hadriel | 010 [Text]

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've been keeping track of days, but haven't done the math recently.

That's fair; it takes some time to get used to this place. Have you read the new arrival guide?

I think it's always best to keep track of the days. That way you don't go crazy.

[Then again, back home it would've made things easier if she'd of had a way to do just that.]

I've skimmed over it.

[Fully read it? Not really. She was too worried about making sure the bugout bag was properly set up.]

Skimming works; it's getting a rewrite soon anything, I think. But you've got the basics, and found somewhere to stay?

Why would it need a rewrite?

[As for somewhere to stay]

Not yet.

It isn't up to date and some subjects aren't covered in general.

[And okay, he's concerned about her not having somewhere to stay, since if she came in with the last group of arrivals it must've been a few weeks now. Has she been staying at a public location? He hopes she hasn't been outside or anything, especially with the heat and the dust storm.]

You can claim any empty apartment or house as your own; the same goes for anything you find in the stores.

Like what subjects?

[A part of her wants to just ignore the claiming of an empty house or apartment.]

What's the catch?

The gods' conflict with the Null is missing entirely, and that's kind of a major issue.

There's no catch; the housing is provided for us because shelter is necessary and the gods don't want us dying of exposure or anything.

Missing entirely. Doesn't sound good.

[She shakes her head]

Nothing comes without a price, even shelter.

[Evie hasn't seen any baggers yet, but that didn't mean something wasn't out there. Something waiting for everyone to settle down and then try to drag them again.]

It's definitely not informative about current events, anyway. But to be fair to the original author, most of that occurred recently and he didn't have time to update the guide.

You're right, but the price is more a part of being here in general. Because the gods feed on emotion, they want us to be able to live here and continue providing energy to them and so giving us shelter plays into that.

[It's, unfortunately, not generosity.]

What current events are you talking about?

[He has her curious now.]

Then I guess I should find a shelter. Even if it isn't home or anything like home.

The short version is that a few months ago, a species called the Null attacked the city in an attempt to kill the gods, and anyone else who even vaguely offended them. They found us because the god Delight was a traitor and told the Null where we all were, although after some fighting one of the other gods--Fear--was able to move the city and evade them. That's how we arrived where we are now.

Yeah, it's best to get settled in; the fewer basic necessities you have to worry about, the easier it is to focus on major goals.

So all of this is because the gods had a temper tantrum?

[That made no sense to her and yet did at the same time.]

What kind of goals does one normally set around here?

[It's not often that she introduces herself, but she might as well here. Right?]

I'm Evangeline, by the way. But most people call me Evie.

Partially; the rest was the Null.

Usually practical ones, like finding supplies or building things or whatever, but I'm hoping with the teaching list that learning some skills might be an achievable goal here.

It's nice to meet you; my name is Lance.

[She was confused by talk of the Null and the others. Then again, she hadn't been there long enough to know about all of them. Or who had done what to who. Sometimes things like this were better left unsaid. Or at least the knowledge was better left hidden away, for safe keeping.]

Do you have people who can teach these kinds of skills to people? How to build things, find supplies... To teach someone how to plant food that they can use or supply to others?

I believe there are people willing to teach construction and survival techniques on the list already, although not gardening yet; you may want to ask the network for that particular skill, since I know there are a few people here that grow plants.

[But he doesn't know if they'll willing to teach and doesn't want to volunteer them.]

I wasn't talking about them teaching it.

[There's a small smile out of her.]

It's something I used to do back home.

[There's a lot that she could do back home, but it required things she wouldn't give up.]

Perhaps I'll still ask though. Give myself something to do.

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