maskormenace | [ video ]

[ The video shows a man with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light blue button-up shirt sitting at a table. ]

Hello again. [ A Scottish accent, tempered by living in London. ] It's really been a while since I've been around, or on the network or anything. I think I've been a little pre-occupied by, um, some things. Yeah.

Anyway. [ He clears his throat and sits up taller in his seat, three fingers on each hand wrapped in white bandages. ] I've been thinking about looking into some supplementary work. Or then again, I might just need a new job proper, a fresh start. If anyone has suggestions or knows someone who's hiring—or, if you are hiring, for that matter—I'm quite interested in scoping out other potential employment opportunities and things.

[ Then it seems he's just had an idea or remembered something. ]

Oh, and. I remember having a little problem with... an old habit. I'd asked for help, gotten a little bit, and I guess I'd forgotten to really follow up on it, you know? So I'm just a little unsure of where to really go from here.

[ Feigning relief with marginal success, he exhales audibly. ]

I suppose that's all for now. Cheers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It does seem like you could benefit from talking to someone. The loss of time that you're describing over this is ... worrisome. [And admittedly, it's not something she's familiar with, as she is no doctor of psychiatry. She's just a spunky private detective trying to make it on her own.

Her base of knowledge is growing everyday.]

But it might be best to see if you can find someone you can check in with every day, to build up a new routine. So you're not ... lost to this.

[ Simon nods... and nods some more. He knows, he has known that he's needed help for a long time already. And he's sure he's tried everything, even tried to get the help, which only makes this all the more frustrating because shouldn't anything have worked out by now? Is it really so far out of his control, out of anyone's control?

His mouth suddenly seeming dry, he swallows before licking his lips and trying hard not to look pathetic or out of control. He's trying to suppress those feelings with just marginal success. Before speaking, he clears his throat; his voice still comes out more strained than he'd like. ]

Right. Right. I'll, um. [ He rubs his temples with one hand. ] I'll contact someone, but I don't think I should leave it all on one person. So maybe I can come up with others...

[ He later winds up contacting Kitty; in the meantime, he's trying to think up who else might help him. ~~There's clearly no point in asking Dorian.~~ ]

And I mean a professional. Don't go the imPort route with it, unless it's someone with powers who you can trust. A telepath. [It's difficult to recommend that, but she prefers the prospect of Emma Frost to Frederick Chilton.] And even then, you should try to find someone removed from our situations. [Simon's loss of time is worrisome, though.]

In the meantime, I've still got psychometry. If you have anything for that lost time, I may be able to get traces of something. It's an attempt, but I'm worried about it. It seems ... I don't want to call it unnatural, but it definitely rings as unnatural.

Okay. A professional, then. I'll look into it. Though, since you're mentioning now— [ She doesn't want to call it unnatural, but apparently there's that sort of feel to it. His expression is somewhat grave here. ] —I think that maybe... I think I want to talk about my powers with you. Not here on the network, but hopefully in person sometime. I would much rather do it face to face, preferably somewhere safe or private or both, if that's possible.

Do you think we could arrange for something like that?

[Kate wonders if his powers have something to do with it. She's not a naturally suspicious person. Not revealing everything about herself to others is a second nature sort of thing, rather than done out of not trusting others. She knows he kept it to himself before, but was that for this reason?

Since he seems to take the rest of her advice, she moves on to his question.]

My apartment is appropriately warded. It's not the usual safe or private place people suggest because it's my home, but I think it's got everything you need.

[ His expression after her response is a mix of embarrassment and relief. ]

If it's all right, then... I'd really appreciate it. I don't want to be troubling you. And since it's your home, when might be good for you?

Honestly, let me know when you're largely good, and I'll try to fit you in. I'm very busy, so it depends on someone else's schedule. [Sometimes, it requires her to reframe her day, turn up at Matt's office at 1 AM to finish filing, the works]

It might be better sooner rather than later, but there are some things I've got to straighten out; that should also include looking into professional help and starting up a new routine.

[ He closes his eyes before rubbing his forehead and temples. ] So, maybe in a week or two? I'll be sure to get in touch with you with something more definitive soon.

If a week or two is sooner for you. [After his opening statement, she expected sooner.]

But just let me know. I'll be waiting, and ... do me a favor? Until you don't lose time again, try to be meticulous about any money you spend. Write it all down, keep receipts. I'm serious. If it's something I can get a grasp on, I want it.

Uh, it is. [ Sort of.

Anyway, he nods and tries to look more confident here. ]

Keep receipts and other records of money spent. Got it.

[ It'll be a good way to get back into writing in that journal Anita had suggested to him last month. He can't believe he'd fallen off the horse this hard. ]

Well, all right. [Said without a single ounce of suspicion in her voice, which she congratulates herself for.

She is really suspicious.]

Good luck until we speak again.

[ video ]

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.