'd look good in. All of their IDs will make it so that they're native to New Beijing, with job applications put in at businesses in New Amsterdam to help facilitate their eventual move over.

◉ Within an hour of getting their IDs set up, Cassius will send them a message from @100432: Hello! I'm Cassius, your NPC (Neural implant Processing Caretaker) helper. Think of me as a mini-guide for all of your world-integrating needs. I have access to information, manipulation, and expansion of some of this world's largest databases.
Please, feel free to ask me anything.
Actually, now that I think about it, I may have something to ask you.

Aside from offering them the same deal as everyone else, he'll be happy to get them filled in.

> NEW BEIJING

Unlike other megacities in 2512, New Beijing's location is the closest to its original namesake, and one of the most preserved. There is a large dam on its eastern-most border that was built as soon as the sea level began to rise and slowly enveloped the city of Tianjin. In time, Tianjin was lost to the ocean, but the Chinese government worked swiftly to protect Beijing from further damage. Since then, that dam has made up the beginning of the border wall around the city, remaining the sole stable fixture for New Beijing in years to come. Now, New Beijing's borders stretch inland for miles upon miles, branching off the dam and remaining flexible and changeable as the city's needed more and more room to grow.

In terms of structure, New Beijing is made up almost entirely of reclaimed parts of the continent of China thanks to the long-standing efforts of the dam. The area closest to the dam makes up the city's historic district, and it's where restored landmarks such as the Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven stand. Other landmarks, such as the Great Wall of Badaling, still surface under the water near the dam. Despite the city's sprawling nature into the Chinese continent, the city is still built upward and downward, with the three uppermost levels of the city being the most appealing to the eye. Deeper into the city away from the sun is where New Beijing hides most of its blemishes: the impoverished people, as well as the districts that are never advertised in any travel packet online.

Otherwise, from the skyline to the traditions held in New Beijing, the city acts as an homage to what once was, with the skeleton of what was there before just beneath the surface.

> THE SURFACE
In many ways, the outward appearance of New Beijing is a perfect model for everything the United Nations hopes to project outwardly. Although they have nothing to prove except to themselves and their citizens, New Beijing is a beautiful city with a high-reaching skyline and a tradition that dates back several millennia. Once the Displaced land in New Beijing, they will find little to fault in the picturesque nature of the city. The streets are clean and though there are older hotels like the one where the new arrivals will be found, they are very rare.

◉ Every building in the city is pristine, with clear glass windows that allow a large degree of transparency. Despite this, the city's large reported population doesn't seem to match the number of people in the first few levels of the city itself.

◉ There are numerous codes of conduct announced by AR displays around the city. No littering or someone will be fined 500 credits immediately. There isn't a curfew, but only public transport vehicles and licensed car-sharing providers are allowed to be in the sky after 9PM. Around 11PM, public transit comes every half hour to an hour, making it difficult to get across the city in the late hours of the night. There are also rigid noise restrictions.

◉ Even during the day, most people prefer to get around via public transit, bikes, or simply by foot.

◉ Most businesses close by 9PM, making it difficult for someone who might seek out a late night snack.

◉ There are few, if any, businesses that would be called "dives" or "holes in the wall." Leasing a property in the upper levels is too expensive. Some ambitious entrepreneurs may go into business together, but they often struggle within just a few months before ultimately giving up. New Beijing offers little room for someone to live out their dreams.

◉ The surface is also where the United Nations government is housed, as well as the UNA Headquarters. The government is housed within the historic district, while the base is on the opposite end of the city, making up its western-most wall.

> RIVERSTONE
Riverstone is a constant figure in the surface levels of New Beijing. Riverstone has been a part of Beijing's identity since the early 22nd century, having relocated their headquarters from Shanghai following the end of World War III. They promised to help preserve and restore the city's landmarks once they named it as their HQ. Once upon a time, Riverstone was an entertainment mogul that branched out during the 21st century, buying up a lot of dying and unsuccessful properties to claim as their own. In the process, they branched into the cybernetics industry and invested in artificial intelligence so they could prove that the world should not be reliant on AI. Riverstone is still an entertainment mogul, but they have their fingers in a lot of other projects.

