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[The screen flickers on to show a boy who looks like he’s a little bit in a fog. Behind him, a Buizel bounces around happily through the snowdrifts, nearly disappearing only to poke her head up every now and then, her whiskers and fur caked with snow.]

Hello? Is anyone out there? My name is Shaun Mars. There was this lady who called herself my mom, and she gave me a backpack full of food and clothes and stuff, and I sorta...just wanted to know if that had happened to anyone else. And also, if the food was...safe to eat. It’s like rice, and I think there’s fish and vegetables and stuff too, or something.

I think I might've gotten someone else's Pokegear thing. It says it's my birthday today, but my birthday was two days ago.

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[Oh. Oh dammit she wishes to have Words with whoever decided when people show up and where, much less dumping kids into the middle of a ton of snow in winter and expecting them to walk three days. At a minimum. Loud, angry words. Yes.

For now she'll have to settle for internal Hebrew keysmashing. Ziva puts on her best 'dealing with the kiddos' expression and turns on the video.]

Hello, Shaun. My name is Ziva David.

Do not worry about the lady, she says that to everyone that wakes up in her house. But the food she gives you is good, though it has to last until you reach the next town. Do you think that you can manage that?

[Something about her tone tells Shaun that this is someone to be addressed as Ms. David, and the brief flash of intimidation in his eyes says as much.

He nods.]

But what will Susie eat, Ms. David?

[Sob she just never got out of the habit of...not using contractions, most of the time. It comes off as formal but it's just a quirk of speaking for her.]

You can call me Ziva if you like, I do not mind.

Susie can find berries along the road--but you should not eat them, they are not good for people.

Sorry, Ms. Da-- Ziva.

Yeah, the guidebook says not to. Are they poisonous?

Whatever you are more comfortable with.

[sorry she can't help being a little intimidating apparently.]

To humans, yes. But they are very helpful for Pokemon.

Okay. If you're sure she'll be okay.

Is there gonna be a place to get food in the next town?

You both will be.

Yes. There will also be places where you can stay until the weather breaks or someone can meet with you. Has anyone you know contacted you yet?

The weather's not that bad, Ms. David. [He considers that question.]

...Kinda. I think he's from the same place I am, anyway.

[Joking tone:]

It certainly is to me. Though I do not live there anymore, I am from Israel, and quite used to desert. You know where that is, yes?

That is good. [Well, could be good.] Is he going to meet you?

Israel? I think I know where that is... I'm from Philadelphia. We get a lot of snow in January.

Yeah. He told me to call him when I get to the next city and he'll meet me there.

His name is Norman. Do you know him?

If we are thinking of the same person, I have spoken with him, though I have not had the chance to meet him in person. He seems to be a good man.

[Feds stickin' together, though she genuinely does think Norman's is nice.]

[That's reassuring.]

I never met him before. But he said he met my dad...

Do you really think I'll be okay with him, Ms. David? It's just...My mom wouldn't want me traveling with strangers. And...Last time I did, bad things happened.

Ordinarily very sound advice that I would suggest following. But in this case...he is trustworthy, and it is better for you to have someone to help you, yes?

[She's not going to ask about the bad things because last thing she wants to do is make a kid relive trauma.]

I would give him a chance.

[Shaun is noticeably reassured by the vote of confidence in Norman's favor. It doesn't quite occur to him to be suspicious that they could both be conspiring, and so far they haven't tried to tell him where to go or what to do.

His natural instinct was to trust Norman. He just needed a second opinion to be comfortable going through with it.

He nods.]

Okay, I will.

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[video] i am totally not late to this party, no

[video] better late than never!

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