every color can be found

[In spite of the relatively late hour, Penny is at the Welcome Center. The Center is decked out in a strictly secular but seasonally appropriate fashion: colored lights running along the edges of counters, tinsel draped here and there, paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling with fishing wire. There's a small artificial tree by the desk; it's a wonder that the flimsy thing hasn't collapsed under the weight of the numerous handmade decorations hanging from its wire boughs. The pile of presents, all wrapped in different papers (all recycled, upon close inspection), that surrounds it is almost bigger than the tree itself.

All of this is visible in the background of Penny's video. She doesn't match the scenery; there's nothing bright or festive about her. Maybe she's tired.]

Happy holidays, anyone who's celebrating any of them. I think I'm too late for the winter solstice and Hanukkah and I know it's too early for Kwanza and Christmas. I hope that you've been having a good time, even with all the curses.

Thanks to everyone who came to the City Solutions party, and double-thanks to all of the people who helped make it happen. It was pretty incredible. Pepper Potts, you did an amazing job organizing the whole shebang, too.

[She pauses to rearrange the garland on a mini tabletop tree.]

So... do you think the curses are over for a while? We got through all twelve days of Christmas, and then there was the kissing. [Ahem.] Today's curse was kind of sneaky and I might think about finding someone else to deliver groceries to the Center. Seriously, I had no idea that the pears the guy who does that for me now brought in this morning weren't normal. You know, until I had them sliced up and served with breakfast.

[And now the miniature tree's ornaments need to be rearranged. Obviously.]

A lot of people celebrate Christmas around here, so I suppose there'll be plenty of parties and gatherings and friends hanging out. That's always seemed like the most important part of Christmas, at least to me--having someone to spend it with. It's hard sometimes, being alone. Back home, I've been spending Christmases with the people who don't have anyone there for them or even places to go or holiday dinners to eat. Some of them have the saddest stories... not much in the way of happy endings. They seem to like having somewhere to go, even if that somewhere is just a homeless shelter. Everyone has to belong someplace, right?

What I'm getting at is that, if you don't have anywhere else to go, the Center's going to be open all of tomorrow and Christmas Day. I've been working on food between curses, so even if I can't promise you super-amazing company, I can promise chili and some different fruit salads and dessert. Go ahead and stop in for a sugar cookie even if you have plans.

[She finally stops harassing the tree and pushes it aside.]

Just don't feel like you have to be alone if you don't want to be, okay?

[Penny looks like she has more to say, but decides against it and ends the video feed.]


[ooc: Penny caught two memories: Chase being alone and unnoticed in a church and Mao being human. Chase's managed to get to her.

She will physically be inside of the Welcome Center through the end of Christmas Day, so feel free to come back to this post and action it up while she's holding down the fort. Backdate or forward-date to your heart's content, but please indicate a time hop if you do either of these!]

[COMMENTS]

First things first, I guess, so... sorry for not being around. On the network, I mean, since I've been all over the City. Physically. And not all over, mostly just around the Centers, but still--not on the network. Sometimes I forget it's here, you know?

Plus, having conversations with someone who'll talk back? Way more fun than talking to myself.

Second, I know things've been rough lately. Not so much curse-wise, but it seems like almost everyone's had someone important to them leave the City. I haven't been here as long as a bunch of people--well, that I can remember--so I can't say that losing people gets any easier. What I can say is that things'll be okay. Maybe not now, maybe not soon, but they'll look up eventually.

So if you've had a friend or a loved one leave and your hurting or upset or a little bit of both, just try to remember that things won't always be the way they are now. You can fall in love more than once, and that thing people say about strangers just being friends you haven't met yet? Totally true. There're plenty of people in this giant city, so you don't need to be alone. ...I mean, unless you like being alone. That's completely okay. But if you're not a fan of being alone...

And if you don't know where to start looking for friends, my name's Penny. I'm all for meeting people.

Side note: there're fresh cookies at the Welcome Center. Like haven't-been-out-of-the-oven-for-more-than-half-an-hour fresh. If you're around, go ahead and help yourself!

[COMMENTS]

[Penny, currently seventeen and rocking a pixie cut, digging frantically through a pile of papers (just off screen, but the odd piece of wrinkled notebook paper goes flying by). Judging from the background, she's sitting in the hall at Westerberg High.

And talking to herself.]

You know when people tell you to prioritize the stuff you should get done? I think I did it wrong, so I'm basically doomed for finals.

[Or maybe she's talking to the network. She shuffles papers for a few more moments before giving up, putting the papers down in favor of the network device.]

But you know what's worse? I'm too busy freaking out about finals to freak out about anything else like the twenty-four people who starve to death every minute or the seven trees an average American goes through each year or anything relevant. [pause] No, I guess I'm still worried about the usual stuff. But seriously, finals on top of that? I'm never going to need to know this stuff in real life.

[She pauses again, rethinking this.]

Unless, you know... you're a teacher and you're listening to this. Teachers, you're an invaluable part of the American workforce and it's completely not your fault that the high school students in Finland test way better than students in the United States. [If Penny didn't sound so sincere, that might have come off as sarcasm. It's not.] That'd be my fault. Not by myself, I mean--not even I can blame me for that--but students like me who could do better and never get around to it. Motivation issues.

[A sigh.]

Okay. I'm calm now. Ranting's good for the soul.

[And with that nugget of wisdom, she ends the feed.]



[COMMENTS]

[The video starts with... absolutely nothing. After a moment, however, the obstruction--a hand--moves away from the lens to reveal a slightly frazzled-looking Penny.]

Hey there! If you're new to the City or just visiting, I hope you're finding everything okay and not too worried. I keep hearing that this curse should've ended yesterday, but I'm sure you'll get back home soon. You're not missing anything, I promise; time stops while you're here. Nice, right?

Right.

If you need anything or you're looking for someone, it's pretty safe to ask anyone who looks like they live here. Most everyone's really friendly, so help's not too hard to find. You can also look for the sign that says "welcome center" and head for it. There're plenty of volunteers around the center who'd love to help you out, including me--but seriously, everyone's nice, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Oh! And I'm Penny, so... y'know. Come say hi.


[ooc: Pretend this was up a little earlier? Anyway! Here's Penny and I can't think of anything that wouldn't be okay. She doesn't know what happens after her death in DHSAB, so expect some freaking out if your character chooses to enlighten her. This particular Penny doesn't remember her previous stay in the City, but you're welcome to throw old friends at her regardless!]


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