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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Those are incredible levels of dorkery, Brennan, and he can't help but laugh when she giggles at her own joke.]

Yeah, I got that.

[And oh, right, the appliances. Those are definitely a thing, although he'll address them in a bit; her last comments are a lot more important.

He nods a little, expression going more serious as well.]

I didn't either. I'm still not sure I totally do, but it seemed like a bad idea not to treat it like it is.

[Not that it'd ultimately matter too much for him anyway, but still.]

[Oh come on, you should be glad she's Doing Very Well! ...okay so it really just hasn't hit her, what it means to be here. The important thing is that he got her joke and liked it.

But there are more important things to discuss.]

You are... very much at ease with this. Your message to everyone, your message to me and Zack, your... steadiness in the colosseum. It is both comforting and disconcerting. I suppose that is an accurate summary of how I feel: comforted and disconcerted.

[Though she couldn't tell him why. Maybe she could list a few reasons, but it would not be the whole answer.]

[He is very glad!!!

At her comments he tries to offer a reassuring smile, but he's not entirely sure how well it gets across to her.]

Hopefully more comforting than disconcerting, especially since there's a good reason for it.

[Although he's not sure how she'll take the explanation. And he feels a little proud about her description of his behavior in the arena, though he doesn't mention it.]

But feeling that combination is pretty... Expected, I guess, for being here. It's kind of a weird situation.

[Lbr it just looks like a Sweets smile to her. On some level she finds it annoying, but also endearing.]

I... [Give her a moment or two.] I find I am not sure which of the two is more prevalent. [Common or not, she does not like it.] Of course, there are many emotions making up 'comforting' and 'disconcerting' in this context. Some degree of happiness that you and Zack are here with me, for instance, and a substantial degree of sadness over being separated from other loved ones.

[Mainly Booth and Christine, but everyone else too.]

While 'weird' is a vague and subjective descriptor, I find it adequately captures a multitude of possible perceptions and responses to this city.

[Someday, subtleties will not be lost on her. Someday.

He's quiet and patient while she decides on her response, nodding a little in understanding; he feels a lot the same in regards to her and Zack's arrival himself. He's incredibly glad not to be alone, although he's very worried about them being here.

He also misses everyone else, too, but he's already accepted that he probably won't see any of them again unless they end up here too.

Her comments about his choice of weird draw him back out of his thoughts, though, and he smiles again.]

It's a lot to take it at once, and really outside the realm of anything we've dealt with.

[In a lot of ways.]

Have you read the new arrivals guide?

[He's pretty sure she has, but just checking.]

[Hey, zero subtleties would be lost if it were your skull she were looking at. She does not want to look at your skull though, because that would mean you are dead, and she does not like it when people she likes die.

...and there he is, restating the obvious. At least now she finds it comforting and familiar more than annoying.]

Yes. It's not very comprehensive, but it did at least provide me with an overview of the city. [She chuckles a little, clearly with disdain.] It seems like fiction. I imagine Mr. Fisher would enjoy it very much.

I keep thinking Hodgins would find the whole cave thing pretty cool.

[It's nice to be able to talk about their friends with someone who actually knows who they are, although it's even more difficult not to miss them as they do so.]

He might be able to tell us something about how it was formed too; that could be useful.

[Better to stay focused on the topic of figuring this place out than thinking too much about their friends not being here.]

In part. He has always been more forthcoming about how being buried alive left him feeling.

[His fractures, subsequent compartment syndrome, and the emergency surgery she had performed on him likely contributed to that. It would be wrong to say she doesn't carry that with her too, however. Being better at compartmentalizing does not truly solve problems. Sweets taught her that.]

But you are right. He would be more useful in this situation than I am. Zack is an excellent resource too, however.

[She shrugs, seemingly unbothered by this. Without bones, there isn't much she can do. No sense in being upset by a fact.]

Judging by your public message, you are also able to put your profession to use here. That's good.

[Lance hasn't forgotten about that, of course, even though it happened before he met them all; Brennan's right in that Hodgins has never really made it a secret how traumatic the experience had been, and Lance remembers talking to him after Broadsky had killed Taffet. But he also knows it hasn't dampened Hodgins' enthusiasm for geology or for climbing into dangerous places in a crime scene, so hopefully the giant cave would be more curiosity than cause for stress.

But Hodgins isn't here, and Brennan and Zack and Lance are. They'll have to figure this out together, and it's not like they're not a formidable team on their own.]

