010 [Text]

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance doesn't typically post to the network within a few weeks of a previous post, partially because talking to so many people is exhausting and partially because he usually doesn't have anything to say so soon after. But this time he has two brief announcements that happen to be time-sensitive, so here goes.]

Hello everyone. The list of who is available and willing to teach particular skills is now available, and I'll continue to make changes to it as requested; it isn't too late to volunteer, if you'd like to. Where possible I've provided references to the initial responses, so be sure to look at the details of what someone is offering.

[And that's the main announcement. The second one he's still nervous about, even though he's been set on doing it for awhile, and it's part of the reason this is text; it's easier both to choose his words and not back out if it's through text.]

I'm also going to be taking a brief break from non-emergency counseling. This will only be for a few weeks, and if a situation is very pressing or serious I'm still available to meet; please don't hesitate to contact me, and don't second-guess yourself about whether it's serious enough to warrant doing so. The last thing I want is for someone who really needs help not to get it because I decided to take a vacation.

[And he really, really means this; the entire idea is making him nervous all over again about the decision to take a break, because if something happened to someone because he wasn't available to meet with them he's not sure he would forgive himself. But people here survived a long time without a psychologist around, right? Surely everything will be okay.]

Comments

[circumitus]

not saying you should be teaching a whole class of wannabe therapists.
just that some could stand to know a few dos and don'ts and some basics.

[Something that she thinks a few people could've probably benefited from when they came to bother her during her isolated period of grief. Which Rey would be lying if she claimed that she still wasn't dealing with it, but at least she's been upright these last couple of weeks, hard as it's been.]

but no nothing for me personally.

[lifetothefullest]

[An additional issue for him is that he's concerned people will either not listen, or only half listen and end up making things worse, but he knows those might be slightly more pessimistic than realistic possibilities. So there's a short delay before responding.]

I'll consider it. If I can put together some sort of basic information or knowledge that might be able to be used to help a friend or something, then I'll add it to the list.

[But it'll have to wait until he's had some time to rest and take a break; his own situation hasn't been great lately, hence his need to take a vacation.]

Do you have any specific suggestions to be included?

[He both genuinely wants to know, and is using it as a way to gain some more information; he's had some suspicions from talking to Atem and then the 'anonymous' post that came not long after, although nothing confirmed, and now this conversation is also a little suspicious especially since he doesn't exactly think Rey has too high an opinion of him or his profession.]

[circumitus]

[Knowing the way some people are around here, that's a fair concern. And even more fair to be skeptical that it'd do any good. Still, it sounds a hell of a lot better to Rey than lessons on chess and piano.]

good enough

[That'll have to do for now.]

not a shrink but
MAYBE starting with not breaking into someones fucking house and expecting them to just get over their shit overnight would be a start. [Yes, she knows that most people who came by didn't mean it that way, but it doesn't help that that's the impression she got from some of them.]

[lifetothefullest]

[Alright, well, that response doesn't completely confirm his suspicions, but it does support them. And it... Also kind of proves his concerns about people getting the wrong idea and running with it.]

People here aren't exceptionally good with boundaries, I've noticed.

[In so, so many ways. However--]

Perhaps they thought it was an emergency?

[With what Atem described to him, Lance had definitely been worried about that.]

[circumitus]

now THAT'S an understatement.

[Boundaries and self-control doesn't seem to be people's strongest suit here.]

it wasnt something most people had any business to be concerned with. [Coming from someone who had shut herself up and wasn't taking care of herself at all? Bull-fucking-shit, Rey.]

[lifetothefullest]

[He has to be careful not to say too much, since even though it hadn't been directly stated he presumes his conversation with Atem should be in confidence. So he doesn't really argue, instead just offering--]

There's definitely a balance between respect and concern that those here could benefit from finding, although some isolated situations require more extreme reactions than others.

But perhaps some instruction on what those situations are and how to handle them would indeed be warranted.

[So at least that much he's now definitely considering offering. But chess and piano are both still fun, okay; way more fun than dealing with emergency mental health issues.]

[circumitus]

[That sounds best. But to be fair, Atem wasn't the only one who had invaded her space so crudely. It doesn't help that he'd sent a few people her way, though.]

agreed.

[She hesitates, before adding:] that said, would be willing to offer some survival training to those who need it for your list there.
never know when people might need that shit.

[lifetothefullest]

[The offer is a bit of a surprise, but a good one.]

Alright; I'll add you. Any sort of survival training in particular, or just general all-purpose skills?

[circumitus]

have done outdoor survival, as well as active combat zones, which we seem to encounter here a lot.
might be good for some people to learn how to catch and cook their own food, if hope ever falls out of commission again and can't restock the shops.

guess it cant hurt to teach how to tie a proper knot.

[Le shrug.]

[lifetothefullest]

That all definitely sounds useful, so I'll add it to the list. Thank you.