hadriel | Entries tagged with dr. lance sweets

There are a bunch of new people around, so...hey, I'm Nate.

[ It's been a while since he posted to the network, but things are starting to get sticky - and not even in the comparatively fun, sweaty jungle way - around these parts and tension feels like it's ramping higher. Crackling in the air. It makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He's not in the city, as evidenced by the dense, green foliage at his back. His sketchbook is out, open, but he's talking with both his hands. ]

I realize we're kind of running the gauntlet right now in terms of what's being thrown at us, and we're basically getting ready for an inevitable showdown, and there are already a lot of efforts being made toward preparing.

[ Sonya - a woman he doesn't know - was proposing escape routes and manageable cover strategies for civilian types. It's a good idea to have those routes mapped sooner rather than later. ]

But I've spent a lot of time since we got here getting to know this landscape, the topography. What I'm looking for are people with actual combat experience, whether that's strategic, logistical, or something similar. Fight's gonna come to us whether we want it to or not, and weaponizing the environment is one of the best chances we have at mitigating the risks. Guerrilla warfare isn't pretty, but we have the resources for it.

[ For a moment he looks distracted, thinking of something, writing it down and talking over the act as he does so. ]

So just, um. Call in if you've got the know-how. Thanks.

ghostlocked

[Behold, a unicorn: Harlan making a public post that isn't text. What he's got in mind is more of a show don't tell thing, so it's necessary, although it's pretty clear he's not comfortable with this video thing. He's sitting on his couch with his phone propped up on the coffee table, and he's got a glass of water in his hands.]

Hey, good news, I have a spell that'll help everyone out while we're stuck here without gods. It's one of the first spells they teach you when you're a kid where I'm from. I'm thinking most of you should be able to pick it up pretty quick. It's called Prestidigitation.

[A beginner spell with like the most tongue-twistery name in the entire spell dictionary. He holds up the glass.]

It's your basic catch-all spell and you can do a ton of shit with it, but mainly, you're gonna be able to change the temperature of shit. Small shit, though. Your workable area is about a square foot, give or take, and it doesn't work on anything alive. Look.

[The water in the glass starts to boil. It doesn't look like he's done much to it—this spell is second nature to him anymore, so he doesn't need to put much effort into casting it. He sets the glass down on the table.]

Right, so... Go get your own thing of water, I guess? I don't fucking know. This is so much easier in person. Okay, uh, so magic is just another type of energy, like heat or electricity. The difference is that magic is malleable. You can control it. With a spell like this, it's all about visualization. You want hot water, so you're sort of willing the water to heat up by channeling the magic into it. It's not gonna work on the first try, but keep at it. It takes focus and confidence. If you're having trouble, scale it back, or try freezing the water instead of heating it.

[He belatedly realizes he's supposed to be demoing this, so he gestures to the glass and, ta da, there's a soft tinkling sound as the steam dissipates and the water freezes.]

Prestidigitation can clean stuff in a similar way too. If you're going insane because our showers are out of commission, this spell is gonna change your fucking life. Let's see, uh, you'll be able to start a fire, flavor your coffee, conjure hand-sized illusions... It all works on the same principle, though. Picture what you want to do and will the magic into doing it for you.

[He snaps his fingers and now there's a flame in his palm and he feels infinitely goofy for putting on a magic show on his couch. Hopefully it's helpful stuff, though.]

If you have questions, let me know. If you want to learn other shit, I'll link my spell list and we'll talk. Cool. Later.

[And he's shutting off the feed. Thank you for coming to his TED Talk. As promised, he does attach his spell list for anyone interested in further magical pursuits.]

circumitus

[A heavy sigh is the first thing that can be heard before Rey speaks: She doesn't normally like talking this much, but having seen a number of those who lack experience in toughing it in harsh conditions won't bode well for the inevitable move.]

"Think there're a few things that we should discuss among ourselves before our relocation. Regardless of where we end up, it won't be a vacation. You can kiss any ideas of a Caribbean getaway in a jungle, but the fact of the matter is that we're going to end up in both the ice planet and jungle eventually. People should know how to survive in both."

[Some might recognize it when she's channeling that firm tone, like a commanding officer. It isn't something Rey lets surface often.]

