@everyone

[restingstitchface]

Aurelius once wrote, "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."

My fundamental concern about this wisdom is that it fails to spot the physical root of trauma. People who cannot snap out of their distress also deserve compassion and treatment.

My apologies for the intrusion. Locals informed me about the recent chaos and I found myself concerned and a little hesitant about reaching out. Back home I treat those who approach me for support with their mental health. I had excellent resources there but here I can offer nothing but a listening ear.

I understand some of you might be feeling exposed, stressed and intimidated. To you I offer my own wisdom. If you worry about what lies ahead, you will be the only one who suffers in the end.

To all else, kind regards for listening.

Oh. Reading, isn’t it? This system is entirely new to me. What a brave new world this place is.

Comments

[restingstitchface]

That depends. Professional counselling is frequently successful when clients possess the strength to listen.

[vecna]

And a willingness to change their way of thinking, not to mention trusting in the person doling out the advice.

Either way, your offer's a generous one, considering the breadth and scope of all the Summoned here, and what some of them have just gone through.

[You know, himself included.]

[restingstitchface]

Thank you. I am nothing if not resolved to rise to the challenge.

[vecna]

It certainly sounds like it. What's your official title, then? A doctor?

[restingstitchface]

Correct. Dr. or M.D. Pick your poison.

[vecna]

[Of course he's a doctor.]

And do you have a name to pair with your title, too, Doctor...?

[restingstitchface]

Jonathan Crane. What might yours be? Names are begging to be shared, after all.

[vecna]

My name's Henry. No such fancy title, though I have worked around doctors in the past. I guess that's why this missive of yours made me curious.

[restingstitchface]

What can I say? Curiosity makes us wise if nothing else.

[And what else makes people wise? Caution.]

[vecna]

Tell that to a cat, right?

[restingstitchface]

How can I? The cat usually dies.

[vecna]

A lot of good wisdom does, then.

Which faction summoned you? Do you intend to offer your services cross-boundaries?

[restingstitchface]

My services are available for whomsoever wishes to avail themselves. The only boundary here is a physical one.

[Kind of hard to travel to Thorne and Solvunn at this time, right?]

[vecna]

That’s not necessarily true. Depending on how willing you are to host guests in your Horizon domain, at least.

And you didn’t answer the question.

[restingstitchface]

I didn't answer the question because I hardly consider myself to belong to a faction.

[vecna]

I wasn’t asking which faction you feel aligned to. I’m asking after a location. It’s hard to seek treatment if someone doesn’t even know where to go, Doctor.

[restingstitchface]

Free Cities.

Dare I ask why you enquire? You sound rather skeptical of a listening ear.

[vecna]

Do I? That’s not my intention. I actually am curious, talk of cats aside.

Though that would mean a Horizon visit for me, specifically.

[restingstitchface]

Then I am afraid I shall have to disappoint you. I am quite the new arrival, you see. First I actually need to get into the Horizon.

I am working on it, I assure you.

[vecna]

That is disappointing.

But I’m patient, and it’s not my place to rush you. Has anyone told you what to expect?

[restingstitchface]

They are doing that right now, yes. The Horizon sounds like a place everyone wants to go.

Curiosity, indeed.

[vecna]

It’s a place where you can carve out a little home away from home for yourself. Most people are drawn in by the idea, never mind the ability to meet others beyond faction lines.

[restingstitchface]

In a secretive place hidden from our hosts, no doubt. Not that I am criticising those daring enough to cross those lines.

[vecna]

If you want to help every Summoned who needs it, and not just the ones in the Free Cities, you’ll be one of those daring ones, too.

But everyone indulges. Faraway connections are difficult to ignore.

[Well, unless your name is Henry Creel.]

[restingstitchface]

Well, most enjoy a jolly vacation now and then.

[Variable. He means variable. SCIENCE!]