quipsandthwips | Deerington Inbox

I think that suits perfectly. I suppose I mean more: What do you wish existed? What could you use in your life here? Aside from not getting killed, or the nightmare to end. Those are a bit outside what I'm imagining.

Although, if enough minds got together through whatever we create, that might work...

Good question. I guess I never entertained it, because I worry it'd mean I was getting to complacent.

... But I guess I am a chemistry teacher here with a salary, so.

I guess I, uh. I wish there was more mental health aid. Is that a weird, totally unrelated wish to governing? That's one I have in my head a lot.

I suppose that makes sense. You don't want to believe that you'll be here forever, right?

I think that's admirable, but I also think that even if someone is here for just a short time, it might be nice to have a little more, don't you? Not to become complacent, but to make it a little easier to get on.

No, no! I think that's a great idea. [ He jots that down in a little notepad he has ] My idea of governing, that's just what I know. But I'm not sure it's the best route, now. Since people are so transient here. But supporting people, I like that idea a lot.

Do you have anyone to talk to? About the things that happen here?

Supporting people is what'll keep them sane.

... The saner the Sleepers, the less likely we'll all accidentally end up as deer forever.

[......... He blinks, and is mildly caught off-guard.

He dumbly says:]

Do I have what?

Ah... is that what happens? How Sleepers become deer? [ Vira Lorr said something along those lines ] Then, yes. Support should be a good route.

[ He smiles, just a little ] Do you have someone to talk to, about everything that's happened here? That sort of support tends to help.

Uuuh.

[Darn it, Wu, don't catch him off guard by asking about him.

He struggles for a reply that doesn't sound totally lame, though.

Joke time? Only it's barely a joke? Perfect.]

... I've got a pretty cute dog that listens to me when I get home from a long day at work.

A dog! [ He claps his hands together. ] What sort of dog? What's their name?

Ah-- [ He looks a little sheepish. ] I mean. That's good! To have a dog. But perhaps you would benefit from talking to a person, too?

I guess we don't, not really. I think we've been pretty low on people who are qualified for it... Maybe someone can work towards an education in that field...

...

The only thing I'd be worried about is the mental health help needing help after hearing about all of our issues.

Ah, right. I suppose that would need a degree, wouldn't it? There's so much to learn here.

Well, I'm still offering. I might not be trained, but I'm happy to listen.

Yeah... I mean, even if someone didn't have a degree...

Maybe just someone to talk to would be nice.

People get pretty messed up here after a little while; I have it on good authority they get quieter and quieter about how bad off they are mentally.

That's good to know.

I'll see what I can do, see if there's anyone here who can help. I'm happy to talk to you, if you need someone who isn't your dog. But I have to admit, I can completely untrained.

Sounds like a nice talk, anyway.

[Getting Peter to open up is like trying to open a can with a pair of nail clippers. But that's not unusual around here, and Wu's getting that toe in the door. Small mercies!]

Talking has to go both ways, though. If something's bothering you or you need help, you should reach out, too. Right?

I-- thank you. I appreciate that.

[ Wu will share, up to a point. Having people offer, though, that is new. People tend to gloss over him, think there's nothing deeper than the surface. ]

It's been lovely to get to know you, Peter.

[Wu earns a particularly earnest and warm smile in return.]

Right back at you, buddy.

Deerington Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject