001 | Audio

[fogsong]

[ It's pretty unusual for Sharon to bother much with the network. Sure, she paid it some mind but it was usually just all bullshit; from complaints to claims of grandiosity or, worse yet, something new from their gods; it was the shitty social media of Hadriel and she wasn't the biggest fan. But things have begun to wear her down, leave her feeling heavy and empty and so unsure.. ] Does anyone have any tips on dealing with stress?

[ There's only a mild slur to her speech that indicates she's been drinking some but the clear howl of cold wind indicates that she's not doing this in the Speakeasy, she's out on her own, dealing with it in her own way. But she's reaching out this time. In her own way. ] I, uh, hate to admit it but I kind of feel like I'm at the edge of my, I don't know, fucking mental rope.

[ A combination of stressors has just left her jumpy and she's tired all the time. She laughs rather suddenly, bitterly. ] This is fucking stupid.

[ At least when you take what they're constantly put through.

Event wise, Sharon is mildly affected but if you'd like to avoid that, just make a note in the comments with a 'nah' and we'll keep them as they are normally. If you have any questions, desires, what have you, contact me on lunareism or Discord: Lunare#7850 ]

Comments

audio

[fogsong]

It's always hard to find the time when we're just trying to survive, I get it. [ and that next bit makes Sharon laugh. A whisper in her head wonders if that slip of the tongue means anything but the rest of her has her doubts. ]

I'll see you later tonight.

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[toiletseat_girl]

Yeah, no kidding. And between the Clinic, the Lab, and magic lessons, my days are pretty fucking busy. [aaaaaand, it did mean something. she's had a crush on Sharon since she came here and it would be really easy to tip that crush over into love, if she thought it would be reciprocated. which she doesn't. so, yeah, currently kicking herself]

See you then.

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[fogsong]

You got your fingers in everything, huh? [ Sharon doesn't bother with things like that but she does spend her time prepping food to last and figuring out the right way to dry fish and other meats and making sure her current home is safe and not easy for people to find. She stocks up and squirrels things away and then she drinks.

She should do more to help the community but sometimes she can't bring herself to care. It's clear George needs to drink with her more often. ]

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[toiletseat_girl]

I guess. It all just kind of . . . happened. [she volunteered to be a receptionist at the Clinic and the next thing she knew, she was getting a crash course in field medicine. she's never looked back.

and drinking together more often is something George can enthusiastically endorse]

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[fogsong]

...Just remember when to take a break. [ Or even know when to bow out. Again, this is all hypocritical advice coming from Sharon but it just shows she cares. Everyone else can run themselves into the ground for the people here but not anyone she cares for. ]

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[toiletseat_girl]

[thoughtfully] A break. . . a break. . . that's when you're not doing shit, right? [she kids! but no, seriously, she really does need to take a break now and then]

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[fogsong]

Haha. [ Hilarious, George. ] For real. We always have to deal with shit, everyone needs a day off.

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[toiletseat_girl]

[she sighs] I know, I know. . . but if I'm left with too much time on my hands, I get to thinking that I'm stuck here. Then, I get pissed off.

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[fogsong]

Maybe it's just me, but anger is a great motivator.

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[toiletseat_girl]

It's not just you. [she chuckles] Anger tends to be one of my big motivators. That and cynicism.

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[fogsong]

You'd think Rage would be all powerful considering our anger combined.

audio (cw: misogynistic slur)

[toiletseat_girl]

I have noticed that she doesn't fuck with us as often as most of the others do. Probably the whole low key rage thing keeps her happy. Even though I hate the thought of that bitch happy.

[fogsong]

I'm not sure if that doesn't piss me off more or not.

[toiletseat_girl]

I tend to go with more and then I get mad at the thought of feeding 'er more and I try to smash the mad down into a little ball of anger and bury it inside my old friend, apathy.

[fogsong]

And how does that work out for you?

[toiletseat_girl]

Ehh, I have my good days and bad days. On the good days, it works. On the bad days, I kind of stomp around with this constant low-level-pissed thing going on.

[fogsong]

Your bad days sound like my good days.

[toiletseat_girl]

Yeah, but on you it's endearing. [o shit] And, y'know, understandable. [nailed it]

[fogsong]

That's a first I've heard that. [ Endearing, huh? Sharon's starting to catch on a little. ] Personally, I think it'd be understandable for anyone here to just be... fucking pissed all the time. The fact that most aren't? I don't get it at all.

[ She understands why George doesn't stomp around all day in a fury, the other girl explained it pretty well, but is that the case for everyone here? Or are some people just content? If so, she'd rather they practiced apathy like George.

Maybe the reaper should give classes. ]

[toiletseat_girl]

Oh. Really? [...tries to find a place to hide] Yeah, absolutely. I don't get it, either. The fact that some people are all buddy-buddy with the stupid gods, that I don't get at all. It's like a weird-ass Stockholm Syndrome thing.

[most people George knows aren't content exactly, it's more like resigned. many of them don't have anywhere else to go, so in their cases she can understand why they'd just sort of . . . roll with it]

[fogsong]

[ She hums with a somewhat knowing sound, short and sweet. Sharon would never make any sorts of assumptions as it's just not in her nature but even a knob head like her can sometimes catch onto the obvious once in awhile. ]

I think they hope it makes them special and, I don't know, 'safe' or 'chosen'. [ A pause. ] It does pay to get close to one, though.

[toiletseat_girl]

[and the obvious is that George has an enormous crush on Sharon and has for quite a while. but she figures Sharon would never go for it, she's gorgeous and cool and strong and George is just. . . George]

They still get to be fucked with by the gods, so it can't make 'em all that special.

[fogsong]

[ Sharon certainly thinks George is cute and while she likes the idea of getting close to someone like that again, she's fearful it will only lead her—or both of them—to pain. But it'd be nice, just to feel that way again, to want to protect someone beyond herself, someone to confide in and lean on. ]

Sometimes it isn't about the immediate benefits. [ Forming a bond with your enemy will always have its drawbacks, and Sharon has dealt with most of them, but trust, once gained, can be a powerful tool; it can lead to influence. ]

[toiletseat_girl]

[George has never been close like that with anyone else before. not that she hasn't wanted to be, but she's always been a little too shy, a little too awkward, a little too herself to try and follow through on an attraction. but it's not just attraction she feels for Sharon, is it? no, it's not. and given the slightest bit of encouragement, it could be far more]

I guess not. Having somebody powerful like that owing you a favor, that'd be a lot. [but she still sees them mostly as nuisances at best]

[fogsong]

Plus, the amount of new information you may end up privy to is just as beneficial as any possible favors or influence. [ And carefully holding your tongue to not snap at them or somehow ruin the growing relationship. It's often a difficult act for Sharon because she does wear her feelings on her sleeves and often speaks without thinking. it's hard yo. ]

Playing friends with them doesn't make you safe but... I don't know, it might be smart to get close to one.