◉ Riverstone primarily works out of New Beijing. All of their up and coming employees are eventually transferred to New Beijing to live out their lives. There are small satellite locations in other locations (like New Amsterdam), but they focus the bulk of their development on the UN capital city.

◉ In New Beijing, it's hard to find a business that doesn't have Riverstone's mark. Many businesses rely on Riverstone's investment to make it—and if a company fails, it's likely because they failed in that arena. Riverstone owns or invests in the bulk of New Beijing's hotel chains, restaurants, or "small" businesses. The relationship between Riverstone and the city is symbiotic in nature, so much so that no other corporate entity has a foothold in the city itself. Businesses in New Beijing live or die by Riverstone's marketing firms and advertisement.

◉ Riverstone also runs and maintains the city's local public transit.

◉ Unsurprisingly, Riverstone has an amusement park at the center of the city: Dream River. It's an eclectic park full of rides, parades, and roller coasters that acts both as a resort and a marketing machine for many of Riverstone's IPs in the video game, television, and film industries. No matter where someone is on the surface of New Beijing, they'll be able to see the bright blue glow of Dream River in the evening hours.

◉ Any of the Displaced can find tickets to Dream River via resale sites, but it won't be cheap. Besides, no one's in New Beijing for the entertainment—right?

> SPACEPORT
At the northern end of New Beijing is the most heavily trafficked spaceport in the world. Most of the shipments for the colonies come through New Beijing, having been officially checked through customs and approved for transit before they're sent off. Thanks to the technology available in 2512, most of these shipments rarely have any impact on the city as a whole, making their liftoffs unnoticeable in a lot of ways (as they are silent and don't cause any other environmental problems).

◉ Getting into the port isn't difficult. It's actually a tourist trap because there is still some excitement around space travel even in the 26th century. Visitors must declare themselves at the entrance as it is a secure area.

◉ There is a mini-museum along the first long pathway into the port itself given via AR display. Much of the interface talks about the next frontier for humanity, gives projected (and frequently adjusted) dates for the completion of the colony projects, and a demonstration of the significance of terraforming.

◉ There is little mention of UNC2 (the Mars colony), as it's been officially redacted from record.

◉ No freighters depart for the Mars location. Anyone who's waiting for their launch because they've accepted a government subsidy won't be headed to Mars. Most people are headed to UNC3 and UNC5 (the Jupiter colonies) or UNC6 (Pluto).

> THE FORGOTTEN LEVELS
Despite all the glamour and beauty of New Beijing, there should be the sneaking suspicion that something is not quite right. Everyone will be able to depart from the three upper levels of the city via escalator and elevator so that they can explore what is hidden. The deeper someone goes, the more it will begin to be apparent that the impoverished population of New Beijing has been pushed out of the public eye.

◉ Businesses in these areas are cramped and pushed on top of one another. It's cheaper to lease, but the conditions of the buildings themselves is poor as they frequently have to deal with mold and flooding thanks to the closeness to the ocean and the depth of the city itself.

◉ Unlike the surface, the underground part of New Beijing is less pristine. Multiple people wear medical masks. There are hospitals and other amenities providing healthcare to people, but given the difficult lives people lead in these lower levels, most of them can't take off work to get medical care.

◉ There are numerous squatters and homeless people taking up property. They beg for assistance or food. Though many of them used to surface outside of this part of the city, strict sanctions by the city's government forced them back out of the public eye.

◉ There are numerous hostels in these lower levels. They have cramped bunk beds with assigned living areas and blocks of time to shower in community bathrooms. Water rationing is standard in the lower levels because the cost of water is much too expensive.

◉ Food and goods are cheaper in these areas, though someone will have to ask around for what places tend to have fresh enough food.