"Jungles provide a fuckload of threats we've never dealt with before, and that's native animals and insects that we have no clue how to handle. Shit that can spread disease if you don't know what to be on the lookout for. Water could be contaminated with parasites and predators. Plants could be poisonous or result in allergic reactions. There're hundreds of factors that could potentially snuff you or give you a world of hurt, and that's not including heatstroke.

"Below freezing conditions are also a bitch, but can be easier to combat than you'd think. Can provide some old Russian remedies at the Speakeasy to help cope with the climate -- we'll also need to tailor proper suits and clothing, too. Extreme cold is no fucking joke, obviously. We'll probably be fine in the city, but if anyone wants to go and check out those embassies then you want to be ready for that shit."

[Pause.]

"Lastly, it'd be better that we keep everyone up to date on how to fight the Null and what their weaknesses are, as well as being properly equipped to handle them. Rage's bows and arrows and swords are useless as a nun's tits against synthetics, so it'll be up to us to be prepared. Destroying bastards like those comes as second nature to something like me--" [Oops, sorry Rey's friends and fam, but old habits die hard when she gets into this mode.] "--so if anyone is looking for training and information on how to kick their asses, you can find me at the Speakeasy."

toight

[ Hello, Hadriel. It's your local displaced cop grinning at the camera with his usual level of semi-manic energy. ]

Alright, this has been one of the most confusing months of my life and that includes that time I had to live in Florida. But, hey, there's a silver lining to everything, right? Even with the whole horrible crushing fear that I'll never see my family and friends again because I'm on an alien planet--

[ Ooh that got darker than he intended. TIME TO MOVE ON. ]

Forget all that! What I need to know is if anyone has the gear to set up a big movie night thing because I just so happen to be in possession of the greatest cinematic masterpiece in the world. And dare I say? The universe?

[ His hand, which has been out of frame comes in with a copy of- ]

That's right! Die Hard! Can I get a hell yeah?!

But, yeah. Short version: I found the greatest movie of all time and I wanna have a movie night. Who's in?

lifetothefullest

[Lance looks a little over life at the moment, which most of his friends probably recognize as his standard look when not being purposefully professional. He's not bothering with the latter right now, both because he's a bit annoyed and because he thinks it would be pointless, so instead everyone gets normal, slightly bitchy Lance.]

Okay, I wish I could say that I can't believe I have to remind people of this, but vigilante justice is not exactly the best idea here. Not only is it morally wrong to just declare yourself to have the authority to decide who is and isn't deserving of 'justice', but it's logically wrong too; you're just going to cause problems, not solve them.

I'm not saying not to intervene when something's actively happening, but going after someone days or weeks later is just starting the whole process of retaliation all over again. So can everyone just take their egos down a notch and, if they're concerned about someone being an active threat or something, work on coming up with some sort of solution that isn't going to make things worse as soon as it's done?

[This is not the first time he's had to go into this discussion while here--or at home--and so that's why he's being extra short about it. He's also not just talking about the recent incident, it's simply what prompted him to say something this time.]

hot_mes

[At least, it's dusk where the Corazon is presently sitting, anchored at a tiny island that barely qualifies for the name so they can make post-storm repairs. Thus, the only real light casting gold tones and wicked shadows on Law's face comes from a nearby (but not too nearby) lantern. He is all business, stern and blustery, holding the phone like he's speaking into a den-den mushi, so it's a little too close and makes the shadows leap across his face like he's some kind of ghoul.]

This is Trafalgar Law. Hopefully my signal reaches the city.

We are on our way back with no less than two fragments. I want to know how many others have been collected, in case there are any still unrecovered. We must get those fragments quickly. Thanks to our experiences abroad I have reason to believe that our time in this world is limited and we'll need to move again. [BIG FROWN] Our fleet encountered three Null sentries lying in wait to ambush our diver on the sea floor. We destroyed them all, but the fact remains that this planet isn't as inaccessible to them as we would have liked to think.

