deernet | text - UN: IceCream (CW mention of drowning risks)

[Well, this one didn't put up public service messages often, did she? But, if there was a remote chance your spouse might show up one day in the heart of winter, well... you'd probably do it too.]

Right, so, if we're all done having oodles of fun running for our lives from crazy nutjobs in this maze of a town, I've got something we should all be thinking about. (Also, thank you Trench. I knew you'd deliver. I was almost bored there for a moment. Now this place feels like a nightmare.)

I saw something on my window while I was recovering from my last maze run. Frost. You know, that pretty white stuff that forms on your windowsills and makes you people all silly with this holiday spirit or whatever? Nice stuff. Gorgeous. So idyllic. Yeah, where there's frost, there's ice. And ice likes to form on top of water. If you haven't figured out where I'm going with this?

I'm taking bets on whether or not you think the coastline's gonna freeze for the next two months. Your first bet doesn't count. Everyone's a winner. Your prize? Grab a pickaxe.

That's right, dumb dumbs. Squids seem to show up at the same time we showed up in the dream. Very end of the month and first week of the month, and if that coast freezes, they're going to pound right into a sheet of ice. Get blankets, start fires, grab a pickaxe. Also, maybe flares or burning arrows wouldn't be a bad idea. Folks can come to you if you find a squid and need help. I have five I got lucky enough to have in my backpack and I intend to use them. Unless you want next month's new arrivals to drown in the water and/or freeze to death. And if you do? I recommend not replying to this. I'm not in the best of moods.

And if one of you hero types feels like actually organizing this thing, go for it. You know where I'll be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm fine with us being only so organized.
So long as there's enough people doing the work we'll be ok, and it looks like they're listening.
So at least there's that.

That's a small mercy at least. Better than the alternative .

[Ane because he knows this is more than just some good samaritan work on Neo's part. That there's specifically someone she's worried about here, he switches to private.]

How are you holding up?

I have good days and bad days.
Today is a good day mostly, because a bunch of people responded and I think we'll cut the ice fine.
I'm missing her like crazy, and we both know it, but it helps to have things to do with my hands.
And Red and I have our shit mostly settled for the time being.

As long as this town doesn't keep dredging up my ghosts in some sick parade?
I'll manage for a long time. I'm good at waiting.

That's understandable. I'm glad you're finding things to help you make it well, probably not easier. Bearable?

Here's hoping it holds back on that one.

[He doesn't have much faith it will, but for her sake the hope is genuine. ]

Bearable. Good word.
I'll admit that I didn't even try to do that in the old days, and it helps.
Kind of deadens the sensations to have something to occupy a day.

Please. It won't. But you're allowed to hope.
It's kind of touching in a way.

So, I'm turning this around while I get set up.
How are YOU?

Sometimes, that's the best you can hope for. The sensation deadening.

Hah, I don't have a lot of hope in me, it's a limited time offer you know.

I think I can sum it all up with "not great".

You've got Fern, right?
So I know you're not alone in the middle of all of this.
There anything you want to talk about?

I mean, you know I'm not great at this, but you're you.
I think you've earned an ear while I'm getting this set up, so if you want to talk?
Go ahead.

[There's a long pause before he continues typing. A year ago he might have laughed at the idea of opening up to Neo in any way. But things change. ]

I do have Fern, I'm really lucky in that respect. And he is there to help. It's just a lot right now.

Like. I don't know. He was having real issues with his powers and I didn't notice. Usagi's already told me I shouldn't beat myself up over it but it's hard. I can't shake the feeling I should have been better.

Ooof.

So, on the one hand I really get why you're beating yourself up, but don't.
Fern's not like the rest of us, and that's not a bad thing but it also can be tricky.
It's going to be hard to tell sometimes what's going on with him.
You're really trying there, and so's she, so that's a good thing.

Just keep trying.

This is more to do with his new blood powers. He can hear plants talking to him now, feel what they're feeling. When all those moon flowers died in October? He felt that, it hurt him.

And I do plan to keep trying. And I know it's some stupid self-loathing I still need to work my way through.

But knowing and feeling are different things.

It's not stupid. Just hard to deal with things you don't understand.
Being able to talk to plants makes sense, since he is a plant, but how can we understand?
The fact that you're trying at all's good.

Still, like you said. Knowing and feeling.

Sometimes it feels stupid. But I know. It's stuff I'm still working on. Bad thought stuff. I'm trying to get a better handle on it all.

Yeah. I think it's just gonna take time.

Time's one thing we've got plenty of.
World's finally not ending all around us while it tries to wake up.
Just remember that you two have time.

That IS true. So long as neither of us suddenly feels the need to become squids again we have all the time in the world.

Thanks. I'll try to keep it in mind. The perspective helps.

Take care of yourself in the meantime.
I'll probably see you over at the coast.

'Course, you too. I'll see you around, Neo.

text - UN: IceCream (CW mention of drowning risks)

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