◉ Drug trafficking and use is rampant in these lower levels. It's not difficult to find someone offering to help dilute the mind so you can live out your day while being unaware of what's happening. Theft is also common.

◉ Gangs are present everywhere, but they have a short lifespan. Unlike in New Amsterdam where the criminal underground has a hierarchy, there is nothing like that in New Beijing. Frequent raids from the New Beijing Police Departments mean that gangs are frequently broken up, with the members sent to rehabilitation centers around the globe. These raids also sweep up drug addicts. These raids come with little notice.

◉ The Red Light District and Morningstar's local chapters work in tandem in these levels. Morningstar acts more openly here because of the countless people in need, and the sex workers often double as information brokers while helping people get shelter and a meal. Morningstar's resources help prevent some of the most severe consequences (such loved ones being separated).

◉ In these lower levels, it's nearly impossible to uphold the laws around population restrictions. As a result, these raids also often result in children being separated from their parents who weren't approved for having a kid. These parents would also be arrested to further justify this action. (Having a child without permission is not enough to get someone arrested in typical situations, so it may seem as if the officers are trying to meet a quota by slapping these parents with arrests for other, unrelated "crimes.") This can happen at any age.

> UNA HEADQUARTERS

On the evening of the 25th, an explosion goes off on the eastern end of the city within half a mile of the UN offices. Thanks to the vicinity of the explosion, UNA soldiers are dispatched almost immediately to the site of the explosion. Only a small handful of people were hurt in this explosion—with no one killed—but there are threats all over social media announcing that this is only one of many attacks that will take place over the next 24 hours. Thanks to the efforts of the AI behind all this, the UN's technical team will struggle to cut off the announcements. A new explosion will occur every hour, moving closer and closer to the UN buildings themselves.

These attacks are Cassius' distractions, and he'll have let the Displaced know about the go time in advance.

> PREPARATIONS AND RECONNAISSANCE
◉ Cassius will provide schematics of the base before anyone steps foot in New Beijing. The base is three times the size of the base in New Amsterdam, with large, soulless buildings. There won't be a set route, but Cassius will mark paths where he can sabotage surveillance as well as areas that are unlikely to house Judas (such as the barracks, cafeteria, and training facilities) and thus should be avoided.

◉ No one will be prepared for an attack on the base, and 75% of the soldiers will be swarming the other side of the city looking for the mysterious entities behind the terrorist attack.

◉ For anyone hoping to do recon in advance, they can take meals at the office buildings located around the edge of the base to try to get an eye on what's inside. While the tall walls around the base will prevent most observation, they'll be able to get a sense of the base so they can compare it to the schematics on file.

> ENTRY POINT AND INTERIOR
◉ Steve Rogers under his alter ego Buff Ridges will be everyone's ride to get inside of the base. In the hours prior to the operation, Cassius will provide Steve with an armored vehicle that will let him in right through the base's northmost loading dock. Despite the conflict elsewhere in the city, there will be little concern about this shipment. After all, business must proceed as usual. Cassius will doctor a manifest or three to ensure this truck arrives without raising any red flags.

◉ The only people allowed on the truck will be people who either agreed to Cassius' terms or who hasn't proved themselves to be a hostile interloper. (Please feel free to contact us below if you're not sure if your character qualifies as a hostile interloper.)

◉ Everyone partaking in the operation will be provided bulletproof vests, masks (though they don't disguise a neural implant, Cassius will be working to scrub any security footage that might track someone's neural implant signature), a gun armed with bullets that can put down a UNA soldier, and stun batons (thanks to Daisy Johnson and supplies from Cassius).

◉ Anyone who's taking part in El and Ren's plan to steal Judas will get a mask that obscures the neural implant signature.

◉ Despite the guns, Cassius will recommend that they disable rather than kill the UNA soldiers because of the protocols enacted when a soldier is killed. It will raise too many alarms, and there isn't enough time to surgically remove a neural implant and dispose of it given the time-sensitive nature of the operation.

