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

Bullshit. You're lying.

[But her immediate thought is that she desperately hopes Tucker never accidentally runs into his secret brother.]

Why would I make that up?

Because that's gross.

It's... Yeah, pretty weird, at least. I think it's supposed to have to do with promoting attraction to compatible partners and reinforcing certain genetics, but family that grows up together usually experiences something called the Westermarck effect which inhibits that sort of attraction between very close relatives.

[He sighs, arm still over his face.]

What really sucks is knowing all of this and being adopted, so you're just super paranoid about dating until you're sure you're not long lost siblings or something.

[His life is a struggle.]

[Kyna is making a horrified face, at least until that last bit pulls her up short.]

Wait, you were adopted?

[He manages to offer a shrug despite being laying down, which probably looks slightly ridiculous.]

Yeah.

So do you have a secret twin hiding out somewhere?

I really hope not, both for his sake and mine.

[He says it jokingly, but the whole idea is just super weird and not as easily ruled out for him as it is for most people. And not only that, but--]

We had a case once where there were identical twins separated at birth and adopted out to different families; they had no idea the other existed, until one was killed in a mix up by a hitman who was supposed to be going after the other.

Jesus Christ.

[Kyna isn't going to bring up Tucker's situation, since it isn't her place, but it's hard not to think about.]

You didn't... know your birth parents or anything?

That was actually the same case that Olivia shot me during.

[Now that he thinks about it. What a weird case.]

No, neither of them. I know who my biological mother is, and I tried to find her when I was younger, but it didn't work out.

[He'd been curious about her, but kind of made peace with the situation at this point; he isn't upset with her for giving him up or anything, but they're also just strangers with no connection other than genetics and so there's no real emotion either way for him.]

But I mean, my adoptive parents were great, so it doesn't really matter.

Oh. That's good. I'm glad you found a cool family.

Yeah, me too.

[He says it quietly and genuinely, but it's definitely on his mind--as it often is--how fortunate he was to end up with them, especially after everything that happened before.

But he doesn't want to go into that, and so--]

What about your family? You have a brother, right?

[He vaguely remembers that from their drinking game, but doesn't know anything about the rest of her family.]

Yeah, his name's Nico. It was mostly just us and my mom growing up. My dad was a dick.

[He uncovers his eyes at that so he can actually look at her, frowning a little.]

I'm sorry.

[Her dad being a dick could mean so many things, but none of them are easy to deal with growing up.]

[She shrugs.]

It's okay. I mean, whatever. He was always more interested in magic than us, you know?

Yeah. It's unfortunate that some people are unwilling to rearrange their priorities to put their children first.

[He has strong opinions on this subject, so there's a sense of irritation in his voice; he doesn't get how someone can have kids and then not care more about them than they do about themselves.]

[Kyna nods, shrugs awkwardly.]

It's not like I missed out on anything. Tucker and Harlan think he's a dick, too.

It still sucks you had to deal with that, but if all three of you think he's a dick then he's definitely a dick.

[Majority rules; three votes makes it official.]

[That gets a smile out of her.]

Yeah, and we're experts.

[Excellent, success.]

Experts on dicks, or on being dicks? Because that's an important distinction.

[She swats his arm instantly.]

God, shut up. Wait, no, both.

[Might as well lean into his gross joke, right?]

[He laughs a little himself at that, covering his eyes with his arm again.]

Hey, the more knowledge the better, right?

That should be your next degree. Dicks.

I am so not doing the research required to write a dissertation on that subject, no matter which type we're talking about.

[Yeah, there's no way she can keep herself from laughing at that.]

Isn't your job right now just analyzing dicks?

(no subject)

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