text - absence makes the heart grow until it explodes

[h2no]

YO.

I KNOW THERE'S ONE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE WE ALL GET IT: HOMESICKNESS.
I KNOW EVERYONE IS MISSING THEIR HOME AND THEIR FRIENDS. I'D BE SURPRISED IF THERE'S PEOPLE HERE WHO AREN'T.
NOT TO SAY IF YOU AREN'T THAT YOU'RE A WEIRDO, OF COURSE, I SUPPOSE YOU'RE JUST A BIT LUCKIER.
NOW, I'M NOT GONNA ASK YOU TO TELL ME ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MISS OR THE PLACES YOU MISS. THAT WON'T HELP, IT'LL PROBABLY JUST MAKE YOU FEEL EVEN WORSE.
I AIN'T EVEN GONNA GIVE A BIG SPEECH ABOUT HOW WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE GOTTA TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT CRAP AIN'T GONNA HOLD UP.
BACK HOME I HAD A LARGE TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO VARIED IN AGES. A LOT OF THEM GOT HOMESICK AND WHEN IT OVERWHELMED THEM THEY WENT ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.
THING IS, IT'S REAL EASY TO LET IT OVERWHELM YOU.
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU MISS. EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU THINK IS SILLY, LIKE THE TREE THAT WAS NEAR WHERE YOU LIVED, OR A CAFE THAT DID THE BEST VERSION OF A FLAT WHITE COFFEE YOU'VE EVER TASTED.
ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF. EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT FROM EARTH. I GUARANTEE YOU THERE WILL BE SOMETHING HERE THAT IS SIMILAR ENOUGH IT'LL BE LIKE BEING AT HOME. EVEN IF IT'S JUST A GIANT ROCK THAT'S THE SAME SHAPE.
NOT TO MENTION GETTING OUT AND GETTING FRESH AIR ALWAYS HELPS.
DO STUFF YOU DID AT HOME. DON'T GET WRAPPED UP IN THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT THE SAME. YOU HAVE TO ADAPT TO HELP YOURSELF, THAT'S LIFE.
BUT THAT THE SAME TIME... DON'T SINK INTO IT. DON'T THINK OF NOTHING BUT WHAT YOU MISS.
IGNORING IT WON'T WORK, BUT NEITHER WILL DIVING INTO IT.
FIND A BALANCE.
DON'T LET IT OVERWHELM YOU.

Comments

Re: action

[h2no]

You don't gotta be related for me to give a shit, dumbass.

[it's said fondly, not meant to offend.]

I don't care about ya bringin' in money, either. You'd be surprised about the opportunities imPorts get here, ya could probably make bank just signing shit for fans. Way I see it, we all got our own shit goin' on, but at least we don't gotta worry so much about rent.

[he sighs, then releases mightyena. the big dog lands on the kitchen floor with a clatter, looking around and panting.]

Just call 'im if you want something to cuddle. That is one thing I ain't ever gonna provide to ya.

Re: action

[pale_blue_arrow]

In San Clemente, the only reasons people stick together outside of crime are if they're related or they're banging. [He raises an eyebrow, as if asking without words if that's where this is going.]

Fans? Me. [The flattest look on the face of this and several other Earths.] Rent's the least of my problems if this place is so demented somebody like me's gonna get fans.

I don't do cuddles. Unless the dog needs 'em.

Re: action

[h2no]

[archie, who had been taking a drink, immediately gags and coughs when that eyebrow goes up. he spits his mouthful into the sink with an accompanied "EUUUGH"]

All imPorts get 'em eventually. Especially the younger ones.

[said raiding his own brows. oh boy are you gonna be popular, KID.]

That's fine. He needs feedin' anyway. Go on, off wi' ya. Get some shut eye.

Re: action

[pale_blue_arrow]

[Brendan just gives him a look at that reaction.] How're you older than me and that green about this? [Even though he's never gotten into that side of things himself, he's well aware how some of San Clemente's residents made the money they needed for their heroin and how they kept their landlords from throwing them out. He would sooner go homeless, but he knows that everybody's got their price and what they do when it's reached.]

I'm not that young. Wait, what's the average age of an imPort, anyway?

...is tomorrow a school day here? This going from February first to May whatever is screwing with my head. I'd skip school t' sleep in but that's not a great first impression to make on the teachers.

Re: action

[h2no]

Because I have goddamn standards? You're way too young for me, kid.

[ugh. UGH.]

Probably about 16-20. Dunno, haven't asked or counted. An' no, it's not. Today's a Saturday, so sleep as long as ya want.

Re: action

[pale_blue_arrow]

Your world must be like a damn Disney movie.

[So dismissive. What is normal.]

Thank the God I don't believe in. I'm gonna hit the sack. Wake me if you need to, I won't hold it against you.

Re: action

[h2no]

[archie just rolls his eyes. brendan's a typical edgy 16-year-old kid at heart, seems like.]

Only if the house is burnin' down.

Re: action

[pale_blue_arrow]

Better fire than a flood, [he mutters, mostly to himself, as he retreats from the kitchen.

'Typical'. Typical is good. He can make typical work for him - once he's had enough sleep to see straight.]