My intention is to deliver these fragments to the laboratory for Alphys-ya to study. I strongly recommend that all fragments are kept in the same place. They cause irrational bursts of unstable emotion in anyone who handles them, so if any are scattered, there is a good chance someone could haul off and turn homicidal before anyone can stop them. And if there's someone out there who thinks they're going to be sneaky and hide a fragment from the gods or from the researchers, they had better think twice. Our mutual survival hinges upon discovering how these fragments can restore the Door and what happens when they do. [is he smirking? he might be slightly smirking, because he's here to make a public call-out post so that no one can hold the fragments hostage. Malicious compliance, indeed.] Like I say, if any are missing, speak now and I'll personally see to it that they're all recovered.

We're probably only about three days out, but we just suffered through a week-long typhoon and the ships have taken damage. We've landed to make repairs, if all goes well we'll return in just a few days.

Interested in your reports. Law, out.

nonscriptum

I fell victim to one of the classic blunders- do I seriously have to read this?

[You may recognize the guy on your screen as local parkour enthusiast and history nerd Nathan Drake. What he is wearing, however, differs so resolutely from his typical "jeans and a Henley" aesthetic that the broadcast appears to be hosted by a man whose sartorial sensibilities make him look like the quintessential Harvard professor: tweed vest, bow tie and all.

He gives a pleading expression to someone out of frame, who appears to have no mercy. Nate takes a fortifying breath and continues his recitation with approximately zero enthusiasm.]

...the most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia" - but only slightly less well-known is this: "never challenge an FBI psychologist to deliver a line with a straight face."

[He looks directly at the camera, then at the figure behind the camera, and mimes a finger slicing across his neck at the figure in question with a mouthed I'm going to kill you.]

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!]]

darknstormy

[ The video shook a little before finally landing on his face. Well, the profile of his face. Seth had turned it on without realizing then stepped away. He glanced back, catching something moving in his peripheral.

Shit.

[ A look of illumination graced his features and he stopped his approach to turn off the feed. Seth cleared his throat, his expression more accepting of their surrounding circumstance than his frustrated focus of seconds ago. What could he say? He was glad to have a speaking voice again. Might as well put it to use. ]

If there's somethin' that getting sucked from one mess to another's taught me, it's that nothin' lasts forever. All this shit's temporary... I couldn't talk soon after ending up here. My better half couldn't hear. And some of you got acquainted with the pain in the ass who lives with us, Leo. --Who by the way, can't exactly help what he is and didn't fuckin' ask to be made but still lives buy a code. But I digress...

[ Seth sat back after the brief introduction of sorts. ]

I'm Seth. Seth Gecko. You've already met Leo on here. As my Bonnie once called him, 'a walkin'-talkin' after shave commercial' who sang for you. Margo hasn't graced you all with an appearance yet but that's probably thanks to the roller coaster we've been through since arriving. She'll no doubt talk about magic when she does. Me? Well, I'm just a run of the mill guy from Kansas City. No powers, though not too bad with a piece.

[ He leaned forward and pulled out a gun tucked at the small of his back, brought it to view then returned it. ]

So if I haven't bored you all to hell yet, maybe some of who's left can enlighten me on what life's been like here? It seems the breaking up into islands is something new. Before ending up here, the three of us were at a place in France--or at least, it seemed French--that nobody could make a sound or chance gettin' torn apart by monsters.

Anybody sharin' insight about life here, you've earned yourself some manual labor. Or anythin' else I can come up with.

[ He offered an expectant look at the end. Not quite a smile, but a signature move when trying to get something without the means to obtain it otherwise. ]

dedikated

text; locked to clinic staff.
Locations. Each island's going to need a clinic location on it. Pick a base. If necessary, talk to the guardspeople there and work something out. Looking into moving supplies now. Teleporting volunteers welcome.

video; public.
( It's been a while, not only since Kate's addressed the city by video, but since the city's seen her in full, vibrant pink haired glory. God, she misses paying for hair dye with money like a normal person. God favours are a pain. But that did happen, and her hair returned to its customary hue sometime before everyone's limbs got chopped off or their senses disappeared.

(Hey, Fear - 🖕)

But she appears calm, collected, and just a smidgen over this city divided in four nonsense when she speaks. )

First things first - Clinic's on the island with the Colosseum. Supplies are alright. Gonna get transported to other islands soon as possible. Anyone who can heal or do first aid who isn't part of the clinic let us know your location if anyone needs help.

( But most importantly: ) Don't be stupid. Our assistance is limited for now.

