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

[lifetothefullest]

Sure, no rush.

[Half an hour will give him a chance to straighten up the apartment and try to tame his hair, and also open a can of unidentifiable but still pretty decent fruit. Sure, it's not exactly cooking, but he has something to offer for her coming over to help out, at least. That's better than nothing, right?]

[evocation]

[So Kyna shows up a half hour later, knocking on the door and grinning when he answers it.]

Hey. Ready to get more awesome?

[lifetothefullest]

Uh, always.

[He says it easily, stepping aside to let her in.]

I actually have some food here again too, if you want something to eat.

[evocation]

I'm okay. Thanks, though.

[She steps inside, tilting her head at him.]

So you're gonna use your badge, right?

[lifetothefullest]

[He shuts the door behind her and leads the way toward the kitchen; he's going to down some of the fruit before they start this whole thing, in case he does end up sleeping for hours.]

Yeah, I was planning to. The metal part of it, anyway.

[The wallet and ID card themselves, not so much.]

[evocation]

Yeah, that works. You just have to keep it with you all the time.

[lifetothefullest]

That won't be a problem.

[He carries it with him all the time anyway, even if he's not totally sure why at this point. It would be an understatement to say that how he feels about the FBI is complicated, but he still feels an incredible attachment to his badge.

Maybe he'll think that through a bit more during this vacation, now that he'll have the time and, hopefully, mental energy for it. He picks up the can of fruit and puts some in a bowl, looking for a fork.]

How long does making the focus actually take?

[evocation]

Um... It depends on the person? Usually a couple of hours.

[lifetothefullest]

Wow, okay, so it's a whole thing.

[He'd expected it to take some time, but not necessarily on the scale of a couple hours; it's not making him change his mind or anything--he's set on this--but he is suddenly a bit more nervous about it.]

[evocation]

[Kyna laughs.]

Yeah, it totally is. But don't worry. I've done this way too many times.

[lifetothefullest]

I trust you not to lead me astray or anything, then.

[He's joking, but also means it; he'll just follow her lead. Once he finishes this fruit, anyway.]

[evocation]

Duh.

[She pokes at his shoulder.]

No, I'm gonna screw you over on purpose.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance gives a small laugh at that, not at all concerned.

Although a little while later, after the whole thing is complete and he now has a focus, he's a little more concerned. Or well, not really concerned, but just kind of regretting life as he lays on the couch with his arm over his eyes and tries to decide if he wants to sleep or throw up. Maybe both.]

Tell me again how cool I'm gonna be with more magic and so how worth it this is.

[This really isn't bad enough to warrant how pathetic he sounds, but he's still whining all the same. No one can stop him.]

[evocation]

[And Kyna thinks that's totally fair. She's crouched down next to the couch, looking utterly amused as she reaches out to touch his arm.]

You're gonna be awesome and kick a ton of ass, you big baby.

[lifetothefullest]

Yeah. I'm gonna be badass as hell.

[Said in a tone that indicates he wants to believe it, but is too busy being dramatic to actually do so just yet.]

My friend Fisher would be so jealous of me right now.

[evocation]

Fisher?

[That's a name she hasn't heard before.]

Who's that?

[lifetothefullest]

He's one of Dr. Brennan's interns; he's a huge nerd and goes to fantasy conventions and that sort of thing. He'd love magic being real.

[But talking about Fisher suddenly reminds him, and he actually uncovers his eyes in order to half sit-up and dig in his pocket for his phone, speaking quickly--]

I totally forgot, Dr. Brennan had her phone from home when she returned here, and it still had some battery so I was able to take pictures of her photos. There's one of Fisher in there, but also...

[Also everyone else, including Daisy, and including her and Lance's son.]

[evocation]

[Kyna perks up, shifting her weight to peer at the phone.]

Let me see. Would Fisher ask me a bunch of weird questions about elves?

[lifetothefullest]

Probably. He'd probably be kind of rude about it, actually.

[Lance would likely have to step on his foot a lot, actually. He squints at his phone in order to find the picture of Fisher, showing it to her.]

He makes me look short and it's really annoying.

[evocation]

[Kyna peers down at the picture, eyebrows going up.]

Jesus. How tall is he? And rude in what way?

[lifetothefullest]

I think he's 6'3" or something. And rude in that he'd probably do a lot of comparing to fictional elves and just be kind of insensitive; it wouldn't be on purpose or anything.

[Fisher's not at all a bad person, just a slightly awkward one. And Lance pulls the phone back so he can continue going through the photos, choosing one after a moment and staring at it for a few seconds until he's able to mentally shake himself out of it, then holding it back out to Kyna again.]

This is Daisy, and um... Our son, Seeley.

[The little boy is nearly three, and resembles Lance a lot in the curly hair and smile, though Daisy's features have their own clear influences as well.]

[evocation]

[Kyna's about to comment on Fisher again, but then Lance pulls her up short.]

Oh.

[She takes the phone and then, maybe rudely, sits down on the edge of the couch beside him, crowding into his space.]

He's really cute. He looks like you.

[lifetothefullest]

[He allows it, mostly because she also took the phone and that means he can put his arm back over his face; he still feels sick, after all, and it's also a convenient way to not have to worry about his expression.]

Thanks. I'm not sure I'm happy to have inflicted him with my hair, though.

[If he keeps the subject light and joking, it won't be so difficult.]

[evocation]

Shut up. Curly hair is cute when you actually like, do shit with it.

[She's following his lead here, mostly because she's not sure what to say.]

Daisy's really pretty.

[lifetothefullest]

What, like cut most of it off and straighten the rest?

[He should probably do the former, actually, his hair is getting out of hand at this point. But he smiles a little at the last comment.]

Yeah, she is. And really smart.

[And a bunch of other things, but he's rambled about Daisy to Kyna before and he can sense that she isn't sure how to handle this situation, so he's trying to make things easier on her.]

You can flip through the other pictures, if you want. It's just the rest of my friends, and Dr. Brennan's kids.