hadriel | 004 [Video]

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004 [Video]

[Lance is broadcasting from his kitchen, although aside from the backdrop being pretty universal among apartments it's otherwise difficult to pick out anything distinguishing about the room; he doesn't spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it hasn't been too customized yet. But that suits his purposes well, since it doesn't reveal much and isn't too distracting.

He might look a bit tired, but still bright-eyed and welcoming as he addresses the camera.]

Hello, everyone, and especially all the people who are new; I know this is probably still all really strange.

[He'd been new not all that long ago, after all, and despite having been here a few months now it's still strange.]

I wanted to take the opportunity, both because of new arrivals and because of what happened at the end of last month, to remind everyone that the Clinic isn't just for physical injuries and illnesses. Although I'm not always at the Clinic, I'm a psychologist and if anyone wants to talk you can always contact me through a direct message to set up a time to meet.

[And, like last time--two months ago, it's hard to believe--he decides it's worthwhile to explain what exactly he means, for people whose world's don't have counseling.]

For those of you unfamiliar with what a psychologist does, it's basically our job to listen to and help with any problems someone might be having mentally or emotionally. Sometimes just one session of talking is enough to help, and sometimes it takes more regular meetings, but it's always up to the individual whether they want to continue with counseling. Additionally, anything you say during a session is confidential.

[Because that's pretty important to mention. And okay, main announcement now out of the way, he has a few individual messages to send.]

[Private to Brennan and Zack]

How are you both doing?

[There are some specific things he wants to go over with them both, but first he has to check up on them.]

[Private to Henry]

[He's a little nervous about messaging Henry, but hopefully it'll prove worthwhile.]

Hello, Henry. I was hoping we could speak.

[Preferably in person, since it's easier to read people that way, but he'll discuss that part after--if--Henry agrees to talk to him at all.]

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[It's a fair answer and Rosen appreciates the honesty of it. Though it hasn't happened to him yet, with the exception of Danielle's ghost which had been enough of a struggle on its own, he cannot imagine having someone significant from home arrive as an official resident of the cave would be a 'jump for joy' moment. There's an unavoidable wish that someone important could be spared the life that comes with the murdercave, but on the other side of that coin being reunited with a cherished friend is hard thing not to want to lean into for comfort.]

How are they handling it so far?

Better than expected, but they're both very practical.

[And it hasn't really been long enough for the shock to wear off, not to mention neither is the type to really show much distress if they do feel it.]

I've told you about one of them before: Dr. Brennan. The other is Dr. Zack Addy; he was an intern that worked with her for a few years.

Ah. More academics. Just what this cave needed

[It's half-hearted sarcasm and Rosen begins walking towards the counter]

Do you want coffee?

[He's buying himself more time to mull this over. To pick his words]

Right?

[It's a joking response back, although he also means it; he loves Brennan and is very fond of Zack after all the years of meeting with him, but they're not well suited to being here. They'll get bored easily, and considering neither is the most personable he's really concerned about them getting into trouble.

At least the coffee question is an easy one to answer.]

I always want coffee.

[Especially at the moment, since he'd been busy worrying over everything most of the night and didn't get a lot of sleep.]

[Lee nods in acknowledgement and starts preparing two mugs]

It's going to be alright, Lance.

[He says finally, water now on the boil]

And don't mistake my meaning. [He casts a fleeting look back at him over his shoulder] I'm not saying its going to be great or even good for them. That would be lying to you to make you feel better. What I mean is they are going to survive here for the simple fact that they have to. Like we all have.

[A pause as he needs to focus on the coffee once more]

But, to their benefit their time here will be more than simply 'getting by' because they have a good friend here. They have you.

[Lances watches him, listening to what he says, and he knows Rosen's right in that Zack and Brennan will figure things out; Brennan, especially, he has no doubt can adapt and survive. But as for that last comment, as nice as it is--]

I appreciate that, but I'm planning to tell them both that they should act like they don't know me for awhile. I've already screwed up enough here, and I'm supposed to be the one who's good at this sort of thing.

[No need for them to get dragged down by association just because he's useless, and he gives a slightly dramatic sigh before dropping his head down onto his arms on the table.

It's gonna be one of those days, Rosen.]

That doesn't change the fact that they'll still have you here. Whether publicly acknowledged or not, you are still their friend, no?

[He picks up the two mugs and walks back over to the table, gingerly setting one mug down in front of Lance and sitting down with his own]

And I'm not sure that is the right decision for you to make.

