hadriel | [video]

[Seel did not look amused. His almond eyes were narrowed, and while his androgynous looks might be beautiful, right now he looked positively bitchy. It had taken him a few days to recover himself after his murder and subsequent resurrection. He wasn't all there yet, it would take time. But he was well enough that he could put on a good front. Seel had a lot of practice after all.]

I didn't think I'd ever have to say this. But at least one of you have proven yourself to be so unpredictable and downright moronic that it deserves to be said.

Don't drink my blood. Don't touch my blood. That goes for Calanthe and Pellaz as well. It's a caustic poison and if you ingest it or inject it, you'll either die horribly or transform. We're not human.

Find yourself another snack or another way to satisfy your sick urges.

And I promise, any of you having similar thoughts, it won't be so easy.

[Seel repositions himself, folding his hands together to keep himself from fidgeting. He really wanted a fucking cigarette.]

Now, who around here would be the leading the Guard? As far as I can tell you are incompetent at best and willingly corrupt at worst. It was my understanding that you were supposed to keep law and order and protect the individuals here and those who cannot defend themselves.Clearly, your methods are not working. I suggest you find me before I have to go find you. At least make yourself look willing to change and accept help.

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[He nods a little at the thanks, and he can see from that reaction how difficult it seems to be for Seel, and so decides to risk offering--]

If you ever want to speak to someone, whether professionally or informally, you can message me at any time.

[He knows not everyone is interested in the whole counseling thing, but it's right to extend the reminder.

As for the answer about Beyond, that's not great news. There are several reasons why someone might decide to add blood drinking into their murders, but none of them are good and the implication that this person is not new to killing narrows them down to some of the worst ones. Wonderful. Just what they all need.]

Thank you. That's important to know.

[He really wonders if this might be the same person who attacked Sharon, but there's nothing to connect the events except timing and likelihood that there aren't several people who are bothering with actively murdering people right now.

As for the last subject, he hesitates several seconds as he decides what to say. His thoughts on this subject are complicated, and he doesn't necessarily want all the reasons for that known.]

There aren't, no. But I'm not sure trying to put them in place is the best course of action either, as much as I wish there was a functional law enforcement system set up here.

[Seel paused at that, unsure how to respond.They didn't exactly have psychologists in his world--although they probably should have. Most first generation Wraeththu were a little crazy, you had to be to live through what they had. So, Seel wasn't exactly sure what Sweets was talking about. He remembered therapists, but that was like, forty five years ago and the closest he got to one was a school guidance counselor before he dropped out of sixth grade.]

What do you mean? Talk to someone professionally?

[He remembered Sweets had said something over the network about ...something, but he honestly hadn't been paying attention at the time. Humans doing human things, right? Still he nodded, happy that he could at least help a little with whatever this guy was thinking.If it helped keep someone else from being hurt, it was worth it.]

So I'm learning. But I fail to see that chaos is a better solution.

[He presumes by that answer that Seel's world may just not have psychologists; he's already spoken to several people for who that's the case, so the question doesn't bother him and he's used to explaining.]

I'm a clinical psychologist, which means it's my job to speak with people about whatever issues they might be having and help them either deal with or resolve them, whichever is appropriate. For a few reasons, I ended up with a particular focus in assisting with the aftermath of experiencing a traumatic event.

[Again, he hestiates a little on the last subject, really not sure what to do about the issue. He's been thinking about it awhile, and still isn't any closer to coming up with a solution.]

I'm not sure that it is, but considering people here can't seem to agree that murder is wrong I'm not sure how anyone would go about implementing even the most basic of laws.

[It's a credit to Sweets that he's thought of the need to explain such things, in detail to enable someone without a background to understand them. Seel is currently equating him to a school counselor since that's the only comparison he currently has. He was silent for a little while, while he took in what Sweets was saying, and tried to make a clean comparison given his aptitude.]

I think I might like that. Thank you.

[He's a little unsure, given how obviously human Sweets is, and how much Seel's own species may or may not come into it. The man was intelligent enough though.]

That in itself is a horrific statement. I've lived through chaos, I can't say I care for it very much.

You're welcome, and you don't have to decide immediately. The offer's open.

[He doesn't want to pressure Seel at all, because it's always better if someone truly decides for themselves to seek counseling or not, so he just wanted to make sure he knew it was an option.

And Lance nods a little at the last statement, because this time he can agree completely.]

Neither do I, but I'm not fond of the alternatives that might occur here either. Implementing and enforcing laws that the community can't agree on would be a dangerous first step in an overreach of power, even if the laws themselves might be entirely reasonable.

[Like the 'don't murder' thing.]

[See Lance, that's why Seel was so fond of the first town he created, Saltrock, where he got to not only lead it in his own little dictatorial fashion but pick and choose who got in. Made things easier. But he'd learned since then, learned to compromise and deal and how to navigate the maze of politics. It was easier to be a dictator, but not as stable.]

I'm almost amazed this place hasn't erupted into chaos, that murder and thievery and the like aren't more prevalent.

[In terms of Sweets' offer, Seel nodded. It might be a good idea. When he was ready. Not quite yet. But soon.]

Where can I reach you if I need you?

[He paused before adding.]

I'm obviously not human. Is that a problem?

I think most of the people here are at least decent enough, so even though there are a lot who aren't they're outnumbered enough not to risk too much retribution. In most cases.

[Not all, of course, and Lance thinks there's probably a lot of other things they happen here that just stays between the people involved--he's aware of some personally--and so don't become public knowledge. But for the most part, those here are normal people.]

I'm sometimes at the Clinic, but it's easier to just call me directly.

[His hours are too erratic for him to be at any one place reliably, but he always has his phone and is quick to answer or return a message. At the question about being human, he shakes his head a little.]

I've worked with some others who aren't human, and it hasn't been a problem other than that I may need to ask you some additional questions if it's relevant.

[Since obviously certain differences require making modifications to what advice he gives, but generally it hasn't been a major problem yet.]

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