tramitem_log | (no subject)

Who: OPEN (Including to all the new characters who app throughout the month)
What: Bureau Run, Non-Mandatory Support Group
When: There are meetings at various times during the week, whatever works for your character between 8 am and 10 pm
Where: There are meetings at various locations around NYC, whatever works for your character
Rating/Warnings: We ask that players put appropriate warning labels in the subject lines of their threads as they become necessary

There’s a generic spread of food on a table off to one side of the room: donuts, muffins, bagels, and cookies; coffee, lemonade, water, and because one of the Different asked for it, hot chocolate. Maybe you’re hungry enough to try it—it’s free after all.

Or maybe you can’t stomach anything, given the event you’re attending.

The space is a local rec center. The beige-painted cinder block walls and the fluorescent lighting are a terrible combination. Maybe they are reminiscent of the public school you attended in your youth?

Why are you here? Curiosity? Maybe the Bureau official will say something that will help you make sense of things? The meeting was interesting—who knew there were so many people like you, receiving memories of a past life? The group was led by someone from The Bureau—the Department of Medical Services. Some people are staying in their chairs and chatting—they must know each other from previous meetings. Some of them are gravitating towards the food.

How do you feel about tonight? Has it helped you come to terms with the dream of memories you’re having? Maybe it’s time to talk to others, get an understanding of their experience.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Nah, see, you're the face," Lisa insisted, smile almost returning. "If we need someone to take us seriously, hey, we've got Jecht! You know him! You love him! Now seriously, listen to us or he's gonna tackle you."

"Sounds more like good cop, bad cop. You sweet-talk 'em and then I show up bein' all--" He punched his palm demonstratively.

"No, no, that's two steps later," Lisa replied airily, smiling properly now. "Gosh, it's all in the manual! Punching people comes after warning them that you can't be held responsible for what's about to happen."

Jecht shook his head, now grinning too. "Naw, you got it all wrong. If you punch someone and THEN tell them that, they have to sit there and wonder what exactly is worse than the punch that you gotta warn 'em about it!"

"But then I'd feel bad that we're punching people... I don't have enough room for all the ice packs we'll need, y'know?" Lisa, honey, how many people are you planning on siccing Jecht on? "Besides, all this stuff needs enough of a warning." She pauses briefly. "Hey, so, on that note. Thanks for taking this seriously. You could have walked right back out that door, but you didn't. That means a lot."

Jecht wasn't sure at all why that meant a lot, but at least he could get why she was saying thanks. Letting out a low groan, he lifted a hand to work the tension in his neck again, tilting his head left and right before his fingers slid up into his hair.

"Can't shake the feeling that it's all... real, y'know? It doesn't make any sense. Doesn't fit. It's all crazy, it's stupid to think it's anything, but somewhere deep down..."

"The truth is stranger than fiction, yeah? And the strangeness only gets deeper. Enjoy the normal stuff while it lasts," she says with a slightly nervous laugh. "But hey, if it ever gets rough - this is a support group, but we're here for you, too. If you need us, call for us."

"Heh. I ain't the sort who does that easy, y'know." Even admitting that was a stretch for him, since in his circles you just kinda... assume, y'know? He's a big strong jock, they don't have problems unless it's something that plays in the news.

"Okay then, look at it this way - if you want someone to laugh at the crazy, call us then, too," she couldn't help but add, trying again. "And then if it turns out not to be so crazy, we'll shoot it. Or whatever it is we do at the time."

Jecht let out a low, warm chuckle. "Okay. Put it like that, and I can do it. Just gotta let on you're some weird social group and not a therapy meeting."

Lisa laughed softly. "I don't like coming to these either, really. I come because the Bureau watches, and I come because it's the easiest way to meet new people-" she gave Jecht a meaningful look- "but they still kinda give me the heebie jeebies. So no argument there."

The reminder of how they were being watched wiped Jecht's grin away real fast. "Mmm. Yeah, you got a point... so showing up here's a good idea just to help out other people."

She'd helped him a lot, so returning the favor was only fair.

"Mm! That's my take, at least. We can't work together if we don't recruit as many allies as we can," Lisa replied happily. "I have some reservations about all this, but the people I've met are not anywhere on that list. We're not alone, yeah?"

After another moment, she let the smile dim a bit. "And speaking of watchers, I think at least one person here actually does recognize you, and isn't happy I'm taking up all your time. Do you mind if I leave you to things and see if there's anyone else I need to socialize at?" She kept feeling eyes on her back... Maybe she needed to watch a football game one of these days and see how big of a deal Jecht was.

"Yeah, sure thing. Can't waste your whole night talking to me, right?" Jecht leaned on one leg, hand on his hip, and she'd done enough good by him that his grin was genuine. She could take heart in knowing he'd leave in better spirits than he came, and with Jecht, sometimes you just had to appreciate the small steps.

Hey, she'd take that, definitely. "No, certainly not. I might get a big head or something." A wink; clearly she'd already done as much of that as she needed. "Hey. Take care, okay? If you want someone to talk to that understands all the crazy, we're one text away." She stood up, with a natural grin, and waved gently. "Nice to meet you, Jecht. Good luck out there, yeah?"

"Yeah, and thanks for..."

A couple of moments passed, then Jecht waved one hand around vaguely. "Stuff. Y'know?"

He was not good at this sort of thing.