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

[imhisaunt]

Oh! Oh good

[His smile returns, shoulders dropping back in relief.]

Well it is true. You are very handsome, Harle--an...

[He caught himself that time!]

Um. Harlan...could...could I ask you something?

[ghostlocked]

[Harlan snorts. Delmar is trying his best.

And he's just gonna skip ahead to the question thing to avoid the further complimenting.]

Yeah, of course. What's up?

[imhisaunt]

[Ok, Delmar, he's thinking to himself. Pick your words carefully.]

Um, well...

[A shy clearing of his throat before he leans in closer to the screen, now whispering as if he's trying to keep this private for the sake of Harlan's dignity but completely forgetting that that is not actuallyhow private videos work]

...Have...you ever considered...maybe getting glasses? You could borrow mine for a while...

[ghostlocked]

[...???]

Dude, I'd look like shit with glasses.

[Because clearly this is Delmar trying to make him handsomer???]

Usually the opposite is true, yeah, but not in my case. Trust me.

[imhisaunt]

That is certainly not true. Nothing could make that face less handsome.

[He says this despite having never actually seen Harlan in glasses. Nonetheless he has no doubt that what he says is 100% accurate. Harlan must be very handsome in glasses.

However that is not the point]

But, you know, the glasses might help you.

[ghostlocked]

[Welp, Harlan is turning red again. He laughs and looks away, still not really getting where Delmar is going with this.]

Uh, thanks. My eyes are fine, though. [Probably, anyway? He's never actually had an eye exam, but he can read shit just fine, so... Yeah, they're fine.]

Where's this coming from?

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar pouts a little to himself, really not wanting to have to put it this bluntly, but he's trying to help]

But it might help you spell better!

[His fingers lace awkwardly with each other, nervous that he's going to hurt Harlan's feelings]

If you could see what you were typing more clearly then you would make fewer mistakes.

[ghostlocked]

[It takes a second, but then it clicks, and Harlan spends another few seconds losing his shit before he can respond.]

Holy shit, no, I know how to spell, Delmar. It's just faster to use abbreviations and shit. No one in 2018 has time for full words.

[read: the boy is lazy]

[imhisaunt]

[There's a long silence with Delmar staring at the camera in a mixture of disbelief and anticipation, thinking that Harlan might be joking like he had been joking when he once told him that no one in the future exercised.

But Harlan doesn't say 'just kidding' this time.

He starts again, timidly]

Really?

[He chews the corner of his lip, still unsure]

....If you have bad eyesight, Harlan its nothing to be ashamed of, Harlan.....

[ghostlocked]

[Harlan holds up a finger and then, keeping his video on so Delmar can see that there's no trickery at hand, shoots his buddy a text.]

really. see look how good i am at spelling.
my eyesight is fine. i promise. dw.
shit i mean dont worry. don't worry.
Punctuation is another skill of mine that I rarely use. This better? Hold your applause.

[And then he gives Delmar a lazy jazz hand. Ta daaa.]

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar goes from uncertain, to confused, to surprise, then finally to beet red embarrassment]

I'm sorry, Harley!

[He's practically hiding his face behind his hands]

I didn't realize!!

[ghostlocked]

[Meanwhile, Harlan is just laughing. He doesn't get embarrassed. It's fine.]

No worries, Del. I forgot you don't know about texting and shit like that. It's my bad.