001 [Video] | Forward-dated to midday the 24th

[lifetothefullest]

[Well, it's definitely been an interesting two weeks.

Too interesting, maybe, because after two weeks he's learned a little about a lot of things regarding this place, but not nearly enough on any one subject. Most information comes from individual sources too, with little to no corroboration from others, making it less reliable.

And then there's the people themselves.

So, being no stranger to the internet, he decided to try out making a post on Hadriel's network. Figuring out how to do it isn't too difficult, especially since he's already spoken to Will over video--that was certainly a thing--and so he's soon broadcasting from the spare room in the apartment he claimed; it's not particularly decorated yet, mostly because he can't move or lift anything heavy at the moment, but it'll get there.

He offers a small, genuine smile to the camera as the video starts, and to those that met him on the first day he looks a lot better now, still a bit bruised but bright-eyed and not nearly as pale. He's also found a new suit--or a few of them, actually, thanks to the whole ball thing--and so appears more put together, even if the way he talks doesn't necessarily match his appearance.]

So um, hi everyone. My name's Lance, and I just got here a few weeks ago.

[He'd debated for a bit with himself about how formally to introduce himself and decided to with the most casual for a few reasons.]

You all probably get this a lot, but I have a few specific questions I was hoping to get different takes on. I read the guide for new arrivals and several people here have been really helpful in explaining things, but the more perspectives the better.

[Although he can't directly ask some of the things he's most interested in, answers from enough people about other subjects might tell him something. However, on that note--]

Before I start, though, I feel like I should be upfront with the fact that I'm a psychologist. I know not everyone is comfortable talking to psychologists or psychiatrists or any other mental health professionals, so full disclosure.

That said, I'm just as lost being here as anyone else was when they first got here. I mean, I can't exactly psychoanalyze my way out of a cave in another dimension.

[Not that he thinks that's actually what's going on, but that's an issue for another time. Point is that sure, he fully intends to read into people's answers and pick up as much of what they're not saying as what they are, but that's no reason not to answer his questions. He does genuinely need the help and insight.]

So I guess my first question is what exactly is 'normal' here. I've heard that a lot of occurrences that have happened in the past were difficult or outright dangerous, but few specifics on anything that's happened so far or what can be done to manage the situations that arise.

I'm also interested in what people do in this place when something specific isn't happening.

[Aka he feels like boredom might become a problem, and boredom is the last thing he wants to deal with at the moment.]

The last thing is about the supposed Door that brought us here. I've heard there's certain criteria for who it brings through, but does anyone know anything more about that?

[Because he's not taking Will's word for it alone, that's for sure. Also, ow. That's more talking in one short span of time that he probably should've done, so he'll just end things there.]

[[ooc: I have a permissions post up here for Lance's shrinky psychologist analyzings, so anyone willing to fill it out would help me a lot! ♥]]

Comments

[rehashing]

On the same day. I think we all did. Do you know anybody else here?

[ She hopes he does, for his sake. For anyone's sake. ]

[lifetothefullest]

Not yet.

[He's more alone than he has been in a long time.]

But from the stories I've heard about this place so far, that's probably a good thing.

[He'll try to think of it that way.]

[rehashing]

We do seem to be split in the middle between people who are 'over it,' and those of us who at least try to be nice. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, from how it sounds to have lived here. [ Even presently. ] And, I'll introduce you to Caroline. Everybody loves Caroline. [ Even when they hate her. It's a whole thing. Everyone loves Elena, too, but she's not about to brag about that. This is about introducing her friend to this nice psychologist. ]

[lifetothefullest]

Probably a good policy, although don't give too much benefit.

[He likes to believe the best in people, but in a place with essentially no rules or consequences it's difficult to believe there won't be at least a few individuals who take advantage of that freedom. There are already a few people whose motives he's suspicious of, and although he certainly won't discourage compassion and fair-mindedness from Elena he also doesn't want her ending up looking like an easy mark because of it.

As far as that comment about Caroline, he raises his eyebrows slightly to indicate his next question is a joke.]

Everyone?

[rehashing]

[ She lets out a laugh. ]

Just about.

[ More, probably now. Caroline's now. ]

But, you can reserve your judgment for when you meet her. [ Because, Elena's sure he'll like her. She's just teasing, too. ] Did somebody help you with your kitchen appliances?

[lifetothefullest]

[Oh right, the kitchen appliances. About that--]

Um, I can't cook on a normal stove, let alone... Whatever these are.

