VIDEO; UN: HAWKEYE

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[Instead of any person, the scene presently on the screen is of a backpack lying in the snow, overflowing with child leashes in a variety of different colors and patterns. The voice that pipes up has about as much warmth as the chill tundra wind and is just loud enough to cut through the continued wailing of infant squidges nearby.]

It appears that some of our superiors question our ability to properly watch over these small creatures.

[Though if the delivery was sent in earnest rather than as a practical joke, she can't say she disagrees with the assessment, at least not with regards to a certain subsection of Team Audentes. (Fortune might favor the bold, but it certainly won't favor anyone lacking basic common sense as far as she's concerned.)

Regardless, she presses on.]

While I should hope that none of you will need one at the moment [judging u if you put a leash on ur infant squidge tbh] some of you may find them necessary at a later point in this mission. There seem to be enough for each recruit to have one.

[Unfortunately.

A brief pause follows, enough time for a resigned sigh.]

With that said, if you are concerned about caring for a living being, I'm sure there are several of us willing to provide advice.

(ooc: i bought a bunch of child leashes as an ac reward as i was completely out of ideas, feel free to handwave your character grabbed one.)

Comments

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[It's not a particularly surprising answer; he is quite young after all (in her eyes) and more suited towards exploring whatever adventures life still has to offer him rather than settle down already and raise a family.

She watches the squidges play another moment more, surprisingly content for this single point in time. (That feeling, of course, fades quick as it always does)]

Do you think you'll miss them once this mission is done?

[They can't possibly be allowed to keep them when this is all over...]

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( that's a sobering thought, though if he's honest, not one he hasn't had before. he has considered the fact that sooner or later, the squidge is going to need to stay behind and he's going to have to leave. that's a hard fact to think about, especially considering he realizes how much being left behind hurts. )

I know I will. But... that's a part of him growing up, anything growing up, right? They've gotta learn to make it on their own.

( the mission is to make sure the squidges make it to where they need to go, to grow up to their adult forms. he assumes that when they do, they'll be better able to take care of themselves. it'll be hard saying goodbye. still, what kind of life would they have trapped in Oska?

if this was where they were meant to thrive, it wouldn't be fair to take them away, even if it means he'll end up missing them. and worse yet, the squidge he's looked after misses him. )

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It is.

[The more years that pass, the more people come and go, willingly or otherwise. She's certainly learned that the hard way. Hopefully their squidges will have an easier time of it. If nothing else, Peter's squidge seems well-balanced already, quiet and contently playing with the plush animal given to it.]

Maybe we'll be able to keep in touch with them somehow.

[Wishful thinking, maybe, but if ALASTAIR has the ability to pull people from their worlds, surely they've got some way of allowing brief visits. But for now, she straightens up.]

I have a few more deliveries to make, but if you need any help you're welcome to give me a call.

[Or whatever passes for calls on their jewelry. They're grouped close enough at the moment that it isn't too much of a trek one way or another and besides, she wouldn't mind spending more time with Peter.]

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( there's no way of knowing whether that's true or not, that they'll have a way to look back and check in. still, Peter seems heartened by that answer. whether he'll be able to see Beaker again or otherwise, it seems like he'd be very happy to believe. )

I hope so. Postsquidge. But that means I'm gonna have to teach you to read, little buddy.

( Beaker hums and hugs his toy, seemingly noncommittal to the idea of learning to read. that's okay, they'd work on it.

Peter stands up straight, giving Riza a smile. ) Sure. I bet there's a lot of little guys that need a new friend. It's really awesome of you to do this. ( as for needing help, he nods. ) When I know, you'll know. Promise.

( in the meantime, he and Beaker are going to rest a little longer, and then get back on the trail. )