hadriel | 011 [Video]

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011 [Video]

[Lance is clearly back in Hadriel since the video is catching the backdrop of his kitchen, nondescript and standard as always; he really should decorate this place at some point. He's finally done something about his hair though, so although it's still long enough to curl a little it's back under control, if not exactly masterfully styled. He did his best.

But the biggest change after his vacation is that he seems a bit brighter than he has been recently, not as tense and distracted. Things aren't perfect or even really close to truly resolved, but they're better enough that he's making this post.]

Hey, so, I'm back from exploring, and therefore both my actual and metaphorical vacation; this means that if anyone needs any professional advice, or just to talk to someone, I'm available. Especially since the latest event seemed...

['Not great' are the words coming to him, but those aren't particularly professional, so--]

Particularly stressful, to all those involved, for reasons that may be more complicated than usual.

[He also totally stalked all those network posts that happened at the time, and is really glad he missed this event himself. He's keeping in mind the possibility of leaving the city to avoid others in the future if possible, though it's such a simple solution that he's not sure it'll work.]

I'd also like to remind those here, especially new arrivals, that we've recently compiled a list of people willing to teach different skills, and if you'd like to teach something just let me know what. Hopefully we can all stave off boredom and learn something useful at the same time.

[That part addressed, he feels like he should add something else he's been holding off on; it's been awhile, so surely people have noticed by now if they were going to care, but still.]

For anyone unaware, Dr. Brennan disappeared early last month. That means I have her book, if anyone who wanted to read it hasn't had a chance to do so yet.

[Because that's, of course, the biggest issue here. The book.

And, so as not to leave off on a somber note--]

Is there anything important that wasn't on the network that I missed while I was gone?

[Fill him in on stuff, people~]

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You're not dumb, so we'll just say I'm really charming and that's the reason.

[He has decided this. But he's more serious when he answers her question, nodding once.]

Yeah. Better than the last few months, anyway.

[Still not great, but much better than before. It's just going to be a long process.]

And... Thanks again, for everything.

[Listening, and encouraging him to take a break, and teaching him magic, and generally putting up with him especially when he knows he's probably been a challenge.]

Charming.

[She actually does think he's pretty charming, but she'll never admit it.]

You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're doing okay.

Accurate, right?

[It's for the best if she doesn't, really; he doesn't need the encouragement. And he won't argue with her on the last point, since he's already said the important part, so instead he offers a small smile and changes the subject.]

Are you planning to continue adventuring this month?

I don't know, maybe. What about you?

That probably depends on what the next event is like.

[Because he's definitely considering using exploring as a way to get out of the effects, if he can.]

Yeah, the last one sounded fucking awful.

It really did, and I'm pretty concerned about some of those who had to deal with it.

[Especially since he knows some of the histories of some of those here, and that an event like this might have more of a detrimental effect on them than some others.]

I guess your vacation's ending at the perfect time, huh? Just don't do the workaholic thing again.

I'll try not to.

[He hesitates a moment before continuing.]

It'll probably help that I'm going to disqualify myself from counseling for certain issues, going forward.

[Which he really should've done before but had been too worried about people needing help and having no options. But there is an in-between option, where he can give more informal advice, and he's going to try that instead.]

Yeah, well, I can always kick your ass if you screw up.

[She says this lovingly, really, but...]

What kind of issues?

[Let him just make sure this is private real quick.]

As a general rule, psychologists aren't supposed to counsel on subjects they have a personal involvement in or would otherwise be unable to remain impartial on. Therefore I shouldn't be handling issues regarding individuals who have died, or will soon do so upon returning to their worlds.

[And it's even more apparent he shouldn't be counseling on the subject considering it's difficult to even say, still.]

Oh. That makes sense. Um. Are you sure you're doing okay?

Yeah. I mean, everything still kind of sucks, but I'm doing better.

[So she doesn't need to worry, and he hopes that being honest will reassure her of that a bit.]

I'm even considering trying to learn to cook, again.

[Because what's the worst that'll happen, he'll die?]

Okay. But you'll tell me if you need to talk, right? And are you gonna bug Tucker for lessons?

Yeah, I will.

[Sort of. He intends to, at least, but can't necessarily say for sure.]

Possibly, yeah; I need to take a look at who's offering lessons again, but he's probably the best option.

He's pretty awesome at it.

[And then she hesitates for a second, biting her lip.]

Hey, uh... I hope this isn't like, weird or anything. [Ugh.] But if we ever figure out how to go home, you know... If you want to come back with me, you can.

[The offer isn't a huge surprise as far as its content, but more in that he wasn't expecting it at all. So it takes him a moment to process it, before giving a small smile and shaking his head.]

It isn't weird. I appreciate having the option, thank you.

[Even though he knows he likely won't take it. It's still worth considering, and more than that, it means a lot that she cares enough to offer at all.]

[A solid yes or no would be easier to process, though she understands why he doesn't give her one. Still, there's a second where she struggles to respond.]

Yeah, sure. You could be an even more badass wizard.

That's true.

[And being a badass wizard does sound appealing, but not enough to outweigh other concerns. But then he wonders, and has to ask--]

Is dimensional travel something that wizards can learn to do, in your world?

Yeah. I mean, it's not super easy, but people do it. And there are... you know, enchanted objects and stuff that can move you between planes. Worlds. Whatever.

Do you think it would be possible to travel between your world and mine?

[Because that's what he's going for here, with the questioning. He'd always kept it in the back of his mind as a possibility, that if they were able to use the Door somehow but he couldn't end up choosing what time to return to in his world, then perhaps he could go to another world and then his own that way. But it had been a really low-likelihood plan, and so he hasn't put much thought into it, but if it's possible...

He's not going to continue with that thought just yet, though, until he hears the answer.]

Shit, maybe. I mean, uh... You know, when we used to work for Kairos, we found these cute little silver figurine things? There were like five of them, and Panna said they could let people travel between planes or whatever, but then she took them for safekeeping.

[The air quotes around that words are painfully obvious, and she rolls her eyes.]

Anyway, maybe we should get them back. I don't know why I didn't think of that before.

[There are a lot of what-ifs and maybes involved in that idea, but it's... Something. And Lance has done a lot more with a lot less before.

He chews on his lip for a few seconds, gaze fixed off to the side as he thinks, before he looks back at the screen again.]

Then maybe, if we're able to leave here but can't choose when to return to, it could be possible to go to your world and then mine. I just...

[He sighs quietly, because this always sounds stupid even to him, but--]

I just can't go to another world and stay there, even knowing I won't live in mine. I would spend the rest of whatever life I gained thinking about the people I left, and it wouldn't be worth it.

[Kyna frowns at that, trying to understand it. She's not entirely sure that she does.]

I don't... think I get it.

I know, it's difficult to explain and doesn't make a lot of sense.

[And he thinks it's because his views things a little differently than a lot of people due to past experiences, but he's not sure he wants to get into those now on top of everything else. Why is life always so complicated?]

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