[So no.]

[rehashing]

Not normal stoves. [ But a stove. Oddly shaped. ] If it helps, I can't cook on a normal stove, either. I tried to cook one thing once. Nobody liked my chili. [ So sue her. ] Caroline brought food back from the feast if you're hungry in the next few days.

[lifetothefullest]

[Aww, Elena, he sympathizes there.]

I got myself and my girlfriend kicked out of a cooking class once for being a fire hazard.

[And surely you're not expected to be able to cook if you're attending a cooking class, right? RIGHT?

Her offer is really nice, but he can't accept it.]

I appreciate it, but there are two of you so you should definitely keep what you have.

[rehashing]

You win.

[ She has not started a fire. How does she explain that Caroline doesn't survive on that? She doesn't. Not to keep Caroline safe. They still don't know what this place is really like, or if the gods know who they bring in. ]

That's why we share. We have enough, I promise. Think about it, and if you get hungry.

[lifetothefullest]

Thank you. That may be the first time I've won by failing at something.

[It's clearly a joke, though he'll totally take what victories he can get. When she offers again he gives a small smile, nodding once.]

I will, thank you.

[He probably won't take her up on it, but he'll keep it in mind.]

[rehashing]

You should be proud, then. [ It's a first! ]

Good. [ See, she doesn't take no for an answer. She considers something, broaching another subject, but she doesn't want to use Lance for his skills, for what he does or what he studies. But, she is dealing with something. Less struggling now, luckily. ] Where are you living? Caroline and I are in the first Spire.

[lifetothefullest]

I feel more kind of ashamed, really.

[But again, he's obviously not serious.]

I'm in the second. It was way easier to find an apartment here than back at home.

[Which is kind of funny, since this is some sort of underground hell-city, but at least he didn't have to house hunt. Or pay rent.]

[rehashing]

You could always learn to cook. If you can cook in a cave with not normal appliances, then think of what you could do back where you're from.

[ How about that! ]

I wouldn't know. I lived in the house I grew up in, I've never had to find an apartment. [ And apartments always seemed available in her town, and nearby. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[He can't argue with that logic.]

That's true, and it'd be worth it as long as I don't burn down my apartment here in the meantime.

[Also he doesn't really think the skill would transfer, considering he's hoping this is all a dream.

As far as living in the house you grew up in, if that's an option it's definitely a good one; saves a whole lot of trouble. He is wondering though, and this gives him a good opportunity to ask--]

Are you in college?

[He can't tell exactly how old she is, and if she is in college he's curious what she might be studying.]

[rehashing]

My friend, Caroline [ used to not be able to cook, but, she had kids, and grew up, and she's a reporter and she loves a man Elena still has feelings for, but doesn't end up with ] -- she could help. [ It's natural to mention Caroline, but it was getting more conspicuous when it came to things she wasn't used to. Like, Caroline even being in a kitchen.

It's interesting, Lance asks about how things are, while Elena refers to them as how they were. Maybe because of how much change she's experienced in only two weeks. ]

No, not yet. I'm in my senior year. It was - [ She has to think, through the madness of what had happened. ] October. [ She had gathered applications. You know Caroline had made her. And she'd worked on them when she could, when she wasn't worrying about her brother, or playing the pawn in Klaus and Stefan's game, putting herself in the middle for he Original family or, using herself as a means to saving her friends. It's been a long, rough few months. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[It's probably the denial on his end; it's much easier to talk in present tense, like this isn't really happening and he's still living in the arrangement he had before waking up here, and he might hopefully have a chance to return to.]

I'm totally willing to accept the help if she's willing, but usually if I'm bad at something I'm really bad at it.

[He's one of those people that's talented in several areas and those come easily to him, so any skill that poses a challenge he must just be hopeless at.

Although her answer does give him a good estimate of her age--probably 17 or 18--it's odd that it takes her so long to remember the month. Most kids are counting down the days until they're out of high school, whether or not they're planning to apply to college or not. So that's interesting, but he doesn't ask about it just yet.]

Do you know what you'd like to study?

[He's wondering if she might be interested in psychology, considering their previous discussion, or maybe something completely different.]

[rehashing]

All you can do is try, and then, if you're still bad at it, then you know it's not for you. And that your open invitation to join Caroline and me becomes more mandatory, because I don't think it will be good psychologically to die here.