◉ Once inside, the interior of the base is as soulless as its exterior. There are white brick walls, tiled floors, and dim lighting because of the evening hours. Most of the UNA officers are off site dealing with the terrorist attack, so there will be little traffic in the hallways.

◉ If anyone wanders off to get food from the cafeteria purely because it's marked, they will get caught.

> FINDING JUDAS
◉ After covering most of the base, the Displaced will come across a large, four-walled structure near the south end of the base. This structure isn't far from the base' medical and surgical wings, as well as the engineering facilities. For those with a savvy eye, they will be able to determine that this structure is built to be protected from most attacks (including ones that are electromagnetic in nature).

◉ There will be a solid, many-layered sliding door on the north end of this structure that's locked through several layers of encryption. Due to the nature of the base and the figure inside of this structure, no one will be able to utilize Cassius or El's hacking prowess to get in. The Displaced will have to work on site itself and figure it out.

◉ If the Displaced get past all the encryption—or recklessly blow the door open, which obviously comes with its own risks—they'll find a server that's running locally. Disconnected from the internet in every way, Judas appears to be kept isolated in a small area. There is no means to talk to Judas yet.

◉ Displaced who have in-game powers that can get them inside will be able to do so. There is no power nerfing here of those in-game powers.

◉ Judas can be transferred onto an offline device that El or Cassius provided for the mission (there will be one of each). Both AI will be aware of Judas' likely volatile nature after being trapped for centuries, and they won't be quick to let Judas onto the world's network.

◉ It's time to decide how this ends up playing out. Will Judas be free or destroyed? Will Judas be handed over to Cassius, El, or taken by the Displaced themselves and set up somewhere secure so they can talk to him? Or will the Displaced get in each other's way, making it so they can't get to where Judas is in the first place?

> FINAL OOC NOTES

Welcome to Meadowlark, newbies, and welcome to the second part of our event! Your character will be able to jump in as soon as possible. If you've ever taken a look at our arrival logs, this one is working a little differently. Characters will be able to leave and walk the streets freely after 36 hours have passed, making it so they're free to go midway through the day on January 21st (which is the OOC date of November 11th). To get caught up on the event, take a look at our planning post here and our first part of the event here. In addition, Cassius will be contacting all of the newcomers and offering them additional assistance, and you can thread that out here!

Please feel free to ask any other questions about this event! We are always happy to help someone get integrated, and are happy to design a special role for you and your character.

For everyone who opts into Cassius' deal, there is a network up for communication. This is a temporary network, and please note the conditions on that post! This is a way for characters to both get in touch with Cassius and each other. As for El, anyone who's working with them can reach out via zeir inbox over here, if needed.

We're putting the final outcome of this event to an OOC vote!

EDITED 11/11/19: That vote is here!

Please feel free to play out encounters around the UNA base and with regards to Judas' location with the exception of whether they succeed at getting to(/at) Judas or fail. Please head to our Questions thread below to let us know what options you'd like available! We'll also have a section for you to briefly summarize your character's role so we can represent it in the aftermath log. The deadline for voting/submitting will be November 25th at 23:59 UTC.

Finally, as a reminder, do not thread anything out beyond this log. There will be a lot that is dependent on character action in the operation and with regards to Cassius' deals after the fact. As a change from what the calendar for the month says, the aftermath log will be on November 30th. We'll push it back further if it seems like that's needed! This aftermath log may be in two separate parts!

Our next Test Drive Meme goes up on November 20th, with reserves opening on November 23rd. Thanks to all of you for your interest in the game!

> NAVIGATION

Comments

[realists]

[ air rushes out of her, breathed out in relief when cassian says her name. or doesn't say her name, maybe his smile feels like it is addressed specifically to her. she knows it is. ]

Behind the table. [ she gestures with her truncheon as the boy's little head pops up over the table and he calls his sister's name -- "phaedra!" -- at the same time she calls his -- "paavo!" -- and while the noise makes jyn flinch, she doesn't have the heart to shush their reunion as phaedra sprints over to her younger brother and gathers him up in a desperate embrace.

jyn looks away, feeling an uncomfortable prickle in her gut as her eyes land on cassian again. ]

You're late.

