[network] Event: Long & Lost [NIGHT 217]

[snowblindmods]

it's been so long between the words we spoke
will you be there up on the shore, I hope

[Make sure to note any specific warnings in your subject lines!]

Comments

[blueteamproblems]

[ahahahaha]

Well, I mean- it'd be great if I could say I'm not, because I don't wanna sound like a fucking wuss. But.

[phaseshifter]

Dude, for someone who isn't about all the friendly affectionate gestures? You're kiiiinda screaming out for a hug right now.

[blueteamproblems]

God, I hope Caboose didn't hear that. I really don't actually want any hugs.

[phaseshifter]

Want and need are two different things, Church.

[blueteamproblems]

Yeah, well. I don't need hugs either. You might think that they can magically fix everything, but that's not actually a thing that happens in reality.

[phaseshifter]

Magic has nothing to do with it. It's all science, I mean - hugs are pretty good for your physical and mental wellbeing. They promote the release of several beneficial chemicals - seratonin, dopamine, oxytocin - and it can also reduce cortisol, which is a hormone linked to stress and anxiety.

[ can you hear the "don't insult my intelligence, friendo" in there

CAN YOU ]

[blueteamproblems]

That shit's all great, but I'm not hearing anything about actually fixing anything.

[Shut uuuuuupppp he'll insult whoever he wants!!!]

[phaseshifter]

Baby steps, Church. Small short-term improvements can help you to tackle things in the long term. Physical reminders that people love you and care for you - like hugs - can help more than you think if talking isn't an option.

Maybe ask one of the doctors to have the admin prescribe you some.

[ Spider hugs. IMAGINE ]

[blueteamproblems]

Oh my fucking god.

Okay, look. I get that I can't really fault you for not having any idea what's going on with me, since I'm the one who doesn't wanna talk about it.

But, like- can you just believe me when I say it's not a matter of love and caring and all that hippy-dippy shit or brain chemicals or what the fuck ever? And it's not something I'm gonna tackle at any point if I can fucking help it?

[phaseshifter]

Dude, I'm not some kind of moron. I'm just - if you can't talk about it, this is all I have to help you with. As I am right now, anyway.

[ If only she could stuff some Hyperion tech in his ear and help that way. ALAS. ]

You said so yourself that you'd have to start thinking about it someday. And this place has a way of confronting you with your own issues, right? So I'm concerned. That's all.

[blueteamproblems]

Well, maybe you shouldn't be trying to help. I sure didn't ask you to.

[Is he being a huge stubborn baby? WHY YES HE IS WHAT ELSE IS NEW]

[phaseshifter]

Eat it, Church, it's what friends do. Pissbaby.

[ SHE WENT THERE

UNCENSORED CONTENT HERE FOLKS ]

[blueteamproblems]

No, fuck you. It's what you do. You don't see me getting all up in your issues, do you?

[phaseshifter]

Dude. If I was getting all up in your issues, I'd be a lot more insistent about it. This is nudging at the edges of your whole deal.

[blueteamproblems]

Well, you still shouldn't be doing it. My deal doesn't need to be nudged.

[phaseshifter]

Okay. Let me just turn off my concern, it'll only take a second. Do you have a coathanger and a map of the human brain?

[blueteamproblems]

...What?

[phaseshifter]

I was suggesting that in order to keep me from worrying about you, I'd have to rearrange my brain by shoving wire through my skull and swirling around the brain matter within.

[ u no, normal stuff ]

[blueteamproblems]

That's. Kind of dark.

[phaseshifter]

Yes. Less distressing than the thought of doing it via control collar, though.

[blueteamproblems]

I dunno, I think any kind of mindfuckery is distressing regardless of how you do it.

[church you regularly possess people with no regrets]

[phaseshifter]

I don't doubt it. I'm just avoiding getting all up in my own issues.

[ SELF AWARENESS, HO ]

[blueteamproblems]

Wow, so you're not jumping at the opportunity to talk about them to people? Shocking.

[phaseshifter]

I'm not hiding from them either, geez. We could trade traumas! Like a terrible version of trading those... umm, those little round discs people had in the old days? I forget what they called them, but they looked pretty freaking dumb.

[ TRAUMA POGS

IT'S THE NEXT BIG THING, MARK MY WORDS ]

[blueteamproblems]

Sure, sounds like a fucking amazing idea. Instead of just feeling shitty about your own traumas you get to share someone else's. Awesome.