[ Or, anywhere for that matter. ]

I have an idea? I thought maybe history, and I thought about a minor in creative writing. Before she died, my mother wanted me to be a writer, she loved that I wrote - but, after, I couldn't see myself as a writer anymore. But, I applied for history programs. The town I grew up in loves its' history. My mom was on the historical society and I still volunteer for a lot of the events. I just think that to get where we're going we have to know where we come from. And, a lot of the reason history repeats itself is we don't learn from not just our mistakes, but, anybody's. So, I guess that's a long-winded way of saying that I'm trying for a History major, with a minor yet to be determined.

[lifetothefullest]

[Right. Definitely not good psychologically to die, and that's his professional opinion.]

Okay, okay, fine; fair enough. I'll give it a shot.

[Maybe it'll be fun, even. And although her answer is a little bit of a surprise it seems fitting, especially by how she talks about the subject; there's obviously an interest and passion there, and that's the most important thing no matter what field of study one goes into.

But he doesn't miss the comment about her mother dying, and that's a loss he understands all too well. It makes sense she might've lost her interest in writing if it reminds her every time of her mother.]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[And he means that.]

History is definitely an important subject, and it sounds like you have a really good reason for wanting to study it; is there a certain time period you're most interested in?

[He is not the best at history by any means so if she names something obscure he'll be lost, but he's still interested.]

[rehashing]

[ She taps out something, sending him Caroline's number, glancing to the side, a glint in her eye. It's possible she's not alone in the room, anymore. ]

Good. This is Caroline's number. She'll be expecting your call. Or, text. She told me to tell you she also accepts text messages. And carrier pigeons, if -- they're here in Hadriel.

[ She inhales, mouth closing to form a weak, but meaningful smile. ] Thank you. [ She died with her father, in an accident that could've taken her life, too. But, how do you say that? ]

Region. European history? But, also local. Mystic Falls history dates back to the time of the Vikings. My teacher found cave paintings underneath the town. [ Which ... contradicts everything known about the Vikings, but, she's met them. SO. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[He raises his eyebrows slightly as she glances off to the side, amused, and even more so at her comments.]

Text messages are always good. I don't think carrier pigeons would work out too well even if they are here, though.

[He's not so sure birds would like him. Actually, now he's kind of curious, although this probably isn't something he'd be able to test out any time soon.

And okay, not the point; her answer's way more interesting anyway.]

Really? That's so cool; I have a friend who'd be really into that.

[He can just imagine how delighted Brennan would be at the idea of newly discovered cave paintings.]

Where's Mystic Falls?

[rehashing]

You wouldn't lose them for years.

[ Or, months. It is just a cave. But, the lack of sunlight might affect them negatively. Do pigeons need sunlight? She doesn't know. ]

Virginia. It's a small town, most people haven't heard of it. Most people where I'm from, and everyone here besides Caroline. [ Different places. Times. Worlds. ] Where are you from?

[lifetothefullest]

[So much bird pondering.]

Well, I guess I'm in the 'most', though I have heard of Virginia at least.

[And that's something in this place, right?]

I'm from Washington D.C.; I work at the FBI headquarters there.

[rehashing]

You're a psychologist for the FBI.

[ How official. ]

I don't know if it has to be said, but maybe with who else is here, I have heard of DC.

[ She waits a second, as if she's again thinking about asking a question. ]

Is it hard to be here coming from something like the FBI? What I mean is, is it hard to believe, to accept being here.

[lifetothefullest]

[Super official. And at her comment about having heard of DC he gives a small grin.]

I'd really hope so; if Virginia exists but Washington DC doesn't, that'd be a little worrying.

[And that's... A good question, actually, but maybe not for the reason Elena's asking. Lance isn't at all sure about whether he believes anything about this place, but it's not really because of working at the FBI; there's another reason there, which he's not about to get into.

So there's a bit of a hesitation before he answers; he has to think about what to say and how to say it.]

I think it'd be hard for anyone who isn't used to this sort of thing. From what I understand, some people come from places where all of this is pretty normal.

[Not that he entirely believes those stories either, but still.]

[rehashing]

[ Her eyes go wide, nodding. It would be. ]

Caves. Gods. It's their Tuesday. [ She smirks, taking another sip. ] This isn't normal for me, either. [ Not a lie. There are some familiarities. Kidnapping. The supernatural. Other beings. Not skeletons. ] But, I believe it.