Yes.

[He'll agree to that much, and lifts his head again when the coffee is set down next to him; the drink is more important than moping.

His gaze flickers up to Rosen, over the top of his mug, at his last comment.]

What do you think, then?

[It isn't aggressive or even defensive--not intentionally so, anyway--because he genuinely wants to know.]

Before I say, let me ask you first what your primary concern would be with the residents of Hadriel knowing about their association with you?

[Lee wraps his fingers around his mug, enjoying the warmth against his hands. His eyes are intent on Lance]

I've gotten into enough arguments or complicated conversations, and attracted the attention of people who could be dangerous. They don't need to deal with all of that just because they know me.

[Even if it's a simple as some people not liking them because of him, he's still concerned. But it could end up a whole lot worse, potentially; he'd taken some calculated risks when it was just him who had to deal with the outcome, and they shouldn't have to pay for that.]

Alright.

[Rosen dips his head to the side]

But consider this: if someone were already inclined to dislike you, what would be the effect of discovering farther down the road that you were telling people to lie about their connections to you? As certainly those connections will come out. Whether by your own admission or with your hand being forced by one of the Gods' inane tricks.

[A sigh]

Lance. You've gotten yourself into this spot a lot because you struggle- no- refuse to give in and concede your morals and beliefs to appease the lesser agents of this god forsaken shitshow. And as far as I'm concerned, even with my worrying that I know annoys you, [A teasing half-smile] you should be applauded for it. And I would think that, even with the potential difficulties that might bring, your friends would rather stand with you. Stand on the ground that sticks up for what they feel strongly about, the side that for some odd reason [his voice lilts with sarcasm] cannot abide by violence, manipulation, and killing.

Besides. The whole 'hide our friendship' thing is not going to be a viable long-game, and you'll lose control of when, where, and how it gets revealed.

Edited 2017-07-12 20:34 (UTC)

[That all... Makes a lot of sense, and he isn't sure if it's good or bad that it does. Lance likes being right but he also doesn't have a problem admitting when he isn't, so that really isn't the issue, but maybe he'd just had the hope he could shield Brennan and Zack from the effects of his own bad decisions.

But not only is Rosen right logically in that there's no way to keep that up, even if it's a lie of omission rather than anything more, but he's also right on the rest of it. Or at least Lance hopes so; he appreciates it, either way, the affirmation that his intentions and motives are good at least even if he's not exactly going about everything as skillfully as he'd intended.]

You're right.

[It's quiet, but a statement of fact rather than a begrudging admittance or anything. He briefly considers that of course Rosen's right about this, because Lance can't even handle this part correctly, but he firmly shoves that thought aside.]

Besides, they'll probably just end up taking issue with the same people I already have all on their own.

[It's a weak joke, and he's not at all sure it'll actually happen that way, but Brennan at least takes her crime-solving very seriously. She's not likely to have a lot of patience for the types of people Lance has clashed with either.]

[Rosen chuckles into his mug as he takes a sip then gently eases it back down on the table]

Lance, what I've found is its better to have you on the team than to be on the team against you

[Whether or not it ends up being the 'winning' team is all based on opinion. What measurements are used to define 'winning' in the context of a cave filled with the morally questionable.]

And wherever you go trying to help people, you will always make enemies. I would guess your friends already know that.

[That first comment actually prompts a small smile and a bit of a laugh, and he's relaxing a little bit as he takes another drink of coffee.]

Did I ever tell you I was professionally ranked in chess?

[He knows they talked about chess once, regarding one of Rosen's Alphas, but he can't remember if he'd mentioned his own proficiency. It's true, but also a joke; life is not chess, which is something he likes to remind people of when they get too ahead of themselves.]

They do. They work in solving crimes as well, and have encountered their own shares of problems.

[In different ways, but still.]

You didn't. But I can't say I'm surprised.

[Lee taps his fingers against the mug handle with an easy smile.]

Is there a story that goes with that? The chess?

[He has another question to follow Lance's second statement, but he'll withhold it a moment. He wants to hear about the chess first]

[Lance considers that question a moment, rolling his eyes up and bobbing his head side to side in a gesture of 'well, sort of' before he finally decides how to answer.]

Not exactly, other that that I took it up in college and it made me really popular in the chess club until I became a little neurotic and had to quit.

[He says it jokingly, and is sure at this point that the idea of him getting somewhat over-competitive and high strung, especially as a teenager, will be no shock to Rosen.]

I did use it recently to catch a murderer, though.

