hadriel | 002 [Video]

Entry tags:

002 [Video]

[He supposes this is as good a time as any considering the events of the past few days and Rosen's recent post, so...

Lance is looking more put together than he has recently, although he hasn't completely returned to the formal look; he has bothered with a suit but not with a tie, and his hair's getting slightly out of control and distinctly curly. He also looks a bit like he's either gotten too little sleep or too much, although his voice is steady and even and he certainly sounds more professional than he did in his last post.]

Due to recent events, and in followup to Dr. Rosen's announcement, I think this is a good time to reiterate that should anyone be in need of someone to speak to about anything that may be bothering them, I'm always available for counseling or just to talk.

[He's gotten the impression this is something a whole lot of people here probably need, and it's important to make sure they're aware of the option and don't have to go hunting for information on who to contact.]

My name is Dr. Lance Sweets and I'm a clinical psychologist, which, for those whose worlds don't have such a profession, means that I work with helping individuals work through any mental or emotional issues they might be having. Although I've counseled patients on a range of subjects, my primary work has been with the FBI and therefore often in the area of coping with witnessing or experiencing traumatic events.

[Which is fortunate, since there seems to be a lot of that here. Which, itself, is unfortunate.]

Meetings can be as formal or informal as you're comfortable with, and where we speak can also be decided upon on an individual basis. I'm also willing to answer any questions you might have before making any agreements or arrangements.

[Because he's very aware that a whole lot of people don't get the idea of psychology at all, and he's also expecting at least a few 'aren't you twelve?' comments.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...Right! Rent had been a thing... Glad she missed out on that part of transitioning into adulthood.]

Yeah, I guess, but you're still doing the job even though you don't really have to, anymore! I mean, I haven't seen any money...

[Yeah it's no fun honestly.]

That's true, although I don't just do my job because I have bills to pay.

[It's something very meaningful to him, and he's pretty sure it's a really needed service in this place. Also, selfishly, it gives him something to do and focus on.]

I guess you don't, with that line of work...

[Stupid Dr. Malik should take some NOTES.]

Gotta be...pretty weird, here. Lots of different people, lots of crazy things happening. Not sure if I could ever make an announcement like this... Basketball lessons, yeah! But offering a whole cave city therapy's daunting.

I don't know; I think teaching basketball would be a lot more difficult.

[He's tall, but that's about the only thing going for him as far as basketball's concerned.

But she's certainly not wrong, and he goes more serious again.]

I doubt many will take the offer, but it's worth it if it helps anyone at all.

[Because yes, it's kind of weird here, and very stressful. He's only been here a month and a half and is already feeling it, so he can't imagine how much people who have been here longer have gone through.]

Seriously? But isn't counseling, like, really good for people?

[tbh she should have had at least a few appointments, but hey, hypocrisy and blindspots are fine!!]

Not like this place could make people...better-adjusted? Whatever that would be. Point is, this place is a nightmare.

It is, yes.

[And he's glad she has that opinion, even if she's maybe being a bit of a hypocrite about it.]

But people are often hesitant to talk about their problems with a stranger, for many reasons. Still, I'm hopeful at least some will decide it's worth a try.

[Because yes, this place is a nightmare. And on that subject--]

How have you and your friend been since arriving?

Pretty...good?

[Probably? There's something hanging over Hotaru's head, but she's still puzzling that one out on a logistics level.]

Feel a lot safer and happier than I would be if she wasn't there, and I hope she feels the same way! I don't think she's ever spent this much time away from her twin before, though. Even the nice people we meet here can't do much to fill in that kinda hole.

[That's good, at least; from that response he presumes nothing too serious has happened since they spoke last, anyway, which he's glad for. Hopefully Hotaru and her friend can continue to stay out of the sort of chaos he's been encountering.]

I'm glad to hear it. And yeah, there's a bond between twins that extends even to those who've never met each other; are they identical or fraternal?

[Yeah, no crazy deaths or disappearances affecting them so far. Pretty sweet, over in chill tower.]

Fraternal. Both...really interesting.

[Good, good, try to keep it that way ~~and ignore that he's a hypocrite on that subject.~~]

Yeah? Interesting how?

......She's a mathlete! And he's, um. Really tall!

[uh]

[He laughs a little again.]

That's his only defining feature?

[At least mathlete says something about someone's personality.]

...He fixes cars!

[nailed it.]

That's something. It's also a very useful skill.

[Lance knows next to zero about cars.]

[same.]

Yeah, they're both really useful. And Jörgen can even keep doing his car stuff and have it matter! Coach is going to teach me to drive one day, and then I'll... I dunno. But a road trip would be cool.

I've never been on a road trip, but I've heard they're definitely worth taking if you can stand the people coming with you. Where do you think you'd want to go?

I've spent almost every waking moment with the same people for months. I think a road trip would be refreshing for everyone...

[A romantic getaway with Kayla would be pretty cool, though... If Hotaru can manage to not spontaneously combust.]

Anywhere's good, by now! I guess...through the country? Something that isn't forest or city. That'd probably be safer, too...

[Well, if they've already been living with each other or something then at least they won't have the problem of being stuck together in a confined area without being used to being around each other.

Her last comment catches his attention the most out of what she said, however.]

What do you mean by safer?

Like there weren't as many people living in the country, right? So there won't be as many zombies.

[Obviously.]

[Um, excuse him a moment while he does a double-take.]

I beg your pardon?

[Did she says zombies in all seriousness?]

[what's his problem all of a -- ah. Hotaru looks...sort of like she expects a hole to open up beneath her and to be deserving of it. It might be what she's praying for.]

I -- keep forgetting zombies aren't normal for everyone. I got so used to them.

[Okay, don't mind that he looks vaguely horrified for a moment before getting a hold of himself.]

They're definitely not normal where I'm from, and I'm sorry they are for you.

[Because sure, he'll watch zombie movies, but he is not at all one of those people that would want them to be real life.]

You, uh... Learn to live with it. Kind of have to.

[To...live. Yep.]

And hey! It gave us some good survival skills for messed up city with monsters...living. That's convenient.

[Right, learn to live with it. That's not much of a surprise; people are incredibly adaptable, and Hadriel is just as good of an example of that as zombies would be.

And Hotaru's right, at least some of the skills carry over. Silver lining.]

That's true, I guess. Have you run into any monsters here, yet?

[Hotaru clings to the silver lining like there's no tomorrow.]

Well...yeah. There were these mythical lion creatures when I first got here. Came out of that just fine, though.

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]