A man from Pax Humanis was on leave after a very long, very bloody, mission. On a station grabbing a drink, they meet a young Havenworlder who has a serious self-esteem issue. They're heard stating over and over that they cannot do things simply because they are a Havenworlder and, as such, they are weak. Frowning and wanting to do terrible things to whomever put such thoughts into a kid's head, they push back that instinct and go to the young Havenworlder and help them see that they are a worthy person, that they are NOT weak, that they have purpose and strength. Everyone does, after all. -- Anon Guest
[AN: The education system in the Alliance is not prone to limiting people so I have to think up some scenario on or past the Edge]
Pax Humanis Enforcer Hica first became aware of the kid between one indulgence and another. He had left a nice hot bath and full body massage and was headed for some serious ice cream[1] when a constant muttering invaded his thought processes.
A tiny Havenworlder in a Kiddies' Livesuit[2] was talking to themself. "I'm a good girl, I take care. I watch my steps ev-er-y-where. I look to the left and I look to the right, and keep all the traf-fic in my sight."
Cute. Kind'a. This was a very anxious little one. It was the next line that made Hica temporarily adopt her though.
"Remember always I am de-li-cate, so ev'rywhere I go I never take a bet."
"Your parentals teach you that? What's it mean, never take a bet?"
An automatic check for the nearest security personnel. In this case, the 'honour guard' hovering in Hica's peripheral vision. Since they were in relaxed mode, the kid took this as a good sign. "Rennie taught me it to remember. I don't take chances because I'm squishy. Every time I go anywhere, I'm betting with my life. Rennie says that's not an anti ze wants to lose."
Ante. Right. "Rennie sounds like ze cares about you. Ze makes sure you're prepared for the big wide world."
"Yup. Full armour and safety protocols en-gaged." Tap tap tap on a piece of her pink plating, activating the very brief shimmer of an electro-magnetic shield. The foot-traffic light[3] changed. "Green light! Count to three, then I know it's safe for me."
That did it. This kid was under the hyper-protective shielding of a helicopter parental. "What's your family doing all the way out here on the Edge if everything's so dangerous? You could get into the Alliance pretty easy. Havenworlders are always welcome."
"Oh I'm welcome," said the kid. "Rennie isn't. Ze's a deathworlder like you. But a nice one."
That told a lot. "Thank you I think." Then again, Hica was wearing his warning stripes. "I'm only dangerous to bad people and I never hurt kids." In fact, many of the bad people he was sent to 'deal with' were the type who did hurt kids. Back on topic. "Does Rennie help you get stronger?"
"Rennie's very careful with me. Ze helps me learn, and makes sure I get good food." The kid looked behind herself. "And she makes sure I'm safe."
Hica checked his six. Oh yeah. Helicopter parental. Must have sent the kid out "all by herself" and then panicked and followed just to be certain that all was well.
"We're all going to have to have a long talk," said Hica. "Rennie is scared for you and I understand that. But Rennie also needs to learn that you're stronger than ze thinks you are. It's a process." Ice cream temporarily put by the wayside, Hica gestured the parental closer. "I used to be tiny and scared like you, but I learned how to be strong. I'm pretty sure I can teach."
[1] Connoisseurs appreciate ice cream as an experience. Flavours, blends, toppings and so forth are considered as intensely as a gourmet meal.
[2] Made to grow with your child.
[3] In areas with a lot of pedestrians, sometimes automated crowd control is necessary.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Digitalstudio]
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