dr_conscience | [19th consult; voice]

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[19th consult; voice]

You know, in a way it's almost nice to get some time to oneself. For instance, time away from friends who have no sense of personal boundaries, or to reflect upon the alarming alacrity with which one has adjusted to life in an alternate dimension.

What's actually nicer, of course, is making a conscious decision to spend time alone, and likewise, having the option to return to spending time with other people when one wishes to. Though, of course, that's hardly a new complaint here, is it? After all, the very fact that we're even here to begin with is a constant reminder of exactly how much free will we have, the extent to which we're actually in control of our situation...

It can be easy to forget, after going unaffected for a while, what the City is capable of. Which isn't to say that this is the worst, by any means, but... well, as I said, it does grant one some time to reflect upon things...

Well. At least there's only a few hours to go.

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Definite figure of speech. I'm too chicken to even kill a bug.

Oh... well, good.

I'm sorry, it's just-- well, the City can make it necessary to ask. There was that curse that drove a large portion of the population to kill another portion of the population, after all.

Wait, what? You're kidding me.

... I take it you weren't here for that, then.

Well-- everyone was restored to life after it ended. Not the way the dead usually are, but actual life. Not that I'm saying that by any means fixes everything, for those on either side of the curse, but... it certainly could have been worse.

No, and I'm definitely overjoyed I wasn't.

Whether they were restored back to life isn't the point. It's the principle of the manner. Giving us nightmares for two days straight and deaging people is one thing. Having them commit murder is another.

Of course, and that's certainly not a point I'm going to argue; regardless of whether the victim remains dead, the trauma isn't gone for either of the parties.

I've heard that there's been worse than that, but I can't say I've seen anything that quite outdoes that yet. I don't really think there's much that can.

This place is going to have a strong need for therapists soon.

What could be worse than murder? Actually, don't answer that. I might have more nightmares.

I think it's got a fairly strong need as is. Though I have to wonder if most of the population would even be willing to see one.

I won't. Partially because I'd personally rather not think on it too hard.

Depends on who it is. I'm picky with my therapists. There's only one I like being around and as far as I know, Sweets is still poking brains in D.C.

Well, I hardly think I could fault you for that. There's certainly a considerable amount of trust required to let someone analyze the inner functioning of your mind.

That and too many of them still hold the tendency to hold judgment on the way I live my life. Running away from things isn't always the reason for people's behavior.

No, not always, certainly. It's a popular motivation, of course, but hardly an absolute truth. Not that I could speak to your specific behavior, of course, not knowing you.

Speaking of which, I'm Dr. James Wilson.

Basically, my thing is to do what I want when I want. Who knew that picking up to go live in Jamaica for three weeks and then moving to Paris for another four would be considered running away from life? I just thought I was taking advantage of my frequent flier miles before I got too old to use them.

And I'm Angela Montenegro. Pleasure to meet you.

Well, to play devil's advocate for a moment, I can see how someone could interpret that as running away from life. Though I think that depends largely on the context of the life in question.

And, of course, I can't say I fault you for wanting to go to Jamaica or Paris.

I've always seen it as running to life. How many people you know say they want to do something but they can't for some reason? I'm not talking about financial or family reasons. I'm talking about "Well, I'm too old/young/not skinny enough/not blond enough." kind of reasons. Too many people don't live their lives like they want to because of those reasons. I'm not one of them. I want to say I did something fun when I look back on life. I want to say I did something I wanted to and hell, it rocked. That's not running away.

Can you fault me for wanting to go to the Seychelles?

So about living life rather than trudging through the same routines over and over as you make your way through it? I have to admit, that does sound appealing, even if I don't quite have the temperament for it... I'm afraid I have a terrible habit of planning everything and then still obsessing over decisions. I can certainly respect the sentiment, though. Nobody wants to look back at life at the end and find themselves regretting what they didn't try to do, wondering what could have been, and I've certainly seen too many people find themselves doing just that.

Certainly not. Or anywhere, for that matter; if your philosophy is to live, it seems you may want to see as much of the world as possible.

Exactly what it is. Sure, I work a job that drives me to the brink of despair daily, but at the end of the day, at least I know that once five o'clock hits, I'm going to do whatever I thought of doing during lunch. Planning everything takes all the excitement out of life for me. I like the adventure of going to, let's say, Iceland with only a coat. I might meet a new friend by borrowing their gloves just because I didn't plan on packing them. I might meet a whackjob too, but hey, still exciting, you know?

At least by meeting Mister or Missus Whackjob, you learn defense skills and who regrets those?

I can understand that attitude. I think if I tried it, I might give myself a panic attack, but I can still have a great deal of respect for those who can manage to live by it.

And yes, that's certainly exciting... as long as you survive to utilize the defense skills in the future, of course.

Well, start slow and then build up. Go to the next town over with just a tank of gas. Get lost. Get found. Enjoy the journey. Then make your way to Zimbabwe.

Considering the people I've dated? I've survived to use them more than a handful of times.

Well... maybe I'll have to try it sometime. Though Zimbabwe might be a bit of a leap from New Jersey.

That sounds rather ominous. Though, as long as you've put them to good use, I'd say you're in fairly good shape.

What is with doctors and New Jersey in this place? You wouldn't happen to work at Princeton Plainsboro too, would you?

Fairly good shape until I found out they don't work on the Strongman at the circus.

Head of the oncology department, actually. I know, there are a few of us here.

Now that certainly sounds ominous.

Oncology. Oh, and I thought my job back home was emotionally draining. How do you deal?

Not when you find out he's a sucker for tears.

Well, it's... certainly demanding, emotionally. Though, in its own way, it can also be very rewarding. Not only for the admittedly far too few triumphs, but... there's something to be said for making a difference, for making things better, as much as you can, for those who won't make it through, and providing comfort when it's really needed. You see some of these people struggle for years, and you get to really know some of them, help them make peace where they need to, to pursue the last few goals they had, to give them the encouragement they need to keep fighting. It's... certainly the sort of job that a lot of people can't handle, though, and most don't stick with it past their first rotation. ...and I've just started rambling again, haven't I? I'm sorry... So. What's your emotionally draining job?

And now that just sounds amusing. Good to know the Strongman has such a soft core.

Forensic facial reconstruction. It's not as glamorous as it sounds. I get the game over stage of things, after life is said and done.

[19th consult; voice]

that's because wilson secretly likes it.

it's not a very well-kept secret.

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psst. did you see there's a cuddy app?

yuss! though... i knew it was coming too XD

all that's needed is an awesome foreman and the family is complete lol

i know!! quite excited, even if foreman seems to be the least popular. why so boring, eric? T_T

because his happy face is the same as his sad face: :| TAUB SAYS THIS IS TRUE.

THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES EVER. it is the one moment i truly loved taub. XDDD

I think I lol'd forever at that part.

...I think I might need to go watch that now >.>

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heeeey... can i friend you? i meant to ask forever ago D:

of course!! i am always a-ok with being friended, tho i'm stupid shy about asking people myself XD

me too. that's why it took me so long lol

hooray!! XD /feels better about eternal fail