reach the residents

[ximilian]

● ● ● REACH THE RESIDENTS

For any questions you want to ask Viveca or Degar and receive an IC response, please direct them here. Please indicate in the subject line who you are trying to contact.

// VIVECA

Hi, what can I help you with?

// DEGAR

Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you. And by now, you should've somehow realized what you're not to do.

▶ NAV

Comments

[construing]

〈 gwen's mouth works, but no sound emerges. finally she presses it into a rueful little smile. 〉

I think I might have had an easier time than most.〈 the truth. 〉

I'm doing okay.

〈 for a given definition of "okay." (one that will quickly deteriorate in the coming hours.) 〉

[vivecai]

Just because you've experienced... some things that the orb threw at all of you before, it doesn't make it an easier time.

[ in fact, it may make it worse — if she's been managing without hallucinations and things like that, for them to be back... well. familiarity does not mean dealing with it is any easier. ]

... I'm sure you know this already, but — it's okay if you're not okay. Just... if there's anything that might make you feel better, help with it all, let me know. [ a pause, and she adds, quieter, ] I don't like to see my friends suffer in silence.

[construing]

〈 the corner of her mouth turns up. 〉 I appreciate it. Been working on practicing what I preach. Sometimes I do good, sometimes I relapse. It's a…not really a fun ride. It is a ride.

〈 for a brief moment, she looks away. her teeth gently worry the side of her lip. she seems to be turning over a decision, and finally faces viveca again. 〉

Actually…there is something. Dr. McCoy— 〈 her throat closes up. she has to swallow a couple of times before her voice is hers again. 〉 When he diagnosed me, he explained that medication would help, but the only real treatment is exposure. Considering my luck, 〈 her laugh is short, 〉 next mission is Giant Lizard Island, and I go into another flashback.

〈 leaving aside what the orbs can do…gwen has to think of venom. it feels what she does—meaning it too feels her intense and abrupt surges of panic when she encounters a trigger. and…she has to think of herself too.

she looks down at her beat up black chucks, shifts her weight. 〉

Peter's house is next door to mine. His things are still in his room. Could you…grab something for me? Anything really.

[vivecai]

[ there's a shift to her expression when gwen mentions dr. mccoy; a twist of the sorrow she always feels, when thinking of those who have been part of the team and are now gone.

she listens quietly to gwen's request, the detour of the quips to get to it, and then nods. ]

Yes. Of course. Dr. McCoy knew what he was talking about... so anything he recommended is a good course of action. [ a pause. ] It's really brave of you, Gwen. Not everyone would do it. [ because getting better is not an easy path. ]

[construing]

〈 the recommendation was conditioned "with professional supervision"—the reason why she did not start while dr. mccoy was present. not that kind of doctor. not his area of competency. necessity turned out to be a great motivator. 〉

Not everyone has a symbiont stuck feeling their feelings. 〈 she smiles wryly. 〉 Gotta look after the alien goo.

[vivecai]

I'm sure the alien goo is appreciative of that.

[ she means it too. ]

[construing]

〈 gwen cracks a lopsided grin. 〉

Hey. While I'm asking for things, think you can grab a copy of Seven Samurai? I—want to surprise Itachi with it.

〈 and maybe get him to stop hating the entire concept of movies. she would joke that the lack of movies in his childhood is why he is the way he is…except she accidentally put together the real reason why.

overcoming the "I tripped into knowledge that my friend did a parricide" obstacle is not one she knows how to overcome. ball's not in her court, anyway. but she promised to find him a movie he'd like, and she is trying to be better about keeping them. 〉

[vivecai]

Yes, of course. Actually, Newt should have a copy already.

[ convenient; but she got him one for a previous movie night. ]

[construing]

That works. Well! Guess I'll get out of your hair.

〈 she shoves her hands into her pockets with a smile. 〉

I hope you get many hours of enjoyment out of your matcha.

〈 viveca will be receiving invitations to tea in future. 〉