hadriel | 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~]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're not abandoning them. Is that what it feels like? Not just going to another world, I mean...

[Dying.]

Sort of. But it's more that... I mean, I didn't choose to be murdered, but it would be my choice if I ran away to another world entirely.

[It would not only be cowardly, but also almost like cheating. People die, and that's how life is, and shouldn't he be accepting that? He got so much more than so many people did, after all.]

Yeah, but... It's not like that would be giving up or something.

I know. It's one of those illogical feelings, I guess, probably caused by some deep-seated, unresolved issue from my life.

[He manages a faint smile, raising his eyebrows in preparation to make a terrible joke.]

Maybe I should talk to a professional.

[She's 95% sure he's currently doing that deflecting with a joke thing she's the queen of, but whatever. She's making a face anyway.]

Whatever, I'm totally a professional.

What kind of professional is the question here.

[He is definitely not deflecting, okay. Definitely not.]

You're an asshole. And I know what you're doing, by the way.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[And, for further deflecting--]

But speaking of being a professional, whenever you next have some time I'd like to continue practicing the spells I was trying to learn. I'll try to be less terrible this time.

[Because not getting them right immediately obviously means he's terrible.]

I mean you're trying to change the subject because you don't want to talk about it.

[Kyna wrinkles her nose.]

You're not terrible. You're really really talented.

Even if I did want to talk about it, I wouldn't know what else to say.

[Mostly because he doesn't completely know what he feels, let alone is able to put it into actual words. But he's distracted immediately from that topic by the compliment, not having expected it, and immediately blushes a bit.]

Thank you.

[Even if he doesn't feel super talented, at least not at anything but cantrips.]

It's okay. We don't have to talk about it.

[She's grinning.]

We can talk about the fact that you're blushing instead.

Or we could not do that.

[Although having it pointed out to him is just making him blush more. Why must you betray him like this, face?]

You're totally blushing. Bright red. Do you always do that with compliments?

Not every time.

[Just... A lot of the time. Especially if it's something that really matters and is unexpected.

Also he has a feeling he's never going to live this down, now.]

Just like, most of the time?

[Good.]

Okay, but seriously, you're really good at all the spells I've been teaching you.

[He's totally not answering that, and omg, stop being nice.]

I can accept that about the cantrips, but the others are just... Not great.

[His best attempt at the shield spell was just a sad, not-at-all-invisible, buckler-sized patch that lasted half a second. Of course he'd only tried it twice before getting annoyed with himself and giving up, but still.]

You mean the one you tried like, once or twice? That one takes more work. You still cast it on your first try though, and most people don't pull that off.

[That causes him to brighten a little, encouraged.]

Really? You're not just enjoying embarrassing me with the blushing thing?

[By telling him he's better at magic than he actually is.]

Well, I like embarrassing you too. But seriously, you're doing a really good job. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Okay.

[He's quietly pleased, more convinced that maybe it's indeed alright not to have succeeded so far. Still--]

I'll try not to be, although I do intend to do better next time.

[He has to work on becoming a badass wizard after all, whether or not he eventually decides to go to Kyna's world.]

Okay, but you can't get better than me or I'm never teaching you anything again.

[Alright, that makes him laugh.]

Fair enough, though I don't think you need to worry about that. It takes years to get really good, right?

Yeah, it does, but still. Don't steal my thing.

[She's absolutely teasing.]

[He raises his hands for a moment in mock surrender.]

Fine, fine, I've got it, no usurping you as best wizard. But that means if I do end up needing to learn magic to cross dimensions, you're going to have to do it first.

[He's allowing himself, just for now, to think it might be a possibility.]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, uh, most people can't. It's a hard spell to learn, you know? But I think Harlan and I can figure it out, or just steal those figurines back. Whatever.

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