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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Yeah. It's good to see a little variety in the food options again.

[okay, that's not good. humans need to eat. preferably three decent meals a day. otherwise, yeah, you're going to have some really nasty side-effects]

Yup. Teaches Shakespeare to dewy-eyed undergrads.

[it's not high school, at least, and the girl in question was the one doing the pursuing. still doesn't mean her dad should've taken her up on it]

Okay, I'll say it was because I was being responsible instead of a loser.

[that's because everything but alcohol is generally unpleasant]

Seriously. I joke about surviving on uncooked ramen, but I do prefer having actual food choices.

[Yeah it had been a whole thing, but he's doing better now at least. And... Ugh, he tries really hard not to say anything bad about George's father, but gross.]

At least she was presumably of age, then, but it's still incredibly unethical.

[Considering a bunch of things, but specifically the power imbalance between a student and professor. So Lance is judging very hard.]

Good. It sounds better that way.

Wouldn't uncooked ramen be crunchy? And really, really salty if you added in the seasoning packet?

[good because if not, she'd find him and force him to eat some fucking vegetables. which would be incredibly hypocritical of her since she lives on snack foods and alcohol. and it was gross. and hurtful since she'd had a crush on the girl in question]

Yeah. Kinda makes me wonder if he'd done it before.

[George isn't judging, just . . . disappointed in her father. her parents' marriage wasn't a close one, but she'd almost rather they just divorced instead of her father having an affair]

And I also sound like I had the most boring high school experience ever. Which is fair.

It's very crunchy, kind like eating crackers but harder. Putting the seasoning packet on it would be super gross though; I just leave that off.

[Even he doesn't go that far.]

Hopefully not; once is bad enough for everyone, including you.

[He gives a small smile at that last comment.]

I wouldn't know; I didn't go to high school, and from everything I've seen and heard I'm pretty glad I didn't.

Oh my god. That sounds so disgusting. Even more disgusting than cheap ramen usually is. How did you stand it?

[good thing, that. she's just equal parts horrified and revolted at the idea of eating ramen raw]

I hope not, too. But him and my mom had problems. I don't think they really loved each other anymore. I think it was just. . . habit. To stay together.

[she manages a smile back]

Yeah, high school is a mess. You put that many overly hormonal teenagers together in one enclosed space, you're asking for all sorts of trouble.

It doesn't really taste like much, so it isn't as gross as it might sound.

[Come on guys it isn't that bad!!!]

That's understandable, but--

[Okay, on second thought, he isn't going to go into a lecture on relationships. That isn't going to help, and so he sighs a little and just moves on.]

Yeah, 'mess' sounds like a nice word for it.

I'll take your word for it and continue to eat my gross cheap ramen as god intended it: cooked.

[it is that bad. yecch]

But it's still no excuse to cheat. Especially with someone your daughter's age. I know.

[it's okay, she knows the jist of it]

That's because I was using the nice word. Clusterfuck is a better one.

With or without the seasoning packet? Because I'm pretty sure the seasoning is actually an affront against both god and nature.

[And yeah, okay, she finishes the thought pretty well, so he just nods in agreement. As for high school--]

That sounds more accurate, yeah. Definitely not sorry I avoided that mess, not that college was a lot better.

No, I always throw away the seasoning packet and use broth instead. Sometimes, I get lucky and find those little bottles of miso paste at the stores. Those I stock up on whenever they appear.

[she is (occasionally) wise before her years]

Yeah? What was college actually like? You know I kind of quit mid-semester. I figure I probably woulda gone back, but then there was the whole Grim Reaper and having to provide for myself thing. That kind of put a damper on any college plans.

Those are both really good ideas.

[Just using broth would be a major step up for him, actually. Now he feels kind of like an idiot for never doing that before.]

It was weird. I mean, I did my undergrad from fourteen to sixteen, so I just spent a lot of time studying and not being invited to parties with alcohol. Grad school was where things got fun, but I was still an awkward teenager for most of it and everyone in their mid-twenties seemed so mature.

[He says it in an amused tone, because obviously he's found out that being mid-twenties definitely doesn't mean you're some sort of super responsible adult, but he'd been sure it did at the time.]

Thanks. I had to eat a lot of ramen when I was just a poor Grim Reaper, so I had to figure out some tricks to make it better.

[broth is both easy and cheap, so it's a good solution to a lot of food problems!]

Yeah, 'cause I know that a lot of college life revolves around parties with alcohol. Never went to any of 'em myself. I'm not much of a party person. And isn't it weird how that works? I'm eighteen, probably nineteen now which means I'm adultish. And you were probably around the same age in grad school. But you find out that someone's in their twenties and you're like, how do you not have all of your shit together?

