hadriel | 008 [Video]

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008 [Video]

[So the fighting may be over, but that doesn't mean everything is going to be immediately fine. Finally having the time to really think about everything that's happened, and for everything to sink in, is going to make the next few days and weeks just as much of a challenge for some here as the last have been, if not more so.

But that is, hopefully, something he can help with, if at least a little. And there are new arrivals as well, who not only had to deal with the end of the invasion but also everything that goes along with suddenly finding themselves in an entirely new world, not to mention the sudden setting change too.

So he's trying to look as composed and calm as possible, which is a bit of a struggle since--like pretty much everyone else--he's exhausted and didn't get out of the whole ordeal with the Null entirely unscathed. Compared to some people he definitely fared better, but there's still a pretty obvious bruise across his cheekbone and around his eye; it's not too serious, but the main problem is that it's also not very helpful in looking as professional and put together as he's trying to appear.

Still, he's doing his best, and he lifts his chin a little and takes a deep breath before speaking.]

If anyone is injured, or just in need of somewhere safe to rest, the hot springs and the fire station are both serving as temporary locations for the clinic. Additionally, considering the seriousness and extent of everything that's happened in the last few weeks as well as the arrival of new people, it's worth reiterating that I'm a psychologist and so if anyone wants to talk, whether about recent events or otherwise, I'm available to meet.

[A short pause.]

I'm... Not exactly sure where, since my office doesn't exist anymore, and I probably should've thought about this before making this announcement...

[That would've been good planning, if he weren't so tired and scattered, but okay, refocus--]

But that can be decided on an individual basis. Additionally, if you'd like to respond privately, you can do so.

[And he includes a brief explanation of how to make a conversation private. With all of that out of the way, he'll put a filter on the post himself and add another message.]

[Private to friends and coworkers]

I hope you're all okay, and... If anyone who wants to let me know for sure that they are, that would be great.

[He's worried about everyone. :c]

[[ooc: Anyone on the Clinic staff list or who has positive CR will be included in this filter; feel free to assume your character's included if they and Lance know each other and are on good terms!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Middle school, I think? He actually liked kids.

Wow, brave. That's a scary age.

[Lance knows he was a nightmare at that age himself; he can't imagine trying to teach a group of kids like that.]

[Ephemera snorts. He spent more time in detention than out of it.]

No shit. But that was CT. He was--hnn. He was the only captain I met who didn't have to yell to get shit done. And he was good with kids. Whenever we had a base planet-side there'd always be some hanging around. He'd make friends with 'em like that.

From that, and what you've told me of CT before, I imagine he accomplished that by treating others--whether kids, or those under his command--like people equal to him, rather than lesser. That goes a long way.

[And the effect can be very subtle, but showing even the baseline of respect to those around you does a lot for how they respond in turn.]

Yeah.

[Ephemera shakes his head a little. He misses CT. More than anything, he misses the captain before he was CT. Back when his name had been Hunter. But there's no point in thinking about that, wanting things that can't be.]

Think he would've liked you. This place, maybe not.

I miss him a lot.

I'm not sure anyone likes this place.

[It's a faint joke, to lighten the mood a little, before he offers a serious response to Ephemera's last comment.]

I wish I could tell you that'll change.

[But really, it doesn't. It just changes forms, sometimes, whether for better or worse.]

It has it's moments.

[He's grinning. Ephemera never had much of a poker face.]

Yeah, I know.

[He's quiet for a moment.]

It's weird. Not being angry all the time. But I think it's better.

It's definitely better.

[Even if it might be weird, or difficult, it's better.]

So they keep telling me.

[A few months back, it would have been sarcastic as fuck. Now, Ephemera sounds thoughtful more than anything.]

Wasn't expecting that.

Anger has its uses, but it's... An addictive emotion, and it's easy. So it's difficult to believe, at first, that it could be good to give it up, but it turns out to be.

[Even if it might be hard during the transition, when all the other emotions that anger tends to obscure start to come to the surface. But then, being able to really feel other emotions--both the good and the bad--makes it worth it.]

It felt easier. For a long time.

[Simpler. A way to cut the world into pieces and deal with them one at a time. In prison, Sharkface had spent most of his time watching the other prisoners, watching the guards, watching everything, and waiting. Biding his time. The anger kept him sharp, kept him focused. No matter how long it took, he'd known there was an end goal. That had been enough. He hadn't felt much else, as Sharkface. And he'd liked that. Feeling nothing but rage.