[So there's that?]

Well of course [He teases gently] I would expect nothing less.

[Oh Rosen can envision it. That along with lectures on honorable codes of conduct in game playing. Though if he were to be honest, Lee would have to admit he was probably the same brand of 'know it all' pain in the ass when he was in college. A right of passage for a lot of people in their field, it seems.

Though Lance tends to go about it in a particularly enthusiastic fashion.]

Lance [His smile drops away then] You need to tell me...

[He falters, clearly uncomfortable using the word 'need' here in addition to embarking on a subject that leaves a bad taste in his mouth]

...Do they know? Your friends...I know that timelines here can be messed up... Do they know about you?

[Rosen's eyes, which had dropped to the table surface, turn upwards then, looking to Lance for an answer]

[He can tell something serious is coming as soon as Rosen's expression changes, but that doesn't making actually hearing the question any easier and Lance's own expression immediately goes serious and closed off.

But he still responds evenly, and doesn't look away.]

Neither of them has said anything, and I don't think either would be able to hide it from me if they knew. Dr. Brennan may figure it out, because it's only a matter of time before she notices that I was hurt.

[He probably holds his weight differently, or there's some sort of change to his posture while he's subconsciously guarding his ribs, or that his voice still isn't totally back to normal, or whatever else that she'd pick up on no matter how hard he might try to hide it.

But, before Rosen can ask--if he intends to, which Lance is guessing he does--he continues.]

I'm not planning to tell them.

[And unlike the earlier part of their conversation, he's not negotiating on this.]

[Rosen says nothing for a long while. His face registers no judgement either way when Lance tells him his decision and there is only the vaguest nod of his head.

The truth is he has no dog in this fight, no personal investment in how Lance proceeds on this issue. If there were something to gain, a change in Lance's fate, then he would push. He would dig in his heels and push hard. But as it stands, it is an unchangeable fact and only Lance can decide for himself if, when, and how he wants his friends to know. Rosen would not put his nose in this part of Lance's business.]

Alright. [He finally murmurs] I just wanted to be sure I knew how you wanted to proceed, or not proceed.

[Not that he could even imagine himself ever bringing it up. But still, best not leave that to chance]

[Lance distracts himself from the silence by drinking his coffee, although he's doing so more like it's water; he's both a little agitated and can use the caffeine.

But he's glad Rosen doesn't argue, although Lance finds himself justifying his decision all the same before he even realizes it.]

There's no point in them knowing, it'll just upset them and they'll...

[Treat him differently, maybe? Maybe not. And maybe it would or wouldn't actually bother Zack, Lance isn't totally sure, but he is sure that Brennan would be upset and she has enough to worry about already.]

This is one of those things, Lance, I don't know if there's really a right way or a wrong way.

[Rosen's voice has dropped to almost a whisper, eyes gentle as they watch him. He wishes he could be more helpful with taking some of this off of Lance's shoulders, but alas. He can't.]

All that really matters with this one is the way you want to do it.

[A beat]

But as you know, what people want kept secret the Gods tend to enjoy forcing them to reveal in the worst ways. So just be sure to guard yourself, Lance. I know thats not very useful advice but...

[He doesn't finish that sentence. It trails off and his lips press into a thin line]

[He lets out a long breath, nodding at Rosen's words. There are a lot of choices in life like this, after all, where there's no clear answer and everything has the potential to turn out badly, and the point about the gods is a good one that he hadn't considered. But after a few moments he finds his voice again.]

Maybe once they're more settled in, but for now I don't see a reason to tell them. Even if they find out through an event or something, they'll understand why I didn't tell them; if Booth were here, on the other hand...

[It'd be a more difficult decision, not just for personal reasons. Booth would not be happy about having this kept from him, because for him--much like Lance, a lot of the time--the emotional side of things outweighs the logical. For Brennan and Zack, it's usually the other way around.]

For now, I'm more concerned about one of them not believing this place is real enough to worry about danger.

[Lee arches a brow incredulously]

Danger? I have no idea what you mean.

[And he lifts his mug to his lips with no break in the deadpan tone of his comment.]

[He gives a small scoff that's really more like a laugh, although at least he's returned to sipping his coffee like a normal person now.]

Wouldn't that be a great thing to say and mean.

Well...

[He lets the word linger as he rolls his neck, causing a few dull cracks of the vertebrae above his shoulders]

...I have learned one upside to the danger here. Dying in the cave is a sure cure for pneumonia.

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