[evasives]

[ he has the same flinch, however more subdued. instead of watching the reunion, he takes a glance back outside, making sure no one has mysteriously appeared. when he deems it safe, he turns back to jyn and steps in closer without thinking. ]

We took a walk. Less attention. I could not exactly carry her the entire way. [ a grown man carrying a teenager would be very suspect, even down here where everything is suspicious. ] Any issues on your end?

[realists]

No.

[ it was a familiar thing for her, escaping from the authorities. the kids themselves will probably be traumatized, but that is for their parents to deal with. jyn is sympathetic but at the same time not. they're older than she was, than cassian was, than that little girl on jedha was. they can deal with it.

she retracts her truncheons, hooking them back on her belt, puffs out another slow breath as she tries to settle her nerves.

quietly: ] I hate this planet.

[evasives]

[ there clearly weren't any issues she couldn't handle regardless, but he's still glad to hear it. this kind of thing can always go south in an instant. ]

[ similarly, cassian isn't thinking much on the kids' level of trauma. he's always seen it as better to be alive and safe, which probably explains a lot about his own traumas. they're uninjured and breathing and away from the nbpd, and they'll find their parents later. they have adults to help. ]

It is kind of a shit hole overall, isn't it? And we cannot even leave it for another. [ at least you could run away from the shitty planets back home. he reaches out and touches her covered wrist gently, trying to bring himself down from the adrenaline too. ]

[realists]

[ he touches her wrist and jyn takes that as invitation to step into his space, arms curling around his waist, forehead pressing against his chest.

this was easy -- she's run away from the authorities before, she's helped other people run away from the authorities before, and something about it was so natural and easy that it felt almost exciting. that familiar rush of exhilaration and reckless joy at knowing she had gotten the better of the people hell bent on keeping her down.

until she stopped and the injustice of it all hit her all over again.

peggy had said that they could rest, they deserved to rest, but the universe had clearly not been a part of that conversation because it seems determined to keep them both from any rest. ]

I'm tired.

[evasives]

[ when she tucks in against him, he slips his arms around her without thinking and rests his chin atop her head. he thrives when she offers him attention, and even if it's only children, part of him is a little surprised by it with their (admittedly distracted) audience. he'll settle in anyway, just breathing in the relief of having this tiny bit of comfort in a world far too similar to the chaos they thought they left behind. ]

I know. [ he is too, and she can probably hear that in his tone if not in the fuzzy connection he forgets they'll share when he touches his chin to her head. fuzzy fatigue and a fuzzy thrill from the familiarity of a mission and from the feel of her in close. ]

But we did good today.

[realists]

If you say so.

[ the hurt, broken part of her wants to protest. they'd barely done anything. they won't be here much longer and these kids could be scooped up once they have left, they aren't stopping anything and it feels so futile. they're fighting a force they can't beat, not this time, not just them and marcos.

she doesn't say anything in front of the children because she isn't a monster; she believes in realism and seeing the world as it is, but jyn isn't in the habit of ripping hope away from children. she has no doubt cassian can feel the defeat in her bones regardless.

and under that, adrenaline fading into cold envy: these children get to go home, to their parents, a jealousy to shameful to admit aloud, even to cassian. ]

[evasives]

[ his grip tightens on her. not necessarily in warning. it's half comfort, half disagreement. ]

Stop feeling like this was pointless. [ and she can't argue that's not what it is, because he can literally feel it from her, however stunted. ]

So we did not topple the entire system in one act. Do you know what happens when more and more people commit little ones?