The grief had been harder. It tricked it, unbidden, and sunk its claws in deep. Lingered.

Ephemera shakes his head.]

Feel like a person, here. Don't always like it. But--I have people, too. Friends. Didn't realize how much I missed that.

I'm glad you're having the chance to experience that, again. The good more than the bad, but even that's important.

[At least to a normal extent. Of course, it's not like it's super normal here pretty much ever, but part of feeling like a person can definitely include not always being happy about it.]

Hnn. You got friends here, Doc?

Yes.

[It's a short answer, without elaboration, because otherwise it would be a complicated one. But Brennan is someone he can call a friend without hesitation, even if she's more like a sister, and some other people are slowly approaching what most people would call friend status.]

[Ephemera grins.]

Now you got me curious.

[Lance raises his eyebrows, amused.]

What, did you think I wouldn't?

Hard to tell.

[Ephemera flashes him a grin.]

Nah. I'm fucking with you. You seem like you get along with people.

[He rolls his eyes, though clearly just going along with the teasing rather than actually annoyed.]

I try to.

[With limited success sometimes, but he does try. Nice to know he seems like he does, though.]

Guess you have to, with your job.

'sides. You hold your own. Didn't back down when I was fucking with you the first time.

[Lance offers a small shrug at the last comment, thinking back to the meeting the bar--which is the one he presumes Ephemera is referencing--and what they spoke about.]

You know, when you were lecturing me about my posture, you were right. I had six broken ribs and a broken leg at the time.

[Because, also as Ephemera had said, he'd ended up in more physical altercations than he likes to let on, including one that had occurred just before arriving. The injuries from that confrontation were even more extensive that just listed, and so every time he'd argued with or stood up to someone while he was healing it had been a lot bigger risk--and had taken a lot more courage--than he'd wanted to let on.]

[Ephemera raises an eyebrow.]

Damn. I knew you were hurting, but I didn't think it was that bad. You get pushed off a building or something?

[He's teasing still, laying it light rather than actually pushing. But he does like Sweets, and that can't stand.]

You should train with me and Drake. Learn how to move right.

[He shakes his head carefully, quiet a moment before answering.]

No, just your standard murder attempt.

[An attempt which was probably successful, but he's not ready to tell that part just yet. He appreciates the light tone, and that's why he responded in kind, but he's not so sure about the suggestion for multiple reasons; the sentiment is nice, but he has a lot of personal reservations about the subject. And not to mention there's the whole other issue of what's going on with Drake.

So, finally, his answer is noncommittal.]

I'll think about it, but I appreciate the offer.

Hnn. Guessing you weren't the one making a go at it.

[Sweets doesn't seem like the type. Got all quiet when Ephemera mentioned setting assholes on fire a while back. And even if he were going to murder someone, Ephemera doubts Sweets would do it with his bare hands. Shit like that takes practice or a whole lot of rage.

Can the Doc get that angry? He wonders. Keeps the question to himself.]

Cool. I like sparring with people. [A pause.] I think I like teaching them, too. Showed Kyna how to throw knives.

You guess correctly.

[He says it dryly, faintly amused despite the topic; not only is the idea of him trying to kill someone pretty ridiculous, but he likes to think he wouldn't have ended up quite as bad off as he did if he were the one instigating. He's not that incompetent.

The last part of Ephemera's response catches his interest a bit, for a few reasons; one is the mention of Kyna--apparently she and Ephemera are getting along better now?--and the other is that learning to throw knives sounds a lot more appealing than hand-to-hand fighting. So he shows slightly more enthusiasm when he responds this time, even if he's still a little hesitant.]

That sounds kind of cool.

Figured you'd use a gun, if you were going that way.

[It's smarter, cleaner. Besides, Sweets isn't a close quarters fighter. Doing that takes a specific set of skills and a certain mindset. But they're not talking about that. Not right now, anyway.

He nods again, pleased to be talking about this. Something he's good at. Something he likes.]

Yeah. I do it to train my eye. My depth perception was pretty much shot for a while, so I throw. Get it right. My helmet can do the calibration for me, but that's not the same.

Plus it's fun.

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