text | un: lance

[lifetothefullest]

Hi everyone. I haven't met that many of you since I've been mostly busy with the aid station, but I'm Lance.

I've done this whole 'waking up in another world' thing a few times now and in every one, there's been an issue of information getting lost. The more scattered our knowledge and experience is, the more difficult things are for everyone involved, and that includes the Adamant survivors who are kind of along for the ride in terms of whatever weirdness is surrounding us being here. So the more we know, the better for all of us.

It'd be helpful if we had access to the crew's information, but since we don't our best option is to collaborate and share what we do know with each other. Being as aware as we can of the situation will help us coordinate any future plans, and if we happen to find out something that the crew doesn't know themselves, record-keeping will help them too since they can access this network.

So far, I'm aware of public discussions about sharing things learned in conversations with the Thessyx, doing a headcount, and mapping the Adamant. We should probably also compile what we know about the animals and plants we've dealt with, things learned during scouting or exploration trips, and anything else we can think of that might be helpful.

However, I know from experience that keeping track of all this information can be kind of a big job, so if anyone is interested in handling organizing a portion of it, please feel free to say so. We'll just want to be sure that all the records are public and easily found by anyone looking for them.

Comments

[wittingly]

Watch out, I think my patented method of "have you tried smoking weed about it" might be a more popular option than your "have you tried actually dealing with your problems?" approach.

But seriously, how are you?

[lifetothefullest]

I'm sure it probably would be, but you might end up with a serious shortage and then where would everyone be?

As well as can be expected, I guess. You? And how you feel when you're stoned doesn't count.

[wittingly]

Yeah, and I guess the effects to the food supply would be devastating.

I'm okay, but opening up my bandwidth to the collective is how I avoid my issues. I just wanna make sure you're not doing that, but like, in a way that's way less of a healthy coping mechanism than it is for me. Because it's extremely healthy for me.

[lifetothefullest]

I hadn't even thought about that, but you're right.

Uh huh. Very convincing. Definitely extremely healthy.

[wittingly]

Anyway on a subject that isn't just us going in an endless sarcastic loop ineffectually trying to convince one another we're completely on-point:

I started on the apartment yesterday

[lifetothefullest]

Really? That's awesome. Do you need any help with anything?

[wittingly]

If you want to come stand in a dark dirt corner and go "oooh" "aaaah" every time I move stuff with my mind, that would be tremendously helpful.

[lifetothefullest]

Sounds like a lot of work, but I could be convinced to do that. Where are you building it anyway?

[wittingly]

directly underneath the cafeteria

[lifetothefullest]

Are you there now?

[wittingly]

That was a joke, it's actually about twenty yards from the baths. I have loose aspirations to tap into the pipes and incorporate running water at some point in the medium-term future.

And yeah, I'm there now.

[lifetothefullest]

Good to know, because I spent several minutes trying not to question your choices even though I really wanted to and now I feel like it's okay to say that.

I'll come find you; I need a break.

[wittingly]

I was genuinely questioning why you weren't questioning that, so yes, always trust your instincts

Bring coffee

[lifetothefullest]

I was trying not to be picky about being provided with a place to sleep that isn't a hammock.

That isn't possible, but I will bring you that horrible stuff they pass off as coffee.

[And he does, as promised, even if it takes him a little time to figure out where Ian actually is.]

[wittingly]

Be less grateful, man, we're on that level. It's fine.

( It might be a little hard to figure out, given that there isn't just a big hole in the ground with a sign pointing down reading "Secret Apartment". There is, however, a new little burrow looking building sitting unobtrusively off to the side, easy enough to miss at first glance. What probably gives it away is the (thankfuly muffled) music playing obnoxiously from within. )

[lifetothefullest]

[Right. He'll just make a mental note of that for a few reasons, but focuses on finding the place. The little burrow takes a moment to notice and the music is definitely the main reason he does find it, but then he feels a little ridiculous; it's quite a bit more elaborate than he expected.

Lance doesn't quite enter the place just yet, looming in the doorway instead to call out in hopes of not startling Ian.]

Hey, I'm here.

