voice.

[ringletted]

[It's been days, perhaps weeks since she arrived, and it's taken this long for her to feel comfortable broadcasting even her voice in a public place. Even so, the message is short as she makes an effort to keep distress or dismay out of her voice.]

Since we've all been taken from our homes, there must be many out there who have left behind family, friends, and loved ones. As I've been told, there are people who have been trapped in this place for months.

Does time make the ache of being apart fade? Is there a way to make that pain subside?

Comments

text

[oncearanger]

It does. How quickly it happens can vary by a lot, and longing doesn't really decease in a steady downward slope. Some things will remind you of the friends you've been apart from, and that's not easy.

People can definitely adapt to a new standard of normalcy, but that's not to say resolve doesn't get strained every now and then.

The best thing I can suggest is to meet people and have a goal to work toward, something that'll give you more to do than be reminded of the friends you're missing.

voice

[ringletted]

The training has been useful enough as far as distractions go, and of course we're told that we'll be allowed home when all of this is over. Both things have helped, if only a moderate amount.

[Of course, she sounds unconvinced that the prospect of being sent home is that easy.]

How long have you been away from your loved ones?

voice;

[fortissimos]

They shouldn't be in a place like this. [ Neither should some of the people already here, but complaining won't change that. ] I should be back home protecting them, but it's okay if I can help the people here.

[ It's a distraction, and it's good enough for now. ]

voice;

[ringletted]

Can the people from your home not protect themselves well?

[A short pause, and then gently, but not patronizing:]

How old are you? [Her voice sounds young, at least.]

voice

[vaudevil]

I honestly think that is up to the individual. For myself, I don't miss home that much. The only difference being that I have to start over. I have no loved ones. Just allies. I'm afraid that's it.

voice

[ringletted]

[She pauses, surprised and somewhat saddened by his statement.]

You have no loved ones? No friends or family?

[solitaire]

Distractions, I think, are the best way 'round feeling it all the time.

Or so I hear.

[ringletted]

Well, if you've heard of distractions that can last the whole day, I'd be curious to know what they are.

voice;

[sharpe]

[ A hoarse chuckle. ]

You find a way, you tell me.

voice;

[ringletted]

They were someone very close, I take it?

[voice]

[claimyourself]

I've been separated from people I love, and it never got any easier for me.

[And then, in a quieter tone.]

If you find a way, I'd sure like to know. The only thing keeping me going is the possibility that we're saving our worlds by being here, and I don't even know if that part's true.

[voice]

[ringletted]

If anyone can give me a way that works, I'll gladly share it.

Do you think it could be true?

[onemoredeath]

I think it all depends on what your home is like and where you stood while you were there.

[ringletted]

I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Why is that?

Permavid

[governorkang]

It never fades. It simply becomes easier to manage.

Voice

[ringletted]

[There's only a short pause of surprise at his appearance. She's seen stranger things in her home, after all.]

If it becomes easier, would that not mean it's faded in a way?

[video]

[acemedium]

Well... there are good things about being here, too! You can focus on that.

[voice]

[ringletted]

[There's a bit of a smile in her voice.]

What are the best things you've found?

voice.

[defending]

I wouldn't call it pain so much as a lot of worry. But I haven't been here that long, so... I'm probably not the best person to ask. I just know I'm needed, and not just here. Kinda... unfun.

voice.

[ringletted]

If it's any help, I'd heard that time doesn't pass where we came from, as long as we're here. So, if that information is reliable, you'll still be needed when you return.

[Audio]

[asskickersunite]

Depends on how well you deal with being separated from people you care about.

Me? I've still got plenty I need to do here, to protect my folks back home, but I make time for drinking, smoking, or building shit for people. Keeping yourself occupied is the best advice I can give.

[Audio]

[ringletted]

Smoking? I don't think I'm familiar with what exactly that means.

voice;

[isprepared]

Time is capable of doing many things.

[ Maiev would know. She's thousands and thousands of years old. It doesn't show in her voice easily, but one who has a trained ear might be able to tell there's some experience to bolster her words. ]

Are you sure you wish for the pain to disappear? Often it can make you a stronger person than you ever thought possible.

voice;

[ringletted]

I don't think this feeling is making me stronger. Not weaker, either, but I would only be stronger if he were here.

text

[spongetastic]

Focusing on other things helps.

voice

[ringletted]

The training sessions have been at least somewhat useful for that.

What other things have you found, here?

text;

[painfeels]

I still miss my mom and dad more than ever.

voice;

[ringletted]

I'm sorry to hear it. How long have you been separated from them?

video;

[bittertears]

Have you been separated from someone like that yourself?

[because why not talk about someone else when this hits a little too close to home.]

voice;

[ringletted]

Yes, I have. I was hoping the people here would have advice, since it seems many here have had the same experience.

video

[selfloyalty]

Have you ever lost a loved one prior to this?

video

[ringletted]

Yes, I have, but the circumstances were a bit different that time.

voice;

[skyentific]

I'm sure it happens to everyone. It can happen to people even when they're not stuck in a different world. People deal with it.

voice; leave this place

[ringletted]

I've been through loss before, but the circumstances were much different... I just wondered if people had any advice on how to deal with this kind, I suppose.

voice

[prettycoolguy]

If we believe what we're told, what we do here protects them.

voice

[ringletted]

[She pauses.]

Do you believe it?

[video]

[futurarex]

Then you never found him?

[voice]

[ringletted]

I didn't, no. But thank you for the assistance nonetheless.

voice;

[direhit]

I think it does fade and it doesn't. I've been away from my mom for a long time while traveling, and I missed her then, but I could always go back home to visit her.

Here... I can't really do that. I think it's a lot different in that way.

voice;

[ringletted]

I know what you mean, but I suppose if we believe what they're saying, all of this is temporary as well.

[Gently:]

How old are you?

[voice]

[demonbloodblade]

I'm afraid I'm going to be somewhat less than helpful. Where I came from, the number of people I left behind that I truly cared about was one, and I only saw him once every year or two.

Since coming here, I actually found more people worth the time to get to know. I've had my life described as 'barbaric', which may be true in comparison to others, but... this is a place more accepting of me than where I came from.

[voice]

[ringletted]

You need not apologize.

You weren't accepted in the place you came from? Why's that?

[video]

[failtsuninari]

Time has a funny way of working on people's hearts. I have a lot of things to take care of back home. I made my fiancee wait too long as it is.

While I know my loved ones and my comrades can take care of themselves, I do worry about them from time to time. Instead of wallowing in that pain though, I use it to constantly drive myself to continue. The sooner the Initiative achieves its goals, the sooner we can go back.

[video]

[ringletted]

Maybe someday soon your fiancee will join you here instead.

It's a good use of pain, but couldn't you continue on even without hurting?