Even if Hodgins might be more useful, I'm definitely not complaining to have you and Zack. You're both still better than anyone else here.

[He's pretty sure he can say that completely objectively on the subject of being helpful in finding a way out of this place, and completely subjectively in terms of how much he likes them personally. No offense to everyone in Hadriel.

He nods at the last part of her comment, but then looks a little less certain.]

For the most part, yes.

[And only in terms of his job as a psychologist. It's a little strange to him that people seem ready and will to accept his qualifications for that job but not the others so much; he'd expect it to be the other way around.]

Edited 2017-07-14 20:40 (UTC)

No if. It is a fact. Hodgins knows soil and particulates. Zack understands engineering. I... [She takes a breath, gazes around at the kitchen, and shrugs, not at all bothered by this.] I am at my best if there are bones. I am very intelligent and likely more so than most other people here, yes, but as far as areas of expertise go, I am largely useless here.

[She will apply herself regardless and do better work than everyone before her has, but the facts are still the facts.

At the look of doubt on his face, she frowns.]

What do you mean?

You're not largely useless here, even without bones to examine. Your anthropology experience is useful, as is your knowledge base in physics and chemistry and whatever other sciences you know, and even without being a medical doctor you're still one of the most qualified people here in that area too.

[So don't feel useless, Brennan.

He hesitates at the question, giving a half-hearted shrug after a moment.]

There have been some problems, and I haven't been as successful as I would've liked to be.

[In any area, really.]

[Okay, Sweets. She shrugs. She had already considered all of that, but okay.]

What kind of problems?

[If she were more versed in sarcasm, she would add that she cannot imagine that psychology has not helped him be successful.]

[Just take the encouragement Brennan, geez, and he's--unknowingly--grateful for her relative inexperience in sarcasm.]

I can't exactly give many details. Confidentiality.

[But that said, he can tell her a little.]

Considering the nature of this place, and how magic and monsters and not being from Earth at all are all things here, I'm not always exactly... Prepared to handle all the types of issues people might have.

[Although he's been really trying.]

[ :|

She makes just about that face, too.]

I did not ask for details. [Just saying.] And I still do not believe in magic. It is merely a natural occurrence or advanced technology that we do not understand.

[Like the aliens that brought them here. Assuming she is not dreaming.]

So if you set aside these nonexistent differences, the problems do not appear to be different from the ones we face where we are from. In essence, what you are dealing with is a different culture's viewpoint, and a different ecosystem's predators and prey and intelligent lifeforms.

[Simple, right?]

[Well, at least some things are very familiar.]

Yes, Dr. Brennan, I'm aware. I've been working under that premise and it's going okay with a lot of people, although some of the culture differences are a little complicated to handle. That combined with the tensions that sometimes arise, and the lack of consequences for a lot of behavior, makes correctly dealing with some of the people and situations here a little more unpredictable and delicate than usual.

That is to be expected. We can never fully comprehend another culture the way we know our own.

[The rest of the problem, however -- she can see the complications it poses, so she nods in a way that she hopes comes across as sympathetic. (Sometimes she does not communicate sympathy very clearly, oops.)]

That does sound difficult, and I can see how it would hinder your success. [She pauses and frowns a little.] I am sorry for assuming that you have had a-- smooth course of sailing here.

[Her sympathy gets across fine, whether due to her efforts or Lance's practice at reading her or both, and he shakes his head a little.]

I appreciate it, but you don't have anything to apologize for.

[He isn't upset with her, although it does mean a lot to him that she not only cared if he might've been and made the effort to try to set things right.]

But... Yeah. Dealing with the people here is kind of challenging, and it's just as bad outside of counseling; at least most of the people who've come to me for therapy actually want to work toward a goal or something. But figuring out what to do when there's a threat or major problem, or even sometimes just the day-to-day things, can get really out of hand really fast.

[So be careful talking to people is the main implication here, though he knows it'll be best to actually say it bluntly as well.]

[Oh good he got it.

She, however, does not get what he is implying, merely taking it all as an account of his experiences here thus far.]

Then as long as we keep to what we are best equipped to handle, we should be fine. Everyone should consider specialization to maximize our survival here.

[Well, he's not sure what he expected. Also, her idea is not a terrible one, but it's far easier said than done; instead of pointing that out, though, he has a different question.]

What specializations do you think each of us should stick with?

[Oh yes a question on something she finds interesting.]