[ she doesn't have to tell him it's not enough. she doesn't have to remind him that there's always a chance they could get nabbed again tomorrow. cassian has mastered the art of being a pessimistic optimist. ] We are two people Jyn. We did what we could, and that still matters.

[ he isn't ignoring the envy he feels too, but he isn't going to bring that up in front of the kids. he's already muttering his rebuttal softly. ]

[realists]

I know, [ she grouses, annoyed that he read her so easily, annoyed at her own weakness, annoyed by everything.

annoyed he is right.

she knows it is in the little acts, steadfastly putting one foot in front of another and resisting when no one else will, when no one else can. the rebellion was a rock in the ocean, waves rippling outward and outward, one wave feeding into the next. maybe someone else will stand up and protect the children next time, keep their parents from jail sentences they don't deserve.

hope is choice, but that doesn't make it easy to choose. ]

I know, [ she repeats, relenting, allowing herself the comfort of cassian's arms around her. ]

[evasives]

[ her annoyance doesn't make him smile, but it's a close thing. ]

[ assuming one single person can make all the difference in the world has always been poor judgement as far as a rebellion is concerned. one person can do important work, but there are others who help them get there, others than carry on the next part of it, others doing different but no less valid work on the other side. it's a coming together, and sometimes he wishes he could have teamed up with jyn far sooner than having the death star bring them together. ]

[ more than sometimes. ]

[ he tilts his head and idly brushes his lips over her hair, taking care that the gesture is unseen by the kids, then shifts his grip around her into pure comfort. relief that this little victory happened, that maybe it did bring some kind of hope - at the very least to this family. they choose to help, that'll always be important. ]

And I know it is not easy, but I am here to remind you, in case you forget.

[realists]

[ phaedra doesn't pay them any attention, too caught up in comforting her little brother and wiping the tears from paavo's cheeks. her voice is full of the same desperate hope that cassian is reminding jyn of, punctuation to his point.

"I'm never going to let anyone take you."

jyn steps back, looking a little chagrined at her moment of weakness, discomfited by her own emotions, even with cassian still. to push it away and redirect, she uncurls her arms, tugging the ring off her finger to pass back to cassian, holding it out in her palm. even for the short while she had been holding it, she grew comfortable with the weight of the ring, the steady comfort of having a piece of cassian with her. ]

Here, before I forget this too.

[evasives]

[ he witnesses the look on her face, but he doesn't draw attention to it, letting her pull back and resisting the urge to run his hands down her arms, to wind their fingers together. instead he finds himself looking down at her palm, where the ring he'd given her earlier sits neatly in her palm. ]

[ cassian frowns, not at jyn, but at the idea of the ring disappearing all over again. he lifts his own hand, like he's going to take it, but instead he gently curls her fingers back around it. it's touch, so she'll definitely get a sense of his nerves, but also his hope that she'll agree, the trust to keep it safe. not that he's hiding it, because he's giving her a similar look too. ]

Will you keep it?

[realists]

[ he closes her hand around it the way she had done to him the first time it appeared and she had plucked it free him his chest, still feeling the familiarity of cassian's hope, more bright and piercing than jyn's own, pure despite everything he had done to achieve it, settled around her like a protective cloak.

unbidden, her head bobs in a little nod. ]

Yes.

[ it's his mother's, a precious piece of himself and his late family, in-laws she will never meet and cautiously grow to love, a life neither of them will get to fully live. she won't give up even a sliver of that life if she doesn't have to. ]

[evasives]

[ the relief and affection spins through him and in his fingertips, but he's so grateful she's agreed for reasons he isn't going to analyze. he trusts her with it, he wants her to hold it. he thinks his mother would agree and approve. he thinks she would have loved jyn too, and his heart aches that they will never meet. ]

[ his face softens, his smile crooked like he's figuring out how to make his mouth curve like he wants it to. he scoops his other hand under hers, turning her palm around and taking the ring, which seems counterproductive until he maneuvers her hand and draws in a quiet breath before he slips it back onto her finger before he can overthink it. ]

[ it's safe there. it's safe with her. he's safe with her, and so is his hope. ]

Thank you.