( Kate out. )

stealyoursoul

[Since his powers had come back, Leo has been seized with one thought in mind. He's got to find something to eat. Or rather, someone, a sinner with a soul dark enough that it'll satisfy him. He's got an idea, which is likely not going to endear him to a lot of people, but he doesn't give a fuck. There's no introduction when the audio starts, just the sound of a guitar being played in an odd finger-picking style most players don't use.

It just sounds so nice, doesn't it? Like the most beautiful song you've ever heard. You just want to keep listening to it and hope it doesn't stop. Eventually, it sends all the listeners into a calm and blissful state, which considering how things are around here, isn't the worst idea in the world. It does also provide a compulsion to confess. It can be the telling of a regret never realized, someone's worst sins, or anything in between. When he's played for about a minute or so, he finally speaks.]

Anyone out there listening to this?

[If he's ended up putting anyone under his thrall, they'll most likely answer before they even realize what they're doing. Sunai songs are powerful things.]

[OOC: Good time to check out his permissions post beforehand so you and I can know your character will react and be affected!]

am_i_a_monster

[Her voice is hoarse from crying.]

Hello? Did I get this on? Can anyone hear me? Talk to me please. I..I hear things when I'm alone in the dark. And it's always dark for me now. So, yeah, just talk to me.

ghostlocked

[It's late when Harlan folds and decides to go to the network for a distraction. He would vastly prefer not to do this, but, well. That's why it's called folding.]

cant sleep.
tell me stories.

[ooc: feel free to threadjack and use this as a sort of storytelling free-for-all!]

lifetothefullest

[It feels like forever since he's made a network post, even though it's really only been about a month. But a lot has happened, and he's going to talk about absolutely none of it.

Instead, there are some pressing issues affecting everyone, and those are more important right now.]

Although this event is distracting, to put it mildly, it might help to focus on something else if possible. We know that we'll soon change locations, and since we have warning we can try to prepare; even if we don't know exactly where we're going to end up, making sure we have enough supplies, clothing, and that sort of thing will help, especially if things go unexpectedly.

[Like there's something wrong when they move, or the gods forgot to warn them about something, or the planet is different from how they remember, or any number of other reasons that might interrupt those in Hadriel's usual abilities to just go scavenge for what they might need.]

So those who are able to do so might consider preparing a little, as well as helping friends and acquaintances who might not be able to do because of the event. Even if you're not interested in looking for or stockpiling anything, those who haven't already should check in on those they know and make sure they're doing alright.

[Considering the range in severity this event.]

evocation

hey to all the new kids.
i'm kyna. i'm a wizard, which means i can use magic, and i've been offering lessons and shit.
i know half of you are going to start with that whole "but magic doesn't exist" stuff or "i can't do it" but i've got a 100% success rate, so save the negativity.
my thing is mostly evocation, which basically means i can set shit on fire or zap it, but i know a lot of defensive spells, too.
i'm not teaching anyone any necromancy or anything, so if you guys have more cool ideas to go lich or want to try some other stupid shit, find another teacher.
everyone else can step right up though.

p.s. don't vote for the ice planet

thirdreturned

[Have you missed him? Sorrow graces the network of Hadriel once more, and just like every other time, he's calm, composed. Even death can't seem to shake him.]

It's time for a relocation.

[Straight to business, as always.]

Fear was acting quickly when he moved the city to the homeworld of our original hosts, but this is hardly an environment that I'd approve of staying in for too long. I understand that many of you longed to be free from the underground caverns, but we were safer there. Here- we're vulnerable, exposed to Null scans, and without cover. As such, I've instructed Fear to move the city immediately.

[There's a pause, as he considers- though of course, he's already thought this part through.]

Of our four underground cities that we moved between, the Null have located two. It's possible that Delight has told them the location of the other two. Therefore, our remaining options are the surfaces of the other planets- places that provide more tactical advantages when it comes to hiding and potentially fighting the Null. With that being said, there are three options that come to mind immediately. Listen closely- I am allowing you to decide which location best suits your purposes, both for hiding and for a potential battle.

