008 [Video]

[lifetothefullest]

[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!]]

Comments

[lifetothefullest]

I hate to tell you, but that was probably just Fireball.

[His tone is definitely a little lighter now.]

I'll see you in a few minutes, then.

action???

[evocation]

Ugh, shut up.

[And she hangs up on him, but she still shows up a few minutes later, as promised, knocking on the door with the weird vodka in hand. Lance might regret this.]

action!!!

[lifetothefullest]

[He will doubtlessly regret this; drinking on an empty stomach and with a concussion is an utterly terrible idea, but he's all for it. He's made way more questionable decisions before.

So he lets Kyna in immediately when she knocks, stepping aside to let her in. He looks pretty much the same as he did when he made his post, although maybe a little more tired.]

Hey.

[evocation]

Hey.

[She offers the bottle to him, smiling a little.]

Here you go. If you're gonna puke, don't aim for me, okay?

[lifetothefullest]

[He takes it, leading the way toward the kitchen.]

No promises.

[But it's clearly a joke; he hasn't drank enough to throw up since he was in grad school, although who knows maybe this'll break the streak. He sets the bottle on the table and goes to get small glasses, passing one to Kyna but not pouring any for her yet, instead pouring a little of the mystery alcohol into his own glass and considering it for a few seconds.]

Here goes, I guess.

[And he takes a cautious sip, nose immediately scrunching up, but he does swallow it and doesn't throw up, so success?]

Ugh, it's like... Nail polish and cucumbers.

[Which is straight up offensive, but it could be worse. It could be nail polish and celery.

Also he's still going to drink it.]

[evocation]

I've definitely had worse.

[She pours some for herself and, perhaps unwisely, downs the glass. The face she makes is horrified.]

Oh, God. Okay, I definitely lied.

[lifetothefullest]

[He just raises his eyebrows at her first declaration, and doesn't exactly hide his amusement at her reaction after drinking it.]

It's horrible.

[And yet he's pouring more into his own glass; it's going to have to be done in shots, but it's still way better than nothing.]

So far it doesn't seem poisonous or anything, though; at least not more than alcohol usually is.

[evocation]

[She frowns at him, then at the bottle.]

Has anyone ever gotten anything poisonous here?

[lifetothefullest]

I'm not sure, actually.

[At least as far as anything being truly poisonous. Although--]

I know that there was an event early on in which the gods put... Human meat in the food supply.

[Which he tries not to think too much about, although after the whole thing with Drake towards the end of the Null attack he's having a little more difficulty with that at the moment.

Clearly that means he should drink more alcohol, and he downs what's in his glass; it's more than a shot, but he still manages it in one go even if he makes a face to go with it.]

[evocation]

Jesus Christ. I heard someone mention that, but I thought they were fucking with me.

[Man, this place sucks. Kyna pours herself another glass, but doesn't down it just yet.]

[lifetothefullest]

Yeah. I was thinking that at least it seemed like the gods didn't do any repeats with their events, but apparently the dream thing happened before.

[So that idea is out the window, unfortunately. He also pours another glass, though at least less this time, and tries to psych himself up to brave the taste again.]

[evocation]

[Yeah, eating human meat is definitely not something she wants to think about, so she's going to jump on that expression on his face.]

Want to play a game or something?

[lifetothefullest]

[A game sounds like a good idea; they could both use something to help in not thinking about anything serious until the alcohol kicks in.]

Sure. Any ideas? I really only ever played beer pong and I'm not sure if I have anything that would work for that.

[evocation]

Uh... We could play never have I ever. Or... two truths and a lie?

[lifetothefullest]

[He gives her a suspicious look for that, although it's a joking one and so is his response.]

Two games that involve talking and sharing.

[But that said, he moves to take a seat at the table; sitting is probably the best idea for both of them, if they're going to be drinking this stuff.]

I'm fine with either; you brought the alcohol, so it's only fair you pick.

[evocation]

Ugh, God.

[She joins him, humming thoughtfully as she tries to decide.]

Uh... Two truths and a lie. You start.

[lifetothefullest]

[Hm. This'll be a fun test of seeing if he can read lies off her, at least; he's not so sure he'll be as successful as he normally is, considering the alcohol, but it'll be fun to try.

But he has to think of things for his own turn first, which takes him a moment.]

Okay. Um... I did track in college, I can play guitar, and I was hired at the FBI when I was 22.

[Starting out with some basic, pretty general stuff.]

[evocation]

Um...

[She studies him for a moment, frowning. She could buy him as some sort of child prodigy, so...]

The guitar one's the lie?

[lifetothefullest]

Unless you count being able to play Wonderwall, yes.

[Which no one ever should. He gives a small grin, impressed she got it right, although--]

...Does this mean I drink, or you do?

[He... Didn't attend that many parties in college, or at least not ones he was allowed to be involved in drinking games at.]

[evocation]

Let's say you drink. If I guessed wrong, I would have.

[And now it's her turn.]

Okay. Uh, the first cantrip I ever learned was a fire spell, I have an older brother, and I'm 108 years old.

[lifetothefullest]

[Fair enough; he considers his drink for a moment before downing like a shot again, because really that's the only way to drink this stuff.

As for her statements, he watches her carefully as she speaks and then tries to reason through each one. She seems like a younger sibling, and being 108--provided she's not banking on it being considered an obvious red herring--is too outlandish not to be true unless she's lying and it's something like 106 or whatever instead, but that would be really cheap. So--]

The fire spell?

[evocation]

Nope. I'm 24.

[She pauses for a second, wrinkling her nose.]

Wait, shit, I guess I'm 25 now. I skipped my birthday here. That blows.

[lifetothefullest]

[Ugh, he hates being wrong. But fine, he'll just have to do better next time, and considering the point is to get drunk he's not too put out at having to do another shot.

And he can't help but poke a little fun at her, because he never gets to be the one that does this.]

Aw, you're practically a high-schooler.

[...No wonder everyone always teases him about his age; it's fun. But more seriously--]

I think I missed mine too. I was wondering if people celebrate them here or not.

[evocation]

[She sticks her tongue out at him, very maturely.]

Yeah, do they? I don't even know what day it is.

[lifetothefullest]

[JUST PROVING HIS POINT!!!]

I don't either; I've just been keeping track of how many days I've been here.

[Some people seem to have figured out some way to tell the date and Lance imagines it has to do with how many days pass between new arrivals, but he never bothered to track that well enough to try and work it out. It seems pointless to use one very specific calendar system in a completely different dimension, and on another planet.

But okay, it's his turn, so he thinks for a moment about some that might be more difficult.]

I've been engaged twice, I'm good at baking, and I once went undercover to a sci-fi convention.