Hunting and gathering are obvious ones. Food preparation, medicine and pharmaceuticals, at least to the extent possible... We will need clothing in time. Builders, in case a disaster should destroy part or all of our shelters. I would also argue for entertainment and sports, to engage the community and privade a healthier outlet for violence than fighting each other. I'm certain I'm forgetting others, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.

Those are all useful and important things to focus on, and several of them already have organized efforts devoted to them that you could help with.

[But those are all very generalized things.]

But what would you, specifically, consider the area you're best equipped to handle?

Oh.

[Well, that is what he asked for. If he wanted to know about her specifically, he should have said so in the first place. But she is not bothered by the course his questioning takes. In fact, she finds in enjoyable.

She frowns a little as she thinks, gaze unfocused as she goes through her long list of skills. So many skills, so little time. When she answers, the little pauses she tends to make before some words are longer.]

I am quite knowledgeable about human anatomy and biology, so I could be of assistance to the clinic-- and learn about others' clearly more advanced techniques. [Which would make her a student more than a qualified staff member, but moving on.] I am also adept at several forms of entertainment and am very beautiful, so I could volunteer to perform on a regular basis. [Highwire walking, anyone?] I could also engage in sparring with other skilled martial artists, or perhaps teach novices.

[She could keep going, but those seem the most relevant.]

[As she goes through her self-congratulatory but still accurate list of skills he can't help but smile, because it has definitely not worn off yet how glad he is to be talking to her again. He'd missed her, and all her difficulties, so much.]

Those are all good choices, although if I had to vote on any one I'd say you'd be most helpful at the Clinic. Besides, I work there.

[So he's being totally selfish on this and not even hiding it. A thought does strike him, though--]

But teaching people self-defense would also be really useful, and um... I'd be kind of interested.

[He isn't at all as helpless as he looks--he can fight if he absolutely has to--and he doesn't want to have to resort to violence unless there's no other choice, but it feels really important here to have the option to if necessary. It'll also give him something to do, and he still needs to regain a lot of strength all around after so much time spent healing.]

[But is it really self-congratulatory if it's a listing of facts. :c

She is about to remark on the fact that she and the alien medics will be able to share a lot of information with one another when he adds the less rational reason for his "vote."]

That, [she says through a low chuckle,] is irrelevant, Dr. Sweets, though I find it quite thoughtful.

[She will not offer the information right away, but she does like to feel that he wants her closeby. Which, of course, can be achieved by the rest of what he says.]

I would be a very effective teacher, given my ability to determine a person's limitations based on their movements. [And to pick up on old, severe injuries. She could be quite helpful indeed.

Decisions, decisions.]

I would be happy to teach you, if no one else. I believe that everyone should possess at least a basic knowledge of self-defense.

[Angela told her you tripped over your own feet that one time, Sweets. Tsk tsk.]

[Yes. It's just also the truth.

He laughs a little when she does, smiling and not bothering to argue relevance; she's right, after all, and he's just pleasantly surprised she took the sentiment how it was meant instead of missing it.]

Well, okay, sure. But I did mean, objectively, the part about it being really helpful for you to be there; there aren't a lot of doctors here.

[And of those that are here, he thinks Brennan would be one of the most qualified even though she's not actually a medical doctor at all.

As far as the self-defense thing goes, her comment reminds him that he's going to have to figure out how to handle her finding out about his injuries; she'll surely notice them next time they meet in person, let alone during lessons. He should probably just tell her, so it doesn't seem like he's been hiding what happened for some underlying reason.]

Thank you. I do know some, from the whole FBI agent thing, you know, but...

[He hesitates a moment, but this is as good and relevant a time as any.]

You know how I told you there's a time difference between us? Right before I got here, I was collecting evidence for a case we were investigating, and--

[His voice breaks, which is an annoying outward display of the sudden mix of emotions he feels as he tries to get through even an abbreviated version of the story. But he tries again, and continues.]

I got into an altercation with a suspect, and arrived here in the middle of it. I'm fine now, but um... I'd like to be a little less outmatched if something like that happens here.

[That's reasonable enough, right? It's also true, at least for the most part, he's just... Leaving out some details.]

004 [Video]

private video

perma private video

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i feel this tag merits an apology in addition to the standard blanket apology

brennan-level apologies are needed

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weeps i'm so sorry for her

everyone is lbr

truth... weeps more...

it's okay he still loves her she's the really weird sister he never had

thank u sweets

ur welcome

i am rly rly sorry for this D: don't leave me pls ;;

wow this is really rude

tbf so is bones. u brought this on urself but im right here w u

true this is how it goes with this show

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