lifetothefullest | [IC Inbox

[ Wash spent all of the night he returned with Carolina, surprising no one, but the next day he decides to check in on the people he knows who've come back. He doesn't think of Lance right off the bat, but after sending a few messages and finding out who's still in New Tokyo, he heads to Red Wings.

Lance is the first one he sees, and he heads over almost shyly to say hello. Everyone who's back from the Aerie has certainly seen some kind of fresh trauma and he's never been amazing at handling that, but is willing to try. ]

Hey. How've you been?

[Lance has just finished talking to a native citizen who had needed some help and direction, and had gotten them settled in for a meal and a little bit of a break before they move onto a more permanent place that can help them. So he's taking a brief break himself, leaning on the bar and sipping some herbal tea while he tries to decide what to do next.

He hears Washington approaching and looks up, thinking he might be another person who needs some assistance, but no it's someone he actually knows and that's a welcome surprise. Lance offers a faint smile of greeting, and a bit of a shrug at the actual question.]

About as well as I can be, all things considered. What about you? How long have you been back?

I just got back last night... Gene says they're set in New Tokyo so I should hit a different major city to help the people coming back there.

[ He sounds a little uncertain how he feels about that suggestion. ]

Figured I could get some practice in here first on familiar territory. You guys need any help?

There's always something to help with, but what that is just kind of varies. I'm focusing on dealing with people, so I'm not sure about, you know, anything that goes into running this place or that sort of thing.

[In other words, he's really not sure other than what he's doing, but if Washington wants to help somewhere he's sure it would be appreciated.

But that said--]

However, if you just got back, it might help to take some time to readjust.

Honestly, I'd rather stay busy. Gene made it sound like the thing they needed help with most was the people coming back traumatized.

[ And if Lance is focusing on the people... ]

Any tips?

Most people are just... Disoriented, I guess is a good word. Some are still in mental shock from what happened, and some readjust more quickly to being here instead of the Aerie than others do; I've been working on trying to just find anyone who seems lost, and help guide them to resources that are available.

[And which resources they are depends on the person, of course; some just need some help getting a meal together, some need somewhere safe to break down, some are missing their families and friends and don't know where to look. It just varies so greatly that it's always case by case.]

Huh. That might be harder in a different city, where I won't know what the resources there are. But I can try.

[ And he can bring food. That's helpful. ]

If nothing else I can offer to listen, right?

There are at least a few first responders who are working here in New Amsterdam, so hopefully there would be in other cities.

[Keyword here being 'hopefully'.]

But yes, offering to listen is always worthwhile, even if there's nothing else you can do.

[Which, you know--]

Speaking of, if there's anything you want to talk about...

[He's willing to listen.]

...that was a nice segue.

[ He doesn't know if he wants to take Lance up on it just yet though. Or ever. Wash has gotten better at communicating but he doesn't know the other man all that well and it would be very easy for him to judge. ]

I think I'm still processing it... I've had to deal with a lifetime of memories being shoved in my head before, so I might have a leg up on most people there.

[He gives a faint hint of an amused smile as an acknowledgement of that first comment, but then goes immediately serious again at the rest of his reply.]

That's possible, though that's also only one aspect of what happened.

[And prior experience with a potentially traumatic event doesn't always give a benefit in dealing with a repeat, either. Often it's the opposite.]

[ Lance is exactly right that he's having more trouble with the repeat, but he's kind of in denial about that and claiming (to himself as well) that it's the opposite and he should be better equipped. ]

I know. And everyone's experiences will be different. But I want to try to help.

The best way to do that is probably just to play it by ear.

[There's no guidebook for this sort of thing, after all. For natural disasters and large-scale violence such as in wars, sure, but not living an entirely alternate life.]

I'll do my best.

[ In more practical needs, though: ]

Do you know if there are any empty jugs or large bottles here I could take with me?

For as much as I'm around this place, I don't work here.

[It isn't snappish or anything, just a statement; he's not the right person to be asking about this sort of thing. As presumptuous as he's willing to be about Red Wings' resources in a situation like this, that's much more haphazard and on the fly, and he rarely knows what's actually available.]

What do you need them for?

I actually do work here -- or did, I'm not sure if Stephen will keep me on now -- but haven't been around for awhile so figured you might know better. I can check the back.

[ There's usually a bunch but who knows right now. ]

I told Gene I'd head to New Cairo and he's pretty sure they desperately need water.

I don't think Stephen has any standing to be firing you for whatever might've happened in the Aerie.

[Just saying. He's more than willing to assume whatever might've happened there was Stephen's fault rather than Washington's.

But okay, as for the actual issue, he frowns a little in thought.]

I'm sure that's true, though it'll probably be needed on larger scale than a few bottles. There must be a way to divert a larger supply; I'm not suggesting stealing a shipment or something like that, but...

[He's not not suggesting it.]

I figured something was better than nothing, but if supply shipments are up and running again...

[ He can handle hijacking one. ]

I'm not sure if they're running or not, but even if they aren't, everything kind of just... Froze, I guess, as we all disappeared.

[So there may be abandoned trucks somewhere, or trailers that had been loaded at a warehouse and never taken to be delivered.]

...that's a great thought, actually. I'll look up the shipping routes and see what I can do.

Thanks, Lance.

[ He probably won't get arrested. ]

You don't have to thank me; I'm sorry I can't really offer anything more useful.

[He barely knows what he's doing at the moment and it's just too much for him to organize anything or give any real advice, as much as he'd like to be able to.]

It's a good idea, don't sell yourself short. I didn't think of it.

[ He turns to head towards the kitchen, but hesitates. ]

...are you okay, Lance?

[He decides not to argue with the first point, instead offering a small nod of appreciation, but at the question--]

Yeah, I mean, things are kind of terrible for everyone right now, but I'm okay.

[And that's totally believable, right? Definitely. Nothing to see here.]

You seem kind of...

[ Down? Everyone does. Hmm. He doesn't know how to put it, but. ]

Do you want to talk?

[Lance watches Washington a moment as he tries to find the right word and then eventually asks a question instead, which is a nice offer, but--]

I appreciate you asking, but it's just... I'm really tired.

[He can admit that much, especially since it's very obvious.]

I was one of the first back, so this has all been really nonstop.

...I get that.

[ Tired. Okay. If that's all it is, and he has a bad feeling but no reason to accuse Lance of lying to him. And doesn't know him well enough to do so, besides. He smiles faintly. ]

Try to get some downtime in, okay? I'll see you when I get back.

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lifetothefullest - 2021-02-17 04:47 (UTC) - Expand

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hardwearing - 2021-02-17 16:21 (UTC) - Expand

[IC Inbox | Meadowlark]

action; the day after wash returns from the aerie

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