• The first is a planet that is far colder than this one. Temperatures are often below freezing, which inhibit's the Null's ability to scan for life. This was the planet where we made first contact with the Null, as well as the first planet they attacked. Some of our embassies may still remain, with information about our alliance and about the Null that were lost to us.

• The second is a planet with far more life than this one. The city location is overrun by various plants and animals, which will provide adequate cover to hide from the Null, though they may prove dangerous to you. The area is lush and humid and it rains quite often- flooding is a possibility.

• As for the third... the planet's surface is roughly ninety-two percent water, making it one of the few places the Null would not care to look. The inhabitable areas are rocky islands, with some aquatic life and a few plants further inland. This planet is where many of my elders resided, and at one point, I visited here often to learn of the history of my species. The Null destroyed all of our structures and every artifact here that they could find, but they did not find all of them. This is where I instructed Fear to find the Door.

These are the options we have available to us right now. I trust you'll choose wisely.

Poll #19918

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 80

Where should we go next?

The frozen planet
13 (16.2%)

The jungle planet
22 (27.5%)

The ocean planet
45 (56.2%)

[He'd end it there, but- well, there's an elephant in the room here, isn't there?]

Additionally. Thank you.

I understand that the motivation to resurrect me was largely due to my knowledge of the Door and your desire to return home, but all the same... I was forced again to consider the possibility of failure. When I- when the Null destroyed me, I had to come to terms with the thought that this was the end of our efforts.

Because of all of you, it was not.

I owe you a debt. I won't forget that.

dedikated

filtered from Carlisle;

Someone want to tell me how to make a phylactery?

unheeled

[Sorrow's revival 2.0 hits Rita pretty hard, and the only way to move on from her regret is to set herself up for public humiliation.]

i really need to get something off my chest

[Okay. Here goes.]

once, i wore jeans and a jean jacket. i went outside in that outfit

god, what kind of monster am i

[Rita Du Clark, everybody.]

bythewaves

There's a creature here who killed my friend, and injured my brother. I don't know what it calls itself, but my friend describes a woman with eyes as black as pitch.

[ His eyes are far too bright to be human, a feral fire lit behind them ]

Have a care for yourselves, for it has, apparently, killed at least once and tried to do so more than that.

[ And then almost absently ]

Findekano, my king, I ask your blessing on my hunt.

[ And you know, permission to torture and play with his prey but he won't say that aloud ]

lifetothefullest

[It's a nice, quiet day in Hadriel, at least as far as city-wide things go, but who knows how long that'll last. So Lance is taking advantage of it, both in terms of going out for a walk to get some fresh air and also making a post on the network; he has something important to talk about, after all.]

Hello everyone. I'd like to preface what I'm about to ask by saying that I understand some here may have concerns regarding speaking about this subject over the network, and so if you would prefer to talk in person I'm willing to meet with you.

[Another reason it being a nice day is helpful.]

I'm interested in hearing opinions on the issue of the Null that posted to the network a few weeks ago. In such a complicated situation it's difficult to consider all information and every possibility, and the people here have such vastly different experiences that can lead to unique conclusions and insights. The more ideas and reasons we all have to consider, the better informed our choices can be.

[Including, potentially, ideas of what to do about the situation other than the obvious two of 'kill it' or 'let it live happily ever after'.]

If you were not here for the last battle with the Null your opinion is just as important as those of the people who were present, as you're providing a viewpoint that, although lacking in specific experience, makes up for it with objectivity.

[In other words, they may not have a personal grudge against the Null that affects their opinions.]

I'd also like to note that this is all completely voluntary, and if you don't want to share your opinion that's fine; I'm just interested in hearing what people think and why, particularly due to experience and insight I may not have on a subject like this. Additionally, individuals who are still undecided in where they stand could benefit from hearing points and arguments they may not have had a chance to consider before.

Thank you.

[Considering this is such a serious topic, it can't hurt to be a little extra polite when asking people to do something potentially dangerous, right?]

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Entries tagged with dr. lance sweets

[video] as sun tzu once said, light 'em up

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014 [Video] /dated to a few hours after Yusuke's anon post

video; Sept 15 near dusk

[video] You only THINK I guessed wrong!

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2.7/ text & video/ and so they sunk every ship we sailed

Voice un: Sunai; A Performance

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2.6/ text/ maybe my heart's not made of stone

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