013 [Video]

[lifetothefullest]

This is long overdue, but Tranquility's post and some of the responses to it made it apparent that we needed a new summary of what's going on, especially for anyone who's arrived in only the last few months. I've put together a brief history here, specifically for the conflict between the Null and the gods, the issue of the rogue Null in the city, and the Door.

[Also hi, everyone. Lance is serious business at the moment, but it's just 'focused' serious rather than 'everything is awful' serious. Which is a nice change for him, honestly.]

Hopefully that'll kind of help a little, and feel free to ask questions or make corrections, especially if you've been here longer or know more than I do about this; it's also a pretty brief summary, so if I left out anything you think is important just say so. Remember, though, that this is supposed to be facts, not editorializing about who's telling the truth or what side to be on.

[And okay, all of that said--]

It's also been awhile since I mentioned it, so for everyone new, I'm Dr. Lance Sweets; I'm a clinical psychologist. Adjusting to being here--as well as dealing with everything that can happen in this place--can be kind of difficult, especially when you don't know anyone, so I just wanted to mention that it's always okay to call or send me a message, even if we've never met. It also doesn't have to be an emergency; you're not wasting my time, so don't worry about anything like that.

[He won't mention it but he's usually not doing anything important; it would be hard to waste his time even if he were the type to call it such a thing.]


[[ooc: Just a brief mention here that although Lance is totally willing to meet with people for therapy sessions, I'd prefer to start handwaving these meetings unless we do prior planning for them, mostly because I'm absolutely not a psychologist and so threading them out is not easy. However, I'm definitely still interested in oocly discussing what they might've talked about and what Lance might've suggested, so just send me a PM!]]

Comments

[nonscriptum]

I'm a man of my word!

[Nate says as he steps inside, and the statement is almost a protest. He isn't about to half-ass one thing when he can whole-ass everything.

They don't need to record this for posterity, anyway. He knows he's losing.]

But I appreciate the gesture.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance shrugs, clearly a gesture of 'it's your funeral', shutting the door behind Nate and then leading the way to the living room.]

So it was just to tell you that you look distinguished, sincerely and with a straight face, right?

[nonscriptum]

[Already he can tell that Lance is suppressing a smug face with placid calm: a calm so telling that it's best he just acknowledge his inevitable victory. Pretending only makes Nate feel worse.

He waves a hand impatiently.]

Yeah, okay, just get it over with.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance nods, then turns away for a moment to take a deep breath and settle his expression even more, but not just into a neutral look; he affects just the right amount of sincerity and earnestness, turning back toward Nate.]

I truly, genuinely believe that with the correct change in wardrobe, your knowledge and general countenance could cause you to make a distinguished, respectable impression upon on anyone who meets you.

[A pause, for effect, and since he's already made his point he gives a small smirk.]

For about three minutes.

[nonscriptum]

[It's all well and good and serious up until Lance adds an amendment that, for him, is surprisingly petty. Nate slaps a hand over his heart, mouth open, in an exaggerated gesture of taking offense that wouldn't look unfamiliar on a little old lady clutching her pearls.]

Ouch.

[A palpable hit, sir.]

Geez, tell me what you really think, Lance.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance grins a bit more at the reaction, shaking his head and wandering toward the kitchen to get some water.]

So, was that good enough?

[nonscriptum]

[Nate rolls his eyes; he should have been more prepared for the inevitable and he shouldn't have made that bet in the first place, but he can suffer a little bit for hilarity's sake. Lance seems pleased, anyway.]

Yeah, it was good enough.

[It was devastating.]

Next time we bet on something we're basing it around my strengths, okay? Like...arm-wrestling, or climbing a building really fast.

[lifetothefullest]

Hey, I'm not the one who proposed the bet, and why do think I agreed to it?

[Don't take a bet you can't win is the first rule of life, okay.]

[nonscriptum]

Because you knew you'd win, obviously. [With a sigh, Nate extends a hand for a Good Sport Shake.] Congratulations.