[network] Day 045 Evening; Audio; @dreamsnhonor; Embrace Your Dreams!!

[heroproceeding]

[ It's curfew. He's shut in. And he's got a lot he's been turning over in his head since that fateful night. A lot that started off with frustration at himself. But sitting on feelings like that's never done anything for him in the past. It won't now. So, he takes a page from one of his old books. And perhaps a page from his late friend's.

It takes him a while to decide on how to approach this. It isn't the first time he's tried to bring up morale despite trying circumstances. But the difference here? He's no First Class well known SOLDIER. He's not talking to a batch of starry-eyed cadets. He's got a few friends here- both from home and from elsewhere -but so many people are still strangers to him.

But even so, they all have something in common. They all have suffered. And they all have a lot they could lose- if they haven't lost a lot already. So, when he finally starts, he tries to keep his tone solid. If there's a sense of authority ringing in his words, there's at least an equal amount of empathy, too. This isn't a demand but a beckoning of something more. Something understanding through the sorrow and the fear. And the frustrations that may come of that. ]

Hey... [ The first word lands softly and he clears his throat. ]

So, I know it hasn't been easy lately. There's been a lot going on. And I'm not going to pretend things are just going to suddenly be okay any time soon. [ There's a creak in the background as he shifts his posture. The next part's not so easy to address, but. It's true and he's not going to act like it isn't. ]

Some of us have lost friends. Even -family. And when that happens, well. It's... It's easy to blame yourself. Easy to lose hope. Or want to give up. And I wouldn't blame you if you did at some point. But as long as you're able to get back up on your feet, that's what I think really matters. [ Another pause. He stands there on the other side of the tablet closing his eyes. Opening them and leaving out a short hum. ]

I don't know what'll help you. Maybe it's some kind of dream. Maybe it's not. I'm not going to ask if you don't want to share. But whatever it is, if it's something that will get you back up, you hold onto that. Whatever reason you have, embrace it.

We're gonna make it out of this, you hear me?

( ooc: GROSS SHOUNEN POST. I'M NOT SORRY. Tell him your dreeeeams, guys. Or mock him. Or roll your eyes at him. Whatever your preference. /thrown off cliff )

Comments

[rubikscomplex]

Well, at least it isn't Nessie. But maybe they're saving that for anyone who decides to bore through the lake. [The mythical lake he's heard tell of, but hasn't actually seen.]

We're all on drugs, anyway. I know I am. [And with that helpful caveat, House indulges him.] And sure. Yep. Super advanced tablets, sophistocated animatronics, the ability to alter memories and perceptions in our little Skinner box. So, aliens or the government. Or maybe the government is aliens.

[bookofnope]

We have a lake, too? And some parks, I hear. What an idyllic setting in which to spend the post-apocalypse. [There may be the slightest note of honest wistfulness in his voice.]

From my vast experience in ancient conspiracies, I can assure you that the government is always just as incompetent as you suppose. Have you considered the Illuminati? The New World Order? Big Pharma, or whatever else is in vogue this decade?

[rubikscomplex]

And according to the possessed people, this is summer. Best time of the year to be in Alaska. Probably.

Well, I think we've got the lizard people theory - they're our actual overlords living just underground - might've been the Lockerbie Bomber, or lighting manufacturers. Maybe this whole thing is an experiment to show people just how much they rely on electricity. Deregulate or you'll all suffer at the snowpocalypse! That, or the Big Oil's really bent on pushing this whole 'global warming is a myth' thing.

Maybe it's everything. Who knows? Where's Dan Rather for a 60 Minutes exclusive and in-depth look when you need him?

[bookofnope]

Since I understand the "possessed" people didn't supply much other useful information, they may just be winding us all up for their own amusement with the weather commentary. We are after all the only source of entertainment available. They must be pleased to see how some of us are embracing the role.

The underground lizard people are more afraid of you than you are of them. But I like the electricity theory. Have you convinced anyone yet, or are the drugs getting in the way?

[rubikscomplex]

Well whoever Quark turned into was a real dick. Apparently did something to me to teach me a lesson, though she never said what. Suuuuuuper spooky or whatever.

Anyway, I think the drugs are still getting in the way of everything. All those damn reasonable conspiracy nuts. They just don't get it, and it's a sad world we live in. Oh, well! At least there's still the chance to pick on @dreamsandsparklepuppies up there. It's a way to pass the time.

[bookofnope]

Oh? And you haven't noticed any effects to this "something"? It's perfectly possible that you wouldn't, you know, humans are very good at rationalizing their own behaviour. For all we know, you might have been making speeches yourself before.

[He may be saying that last thing just to wind House up, but stranger things have happened...]

But either way, I am not "picking" on anyone. Bursting certain bubbles of delusion is a community service.

[rubikscomplex]

Wow. I would be totally paranoid right now if there wasn't an archive function on these tablets.

Anyway. Carry on, my brother. I do appreciate your community service. We'll mark it down on your chart and put a gold star next to your name.

[bookofnope]

Does that mean you've gone back and checked? [He's genuinely curious, but he's also amused at catching the other man at admitting he'd done something irrational.]

And thank you, it's always good to know that my hard work is appreciated, especially by a fellow enthusiast.

[rubikscomplex]

Seriously, dude? [Beckett, please. He's a paranoid asshole, but he's not that paranoid.]

[bookofnope]

You do seem very confident in your assumptions. It seemed natural to assume that you've actually verified them. Not to do so isn't very scientific.

[He's trying to wind you up, man, take the bait! And he may also put just a bit more stock in ghost curses than House does.]

[rubikscomplex]

As the great Bones McCoy once said: I'm a doctor, man. Not a scientist. And again, nice try, dude, but I'll repeat... Seriously? Go try scaring @TW. Guy's super paranoid to start with.