009 [Video]

[lifetothefullest]

[After a month or so of mostly sticking to text and voice, Lance is back to video for another network broadcast. He's still looking a little unwell, but definitely better than in his last post or any time he's spoken with someone in person since then.

He was also fortunate enough to be in his apartment when the dust storm started, so he doesn't have to camp out in some public place or with people he doesn't like. Hurray! And since pretty much everyone is stuck inside somewhere, this actually ends up being a good time to make a network post to address a few things.]

Hello, everyone. For those who just arrived or otherwise haven't met me yet, I'm Dr. Lance Sweets, and I'm a psychologist; if anyone ever needs or wants to speak to someone professionally, whether about being here or otherwise, you're welcome to send a message or call at any time.

[And that usual note out of the way--]

But I also wanted to discuss something somewhat unrelated, which is the subject of creating an organized directory of who has what skills that they're willing to teach, if asked. Many here want to learn new skills or hobbies, whether due to practicality or boredom or otherwise, but it can be difficult to figure out who to ask especially if you're new and may not want to either use the network for a general announcement, or approach someone you may not know individually.

So a list of who is willing to teach what skills, and who is alright with being asked to do so, would be beneficial a lot of people here. I can compile and maintain it as a file that can be shared.

[It's not like he's doing a whole lot at the moment, having pretty much quit working at the Clinic. He seems to briefly consider continuing with another topic but then ends the feed there; the other thing he wanted to discuss probably wouldn't go over as well as the first one, and he'd prefer everyone not get distracted.]

Comments

[lifetothefullest]

Maybe you two can compete; whoever is the more successful teacher at the time can have their name listed first. I'll keep it updated.

[ghostlocked]

ok but when the city implodes in on itself bc we go too hard i want u to remember that it was ur idea.

[lifetothefullest]

I said "maybe" for a reason, and now I'm deciding it's best to rescind that idea.

[ghostlocked]

nope too late.
the deed is done. the challenge has been issued.
the streets of hadriel will run red upon this night.

[lifetothefullest]

The prize has been revoked.

[ghostlocked]

the prize is blood.
wtf i thought k was teaching u magic? shes not fillin u in on the rich history of our ppl?

[lifetothefullest]

Blood is a terrible prize.

No, apparently I am not being properly informed of the cultural background of what I'm learning.

[ghostlocked]

figures. tell k im disappointed in her.
for real tho theres prob a lot of bs historical baggage w. magic but it doesnt matter. its like idk christmas. its just a thing we do now.
hey is k teachin u shit beyond cantrips? is she havin u make a focus?

[lifetothefullest]

I'd be interested in hearing about it in the future all the same.

[He's not huge on history but history of magic? Hell yeah.]

Just cantrips so far; I learned them just before the Null invasion.

[So the implication is probably clear there in that there just hasn't been opportunity to learn more than that.]

[ghostlocked]

of course u would. nerd.

[He means it lovingly. This shit is probably way more interesting to someone who doesn't deal with magic every day, though. HH would be the same way if he met someone from, like, space. Tell him everything about space, please. The history of magic, though? Fuck that. That's run-of-the-mill boring where he comes from.]

nice. thats good timing. bet that shit was more useful than ur gun.
lol.
gl w. the focus if thats in ur future. ks a fuckin pro at illegally crafting focuses at this point but lmk if u need an extra set of hands.
u should be ok since ur a noob but the process can be a real bitch.

[lifetothefullest]

Wow, I'm wounded.

[He's obviously joking.]

Not necessarily more useful, considering I had to be very close to use it, but it definitely made a difference.

Why would being new at it make it easier? What goes into the process?

[He's suddenly a little concerned; that sounds ominous.]

[ghostlocked]

when ur just startin out u dont have as much magic to move.
the process of crammin ur noob magic into a focus will be tricky at first bc ur not used to controllin it but the aftermath wont be as hard on u.
like the ritual or w.e u want to call it of makin the focus might take a couple tries but ull be fine after.
u might feel like shit for a day or two but thats abt it.
if i had to remake my focus tho?
the channeling shit would be a piece of cake. that shits second nature anymore.
but the aftermath fucking sucks.
what u end up w. depends on the type of magic u do. kynas mostly evocation so when her focus got fucked she basically had the flu for a week or two. it was bad.
im mostly enchantment and illusion so i get fun mental shit.
its like a sustained psychotic break.
its rly fun.

[lifetothefullest]

[Yep. Definitely ominous. It hasn't scared him off the idea or anything, but he's a little more apprehensive about it even if it won't be so bad since he's just starting out.]

That's good to know, at least. And even more reason not to let it get destroyed or something after I make it.

The flu definitely sounds better than weird mental stuff. But it wore off after awhile?

[Text] Guess who hasn't teased you for a while

[drabsolutelynot]

I am always in awe of your brilliant ideas, Lance

[Text] awyeah

[lifetothefullest]

As you should be.

[He's clearly joking; this is a terrible idea, honestly.]

Re: [Text]

[drabsolutelynot]

Perhaps this is how we should settle all further disputes in Hadriel. If it worked for the Romans, yes?

[Text]

[lifetothefullest]

I'm not totally sure the Romans are the best role models.

Re: [Text]

[drabsolutelynot]

What could you possibly have against the Romans? They gave us the arch. The aqueduct. Also that movie with the Australian man people seem to think is a good actor.

[Text]

[lifetothefullest]

They also liked having people fight to the death for entertainment, which no one here needs encouragement regarding.

1/2

[drabsolutelynot]

Lance. Are you telling me you don't approve of unnecessary violence?

I am shocked. This is the first I've heard of this.

[Yes. He finds this amusing. There's very little to do in this stupid city.]

2/2

[drabsolutelynot]

But if you had to bet money, who do you think would win? Tater Tot or Kyna?

[lifetothefullest]

[It's not visible due to text, but that first part gets a very exaggerated--but amused--roll of his eyes. But as for the last part of the message--]

Who is 'Tater tot'?

[EXPLAIN.]

[drabsolutelynot]

The other one.

Harlan.

[lifetothefullest]

Okay, there has to be some story here.

But I'm so not answering the question.

[He's way too smart for that, okay.]

[drabsolutelynot]

Maybe I'll just leave you hanging on that one.

Or maybe if you let them compete with each other he can demonstrate first hand why I call him Tater Tot.

[However he's not surprised that Lance will, for the sake of self preservation, not touch the other question]