[wittingly]

( The exterior is the only elaborate thing about it so far. As soon as Lance pokes his head into the doorway he'll see a pretty basic set of stairs that lead down into what's very much just a big ass hole under the ground. Twenty or so square feet, a few sturdy support beams, and the whole thing illuminated by a half dozen bright LEDs he's duplicated. )

Hey, man.

( He does at least sound a little less stressed right now than the last few times they've spoken; apparently being covered in dirt with his sleeves rolled up is zen for him. )

[lifetothefullest]

[The sight of the place is equal parts fascinating and a little unnerving; fascinating because it's really cool how it's already taking shape and what its potential is, unnerving because his subconscious is ringing alarm bells that he knows aren't necessary. This is perfectly safe.

So he only briefly hesitates before beginning down the stairs, soon joining Ian and offering him the cup of barely-coffee.]

This looks awesome.

[And he means that, despite his nerves. And speaking of nerves, he does notice Ian seems a little more relaxed, which is nice.]

How many rooms are you thinking of making? Overall, I mean.

[Not the bedrooms issue, which they'd discussed before.]

[wittingly]

( Don't worry, Lance. It seems claustrophobic and sketchy right now, but it won't by the time he's finished.

He wipes dirt off on his jeans before he takes the cup, huffing out a tiny laugh. )

It looks like a hole in the ground.

( A mild correction there before he answers. Don't you dare associate him with this level of quality, okay, this is early stages. )

Phase one is just three. Main area and two bedrooms, because I'm pretty sure we're all on the same page about the sleep situation.

( Meaning: the lack of it, and the fact they -- or at least Ian -- would be willing to sleep on a cot in a hole if it meant getting away from people sooner rather than later.

(Also... a little implication there with the bedroom count that he might be slightly downplaying.)

A little bit of blue glow adds to the lighting, and a mound of dirt rearranges itself to make a nice flat bench to perch on, with enough room for Lance if he wants to get dirt on his ass. )

Phase two will be non-plumbing add-ons. Electricity, workshop or office rooms, quality of life. Phase three is figuring out private showering. Kitchen. Bathroom.

( How many phases are there? TBD. )

[lifetothefullest]

It looks like a hole in the ground with less than ten people in it.

[Lance corrects right back because that's honestly a huge deal; even if it were literally just a hole in the ground, which is a little too reductive for this, it being somewhere not full of people is amazing enough.

He's quiet while Ian continues, taking a sip of his coffee and raising his eyebrows just slightly as he gives Ian a knowing look at the mention of two bedrooms. Good to know that got worked out.

He watches the bench form but doesn't move toward it, preferring to stay on his feet for now.]

Although I'm definitely not going to complain, that sounds like a lot.

[Just, you know, saying. Some amount of focus on work is a healthy coping mechanism, but it's very easy to tip over that line.]

[wittingly]

( Ian tipping over the line when it comes to healthy coping mechanisms? How dare you. Burying his feelings in work? The very implication is insulting, Dr. Sweets.

This is his free time activity. He gets off work, and then he comes here to do more work. )

Yeah, well, you know... it was this or a book club, so. At least this way you get a pizza oven out of it.

( Even if they can't make pizza in it. )

[lifetothefullest]

[You know, he had a feeling this was extra curricular work.

But fine, he allows the deflection for now, offering instead--]

Do you really want me using a pizza oven?

[wittingly]

( Wryly: )

On second thought, maybe another reread of Gerald's Game might not be so bad.

( It's not that he likes the horror genre as a whole so much as he just really likes Stephen King. Just for the record.

Guess he's the one in charge of Thanksgiving this year. Nate will have to hunt the alien turkey, and Lance can help him unpack the intense seasonal depression he gets every year around the holidays. It's a perfect arrangement. )

[lifetothefullest]

Might be worth it just to hear that people would say about it in a book club.

[Because that's quite a book. Lance doesn't read much horror either, though he did go through a phase of it in college, and of course the more psychological stuff appealed to him the most.]

[wittingly]

Might make a good jumping-off point for your initial sessions.

( He sounds a little knowing as he says it, and he shoots Lance a look through his lashes. It's not even slightly subtle, this gentle broach of the subject, but he's not really trying to be.

Hey, man. How's counseling going? Sure seems like a lot of mental effort on your low mental resources right now. )

I can build you an office with a fainting-couch if you need one.