[realists]

[ her own smile is slow going, hard won, trying to collect herself against the rush of warmth. she knows why his mother had this ring, the intent that had been behind it when his father had gifted it to his bride, and it makes her nervous for a reason she can't pinpoint, but she also finds that she is relieved he didn't want it back.

she likes having a part of cassian with her, it feels like an armour.

her hand draws back, almost as if she is afraid he will suddenly change his mind, but she gestures at the scrap of worn red-orange fabric twisted around his wrist. ]

You don't have to hold on to that if you don't want.

[ a separatist wearing a piece of the onderon flag could be full of complications. saw had claimed the flag when his rebels were fighting against the separatists. he had taken it without complaint, even after she had explained its origins, but that doesn't mean he needs to keep it. jyn doesn't mind letting it fade away and calling on saw again when she needs to. ]

[evasives]

[ it doesn't matter how slow; cassian watches it slide onto her face and is content to just witness it, because jyn smiles always feel like a soft victory. ]

[ there isn't much concern when she pulls her hand back, he's already felt what she was thinking, and she's still smiling, so it isn't rejection or fear. when she gestures to the flag portion wrapped at his wrist, he lifts his other hand and touches it, suddenly not sure he wants to return it either. it's not like saw was a republican in that sense. he fought the separatists for the sake of his planet, and that much at least cassian can understand. there's a lot about saw he thinks he could have understood, given the time. ]

I do not think it is my call. [ it's not like he stays in existence if he takes it off, but. it's still jyn's as much as it is saw's. ]

[realists]

You're the one wearing it, it is.

[ she waffles on making a decision for him, indecisive when she normally can be decisive to the point of dismissing other opinions. maybe the impermanence of it is fouling her up. ]

It'll disappear when you shower. [ he can't keep it on forever, but she doesn't mind if he keeps it until then. she isn't as attached to keeping it permanent the way cassian is with the ring, but then she didn't need the flag to bring her back to herself. their experiences with their objects were incredibly different. ] I don't mind if you hang on to it.

[ there, she still shoved the decision off on him, but he has her blessing. ]

[evasives]

[ he's still holding it, though that may be because he wants to hold her hand and this is the next best thing. cassian wants to hold her hand all the time, who knew he was that kind of person? ]

[ he finally drops his wrist, still faintly smiling. ] Then I will keep it for now.

[ she's right that it's less permanent than a ring, but he likes the idea of it being there with him, at least until they're back at the hotel. together. there's still a chance of separation even now, no telling what could await them on the way back. ]

[realists]

Good, [ jyn agrees, feeling warmth rise in her cheeks. it feels like being wanted, to have cassian want to keep a part of her past with him. she wishes she had the full flag, the memory of saw so deeply connected to the flag that even the scrap of it felt like a balm. a balm on something of a gaping, festering wound of grief, but still something. ]

We should find them something to eat.

[ find themselves something to eat, especially if they are going to camp out here for the time being. jyn's power comes naturally, but combined with the emotional toll of facing her own abandonment issues has left her tired. ]

[evasives]

[ good. it's good all around, and cassian feels so warm with her, despite the rush and danger of the hour beforehand. they each have a piece of each other's past and it's... fine. it feels right. ]

And us. [ as much as feeding the kids is important, cassian knows it won't do anyone in this building any food without nutrition to keep them going. they can't help the kids if they're hunger fatigued. ] I stocked up some supplies here earlier, there should be enough for all of us.

[realists]

Okay.

[ she shoots him one last private smile, just for him, before she moves back toward the children and claps her hands together to get their attention. ]

Alright, let's get that table right side up again so we can have something to eat.

[ she'd eat on the floor, but it's better to make it as normal as possible for the kids. they're going to be traumatized already, best not to make it worse by having them cower behind the table for the rest of the time they're in the safehouse.

family dinner it is. ]