[George looks at the adults here doing adult things, especially in the Clinic and feels like a poseur, like any second now, someone's going to ask just what the fuck she thinks she's doing there]

You didn't have to; you could've just accepted your terrible ramen fate, so call it creative problem-solving.

[Positivity!!! Also he's taking whatever good opportunity comes up to try to encourage her a little.]

Yeah, or even older; it's weird to think about but I guess I'm thirty now, even though--

[He stops, seemingly losing the nerve to say what he was going to say; he'd decided to be more open with people he trusts, but it's still difficult to actually make that change.]

Okay. That sounds way better than an act of desperation.

[she's good with positivity. for other people! for herself? she has a hard time accepting it without looking for a catch]

...even though? Even though, what?

[speaking of looking for a catch? that definitely sounded like a lead-up to something big. then, nothing. what's up, Lance?]

[He glances off to the side at the question, almost cringing, though it's more at himself than anything George did as he has a brief mental debate. But, finally, he looks back at the screen.]

Even though I'm not sure it should count. I mean, logically it should, but since I won't make it to thirty at home it just feels kind of like it's cheating.

[yeah, this expression and that body language have her inner alarms ringing loudly in her ears]

...but since you won't...? Lance, are you--are you dead back home?

[He offers a faint attempt at a smile and a light comment, already feeling guilty for possibly upsetting her.]

Being an FBI agent is kind of a dangerous job.

[she is just. completely blindsided. and upset, yes, there is definitely that. but mostly blindsided. because holy shit, she did not expect]

I know, but. . . I had no idea. And I've been whining about my death to you and just. Had no fucking idea.

[He shakes his head immediately at that.]

You weren't whining, and part of the reason I've told so few people is exactly that I don't want anyone to feel guilty about talking to me about their problems. There's no way you could've known, because I was purposefully hiding it.

[Which... On one hand he feels somewhat accomplished about being so successful, but at the same time he doesn't like that that means it's such a shock.]

Yeah, but. . . doesn't it get to you? Not being able to talk about it?

[it would get to her. it would be bad. she'd ultimately crack and yell something about it on the network]

[He's quiet a few moments, still hesitant about being honest about his feelings, but then nods.]

It does, yeah. That was... Part of the reason for the whole vacation thing.

[For which he had, of course, deflected and brushed off the idea that it might've been due to any serious problem rather than just being tired.]

[she lets him be silent. this is a big deal and he's got to have his reasons for keeping it quiet for so long]

Because you were. Upset? Or depressed? And needed some space?

[that's the best she can figure for why he'd need the time off. it can't be easy, listening to other people's problems all the time without being free to do the same]

Pretty much all of that.

[And the vacation didn't last nearly long enough if he's really honest, but he's definitely doing better than he was. But again he's quiet several seconds, trying to decide if he should bring up the other part of this whole issue, but if he's being honest then he should be honest and he might as well get it all out at once.]

I know you understand that dying is a lot to deal with, and it wasn't just... It wasn't just that. My girlfriend Daisy and I were expecting a kid in a few months.

[And that's been a lot more difficult to handle than the actual being murdered part, even if that hasn't been great either.]

Well. I do know something about depression.

[she lets him take his time. she's been around death enough to know that everyone deals with it in their own ways. and that he may be a psychiatrist, but it's not always easy to apply coping methods you'd give to others to yourself]

...oh, fuck. That's. That's gotta be a lot to deal with. I'm--well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry.

[she can't imagine being in the position he's in. her own death shook her family to its core, but her little sister still has both of her parents]

I can't say I'm glad you do.

[He wishes she didn't; that's probably no surprise, although it's also no surprise that she does understand. Lance doesn't typically have depression issues, usually just similar symptoms caused for other reasons, but considering the whole psychologist thing he get the idea about as well as he can.

He nods, appreciating the condolences, but again feels more than a little guilty; he usually does, when he tell someone something like this, because he doesn't want to cause anyone to worry or feel badly because of him.]

Thank you. I'm... I'm figuring it all out, it's just taking awhile.

[But he'll be okay. No need to worry.]

Yeah, but. The thing is that I do. If you ever wanna talk about it.

[she doesn't remember a time when she hasn't been depressed. even as a child, the things that made childhood great for other people just left her cold. she never was one to run out and play with the other kids, she'd just sit and read or sit and do nothing.

they say that joy shared is doubled and pain shared is halved? at least that's what her boss at the temp agency tried telling her that one time. maybe it's not a completely bullshit notion? she's willing to give it a shot at least]

Well. The one death you can never get over is your own?

[she's gonna worry anyway]

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